Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1434 Surname: Osborne ------------------------- Looking for anyone who has Osborne info in the Hampshire Co or Frederick Co, VA area.

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1433 Surname: Osburn ------------------------- I was wondering if you found out any info on your query and also if you could pass along any Osburn info you may have.

Thanks for the info appreciate it. Alice At 06:48 AM 10/9/00 -0400, you wrote: >I found it using Topzone mapping Tug Fork is in Buchanan CO VA There are >four other Tug Forks in WV, in Jackson, Nicholas, Wayne and Wood counties. >This site will also give you a map. >----- Original Message ----- >From: "alice" <syrex@coslink.net> >To: <WVHARDY-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2000 8:58 PM >Subject: Tug Fork location > > >> Hi, >> >> Can anyone tell me where Tug Fork, Va. was or is located? >> >> All help appreciated. >> >> Thank You, >> Alice >> > > >

I found it using Topzone mapping Tug Fork is in Buchanan CO VA There are four other Tug Forks in WV, in Jackson, Nicholas, Wayne and Wood counties. This site will also give you a map. ----- Original Message ----- From: "alice" <syrex@coslink.net> To: <WVHARDY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2000 8:58 PM Subject: Tug Fork location > Hi, > > Can anyone tell me where Tug Fork, Va. was or is located? > > All help appreciated. > > Thank You, > Alice >

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1432 Surname: Caplinger ------------------------- I am looking for info on John H. Caplinger b. abt 1780 in Hampshire Co., WV, he married Louisa ?. If anyone has any info on this family I would appreciate it. I am descended through John's son King Hiram Caplinger.

I understand the first church in Hampshire was also near Levels, over near Three Churches. 1760-ish??? ----- Original Message ----- From: "macbd1" <macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 3:45 PM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] School History... > Tootsie said in querying where her gg-f attended school: > > >Neil, > >I am speaking of my ggrandfather Isaac White going to school in > >South Branch (the town of.) In his Civil War papers a POLING > >writes that they knew each other in Hampshire and went to school > >together. The 1850 census has my gg-f as a student. > >I know Poling's and White's married in Hampshire and matter a > >fact one of Isaac's daughters m. a Poling in Ohio. > > Tootsie, > After further thinking about this, suspecting that the village of South > Branch had insufficient numbers to support its own school in 1850, that the > nearby town of Levels was within normal school-walking distance for the > times (two miles, maybe less), and that records say Levels had one of the > few school buildings in the county in 1850, I believe it is safe to say, > with a very high degree of likelihood, that your gg-f attended a one-room > log-constructed school in/near Levels in 1850. > > One assumption I make is that the age of your gg-f in 1850 was of > approximate age for grades one to eight. If he were aged 17-18 or older, it > is of course possible he was attending one of the higher education academies > in Romney, possibly boarding there during the school term. It is of course > even possible that your gg-f was boarding in Romney to attend its possibly > 'better' grade school, but I would only suspect this, or the academy case, > if his parents were rather wealthy and your gg-f was some kind of > professional while in his early 20's. > > It's difficult to cover every possible base. Some people in those days, who > may have received only a few years of formal schooling, then 'self-studied' > and trained with professionals such as doctors, lawyers, bankers and > businessmen to attain this status in their adult years. Even today, in my > area where a large Amish settlement is located, and where the Amish children > only attend school through grade eight, there are many who have developed > large businesses, or who use high-tech electrically powered tools (including > computers) during the day -- then go to their homes of limited amenities, > including electricity, after work. > > Comments anybody? > Neil McDonald > > > >

A couple months ago there was email traffic and we were trying to identify where both towns were. Some new where South Branch was and some knew where FRENCH's Station was. Just goes to show, there is no rule that a town has to go by one name. Nikep-Pekin. ----- Original Message ----- From: "macbd1" <macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 5:18 PM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] South Branch and FRENCH's Station > Tootsie, Dan, Elaine and all, > > Present day maps still show the two town names as one place, "South Branch" > in bold letters with parenthetical "(French Sta)" just below. See > http://www.topozone.com/ as one on-line map source. Enter Oldtown and > select MD from the list as one starting point to maneuver and zoom-in on the > area (I didn't try "South Branch" or "French Sta" and WV.) Or, following is > the URL directly to the specific map location if it will work from a > hyperlink: > http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.5271&lon=-78.5884&size=s&s=25 > Another map service is: > http://terraserver.microsoft.com , or > http://www.terraserver.com where a person can select either a topographical > map or aerial photo for viewing; the latter provides a 'good feel' of > presence in the area...or at least a magnified aerial photo may suffice if a > person can't personally visit the area. Btw, these aerial maps for various > locations may be saved into a user's imaging software, allowing the photos > to be edited by 'drawing in' ancestral land plats, cemetery and fort > locations, migration paths, etc, or by adding text notes of historical or > genealogical reference -- such as a town name. > > I have a map of Hampshire Co. WV that also shows "South Branch" as a > community or village (per the map legend), at the identical location shown > on Toots' map (we have corresponded privately.) Its little circle of > identification is the same size and type as for other small towns in the > general area, indicating it was more than a newly developed railroad station > or watering stop. (Recall Toots' info from an 1884 WV State Gazetteer.) > > I have posted my interest in this South Branch town name at this mailing > list and others at prior times. My ancestor, Valentine > McDaniel-McDonell-McDonald (spelling variants) said in his Rev War pension > records that he was born *at* South Branch of the Potomac River on 11 Jan > 1760. (His father was Joseph while his mother's name is unknown to me.) > Now maybe I'm reading too much into this *at* word (as opposed to 'along' or > 'at a settlement area of'), but I have often wondered whether this 'South > Branch' was the name of a settlement or community as early as the 1750's. > To support this I once found a mid-1700's on-line historical map that > showed a dot with the name 'South Branch' near it, the location of the > name-printing indicating it was for the dot and not the river (I'll need to > search further into my computer files for this map when it is reloaded, I'm > presently reworking it while using my wife's computer.) At any rate, this > dot and 'South Branch' name on this 1750's map is at the identical location > shown on the above maps. > > The authors Hu Maxwell and H. L. Swisher, in their "History of Hampshire > County West Virginia" (1897) say on p. 17: "Prior to the outbreak of the of > the French and Indian war in 1755, there were settlements all along the > Potomac river..." including within Hampshire County among others, the > authors acknowledging that some of the counties they name were not yet > formed at the time. However, the names of many such early settlements are > excluded as are they similarly treated in other history references -- or at > least I have been unable to find any reference to a mid-1700's 'South > Branch' settlement or village, except when intended to describe the entire > multi-county region. > > Is it possible that a little settlement or community of the mid 1700's was > named 'South Branch,' prior to the development of 'French's Station'? Or > was 'South Branch' a more easily stated common name used by river traders > and locals for 'French's Station?' At least in my mind I can understand how > a settlement near the mouth of the South Branch of the Potomac River could > be more readily named or called 'South Branch' -- this name rolls more > easily off the tongue (two syllables rather than four) and it serves to > describe the settlement and river-mouth simultaneously, as in "There's South > Branch!" when paddling up river from the east. For the same reasons I can > understand why this name may have been the more dominant over most of the > passing years, although Dan describes records and times as late as 1920 when > 'French's Station' or simply 'French' was apparently preferred. > > As to dating railroads of the area, the bicentennial "Historic Hampshire, A > Symposium of Hampshire County and Its People, Past and Present," edited by > Selden W. Brannon 1976, says: "The history of railroading in Hampshire > County goes back to 1871. Three railroads, later absorbed by the Baltimore > and Ohio, combined to make the branch line." To paraphrase the remainder, > the first line was the South Branch Railway Company, incorporated by a WV > legislative act on 23 Feb 1871. An act enlarging the corporation was > approved in 1872 but little progress was made, except for purchasing rights > of way and conducting some grading, until 1883 when the B&O agreed to > complete construction and operate the railroad. Work began immediately and > the road from Green Spring to Romney was opened for traffic on 1 Sep 1884. > The B&O continued to operate the line until the B&O formally acquired it in > 1912. The second line, the Hampshire Southern Railroad, to service Romney > to McNeill and on to Petersburg was not operated until 1910. The third > line was the Moorefield and Virginia, incorporated 1910. For some reason > this writing overlooks the date of railroad work for the east-west main B&O > line that runs along the Potomac through South Branch (French Sta.) and > Green Spring. > Dan...was this the pre-Civil War railroad you mentioned? Do you have > further brief particulars? > > If the first north-south railway had been built from the settlement on the > 'east' side of the So. Br. River, instead of Green Spring on its 'west,' we > likely would not have needed to work so hard to find the community or > village of South Branch. While my map shows one passing or storage track > north of Green Spring, Tootsie's map shows 'a stack' of several storage > tracks north of the main B&O line. So...Green Spring must have been a hub > of railroad traffic in its day (I don't know its status today.) Both maps s > how the north-south line from Green Spring to Romney Junction, so both were > of course made later than 1871, and since route numbers are shown for > several auto-roads, these maps must date to some time in the 1900's. > > I hope that one of our historians at this list has something to add about > South Branch-French's Station -- or that one of the local Hampshire County > subscribers can take the time to inquire at a library, genealogical or > historical society and post a response. > > Tootsie is also trying to learn where her ancestors might have gone to > school, if they lived in/near the town of South Branch -- I believe she is > talking about the late 1800's, or possibly into the 1900's. The town of > 'Levels' (about 3-5 miles south on road 5-7) is the nearest town that > apparently had a post office at the time of above map drawing, although *I > suspect* one-room country schools, with teacher and building provided by > local inhabitants, were the only means of education in rural areas -- but > will leave this to more knowledgeable local folks. In other areas of > familiarity, I know some 'serious' students are known to have boarded with > 'in-town' family or friends many miles away during school times of the > 1800's. Conversely, many children of rural areas only attended school when > or if they could in those days, obtaining their education informally at > later times in their life, if at all. I'll check the above mentioned > bicentennial source for more particulars. > > Thanks to all for any help, > Neil McDonald > >

Like I said, there must be story behind it being known by 2 names. Or, maybe not ... like Washington or DC. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine D Tomkins" <edtom@megsinet.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 2:10 AM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] South Branch and FRENCH's Station > We have in my family, a letter written by my g-grandfather in June 1875. At the > top of the letter, it indicates that he was living in South Branch. At the > bottom, he writes instructions for my grandfather to "direct" a letter to him at > Springfield, Hampshire Co., W.Va. From this I would assume that the Springfield > Post Office was handling mail for South Branch in 1875. Since maps of today > identify it as South Branch, I am wondering in what time frame the name French's > Station was used. > > Like many small communities, even though Higginsville may no longer have a post > office, it still exists. My late aunt was postmistress there in the 1940's, and > it still appears on some maps. > > Elaine > > Toots wrote: > > > Thanks for the info > > But it was called South Branch in 1884 and when I was asking about it the time > > frame was 1850. I have a map now and feel like I just inherited the state. > > > > DanlHarris wrote: > > > > > There has been a lot of discussion about some towns that no longer exist. > > > > > > South Branch and FRENCH's Station are the same. The FRENCH's Station Post > > > Office still stands. I hope to get a picture of it when the leaves fall and > > > is more visible. > > > > > > Also, FRENCHburg is located on Little Cacapon River where Rt 50 crosses the > > > river. > > > > > > Lastly, HIGGINSville is located about 3 miles down stream (Little Cacapon) > > > from FRENCHburg or about 3 miles across the hills southward from FRENCH's > > > Station. >

Like I said, there isn't much there... one building boarded up. About 300 yards down river there is a farm house. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Toots" <thelma1@ameritech.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 12:06 AM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] South Branch and FRENCH's Station > Dan, > You don't know how I couldn't believe non of the people from the area knew there > was a place called South Branch and not the river. If you get to what might be > South Branch and take pictures would you please send me one???? In the 1884 > Gazetteer it states this: South Branch Depot, a small station on the B & O, in > Hampshire County, 20 miles from Romney ch, and 130 miles from Wheeling. Ex, B & > O Mail daily. W. N. Guthrie postmaster. > This South Branch has drove me crazy every since I got my ggrandfather's civil > war papers and he and his friend thought they lived in South Branch and went to > school somewhere. > Which brings to mind does anyone know how to get a hold of the WV Education > whatever? I found some school info online so it is possible I might luck out > and find the school. > > Tootsie Shoemaker Tomlinson > > DanlHarris wrote: > > > There must be a story behind the two names. > > > > Could it have been a boat port? That area was granted by Lord Fairfax to > > James FRENCH in 1749. There are records of barges and boats shipping to > > Alexandria/Washington carrying skins, wood and farm products from that area. > > The spot would be a great launching point (boats/barges) onto the Potomac > > and may have been a natural place for a rail station. It is still used to > > put in/take out canoes. The railroad was built before the War Between the > > States and FRENCH's Station was a warehouse/loading station for access for > > farmers, loggers, merchantile, manufacturers on the east side of the South > > Branch River to the railroad (Green Springs on the west side, Oldtown on the > > north). I haven't looked at the land records, but I understand the FRENCH's > > owned the area into the 1900s (Court Case - Mrs Florence FRENCH and Judge > > Armstrong, about 1900). Here it is referred to as FRENCH's Depot. In 1907, > > is was called FRENCH WV (B&O Railroad photos). I understand the building > > that still stands had a sign that said FRENCH WV. The general store photo > > (I estimate about 1920 photo based on peoples clothes) is FRENCH WV. The > > map I have says South Branch (1999). > > > > Today, I only know of one farm house and the old FRENCH's building there. I > > guess this is another way to forget a ghost town -- change names. Why > > change the name??? > > > > If I ever get to the Post Office archives, it would be interesting to look > > up the records. Curious. > > > > Not many people know Fredericktown was the original name for Winchester ... > > and for a long period. > > > > Dan Harris > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Toots" <thelma1@ameritech.net> > > To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2000 9:17 PM > > Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] South Branch and FRENCH's Station > > > > > Thanks for the info > > > But it was called South Branch in 1884 and when I was asking about it the > > time > > > frame was 1850. I have a map now and feel like I just inherited the > > state. > > > Tootsie > > > > > > DanlHarris wrote: > > > > > > > There has been a lot of discussion about some towns that no longer > > exist. > > > > > > > > South Branch and FRENCH's Station are the same. The FRENCH's Station > > Post > > > > Office still stands. I hope to get a picture of it when the leaves fall > > and > > > > is more visible. > > > > > > > > Also, FRENCHburg is located on Little Cacapon River where Rt 50 crosses > > the > > > > river. > > > > > > > > Lastly, HIGGINSville is located about 3 miles down stream (Little > > Cacapon) > > > > from FRENCHburg or about 3 miles across the hills southward from > > FRENCH's > > > > Station. > > > >

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1431 Surname: Barrow, Smith, Kline, Sargent, Steele ------------------------- Could your Adam Kline's daughter Rebecca be the same Rebecca E. Cline/Kline who married Samuel Barrow in Frederick Co. VA in 1848? I have quite a few Klines descended from John Jacob Kline and Eva Dusong through Anthony in my database, esp. Anthony's son Daniel Kline. But I didn't know for sure which line Rebecca was from. Perhaps you can help me add the correct info on Adam's line. Please visit my website and check out the Klines. The Klines had a mill called Kline's Mill which I believe John Jacob Kline founded. This was near Middletown and Stephens City I believe (both in Frederick Co.) One of the Anthonys (M. or B, father and son) also had a building supply store. My Smiths were in debt to one of the Anthonys along with othe people. You can view some of the transactions in my page of land and other transactions re Lewis Smith and his sons. I have a lot of Klines who married Smiths through three generations. Would love to find out more. Link: Smiths and Related Families of Warren and Frederick Co. Virginia URL: <http://geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/8458/>

Tootsie said in querying where her gg-f attended school: >Neil, >I am speaking of my ggrandfather Isaac White going to school in >South Branch (the town of.) In his Civil War papers a POLING >writes that they knew each other in Hampshire and went to school >together. The 1850 census has my gg-f as a student. >I know Poling's and White's married in Hampshire and matter a >fact one of Isaac's daughters m. a Poling in Ohio. Tootsie, After further thinking about this, suspecting that the village of South Branch had insufficient numbers to support its own school in 1850, that the nearby town of Levels was within normal school-walking distance for the times (two miles, maybe less), and that records say Levels had one of the few school buildings in the county in 1850, I believe it is safe to say, with a very high degree of likelihood, that your gg-f attended a one-room log-constructed school in/near Levels in 1850. One assumption I make is that the age of your gg-f in 1850 was of approximate age for grades one to eight. If he were aged 17-18 or older, it is of course possible he was attending one of the higher education academies in Romney, possibly boarding there during the school term. It is of course even possible that your gg-f was boarding in Romney to attend its possibly 'better' grade school, but I would only suspect this, or the academy case, if his parents were rather wealthy and your gg-f was some kind of professional while in his early 20's. It's difficult to cover every possible base. Some people in those days, who may have received only a few years of formal schooling, then 'self-studied' and trained with professionals such as doctors, lawyers, bankers and businessmen to attain this status in their adult years. Even today, in my area where a large Amish settlement is located, and where the Amish children only attend school through grade eight, there are many who have developed large businesses, or who use high-tech electrically powered tools (including computers) during the day -- then go to their homes of limited amenities, including electricity, after work. Comments anybody? Neil McDonald

The first school in Hampshire Co., VA (WV) was located near Pearsall's Fort (Romney) in 1753, serving as a church as well as school (Re: G. Washington papers.) Washington describes the building as constructed of rough logs chinked with clay, a puncheon floor with hewn side up, the doors of clapboards and its one window was of paper greased with lard. An 8 foot fireplace served for heat and supplementary light. Author's note: This type of structure was typical of those to follow during the next hundred years. Furniture of early schools consisted of seats/benches made of split logs hewn smooth on the surface, supported by smaller logs thrust into auger holes on the under side for legs (no backs.) Writing was done with quill pens on a slab supported by pins driven into the wall to serve as a desk. "The first teachers were hired by having a paper passed around the community and each parent indicated how many children he would send and whether the teacher could expect remuneration, produce or board." "Schooling depended on subscription until 1810 when the general assembly of Virginia created what was known as the Literary Fund to be apportioned among the counties for the education of poor children...the first step toward free schools as we know them today." In 1818 an act was passed for the appointment of county school commissioners. In 1845 an act was passed authorizing the county court to redistrict the counties and appoint a commissioner of each school district. In 1846 an act was passed giving local people the right to build and operate a district school if two-thirds of them voted for such. "There is no evidence that any great advantage was ever made of either of these (1845,1846) acts in Hampshire County." "A very old schoolhouse with dirt floor and a chimney built of mud and sticks was standing as early as 1845 three miles from Forks of Capon near North River. Schoolhouses were built on Sandy Ridge and at Forks of Capon about 1835. One was built near (the town of) Levels in 1840 (a relatively short distance south of the town of South Branch or French's Station.) At the close of of the War Between the States there were not more than eight or ten small, crude, and poorly furnished public school buildings in the county." At the first meeting of the West Virginia Legislature on 20 Dec 1863, an act established a public school system where voters of each township were to elect a county superintendent. The first board of education in the county was in Romney Twp 1864, other twp's soon following. "School terms were from two to four months. An act of 1872 provided for a board of education to be elected for each district and three trustees for each school." Superintendents were responsible for testing and granting certificates to teacher candidates, visiting each school at least three times during the term and securing as far as possible uniformity in textbooks throughout the county. "Teachers were granted five grades of certificates and were paid accordingly -- from ten dollars a month for lowest to thirty dollars for highest grade. Very much the same organization existed after sixty years when in 1933 the county-unit school system was created. However, higher standards had been set for teacher qualifications and salaries had been considerably improved (as)...Under the Public School Act of 1872 much progress was made in creating a general education program for all the children of the county." As to higher education, the first in Hampshire County was Romney Academy (1820), becoming Romney Classical Institute in 1846. The Potomac Seminary was organized in 1850 (where I wonder?.) "Both schools closed during the War Between the States...Potomac Seminary reopened after the war and was later named Potomac Academy which operated until 1916. Springfield Academy opened about 1854 but closed permanently at the beginning of the Civil War." Source: "Historic Hampshire, A Symposium of Hampshire County and Its People, Past and Present," edited by Selden W. Brannon, McClain Printing Company, Parsons, WV 1976. Neil McDonald

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/WV/Hampshire/1429 Surname: Harness, Harper, Kuykendall, McNeill, Pancake, Renick, Roseboom, See, Seymour, Smalley, van Meter, Yoakum ------------------------- I have just published on my web site a set of family group sheets for my McNeill ancestors and many related families. Many of these families came from PA before the Revolution. Many were cattle dealers. Be sure to read the NOTES for certain people as there's a lot of history there. Link: McNeill and Related Familes URL: <http://www.juch.org/McNeill/index.htm>

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/WV/Hampshire/1428 Surname: Parsons, Van Meter, Vanmeter ------------------------- I have just published on my web site a set of family group sheets including many PARSONs and VAN METERs. Unfortunately not yours, but probably their ancestors. You can try to work down to them. Link: McNeill and Related Familes URL: <http://www.juch.org/McNeill/index.htm>

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1427 Surname: Parker, McGuire ------------------------- Hi Pat. Here is how I think it went and supported by John Parker's will. John Parker had 6 chlidren, two (2) were girls, Catherine and Elizabeth. Catherine married William Foreman. The daughter Elizabeth married John Nalle Jr. The wife of John Parker was also Elizabeth ____ ? and she is the one that remarried Thomas McGuire after the death of John Parker.

Tootsie, Dan, Elaine and all, Present day maps still show the two town names as one place, "South Branch" in bold letters with parenthetical "(French Sta)" just below. See http://www.topozone.com/ as one on-line map source. Enter Oldtown and select MD from the list as one starting point to maneuver and zoom-in on the area (I didn't try "South Branch" or "French Sta" and WV.) Or, following is the URL directly to the specific map location if it will work from a hyperlink: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.5271&lon=-78.5884&size=s&s=25 Another map service is: http://terraserver.microsoft.com , or http://www.terraserver.com where a person can select either a topographical map or aerial photo for viewing; the latter provides a 'good feel' of presence in the area...or at least a magnified aerial photo may suffice if a person can't personally visit the area. Btw, these aerial maps for various locations may be saved into a user's imaging software, allowing the photos to be edited by 'drawing in' ancestral land plats, cemetery and fort locations, migration paths, etc, or by adding text notes of historical or genealogical reference -- such as a town name. I have a map of Hampshire Co. WV that also shows "South Branch" as a community or village (per the map legend), at the identical location shown on Toots' map (we have corresponded privately.) Its little circle of identification is the same size and type as for other small towns in the general area, indicating it was more than a newly developed railroad station or watering stop. (Recall Toots' info from an 1884 WV State Gazetteer.) I have posted my interest in this South Branch town name at this mailing list and others at prior times. My ancestor, Valentine McDaniel-McDonell-McDonald (spelling variants) said in his Rev War pension records that he was born *at* South Branch of the Potomac River on 11 Jan 1760. (His father was Joseph while his mother's name is unknown to me.) Now maybe I'm reading too much into this *at* word (as opposed to 'along' or 'at a settlement area of'), but I have often wondered whether this 'South Branch' was the name of a settlement or community as early as the 1750's. To support this I once found a mid-1700's on-line historical map that showed a dot with the name 'South Branch' near it, the location of the name-printing indicating it was for the dot and not the river (I'll need to search further into my computer files for this map when it is reloaded, I'm presently reworking it while using my wife's computer.) At any rate, this dot and 'South Branch' name on this 1750's map is at the identical location shown on the above maps. The authors Hu Maxwell and H. L. Swisher, in their "History of Hampshire County West Virginia" (1897) say on p. 17: "Prior to the outbreak of the of the French and Indian war in 1755, there were settlements all along the Potomac river..." including within Hampshire County among others, the authors acknowledging that some of the counties they name were not yet formed at the time. However, the names of many such early settlements are excluded as are they similarly treated in other history references -- or at least I have been unable to find any reference to a mid-1700's 'South Branch' settlement or village, except when intended to describe the entire multi-county region. Is it possible that a little settlement or community of the mid 1700's was named 'South Branch,' prior to the development of 'French's Station'? Or was 'South Branch' a more easily stated common name used by river traders and locals for 'French's Station?' At least in my mind I can understand how a settlement near the mouth of the South Branch of the Potomac River could be more readily named or called 'South Branch' -- this name rolls more easily off the tongue (two syllables rather than four) and it serves to describe the settlement and river-mouth simultaneously, as in "There's South Branch!" when paddling up river from the east. For the same reasons I can understand why this name may have been the more dominant over most of the passing years, although Dan describes records and times as late as 1920 when 'French's Station' or simply 'French' was apparently preferred. As to dating railroads of the area, the bicentennial "Historic Hampshire, A Symposium of Hampshire County and Its People, Past and Present," edited by Selden W. Brannon 1976, says: "The history of railroading in Hampshire County goes back to 1871. Three railroads, later absorbed by the Baltimore and Ohio, combined to make the branch line." To paraphrase the remainder, the first line was the South Branch Railway Company, incorporated by a WV legislative act on 23 Feb 1871. An act enlarging the corporation was approved in 1872 but little progress was made, except for purchasing rights of way and conducting some grading, until 1883 when the B&O agreed to complete construction and operate the railroad. Work began immediately and the road from Green Spring to Romney was opened for traffic on 1 Sep 1884. The B&O continued to operate the line until the B&O formally acquired it in 1912. The second line, the Hampshire Southern Railroad, to service Romney to McNeill and on to Petersburg was not operated until 1910. The third line was the Moorefield and Virginia, incorporated 1910. For some reason this writing overlooks the date of railroad work for the east-west main B&O line that runs along the Potomac through South Branch (French Sta.) and Green Spring. Dan...was this the pre-Civil War railroad you mentioned? Do you have further brief particulars? If the first north-south railway had been built from the settlement on the 'east' side of the So. Br. River, instead of Green Spring on its 'west,' we likely would not have needed to work so hard to find the community or village of South Branch. While my map shows one passing or storage track north of Green Spring, Tootsie's map shows 'a stack' of several storage tracks north of the main B&O line. So...Green Spring must have been a hub of railroad traffic in its day (I don't know its status today.) Both maps s how the north-south line from Green Spring to Romney Junction, so both were of course made later than 1871, and since route numbers are shown for several auto-roads, these maps must date to some time in the 1900's. I hope that one of our historians at this list has something to add about South Branch-French's Station -- or that one of the local Hampshire County subscribers can take the time to inquire at a library, genealogical or historical society and post a response. Tootsie is also trying to learn where her ancestors might have gone to school, if they lived in/near the town of South Branch -- I believe she is talking about the late 1800's, or possibly into the 1900's. The town of 'Levels' (about 3-5 miles south on road 5-7) is the nearest town that apparently had a post office at the time of above map drawing, although *I suspect* one-room country schools, with teacher and building provided by local inhabitants, were the only means of education in rural areas -- but will leave this to more knowledgeable local folks. In other areas of familiarity, I know some 'serious' students are known to have boarded with 'in-town' family or friends many miles away during school times of the 1800's. Conversely, many children of rural areas only attended school when or if they could in those days, obtaining their education informally at later times in their life, if at all. I'll check the above mentioned bicentennial source for more particulars. Thanks to all for any help, Neil McDonald

Posted on: Hampshire County, WV Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/Hampshire/1426 Surname: McGuire ------------------------- Searching for family of Pheobe McGuire. Married Richard M. Wolford. Shown on 1860 Census Hampshire Co.

Does anyone have a Frederick "Fred" Wagoner/Wagner in their database? Fred appears in the 1900 Mineral Co census (Frankfort District). He was 18 at the time, and still living with his parents and siblings. I believe that his father was named either Josiah or Joseph. Thanks, Mark Holt.

Good Morning Hermon, Thank you for your reply. Yes, some of my Parkers did migrate to Knox Co. Ohio with Durbins, Logsdons, etc. in early 1800's. My Robert Parker, Durbins, Logsdons, were all found living in the area Westward of Fort Cumberland in late 1700's in area called Wills Town. Drucilla Sapp d/o M.M. "Polly" Parker Sapp & Frederick Sapp, married WILLIAM MAGERS/MAJORS in Ohio. Their daughter HENRIETTA MAGERS m; GEORGE BAYARD PARKER--(my gg-grandparents) in Knox Co. Ohio in 1844. George married a cousin. My gr-grandfather JOHN THOMAS PARKER b. May 1847.in Knox Co. George & Henrietta Magers/Majors returned to Allegany Co.MD. ca 1850 when John T. Parker was about 17 months old. (Per; Johns Obit) A cousin or sister to William Magers/Majors married MESHACK FROST, the Founding family of FROSTBURG, MD. This explains why my grandmother spoke of us as being related to the Founders of Frostburg. Frostburg is where my PARKER family lived. Recently found that Factor HUGH PARKER recruited THOMAS CRESAP to join him in Ohio Company. Seems to have been a joint ownership of Land in Washington Co. MD. between a GEORGE PARKER & HUGH PARKER. But Hugh died in 1751 leaving his Estate to 3 nephews, JOHN, THOMAS & WILLIAM FROHOCK. The 3 Frohock boys migrated to NC. The mother of the 3 nephews was ELIZABETH PARKER FROHOCK, a sister to HUGH PARKER. No brothers were mentioned in HUGH PARKER's Will. But friend, Col Thomas Cresap,Frederick Co. MD. and Jeremiah Warder, merchant, of Philadelphia were listed as Executors of Hugh Parkers Will. Could GEORGE PARKER who married ANN MAJORS be the PARKER's who owned the Land at PATTERSONS CREEK??? Found in Land Deeds & Wills of Hampshire Co., that their son BENJAMIN b 1723 in Hampshire Co. m; Margaret THORNTON. A couple of Benjamin and Margarets 5 children are listed as being born in Middletown, MD.(that would be Washington Co. MD today) --namely: JAMES PARKER and ELIZABETH PARKER, the other 2 children, George and Absolem Parker being born in Hampshire Co. WV. Trying to find how and if my ROBERT PARKER fit in with these PARKERS? Thanks for your data of the SAPP FAMILY being in Oldtown, MD. This is another Link that would possibly place my WMD. PARKER's in Oldtown or Hampshire Co. WV area. Any help in sorting out this delemma is greatly appreciated. Take Care Pat Hook

I only know what the West Virginia State Gazetteer 1884 said about the mail and who was the postmaster. I don't think I made myself clear about the map. I think this is a copy of an old map as it has very few towns listed but then I don't really know a thing about WV even though I have been through MD, VA, and WV. I would give my eye teeth to get to Hampshire County and just look at the court house and see where there are no records.............which has been my experience. Tootsie Shoemaker Tomlinson Elaine D Tomkins wrote: > We have in my family, a letter written by my g-grandfather in June 1875. At the > top of the letter, it indicates that he was living in South Branch. At the > bottom, he writes instructions for my grandfather to "direct" a letter to him at > Springfield, Hampshire Co., W.Va. From this I would assume that the Springfield > Post Office was handling mail for South Branch in 1875. Since maps of today > identify it as South Branch, I am wondering in what time frame the name French's > Station was used. > > Like many small communities, even though Higginsville may no longer have a post > office, it still exists. My late aunt was postmistress there in the 1940's, and > it still appears on some maps. > > Elaine > > Toots wrote: > > > Thanks for the info > > But it was called South Branch in 1884 and when I was asking about it the time > > frame was 1850. I have a map now and feel like I just inherited the state. > > > > DanlHarris wrote: > > > > > There has been a lot of discussion about some towns that no longer exist. > > > > > > South Branch and FRENCH's Station are the same. The FRENCH's Station Post > > > Office still stands. I hope to get a picture of it when the leaves fall and > > > is more visible. > > > > > > Also, FRENCHburg is located on Little Cacapon River where Rt 50 crosses the > > > river. > > > > > > Lastly, HIGGINSville is located about 3 miles down stream (Little Cacapon) > > > from FRENCHburg or about 3 miles across the hills southward from FRENCH's > > > Station.