Tag Archives: Henry H. Hardesty

Battle of Curry Farm (1864)

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Hamlin

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This entry compiles information relating to the Battle or Skirmish at Curry Farm, which occurred as part of the War Between the States in May of 1864 at Hamlin in present-day Lincoln County, WV. It is a working entry and will be updated based on the discovery of new information.

On May 29, 1864, Confederates commanded by Captain John L. Chapman of Company B, 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, attacked a detachment of the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, Company G, commanded by 1st Lt. John W. Harshbarger at Curry Farm near Hamlin in present-day Lincoln County. H.H. Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia, compiled in c.1883, provides the only known account of the battle: “The Federals had marched from Hurricane Bridge and were proceeding up Mud river when they were fired upon by the Confederates, who were concealed on the opposite side of the river. The Federal commander at once ordered a charge and the Confederates retreated without loss. The Federals had one killed, a man named Mathias Kayler from Raleigh county, and two wounded — one being Isaac Jackson, who was shot through the left arm; and another, a member of Company K” (98-99).

Prior to the battle, on May 10, 1864, Capt. John Chapman had been sent with a detachment of dismounted men from the area of Russell County, Virginia, into Cabell and Logan counties “to gather up absentees and deserters from the 34th Battalion” (Cole, 80). Capt. Chapman had been wounded in action at Brandy Station, Virginia, on August 14, 1863 and at Blountsville, Tennessee, on March 10, 1864 (Cole, 147).

Isaac Jackson, one of the two Union soldiers wounded at Curry Farm, was a private in Company G, 3rd WV Cavalry, formerly commanded by Captain John S. Witcher (who had been promoted to major in April 1864). Hardesty cites Mr. Jackson as “wounded in action at Currys Farm, May 29, 1864” (98). Following the battle, on July 6, 1864, 1st Lt. Harshbarger was promoted to captain of Company G. On December 7, 1864, an Adjutant General’s Report shows Company G, 3rd WV Cavalry, stationed near Winchester, VA. The muster roll shows 108 names, citing Private Isaac Jackson as “Wounded in skirmish, May 5, 1864. In hospital since this date.” (Note how this record provides a different date of his wounding from the date provided by Hardesty, who compiled his history about 1881.) http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwayne/roster3G.htm

Curry Farm, according to Hardesty, was located 1/4 mile above Hamlin (Hardesty, 90, 98).

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The West Virginia Division of Culture and History has recently erected this historical marker on Curry Farm. 12 November 2017. Photo by Mom.

Capt. John Chapman left Cabell and Logan counties and rejoined the 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry in the vicinity of Pound Gap, Virginia, by the end of June 1864 (Cole, 82).

Capt. John W. Harshbarger (1836-1909) is buried here: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35761174

Selected Sources:

Scott C. Cole, 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, VA: H.E. Howard, Inc., 1993) 80, 82, 121, 147.

Michael Graham, The Coal River Valley in the Civil War (Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2014) 150-151.

Some modern writers have misunderstood the Battle of Curry Farm as occurring at the Curry farm located four miles north of Hamlin on Big Buffalo Creek, near Hamlin Chapel (later Curry Chapel). Hamlin Chapel is important for the role it played in the creation of Lincoln County in 1867. “The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held on the 11th day of March, 1867, in what was known as Hamlin chapel, an old church which stood on the Curry farm, about one-fourth of a mile above the present county seat. There were present: William C. Mahone, of Carroll District; John Scites, of Sheridan, and William A. Holstein, of Duval. W. C. Mahone was made president, and Benjamin F. Curry, clerk, the latter giving bond in the penalty of $2000, with James A. Holly and Jeremiah Witcher as his securities. It was then ordered that the Board of Supervisors have the White Hall,  a Southern Methodist church one-fourth of a mile below where the county seat now stands arranged for holding the courts until the proper buildings could be erected, George A. Holton and a majority of the trustees consenting thereto” (Hardesty, 90-91). Curry Chapel no longer stands but its former location can be found near the intersection of Route 1 and Route 3/11 above the mouth of Straight Fork of Big Buffalo Creek.

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Curry Chapel Cemetery, 18 July 2017. The battle did not occur here.

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Granville Curry grave, 18 July 2017. Photo by Mom. The battle did not occur here.

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Curry Chapel Cemetery, north of Hamlin. The battle did not occur here. Instead, it occurred just to the left of the [3] in the above map.

F.M. Johnson

10 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in West Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for F.M. Johnson, who resided at Falls Mills in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born in Cabell county in 1847, and married Emma McComas, who was born in Cabell county in 1857. Their marriage was solemnized in Lincoln county, November 12, 1880, and their two children are: M.W., born January 9, 1882; Walter, February 18, 1883. The first marriage of Mr. Johnson was with Spicy Adkins, who died, leaving him one child, Alafair, born March 10, 1871. Merrit and Rhoda (Adkins) Johnson are the parents of F.M. They made their home in Lincoln county in 1882. HIs wife is a daughter of T.J. and Catherine (McComas) McComas, who were born and raised in what is now Lincoln county. In 1874 F.M. Johnson came to Lincoln county, and as a man of energy and ability he soon established a large mercantile business. His store is on Guyan river, but he is now riding as deputy sheriff of Lincoln. His post office address is Falls Mills, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 142.

Rev. Eliphus Spurlock

05 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Rev. Eliphus Spurlock, who resided in Laurel Hill District in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a son of Charles and Lena (Hager) Spurlock, who came to Lincoln county in 1798. He was born in Cabell county, May 11, 1824, and in Boone county, (now) West Virginia, in 1853, he was joined in marriage with Selpha, daughter of Elijah and Martha (Elkins) Elkins, residents of Boone county. She was born in Logan county, (now) West Virginia, in 1834, and is the mother of three children living in Lincoln county, and one dead: Martha, born February 14, 1857; Dicie, September 17, 1859; Stephen, April 30, 1862; Pattison, May 8, 1864, died November 29, 1866. Mr. Spurlock enlisted in the war between the States in September, 1861, serving in the Federal army, in the 8th West Virginia Infantry, and was in the battles at Boone, Scary, Maryland and Rocky Gap. Eliphus Spurlock came to Lincoln county in 1851, and in 1868 he was overseer of the poor in this county, as well as road surveyor. He is an ordained Methodist minister, and was on the Hamlin circuit one year, in 1866, as a supply, but has since been a local Preacher. Beside ministering the gospel, Mr. Spurlock is engaged in farming in Laurel Hill district, owning 60 acres of land, upon which there is a good orchard of apple, peach, and pear trees, and a part of the land is timbered with oak and chestnut. He may be addressed at Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 141-142.

Early Newspapers of Lincoln County, WV

03 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in Hamlin, Huntington

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The following newspapers have existed in Lincoln County, WV:

Lincoln Clipper (1881-

“The publication of the Lincoln Clipper, a five column folio newspaper, was begun at Hamlin on the 15th day of September, 1881, by Messrs. C.M. Hall and T.T. McDougal, editors and proprietors. They continued it for several months, when Hall sold his interest to McDougal, by whom it was published until January, 1882, at which time he sold a half interest to Messrs. Joseph E. Chilton, C.W. Campbell and B.H. Oxley, and under the name of the Clipper Publishing Company they issued it until August, 1882, when Edward I. Holt purchased the press and office material, and by him it has been published since. Under his management it has constantly improved and enlarged. On the 18th day of October, 1883, it was made a five column quarto.” Source: Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, WV (c.1884), p. 97.

“The Lincoln Clipper has again changed hands and is now published by the Lincoln Clipper Publishing Company. The capital stock is not given, but it is something less than $1,000,000.” Parkersburg Sentinel, 4 February 1882

 

Lincoln Citizen (1886-

“Mr. W.M. Workman will begin the publication of a newspaper called the Lincoln Citizen at Hamlin, Lincoln County, about the 20th inst. We presume the object of its publication is to fill the usual long-felt want, and incidentally to reap the golden reward of West Virginia journalism. We hope Mr. Workman may be successful in his enterprise.” Huntington Advertiser, 10 April 1886

“J. Jerome Haddox is again editor of the Lincoln Citizen. It is needless to say the Citizen is turned up to bold and brilliant things.” Logan County Banner, 18 September 1895

“The History of Logan County, by Hon. Henry Clay Ragland, has begun in The Logan Banner. He starts off like a true historian, and with a master pen blends romance and history together. He begins with the brave little Jamestown colony in 1607, and with a skillful pen and accurate knowledge of the footprints of colonial characteristics is bringing his readers gradually down to the settlements and formation of Logan.” Logan County Banner, 15 January 1896 (via Lincoln Citizen)

“Mr. J. Jerome Haddox, editor of the Lincoln Citizen, was married Sunday afternoon to Miss Linnie Mahone, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil H. Mahone, prominent and well-to-do people of that county. The Banner extends congratulations.” Logan County Banner, 19 February 1896

“The Lincoln Citizen is the only exchange that comes to our tables that has the gall to try to keep alive that defunct Populist party. From the look of its dress it may be surmised that the Citizen will soon sink into its predestined grave to sleep until the vision so graphically pictured by Mr. Bellamy arrives which will perhaps be realized about the year 4000 A.D. One by one the ‘pop’ organs have dropped from the ranks until now to see one is a curiosity The Citizen may aptly be styled the last rose of summer in the West Virginia Populist garden.” Huntington Advertiser, 9 May 1896 (via Southern West Virginian)

“The populist convention of Lincoln county instructed their delegates to the State district convention to vote for Jerome J. Haddox, editor of the Lincoln Citizen, for delegate to the National populist Convention at St. Louis. Mr. Haddox was here today and thinks his chances are favorable. He is accompanied by his estimable wife and they will probably remain here for several days.” Huntington Advertiser, 8 June 1896

“The Lincoln Citizen, edited by the only Jerome Haddox, came in on time last evening and was as bright and newsy as ever. Mr. Haddox’s paper always contains some rich, rare, and racy effusions which will bring smiles to the countenance of the most disconsolate.” Huntington Advertiser, 29 January 1897

“Jerome Haddox, the populist editor, of Lincoln county, who has many friends in this city, is the happy father of a nine and one-half pound boy. It was born last Wednesday and Jerome says: ‘He is a middle of the road populist possessing oratorical abilities.'” Huntington Advertiser, 16 March 1897

“Editor Jerome J. Haddox of the Lincoln Citizen has sold out his plant and good will to Elbert R. Hoffman of the Lincoln Guidon but the paper will be known in the future as the Lincoln Citizen and will be republican in politics. Mr. Haddox is one among the most interesting writers in the state and the press generally will be sorry to lose him from the profession. Mr. Hoffman was formerly a well known Charleston newspaper man and will evidently make a success in his new field.” Huntington Advertiser, 26 July 1898.

Lincoln News (1894-

“We notice in the Lincoln News that John H. Sanborn and David Laird, of Dunlow, were in Hamlin a few days ago and subscribed for the Lincoln News. Frank says the sign was the special attraction.” Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 21 June 1894

“Editor Van Zeveley of Hamlin, is here for a day or two after looking after the interests of his paper, The Lincoln News.” Huntington Advertiser, 10 March 1898

“The Lincoln News comes out this week in new dress and greatly enlarged. We are glad to chronicle the success of Mr. Van Zeveley its editor and owner. The News is doing good for the democracy in Lincoln.” Huntington Advertiser, 15 April 1898

“Editor Van Zeveley of the Lincoln News is in the city and is accompanied by Mrs. Zeveley. They will remain in Huntington over Sunday.” Huntington Advertiser, 13 May 1898

“Van Zeveley of Lincoln who has been in the city for a few days received a telegram yesterday afternoon that his wife who had been visiting out in the interior of the state was very ill and had been taken to the hospital at Wheeling for treatment. Mr. Zeveley left this morning for her bedside. It is hoped that he will find her much improved.” Huntington Advertiser, 6 July 1898

“Van H. Zeveley, the editor of the Lincoln news, is spending a few days here in company with his wife. Van was one of the secretaries of the Spencer convention, and a good one he was too.” Huntington Advertiser, 3 September 1898

“Van Zeveley, the well known editor of the Lincoln News, came in last night from Charleston where he has been spending a few days looking after some business matters. Mr. Zeveley will return home tomorrow morning.” Huntington Advertiser, 14 March 1899

“Editor Van Zeveley of the Lincoln News arrived in the city at noon today from Hamlin, accompanied by his wife. They will remain here until tomorrow morning, when they will leave over the Ohio railroad for Ritchie county, where they will spend a few weeks. Mrs. Zeveley has been in ill health for almost a year past, but is now much improved.” Huntington Advertiser, 20 July 1899.

“Editor Van Zeveley of the Lincoln News arrived here this morning and left this afternoon on the White Collar line steamer for Cincinnati.” Huntington Advertiser, 9 August 1899

“Van Zeveley, Editor of the Lincoln News, one of the leading democratic weeklies in the state, is in the city today looking after some business matters. The many friends of Mr. Zeveley will be sorry to learn that his health has been failing for a few months past. Mr. Zeveley will remain here until the middle of the week.” Huntington Advertiser, 18 September 1899

“Editor R.E. Hardwicke of the Lincoln News and several other prominent citizens of Lincoln are here today and will remain until tomorrow, when they go to Charleston to attend the Western Davis meeting.” Huntington Advertiser, 15 August 1900

“Editor R.E. Hardwicke of the Lincoln News came in from Charleston this morning and will spend a day or so here before returning to his home at Hamlin.” Huntington Advertiser, 21 September 1900

Van Zeveley was the son of E.S. Zeveley. The elder Mr. Zeveley was born in North Carolina in 1818 and began a newspaper called the Greensboro Beacon in 1836. In 1877, he founded the Ritchie Democrat and Beacon Light at Cairo, WV. His son, Van, began a newspaper called The Walking Beam in Volcano, WV. Following the elder Zeveley’s death in 1884, the Democrat passed to his son, Van. Van operated the Beacon Light (renamed and relocated to Pennsboro) until 1893, when he moved to Lincoln County. He edited the Lincoln News for six years until his poor health forced him to retire from the newspaper business. Sources: History of Ritchie County by Minnie Kendall Lowther (1911), p. 454-455; West Virginia and Its People by T.C. Miller and Hu Maxwell (1913), p. 304.

The Institute Daily Lincoln News (1895-

“We are in receipt of several numbers of The Institute Daily Lincoln News. This is the first daily ever published in Lincoln county, and it is bright and newsy and reflects much credit upon the management of the News.” Logan County Banner, 17 July 1895

Lincoln Guidon (1895-

Note: This is a “working” entry and will be updated periodically.

 

Hugh C. Adkins

30 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Fourteen, Ranger

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Hugh C. Adkins, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is one of the farming population in Laurel Hill district, Lincoln county, owning 50 acres of good land on Guyan river, at the mouth of Fourteen. The land has good improvements and a part of it timbered with poplar, pine, and oak. Mr. Adkins was born in Lincoln county, April 17, 1853, and his parents’ history follows this. Sarah M., daughter of Ballard and Sina (Myers) Smith, was born in Lincoln county, January 20, 1852, and in this same county, in 1873, she became the wife of H.C. Adkins. The children of the union are: Riland, born November 24, 1873; Albert W., January 25, 1878; George T., October 3, 1880; Lewis B., August 11, 1883. Mr. Adkins is a very industrious man, and is prospering in his farming. He may be addressed at Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 138-139.

Albert M. Adkins

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Fourteen, Ranger

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Albert M. Adkins, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

At the age of eighteen, enlisted in the late war, in 1862, and bravely did he fight for Virginia and her rights. He served in the Confederate army, was taken prisoner and held ten months. Mr. Adkins was born in what is now Lincoln county, West Virginia, August 27, 1844. His parents are Lewis and Melcina (Hunter) Adkins. In Lincoln county in 1868, Albert M. Adkins wedded Cosby J. Lambert, who was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, in 1843, and whose parents, Jeremiah and Sarah (Hedrick) Lambert, settled in Lincoln county in 1856. A.M. Adkins is one of the farming population in Laurel Hill district, dealing to some extent in lumber, and is the possessor of 400 acres of land, situated on Fourteen-mile creek. A portion of the land is cultivated, and the rest is heavily timbered with oak, poplar, pine, and walnut, and coal and iron ore are found in abundance. Any mail for Albert M. Adkins may be addressed to Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 138.

Burrell Spurlock

19 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Coal, Hamlin, Native American History, Timber

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Burrell Spurlock, who resided near Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of Eli and Mary (Cummings) Spurlock, was born in Boone county, (now) West Virginia, April 14, 1833, and in Lincoln county, January 7, 1857, he wedded Phoebe Jane, daughter of Preston and Elizabeth (Haskins) Spears. The children of this union number twelve, born as follows: Emily, December 17, 1858, died February 21, 1859; Louisa Jane, December 25, 1859; Emily Alice, October 10, 1861, died January 19, 1880; Robert, September 17, 1864; Allen and Wirt, twins, October 25, 1867; Evermont Green, born February 17, 1870; Sarah Ellen, May 20, 1873, died September 22, 1878; Victoria, February 19, 1876; Leander Filmore, June 30, 1878, died December 8, 1878; Maria, March 26, 1880; Mary Elizabeth, July 7, 1883. Mrs. Spurlock was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, June 10, 1840; she has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifteen years. A brother of Mrs. Spurlock, Thomas Preston Spears, served in teh late war in the Federal army, and died a prisoner. The subject of this sketch was in the civil war, serving in the Federal army, in Company K, 7th West Virginia Cavalry. He enlisted, March 10, 1864, participated in the battles at Floyd Mountain, New River Bridge, Lynchburg, fighting continuously from Lynchburg to Kanawha valley, and was discharged August 5, 1865. Charles Spurlock, grandfather of Burrell, was born and raised ____. The country then was inhabited mostly by Indians. Burrell Spurlock is a farmer in union district, owning 360 acres of farming land, located on Big Laurel, nine miles from Hamlin. The timber on this land consists of pine, poplar, locust, sugar, maple, beech, hickory, and oak; good orchard; superior cannel and stone coal, and iron ore. Address Mr. Spurlock at Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 132.

Rufus Stowers

18 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hamlin, Lincoln County Feud

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Rufus Stowers, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of William Larkin and Rebecca (Lambert) Stowers, was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, January 26, 1842, and settled in Lincoln county in 1872. His father died in Tazewell county in 1857, and his mother in 1856. Mr. Stowers taught school thirteen years, but is now a farmer in Carroll district, owning about 127 acres of land on Scary creek, seven miles southeast from Hamlin. The farm is in good condition, containing a large orchard of apple, pear and peach trees, and a portion of it is heavily timbered with poplar, sugar, maple, beech, hickory, and walnut. In Tazewell county, August 16, 1859, Rufus Stowers was united in wedlock with Sarah Elizabeth Lambert. She is a daughter of Hiram H. and Priscilla E. (Lambert) Lambert, and she was born in Tazewell county, April 26, 1844. October 28, 1882, Mrs. Stowers died, leaving a husband and six children to mourn her loss. She was the mother of seven children, one deceased, who were born as follows: George Washington, September 8, 1860; Matilda Jane, March 29, 1862; Mary Priscilla, August 14, 1864; Martha Rebecca Alice, August 9, 1871; Emma Eva Christina, October 7, 1875; James Addison, March 8, 1877, died July 5, 1878; Luella Ann, April 16, 1879. Mr. Stowers is a member of the United Baptist Church; his wife was a member of the same church at the time of her death. William Stowers, father of Rufus, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rufus Stowers was at one time constable and commissioner of revenue in Bland county, Virginia. Any mail for him may be addressed to Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 117.

NOTE: During the Lincoln County Feud, Paris Brumfield accidentally shot Mr. Stowers. Mr. Stowers appears in the song, “The Lincoln County Crew.”

John Milton Dingess

14 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for John Milton Dingess, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of Peter and Mary (Stone) Dingess, was born in Logan county, (now) West Virginia, November 3, 1822, and came to Lincoln county in 1853. In Logan county, December 25, 1845, John M. Dingess and Matilda, daughter of Richard and Mary (Ingram) McDonald, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. She was born in Pulaski county, Virginia, August 3, 1823. The record of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Dingess is: Peter Scott, born August 31, 1847, resides in Union district, Lincoln county; Mary Ann, February 4, 1851, at home; Jerusha Alice, November 12, 1852, lives in Carroll district, Lincoln county; Matilda Jane, September 25, 1856, died May 19, 1858; George Edgar, April 3, 1858, died April 29, 1858. Mrs. Dingess and her two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John M. Dingess owns a farm of 150 acres, located on the Middle fork of Mud river, four miles east of Hamlin. There is a young orchard on the farm, and plenty of coal and iron ore to be found. Address Mr. Dingess at Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 111.

Joseph E. Chilton

11 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hamlin, Lincoln County Feud

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Joseph E. Chilton, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born at the mouth of Coal river, Kanawha county, (now) West Virginia, December 6, 1855, and came to Lincoln county in 1878. He is a son of William Edwin and Mary Elizabeth (Wilson) Chilton. Joseph E. Chilton taught in the public schools of Kanawha county, West Virginia, five years, two years of which were spent in Charleston. He read law in the office of Kuna and Walls while teaching, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to the bar. In 1880 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the counties of Lincoln and Boone, West Virginia, which office he still holds. Mr. Chilton is a regent of West Virginia University, having been appointed by Gov. Jackson in October, 1882.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 109.

NOTE: Mr. Chilton briefly appears in my book, Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy. For more on the very important Chilton family, follow this link: https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1167

Evermont Ward Brumfield

09 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Evermont Ward Brumfield, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a native of Lincoln county, born July 15, 1841, and he is a son of John H. and Rachel (Haskins) Brumfield. In Lincoln county, February 14, 1867, E.W. Brumfield was joined in marriage with Laury Johnson, born in Lincoln county, October 22, 1843, and is a daughter of Perry and Irena (Gilkinson) Johnson. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield are: Junea Lilly, May 14, 1868; Spicy, October 1, 1871; Maud Eske, April 24, 1881; all at home. Mr. Brumfield served in the Federal army during the Civil War, in Company G, 3rd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry. He enlisted November 15, 1863, and served until the close of the war, and was a participant in the following battles: Winchester, Piedmont, Mount Crawford, Rudes Hill, and Bunker Hill. One brother of E.W. Brumfield, William Randolph, was killed in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield joined the Methodist Episcopal Church July 16, 1869, in which Mr. Brumfield has been class leader. His grandfathers were among the earliest settlers of Lincoln county. E.W. Brumfield owns about 105 acres of fine farming land in Sheridan district, on Bear creek, four miles northwest of Hamlin; the land is well cultivated, and has upon it a large orchard of apple, peach, plum and cherry trees. Beside tilling the soil, in Carroll district, the subject of this sketch is jailer and deputy sheriff of Lincoln county, which office he has held two years. Direct mail to Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 108-109.

NOTE: Paris Brumfield, brother to E.W. Brumfield, is my great-great-great-grandfather.

Harts Creek District (c.1883)

08 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Fourteen, Green Shoal, Guyandotte River, Harts, Leet, Little Harts Creek, Timber, Warren, Wewanta

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Harts Creek District in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

This is the most southern subdivision of the county. It derives its name from Harts creek, a tributary of the Guyandotte river. On the north is Laurel Hill district, on the northeast is Jefferson, east Boone county, on the south Logan, and on the west Wayne. Guyandotte river flows northwest and divides the district into two nearly equal parts. There are several small streams, among which are Little and Big Harts creeks, Little and Big Ugly creeks, Kiahs creek, and Fourteen Mile creek.

The first settler was Richard Elkins, who reared his cabin in the month of September, 1807. Here he removed his family, and here Charles Spurlock became his first neighbor. Other early settlers were: Esquire Toney, John Lucas, Edley Elkins, John Fry, Hezekiah Adkins, John Brumfield, and Richard Adkins. Rhoda, a daughter of Edley and Sarah Elkins, was the first white child born in the district. The first grist mill was built  by James White about the year 1821. It was a small tub-wheel mill, water being the propelling power. Isaac Elkins built the first saw mill in 1847 or 1848. It was constructed on the old sash-saw plan, and had a capacity for cutting from 800 to 1,000 feet per day.

The first school was taught in a log cabin one mile above the mouth of Big Harts creek about the year 1832, but who the teacher was cannot now be ascertained. The date, however, is remembered by an old resident, because it was the year in which he first visited this section. The first house for educational purposes was built near the mouth of Big Harts creek in 1834. It was a five-cornered building, one side being occupied by the ever-present huge fire place. There are now ten public school houses in the district, “some of which,” says an informant, “are in bad condition, but will soon be replaced by frames;” 334 boys and girls attend school in this district.

The first sermon was preached here in the year 1823 by a Methodist minister named William West, and here the same year he gathered a little church, one of the first ever formed in the valley of the Guyandotte river; but of its history or who composed its membership, nothing is known. When the writer asked of an old settler the question: “Who were the first members?” his reply was: “The register is gone, and no one living can tell.” When asked who organized the first Sabbath school, he replied: “There never was one in the district.”

The first township officers were as follows: Supervisor, Burbus Toney; justice of the peace, Jeremiah Lambert; constable, Jesse Gartin; clerk, Andrew Robinson; treasurer, B.C. Curry; school commissioners, Adam Lambert, William Lucas, and Lewis Queen. According to the census of 1880, the population was 1,116.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 106-107.

NOTE: I descend from Richard Elkins, John Fry, John H. Brumfield, and Jeremiah Lambert.

Evi Sias

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Boone County, Civil War

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Evi Sias, who resided at Spurlocksville in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

One of the farming population of Jefferson district, Lincoln county, was born in Fayette county, (then) Virginia, in 1835, and he is a son of James and Rebecca (Adkins) Sias, who came to Lincoln county in 1857. Sallie R., daughter of Bradford and Sarah B. (Thomas) Hill, was born in Boone county, (now) West Virginia, in 1852. Her parents settled in Lincoln county in 1852, and in this county, in 1871, she became the wife of Evi Sias, and six children are the result of their union: Sarah B., born July 8, 1872; Rebecca A., November 28, 1873; Olivia F., September 4, 1875, died in August, 1877; James B., October 22, 1877; Ira, September 28, 1879; Lelia, January 14, 1882. Five brothers of Evi Sias served in the late war: Isaac, James W., Noah, and Henry C. were in the Federal service, and Andrew L., joined the Confederate ranks, and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Evi Sias was elected justice of the peace, and in 1880 was re-elected; he is commissioner of reassessments of land and secretary of the board of education in Jefferson district. Mr. Sias has been a strong advocate of free schools, and taught the first free school in Washington district, Boone county, and the first in Union district, Lincoln county. He has a farm of 100 acres on the Left Hand fork of Mud river; a part is heavily timbered, contains mineral, coal and iron ore, and the remainder in cultivation, with a large orchard. Evi Sias is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a man respected by all. Address, Spurlocksville, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 148.

NOTE: I descend from Evi’s brothers, James Wilson Sias and Andrew Lewis Sias.

George W. Messinger

03 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hamlin, Timber, West Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for George W. Messinger, who resided at West Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Williams) Messinger, who settled in what is now Lincoln county in 1838. He was here born, in Sheridan district, in 1842, and his marriage was solemnized in this district, in 1868, Sarah E. McComas becoming his wife. Their seven children were born: Mary N., December 6, 1868; Erastus, September 11, 1870; Thomas J., September 28, 1872; John W., June 6, 1875; Catherine, August 27, 1877; Myrta, September 14, 1879; Emery F., September 27, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Messinger were both born in what is now Lincoln county, Thomas J. and Catherine (Condons) McComas, and her birth was in Sheridan district, in 1844. The father of George W. was a soldier of the 1812 war, and died in Lincoln county, March 29, 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. George W. Messinger is a prosperous farmer, owning 518 acres of good land on Fall creek, near the Falls of Guyan. The land is well improved, so far as under cultivation, and the remainder well timbered, with mineral croppings. He has a fine fruit orchard of apples, pears, peaches, and plums. In addition to his farming interests, he deals extensively in lumber and has an interest in a grist mill. Post office address, Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 144.

William P. Dingess

31 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by in West Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for William P. Dingess, who resided at Argillite in Greenup County, Kentucky:

Was born in Logan county, then Virginia, in 1848, a son of William D. and Loanna (Berry) Dingess. He came with his parents to Lincoln county in 1862, and in this county was long actively engaged in business as a lumberman. In Cabell county, in 1867, he was united in marriage with Susan Shelton, and in the years that have ensued seven children have been born to them, and death has taken two away: Annie L., was born January 22, 1868; Maggie V., January 2, 1870; George E., May 18, 1872, died September 12, 1878; William D., July 14, 1874, died March 19, 1875; Jerome, August 19, 1876; Maldidia, June 28, 1878; Vivia, April 8, 1880. The wife of Mr. Dingess was born in Cabell county in 1848, and her parents, Major Jerome and Malinda (Messinger) Shelton, were born and reside in this county. Mr. Dingess was secretary of the board of education in his district. In 1883 he moved to Greenup county, Kentucky. His post office address is Argillite, Greenup county, Kentucky.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 142-143.

Evermont Adkins

28 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Fourteen, Ranger

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Evermont Adkins, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a son of Lewis and Melcina (Hunter) Adkins, whose personal history follows this. He is a native of Wayne county, West Virginia, born February 1, 1839, and he came to Lincoln county in 1844. Evermont Adkins was united in wedlock in Lincoln county, in 1865, with Elizabeth Hester Drake, and to them four children have been born, namely: Mary E., October 21, 1866; Paulina F., February 24, 1869; William H., April 10, 1871; Emma J., June 29, 1882. Mrs. Adkins was born in Lincoln county January 2, 1848, and her parents, Henderson and Catherine (Lucas) Drake, are both deceased. Mr. Adkins enlisted in the War Between the States in 1862, serving two years in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, Confederate army. He is, at present, a prosperous farmer in Laurel Hill district, owning 767 acres of farming land, a part of which is situated on Fourteen Mile creek, and a part on Guyan river. The land is well timbered, and has upon it a young apple and peach orchard. Evermont Adkins is school trustee in Laurel Hill district, and receives his mail at Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 138.

Lewis Adkins

27 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Fourteen, Ranger

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Lewis Adkins, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born in Wayne county, (then) Virginia, in 1814, and in 1841 came to what is now Lincoln county. Jacob and Pheobe (Bradshaw) Adkins were his parents, both now deceased. Lewis Adkins has been twice married; his first wife, Melcina Hunter, died, leaving eight children, born as follows: Evermont, February 1, 1839; Anderville, February 28, 1842; Albert M., August 27, 1844; Hansford, October 27, 1847; Emily, August 1850, died in 1866; Hugh C., April 17, 1853; Spencer, May 17, 1856; Richard, May 26, 1861. In Cabell county, in 1866, Mr. Adkins was again united in wedlock, with Emma Brumfield, and to them one child was born: Sampson, December 27, 1866. Mrs. Adkins was born in this county, in 1824, the year in which her parents, John and Rachel (Haskins) Brumfield, settled here. Mr. Adkins is one of the farming population of Laurel Hill district, and any mail for him may be addressed to Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 139.

NOTE: Emmazetta (Brumfield) Adkins was a sister to my ancestor, Paris Brumfield.

Patton Thompson

24 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Green Shoal

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Patton Thompson, who resided near Green Shoal in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Patton Thompson and Delana Tomblin were united in the holy bonds of matrimony in Logan county, (now) West Virginia, October 1, 1845, and they have been blessed with nine children, born as follows: William, August 24, 1846; John F., March 11, 1849, died in 1858; Martha J., September 3, 1851; Chloe, January 24, 1854, died in 1864; Margaret, July 27, 1856; David, December 4, 1858; Albert G., September 10, 1861; Mary A., May 15, 1864; Susan, June 15, 1868. Mrs. Thompson was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, in 1826, and her parents are Branson and Feriba (Lewis) Tomblin, natives of North Carolina. Patton Thompson is a native of Logan county, born May 28, 1834, and his parents, William and Patsy (Wilkins) Thompson, came to this county in 1823. Mr. Thompson owns 100 acres of farming land on Guyan river, and 300 acres in Logan county on Hart creek. The land produces well and is highly cultivated. Patton Thompson is deputy sheriff of Lincoln county, and is also constable of Hart Creek district. He is a man of considerable means and ability, is tilling the soil in this district, and receives his mail at Hart, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 138.

NOTE: Most likely, when this history was compiled about 1883, Patton Thompson lived at what has been called “the Baisden farm” on the Guyandotte River above present-day Abbotts Branch near the Logan County line.

NOTE: Patton Thompson, a veteran of Company D, 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, is my great-great-great-grandfather. I descend from his daughter, Susan (Thompson) Kirk.

Andrew Lewis Sias

22 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Fourteen

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Andrew Lewis Sias, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Andrew Lewis Sias is one of the farming population of Hart Creek district, Lincoln county, and owns 87 ½ acres of land on the East fork of Fourteen Mile creek, 45 acres well cultivated, the rest heavily timbered, and coal, iron ore and building stone are to be found on the farm. Mr. Sias was born in Mercer county, (now) West Virginia, May 28, 1842, and was married in Lincoln county February 10, 1867, to Martha Ellen Lambert, the Rev. John Lucas officiating clergyman. The children of this union were born as follows: Jeremiah, November 25, 1868; Delilah Jane, March 1, 1870; Henry C., September 5, 1872; Lena L., March 8, 1874; Charlotte, November 5, 1876; Mary Etta, April 25, 1880. The parents of Andrew Sias, James and Rebecca (Adkins) Sias, have resided in Lincoln county since its organization. Mrs. Andrew Sias was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 12, 1848, and her parents, Jeremiah and Sarah (Hedrick) Lambert, were residing here before the county was organized. Andrew Lewis Sias enlisted in the late war, in Company G, 22nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Clawhammer Witcher, in General A.J. Jenkins’ brigade. Mr. Sias was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg on the third day of the fight, and was left in the hands of the enemy, taken to Point Lookout, Maryland, held eight months and four days, suffering untold injuries. When the word of exchange came Mr. Sias went back to his company, his arm still in a sling, and participated in several engagements, though he could use a revolver only with his left hand, and he would have suffered for something to eat had it not been for the kindness of two good soldiers. Andrew Lewis Sias settled in Lincoln county in 1867, and receives his mail at Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 137-138.

NOTE: Lewis Sias is my great-great-great-grandfather.

Andrew D. Robinson

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Harts, Warren

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Andrew D. Robinson, who resided at Harts Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of David and Margaret (Browning) Robinson, residents of Logan county, West Virginia, was born in that county, April 13, 1837, and came to what is now Lincoln county in 1851. He chose for a life companion Rhoda J., daughter of Joseph and Dicy (Mullins) Adams, who was born in Logan county, October 7, 1844, and in this county, in 1859 their marriage was consummated. To them nine children have been given, born as follows: David A., November 21, 1860; Emmeline V., July 5, 1863; Benjamin F., January 26, 1866; John R., September 1, 1868; Joseph, February 20, 1870; Polly A., August 7, 1873; Dicy, June 13, 1876; Margaret, June 22, 1879; Jesse, September 10, 1882. Andrew D. Robinson was elected justice of the peace in Hart Creek district in 1876, and held the office four years. He has been the secretary of the  board of education, and is now postmaster. Mr. Robinson enlisted in the war between the States, in 1863, serving in the Federal army; he was captured, taken to Libby prison and there held for two months. He was deprived of the advantages of the free school, but through his energy and perseverance gained a good practical education. Mr. Robinson is tilling the soil in Hart Creek district, owning 110 acres of land on Hart creek. The timber on the land is oak, poplar, walnut, and ash; the orchard, apple, cherry, and pear; mineral, coal and iron ore, found in abundance. Andrew D. Robinson’s post office address is Hart, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 137.