Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-08-04
Communicated.
Waynesboro, Va, July 80, 1910.

NdyneSOOIO, ID, july ~ l9iV'
Editor The Shepherdstown Register
If did not find it so very amusing, |
might be inclined to feel really provoked
at the uncalled for criticism OF my little
historic sketch by person OF whose eX-
istence | was not even aware until now.
This unusual interest inclineS me to think
that the attack must have been brought
on either by previous one OF indiges-
ton or through the desire to rap some
one else over my shoulders, for cannot
flatter myself by believing deserved so
much attention from one evidently so
seli-sufficient. regret having confused
the two Morgan families, and most hum
bly, beg their pardon for so doing, though
no disrespect was intended.
The Strobe farm always understood
was near Martinsburg, until | came across
a COPY of the West Virginia Historical
Magazine, OF October, 1904, containing
this "Dr. John P. Hale, President West
Virginia Historical Society, wrote as fol-
lows: There is a tradition in the Valley
that no less a parsonage than President
Andrew Jackson spent a small portion IA
few weeks of his early life not tar from
Pack Horse Ford. y This was the
source of my information.
stated that "Wild Goose Farm" was
the home of Henry Shepherd, and for
this | am fatty contradicted, although his
descendants own it and reside there now.
He married Frances BriScoe, OF and born
at Piedmont, the Briscoe homestead.
She was the aunt for whom my mother
was named, my grandfather's sister.
Their sister married Col. James Hite
second wife, OF Hopewell, and lived
there.
not only have within reach OF me three
histories OF the Hite and four OF the Brls-
coe families, but am just completing Tor
publication the "BriScoe-Hite and Allied
Families" with complete list OF TALL Amer
lean descendants, the BriScoe line eX-
tending to Lord Robert Brisko, who &C
companed William OF Normandy to
England and became the founder OF the
family so cannot help but feel that !
am somewhat of an authority upon the
subjects OF these families, at any rate, and
know whereof speak"
In referring TO the last Hite owner OF
Hopewell, being my great uncle, the late
Col. Thomas Hite, did not think it nee
essary 10 state that after his death ii
passed TO his nephew, Hon. James Hlte
Grove, whose sisters | have frequently
visited in ShepherdStown-in fact, it did
not occur to me that the public would be
interested in such minute details, as |
only attempted some general outlines OF
these places and people.
II is true that am not native OF JET
ferSon, but my parents are former resi-
dents. My mother is the youngest child
of the late Major Thomas BriScoe, OF
Piedmont, later OF Spice Grove (Son OF
DR.. John BriScoe and Eleanor Magruder)
and his wife, Juliet Hite, daughter OF Col.
James Hite, of Hopewell, and his first
wife, Juliet Baker, whose parents, Juliet
Howard Baker and John Baker, are buried
in the old cemetery in ShepherdStown
NY father was born in ShepherdStoWn
in 1910 and for years made it his home.
His mother grandparents and great-great-
grandparents were born there and spent
their lives in this quaint little town, and
all, except his parents, are buried there.
Ny D. A. r. papers contain the names OF
three ancestors from Jefferson county.
Besides this, my grandfather Briscoe and
great grandfather Hite, OF Jefferson, were
officers in the War of 1912, while three
uncles from Charles Town served in the
War between the States, two OF them
losing their lives. So cannot be made
to feel that have taken a liberty in writ
ing a simple sketch oftheSe beloved peo-
pie and scenes, nor do think the ma
iority OF your readers will misunderstood
the motive whichprompted me to do SO.
1t was not my desire TO stir up strife or
unpleasantmeSS in any way, but | could
not accept this singing rebuke without
making some explanation to the public
and giving my authority, except in the
Morgan matter.
Very truly yours,
JULIET HITE GALLAHER.