Does anyone have any information on Elk City in the mid 1800's? In particular, business that were there, where they might have been located, especially in relation to Elk City now? I have read the description in Barbour County... another look, but am curious if anyone else has any further information. I am specifically looking for the Daniels, Chrislip and McGee families in that area. Thanks! Lee F. McGee [email protected]

In a message dated 3/03/00 1:12:17 PM, [email protected] writes: << John L. Goff married a Josephine Stemple. >> Hello to all, Seeing the surname Stemple here, I thought I would ask about a Stemple in my line. I am looking for any information on James Stemple. I don't have a birth date/place, marriage or death info. He married my g-g grandmother, Aritha Corbin McBee, between 1883 and 1885, after her divorce from my g-g grandfather William McBee in 1883. Aritha and James had 2 children, Goldie an Grace. Goldie was born in 1885, and married George Burdge. Grace was born in 1888 and married Edward Kintzl. I'd like to know what happened to him, as later, Aritha moved to Ohio and married William Houston in 1895. Does anyone have any info on James Stemple and Aritha? Thank you, Jill

Listers: Here's some more info on the John L. Goff and Olive Josephine Stemple that I'm looking for: The only thing I know for sure is that her grandfather was Fairy Lee Nester who married Arizona Goff. Arizona was the daughter of John L. Goff and Olive Josephine Stemple. John and Olive were married in 1878 in Calhoun County. John L. Goff's father was Peter and he was married to Sarah Kelley and had three children, John L., Waitman, and Columbia Goff as it appears in the 1860 Taylor county census. All the relatives lived in Barbour, Calhoun and Taylor counties including the Nester's from what I have gathered so far. Pam Repp Nashville, TN

In a message dated 3/3/00 8:40:24 AM Pacific Standard Time, Repphome writes: The Goff's have me stumped since I can not find anything about John L. Goff, son of Peter Goff The 1860 Taylor census lists Peter & Sarah Goff as parents and then Laverna, Columbia, John, and Waitman Goff as children. John L. Goff married a Josephine Stemple. Does this line sound familiar to anyone? Help would be greatly appreciated. Pam Repp Nashville, TN

Does anyone know about Andrew Coonts, Jr., born 1850, in particular his occupation as a gunsmith, and who he might have apprenticed with? Or, Daniel Shomo (b1792), James C. Shomo, or John M. (b1855), also gunsmiths? I had written several weeks ago inquiring about Joseph Daniels, a gunsmith, but am wondering whether these other gentlemen could have had any connection to Daniels. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone with knowledge of or interest in gunsmithing in Barbour County, mid 1800's. Thanks, Lee F. McGee [email protected]

To Judy: I received the document fairly well, though a few things were difficult or impossible to read. Under Levi Smith, I can't read his second and third marriages. John L. Smith was all I got at the bottom left. Under the Harris line, 3rd generation, is that "Page B. Harris" and I can't read the first name of the spouse--? Barrett. To Judy and others: Thanks for the info. I used what you sent and did some digging. I have Wes Cochran's books, "Randolph County, WV Marriages 1787-1923" and "Barbour County, WV Marriages 1843-1892". Here's what I found in the Randolph County book: page 11---Jacob Smith and Nancy Phillips, 11 Nov 1819 page 10---Henry Smith and Catharine Lesher, d/o Jacob, 3 May 1814 page 15---George Harris and Teny [Christena] Cross, 28 Apr 1822 page 24---John L. Smith, 39, Randolph and Mollie E. Chewning, 34, Randolph, 23 Nov 1890 page 46---Levi Smith and Sarah Wamsley, 13 Feb 1845 page 94---Levi Smith, s/o Jacob & Nancy, 41 (widower), Barbour (born), Randolph (resides), and Mariah Chewning, d/o Thomas & Elizabeth Quick, 33 (widow), Albemarle Co., Va (b.), Randolph (res.), 27 Nov 1867 In the Barbour County book: page 45---Levi J. B. Smith [Levi aboves son???] and Bashaby M. Talbott, 26 Aug 1872 {could that name be 'Bathsheba' ???] page. 84---George W. Harris and Mary Phillips, 6 Dec 1888 [this could have been George W. and Christena Cross Harris's son] I've received several queries about the "Western Waters..." book. The complete title is "The Western Waters: Early Settlers of Barbour Co., W. Va.", by Violet Gadd Coonts. I do not have the book, only copies of appropriate pages for my research. The book is out of print [I don't know the publisher], though I'm sure it can be found in many local (West Virginia) libraries or through inter-library loan. Dwight E. Sturm [email protected]

To Judy: I received the document fairly well, though a few things were difficult or impossible to read. Under Levi Smith, I can't read his second and third marriages. John L. Smith was all I got at the bottom left. Under the Harris line, 3rd generation, is that "Page B. Harris" and I can't read the first name of the spouse--? Barrett. To Judy and others: Thanks for the info. I used what you sent and did some digging. I have Wes Cochran's books, "Randolph County, WV Marriages 1787-1923" and "Barbour County, WV Marriages 1843-1892". Here's what I found in the Randolph County book: page 11---Jacob Smith and Nancy Phillips, 11 Nov 1819 page 10---Henry Smith and Catharine Lesher, d/o Jacob, 3 May 1814 page 15---George Harris and Teny [Christena] Cross, 28 Apr 1822 page 24---John L. Smith, 39, Randolph and Mollie E. Chewning, 34, Randolph, 23 Nov 1890 page 46---Levi Smith and Sarah Wamsley, 13 Feb 1845 page 94---Levi Smith, s/o Jacob & Nancy, 41 (widower), Barbour (born), Randolph (resides), and Mariah Chewning, d/o Thomas & Elizabeth Quick, 33 (widow), Albemarle Co., Va (b.), Randolph (res.), 27 Nov 1867 In the Barbour County book: page 45---Levi J. B. Smith [Levi aboves son???] and Bashaby M. Talbott, 26 Aug 1872 {could that name be 'Bathsheba' ???] page. 84---George W. Harris and Mary Phillips, 6 Dec 1888 [this could have been George W. and Christena Cross Harris's son] I've received several queries about the "Western Waters..." book. The complete title is "The Western Waters: Early Settlers of Barbour Co., W. Va.", by Violet Gadd Coonts. I do not have the book, only copies of appropriate pages for my research. The book is out of print [I don't know the publisher], though I'm sure it can be found in many local (West Virginia) libraries or through inter-library loan. Dwight E. Sturm [email protected]

Phyllis, You received this message in a roundabout way. I sent it to Bridgette Osz and I guess Carol picked it up from the message board. But I'm glad to get Carol's e mail address. I had lost contact with her. Now I can write her. I'll have to find Jeff's address. I lost all my addresses about 6 months ago and I haven't got all of them added again. ========================== On Mon, 28 Feb 2000 16:15:00 EST [email protected] writes: > Lillian Dodd: Carol Garret subscribes to [email protected] and > sent me > the following. > > << ridgette, > I'm trying to get caught up on messages, hence the delay in my > answer. > I have Robert and Mary Vannoy Johnson's marriage as 17 Mar 1768, > Hunterdon, NJ. I think Jeff Hatfield gave me this date. >> > > What documentatioin do you have for this marriage date and can you > please > email me Jeff Hatfield's email or smailmail address. > > Thanks much..Phyllis Vannoy Spiker

I was surfing the ebay section and came across a book for auction on ebay that was on Barbour Co . Maybe it can help someone. It is NOT my auction just thought I would pass the info on.

Phyllis, I went back to my files to see if I could find where I first saw the Lang story of the Gainers. other than from other researchers or genealogy newsletters. I said I would do this a couple of weeks ago and then forgot. I think the original story was printed in the Randolph Enterprise-Review, Elkins, WV, Feb 17 1966 issue, by W. S. Lang and Summie Gainer. He makes the statement that his great great grandmother was Elizabeth Gainer Fling . She was also my gggrandmother. I have a copy which I got from the microfilm at the State Archives in the 80's. The story was also printed in the Calhoun Co. Genealogy Society's "Lines and Links," in March 1979. It was submitted by Clarissa and Benjamin Tatterson, with the citation for W. S. Lang. "The Gainers" but didn't give a publication date. I also told someone here that I would give the address for the "Gainer Family Tree Newsletter." It's John D. Gainer, 116 Candlewyck Dr., Hurricane, WV 25526-1881. E-mail address [email protected] He charges $10 a year for his publication. Genealogy sure proves the adage "It's a small world." John Gainer is a Federal Marshal. On an official trip to Texas a few years ago, he had some free time and visited the library. There he found a copy of the Calhoun County History published by the Genealogy Society, There he found a short bio I had submitted which included my 2 Gainer foremothers. He called me late one night and I was sure something had happened to one of my children. But he just wanted to talk family. Lillian ================================ On Mon, 28 Feb 2000 17:50:33 EST [email protected] writes: > Hello to both of you & others. Another researcher said there was > Vannoy > query on the Randolph & Barbour Cos WV rootsweb lists. So I > subscribed & went > to the archives and found you 2 as researchers I have not in the > past > contacted. Good to see some activity of my surnames! > > I am descended form Benjamin Vannoy & Mary Shirley and also Robert > Johnson & > his wife Mary. > > I think, Lyle, Lillian Dodd credited you as knowing the marriage > date for > Robert Johnson & Mary Vannoy, please share the source of this data. > > > W.S.Lang Can anyone identify this man and certify how he knew so > much > about the Barbour Co families. He is credited with the family lore > of the > Gainer immigration. Seems this story has been passed down and many > Gainers > descendants knew it. Did he write a book or is there a file at any > of the > local libraries? > > <Alexander Huffman was supposedly born in Loudoun Co, VA.> I have > some > Loudoun Co resources and will try to help on this one what else do > you know > about his parents? > Did the Huffman family go to Allegany Co MD or straight to Randolph > CO VA? > Is there any earlier history of where there were before Loudoun Co? > > Phyllis Vannoy Spiker >

In a message dated 2/27/00 4:00:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: << From: [email protected] (Billie R. Lewis) To: [email protected] Can anyone help with parents for these lost females: 1st wife of Jacob Barker in Richmond, Va. ca. 1782; Spicey SCOTT who mar. Isaac Barker and died 1852; Millie STAN(D)LEY who mar. Philip O. Harless in montgomery Co. Va. in1791; wife of Jacob Harman>Catharina ______ who d. in Augusta county after May, 1764; wife of James Mayes b. ca. 1705; Elizabeth who mar. John WEEKS in early 1700's possibly in Washington Co. Va; first wife of Isaac WILLIAMS, died in Montgomery /GILESCo. Va. before 1815. Appreciate any clues. Billie in Florida >> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wanda Wamsley Balducci A descendant of Confederate Soldiers of the War Between the States - a war fought for Constitutional liberty, states rights, and defense of home and family.

This is in response to some questions posed by Joan Wyatt on 26 Feb. First, parents of Hannah Smith who married Simeon Harris: In Violet Gadd Coonts', "Western Waters...", she gives Hannahs parents as William Smith, Sr. and Margaret (last name unkown). William Smith, Sr. died about 1809 in Randolph County, (West) Virginia. Second, in regards to Sarah J. Phillips, b. 1834, d/o Daniel M. and Hulda Smith Phillips---I have a DOB for Daniel M. Phillips as 1830 in Randolph Co., and an approximate marriage date to Hulda Smith as 1854. If these dates are correct, then either Sarah's DOB is wrong, or her parents were not Daniel M. and Hulda (Smith) Phillips. Can someone out there please straighten this out? Thanks, Dwight

Can anyone tell me anything about James Smith parents? James was born 5/27/1771 died 7/28/1854 He married Hester Morris in Harrison Co WV Any help would be appreciated . Thanks Marie

RE The Western Waters. -- pp 219 Christina Westfall married Simeon Harris on Dec 20 1784. Christina died within two years and Simeon mrried Hannah Smith, daughter of William Smith of Barbour Co. pp 255 Hannah Smith married Simeon Harris while the area was Harrison Co Oct 24 1786. Another Daughter Elizabeth married Henry Paine on Dec 26 1797. They were married by Pineas Wells who was marring couples in Barbour Co. pp 273 land transactions. Bob Hershman, College Place, WA ----- Original Message ----- From: grabbag <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 7:14 PM Subject: Re: WVBARBOU-D Digest V00 #23 > Hi Joan, > I'd suggest that you look in Western Waters for info on the Smiths. I > don't know much about them but seems once I saw some info in that book > about the Smith's If your interested in Eastern Barbour Co. Western > Waters is almost like the bible on that area. Good luck. > Jeff > > > > > Subject: Harris, Smith, Phillips, McKinney,Lesher, England and Other Surnames > > Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 05:08:26 -0500 > > From: Joan Wyatt <[email protected]> > > To: [email protected] > > > > > Good Morning all, > > > > I am looking for the parents of Hannah Smith that married Simeon Harris. > > > > J. Levi Phillips married Mary McKinney, when and where did Mary die? > > > > Daniel M. Phillips and Hulda Smith had a daughter, Sarah J. Phillips b. 1834 > > that married Augustus J. England in 1856. Anyone have anything on them? > > > > Looking for info on Henry Smith that settled on the waters of Sugar Creek with > > his brother Jacob. Henry married Catherine Lesher d/o Jacob Lesher. Any info on > > this family? > > > > J.E.Williamson Smith was the grandson of Henry Smith. He was born in Barkers > > District on Bills Creek, Jan.13,1848. > > > > If you have anything on these families, I would love to hear from you > > Thanks, > > Joan >

Hello to both of you & others. Another researcher said there was Vannoy query on the Randolph & Barbour Cos WV rootsweb lists. So I subscribed & went to the archives and found you 2 as researchers I have not in the past contacted. Good to see some activity of my surnames! I am descended form Benjamin Vannoy & Mary Shirley and also Robert Johnson & his wife Mary. I think, Lyle, Lillian Dodd credited you as knowing the marriage date for Robert Johnson & Mary Vannoy, please share the source of this data. W.S.Lang Can anyone identify this man and certify how he knew so much about the Barbour Co families. He is credited with the family lore of the Gainer immigration. Seems this story has been passed down and many Gainers descendants knew it. Did he write a book or is there a file at any of the local libraries? <Alexander Huffman was supposedly born in Loudoun Co, VA.> I have some Loudoun Co resources and will try to help on this one what else do you know about his parents? Did the Huffman family go to Allegany Co MD or straight to Randolph CO VA? Is there any earlier history of where there were before Loudoun Co? Phyllis Vannoy Spiker

> Good Morning all, I am looking for the parents of Hannah Smith that married Simeon Harris. J. Levi Phillips married Mary McKinney, when and where did Mary die? Daniel M. Phillips and Hulda Smith had a daughter, Sarah J. Phillips b. 1834 that married Augustus J. England in 1856. Anyone have anything on them? Looking for info on Henry Smith that settled on the waters of Sugar Creek with his brother Jacob. Henry married Catherine Lesher d/o Jacob Lesher. Any info on this family? J.E.Williamson Smith was the grandson of Henry Smith. He was born in Barkers District on Bills Creek, Jan.13,1848. If you have anything on these families, I would love to hear from you Thanks, Joan

Need any help I can get on this one: Jesse Reeder, b ca 1788 in Maryland, m 1805 in Harrison Co, Nancy Elizabeth Blackwell, b 1782 Maryland, d/o Jesse & Elizbeth Blackwell. They lived in Barbour County. Children: 1. Hannah Reeder, b 1813, d by 1857, m Leonard D. Sims b. 1812, d 1879/Lewis County. 2. Elizabeth J. Reeder, b 1815. What became of her? 3. Lucinda Reeder, b ca 1821 What became of her? 4. Cydney Reeder, b ca 1838 (child or grandchild??) 5. I think, Austin Reeder, b ca 1815, d 1889/Barbour Co. Buried Crislip Cemetery. Married Mariah Wright. Need solid proof for this one. Have much circumstantial evidence. Joy Stalnaker

Dear friends of WV genealogy and local history. This note is a bit political; but, I hope you will understand when you see how it affects what we as genealogists do. Two years ago I had a call from a man in Webster County asking me how he could get permission to visit his wife's grave. She was buried in a family cemetery on land that had formerly belonged to the family. Now the land was sold and the landowners were denying him access to the cemetery. I had to tell him that there was no law permitting him access, that the landowner was within his rights in denying access. Last year a family here in Lewis County ran afoul of the landowner when they tried to bury their mother in what was once a church cemetery. The land around the cemetery had been sold, the new property owner had built a new house across the access road and would not permit the hearse to carry the mother to her final resting place. The case did go to court, a ruling was made for the establishment of a new road (which has not yet been done), and the landowner claims that he doesn't have to permit the family access to visit their mother's grave. Recently, a son of the family, after giving the property owner two weeks notice, was met by a man with a gun when he tried to visit his mother's grave. I know of other similar cases as these scattered around the state. Last year a bill was introduced in the WV Senate that would have addressed these problems. The House did not pass the bill. A couple of weeks ago, the WV Senate passed SB 90 which, if adopted by the House or if combined with a bill from the House would be a step forward in permitting access to family or private cemeteries by cemetery plot owners, heirs of deceased persons, family members of deceased persons and persons interested in engaging in genealogy research for the purposes of visitation of the grave sites, maintenance of the grave site or cemetery or research. It would also create a cause of action for injunctive relief if a person is not permitted access to the cemetery, requires visitors to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and limits the use of motor vehicles when accessing the cemetery. Now the House has HB 4370 in committee. If it does not get out of committee and if it is not acted upon in the next couple of weeks, the bill will die and there will be no relief. You can read HB4370 in its entirety at: http://129.71.161.247/scripts/as_web.exe?hbills2000+D+7832961 You can read the committee version of SB 90 (the one that passed) at: http://129.71.161.247/scripts/as_web.exe?sbills2000+D+9151603 The genealogical and historical communities in West Virginia began acting in concert four years ago when we established History Day at the Legislature. Now is the time for us to get our act even more together and contact our delegates about the importance of this bill!!! The property rights activists are sending negative comments to the sponsors of this bill and others. Let us, West Virginia's genealogists, family researchers and historians, work together to preserve an important part of our history and gain access to our sacred grounds. If you live in West Virginia, please contact your delegate about this bill and getting it out of committee. Some of the people who can help us get this out of committee and hopefully get it approved are Delegates Rick Staten, Bob Ashley, Oscar Hines and the delegates who introduced the bill: Facemyer, Faircloth, L. White, Amores. If you live out of state and want to offer your comments, you can send them snail mail to any of the persons named in last paragraph. Address it to them at the WV House of Delegates, Capitol Building, Charleston, WV 25305 - or send to me via e-mail and I will print them out and take them with me to Charleston next Wednesday evening (for History Day on Thursday). For further information about the legislature you can visit http://www.LEGIS.state.wv.us Some friends and I are sending this to all the county-L lists here in WV. Please feel free to pass it on to others you know who are interested in West Virginia's cemeteries. Thanks for listening (er, reading), folks. Joy Stalnaker Member of the Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants WV Archives and History Commission Member Member of Mining Your History Foundation, WV's statewide genealogy association

This Thursday is WV History Day at the capitol building in Charleston. Many county genealogical and historical societies will have displays and attempt to inform our legislators about our needs in these areas. In addition, the state will be honoring History Heroes, individuals for most counties who have done work for history and genealogy at the grassroots level. Hope to see you there. Joy Stalnaker WV Archives and History Commission Member

interested in the Murpyh surname , Need more information on GEN Connect have never used it