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
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.
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.
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, 1862Richard 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 DunnMount 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 RappCol 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.
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