This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ploverrover Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.westvirginia.counties.jackson/6613.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: George Fitzhugh was the grandson of Ann Ashton , niece of George Washington. The President willed great lands in and around Ravenswood to his nieces and maybe a nephew. The Fitzhughs laid out the town of Ravenswood and many of the original bear their names: Ann, Henry, Henrietta, Ashton. Their original house is still standing at the corner of Walnut and Race streets in R'wood, southwest corner. There's an old photo of it in the Ravenswood section of the internet. I'll have to find it again and get back to you. But, in the meantime please go to the Jackson co. wv gen page where you posted and go down to Jackson co. Pioneer Project. Two subsites on it to get a lot from. See SURNAMES for a whole lot of Fitzhugh info, also check out JOHN HOUSE'S section about the early Fitzhughs. The book Washington's Woods describes how this family sided with the Confederacy and therefore was a great rift between the prominent families in town. I believe there were marriages with the! Barr's and Flemings, with Flemings still in the area today. I believe you may find some related obits on the same gen page. Old museum just south of town should have info too. The original part of the old house was constructed out of 18-20 inch chestnut logs. As a kid I helped my Dad do some work in that house and I remember Dad getting quite consternated when we had to get ever-longer drill bits to put either a pipe or a wire through the side. Another little story regarding this house: when the railroad grade was put through town between this house and the nearby Ohio River, a tunnel was uncovered which led from the house to the river. Purpose???? Don't know that one. There's a little mention of the Ashtons on a document displayed on the wall of one of the buildings at Mount Vernon. Did you have an inkling of the Washington connection? Regards, Fletch Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.