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.

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.

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. >