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Brandon Ray Kirk

~ This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in my section of Appalachia.

Brandon Ray Kirk

Monthly Archives: March 2015

Will Mullins and Unknown Man

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Dingess, Timber

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Appalachia, Dingess, genealogy, history, logging, Mingo County, timbering, U.S. South, West Virginia, Will Mullins

Will Mullins, shown with a peg-leg, resident of Dingess, Mingo County, WV

Will Mullins, shown with a peg-leg, resident of Dingess, Mingo County, WV

Dingess Doings 09.03.1891

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Dingess, Timber

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A.S. Wellman, Appalachia, Brit Wellman, Ceredo, Dingess, Elisha Wellman, genealogy, history, John Workman, Logan County Banner, logging, Mingo County, Pittsburg, preachers, saw mill, sawyer, Tillie McCloud, timbering, U.S. South, Vane Dingess, W.R. Ellis, Wayne County, Wellman mill, West Virginia, William Mullins

“Quongo Tandem,” a local correspondent at Dingess in present-day Mingo County, West Virginia, offered the following items, written on August 26, 1891, which the Logan County Banner printed on September 3, 1891:

Wm. Mullins is able to walk about with the aid of crutches.

John Workman, sawyer at Wellman mill, has returned after a brief visit in Wayne county.

Vane Dingess, our wide-awake merchant, has enclosed the lot adjoining his new store with a neat board fence.

Contractor Tresher has returned from Pittsburg with his family and is domiciled in one of the “camp cottages.” His present contract demands his presence at this point.

On Tuesday last Brit Wellman, proprietor of the saw-mill at this place, procured a warrant and searched the premises of W.R. Ellis in request of chains, a yoke, a pair of lines, etc., said to have been stolen by the latter. Part of the property was recovered and the end is not yet.

Monday evening two of our “callud breddun,” preachers of the word, held forth at Camp Locker to a large congregation. As our native Hottentots are much given to “shooting craps” “chuck-a-luck” and similar delectable games, this will doubtless prove a good field for mission work.

On Monday, the 17th inst., at the residence of A.S. Wellman, Mr. Elisha Wellman and Miss Tillie McCloud were united in the bonds of wedlock. Elder Dingess, in his usual impressive manner, spoke the words that made them one. Mr. Wellman is one of Dingess’ best known young men with a host of friends, and his bride, a beautiful young lady from Twelve Pole, no less noted for her many endearing qualities than for her many graces of person. Mr. Wellman is to be congratulated upon his fortunate conquest, and if well wishes count for anything, the happy couple’s future will be one continued summer day. They will reside at Ceredo.

Haley-McCoy grave (2015)

29 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Lincoln County Feud

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Appalachia, Blood in West Virginia, Brandon Ray Kirk, cemeteries, Edwards Park, genealogy, Green McCoy, Haley-McCoy grave, Harts Creek, history, Lincoln County, Milt Haley, photos, Smithsonian magazine, U.S. South, West Fork, West Virginia

Haley-McCoy grave, located on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. In 2000, Smithsonian magazine featured the grave (and myself) in a story written by Edwards Park.

Haley-McCoy grave, located on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. In 2000, Smithsonian magazine featured the grave (and myself) in a story written by Edwards Park. Photo taken 27 March 2015

Haley-McCoy grave, located on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. In 2000, Smithsonian magazine featured the grave (and myself) in a story written by Edwards Park.

Haley-McCoy grave, located on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. In 2000, Smithsonian magazine featured the grave (and myself) in a story written by Edwards Park. Photo taken 27 March 2015

The Life of Pioneers 7

29 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek

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Appalachia, Belle Dora Adams, Daisy Adams, farming, Harts Creek, history, Howard Adams, Logan County, Major Adams, Trace Fork, U.S. South, West Virginia

This history of early life in Logan County, West Virginia, was written by Howard and Daisy Adams. Howard (1906-1976) and Daisy (b.1915) were children of Major and Belle Dora Adams of Trace Fork of Harts Creek. Titled “The life of pioneers during the latter half of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the 19th century” and written in the late 1960s or early 1970s, their history marks the only known attempt by local people to reconstruct the story of pioneer life. This part of the history includes information regarding coffee, livestock, and pets.

Coffee in those days came in the green berries split in half so you had to roast the berries then put them in a little machine known as a coffee mill. It had a little crank on top which you turned by hand, grinding the coffee up in small pieces. Now it could be put in the pot, add water, build a fire, and make coffee.

A farmer had to raise a large crop of corn along with grass, some for hay and some for pasture or grazing.

The livestock on a farm consisted of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, chicken, turkeys, geese, ducks, dogs, cats, etc. The horses were used to ride and pull heavy loads around the farm. Cattle were used for beef, also for hauling big loads. They got milk from the cows too. Sheep were used for mutton. Wool from them supplied much of the family’s clothes. Wool was sheared off the sheep, then it was carded by using two small boards, one foot long, five inches wide, about three fourth of an inch thick. The cards had short stiff wife about 1/2 inch long on one side and one handle on each. The wool was put on the wire side of the cards in small amounts and the cards pulled back and forth over the wool and finally the wool was rolled in a roll about 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet long. Now it was ready for the spinning wheel. The spinning made the thread from the rolls of wool. Then the wool was put in the loom and woven into cloth. Warm winter clothes were made from the woolen cloth. Boy it took a lot of work to produce clothes this way but they were well worth it. The duck and geese furnished meat and feathers. The feathers were used for making pillows and big feather beds to put on the shuck or straw mattress. Boy you sure could sleep well on those beds if it wasn’t for the big old clock striking often and so loud. The chickens and turkeys furnished meat and eggs also. The ducks and geese furnished eggs too. Yes, and the rooster was the alarm clock. The dogs were used as watch dogs for chasing away varmints and running squirrel and rabbit, etc. The cats caught lots of mice and chipmunks.

Haley-McCoy grave (2015)

29 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Harts, Lincoln County Feud

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Appalachia, Blood in West Virginia, Brandon Ray Kirk, genealogy, Green McCoy, Haley-McCoy grave, Harts Creek, history, Lincoln County, Lincoln County Feud, Milt Haley, photos, U.S. South, West Fork, West Virginia

Here I stand at the Haley-McCoy grave on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. I first saw the grave in 1995.

Here I stand on 27 March 2015 at the Haley-McCoy grave on West Fork of Harts Creek, Lincoln County, WV. I first saw the grave in 1995.

John Bradbury

29 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Wyoming County

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Amon R. Bradbury, Andrew J. Bradbury, Appalachia, Christiansburg, civil war, Confederacy, Confederate Army, Eva Bradbury, genealogy, George E. Bradbury, Henry H. Hardesty, history, James E. Bradbury, John Bradbury, John T. Bradbury, Logan County, Lucy J. Bradbury, Mark Bradbury, Mary E. Bradbury, Minerva Bradbury, Montgomery County, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oceana, Pearis E. Bradbury, Poindexter C. Bradbury, Pulaaski County, R.A. Brock, Rhoda E. Bradbury, Robert E. Lee Bradbury, U.S. South, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, William B. Bradbury, Wyoming County

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for John Bradbury, who resided at Oceana, West Virginia:

Son of Mark and Minerva (Dason) Bradbury, was born May 6, 1835, in Montgomery county, Va. His father was born in Henry county, Va., on Mar. 6, 1791, and died Sept. 10, 1862, in Montgomery county, Va., and his wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in same county as her husband on Feb. 10, 1812, and she is now residing in Nebraska. July 28, 1858, John Bradbury was joined in weelock with Mary E. Farmer, who was born in Pulaski county, Va., on April 1, 1838, the marriage being solemnized in the State of North Carolina. Their children’s records are as follows: Poindexter C., born Oct. 6, 1857, married; Amon R., born Sept. 3, 1859; John T., born Jan. 12, 1862; William B. and James E. (twins), born May 6, 1865, the last named deceased; Andrew J., born Aug. 23, 1867, married; Rhoda E., born Aug. 1, 1869; George E., born Mar. 10, 1871; Lucy J., born May 3, 1873; Pearis E., born Sept. 23, 1875; Eva, born Jan. 12, 1877; Robert E. Lee, born April 3, 1879; Ida, born April 10, 1882. John T. died Feb. 24, 1864, and James E. died Feb. 28, 1868. Mr. Bradbury enlisted in the Confederate States army at Christiansburg, Va., in 1861, in Co. E, 54th Va. V.I., and served three years. He is a farmer, and has been trustee of public schools in his county for six years. His post office address is Oceana, W.Va.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), 817.

Scarborough Society Art and Lecture Series

27 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Lincoln County Feud

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Appalachia, Blood in West Virginia, book, books, Brandon Ray Kirk, feud, history, Lincoln County, Lincoln County Feud, Scarborough Library, Scarborough Society Art and Lecture Series, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, writing

We are pleased to announce our upcoming appearance at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, as part of the prestigious Scarborough Society Art and Lecture Series on April 9.

Squire Toney promissory note to Allen B. Brumfield (1891)

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek

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Allen B. Brumfield, Appalachia, Big Ugly Creek, genealogy, history, Lincoln County, Squire Toney, U.S. South, West Virginia

Squire Toney promissory note to Allen B. Brumfield (1891)

Squire Toney promissory note to Allen B. Brumfield (1891)

Henry Blankenship

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Wyoming County

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

civil war, coal, Confederate Army, constable, David Morgan, deputy sheriff, Eli Blankenship, Giles County, Henry Blankenship, Henry H. Hardesty, justice of the peace, Nellie Morgan, North Spring, Polly Blankenship, R.A. Brock, Smythe County, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, Wyoming County

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Captain Henry Blankenship, who resided at North Spring, West Virginia:

Son of Eli and Polly (Smith) Blankenship, was born Mar. 11, 1828, in Wyoming county, W.Va. His father was born Mar. 6, 1780, in Giles county, Va., and died Sept. 16, 1849; his mother was born Jan. 5, 1781, in Smythe county, Va., dying July 25, 1883. Both parents died in Wyoming county, W.Va., where they had been long honored residents. On Dec. 4, 1844, Capt. Blankenship was joined in wedlock with Polly, daughter of David and Nellie (Cook) Morgan, who were born in Wyoming county, where they lived and died. Her father was born Sept. 9, 1808, and died April 7, 1869; her mother born June 15, 1869, dying on Oct. 10, 1843. Capt. Blankenship was elected constable of Wyoming county in 1852, serving two years. He enlisted in the Confederate States army in 1861; commissioned first lieutenant of Co. B, 4th Va. V.I., serving two years, and promoted captain, then serving two years longer; discharged in 1865 in Smythe county, Va. After the war he was elected justice of the peace, serving one term, re-elected in 1872. In 1886 he was sworn in as deputy sheriff, and is also notary public; always a trustworthy and honorable officer. He is one of the most successful and prosperous farmers of his section, owning an extensive tract of coal and timber lands near North Spring, W.Va., which is his post office address.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), 816-817.

East Lynn Booming

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in East Lynn

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Adkins Mill, Appalachia, Cain Adkins, coal, East Lynn, East Lynn Booming, history, Lincoln County Feud, U.S. South, Wayne County, West Virginia

Readers of the blog will certainly enjoy this commendable video documentary regarding East Lynn, a former coal town located in Wayne County, WV. East Lynn has a rich history, but our favorite part of it is this: it marks the home of Cain Adkins and his kinsmen. Following the Lincoln County Feud, Mr. Adkins left Harts Creek and resettled in the area that would later become known as East Lynn.

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Feud Poll 1

If you had lived in the Harts Creek community during the 1880s, to which faction of feudists might you have given your loyalty?

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Feud Poll 2

Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Feud Poll 3

Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

Recent Posts

  • The Rainbow End: A Poem (1928)
  • Herb and Bessie Adkins Home in Harts, WV
  • Aracoma Hotel in Logan, WV (1933)

Ed Haley Poll 1

What do you think caused Ed Haley to lose his sight when he was three years old?

Top Posts & Pages

  • Boling Baker and Princess Aracoma (1937)
  • French Ellis and Anderson Hatfield, Sr. (1895)
  • John Hartford Home 1
  • Anderson Hatfield Statue (1922)
  • John Robinson Circus in Logan, WV (1926)

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© Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com, 1987-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Appalachia Ashland Big Creek Big Ugly Creek Blood in West Virginia Brandon Kirk Cabell County cemeteries Chapmanville Charleston civil war coal Confederate Army crime culture Ed Haley Ella Haley Ferrellsburg feud fiddler fiddling genealogy Green McCoy Guyandotte River Harts Harts Creek Hatfield-McCoy Feud history Huntington John Hartford Kentucky Lawrence Haley life Lincoln County Lincoln County Feud Logan Logan Banner Logan County Milt Haley Mingo County music Ohio photos timbering U.S. South Virginia Wayne County West Virginia Whirlwind writing

Blogs I Follow

  • OtterTales
  • Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC
  • Piedmont Trails
  • Truman Capote
  • Appalachian Diaspora

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OtterTales

Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain

Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC

This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.

Piedmont Trails

Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond

Truman Capote

A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century

Appalachian Diaspora

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