Emily Jane was born October 19, 1844 at Westernport, Allegany County, Maryland, daughter of James Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Warwick) Wilt. John Thomas Wilt was born about 1819 in Allegany County, Maryland and died August 11, 1861 in Wood County. John Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Warwick (Warnick ?), August 11, 1840 in Allegany County, Maryland. Mary Elizabeth was born June 14, 1819 in Allegany County, Maryland and died June 24, 1911 in Gilmer County, West Virginia and is buried in the Trace Fork UM Cemetery, Gilmer County. The 1860 Gilmer County Census shows Emily as having the following siblings: Washington F., Frederick, Sarah A., John F., and Vashti C. All were born in Allegany County, Maryland, except for Vashti who was born in Gilmer County.

Emily Jane Wilt married Marshall W. Glaze on December 10, 1859 in Gilmer County, (West) Virginia. Emily was 16 years old and Marshall was 23. After their marriage they moved to Roane County, West Virginia where she spent the rest of her life. Marshall and Emily appear in the 1860 Gilmer County Census and were neighbors of Emily?s parents.

Marshall W. Glaze was born about 1835 in Lewis County, (West) Virginia, the son of Henry and Sophia (Means) Glaze. His parents came to Roane County about 1856. His father was born January 18, 1804, and died February 12, 1876 His mother was born May 11, 1808 and died in 1895. Sophia was known for her beautiful singing voice. Marshall had the following brothers and sisters: Stephen S., Isaac M., Henry Granville, Sarah, and Eliza.

Marshall and two of his brothers, Isaac M., and Stephen S. served in the Federal Army in the Civil War. His brother, Henry G. served as a private in the Home Guard. Marshall enlisted in the Co C 11th WV Infantry USA in 1861, shortly after moving to Roane County.

Marshall was killed by Confederate guerrillas at the home of his father on Spring Creek, September 10, 1863. Some said he was shot through a window while others said he was killed in the yard. No skirmish was reported have taken place at his father?s house. For whatever reason, Private Glaze was fighting in defense of home and family when he lost his life at the hands of partisan rangers.

Perhaps the reason for the killing took root before the war, as grievance and personal feuds grew along with the conflict. His death could have been the result of many skirmishes between Company C of the 11th Infantry and the Moccasin Rangers.

Troops were assigned to protect a branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad which bisected the county. Spencer was an important transportation junction as well as command post for several 11th Infantry companies. The 11th Infantry assignment in the county was as General Benjamin Kelley had commanded: "To kill, capture, or disperse the guerilla band frequenting the area."

Arnoldsburg, Calhoun County was composed of starch secessionist sympathizers and served as a rendezvous point for several Confederate guerilla bands. Men from these small communities had belonged to the 186th Virginia Militia prior to the war. When hostilities broke out in the spring of 1861, these men found themselves at war with life-long friends and neighbors. As a result many men from the Spencer area chose to fight for the Union, while those living in and around Arnoldsburg developed their own tactics in dealing with the Union.

George Downs often joined forces with the Moccasin Rangers, lead by self-appointed Captain Perry Conley. In numerous raids and assaults against the 11th (Union) Infantry. In November 1861, a close encounter did take place which resulted in a ruthless vendetta by the Moccasins against Company C of the 11th Infantry.

A 28-man detachment, under the command of Captain James Simpson, was sent on an expedition up the Little Kanawha River to flush out and arrest some of the more active partisan rangers. Atop a ridge, between the forks of the Sycamore Road the two forces met and a firefight ensued as advanced Union troops sough shelter in a nearby schoolhouse, while the Moccasins took advantage of the forest a natural fortifications. After a 45 minute skirmish, little damage was done to either side. The Confederates were forced to retreat. One ranger, to seriously wounded to retreat, had propped himself up in a fence corner. Instead of rendering aid to the dying man, as the principles of a gentleman?s war dictate, four members of Company C raised their rifles fired ? killing the ranger.

After the Sycamore skirmish, four members of Company C were murdered while enroute to or at their homes. It was suspected the Moccasins were responsible. One of these soldiers was Private Marshall Glaze. It is impossible to determine whether Private Glaze had anything to do with the execution of the wounded Confederate. No records of prosecution against the four Company C men who were responsible has yet to be found.

Perhaps the killing resulted in a random fashion when Union troops were caught away from the safety of their companies, striking at the enemy?s most vulnerable point ? the family. Perhaps Marshall was protecting his young wife, Emily Jane, and his daughters. Emily Jane may have witnessed the death the death of her husband. Marshall Glaze now rests in a wooded area near the old house with a government-issued military marker inscribed Private Marshall W. Glaze, Company C 11th West Virginia Infantry as the only identification.

Marshall Glaze?s death left Emily Jane a widow at age 19, with two young daughters to raise. Marshall and Emily were the parents of Mary S. and Henrietta.

Mary S., known as Mollie, was born in about 1862 and married Rev. Henry Kiser Riffe, August 15, 1888 in Roane County. Henry K. Riffe was the son of William David and Harriett (Boggess) Riffe and was a regular preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Virginia. He had the city of Spencer churches for one or more years and was also stationed at Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Henrietta was born about 1863 and married George Hess, February 22, 1880 in Roane County. George (1853-1934) was the son of Hiram and Mary (Fitzwater) Hess. George and Henrietta were the parents of seven children: Floral (1882) married Dr. Ross Dodson; Sophia (1883-1889); Beryl Susan (1892) George W. Wells on August 18, 1915; Harry Ray (1889) married Bly Davis on March 22, 1919; Eva Kate (1895) married John B. Combs on June 13, 1917; and Marshall Hobert (1886).

Emily Jane married James L. Epling on August 14, 1866 in Roane County. He was 26 and she was 22 years old. James was born in 1840, the son of Leonard J. and Phoebe (King) Epling. Leonard J. Epling was born about 1812 in Giles County, Virginia and died October 3, 1892 in Roane County. Leonard is buried in Epling Cemetery, Clover, Roane County, WV. Phoebe was born about 1820 and died August 4, 1900. Leonard made his home on the head of Rush, where he pushed back the forest and made a good farm where he and Phoebe raised a large family. They were the parents of James, William, Elizabeth, Nancy J., Isaac N., John, Thomas, Joseph, and Martha.

James L Epling also served the Union in the Civil War. His unit was Co B 9th West Virginia Infantry. James? father Leonard, also served in Co B and Co G 9th West Virginia Infantry. Leonard was also a Captain of the Home Guards. Marshall Glaze?s brother, Stephen, also served in Company B. The 9th West Virginia Infantry is conspicuous for bravery at the Battle of Cloyd?s Mountain, Virginia on May 9, 1864.

James and Emily lived in the Smithfield District of Roane County. James is said to have owned the first store and post office in the community of Otto, West Virginia. James and Emily were the parents of seven children: George M., Phoebe Ann, Fredrick Jackson, William Taylor, James D., and two un-named children that died young.

George M. (1867-1957) married Cora Moles, January 9, 1896 in Roane County. George married Lucy Miller on May 18, 1901. They had a daughter, Dixie May (1897). George known as "Mack" was a farmer, lumberman and the state?s oldest forest fire observer at age 89.

Phoebe Ann (1870-1953) married William Franklin Valentine (1870-1937), November 1, 1891 in Roane County. William was the son of Amos E. (1846-1911) and Eliza Ann (Starkey) Valentine (1843-1909). William and Phoebe were the parents of Dulcie May (1892-1986) married Caotis Wise Lowe (1882-1966) on August 30,1908; Harley Lee (1894); Cammie Pearl (1895-1973); Amos Doyle (1897): Virgil Victor (1899); Renzie Gladys (1901) married Paul Goebel; Mary Leota (1903-1993) married Marvin B. Lowe (1892-1967) on April 13, 1924; Amy Cleo (1905); Susan B. (1907-1983) married Harry E. Nichols (1901-1988) on July 28, 1926; Elsie Jean (1909); Buell Cloval (1911) married Sybil Coralee Bonnett (1911) on June 17, 1931; and Kermit Varner (1914). They lived on a farm on Rush Creek, Roane County, for several years. William and Phoebe are buried in the Swank Cemetery, Speed, Roane County, WV.

Fredrick Jackson Epling (1872-1947) married Malinda "Alice" Boggs (1870-1927), September 25, 1892 in Roane County. Alice was the daughter of Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Showen) Boggs. They were the parents of Eupha (1896) married Smith Ferrell (1893) on November 21, 1922; Fredrick J. (1899-1921); Lepha E. (1900-1997) married Hal D. McMillian (1893-1963) on June 21, 1919; Eura E. (1902-1983) married Leon H. McMillian (1900-1964) on April 1, 1923; Stacel (1904-1972) married Henry J. Niday (1899-1950): Ocie (1906-1939) married a Ferrell. After Alice?s death, Fredrick J. "Jack" married Letha K. Nichols (1908-1998), December 22, 1927. Letha was the daughter of Josiah S. and Lillie Belle (Greathouse) Nichols. Jack and Letha had two daughters, Mary Jane (1938) married Donald L. Brannon, December 16, 1955, and Phyllis Irene (1944) married William Workman. On September 22, 1948 Letha Nichols Epling married John W. Greathouse (1914-1970) son of Claudis and Charity (Runnion) Greathouse. In 1921 Fredrick J. and Alice Epling donated the land for the Otto Cemetery and 1925 they also donated a parcel of land for the Otto Advent Christian Church. Jack Epling, his wives, Alice and Letha, and several of his children are buried in the Otto Cemetery, Roane County, WV.

William Taylor (1874-1959) married Catherine Nichols, December 24, 1898 in Roane County. Mary Katherine (Katie) (1878-1964) was the daughter of Charles R. and Eliza (Greathouse) Nichols. William T. and Mary Katherine were the parents of Charles Richard (1899) married Rusha Velt Norman; Theodore Roosevelt (1900) married Gracie Smith; Ethel J. (1902) married Clarance Conley; Eva (1907) married Burton Norman; Dola (1909) married a Metz; Ada Lee (1911) married Walter Lee Batten and 2nd a Deivel; Edith (1906); Marie V. (1913) married a Cottrell; Ernest Elmer (1916-1993); Grant G. (1918); Mary Katherine (1922) married a Russell. William was a farmer, and a member of Linden F & AM Lodge. Wiliam and Katie were both members of the Epling Chapel Church and are buried in the church cemetery.

James D. (1876) appears in the 1880 Roane County Census with his mother. He was four years old. It appears he was born about the time of his father?s death. At the time of his Emily Jane?s death he is as living at Camden-on-Gauley.

James L. Epling passed away December 29, 1876 and is buried in the Epling Cemetery, Rt. 36, Clover, Roane County, WV.

At the age of 32, Emily was again a widow with five young children, ages 9 to less than a year old.

Emily Jane married Thompson McGraw, March 17, 1887 in Roane County. Thompson was born about 1840 in Fayette County, (West) Virginia, the son of Henry and Mary McGraw. Thompson McGraw was a charter member of the Hays Fork Advent Christian Church, located two miles above Linden. The church was established in 1888.

Thompson McGraw was first married to Frances Bailey Ferrell, daughter of William Shadrack And Frances C. (Bailey) Ferrell. Thompson and Frances were married December 14, 1865 in Roane County. Frances (Frannie) was born January 10, 1840 in Russell County, Virginia and died May 13, 1885. She is buried in the Ferrell Cemetery, Roane County. Thompson and Frances were the parents of Charles H. (1868); William S. (1868); Mary F. (1870); Thomas (1872); Franklin (1875); Victory (1876); Thompson S. (1878-1925); Leander (1880); and George S. (1882).

Thompson and Emily had one child, a daughter, Anice A. Anice was born in April 4, 1888 in Roane County. Emily Jane was 44 years old when she gave birth to Anice.

Anice married Uriah J. Young on October 14, 1912 in Roane County. Uriah J. was born April 14, 1886 in Roane County, son of Henry W. and Sarah F. (Benear) Young. Uriah J. and Anice were the parents of Hollis Eugene (1913); Uriah Jr. (1922); and Jack Henry (1925). Anice passed away in 1980, age 91 and is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Wood County, WV.

Thompson McGraw passed away, June 16, 1922 in Roane County and is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.. At age 77, Emily Jane again found herself a widow. All her children were now adults, relieving her of the burden of providing for a family.

Emily Jane passed away on August 31, 1938 at the age of 93. She was living with her daughter, Anice at the time of her death. Her funeral was held in the Pleasant Grove Church and she was buried beside Thompson in the Church Cemetery.

On October 21, 1937, The Times Record published a photo of five generations of the McGraw family of Liverpool, WV. Shown where Mrs. Emily McGraw, 93, her daughter, Mrs. W.F. Valentine, her son, Doyle Valentine, his daughter, Mrs. Earl Anderson, and he year-old son, Jimmy Anderson. If you would like to see Emily Jane?s photo, check the old newspapers on microfilm at the Roane County Library.

Written and submitted by Donna J. Walbrown