For those of you who were interested in the Colaw papers that went with the photo of Cyrus Colaw I offered a few weeks ago, here is the transcription. Anyone who is trying to prove Revolutionary War service for Henry Wimer might get a boost from this, too: These papers were in the possession of Grace Boggs Dyer when Marsha L. Fuller borrowed them to transcribe in 2000. The following papers were in an enveloped postmarked “Martinsburg, W.VA., May 6, 1935, 10 AM” and addressed to “Mrs. Gordon Boggs, Franklin, West Va.” In the upper left-hand corner of the envelope is written, “Colaw History by David E. Colaw”. The words in brackets were lightly crossed out by the writer. I have included them because, in some instances, they make the sentence logical. The handwriting is quite readable, although it is in pencil and did not photocopy well. “Reminiscence of Cyrus Colaw who was born Nov. 6, 1814 and died in January 1915 at the age of 100 years. He retained his [a remarkable mind] faculties in a remarkable way until the end and often spoke of his experiences in the fertile valley of Crabbottom, Va. where he was born and spent his entire life being a good citizen and a prosperous farmer and stockman. date Nov. 3, 1934 [An account of the past as given from memory by Mr. & Mrs. David E. Colaw of the past as related to them by David’s father, Cyrus Colaw who died Jan. __ ___ [there were two dashes here] at the age of 100 years.] He said, “My [Great] grandfather Frederick Colaw lived in Lancaster Co. Penn. His son George Colaw, who was my [grand] father came to Highland Co. Virginia [when he was] a pioneer settler three miles north of what is now the town of Crabbbottom, Va. He came with his brother Jacob Colaw in the year of 1800. IN that day only one son in the family was educated – if the family was not able financially to send them all to school. My [Grand] father George was selected in his family as the one to receive the special favor so he went back to Pa. where he spent his alloted time in school and became a well trained student, especially [in his efficiency] as a good reader. His love for reading gave him a full and ready mind so that he became quite [an efficient] a noted and helpful citizen. [After his school work was finished] He returned to Crabbottom, Virginia to make his home and to raise his family. He selected this section of country in which to live because he had discovered the deep fertility of its soil. It then had no name but from the wild crabapple trees that he found growing so numerous and some so large as a man’s body he named it “Crabapple Bottom”. The name continued to live within the valley for many years but finally, was shortened to that of the present name of Crabbottom, VA. He and his bro. Jacob bought the land together but later divided their tracts. Jowell Hidy the surveyor at that time did the work for them. Another brother named Abraham Colaw settled about the same time at a place then called Sugar Creek in Fayette Co., Ohio, where he became a large land owner. I went out to visit my Uncle Abe in 1840 and rode horseback across the mountains, and forded some very deep rivers. The famous old wooden bridge across Cheat River had never then even been dreamed of. When I came to the Cheat River I was told by Soldier White who lived near the [crossing] ford that if the water was up over a certain rock, it would be impassible to cross and as I found the waves dashing madly over said rock I was compelled to spend the night at the home of Mr. White, where I was kindly treated and being able to ford the swollen stream the next day, I reached home in due time. This was in the spring of 1840 after I had spent the winter in Ohio. This was the fartherest I was ever away from home and I was glad to be back safe. I remember the Cheat as being a large river on a mountain and I think t hat its source was about 30 miles from where I forded it. In 1837 [my father] I helped Crozet the French engineer work on the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, and [his] our walls built back of the Lantz Mountain may yet be seen. While working on this road the hands lived in tents and cooked for themselves and when meat got scarce George Tracy being a good marksman was always the one selected to go out to shoot a deer. Game was plenty and it did not cost much to live. The valleys at that time were covered with huge trees, which were cut and burned so as to make room for grazing lands. When we traveled from here to Beverley we went trough the thick woods by a narrow trail. Once I was sent to New Market to get medicine for my mother when she was very ill. I rode horseback and carried home my purchases in a pair of saddle bags. I have as a keepsake a $4.00 Continental bill printed on tough heavy paper which my mother gave me. She died in 1856. It had been paid to her father, Henry Wimer for his services in the Revolutionary War, and she always prized it very highly.” Included with these papers was a photo postcard of a man and a woman with this inscription in Elsie’s handwriting in blue ink on the back, “Cyrus Colaw on his 100th birthday, Nov. 6, 1914, (he died 1915).” In pencil is written, “Mrs. Elsie Boggs from Mrs. Cyary[?] Colaw. I pined [pinned?] that flower on dear old gravel dady. Aunt May” [It looks as if Cyrus has a flower on his lapel in the photo – perhaps this is what she is referring to.] Another sheet of paper included in the envelope reads, Jacob Thomas and Solomon Garber – funeral Oct. 23. Geo. Snincher [?] preached Geo. Hammer’s II[?] funeral at the home, stepped on pin and Aunt M. picked it up. Mrs. Emma Wier Spencer S.D. – Hy. Colaw’s daughter. She has 5 sons , dust 2 ft. deep. Mar. 20, 1880 Mary married Ent [or Eut] Wamsley England 1770 Bradshaw James B. Md. Mary O. Randabush “ Mary Wamsley Children Robb O. Chas. P Harry L. Jas son of Jno. To see Aunt Mary Oct. 8, 1934 Wm. Gum md Carry Hildabrand Prayer for Aunt Mary Mrs. Earlie Snyder (Lutie[?] Colaw) sister to Jno. M. Colaw Mrs. Anderson Colaw nee (Nutter) Oct. 4, 1881 Aunt M., Walter & Danny & Lou Colaw, Phebe & J & E, Ann at Dice’s 1934 1881 53 -- Marsha L. Fuller Harper Family Website http://www.fred.net/mfuller