The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-08-30


ed the first mill propelled by horse
power. This stood near where Cap
tain Hopkins house now stands
Two other grist mills we're built
about this time on Guyan Creek
one by a Mr.. Holly and the other by
Morris Blake.
The first blacksmith who worked
at his trade in the District, was John
NJ. Hanly, who opened a shop in the
year 1910.
Robert Hereford built the first saw
mill-it was situated on Sixteen
Mile Creek, three miles from its
mouth.
John Amos opened the first cabi-
net shop, and was credited by the
settlers with making d frst,class ar
iticle offaruiture.s
Robert Hereford was q member Of
the first lodge of Free Masons organ
lied at Gallipolis. In 1906 he went
to Wheeling with his family where
he purchased boat in which to de,
scend the Ohio to his future home.
As the boat passed Blannerhassett
Island, a company of United States
soldiers were searching for Blanner-
hassett and Burr. He purchased
land just above the mouth of Sixteen
Mile Creek, and moved into his cab.
in in 1907. In 1911 he erected the
first brick house in Mason county.
1t was a twostory building, with
two rooms below and two above. 1t
was at the time quite a curiosity,
and many persons are said to have
come q distance to see it. The house
is still standing and the greatest
wonder connected with it is that al
though it was built II years since,
the plastering has never been COM
pleted.
In 1908, John Hereford, brother of
Robert, settled a short distance be-
low the mouth Of Sixteen. He was
with Washington at Valley Forge,
participated in the battles of Tren.
ton and Princeton, and served until
the close of the Revolution as Adju.
tant General under Lafayette.
Jesse, son Of Thomas and Eliza.
beth Hannah, was the first white
child born in the District. The first
marriage was that of John Maxwell
to Elizabeth Hannah, daughter Of
Thomas Hannah.
The GPst election was held at the
mouse OF james George, in l9-. This
was at that time the only voting pre-.
cinct in the county outside of Point
Pleasant.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was erected
in 1SO5-one year after the forma-
ton of the county. 1t was log cabin,
with u door in one side and a long
narrow window extending along the
entire length of the other, beneath
which pegs were inserted upon which
rested a broad board or slab for Il
writing desk. One end was taken
up by huge Fireplace, and seats
were made by splitting logs and in
serting pins in the oval side.
A Mr.. Henry, grandfather of Jesse
Hannah, was the first teacher who
welded the rod in that temple of
learning. There were in attendance
about eighteen pupils, who came
from distance of four and five miles
around. The teacher was paid by
subscription, at the rate of $3.50 per
scholar or S1.00 per month.
In the year 1903 John Hereford
opened u school in a cabin in Mer.
GERS Bottom, and continued to teach
for several succeeding years. The
third school was opened in 1915, by
Jacob Ward, on Eighteen Mile Creek,
near Canterbury's mill.
There are at present sixteen and
one.half schools in the District-one
school being near the Cabell county
line is supported equally by the two
Districts. Each sub-District is pro-
vided with a good, comfortable house
with suitable furniture. Competent
teachers are employed four months
in the year, at salary ranging from
S25 TO $50 per month.
CHURCHES.
When or by whom the first sermon
was preached cannot now be known.