POCAHONTAS.
Pocahontas was formed in 1821, from Bath, Pendleton, and Randolph,
and named from the Indian princess: its mean length is 40
and mean width 18 miles. Cheat, Gauley, and Greenbrier Rivers
rise in the county, which is one of the most elevated in Virginia.
The surface is very broken and mountainous; the southern part is
tolerably productive, but towards the northeast the land is more
barren. Pop. in 1840, whites 2,684, slaves 219, free colored 19;
total, 2,922.
Huntersville, the county-seat, is 190 miles NW. of Richmond, between
Greenbrier and Alleghany mountains, on Knapp's creek, 6
miles from its junction with Greenbrier River, and at an elevation
of over 1800 feet above the Atlantic. It contains an incorporated
academy, 2 or 3 religious societies, and about 30 dwellings.
"Eighteen miles from Huntersville, on Elk Ridge, a very high
mountain, is a circular hole of about 70 feet diameter, which is
considered a curiosity, its waters being perfectly black and of a
bituminous taste: it is called `the black hole.' It is said if wooden
poles are thrust in, they will sink to rise no more."
