verns, and 1 school in which the or-
dinary branches of English educa-
tion are taught, 2 tailors, 2 house car-
penters and cabinet makers, 1 boot
and shoe maker, and 1 blacksmith
shop. There are in this place 2 well
organized bible classes, and 1 temper-
ance society. A turnpike road has
lately been located from the Warm
Springs in Bath county to Hunters-
ville, thence to intersect the north-
western road between Clarksburg and
Parkersburg, or to strike the Ohio
river below the latter place. The
road when finished will add greatly
to the advancement of this village
and the surrounding country, there
being as fine lands in this section as
perhaps in any part of Virginia.
Muntersville is 22 miles from thej
Warm Springs, 65 from Beverly in



Randolph co. and 48 from Lewisburg
in Greenbrier county. There are
near this village two sulphur springs,
said to possess good qualities. Popu-
lation 125 persons; of whom 1 is a
resident attorney.

County Courts are held on the 1st
Tuesday in every month ; Quarterly
in March, June, August, and Novem-
ber.

Judge Taylor holds his Circuit
Superior Court of Law and Chance-
ry on the 2d of May and October,

Matthewsville, P. O. 205 ms,
from R and 247 W, of W„ situated
on the main post road leading from
Huntersyille to Clarksburg, the coun-
ty seat of Harrison, 15 miles from
the former, and on Settlington's creek,
a branch of the Greenbrier, 2^ miles
from its junction with the river. This
post office is located in a densely set-
tled neighborhood, in its immediate
vicinity are a considerable number
of scattering dwelling houses, 1 house
of public worship, (Presbyterian,) 1
school house and 1 merchant mill,
with a population of about 400, The
land of the surrounding country is
fertile, producing wheat, rye. oats,
<fec, but is more generally famed for
fine meadow and pasture grounds.

Knapp's Creek, P.O. 242 ms. S,
W. of W.

Traveller's Repose, P. O. 179
ms. from R. and 221 8. W. by W. of
W., situated in a thickly settled neigh-
borhood, on the head of Greenbrier,
between the north and east forks of
that river, immediately on the main
post road leading from Staunton to
Clarksburg, and 32 ms. from Hun-
tersville, the county seat. It contains
12 dwelling house, 1 tavern, 1 store,
and several mechanics. The soil is
productive of wheat, rye, oats, buck-
wheat, potatoes, &c., affording excel-
lent pasturage for stock. It is bound-
ed by various mountains, the most
noted is the Alleghany on the east,
the Laurel Ridge on the west, and the
Elk mountain on the north—which



420 WESTERN VIRGINIA— PRESTON



still abounds with the elk. The soil lis frequently met with here. The
of these mountains is rich and affords Cheat mountain turnpike runs thro'
immense ranges for cattle, &c. The this place and the mail is received
timber is generally sugar maple,! once a week on horseback.
chesnut, oak, and pine. The fir tree



PRESTOX.

Preston was created by the Legislature in 1818, from a portion of
Monongalia county. It is bounded N. by Fayette county of Pennsylvania,
— E. by Alleghany county of Maryland, — S. by Randolph, — and W. by
Monongalia. Its mean length is 30 miles, mean breadth 20; and area 601
square miles. Its mean lat. is 39° 30' and long. 2° 38' W. of W. C. Its
extent and population have been somewhat increased, though we do not
know precisely to what degree, since the taking of the last census and the
publication of Boyee's map of the State, by extending its eastern border to
the "Fairfax Stone," situated at the extreme southwestern angle of Mary-
land. The main Alleghany chain runs near the eastern border of this
county, and the Chesnut ridge separates it from Monongalia on the west.
The body of the county is a valley between these two chains. Cheat river
enters the southern side and winds to the N. W. dividing the. county into
two nearly equal sections.

The general face of the county is mountainous, interspersed on the east-
ern and western sides with large natural meadows called "glades," which
afford support for large herds of cattle in summer, and in winter also, when
it is mown and cured tor winter food. The glades are destitute of timber
but covered in summer with grass and weeds, with frequent projecting
points of timber, low bushes, &c. The soil of this section of the county
is better suited to grass than grain, though small quantities of corn and
wheat are grown in the glades, and abundant crops of oats, buckwheat and
rye. The alluvial or bottom grounds are small but productive and many
of the mountain and hill sides produce abundant crops of corn, wheat, rye,
oats, &-C. The principal water is Cheat river, about 180 yards wide at the
Dunkard Bottom; though branches of the Monongahela and Youghiogany
water a large part of the county. The general strata of rock so far as
known, is a kind of sand stone, occasional portions of which are intermixed
with flinty pebbles so compact as to be used for mill stones to advantage ;
but much ot it is easily wrought for building houses, &x. Slate and lime-
stone is common ; the county is abundantly supplied with bituminous coal,
and specimens of iron ore are often found. Population in 1820, 3,480 —
1830, 5,144. This county belongs to the twentieth judicial circuit, and
tenth district. Tax paid in 1833, §437 91— in 1834 on lots, $24 54—
land $264 31—56 slaves, $14 00—1882 horses, $112 92—17 studs,
$73 50—2 carryalls, $3 00. Total $492 97. Expended in educating-
poor children in 1832, 8306 94— in 1833, $36 1 92.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES. &c.

Brandonville, P. V. 280 ms. N.la newly settled village, pleasantly
W- of R. and 202 from W. This is {situated in the centre of a rapidly



WESTERN VIRGINIA— PRESTON.



421



improving neighborhood, in the north-
ern section of the county, about four
miles from the Pennsylvania line, on
the road leading from Smithfield in
Pennsylvania to Morgantown, Vir-
ginia. It contains 20 dwelling
houses, 1 house of public worship,
(Methodist,) 1 tavern, 1 tan yard, 1
saddler, 1 hatter, 1 wagon maker, 2
cabinet makers, 1 wheelwright and
chair maker, 1 silversmith, 1 tailor,
1 blacksmith shop, 2 mercantile
stores, 1 common school, 1 temperance
and 1 colonization society. Popula-
tion 100.

Evansville, P. O. situated in the
western part of the county, near the
north western turnpike road.

German Settlement, P. O. 270
ms. from R. and 270 N. W. by W.
of W. situated 18 ms. S. E. of Kings-
wood. This settlement, in the midst
of which is situated a small village
called Mount Carmel, took its name
from its first settlers, who were Ger-
mans. It contains between 80 and
100 dwelling houses, besides me-
chanic's shops, &.c , I house of public
worship, free for all denominations, 2
mercantile stores, 3 grist mills, 4 saw
mills, 1 wool carding machine, 2 tan
yards, 2 gun smiths, 4 blacksmith
shops, 1 wheelwright, 1 wagon ma-
ker, 1 millwright, several house car-
penters, cabinet makers, house-join-
ers, <fcc. But the principal pursuit
of the inhabitants is agriculture.
This settlement is watered by the
Youghiogany,the north fork of which
heads near Mount Carmel, and is
known by the name of Ryan creek.
Wolf creek which empties into Cheat
river, also heads near this place. The
soil is of the first quality, and pro-
ductive of all kinds of grain; and es-
pecially productive of grass. An
abundance of potatoes and turnips are
raised in this section of country.
The climate is cool and salubrious.
Pure springs of never failing water
flow in abundance through this set-
tlement. The principal staple com-



modities raised for market, are live
stock of every discription, and large
quantities of butter of the first quali-
ity, &c. This settlement, like many
others in Western Virginia, has been
sealed up ever since the settling of
the same, for want of suitable roads
for transportation through the Alle-
ghany mountains in order to unite in
commerce with the eastern country.
The northwestern turnpike road of
Virginia from Winchester to Par-
kersburg, passes immediately through
the German Settlement. This road
is in rapid progress, and there is no
grade through the Alleghany moun-
tains that exceeds four and a half de-
grees. This appropriation of money
by the Legislature of Virginia is of
the greatest utility to this section of
the State. The number of families
which may be called attached to this
settlement will not exceed 70, the ag
gregate number of inhabitants about
500, and what may be further worthy
of remark (in Virginia,) that in this
number are not more than three or
four blacks.

KINGWOOD, P. V. and seat
of justice, 261 ms. from R. and 183
\. W. by W. of W., in lat. 39° 27'
N. and long. 2 6 45* W. of W. C,
situated on a beautiful and healthy
eminence, 2 ms. W. of Cheat river,
20 E. of Morgantown, 43 from
Clarksburg, in Harrison county, and
60 from Beverly, in Randolph county,
It contains besides the ordinary coun-
ty buildings, which are substantially
built of stone, 25 dwelling houses, 3
mercantile stores, 1 tanyard, and va-
rious mechanics. Population about
150 persons; of whom 3 are resi-
dent attorneys, and 1 a regular phy-
sician.

County Courts are held on the 2d
Monday in every month: — Quarter-
ly in March, May, August and No-
vember.

Judge Fry holds his Circuit Su-
perior Court of Law and Chancery
on the 1st of April , and Sept ember.



422 WESTERN VIRGINIA— RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH.

Randolph was established by act of Assembly in the year 1787, and
formed from a portion of Harrison county. It is bounded N. by Preston, —
N. E. by the Alleghany mountain, which separates it from Hardy, — E. by
the same mountain, separating it from Pendleton, — S. by Pocahontas, — S.
W. by Nicholas, — W. by Lewis and Harrison, — and N. W. by Mononga-
lia. Its mean length is 66^ miles diminished by the difference which would
be occasioned by taking from it that portion which is laid down in our
maps as co-terminous with Maryland, — which has been added to Preston, —
its mean breadth 31; and its area 2,061 square miles, diminished by the
area of the above space alluded to: extending in lat. from about 38° 18' to
39° 11' N. and m long, from about 2° 15' to 3° 28' W. of W. C.

This county is one of the finest on the western side of the Alleghany
mountains, and is made up of several parallel ranges of mountains with
their intervening vallies. The largest of these mountains commencing on
the east is the Alleghany, which runs north and south dividing this county
from Pendleton; the next in order are Rich, Middle and Shaver mountains,
running in the same direction. At the foot of the latter, flows Shaver's
Fork, which is stocked with some of the finest fish which the western wa-
ters afford. This stream empties into the Monongahela, 12 miles below
Morgantown. The next mountain is the Valley mountain, which derives
its name from Tygart's valley. This valley constitutes a considerable por-
tion of the county, being about 35 miles in length, and 2 in breadth, and a
body of as fine land as any in Western Virginia, and in a high state of im-
provement. Through this valley flows the middle branch of the Mononga-
fiela, or Tygart's valley river, to which it gives source. The next moun-
tain is the Laurel, which runs also a north and south course, the whole
length of the valley; at the extremity of which it makes a bend and takes
sl northeast direction, till it meets Cheat river, whence it flows nearly in a
^aorth course, till it enters the State of Pennsylvania. At the foot of Ty-
gart's valley, where the Laurel hill makes its angle to the east, Chester river
breaks through the mountain. The valley and mountains presenting the
strongest evidence that at some early day they had formed a lake. These
mountains afford some of the finest streams of water in Western Virginia,
the principal of which are the Dry fork — Laurel fork — Glade fork — and
Shaver's fork — all handsome streams, having their rise in the S. W. part of
the county, running parallel within a lew miles of each other, and after tra-
versinga considerable distance through the county emptying into Cheat river.
The mountains are well stocked with the finest timber, such as every de-
scription of the oak, poplar, cherry, pine, fir, red cedar, &x. — and they are
almost a mass of stone coal and iron ore. The soil of these mountains is
very rich, and abounds with lime stone, slate and free stone. In some parts
of these mountains are found small caverns or caves, in which is found a
kind of copperas — fit for dye, and which is used for that purpose, — and
along some of the watercourses is found the allum peeping out of the joints
of the rocks, forming in the shape of icicles. Among all these water courses
and low grounds are found salt springs. There has been salt made to a
considerable amount, but for the want of funds and men of enterprise, these
useful minerals remain in their natural state.

In this county are a considerable number of fine sto?k farms, which graze
and raise annually for market live stock of every description, which is the






WESTERN VIRGINIA— RANDOLPH.



423



principal source of its wealth. There were raised and sent to market from
this county during the past year ending Nov'r 1st, 1833, 1,500 head of
horned cattle, 300 sheep, and 100 horses.

Population in 1830, 5,000. It belongs to the 18th judicial circuit, and
9th district. Tax paid in 1833, $018— in 1834, on lots, $16 56— on land,
$403 93— 144 slaves, $36 00— 2133 horses, $127 98— 8 studs, $46 00—
3 coaches, $6 00—3 carryalls, $3 00— Total, $639 47. Expended in
educating poor children in 1832, $280 64— in 1833, $600 09.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.



BEVERLY, P. V. and seat of

justice,, 210 ms. N. W. by W. of R.
and 221 S. W. of W.— in lat. 38° 50'
N. and long. 2° 55' W. of W. C—
situated near the centre of Tygart's
Valley, near Tygart's Valley river,
on a handsome plain, stretched out be-
tween Phillis's creek, and Dotson's
run. The former entering the river
a little above, and the latter about a
quarter of a mile below the town. —
Beverly contains besides the public
buildings, 3 mercantile stores, 2 ta-
verns, 1 common school, 1 lanyard; 2
saddlers, 2 boot and shoe factories, 3
blacksmith shops, 1 hatter, 1 wagon
maker, 1 house carpenter, 2 tailors,
&,c. — This village is distant 60 miles
nearly due S. from Morgantown, in
Monongalia county, and 45 S. E. of
Clarksburg, in Harrison county. The
Valley river has its source in the
mountain, and courses along nearly in
a northwardly direction through the
valley. The land on its borders pos-
sesses a considerable degree of fertili-
ty; and the eye in traversing it be-
holds some fine mountain scenery,
(being completely environed with
spurs of the Alleghany mountain,) as
well as some handsome farms in a
high state of cultivation. Proceeding
down the Valley, at different points
from 12 to 18 miles below the town,
common roads cross the mountains,
leading to the lower, and thickly set-
tled parts of the county.* As we pro-
ceed down the Valley, at various in-
tervals, fine farms, mercantile stores,
and houses of public worship, for
Presbyterians, Baptists and Metho-



dists, are met with. This village con-
tains a population of 166 whites, of
whom two are resident attornies, and
two regular physicians, — 16 slaves
and 2 free colored — Total, 184.

County Courts are held on the 4th
Monday in every month; — Quarter-
ly in March, June, August and No-
v ember.

Circuit Superior Courts of Law and
Chancery are held on the 19//* of A-
pril and \3th September by Judge
Duncan.

Billsburg, P. O. 240 ms. from R.
and 224 from W.

Boothe's Ferry, P. O. 240 ms,
from R. and 299 W. of W.— Situated
on the east side of Tygart's Valley
river, 20 ms. N. W. of Beverly, and
30 S. E. of Clarksburg, in Harrisora
county. Two considerable streams
enter Tygart's Valley river above this
P. O. Middle river 7 miles above,
and Buchanan river only four and a
half miles above. The P. O. is lo-
cated on a farm of rich bottom lands,
There are located at this point 3 dwel-
ling houses, 1 saw and 1 grist mill
running two pair of stones,, and a
wool carding machine. There are in
the vicinity four coal banks, two of
which are within a few yards of the
boat landing ; there is also a great
quantity of iron ore of the best quali-
ty, within a few yards of the river
and near the coal banks. The soil is
good, and produces corn, wheat, rye,
oats, &c. in abundance, and is equal
to any country for timothy and clover.
The river is the line of separation be-
tween Harrison and Randolph for



424



WESTERN VIRGINIA— ROCKBRIDGE.



about U miles above, and as far be-(
low as this county extends. It is about
40 miles to the mouth of this river, at
which point it unites with the West fork
river and becomes the Monongahela.
The river at this place is about 120
yards wide* and has to be crossed in
a boat about 8 months in the year.
The road leading from Clarksburg
crosses at this ferry. The northwest-
ern turnpike bas been laid out to cross
about 16 miles below.

GladY Creek Cross RoAds, P.
O. 244 ms. from R. and 220 from W.

Huttonsville, P. O. 199 miles
from R. and 231 W. of W. C.

Leedsville, P. V. 218 ms. from
R. and 229 from W T . — situated at the
passage of Tygart's Valley river,
through the Laurel mountain, 8 ms.
N. N. E. of Beverly, on the main
post road leading from Philadelphia
and Baltimore through Winchester to



Pittsylvania, Pa. This is merely a
post office, situated on a farm in the
midst of a flourishing part of the
country.

Miegsville, P. V. 256 ms. from R.
and 208 W. of W. It contains 5
dwelling houses, 1 house of entertain-
ment, 1 gunsmith, 1 blacksmith's shop,
1 tanyard, 1 saddler and a distillery.
In this little village is established a
small ingenious weaving manufactory,
with several looms of various descrip-
tions, executing a variety of figured
work. The soil of the surrounding
country is rich; and stone coal is eve-
ry where close at hand.

Skidmore's P. O. — The distances
are not given on the P. O. list.

Western Ford, P. O. 240 ms*
W. of R. and 251 from W.

Wyatt's Fehry, P. O. 245 ms
from R. and 229 from W.






ROCKKRIDOE.

Rockbridge was established by act of Assembly in 1778, and formed
from a portion of Augusta and Botetourt counties. It is bounded N. by
Augusta, — E. by the Blue Ridge which separates it from Nelson, — S. E.
by the same mountain, separating it from Amherst, — S. by Bedford, — S. W.
by Botetourt, and W. by Alleghany and Mill mountains, a portion of the
Great Kittatinny chain which separates it from Alleghany, and N. W. by
the same separating it from Bath. Its mean lat. is about 37° 45' N. and
long. 2° 30' W. of W. C. — its mean length is 31 mean breadth 22; and
area 680 square miles. This county is principally watered by North river,
branch of James river* and its tributaries. It flows diagonally through the
county from the N. W. to the S. E. and joins the main branch of James
river at the foot of the Blue Ridge, when their united waters force a paLsage
through. The name of this county is taken from the celebrated Natural
Bridge, of which an account is given below. There are in the county 10
mercantile stores, 6 iron forges, three furnaces, 13 houses of public wor-
ship, (of which 9 are Presbyterian,) and 24 grist and merchant mills;
besides those mentioned in the Towns, Villages, &c. Much of the soil is
of the first quality, and generally in a high state of cultivation.

Population in 1820, 1 1,945— in 1830, 14,244. It belongs to the 12th judi-
cial circuit, and 6th district. Tax paid in 1833, $3131^41— in 1834, on
lots, $208 58— on land, $1831 33—2037 slaves, $509 25—5250 horses,
$315 ^OO— 21 studs, $206 00—37 coaches, $98 21—21 carryalls, S21 70
— 7 gigs, $5 20— Total, $3195 27. Expended in educating poor children
in 1832, $873 76— in 1833, $748 40.



WESTERN VIRGINIA— ROCKBRIDGE.



425



TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.



Balcony Falls, P. O. 153 ms.
from R. and 210 S. W. by W. of W.
These falls are situated on James ri-
ver, near the western extremity of the
James river canal, and form the divid-
ing line between the counties of Rock-
bridge, Bedford, and Amherst. The
scenery near this spot is highly pic-
turesque. After toiling for a consid-
erable distance through a wild and
rugged country — on turning the sharp
angle of the mountain, the river sud-
denly expands to the breadth, and as-
sumes the quiet and placid appearance
of a lake. Immediately opposite, two
of the most stupendous peaks of the
Blue Ridge, rise directly from the
banks. The whole stream is suddenly
narrowed by the projecting sides of
the mountain, and precipitates itself
in one entire sheet over an artificial
dam, which is extended across the bed
of the river, between the most elevat-
ed points of the peaks. After the fall
the tumultuous stream is soon lost
sight of, by the windings of the chan-
nel. The dam was erected for the
purpose of supplying with its back
water that portion of the canal which
runs upon the edge of the fall. This
portion of the canal, seven miles in
extent, was constructed by the state at
the cost of $280,000. About two
miles of this canal is in the county of
Rockbridge.

Bath Iron Works, P. O. 167
ms. W. of R. and 209 S. W. by W.
of W. — Situated in the southern part
of the county, on the northeastern
bank of James river, within ten miles
of its source, — 15 miles from Lexing-
ton, — and 22 from the Warm Springs
in Bath county. These works con-
sist of a furnace and forge, both built
on an extensive scale — the furnace is
40 feet high, and calculated for mak-
ing 30 tons of pig iron pr. week, but
has never yet reached that amount.
The forge is built for running six
fires, and will annually forge 300 tons
54



of bar iron — The furnace 700 tons of
pig metal, and a large quantity of
castings. The two consuming 300
thousand bushels of charcoal per an-
num. The number of operatives em-
ployed are sixty-five. Yet there are
something like 150 persons supported
by its operations, including women
and children. Attached to this es-
tablishment is a large farm, a part of
which, supposed to be 350 acres, is
first rate bottom land, — by which the
proprietors are enabled to raise nearly
their full supply of grain; the quan-
tity required being 4,500 bushels;-: —
from 3,000 to 3,500 bushels of which
are raised annually from the farm. —
This establishment is owned by-
Messrs. A. W T . & M. W. Davis.

Belle Valley, P. O. 147 ms. W.
of R, and 188 S. W. by W. from W.
— Situated in the northeastern part of
the county.

Brownsburg, P. V. 143 ms. N.
W. of R. and 185 from W.— Situated
12 miles N. E. of Lexington, on Maf-
fits creek, and on the direct route from
Staunton to Lexington. It contains
20 dwelling houses, 3 mercantile
stores, 1 tavern, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler,

2 tailors, 3 wheelwrights, 1 cabinet
maker, 2 smith shops, 2 boot and shoe
factories, 1 house carpenter, 1 hatter,
1 manufacturing flour mill, and 1 grist
mill. In the immediate vicinity there
is a large and spacious house of pub-
lic worship, long known by the name
of New Providence meeting house.
Population 120 persons; of whom

3 are physicians. Brownsburg is lo-
cated in a flourishing and thickly set-
tled neighborhood.

Buffalo Forge, P. O. 156 ms.
from R. and 206 from W. — Situated
8 miles W. of Lexington.

Cedar Grove, P. O. 145 ms. N.
W. of R. — Situated ten miles N. E.
of Lexington. It contains 2 mercan-



tile stores, and
mill.



1 manufacturing flour



426



WESTERN VIRGINIA— ROCKBRIDGE.



Fairfield, P. O. 144 ms. from
R. and 186 from W. — Situated on one
of the post routes from Lexington to
Staunton, 13 ms. N. N. E. from the
former, and 24 from the latter. It
contains about 20 dwelling houses, 1
house of public worship, free for all
denominations, 2 taverns, 1 mercantile
store, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler, 2 boot and
shoe factories, 2 house carpenters and
1 smith's shop. Population 130 per-
sons; of whom 2 are physicians.

Fancy Hill, P. O. 164 ms. from
R. and 206 S. W. of W. It is plea-
santly situated nine miles from Lex-
ington, in a fertile, and well watered
country. It contains several dwelling
houses, 1 mercantile store, 1 extensive
tavern, well kept, and which receives
much company in the summer season,