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Brandon Ray Kirk

Tag Archives: Nine Mile Creek

Harts Creek Area Deed Index (1855-1909)

01 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Guyandotte River

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A.F. Morris, Abijah Workman Jr., Andrew Elkins, Appalachia, Asa Williamson, B.J. Workman, Big Branch, Big Ugly Creek, Cassie Williamson, Charles Adkins, Charles Plaster, David Workman, Drusilla Neace, Elias Workman, Eliza J. Hager, Elizabeth Elkins, Elizabeth Thompson, Ella Spears, F.D. Stollings, Fourteen Mile Creek, Francis Creek, Franklin Neace, G.L. Estabrook, genealogy, George Alderson, George Hill, George W. Estep, Harmon Stroud, Harts Creek, history, Hollywood Branch, Hugh Evans, Isaac F. Workman, Isaac Workman, Isaiah Adkins, James A. Williamson, James H. Manns, James W. Workman, Jefferson Adkins, Jefferson Lucas, John Brumfield, John Chandler, John M. Workman, John Thompson, Joseph Browning, Julia Alderson, Kelley Chambers, Kiahs Creek, Lace Marcum, Leo F. Drake, Limestone Creek, Lincoln County, Lincoln County Land Assocation, Little Harts Creek, Lottie Harrison, Louisa A. Wiley, Luella A. Stollings, Lynn Branch, M.J. Chandler, Malinda Adkins, Margaret Neace, Mary A. Brumfield, Mary I. Plaster, Mary J. Manns, Matilda Adkins, Mollie Drake, Mud River, Nancy Adora Chandler, Nancy M. Workman, Nancy Miller, Nine Mile Creek, O.R. Fowble, Obediah Hill, P.T. Thompson, Patton Camp Branch, Patton Thompson, Peyton Spears, Rebecca Williamson, Rhoda Gartin, Rollem Fork, Roma Spears, Rufus Pack, S.W. Colton Jr., Salt Lick Branch, Samuel Moore, Sand Creek, Saphronia Gartin, Sarah J. Toney, Scary Creek, Scott Gartin, Seth Miller, Sulphur Spring Fork, Susan Hill, Susann Stroud, Sylvanus Neace, T.R. Shepherd, Tennessee Workman, Trace Fork, Twelve Pole Creek, Upton Creek, West Virginia, William Bell, William Manns, William T. Harrison, William Workman, Yantus Dingess, Zachary Taylor Neace

The following deed index is based on Deed Book 55 at the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office in Hamlin, WV, and relates to residents of the Harts Creek community. Most notations reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in local land transactions; some reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in land transactions outside of the community. These notes are meant to serve as a reference to Deed Book 55. Researchers who desire the most accurate version of this material are urged to consult the actual record book.

Charles Adkins to Malinda Adkins     100 acres Southeast Side of Harts Creek     25 April 1898     Isaac Fry, JP     p. 52-53

Malinda Adkins to Isaiah Adkins     25 acres near Mouth of Hollywood Branch of Big Harts Creek     20 July 1908     Charles Adkins, JP     p. 53-54

Matilda and Jefferson Adkins to Rhoda Gartin     37 acres, 103 acres Little Harts Creek and Fourteen Mile Creek     11 March 1898     p. 28-30

George and Julia Alderson to Lace Marcum and T.R. Shepherd     3 acres Mouth of Sand Creek     16 September 1909     p. 252

Mary A. and John Brumfield and P.T. and Elizabeth Thompson to Kelley Chambers     15 acres Scary Creek of the Middle Fork of Mud River     17 November 1905     p. 83-84

John and M.J. Chandler and H.C. and Nancy Adora Chandler to George W. Estep     70 acres and 148 acres on Ugly Creek     9 August 1900     p. 362-363

S.W. Colton, Jr. and G.L. Estabrook, trustees of Lincoln County Land Association, to O.R. Fowble     Timber on Upper Big Creek and Upton Creek of Mud River and Big Branch of Big Ugly Creek     27 December 1909     p. 366-367

Leo F. and Mollie Drake and Yantus Dingess and ___ Phipps to John Thompson     300 acres Main Harts Creek     22 March 1905     p. 388-389

Andrew and Elizabeth Elkins to Rhoda Gartin     87 acres East Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek     18 November 1899     p. 27-28

W.T. and Lottie Harrison to Eliza J. Hager     75 acres Waters of Nine Mile Creek     29 September 1894     p. 43-44

George and Susan Hill to Obediah J. Hill     391 9/40 acres on Big Ugly Creek     8 July 1904     p. 92-94

William and Mary J. Mans to Samuel Moore     25 acres head of Left Fork of Rollhimin Fork of Hezekiah Creek, Fork of Twelve Pole River     5 January 1905     p. 116-117

A.F. Morris, special commissioner, to Isaac Workman     19 1/2 acres Francis Creek     10 January 1907     p. 151-153 [regards a case in which Patton Thompson et als were plaintiffs and Isaac Workman et als were defendants]

Sylvanus and Drusilla Neace to Scott and Frona E. Gartin     103 acres on East Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek     9 May 1907     p. 423-425 [references Patton Camp Branch]

Z.T. and Margaret Neace and Franklin Neace to Saphronia E. and Scott Gartin     100 7/8 acres East Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek     16 August 1902     Jefferson Lucas, NP     p. 421-423

Charles and Mary I. Plaster to Hugh Evans     4 and 80 acres Francis Creek of Hezekiah Creek of Twelve Pole Creek     6 October 1903     p. 220-221

Peyton Spears patent from Commonwealth of Virginia     100 acres Nine Mile Creek (Laurel Hill District)     6 April 1855 (survey)     p. 466-467

Roma and Ella Spears to Allen Estep     75 acres on Trace Fork of Big Ugly Creek     2 October 1909     p. 364-365

F.D. and Luella A. Stollings to Nancy M. Workman     70 acres     Francis Creek of Hezekiah’s Creek     1 February 1901     p. 145-146

Harmon and Susann Stroud to Louisa A. Wiley     50 acres Sulphur Spring Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek (Laurel Hill District)     18 November 1881     James H. Manns, JP     p. 360-361

P.T. and Elizabeth Thompson to Kelley Chambers     35 acres Scary Creek of the Middle Fork of Mud River     11 November 1905     p. 81-83

Sarah J. Toney to Seth and Nancy Miller     37 1/2 acres Senging Branch of Mud River (Jefferson District)     17 March 1905     p. 386-387 [references Isaac Adkins’ line]

Asa and Rebecca Williamson to Hugh Evans     63 acres Lynn Branch of Hezekiah Creek     18 February 1908     Charles Adkins, JP     p. 222-223

B.J. and Tennessee Workman to Isaac F. Workman     125 acres Francis Fork of Hezekiahs Fork of Twelve Pole     18 April 1896     p. 146-148

David Workman et al to William Bell et al     Right of Way Limestone Creek     10 saw logs paid     23 April 1907     p. 332-333

Isaac and Nancy M. Workman to Abijah Workman, Jr.     40 acres and Right of Way for Road, Francis Creek of Hezekiah’s Creek     2 February 1903     Rufus Pack, NP     p. 143-144

Isaac and Nancy M. Workman to James W. Workman     40 acres Francis Creek of Hezekiah’s Creek     1 April 1901     Rufus Pack, NP     p. 149-150

William Workman to Joseph Browning     45 acres Between Little Harts Creek and Big Branch of Big Harts Creek     15 July 1908     Charles Adkins, JP     p. 450-452 [references Nester heirs]

James A. and Cassa Williamson to Elias Workman     75 acres on Salt Lick Branch of Right Fork of Twelve Pole Creek     24 September 1908     p. 212-213

John M. Workman to Isaac Workman     25 acres Francis Creek of Hezekiah Fork of Twelve Pole     9 April 1896     p. 148-149

NOTE: I copied all of these deeds.

Harts Creek Area Deed Index (1875-1910)

01 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Ferrellsburg, Fourteen, Green Shoal, Leet, Little Harts Creek, Rector

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A.H. Sanders, A.P. Sanders, Andrew J. Browning, Appalachia, Big Branch, Big Ugly Creek, Broad Branch, Brooks Summerville, Buck Lick Branch, Cassander Spurlcok, Charles Bowden Brumfield, Chloe Maynard, Climena Lucas, Clinton Spurlock, Daisy Brumfield, Ellen Ferguson, Evermont Ward Fry, F.F. Starcher, Fourteen Mile Creek, Francis Fork, G.H. Chenoweth, genealogy, George F. Miller, Giles Davis, Granville Mullins, Green Shoal Creek, Guyandotte River, Harts Creek, Henry C. Sias, Hezekiah Adkins, history, Hugh Evans, Isaac Gartin, J.H. Meeks, J.W. Breeding, J.W. Stowers, James C. Tomblin, James D. Porter, James I. Kuhn, Johnny Headley, Joseph E. Chilton, Joseph Gartin, Joseph Maynard, Julia Yantis Walker, Kiahs Creek, Koontz Realty Company, L.V. Koontz, Laurel Fork, Lena Ferrell, Leonard Lucas, Lettie Belle Fowler, Limestone Branch, Lincoln County, Lincoln Fuel Oil and Lumber Company, Mary A. Mullen, Mary Maynard, Midkiff, Nary Gartin, Nine Mile Creek, O.J. Wilkinson, Panther Branch, Patsy Ann Porter, Patterson Toney, Philip Hager, Polly Browning, Smith Ferrell, Squire Toney, Sulphur Spring Fork, Sylvanis Neace, Tucker Fry, Twelve Pole Creek, W.C. Mullen, W.L. Rector, W.L. Starcher, W.T. Gillenwater, Wallace Hager, West Virginia, William U. Stollings, Wirt Toney

The following deed index is based on Deed Book 53 at the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office in Hamlin, WV, and relates to residents of the Harts Creek community. Most notations reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in local land transactions; some reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in land transactions outside of the community. These notes are meant to serve as a reference to Deed Book 53. Researchers who desire the most accurate version of this material are urged to consult the actual record book.

Hezikiah Adkins to Julia Y. Walker     25 acres on West Side of Guyan River     7 January 1909     Fisher B. Adkins, NP     p. 40

Polly Browning to Joseph Maynard     75 acres Laurel Branch of Twelve Pole Creek     14 January 1905     Hugh Evans, JP    p. 412-413

Daisy Brumfield to Charley Brumfield     68 acres Big Branch of Big Ugly     7 September 1907     p. 219-220

J.E. Chilton to Lettie B. Fowler     150 acres East Side of Guyandotte River     15 February 1883     p. 365-366

G.D. Davis to Koontz Realty Company     113 3/5 acres (mineral)     8 May 1907     p. 329

Ellen Ferguson to L.V. Koontz     79 4/5 acres on Green Shoal Creek     14 December 1906     p. 304-305

Lena Ferrell to A.H. Sanders     49 acres (oil and gas)     5 December 1906     p. 305-306

D.C. Fry to Koontz Realty Company     4 acres     8 May 1907     p. 320-321

D.C. Fry to Koontz Realty Company     90 acres Green Shoal Creek     8 May 1907     p. 322-323

Joseph and Nary Gartin to W.R. and Mary Lucas and L.C. and Climina Lucas     75 and 15 acres on Sulpher Spring Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek     8 January 1910     p. 45-46

W.T. Gillenwater to Koontz Realty Company     82 acres (mineral)     16 July 1907     p. 315-316

Philip Hager to Koontz Realty Company     136 1/2 acres     17 May 1907     p. 318-319

Wallace Hager to Smith Ferrell     158 acres Broad Branch of Big Ugly     4 April 1907     R.E. Lowe, JP     p. 166-167

L.V. Koontz to Koontz Realty Company     799 2/3 acres Big Ugly Creek     24 June 1907     p. 310-311

J.I. Kuhn to Isaac G. Gartin     75 acres Little Harts Creek     1 September 1879     p. 281-284

J.I. Kuhn to Climenia Lucas et al     496 acres on Fourteen Mile Creek     6 June 1880     p. 288-291

James I. Kuhn to William Mann and Isaac Garten     1 August 1879     Francis Fork of Hezekiah Creek     p. 285-288

Lincoln Fuel, Oil, and Lumber Company v. A.P. Sanders, W.C. Mullen, and Mary A. Mullen     correction to deed     5 October 1910     p. 243-244

L.C. Lucas to Climena Lucas     37 acres on Fourteen Mile Creek     13 December 1909     p. 53

Chloe Maynard to Joseph Maynard     100 acres Twelve Pole Creek     10 October 1907     p. 410-411

Mary Maynard to Joseph Maynard     85 acres Twelve Pole Creek     21 October 1905     p. 409-410

George F. Miller to Koontz Realty Company     33 acres (mineral)     13 May 1907     p. 317-318

Granville Mullins to William U. Stollings     10 acres Limestone Branch     28 March 1910     p. 416

Sylvanis Neace to J.W. Breeding     75 acres on Buck Lick Branch of Guyandotte River (Laurel Hill District)     12 February 1910     p. 133-134

J.D. Porter et ux to W.L. Rector     Big Ugly Creek     27 March 1902     p. 333-339

Patsy Ann Porter to Joseph Maynard     Tract on Ridge Between Laurel Branch and Wiley Branch     4 August 1908     p. 414-415

W.L. Rector et ux to G.H. Chenoweth 3/16 undivided interest in tracts on Harts Creek and Big Ugly Creek     28 December 1903     p. 340-

W.L. Starcher et ux to F.F. Starcher     interest in four tracts on Big Ugly Creek    27 September 1907     p. 347-349

A.H. Sanders et ux to L.V. Koontz     Stowers Farm on Green Shoal     10 December 1906     p. 288-291

A.H. Sanders et ux to L.V. Koontz     49 acres on Big Ugly Creek     12 March 1907     p. 301

A.H. Sanders et al declaration of trust to A.P. Sanders     25 July 1907     p. 329

A.P. Sanders to W.C. Mullen     150 acres Big Ugly Creek     2 October 1907     p. 164-165

A.P. Sanders to A.H. Sanders     278 acres Lick Branch of Laurel Fork of Big Ugly     31 October 1907     p. 227-228

Henry C. Sias to John T. Headley     75 acres on Steer Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek     17 February 1909     p. 1-2

Cassander Spurlock et ux to A.H. Sanders     89 1/3 acres on Big Ugly Creek     5 December 1906     p. 307-308

Clinton Spurlock et ux to E.W. Fry et ux     15 acres near Nine Mile Creek on Guyandotte River     3 June 1901     p. 194

Clinton Spurlock to Clinton Spurlock and E.W. Fry     7360 square feet at Midkiff     1 January 1906     p. 195-196

J.W. Stowers et al to A.H. Sanders     144 1/3 acres     7 December 1906     p. 308-309

Brooks Summerville et ux to F.F. Starcher     interest in four tracts on Big Ugly Creek     1 November 1907     p. 346-347

James C. Tomblin to Andrew J. Browning     Painter Branch, Big Branch of Harts Creek     19 March 1875     Jeremiah Lambert, JP     p. 170-171

Patterson Toney et ux to L.V. Koontz     437 acres on Big Ugly Creek     29 December 1906     p. 302-303

Squire Toney et ux to Koontz Realty Company     295 52/100 acres Big Ugly Creek (mineral)     27 June 1907     p. 312-314

Wirt Toney et ux to Koontz Realty Company     203 61/100 acres (mineral)     4 May 1907     p. 324-326

O.J. Wilkinson, commissioner of school lands, to J.H. Meeks, trustee     1 February 1910     Piney Fork of East Fork     p. 104-105 [references Abner Vance]

NOTE: I copied all of these deeds.

State v. Spurlock (1899)

15 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Culture of Honor

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Appalachia, crime, Lincoln County, Nine Mile Creek, U.S. South, West Virginia

Logan County Banner, 7 September 1899

Logan County (WV) Banner, 7 September 1899

Gill News 06.07.1923

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Gill, Leet, Logan

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Big Ugly Creek, Buck Lick, C&O Railroad, Coon Adkins, Frank Cooper, genealogy, Gill, Hamlin, history, James "Bud" Tipton, Leet, life, Lincoln County, Lincoln Republican, Logan, measles, Nine Mile Creek, Parsner Creek, Philip Sperry, singing schools, teacher, W.M. Sperry, Ward Spears, West Hamlin, West Virginia

“Reporter,” a local correspondent from Gill in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Lincoln Republican printed on Thursday, June 7, 1923:

Ward Spears, Coon Adkins, and Frank Cooper attended prayer meeting at Leet Friday night.

Frank Cooper who has been walking track for the C. & O. at Logan was here the latter part of last week.

There is a number of cases of measles in this section. The entire family of W.M. Sperry has been ill with them.

W.M. Sperry has been teaching a singing school at Buck Lick with good success. Large crowds are attending.

Philip Sperry returned home the latter part of last week from a visit on Parsner Creek, Nine Mile, Hamlin and West Hamlin.

The wages of the section men in this section were raised to $3.20 per day on May 16th. Mr. Tipton is foreman and is okay for the business.

Archibald Harrison 4

05 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Civil War

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Archibald Harrison, Arena Ferrell, Burbus Clinton Spurlock, Elizabeth Scites, Ferrellsburg, George W. Ferrell, Guy Fry, history, James D. Cummings, John M. Harrison, Keenan Ferrell, Lincoln County, Logan County, Martha E. Harrison, Micco, Nine Mile Creek, Phernatt's Creek, timbering, Vinson Spurlock, West Virginia, William T. Harrison, writing

In the latter part of the 1880s, Archibald Harrison sold much of his property. In 1886, he sold 30 acres of his 120-acre tract at Nine Mile Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia, to A.E. Callihan. The next year, he sold his 360-acre tract in Harts Creek District to an unknown party. In that same year, he bought 100 more acres on Nine Mile.

Around that time, Mr. Harrison and his wife Martha may have separated or divorced, based on indications provided by tax records. In 1888, he sold 150 acres of his 230-acre tract at Phernatt’s Creek to D.B. Keck, while Martha sold the 100-acre tract on Nine Mile to Guy Fry. The following year, Martha sold 90 more acres to Fry on Nine Mile and the remaining acreage on Phernatt’s Creek (recorded as 125 acres, not 80) to James D. Cummings.

At that juncture, Martha disappears from local records.

In the 1890s, Mr. Harrison — perhaps recuperating from a second divorce — centered his property acquisitions on Nine Mile Creek. In 1890, he bought 59 acres worth $1.00 per acre from Elizabeth Scites. In 1891, he bought 150 acres worth $3.00 per acre from Guy Fry and 75 acres also worth $3.00 per acre from an unknown party. This latter tract of land he immediately deeded to his son, William T. Harrison, who married Charlotte F. Sias around 1892.

In 1892, Mr. Harrison deeded A.B. Staley 86 acres from the 150-acre tract, which tax records document as being on Fourteen Mile Creek, not Nine Mile. Four years later, William T. sold his 75 acres to Eliza J. Hager. Harrison probably died in that frame of time. His remaining property on Nine Mile was sold by D.E. Wilkinson, special commissioner, to Clinton Spurlock in 1898.

By 1900, Archibald and Martha Harrison were absent from local census records. Their children Daniel H., age 31, Guy French, age 24, and Louisa J., age 21, were also gone from the area. While the fate of Martha, Daniel and Louisa remains unclear, there is some evidence that Guy, who later lived at Micco in Logan County in 1920, moved to Virginia just after the turn of the century.

In 1900, three of Archibald’s sons were still listed in local census records. William T. Harrison and his family were residents of the Laurel Hill District. John M. Harrison was boarding nearby in the home of Vinson Spurlock and was reportedly engaged in some type of timber business. George W. Harrison was at present-day Ferrellsburg in Harts Creek District with his adopted parents, Keenan and Arena Ferrell.

Martha Harrison, the wife of Archibald, reportedly died in 1901.

Archibald Harrison 3

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Civil War, Timber

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Archibald Harrison, Big Ugly Creek, Daniel Fry, fiddler, Francis Brumfield, genealogy, George Marshall Fry, Harold R. Smith, Henry H. Hardesty, John H Fry, Jupiter Fry, Levi Rakes, Martha E. Harrison, Nine Mile Creek, Phernatt's Creek, Sampson Brumfield, timbering, William A. Fry, writing

In 1865, Harrison married Martha E. Fry, the 21-year-old divorced wife of Lewis “Jupiter” Fry, a Confederate veteran and well-known fiddler in the Big Ugly Creek area of what was then Cabell County. Martha had been born on September 8, 1844 in Logan County. She was the daughter of Daniel H. and Nancy P. (Bailey) Fry, who lived at Big Creek in Logan County and later at the mouth of Big Ugly. One of her brothers, William A. Fry, died as a POW in a Delaware prison camp during the Civil War.

Archibald and Martha had seven children: William T., born April 18, 1867 in Kentucky; Daniel H., born September 29, 1869 in Kentucky; John M., born October 18, 1871; Mary L., born February 19, 1875, died August 7, 1875; George W., born October 10, 1874; Guy French, born June 18, 1876 in Virginia; and Louisa J., born February 1, 1879.

The first 23 years of Harrison’s second marriage are somewhat of a mystery. During the late 1860s, based on the birthplace of his two oldest children, he and his wife lived somewhere in Kentucky and, based on the birthplace of another child, they were in Virginia in the mid-1870s.

In 1878 Harrison settled near the Bend of the River or the mouth of Big Ugly Creek in the Harts Creek District of Lincoln County. His neighbors, based on the 1880 census, were Levi Rakes and Francis Brumfield, as well as brothers-in-law John H. Fry and Sampson S. Brumfield. Samp was a timber boss with a log boom at the mouth of the creek. George Marshall Fry, another brother-in-law, lived up Big Ugly where he worked as a farmer, timberman, and general store clerk.

On July 1, 1882, Harrison bought 360 acres of land on the west side of the Guyandotte River (near the Bend) in the Harts District from James I. Kuhn, a land agent for Abiel A. Low and William H. Aspinwall. It was worth $1.50 per acre and contained a $50 building, presumably a house or business.

“All that certain piece and parcel of land containing 260 acres more or less, granted by the commonwealth of Virginia to Wm. C. Miller & John H. Brumfield, assignees of Richard Elkins and Richard Elkins, May 1, 1850, lying on the Guyandotte above the mouth of Buck Lick branch,” the deed began. “Also all that part of a survey of 700 acres made for John H. Brumfield, Sept. 11th, 1854, on the east fork of Fourteen Mile Creek. The above described tract 100 acres of land is not to conflict with the lands conveyed to James Marcum.”

(The Kuhn deeds are interesting. In most cases, Kuhn, the grantor, was merely “selling” the surface rights to property already owned by the grantee. Kuhn’s employers claimed the mineral rights.)

In 1883, Harrison bought a 120-acre tract of land worth $2.50 per acre at Nine Mile Creek and a 230-acre tract of land worth $1.50 per acre on Phernatt’s Creek (at what would later be known as Brady) from W.T. Thompson. Harrison and his family soon settled on this latter property.

“Archibald B. Harrison is extensively engaged in farming, in Laurel Hill district, owning 380 acres of land on Guyan river, at the mouth of Phernats Creek,” Henry H. Hardesty chronicled in his history of Lincoln County, with “good improvements upon the farm, large orchard, heavily timbered, coal and iron ore in abundance.”

While Harrison referred to himself as a farmer in Hardesty’s history, there is also some indication that he was a timberman.

“The fact Archibald Harrison owned so much land at the mouth of Phernatt’s Creek is a clue that he was in the timber business,” said Harold R. Smith, Lincoln County genealogist and historian, in a c.2003 interview. “That was during the timber boom and land at the mouth of these creeks was heavily sought by people in that line of work. You could build a boom there and charge people a fee to get their logs out of the creek.”

At the time Harrison was profiled in Hardesty’s history, he and his wife were members of the Christian Church and received their mail at Hamlin.

“I don’t think he stayed at Phernatt’s Creek too long,” said Smith. “I think I read or heard somewhere that he moved to Big Ugly or Green Shoal and did a lot of timbering.”

George W. Ferrell 1

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Ferrellsburg, Music

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Archibald Harrison, Arena Ferrell, Big Ugly Creek, C&O Railroad, Cleme Harrison, Daniel Fry, Don McCann, Ferrellsburg, genealogy, George W. Ferrell, Guy Harrison, Guyandotte River, Guyandotte Valley, Harold Ray Smith, Harts Creek District, history, Keenan Ferrell, Laurel Hill District, Lincoln County, Logan County, Martha E. Harrison, Martha Harrison, music, Nancy Fry, Nine Mile Creek, Phernatt's Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia, writing

Around the turn of the century, in the years just prior to the arrival of the C&O Railroad in the Guyandotte Valley, George W. Ferrell, a musician in present-day Ferrellsburg, busily wrote songs about local personalities and events. Today, Ferrell’s solitary grave is marked with an ornate tombstone that sits at the edge of what was, until recent years, a garden.

George W. Ferrell was born on October 10, 1874 to Archibald B. and Martha E. (Fry) Harrison. Archibald was the son of Guy P. and Cleme (Harmon) Harrison of Tazewell County, Virginia. Mary was the daughter of Daniel H. and Nancy P. (Bailey) Fry of Logan County. Ferrell’s birthplace is not known because, soon after his parents married in 1865, they left the area, settling at first in Kentucky and then elsewhere.

In 1878, George, then four years old, returned to Lincoln County with his parents. In 1880, his family lived near the mouth of Big Ugly Creek or at the “Bend,” just across the Guyandotte River. Shortly thereafter, they made their home at Phernatt’s Creek, further downriver in Laurel Hill District.

By 1889, Ferrell’s father — who was perhaps recently divorced from his mother — had sold all of the family property in Harts Creek District and at Phernatt’s Creek and relocated to Nine Mile Creek.

Details concerning Ferrell’s early life remain elusive. It is not known who influenced him musically or when he even started writing or playing music. There is no indication of his father or mother being musicians but his mother’s first husband, Jupiter Fry, was a well-known fiddler on Big Ugly. Some of his first songs may have been inspired by his father’s stories of the Civil War.

At some point in his young life, and for reasons unknown, Ferrell was adopted by Keenan and Arena Ferrell, a childless couple at Ferrellsburg in Lincoln County.

“I heard he was just a big old boy when the Ferrells took him in,” said Don McCann, current owner of the property surrounding Ferrell’s grave. “They didn’t have any children of their own.”

In the 1900 Lincoln County Census, Ferrell was listed as their 25-year-old adopted son. More than likely, he was assisting the Ferrells in the operation of their store and business interests.

It is easy to see how Ferrell would have become acquainted with his future foster parents.

“His father worked a lot of timber around Big Ugly or Green Shoal,” said Harold R. Smith, Lincoln County genealogist and historian. “And that would have put him in close contact with the Ferrells at Ferrellsburg.”

But why was he not living with his mother (wherever she was), who died in 1901, or his maternal grandmother, who was alive on Big Ugly? And what was his connection to the Ferrells?

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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  • Yantus

Feud Poll 2

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

Blogroll

  • Ancestry.com
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Feud Poll 3

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

Recent Posts

  • Logan County Jail in Logan, WV
  • Absentee Landowners of Magnolia District (1890, 1892, 1894)
  • Charles Spurlock Survey at Fourteen Mile Creek, Lincoln County, WV (1815)

Ed Haley Poll 1

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

Top Posts & Pages

  • About
  • Perry A. Cline Deed to Anderson Hatfield (1877)
  • Aracoma High School in Logan, WV (1929)
  • The C&O Shops at Peach Creek, WV (1974)
  • Paw Paw Incident: Plyant Mahon Deposition (1889)

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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 Brandon Kirk
  • 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 Brandon Kirk

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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