The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1891-12-11
MAErINsnuRe,s RESOURCES.
The Town In Years Agone, And Review
OF It's Present Prosperous Condition.
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few Of the many important and inter
esting landmarks which the history Of
the past so wildly recalls to mind.
Berkeley County was taken from
Frederick County 1852. Adam Steph-
ems was appointed the first sheriff of
the newly formed county. In October,
1778, Stephens founded the city Of Mar
tinsburg, having laid off for that pur-
pose one hundred and thirty acres of
land He named the town Martins
burg, in honor Of Col T. b. Martin,
the last representative of the Fairfax
estate in what was known as the North
ern Neck of Virginia. ls5
The early history of Martinsburg is
full Of interest, especially to those whose
ancestry were either among the found
ers of the city, or among the pioneer
settlers Of Berkeley County.
Many quaint documents, as well as
signatures Of noted men Of the past,
can be seen among the files in the Of
fee of the clerk Of the county court.
In those days. sheriffs, justices of the
peace, and various other officers, were
appointed by the governor, or lieuten-
ant governor. In the clerks office can
be seen the signatures of sach historic
characters as Lord Dunmore, Patrick
| Henry, Thos. Jefferson, James Madi-
son, Benjamin Harrison, and John
Tyler. Here, also, is recorded the will
of Gen. Chas. Lee, a document remark
able for the eccentricity which it por-
traysiin it's author Three generals of
| the Revolutionary War, Gates, Lee and
stephens, resided in, or near the city,
while many others, equally conspicu-
GUS in the annals of our country, Viii
| liam Crawford and Thomas Worthing-
| ton, for example, honored Berkeley
County as the place of their nativity.
Truly, the history Of Martinsburg and
the vicinity is replete with interesting
"reminiscences, some of them, as we
shall presently show, pointing clearly
to the prosperity which we to-day en-
/ joy. haY tasaq ssHao Ara vet
Gen. Stephens died in Martinsburg in
1871, thirteen years after he had laid
out the town, and was buried within
the present city limits, the remains of
| the unstoried monument beneath which
Ireposes his dust, constitute the only
tangible record of himself, which this,
noted man has left behind aot
From the founding of the city ein
1778, by Stephens, Martinsburg has
advanced steadily in population, wealth,
and industries. In fact, from her for
nation, the history Of our town shows
one continuous, uninterrupted onward
march, with scarcely dark page to
mar her splendid record.
The present is period of unprece-
dented prosperity, while the future
bids fair to unfold resources hitherto
unprized or unknown. si95sas
CHURCHES.
Among the resources proper of Mar
tinsburg, ! am free to accord our re-
hgious organizations the first place. In
the erection of churches, the county
antedates the town. The Tuscarora
Presbyterian church, built, perhaps,
one century and a half ago, is the Oldest
church in Berkeley County, and, in
fact, the oldest church west of the Blue
Ridge Mountains.
The founders of Martinsburg, also,
brought with them the Christian re-
ligion, and very early began the erec
ton of houses in which to worship
lGod. RI Among the first denominations
represented were the Lutherans, Ger
man Reformed, Episcopal, and Metho-
dist, other leading denominations soon
following. The original edifices which
were, for the most part, of log or stone,
have given way to the many beautiful
and substantial structures which adoln
our city to-day. }s
Eleven churches, three Methodist
Episcopal, two Baptist, one Presby-
terrain, one Lutheran, one United
Brethren, one Protestant Episcopal,
one German Reformed, and one Roman
Catholic, point their spires heavenward.
Eleven pastors. able, devout, Jealous,
devote their time and talents to the
noble work of proclaiming salvation
free to fallen man.
The people of Martinsburg are
church-going people: and, to this fact
is to be attributed much of our present
peace and prosperity.
Truly hath the Psalmist said: Chap
Ply is that people whose God is the
Lord"
N SCHOOLS.
The schools Of Martinsburg were. at
first, of necessity, far inferior to the
schools which we have to-day. Prior
to the adoption of our free school sys-
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