Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-03-31

then collected has been, at our request,
kindly handed over to this paper for
publication
MAJOR GEN. ADAM STEPHEN.
There is now upon the lands of
Charles j. Faulkner, and within the
recently enlarged limits of Martins
burg, the remains of monument,
under which repose the ashes Of this
distinguished soldier and patriot.
BY whom this structure was erected
whether by the executors and leg
atees of the deceased ,or by the CRATE
full contributions of his countrymen,
is not known. There is nothing in
the will, nor in the detailed account
of the executors to throw any light
on the subject. The design of the
monument is obviou. ly a rectangu-
lar pyramid, with base Of twenty
feet square. It's supposed latude
from the vertex to the plane of the
base may have been from six to nine
feet. 1t has now an elevation little
more than four feet. The large
stones used in its construction
some of them twelve feet in length,
are hard silicious mountain stones,
and must have been transported, at
great expense, from distance, as
they are not natives of this Valley.
| think careful examination of the
remains will lead to the conclusion
CONTRARY to the present popular be-
lief that the monument was once
finished according to its original de-
sign; but being much exposed and
unprotected-a play spot for the boys
the apex was first thrown off, and
stone after stone injured and remov'
ed, leaving only what remains of the
original structure. 1t is at present
within the limits of our city, and
since it has been in the possession of
it's present proprietor, since 1889,
(now thirty-three years ago. has
been protected from further injury.
General Stephens life and for
tunes are intimately identified with
the county of Berkeley. He was
one of the earliest immigrants to
this locality-he became the owner
of large tracts of land in this neigh
borhood he was one of the most
active agents in having the county
of Berkeley established, and one of
the most prominent actors in its ear
ly civil and judicial history. 1t was
upon his land that the city of Mar
tinsburg was located here he lived
a long and prosperous life, and in
her soil have his remains been inter
red. The people of Berkeley, there
fore should feel an interest in learn
ing something of his history, and
pleasure in seeing his memory vindi-
Gated from any unjust and unmerit-
ed reproach cast upon it.
General Stephen was born about
the year 17lS, and is believed to
have been native of Pennsylvania.
He emigrated to this portion of Vir-
ginia about 1888, few years after
the first settlements were made in
this Valley. He must have derived
the most of his land by direct grant
from Lord Fairfax.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The earliest notice we have of the
military movements OF Adam Ste
phen. is in immediate connection
with w as hington. Information
reached the colonial authorities at
Williamsburg, that the French and
Indians had taken possession of the
northwestern portion OF Virginia, on
the Monongahela, numbering and
driving away the settlers of that
section. The general assembly au-
thorized the raising of six companies
for the recovery of that territory.
The command of this force was ten
dered to Washington, but because
of his youth he declined it in favor
of Col. Joshua Fry, an experienced
English officer, and Washington be-
came lieutenant colonel. Stephen
had raised company from the set
tiers hereabouts, and by Washing
toms order, met him with his com
pany at Winchester on the 10th OF
March, 1854. This assembled force
started for the frontiers, but Col.
Fry having died, the command ne
cessarily devolved upon Washington
and Stephen, in June, 1854 was APP
pointed Major. On August the l4th,
same year, the regiment was re-or-
ganized with Washington as Colonel,
Stephens as Lieut.. Colonel and An