Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-07-21
Written for the Register
An Historic Section of the Lower Shen-
andoah Valley.
BY Juliet Hite Gallaher, Waynesboro, V


BY Juliet Hite Gallaher, WayneSboro, Va.
While the eyes OF not only the English
speaking nations, but of the world at
large, have quite recently been centered
on the early Virginia settlers, this is an
opportune occasion TO point out the his
toric spots and scenes OF their exploits (;
and while naturally attention has been
especially directed towards Jamestown
and the eastern section OF the State, it
should also be borne in mind that many
OF these early settlers migrated tc the
beautiful Shenandoah Valley, from the
eastern part OF both Virginia and Mary
land, and there in Berkeley county, after
wards Jefferson, built their colonial homes
and became noted for their brave men
and beautiful women, as well as for their
culture, refinement and intellectually
where their descendants at the present
day are true followers Of their worthy an
cestorS; having inherited the chivalrlc
code of these early Cavaliers to such an
extent that they may deservedly be term
ed gentlemen OF the old school"
The Searcher after colonial scenes and
history has rare treat in store if he has
never visited this section, Jefferson county
is rich in Revolutionary associations, and
is most beautifully situated, commanding
a fine view OF the mountains for miles,
while the tranquil Shenandoah river runs
along the western base of the mountains
through rich agricultural section.
Charles Town was established in 1856,
receiving the name of its first proprietor,
Col. Charles Washington, who was a
brother OF General George Washington:
1t was laid off in eighty lots, with the fol-
lowing gentlemen as trustees: John Au-
guStine Washington, William Darke,
Robert Rutherford, James Crane, Cato
Moore, MagnuS Tate, Benjamin Rankin,
Thornton Washington, William Little,
Alexander White, and Richard Ransom.
The land at the intersection OF the two
main streets was donated by COL Wash
ington as public square. Three Of these
corners are now occupied by the court
house, jail and market house. These
were burned during the "War Between
the States" as John Brown was tried in
the former and confined in the jail, but
the walls and foundations of the present
buildings are the same.
The residence Of Col. Charles Wash
ington was originally small log house
about a mile from town, its location is
marked by fine spring and few stones
OF the foundation OF the small stone house
built OH the site later, near EVettS Run,
which flows through the estate; after
wards this house was moved to the top
OF the hill; TO it was added the present
mansion, "Mordington," a magnificent
country home on the west side OF Evett'S
Run (Evett'S Run was named after an eX-
plorer of the stream who in the early days
lived near the source; it was surveyed in
l734 by Robert Brooks and along the
were located patertS to
Lawrence Washington, brother OF the
General; TO Robert Worthington, the faith
er of the first Governor OF Ohio, and to
Baron lost Hite, the "FirSt Settler OF the
Shenandoah Valley" the first house on
the plot was "Piedmont.") In the mead
ow back OF "Mordington," under the
gracefully dropping willows, where the
COWS congregate TO seek shelter from the
heat OF the sun, this noted citizen and
soldier sleeps the last sleep, and while 1t
is to be hoped that after life'S fitful few
er, he sleeps well, in such an ideal spot,
it is none the less aninappropriate resting
place for such man.
The first dwelling-place erected in the
town was Cherry Tavern" " built OF logs
and occupied by one Captain Cherry, who
later served as a captain in Revolution
ary company. Our forefatherS delighted
to relate of the glorious evenings spent in
this old tavern and the thrilling incidents
that occurred beneath its rafterS.
Jefferson county is noted for having
been the place OF residence OF so many
prominent Revolutionary officers; four
distinguished generals resided in the
county.
Leetown, five miles to the west, laid
off by Jost Hite and in l772 sold with an
estate OF 2,272 acres by Jacob Hite and
his wife, to Gen. Charles Lee, from whom
it took its name, was the home OF this er-
ratio Englishnan. 1t has been described
as follows: Lying on Hopewell, an east
ern drain of the Opequon, one OF the lines
with Bullskin path near Big
SPRING" Here he built his long stone
residence which is at present owned by a
at is oblong, one and one
half stories high, built in two sections he
occupied the right-hand building, which
was one immense room without partl-
ions, laid off by chalk lines into different
lpartments in one Of which he kept his
hree dogs, Father, Son. and Holy
Ghost, named in derision OF the Trinity"
This odd, high-tempered man, the son
If an English officer, was soldier in
Portugal; at one time on the staff OF the
ling of Poland served in the Russian
lrmy against the Turks, and came to
America as member of the 49th British
Regulars was with Braddock when de-
eated; Generals Gates and Stephen often
net with him, but once, when General
Washington was in the neighborhood and
ent word he would visit him on a certain
lay, he left the house and wrote over the
loor, in chalk, "No meat served here to-
lay" spending the day off in the woods