Lewisburg West Virginia

Lewisburg West Virginia Genealogy Trip

I went on this trip to trace my ancestors John B and Meshack Goorich, brothers and the sons of my American Revolution Patriot, Jesse Goodrich. The exact time period they are in this area is a little sketchy. I know that the 1810 census has both brother living in the Shenandoah VA area but I have also found documents pertaining to them being in Lewisburg area during the 1812 time period. John B enlists in the War of 1812 accordingly to his military records. The census records reflect that John B would have lived in this area from about 1808 to 1830 at which time he will remove to central Ohio with the majority of his siblings and family. Meshack will head to Hancock, Illinois. All of the buildings on this page, the boys would have known in their time and been familiar with the families who lived in them.These Barrack buildings above and below are where men enlisted in the War of 1812. John B would have been here when he signed the papers. Of course the utility poles, wires and pavement would not have been there in 1812

Another view

Another view of the fort

Old Stone Presbyterian Church 1794

When the Goodrich family lived in Massachusetts and New York their religious leanings were Baptist. There is a Baptist and a Presbyterian church in the area during John B's time. Unfortunately I am unsure which one he would have belonged to. However, he would have known this church well. It has an unusual cemetery.

The interior as seen through a window

View of the Cemetery

Overlooking the cemetery

The oldest stones in the cemetery

The most unusual stone is of the angel. Folklore sttates that a young girl died of fluid in her lungs and her family had this made. Her cousins kissed each cheek and soon died of the same ailment. Also you are not suppose to look in to the eyes or else you too, will succumb to the diesease of fluid in the lungs.

This African American cemetery is across the street from the Stone Church cemetery. The story above is in honor of Dick Pointer. It is possible that John B and Meshack helped to build Mr. Pointer's home.

The African American Cemetery.

Bowyer-Grow-Foster House late 1700's

This home is now a tavern and is within the town limits. Luke Bowyer, a prominent lawyer, owned the home from 1808-1814 and then the mayor lived here. It is now the 1785 Tavern Restaurant.

Inside the tavern, the original walls and hearth

Looking towards the back wall where the logs are.

Hand hewn beams for the ceiling and walls. Many of these beams still had their ax and hatchet marks.

The Community House - 1815

John Withrow used the first floor as a store and the second floor as his residence.

Jesse Bowlin House - 1784

This was a log house, but now has weatherboards over it. It has also been a schoolhouse.

Bell Taver - 1823

John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay have had dinner here in 1826. It cool to think that perhaps John B and Meshack may have been here too to meet these great men!

James Withrow House - 1818

Withrow had a prosperous tannery and was quite well known and wealthy. Gen Robert E Lee came here to visit.

The kitchen is to the right. Most largers homes of this era had a detached kitchen in case of fire.

Benjamin Carmine Tavern - 1800

It is quite probable that John B and Meshack came here often. Taverns are consider a hub of community activity where townspeople would gather to exchange news, gossip, mail and conduct business. Hugh McLaughlin was the second owner of the home, an innkeeper, and a slave trader, therefore, due to his extensive business dealings he would have had quite a large amount of house comings and goings.

Bowen Daughters Homes - 1823

James Bowen built these two homes for his daughters who had married at the same time.

John Wesley Methodist Church - 1820

Though John B and Meshack were not Methodist, this church would have existed during their time here. If you look on the left wall of the church there are two signs that point to spots where canonballs were lodged into the church during the Battle of Lewisburg on May 23, 1862

Richard Tyree - David Burns House 1805

This house was built in 1805 and actually is two houses joined together with plaster on the inside. The original owners were Richard Tyree and then John Dunn

Mount Tabor Baptist Church - 1833

When John B and Meshack left New England, they were Baptist. This congregation began in 1795 and then the building was erected in 1833. If they remained Baptist, this is where they would have taken services. I was unable to locate any records.

Brick Slave House

This 2 story brick slave house was part of the Johnston Ternolds Mansion property.

Judge Adam Snyder House - 1830

The Judge was a later owner not the builder, he was a State Supreme Court Justice in the late 1800's. During John B's time, the owner was a George Rapp

Col Marcus Goshen House 1800

The house was built with hand hewn logs and has a log kitchen and dogtrot area that were later enclosed. Goshen was the tailor and county jailer at the time John B would have lived here. He was also a Militia Commander, so John B and he would have known each other well. Goshen was also the postmaster in 1825 and after.

Snyder Slave House

Oral History and land platt maps show that this house was part of Judge Snyder's property and was a slave's home.
Alva Neal House 1830

Two room brick house that has since had many additions. It probably was an early school house for the children of the Erkskine family or a home for freed slaves (it is located across the small road from the Snyder Slave house)
Varner-Erskine House 1820

This house is located next to the Alva Neal house and could have been part of the property at one time. The Varner built the house in 1820 and had a large family, he was a hatter. In 1829 it was sold to Captain Erskine. The Goodriches would have known both families.

This original building was located on a private residence property. I did ask permission to take pictures but did not inquire as to it's purpose and use of the time. It has a bell, so I am unsure if it was a school house, postmaster, merchant....etc.

John McClenachan House 1800

It was an early log house that has since been covered with weatherboards. John McClenachan, an original owner.

Picture of the Conestoga Wagons of the era

A picture of the wagon

A conestoga wagon of the era has been preserved along with many of the tools of the era.

Southwest Pennsylvania - Genealogy Trip

Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogy Trip

I went on this trip to trace some of my Goodrich ancestors footsteps. My Revolution Patriot, Jesse Goodrich moved to this area of Washington County in 1805. I was unable to locate his exact farm area on this trip, but I have a pretty good idea of where it is in Morris Twp. Join me on the journey below to retrace some of Jesse's footsteps.

Westfield Presbyterian Church in Greene County PA. Jesse's eldest son, Jesse Jr. moved to this area around 1810 and was the towns Doctor from 1818-1828. He left the profession to resume farming. He married a Mary and had a son named David. All of them died betwen 1850 census and 1851. Jesse died without issue and his probate states that his land was sold and split among his siblings.

Jesse Goodrich Jr and his family. His wife is on the left and his son David is on the right. No death dates are listed for Mary or David.

The National Road

This is considered America's "first" toll road and it passes through Washington County and in to Ohio. Jesse and his family would have traveled this road on numerous occasions, especially when they moved homestead to central Ohio. The following sites and buildings would have been along their journey.

The National Road winds through the mountains.

The Petersburg Toll House would have been a stop.

A listing of how to pay tolls

A plaque of "Washington was here" This area is named after Washington and his involvement with the French and Indian war which occurred nearby at Fort Necessity. Washington also surveyed some of the land, had some extensive holdings. Washington also pushed Congress during his first Administration to begin building a road through this area for the military and transport of goods. It didnt happen.

Newbury Cemetery from 1813. An interesting cemetery that sits on a hill with no church. I found some of the older stones, one dating to 1818.

A stone from 1818 but I couldn't read the name

Still on the National Road

Travelers would have come to this river and then paid a flatboat operator to ferry the family and team of oxen across the river. Today there is a road and bridge.

. Mt Washington Tavern began operation about 1830 and surely was a stop for Goodrich as they traveled. They purchased their land in Ohio about 1836-8 and are living there by the 1840 census.

Artist rendering of what it might have looked like in it's day.

A Conestoga Wagon from the era

The Stone House Inn from 1822. Another possible stop for them.

Another toll house along the route. There are only three left in existence. This one is now a museum but was closed the day I passed through.

The Road passing in front of the Toll House

I had lunch at the Historic Scenery Hill Tavern, built in 1794. I have no evidence if my ancestors stopped here, but it is kinda cool to think that they might have.

I had lunch in this room in front of the hearth.

The original step, you can see how worn it is due to time and amount of foot traffic over 200 years!

An original outside wall. The original building was a "dog trot" style house. Two separates rooms connected with a roof that had an open space between the rooms where the "dogs trotted" It is now enclosed and used for dining, however, that wall is original to the house.

An "indenture" is a contract for land or services. This is an original indenture for the purchase of the land, just hanging on the wall in a standard frame!

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 occurrd in this area and this is one of the few surviving flags of the Rebellion. Again, just hanging on a wall unprotected.

Me in front of my hearth.

Ten Mile Methodist Church erected 1842.

The Ten Mile Creek. Jesse's property, according to the land documents, is along one of the upper forks of the Ten Mile Creek. It is a long and winding creek that basically spans the entire Washington County.

You can see the remains of a wagon or foot bridge that crossed the Ten Mile Creek.

North Ten Mile Baptist Creek Church is considered the oldest Baptist church, 1794. I have had a difficult time finding which congregation Jesse Goodrich belonged to, however, I know he was Baptist during his stay in New York. He may have belonged to this church, though, it would have been a little distance to his house and farm.

A monument in front of the church.

Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church not too far from the North Ten Mile Baptist Church. Unfortunately the cemetery has fallen into disrepair which saddened me.

It was not open to the public, but had a broken window in which I took my picture.

The outhouse still stands, interesting.

Washington County has quite alot of old covered bridges. I tracked down just a couple of them built from the 1820-1840's.

A farm from the 1830's, perhaps a neighbor of Jesse's?

Another covered bridge. I parked to the right side (out of frame). It had been raining excessively for my entire visit. Unfortunately I parked and got quite stuck in the mud! Ten Mile Creek runs beneath the bridge.

An unusual church.