road signs, name on the old post ofc, name on the railroad docs, old photos of the town, FRENCH's Tavern, local residents reference. the bottom going up the South Branch from the Potomac is called FRENCH's Neck. a local told me the name changed in the 1950s. i think the last business moved out of there circa 1950 -- a dairy. there is still an old farm house, but I think it sold to an invester from out of town a year or two ago.....may be wrong on this item. changing the name of a ghost town just doesn't make sense to me, but someone seems to have a reason... or not. the place was named for the FRENCH's. they had tanneries and mills over near Augusta and hauled merchandise across the top of the ridge to Levels and down to the river for shipping. later years, to put on trains. shipped it down to Alexandria VA. There is one of FRENCH's factories still standing in Augusta and is still used. The Yankee's burned all their other businesses in the Civil War. They acused the FRENCH's of being Rebel sympathisizers.... i am a little wary of the county. they do change names periodically. they recently, last couple years, changed the name of some roads below Levels -- replaced the signs. this is also why when i locate a historical spot i provide the gps position. along with the current directions. a good lesson in name changing...research the old South Branch River Rd.... I live in VA.... the Old Chain Bridge Rd now has about 4-6 different names going from Fairfax to the Potomac. to better understand, you should see the pre-railroad maps used for commerce between VA and Hampshire VA. Dan -----Original Message----- From: macbd1 [mailto:macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us] Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:23 PM To: WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? (South Branch-French's Sta) 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. > > > > > >

The USGS GNIS lists a community named Frenchburg, on its 7.5 Augusta map. It's a few miles east (or ESE) of Romney, toward Capon Bridge. Is it also named for the French family? --- Dan Harris <DanlHarris@cox.net> wrote: > road signs, name on the old post ofc, name on > the railroad docs, old photos > of the town, FRENCH's Tavern, local residents > reference. the bottom going > up the South Branch from the Potomac is called > FRENCH's Neck. a local told > me the name changed in the 1950s. i think the > last business moved out of > there circa 1950 -- a dairy. there is still an > old farm house, but I think > it sold to an invester from out of town a year > or two ago.....may be wrong > on this item. changing the name of a ghost town > just doesn't make sense to > me, but someone seems to have a reason... or > not. > > the place was named for the FRENCH's. they had > tanneries and mills over > near Augusta and hauled merchandise across the > top of the ridge to Levels > and down to the river for shipping. later > years, to put on trains. shipped > it down to Alexandria VA. There is one of > FRENCH's factories still standing > in Augusta and is still used. The Yankee's > burned all their other > businesses in the Civil War. They acused the > FRENCH's of being Rebel > sympathisizers.... __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html

Hi Dan and all, (Re: your appreciated response below) Yes, I recall French's Neck being the first 'big river loop' from the mouth of South Branch of the Potomac River, immediately south of the abandoned town area. I believe it is shown in a photo at the link below. A chunk of land near the abandoned town indeed did sell in 2001. Here is the realtor's link from that time, thankfully it's still available: http://www.mtnhome4u.com/Chaney.html This web site contains maps and many photos of the South Branch - French's Station area, also one of the present town of Levels that is located just south of the area. Click on the underlined links at the 'Property Description' paragraph to view the photos. Having opportunity to view the beauty of this particular area of Hampshire County is well worth the effort. With reference to another of your recent posts, the one in response to Tootsie, one of the above photos is supposedly of an old school house, now rebuilt as a cabin. I sent this privately to Tootsie saying it doesn't appear to have been constructed of logs as one would have been built in the early-mid 1800's, but that maybe the logs are under the siding -- or maybe this was possibly the site of an earlier school...??? Did the link to Fry's 1751 map from my 'South Branch BOWMAN'S' posting of today work for you -- it wouldn't for me. For anyone who wants to see this map, click on following link: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html (Library of Congress, Map Collections) -Then click on these links as each window opens: General Maps>Creator Index>Fry, Joshua>Fry, Joshua(yes,again) -When the map opens click anywhere on the map. -When the map opens again, set the zoom to the middle circle and window size to 640x480. -When the map opens again, click on it in the middle (right-left) and below the 'squiggly line' that loops from left to right, fairly near the top, which is the Potomac River. -You may need to click on the map near its top, bottom or sides to move the map toward the direction you want. Hope this works. Regards, Neil McDonald ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Harris" <DanlHarris@cox.net> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 7:21 AM Subject: RE: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? (South Branch-French's Sta) > road signs, name on the old post ofc, name on the railroad docs, old photos > of the town, FRENCH's Tavern, local residents reference. the bottom going > up the South Branch from the Potomac is called FRENCH's Neck. a local told > me the name changed in the 1950s. i think the last business moved out of > there circa 1950 -- a dairy. there is still an old farm house, but I think > it sold to an invester from out of town a year or two ago.....may be wrong > on this item. changing the name of a ghost town just doesn't make sense to > me, but someone seems to have a reason... or not. > > the place was named for the FRENCH's. they had tanneries and mills over > near Augusta and hauled merchandise across the top of the ridge to Levels > and down to the river for shipping. later years, to put on trains. shipped > it down to Alexandria VA. There is one of FRENCH's factories still standing > in Augusta and is still used. The Yankee's burned all their other > businesses in the Civil War. They acused the FRENCH's of being Rebel > sympathisizers.... > > i am a little wary of the county. they do change names periodically. they > recently, last couple years, changed the name of some roads below Levels -- > replaced the signs. this is also why when i locate a historical spot i > provide the gps position. along with the current directions. a good lesson > in name changing...research the old South Branch River Rd.... I live in > VA.... the Old Chain Bridge Rd now has about 4-6 different names going from > Fairfax to the Potomac. to better understand, you should see the > pre-railroad maps used for commerce between VA and Hampshire VA. > > Dan > > -----Original Message----- > From: macbd1 [mailto:macbd1@arthur.k12.il.us] > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:23 PM > To: WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Where is Mill Creek? (South Branch-French's > Sta) > > > 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 > >