Tootsie and all, (others may be interested.) Tootsie, when we were discussing the little abandoned community of South Branch at this mailing list about 2-3 years ago I thought your map that showed this town was the one identified with "Hampshire County West Virginia" in large letters in the bottom left corner, and a map "Legend" at the upper left corner. If so, this map indeed shows the 'major' creeks, streams and runs (by using a magnifying glass.) And, like Jane says, the Mill Creek where she describes it is the only one I have seen on any map. This Mill Creek runs parallel to the South Branch River and not far from it, in the southwest corner of the county. Can you read the name of the mountain (in the deed) to get a better handle on this? The north end of Mill Creek Mountain starts about 5 miles north of Romney and ends several miles southwest of Romney. This mountain has Mill Creek running along its west side (below Romney) and South Branch (river) along its east side, both of course running northward. This Mill Creek is a rather large stream that generally runs alongside Rt. 28. I am *guessing* the location of the land described in your deed record was somewhere "on this mountain" between "South Branch (River) and Mill Creek." I don't understand your word "Rush" in the deed context. Go to the following sites if you wish to view maps of Mill Creek and study it more, or look around the little town of South Branch: http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?t=2&s=15&x=107&y=679&z=17&w=2 http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.3427&lon=-78.792&datum=nad83 (For the second site, click on 'Large' for map size, then click 'Update Map.') You can zoom in or out and move around to see where Mill Creek runs, and much more, zoomed in or out as you like. At the 'terraserver' site you can also elect to view an aerial photo of the map-view by clicking on the link in the left-hand margin. The photo-views can also be changed in resolution and size, even to make out the small roadways in the city cemetery at Romney, just for one example. It's not nearly as good as visiting the area but these maps and photos provide a fairly good understanding of the terrain. The maps also identify the location of many small family cemeteries at closer views. Names of the various ridges, knobs and runs also can help identify where various families lived at one time. Hope this helps. Good luck. Neil McDonald PS - Tootsie, contact me privately if you wish to review this. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tootsie" <thelmamarie55@earthlink.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 7:59 PM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? > My ggrandfather Isaac White and his childhood friend said they grew up in South > Branch and went to school together. My map doesn't show Mill Creek or any > creeks . Thanks I will hunt a WV map > Tootsie > > Jane Ailes wrote: > > > What is the name of the mountain referred to in the deed? If it is Mill > > Creek Mountain, then the Mill Creek referred to is probably the one located > > west of Romney. Mill Creek flows through Mechanicsburg Gap and joins the > > South Branch of the Potomac at Romney, very near where today's Rt. 50 > > crosses the So. Branch. > > > > Hope this helps, > > Jane > > > > At 03:19 PM 09-02-04, you wrote: > > >I have the map of Hampshire Co. that shows South Branch. > > >Where would as it states in the deed "on this mountain and Rush between > > >South Branch and Mill Creek two hundred sixty acres"?? > > > > > >Tootsie lost again in Hampshire Co. > > >

The original name for South Branch was French or French's Station (1700 to 1950-ish), named after Wm FRENCH. It is at the end of French's Station Rd (partly called Ruggles Rd) coming out of Levels. After Wm FRENCH died, his wife married Capt James MURPHY who later became the first overseer of Romney. Sometime after the town died -- as the trains no longer stopped and the post ofc closed. The current markings -- road names, post ofc, maps, train depot -- still say French's Station, but a few maps say South Branch. South Branch is a misnomer, because it isn't even on the South Branch. It is on the Potomac a long hike east of the South Branch down the railroad. Dan Harris -----Original Message----- From: macbd1 [mailto:macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:53 AM To: WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? Tootsie and all, (others may be interested.) Tootsie, when we were discussing the little abandoned community of South Branch at this mailing list about 2-3 years ago I thought your map that showed this town was the one identified with "Hampshire County West Virginia" in large letters in the bottom left corner, and a map "Legend" at the upper left corner. If so, this map indeed shows the 'major' creeks, streams and runs (by using a magnifying glass.) And, like Jane says, the Mill Creek where she describes it is the only one I have seen on any map. This Mill Creek runs parallel to the South Branch River and not far from it, in the southwest corner of the county. Can you read the name of the mountain (in the deed) to get a better handle on this? The north end of Mill Creek Mountain starts about 5 miles north of Romney and ends several miles southwest of Romney. This mountain has Mill Creek running along its west side (below Romney) and South Branch (river) along its east side, both of course running northward. This Mill Creek is a rather large stream that generally runs alongside Rt. 28. I am *guessing* the location of the land described in your deed record was somewhere "on this mountain" between "South Branch (River) and Mill Creek." I don't understand your word "Rush" in the deed context. Go to the following sites if you wish to view maps of Mill Creek and study it more, or look around the little town of South Branch: http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?t=2&s=15&x=107&y=679&z=17&w=2 http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.3427&lon=-78.792&datum=nad83 (For the second site, click on 'Large' for map size, then click 'Update Map.') You can zoom in or out and move around to see where Mill Creek runs, and much more, zoomed in or out as you like. At the 'terraserver' site you can also elect to view an aerial photo of the map-view by clicking on the link in the left-hand margin. The photo-views can also be changed in resolution and size, even to make out the small roadways in the city cemetery at Romney, just for one example. It's not nearly as good as visiting the area but these maps and photos provide a fairly good understanding of the terrain. The maps also identify the location of many small family cemeteries at closer views. Names of the various ridges, knobs and runs also can help identify where various families lived at one time. Hope this helps. Good luck. Neil McDonald PS - Tootsie, contact me privately if you wish to review this. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tootsie" <thelmamarie55@earthlink.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 7:59 PM Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? > My ggrandfather Isaac White and his childhood friend said they grew up in South > Branch and went to school together. My map doesn't show Mill Creek or any > creeks . Thanks I will hunt a WV map > Tootsie > > Jane Ailes wrote: > > > What is the name of the mountain referred to in the deed? If it is Mill > > Creek Mountain, then the Mill Creek referred to is probably the one located > > west of Romney. Mill Creek flows through Mechanicsburg Gap and joins the > > South Branch of the Potomac at Romney, very near where today's Rt. 50 > > crosses the So. Branch. > > > > Hope this helps, > > Jane > > > > At 03:19 PM 09-02-04, you wrote: > > >I have the map of Hampshire Co. that shows South Branch. > > >Where would as it states in the deed "on this mountain and Rush between > > >South Branch and Mill Creek two hundred sixty acres"?? > > > > > >Tootsie lost again in Hampshire Co. > > >

Dan, I greatly enjoyed participating with you and others in the research and discussion at this list about 3 years ago concerning the now abandoned community of "South Branch (French's Station)" <--as it appears on the USGS maps. When did the name of 'South Branch' for this town become a 'misnomer,' I'm wondering? In addition to the USGS maps, it is the 'only' name used for this community or town on two different county maps published in Hampshire County in fairly recent times. 'South Branch' is also the only name used in an 1884 business directory and the Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia Gazetteer, Vol. 1, found by 'Tootsie' Shoemaker, who was the instigator and participant in our group's 'South Branch' research here at wvhampsh-l. 'South Branch' was also either the only, or more prominent by far, name found in various records, concerning events or accounts of the place by local people of earlier times. Needless to say, the name 'French' or 'French's Station' was also prominent in some records from your much appreciated research and sharing. We concluded at the time, as I recall, that this community, located about 3/4 mile or so east of the mouth of South Branch River, was called both 'South Branch' and 'French's Station' at different times, possibly even being two nearby but different places at different times. I hope the information I passed to you recently concerning the old cemetery there sheds some light about inhabitants. The town of 'South Branch' was indeed not located directly on the banks of the South Branch of the Potomac River, but this doesn't seem pertinent with regard to its name, at least to me. Its proximity to the mouth of SB River could have readily been its namesake as identifier of 'South Branch' (meaning both the river and community-trading place) as seen and hailed from boats coming upstream on the Potomac -- as posted previously. There are also many 'South Branch' names throughout Hampshire County taken from the river-name. What are the "current markings" you mention that use only the 'French's Station' name? I thought all of the old signs are gone and a photo you had was not conclusive...?? Thanks for any clarification here, and it's nice to revisit for awhile at this list. Neil McDonald ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Harris" <DanlHarris@cox.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 12:12 PM Subject: RE: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? > The original name for South Branch was French or French's Station (1700 to > 1950-ish), named after Wm FRENCH. It is at the end of French's Station Rd > (partly called Ruggles Rd) coming out of Levels. After Wm FRENCH died, his > wife married Capt James MURPHY who later became the first overseer of > Romney. > > Sometime after the town died -- as the trains no longer stopped and the post > ofc closed. The current markings -- road names, post ofc, maps, train > depot -- still say French's Station, but a few maps say South Branch. South > Branch is a misnomer, because it isn't even on the South Branch. It is on > the Potomac a long hike east of the South Branch down the railroad. > > Dan Harris > > -----Original Message----- > From: macbd1 [mailto:macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us] > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:53 AM > To: WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? > > > Tootsie and all, (others may be interested.) > > Tootsie, when we were discussing the little abandoned community of South > Branch at this mailing list about 2-3 years ago I thought your map that > showed this town was the one identified with "Hampshire County West > Virginia" in large letters in the bottom left corner, and a map "Legend" at > the upper left corner. If so, this map indeed shows the 'major' creeks, > streams and runs (by using a magnifying glass.) And, like Jane says, the > Mill Creek where she describes it is the only one I have seen on any map. > This Mill Creek runs parallel to the South Branch River and not far from it, > in the southwest corner of the county. Can you read the name of the mountain > (in the deed) to get a better handle on this? The north end of Mill Creek > Mountain starts about 5 miles north of Romney and ends several miles > southwest of Romney. This mountain has Mill Creek running along its west > side (below Romney) and South Branch (river) along its east side, both of > course running northward. This Mill Creek is a rather large stream that > generally runs alongside Rt. 28. I am *guessing* the location of the land > described in your deed record was somewhere "on this mountain" between > "South Branch (River) and Mill Creek." I don't understand your word "Rush" > in the deed context. > > Go to the following sites if you wish to view maps of Mill Creek and study > it more, or look around the little town of South Branch: > http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?t=2&s=15&x=107&y=679&z=17&w=2 > http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.3427&lon=-78.792&datum=nad83 > (For the second site, click on 'Large' for map size, then click 'Update > Map.') > > You can zoom in or out and move around to see where Mill Creek runs, and > much more, zoomed in or out as you like. At the 'terraserver' site you can > also elect to view an aerial photo of the map-view by clicking on the link > in the left-hand margin. The photo-views can also be changed in resolution > and size, even to make out the small roadways in the city cemetery at > Romney, just for one example. It's not nearly as good as visiting the area > but these maps and photos provide a fairly good understanding of the > terrain. The maps also identify the location of many small family cemeteries > at closer views. Names of the various ridges, knobs and runs also can help > identify where various families lived at one time. > > Hope this helps. Good luck. > > Neil McDonald > PS - Tootsie, contact me privately if you wish to review this. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tootsie" <thelmamarie55@earthlink.net> > To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 7:59 PM > Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? > > > > My ggrandfather Isaac White and his childhood friend said they grew up in > South > > Branch and went to school together. My map doesn't show Mill Creek or any > > creeks . Thanks I will hunt a WV map > > Tootsie > > > > Jane Ailes wrote: > > > > > What is the name of the mountain referred to in the deed? If it is Mill > > > Creek Mountain, then the Mill Creek referred to is probably the one > located > > > west of Romney. Mill Creek flows through Mechanicsburg Gap and joins > the > > > South Branch of the Potomac at Romney, very near where today's Rt. 50 > > > crosses the So. Branch. > > > > > > Hope this helps, > > > Jane > > > > > > At 03:19 PM 09-02-04, you wrote: > > > >I have the map of Hampshire Co. that shows South Branch. > > > >Where would as it states in the deed "on this mountain and Rush between > > > >South Branch and Mill Creek two hundred sixty acres"?? > > > > > > > >Tootsie lost again in Hampshire Co. > > > > > >