The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1891-12-05
THE WORLDS PRIZE.
ANOTHER INTERESTING COy1RIBU,;
TON ON THE RESOURCES or
MARTINSBURG.

THE ToWN IN WARS AGoNE, and
REVIEW Or ITS PRESENT
PROSPEROUS CON
DITION.
Before entering upon the study Of
the present prosperous condition OF
Martinsburg, let us very briefly notice
. 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 in 1772. Adam teph-
ems was appointed the first sheriff Of
the newly formed county. In October,
1878, Stephens founded the city Of Mar
tinsburg, having laid of for that pur-
pose one hundred and thirty acres of
land. He named the town Martins
burg, in honor Of Col. r. B. Martin,
the last representative of the Fairfax
estate in what was known as the North
ern Neck Of Virginia.
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 such 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, document remark
able for the eccentricity which it por-
trays in its 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.
| 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
reposes his dust, constitute the only
tangible record of himself, which this,
noted man has left behind.
| From the founding Of the city in
177S, by Stephens, MaritnsbuYg lhas
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 a dark page to
mar her splendid record.
The present is period Of unprece-
denied prosperity, while the future
bids fair to unfold resources hitherto
unprized or unknown.
~ CHURCHES.
NAmong the resources proper OF Mar
tinsburg, am free to accord our re-
ligious 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 cree
ton of houses in which to worship
God. Among the first denominations
represented were the L1therans, Ger
man Reformed, Episcopal, and Metho-
dist, other leading denominations soon
following. The original edifces which
were, for the most part, Of log Or stone,
have given way to the many beautiful
and substantial structures which adorn
our city to-day.
Eleven churches, three Methodist
Episcopal, two Baptist, one Presby-
terrain, one Lutheran, one United
! Brethren, one Protestant Episcopal,