Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-08-18

The late John H. Smith. the writer o.
the two letters below which were pub
lished in the Charleston Gazette in 1886
was well and favorably known citizen
of this county. and was Assistant Clerk
of the County Court for six years in the
eighties. Mr.. !. Shirley Smith of OUT
town is a son of Mr.. John H. Smith and
is, with the exception Of his son Conrad
the last living male member of this
branch of the Smith family, not knowing
a single other relative by the name OF
Smith.
Mideleway, w. Va, December 10, 1886.
Mr.. Editor understand some writer
of this place has given you some little
historical account of this place which was
published IN your paper sometime since.
have been living within a mile of this
place tor 90 years. / feel that / could
give some additional account of the his.
tory of Wizard Clip" as it is known by
that name far and near. As my ances-
tors were the first to settle in this section
in I732-in fact they settled here in 1920
las the old land grants are signed by
Sir William Gooch, who was at that time
proprietor of the northern neck of Vir-
ginia. / have many old papers running
back to 1882. My great grandfather
came over in PENIS Colony in 1852. l
still have my great grandfather embar-
kation papers, dated in 1852. My an
cestors were what are known as Quakers
or Society of Friends. presume you
have heard of this place being called
Middleway, Smith6eld and Wizard
Clip" could give you history of how
it received the name of the latter, but
my space is limited. aud probably You
do not want it, 1t was supposed l had
written it. as was the only person that
knew much about the history and found
ing of the village.
The land grants spoken of in the tore
going were made to my great grand
father. and are in my possession convey
ing 1000 acres of land to William Smith
during the reign of George IL
Yours respectfully.
john II. SMITH.
Later. December. iSS6-Your CORES.
pondent states some things very correct
ly, but is not well posted on the early
history of Wizard Clip" Many per-
sons in and around Charles Town as
well as this place ascribe the article to
me simply because l am considered as
having the old record of the village. and
having the early history of the place
handed down to ME by my ancestors
they being the founders of the extensive
village. But as am not the author Of
the communication regards the history
of Clip" could correct him in many
ways. l am now just turned into my
10Th year, since the goth of November =
Have kept record of all events. meteo
Biological table, etc, since 1888. In fact
the table would give the aggregate depth
of snow for each winter. rainfall for ev
cry month. and the range of thermometer
To show you how careful am in regard
to the weather. neighbors call on me tc
know what kind OF day was certain
day 40 years ago. show them my diary
for that year. tell them to examine fol
themselves Any event that occurred il
the country for the last so odd year:
they come to me to know the truth Oh
falsity of it. You may think ! am z
humbug or crank. If you think sc
write to any persol in the county whom
you know.
Yours truly,
ToHN H. SMITH.