| THE GOOD-WILL COMMUNITY
A HISTORY OF HOLBROOK, W.Va. 1814-1945
Written by Bradford Spiker
Compiled by Barr WilsonPrinted by: John M.
DeBrular March 21,1997
The following local history was found by the late Charles
Porter DeBrular and his son Robert, in a old abandoned house near
Holbrook. It was written by Bradford Spiker, when he taught the
local school and resided in this house. As far as is known he
never made copies of this history. When he left this area he left
the History behind.
LOCATION:
Good-Will Community is located within 81.1 east latitude
and 39.2 north longitude, and is parts of South West District,
Doddridge County; and Union District, Ritchie County.
Union District was named in honor of the "Union Cause",
which at the time so dear to many hearts. The name was suggested
by Q. Manley Zinn.
South West District was so named because of its geographical
position in the County.
It is drained by the South Fork of Hughes river and its
tributary, Sugar Run, and Middle Fork of Hughes river and its
tributaries, Straight Fork, Camp Run, Big Run, Lower Run, and Bear
Run. The Middle Fork river rises in the southwestern portion of
Doddridge County near the Head of South Fork river. The Middle
Fork of Hughes river flows in a southwesterly di-
rection where it becomes a tributary of the South Fork of
Hughes river.
The valley walls of the community are generally steep and
rugged, with small areas of bottom
land here and there. The meanders of the Middle Fork are sharp
and some of them reach a half
mile in length from the course of the river. The elevation
varies from 770 feet to 1200 feet.
The soil in the valley is very fertile, and where now the homes
of many properous farmers
stand, once stood the virgin forest.
It was here in the valley of the Middle and South Fork of
Hughes river, upon the hills amid
the forest and cleared fields that the event that go to make
the history of Good-Will Community, have taken place. It will be a
task as well a study of interest to everyone to know how this
community has changed from a howling wilderness inhabited by wild
beasts and savage men to a comminity of churches, schools, and
homes of hundreds of brave and intelligent people who dare to make
it a part of a great state.
In 1814, by an act of Congress known as the Smith-Lever Act,
the Cooperative extension work begun in West Virginia. In 1917,
the various specalists in the cooperative extension service
prepared the first community containing hte idea of mapping the
communities and carrying on regular programs of community
developement.
In 1926, an idea entered the minds of Jim Jones and Mrs.
C.C. Dillie, that their comminity should be mapped out and carry
on regular meetings of community development. They secured the
help of the county agent, D.C. Curry, home demonstration agent,
Adell Bigelow, and Rev. A.H. Raping. The meeting was annouced, and
on that date a large crowd met in the Harmony church, and readily
approved the idea.
The following officers were elected: Dave Gaston, President;
John Hart, Treasurer; And Velma Gaston secretary. The name was
suggested by Hallie Pierce, "Good-Will Community", meaning: "A
disire for prosperty and well-being of others". Marion Gaston,
C.C. Dillie and Mead Squires responded to the idea and surveyed
and mapped out a tract approximately six miles long and three
miles wide. In 1931, as addition was added to the former
mapped out community.This tract included the olf school
communities of the upper Bear Run and Sunny Point schools.
CHURCHES:
THE SOUTH FORK BAPTIST CHURCH, is said to have been
organized in 1841, but the first authetic record we have of its
organization is on February 27,1844.
The charter members of the church are: George Zinn, Godfrey
Carol, Thomas L. Gray, Samuel G. Rogers, William Gray, Jonothan
Miney, Bartlett Waldo, Sarah Zinn, Rachel Zinn, Nancy Gray, Jane
Waldo, Elizabeth Waldo, Rachel Miney, Rebecky Miney and Sophia
Amelia Zinn.
The Rev. James S. Griffen was the first minister. He married
Miss Martha Harbert, and settled at Lumberport. To this union nine
childern were born, two of their sons served in the Civil War. He
was one of the pioneer ministers of the Baptist Church in what is
now West Virginia. His fields of labor being in Harrison,
Doddridge, Ritchie and adjoining counties reaching as far as the
Kanawha Valley. He rests in Harrison County. He served the chruch
off and on from its beginning until August 20,1853.
The first sermon we have any record of was preached by Aaron
Barnett. The second sermon preached by A.C. Holden, who preached
four sermons before he began his ministry of the church on January
1850, continuing until January 1852. Both of these men were
pioneer ministers in Ritchie and Doddridge, and adjoining
counties. They were pioneer ministers of the Harrisville Church.
James F. Griffin preached the third sermon in the new chruch.
The first church clerk was Samuel G. Rogers. He married
Narcissus Zinn, a daughter of Ruth Gandy and John Zinn. The family
resided near Oxford for a short time until her death. He then
remarried and moved to Preston County.
The first church stood near the present location of the
Oxford Baptist church. The building was
a cabin type log building which was not finished until 1851,
although they held meetings in it
all these years. Its seats consisted of split rails with pegs
driven in them for legs, these were
later changed for plank seats. The room was heated by one iron
stove.
The members of the church failed to meet for over three
years. The doors of the church being
closed from October 6,1861 until September 24, 1854. A
committee consisting of George A. Woofter, James Martin, G.M.
Zinn, S.V. Zinn and Joshua Wilson, were selected to find out the
cause of the church doors being closed for so long a time. They
handed in the following report: "Dear Brethern, being called upon
to make a statement of the reason why the church has not met for
so long a time, I will proceed in a brief a manner as possible. On
account of the civil war, which was raging, the church failed to
meet for a considerable length of time. After some time there was
a portion' of the church met at the Ridge School House and
pledged one another to meet -----." Signed Committee.
For a period of over four years we find the church meeting
in the Ridge School House during the winter months and the
original church building during the summer months. During the
winter of 1869 and 1870, the original church building was abanded
and the church held their meetings in the Ridge School House,
until December 7,1872, when the church moved to the school on
Lower Run. Worship was held here until the first meeting was held
September 28,1873, in the church building that stood on the
present location of the South Fork Cemetry.
The new building was a large frame construction, thirty by
forty feet. Considerable trouble was
had in finding a suitable location for the building as the
location they had wished could not be
secured. The building committee consisted of G.C. Griffin, G.M.
Zinn, S.V. Brown, M.B. Zinn and Joshua Wilson. The committee made
arrangements to have lumber sawed at the old mill at Holbrook, and
secured Andrew Yaler and the Yaler Brothers to build it with the
help of the church members and friends of the church.
The present church was built in 1909. The building committee
consisted of L.K. Wilson, J.M.
Osborne, Lee Campbell, Ezra Bell and William Campbell. The
Church was dedicated on the fourth Sunday in June, 1910. Rev. M.A.
Summers preached the dedicatory sermon. He was a member of the
church at that time.
The ministers of the church have been: J.S. Griffin, A.C.
Holden, O. Wilford Drummons (M. Nancy Tharp), John Woofter, the
grandfather of Emory Woofter for so long pastor of the Salem
Baptist church. He was often assisted in his revival meetings by
the Rev. James Woods, (grandfather of Judge Homer B. Woods), the
first County Superintendant of free schools in Ritchie County and
the first Minister of the Clarksburg Baptist Church, B. Allison
Barnett. He and his wife were pioneer members of the church;
Joseph Smith, J. Bennette, George A. Woofter was the pastor of the
church during the erection of the building in 1872, a nephew of
the former minister, G.H. Gainer, John Stump, A.J. Robinson, W.S.
Monroe, B.F. Holden, was minister of the church during the
erection of the present building in 1909, O.A. Bennett, Edwin
Waggoner, Nelson Hobart Bartlett, a veteran of the world war and
J.A. Young.
The church clerks have been: S.G. Rogers, Godfrey Caroll,
George C. Griffin, son of the pioneer minister, Richard Hickman,
Samuel V. Brown, served the church from January 20,1866 to
December 6,1902, 36 years. N.H. Wilson served the church for over
nineteen years, W. Frank Osborne, Earl Zinn, and Eva Griffin, also
Carson Gaston.
THE WALNUT GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, the first
M.E.Church class was organized as early as 1858, at the home of
T.E. Nutter. The home of T.E. Nutter, was a log cabin that stood
about a mile above the mouth of Bear Run at the present home of
A.K. Cox. Class meetings were here and at the residence of
Christopher N. Nutter, for a number of years. The church was then
known as the Middle Fork Class Society.
Ira S. Steel was the first minister. He was born and reared
in Ireland. He studied for a Catholic
Priest in one of the schools in Ireland, however, upon his
arrival in America he became a minister of the M.E. faith. His
home during his pastorate was at Harrisville. He rode horseback
from here to visit about fifteen churches, which were located
throughout central West Virginia.
The first authentic record we have of the class organization
is 1868, when the church was moved to a log school house at
Holbrook. The church was then called the Holbrook Society of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. J.M. Brown was the class leader. Other
charter members of the church are: Eliza Collins Brown,
Christopher E. Nutter, S.A. Nutter, Thomas E. Nutter, J.F.
Ireland, Thomas Ireland. (made first permanent settlement on
Middle Fork in the year 1820, near the mouth of the river),
Katherine Ireland, Elizabeth Ireland, Susan Ireland, A.S. Lowther,
M.A. Lowther, Eliza Zinn, Elizabeth Tharp, H.B. Tharp, F.E.
Nutter, M.C. Nutter, Carlotte Lowther, Rebecca Lowther, F.
Williams, E.M. Brown, Elanor Thomas, Probatoner, and A. Watson,
Probatoner.
A few of the ministers who preached in the school house
were, T.B. Hughes, V. Sanford, Rev.
Tasker, Rev. Pinchen and M. McNeill.
The Rev. McNeill was in charge of this circut in 1872. He
was born in Pocahontas County in 1830, and there grew to manhood
and engaged in teaching until his entry into the ministry.
In 1874, during the pastorate of William E. Lovett,
Archibald Lowther gave the grounds for the
present church. The name of the church was then changed to
Walnut Grove. The names Lowthers, Nutters and Tharps were among
those of the chief donators to the erection of the church
building, which is still remaining.
The class leaders of the church from 1868 have been; J.M.
Brown, Archibald Lowther, Thomas E. Nutter (was class leader
during the erection of the building in 1874), J.F. Ireland, L.F.
Law,
Eliza G. Squires, G.M. Britton, Elizabeth C. Britton, B.M.
Pierce and A.K. Cox.
To give the names of all ministers would be quite a task,
however the names of a few of them are: J.E. Wasen, C.W. Upton,
C.W. Poling, J.A. Matheny, W.G. Loyd, Silas McGreager and F.H.
Hughes.
THE HARMONY METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, is said to have
been organized in 1847. The church records were burned many years
ago, when the home of class leader, J.S. Britton, was destroyed by
fire. However, I have made considerable search and have come to
the conclusion that it must have been organized sometime during
the latter part of 1847.
The charter members of the church are: Eli M. Gaston, Rulina
Gaston, Marsh Gaston, Elizabeth Gaston, and Ann Gaston, Jess L.
and Hannah Lowther, are also said to have been charter members, we
are not sure they were, yet if they were not they became members
shortly after its organization.
The first two log buildings to be used for church purposes
were destroyed by fire. The first is
described under the chapter schools, the second was somewhat
modified.
John Clark, Rev. Mathers and Rev. Steward were a few of the
ministers of these pioneer buildings. These men travelled far to
carry their message to their congregations.
In 1866, the third log building was built and dedicated to
be used for chruch services. This
building was approximately twenty by twenty eight by ten feet
in demension. The logs in this
building were hewed, many of which were two feet in diameter.
The walls were sealed on the inside.
The Church lot was sold to Daniel Gaston, John Hart, George
W. Britton and Samuel M. Gaston, trustees of the church and their
successors, by John H. Gaston and Jane, his wife, for the sum of
sixteen dollars. The deed was written and dated December 30,1865.
A few of the ministers of this church were: M. Ireland
(1869), Perry Lowther (1882), J.L. Simms (1883), W.L. Warren
(1886), J.F. Arnold (1888), J.H. Nester.
The present church ws dedicated in 1901, under the pastorate
of M. Ireland. The building committee consisting of M.S. Gaston,
S.E. Gaston, D.E. Pierce, Alexander Adams and J.S. Britton.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS:
The first Sunday schools in our community were very crude
affairs. We have no authenic record of their beginning, but they
have followed very closely with the church. Their meetings were
held in private homes usually in one home and then another. The
literature consisted of a spelling book and a bible. It was
thought, in order to be able to read one must know his A,B,C's. If
any one came to Sunday School who did not know his letters he was
placed under a seperate teacher who taught him his letters. Later
the Sunday School Readers came into service and from these our
Sunday Schools of today have grown.
The first authenic record of the Sunday School at Holbrook
dates back to the erection of the
church in 1874. However, as we have stated before Sunday School
was organized a number of years before. They met for the first
time at the home of Christopher N. Nutter. The Sunday school in
1874, contained fifty members and was divided into five classes.
Sunday May 7,1871, is the first record we have of the
organization in the South Fork Baptist
Church. There on a cool and clear morning, twenty three persons
gathered to study history of the ages. S.V. Brown, G.W. Griffin,
G.M. Zinn, and L.H. Zinn were the first officers. The lesson was
the third chapter of Acts. The following remarks were made,
"Remember the Christ died for all who would believe in him". "Let
each one of us live so that he may have a home in Heaven". For a
number of years Sunday School was held for eight or nine months.
Then six months, and finally in 1927 an ever-green school was
established.
The Straight Fork Sunday School was organized in the school
house on Straight Fork in 1893.
The Harmony Sunday School is said to have been organized in
the Harmony School House severalyears before it was organized by
the Rev. U.W. Morrison, in the year 1855, in the church building.
A few members of the church were of the opinion that an individual
education in the Bible was wrong, and that it was an organzation
sponsered by the Devil. M.O. Gaston was elected superintendant,
Alice Adams was elected secretary, when the church members finally
responded to the teaching of Rev. Morrison and decided they were
in favor of a Sunday School within the walls of their church.
Missonary work followed the organization of the church. On a
fly leaf in the South Fork Church
Book we see the records of the money recieved for missionary
purposes for the years 1853 and 1854. The Contributions were $4.60
and $5.00 for the two years.
SCHOOLS:
In 1809 the government of Virginia provided for a common
free school education, and again in 1817 provided another means of
free school education but both means were inadequate to carry out
the purpose they were intended for.
The Pioneers of Good-Will Community soon saw the need of
educating their childern by other means than the old method of
home education. They soon began to put their ideas into work and
erected the first school building near the mouth of Brush Fork of
Middle Fork of Hughes river not far from the Iron Bridge. It has
been my fortune to secure a copy of the original contract made in
1845, from Howard Jones, principal of Greenwood Elementary school,
Doddridge County. It is as follows: "ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT made
between Jonnah Williams, teacher of one part and we the
subscribers of the other part and we the witnessoth that the
teacher doth agree to teach reading, writing and arithmetic to the
best of his skill and judgement for the term of three months or 65
days on the Middle Fork of Hughes river.
The said teacher "doth bind himself to keep regular hours
and show no partiality". And we the subscribers doth bind
ourselves to pay unto the said teacher the sum of one dollar and
75 cents per scholar and boarding amongst the subscribers
according to the number that we subscribe. Any kind of trade will
be taken, corn at 371/2 cents per bushel, wheat at 75 cents, oats
at 161/2 cents, flaxseed and Janes 75 cents per yard, Linsey 371/2
cents and linen according to qualities. The grain is to be
delivered to Zinn's Horse Mill. School is to commence the 1st or
tenth of November.
Subscribers Names:
Joseph Gray--------------------6
Arcibald Lowther--------------2
Elijah Summers----------------4
Sudney Willard----------------2
The second school house to be erected in this community was
made in 1847, near the present location of Harmony M.P.
Church. This school house was made of unhewn logs, covered with
clapboards held in place by heavy poles. There were windows
along one side only. The floor was made of rough boards.
The chimney was constructed of common field rock, piled up to
about eight feet and topped out with sticks and mud. The
furniture consisted of seats made of rails supported by four legs
and without backs. The writing desk consisted of a smooth hewn
log along one side of the building. This building was
burned a few years after it was constructed. The second building
was somewhat modified. The corricul consisted of the 3 R's.
It is not known who the first teacher, but it is thought to
have been one of the early ministers of the church.
The third schoolhouse was erected in 1866 at Holbrook, to
serve the community of the first school building previously
mentioned. It was a low building. The first teacher was Margaret
Mathers. A few of the others who taught in this building
are: Mag McCalvy, George Hayden, Bruce McDonald, Monroe
Hall, Isa Martin, Sally Legget and Sally Glover. The first teacher
in the present building was Granville Shepler. The building
was recently re-modled.
The fourth building erected was the Ridge School House
located near the Old Caroll Cemetery. It is not known when the
building was built but it thought to have been erected in the fall
of 1869. The first teacher was Granville Divers. This
building was constructed of logs.
The fifth building erected was on Lower Run, in 1870, near
the present residence of Mr. Jim
Pierce (this old building is still standing). A deed for the
land was conveyed to the Board of
Education of South West District, consisting of John Wanstreet,
President and D.W. Gray and
Eliga W. Summers, his wife. It bore the date of February
28,1870, and conveys 27 sq. rds., for
the sum of three dollars. This school was used until 1869(?). A
few of the teachers were, George Woofter, R.A. McClain,
Marshall Summers, Florent Dotson, Joseph Ramsey and Osborne
Britton.
The Camp Run School was built in 1899, but the deed was not
conveyed or signed until February 23,1900. This lot was
conveyed to the Board of Education by S.E. and Rebecca Gaston and
has an area of 65 sq. rds. The purchase price was $12.50.
The first teacher was Miss Cora Cooper of Auburn. It was
abandoned recently.
The Straight Fork School had its orgin as a joint school and
stood on the line between Doddridge and Gilmer Counties on
Bear Fork on the J.I. Spurgeon farm. This deed was made between
J.I. Spurgeon and the Board of Education of Southwest
District Doddridge County and the Board of Education of Troy
District, Gilmer County, bearing the date of October 15,1894 and
the land, which consisted of 20 sq. rds., was sold for the
sum of $10.00. The present school building was constructed out of
the old building and was erected on a lot conveyed to the Board of
Education of Southwest District by A.L. leeson, J.H.
Spurgeon and Alta Spurgeon, his wife, September 1,1919. The
amount of the land purchased was 2508 sq. ft., and the purchase
price was $1.00. However, the grantors gave permission to
the childern to play inthe adjoining meadow until April 1, of
each year. The school was abandoned in 1942.
The Lower Run School was moved from the building standing at
Jim Pierces in 1889. The land was deeded by Joshua Adams
and Sarah, his wife and deeded to A.J. Nutter, Eli Nutter and John
Kleen, 16 sq. rds., for the consideration of $1.00. The
deed for the lot was made July 30,1889.
The second building to be erected at Harmony was in 1868,
the present building was erected in
1895. A few of the teachers in this building have been Foster
Williams, first teacher in the new
building erected in 1868, and Ligh Wade, first teacher in the
building erected in 1895. The
school was discontinued in 1944.
The Sunny Point School had its orgin in 1885 about a
thousand feet above the present mouth of Bear Run. The
first teacher was Alice Neal. A few of the other teachers in this
old building
were Lora Pritchard, Bird Grimm, Caroline Huff, Lon Ireland,
Emery Ireland, D.J. Richards,
William McGill and Andy Wade. The original name of the school
was the Bear Run School. Later it was changed to Lower Bear
Run school. Later the building was moved to its present location,
Charlie Batson, the first teacher in the present building, gave
it the present name owing to its peculiar location. It was
the Banner School in Union District in 1931, winning second place
in 1932. This spring, 1945, the school was discontinued and
the property sold.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
LOWTHER BURYING GROUND---The old cemetry is located on a
rise facing the point where Brush Run enters the Middle
Fork river. It contains the graves of many interesting personages;
should these person return for even a short time, many of
us would their stories interest.
It contains the grave of Thomas Nutter, who came from
England and settled in Harrison County, where he became one
of the famous Indian (as well as the best) hunters of his day.
Many are the stories told of his narrow escapes with them.
The far famed Indian Fort (Nutters Fort)took its name from
him and his three brothers. Many of his narrow escapes, and weary
marches while trying to free the country of the savage, may
be read in "Chronicles of Border Warfare" & "U.S. and W.Va.
Histories". A story is told that he and a Company of men followed
the Indians from Harrison County to near Washburn, and
killed the leader of the band, who crawled under a cliff of
rocks. Here the skeleton was found a number of years later. Near
his grave are the graves of many of his decendants.
The grave of William Lowther must be given a brief mention,
in that , he often accompanied his
father, Col. William Lowther, on his expeditions against the
Indians. Col. William Lowthers
interesting life may be written upon the pages of "U.S. and
W.Va. Histories & Chronicles of
Border Warfare" and many other books. Near his grave are the
graves of many of his decendants.
It contains the graves of many other interesting persons
including those of several Civil War
Veterans.
The old cemetry was recently refenced by W.M. DeBrular.
CARROLL CEMETRY---The old Cemetry contains the graves of
several of the pioneer settlers of this section, and the
graves of two Civil war veterans. The striking thing about this
old cemetry is the pine tree that stands in the lot. It was
set out several years ago, as a marker for one of the
graves. There it stands to-day, "The Lonesome Pine", carefully
watching over the silent sleepers.
WILD CAT CAVE---Is is not known when the cave was first
discovered, it is supposed to have been discoverd by the
pioneer settlers. It derives its name from having been the home of
many wild cats.
Situated about half way upon the side of the hill it gives
both man and boy many thrills on
entering it. A hole two feet in diameter serves for an
entrance, from here the passage drops for
thirty five feet. A rope being needed in order to reach the
floor. There are two rooms, each of
which are about one hundred and twenty five feet by thirty
five feet, the ceiling being about
fifteen feet high. The floor is very rough owing to the caving
in of the walls and ceiling.
It is said to have been larger several years ago, containing
many more rooms, however, many
reliable men have said that it was always about the size that I
tried to picture it. The step from exploring with oil to
electricity makes a great difference in as dark a den as the Wild
Cat
Cave is.
HOLBROOK---The little hamlet has never been more than a post
office, a store, a blacksmith shop, a school, a church and
the home of three or four families.
The place came into existance in 1865, with the
establishment of a post office there. It was
named by William Chevrount, who was acting as post master at
West Union at the time. Christopher N. Nutter was the first
post master.
Christopher N. Nutter was one of the pioneer settlers on
Middle Fork, arriving as early as 1849. He was the son of
the elder Thomas Nutter. He built the first mill in this section
in 1857.
Previous to this time the early settlers of this community had
to go to hand mills of the Zinn's
at the mouth of Bear Run, and the Bond's who lived on South
Fork.
J.C. Cluck of Auburn and J.L. Lamb of Harrisville were the
first merchants. It may be of interest to the reader to
know that while J.C. Cluck was in the Union Army during the Civil
war he was captured by the confederates and held in a
Southern prison. During this period of his confinement, the home
guards of Gilmer County arrested the Rev. John Woofter, (the
pioneer minister of South Fork Baptist Church), George F.
Bush (my great grandfather), and two other Southern
sympathizers and took them to Wheeling during the fall of 1865.
There they subsisted on "Bean Soup" and "Hard Tack" until
arrangements were made to trade them for Mr. Cluck. Both parties
were very glad to be released from their rationed diets, as Mr.
Cluck fared a little worse than did the other party.
THE SUMMERS BURYING GROUND---A very interesting place is
situated on a rise at the mouth of Lower Run, and faces the Lower
Run school. It contains the graves of many of the pioneer settlers
of our community. Bordering it on the lower side are many
beautiful shrubs, which spread there from a lone shurb
planted on one of the graves.
HART CEMETRY---Situated on a hill at the head of Lower Run,
which was once covered with the beautiful chestnut, which
are still standing dead, a prey to the ravages of the blight. When
we look at their bare trunks standing like saints watching
over the dead, we wonder.
The grave yard contains the graves of four civil war
veterans, many pioneers, and other inter-
esting personages. The most common names found on the monuments
are those of the Harts, Scots, Warrens, Reeds, Nutters and
Rusks.
MILLS:
The first mill within the bounds of Good-Will Community was
an old hand mill that was brought by the Zinn's when they
settled in this community in ___. The stones of this old mill are
in the
posession of the author. This mill unlike other hand mills was
not kept in motion by the usual
hand lever. Instead it had a long pole extending out to one
side. Four men were required to
operate it. Grasping the pole in their hands they pushed the
pole around and around setting the
stone burrs in motion thus crushing the grain. Owning to the
manpower needed to operate this
mill, one day evert week or two was set aside as Mill Day. The
pioneers all gathering in, have a frolic, get their grain
ground and the women often came along to set with mother Zinn in
the
original log cabin and sew, quilt etc. The childern would spend
the day fishing, gathering nuts
etc. When the grinding was done they would all gather for a
good social hour, the fiddler would
tune up and away for a good time. Sometimes they would sing the
old fashioned tunes so dear to them. Often they would have
a short hour of prayer. Then they would gather their sacks of
crushed corn and grasp their guns and beginthe thrilling trip
through the woods home. Often on these trips, an unlucky
deer, squirrel, ruffed grouse etc. would fall before the muzzle of
their rifle.
Later, about 1845, the mill was made into a horse mill.
Homes were more thicker then, but the
mill was still the business center of the community. The people
gathering there to settle their
business transactions, have their leather tanned, by John Zinn,
until his death in 1848, later
to have their boots made and brought there. This mill was used
until 1857 when Christopher N.
Nutter built the first water mill, at the old Nutter farm.
which was located one mile below
Holbrook. This mill was burned during the civil war and later
rebuilt by Godfrey Caroll and J.W. Brown. This mill not
only ground grain but had a saw mill, wool carder, etc. in
connection with it. In 1893 the mill was
discontinued and later the old mill building was removed. However,
the old foundation and parts of the old dam still remain. a
monument to a period of history that is now gone.
The first tannery in this community was established by John
Zinn shortly after the family moved to this community. This
old tannery was located in the valley between the residence of
Mrs. Julia A. Zinn and the Sunny Point School.
BIOGRAPHY OF PIONEERS:
JESSA H. PIERCE, was a native of Preston County, the son of
George Pierce, married L. Wilson, a native of Lewis County.
Shortly after this union settled in 1848, on a ridge one half mile
east of the present location of the South Fork Church. The
Pierces came from Ireland at the close of the Revolutionary
war, after a few short years of life near the coast moved
westward, and became pioneer settlers in Lewis County.
Jessa H. Pierce was born May 8,1818 and died April 23,1870. He
lies at rest in the Carroll burying ground. L. Wilson Pierce,
his wife was born November 17,1823 and died in 1893. They
were the parents of fourteen childern. The childern are: Mrs.
Virginia Louisa (G.S.) Nutter, William Thompson Pierce, Mrs.
Margaret Ann (Joseph) Scritchfield, George W. Pierce,
Abraham G. Pierce, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (John) Fox, Sarah Elizabeth
Pierce (never married) James Pierce, Samuel Smith
Pierce,(died in infancy), Jesse Irvin Pierce, Jacob Iseral Pierce,
Benjamin Elsworth Pierce and on infant child who died at the
age of eleven years.
ARCHIBALD HESS, was a native of Marion County, he came to
this community in the late forties and settled on Zinn's
Run, below the present location of the South Fork Church. He
married three times, his third wife being Nancy Wilson. To
this union the following childern were born: Mrs. W.E.
Watson, Henry Hess, and George Hess. Here his third wife died and
he spent the last days of his life at the home of his
daughter. He died in 1883, and is buried in the Auburn Cemetry. It
may be of interest to know that he first settled on Dutchman near
McFarland, but stayed there for only a short time.
WILLIAM ADAMS was a native of Harrison County, the son of
Jonathan Adams, a Revolutionary war soldier who served
under the direct command of General Washington. He married Lucinda
Wright, of Harrison County, and in 1840, took up his residence
inthe forest on Straight Fork. Here he died, in 1889, and
in the Auburn Cemetry beside his wife he sleeps. After the death
of the wife of his youth he married Lousia Summers, and
they were the parents of five childern: Alexander and Eligah
Adams; Mrs. Susana Pierce; Mrs. Margaret Husk and Flora Edgell.
The childern of the first union were: William, Jackson, and
Joshua Adams, Mrs. Mary (Thomas)Hickman, Mrs. Sarah Gray, Mrs.
Elizabeth Lipscomb, Mrs. Mary Ann Leeson, and Mrs. Harriet
(Elias) Summers.
BENJAMIN L. WILSON, was a native of Pennslyvania, the son of
William and Rachel Lynch Wilson, during the year of 1828
the family moved to Marion County. In 1830 he married Martha
Kelly, daughter of Joshua and Martha Brand Kelley, and to
this union were born ten childern, namely: Jane (Jacob)
Mason (Jane Wilson Mason is buried at Toll Gate- Jacob Mason is
buried at Greenwood)
Rachel (Vanboran) Vanhorn, Margaret (Alhanen) Vanhorn, Nancy
(Joseph) Summers, Joshua married Mary Conway, Lousa
(Albert) Vanhorn, Martha Bess Watson (she married twice), Lida
(Jacob)Watson, James K. Wilson married Virginia Griffin,
and Charity, who died at the age of three months. He was
born in 1808 and moved to this community in the later fourties and
settled near the present residence of Jake Osborne. He
remained here until the fall of 1880 when went to Roane County to
visit his daughter. While visiting there he fell ill and died
there in April 1880. His wife was born February 6,1810 and died on
December 18,1878 and lies at rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
ARCHIBALD LOWTHER moved to this community and settled near
the present residence of C.B. Townsen in 1836. He was born
in 1811, and died in 1876. His wife Charlotte, died in 1895 and
they lie at rest in the Lowther burying ground. They were
the parents of seven childern: Elizabeth, Robert, William,
George Alexander nad John Marshall Lowther; Sarah Ann Leggett and
Margaret Nutter.
GODFREY CAROLL, the son of Willaim Caroll, was a native of
Preston County. He moved to this community in the early
fourties, and settled in the valley below the home of Homer
Wilson. He was probably one of the most prosperous men of
his time. In the latter part of his life he built one of
the finest homes in Doddridge County. This house was probably the
first home in Doddridge County to have a basement in it. He
and his wife, Mary Ann Gray Carroll, were the parents of two
childern, namely, Sarah E. (Samuel V.) Brown and Nancy who died in
youth. They reared one boy, George West. He was a carpenter,
millright and blacksmith. He died September 20,1866 aged fifty
one years, one month and five days. His wife died June 11,1908.
They lie at rest in the Carroll Cemetry.
JOHN BEE was the son of Asa Bee (whose father migrated from
England with three of his brothers and settled in New
Jersey, Later Asa moved to Preston County and became the ancestor
of the Bees in this section), migrated to this community in
the latter forties. He married Ingaby Davis and to this
union were born six childern, namely, Dr. Estie Bee, Mrs. Cordelia
(Henry) Goff, Albert Bee, Mrs. Ruhama Davis Walker, Ira Bee
and Joel Bee.
OTHO, GEORGE AND JOHN WATSON settled on Brush Fork Run in
1845. Otho later moved to Roane County. George and John
remained here until their death. John, a Union veteran, lies at
rest beside his wife in the Lowther Cemetry. George lies at
rest beside his wife in the Auburn Cemetry. Their
residence were near the present home of Lincoln Pierce, whose
residence is located at the foot of Auburn Hill.
JOSEPH GRAY SENIOR moved from Monogahela County in the year
1841 and settled on Straight Fork, when Joseph Gray 2nd was
fourteen years old. Joseph Gray senior, lived to be one hundred
and five years old. Joseph Gray 2nd was born March 5,1827
and at the age of twenty five years married Sarah Adams.
Mrs Gray was the daughter of William Adams, and was born October
2,1831, to this union ten childern were born. The childern
were: Jane, Rebecka, Ermany, Allice, Thomas, George,
Charles, Joseph 3rd, Ben, and Leonard. Joseph Gray 2nd remained on
the old homestead until death called him away on February
3,1901. Shortly after his death his wife also was called
away on December 22,1901. They lie at rest in the Mount Union
Cemetry at the head of Straight Fork.
FOSTER WILLIAMS was born in Harrison County in 1801. He
married Eleanor Pritchard, who was born in 1802. They moved
from Harrison County and settled on Long Run, Doddridge County, in
the year 1841. They remained here until the late fourties
or early fifties, then they moved to Straight Fork. To this union
seven childern were born, they are: Nancy (Henry) Elefritz, Mary
(Hickman) Waldo, Sarah (George) Thomas died in Wisconsin,
and one son and three daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Williams
was of Scotch decent. Mrs. Williams was of English decent. Mr.
Williams died May 28,1874, aged seventy three years, five
months and fourteen days. Mrs. Williams died August
21,1877, aged seventy five years, seven months and twenty seven
days. They lie at rest in the Lowther burying ground.
ELIGAH SUMMERS was a native of Monongahela County, the son
of Alexander Summers, settled at the mouth of Lower Run in
1843. He married Miss Susan Barnett and to this union five
childern were born: Joseph Summers, Eligah W. Summers, Mrs.
Louisa Adams, Mrs. Sarah McClain and Frances Summers. He
died on May 22,1877, aged seventy two years, eleven months and six
days. His wife died on December 8,1875, aged sixty six
years, eleven months and twenty three days. They are laid
at rest in the Summers burying ground.
SI REED, a native of Barbour County, first settled in
Harmony District, after he remained there two years he
moved and settled at the head of Straight Fork. He married Miss
Mary Nutter and to this union the following childern were
born: Andrew, Galila, Malvin, Feeby, Josiah, Mary, Kemper
Charley, James and Minor. He was born in 1831 and died in 1876.
His wife was born in 1834 and died in 1913. They lie at
rest in the Cemetry on the Reed farm.
JOHN NUTTER, son of Andrew Nutter (cousin of Thomas Nutter,
veteran of the war of 1812, and one of the pioneer settlers
of the Oxford community), settled on Jim Run in the fifties. He
married Mary Hart and to this union six childern were born:
Josiah Nutter, Wilson Nutter, Sally Nutter, Hester Ann
Nutter, John W. Nutter and Sylvannus Nutter. He was born on March
6,1817 and died November 26,1892. His wife was born
November 16,1821 and died April 24,1893. They lie at rest in
the Hart Cemetry.
THOMAS NUTTER, Indian scout, builder of Nutter's Fort, came
to this community about 1850 and settled on the farm (that
now belongs to Daisy Zinn Cox). On June 30,1808 he married Louis
Parks. To this union the following childern were born:
Christopher N., Mary (Wm) Douglas, born August 4,1810;
Melinda (Levi) Douglass, born November 15,1811; Harrison Nutter,
born April 26,1813 and died five years later on September
25,1818; Wm. H.H. Nutter, born July 26,1814; Barbara Nutter,
born March 25,1817, died in youth; Jesse Hamilton Nutter, born
December 1,1818; Daniel K. Nutter born October 7,1820;
Sarah (Rev. Thomas) Hatfield, born December 26,1822; Louis Nutter,
never married, born March 13,1825. Thomas Nutter was born
in Enland on August 22,1778 and died December 8,1870, and
lies at rest in the Lowther burying ground. Louis Parks Nutter was
born August 3,1785 and died (before Thomas moved to this
community from Clarksburg) on September 3,1849, and lies at
rest in Harrison County.
CHRISTOPHER N. NUTTER, son of Thomas Nutter, came to this
community in 1849, and settled at the old Nutter Homestead.
He was born April 23,1809. He married Sarah Swisher on February
22,1838. To this union the following childern were born;
John A. Nutter, Mrs. Frances (G.W.) Brown, Mrs. Mary A.
(A.S.) Lowther, Thomas E. Nutter and Charles W. Nutter. He died in
1883 and was followed to the grave by his wife in 1894.
They lie at rest in the Lowther burying ground. He was on of
the first three County commissioners (then called board of
supervisors) in Ritchie County. He was one of the first
Justice of Peace in this community, operated the first postoffice
and store and later built Athey's Mill.
H.B. THARP, shortly after his marriage to Elizabeth Wass in
1847, settled at the mouth of
Straight Fork and built his home on the present location of the
home of Ira D. Cox. They were
the parents of five childern all of whom perceeded the to the
grave. The Childern were: Irwin
and George both of whom died in early manhood. John died in
childhood, Mrs. Andrew Tharp and one child died in infancy.
He was the son of Timothy Tharp, an early settler in Harrison
County. Timothy Tharp settled near Auburn in pioneer times.
The Tharps are of Irish ancestry. The grandfather of H.B. Tharp
was a ship builder, he died in early manhood and left the father
of H.B. Tharp to be bound out to strangers. Mr. Tharp had
one brother who died in the Andersonville prison during the
civil war. Mrs. Tharp was the daughter of John Wass, a pioneer
settler of Ritchie County. The Wass's are of English and German
ancestry. Mrs. Tharp's father died by the hand of an
assassin in July, 1863. They lie at rest in the South Fork
Cemetry.
JOHN G. HART, an ancestor was a signer of the Declaration of
Independance, settled at the head of Lower Run, near where
John Hileman now lives, in 1849. He migrated here from Harrison
County. He married Malinda Nutter on September 22,1844, and
to this union nine childern were born, namely; A.N. Hart,
Cassy Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, J.E. Hart, Judie, Sarah E. and Hann
Bell. John G. Hart was the son of Josiar Hart (who died on
May 17,1852 and lies at rest in the Hart Cemetry). Melinda
Ann Nutter Hart was born on April 9,1828, and died on March
24,1899. She lies at rest in the Hart Cemetry.
JACKSON AND JAKE LEESON with their mother moved to this
communtiy in the later fourties, and settled on Middle Fork
River near the present resideence of Hershel Spurgeon. They never
married. (These old bachelors, including an old man by the
name of Sandy who settled near the present residence of the
Parks, were the only pioneer settlers who had no families). An
interesting story is told as to how Mr. Summers Sr. offered
old man Sandy one and one half cents a pound for his hogs,
a few years previous to the Civil war. Sandy replied "I'll eat
them raw and fried before I'll take that for them". As a result
his hogs increased until be owned half the hogs in the
community.
GEORGE ZINN was a native of Preston County, a decendant of
George Zinn Sr., who with his wife migrated from Germany in
the year of 1776. He married Sarah Gray and came to this communtiy
in the early fourties and settled on Zinn's Run near the
present residence of Early Zinn. He stayed here for only a
short time when they moved to the present farm of E.A. Leggitt on
South Fork. Their childern were: Thomas, Granvill and James
all of whom served in Company "E" Sixth Regiment West
Virginia Infantry Volunteers, when muster out in 1865 during the
civil war; Milroy and Q.M. Zinn, Mrs. E.A. Leggitt, Mrs.
Elizabeth Douglass, Mrs. Mary J. Marsh, Mrs. James Carter, and
Delia who died during her youth. He was born in Preston County
on January 17,1814 and died November 16,1877. Sarah Gray Zinn was
born July 12,1816 and died December 24,1884. They lie at rest
in the Oxford Cemetry.
GEORGE GRIFFIN, son of Jame Griffin, was born on February
16,1828 and migrated to this community and settled at the
head of Bear Run in 1852. He married Miss Jean Fernandey Zinn on
February 22, 1849 and to this union ten childern were born:
A. Virginia (James K.) Wilson; M. Caroline (W.B.) Hayden
Jr.; Franklin; Thomas J.; John Woofter; Charles G.; Mrs. Laura
Grofton; Mrs. Lucetta (S.L.) McClain; Ella (Gilbert)
Hayden; and Homer. Mrs. Griffin was born November 30,1828 and
died January 4,1909. Mr. Griffin died April 11,1909. They lie
at rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
DANIEL GASTON, a native of Harrison County, was born June
27,1816 and died April 14,1906. He married Nancy Davison
and shortly after this union they moved to the head of Upper Run
and settled near the present residence of John Hart. It is
not known whether he owned land at that time or not, yet,
there is on record in the County Clerk's office a deed for two
thousand acres of land on the head of Upper Run, dated
December 24,1846.
GRANVILLE ZINN, son of John Zinn and Ruth Gandy Zinn,
settled near the head of Bear Run in 1843. He married
Rosetta Lowther and to this union the following childern were
born: Samuel, William, Rev. Lemuel, George and Albert Zinn,
Mrs. Margaret Harbert, and Ella and Sophia, who died in
childhood. Rosetta Lowther was the daughter of William B. Lowther
and Margaret Coburn Lowther. Mr. Lowther was a grandson of
Col. Lowther.
SAMUEL MORRIS GASTON, son of John Gaston, born Harrison
County, February 18,1825, died, Doddridge County April
26,1911. Settled on Camp Run, Christmas night 1846. He married
Elizabeth Law who was born in Harrison County April
17,1825. She died Doddridge County Feb. 27,1882. They were
married September 3,1846. Their childern: Rebecca, died April
28,1849; Mary A., died at 8 years of age, March 22,1855;
Elizabeth Lucinda married Josiah Nutter; Sarah Jane married Allen
Reed; Susan married David H. Jones; Hannah Eliza married A.S.
Britton; Columbia married F.W. Chapman; Martha Emma, died
at 6 years, February 6,1871; and Morris Samuel married Hattie I.
Adams. Second wife, Rebecca J. Turner, born Harrison County
January 22,1840, died November 21, 1922. They were marred
November 6,1883. M.S. Gaston owns most of the old farm including
the old homestead where C.A. Barnes now lives, but lives on
the lower end of farm.
MANLEY ZINN married Lucy Ann Wilson, the daughter of Thomas
Smallwood Wilson (Scotch-Irish, his father, Thomas Sr., a
native of Scotland) and Miss Hannah Camp (daughter of Adam Camp).
Q. Manley Zinn settled at the mouth of Bear Run in ___. He was
the of John Zinn Sr. John Zinn Sr. was the third child of
George Zinn Sr., (who migrated from Gemany to America in the year
1776). They were the parents of; Marion B.; C.L.; Newton
Worthington; Noah and Grant Zinn; Victoria Hall; Palestine
Wilson; Alice Childers; Madeline Nutter and Martha, who died when
she was a young women.
JOHN ZINN SENIOR was born in 1778 and died in 1848. His
wife, Ruth Gandy Zinn was born August 10, 1785 and died
June 16,1865. They lie at rest in the Oxford Cemetry. On each of
their tombstones is engraved a tree; On one side is six
limbs representing the six girls in the family; On the
other side of the trunk is eight limbs representing the eight boys
in the family. Two limbs on one side come from the same
point on the tree donating the twin boys. Q.Manley Zinn was on of
these twins.
UNCLE SAMS VETERANS FROM GOOD-WILL COMMUNITY:
The disign of the following chapter is to group the
characters who have worn the uniform of
Uncle Sam during periods of conflict. Yet as much as I would
like to I can not give every minute detail of their lives,
because the pages of this manuscript could not be made to hold
them. But
the interesting thing concerning their life is that they were
brave, chivalrous and of profound
forethought, that they did for the daring and resolute youth of
these men are among the firmist
props of the United States Republic.
In making out the list of those whom I should introduce, I
was forced to not only name those who left this community
to join the army, but also those who have chosen their remains
laid to rest within the Cemeteries of this Community.
In 1861, when President Lincoln sent out a call for
volunteers, the young men of this community readily
responded to the call and joined the men of other communities in
singing,
"We are coming father Abraham,
Five hundred thousand strong."
In the four following years many others joined the ranks of
the Blue. These men who volunteered to stand the flag
during this perion of National strife are listed here.
W.G. LOWTHER, 1st Lieutenant of Company "D" Fourteenth West
Virginia Infantry Volunteers. He was a son of Archibald
Lowther of Holbrook.
ALEXANDER LOWTHER, Company "M" Sixth Regiment, West Virginia
Infantry Volunteers. He was the son of Archibald Lowther.
He enlisted as a private at the age of nineteen, he was
transferred to Company "F" 1st West Virginia Art., July
10,1862. Transferred to Battery "A" by consolidation.
Mustered out January 19,1865. Shortly after his return from the
army he moved to Peabody, Kansas.
H.C. ZINN, enlisted as a private in Company "E" 6th West
Virginia Infantry in September 1864. He was mustered out of
the same Company in June 1865. He was the son of J. Wesley Zinn.
He married Julia A. Bee and to this union eight childern
were born. He was born in 1844 and died in 1918. He lies at
rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
W.B. ZINN, enlisted as a private in Company "E" 6th West
Virginia Infantry on August5,1861. He was mustered out of
the same Company on September 16,1864. He was the son of J. Wesley
Zinn. He married Anna Ward and to this union six childern
were born. He was born in 1841 and died in 1924. He lies at
rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
GEORGE W. HESS enlisted as a private in Company "E" 6th
Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. He was mustered out in 1864. He
was the son of Archibald Hess. Shortly after his return from the
army, he fell ill with the fever and died May 6,1869, at
the age of twenty six years. He lies at rest in the Caroll
Cemetry.
THOMAS E. NUTTER, enlisted as a private in Company "F" 1st
West Virginia Artillery in September 1661. He severd for a
time in Maulby's Battery. He was musterd out of service in 1864.
He was the son of Christopher N. Nutter. He married
Margaret Lowther and to this union six childern were born.
He was born on March 25,1849 and died in 1906. He lies at rest in
the Lowther Cemetry.
SAMUEL V. BROWN, enlisted as a private in Company "M" 6th
West Virginia Infantry, on August 16, 1862. He was mustered
out of the service in 1865. He was the son of David Brown, was
born at Jackson's Mills and had the distinction of being a
pupil of General Stonewall Jackson. He served as church
clerk of the South Fork Baptist Church for thirty seven years,
missing only two meetings. He married Sarah V. Caroll and
to this union ten childern were born. He had four brothers
in his Company during the Civil war. He lies at rest in the
I.O.O.F. Cemetry as West Union.
JOSEPH SUMMERS, was a 2nd Lieutenant in Company "E" 6th
Regiment, West Virginia Cavelry. He was mustered out in
1862. He was the son of Eligah Summers. He married Nancy Wilson.
He was born in 1833 and died in 1879. He lies at rest in
the South Fork Cemetry.
SYLVESTER JETT, enlisted in Company "H" 14th West Virginia
Cavelry. He was mustered out at the close of the war. He
was the son of John Jett (pioneer settler on Otterslide, whose
father migrated from Wales and served in the Revoluntionary
war under the direct command of George Washington). He was
born in 1846 and died in 1923. He lies at rest in the South Fork
Cemetry.
MARVEL L. HAUGHT, Corporal Company "C" 6th West Virginia
Infantry. He was mustered into service in July 1864. He
mustered out of the service on June 10,1865. He married Mary M.
Gaston and to this union ten childern were born. He was
born in Pennslyvania on May 10,1846 and died December
28,1925. He lies at rest in the Oxford Cemetry.
JOSHUA WILSON, enlisted as a private in Company "E" 6th West
Virginia Infantry. He was mustered out in 1865. He was the
son of Benjamin Wilson. He married Mary Conoway. He was born
February 6, 1840 and died December 25,1909. He lies at rest
in the South Fork Cemetry.
MARTIN V. OVERFIELD, enlisted on November 16,1861, at the
age of twenty one years, in Company "M" 6th West Virginia
Infantry. He died of Typhoid fever, August 29,1862 at Regiment
Hospital, West Union, W.Va. His remains were brought back
and placed in the Hart Cemetry under military form of
burial.
LEWIS M. OVERFIELD, enlisted on November 18,1861 at the age
of twenty six, in Company "M" 6th West Virginia Infantry.
He gave his home as West Union. He died of Typhoid Fever, February
18, 1863, at his home in Smithburg, W.Va. He lies at rest
in the Hart Cemetry.
WILSON WATSON enlisted at the age of thirty, at Wheeling,
W.Va., on September 13,1862, in Company "G" 14th Regiment
West Virginia Infantry. He gave his residence as Ellenboro, W.Va.
He was mustered out June 27,1865 at Cumberland, Maryland,
with the Company. He resided on Otterslide. He lies at rest in the
Lowther Cemetry.
EDMUND G. NICKELSON enlisted on January 10,1863, at the age
of eighteen years, in Company "M" 6th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry. He was born in Madison County, Virginia. He was
transferred to Company "L" of the same Regiment by special
order No. 72, Department of West Wirginia. He was honorable
discharged June 10, 1865 at the muster out of the Company.
JOEL BEE enlisted on November 16,1861, at the age of
eighteen years in Company "C" 6th Regiment West Virginia
Infantry. He gave his address as West Union, W.Va. He was
transferred to Battery "F" 1st West Virginia Artillary by
special order No. 148, War Department, dated March 31,1853.
He was mustered out on September 14,1864, when the Company was
mustered out at Wheeling, W.Va.
WILLIAM THOMPSON PIERCE enlisted as a private in Company "M"
6th West Virginia Infantry. He was mustered out on June
10,1865. He was son of Jessa Pierce. He was born on September
23,1844 and died May 14,1895. He lies at rest in the South
Fork Cemetry.
SAMUEL RICHARDS enlisted in Company "A" 14th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry. He was held prisoner in the hands of the
Rebels at Libby's prison. He was the son of James Tolbert
Richards. He was born December 26,1837 and died October
22,1909. He lies at rest in the Gaston Cemetry.
JOHN WATSON enlisted as a private in Company "D" 14th West
Virginia Infantry. He was mustered out in 1865. He was one
of the pioneer settlers on Brush Run. He lies at rest in the
Lowther Cemetry.
J.M. DEBRULAR enlisted as a private in August 1861 in
Company "D" 6th Regiment West Virginia Infantry. He was
mustered out of the Company June 10,1865. He enlisted for three
years and then re-enlisted for the continuation of the war.
He married Susan Waldo and to this union four childern were
born. He was born on October 1,1843 and died December 27,1924. He
lies at rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
JONOTHAN WHETZELL enlisted on September 11,1861 in Company
"G" 6th Regiment West Virginia Infantry and was honorably
discharged June 10,1865. He married for his third wife, Sarah
Elizabeth Elliott and Angeline Gregg, for his last. He died
February 1908. He lies at rest in the South Fork Cemetry.
GEORGE WADE enlisted in Company "E" 10th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry on April 2,1862 and was honorably
discharged from service May 2,1865.
ANDREW N. HART enlisted on September 3,1864 in Company "C"
6th Regiment West Virginia Infantry and was honorably
discharged from the service June 10,1865. He was born September
6,1848 and died June 11,1911.
CHRISTOPHER C. LIPSCOMB enlisted on July 10,1861 in Company
"K" 6th Regiment West Virginia Calvery (also designated
3rd Va. Infantry). He was held as a prisoner in the hands of the
Rebels in Andersonville prison for several months, but was
finally reinstated in his old Company. He was honorably
discharged from the service May 22,1866 as a private in Company
"A" to which transferred. He died in 1932. He lies at rest
in the South Fork Cemetry.
JOSEPH S. BRITTON enlisted in Company "A" 14th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry on August 23,1862 at the age of twenty
one. He was promoted Coporal August 25,1864. He was a prisoner in
the hand of the Rebels. He was mustered out at Cumberland,
Maryland, June 27,1865. He lies at rest in the Gaston
Cemetry.
SILAS B. NICKELSON enlisted in Company "C" 6th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry on August 20,1884 and was honorably
discharged June 10,1865 as a 1st Lieutenant.
JASPER WYATT enlisted in Company "E" 6th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry on September 4,1861 and was honorably
discharged June 10,1865, as a Sergeant.
JOHN WILLIAMS enlisted in Company "B" 6th Regiment West
Virginia Infantry, September 15,1864 and was honorably
discharged from the service June 10,1865.
ASA S. FISHER served as a blacksmith during his service in
the Company. He was born in Lewis County August 4,1833 and
died August 21,1900. He is buried in the South Fork Cemetry.
HENRY HESS was born in Marion County of April 23,1842 and
died March 19,1927. He was the father of eleven childern.
He is buried in the South Fork Cemetry.
J. ELLIS HUSK, Company "H" 4th West Virginia Cavelry (6
months, 1863-4), was mustered into the service August
29,1863, at Parkersburg, W.Va., and died at Grafton, W.Va. on
February 27,1864, a private. His remains lie at rest in the
National Cemetry at Grafton, West Virginia.
ELIGAH W. SUMMERS, the son of Eligah Summers Sr. was born on
February 5,1839 and died October 30, 1919. He is buried in
the West Union Cemetry. He served as a member of Doddridge County
Court for six years.
JOHN N. NUTTER, Company "G" 5th Regiment West Virginia
Calvery, was mustered into service April 4,1864 and was
honorably discharged from the service June 8,1865, as a private of
Company "G" 6th West Virginia Calvery to which transferred
by consolidation.
SAMUEL HUSK, Company "M" 6th Regiment West Virginia Infantry
was mustered into service April 3, 1862 and was honorably
discharged from the service June 3,1865 as a private in Company
"O", to which transferred.
HOME GUARDS :
Many of the men of Good-Will who were to old to serve in the
conflict, or who were kept home for various reasons,
belonged to them. The Home Guards were organized for the special
purpose of protecting the loyal citizens of this community.
These men were especially adapted to this frontier defense,
by their knowledge of the country, and of the habits of the rebel
marauders by which it was infested, and stimulated to
extraordinary exertions by the wrongs already suffered at
home. Christopher N. Nutter was a Captian of the Company. They
were stationed a Auburn, W.Va. the men going to drill at
least once a week. They captured several Rebels at various times,
how-ever, only one Rebel is known to have been shot by them. He
was shot at Auburn, when a party of Rebels infested that
place. When Rebels were seen approaching, someone had the presence
of mind to call out the Home Guards. Mr. Nutter hastened
from his home and arrived at Auburn in time to collect his
men and present them to the Rebel forces. The Home Guards and one
man fell dead, then the Rebels opened fire. Captain
Nutter's men broke ranks as hastily as possible and fled to
the nearby hillside. The Rebels gathered their dead comrade up and
left in the direction of Troy. |