The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-12-30

had Gordon Of forts extending
from the 81. Lawrence to the Mis-
sissippi, and powerful savage
tribes roamed over all the country
from Che Blue Ridge to California,
1t was i've years before the found.
ing Of Richmond, twsnty,thrse
years before the French and Indian
war, and forty.thtee years before
the beginning Of the Revolution.
Truly this IL the old part Of West
Virginia.
The sous Of these pioneers and
Of others by whom they we're soon
Joined, formed large part Of
washington's Regiment Of Valley
men which reared the walls Of Old
Fort Loudon (shere Winchester,
Virginia, now stands, and Of Fort
Cumberland (now Cumberland city
Maryland, and covered the retreat Of
the remnant Of Btaddock's army
from the disastrous field Of Monon.
gala. Hundredsof them herewith
Washington in all his Northern
campaign, and it Is recorded Of
him that when on his retreat
through the Jerseys he declared
that if forced to pass the Potomac
he would continue his march to
this section and make a final stand
in a strong natural position, now
and ever since the settlement Of
this country, round about, known
as Powell's Fort
Here was established the first
Baptist Church west Of the Blue
Ridge, several families, members
Of this denomination, came from
Jersey, in 1742 aud halted in the
vicinity ofGerardstown in what is
now Berkely county. Their first
minister was the Rev. John Gerard.
They in common with all the Bap.
lists of Virginia we're subjected to
the most bitter persecution; not.
withstanding, they increased SO
rapidly that those in power became
greatly alarmed and every penal
law known to the Virginia code
was strained to its utmost applica.
ton to find ways and means to put
down these "disturbers Of the peace"
as they we're called.
Hampshire county was formed in
1852 and is by twenty-five years
the oldest countyin Yves! Virginia.
1t was so named from a remark
made by Lord Fairfax, Standing
near the walls of Fort Loudoun he
saw a drove Of large fat hogs being
driven in from the mountains to
the west, and inquired whence
they came. Being told, be remark.
ed that, "that country should be
called Hampshire" from the coun.
ty ofthat name in England which
had been for centuries famous be.
cause Of its fine hogs.
Within this region-the Eastern
Pan andle-an many interesting
localities, rendered so because of
their historical associations. There
lis Falling Waters where stohewall
Jackson fought his first battle with
the Union troops. There too, is
Harper's Ferry, famous all over the
world, because Of its having been
the scene Of the John Brown insur-
recLiou. On the same spot on the
18th of September, 1862, stonowall
Jackson attacked the Federal army
and compelled Gen. Miles to sur.
render the place with 1850 pris.
Oners Of war.
Many distinguished men have
been born and lived here. In
Berkely county is the birthplace
(l7S4) Of Colonel William Crawford,
long the companion of Washing.
ton, whom he assisted in making
his surveys on the banks Of the
Ohio in 1772. The account of his
death, is one Of the most heartsick.
eDing reCitals to be found in the an.
malls Of the West. He was burned
at the stake by the Delaware In
dians in what is now Wyandotte
county, Ohio, in the year 1852.
Here too, in Berkeley county
(oct. Z, 1747,) was born Colonel
Ebenezer Zane, the founder Of
Wheeling, the builder aud defender
Of Fort Henry, and the superinten-
dent Of the construction Of the Ma.
Iional road from Wheeling by way
Of GAINESVILLE, Ohio, to Limestone,
Kentucky.
shopherdstown in Jefferson
county was the home Of James
Rumsey the inventor Of the steam.
boat, though tOa certain extent rob.