Lois, This is great. I really learned something... about Blennerhassett and Gallia county. I too would like to go to Blennerhassett, maybe a bunch of us could go an make a day of it. Cheryl LW32351@aol.com wrote: That Island now known as Blennerhassett Island was once known as Backus Island. And has ties to Gallia County History. From the Recollections of the First Settlement of Ohio: Joseph Baker page 38. "Elijah Backus Esq, a native of Norwich, Connecticut, brother in law to Mr. Woodbridge, he was a learge (sp) Land holder and principally engaged in that business. He established the first printing press in Marietta and Edited a paper for some time (he subsequently was a member of our State Legislature and appointed one of the first Trustees of the Ohio Univeristy) and removed to the West." Footnote: "Elijah Backus, 1759-1812; born Norwich, Connecticut; graduate Yale; to Marietta 1790; purchased island in Ohio River later known as Blennerhasset Island, 1798; editor and owner of Ohio Gazette and Virginia Herald, 1801-1808; removed to Illinois 1808." Article from Parkersburg Press: "The Island...first surveyed 297 acres. It was first entered by George Washington in 1771, in connection with the large tract now known as Wahington Bottom. Not surveyed at that time and the occurrence of the Revolution prevented his procuring the necessary patent. The first survey was made in 1784, although the first land warrant was issured in 1780. Patrick Henry, Gov. of Virginia, gave a patent for the island to Alexander Nelson, of Richmond, in 1786. Its ownership was obsure until 1792, when James Herron, of Norfolk, Virginia sold it to Elijah Backus, of Norwich, Connecticut, for 250 pounds, Virginia currency, or $883.33. From this owner it received the name of Backus Island, which it retained until 1798, when Harman Blennerhassett purchased 170 acres of the upper portion, for $4,500, and accompanied by his wife and one child, took up residence there, when it became known by the name it still retains." From History of Washington County: "In 1807, shortly after Elijah Backus went to Kaskaskia, Indiana Territority, he sold the lower island to Aaron Waldo Putnam of Washington County, Ohio. Deed made by Backus and his second wife, Hannah Richards Backus. Mrs. Backus signed the deed before a justice of the peace in Randolph County on 26 August 1807." Son Elijah Perry Baccus/Backus born 1803 Backus Island married 8 November 1823 in Gallia County, Ohio by Samuel Denney Christina Amelia Miller, daughter of John Miller and Emilia Muller. children of Elijah P. Baccus and Christina A. Miller Baccus Mary Jane Barcus born 1827 Blennerhassett Island married 1852 in Gallia County, Ohio John Wallis Gard Julia Ann Barcus born 1836 married 1854 Wood County, Virginia William E. Posey John Nelson Barcus born 1832 Amelia Jaretta Barcus born 1837 married William J. Moore George W. Barcus born 1840 Gallia County, Ohio married Margaret Misner Charles Perry Barcus born 1845 married Drusalla Williams anyone else researching these families? Lois McClurg Walker ==== OHGALLIA Mailing List ==== Please remember that your topic must relate to genealogical research in Gallia County, Ohio. --------------------------------- Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web