University of Virginia Library

[89] CHAPTER V.

The comparative security and quiet, which succeeded
the treaty of 1765, contributed to advance the prosperity
of the Virginia frontiers. The necessity of congregating
in forts and blockhouses, no longer existing, each family
enjoyed the felicities of its own fireside, undisturbed by
fearful apprehensions of danger from the prowling savage,
and free from the bustle and confusion consequent on being
crowded together. No longer forced to cultivate their little
fields in common, and by the united exertions of a whole
neighborhood, with tomahawks suspended from their belts
and rifles attached to their plow beams, their original spirit
of enterprise was revived: and while a certainty of reaping
in unmolested safety, the harvest for which they had toiled,
gave to industry, a stimulus which increased their prosperity,
it also excited others to come and reside among
them—a considerable addition to their population, and a
rapid extension of settlements, were the necessary consequence.

It was during the continuation of this exemption from
Indian aggression, that several establishments were made
on the Monongahela and its branches, and on the Ohio
river. These were nearly cotemporaneous; the first however,
in order of time, was that made on the Buchannon—
a fork of the Tygart's valley river, and was induced by a
flattering account of the country as given by two brothers;
who had spent some years in various parts of it, under
rather unpleasant circumstances.

Among the soldiers who garrisoned Fort Pitt, were
William Childers, John and Samuel Pringle and Joseph
Linsey. In 1761, these four men deserted from the fort,
and ascended the Monongahela as far as to the mouth of
George's creek (the site afterwards selected by Albert
Gallatin, for the town of Geneva.) Here they remained
awhile; but not liking the [90] situation crossed over to the

head of the Youghogany; and encamping in the glades,
continued there about twelve months.

In one of their hunting rambles, Samuel Pringle came
on a path, which he supposed would lead to the inhabited
part of Virginia. On his return he mentioned the discovery
and his supposition, to his comrades, and they resolved
on tracing it. This they accordingly did, and it
conducted them to Loony's creek, then the most remote
western settlement. While among the inhabitants on
Loony's creek, they were recognized and some of the
party apprehended as deserters. John and Samuel Pringle
succeeded in making an escape to their camp in the
glades, where they remained 'till some time in the year
1764.

During this year, and while in the employ of John
Simpson (a trapper, who had come there in quest of furs,)
they determined on removing farther west. Simpson was
induced to this, by the prospect of enjoying the woods
free from the intrusion of other hunters (the glades having
begun to be a common hunting ground for the inhabitants
of the South Branch;) while a regard for their personal
safety, caused the Pringles to avoid a situation, in
which they might be exposed to the observation of other
men.

In journeying through the wilderness, and after having
crossed Cheat river at the Horse shoe, a quarrel arose
between Simpson and one of the Pringles; and notwithstanding
that peace and harmony were so necessary to
their mutual safety and comfort; yet each so far indulged
the angry passions which had been excited, as at length
to produce a separation.

Simpson crossed over the Valley river, near the mouth
of Pleasant creek, and passing on to the head of another
water course, gave to it the name of Simpson's creek.
Thence he went westwardly, and fell over on a stream
which he called Elk: at the mouth of this he erected
a camp, and continued to reside for more than twelve
months. During this time he neither saw the Pringles
nor any other human being; and at the expiration of it
went to the South Branch, where he disposed of his furs and

skins and then returned to, and continued at, his encampment
at the mouth of Elk, until permanent settlements
were made in its vicinity.

The Pringles kept up the Valley river 'till they observed
a large right hand fork, (now Buchannon),[1] which
they ascended [91] some miles; and at the mouth of a
small branch (afterward called Turkey run) they took up
their abode in the cavity of a large Sycamore tree.[2] The
stump of this is still to be seen, and is an object of no
little veneration with the immediate descendants of the
first settlers.

The situation of these men, during a residence here of
several years, although rendered somewhat necessary by
their previous conduct, could not have been very enviable.
Deserters from the army, a constant fear of discovery
filled their minds with inquietude.—In the vicinity of a
savage foe, the tomahawk and scalping knife were ever
present to their imaginations.—Remote from civilized
man, their solitude was hourly interrupted by the frightful
shrieks of the panther, or the hideous howlings of the
wolf.—And though the herds of Buffalo, Elk and Deer,
which gamboled sportively around, enabled them easily to
supply their larder; yet the want of salt, of bread, and of
every species of kitchen vegetable, must have abated their

relish for the, otherwise, delicious loin of the one, and
hauch of the others. The low state of their little magazine
too, while it limited their hunting, to the bare procuration
of articles of subsistence, caused them, from a
fear of discovery, to shrink at the idea of being driven to
the settlements, for a supply of ammunition. And not
until they were actually reduced to two loads of powder,
could they be induced to venture again into the vicinity of
their fellow men. In the latter part of the year 1767,
John left his brother, and intending to make for a trading
post on the Shenandoah, appointed the period of his
return.

Samuel Pringle, in the absence of John, suffered a
good deal. The stock of provisions left him became entirely
exhausted—one of his loads of powder, was expended
in a fruitless attempt to shoot a buck—his brother
had already delayed his return several days longer than
was intended, and he was apprehensive that he had been
recognized, taken to Fort Pitt and would probably never
get back. With his remaining load of powder, however
he was fortunate enough to kill a fine buffalo; and John
soon after returned with the news of peace, both with the
Indians and French. The two brothers agreed to leave
their retirement.

Their wilderness habitation was not left without some
regret. Every object around, had become more or less endeared
to them. The tree, in whose hollow they had been
so [92] frequently sheltered from storm and tempest, was
regarded by them with so great reverence, that they resolved,
so soon as they could prevail on a few others to
accompany them, again to return to this asylum of their
exile.

In a population such as then composed the chief part
of the South Branch settlement, this was no difficult matter.
All of them were used to the frontier manner of living;
the most of them had gone thither to acquire land;
many had failed entirely in this object, while others were
obliged to occupy poor and broken situations off the river;
the fertile bottoms having been previously located. Add
to this the passion for hunting (which was a ruling one

with many,) and the comparative scarcity of game in their
neighborhood, and it need not excite surprise that the
proposition of the Pringles to form a settlement, in such a
country as they represented that on Buchannon to be, was
eagerly embraced by many.

In the fall of the ensuing year (1768) Samuel Pringle,
and several others who wished first to examine for themselves,
visited the country which had been so long occupied
by the Pringles alone. Being pleased with it, they,
in the following spring, with a few others, repaired thither,
with the view of cultivating as much corn, as would serve
their families the first year after their emigration. And
having examined the country, for the purpose of selecting
the most desirable situations; some of them proceeded to
improve the spots of their choice. John Jackson (who
was accompanied by his sons, George and Edward) settled
at the mouth of Turkey run, where his daughter,
Mrs. Davis, now lives—John Hacker[3] higher up on the
Buchannon river, where Bush's fort was afterwards established,
and Nicholas Heavener now lives—Alexander and
Thomas Sleeth, near to Jackson's, on what is now known
as the Forenash plantation. The others of the party
(William Hacker, Thomas and Jesse Hughes, John and
William Radcliff and John Brown) appear to have employed
their time exclusively in hunting; neither of them
making any improvement of land for his own benefit.
Yet were they of very considerable service to the new settlement.
Those who had commenced clearing land, were
supplied by them with abundance of meat, while in their
hunting excursions through the country, a better knowledge
of it was obtained, than could have been acquired,
had they been engaged in making improvements.

[93] In one of these expeditions they discovered, and
gave name to Stone coal creek; which flowing westwardly,
induced the supposition that it discharged itself directly
into the Ohio. Descending this creek, to ascertain the

fact, they came to its confluence with a river, which they
then called, and has since been known as, the West Fork.
After having gone some distance down the river, they returned
by a different route to the settlement, better pleased
with the land on it and some of its tributaries, than with
that on Buchannon.

Soon after this, other emigrants arrived under the
guidance of Samuel Pringle. Among them were, John
and Benjamin Cutright, who settled on Buchannon, where
John Cutright the younger, now lives; and Henry Rule
who improved just above the mouth of Fink's run. Before
the arrival of Samuel Pringle, John Hacker had begun
to improve the spot which Pringle had chosen for
himself. To prevent any unpleasant result, Hacker agreed
that if Pringle would clear as much land, on a creek which
had been recently discovered by the hunters, as he had on
Buchannon, they could then exchange places. Complying
with this condition Pringle took possession of the farm on
Buchannon, and Hacker of the land improved by Pringle
on the creek, which was hence called Hacker's creek.[4]
John and William Radcliff, then likewise settled on this
stream—the former on the farm, where the Rev. John
Mitchel now lives; the latter at the place now owned by
William Powers Esq.—These comprise all the improvements
which were made on the upper branches of the
Monongahela in the years 1769 and 1770.

At the close of the working season of 1769 some of
these adventurers, went to their families on the South
Branch; and when they returned to gather their crops in
the fall, found them entirely destroyed. In their absence
the buffaloes, no longer awed by the presence of man, had
trespassed on their enclosures, and eaten their corn to the
ground—this delayed the removal of their families 'till the
winter of 1770.

Soon after the happening of this event, other settlements
were made on the upper branches of the Monongahela
river. Capt. James Booth and John Thomas established
themselves on what has been since called Booth's

creek—The former at the place now owned by Jesse Martin;
and the latter where William Martin at present resides,
and which is perhaps the [94] most valuable landed
estate in North Western Virginia, off the Ohio river.

Previous however to the actual settlement of the
country above the forks of the Monongahela, some few
families (in 1767) had established themselves in the vicinity
of Fort Redstone, now Brownsville, in Pennsylvania.[5] At
the head of these were Abraham Tegard, James Crawford,
John Province, and John Harden. The latter of
these gentlemen afterwards removed to Kentucky and became
distinguished in the early history of that state, as
well for the many excellencies of his private and public
life, as for the untimely and perfidious manner of his
death.

In the succeeding year Jacob Vanmeter, John Swan,
Thomas Hughes and some others settled on the west side
of the Monongahela, near the mouth of Muddy creek,
where Carmichaelstown now stands.[6]

In this year too, the place which had been occupied
for a while by Thomas Decker and his unfortunate associates,
and where Morgantown is now situated, was settled
by a party of emigrants; one of which was David Morgan,
who became so conspicuous for personal prowess, and for
the daring, yet deliberate courage displayed by him, during
the subsequent hostilities with the Indians.

In 1769, Col. Ebenezer Zane, his brothers Silas and
Jonathan, with some others from the south Branch, visited
the Ohio river for the purpose of commencing improvements;[7]
[95] and severally proceeded to select positions
for their future residence. Col. Zane chose for his, an
eminence above the mouth of Wheeling creek, near
to the Ohio, and opposite a beautiful and considerable
island in that river. The spot thus selected by him, is
now occupied by his son Noah Zane, Esq. and is nearly
the centre of the present flourishing town of Wheeling.
Silas Zane commenced improving on Wheeling creek
where Col. Moses Shephard now lives, and Jonathan resided
with his brother Ebenezer. Several of those who

accompanied the adventurers, likewise remained with
Colonel Zane, in the capacity of laborers.

After having made those preparations which were immediately
requisite for the reception of their respective
families, they returned to their former homes. In the ensuing
year they finally left the South Branch, and accompanied
by Col. David Shephard, (the father of Col. Moses
Shepherd,) John Wetzel (the father of Lewis) and the
McCulloughs—men whose names are identified with the
early history of that country—repaired again to the
wilderness, and took up their permanent abode in it.

Soon after this, other settlements were made at different
points, both above and below Wheeling; and the
country on Buffalo, Short, and Grave creeks,[8] and on the
Ohio river, became the abode of civilized man. Among
those who were first to occupy above Wheeling, were
George Lefler, John Doddridge, Benjamin Biggs, Daniel
Greathouse, Joshua Baker and Andrew Swearingen.[9]

[96] The settlement thus made constituting a kind of
advance guard, through which an Indian enemy would
have to penetrate, before they could reach the interior,
others were less reluctant to occupy the country between
them and the Alleghany mountains. Accordingly various
establishments were soon made in it by adventurers from
different parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia;
and those places in which settlements had been previously
effected, received considerable accessions to their population.

In 1772, that comparatively beautiful region of country,
lying on the east fork of the Monongahela river, between

the Alleghany mountains, on its south eastern, and
the Laurel Hill, or as it is there called the Rich mountain,
on its north western side, and which had received the denomination
of Tygart's valley, again attracted the attention
of emigrants.—In the course of that year, the greater
part of this valley was located, by persons said to have
been enticed thither by the description given of it, by
some hunters from Greenbrier who had previously explored
it. Game, though a principal, was not however
their sole object. They possessed themselves at once of
nearly all the level land lying between those mountains—
a plain of 25 or 30 miles in length and varying from three
fourths to two miles in width, and of fine soil. Among
those who were first to occupy that section of country, we
find the names of Hadden, Connelly, Whiteman, Warwick,
Nelson, Stalnaker, Riffle and Westfall: the latter of these
found and interred the bones of Files' family, which had
lain, bleeching in the sun, after their murder by the Indians,
in 1754.

Cheat river too, on which no attempt at settlement
had been made, but by the unfortunate Eckarly's, became
an object of attention, The Horse Shoe bottom was located
by Capt. James Parsons, of the South Branch; and
in his neighborhood settled Robert Cunningham, Henry
Fink, John Goff and John Minear. Robert Butler, William
Morgan and some others settled on the Dunkard
bottom.

In this year too, settlements were made on Simpson's
creek, the West Fork river and on Elk creek. Those who
made the former, were John Powers, who purchased Simpson's
right (a tomahawk improvement)[10] to the land on
which Benjamin [97] Stout now resides; and James Anderson
and Jonas Webb who located themselves farther up
the creek.

On Elk, and in the vicinity of Clarksburg there settled
Thomas Nutter, near to the Forge-mills—Samuel Cottrial,
on the east side of the creek and nearly opposite to
Clarksburg—Sotha Hickman, on the west side of the same
creek, and above Cottrial—Samuel Beard at the mouth of
Nanny's run—Andrew Cottrial above Beard, and at the
farm now owned by John W. Patton—Daniel Davisson,
where Clarksburg is now situated, and Obadiah Davisson
and John Nutter on the West Fork; the former near to
the old Salt works, and the latter at the place now owned
by Adam Hickman, jr.

There was likewise, at this time, a considerable accession
to the settlements on Buchannon and Hacker's creek.
So great was the increase of population in this latter
neighborhood, that the crops of the preceding season did
not afford more than one third of the breadstuff, which
would be ordinarily consumed in the same time, by an
equal number of persons. Such indeed was the state of suffering
among the inhabitants, consequent on this scarcity,
that the year 1773 is called in the traditionary legends of
that day, the starving year; and such were the exertions
of William Lowther to mitigate that suffering, and so
great the success with which they were crowned, that his
name has been transmitted to their descendants, hallowed
by the blessings of those, whose wants he contributed so
largely to relieve.[11]

[98] These were the principal settlements begun in North
Western Virginia, prior to the year 1774. Few and scattered
as they were, no sooner was it known that they were
commenced, than hundreds flocked to them from different
parts; and sought there the gratifications of their respective
predilections. That spirit of adventurous emigration,
which has since peopled, with such unprecedented rapidity,
the south western and western states, and which was
then beginning to develope itself, overcame the fond attachments
of youth, and impelled its possessors, to the
dreary wilderness. Former homes, encircled by the comforts
of civilization, endeared by the grateful recollections
of by-gone days, and not unfrequently, consecrated as the
spots where their tenants had first inhaled the vital fluid,
were readily exchanged for "the variety of untried being,
the new scenes and changes," which were to be passed,
before the trees of the forest could be supplanted, by the
fruits of the field, or society be reared in the solitude of
the desert. With a capability to sustain fatigue, not to be
subdued by toil; and with a cheerfulness, not easily to be
depressed; a patience which could mock at suffering and
a daring which nothing could daunt, every difficulty which
intervened, every obstacle which was interposed between
them and the accomplishment of the objects of their pursuit,
was surmounted or removed; and in a comparatively
brief space of time, they rose to the enjoyment of many
of those gratifications, which are experienced in earlier
and more populous settlements. That their morals should,
for a while, have suffered deterioration, and their manners
and habits, instead of [99] approximating those of refined
society, should have become perhaps, more barbarous and
uncouth, was the inevitable consequence of their situation,

and the certain result of circumstances, which they could
not control. When that situation was changed, and these
circumstances ceased to exist, a rapid progress was made
in the advancement of many sections of the country, to
the refinements of civilized society.

The infantile state of all countries exhibits, in a
greater or less degree, a prevalence of barbarism. The
planting of colonies, or the formation of establishments in
new countries, is ever attended with circumstances unpropitious
to refinement. The force with which these circumstances
act, will be increased or diminished in proportion
to the remoteness or proximity of those new establishments,
to older societies, in which the arts and sciences
are cultivated; and to the facility of communication between
them. Man is, at all times, the creature of circumstances.
Cut off from an intercourse with his fellow men,
and divested of the conveniences of life, he will readily
relapse into a state of nature.—Placed in contiguity with
the barbarous and the vicious; his manners will become
rude, his morals perverted.—Brought into collision with
the sanguinary and revengeful; and his own conduct will
eventually be distinguished, by bloody and vindictive
deeds.

Such was really the situation of those who made the
first establishments in North Western Virginia. And
when it is considered, that they were, mostly, men from
the humble walks of life; comparatively illiterate and unrefined;
without civil or religious institutions, and with
a love of liberty, bordering on its extreme; their more
enlightened descendants can not but feel surprise, that
their dereliction from propriety had not been greater;
their virtue less.

The objects, for the attainment of which they voluntarily
placed themselves in this situation, and tempted the
dangers inseparable from a residence in the contiguity of
Indians, jealous of territorial encroachment, were almost
as various as their individual character. Generally speaking,
they were men in indigent circumstances, unable to
purchase land in the neigborhoods from which they came,

and unwilling longer to remain the tenants of others.
These were induced to [100] emigrate, with the laudable
ambition of acquiring homes, from which they would not
be liable to expulsion, at the whim and caprice of some
haughty lordling. Upon the attainment of this object,
they were generally content; and made but feeble exertions
to acquire more land, than that to which they obtained
title, by virtue of their settlements. Some few, however,
availed themselves of the right of pre-emption, and becoming
possessed of the more desirable portions of the
country, added considerably to their individual wealth.

Those who settled on the Ohio, were of a more enterprising
and ambitious spirit, and looked more to the advancement
of their condition in a pecuniary point of view.
The fertile bottoms of that river, and the facility with which,
by means of it, their surplus produce might be transported to
a ready market,[12] were considerations which influenced many.
Others, again, looking forward to the time when the Indians
would be divested of the country north west of the Ohio river,
and it be open to location in the same manner its south eastern
shores were, selected this as a situation, from which
they might more readily obtain possession of the fertile

land, with which its ample plains were known to abound.
In anticipation of this period, there were some who embraced
every opportunity, afforded by intervals of peace
with the Indians, to explore that country and select in it
what they deemed, its most valuable parts. Around these
they would generally mark trees, or otherwise define
boundaries, by which they could be afterwards identified.
The cession by Virginia to the United States, of the North
Western Territory, and the manner in which its lands were
subsequently brought into market, prevented the realization
of those flattering, and apparently, well founded expectations.

There were also, in every settlement, individuals, who
had been drawn to them solely by their love of hunting,
and an attachment to the wild, unshackled scenes of a
wilderness life. These were perhaps, totally regardless of
all the inconveniencies, [101] resulting from their new situation;
except that of being occasionally pent up in forts;
and thus debarred the enjoyment of their favorite pastimes.

Although hunting was not the object of most of the
old settlers, yet it was for a good part of the year, the
chief employment of their time. And of all those, who
thus made their abode in the dense forest, and tempted aggression
from the neighboring Indians, none were so well
qualified to resist this aggression, and to retaliate upon
its authors, as those who were mostly engaged in this
pursuit. Of all their avocations, this "mimickry of war"
best fitted them to thwart the savages in their purpose,
and to mitigate the horrors of their peculiar mode of warfare.
Those arts which enabled them, unperceived to approach
the watchful deer in his lair, enabled them likewise
to circumvent the Indian in his ambush; and if not
always punish, yet frequently defeat him in his object.
Add to this the perfect knowledge which, they acquired
of the woods, and the ease and certainty with which
they consequently, when occasion required, could make
their way to any point of the settlements and apprize the
inhabitants of approaching danger; and it will be readily
admitted that the more expert and successful the huntsman,
the more skillful and effective the warrior.

But various soever, as may have been their objects in
emigrating, no sooner had they come together, than there
existed in each settlement, a perfect unison of feeling.
Similitude of situation and community of danger, operating
as a magic charm, stifled in their birth those little
bickerings, which are so apt to disturb the quite of society.
Ambition of preferment and the pride of place,
too often lets and hindrances to social intercourse, were
unknown among them. Equality of condition rendered
them strangers alike, to the baneful distinctions created by
wealth and other adventitious circumstances; and to envy,
which gives additional virus to their venom. A sense of
mutual dependence for their common security linked
them in amity; and conducting their several purposes in
harmonious concert, together they toiled and together suffered.

Not all the "pomp and pride and pageantry" of life,
could vie with the Arcadian scenes which encircled the
rude cottages of those men. Their humble dwellings were
the abode of virtues, rarely found in the "cloud capt towers
and [102] gorgeous palaces" of splendid ambition. And
when peace reigned around them, neither the gaudy trappings
of wealth, nor the insignia of office, nor the slaked
thirst for distinction, could have added to the happiness
which they enjoyed.

In their intercourse with others they were kind,
beneficent and disinterested; extending to all, the most
generous hospitality which their circumstances could afford.
That selfishness, which prompts to liberality for the
sake of remuneration, and proffers the civilities of life
with an eye to individual interest, was unknown to them.
They were kind for kindness sake; and sought no other
recompense, than the never failing concomitant of good
deeds—the reward of an approving conscience.

It is usual for men in the decline of life, to contrast
the scenes which are then being exhibited, with those
through which they passed in the days of youth; and not
unfrequently, to moralize on the decay of those virtues,
which enhance the enjoyment of life and give to pleasure
its highest relish. The mind is then apt to revert to

earlier times, and to dwell with satisfaction on the manners
and customs which prevailed in the hey-day of youth.
Every change which may have been wrought in them is
deemed a deteriorating innovation, and the sentence of
their condemnation unhesitatingly pronounced. This is
not always, the result of impartial and discriminating
judgment. It is perhaps, more frequently founded in
prepossession; and based on the prejudices of education
and habit.

On the other hand those who are just entering on the
vestibule of life, are prone to give preference to the habits
of the present generation; viewing, too often, with contemptuous
derision, those of the past. Mankind certainly
advance in intelligence and refinement; but virtue and
happiness do not at all times keep pace with this progress.
"To inform the understanding," is not always "to correct
and enlarge the heart;" nor do the blandishments of life
invariably add to the sum of moral excellence; they are
often "as dead sea fruit that tempts the eye, but turns to
ashes on the lips."—While a rough exterior as frequently
covers a temper of the utmost benignity, happy in itself
and giving happiness to all around.

Such were the pioneers of this country; and the
greater part of mankind might now derive advantage from
the [103] contemplation of "their humble virtues, hospitable
homes and spirits patient, noble, proud and free—their
self respect, grafted on innocent thoughts; their days of
health and nights of sleep—their toils, by danger dignified,
yet guiltless—their hopes of cheerful old age and
a quiet grave, with cross and garland over its green turf,
and their grand children's love for epitaph."