The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-20

and freedom did not hesitate to mi-
crate to the new country John Hoult
was among the latter and his papers
which have been preserved indicate
that heScame TO this country In order
to have an opportunity for the undis-
turbed possession Of property and to-
nave free enjoyment Of his religion.
For three or four years after John
Hoult located at Philadelphia, the CO.
lonial regulations seemed to have no
other object than the common good
OF the British empire. But new era
OF political experiment commenced in
1855. The ancient system under which
the colonies had been fourishing was
discarded and England, the mother
country. rose in her demands and mul
tplied her restraints. 1t was enacted
that the colonies should bear certain
taxes on the argument that they went
TO meet the expenses OF the war Just
concluded with France which had orig
mated on account of the colonies.
High spirited persons were constant
" advocating the blessings OF liberty,
the horrors OF slavery, the dangers of
standing army and the rights of the
colonies while the more conservative
fclks were resolute In their demands
that their duty lie along the path of
their personal interest. Assemblies
for the discussion of public questions
were dissolved by government sympa-
thizers and officials and still further
dnfringements on liberty and severity
of regulations on the individual were
! Threatened. job nHorit who had lef:
england in the belief that he was flee
ing from tyranny, found Philadelphia
as unattractive as London would have
been itself. He determined to push on
into the country which France had
Just coded to England and which was
best known to Philadelphians OF that
day as being in the vicinity where
General Braddock had suffered such
disastrous defeat.
Therefore, in the wear of 1910. John
Hoult located on the banks of the
Monongahela river, comign from Phil.
adelphia with group of other pion.
GERS and bringing the second horse
that crossed the mountains to this sec
ton. Hoult realized that he was ex-
posing himself to all the hardships Of
which the human nature is liable, and
that he was setting in an uncultivat-
ed and unacceptable country but to his
hmd freedom was essential and virtue
an ideal. Freedom was no longer GER
certain in eastern PENNSYLVANIA and yir
tue seemed to be forgotten for men
spled-upon the liberties of their fell
lows, m!srepresented their actions.
and preyed upon their sustenance. His
papers contain such passages as these
The blood of sons of freedom re-
coils within themselves at the thought
of the claimed omnipotence OF parlia
ment. We who fled from tyranny in
england are forced to the very out,
skirts OF civilization and are subjects
not only to the hardships but cruelty
OF a avage foe but we, are actuated
by true principles OF English liber-i
ty."
1t is not known whether John HoultI
was man of means or an adventurer
seeking fortune. His reference to
noble blood" in his epitaph probably
grew out CT his contentious regarding
the nobility OF freedom. There are
about score of graves around his at
the old Hoult graveyard near Hoult.
OF which many are believed to be
those OF slaves. On another of the
tombstones was engraved:
Here lies so quiet and still
Jolly Noisy Fill"
The Hoult descendants think this
must have been the grave of a slave
named Phil.
It is therefore likely that John Hoult
while insisting upon the extension of
his own liberties had different ideas
regarding the liberties of the unofPan A !
Ing people of another color. There !
Is no mention of slavery preserved
that would suggest exculpation. There
Is tradition in the family that the
slaves were greatly attached to their
master and with tribute in accord
ance with the customs of those days.
when truth was the endeavor OF those
arranging the wording for grave
stones.