Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-01-02
Mr.. Lang's Letter.
Editor Progressive:

Editor frogreSslve.
Hon. ID. w. Shaw in his continued
article in the Barbour Democrat, in
giving the history Of Philippi from.
1861 to 1865 speaks Of the settle
ment Of that place by VIM. #. VIII
son, father Of Lewis Wilson, and his
brothers Of this county. The writer
few weeks since had the pleasure
Of visiting the old homestead of the
Wilson's Of that branch Of the fam
lily tree on the waters Of Bills creek,
in Barker District, Barbour Co. now
owned by French w. Gamer. There
lies the ruins Of the old tumbled-
down stone chimneys covered with
vines. The double roomed log houses
that existed and was occupied only .
few years since are gone. The old
orchard that surrounded them still
gives its annual harvest of fruit.
The Wilson's were great people for
mills, besides water mill built on
Bills creek by Moses Wilson and an
other by VIM. F. Wilson on the same
stream there remains the well mark
ed sight Of a horsepower mill built
by John (Jackie) Wilson which was
used to grind the grain for bread,
for citizens Of the community who
came from far and near, the owners
Of the grain furnishing their horses
to produce the power. Nanny Of the
older citizens recall the service Of
this mill when the water was so
low that the water mills could not
grind, and steam and gasoline power
had not then come into use in the
vicinity. Out on the north point Of
low ridge is the old cemetery over
grown with brush and chestnut trees
some Of them more than foot in
diameter. Some Of the graves are
marked with artistically cut native
sand stone but they are SO much
worn by time that it is difficult to
read the names and dates. We de-
ciphered one that was buried in the
year 1880 and other in 1894. The
graves Of many of the persons show
| ed that they had been tall, a char
acteristic Of the Wilson's.
The Wilson's were prominently
connected with the history Of RAN
dolph and Barbour counties. VIM
+. Wilson built the first wagon road
form Philippi to this homestead at
a cost of .75cts per rod. 1t is a mat
ter Of history that the first court
held in the county in April 1843 at
the organization was held in the old
Wilson mill which stood on the site
of the present mill, owned by Lewis
Wilson heirs, and under an apple tree
near by. The court would adjourn
to the mill when snow storm inter-
fered with its sessions. Mr.. Max
well says that Edwin S. Duncan was
judge Of the circuit court and John
S. Duncan prosecuting attorney and
for the same year (1845) the name
of George Hay Lee, appears for the
same Office. E. D. Wilson was clerk
of the circuit court and Lair d. Nor
raj was clerk Of the county court
Joseph Mccoy was sheriff, and VIM
F. Wilson was county surveyor and
was succeeded by his son Lewis, in
| 1850. The crowds that congregate
! in the present up-to-date court house
on court days could not be very vel
sheltered from the suns rays or
pleasant days or be protected from
the storms by converting at the OLD
Wilson mill at the county seat. Yet
we would desire to return to the Ole
customs and hardships of former
days. The Wilson's have been very
helpful in the material building Of
tn county.
w. S. LANG
Nestorville, w. Va.
nao 1910