Dr. J.T. Ferrell of Chapmanville, WV
03 Saturday Dec 2022
Posted Chapmanville
in03 Saturday Dec 2022
Posted Chapmanville
in14 Sunday Jul 2019
Posted Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Hamlin, Harts, Logan, Midkiff, Ranger, Spurlockville, Toney
inTags
Appalachia, assistant postmaster, Big Creek, Cabell County, Charles Spurlock, Cheat River, Cincinnati, civil engineer, civil war, doctor, genealogy, gunsmith, Hamlin, history, Jane Spurlock, John Spurlock, Lifas Spurlock, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Post Office, Marshall Spurlock, Midkiff, Montgomery County, Omar, Pete Spurlock, preacher, Ranger, Robertson Spurlock, Seth Spurlock, Sheridan, sheriff, Spurlockville, Stephen Hart, surveyor, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia
From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Stephen Hart and Harts Creek in Lincoln and Logan counties, West Virginia. The story is dated April 14, 1937.
Stephen Hart Settled at Cheat River, Pete Spurlock, A Great Grandson, Reveals
P.A. (Pete) Spurlock, assistant postmaster at the Logan post office, this morning revealed the destination of Stephen Hart, who went went after he had lived for a short time at the forks of the creek in the lower end of Logan county which now bears his name.
Spurlock said that Hart went to the Cheat River and settled permanently there to hunt deer and rear a family. He said the family name of Hart is as familiar there as the name Dingess is familiar in Logan county.
A daughter of Stephen, Jane, was Spurlock’s grandmother. She lived until 1913 and told her grandson much of the early history of the family which made its home in and around Spurlocksville, Sheridan, Ranger, and Midkiff.
Charles Spurlock, the progenitor of the Spurlock family, came to what used to be the Toney farm below the mouth of Big Creek in 1805 from Montgomery county, Virginia.
“Uncle Charley was a funny old cuss,” his great grandson Pete said this morning. “The story is told that a sheriff of Cabell county was given a capias to serve on the old codger for some minor offense when he was growing old and rather stout.
“Meeting him in the road one day, the sheriff informed Uncle Charley he had a capias to serve on him.
“None abashed, the old man informed the sheriff he was a law-abiding citizen and laid down in the middle of the road and told the sheriff to take him to jail.
“The ruse worked, for the sheriff chose to look for less obstinate prisoners,” Uncle Charley’s grandson said, chuckling.
Another story about the eccentric “Uncle Charley Spurlock” which has gone down in history, whether true or not, was that he lived for a short time below Big Creek under a rock cliff (known as a rockhouse) during the early summer while he was getting his cabin in shape for winter.
The tale is out that “Uncle Charley” explained his strange dwelling place in this way to his neighbors:
“Well I took Sarah (his wife) in a good substantial frame house in Virginia and she wasn’t quite satisfied. I took her to a log house and she wasn’t satisfied. I took her to a rail pen and still she grumbled. Then I took her to a rock house built by God Almight and still she wasn’t satisfied.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with Sarah.”
Sarah evidently became accustomed to “Uncle Charley” for the couple reared four sons. They were John, Seth, Lifas and Robertson. There were no daughters.
Seth was P.A. Spurlock’s grandfather. His father, Marshall, is 78 and lives on his farm near Cincinnati.
Spurlock says “Uncle Charley” is buried on a point at Spurlocksville overlooking the haunts of his early manhood.
Robertson was a gunsmith and lived near Hamlin. Seth was a civil engineer and helped survey much of Logan county. He was a Union soldier. John was a country doctor who practiced at Ranger.
Lifas was a preacher for sixty years and lived at Sheridan.
Charles Spurlock, of Omar, is a distant cousin, the assistant postmaster said. He is the only relative that lives in this section of Logan county, Spurlock said.
Spurlock, at Omar, was born at Spurlocksville and is a grandson of one of the original “Charley’s” boys.
08 Friday May 2015
Posted Logan
inTags
Blaine, doctor, genealogy, Green McNeely, history, J.M. Moore, Kentucky, life, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Matewood Moore, physician, W.F. Farley, West Virginia
Logan Banner, Logan, WV, 4 June 1903
22 Wednesday Apr 2015
Posted Logan
inTags
Andrew S. Bryan, Bath County, Bettie E. Bryan, Botetourt County, civil war, Covington, Cyrus Bryan, doctor, Elizabeth J. Bryan, genealogy, George E. Bryan, George E. Bryan Jr., Helen E. Bryan, Henry H. Bryan, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Hugh Bryan, Jane Bryan, Jefferson Medical College, John Dejernett, Kentucky, Logan, Logan County, Mary Bryan, Mary J. Bryan, Mary W. Bryan, Nancy E. Bryan, Nancy M. Bryan, Neddie Bryan, Ohio Medical College, physician, R.A. Brock, Randolph County, Russell J. Bryan, Russell L. Bryan, Samuel Leman, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, William H. Bryan
From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Dr. Henry H. Bryan, who resided at Logan, West Virginia:
At the present time one of the most prominent members of his profession in the State of West Virginia, was born in Logan county, W.Va., April 28, 1852; he attended three years full course at the Ohio Medical College, after which he practiced medicine during nine years; then attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated in 1882; on the 26th of November, 1884, he was joined in holy matrimony with Miss Bettie E. Lemon, who was born in Randolph county, W.Va., Feb. 8, 1863; the ceremony was performed in Randolph county by Rev. Bryan. Of this union two sons have been born: Neddie, April 14, 1886, and Russell L., Aug. 17, 1888. Dr. H.H. Bryan, with his interesting family, resides at Logan C.H., in one of the most beautiful homes in Logan county, and also owns a place in the mining flats of Randolph county. He is prominent not only for his professional skill, but for the readiness and cordiality with which he responds to the continued and extensive calls that are made upon him, and for the magnitude of his charity. As physician and as citizen he is honored and beloved wherever he is known. His ancestry for the past two generations is thus traced: Dr. Hugh Bryan, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Rockbridge county, Va., Oct. 2, 1801; he married Nancy M. Sawyers, who was born in Alleghany county, Va., in 1796. Dr. Hugh Bryan served as army surgeon during the late war; he died in Logan county, W.Va., March 1, 1870; his widow survived him but a short time, dying in the same county June 25, 1870. The records of the offspring of this couple are as follows: Mary J., born June 8, 1823, married to John Dejernett April 16, 1850; William H., Nov. 11, 1824, married Jane Titzer Aug. 1, 1855; an infant, June 18, 1826, lived only a few hours; Cyrus P., June 28, 1827, married to Mary W. Scott July 13, 1856; George E., Oct. 24, 1829, married to Mary Casebolt, June 4, 1851; Mathew J., Dec. 28, 1832, died Aug. 5, 1857; Andrew S., Sept. 6, 1835, married to Mary J. Dingess Oct. 15, 1856. George E. Bryan is a native of Covington, Va.; his wife of Ky. They are parents of the following sons and daughters: Dr. Henry H. Bryan, subject of this record; Nancy E., born Jan. 31, 1854; Russell J., born Dec. 12, 1856; George E., Jr., born Feb. 9, 1861; and Helen E., born Oct. 14, 1865. Dr. Henry H. Bryan’s wife is a daughter of Samuel Leman, who was born in Botetourt county, Va., in 1814; was married in Bath county, Va., in 1849, to Elizabeth J. Wood, who was born in that county in 1829; they are now living in Randolph county, Va.
Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 820-821
15 Sunday Mar 2015
Posted Lincoln County Feud, Logan
in15 Sunday Feb 2015
Posted Barboursville, Cemeteries, Lincoln County Feud
inTags
Appalachia, Barboursville, Blood in West Virginia, book, books, Cabell County, doctor, history, Lincoln County Feud, photos, physician, Virginus R. Moss, West Virginia
Dr. V.R. Moss was one of two physicians who treated Hollena Brumfield after her ambush. Earlier today, I visited his grave at Barboursville Cemetery in Barboursville, WV.
Dr. V.R. Moss was one of two physicians who treated Hollena Brumfield after her ambush. Earlier today, I visited his grave at Barboursville Cemetery in Barboursville, WV.
15 Sunday Feb 2015
Posted Big Sandy Valley, Cemeteries, Lincoln County Feud, Logan
inTags
Appalachia, Ashland, Blood in West Virginia, Boyd County, Brandon Kirk, Carter County, Cecil L. Hudgins, doctor, genealogy, history, Kentucky, Lincoln County Feud, Logan, Logan County, Olive Hill, photos, West Virginia
Dr. Cecil L. Hudgins was one of two physicians who treated Hollena Brumfield after her ambush. At the time of the Lincoln County Feud, Dr. Hudgins lived in Logan, WV. Earlier today, I visited his grave in Ashland, Kentucky.
Dr. Cecil L. Hudgins was one of two physicians who treated Hollena Brumfield after her ambush. At the time of the Lincoln County Feud, Dr. Hudgins lived in Logan, WV. He later settled in Olive Hill, Kentucky. Earlier today, I visited his grave in Ashland, Kentucky.
04 Sunday Jan 2015
Posted Cemeteries, Harts, Lincoln County Feud
in07 Sunday Sep 2014
Posted Chapmanville, Civil War
inTags
19th Kentucky Infantry, 1st Cavalry State Line, 1st Kentucky Infantry, 5th Virginia infantry, 7th West Virginia Cavalry, 9th Virginia Infantry, Allen K.M. Browning, Anna Woody, Barney Carter, Becky Aurelia Murray, Big Creek, Bryon Kelley, Chapmanville District, Charlotte Handy, civil war, Confederacy, David Thomas, doctor, Edwin F. Mitchell, Francis Murray, genealogy, Hannah Osborne, Harts, Harts Creek, Hiram Murray, history, Hoover Fork, Jane Riffe, Jim Vanderpool, John Rose, Kentucky, Lincoln County, Logan County, Logan District, Magnolia District, Mahulda Carter, Main Harts Creek Fire Department, Margaret Thomas, Marshall Kelley, Martha Thomas, Mary Ann Mullins, Nancy Branham, North Carolina, Parline Rose, Patterson Riffe, Peter Riffe, Pike County, Robert Vanderpool, Sally Ann Handy, Sarah Jane Carter, Sarah Vanderpool, Sidney Woody, Tazewell County, Tennessee, Union Army, Van Prince, Virginia, Warren, West Virginia, William Handy, William Kelley, Wise, Wise County, writing
During the War Between the States, the Chapmanville area of what is today Logan County, West Virginia, strongly supported the Confederacy. Logan County’s loyalty to the Confederacy was quite overwhelming. Its citizens supported secession and opposed the creation of West Virginia. Well over ninety-percent of all local veterans were Confederates. A few local men, however, did serve in the Union Army. At least seven Yankee soldiers lived in Chapmanville District after the war.
In June of 1890, Edwin F. Mitchell, enumerator of the federal census, made his way through Chapmanville District gathering information about local residents who had served in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps during the late war. He ultimately compiled a short list of residents who had served the Union cause: Sidney T. Woody, Patterson Riffe, Martin Van Buren Prince, William Kelley, Robert Vanderpool, John Rose, and Allen K.M. Browning. It was a mixed bag of Yankees with hard-to-read loyalties. At least four of them were post-war settlers of the Chapmanville area, having served in Tennessee or Kentucky units. One of these migrants was an unenthusiastic Yankee who had been pressed into service by Federal troops. And of the two pre-war Logan County residents — Riffe and Prince — one served in both Confederate and Union military units. Regardless, these seven men reflected a very small percentage of the local population. In 1880, according to census schedules, Logan County had a population of 6,170 male residents and 1,795 families.
Sidney T. Woody, the first veteran listed by Mitchell in the 1890 census, was born around 1852 to Sidney and Anna (Tyree) Woody in North Carolina. During the war, from 1864-1865, he served as a private in a Tennessee regiment. By 1870, he was a resident of Logan District with his parents. In 1874, he married Sally Ann Handy, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Doss) Handy, in Logan County. They were the parents of at least ten children. Woody initially lived in Logan District with his family but spent his last years in the Chapmanville area.
Patterson Riffe, the second veteran identified in the 1890 census, was born on April 18, 1844 to Peter and Jane (Perry) Riffe in Logan County. In 1867, he married Martha B. Thomas, a daughter of David and Margaret (Mullins) Thomas, in Chapmanville. They were the parents of at least eight children. Early in the Civil War, Riffe served in Company A of the 1st Cavalry State Line (Confederate). In the latter part, from April 15, 1862 until August 8, 1865, he was a private with Company I of the 7th West Virginia Cavalry (Union). According to military records, Riffe was six feet tall with a fair complexion, gray eyes, and brown hair. He suffered a war-related injury caused by a horse falling on his leg. Riffe and his family were listed in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 censuses as occupants of Chapmanville District. He died on January 31, 1920 at Big Creek in Logan County.
Martin Van Buren Prince, the third person listed in the 1890 census, was born around 1835. Around 1856, he married Sarah Jane Carter, a daughter of Barney and Mahulda (Mullins) Carter, residents of the Hoover Fork of Harts Creek. Carter was a well-known Confederate officer in the war. During the war, Prince served as a private in Company F of the 5th Virginia Infantry. His dates of service were from August 10, 1861 until June 26, 1863. In 1884, Prince was listed in a business directory as “Van B. Prince, physician,” at Warren, a post office on Harts Creek in Lincoln County.
William Kelley, the fourth veteran in the 1890 census, was born around 1820 to Bryon Kelley in Wise or Tazewell County, Virginia. Around 1841, he married Hannah Osborne, with whom he had at least eight children. In 1850, he was a resident of Tazewell County. During the war, from November 4, 1862 until August 15, 1865, Kelley served in Company C of the 19th Kentucky Infantry. According to family tradition, Kelley was pressed into service by Yankees. “A bunch of Yankee recruiters came to Grandpa’s home and forced him to join up,” said the late Marshall Kelley of Harts. “He said he had to take his son with him because the rebels might come and kill him. Harvey was only about fifteen so they didn’t want him to go. But he went with Grandpa and was with him the whole time. He didn’t do any fighting. He just worked in the camp.” In 1870, Kelley was a resident of Pike County, Kentucky. Throughout the 1870s and early 1880s, Kelley fathered five or more children by different women before marrying Nancy Branham. They were the parents of at least five children. In the late 1880s, around 1888, Kelley sold his farm near Wise, Virginia and moved to the present-day site of the Main Harts Creek Fire Department. In 1890 or 1891, he sold out there to Tom Farley, his son-in-law, and moved back to Kentucky. Kelley died in February of 1902 in Cumberland, Kentucky or Clintwood, Virginia.
Robert Lee Vanderpool, the fifth Union man listed in the 1890 census, was born around 1849 to Jim and Sally (Beverly) Vanderpool. During the war, from May 1, 1864 until March 11, 1865, Vanderpool was a sergeant in Company G of the 1st Kentucky Infantry. Around 1871, Vanderpool married Becky Aurelia Murray, a daughter of Hiram and Francis (Thornsberry) Murray. He and Becky made their home in the Chapmanville District, where they reared at least seven children.
John Rose, the sixth person in the 1890 census, enlisted in Company G of the 1st Kentucky Infantry on the same day as Vanderpool. He was a private and was killed in battle during the war. In the 1880 census, Rose’s widow, Parline, was listed in the Chapmanville District of Logan County with four children. In 1890, Parline was still a widow and living at Warren. By 1900, no Roses lived in Logan County.
The last Union veteran listed in Mitchell’s 1890 enumeration was Allen K.M. Browning. During the war, Allen was a private in Company C of the 9th Virginia Infantry. He enlisted on January 15, 1862. He claimed some type of rupture as a war-related injury. In 1870, no one by Browning’s name lived in Logan County; in 1880, however, two local men appear by the name of “A.M. Browning.” One, aged 56, lived in the Logan District and was married with four children. The other, aged 45, lived in the Magnolia District and was married with six children. By 1900, there were no A.M. Brownings in Logan County census records.
01 Friday Aug 2014
Posted Big Harts Creek, Lincoln County Feud
inWritings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain
This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.
Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond
A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century