This is an essay which I submitted, through my cousins in Charleston, WV, to Kanawha Presbyterian Church, upon its #185 Anniversary. John Campbell, church historian and donor of the new ark, was kind enough to include my document within the new ark. Please read - and, enjoy some Kanawha County history from two hundred years ago! Frances Wentz Taber Fernandina Beach, Florida Following are some highlights of the amazing life of Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, including his almost nineteen year affiliation, from its founding, with Kanawha Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV, which is celebrating its 185th Anniversary: Samuel BEAUMONT, IV b. 23 Feb 1758, Middlesex Co., CT d. 27 Nov 1837, Kanawha Co., (W)VA m. 22 Mar 1785, Middlesex Co., CT Thankful TOWNER, II b. 25 May 1768, Middlesex Co., CT d. 13 May 1825, Kanawha Co., (W)VA Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, was the fifth generation of his family to live on these shores. Their roots were at Saybrook, CT. The arrival of his direct ancestor, William BEAUMONT, at Boston, MA, was 13 April 1635, on board the ship "Elizabeth." Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, served as a Patriot in The American Revolution from April 1776 until February 1781. He participated at the following battles: Flat Bush, NY; Turtle Bay, NY; Harlem Heights, NY; White Plains, NY; Elizabethtown Point, NJ; and, Newport, RI. His pension claim was allowed 13 January 1818, at Marietta, Washington County, OH. Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, and his family emigrated from Connecticut in 1795 and settled at Vienna, Wood County, (W)VA, where he was a trustee and owned and operated a lodging establishment. On 06 December 1796, he became the twelfth founding member of The First Congregational United Church of Christ at Marietta, OH. His wife, Thankful TOWNER Beaumont, II, was the twenty-seventh member; and his mother, Thankful TOWNER Beaumont Chapman was the thirty-first member. Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, and his family immigrated to Ames Township, Athens County, OH, in 1805, where he was a founding member and a manager of The Western Library Association, popularly known as The Coonskin Library. Also, at that place, he was overseer of the poor and grand juror. At Athens County, OH, he became involved in salt works at a site which bears his surname to this day, Beaumont (Salina). This occupation, undoubtedly led him to know the RUFFNER family and their salt operation at Kanawha County, (W)VA. For, in later 1818, Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, and his family finally relocated at the village of Charleston, Kanawha County, (W)VA, where he became an investor at Kanawha Salines (Malden) and a salt broker and an investor in Charleston's original hotel, Griffin's Tavern, a two-story log building located at Kanawha and Summers Streets. This was owned and operated by his son-in-law, William Zebulon GRIFFIN, husband of his eldest child, Virginia Frances BEAUMONT Griffin. The BEAUMONT - GRIFFIN family home occupied one acre on the southside of The Kanawha River, essentially on the site of the later C&O Freight Depot. (Copy of 1854 painting attached.) Following are documented connections of the BEAUMONT and GRIFFIN families with Kanawha Presbyterian Church: 14 March 1819: "...and an election being held for two persons to serve as ruling Elders, Samuel BEAUMONT and Thomas LAW, who had previously been members of the church of Christ were chosen, and thereupon ordained to the office of ruling Elder in this congregation." 02 May 1819: "After sermon the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered according to appointment, to the following members of this congregation... Sam. BEAUMONT and Thos. LAW, Ruling Elders... Mrs. BEAUMONT admitted upon certificate." 27 November 1819: "At a regular church meeting held at the Mercer Academy, of the Presbyterian church in Charleston... Voted that... To converse with Mrs. TRUSLOW upon the subject of her renouncing this church, and if she will not hear him, then Elders BEAUMONT and LAW be added to the committee..." 23 April 1824: "Sabbath day, April 23 1824. Mrs. Thankful (BEAUMONT) CHAPMAN departed this life in her 87th year of age." 13 May 1825: "Friday, May 13th, 1825. Mrs. Thankful BEAUMONT departed this life in her 57th year of age." 28 May 1826: "This morning session met, present, Rev. Nathaniel W. CALHOUN, minister, Col. David RUFFNER and Samuel BEAUMONT, ruling elders..." 14 October 1826: "This day session met and opened with prayer. Present Rev'd. N. W. CALHOUN, Minister, Col. David RUFFNER and Samuel BEAUMONT, ruling elders..." August 1835: "The Reverend Andrew S. MORRISON commenced his ministerial labours, the following members of the church attend, to wit: ...Samuel BEAUMONT, Frances (BEAUMONT) GRIFFIN..." Thankful TOWNER, II, and Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, had nine children, six of whom lived to adulthood. Their established descendants number five hundred, including several who honor him with membership of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and of National Society Sons of the American Revolution. Many of their descendants have served our nation in the military and in the government. And, Richard Lewis THORNBURGH, former Governor of Pennsylvania (1979-1987) and Attorney General of The United States (1988-1991), is their 4 X greatgrandson. Following is the obituary of Samuel BEAUMONT, IV, exactly as it appeared in The Kanawha Banner, Charleston, (W)VA, 02 December 1837: "At his residence near this place on the morning of 27th Samuel Beaumont in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Beaumont was a native of Saybrook, Conn., and removed to this state in 1790 (sic). In the war of the revolution he served in the American Army five years and six months (sic), and was in some hard fought battles. For about forty years he had been a consistant professor of the Christian Relegion. He was one of the elders ordained when the Presbyterian Church was first organized in Kanawha. During his long and painful illness his hope was as it had been for years, clear and satisfactory. He died in full confidence of acceptance with God through the merits of a crusified redeemer." Prepared by: Frances WENTZ Taber 4 X great-granddaughter of: Thankful TOWNER, II & Samuel BEAUMONT, IV Post Office Box 734 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 e-mail: francestaber@bellsouthnet. tel: 904-261-3099