Roane County Historical Society, Inc.

Comments: Nichols Family

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:28:09 +0000

I am looking for information linking Robert Nichols b.1805 to Zephaniah Nichols b. 1763. Robert was married to Margaret Schoolhouse. Need this information for a SAR application.

Comments: Dr. M. L. Caldwell

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 21:14:37 +0000

In response to the question as to who was the Dr. M.L. Caldwell who practiced in Walton, I have seen where there was a Dr. Mark Caldwell, who married Kathleen Delores Looney from Walton. I have been trying to find his burial site. More information: The Dr. in Walton was Dr. Mark Edgar Caldwell. He died on 3-14-1933 at the age of 46 due to acute nephritis.

Queries / Forums: Looking foran address

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 19:13:47 +0000

Posted by: Dave Cox
I'm looking for the address of the Cox Motor Sales on Court Street in Spencer from 1925-27. I have the Sanborn Insurance Maps but they don't list the business names. I know it was on Court Street but don't know the number.

Appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks

Dave

Queries / Forums: Elizabeth Propst Sinnett

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:55:51 +0000

Posted by: John Sagert
Elizabeth Propst Sinnett b.1787 and d.1843. She was married to John Patrick Sinnett. They both died in the Walton area. I'm looking for her gravesite that is listed as being in Sinnett Cemetery #1 located on Trace Fork Rd. Years ago I searched this area with a former postal route driver that lived on this road but we could not find it. The 1940 record listed it as having one marker( Elizabeth's)and being on the S. A. Flesham farm but as far as I know his farm was not on this road. I could use some help locating this cemetery.We found a few cemeteries but not the right one. There was one shown on the topo map but we couldn't get to it as there was a locked gate at the entrance and was told the owners lived out of town.

Articles: May Meeting Update

Wed, 5 May 2021 16:04:53 +0000

Our May 2021 meeting will be Saturday May 22 at 10:00 o'clock in the Roane County Library. Please try to attend.

We have made this change from Thursday evening for all you that have said evening meeting just doesn't work for you.

Queries / Forums: The Mountaineers - Gospel Music Group 1935s-1940s

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 02:21:12 +0000

Posted by: Leslie Douglas Kessinger
Looking for information on where to find history or possible audio recordings on The Mountaineers Gospel singing group. I believe the members were brothers Camden and Emmett Moore, born in Reedy, WV, and Harold Yoak, George McQuain and Norman DeWeese.
They sang together as a group around 1935 to 1940s.

Camden and Emmett Moore are my great-uncles, brothers to my fathers (Ray Edward Douglas) mother, Ruby Gertrude Moore Douglas McGuire.

Thank you,
Leslie Douglas Kessinger

Photos: Spencer McClellan Moore, son of Alonzo "Lon" Moore

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 02:00:26 +0000

By Leslie Douglas Kessinger in Veterans
Spencer McClellan b. 25 Nov 1918 Roane Co., WV, d. 13 Oct 1943 MIA over the SW Pacific Ocean around Madang, Papua New Guinea (MID 56784346). Memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Upon his death he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. His unit was the 405 Bomb Squad 38 Bombardier Group.
Their missions are listed at these links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/405th_Tactical_Missile_Squadron, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Bombardment_Group, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell.
Spencer is referenced in the West Virginia Memory Project (http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvmemory/vetdetail.aspx?Id=6775)

Photos: Emmett Clarence Moore, son of Alonzo "Lon" Moore

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:56:51 +0000

By Leslie Douglas Kessinger in Veterans
b. 27 Nov 1915 Reedy, Roane Co., WV, d. 9 Oct 1999

Emmett's Enlistment date was 24 Jun 1942 at Huntington WV and his Release Date was 13 Oct 1945 as a Private in the Army.

Photos: Rector Ray "Rex" Douglas

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:53:50 +0000

By Leslie Douglas Kessinger in Veterans
Corpl. Rector Ray "Rex" Douglas (b 27 Oct 1889 Roane County WVA, d 4 Jan 1934 Spencer WVA).

In Europe during WW I. He was a Corporal in the 314 Field Artillery Ordnance Detachment, American Expedition Force, 80th Division. Service Number 1835794.
Departed Brest France 17 May 1919 on the USS Zeppelin to Camp Stewart, Newport News VA.

Photos: Camden A Moore, son of Alonzo "Lon" Moore

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:47:22 +0000

By Leslie Douglas Kessinger in Veterans
US Navy, served during the period of the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor.
b. 16 Jun 1921 Reedy WV d. 21 Nov 2004 Parkersburg WV

Photos: Pvt Ray Edward Douglas, son of Rector Ray Douglas

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:43:51 +0000

By Leslie Douglas Kessinger in Veterans
Pvt . Ray Edward Douglas Sr (b 23 Oct 1926 Spencer WV - d 19 Jun 2020) - Army Air Force (1945 -1946). End of WW II (received the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal)

Links: Common Tombstone Symbols and Icons

Thu, 1 Apr 2021 14:34:01 +0000

Common Tombstone Symbols and Icons
Submitted by: Richard Griffith
Explore the meanings and interpretation of common tombstone symbols with photos.

Links: Metes, Bounds & Meanders - Platting the Land of Your Ancestors

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:53:15 +0000

Metes, Bounds & Meanders - Platting the Land of Your Ancestors
Submitted by: Richard Griffith
Information to help in deciphering land boundaries described in deeds using the system commonly referred to as metes and bounds.

Queries / Forums: Cox Family

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 18:31:59 +0000

Posted by: Dave Cox
Hi-

I've been researching the Cox family and am looking for help. My 3X great grandfather was Philip David Cox (1819-1860) who was one of the first merchants of the county. I'm trying to find information on his parents (I think David Sutton Cox and Hannah Tharp). I've not been able to find any death records on P D at all, and am hoping that if they exist they could help my research. Do you have any suggestions of where those records could be or for that matter, was it common NOT to file death records in Roane Co at that time? I've had the same issue with his son David (who married Rachel A Raines) who died in 1904, but fortunately I have family documentation on him and his father.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Queries / Forums: John William Looney and table made from Robert Looney's boat

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 21:12:15 +0000

Posted by: Joe Looney
Hi All,

My name is Joe Looney and I'm trying to track down a piece of Looney family history that is likely in Roane County.

I saw a photo from the Buchanan County (Virginia) Historical Society on their FB page - the photo was from a 1941 Looney family reunion held in Grundy VA. The photo showed my grandfather J. Paris Looney of Grundy holding a table with John William Looney of Spencer. Supposedly that table was made from Robert Looney's boat that he sailed up the Poca to get to Roane County about 1839. I'd love to know if that table still exists and if so, who has the honor of holding it.

I've used Ancestry and Family Search to track down some direct descendants of John William Spencer including Ernest Ward Looney Sr., Ernest Ward Looney Jr., and others. I would be interested if any Looney family members in Roane County today know what happened to that table or where it might be if it still exists. Does anyone on the forum know anything about this or can put me in contact with knows? Thanks very much!

Comments: Jones Cemetery

Sat, 30 May 2020 17:53:38 +0000

Is this cemetery that is listed as being on Left Hand Road, recorded in Find-a-grave? I am looking for a Jones Cemetery that is indicated on google maps that is off of Vineyard Ridge/Robinson Run. I participated in a Masonic Funeral for Glenn Devoe Jones in 1994.

Comments: Walton cemetery note

Sat, 4 Apr 2020 16:10:43 +0000

On June 15th, 1912, Cab Dillard (John Cabell Dillard) made a deed to Rebecca Hall for a plot of land in Walton, WV for the purpose of establishing the Cunningham Cemetery. The location of this cemetery is across the U.S. Rt. 119 from the Walton Union Church and is adjacent to what is now the Walton Volunteer Fire Department property.

The cemetery is listed in the Roane County Historical Society list of cemeteries as the Walton Cemetery, also known as the Walton/Dillard Cemetery and Hensley Cemetery. In the Find-a-Grave database, the cemetery is listed as the Walton Cemetery and also the Summers Cemetery, also known as the Henry Summers Cemetery.

I searched the records at the Roane County Courthouse on 8-23-2019, with the assistance of the County Clerk, Charley White. The cemetery of record in the courthouse is the Cunningham Cemetery.

The Walton Cemetery is listed in the Roane County Historical Society's "Cemeteries of Roane County West Virginia Volume II?€?.

The oldest marker in the cemetery is Mary E Donohoe October 18th, 1861.

Articles: June 2019 Birthday Celebration with Guest Speaker

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 18:55:35 +0000

Greetings Friends and Members of the Roane County Historical Society.
REMINDER: Thursday, June 27th is scheduled for our regular monthly meeting with speaker & 26th Birthday Celebration. 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library in Spencer.
Mr. Andrew Bragg of Poca, WV will present an informative program geared mostly for beginning family genealogists/researchers, which includes a power-point presentation. (Seasoned researchers may have a thing or two to learn also.) Andrew works for State of WV in Charleston, and holds a Master's Degree in History and is working on a 2nd Master's in History. He is a knowledgeable historian having over 19-years of family research experience to his credit. Please share this special program announcement with friends & family plan to attend.
Since June is the Society's Birthday Month - Cake and Ice Cream will be served.

Articles: Notes from December 20, 2018 RCHS Meeting

Mon, 7 Jan 2019 17:50:55 +0000

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Public Library in Spencer for their regular monthly meeting. This was the last meeting for 2018. The Society does not meet during the Winter months of January & February.
Rich Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. The pledge to the flag was recited by all. Those present were: Kathy L. Kidd, Reva Paxton, Melba Starcher, Vickie Baker, Carol Board-Westfall, Carl Paxton, Rich Greathouse, Bonita Schreckengost, Linda Cottrell Liss and Vicki J. Knight.

The minutes from the November 15th meeting were read and approved

Treasurer?€™s Report: Carol Board-Westfall. Current Balance: $12,013.37 Copy filed for annual audit.

Correspondence: Linda Liss noted one piece of correspondence - dated Dec. 14, 2018 from Bill Henderson of Weston, WV regarding his inquiry on Orville Wade Harris, born 1884 in Barbour Co., WV and died 22 June 1953 at Spencer State Hospital. Linda made phone and email contact with Mr. Henderson regarding her findings that both Mr. & Mrs. Harris are buried at Spencer Memorial Cemetery in Roane County.

Membership Sect?€™y Report: Linda Liss reported current membership as 189.

NEW BUSINESS:
As Treasurer, Carol Board Westfall reported that she had received a letter from the Spencer Post Office regarding an increase in our annual fee for Bulk Postage Permit #101. The post office did not have an exact cost at this time, but rate will be going up since other U.S. postal rates will be increased as of January 27, 2019. (Last annual permit fee was $215.)

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the Society?€™s newsletter, bulk mailings and how to proceed since our membership has fallen below the 200 required for a bulk mailing. Linda reported that a Special 5-page December "Journal?€? newsletter was emailed on Dec. 4, 2018 to those members having email, plus 50 were delivered by postal. The purpose of the special newsletter was to see how members would like to receive the quarterly newsletters & other correspondence; of over 130 emailed newsletters, 46 members responded. Basically those who received the emailed letter would like to receive correspondence that way. There were a few who requested postal mail even though they had email. To postal mail a 6-page or greater newsletter beginning Jan 27, 2019 will be 70 cents per item, no staples and the folded document must be sealed on the edges. Having said all that, the 11-page 2018-19 Surname Directory and an 10-page Winter Journal newsletter will be mailed as one bulk mailing since the new bulk rate will not come into effect until January 27th.

With regard to the Quarterly Journal newsletter, Linda Cottrell Liss, Editor, stated that it has become increasingly hard to compose a historical & newsworthy newsletter. A plea for contributions of news articles, family histories, and Roane County veteran?€™s info are not coming in. We are not receiving sufficient items to produce a 12-page newsletter. This Editor does not want to fill the publication with miscellaneous poems, cartoons, etc. just to have a 12-page document. Therefore, the general consensus recommendation of those present was for the newsletter editor to compose newsletters with what news items she has available quarterly. Also, when time for the Spring 2019 "Journal?€? is to be published, that it be emailed in the pdf "portable document format?€?. Those members not having email or have specifically requested paper newsletters will be mailed at the new postal rates.

President Greathouse received a letter dated 14 Dec 2018 from the WV Dept. of Transportation regarding the proposed replacement of the Tariff (Roane County) Arch Bridge built in 1927, Route 27 over Henry?€™s Fork of West Fork of the Little Kanawha River. The Society does not see any adverse effects of this proposal historically or otherwise. No further comment or action required.

22nd Annual History Hero Award - The R.C.H.S. is happy to nominate Mrs. Vickie L. Baker for a 2019 West Virginia History Hero award sponsored by the WV Archives & History in Charleston, WV. Vickie actively supports buy generic ambien the work of the Society and serves as Organizing Regent for a new D.A.R. chapter for Roane County. Hero applications must be received by Dec. 31, 2018. Successful nominees will be honored at a History Day on February 21, 2019.

OLD BUSINESS:
The Annual Genealogy Fair sponsored by the RCHS will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. More information to follow.

2019 Essay Scholarship Award - $1,000. The Counselor at Roane County High School, the principal at the Cross Country Christian Academy and the Director of Curriculum with Roane County Board of Education for home-schooled students have been contacted and sent applications & guidelines for the Scholarship. Deadline is Friday, April 5, 2019.

Daughters of the American Revolution [D.A.R.] Update - Vickie Baker, Organizing Regent for a new chapter for Roane County, reported that she has processed nine member applications for D. A. R. and that there are two more applications being processed. Twelve approved members are required to form a new chapter. Prospective chapter members will be meeting on the third Saturday monthly for the process of forming a new chapter for the Roane County area. The next meeting will be Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the St. John?€™s United Methodist Church, 335 Church Street in Spencer, 10 a.m. - Noon.

For Good of the Society -
Bonita Schreckengost announced that she had found a large display-type map of Roane County that could be used to mark or number the county?€™s cemeteries and then provide a printed name list for those numbered cemeteries.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. with holiday refreshments being served by Vicki Knight.

Articles: December 20th, 2018 Meeting of RCHS

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 14:30:00 +0000

Greetings, fellow Roane County Historical Society Members & other interested Roane Countians:
Just a little reminder that the DECEMBER meeting of the Society will be held on Thursday, Dec. 20th at the Roane County Library, 7 p.m.
Please make an effort to attend since this will be our LAST MEETING for 2018. Important business regarding declining membership & the future of Society's newsletter will be discussed. MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND. We do not meet for the Winter months of January-February.
Linda Cottrell Liss, Correspondence Secretary