Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-11-04

John, Elias, Alexander, William, James
and Thomas.
The last named John Proudfoot was
my great grandfather. Other Proud
foots of this community are John H.
Proudfoot, Delbert M. Proudfoot. The
last named has the honor of having
owned the first dairy in Barbour
county.
Robinson and Proudfoot families
Among the first settlers of what is
now Barbour county were the Robin
son and Proudfoot families. More
than a century ago these families
came from the east and settled on
Taylor's Drain That beautiful valley
with its rich state Of cultivation, as
it is today, was made SO by The en-
ergy and industry of the two families
named, together with the Woodford
family. which married into the Robin
son family.
Just across the Delaware in New
Jersey lived James Robinson and Eliz-
abeth Davis, who became his wife,
when the old Liberty Bell proclaimed
that independence had been declared.
Some 20 years later James Robinson
and his family came to Harrison coun-
ty, and from thence on to the head
waters of Taylor's Drain.
James Robinson and wife were of
English descent, and she was Quak-
er, possessed of the estimablc quail
ties Of that religious sect. He died in
1885 and his wife in 1910. They were
buried at Mary's Chapel. Then child
rem were: Job, John, Elizabeth, Will
liam, Jane, Mary and James. William
Robinson. son of John and Mary
Proudfoot Robinson, was born in 1927
and spent the greater portion of his
life on Taylor's Drain. He was farm
er and shoemaker and resided where
Harter Wilson now lives, being Har-
ter's grandfather. Mr.. Robinson mar
ried Mary Sayre in 1850, when %
years of age. Their children were,
Mrs. Isaac Means, Frank, Louisa ",
Sarah A., Mary M, Rev. John s., David
w. and Chas w. (twins) Rose and Ira
E. Robinson. Other Robinsons which
should be mentioned are jacob W..
Robinson and his son Lloyd d. Robin
son.
Switzer The Switzer family is Of
German and Swiss origin and was
founded in America by three broth
ers, John, Valentine and Nicholas, sons
of John Switzer, who never came to
America. About 1870 these three
brothers settled in Hampshire county.
Other Switzers that are known
throughout this section are Chas. f..
now deceased, one time membef Of the
firm of Dyer & Switzer of Mansfield
His brother Philip a. Switzer, vet liv-
ing, IS a miller, and stakeholder IN the
+. r. Dyer & Co. flour mill al Mans
field
Talbot Richard Talbot, probably
the first white man &c make his per
me- ent home in Barbour county, was
son Of William Talbot, native OF
England, who came to Virginia long
before the Revolution. The Talbot
family is one Of the ELDEST in England,
where it is usually spelled Talbot. II
this country the spelling is'sol9etimes
Tolbert, which conforms fairly well
with the pronunciation of the name
The ancestors of the family crossed
from Normandy, France to England
with William the Conqueror III the
year 1866, and from time to time
members of the family rose to great
prominence in England. Upcn the,
death of his father, Richard Talbot,
became an apprentice to man who
greatly mistreated aim. so he decided
to run away. Having communicated
his purpose to his sister, Charity, she
laid plans to assist him, and the
scheme was a bold one So Richard,
together with his mother, brother and
sister, departed secretly, going across
the Alleghenies, completing their
journey through the wilderness in
1880, arrived in Barbour and selected
a site for their new home. 1t must bc
confessed no small degree OF coui tge
and self confidence were exhibited by
these people who thus braved the dan
GERS of the frontiers at time when
the Indian war was raging in all It's
fury. They selected land on the wat
ers of Hacker Greek and made that
their home. 1t is recorded that they
we're several times forced to leave
their home ON account of the hostility
of the Indians, and twice fled east CT
the Alleghenies. Nearly all the Tai
bolts of Barbour county are, descend
ants of the above family.
Thompson Hezekian Thompson, re-
sided at Corders' Crossing at one time.
was born in 1645 lie was the son Of
Henry and Mercy Thompson. Mr..
Thompson was deputy sheriff for II
years, an energetic and progressive
citizen. The Thompsons were among
the earliest settlers Of Barbour.
Woodford William Woodford, ar
csstor Of all the Woodfords n Bar
bour and adjoining counties was the
son of Gen. William Woodfcrd He
made his home on Fox Crane, near
land owned by VIM. Thompson. When