Histories of 58 WV Communities - Chapter 3



Chapter 3  Cabell County
Barboursville - Cabell Creek - Davis Creek - Little Seven Mile
Martha - Ona


                    History of Barboursville Community
                         Prepared By J. W. Miller
                                  1925 

Barboursville became the county seat of Cabell County in 1813. The county 
was taken from Kanawha County in 1809. It included all of Wayne, Lincoln, 
and a large part of Logan, Boone, and Putnam counties. Its area was 1750 
square miles, with a population in 1810 of 2717, including 221 slaves and 
25 Indians not taxed. Or about 1 1/2 persons to the square mile. We now 
have one sixth of this area, and more than 300 people to the square mile. 
Immigration began to come in about 1780 and land was easy to get, was 
marked out and claimed, and the state would sell the settler as much as 
one thousand acres or more, at the small price of $1.60 per 100 acres. 
Hence, everybody tried to see how much land they could get. 

The Miller & Thornburg Store As soon as the town became the county seat, 
immigration became heavy. Hotels, livery stables, stores, shops and 
factories of all kinds were built. The stores carried large stocks of 
goods bought in New York or Philadelphia; generally on six or twelve 
months time. We had no drummers then. The merchants would go to the 
eastern markets about twice a year to buy their stock. These goods were 
exchanged for country produce, grain, dried fruit, hogs, ginseng, deer 
hides, and feathers. Women brought in products of the loom, jeans, linsey, 
flax, tow linen, and white flannel, all of which had a ready sale at home. 
There was much traffic between Barboursville and Logan.  

Among the business men and firms were Absolom Holderby, F.G.S. Buehring, 
Henderson & Miller (afterwards Miller & Thornburg), John G. Miller & 
Brother, Matthew Thompson, and others. 

Barboursville was known as a manufacturing town. There was a furniture 
factory, a fan mill factory, hat factory, wagon and buggy factory, two or 
three harness shops, a large tannery, which supplied the home market and 
exported as well, large lots of leather, there were several tailors, 
blacksmiths, shoemakers, a large mill built by Miller & Moore, which cut 
large quantities of steam boat bottoms, lumber of clear oak, some of it 36 
feet long. All of it went to Jeffersonville, Indian, by barges, which were 
built in Barboursville. This saw mill was wrecked during the Civil War. A 
great many of these workers were Germans. There were immigrants from every 
nation who came here to better their conditions, and to found peaceful 
homes. Our farmers came mostly from Virginia and Pennsylvania. Schools 
were good for those times and were well attended. Boys and girls came to 
school from all over the county, as nearly everybody had a horse, or in 
winter they could board in town at $1.50 to $2.00 per week. 

The first teacher I have any record of was David McGinnis, who taught here 
in about 1840. He was one of the first Marshall College students, and was 
studying for the ministry. The teachers, as I remember them, were Mr. 
Simpson, Edward Vertegan and wife, Joseph Foster and wife, Miss Fannie 
Chapman, Jared Armstrong, Mr. McClelland, Dr. V. R. Moss, James Thornburg, 
B. H. Thackston. All taught private schools before the Civil War. Tuition 
was $1.00, $1.50 to $2.00 per month. If it were possible to trace the boys 
who attended these schools, it would undoubtedly be found that their 
education compared with the best. 

Barboursville was surrounded by an agricultural section, producing large 
crops of grain, fat hogs, sheep, and cattle. Hogs constituted the "cash 
crop". They were butchered and packed in Barboursville. Hams and lard went 
to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia; side meat and shoulders to the salt works 
in Kanawha. Hogs were as fine as we have today, and were much cheaper to 
raise on mash, and finished with corn. Wagons came from North Carolina, 
loaded with apple brandy. They sold it here, and loaded back with bacon 
and salt. 

It would no doubt create much consternation to hear a boat whistle here in 
Barboursville, for the gate to open at the locks, so the steamboat could 
pass through. Then the polite clerk, in the old days, went down, assisting 
the ladies and children ashore, followed by the colored porter with the 
baggage. Yes, we saw just that sixty-five years ago. For Guyandotte River 
was locked and dammed by the New York Navigation Company as far as 
Branchland. Seven locks were put in at great expense, in order that the 
company might ship coal out. This was the beginning of coal development in 
the Guyandotte Valley. These locks and dams had no keepers during the 
Civil War, and so were ruined by floods, and were eventually taken out by 
the Government. My father, W. C. Miller, built two of these locks by 
contract, one just above the mouth of Mud River, and one at Branchland. 
His foreman, Billingly Stafford, was drowned during this work, and was 
buried in our old cemetery. 

Eventually they began to build the railroad, which is now the Chesapeake 
and Ohio. Every man in the county could get work of some kind during that 
time. This railroad line was about half finished at the beginning of the 
Civil War, and the work had to be abandoned until the close of the war. 

When the West was settled, and trade began flowing East again, it went to 
Pittsburgh and through Pennsylvania. Virginia built three good turnpikes 
to divert travel through that state again. And so we were given the 
Kanawha and James River Turnpike, which ran from Covington, Virginia, to 
the Big Sandy, and to this day remains the great National Highway. There 
were toll gates every four miles, and mile stones at every mile along the 
way. It was well built, and well kept up. Immigration and general travel 
was at all times heavy, immigrants going West in covered wagons, with 
their dogs and tar bucket tied to the hind of the ox in harness. The old 
stage coach, drawn by four horses carrying twelve or more passengers would 
make good time. And when travel was especially heavy, we had two stages a 
day. There was heavy travel from the South, too, by carriages; these were 
most wealthy and prosperous planters on their way to the White Sulphur 
Springs. All livestock was driven to market over this road. Hogs were 
started from Kentucky half fattened, traveled about eight miles per day, 
and were fattened along the road; they were finally packed in Richmond. 

Barboursville men and boys have participated in every war since the war 
for Independence. During the Revolutionary War they were mostly engaged in 
fighting hostile Indians on the raw border, allies of the British. During 
the War of 1812 Captain William Brumfield raised a Cavalry Company in this 
county. We had to raise men and supplies, and besides we were assessed $1,
540.00. This Company had a hard time, as many of these brave volunteers 
died in a plague in Norfolk. Elisha McComas, then our of our town boys, 
raised a company to fight in the Mexican War. They camped on the site of 
what is now Mike Sanders' house. The state would not receive this Company, 
inasmuch as her quota was filled. Undaunted, they went to Norfolk, and 
enlisted in the United States Army, being known as Company C, Eleventh 
United States Infantry. I have no record of the losses among these 
soldiers, nor their history. From meager accounts I have been able to 
glean, their losses were heavy, and there is record that one Lieutenant 
Joe Samuels came back to Barboursville, his home town, and died shortly 
afterward of Mexican fever. Between battles and sickness of the climate, 
they were practically wiped out. 

During the Civil War our people were grievously divided, and brother 
fought against brother, father against son. As was so splendidly the case 
through this section, every man had the courage of his convictions, and 
fought with courage for the principles which he thought were right. Many 
of our boys fill unknown graves. I seem to hear the shriek of the mothers 
ringing down through the years, when they received the terse words: 
"Killed in battle". 

When peace was finally declared, our boys returned to a devastated 
country - no crops, no stock, no money. The pay of the Union soldier was 
so small he had no chance to save any. The Confederate soldier had better 
pay, but the more money he had, the poorer he found fimself, inasmuch as 
Confederate money was worthless. Under the generous terms of General 
Grant's decision, they were given some horses, and with a few condemned 
war-broken horses they went to work. The fertile soil soon gave forth 
crops of golden grain, the hum of the threshing machine was once more 
heard on the farms. As soon as their farms were re-established they went 
in for live-stock-horses, mules, sheep, cattle, and hogs. There were 
always ready buyers. Horses and mules were shipped to Richmond and North 
carolina, stock cattle to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, northwestern 
Virginia, and central Ohio, fat cattle to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and 
Cincinnati. We did not need to depend on Swift and Armour for our meats, 
as we had two good butchers here. Our county at that time was one of the 
best agricultural areas in the state. Everybody worked but father - he 
made all the others work for him, and he was the wise head of the family, 
as he ought to be, and was intended to be. In these latter days he seems 
to be the only one working, and wondering how he can make the others work. 

The cultivation of soil is the first and most important feature of any 
thriving land since civilization began and ought to continue to be. No 
doubt it will always be. Herodotus, the father of history, tells us the 
story of the valley of the Euphrates; he brings out the fact that with 
poor cultivation the yield was fifty fold, with fair cultivation an 
hundred fold, and with good cultivation two hundred fold. That seems to 
have been the garden of the world during his days. Its great cities, 
Babylon and Ninevah are only marked by great heaps of sand today; instead 
of the millions of peoples who roamed in and out of the sand, it is now a 
barren desert, peopled only by a few wandering tribes of Arabs, grazing 
half starved sheep and goats. 

The early histories also tell us that the Nile produced wonderful crops 
for Egypt, and stress the point of good cultivation. The Chinese, also, 
one of the oldest known nations found out years ago, that their land would 
have to be preserved carefully to feed their increasing populations. So 
they terraced the hillsides from bottom to top to keep the soil from 
washing away; today, any soil so washed away is carried back in baskets. 

With the dense population of today, the Chinese people are on the verge of 
starvation, and great care is needed to preserve what they have left. 

Which of these courses will we take? Shall we sap the land by unadvised 
farming, and make of it a desert waste to our children's children, or hand 
it down to future generations more fertile, richer than it is today? This 
should be food for thought. Let us not make the mistake of planting "corn 
and tobacco" until we sap the land our fathers gave us. 

One of the first battles of the Civil War was fought in Barboursville on 
July 11, 1861, between the Wayne and Cabell County militia under Colonel 
Ferguson, and the Second Kentucky under Colonel Woodruff. The militia 
could not stand up under the bayonet charge, and retreated in haste, 
leaving one dead, a Mr. Reynolds, from Milton, and Absolom Ballinger 
wounded. Federal loss, five killed and eighteen wounded. I though our 
Militia was well trained, but lost confidence in them when I watched them 
in action during this fight. Our second fight was on Main Street in 
September 1862 between the Eighth Virginia Cavalry and a regiment of Ohio 
Cavalry under Colonel Powell. This battle was fought after night. Both 
sides retreated, one Union soldier being killed. The Eighth Virginia 
Cavalry was commanded by General Jenkins, and most of the boys from our 
county belonged to it.  They were sent here when Loring took the Kanawha 
Valley, to cut off the retreat of the Union forces. They were the first 
Confederate soldiers to invade Ohio. They crossed into Ohio at Ravenswood, 
and recrossed at Greenbottom, arriving here just in time to meet the 
retreating Federals.   

Cabell County Courthouse Our old court house, built about 1814 was located 
between Music Hall and the college. It had a whipping post near it. The 
first lawyers, I remember, were Henry J. Fisher, George W. Summers, 
Benjamin Smith and Gideon W. Camden; David McComas, Green Samuels, and J. 
H. Brown. There were very few criminal cases. Horse stealing was more 
frequent than any other crime.  

Among the first preachers were Burwell Spurlock, Roland Bias, Sandy 
McCane, Claughton, Kelly, Shearer, Lancaster Reece, Ball, Chambers 
Hawkins, Elijah Adkins, and others. A great many of these local preachers 
were farmers. Some were eloquent preachers, their salary ran from $200 to 
$400 per year. The Baptists worshipped at Blue Sulphur and Bloomingdale. 
This church was on the hill back of Bailey Wertz's house, in a cedar 
grove, overlooking the Martha church. It was moved to Heath Creek. The 
Methodists worshipped at a church on Water Street, near where Mr. May 
lives. Also at Bethesda Church. All of these churches had better 
congregations than they have today. 

I can't help coming to the defense of our old time people some modern 
writers and speakers tell us our old people did not have any education or 
did not want any, and that the aristocracy of Virginia did not want to be 
taxed to educate the people west of the mountains. Thomas Jefferson one of 
the greatest statesmen of his day was a great advocate of free schools. He 
succeeded in having a law passed providing for the education of all 
children whose parents were not able to educate them. Such children were 
certified by a board to the teacher who got an order on the sheriff for 
his pay at $.50 per month. This law worked all right in the cities and 
towns, but the country population was so thin they could not support 
schools. Town schools were good; our teachers were generally graduates of 
colleges, and taught all the higher branches and many of our boys and 
girls were sent off to colleges. I can name you grandmothers and mothers 
who have long passed away, who received their education at Mrs. Levis 
School at Shelbyville, Kentucky; Ohio Wesleyan, Cincinnati, Ohio; 
Steubenville, Ohio; and Staunton, Virginia. I can name the old boys who 
went to Marshall soon after it was made an academy and continued up to the 
Civil War frequently walking home in all kinds of weather, and as a result 
our community furnished a Lieutenant Governor of Virginia; two Adjutant 
Generals, one of state and one on General Military Staff; one Brigadier 
General, several Captains and Lieutenants, several fine lawyers, two 
judges, several doctors, financiers, a Vice President of the American 
Trust and Bonded Company, New York, and Commissioners of Internal Revenue, 
both terms under Grover Cleveland. We came to the conclusion that our boys 
needed education and got some of it. 

Old time people were more patriotic than they are today, people from all 
parts of the county would meet here every Fourth of July, march out to 
some suburban grove, listen to addresses by speakers chosen for the 
occasion and then feast on barbecued beef prepared by expert Nego cooks, 
who commenced to prepare it the day before. 

They had annual fairs; the Court House now the college building was used 
to display fruits, vegetables, wines, canned goods, needle work, etc. The 
stock was shown on the streets or lots. The exhibit was good and all took 
much interest in it. The first sorgham molasses I ever saw was at one of 
these fairs about 1852 was made in iron kettles it was very dark and thin, 
but was quite a curiosity. I have spoken of the amount of live stock on 
the farms. I quote prices from a memorandum book dated 1886, as I bought 
from farm to farm when I was in the live stock business.* 

On one trip I bought 35 cattle for $707.00 or $20.25 per head.
On one trip I bought 99 sheep for 170.00 or 1.70 per head and 57 hogs for 
417.00 or 8.00 per head.
On one trip I bought 10 Texas Ponies for 447.25 or 44.25.
On two or three trips, 695 sheep for 1435.00 or 2.05 per head.
On one trip I bought 212 sheep for 573.00 or 2.75 per head.
On one trip I bought 52 cattle for 936.20 or 3.25 to 3.40 per cwt.
On one trip I bought 34 yearlings for 466.00 or 13.75 per head.
On one trip I bought 30 head cattle including 11 yearlings at $2.85 per 
cwt.

The price of yearlings averaged about $10 to $15 per head; and the price 
of two-year-olds, $16 to $20 per head. I bought two car loads of Putnam 
County two-year-olds, one car at $27.50 and one at $30 per head. Putnam 
County cattle was the best that I handled, but I could find more cattle in 
Logan ranges than any of the other counties. In 1884 I found 108 yearling 
cattle on Island Creek, belonging to one man I did not buy this bunch but 
came out with sixty eight two-year-olds. I had special rates of $48 per 
car to Baltimore. The Range cattle were raised cheap with good profit to 
owner. Barboursville was the county seat from 1813 to 1888, or for seventy 
five years, after a hot election it was removed to Huntington and 
Barboursville College became the owner of the Court House. At this time 
Rev. Wads was holding a quarterly meeting here. He went up to my house to 
dinner with my wife, and in passing the home where I now live my wife told 
him it would be a good place for a female school, he said he would talk it 
up, and for me to see Mr. Poteet, the owner, and get his price on the 
property which I did. He priced it about $500 less than he had been 
asking. Before a deal was made, however, sentiment sprang up in Huntington 
in favor of giving the Court House building to the proposed seminary. The 
County Court; George Grobe, Thomas Bias, and George Hackworth, found out 
they could not legally give the property away, but if a stock company was 
formed they would put the price at one thousand dollars and deed it and 
take a lien for the purchase money. E. W. Blume, Henry Poteet, Henry 
Stowasser, Charles H. Miller, and Fredrick Miller or his son Will, each 
took two hundred dollars stock. The deed was made and a lien taken which 
was paid and released at the close of 1888. This Institution was turned 
over by the Stock Holders as a Conference School to the M. E. Church 
South, until 1901. The Institution was known as Barboursville College. In 
consideration of the liberality of Morris Harvey. The trustees changed the 
name to Morris Harvey College, the building and grounds have been greatly 
improved and beautified and the faculty increased. Rev. T. S. Wade was the 
first president and Rev. G. W. Hampton vice president. 

It must not be thought that because our mothers and grandmothers brought 
the products of the farm to the stores to trade for other goods that they 
did not have any fine clothes. On extra occasions their silks would stand 
alone and when our sisters came out in their imported organdies and 
Empress Cloth dresses covered with a hand made silk or lace shawl that 
touched the ground they would get a beau in about fifteen minutes. Flax, 
hemp, and cotton were raised on every farm as part of the crops and had to 
be worked up. 

Barboursville has kept up in the march of progress; she has grown until we 
reach from hill to hill. After being scored we feel proud of our score; 
perfect in transportation; perfect in our boys who have made prominent 
men. Sometimes we imagine we see the original owners of this land, John 
Samuels, and William Merritt walking over our town and looking over the 
improvement we have made and hear them say what fools we were to give this 
valuable property away. 

I cannot close this history without saying something about our old time 
colored people. In making this state we took from Virginia more than half 
her territory, but we only inherited four per cent of the slaves. I never 
witnessed any of the cruelties Harriett Beecher Stowe tells us about in 
Uncle Tom's Cabin. The slaves were respected and honored by all regardless 
of the station they occupied in life. They received their freedom with 
full honor; they helped to carve this country out of a wilderness and no 
man can say aught against them. I call to mind a negro man my father 
raised from a small orphan boy. When he received his freedom we were glad 
to know he was ready to take his place in the world. He was an expert 
cook, his first salary was eight dollars a month as steward on a steam 
boat, his wife was chamber maid at a good salary, and when he wrote me, "I 
have a son named after you and a daughter named after your sister." It 
pleased me to know he remembered old home folks. 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORRIS HARVEY
Morris Harvey College has an incorporated history of thirty-six years. The 
institution was founded in 1888 as the Barboursville Seminary; but finding 
it difficult to maintain the school because of the lack of endowment and 
equipment, the citizens of Barboursville induced the Western Virginia 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to take over the 
plant and make it a denominational college. 
 
Accordingly, in 1889, it passed into the hands of the Southern Methodists 
of West Virginia, and name changed to Barboursville College. 

In the above status, the school continued to function under the authority 
of state and church, until the close of the spring semester of 1909. 
Degrees in education, literature, arts, and sciences were conferred. The 
records show, that at this time, the requirements of education in the 
state and of endowment by the General Board of Education in the church 
were so raised, that the standard college rank was lost and the 
institution became a junior college, and so remained until 1919. In 1901, 
Mr. Morris Harvey, a resident of Fayetteville, West Virginia, became 
interested in education and his attention was toward Barboursville 
College. In recognition of his liberal gifts, the Board of Trustees 
changed the name of the school to Morris Harvey College. 

On account of the growing demand for more complete education at the hands 
of the church, and at the request of the local Board of Trustees, the 
General Board of Education determined in 1919 that the school should be 
made once more a standard, four year, collegiate institution. Pursuant to 
this decision, in each of the scholastic years of 1919-1921, the addition 
of the senior year made the program complete, and at the following 
commencement (1921) the first class with degrees in Arts and Sciences was 
graduated after a lapse of more than a decade. 

The curriculum now leads to bachelors' degrees in the college, or 
certificates in the special departments. The latter include four years in 
piano and voice; six grades and post graduate in violin; two years in home 
economics. There is also the standard academy following the requirements 
prescribed by the state for secondary schools. This is a distinctly 
separate unit. 

In a survey of the history of such an institution as this, the following 
question is often asked: Why the church college in the program of 
education? In the concern to be rid of the dictatorial system of education 
at the hands of the medieval, and sometimes, the later church; the 
pendulum has swung to the other extreme, and an almost equally dictatorial 
and intolerant scientific system has taken its place. 

The modern church college stands for investigation and advancement. It 
also stands for the development of the soul along all lines. The aim is 
broad. While one student is being prepared to enter advanced technical 
courses, another is being equipped to pursue liberal arts. Both students 
acquire a broader outlook by association; besides the influence of 
religion is brought to bear on each. The church college, while recognizing 
the demands of the state boards of education, preserves the equilibrium of 
society in a scientific and mechanical age by keeping a one-sided view of 
education from becoming predominant. In all fairness, in this connection, 
the church must recognize the state schools, university and colleges, in 
the maintenance of educational equipoise by preventing the return of any 
sort of scholasticism. 

Development in education has run a cycle. At first colleges, secular or 
religious, were small but in the course of time the growth resulted in the 
great university. Now, the tendency is, in some universities to emphasize 
the college unit once more. In some universities the college is used as 
the basis of government because large student bodies are unwieldy and 
impersonal, or as in some instances, unmanageable and inefficient. The 
small college cultivates the more intimate fellowship of student with 
student, and of professor and student. 

The alumni of Morris Harvey College have been going into big higher 
institutions of learning, especially is this true of more recent years. 
These graduates have made good and are now serving state and church 
acceptably. 

Thus Morris Harvey College is justified in her existence by the aims and 
ideals of her curriculum, by the tendency of modern education, and by the 
records of her alumni. 

LIST OF CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS FROM BARBOURSVILLE DISTRICT WHO FOUGHT
IN THE CIVIL WAR (*killed in action)
George Vertegan
Edward Vertegan
John Morrow*
Alexander Samuels*
Lafayette Samuels
Mar Smith
John Williams
William Hensley
John Thornburg
George Shelton
John Morris
George Holderby*
Luie Hendricks
Charles Shoemaker
Sampson Seamonds
Charles Seamonds*
John Davis*
Joe Davis*
John Payne*
Wilson B. Moore
Thomas Merritt
Dr. V. R. Moss
B. J. McComas
Charles Latin
George McKendree
John Shelton
James Shelton
Frank Miller
Charley Wilson
Fred Baumgardner
John Baumgardner*
Linsey Carter
Gabe Crook
Jack Moore
Monroe Shelton*
William Sweetland*
Bird Hensley*
Peter Everett
George Rodgers
William Rodgers
John Tassen
Blackburn McCoy
William Messinger
Charles Kelley
Lemuel Wilson
Harvey Wilson*
Robert Holderby
Pate Seamonds
James Dundas
William Shoemaker
Lon Love
John Love
William Rolfe
Thomas Rolfe
Dr. Charles Moss
George Hodge
John Love* (No. 2)
Harvey Blackwood*
Jack Seamonds*
Jessie Dodson
George Heath
Isaac Blake
Horatio Sexto

LIST OF UNION SOLDIERS FROM BARBOURSVILLE DISTRICT WHO FOUGHT
IN THE CIVIL WAR
Charles Shipe 




                     HISTORY OF CABELL CREEK COMMUNITY
 Written for Farm Bureau Country Life Conference by Mrs. Walter Mitchell,
                                June 1925.

Physical Features
Cabell Creek Community lies between the waters of Bryant Creek on the 
north, Lower Creek on the east, Mud River on the south, Little Cabell and 
Seven Mile on the west. Cabell Creek rises between the waters of Bryant on 
the north and Lower Creek on the east. It flows in a south westerly 
direction until it reaches Rush Fork, then south, and empties into Mud 
River near Howell's Mill. 

The principal tributaries of Big Cabell are as follows: Mud Lick, Jard 
Camp, Beelo Branch, Rush Fork, Cow Hollow, and Dennison Branch. 

Mud Lick, which flows through the Chas. Webb, Everett Venoy. Chas. Yoho, 
Walter Mitchell, and L. T. Arthur farms, was so named for the noted deer 
lick spring on the Mitchell farm, to which deer came from miles away. This 
spring has never been known to go dry. It is now piped to the Mitchell 
residence. 

Jard Camp Creek, better known by the younger generation as Gibson Branch, 
received its name from the fact that an old man by the name of Jard, years 
ago camped under a large rock along this creek not far from the Grandma 
Gibson residence. 

Beelo Branch, was named for a family who settled here about the year 1868, 
near where Henry Jordan now lives. 

Rush Branch, which flows from t he Jarvis, Petit, Simpson, Jackson and 
Nowlin Community was named for the large rushes which grew along its 
banks. These rushes are not as numerous nor so large as in early history 
due to more extensive cultivation. 

Cow Hollow", on the Billy Adams farm, was so named on account of its being 
noted as a favorite stamping ground for cattle which roamed at large in 
the early history of this community. Getting in the cows in those days was 
no little task. 

Dennison Branch, which lies between the Thompson and Roberts farm of 
today, was named for an early settler John Dennison. Along this branch 
stands the only mountain birch known in this community. 

Early Settlers
This community was first settled by white men in the year 1813 by Thomas 
Arthur, grandfather of Lewis Thompson Arthur one our oldest residents of 
today, and who is living upon the old homestead. Thomas Arthur moved to 
McArthur Junction, Ohio, from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, then to 
Cabell Creek on account of so much sickness in his family due to ague. His 
wife was Sally Blake of Greenbrier County and to them were born five sons 
and three daughters: Isaac, John M., James, Wash, Pennal, Betsy, America 
and Mary. 

Descendants of this union still living in the community are: Thompson 
Arthur, son of James Arthur and grandson of Thomas Arthur; Marie, wife of 
G. S. Blake and daughter of James Arthur; Margaret, wife of the late John 
Gibson, and William and John V. Arthur, children of Thomas Arthur our 
first settler; Joseph (Bud) Davis, son of America Arthur; Fred Davis and 
Lucy Davis Blake wife of Sam Blake are grand children of America Arthur. 

The first patent for land on Cabell was received by Thomas Arthur shortly 
after coming here then again on May 5, 1838 another patent was issued him 
for twenty more acres of land by Governor David Campbell of Virginia upon 
this last patent stands the present residence of L. T. Arthur. 

The second settler to come to Big Cabell was Jerry Blake whose wife was a 
sister to Thomas Arthur's wife. They came about the year 1814 or 1815 and 
settled on the estate where Sam Blake now lives. The Jerry Blake farm at 
his death, was given to his sister Jenny Blake, who later inherited the 
property and is now owned by Samuel son of Valentine, 

The old two-story hewed log house, built by Jerry Blake when he came here, 
still stands in very good condition, and bears evidence of the thrift of 
these early settlers, for a home of that type in those days was considered 
almost a mansion. 

The house built by Thomas Arthur was torn down several years ago and built 
into a barn by Walter Mitchell, foster son of James and Elizabeth Arthur, 
who lives on part of the old homestead. 

The third settler on Cabell Creek was Billy Adams. This farm is still held 
by his descendants, children of Frank Adams. Next came Billy Bowen and 
David Smith. Smith located on what is now the Henry Jordan farm and Billy 
Bowen on what is called the John Jordan place. 

John M. Arthur, son of Thomas, and father of John V. William, and Margaret 
Arthur Gibson, entered land on Cabell Creek so that he might have the 
right to vote. In very early history of this state, a man could vote if he 
owned a horse, many men, but none of Cabell Creek Community as I have 
learned, made shaving horses and swore that they owned a horse in order to 
vote. Later on it became necessary, that one owned land before he would be 
given the right of franchise. So John M. Arthur a very loyal American, not 
to be outdone in this right, entered the land upon which his son John V. 
and Joseph McComas now live. 

Wild animals were plentiful in early history. The boys, who had to hunt 
for the cows which roamed at large through the forests, had to be ever 
watchful, for wolves and panthers could be heard in any direction. One 
night Thomas Arthur was awakened by the barking of his watch dog that was 
guarding the sheep in the sheepfold. By the time he could get to him the 
wolves had torn the dog to pieces. Not only were wild animals numerous but 
venomous snakes as well. Doctors were scarce and hard to get so that the 
settlers had to learn much in the way of doctoring themselves. One day 
while hunting along Mud Lick near the present Yoho residence, Thomas 
Arthur and his hunting dog were bitten by a rattle snake. He knew it would 
be death for him if he took a drink or did not do some thing at once, so 
he ate all the powder from his hunting horn then lay in the stream. His 
eyes soon swelled shut and his tongue swelled out of his mouth. Sometime 
in the night he was found crawling up stream. His dog was found dead where 
it had gotten a drink from the stream. 

Churches
The first preaching ever held on Cabell Creek was at the Jerry Blake home, 
held by a circuit rider, Charles Carrol, who also preached at Henry 
Marsdin's where Jim Chapman now resides on Barker Ridge, and at Daniel 
Spurlock's on Spurlock Creek. 

Preaching services in those days were held in homes. Later on, vacant 
dwellings were used for churches, the seats, being made from lynn logs 
with pegs for legs. 

Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church, organized fifty-one years ago on 
Lower Creek, erected the first church building on Cabell about forty-four 
years ago. Meeting was held in the Lower Cabell school house previous to 
building, and years before that many attended meeting at Mud River Church. 
Later moving their membership to their own community. 

Three buildings have stood on the foundation where the present church now 
stands. The first, a Jenny Lynn, was torn down in the summer of 1909 to 
give place to a better building. This building was numbered among the best 
of the rural churches of West Virginia, and spoke well for the growth and 
interest of the community. It was destroyed by flood Sunday morning, June 
29, 1924, Through great effort and sacrifice it was replaced that summer 
by another of almost like appearances, 

The second church built on Cabell Creek was the United Brethren named for 
Zebedee Warner, who was very influential in establishing churches and 
schools in West Virginia. This building was erected in the year 1891. In 
1920 it was reseated and an addition built to it making it a very 
beautiful place of worship. 

Schools
The first school taught on Cabell Creek was in 1860 by Sterling Davis, 
grandfather of John Davis, who is now living on the Catherine Jackson 
farm. He taught in a log dwelling, which stood where Clyde Martin now 
resides. This was a subscription school, the parents paying the teachers 
for their services, as free schools were not begun here until after the 
close of the Civil War. 

The first school building erected on Cabell was on the upper end of the 
Adams farm sixty years ago on the spot where Frank Walters used to reside; 
just across the ravine from the present Lower Cabell school. It had a 
large fire place at one end and peg benches as seats. Today we have 
CabellCentral, Turner, and Sky High. The last three embracing parts of 
Cabell Creek Community. 

Early Business
Stores were not very numerous, marketing being done at Barboursville, 
later at Howell's Mill. Then came the first store run by Samuel Wilcox and 
John Montgomery in Thompson Arthur's smoke house. 

A post office, known as the Low Gap office, was conducted for several 
years by Sam Mossman in a log house near the Henry Jordan residence. From 
here it was moved to Howell's Mill, where it stayed for a short time and 
was given the name of Howell Post Office while there. Then it was moved to 
Tom Jackson's home, on what is now the Bert Poling farm, where it was kept 
for several years until the Ona rural route took its place in about 1905. 

The principal timbered lands lay to the south and north. Forty-three years 
ago Scheubel Bickel Crandel moved one saw mill and two stave mills on a 
location between Thompson Arthur's home and the Baptist church. Here he 
remained for several years doing a rushing business. Plenty of work but 
low wages. 

Confederate General Albert Gallatin Jenkins In Time of War
During the Civil War, General Jenkins came down Cabell Creek and stopped 
at James Arthur's home. His daughter Maria was clarifying maple syrup when 
two of Jenkins men went in and filled their canteens and went off without 
as much as thanking her. Shortly after two others went in and filled 
canteens but paid a dollar each of Kentucky and Confederate money. They 
then went to the smoke house and took three sides of meat but did not 
touch the hams or shoulders. They also took a barrel of sorghum and a 
saddle then went on to what is now the James Shaw place and prepared to 
camp for the night. Six pickets later came back and ordered supper to be 
prepared for them. That night Colonel Brown and General Jenkin's picket 
men fired on each other. 
 
Brown lay in his camp until morning until he knew that Jenkins was gone, 
then he came out to give chase. When he saw they had gone up Fudge Creek 
he came to Howell's Mill and rolled out a barrel or two of flour and got 
breakfast. This done he took the spindles out of the mill so the miller 
could not grind then went back to camp. In the meantime, Jenkins, had, 
when the pickets began firing, just been getting supper; their bread was 
lying on rocks and wound around sticks and placed before the fire to bake, 
when they had to run leaving their food just as it was. They also left one 
gun, which was found by Watt Angel. Cabell Creek Community has furnished 
soldiers to at least three of the wars; the Civil, Spanish American, and 
World's War. All fortunate in being permitted to return safely home. 

Noted Sons and Daughters
The community has also turned out teachers, preachers, bankers, a County 
Superintendent of Schools and others. Of sons and daughters of note we 
have J. C. Petit a teacher for many years and former county superintendent 
of schools. Harry E. Jackson, a former teacher and now a banker at Milton, 
West Virginia. Bertha Jackson (Ball) also a teacher and now with the 
Milton Bank. Elston Massie with the Huntington First National Bank. C. W. 
Darst a successful business man of Athens, Ohio. Wm. E. Simpson, a 
minister in the United Brethren Church at New Haven, West Virginia. Bill 
promises to be a great success in this great cause, having recently closed 
a great revival in the church of his boyhood-Z Warner. Many souls were 
saved at this meeting. Ernest Venoy one of our home boys now preaching the 
Baptist doctrine in Ohio churches. Wilbert Yoho a successful laundryman of 
Huntington. Ross Jackson one of Huntington's most successful business men. 
Walter Daily is in the United State Postal service. Eustace Yoho is with 
the Swan Printing Company, and Clyde Yoho is connected with a life 
insurance company in Huntington. 




                 A BRIEF HISTORY OF DAVIS CREEK COMMUNlTY
                         By James T. Blankenship
        Dictated by James T. Blankenship and written by Fern Dillon

The settlement of Davis Creek dates back to about 1832. First settler was 
Paul H. Davis, who came from Virginia and located on Black Fork then Wayne 
County, but was later divided and the place of his location is now Caboll. 
Mr. Davis laid a land warrant for 622 acres of land and built a house near 
the sight where T. J. Bolin's house now stands, which has been a land mark 
for many years. 

Mr. Davis reared a large family of children; four boys, Paul H. Jr., 
James, and Moses, and one girl, Louisa, who married John Coborn. The older 
families of the Davis' have all passed away, but a large number of 
grandchildren are yet living, of whom some are now teachers in the public 
schools. Davis Creek took its name from the first settlers. 

The next to settle on Davis Creek was Samuel Blankenship who emigrated 
here from Franklin County, Virginia in 1833. From that time he lived in 
Cabell County until his death in 1890. 

Mr. Blankenship had a family of ten children. Those still living are the 
only girl, Fanny, who lives in Florida, and four boys, J. T. of Davis 
Creek, Jeff and E. G. of Huntington, and Reece of Four Pole. The oldest 
boy of the family, M. T. (now deceased) was a local pastor in the M. E. 
Church, South. 

In the following year after Mr. Blankenship came here, (in 1843) John Ward 
located and built his home where R. W. Hensley now lives. Mr. Ward reared 
four boys, Thomas, William, G. W., and David. 

Spottswood Hughes came here from Virginia in 1836 and settled on Davis 
Creek where he reared his family, two boys, L. D. and Ralph and four 
girls, Virginia, Bettie, Anna, and Fannie. 

When the Mexican War began in 1846 Spottswood Hughes enlisted under 
Captain Elisha McCommas and in the beginning of 1847 he went to Mexico, 
but he never returned and it was supposed he was killed in a battle. 

L. D. Hughes the son of Spottswood Hughes reared a large family of girls 
and boys. The girls were: Mary (who taught in the public schools), Alma, 
and Addie. The boys now living are: William, Arnold, and Gallie, who live 
at the old home place. 

The next settlement made on Davis Creek was by Edward Eden who came from 
Virginia in 1848. He located at the place where Henry Harless now lives. 
Mr. Eden had a large family of whom two boys fought and lost their lives 
in the Federal Army. Mr. Eden died in 1875. But one girl, Mrs. Martha 
McCarty of Huntington, and two boys, Henry and Edward Jr. of Davis Creek 
are still living. The Eden family were all good law abiding citizens. 

Harvey Walker came to Davis Creek in 1857. He was also a Virginian by 
birth. He reared a large family of good respectable children. Dolphus, the 
oldest now living on Health Creek was a volunteer in the 13th Virginia 
Regiment of the Civil War. R. W. Walker is still living in Cabell County, 
Richard (deceased), Sidney (whereabouts unknown), and Elisha and Elijah, 
the twins are living in Covington, Kentucky. Mrs. Jane Melrose of the 
Sixteenth Street Road, Mrs. Mary Swann of Huntington, and Mrs. Adelia 
Keeser (deceased) were the other members of the family. Harvey Walker has 
been dead about twelve years. 

In 1858, L. J. Hoback and. R. R. Dillon came into possession of the Paul 
H. Davis farm where they lived and worked as partners in the timbering and 
farming business until Mr. Hoback moved to Milton in 1873. Mr. Dillon died 
in 1887 leaving a wife who died about eight years ago and thirteen 
children. The five boys are: T. J. of Healths Creek, J. M. of Huntington, 
C. A., J. R., and A. A. of Davis Creek. The girls are: Mrs. Sarah Poteet 
of Guyandotte, Mrs. Susie Paugh of the Sixteenth Street Road, Mrs. Willie 
Wright of Russell Creek, Mrs. Maggie Blankenship, Mrs. Julia Blankenship, 
and Mrs. Nora Ullom of Davis Creek, Mrs. Lizzie Bradberry of Logan and 
Mrs. Christina Dillon of Wenatchee, Washington. 

L. J. Hoback had a family of seven children, all of whom are dead but Mrs. 
Susie Jackson of Huntington, and Mrs. Ida Rice of Russel, Kentucky. Mr. 
Hoback died in Kentucky about twenty-one years ago. 

In the spring of 1865 B. F. Dillon (known as Uncle Bob) settled on Davis 
Creek. He reared a large family of children and all are Iiving but two, 
Thomas and Douglas. W. J. Dillon is living in Wenatchee, Washington, C. G. 
at the old homestead, J. T. of Davis Creek, B. F. Jr,, and C. A. of 
Huntington, Mrs. Nannie Paugh of the Sixteenth Street Road, Mrs. Sallie 
Dodson, of Prices Creek, Mrs. Orinda Davis of Beech Fork, Wayne County, 
and Mrs. Nannie Dodson of Huntington. 

Uncle Bob was one of Cabell County's oldest tobacco growers at the time of 
his death which occurred September 21, 1924. He had been a lifelong 
resident of Cabell County, serving as constable for thirty-two years. 

C. C. Aills moved to Davis Creek from Ohio in the fall of 1872. He had a 
family of seven children. There were two girls, Miss S. F., a teacher for 
forty years in the public schools and Miss Addie of Four Pole. The five 
boys, Carson, also a teacher, (deceased) Frank, Addison, Crittendon, and 
William are all living on Four Pole. 

They are all loyal citizens. 

In 1873, Archabald Paugh moved to Davis Creek on what is now known as the 
Reece Earls farm. He was a former resident of Wetzel County. He had a 
family of eight children. There were four boys, Josephus (the oldest child 
has been dead about forty years) Reverend J. C. and Reverend Manford of 
the Sixteenth Street Road and Oscar of Huntington. The four girls, Mrs. 
Adeline Leaps, Mrs. Melissa Bolin, Mrs. Rachel Cauliflour, and Mrs. Ella 
Kirkland all of Huntington are still living. They are all good citizens. 

R. P. Hensley settled on Davis Creek in 1872. He reared a family of 
fifteen children, all good respectable people. The five boys are: R. W. 
and T. J. of Davis Creek, Henry (of Huntington until his death) Emry of 
Huntington, and Hale of Dayton, Ohio. The ten girls include Mrs. Orinda 
Melrose (dead), Mrs. Lillie Dillon, Mrs. Beulah Paugh of Davis Creek, Mrs. 
Vida Melrose, Mrs. Anna Dillon, Mrs. Stella Blankenship, Mrs. Eddie Smith, 
Mrs. Ella Bennett, Mrs. Mary Hodge, and Mrs. Eugene Nunnally all of 
Huntington, 

Another old settler was Thomas Nash, who moved to Davis Creek from Ohio in 
1878. There were eight children in his family. Two were boys, T. H. Nash 
of Barboursville, who is president of the present county court of 
Huntington and G. A. Nash of Davis Creek, The six girls were Mrs. Emerine 
Blankenship, Mrs. Ellen Keller, Mrs. Mary Guthrie and Mrs. Mahalia Ullom 
(all dead), Mrs. Clara France of Long Branch and Mrs. Georgie Dunfee of 
Huntington. 

We have have now come to the older Pastors and Doctors of Davis Creek. 

John T. Johnson came to the Wayne Circuit in 1859 and was there until the 
Civil War began in 1860. In 1861 he was chosen "Chaplain" of the Eighth 
Virginia Regiment of the Confederates and served as Chaplain all through 
the war. In 1865 Brother Johnson came to Davis Creek as Circuit Rider. He 
was a wonderful man for God. Brother Johnson was born in Erie County, 
Pennsylvania in 1823. 

After Brother Johnson, Brother Hiram Moore came on this circuit in 1867. 
He was a Kentuckian by birth and also a great preacher of the gospel. 
While on this circuit he made a host of friends. 

In 1869, Charles Crook came to this work and served as pastor until 1872 
and then his brother John Crook took the work. They were both good 
preachers. 

Adam Given was at this circuit three different times. He was beyond doubt 
the most intellectual of all the others. He was never late at his 
appointments scattered over Wayne and Cabell Counties. He was the main 
promoter and builder of Dillon Chapel by the assistance of M. T. 
Blankenship a local preacher at that time. Brother Blankenship was not a 
college graduate but he was endowed with such intellectual powers to 
enable him to preach the Bible from a true gospel standpoint. 

The early doctors who practiced on Davis Creek were Dr. A. B. McGinnis of 
Guyandotte and Dr. Randolph Moss of Barboursville. 

Dr. McGinnis rode the country night and day whenever he was called. He 
made a host of friends wherever he went. 

Dr. Moss was always ready to go when called and by doing so he gained a 
large practice from Barboursville to Wayne Court House and from 
Barboursville to Logan Court House, as well as a host of friends. He died 
several years ago but his widow is still living in Barboursville. 

The first free school that was taught in Barboursville district was in 
1867, by Henry Dunkle, in a little school house. In the following year 
1868 John Thornburg taught. After Mr. Thornburg, Reverend Calvin Reece, 
Fletcher Stewart, Lee Buehring, Miss Emma McCommas, Frank Brammer, A. H. 
Melrose, Miss S. F. Aills, and Dr. Unseld who was counted one of the most 
industrious teachers of his time. When in the school room (which was from 
sun-up until sun- down with only an hour for playtime and that was at 
noon) he was never idle a moment. He always built his own fires before 
daylight and he also kept his "Elm Rod of Correction", in the top of his 
boot and woe to the pupil whom he caught idling his time away. After Dr. 
Unseld were Miss Lizzie and Maggie Irvin, James Wilson, Mollie Morris and 
Ona Doss. 

From the time of the first settlement up until this present time, there 
have been many improvements to help build up the community, here at Davis 
Creek. 

The Dillon Chapel Church was built in 1889 under the supervision of Adam 
Given the first Pastor. 

In 1913 a graded school was built and now a paved road is being built 
through from Huntington, to Bluefield, Mercer County. 




               EARLY HISTORY OF LITTLE SEVEN MILE COMMUNITY
                        Prepared by Mrs. John Kyle

The history of this community dates back to the land grant given by and 
surveyed by George Washington in 1770. Said lands being given to soldiers 
who fought in the French and Indian War, and the lands were purchased and 
acquired in various ways from their descendants by the parties mentioned 
in this history. 

Situated as we are between two of the oldest towns in West Virginia, 
Guyandotte founded in 1810, and Barboursville in 1813, our community is 
full of interesting historical incidents. I called upon one of the oldest 
surviving inhabitants who at the age of eighty-five has a remarkably clear 
memory of old settlers, beginning with himself Mr. Lewis Wintz showed me 
an old deed dated 1833 conveying to one Alexander Roberts seventy-five 
acres of land now known as the Wintz Hollow. It was conveyed to Robert by 
Lett W. Tazewell then Governor of Virginia. Mr. Wintz purchased the land 
in 1860 making him one of the oldest land owners in this community having 
been owner of the land for sixty-three years with no change of ownership. 

Probably the oldest settlers in this part of Cabell County were the Cox 
Family. William T. Cox who was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, in 
1790 moved to Mason County, West Virginia, in 1811, married Sarah White, 
and moved to the Baker Farm where he lived until 1855. He then bought the 
Cox Landing Farm from Adam Woodyard. Mr. Cox was the father of eleven sons 
and one daughter, and was evidently not a believer in race suicide. The 
present site of Cox Landing at the time of purchase was covered with very 
valuable timber which was used as fuel to make steam to run boats on the 
Ohio River. The land is still in possession of the Cox family. The 
children of John Cox, son of William T. Cox, make the fifth generation of 
Cox's to own this land. William T. Cox was one of our first citizens to 
come out for prohibition. He signed the pledge reproduced here, in 1876. 

National Christian TEMPERANCE UNION 

"With malice toward none and Charity to all." 

I, the undersigned, do pledge my word and honor, 

God Helping Me 

to abstain from ALL intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and that I will by 
all honorable means encourage others to abstain. 

WM. T. COX. 

The Herrenkohl family whose father Thomas Herrenkohl was a native of 
Germany and came to America about the time of the Civil War purchased a 
tract of land next to Cox place from Dyke Bowen who originally bought it 
from Dud Holderby. The tract from Bowen's to Dunkle's was the Old Holderby 
farm which was bought from Captain Morgan by the Honorable Ed Kyle. 

Mr. Kyle was born in County Clare, Ireland, and immigrated to America at 
the age of eight years. Mr. Kyle was in many ways a remarkable man. He was 
educated in WheeIing and was assistant auditor to the first state auditor, 
Samuel Crane, and assisted in opening the books of the New State of West 
Virginia. Mr. Kyle bought land amounting to 800 acres from the Holderby 
heirs, Bob Holderby, and also the three Holderby girls who married men by 
the names of Cole, Buffeyton, and Jenkins in 1855. Mr. Kyle was twice 
elected Sheriff of Cabell County and raised the largest crop of wheat that 
was ever raised in Cabell County, 18000 bushels, at one time. Mr. Kyle 
deeded land for the first free school in his neighborhood. He also gave 
the land, for the site of, helped build the Olive Baptist Church, and the 
furnishings of the church were paid for by Mr. Kyle alone. 

The old Joe Cox Homestead was built in 1856 by his grandfather, William T. 
Cox. The old Grandpa Herrenkohl house that stands near Seven Mile trestle 
was built by Bill Joy in 1836. The old log house built by Captain Bukey in 
I850 is still standing, having been moved from its original place to a 
spot just opposite the Old Kyle cemetery. The log house now owned and 
occupied by John Kyle was built in 1859 by a man named Maupin. These four 
old buildings are probably the oldest in this district; built out of 
poplar logs, and hewed by hand, they are sound as the day they were built 
except the floors, roofs, etc., have been renewed. 

That this community was often the former hunting grounds of Savages is 
proved by numerous Indian relics found from time to time. The bottoms were 
found covered with old tomahawks, arrow-points, etc., by the old settlers. 
The wide cultivated fields a hundred years ago were almost virgin forest. 
At a later date the finest walnut timber in the country was shipped to 
England after being cut and hauled by the sons of Ed Kyle, Sr. 

The younger generation have a heritage to be proud of from these old 
pioneers and should zealously up hold the traditions of an earlier day. 




                    A BRIEF HISTORY OF MARTHA COMMUNITY
                              By Charles Love
                                   1925

The writer will endeavor to give just a brief history of this particular 
part of Cabell County, known as McComas District. This district, with four 
other districts was formed some time during the Civil War, about 1862 or 
1863. Prior to this time it was only a portion of Cabell County, Virginia, 
after the war it was Cabell County, West Virginia. This portion of the 
county was owned by just a few men. Sampson Saunders, one of the first 
settlers of the county owned practically all of the land in this so-called 
McComas District, and a large portion of the land in the other four 
districts. He came to this county from eastern Virginia at an early day 
and settled with his mother just west of what is now known as the town of 
Milton on the farm now known as the Jerry Ball farm. And on the hill just 
above the house lies the remains of the mother, daughter, and son Sampson 
Saunders. 

Mr. Saunders, in the early forties, built the home now owned by Mr. 
Browning near Elmwood Church, and lived there until his death. A few years 
before his death he freed his negroes about forty in number, and sent them 
to one of the free states, Vermont I believe, by Judge Jeff Samuels and 
George O. Galliher, with sufficient money to buy each family forty acres 
of land and placed them in their new homes, from which none of them ever 
returned. Mr. Saunders willed his vast estate to his relatives and 
friends. Elmwood Church stands on land included in the estate. He willed 
his home to his niece Martha Killgore Morris, wife of C. K. Morris. A 
large portion of this land was sold during Mrs. Morris' life and the 
remaining portion divided among her children. The only portion of the 
Saunder's estate, as far as I can recall that has not paassed out of the 
hands of heirs, is the portion that fell to John Albert Morris from his 
mother. This property is still owned by John A. Morris' widow and 
children. 

Martha Killgore Morris was a daughter of Thomas Killgore, senior, and a 
niece of Sampson Saunders. Sampson Saunders married Thomas Killgore's 
sister, which may be the reason why so much of this estate went to the 
Killgore heirs. Mary Killgore, wife of William Simmons, an East Virginian, 
received 1800 acres, from this estate, adjoining the Martha Morris estate. 
This land was divided between the heirs of Mary Killgore Simmons. Colonel 
Comswellsy Simmons, her son, received the "Horseshoe Bend" of Guyan River, 
and a large portion of Heath's Creek land was divided into small tracts 
and sold, most of which has changed hands several times. The "Horseshoe" 
proper remained in the hands of the Simmons for a long while. 

Colonel Simmons being the oldest child of his mother's family was 
appointed guardian of his brother, Sampson Saunders Simmons, who was named 
for his uncle Sampson Saunders and made his home with Colonel Simmons 
until he became of age, at which time he received one- half of the 
"Horseshoe" for his portion of his mother's estate. The Colonel Simmon's 
half of this farm sold to Alvin Davis and the Sampson Simmon's half was 
sold to Bailey Thornburg. Later both Davis and Thornburg sold to Davidson 
Brother. Davidson Brothers sold to Attorney G. J. McComas, Mr. McComas 
sold to R. J. Armstrong and Charlie Miller. Armstrong sold to Pat Riley, 
the present owner. 

The balance of the 1800 acres fell to the other heirs, which were: Ann A. 
Love, wife of Peter E. Love; Naomi, wife of George O. Galliher; Malinda, 
second wife of George O. Galliher; and Mary Frances, wife of Dr. B. C. 
Vinson; all daughters of Mary Killgore Simmons. Since the latter three 
sisters lived in other sections of the country they sold their interests 
in the remaining 1000 acres to their sister Ann A. Love. This farm was 
known as the Peter Love farm. The back portion of the farm was divided 
into small tracts and sold. The front portion which is known as "Rich 
Bottom" contains about 300 acres is now owned by J. J. Perry. This estate 
has also passed out of the hands of the Sampson Saunder's heirs. The 
owners of all these lands are good citizens. 

The most important homesteads are the farms now owned by John W. Love and 
Joe Phipps. The farm of Love is one of the oldest in this community. The 
small stone house now standing in his yard is, perhaps, the oldest 
building in all this country. It was built sometime prior to 1800. A man 
by the name of Richey owned both the Love and Phipps farms and later sold 
them to Mr. Pennel, father of our Thomas Pennel who married Miss Nannie 
Rodgers. Later this farm passed into the hands of Major George McKendrie 
from whom it was purchased by J. W. and C. S. Love and was divided. C. S. 
Love sold his portion to Mrs. Joe Phipps. John Love's farm is now in the 
best state of cultivation of any farm in the community and supports a 
splendid dairy. John Love married Miss Kate Jackson of Boon County, 
Missouri, and four children were born to this union, two dying in infancy. 
Marie married Mr. W. R. Harrington of North Carolina and Fred married Miss 
Nona Alderman of Florida. 

Adjoining the Phipps farm is the farm owned by the heirs of Jahne Rodgers. 
Miss Nannie Rodgers was a daughter of Squire William S. Rodgers, who 
purchased the Dusenberry mill and owned it until his death. Mr. Rodgers 
was a very popular man, always elected to any office for which he asked. 
He was married three times and reared excellent families. His first wife 
was Miss Bias, daughter of Robin Bias. To this union were born four 
children, Wilson, George, Tom, and Fenton. Fenton was the father of Squire 
Tom Rodgers of Huntington. His second wife was Miss Nancy Childress, 
daughter of Riland Childress. To this union was born Robert, deceased, and 
Nancy, wife of Thomas Pennell. The third wife was the widow of Mike Wentz. 
To this union was born one child, the late Jahne Rodgers. Mrs. Wentz 
Rodgers was the mother of Morris, William, and J. T. Wentz. Morris Wentz 
was a fine fiddler. William Wentz went west. J. T. Wentz married Miss 
Joanna Dolan, daughter of George and Lethia Dolan. To this union were born 
seven children, Mike, George, Bailey, Robert, Hal, Mollie, and Myrtle. 

I might say here that land in the early days was very cheap. Good timber 
land could be bought for eight and ten dollars per acre. It is said that a 
small farm on Heath's Creek was traded for a rifle gun. In fact it was the 
cheap land that attracted the smaller farmers. The virgin soil as well as 
timber could not be excelled. Corn was the principal crop and the market 
for it was the timber haulers. Great quantities of timber were marketed in 
that day and the price ranged from fifty cents to one dollar per tree. 

Charles Louis Rolf was a large land holder in McComas District, he owned 
about all the Tom's Creek land including a good portion of Fudge and Cyrus 
creeks. His possessions were cut up into small farms and sold for homes, 
and then sub-divided until there are throngs of people living on this once 
large tract of land owned by this one man. Neither one of these large land 
holders were noted, so far as the writer has ever heard, for their 
enthusiasm for building churches or schools. Accumulation of land seemed 
to be their chief aim. C. L. Rolf died a poor man as he lost his 
possessions during the Civil War but he was a very honorable and good man. 
His wife, was a Miss Ruffner of Charleston, West Virginia, a daughter of 
Colonel Charles Ruffner. Mr. And Mrs. Rolf raised a family of five 
daughters and one son. This son, Charles Rolf, lives in Huntington, also 
several of the daughters. Mr. Rolf owned and lived on the farm now owned 
by Mr. Joe Mays. His nice home was burned with all its contents. He had a 
store and sold a great deal of merchandise. He also raised great flocks of 
sheep which he pastured on both sides of the county road from Squire 
Clay's to Barboursville, including the McKendrie and Charlie Moore farms, 
as well as the McKendrie farm now owned by C. O. Harrison. 

Mr. Rolf had a shepherd, a German whom he called Davis Morrison, who, with 
his two shepherd dogs, took care of the sheep and kept them at night in a 
large barn that stood in Squire Clay's orchard near the county road. 

The Dusenberry family was another very prominent family in this Elmwood or 
McComas District. They came from New York and settled near the mouth of 
Millbranch on the parcel of land on which Bailey Wentz now lives. This 
property belonged to Sampson Saunders and he built what was known as the 
Saunder's Mill on it. Mr. Dusenberry purchased this mill and since the 
mill has been torn down, the site is known by the older people of the 
community as the Dusenberry Dam. The mill was located just below the 
bridge across Guyan River. A dam was built at this point which caught 
sufficient water to run the mill by means of a turbine wheel. Upon several 
occasions this wheel was hindered frum running by large cat fish getting 
in at night through the water race or channel. The writer saw one that 
came out of the wheel that weighed 98 pounds. Two men were carrying it on 
a pole run through its gills. 

Guyan River was locked and dammed in the early fifties by the United 
States Government for navigation purposes. Two steamboats plied this river 
from Guyandotte to the falls of Guyan near the mouth of Four-mile Creek 
where the town of Hadley now stands. Coal and farm products were shipped 
by these boats, to Major and Louisa. How the geese and ducks paddled for 
the bank when the boats passed! The Civil War stopped this traffic which 
was never resumed. Later the push boat took the place of the steam boats. 
These boats did a great business for years until the Guyandotte Valley 
Railroad was built. During the push-boat period a small steamer by the 
name of "Fannie Dugan", owned and operated by Captain J. T. Wentz plied 
the river, sold goods, and traded in produce. 

The timber business on this river was great, thousands of rafts were run 
every year. The dams became a nuisance and were blasted out by the state. 

This Dusenberry family were strong Baptists and built the first church 
house in Martha Community. In 1853 or 1854 Bloomingdale Baptist church was 
organized. The writer's father and mother were in this organization. This 
church house stood on the hill in a cluster of cedar trees about three 
hundred yards from the Dusenberry home, which is now owned by Baily Wentz. 
This organization went down during the Civil War. After the war the church 
was re-organized and moved to the forks of Heath's Creek at which place it 
still remains a Baptist Church. 

In 1890 twenty-two or twenty-three members of Bloomingdale, by consent of 
the church, organized Elmwood church and built the house they now occupy 
on a lot given by Martha Morris, who with her family belonged to the 
organization. Only a few who were in this organization are living. 

Martha is among the better communities in the state. The first school 
taught in this neighborhood was in a small house near the railroad station 
at Martha where Boyd Williams now lives, by William Bramlet about 1858. 
Later in the sixties a school house was built at the mouth of Swamp 
Branch. The first teacher there was William Algoe, father of our William 
Algoe who lives on the Turner farm. Later the Bootens Creek and Mill 
Branch houses were built. A steady growth of population has continued 
until we have a densely populated community of energetic, high minded, 
enthusiastic people, capable of supporting schools, churches and hard-
surfaced roads, and of owning good homes and automobiles. Our community is 
improving every year and is becoming in every respect an up-to-date 
community. 

During the Civil War a small skirmish occurred here. The Confederate 
forces were on the hill opposite the store at Martha Station and the 
Federal soldiers in the road near Dusenberry's mill. The house, recently 
repaired by Mr. Wentz showed some bullet holes in the weather boarding 
made by Confederate bullets, but no one was hurt. Adjoining this 
Dusenberry land on the south was the Thompson farm of about three hundred 
acres. It passed into the hands of J. S. Brady from Ireland, who married 
Miss Lou Moore, daughter of Wilson Moore, who came from Virginia. To this 
union was born seven children, all of whom live in Barboursville. This 
farm is now owned by Captain W,. Turner. 

The land on the south of this farm was owned by the Peyton and Swann 
families. These lands have passed into other hands. Daniel Swann, one of 
the heirs lives on a portion of this land. Also Robert and Edgar Swann 
live in the neighborhood and are good men and have raised good families. 
Oliver Peyton and sisters, Mrs. John Hash and Mrs. Fred Lambert, live on 
portions of the Peyton estate. The mother, Mrs. Elisha Peyton is living 
with or near her children. She is a good woman and has raised a splendid 
family, all of whom are progressive citizens. Adjoining these farms lies 
the Beverly Johnson farm. He lived in Virginia, and sold his farm of 1200 
acres to John Morris, the writer's great grandfather, sometime in the 
fifties. Later William C. Miller, father of J. W. Miller of Barboursville 
purchased and lived on this farm. The Miller family were prominent in the 
county, some of whom filled important offices in the state. J. W. Miller 
is the only son living. This farm was sold to the Malcolms, who still own 
it. 

The Guyan Valley Railroad runs through or near all the farms that have 
been mentioned, which makes this a very important part of Cabell County. 

I would not leave the impression that we have all the good things now and 
had none in the good old days of our fathers and grandfathers. I can well 
remember the herds of fine Shorthorn cattle that grazed on the majestic 
hills and fertile valleys, smothering as it were in their fat. Also fine 
fat hogs that could scarcely walk. Southdown and Merino sheep were seen on 
nearly every farm with their heavy well-matured fleeces. In the spring of 
the year it was great to see the farmer boys corraling the sheep near a 
stream and washing them so the fleeces would be clean when they were 
sheared. Then would come the good old wool picking times when the 
housewives would meet at each other's homes and pick wool and chat so 
merrily over their good times and good things to eat. And this is not all. 
After the wool was picked it was then sent to Dusenberry's mill or carding 
machine and made into rolls. All? O, no! The rolls were brought home and 
the spinning wheels were harnessed and the farmer's daughters would spin 
the yarn. No man ever beheld a more beautiful sight than these pretty 
girls dressed in neat calico or linsey dresses without paint on their 
cheeks or lips except the beautiful that nature gave them. 

It is hard to show the old people that we are living in a better day amid 
high cost of living and staggering high taxes. Those were good old days 
with granaries full of wheat, cribs full of corn, meat houses full of good 
old hog meat, river full of fish, woods full of game, plenty to eat, and 
plenty to wear; a county of brave men and pretty women. We have got to go 
some if we beat those good old times. 

If we leave off our conveniences we must take off our hats to our grand-
parents' time. If they had had the railroad, the bridge at Elmwood, the 
hard road, and the home and farm equipment that we now have, they would 
have had us "skinned a block." 

It is hoped by the writer that this history while incomplete and 
fragmentary may serve to inspire some more gifted historian to prepare a 
more adequate and comprehensive history of our community. 




         HISTORY OF ONA AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY, PAST AND PRESENT
                            By F. L. Burdette
                                  1925

Location
To the careful observer the location of the Ona and Blue Sulphur section 
in Mud River Valley is of striking interest. 

Extending from Scary in Kanawha County to Barboursville in Cabell County 
is a stretch of country considered in pioneer days especially inviting for 
farm settlements. This section, commonly called Teays Valley, is a region 
composed of gently rolling lands, has an abundance of constantly flowing 
springs, and once had a heavy growth of fine timber. At the time of 
settlement the forests were full of all kinds of native game, and the 
valley was always considered comparatively free from Indian attacks. 
Judged from the lay of the country, the formation of the soil and other 
surface indications, the whole region seems to have once been the bed of 
an ancient lake, or else the course of some large river like the Kanawha. 
Mud River enters this old valley at Mud Bridge about one mile above Milton 
and follows its sluggish course through the lowest part of the old valley 
till it plunges over the Great Falls less than a mile above Blue Sulphur. 
In an inviting part of this river stretch, in the largest bend of the 
river's course, the Ona and Howell's Mill neighborhood is located. 

Roads
All the main thoroughfares for travel built in this section of Virginia 
and West Virginia have left the Kanawha River near Scary and followed the 
shorter route through Teays Valley and the lower Mud River country to the 
Ohio at the mouth of the Guyandotte River, or of the Big Sandy at 
Catlettsburg. The Old Virginia State Road, sometimes called the Greenbrier 
Road, the James River and Kanawha turnpike, the contemplated Covington and 
Ohio Railroad, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and the present Midland 
Trail have all followed this route. In this way the lower Mud River 
country has long been on one of the main routes of travel between the east 
and the western country. The eastern section of the Old Virginia State 
Road was begun in the year 1785, and extended from the upper waters of 
James River to Lewisburg (then Fort Union) in Greenbrier County. In 1786 
the road was extended to the mouth of Gauley River on the Kanawha, and 
sometime during the summer of 1787 it seems that some kind of a road was 
opened as far as the Big Sandy. 

Under date of December 31, 1787, Arthur Campbell, Andrew Cowan, and Daniel 
Boone, county lieutenants of western Virginia counties, wrote an 
interesting letter to Governor Edmund Randolph, which reads as follows: 

"If it is found next spring that war with the Indians is unavoidable, all 
are of the opinion that two companies of rangers of fifty men each will be 
necessary to protect the borders of Washington, Montgomery, and Russell 
counties. Those allotted to range so as to be a safeguard to the 
inhabitants of Montgomery, be stationed on the west side of the Great 
Kanawha where the Greenbrier road crosses to Kentucky, and on Sandy River 
where the said road crosses that river." 

At that time Kentucky was only a state in contemplation, and it was 
supposed it would have the Kanawha for its eastern boundary. What is now 
Cabell County was a part of Montgomery, and the old state road had just 
been opened to the Big Sandy. 

Along the route of this old state road, the first to be built in southwest 
Virginia, settlements were made about the time the road was open for 
travel. Doubtless the first settlement in the lower Mud River country was 
made about that time, but who the party, or parties, making it were is not 
a matter of record available to the writer of this sketch. 

Early Settlers
Late in the eighteenth century Thomas Teays secured a patent for a large 
tract, which he located in the eastern end of the valley, now mainly in 
Putnam County. Beginning in 1785 and extending through a number of years 
later, John P. Duvall of Harrison County secured several land patents that 
in their combined area included all the land from the Great Falls of Mud 
River to Indian Fork of Killgore's Creek beyond Milton. About the same 
time William Hepburn and his son-in-law John Dundas, of Alexandria, 
Virginia, secured title to the land extending from the falls of Mud River 
nearly to Barboursville. From these senior patents land owners in Teays 
Valley and in the lower Mud River Valley trace the title of their present 
ownership. 

In 1803 James Cox of Buckingham county, Virginia, bought land and settled 
on the west side of Mud River a few hundred yards above the Great Falls. 
The house in which he lived still stands just across Mud River from the 
present Ona railway station. In 1804 John Everett of Albemarle County, 
Virginia, settled on the Everett farm near the mouth of Fudges Creek. 

The same year, John Morris, formerly of Culpeper County, with his large 
family of sons and daughters, built his home and moved to the present Ward 
Dairy farm near Bethesda Church. The house stood on the old State Road 
about two hundred yards north of the Ward dairy barn. It is said that part 
of the old Morris house was removed years ago and rebuilt into the present 
residence occupied by William Yates at Yate's Crossing. 

John Morris was said to have been the owner of twenty-two thousand acres 
of land, extending from the Great Falls of Mud River to Teays Valley 
beyond Milton. He was the owner of more land than any other person who has 
ever lived in Cabell County. His son Edmund was a representative in the 
Virginia State Legislature before Cabell County was cut off from Kanawha, 
and he became the first clerk of Cabell County. 

About the same time the Morris and other families settled in the 
neighborhood. Allen Rece, formerly of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 
purchased and settled on the old James Dundas farm about two miles north 
of Blue Sulphur. In 1814 Charles Love and his sons William and Daniel, 
formerly of Prince William County, Virginia, settled on Mud River about 
one mile from HoweIl's Mill on what is now the Pritchard farm, the 
proposed site for a boy's school. 

In 1807, Esom Hannon, said to have been "born in Old Fort Randolph at 
Point Pleasant during the Indian wars, married Miriam Morris, daughter of 
John Morris, and built his home and lived for a time on the site of the 
Burdette home in the Big Bend of Mud River. 

In 1819 Valentine Herndon, son-in-law of James Cox, formerly Fluvana 
County, purchased a part of the John Hilliard farm at Howell's Mill and 
built the first mill at that place. 

In 1826 John Bryan of Culpeper County, grandfather of William Jennings 
Bryan, moved to the neighborhood and lived one year in the James Cox house 
opposite Ona railway station, and then moved to the present Elmer Price 
farm, where he lived two years. After living for three years on Mud River 
he purchased a farm opposite Gallipolis in Mason County, where he died in 
1836. 

In 1826 William P. Yates, of Culpeper County, settled on Mud River, and 
the next year purchased the Esom Hannon farm near Ona Station. Two years 
earlier, John Chapman of Culpeper County settled on Mud River just below 
the mouth of Little Cabell Creek. 

Among others to settle in the neighborhood at an early date were Thomas 
Maupin, Adam Black, Russell Leroy, and James Newman, Sampson and John 
Handley, Landon Carter, Asher Crockett, Larose Merritt, William Miller, 
John Holroyd, Sr., Benjamin Davis, John Thomas, and Henry Dundas, Andrew 
Sheff, James Turley, William Greenwood, James Carroll, Robert Poar, James 
Cyrus, William Blackwood, Jacob Baumgardner, and Jacob Harshbarger, Sr. 

Of the early settlers, John Morris, James Turley, John Everett, Charles 
Love, Asher Crockett, Allen Rece, Joseph Hilliard, and Larose Merritt were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Among the war records, and especially 
in the Pension Department at Washington, there is much of interest to the 
older residents of this section. Copying from these records a few sketches 
are herein given. 

"John Everett, born February 28, l753, died February 17, 1845; enlisted 
September 28, 1775 to September 28, 1776 as private under Captain Wm. 
Campbell, Colonel Patrick Henry, first Virginia regiment; enlisted May 15, 
1779 for two years service; guarded prisoners at Albemarle Barracks and 
was discharged at Winchester under Captain John Allen, Colonel Francis 
Taylor; first enlisted from Bedford County, Virginia." 

"James Turley, born in Pennsylvania, 1754; enlisted from Bedford County, 
Virginia, length of service two years, rank private, Captain John Chapman, 
Colonel Joseph Crockett, Virginia State Line". 

"Allen Rece, born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1759; enlisted 
early in the war for three months service as a wagoner under Captain 
Groves, Colonel Proctor, State of Pennsylvania; enlisted in 1777 for one 
month service as private under Captain Singer, Colonel lrwin, State of 
Pennsylvania; enlisted in 1779 for seven months as a wagoner under Captain 
Ferguson, Colonel Hooper, State of Pennsylvania; enlisted in 1780 for 
three weeks as private under Captain Thomas, Colonel Robinson, State of 
Pennsylvania; enlisted in 1781 or 1782 for one month as private under 
Captain Thomas, Colonel Robinson, State of Pennsylvania". He died November 
29, 1837. 

"Larose Merritt, born October 19, 1749; died July 30, 1831; enlisted at 
Winchester, Virginia, in 1777, served till 1780 under Captains John 
McGuire and Thomas Bell, Colonel William Grayson; served at Brandywine, 
Germantown, and Monmouth; received a wound in the foot during service, 
which rendered him a permanent cripple". 

"John Morris's name appears on the muster rolls in the expedition of 
Colonel George Rogers Clark against Kaskaskia and Vincennes in 1778 and 
1779". 

John Lillard, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, was not a resident of 
Cabell County, but three of his daughters lived on Mud River near Ona and 
Howell's Mill. They were Nancy, wife of John Bryan, Elizabeth wife of 
William P. Yates, and Mary (Polly), wife of Landon Carter. John Lillard 
was born in Culpeper County, Virginia in 1765; enlisted as private for 
three months in the fall of 1780, being less than sixteen years old, under 
Captain Kirtley of the Virginia militia; enlisted for three months in the 
winter of l780-81 under Captain James Browning, Colonel James Slaughter; 
enlisted for three months in the summer of 1781 under Captain Armstead, 
Colonel Drake, Virginia State troops; was engaged in the siege of 
Yorktown, was in several skirmishes on James River and at Petersburg". 

The first settlers on Mud River, like those of today, were farmers almost 
without exception. ln addition to farming after the style in vogue at that 
time, many farmers were handy at turning a hand in other lines. One early 
settler was primarily a farmer, while on occasion he was a local church 
leader, a stone mason, cooper, carpenter, and ran a custom threshing 
machine. A few other more gainful enterprises were entered into for 
profit. 

As stated before, in 1819 Valentine Herndon purchased one hundred and 
fifteen acres of what is now the westerly portion of the Rimmer farm at 
Howell's Mill, and two acres in addition on the south side of Mud River 
which included the present mill site, and built the first grist and saw 
mill at the so called Upper Falls of Mud River. In 1829 he sold all his 
land and mill property to Ambrose Doolittle, who had recently come to this 
section from eastern Virginia. Ambrose Doolittle was an enterprising and 
successful business man. He enlarged the milling venture at Howell's Mill, 
rebuilt the saw mill and equipped it with the then modern vertical saw run 
by water power, overhauled the grist and flouring mill, built and operated 
a woolen carding machine, and added a furniture factory where much of the 
better type of walnut and cherry and other furniture in the neighborhood 
at that day was made. He also made the first and only venture at silk 
culture in this section. The effort to raise silk worms and produce silk 
was not a success, but to this day a few Russian or white mulberry trees, 
originally planted to feed the silk worms from the leaves, remain about 
Howell's Mill. The rebuilding and raising the dam in Mud River by Mr. 
Doolittle so backed the water up the river as to drown a mill early 
established near Yates's Crossing by Adam Black. It is a matter of 
tradition that the damage to the Black mill was amicably adjusted between 
the parties directly interested. In 1857 Armstead B. Howell purchased an 
interest in the Ambrose Doolittle estate, and later became sole owner of 
the mill property. After that time the place was called Howell's mill. 

Another flour and grist mill was built at an early date over the Great 
Falls of Mud River. John Dundas was the builder and first owner, but the 
property later passed into the hands of David Harshbarger by purchase. 
This mill was burned sometime near the Civil War, and was later rebuilt. 
The location did not prove to be an advantageous one, owing to the fact 
that the main roads did not converge at that point, and for the further 
reason that the rapids in the river above the falls did not permit the 
storage of an ample water supply to last through the dry seasons of the 
year. So this mill was allowed to fall to decay. 

About 1855 Dr. Alexander McCorkle, a native of Rockbridge County, 
Virginia, but for some years previous a resident of Guyandotte, married in 
the neighborhood and located on the old Thomas A. Morris farm near 
Howell's Mill, then the property of the heirs of John Handley, decreased. 
Under the direction of Dr. McCorkle a tannery of considerable proportions 
was built and put into operation on that farm. For a number of years the 
tannery proved a profitable investment with practical tanners employed to 
run the plant. After the death of Dr. McCorkle in 1867 the venture ceased 
to be profitable, and the plant lapsed into neglect. Today no sign of the 
tannery can be seen on its former site. 

Most of the early settlers on Mud River, and especially between Milton and 
Barboursville, came from eastern Virginia, or from other sections of the 
South. Like other settlers in a new country nearly all of them, together 
with their families, engaged in farm labor and other neighborhood 
enterprise. Most of them belonged to the class of comfortable livers, when 
they worked to that end. Not a few of them, in addition to their own 
families, brought a number of slaves from the older settled sections. 
Slavery existed in its mildest form here, and while by no means universal, 
it was quite general. Most of the slave groups consisted of only a few 
negroes, but a few farms assumed the proportions of plantations and the 
number of slaves exceeded a half-hundred. The following heads of families 
were listed among the slave holders in the neighborhood: 

John Morris, John and Nathan Everett; Charles, William, and Daniel Love; 
John, Henry, and Thomas Dundas and their sisters, Miss Eliza Dundas and 
Mrs. Sophia Peyton; Sampson Handley; William P. Yates; Jonathan Switzer; 
Dr. Alexander McCorkle; David Harshbarger; Thomas, Chapman and Beverly 
Maupin; Adam and William Black; James Newman; Andrew Guinn; John Miller; 
William Simmons; Thomas, George and Jeremiah Killgore; and Mrs. Martha 
Saunders and son Sampson Saunders. 

Sampson Saunders was the largest slave owner in the history of the county. 
Besides he owned a vast landed estate and other personal property, and he 
was reckoned the wealthiest citizen up to the days of the Civil War. His 
wife and only child died some years before his own death, and after 
setting free his numerous slaves in accord with the provisions of his 
will, his large landed and other personal estate was heired by his only 
sister, Mrs. Thomas Killgore. Thomas Killgore himself owned a plantation 
of more than one thousand acres beyond Milton and he owned many slaves. 
Prior to the Civil War the number of slaves was decreasing in this 
section, and with the close of the Civil War that chapter in the 
neighborhood's history closed. A few devoted servants remained with their 
masters as long as they lived. With few exceptions the masters were 
faithful and kindly protectors of their wards; and for the most part the 
slaves looked upon their ovmers as their truest friends and only refuge 
both during and after slavery days. 

To our parents and grandparents the period from 1840 to 1860 seemed the 
golden era in the social life of the valley. Social comforts were few, but 
the evidence of neighborly friendship was always present. This made life 
out toward the frontier altogether agreeable. It was during this period 
that the first private carriage was brought to the neighborhood by Thomas 
Dundas, and the first cooking stove by Ambrose Doolittle. 

Doctors
In the early day the only professional men in the community were the 
physicians. They located in places of easiest access to the surrounding 
country. In this immediate neighborhood Doctors John Seashole, Allen Love, 
Strother J. Yates, Alexander M. McCorkle, Charles and Randolph Moss, Frank 
L. Murphy, Bennett C. Vinson, and Calvary A. Morrison were the physicians 
covering the period from 1820 to 1880. These men were devoted to their 
profession and more devoted to the needs of their fellow citizens. They 
rode many miles on horseback over the worst of roads in all kinds of 
weather, and relieved as far as was in their power, the physical suffering 
of a scattered population. Many stories were told by the physicians of 
their race with death, often through fierce storms of sleet and snow. 
Sometimes they were followed by a pack of wolves, and sometimes startled 
by the scream of the panther or wildcat. Such experiences were common at 
the time of the first settlement on Mud River, and the section between 
this valley and the Ohio was infested by wolves and panthers up till about 
the year 1830. 

Churches
The first church in this section, as well as the first in Cabell County, 
was the Mud River Baptist Church at Blue Sulphur which was organized in 
1807. Rev. John Alderson from the Greenbrier Baptist Church at Alderson, 
and Rev. John Lee from southwest Virginia, were the ministers actively 
engaged in the organization. Rev. John Lee became the first pastor and he 
served the church with great devotion for many years. Twenty members 
composed the membership at first, and they included mainly the heads of 
the families of the earliest settlers. Their names are recorded in the 
roll of members in the church records. Twenty-one other Baptist churches, 
not including any of those in the City of Huntington, have been organized 
within the territory originally allotted to this church, and twelve 
ministers of the gospel have gone out from its membership. The church was 
first organized on its present site and a church house built there, but 
the deed to the property was not secured till the year 1821, when Henry 
and Thomas Dundas made a deed for one acre to the Mud River Baptist 
Society. 

The first recorded effort toward establishing a church of the Methodist 
faith in the neighborhood was in the year 1811, when a revival was held at 
some home in the neighborhood. This revival was under the leadership of 
Rev. Samuel West, a minister of the faith on the Guyandotte circuit, Ohio 
Conference. In 1813 a camp meeting was held in the neighborhood under the 
leadership of Rev. David Young, presiding elder in the district. The next 
Methodist minister who held services at different homes in the community, 
was Rev. Samuel Brown. Among the class leaders at that time was Robert 
Caseboult, who moved out of the neighborhood late in the year 1813. In 
1814 Rev. John Cord became the minister on the circuit, and he appointed 
Thomas A. Morris class leader. Later Thomas A. Morris became a minister in 
the Methodist church, held many responsible stations in the church, and 
was made a Bishop at the Quadrennial Conference of the denomination held 
at Cincinnati in 1856. He was the most distinguished citizen who has ever 
lived in the neighborhood, if not in the county. After his marriage in 
1814 he built his home on a farm near Howell's Mill which had been given 
him by his father. This home he called Spice Flat Cottage, for which he 
held a fond attachment as long as he lived. It was built on a swell of 
ground on the McCorkle farm about two hundred yards south of the house now 
owned and occupied by Mrs. Lawrence Adkins. 

In the year 1814 Rev. Henry B. Bascom was the minister on the circuit, and 
he frequently held services and classes of instruction at Spice Flat 
Cottage. During that year the first Methodist society, or church, was 
organized in the neighborhood, presumably at the home of Thomas A. Morris. 
The next minister on the circuit after the organization of the church was 
the able and eloquent Rev. John Dew, who appointed Thomas A. Morris as an 
assistant circuit rider. For many years after this local Methodist society 
was established, the Methodists continued to hold revival services at the 
homes of its members, where it was convenient for neighborhood gatherings. 
One of the places where such revivals were held was at the home of Robert 
Poar, on Poar's Hill where the Bradley family now live. For many years 
afterward one of the revivals held at this place was the subject of 
favorable comment among the older citizens of the community. The house in 
which it was held is one of the oldest in the valley, a stone from the 
chimney that formerly stood at the end of the house bears the date of 
October 7, 1829. The first Methodist church in the neighborhood was 
organized before the denomination was divided into the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, The site of the Bethesda 
Methodist Church was deeded to trustees for the Southern Church by the 
heirs of Thomas Maupin under date of May 6, 1839. 

Incidents of the Civil War
This valley had its share in the great Civil War, 1861 to 1865, and it did 
its part so fully that there was no appearance of cowards or slackers. 
Most of the young men of military age were enlisted in the Union or 
Confederate service. A number of them paid the extreme sacrifice on field 
of battle and never returned to recount their deeds of daring. Most of 
those who did return at the close of the war have since passed to the 
great beyond, and only a few remain like sentinels of a vanished army. 

Soldiers from the neighborhood were engaged in battle from Gettysburg to 
Georgia and were enlisted under various commands. But little of the actual 
fighting was done in this section, but one interesting skirmish took place 
early in the war at Poar's Hill near Ona. In that fight many shots were 
fired, one soldier was wounded and afterward died from his wounds, and the 
neighborhood was thrown into such an excitement as had never been known 
within its limits. One excited citizen said that the bullets flew so thick 
that he could have swung a basket around his head and caught it full. 
Another interesting occurrence of the struggle was the capture for a few 
minutes of Captain John Harshbarger of the Union army by John W. Yates who 
was in the Confederate service. In the road just below the present 
gasoline plant, the latter came upon the former a few hundred yards in 
advance of his command, which greatly surprised him as he was unaware of 
the presence of a Confederate soldier in the neighborhood, and demanded 
and secured his horse and saber and escaped to his own company back in 
Dixie. The two had been neighbors and the best of friends, and after the 
war so remained through life. Some years ago the saber was returned to the 
son of Captain Harshbarger, who lives at Milton, a gift doubtless the more 
highly prized because of its varied associations and history. 

One phase of that unfortunate struggle that divided this and other 
communities is worthy of mention as an example to this and future 
generations. Early in the war this section of Virginia passed into the 
control of the Union army. The fathers and grandfathers and their families 
of both the Union and Confederate sympathizers were of necessity left at 
home in the neighborhood, while the younger generation of military age 
fought in the ranks. Those of the older group who supported the Union, 
almost without exception, were steadfast in their friendships and always 
ready to protect their neighbors who sympathized with the Confederate 
cause. It is told of one elderly mother who refused to speak to her own 
son for a time, because he had taken a horse from a Confederate 
sympathizer with whom she had long held a feeling of cordial friendship. 

A complete list of the Union and Confederate soldiers from this immediate 
section would be of interest, as would also an account of some of their 
more thrilling experiences. But such a narrative is impossible in a brief 
account like this, and its writing will need be referred to another writer 
and at another time. 

Schools
No interest in the neighborhood, either past or present, has had so much 
of value as has that of the schools. From the days of the earliest 
settlements to the present the community has maintained some kind of a 
school, though not always its chief point of interest. There is no earlier 
record of the pioneer schools in the neighborhood than that furnished from 
the personal notes of Bishop Thomas A.Morris, who lived in the 
neighborhood from 1804 to 1816 and received his first schooling here in 
the days of the real pioneer school. Copying from his notes, his 
biographer says: 

"The means of education were very limited at that early days throughout 
the western states and territories, and especially in the northwestern 
part of Virginia, where the Morris family resided. Teachers were few in 
number, and for the most part ill-qualified for their work; nor were the 
most competent, of them in very much demand, for many of the early 
settlers of that wild region cared little for books, so they could but 
obtain plenty of fresh land, good range for their stock, and an abundance 
of game. Still there were schools, not continuing, however, longer than 
one-quarter of the year, and that always in the winter, when boys could 
best be spared from the farm. By such limited means, the children of that 
day on the frontier, obtained what little knowledge of books they 
possessed; nor was it generally deemed important that the course of study 
be very extensive or thorough. To master Dilworth's Speller, learn to read 
the New Testament, cypher to the "rule of three", and write a fair round 
hand, was regarded as quite an accomplished education and ample for all 
the practical purposes of life. This curriculum Thomas had passed through 
creditably by the time he reached his eighteenth year. About that time 
(1812) he became a member of the first grammar class ever organized in 
Cabell County. It was taught by William Paine, a native of England, a 
thoroughly competent teacher, and an earnest Methodist. This worthy old 
gentleman, besides performing his professional duties, gave his pupils 
many sound moral lessons, and though gathered to his fathers long years 
ago, his memory is cherished fondly by all his surviving students". 

Thus it is observed that there were schools in the neighborhood some time 
prior to the year 1812. This mention of William Paine, the grandfather of 
our former county superintendent of schools, Charles Paine, is of interest 
to many Cabell County residents. 

The first schools taught in this section held forth in some vacant house, 
often one no longer deemed fit for a dwelling. Later a community school 
house was built by private donation, or by the men of the neighborhood 
joining in a working frolic and building it themselves. The first 
community school building in the Ona neighborhood stood on the south side 
of the paved road, on the farm now owned by Harry Chapman. Some of the 
best schools of the earlier day were taught in that building. The second 
community school building was built at Howell's Mill on the site now 
occupied by James R. Sanders's barn. The village around the mill was then 
becoming quite a business center for this section, and besides being a 
school house, it answered for a gathering place for all kinds community 
interests. The first public schools in the neighborhood were taught in 
that building, and the locality became rather widely noted as a school and 
social center. That house was removed some years ago and rebuilt as a 
residence at the Milo Jackson place near Big Cabell Creek. At Ona two 
public school houses have been built since, the first of one room on the 
roadside in front of J. A. Everett's home, the other the present school 
building of three rooms on the top of Poar's Hill in front of the Bradley 
home. 

At Malcolm Spring two school buildings have stood on the present site, the 
first a log building which was used for a community school before the 
public school system want into effect and later for public schools, and 
the second the building now used for the public schools. 

The Turner school in Union District has occupied three buildings, the 
first a log building located on the ridge between Sheff's Branch and Lower 
Creek, the other two both located in the low gap at the northern line of 
the Price farm. All these buildings were for public school use. 

The Fairview, or Wilson school, has occupied two buildings, the first a 
log building located on the old road about a half-mile north of the 
present school building, and the other the house now in use. Both were for 
public school use. 

The Watson school has occupied three houses, the first two being built on 
the lot now owned by Albert Swan, and the third the house now in use, 
which was built a few years ago on the Cyrus Creek road. The first of the 
three buildings was in use before the Civil War as a community school. 

Following the early school taught by William Paine, the next of which 
there is any record was taught by Thomas A. Morris somewhere near Spice 
Flat Cottage, perhaps in the winter of 1814-15. The contract called for a 
term of six months, but after the school was taught for three months, the 
building in which it was being taught burned down and the term was not 
completed. 

From the year 1800 up to the time the public school system went into 
effect near the close of the Civil War, it seems that some kind of pay or 
subscription school was conducted in the neighborhood every year. The 
lengths of the terms varied according to conditions that prevailed in the 
public mind or the ability to pay the cost. The names of the teachers and 
the places where they taught are fairly well preserved in the neighborhood 
tradition, but the exact order in which they were taught is uncertain. No 
record of those schools taught under private neighborhood contracts has 
been preserved. 

At an early date John McGinnis taught several terms at different places in 
the neighborhood. In 1858 he was teaching in Spice Flat Cottage, which had 
then been abandoned as a residence. 

Not many years later, perhaps in the early forties, Robert Stewart, 
formerly of Bath County, moved to the neighborhood and taught several 
terms in the community school building on the south side of the present 
paved road near Ona. 

Following Mr. Stewart, Porter Wallace of Botetourte County taught for 
several years in the same building. He was an excellent teacher, a refined 
gentleman after the type of that day, and was highly esteemed by all 
classes of society. He was living in the neighborhood and teaching in 
1852. Not a few of the boys of that day were named Porter W. in honor of 
the esteemed teacher. 

During that period of education in this section, and especially during Mr. 
Wallace's years of service as teacher, so many pupils attended school and 
so many branches of study were taught that it became necessary to have 
some kind of an assistant in order to get through with the daily program 
of recitations. To take care of that situation, as well as to reduce the 
costs of conducting the school and afford some pupil free tuition, a sort 
of monitorial system was adopted, not unlike the Lancaster-Bell system so 
widely heralded at an early date in New England schools. The monitor 
system and the modern social center idea were then in vogue in this 
section, without getting the broad advertisement given to the same 
practices farther north. Mr. C. A, Rece, now in his eighty-fourth year, a 
resident of Huntington, says he was taught to read by Elizabeth Yates, 
daughter of William P. Yates, who was the monitor assistant in Porter 
Wallace's school near Ona. 

Mr. Cook, a Welchman of scholarly ability, taught at an early day in a 
house that stood on the present Strengk farm near Blue Sulphur. 

Miss Ann Howard, who frequently contributed original productions written 
in verse for local social center gatherings, taught one or more private 
schools in a house that stood on the McCorkle farm near Howell's Mill. 

Miss Lou Moore taught for a time in the community school building at 
Howell's Mill. 

Edward. Vertigan taught two terms in the neighborhood, the first near Blue 
Sulphur and the second in a building that stood on the Maupin farm near 
Bethesda church. 

James Nouning, a near relative of Mrs. Chapman W. Maupin, taught one term 
on Poar's Hill in a building that stood at the forks of the road in the 
present Bradley orchard. That building was used as a school building for a 
time after the first community building south of the paved road was 
destroyed by fire. 

John Simpson, a just but stern disciplinarian, as interpreted in his day, 
taught for a time on Poar's Hill and later in the community building at 
Howell's Mill. 

Just prior to the Civil War, and again after that war when he returned 
from serving in the Confederate army, Joseph A. Buckner taught several 
terms in the community. His first school was taught near Bethesda church, 
and the others in the community building at Howell's Mill. At the latter 
place he married Olga Handley, followed the vocation of farming as well as 
teaching, and took an active part in social affairs in the neighborhood 
for a number of years till he moved to Carroll County, Missouri. 

During the Civil War, Jonathan Switzer, formerly of Botetourte County, 
taught in the community building at Howell's Mill. He was a well educated 
man, a splendid leader in the community, and had the power of making 
friends of all in his large circle of acquaintances. Among the older 
citizens in the neighborhood he is still spoken of in terms of highest 
commendation. 

In naming these early teachers of the days before the Civil War, all of 
whom represented the best in social and moral ideals of the day, we should 
name also the leaders in the community who largely controlled the 
selection of their teachers. It would be impossible to give a complete 
list of those who controlled the educational destinies of the youth at 
that time, but we would beg the privilege of presenting the names of a few 
who were recognized as leaders among their fellow citizens. Among them 
were James Poteet and James O. Cox, early general merchants at Howell's 
Mill; Asa L. Wilson, a capable and active church and social leader in all 
the affairs of the neighborhood at an early date and down to a few years 
ago; Charles W. Handley, a successful farmer and early magistrate in the 
district court; James T. Herndon, a man of quiet bearing, but one of the 
safest counsels among his neighbors; and William and Daniel Love, both of 
the best type of citizenship ever represented in the county. Others fully 
as worthy could be named, but the list cannot be extended further in this 
sketch. 

When West Virginia was severed from the Mother State in 1865, one of the 
wisest provisions of her constitution was that providing for a general 
system of free education. During the remaining years of the Civil War, and 
for some time after its close, the establishment of the new educational 
system was of necessity slow. Schools both public and private were 
conducted in the neighborhood for a time with a varied success. But from 
the start the public generally received the new public school idea with 
favor, and within a few years the whole community centered its school 
interest around the public schools. 

The first public school teacher in this immediate neighborhood was George 
Bryant, a former Confederate soldier who taught at several different 
places during his years of service as a teacher. His first school was 
taught at Howell's Mill. It is related of him that, while his teaching was 
generally of a high order, he was decidedly at variance with the accounts 
then given in the chapters of history on the recent Civil War. His terms 
of disapproval are said to have been as forceful as they were original. 

At Blue Sulphur, Miss Agnes Dundas, now Mrs. J. D. Sedinger of Huntington, 
was among the first public school teachers. She is remembered by her 
pupils for her efficiency, gentleness, and hopefulness displayed in that 
time of new adjustments in the old neighborhood. 

Other teachers in the public schools in the community of the earlier 
period were Joseph A. Buckner, Calvary A. Morrison, Daniel L. Duncan, 
Chester Cheesman, Edward S. Doolittle, J. F. Herndon, Henry Childers, 
Thomas Lackland, Thomas B. Summers, Edward Summers, T. West Peyton, Sr., 
Edward Gardner, John Black, Henry Lambert, William Bramlett, and the 
Misses Sallie and Fanny Morris. 

The list of public school teachers who have taught in the neighborhood in 
the more recent period is not available to the writer, and memory does not 
have the assistance of close association with that period. 

Other events connected with the neighborhood's successes, tragedies, and 
misfortunes might be recorded and prove of interest to the local reader. 
It is to be hoped that some day a full and complete history of this old 
neighborhood will be written and published. The suggestion of it is all 
that can be undertaken in this account, already grown too long for the 
allotted time for its reading on this occasion. 

                         (c) WebRoots March 2002