Special Collections: Letter from the Draper Manuscripts, 20C30. Transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Diana Lehman, dlehman@ix.netcom.com ********************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb ************************************************************************ George B. Moffett to Lyman C. Draper, October 18, 1883 Draper Manuscripts, 20C30 Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Spelling and punctuation are as they appear in the original text. Transcriber’s notes in {} * * * * * {Draper’s note at top of page} Mrs. Henry Miller’s birth place – North Wales, Pa Parkersburg WVa Oct 18, 1883 Dr. Draper Dr Sir I promised to answer yours on my return from Upshur Co. While there I made an effort to collect some information but failed on account of not being able to meet with Genl. Westfall, an old gentleman near that place, who takes great interest in Boone’s History. The weather was too impropitious to meet with him. I told my nephew to see the old gentleman if he could give you any information to do so -- His address is Buchannan, Upshur Co. WVa. My nephew says while Gnl W. is quite old he has a very retentive memory and is an interesting talker. He visited Miller's Iron Works about 50 years ago & might be able to give you some points. In answer to your question, did your brother say where that hunting &c occurred? If he did I do not remember. All the information I can give you relating to my grandmother's place of nativity was obtained from my mother. I on one occasion asked her where was her mother born? Her answer was in Wales or North Wales, I don't now remember. I had always after that located it in the principality of England___ I lately discovered while reading Bogart's Life of Boone that the original George Boone had settled in or near North Wales, Montgomery Co Pa--which must have been the Wales she referred to as Geo Boone Sr settled there about 1717. The supposed conversation between my father & Col Boone may have occurred, but owing to the fact that my grandfather had willed that each of his namesakes then living should have 500 pounds and his wife's 100 pounds from his estate, led me to believe that I might have been named for him, but unfortunately for me, I was not born till after his death & consequently was deprived of the 500 pounds--so my father could have given the whole name to the Boones. This I never thought of before your suggestion. My only recollection of the name is that my father not long before his death sat me on his knee & asked me how I would like to be called Genl Danl. Boone? I was much pleased and especially with the Genl part of it. At the time of my father's death in 1826, my mother was living at the old homestead on Moffett's Branch about six miles southwest of the Iron Works & continued to live there till about 1829 when the farm was sold, & she spent the remainder of her days with her oldest son H.M. Moffett in Pocahontas Co., now WVa. If my grandmother Miller died at my mother's, she was certainly buried at the Iron Works for my grandfather had laid off & fenced in two or more acres on the farm with a stone wall, for a family cemetery, & all who died in reach of it were buried there. I distinctly remember attending my father's burial at that place I have no doubt. Grandmother was buried at the same place & through a mistake lies by her son instead of her husband. I think it probable that Grandfather engaged in the iron business in Pa - sometime before he removed to Va & perhaps with some of the Boones as Richard & Saml Boone were large iron masters--I know he brought his foreman Sam Forsythe from Pa with him -- & some of the Boones may have been silent partners with him, but this is all conjecture. My brother Henry M. Moffett died in 1851 in Pocahontas Co. West Va. leaving four daughters & one son, to wit, Sallie Gatewood, Martha King, Mary Esaline -- Geo. Henry & Rachel Ellen. His wife had died about two years before. The oldest living child & daughter Salley married Dr. Ab __ McChesny of Rockbridge Co Va & died at Charleston, WVa about one year ago. Mollie married Wm Hall of Barbour Co. WVa & is now living in that Co. Geo. Henry married Marietta, the oldest daughter of Col Isaac Moore of Pocahontas Co, & is now living at Buchannon Upshur Co. WVa. Mary E. married Col W Thompson, a son of Judge G.W. Thompson of Wheeling, who is now living at & associated with Standard Oil Co. at Cleveland. Rachel E the youngest married Dr Robt McChesny of Rockbridge Co. Va & is now living at Lewisburg Greenbrier Co WVa. My brother Henry was for many years Clk of Pocahontas Co but eventually gave it up & turned his attention to farming and stock raising. In searching Bogarts Life of Boon, I was struck with some strong points of resemblance between his character & that of my brother. To give you an idea of his fondness for the chase & dogs, I will relate a circumstance which occurred not long after his entering the clerk's office as deputy to the old clerk of Pocahontas Co. He & several of his young companions had arranged to camp out one night with their dogs in order to have an early drive next morning. After building their fire & cooking & eating their grub, they retired to rest, but it was not long till some of the crowd began to tussel & make a racket. Harry requested them to go to sleep, rest & be prepared for an early ...This appeased them for a season, but shortly to be renewed. Harry stood it as long as he could but at last cried out -- Boys, “”If you will not for my sake, do for the poor dog' sakes keep quiet & go to sleep. Not long after this the old clerk's time expired & a new appointment was to be made by the magistrates of the Co. Harry was advised to oppose the old clerk for the position, which he did. One of the magistrates, being an old hunter, when he heard of my brother's candidacy, remarked, "altho I have never seen the boy I will vote for him, for any one as fond of dogs as he is will make a good man." The election came off & H was elected by a majority of One. Like Boon he was taciturn & ___ in his disposition, ___ & discreet in conversation, firm in his convictions but never intruding his opinions. He was passionately fond of the chase, or still hunting & carrying out, besides a great fondness for pets, such as children & dogs. He was a superior woodsman and marksman, rarely failing to bring down a loping buck at long range with his rifle. He was a Whig politically but notwithstanding his Co was 3 to one democratic he was elected without opposition & without seeking it, to the Va Legislature, but died before that body met. I think after reading the above you will agree with me that he inherited some of Boone's traits. A___ Lewis has no children living but several grandchildren. Jasper Lewis of Green Valley P.O. Bath Co. Va is one of them to whom you might write. Hon. Saml Price Lewis Gov. of Va during the war married a grand daughter, Jane Stuart of Greenbrier Co. She is not living but he is, & his address is Lewisburg Greenbrier Co. WVa. She has two other granddaughters living in that Co., one Mrs. Genl A.W. G. Davis & the other Mrs. Col. Jas. W. Davis, both living near Natl. Spring Depot (Chesapeak & Ohio R R) Greenbrier Co.,Wva, either of whom will take pleasure in giving you information as they are very fond of their Miller connections. I have written to Col. J.M. and ___ McCue of Augusta Co. to forward you the names of some of the descendants of H Miller's sisters so that you can correspond with them. I will refer you to HH McDowell of Versails Woodford Co. Ky for information. He is a son of the late HH McDowell of Mo, & his mother was a daughter of Capt Saml Miller of the iron works. His father was associated with the same Miller for several years at the iron works & while there married his daughter & after the death of Capt Miller moved to Mo. H.H. McDowell late of Mo was a son of Genl Joe McDowell of NC, & one of the heroes of King's Mountain.___ I have not yet received any answers to my letters. If I do I will let you hear from me. I feel grateful for your nice present, "Wisconsin Historical Collections" & take much pleasure in possessing it. I will take great pleasure in giving you any information in my possession. Don't fear to give me trouble for it will be a pleasure. Yours truly, Geo B. Moffett MD