Volume 1, Issue 1

January 2009

Echoes of West Virginia Past

A B E A V E R C P R U E B E L K I C H A I T I O N S T O R O Y F C E N T E R

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T :

W H E R E

A R E

T H E Y ?

Southern WV has vast evidence of ancient civilization. We need a place to store and share the wonderful treasures of our past. A lifetime of learning can be fun, fascinating, and fulfilling. Isaac Craig Map

Its builders, I exclaimed, where are they? Echo replied, where are they? Perhaps a thousand revolutions of the earth have marked its age, now known but to Him who is from Everlasting to EverlastingAh! The vanity and nothingness of man; truly are men but grasshoppers in Gods sight! These were the words penned by Alfred Beckley upon viewing the mysterious remains of what he described as an ancient fortification on Big Beaver Creek. His dramatic statement serves to vividly remind us of one of the harsh truths gleaned from the lessons taught by historyno earthly kingdom, no empire, no monument, lasts forever. Only whats done for God will last. His journal entry is dated October 16, 1837, shortly after his arrival in Fayette County, Virginia (now Raleigh County, West Virginia). He continues the entry by recording a meticulous survey of the site and structure. Mr. Beckley was said to have been led to the site by an old hunter who probably found it while trapping beaver in the creek. There is no record of the area of the fort having been inhabited other than by occasional hunters or trappers before the arrival of Clarkson and William Prince in 1835 and Alfred Beckley in 1836. More on page two

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

The Fort New Friends Beaver Creek Books The Prince and Beckley families Wildwood Museum People Who Inspire Playing in the Creek

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While studying the fort, Ive learned a lot about Blue Jay. An old newspaper story says that prior to the lumber boom, there was only one log cabin there. The coming of Blue Jay Lumber Company in 1903 brought big changes. Im told, at one time, this was the biggest lumber company in the Eastern United States. I hope someday to get into print the many wonderful stories of the rich history of this little town called Blue Jay. It is said they were the first in the county to have electricity and telephones in their homes. My grandfather, Roscoe, worked there and my dad lived there as a young child. My grandmother told me they stayed in railroad cars until a home was made ready for them.

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An article describing the structure was published in the September, 1842 issue of The American Pioneer, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania journal. The article was written by Isaac Craig, the brother-in-law of Alfred Beckley, who visited the site in August, 1837. Craig included a detailed drawing and description of the site. Judging from Alfred Beckleys journal entry, his viewing of these remains was a profoundly emotional experience that stirred within him a curiosity and great desire to discover who might have been the builders. It is apparent both he and Craig considered it an important enough discovery to invest a considerable amount of time and effort into surveying the site and preparing the article for publication. Forty years later, Alfred Beckley mentioned the site again when describing it as one of only two sites in Raleigh County having historical significance. The other being the painted trees which I will write of in later volume. In this 1876 report, he says the fort was about a mile from Clarkson Prince. Clarkson Princes property was a 300 acre tract in Beaver with his residence located at the forks of Little and Big Beaver across from what is now Beaver Hardware (formerly Todds store). My reaction upon reading of the fort was somewhat similar to Alfred Beckleys. I find it amazing to think of the immense quantity of labor it must have taken to erect such a structure; a feat which could not have been accomplished in a short time; but, would have involved a fairly large culture residing and working in the area for a considerable length of time. Who were they? When were they here? Where did they come from? Where did they go?

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Who were they? When were they here? Where did they come from? Where did they go?

Why was it important for them to erect a fortor was it a ceremonial worship site where burials might have been performed? What purpose did it really serve? Would it be possible to find traces of this lost civilization? The Native Americans of this region that I had heard of did not build structures of this kind. Thus, began my quest in search of the fort hoping to find some evidence which might help me find answers to my questions. As many do, I called on local historian, Pauline Haga, for help. She steered me to Jim and Hallie McGhinnis who provided my first clue of a deed existing at the courthouse which marked the fort. Pauline then graciously assisted me in hours of searching until we found the deed and tax records for the land. Jim and Hallie were investigating the fort as well as a similar one in Wyoming County. Jim died shortly after we met but, I found a great new friend in Hallie who has continued to aid in my research. I owe many thanks to these and all who have shared in my work. Gathering history is the most enjoyable endeavor I have ever undertaken. Its fun, fascinating, and fulfilling. The rewards are immeasurable. To think that people from the past can lead us to new friends in the future...as the kids say, AWESOME!

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I have many books in the works. Ive started a history of the WOOD(s) family. I am also working on a book documenting what Ive learned of Alfred Beckleys fort. My interests are so many and varied, it is likely I will be found writing on a v ariety of subjects. I love to study the Bible which IS history. God chose the Hebrews to preserve His Story. Thus, no better place to begin my work. I also plan to study and write articles about the heavens. I am awed as much by the sky as I am by the earth and those who people it. When I see the sun, moon, and stars and know that anyone anywhere in the world sees the same thing I see every day and night , it is mind boggling. Notice I say anyone instead of everyone. Many do not see because they do not look. To some, seeing is believing...but some of us must believe to see. Im sure there are ancient messages in the heavenly rocks just like the ones we find in our earthly stones. If my dream becomes reality, I will be sharing the fruits of my labors through my writing. Stay tuned for news of coming publications.

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My husbands ancestor, Clarkson Prince, along with brothers, William and Edwin, were early inhabitants of the county and cousins of Alfred Beckley. Their father, Isaac Prince was the brother of Maria Prince, the wife of John Beckley and mother of Alfred. Isaac Prince had acquired a vast acreage of land from his brother-in-law. This land was part of the original MooreBeckley patent, some of which is lying upon the waters of Big Beaver Creek in the area of the fort. Clarkson and William Prince came to the area in 1835 to make their home and manage their fathers land. They stayed at the inn operated by Henry Hull at the intersection of Rt. 3 and 19-21 in Shady Spring. Both married daughters of Henry Hull. Edwin Prince, a younger brother, followed a few years later and proved quite successful in managing land sales and investments. The Prince and Beckley families were prominent citizens of the Philadelphia area. Isaac Prince was married to the granddaughter of Matthew Clarkson, the mayor of Philadelphia. John Beckley was quite famous for his service in the colonial government before the Revolution and afterward in the formation of our new United States of America. Ive found a lot of interesting information on both of these families. In addition to local sources, the internet, or wide wonderful web, provides a constant source of knowledge and learning on these and almost any subject. It is like having a world library in my kitchen. I highly recommend it to everyone.

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Trying to determine exactly where the fort was located led me in a direction that was not planned but proved to be quite an adventure. In addition to the thrill of playing detective and trying to solve a mystery, I learned much about the formation of our county and the early pioneers. Their courage and self-sacrifice is quite humbling when one begins to consider the hardships they endured and the comforts they gave up in order for us to enjoy the fruit of their labor. I visited the Wildwood Museum hoping to see some of Alfred Beckleys maps or writings. I didnt find any clues to aid in my search for the fort, bu t the visit was not in vain. The museum is the restored home place of the Alfred Beckley family. The family also lived in Fayette County for a time and had a small log structure where they operated a mill on Piney Creek. The visit to the museum was like stepping back in time to a place where life was hard but folks were filled with hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. The hostess was wonderful and shared with me until other guests arrived in need of her assistance.

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Teachers are great. Audra Anderson, my first Reading teacher. Gazelle Bowers, my third grade teacher, who taught me to LOVE books. Ruth Evans, my very special fourth grade teacher, who told us The Journey and caused me to imagine. Margradel Richmond, my volleyball and cheerleading coach, realizing the value of athletics to our physical body as well as our emotional psyche, used competitiveness and sportsmanship life lessons to teach us to cope. Nellie McComas, seventh grade, who taught me grammar and June Thurman, eighth grade, who taught me to write. David Patton, my ninth grade Science teacher, introduced me to rocks. Im sure that little did he ever expect me to remember any of it. Ida Belle Pendleton, tenth grade, helped me understand government, economics, and how to be a good citizen. Mrs. Collins who insisted we learn English and appreciate Literature, Frances Flippen, perhaps my all time favorite, taught me bookkeeping in high school and thus gave me the means to earn a living for over thirty years. Many were the Sunday School teachers of my youth who introduced me to God and His Majesty but a special nod goes to Rev. Gerald Hersom, my first pastor, who taught me about and showed me the real Jesus.

5 Generations of mothers & future mothers...commonly called daughters

Teachers and preachers, after mothers, may be the most important members of our society. I hope they realize what an awesome power they wield.

COMING SOON TO THE WEB! As Ive said, Beaver Creek History Center is still in the dream stage. Collecting history became my hobby about twenty years ago. It began with a desire to know about my ancestors. After finding them taking part in actual events Id only
B E A V E R C R E E K H I S T O R Y C E N T E R

heard of, they become so much more real and fascinating. Ive tracked my WOOD and BLEVINS ancestors to the Over the Mountain Men, hunters, Indian traders and sometimes fighters of the 1700s. My DELP ancestors arrived in Penn-

169 Beaver St. Daniels, WV 25832 304-255-5664 judyprince@suddenlink.net

sylvania from Germany about 1738. I found Ephraim Delp was prominent in Mercer County history and his son, Augustus Delp, was living and celebrated his 100th birthday along with West Virginia on June 20, 1963. My husbands PRINCE family shares, along with the BECKLEYS, a prominent place in the history of America as well as locally. The more I find, the more I want to search. Sharing with others is one of the most

Judith Prince, Author

enjoyable parts of this hobby. Im dreaming of a local center where we can store and share our priceless treasures.

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Who says we cant stay young forever? When I was a kid, I loved playing in the creek. In my fifties, I returned to that lov e. A couple of years ago, while trekking along the bank of Beaver Creek in search of artifacts, I spotted an unusual rock. It had a reptilian appearance. Sad to say, I didnt pay a lot of attention to my Science teachers when I was a youngster in school an d didnt know what I had found. I took the rock home to add to the many others I have stored there. Speaking of reptiles, I once had a pile of rocks stored on our patio. I had been acquiring them in the trunk of my car for so long that my husband, Rob, told me that if I got rid of the rocks, I could stop complaining about my bad gas mileage. He insisted I take them out of the car. So, they ended up in a pile on the patio. A little while later, I took a trip to Morgantown to visit my grandkids. While I was gone, Rob, decided to clean the patio. When he moved my rock collection, he found a snake had made a home there. He was not a happy camper. I am not allowed to store my rocks on the patio anymore. Getting back to my reptilian rock; I took photos of it and emailed them off to the University to find out what I had found. They told me it was a Lepidodendron fossil, one of the first trees that ever grew on the earth and the ancestor of the little club moss that still grows on the floor of our local woods. They said it was about 300 million years old. Wow, was I ever excited! Ive since learned this tree, in size up 120 feet, 390 million year old fossil grew in the coal swamps of the Carboniferous period. I returned to the same area and within minutes I uncovered fern fossils and other interesting specimens. Fossils abound in West Virginia and through them I am coming to appreciate even more of the many mysteries of our Lords creation. He greatly increases my faith when He speaks to me from the rocks. Luke 19:40.