Huntersville District embraces the greater part of the eastern half of Pocahontas County. To the north lies Greenbank District,

while in the east it is separated from Highland and Bath Counties in Virginia by the summit of the Allegheny Mountain range,

on the south lies Little Levels District and on the west Edray District. West of the center and extending northeast are the

Browns Mountains. In the southern part is a series of mountains called the Beaver Lick range. It is crowned by several lofty

peaks. Just South of the latter is a level plateau or table land of considerable extent. It was covered at one time with a lofty

forest of white pine and is known as the white pine plateau. The pine timber was cut and shipped to various markets and

much of the plateau is now  of second growth and is owned by the government, in Monongahela Forest. Knapps Creek

and its tributaries drain the entire surface. The latter are Little Back Creek, Douthard's Creek, Cochran's Creek and Brown's Creek.

 

    The first settlers in the district were Moses Moore, John Bradshaw, and Peter Lightner. (Both of the latter have already been

mentioned in former papers sent in.) They were not long permitted to enjoy the solitude of their lonely homes alone for other

pioneers came and settled beside them.

 

    The schools of those pioneer days were what were called subscription of select schools and were usually taught for a

few months in the year by one of the pioneers, who in his youth had enjoyed superior educational advantages. The text

books used were Dilworth's Speller and some works from the Bible as a reader.

 

    The first of these schools "kept" in this district was in a deserted log cabin which stood on the banks of Knapps Creek,

not far from where Huntersville now stands. It was a five sided structure, one side of which was taken up with a huge fireplace.

The seats were made by splitting small logs in halves and inserting pins for legs in the oval sides. It is not known who the

first teacher was; there was no record. Traditions tell us Mary Moore was the first teacher. The Moores were the first to

settle on Knapps Creek and were a prominent family. It is not definitely known who preached the first sermon. Tradition

again tells us that it was the Apostle of Methodism,-- the noted Bishop Asbury. The names of many pioneer Ministers

are remembered and recorded by the old residents.

 

    Everywhere in the settlement of the west the frontier preacher was an important factor and scarcely was the roof of

the cabins made fast before the Methodist Circuit rider or the Baptist Missionary made his appearance, collected the

neighbors, preached a sermon. left an appointment for some time, perhaps a year in the future; then after a friendly

farewell he continued his journey to another settlement.

 

    Among those who first visited Pocahontas County were the Reverend's James Avis, John Miller, Amos Smith,

J.T. Kenney, James Watts, Samuel Ellis, William McDowell, Elisha Knox, James Kerr, William Houston, Harvey

Lawyers, N. Fendleton and John Howe.

 

    The first Presbyterian Church at Huntersville, was organized by Rev. Mitchell D. Dunlap in 1854. Among the

first members were Hugh McLaughlin, Sr. James A. Price, George E. Craig. A house of worship was erected the

same year on the 12th day of August  1854. William Gammon, Benjamin Herold and James T. Lockridge, on

behalf of the Church for $1,846.00.

 

    The Methodist Episcopal Church (south) of Huntersville was organized in 1866 by Rev. P. S. E. Sixes.

Before the division of the Church in 1844 into Northern and Southern branch, the Methodists had an organization

at this place but the Huntersville Church then belonged to what was known as the Levelton Circuit.

 

    Mount Vernon Church, built in 1850 was the first ever erected on Knapps Creek. For its erection 3400 was

raised by subscription and the remainder was paid by Andrew W. Moore, Moses Moore, and Preston Moore.

It was dedicated in June 1852 and the Rev. John McClure became its first pastor. During the Civil War, the

soldiers made a barracks of the Church and at one time threatened to burn it but were prevailed upon to desist

such an act of vandalism and today its stands as monument of the religious zeal and Christian enthusiasm of

generations now passed away.

 

    Among the first members were Leonard Heron, Jennie Heron, George Rider, Harvey Curry, Larry A. Curry,

Moses Moore, Isabella Moore, Preston Moore, Andrew Moore, Anna Moore and Elizabeth Lightner. George

Rider was the first class leader.

 

    Huntersville was the only town in the district at that time but in later years Frost has become a small town.

Huntersville was laid out in 1821 and was the County seat until it was moved to Marlinton after it had become

a small town, by the vote of the people.

 

    Huntersville is situated on the left bank of Knapps Creek six miles from its mouth. It is surrounded on all

sides by lofty mountains and has, perhaps, more the appearance  of an Alpine Village that any other town in

the State. It elevation 1900 feet above sea level.

 

    Moses Moore already mentioned as one of the first settlers located on Knapps Creek more than one

hundred years ago,-- at least one hundred fifty years ago - as is attested by records. There was an old Indian trail

or Valley Draft as it was once called, by which the Indians traveled when on their missions of  blood to the

settlements on Jackson River and in the Shenandoah Valley.

 

    This trail led near by where Moses Moore settled on the land once owned by his grandson Andrew W. Moore.

As might have been expected it was not long before he was carried into captivity by the Indians, but made his

escape and returned to his mountain home. Twice more before the savages were stayed beyond the Ohio River

he was carried a prisoner to their towns on the Ecioto River.

 

The early settlers of Pocahontas did not settle many towns. Huntersville being the only one of any importance.

William Sharp Sr. was the first permanent settler at Huntersville, but John Bradshaw was the one who did the

most toward making the town one of importance.

 

    For a number of years previous to the organization of the county in 1821, Huntersville had been a public

place as merchants and tradesmen from the east would arrange to meet hunters here and barter goods for

the products of the hunt. It was suggested by some that Smithville would be a good name for the place,

but Bradshaw insisted upon the name Huntersville as a special compliment to the hunters who came to his

home to meet the tradesmen, including John Harness of Staunton, and to who the place owed so much of

its development. It was John Bradshaw, too, who gave enough land, from his vast estate to the county as a

place to build all the public buildings so that Huntersville could become the county seat when the county was

organized in 1821. A site near Edray had been chosen for the county seat, but after Bradshaw's offer it was

changed.

 

    For many years after it became the county seat it retained its importance as the principal trading center

for the entire county. The largest stores were usually there. Many people came each month to the courts

and once a year the "Big Muster" of the 127th Virginia Regiment brought out all the men between the ages

of 18 and 45 for military practice. During the superior courts and the Regimental Muster quite a number of

people from the eastern counties would come here to sell hats, saddles, harness, stone ware, tobacco,

thirty cent whiskey, and many other things. Therefore the little town of Huntersville flourished in a big way. It

 was no unusual thing for its merchants to realize three to four hundred percent on dry goods and groceries

during the period 1822-1845.

 

    During the winter in 1852 almost all the business, part of the town was destroyed by fire. During the Civil

War it was burned by Federal Troops, sent from Beverly, to prevent it being a Confederate depot for military

supplies.  

 

    After the war it again grew into an important little town. Flourishing stores were operated by Amos Barlow.

Louery and Son, Lourey and Doyle. Improved methods of farming were adopted and the town took on a more

pleasing appearance than ever before.

 

    One of the principals hotels was operated by J. Williams, John Bussard, John Holden, Porterfield Wallace,

I.C. Carpenter and E. Campbell in succession, but was burned by federal troops during the Civil War.

 

    Salooning was for many years a flourishing business but in 1848 licenses for salooning was refused by the

court. This of course did away with saloons in the county.

 

    Blacksmithing was also an excellent business as there was much horse shoeing and wagon repairing to be

done. Finleys' shop stood near the Cumming Creek road and from 3-4 hands were employed. Another shop was

operated by Jack Tidd., Later by William Dilley, a very skilled artisan and G.W. Ginger in succession ( though

Ginger was not there until after the war)

 

    For many years a thriving business was carried on in the harness and saddle business. First by John Hanes

who employed 4-5 hands. After by William Fertig, and later  by William Grose and Son.

 

    Tailoring was also a thriving business, Messers Campbell, John and James Holden employed several men and

were kept busy during early fall and winter or when wedding were in prospects. Weddings also gave the saddles a

good trade. It was considered good form for the bride to have a new outfit, horse, saddle, and bridle. The groom

would not think he had much chance of success if he did not do his courting on a new saddle and bridle made at Huntersville.

 

typed by MrsA 12-2006

 

Skirmish at Huntersville