Volume 16 , Issue 11

Pioneer History, Jacob Warwick & Mary Vance

We may have included this in an early OkieLegacy Ezine Issue, but will resubmit, just in case some WARWICK ancestry and researchers are interested. It is taken from the Southern Historical Magazine - August, 1892. Vol 14, Iss 40 Virginia - It is a pdf file from Gerald McLaughlin concerning some history of the WARWICK Ancestry in Virginia. The PDF file comes from the Southern Historical Magazine, published by Virgil Lewis, Charles, W. Virginia, August, 1892, Vol. II, No. 2, and devoted to history, biography, genealogy, archaeology and kindred subjects that was issued monthly.

Pioneer History - Jacob Warwick & Mary Vance>

These sketches were compiled by Rev. W. T. Price largely from information from John Warwick, Esq.; Judge James W. Warwick and Mrs. Elizabeth McLaughlin. The gentlemen were grandsons of Jacob Warwick, and Mrs. McLaughlin was a daughter of William Sharp, who lived with Mrs. Warwick at intervals as a friend and visitor, and for whom Mrs. Warwick manifested special attachment.

We find from reading this 1892 Southern Historical Magazine that the father of Jacob Warwick came to Augusta county, from Williamsburg, Virginia, during colonial times, between 1740-50. He was a Lieutenant in the service of the British Crown, employed in surveying and location land grants in Augusta county, which included territory of which States have since been formed. Lt. Warwick located and occupied the Dunmore property for his own use. He married Elizabeth Dunlap, near Middlebrook. Lt. Warwick was one of the English gentry whose families settled in Virginia in consequence of political reverses in England, and whose history was graphically given in Thackeray's Virginians.

Price's piece on Pioneer History showed that Lt. Warwick and his wife, Elizabeth, had four children: Charles, Elizabeth, Jacob and John. It was after operating extensively in lands, securing the Dunmore property in his own name, that Lieut. Warwick concluded to visit England. Lt. Warwick made arrangements for his absence, sent Charles and Elizabeth to Williamsburg to be educated, while Jacob and John remained with their mother in Augusta county. Lt. Warwick never returned from England and was never heard of no more, given up for dead. In other articles that I have found, Lt. Warwick died at sea crossing the ocean to England.

When it was decided that Lieutenant Warwick was dead, the grandfather of David Bell,of Fishersville, Virginia, was appointed guardian of the children, Jacob and John. William and James Bell were the sons of this guardian. James Bell was the father of William A. Bell and David Bell was well remembered citizen of Augusta county.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warwick settled on the Dunmore property, securing it by deed to Jacob, and afterwards married Robert Sitlington. Elizabeth remained at Dunmore a number of years after her second marriage.

Jacob Warwick remembered very little of his own father, and always cherished the highest filial regard for Robert Sitlington. When Jacob attained his majority, Mr. Sitlington moved to his own property near Old Millboro, the estate occupied in 1891 by Mrs. Dickinson, daughter of the late Andrew Sitlington, Esq.

When Jacob Warwick reached the legal age, coming into possession of his estate, he married and settled at Dunmore.

Dunmore was Jacob Warwick's first home after his marriage. His wife, Mary Vance, daughter of Col. John Vance, of North Carolina. Jacob died on Back Creek, at Mountain Grove, Bath county, Virginia. Col. John Vance's family moved to the vicinity of Vanceburg, Kentucky, except for Samuel Vance, Mrs. Warwick and Mrs. Hamilton. The last named was the mother of Rachel Terrell of the Warm Springs, and Esq. John Hamilton of Bath county. Governor Vance, of Ohio, and Senator Zeb Vance, of North Carolina, were of the same family connection. The Vances were originally from Opecquon, near Winchester, Virginia.

In business trips to Richmond, to sell horses or cattle, Jacob Warwick formed the acquaintance of Daniel Warwick, a commission merchant, who attended to business for Jacob Warwick, and became mutually interested and were able to trace a common ancestry. This merchant was an ancestor of Senator John W. Daniel, the renowned eulogist of Lee and Davis.

Jacob Warwick remained at Dunmore a number of years. His children were all born there. He was industriously and successfully occupied in accumulating lands, and managing immense herds of cattle and droves of horses. His possessions on Jackson's River were purchased from a certain Alexander Hall, of North Carolina. Mr. Hall owned from the Byrd place to Judge Warwick's. One of his sons, being charged with horse theft, the penalty being death by hanging, refugees to Bath. The elder Hall came to Dunmore to see Jacob Warwick, and proposed to sell his land to provide means to send his refugee son to Kentucky so as to elude arrest. Judge Jacob Warwick had sent out one hundred head of cattle to be wintered in the cane brakes. This herd was taken by Hall as part payment for the Jackson river lands.

The Clover Lick property was rented from the Lewises. The accounts from Kentucky were so flattering that Jacob Warwick decided to settle there. He actually set out for the purpose of locating and securing a place for a new home. The persons in advance of the party with which he was going were slain by Indians near Sewell Mountain. When Jacob Warwick and those with him came up and saw their slain friends, all returned home. Mrs. Warwick thereupon became so unwilling to emigrate from her Pocahontas home, that her husband concluded to exchange his Kentucky possessions with on Alexander Dunlap for a portion of the Clover Lick lands.

The Dunlap patent called for four hundred acres, the actual survey made six hundred. There was a suit between Lewis and Dunlap about this possession. When matters as to these lands became satisfactorily arranged, Jacob Warwick moved to Clover lick, and lived in a row of cabins. After a few years, he and Mrs. Warwick thought it might be better for their children to live not on the Jackson river estate. They moved to Bath, remaining there until the marriage of their son Andrew.

Upon Jacob and Mary's rerun to Clover Lick the log cabins were deemed unfit for occupancy, and arrangements were made to build a spacious mansion. Patrick Bruffey was employed to prepare the material. He began work in Warwick's absence. Mrs. Warwick instructed Bruffey to hew the timbers so as to have a hall or passage, as it was then termed. When Mr. Warwick returned and found what had been done, he was not pleased with his wife's plans, and had the logs changed accordingly. Mr. Bruffey hewed the logs and dressed the plank, but did not build the chimneys. Mr. Wooddell, near Green Bank, furnished the plank for sixty pounds. The nails were forged by hand at the Warm Springs.

Several mounds had been discovered near Clover Lick. Searching for material for the foundation of the large new house, the builders authored some nice stones from a rock pile. They found human remains, and when Jacob Warwick heard of it, he emphatically ordered the stones to be replaced and told them not to molest anything that looked like a burial place. There was no traces of the Shawnee or Mingo Indians ever wintering in the limits of this county. It was thought and regarded by them as a summer resort for fish and game, and to escape the diseases peculiar to malarial regions east and west.

Greenbrier Ben often spoke of the opening of a grave just in front of the Chapel, and from the superior quality of the articles found with the remains, all were of the opinion it was the tomb of a chief. Jacob Warwick directed it to be carefully closed, and the relics were not molested.

The main objects in having the new house so spacious, was that it might be used for preaching services, and there was preaching there more frequently than anywhere else in this region, during a number of years. This historic mansion was finally removed to give place to the handsome residence reared by Dr. Ligon, and which was burned in 1884.

We also find that the main route for emigration from Maryland, Pennsylvania and other points north and northeast passed by Clover lick to Kentucky and Ohio. As many as forty and fifty would be entertained overnight. This made Clover Lick one of the most public and widely known places in the whole country. The approach from the east avoided hollows and ravines, keeping along high loins and crests of ridges so as to be more secure from ambuscades and Indian attacks.

The original way out from Clover lick, going east, after crossing the Greenbrier, near the mouth of Clover creek, avoided Laurel Run, kept along the high point leading down to the river, and passed close by the McCutchen residence. Mary Warwick had the first road cut out, up the Laurel Run, in order to bring the lumber for the new house from Mr. Wooddell's in the Pine Woods, now Green Bank and vicinity. Mrs. Warwick gave the enterprise her personal attention.

A number of interesting incidents were given by tradition, illustrating the character of Mary Warwick. While renting Clover Lick, her husband and others were making hay. A shower of rain came up very suddenly and dampened their guns and horse pistols. Late in the afternoon the men fired them off, so as to load them with fresh charges. Some on hearing the report of firearms in quick succession, brought word to Mary Warwick, at Dunmore, that the Indians were fighting the men at the Lick. Mrs. Warwick at once mounted a large black stallion, put a colored boy on behind, and went at full speed and swam the swollen river in her effort to see what had happened. This colored boy was old "Ben," who died at Clover Lick, and was remembered by many of the older citizens.

Upon another occasion, when the Shawnees were returning from one of their raids to the east, forty or fifty of their warriors were sent by Clover Lick with the intention, it was believed, to pillage and burn. A scout from Millboro warned Judge Warwick of their movements. With about 20 others he waited for them in ambush on the mountain crest, south of Clover Lick. The fire was very effective and every man killed or wounded his victim. The Indians in their surprise hastily retreated and were pursued as far as Elk Water in Randolph county. Upon hearing the result, Mrs. Warwick at once followed her husband and friends, and was attended by servants, carrying provisions for them. She met them at the Big Spring on their return, and the weary hungry party were greatly refreshed by her thoughtful preparations.

Mrs. Warwick was eminently pious, and was a member of the Windy Cove Presbyterian Church. She never felt herself more honored than when ministers would visit her home and preach. The visiting minister would receive a nice horse, or something else as valuable, as a token of appreciation. She was conscientiously rigid in her domestic discipline. Her brother once made this remark, "Mary, I used to think you were too strict with your family, and you have been blamed for it. I see now, you were right. You have not a child but would kneel in the dust before you, to obey you. I let my children have more liberties, and they do not care near so much for me."

Rev. Arelas Loomis came from Beverly, for a time, every four weeks, and reached at the Warwick residence. Mrs. Warwick was highly emotional and during the services often appeared very happy. As to her personal appearance, she was tall, slender and blue-eyed, hair slightly tinged with auburn, and when in health, lithe and agile in her carriage. So she was distinguished for symmetry of person, beauty of figure and force of character, all of which she retained even to an advanced age. She was very benevolent, and her kind deeds were done upon the principle of not telling the left hand what the right might be doing. persons in her employ would always be overpaid. Polly Brown, whose lot it was to support her blind mother, received two bushels of corn every two weeks, and no one knew where the supply came from at the time. A person named Charley Collins, who was renowned as an athlete, and whose name was given to one of the Meadows of Clover Lick, did a great deal of clearing. It was reported that he was but poorly paid, but before Mrs. Warwick was done with him, his family was doubly paid by the substantial gifts dispensed with her open hands.

Among Mrs. Warwick's many other generous deeds, it was told how a rather worthless character, disabled by frozen feet, was received into her house, clothed and fed until he could walk. His name was Bosier. Mrs. Mclaughlin remembers seeing this person crawling up the steps, sitting by the door or reclining under the dining table while preaching services were held. This man afterwards died from the effects of a burring tree falling on him, against which he had made a fire, while on his way from Big Spring to Mace's in Mingo Flats. George See, a grandson of Mrs. Warwick, heard his cries and came to him. In his efforts to rescue him, he exerted himself so laboriously that he was never well afterwards.

Mrs. Warwick, in her old age, gathered the first Sabbath school ever taught in Pocahontas county, West Virginia. In the summer her servants would lift her on her horse, and she would then ride about four miles to a school house, near where the Josiah Friel cabin stood, which was later in the possession of Giles Sharp. The exercises would begin at about nine o'clock. There was no prayer, no singing, but she would read the bible, talk a great deal and give good advice. The scholars would read their bibles with her. The exercises would close at two in the afternoon. After a continuous session of five hours, Mrs. Warwick would be so exhausted as to require assistance to arise and mount her horse. It was her custom to go to Wm. Sharp's, dine and rest awhile, and then go home late in the day. Among her scholars were Mrs. Mary Gibson, on Elk; Mrs. William Moore and Mrs. Elizabeth McLaughlin, who were daughters of her friend, Mrs. William Sharp. The school was mainly made up of Josiah Brown's family, John Sharp's, William Sharp's and Jeremiah Friel's families.

A great while before her death, during one of Mr. Loomis' ministerial visits, she received the communion. Upon receiving the elements, her emotions became so great that her husband and children, fearing results, carried her to her own room. For four weeks, she was helpless from nervous post ration. All her children from Bath and Pocahontas were sent for. She died at the ripe age of 80 years, in 1823, at Clover Lick, and there she was buried. There were no services of any kind in connection with her burial. Mary Warwick's grave was on the green hillside, facing the morning sun. The only thing marking the spot at one time, was a peach tree that had spontaneously grown at the head of her grave. Her blood flows in the veins of the Warwicks, Sees, Gatewoods, Camerons, Poages, Beards, Matthews, Moffats, McClungs, Ligons, McClintics and Prices, in the counties of Randolph, Bath, Rockbridge and Pocahontas.

Jacob Warwick was one of the pioneers who made permanent settlements in what is now Pocahontas and Bath counties Virginia and West Virginia. He resided on Clover Lick for a time, before moving to his immense possessions on Jackson's river, and then returned to Clover Lick. He endowed his seven children with ample legacies and besides bequeathed a competency to ten or fifteen grandchildren.

Jacob Warwick was an alert and successful Indian fighter, having a series of conflicts, narrowly escaping with his life won several occasions. Yet he was never sure of killing but one Indian. There is a tree on the lands of John Warwick, near Green Bank, where Jacob Warwick killed an Indian in single contest. It always grieved him that he had certainly sent one soul into eternity under such sad circumstances.

It was his accurate knowledge of mountain regions far and near his serves were in frequent demand by land agents and governmental surveyors. Jacob and others went to Randolph as an escort for a land commission in the service of the colony. It was during the period when Killbuck scouted the mountains with bands of Shawnees and Mingoes. Colonel John Stuart, of Greenbrier, said, "Of all the Indians the Shawnees were the most bloody and terrible, holding all other men - Indians as well as whites - in contempt as warriors in comparison with themselves. This opinion made them more fierce and restless than any other savages, and they boasted that they had killed ten times as many white men as any other tribe. They were a well-formed, ingenious, active people; were assuming and imperious in the presence of others, not of their nation, and sometimes very cruel. It was chiefly the Shawnees that cut off the British under General Braddock, in 1755 - only nineteen years before the battle of Point Pleasant - when the General himself and Sir Peter Hackett, the second in command, were both slain, and the mere remnant only of the whale army escaped. They, too, defeated Major Grant and the Scotch Highlanders, at Fort Pitt, in 1758, where the whole of the troops were killed or taken prisoners.

The most memorable event of Jacob Warwick's life was his being in the expedition to Point Pleasant, under General Andrew Lewis. The march from Lewisburg to Point Pleasant, one hundred and sixty miles, took nineteen days. It was most probable that Jacob was in the company commanded by Captain Mathews. This conflict with the Indians was the most decisive that had yet occurred. it was fought on Monday morning, October 10, 1874.

As mentioned earlier, major Warwick's sons and daughters were all born at Dunmore, Pocahontas county, West Virginia. The eldest daughter, Rachel, remembered when the settlers would fly to the fort near her home, when she was a little girl. The fort was near the spot occupied by Col. Pritchard's mill in 1892. Rachel Warwick became the wife of Major Charles Cameron, a descendant of the Camerons noted in the history of the Scottish Covenanters.

Charles Cameron was in the battle of Point Pleasant, and was there called upon to mourn the death of his three brothers slain in that conflict. Charles Cameron was of medium stature, tidy in his dress, wore short clothes, very dignified in his manners, and was never known to smile after the heart-rending scenes he witnessed at Point Pleasant, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 1774. He was a Major in the Revolution and served as clerk of both courts of Bath county many years.

In person, Jacob Warwick was tall, stoop shouldered and exceedingly agile and muscular. Mrs. Mary Vance Warwick was a person of highly refined taste, and took all possible pains to make home attractive. After sunday school at her home all present were invited to remain for dinners. Her table service was elegant enough for a prince to enjoy. She had a well supplied library of books in the nicest style of binding, and she made good use of them.

Jacob Warwick was so genial in his manners, keenly enjoyed the society of relatives and friends, among whom he numbered many of the noblest spirits of Virginia. Jacob never seemed to be conscious of his wealth or superior intelligence, and consequently never assumed airs of superiority. When persons called him Major, it seemed to displease him, and he would remonstrate, "Don't call me Major, I am nothing but Jake Warwick."

Jacob "Jake" Warwick was jovial in his disposition, extremely fond of innocent merriment. He delighted much in the society of young people, even children. His pleasant words and kindly deeds to young people were vividly and affectionately remembered by all who ever knew him.

After the decease of his wife, Mary Vance, most of his time was passed at the home of Major Charles Cameron. Jacob died at the breakfast table, when he was merrily twitting Miss Phoebe Woods about her beau, young Mr. Beale, January, 1826, when Jacob was nearing his 83rd year. Jacob was buried about a mile up the west bank of the Jackson's River, reserved for family burial. A locust tree stood near his grave and marked the place.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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