Historical Land Analysis: The Friel Estate (1770s – 1921)
1. The Original Grant: Jeremiah Friel (c. 1774)
The foundation of the Friel holdings in Pocahontas County (then Augusta/Bath) was the settlement of Jeremiah Friel.
Location: The mouth of Thorny Creek, where it meets the Greenbrier River.
Original Acreage: Approximately 300–400 acres.
Status: This was a "Settlement and Preemption" grant. Jeremiah was one of the first to improve the "river bottom" land, which was highly prized for its fertility and access to water transport.
2. Mid-1800s Subdivisions: William and Daniel Friel
By the 1830-1850 period (the era of the census records we discussed), the land was divided among Jeremiah’s sons, primarily William Friel and Daniel Friel.
The Upper Tract (Clawson/Warwick): William Friel inherited the northern portion of the estate.
The Lower Tract: Daniel Friel held the land further down the river.
Impact of the Railroad: In the late 1800s, the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway built the Greenbrier Division. The tracks ran directly through the Friel property. The family negotiated a "flag stop" or station, which was named Clawson Station (after a related family branch or local official).
3. The 1921 Listing: "Page Friel" and the 60-Acre Farm
The advertisement in the April 28, 1921, Pocahontas Times represents the final fragmentation of the original 18th-century "river bottom" grant.
Property Breakdown:
Total Size: 60 Acres.
Improved Land: 30 Acres (cleared for crops/meadow).
Structures: 4-room cottage and a barn.
Geographic Marker: "6 miles above Marlinton" at Clawson Station.
Historical Significance:
This 60-acre tract is almost certainly a sub-parcel of the original William Friel holdings. By 1921, the large pioneer estates were being broken into smaller, more manageable "truck farms" or residential lots as the timber industry (Marlin Lumber Co.) replaced large-scale subsistence farming as the primary economic driver.
4. Mapping the "Page Friel" Farm Today
Using modern markers, we can pinpoint the 1921 listing:
Township: Edray District.
Modern Road: Near the intersection of WV Route 219 and the Greenbrier River Trail (the old C&O rail bed).
The Station: The site of Clawson Station is located just north of the mouth of Thorny Creek.
5. Summary of Ownership Transfer
Era | Primary Owner | Property Type |
|---|---|---|
1770s-1800 | Jeremiah Friel | Pioneer Wilderness Grant (400+ acres) |
1830s | William Friel | Established Agricultural Estate |
1880s | Friel Heirs | Partitioned land for Railway & Clawson Station |
1921 | Page Friel | 60-acre residual farm for sale |
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