Virginia Frontier Defenses 1719-1795
By Roy Bird Cook
Volume I, Number 2 (January 1940), pp. 119-130
The story of the defense of the frontier of Virginia begins about the year 1719, by which time there seems to be reasonable evidence of settlers south of the Potomac River, on what is now the soil of West Virginia. The Indian, with some misgivings, of course, viewed the gradual encroachment of the white man in this region with a certain degree of tolerance. Indeed, for thirty years the two groups lived to some extent in peace and harmony. However, entrance of the French into the Ohio Valley led to the opening of the French and Indian War in 1754, which, while it ended in America by 1762, actually swept on into the fields of Europe. The opening marked the beginning of border warfare between settlers and colonial and state troops and the Indians that did not end until the power of the tribes was broken by General Anthony Wayne, in the treaty of 1795.
Robert Dinwiddie, Royal Governor of Virginia, gave more than passing attention to the western border of that day. In March, 1756, the Virginia Assembly authorized the erection of a chain of defenses on the west. Colonel George Washington, who had achieved distinction in the operations of the British Army and the local troops in the Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) region, was placed in charge. A long region reaching out from the head of the Ohio River, swinging east to Wills Creek (Cumberland), and thence roughly following the Allegheny Mountains to North Carolina, received attention. A chain of forts about twenty miles apart, designed to afford some protection for the settlers, was constructed during the next year. Many were the scenes of tragic episodes in which numerous lives were lost, especially in the region now along the South Branch of the Potomac.
The Ohio Valley was the key to the possession of the continent. The ten years of comparative peace following the close of the French and Indian War disclosed a continual movement from eastern Virginia to western Virginia, and a like movement down along the Ohio River from the Pittsburgh entrance. The old line of defense fell more or less into disuse. Then came the hectic days of 1774, and a new outbreak between the settlers and the Indians, called Dunmore's War, of which the most important episode was the Battle of Point Pleasant. A new line of defense was then developed, running from Fort Pitt, and "old Fort Redstone," following generally the Monongahela and West Fork of the Monongahela, and the Ohio Valley, together with the regions along the Great Kanawha as far west as Maysville, Kentucky. In western Virginia there then sprang up a long series of forts, stockades, and blockhouses, located at strategic points to safeguard the pioneer settlers in this region.
The defenses of the frontier may be classified into three general groups. First, the fort, which was the strongest type of a fortress, and generally but not always erected under the direction of the Executive Council of the State, and garrisoned in like manner. Second, the stockade, which was usually a large log house with a palisade around it, embracing enough ground to shelter several families in time of need. Third, the blockhouse, which was to be found of several types. Some had a second story, overhung, and others simply had provision made for rifle defense. In the preparation of the list appended, no attempt has been made to go into extensive details. There is merely a brief statement as to location. It provides a check list, arranged alphabetically, of names of posts of defense on the border, which has been compiled from records, and letters, and in some cases from pension applications of participants.
ARBUCKLE
A stockade erected about 1774 by Captain Mathew Arbuckle at the
mouth of Mill Creek, a branch of Muddy Creek, Greenbrier
County.
ASHBY
A stockade, located on the east bank of Patterson's Creek, on the
site of the village of Alaska, formerly Frankfort, Mineral County.
Erected by a company of men commanded by Lt. John Bacon, In 1755,
and named for Captain John Ashby. One of the buildings erected
therein Is the only remaining structure of its kind in West
Virginia dating back to the frontier posts of defense.
BAILEY
See Davidson.
BAKER
Erected in 1782, by Captain John Baker. Located at the head of
Cresap's Bottom, Mead District, Marshall County. Also designated In
many contemporary records as "Baker's Station," and sometimes as
"Cresap's Fort."
BALDWIN
A blockhouse situated on the site of Blacksville, Clay District,
Monongalia County.
BEECH
See West.
BEECH BOTTOM
A small stockade, situated in Buffalo District, Brooke County,
twelve miles above Wheeling. The garrison participated in the first
siege of Fort Henry in 1777, and also in Indian incursions of
March, 1789.
BEELER
A stockade erected in 1779 by Colonel Joseph Beeler at Beeler
Station Church, eight miles from the site of the town of Cameron,
Marshall County. Designated as "Beeler's Station." A garrison of
fifty men was stationed there in 1781.
BELLEVILLE
A rather extensive fort, erected on the site of Belleville, Wood
County, In 1785, under direction of Captain Joseph Wood. Composed
of a group of four blockhouses, embracing a square 100x300 feet, in
which was located a central fort building, 20x40, two stories
high.
BINGAMAN
A small fort situated four miles south of Petersburg, in Grant
County. Named for Samuel Bingaman.
BLAIR
See Randolph.
BOWLING
The exact location has never been ascertained, but records indicate
its existence in the "panhandle" above Wheeling.
BUCKHANNON
A small fort situated at Red Rock, about two and one-half miles
west of Buckhannon, Upshur County. Scene of an Indian foray March
8, 1781.
BURNSIDE
Mentioned in contemporary records. Situated in territory now
embraced in Monroe County. Also listed as Byrnside.
BURRIS
A small fort located on the "Flats" on the east side of the
Monongahela River, Morgan District, Monongalla County.
BUSH
This fort was situated about a mile and one-half northeast of
Buckhannon, above where Turkey Run joins the Buckhannon River in
Upshur County. Location of settlement by Hackers, Jacksons, and
others, as early as 1769.
BUTLER
A small fort erected about 1774 at the mouth of Roaring Creek, on
the east side of Cheat River, Preston County.
BUTTERMILK
A stockade located on the South Branch of the Potomac, three miles
above the present town of Moorefield, Hardy County. Sometimes
referred to as "Fort Waggoner," a title derived from the fact that
Captain Thomas Waggoner once commanded troops at that point.
CAPON
A stockade located at the "forks of Capon," in the Great Cacapon
River valley, Hampshire County.
CASSINO
See Currence.
CHAPMAN
A blockhouse erected by the Chapman family in 1784, near the site
of New Cumberland, Hancock County.
CHARLES
The history of this fort is not clear. On August 10, 1776, Col.
John Stuart, at Greenbrier, reported that he "expects to have a
fort soon completed at Camp Union," now Lewisburg. On Sept. 20,
Captain McKee reported to Colonel William Fleming, "I arrived at
Fort Charles in the Savannah on the 27th with only 17 men."
CLARK
A small stockade fort erected by Henry dark in 1771, on Pleasant
Hill, Union District, Marshall County. Consisted of four cabins,
with a ten-foot palisade wall.
CLOVER LICK
A small fort erected by Jacob Warwick at Clover Lick, Pocahontas
County. Also mentioned as Warwick's Fort.
COAL
See Tackett.
COBUN
A small stockade fort erected by Jonathan Cobun in 1770, near
Dorsey's Knob, on Cobun's Creek, Monongalia County.
COCKE
A stockade located on Patterson's Creek, six miles southeast of
Keyser, and nine miles from Fort Ashby. Named for Captain Thomas
Cocke.
COOK
A large stockade fort embracing one and one-half acres with four
blockhouses erected under direction of Captain John Cook, situated
on Indian Creek, just below Greenville, Monroe County. It sheltered
over three hundred settlers in 1778.
COON
A small fort located on the west bank of Coon's Run, about three
miles from the West Fork of the Monongahela, in Marion County.
COOPER
A blockhouse erected by Leonard Cooper In 1792, on the north bank
of the Great Kanawha River, eight miles above Point Pleasant.
CRESAP'S
See Baker's.
COX
A stockade fort located at the mouth of the Little Cacapon River,
on the eastern side of the stream. Named for Friend Cox.
CULBERTSON
A stockade erected in 1774 by Captain James Robertson. It was
situated on the site of a settlement established by Andrew
Culbertson in 1753, now known as Crump's Bottom, on New River,
Summers County. Frequently mentioned in early records as "Fort
Byrd," and "Fort Field."
CURRENCE
A small fort erected in 1774, one-half mile east of the site of the
town of Crickard (Mill Creek), Huttonsville District, Randolph
County. It has also been called "Fort Cassino."
DAVIDSON-BAILEY
A small blockhouse erected about 1780 by John G. Davidson and
Richard Bailey, near the head of Beaver Pond Springs, a short
distance from the site of present Bluefield.
DAVISSON
A small blockhouse type dwelling erected by Daniel Davisson near
the corner of Chestnut and Pike Streets, Clarksburg.
DAY
See Keckley.
DEFIANCE
Located on the South Branch of the Potomac, about twenty miles
above the "Trough."
DINWIDDIE
A stockade situated on the site of Stewartstown, Monongalia County.
Appears to have been erected by John Rogers, and sometimes called
"Fort Rogers."
DONNALLY
A large, two-story double log house surrounded by a palisaded wall
erected by Col. Andrew Donnally prior to 1771, on Rader's Run, near
present Wllllamsburg, Oreenbrier County. Scene of a most important
action of the border wars in May, 1778, and one of the most
important military posts on the frontier.
DRENNAN
A small fort situated at Edray, Pocahontas County. Named for Thomas
Drennan.
DUNMORE
A small blockhouse, situated on the site of Dunmore, Pocahontas
County.
EDINGTON
A small fort situated near the mouth of Harmon's Creek (opposite
Steubenville, Ohio), in Cross Creek District, Brooke County.
EDWARDS
A small fort situated five miles south of present Boothsville, in
Booth's Creek District, Taylor County.
EDWARDS
A stockade located on or near the site of present Capon Bridge,
Hampshire County. Named for the family of that name, owners of the
land thereabouts.
ENOCH'S
Situated on the Great Cacapon River, fifteen miles from its mouth,
at or near the present village of Largent.
EVANS
A stockade fort situated two miles south of present Martinsburg, at
the head of Big Spring, Berkeley County. Erected by John Evans, in
1756-66.
FARLEY
Situated on New River at what is known as "Warford," on Crump's
Bottom, Summers County. Erected by Thomas Farley.
FIELD
See Culbertson.
FINCASTLE
See Fort Henry.
FLESHER'S
A small blockhouse erected at what is now the corner of Main and
Second Streets, in the city of Weston. Contemporary records
indicate as "Flesher's Station."
FLINN
A small stockade erected under direction of members of the Flinn
family, located on the upper point, at the junction of Lee Creek
with the Ohio River, In Wood County. In early records frequently
designated as "Flinn's Station."
FRIEND
A small fort erected by Jonas Friend, at Maxwell's Ferry, on
Leading Creek, Randolph County. Scene of important Indian forays in
1781.
FURMAN
A stockade situated three miles north of Romney, Hampshire County.
Erected under direction of William Furman. Also called Forman and
Foreman.
GEORGE
A small stockade situated on the east bank of the South Branch of
the Potomac, near present Petersburg, Grant County. Presumably
erected by the Welton family about 1754.
GREENBRIER
Erected about 1771 by Captain Peter VanBibber, situated on Wolf
Creek near site of Lowell, Summers County. Scene of attack on
Graham family in 1777. Possibly also known as Jarrett's Fort.
GREEN BRYER
A small station erected by Andrew Lewis on the site of Marlinton,
1765.
HADDEN
A small fort erected by John Hadden, near the mouth of Becco's
Creek, Randolph County.
HADDEN
A strong fort situated on the point of land on the west side of the
stream at the Junction of Elkwater Creek with the Tygarts Valley
River, Randolph County. Named for the family of that name who came
to this location from the South Branch of the Potomac. Sometimes
mentioned as Old Fort.
HARBERT
A blockhouse erected on Jones Run, a branch of Ten Mile Creek,
about two miles from Lumberport, Harrison County. Scene of an
Indian attack, March 3, 1778.
HARNESS
Situated, according to the Washington papers, "81 miles west of
Fourt Loudoun (Winchester), and on the South Branch," for the
protection of the inhabitants of the "trough" region of the
valley.
HARRISON
A stockade fort erected by Richard Harrison at the source of
Crooked Run, in Cass District, Monongalia County, on the west side
of the Monongahela River.
HEDGES
A small stockade on the west side of Back Creek, near Hedgesville,
on the road leading from Martinsburg to Berkeley Springs.
HENREY
A local fort in Greenbrier County, the exact location of which is
not known. In command of Captain James Henderson, September 12,
1777.
HENRY
This was one of the largest and most important forts on the
Virginia border. It was erected in part on the high bluff along
what is now Market Street, in the city of Wheeling, in 1774, by
Ebenezer Zane and John Caldwell, under the military direction of
Major Angus McDonald. It was first designated as Fort Fincastle, in
honor of the Viscount Fincastle, better known to Virginians as Lord
Dunmore. He visited the post in the fall of 1774, with a command of
twelve hundred men, during the "Point Pleasant Campaign." In 1777
the fort was rebuilt and much enlarged, embracing in all more than
half an acre of ground, and renamed Fort Henry, in honor of Patrick
Henry. The fort underwent a siege by Indians in 1777, and in
September, 1782, was the scene of the last engagement of the
American Revolution.
HINKLES
A stockade fort erected about 1760 by John Justus Hinkle, near the
site of Riverton, on the North Fork of the South Branch of the
Potomac, in Pendleton County.
HOLLIDAY
A small fort erected In 1776 on the site of Holliday's Cove,
Hancock County.
HOPEWELL
Situated on the South Branch of the Potomac, at a location unknown.
Mentioned in Washington Papers in 1754.
JACKSON
A small blockhouse, located about three miles west of Bush's Fort,
on Fink's Run, Upshur County.
JACKSON
A small stockade erected in 1774 on Ten Mile Creek, Sardis
District, Harrison County.
JARRETT
See Greenbrier.
KECKLEY
A small fort erected about 1772 at present Millpoint, Little Levels
District, Pocahontas County. Subsequently sometimes designated as
Fort Day, and Price's Old Fort, and Keekley.
KEENEY
A small fort situated near Keeney's Knob, Summers County.
KELLY
A small fort erected by Captain William Morris In 1774, on the site
of Cedar Grove, Kanawha County, at the mouth of Kellys Creek. Named
for Walter Kelly, who attempted to establish a settlement at this
point, but was killed by the Indians. Appears as "Kelly's Station"
in many contemporary records.
KERNS
A stockade fort erected about 1772 by Michael Kerns at the mouth of
Deckers Creek, now the Greenmont section of the city of Morgantown.
An important frontier post.
LEE
An important military post erected in April, 1788, at the corner of
present Brooks and Kanawha Streets, on the site of Charleston, by a
company of Virginia Rangers under Colonel George Clendenin. Named
for Henry Lee, governor of Virginia, but better known as General
"Light Horse Harry" Lee, of the American Revolution. Sometimes
referred to as "Clendenin's Station."
LIBERTY
A blockhouse, situated on the site of West Liberty, Ohio County.
Sometimes called the "Court House Fort."
LINK
A blockhouse erected by Jacob Link In 1780, near the site of
Triadelphia, Ohio County. Scene of an important Indian attack In
1781.
MAIDSTONE
A stockade situated on the point at the mouth of the Great Cacapon
River, Morgan County. Erected 1756.
MANN'S
A small fort erected by Adam and Jacob Mann, about 1770, situated
on Indian Creek, ten miles west of Union, Monroe County.
MARTIN
A stockade erected by Presley Martin at the mouth of Fish Creek,
Franklin District, Marshall County.
MARTIN
A fort erected by Charles Martin in 1773, situated on the west side
of the Monongahela River, on Crooked Run, in Casa District,
Monongalia County. Scene of an Indian attack in June, 1779.
MASON (HUGH) MILL FORT
Situated near Upper Tract, Pendleton County.
MINEAR
This fort was situated on the site of St. George, Tucker County,
erected in 1774 by John Minear. Scene of Indian depredations in
1780 and 1781.
MORGAN
A small stockade fort erected about 1772, by members of the Morgan
family, on the site of the city of Morgantown. Near "Fort
Kerns."
MORRIS
A stockade embracing about an acre of ground, on Hog Run of Sandy
Creek, Grant District, Preston County. Constructed under the
direction of Richard Morris, in 1774.
"Fort Morris Was Virginia Defense Post"
MORRIS
A stockade fort erected by Captain John Morris in 1774-75. It was
located on the south bank of the Great Kanawha River, opposite the
mouth of Campbells Creek, near what is now known as South Malden,
Kanawha County.
McKENZIE
Situated at an undetermined location on the South Branch of the
Potomac. Named for Captain Robert McKenzie. Mentioned in Dinwiddie
Papers 1757.
NEAL
A stockade fort erected in 1786, under direction of Captain James
Neal. It was situated on the south bank of the Little Kanawha
River, one mile from its mouth, in what is now the "Fort Neal"
section of the city of Parkersburg. It was an important place of
refuge during the Indian wars, and the object of Indian forays In
August, 1789. Appears in many contemporary records as "Neal's
Station."
NEALLY
A small stockade on Opequon River, Berkeley County. Scene of an
Indian attack and massacre, September 17, 1756.
NUTTER
A stockade fort erected by the family of that name in 1772, on the
east bank of Elk Creek, now embraced in the "Nutter Fort" section
of the city of Clarksburg.
OGDEN
Situated on Difficult Creek, Grant County, southeast of Gormania.
Also called "Logsdon Fort."
OHIO
A blockhouse erected in 1750, for the Ohio Company on the site of
Ridgeley, Mineral County.
PARKERS
Situated on the South Branch of the Potomac, ten miles from Fort
Ashby.
PARIS'S
Location unknown. Mentioned in Washington Papers, May 13, 1756,
indicating that it was near Ashby's Fort.
PATTERSON'S
Said to have been situated on the South Branch of the Potomac.
PAWPAW
Small fort situated on Pawpaw Creek, not far from the town of
Rivesville, Marion County.
PEARSALL
A stockade erected by Job Pearsall, 1765-1766, on the site of
present Romney.
PETERSON
A small stockade situated on the South Branch of the Potomac, two
miles above the mouth of the North Branch, Grant County. Erected
1756.
PIERPONT
A small fort erected in 1769 by John Pierpont. It was located about
one mile from the village of Easton, and about four miles from
Morgantown, in Union District, Monongalia County.
PLEASANT
A large stockade comprising cabins, palisades and blockhouses. It
was situated on the "Indian Old Fields," in Hardy County, a mile
and one-half above the "Trough." Erected in 1756 by Captain Thomas
Waggoner. Often called "Fort Van Meter," and later "Town Fort,"
because of proximity to Moorefield. Near here in 1756 was fought by
the Indians and white settlers the "battle of the Trough," so
widely known in the annals of the border.
POWERS
A small stockade erected, presumably by James Powers, in 1771. It
was located about one mile north of the town of Bridgeport, on
Simpson's Creek, in Harrison County.
PRICKETT
A stockade fort erected by the family of that name in 1774,
situated at the mouth of Prickett's Creek, on the east side of the
Monongahela, River, five miles below the city of Fairmont. It was
here in 1779 that the celebrated encounter between David Morgan and
the Indians took place.
RANDOLPH
This fort stood on the site of the city of Point Pleasant, and
along with Fort Henry and Fort Donnally was one of the most
important frontier military posts. The first stockade was erected
here, under the direction of General Andrew Lewis, following the
battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774, during Dunmore's War.
Later in the fall of the same year. Captain Williams Russell, with
a company of rangers, appeared, and erected a new fort composed of
two blockhouses, and a palisade, which was named Fort Blair, In
honor of John Blair. It was evacuated and abandoned in June, 1775,
and presumably destroyed by the Indians. During the summer of 1776,
under the direction of Captain Mathew Arbuckle, a larger and more
pretentious fort was erected, which was named Fort Randolph, in
honor of Peyton Randolph. This in turn was abandoned by the
garrison in July, 1779, and was burned by the Indians. About 1786
another fort was erected a short distance above the previous sites,
in which a garrison was stationed until 1795, commanded most of the
time by Colonel Thomas Lewis. Fort Randolph underwent a siege by
the Indians in May, 1778.
RICE
A large stockade fort erected by the Rice family, located on
Buffalo Creek, about fifteen miles from its mouth, in Brooke
County, near the present location of Bethany College. It was the
scene in September, 1782, of one of the most important episodes in
the Indians wars, during which six defenders drove away a band of
over a hundred Indians.
RICHARDS
This was an important fort erected in 1774, by Arnold Richards,
located on the west bank of the West Fork of the Monongahela, half
a mile southeast of West Millford, Harrison County. Also designated
as Lowther's Fort and West Fork Fort.
RIDDLE
A small stockade on Lost River, Hardy County. Scene in 1766 of a
battle between a body of Indians commanded by a French officer, and
a company of Virginia frontiersmen. Also listed as Ruddle.
ROBINSON
A blockhouse erected by Captain Isaac Robinson In 1794, located on
the Ohio River opposite the foot of Six Mile Island, Mason County.
It was attacked by Indians the same year.
ROGERS
See Dinwiddie.
SALEM
A blockhouse situated on the site of New Salem, now Salem, erected
by a group of settlers from Salem, New Jersey.
SAVANNAH
A most important military post located on the site of Lewisburg,
Greenbrier County, presumably between 1769 and 1774. It was the
meeting point for the Virginians who marched under General Andrew
Lewis to Point Pleasant, In the fall of 1774. Some authorities
suggest that a fort may have been erected on this site as early as
1755, under orders issued by General Braddock.
SELLERS
A small stockade at the mouth of Patterson's Creek, erected 1756.
Named for Thomas Sellers.
SEYBERT
A large stockade having cabins, palisades and blockhouses, situated
on the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac, twelve miles
northeast of Franklin, Pendleton County. Scene of Indian massacre,
April 28,1758.
SHEPHERD
Situated on the Potomac River, near "Old Pack Horse Fort," where
Shepherd College now stands, Shepherdstown. History obscure.
SHEPHERD
A most important stockade fort, erected in 1775, under direction of
Captain David Shepherd, situated at the forks of Wheeling Creek,
near present Triadelphia, Ohio County. It was evacuated in
September, 1777, and burned by the Indians, but rebuilt in 1786,
and further extended In 1790.
STATLER
A stockade fort erected by John Statler after 1770, on Dunkard
Creek, Clay District, Monongalia County. Scene of a bitter Indian
attack in 1779 when many settlers lost their lives.
STEWART
A blockhouse erected by John Stewart in 1773, on Stewart's Run,
about two miles from Georgetown, Grant District, Monongalia
County.
STUART
A fort erected by Colonel John Stuart, at a large spring, four
miles southwest of Lewisburg, Fort Spring District, Greenbrier
County. It is often referred to as "Fort Spring," and this title
has been much used in other directions. An important military post,
and here was held the first court of Greenbrier County. The builder
was one of the most remarkable men on the border.
TACKETT
A small stockade fort erected by Lewis Tackett, as early as 1787,
located one-half mile below the mouth of Coal River, Kanawha
County. The site is now embraced in the town of St. Albans. It was
destroyed by the Indians on August 27, 1790.
TOMLINSON
A stockade fort erected in 1770 by Joseph Tomlinson, on a site now
embraced in the city of Moundsville, Marshall County. It was
located about three hundred yards north of the noted Grave Creek
Mound. It was abandoned in 1777, and about that time was destroyed
by Indians, but was rebuilt shortly after 1784.
TOWN
See Pleasant.
TROUT ROCK
Situated at present Trout Rock, four miles south of Franklin,
Pendleton County.
UNION
A title sometimes by error applied to Fort Savannah, located on
site of Lewisburg. Colonel William Fleming, commanding the
Botetourt troops in the fall of 1774, records on September 2nd, "we
were alarmed by a report that Stuart's Fort four miles from CAMP
UNION was attacked by Indians." Other contemporary records agree
that the camp was known as "Camp Union" and this has subsequently
been by mistake confused with a "Fort Union" and "Fort
Savannah."
UPPER TRACT
A stockade erected in 1756, situated a short distance west of the
South Branch of the Potomac, at what is now "Upper Tract," Mill Run
District, Pendleton County. Destroyed April 27, 1758, during attack
by Indians, when many were killed.
VAN METER
A stockade fort, erected in 1774, situated on the north side of
Short Creek, about five miles from its confluence with the Ohio, in
Richland District, Ohio County. For a time Major Samuel McCulloch
was commander.
WAGGONER
See Buttermilk.
WARDEN
A small stockade situated in the vicinity of present Wardensville.
Hardy County.
WARWICK
Small fort erected by John Warwick at forks of Deer Creek, near
Greenbank, Pocahontas County.
WARWICK
A small fort erected by Jacob Warwick, situated in what is now
Huttonsville District, Randolph County. This was an important early
point of defense in the Tygart Valley River region.
WELLS
A stockade fort erected in 1773 by Richard Wells. It was situated
on the ridge between Cross Creek and Harmon's Creek, in Brooke
County. Wells was widely known among both Indians and whites as
"Grey Beard."
WEST
A stockade fort erected by members of the West family, on the
present site of the town of Jane Lew, Lewis County. It was built
about 1770 and for a number of years offered some defense to the
important settlements on Hacker's Creek, which suffered more
severely at the hands of the Indians than most any other region on
the border. The fort was destroyed in 1779, but in 1790 some of the
settlers ventured back and built another fort a short distance
away, which was called Beech Fort.
WESTFALL
A stockade fort erected by Jacob Westfall in 1774, located on the
southern border of the site of Beverly, Randolph County, near mouth
of Files Creek. Scene of an Indian attack in 1782.
WEST FORK
See Richards.
WETZEL
A stockade fort erected about 1769 by John Wetzel and his noted
sons, twelve miles from Wheeling, on Wheeling Creek, in what is now
Sand Hill District, Marshall County.
WHITE'S
A palisaded house built by Major Robert White, near Cacapon
River.
WILLIAMS
A stockade situated on the South Branch of the Potomac, two miles
below Hanging Rock, Hampshire County.
WILSON
This fort was located about half a mile above the mouth of
Chenoweth's Creek, on the east side of Tygart's Valley River,
Leadville District, Randolph County. This was a very important
early frontier post and was erected by Colonel Benjamin Wilson, one
of the most aggressive and important men on the border. In 1782
twenty- two families took refuge here.
WOODS
A stockade fort situated on Rich Creek, about four miles east of
Peterstown, Monroe County. It was constructed about 1773 by Captain
Michael Woods and had many important contacts with operations in
southern western Virginia, and with the operations of George Rogers
Clark in Illinois regions.
UNKNOWN
A fort mentioned by Kercheval and others, unnamed, located seven
miles above present Romney.