The Wilson family comes from the area of Doe Hill Virginia, located in what is now Highland County, near the West Virginia border. Located West of the Tidewater and Piedmont regions to the East and has Shenandoah Mountain on the east and the Allegheny Front on the West. This area is beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains (known in Old Virginia as the “Transmountaine”). Its geographic features are therefore very much like those of the northern county. But since its valleys are crossed by the series of saddle-ridges that separate the waters of the Potomac from those of the James, the average elevation is greater and the climate is cooler. Rather than cross such a formidable physical barrier, most early settlers came southerly up the valley across the Potomic River from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Many followed the Great Wagon Trail, also known as the Valley Pike (U.S. Route 11 today). The first line between Pendleton and Augusta followed the cross-divide and was consequently a natural boundary.1, 2
Even after Virginia and the other 12 colonies won their independence from Great Britain after the Revolutionary War, the area remained sparsely populated. The formation of Highland in 1847 was not so much because Pendleton and Bath were too long as because the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike had been opened in 1838. This circumstance gave the Highland area an important advantage. Engineered by Claudius Crozet through the mountainous terrain, it was a toll road partially funded by the Virginia Public Works. The Turnpike formed an important link between the upper Shenandoah Valley with the Ohio River.2, 1
The most conspicuous events of the Indian wars were a battle near the head of the North Fork, the attack on the home of William Wilson on Jackson's River, and the building of Fort George on the farm of L. M. McClung. Control of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike became crucial during the American Civil War (1861-1865). By all accounts, documented in many letters home from young troops, a miserable winter in 1861 was spent by the Union and Confederate troops holding apposing high elevation positions along the road. The Battle of McDowell, May 8, 1862, the first Confederate victory of Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley campaign was fought here, and the raids by Federal Cavalry in 1863 and 1864.1, 2
It has been confusing to me trying to find out the county name for this area because of the growth of the state and the changing boundaries of the counties along with the creation of new counties throughout the early years of Virginia’s history. Here is a short history of what I could find for the Doe Hill area so I was able to place the proper county with the year of birth, marriage, and death of my ancestors. Highland County was formed from Pendleton County in 1847. Pendleton County was created in 1788 from Rockingham County. Rockingham County was established in 1778 from Augusta County. Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County. Orange County was established in 1734 from a portion of Spotsylvania County. And finally, Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties.
Sources:
1. “The History of Highland County” by Oren F. Morton, 1922
2. From Wikipedia on Highland County, Virginia
Even after Virginia and the other 12 colonies won their independence from Great Britain after the Revolutionary War, the area remained sparsely populated. The formation of Highland in 1847 was not so much because Pendleton and Bath were too long as because the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike had been opened in 1838. This circumstance gave the Highland area an important advantage. Engineered by Claudius Crozet through the mountainous terrain, it was a toll road partially funded by the Virginia Public Works. The Turnpike formed an important link between the upper Shenandoah Valley with the Ohio River.2, 1
The most conspicuous events of the Indian wars were a battle near the head of the North Fork, the attack on the home of William Wilson on Jackson's River, and the building of Fort George on the farm of L. M. McClung. Control of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike became crucial during the American Civil War (1861-1865). By all accounts, documented in many letters home from young troops, a miserable winter in 1861 was spent by the Union and Confederate troops holding apposing high elevation positions along the road. The Battle of McDowell, May 8, 1862, the first Confederate victory of Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley campaign was fought here, and the raids by Federal Cavalry in 1863 and 1864.1, 2
It has been confusing to me trying to find out the county name for this area because of the growth of the state and the changing boundaries of the counties along with the creation of new counties throughout the early years of Virginia’s history. Here is a short history of what I could find for the Doe Hill area so I was able to place the proper county with the year of birth, marriage, and death of my ancestors. Highland County was formed from Pendleton County in 1847. Pendleton County was created in 1788 from Rockingham County. Rockingham County was established in 1778 from Augusta County. Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County. Orange County was established in 1734 from a portion of Spotsylvania County. And finally, Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties.
Sources:
1. “The History of Highland County” by Oren F. Morton, 1922
2. From Wikipedia on Highland County, Virginia
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