History of Logan and Mingo Counties, Beginning in 1617
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A History and Genealogy of Right Hand Fork, Masons Creek, Perry County, Kentucky or Local copy here.
Publication date: 1966?
Topics: History
Author: Smith, Nancy Sue
Language: English
This book appears to have been published in 1966 (it has a question mark at WorldCat), and there is a similar title "An early history of Mingo County, West Virginia" listed [An early history of Mingo County, West Virginia on WorldCat for 1960] (none close enough to me). Maybe that is the same book, or perhaps this edition builds on, and expands that earlier work. I have not located a copy, so I cannot say for sure.
The following obituary for Nancy was published in the Winter 1984 Logan County Ancestree Newsletter (Vol. 7 No. 4, page 5).
NANCY SUE SMITH Nancy Sue Smith, author of HISTORY OF LOGAN AND MINGO COUNTIES BEGINNING IN 1617 and AN EARLY HISTORY OF MINGO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA published 25 June 1960, passed away Friday, December 28, 1984.
(This article was taken from Williamson Daily News.) Nancy Sue Smith, 52, of 35 Oak Street, Williamson, WV., who overcame her handicaps stemming from a childhood bout with polio by gaining recognition as a painter and author, died Friday at 10:55 p.m. at Williamson Memorial Hospital.
Her death followed by six weeks the deaths of her father, John J. smith, a retired merchant, and also an uncle.
Born November 24, 1932 in Williamson, she also was preceded in death by her mother, Josephine (Hamilton) Smith.
Miss Smith was a researcher of early Mingo County history and had published books on the subject. She had a wealth of information and records as a result of her interest in the area and proved of invaluable help in the past during special observances in Williamson.
In earlier years, she won state honors from the West Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs for her ceramics. Her talent was all the more amazing because polio left her without the use of her arms and legs and she held a paint brush in her mouth to create art that was comparable with that of many professionals.
Miss Smith was adept at writing with pen or pencil, also held in her mouth. For a number of years she conducted a telephone answering service for various local and area businesses, and telephone members of service clubs to remind them of weekly meetings.
She often contributed news articles of the Williamson Daily News and some years ago was a regular correspondent for the Huntington newspaper. Throughout her lifetime, she maintained a steadfast interest in bettering the Tug Valley area.
Surviving are two brothers, Joseph Benton Smith of West Chester, Pa., and William Martin Smith of New York, N. Y.: and a sister, Jeanette Sipple of Livonia, Michigan.
People Referenced
John Ferrell (the Baptist???)
Isaac Brewer and his daughter Tabitha (sister to our Matilda, who married Moses "Logan" Ferrell. Also references the Mead family, and Isaac's wife was Elizabeth Meads.
- Chapter XXII page 47[5]
Lydia Ferrell and Harvey P Duty are mentioned in
- Chapter XXIII, page 27[6].
- in Chapter XXIII Page 88[7].
Elijah Ferrell and Augusta Ellis in
- Chapter XXIII Page 48[8]
Jacob Ferrell[9], and unknown person, in Chapter XXXIII page 48
William S. Ferrell[10] (and Rebecca R. Turley), and unknown person, in Chapter XXIII, page 49.
H. G. Ferrell and Henry Ferrell (unknown teachers) in Chapter XXXI, page 62
To-Do
Pages
To-Do
- ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Note: Nancy was a member of the Logan County Genealogical Society
Chapter XX, Page 45
Most people aren’t aware that Matewan was the scene of a skirmish during the Civil War. No one was killed, and there’s no record as to just how many were injured, but Captain “Devil” Anse Hatfield (who became famous in the Hatfield-McCoy feud some twenty years later) was in charge of the home guard in that area, for the Confederate Army. Ferrell’s house stood at the mouth of Warm Hollow in Matewan (it also figured in the Hatfield-McCoy feud later; it was where Ellison Hatfield was taken after he was wounded by the three McCoys, and later died.) Ferrell was married twice, first to Phoebe Hatfield, then to Mary Chambers. Many of his descendants are still living - Grant Kennedy, a former member of the Mingo County Court, is a grandson of Ferrell.
After Ferrells death, the property went to his children, who then sold it to “Uncle” Tom Chambers, grandfather of Howard Chambers, formerly Sheriff of Mingo County, Roy Chambers of Williamson.
Tom Chambers built his home on the lot where the bank sits now, and Robert Buskirk built next door. Buskirk, in later years built the Urias Hotel (now the Buskirk Building) for $100,000.
Matewan was incorporated in 1895 (ten years before Williamson,) and was a thriving community. Elliott Rutherford was the first mayor of Matewan. He was succeeded by a Chapman, then Albert G. Simpkins, and C. C. Testorman (he was killed in office during the mine strike in 1920), and A. B. Hatfield. The first policeman was Mont Stafford, and the second was John B. Maynard.
The Post Office was originally across the river and called Sidney, but was changed when it was moved to Matewan. Bill Hatfield served as the first Postmaster.
Others who pioneered in building Matewan are: S. P. Martin, who was the manager of the first coal mine, the Marvin Mine in Matewan; the Schaffer Brothers, who opened the first department store; Julias Ferrell had the first grocery; and H. S. White the first plaining mill; and Clint Pitcock, the first blacksmith shop.
In 1905, Dr.’s Tom and Will Burgess opened the hospital for the first time; the first doctor was Dr. Elliott Rutherford (he also served as the first mayor).
In the 1890’s there were several medical doctors in the county: Doctor’s Tabor, J. R. C. White, Ben C. Harris, Will and Tom Burgess; a Dr. George Taylor in the Nolan area and a Dr. Waldron at Naugatuck.
The first church built in Matewan is still standing, behind the Matewan Baptist Church. It was built as a community church and is still used by many denominations.
The first school is in doubt, but we do know there was one, near the present building in 1882, and it was probably the first.
Many people have heard and believed that Matewan was named by the Indians who once inhabited this area, but it is a fallacy. It seems that when engineers were brought in to survey for the coal mines, they were then deciding what to name the town. He was from Mattewan MAT-E-WAN) N. Y. and suggested they name it after his home town. They probably left out one T and changed the pronounciation to Matewan, because of the Mate Creek, which rims through the town.
Matewan, with its 989 residents (1950 census) is a small town with a big history. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXI Page 46
The police captured the three McCoys, and was heading toward Pikeville with them to put them in jail, when Uncle (Devil) Anse Hatfield overtook them and wrestled the McCoys from them, and took them to Matewan. There, he locked them in the school house which stood near the present school, and told them if his brother lived, he would return them to Pike County, and turn them over to the police, but if his brother died, they would die too. Ellison was taken to the home of Anse Ferrell, at the mouth of Warm Hollow. Ellison Hatfield lived twenty-four hours; he died on August 8, 1882. Devil Anse took the three McCoy brothers back to Kentucky, but then he had them killed. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter II Page 4
The first county court was held at the same place, but earlier. The members of the county court were: William Toney, William Hinchman, John R Clark, John Ferrell, James P. Christian, James Shannon, John Cook, Anthony Lawson and Griffin Stollings. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXIII Page 48
Eddie John Ferrell was born in May, 1806 in Russell County and moved as a boy to Logan County. He married Jane Taylor of Montgomery County, Virginia, on June 18, 1826. He was ordained a Baptist minister and served for 47 years. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXII Page 47
Amanda Lowe was the first white child to be born within what is now the city of Williamson. She was the daughter of Patrick Lowe.
Lowe came here in 1825 from Stokes County, North Carolina. He brought Negro slaves with him, and together they cleared the virgin forests where now is located the business section of Williamson. They built a home, which was later known as Ben Williamson’s Homestead, near the east end of 2nd Avenue. He married Tabitha Brewer, the oldest daughter of Issac Brewer, who came to this section as a pioneer from Clinch Valley, Virginia about 1800, and was the pioneer of the Brewer family in the county.
Mr. Lowe, lived with his family here for several years, and later sold his farm to James Staler.
Amanda married James Meade and numerous descendants of this union are still in the county and have been active in public, social and religious life of the county. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXIII page 27
Harvey P. Duty was born October 3, 1834, in Russell County, Virginia, married Lydia J. Ferrell on .May 19. 1859. Their children were George W., Rebecca, William S., John M., Jacob W., Washington, Howard, Roland T., Thomas H., Harvey K., and Marion L. They had timber and mineral lands. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXIII Page 88
H. J. Duty was bom on October 12, 1836, in Logan and married Sarah Jane Roman on February 17,1861, in Pike County. Their children were Louisiana, Nancy Jane, William F., Sally, Anne, Isom, George W. Alexander, Charles Lee, and Lottie B. Duty was a soldier in Captain Carpenter’s Company, Roundsheer’s Regiment, and was in the Battle of Prestonsburg in 1864. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXIII Page 48
Elijah Ferrell was bom March 27, 1851, in Pike County, Kentucky, and married Augusta Ellis of Logan County, ond January 4. 1872. Their children were Rhoa R., Moses, Charlie, Clarissa, Chloe, Martha E., Mary F., Letty V., Madison B., and Anna Belle Lee. They lived on Gilbert Creek. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXXIII page 48
Jacob Ferrell was bom May 1,1841 in Logan County, and married Matilda E. Adkins of Pike County on January 25, 1871. He was a merchant on Pigeon Creek. - ↑ History of Logan and Mingo Counties Beginning in 1617
Nancy Sue Smith
Chapter XXIII page 49
William S. Ferrell was born January 25, 1837, and married Rebecca R. Turley of Tazewell County. Virginia on May 6,1866. Their children were Allan and Rees T. Ferrell served in the Confederate Army, in the Logan Wildcat Company as a First Lieutenant. He owned coal and timber lands.