Chapter IV These early settlers were among that group that resisted the unreasonable taxes levied on the Colonies by Great Britain in Colonial years. To avoid unjust taxes and seeking more elbow room as they expressed it, and freedom from the Kings mandates, kept moving farther westward until several reached the Cheat and Westfork Rivers. Before the Revolutionary War broke out some had penetrated as far west as Wheeling Creek which emptied into the Ohio River near the present city of Wheeling. Some of these families were the Parsons, Goffs, Butlers, Millers, Hughes, Wests, Wilsons, Wetzels, Hickmans, Bushes, McWhorters, Hardmans, Richards, Bennetts, Pouthers, Morgans, Zanes, McCulloughs, Van-Meters, Jacksons, Westfalls, and Stalnakers. Michael Stump and Catherine were parents of six Children. Michael Stump (my 6Xgrgrandfather)b. 04-8-1844, in PA. d. Hardy Co. George Stump, b. 1744, South Fork, Frederick, VA Leonard Stump, b. 1749, South Fork, Frederick, VA Catherine Stump, b. 1751, South Fork, Frederick, VA Elizabeth Stump, b. 1752, South Fork, Hampshire, VA Mary Magdaline, b. 1754, South Fork, Hampshire, VA Michael II, who is my direct lineage. He was four years old of age When George Washington visited with his fathers home on the South Branch of the Potomac in 1748. The early pioneers had many difficulties and hardships to survive. Michael I, was well educated. His interest in Education is marked by a special bequest toward the education of his grandson Michael the III. I think it very fitting here to note the will of Michael Stump I, and it reads as follows: In the name of GOD AMEN: I Michael Stump of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potoman, In the county of Hampshire, Colony of Virginia, being in perfect state of health, but considering the uncertainy of _____, and that it is necessary for all men while they have their happiness to enjoy their senses and perfect memory to settle and dispose of their affairs in manner as may prevent any dispute or law-suits, after their death, and amongst their friends and relatives, therefore to prevent the same as such as possible in my own family, I think proper to dispose of my estate in manner following: Viz: First, I give to my wife Catherine one third of my plantation where upon I live, together with its profits and appurtenances, also I give her one third part of whatever personal estate I die possessed of. I also give unto each of my three daughter the sum of fifty pounds, currency in lieu of lands gived to their respective brothers as below will appear, and that my estate may not be divided and squandered away, I direct the same to be only appraised and not sold. ITEM: I give and devise my eldest son Michael, the plantation whereon he now lives, containing four hundred acres known by the of lot no. 2, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM: I give unto my son George (named for George Washington) the plantation of lot no. 13, joining to the lower part of the plantation whereon I now live, containing four hundred acres, to him and his heirs forever, Also I give to him, the said George and his heirs forever the plantation whereon I now live, except a full third to his mother during her life as aforesaid. ITEM: I give to my son Leonard a plantation of lot no. 3, joining to the land given to my son Michael, containing four hundred acres, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM: I give to my grandson Michael, the son of Michael aforesaid twenty pounds currency to be left in the hands of my wife and applied towards the schooling of the said child. ITEM: I give to my son Leonard one Negro slave named Dick, and all the residue of my personal estate not before mentioned, with one negro named Sam, to be equally devided between my children, except the twenty pounds is to be deducted or taken off of his father's share of my estate to be applied to the use aforesaid. LASTLY: I do hereby nominate and appoint my said wife and my son George Executrix and executer of this my last will, revoking and making void all former wills and testaments. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the second day of July 1767. Michael Stump (seal) Signed and sealed and published by the testator in the presence of us: Felix Seymour Leonard Hite Trento Bruger Copy Of Probate: At a court held for Hampshire County, the 8th day of March 1768, this last will and testament of Michael Stump (1) dead, was presented in court by Catherine Stump and George the Executrix and Executor therein named, proven by the oathes of Felix Seymour and Leonard Hite, two of the witnesses thereof, and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of the executors who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, giving securities whereupon they together with the said Felix Seymour, Leonard Hite and Martin Chol their securities entertained into and acknowledged bond in penalty of five hundred pounds for their due and faithful administration of said descedents state and performance of the will. Teste Gabriel Jones, County Clerk. A copy Teste: G. W. Grove Clk. County Court Hampshire County (W.VA) Pioneer of Hampshire County