Lacy Presbyterian Church

Williamsburg, West Virginia

Seventy ~ Fifth

Anniversary

1886 ~ November ~ 1961

Organized in 1886, building erected in 1888

1886 November 1961

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Author's Statement

2. Richwood Choir

3. Anniversary Program

Lacy Church Organization

1. Petition to Organize

2. Charter Members

3. Rev. S. L. Wilson Installed

4. Lacy Church Deed

5. Erecting A Church

6. Additional Members

7. Lacy Church Leaders

Presbyterian Backgrounds

1. In the American Colonies

2. Crossing the Alleghenies

1. Old Stone Church Center

Community Backgrounds

1. Williamsburg Area

2. Community Schools

3. Methodism

Selected Lacy Church Families

1. The Bobbitts

2. The Handleys

3. The Keslers

4. The McClungs

5. The Shirkeys

Interesting Press Items

Greenbrier Independent

Sources of Information

A History of Lacy Church

By James W. Wright

The Session of Lacy Church has authorized the writer to make a brief summarization of facts, significant events and human relationships in connection with the Lacy church and the Williamsburg community. The organization and building of a church anywhere, anytime, is of great social importance.

In assembling this data, various available written sources, published and unpublished, have been examined, checked and evaluated in the light of a large number of personal interviews. Original source materials are quite scarce; therefore, basic research has been restricted.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge much kind assistance from many friends. Special assistance from Mr. A. R. Handley, Clerk of Session, is cheerfully acknowledged. Mr. Bright Hern, editor of The Greenbrier Independent, has been helpful in examining certain issues of his newspaper. It is the hope of the writer that persons enough interested will search further and profit by the mistakes necessarily found in this undertaking and for which the writer accepts responsibility.

This booklet is in recognition of the seventy-fifth Anniversary of the founding of Lacy Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. The main public programs in connection with this anniversary have been two appearances of the popular Richwood Presbyterian Choir, under the able leadership of Mrs. J. Bert Smith, For convenience, Lacy Church Session decided on October 8, 1961 as the official anniversary occasion rather than either of the later dates, namely, November 28 when the church was organized, or November 11 when the building was dedicated. The sessions of both the Richwood church and First church White Sulphur Springs have already extended greetings, each by a gift of Presbyterian Hymnals.

The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Program

Sunday, October 8, 1961

7:30 P. M.

Dr. James W. Wright presided, described the early history of the Lacy church organization and spoke briefly on the subject: "Down Thru the Years." The congregation stood during the roll call of the thirteen charter members. Mrs. Edna H. Wright opened with an organ prelude and Mrs. Anna Jane Handley Bower fittingly played the offertory while the Handley brothers, Alexander and Floyd, sons of charter member and ruling elder Alexander Griffin Handley, lifted the offering.

Four large baskets of beautiful flowers, in memory of the Shirkey family, were furnished by Mrs. J. Kent Phipps, the granddaughter of Oliver Shirkey, a charter member of ruling elder.

Nearby Presbyterian churches were represented and brought greetings. Old Stone church session sent four official representatives, elders Dr. John F. Montgomery, Attorney Sheldon Haynes, Handley S. Skaggs and C. W. Lewis. The Old Stone church congregation was represented by Dr. and Mrs. Harry E. Handley, his sister, Gertrude, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jackson and Marshall Musser. Dr. Montgomery spoke for the session and congregation. Spring Creek church was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hanna; the Frankford church by Misses Rachel McClintic and Byrna Kincaid.

Their pastor, Rev. Horace T. Allen, Jr., spoke for these churches and at the close of the program pronounced the benediction. The Richlands church was represented by Ruling Elder and Mrs. J. H. Withrow; the Alderson church by Ruling Elder and Mrs. W. W. Bower; the Organ Cave church by Deacon and Mrs. Lance Withrow, and the Richwood church by officers J. Bert Smith and Carl B. Taylor.

Congregational hymns used were "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" and "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." The Richwood choir presented a varied program in two parts under the able direction of Mrs. J. Bert Smith with Mrs. Carl B. Taylor at the organ. The large attendance was greatly moved by the artistic skill in performance and spiritual content.

Upon arrival, the choir was entertained at the local high school in the Home Economics department room where Mrs. Hazel Kesler and her daughter, Joan assisted Mrs. Wright in serving refreshments. Joan is the granddaughter of John Groves Kesler, a charter member and a first deacon.

Reverend Matthew Lyle Lacy, D.D.

Reverend Matthew Lyle Lacy, D. D. of Virginia came to Greenbrier Presbytery and became co-pastor with Dr. John McElhenney at Old Stone Church in 1869. Upon Dr. McElhenney's death in 1871, Dr. Lacy became full pastor until 1882 when he resigned to become principal of Lewisburg Female Institute (now Greenbrier College) until 1888. During this period, the years 1885-1887, while a supply pastor at the Richlands church, Dr. Lacy began regular preaching at Williamsburg and became a stated supply after organizing a church there in November 1886. During the years 1888-1902 he was pastor of Union and Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian churches in Monroe County. Later he became principal of Greenbrier Presbyterial School (now Greenbrier Military School.)

Dr. Lacy was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1833, and educated at Hampden-Sydney College and Union Theological Seminary. He died in 1912 and was buried in Old Stone Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Lacy Church Organization

The Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg was organized November 28, 1886 by the authority of the Greenbrier Presbytery and later named by the organization in honor of Reverend Matthew Lyle Lacy of Lewisburg, the first minister, a stated supply.

By the year 1886 a number of Presbyterian minded people had moved into the Williamsburg area including such influential, persons as Captain Alexander Griffin Handley, a member of Charleston First church and Wallace S. Rader of Greenbrier county.

However, it is known that James H. Leps, a Presbyterian pastor and academy teacher, 1866-1884, at Frankford earlier frequented the community and conducted worship for nearby Presbyterians some of whom, no doubt, belonged to the Frankford and Richlands congregations. Due to entering the community rather late, Lacy church membership has remained small, seldom more than thirty during any one year.

Petition to Organize

From the minutes of Greenbrier Presbytery, dated Saturday, October 9, 1886, on page 49 of the Verifax copy in Union Theological Seminary Library, Richmond, Virginia, is taken the following quotation:

A petition was presented and read from certain persons (33), residents of the neighborhood of Williamsburg, Greenbrier County, W. Va., requesting the Presbytery to appoint a com. to visit that place and organize a church if the way be clear. The petition was granted and Rev. M. L. Lacy, D.D., D. E. Frierson, W. McC. Miller with Ruling Elders Messrs. Jno. M, Sydenstricker and J. G. Rader were appointed a com. to organize the church at a time to be by them determined.

Rev. M. L. Lacy was principal of Lewisburg Female Institute and stated supply pastor at Richlands. Rev. D. E. Frierson was pastor of Old Stone Church in Lewisburg from 1885 to 1890. Rev. W. McC. Miller was pastor of the Frankford church, 1885-1888. John M. Sydenstricker and J. G. Rader were ruling elders at Richlands and Frankford, respectively. The Greenbrier Presbytery was in session at Huntington and Rev. J. W. Wightman, pastor at Hinton 1884-1889, was the moderator. Rev. J. C. Brown was stated clerk, 1884-1892.

Charter Members

On November 28, 1886, organization was effected with the following thirteen persons listed as charter members: Randolph S. Baker and his wife, Emma; Alexander Griffin Handley and his wife, Rebecca Jane; John Groves Kesler, grandfather of John Frederick Kesler; Mrs. Mary A. McClung; Wallace S. Rader and his wife, Catherine Tuckwiller; Mrs. Mary G. Rader, wife of Samuel Rader; Oliver Shirkey and his wife, Mary; Bertha Shirkey, a daughter, who later married Samuel Winfield Hinkle and became the mother of Mrs. Mattie Phipps. Mary E. Williams, later Mrs. John Burr. All of these were received by church letter transfers except Mrs. Rebecca Jane Handley who beame the first member to be received on Profession of Faith.

The Lacy Church Deed

This deed made this 20th day of February, 1888, between C. A. Thacker and Sarah Catherine Thacker, his wife of the first part and A. G. Handley, Oliver Shirkey, W. S. Rader, J. G. Kesler and R. S. Baker, Elders and Deacons and as such Trustees (and their successors in office) for the Presbyterian Church at Williamsburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and belonging to Greenbrier Presbytery, of the second part; Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of forty dollars in hand paid to the said parties of the first part by the parties of the second part, the receipt whereof is ,hereby acknowledged, the parties of the first have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do sell and convey, with general warranty of title, unto the parties of the second part as trustees aforesaid and their successors forever that certain tract or parcel of land situate in Williamsburg District, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, being a part of the C. A. Thacker land, adjoining the Public school house lot fronting on the Bollar McClung road containing 167 poles and bounded as follows:

Beginning at a stake corner to the said school house lot and with the said road S. 18W16 poles to a stake, thence leaving said road N. 72W10 poles to a stake, thence N. 18EI 7 1/2 poles to a stake by a white oak pointer on the line of the school house lot with S. 63E1 0 1-4 poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said real estate to them as trustees as aforesaid and their successors forever. In testimony whereof the said parties of the first part have here unto set their hands and seals this the day first above written.

(Signed) Charles A. Thacker, (Seal)

(Signed) Sarah C. Thacker, (Seal)

This deed was signed before Justice A. B. Watts on February 20, and certified by him on February 22, and admitted to record February 23, 1888, by Greenbrier County Court Clerk, Charles B. Buster, in deed book 39, page 145.

Erecting the Church Building

On March 22, 1888, the committee reported rapid progress on the new church building. Joe Knapp of Richlands was the contractor, ably assisted by skilled carpenters such as William Wyatt, Emory Judy and John Toothman. R. S. Baker, A. G. Handley and J. G. Kesler are said to have cut and hauled choice timber in log form to the nearby waterpower sawmill of John Thommasson. On July 19 the building was reported under roof and was being painted. On October 1 I the announcement was given the press that the building was about completed and that dedication services would be held on Sunday, October 14. An unexplained delay followed, but dated November 22, 1888, the Greenbrier Independent reported that the Presbyterian church was dedicated Sunday, November 11, and that a Reverend Mr. Johnson of Harrisonburg, Virginia preached the morning dedicatory sermon. This was Rev. L. B. Johnson, pastor of the Harrisonburg Presbyterian Church during the years, 1887-1892. Rev. S. L. Wilson, the pastor, preached in the evening. Speakers, joined by others, proclaimed the new building an "elegant structure, tastefully furnished." There is nothing to indicate that Dr. Lacy was present.

The various kinds of community spirited contributions held the cash cost down to $600. The remaining amount of this cost was paid by Alexander Griffin Handley just before dedication. The most valuable knotless yellow poplar lumber was sawed from timber donated, by Silas Bransford, the father of Henry Bransford, and grandfather of Earle Bransford now of Lewisburg. The cornerstone, containing a Bible, the roll of the thirteen charter members and American coins, was placed in position by William Pollock, a stonemason of nearby Cornstalk. The church was originally lighted by coaloil lamps, uniquely and beautifully centered in a circular metal base container, swinging from the ceiling in the center of the sanctuary. Several years ago Edward Wyatt wired this chandelier so that electric light bulbs could replace the former oil lamps, retaining the attractive original globe cover effect. No similar lighting system is known at present to be in use elsewhere in the Greenbrier Presbytery. The balcony in the rear was designed for, Negro worshipers. No changes have been made in the building architecture since its dedication. Thru the years the building has been well cared for, and in recognition of the anniversary the structure has been painted, both inside and outside. Charles Millner, a member of Lacy church, is the caretaker.

The Williamsburg church has never had a manse. Its ministers have lived elsewhere. Dr. Lacy, in educational work, lived in Lewisburg. The next three pastors, Wilson, Pendleton and Dobbs, occupied the manse at the Richlands church. The following five, Hartman, Bedinger, Lucke, Wix and Nickel, lived in the Frankford manse. Both S. E. Paxson and C. S. Ruff lived at Richlands, and H. H. Orr lived at Renick. J. W. Wright, in educational work, has maintained his home in Lewisburg.

Rev. S. L. Wilson Installed

For nearly two years after organization, Presbyterian worship was conducted in the old brick Methodist Church. And on Sunday, October 30, 1887, Rev. S. L. Wilson preached his first sermon. On Sunday, December 18, the same year, Rev. Mr. Wilson became the first installed pastor by a commission from Greenbrier Presbytery consisting of Ruling Elder J. M. Sydenstricker, chairman who presided and asked the constitutional questions, Rev. Wm. McM. Miller of Frankford who offered the prayer and charged the pastor, and Rev. D. E. Frierson of Lewisburg who charged the congregation.

On Sunday morning, November 27, 1887, at the close of the eleven o'clock worship service, Rev. S. L. Wilson requested his Presbyterian congregation to remain for a business meeting to arrange for the building of a Presbyterian church house. A committee was elected consisting of Elders A. G. Handley, W. S. Rader, Oliver Shirkey, and Deacons R. S. Baker and J. G. Kesler. This committee was charged with the responsibility of selecting a suitable site, and authorized to solicit subscriptions. A. G. Handley was made chairman. On February 20, 1888 the land was purchased. Or rather the land was deeded to the church trustees by the Dr. C. A. Thacker family as a gift to the new congregation.

Additional Members

By the year 1891, five years later than the list of thirteen charter members, the following seventeen persons were added as members in the following order: Henry A. Wallace, Mrs. E. E. Kesler, Samuel McClintic, Mrs. Cornelia B. Wallace, A. C. Harford, Mrs. A. A. Williams, S. B. Rader, Alexander Jeffries, James R. Matthews, May Harford, Mary Wallace, Ada Lula Kesler, Bessie May Rader, Lelia Peave Livesay, Mrs. Minnie J. McClung, Mrs. Sally P. Hanna, Mrs. Lizzie Jeffries. All these were received on Profession of Faith, except Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. McClung, Mrs. Hanna and Mrs. Jeffries, who joined by church letters. Mrs. Williams, formerly Miss Adeline Augusta Knox, was the mother of Mrs. A. G. Handley, Mrs. R. S. Baker and Mrs. John Burr.

A. C. Harford was an educator. His daughter, Mary married Edward McMillion. Mary Wallace, daughter of Henry Wallace, married J. W. McClung. Ada Lula Kesler, daughter of John G. Kesler, married Walter Harrah. Bessie May Rader was the daughter of charter member Wallace S. Rader. Lelia Peave Livesay was married to Quincy Hinkle, June 20, 1894, in Lacy church.

Sanctuary Interior

Photograph taken from balcony by John F. Kesler

showing full view of Unique Chandeliers

LACY CHURCH LEADERS

Ministers

M. L. Lacy, 1886-1887; S. L. Wilson, 1887-1889; B. A. Pendleton, 1880-1891; C. H. Dobbs, 1892-1899; F. G. Hartman, 1901-1902; W. L. Bedinger, 1904-1911; R. 0. Lucke, 1913-1915; T. H. Wix, 1919-1923; G. W. Nickell, 1924-1926; S. E. Paxton, 1927-1940; C. S. Ruff, 1940-1944; J. W. Wright, 1947-1948; H. H. Orr, 1949-1951; J. W. Wright, 1951-1962.

Rev. M. L. Lacy was also a stated supply pastor at Richlands during the years, 1885-1887. Both W. L. Bedinger and S. E. Paxton began as stated supply pastors. J. W. Wright has been both a temporary and stated supply. Other effective supply pulpit services, between certain installed pastorates were rendered, but very few of the ministers are named in the Session minutes. In fact, the earliest book of minutes is lost.

Ruling Elders

Upon local church organization, Alexander Griffin Handley, Wallace S. Rader and Oliver Shirkey became ordained and installed as elders. Elders elected, ordained and installed since, have been Henry A. Wallace in 1889, J. Warwick McClung in 1901, F. L. Wallace in 1920, C. N. Bobbitt in 1932, 0. J. Beard in 1941, W. W. Bower in 1954, A. R. Handley in 1957.

Deacons

Upon local church organization, Randolph S. Baker, and John G. Kesler became the first deacons and were ordained and installed November 28, 1886. Since that time the following have become deacons: Orin Lee Thrasher in 1901, Floyd H. Handley in 1914, T. W. Burr in 1920, A. R. Handley in 1920 and John Frederick Kesler in 1957.

Clerks of Session

Alexander G. Handley was the first clerk from organization in 1886 until 1909.

J. Warwick McClung from 1909 until 1933. J. P. Bobbitt (acting clerk) 1933-1942, F. H. Handley (deacon, acting clerk) 1942-1955, W. W. Bower 1955-1956, A. R. Handley 1957 to the present.

Women of the Church

The first president was Miss Mattie Hinkle (now Mrs. J. Kent Phipps) who served a two year term, 1921-1923. Her successors include Mrs. F. L. Wallace, Mrs. J. W. McClung, Mrs. A. R. Handley and Mrs. 0. J. Beard.

Church School Superintendents

Alexander G. Handley was the first to hold the office, although early minutes of the Session omit any reference until April 15, 1889 when H. A. Wallace was named his superintendent associate. Later superintendents include J. W. McClung and 0. J. Beard. C. N. Bobbitt is superintendent at the present time.

Organist

Miss Lula Kesler became the first organist when she was only 13 years of age. When she moved west, Mrs. Anna Susan Handley became organist. Mrs. Anna Jane Handley Bower became organist while yet a small girl and continued until the family's removal to Alderson in 1956. Since 1956, Mrs. Edna H. Wright has been church organist and Miss Joan Elizabeth Kesler church school organist.

Present officers of Lacy Church

1 and 3 are Deacons J. F. Kesler and F. H. Handley 2 and 4 are Elders C. N. Bobbitt and A. R. Handley

Photographed by Joan Kesler

First automobile in Williamsburg. (Picture loaned by A. R. Handley.) From left to right: Floyd H. Handley, living in Alderson; Larry Graybeal, a former county sheriff; S. A. Lowance of the Board of Education; Warren McCoy, now living in Missouri; Alexander Griffin Handley, deceased; small boy, the son of F. L. Wallace, a deceased Lacy Elder, John Dilley, a farmer; driver of automobile, unknown. In seat with him is Everett Meadows, salesman.

Early Williamsburg Subscription paid Summer School. In the picture, (loanded by A. R. Handley,) are well known Elmer G. Kesler, Henry Jackson, Milton Toothman, Wesley Bransford, Mrs. A, R. Handley, Mrs. Laura Judy Burr. Next to the last man, right, sitting, is the teacher, Prof. Frank Richardson.

PRESBYTERIAN BACKGROUNDS

John Calvin and John Knox were the founders of Presbyterianism originating in 1523. American Presbyterianism grew out of the movement in Scotland, England, Ireland and Holland. Calvinists were among those who landed at Jamestown in 1607. The first Presbyterian minister followed in 1611. Presbyterian congregations were established in the American colonies by 1630, and the first American Presbytery was organized in 1706. The first three Presbyterian churches west of the Allegheny Mountains were organized the same year, 1783, and are located at Lewisburg, Union and Renick. This grew out of the home missionary activity of Rev. John McCue who was licensed to preach by the Virginia Hanover Presbytery in 1782. The next year Mr. McCue was ordained and installed in these newly organized churches by a Presbytery Commission that journeyed with him to each place. An earlier Presbyterian movement was led by Rev. Ben Edward Crawford with missionary associates, Frazier and Read, supposedly from the South Branch Valley This early ministry served the first permanent settlements of homeseekers in the mountain wilderness country. Mr. McCue, once urged by Thomas Jefferson to study law, was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Grigsby in 1794 who once lived at Caldwell and owned 1,050, acres of land. During Mr. Grigsby’s ministry, Old Stone Church was erected in 1796 on land provided by Colonel John Stuart who wrote and erected an inscription in stone over the door of the church entrance.Rev. John McElhenney followed as the third pastor in 1808 and gave a much needed pioneer leadership to both church and school expansion. He likewise came from Virginia and quite actively served the Greenbrier Valley area in religious and educational work for 62 years. After his arrival he was the only Presbyterian minister in this vast area until 1818 when Reverends S. L. Graham, James Kerr, William G. Campbell and Joseph Brown arrived to assist in serving the rapidly growing centers of population. Later still, however, a number of co-pastors served with Dr. McElhenney at Lewisburg, thereby, releasing him to preach and moderate sessions outside. Among copastors was Dr. Matthew Lyle Lacy who came to Greenbrier Presbytery in 1869 and became full-time pastor of Old Stone Church upon: Dr. McElhenney’s death in 1871 and continued as such until 1882.

It was not until 1838 that the way became sufficiently clear for the Greenbrier Presbytery to become organized as such. Early Presbyterian settlers who moved in this wilderness direction from the eastern part of Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley and Pennsylvania had a rich Scotch and Irish ancestry. A limited number of Huguenots, that is, French Protestants were among them. All were moving away under religious pressure from the English Cavaliers and French Jesuits. Along with this background culture, a choice German element migrated this way and united to give the inhabitants of the Greenbrier Valley the finest personal worth. All agree that these early settlers were very God conscious and missionary minded. They had a sense of values founded in a deeply religious conviction that wilderness hardships and persistent danger could not shake.

COMMUNITY BACKGROUNDS

No history of any one institution can be properly written without relating its origin and development to other community institutions and organizations. Members of Lacy church have been intimately associated in various ways with other local activities.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg, a small community located 16 miles northwest of Lewisburg and I 10 miles south of Cold Knob, is situated between Culverson and Sinking Creeks in Greenbrier County. This rich grazing area is sometimes called Sinking Creek Valley. Alexander R. Handley has in his possession a photographic COPY of a land-grant-deed signed by Virginia Governor James Monroe in 1800, giving title of ownership of certain local lands to persons in the Sinking Creek territory. He released the original to .a museum in one of the New England states. The hamlet of Williamsburg was laid out by Moses McCoy in 1833 and named in honor of Thomas Williams. This first settler in 1769, of Welch descent, lived about three miles southwest of the present site of Williamsburg and was brutally slain by Indians who carried away hit children as captives and burned his log cabin home. A favorite camping spot for Indians seems 3 to have been in that nearby area. Also in 1769, William Hughart built his log cabin, as did William McCoy, near the Williams home. About the Same time, 1769, the nearby Frankford settlement was made. During 1771 James Jordan, John Patton and William Blake settled in the immediate area. Also in 1771 Andrew Donnally settled seven miles south in Rader’s Valley and built Fort Donnally for protection from Indian massacres. The site is marked by a stone with inscription, on the present farm of Mrs. Ellen Rader Johnston just inside the highway fence almost in front of her house. This strongly built two-story double-log house was privately built on land of his pioneer father, Hugh Donnally, an earlier settler from Wales. It was Dick Pointer, a Donnally Negro slave, who first saw a crawling Indian leading two hundred other Shawnees in making the bloody attack in 1778. Only upon arrival of Captains John Stuart and Samuel Lewis with their volunteers was complete destruction averted.

In 1775 came Uriah Jenkins, Frank Ford and John McFerrin. Among earlier settlers of this period should be included. George Thompson, Alexander Lipps, Lewis I Blake, Marshall Toothman, Peter Livesay, Joseph Griffee, and William Griffee probably the first Justice of the Peace. In 1776, settled William Cavendish, Alexander Ocheltree, James Burns and Anthony Rader. By 1780, among settlers were George Mollohan, Charles Hyde, John Gregory, James Kincaid and Washington MeMillion. In 1790, it is said that James Brawley, John McMillion, Robert McClintock and James Knight located in the area. Watts families and the Wyatts should be included.

By 1800 the scattered settlement was growing fast, It should be understood that due to repeated Indian raids and massacres many whites settled more than once. Members of families often returned to repossess the land. While only male names are mentioned in history large families are involved and apart from those who took up land, many were continually on the move. Several Williams families owned much of the land from the beginning, and in a few instances the same family lines have held the identical land.

Among early merchants were Washington Wallace, the father of F. L. Wallace, and James Pollock. Joseph Griffee, also a merchant and an eccentric bachelor is pointed out to have been the first postmaster. Local exchange communications would

pass thru his hand quickly. He was supposed to have become wealthy before he died. On December 29, 1887, the Greenbrier Independent reported that his store had been robbed of $40 in cash but no goods disturbed.

As late as 1870 only one United States mail trip served the area weekly and it passed thru Williamsburg from Clintonville to Falling Spring. John Robinson, a Negro slave of the Piercy family carried this mail the first year. About this time it is said that most of lower Williamsburg was still in brush with stumps and crooked dirt paths. Shortly thereafter, however, there began to be built frame houses, replacing crude log cabins with ample space for good gardens. The first is said to have been built by N. G. Decker. The second frame dwelling was erected by John Livesay and was a part of the house occupied by Alexander Griffin Handley when he died in 1929 at the age of 92. In 1886, the founding date of Lacy Church, a twice weekly mail route was established between Williamsburg and Lewisburg. This, later became three times per week service, and finally, a daily mail.

Blacksmith shops have been interesting; also valuable local centers of American pioneer life. Several were in and around Williamsburg. The first one is claimed to have been the Livesay shop in 1783 on the Washington McMillion land. The Decker shop later, opposite the elementary school house in 1888, was well equipped. The smith was skilled in meeting all kinds of repair needs. In this variety of community services one might be made to think of a general store. Tradition has it that a pair of forceps was kept nearby so that aching teeth could be pulled from humans by the same strong hand that shoed horses and mended broken plows.

The first grain-grinding mill was built by John Wooden in 1800 and operated by Sinking Creek waterpower. Choice timbers were brought from distant Anthony Creek to build this mill. However, prior to this date a combination of grist and saw mill; waterpower is said to have been erected by Cornelius Van Ansdale. The latter mill was completely overhauled and rebuilt by John Burr in 1830. J. P. Thommasson's water power mill stood south of the present day home of Harry McClung on Shoe String Trail. On December 1, 1887, his combination mill was reported to be grinding "all the wheat needed" and that W. H. Wyatt had moved his steam mill to new quarters and was "grinding rapidly." On April 12, 1888, the Greenbrier Independent, in a news item, reported that George Shirkey had "moved his steam sawmill from the former site on Captain Hannah's farm on the head waters of Culverson Creek to a site on the lands of J. H. Suttle near the village." Several other mills were in operation in the Sinking Creek Valley sawing virgin timber and grinding grain for man and beast.

By 1888, when the Lacy church was built, the population of the sprawling village had grown to support three general mercantile stores, two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a gun shop and a feed store. John McCoy, a present, day farmer, still maintains a harness shop on Sinking Creek near the bridge.

Williamsburg was once incorporated and held a charter from the circuit court. Thomas McClintic was chief police in 1931. The first item on the mayor's docket on December 25, 1908 shows a fine of $2.60 for disorderly conduct against a certain named local citizen. Mayors have included J. G. Kesler, C. L. Toothman, F. L. Wallace, J. D. Hume and E. N. Hanson. Alexander R. Handley was recorder for a number of years and has in his possession valuable records of town and district school activities. When Williamsburg was at its height it had a bank, a garage, a Modern Woodman lodge, an Odd Fellows lodge, two good general stores and several specialty shops.

Williamsburg, from its beginning, has been the crossing point and trading center for four much used roads. The Rader Valley road from the south meets Trout road from the north, and the Frankford road from the east crosses into Shoe String Trail going southwest. Years ago, the late David Tuckwiller, father of Ross Tuckwiller, drove dairy cows from his Richlands farms thru Williamsburg to Richwood for rail shipment to Morgantown where his large family of children became graduates of West Virginia University.

Physical health has always been one of man's major problems. Dr. Thomas Creigh, born in 1812, was the first president of Greenbrier Medical Association. Several physicians found their way into the Williamsburg region, responding to the urgent call of illness from many diseases. Williamsburg is so located as to be greatly affected by weather conditions. Early reporters to the Greenbrier Independent usually began news items by telling how many snows had fallen and how many citizens were sick. On November 17, 1887 were reported "one hundred cases of flux inside of two miles of our village." In the same issue "a child of A. G. Handley is dangerously ill of measles" and complications, a patient of Dr. C. R. Campbell who came to Williamsburg in 1885. Dr. J. D. Thrasher came into the Trout Valley in 1901 and died in 1919. He was the father of the late Dr. Leroy Claude Thrasher, dentist. Earlier doctors must have been transients. Snowden's Pond, two miles north, was so named after the drowning of a Dr. Snowden. A Dr. Fuque did have a local office. Dr. John DeShone, a brother of Josephine DeShone, local schoolteacher of French descent, was not a local resident. Dr. Elmer G. Kesler, born in Williamsburg in 1885, practiced medicine in his hometown 40 years, dying in 1950. There has been no resident physician in Williamsburg since Dr. Kesler's death.

On January 12, 1888 an announcement appeared reminding all Greenbrier Physicians to register immediately, complying with Section 24 Chapter 64, Acts of 1887, making such a demand, and offering blanks at the office of the Greenbrier Independent.

On March 22, 1888, it was lamented to the press that J. McMillion, R. Barrett, D. Rader and S. Brown had removed from Williamsburg to Ronceverte, and that J. A. Barr and W. Simmons would soon leave.

Williamsburg has been disappointed in many of her aspirations. In 1837 wealthy John Williams, born in 1794 to his father Thomas Williams, built a three-story brick house on the Frankford Road two miles northeast, hoping the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company would build thru the area. When Bolliver Williams inherited his father's large holdings he sold this imposing residence to David Tuckwiller who gave the property to his daughter Catherine. She and her husband, Wallace Rader became charter members of Lacy church in 1886. The daughter to the Rader-Tuckwiller marriage married Emory Knight and they became the parents of Remington Knight, the present owner. This house, planned and built for a stopover and tavern, along with the late Dr. C. F. McClintic residence nearby, is suggestive of attempts in the past to have Williamsburg achieve a place among progressive successful communities. The situation now is that the Williamsburg area is isolated from main lines of travel and communication. Midland Trail, highway Route 60, runs nine miles south and Seneca Trail, highway Route 219 runs nine miles north crossing each other at Lewisburg.

Present establishments, outside of schools and churches, are four service stations, two grocery stores, a mill, a harness shop, a barbershop and post office. In-as-much as only part-time services are now needed locally, operators of these small businesses work elsewhere part-time.

In 1955 a Greenbrier County Board of Education research study was completed which showed the following:

1. Eighty-two per cent of the Williamsburg families own their own homes. This percentage is at the top, in comparing the county's high school areas. Likewise, farmers tend to own their own farms. Only 13 per cent of Williamsburg families rent the house in which they live. One-third of the farms range from 101 to 300 acres, the highest in the county, percentage wise.

2. Williamsburg has the largest county ratio of families with a residence period of 11 to 30 years, equaling one-half of its families. Family residence is more permanent in Williamsburg than in the other county high school areas. Forty-three per cent of Williamsburg women claim housewife status and do not "work outside of their own homes.

3. Population distribution shows 13 per cent under 6 years of age and the same per cent above 61 years of age, and 19 per cent, 7-15; 10 per cent, 16-20; 22 per tent, 21-40; 23 per cent, 41-61. Adults who have attended school are classified in the survey as 69.6 per cent on the elementary level, 21.6 per cent high school and 8.8 per cent college.

4. While 35 per cent of Williamsburg young people are said to belong to local youth organizations, only 12 per cent of Williamsburg families have one or more persons in some church organization. The only area below this church percentage in the county is Rainelle. This accounts for low church attendance and poor support. Forty-two per cent of those who are church members are Methodists, and only three per cent are Presbyterians.

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

All earlier schools were privately supported. Pioneer schoolteachers in the Williamsburg area before 1800 included William Cavendish, Andrew Rhodes and James Kyle. For a number of years children must have attended nearby Pembroke school north and the old Pleasant Valley School south. The first school in Williamsburg proper is reported to have been taught in a building located directly across the present dirt road in the angle east of the late Dr. E. G. Kesler office, called "Temperance Hall." Tradition associates James Dearing with this school. First teachers in the area were part-time employed, or self-employed in these rough log cabins, usually about 12 by 22 feet, log furnished, community built and subscription supported. A very early school was taught two miles north located on the farm of James Williams, the grandfather of Alex R. Handley. Mathew Oliver is said to have been a teacher there. Probably this school was part public and part private in support. In fact, originally, all Greenbrier county schools were a pay system, later part pay, then free. Some persons think that the earliest free, or at least in part, school was taught in the little brick Methodist Church in 1870 by Josephine DeShone who later married William Tyree. Also in 1870 a school was taught by A. D. Kincaid, a frame structure, a few miles southwest. Some claim this to be the first entirely free school.

Public schools began and continued only as public sentiment grew for them. Public school teachers had to grow up within the new system before freeing education from the private and mixed school system. Unfortunately, the War Between the States broke out before local social behavior could establish a normal pattern of development. After the War, Zachariah Trueblood of Frankford became the first county superintendent of public supported schools. Sometimes, and in some localities schools operated in churches and were taught by clergymen for a three month duration. Some schools continued for four, five and six months, respectively. Many teachers were paid $1.00 per day. No examinations, as such, were required. A visit to county superintendent Trueblood's Frankford home usually resulted in securing a license in the superintendent's own handwriting. Teachers were elderly men, usually.

A Greenbrier county official survey map dated 1887, a copy of which is in the possession of A. R. Handley, shows six schools in the Williamsburg district as follows:

Pleasant Valley, one mile southwest on Shoe String Trail;

Maysville, now Sunlight, three miles northeast;

Cold Knob, six miles northwest on Trout Road;

Cold Springs, three miles off Shoe String Trail;

Bethel, three miles south in Rader's Valley;

Another, three miles east on the Frankford Road.

Teacher’s meetings, or associations, offtimes would continue in session an entire week. This was more than a county institute. Teachers from surrounding counties attended, and the community fed teachers with little charge. These annual meetings, finally, became statewide and the first one was held in Lewisburg in 1874, and continued in session for two weeks. When J. W. Hinkle became superintendent in 1881 the outlook was rapidly growing for good teachers and better schools. The picture herein shown is one of a summer school for teachers held in Williamsburg in the first public school building as such in early 1900. A press report states that the Upper Teachers Association held its yearly meeting on Saturday, November 26, 1887, at Williamsburg with its president A. C. Harford in charge. The secretary, A. J. Livesay and county superintendent J. W. Hinkle were there. J. G. Kesler and J. M. McMillion were members of the board of education in 1887. These early schools placed great emphasis upon reading. In the Greenbrier Independent dated December 5, 1887, a reading Circle notice announced "The Board of Directors of Greenbrier Teacher's Reading Circle have adopted Sully's Psychology as the textbook for the Third group. Teachers can procure books at teacher rates from James Humphreys, Lewisburg." Signed by J. W. Hinkle, President Greenbrier Reading Circle.

The first public school building, as such within Williamsburg was erected on the present home site of Mrs. Grace Riffe, north of Lacy church whose site was purchased a few months later. The deed for this one acre of school property land, located in the angle of the road leading to Thompson's mill from opposite nearby Decker's blacksmith shop, was signed by Charles A. Thacker and his wife, Catherine on November 7, 1887 and recorded February 23, 1888. For the sum of forty dollars this land was deeded to Greenbrier county, state of West Virginia, for the Board of Education, according to deed book 39, page 146. A phrase in the deed reads: "in the angle of the road leading to Thompson's mill, beginning at a stake across the said road nearby, opposite Decker's shop S. 18W6 poles." In The Greenbrier Independent, July 19, 1888, a report is made that the Board of Education met on July 2 with all members present. Business included the painting of Hughart's schoolhouse; also Maysville and Mt. Vale schoolhouses are to be painted. The schoolhouse in Williamsburg to be fenced and painted. Teachers were teaching four months. Salaries were $30 for a number 1; $25 for number 2; $20 for number 3 certificates, respectively. To The Greenbrier Independent under date of August 29, 1889, the local reporter had this to say on school improvement: "The majority of our old people got all their learning under the old subscription system in old-field-log-cabin-school-houses with slab benches, peg legs and no backs. We now have elegant frame buildings furnished with desks, stoves, windows, and all the necessary appliances for comfort and convenience, and besides we have trained teachers."

The Williamsburg high school was established by the District Board of Education in 1917 growing out of a motion made by J. Warwick McClung and subsequent popular vote election held March 26. Voting resulted in 207 in favor and 50 against the school. Its first principal, and only teacher during 1917-18, was J. D. Rake, formerly a teacher at Rainelle. In 1922-23 the school became first class upon instituting a four-year curriculum. The first graduating class consisted of only four students who completed the required three-year level of secondary work. The Vocational Agricultural Department was added in 1928 with a separate building provided in 1939. Home Economic courses began in 1937. A Future Farmers Chapter, organized in recent years, is a most valuable asset. The Williamsburg Ruritan Club also meets monthly in these modem school buildings. The land was purchased from Allen Judy, a part of the C. A. Thacker estate. A. R. Handley was secretary of the Board of Education from 1917 to 1933. Succeeding principals have been Harry J. Stukey, 0. S. Martin, R. S. Deck, N. C. Bishop, I. N. Horn 0. R. Kyle, D. V. Evans, J. F. Montgomery, D. D. Harrah, Dotson Robinson, Homer May, John Ford, 0. R. Kyle, H. Ellyson, R. G. Nunley, Robert Beamer and J. E. Hayes, principal at present.

Local teachers who deserve special mention are Misses Byrna McClintic, Acie Yates and Mackie Hume. While these have retired, others carry on such as Misses Rachel Toothman and Lucy Yates. Miss Yates, an English teacher, is sponsor of National Thespians, Troupe 893 and a sponsor of the local high school senior class. Other long time teachers are Miss Lillian McClintic whose sister, Mrs. Polly Graybeal teaches at Richlands with Principal Alvin Sykes. Miss Dorothy Owens teaches at Rupert. Mrs. Dwight Miller is the Village music teacher.

E. Wilton Cooper's name should be included. His family belongs to Williamsburg, and he is Assistant Superintendent of Greenbrier County public schools.

Many changes have taken place in school activity, as elsewhere. Years ago the district trustees depended upon teachers recommended by the Southern Teachers' Agency. The Christmas week holiday was granted teachers on condition that the school term be extended a week in the spring Without additional pay. Williamsburg district once had 24 sub-districts of school operation and control. No one now knows how many local one-room schoolhouses were in existence.

BETHEL CHURCH AND SCHOOL HOUSE IN RADER'S VALLEY

The original log structure was erected on land donated by Robert Brown, a great-uncle of Cary Bobbitt who now lives nearby. Later identification would be on the late Joseph W. McClintic estate, only a few yards from the residence now occupied by Miss Lillian McClintic, her brother, Lawrence, and her sister, Mrs. Polly Graybeal. Only a few old unidentified gravestones now mark the site. The date is unknown but the structure was in existence as a Baptist house of worship in 1855. Rev. Josiah Osborn, a Baptist minister, is said to have preached in Williamsburg as early as 1796.

In The Greenbrier Independent, dated July 11, 1889, 14 schools were reported with the need for two more, one in Rader's Valley near Oregon Bobbitt's. home. Arrangements were made for buying the vacated Baptist church, and on October 24 it was reported that Bethel church had been purchased and fitted for a school house, and that A. C. Harford was teaching there. In the light of this press announcement and that the name Bethel as a school is found on an official map in 1887, there must have been a private school conducted in Bethel church or nearby. In the meanwhile a frame structure replaced the original log house which was used for a time by. Methodists also for a union Sunday School as well as for day school. Dates cannot be ascertained. Eventually, Presbyterians made the point an outpost of Lacy church growing out of the preaching there by Rev. J. L. Lineweaver, the pastor of the Richlands church during the years, 1908-1916. Some years later a Sunday School was organized by Mrs. J. Kent Phipps and Cary N. Bobbitt, the latter becoming superintendent with Mrs. Nina McClintic, secretary. At times there were as many as 50 enrolled in the summer. Rev. S. E Paxson held worship services there upon becoming pastor of Lacy church in 1927. Finally, early in the decade of 1940 the site became abandoned both as a public school and place of worship.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

In any study of the early Williamsburg area, one is impressed with the large number of churches and schools proportionate to population. There have been four Catholic churches on the same land site, three miles northeast on the Frankford Road, three of which have been burned. The present frame structure, erected some time before World War I, now stands away from the highway near the church cemetery that dates back into early 1800. The first two log buildings were on land owned by the family of Michael Harrington. Later buildings, in the change of ownership, were erected on land donated by Michael McHale, the father of Attorney C. Al. McHale of Lewisburg. The cause of the first two fires is unknown. The third fire was started by flying sparks from the threshing machine smokestack of S. A. Lowance. Old Oak View public school stood nearby until it was sold March 3, 1919. Upon being torn down, it was rebuilt one-half-mile north in 1924.

METHODISM

As early as 1796 Methodism moved into the Williamsburg area and organized its first church. Rev. John Pennell is said to have been among early ministers who may have been circuit riders from Monroe County’s historic Rehoboth, or from early Gilboa church near Frankford, as early as 1791. Methodism's first American bishop, Francis Asbury, dedicated old Rehoboth in 1786 and held subsequent annual conferences there.

In 1800 a small log church house is said to have stood in the vicinity of Sunlight on a ridge of land one time owned by William Riffe. In 1830 this location was abandoned in favor of a site on land donated by David Williams. This church was named Salem, and a Reverend Mr. Hedrick was its pastor. Nothing remains there now except a few grave stones which mark the spot of the old church cemetery, where David Williams himself was buried. Later, another Salem church was built two miles west, near Pemroke schoolhouse where a Sunday School was superintended by Rev. W. D. Dearing in 1888.

Earlier than Andrew Chapel in Williamsburg, said by some persons to have been named for Andrew McCoy, stood a small brick structure only a few feet east with a rear balcony for Negro worshipers. Having been constructed of inferior materials, put together by slave labor, the brick building erected in 1855 was torn down in 1898. The present day beautiful Andrew Chapel was completed *in 1900, built by John J. Toothman who received $200 plus the old discarded brick church material for his labor. Rev. George Richardson was the pastor. During the construction period the Methodist congregation worshiped in the Lacy Presbyterian Church. The land where the church now stands was deeded to the church trustees in 1955 by Bollar McClung and his wife, Elizabeth, for the consideration of $1.00. Deed book 21, page 48 describes the site as "beginning at a gum tree in a swamp connecting to McCoy and Livesay." This angling point now would be across the highway from the church.

The cemetery around Andrew church is quite old consisting of several sections added as needed, sometimes by a trade of adjacent ground. According to deed book 43, page 205, under date of October 7, 1800, Andrew chapel trustees, A. B. Burr, A. B. Watts, Bollar McClung, Washington Wallace and J. S. Wilkerson purchased an acre from Washington Wallace and Miriam his wife for $1.00 "for burial ground of white dead and no other purpose." In deed book 105, page 397 dated April 30, 1925, is recorded that C. W. Bivens, and wife, Magarte, deeded "Oak Grove Cemetery" land for $20 "lying at rear of Williamsburg Methodist Church."

Cemeteries, both public and private, are scattered up and down Sinking Creek Valley. They are found by the side of early school houses where Sunday Schools were conducted, on the grounds of churches, and in the yards of log-cabin homes. Duplication of names with graves unmarked together with man y poorly marked ones, make most of them now lost to identity.

The earlier frame parsonage, purchased in 1909 from Dr. C. I. Wall, was built nearly 70 years ago by James McCoy. In 1954 a most beautiful eight-room modern brick home was completed for Methodist pastors, costing about $25,000. The one acre of ground, in a new location was bought from Otis Bryant costing about $2,500. Methodist ministers who have served the Williamsburg church down thru the years, since the organization of Lacy Presbyterian church in 1886 are E. H. Henry, Leonidas Butts, G. 0. Homan, George Richardson, A. F. Neel, L. B. Atkins, A. L. Hamesberger, V. T. Wheel. er, A. L. Goodall, J. P. Atkins, C. M. Sarver, E G. Helmintoller, G. H. Echols, W. J. Elliot, E. W Brubaker, W. F. Hodges, J. D. Russell, R. D. Marshall, 1. S. Shires, J. Q. Geiger, John Sarver, L. E. Seville, Mamie Keplinger and W. R. Turner the present pastor. Rev. E. H. Henry was a contemporary with Rev. M. L. Lacy, also a contemporary with Rev. S. L. Wilson.

Other Methodist churches in Williamsburg area are Cold Spring built in 1910 and New Bethel built in 1915, only two miles apart, west. near Shoe String Trail, grew out of old Bethel which stood about two miles south where only a few cemetery tombstones may now be seen near the old W. W. McClung farm entrance. Wesley Chapel at Carol Hill was organized in 1867, but there had been an earlier church there at the same location.

The older McMillion Chapel was built in 1852 upon land donated by Nathan McMillion. Its first pastor was Rev. John McClure. This church has never been officially related to Andrew Chapel. On January 31, 1889 it was reported to the press that a new frame church was being erected on the old site of McMillion Chapel. Messrs. John, Jason and Alpha McMillion, assisted by J. M. McMillion, were builders of the 44 by 32 foot structure "modeled after the plan of the Presbyterian Church at Williamsburg." On August 28, the same year, a three-day session of Greenbrier District Annual Conference met in the newly completed McMillion church, which was dedicated during the conference on August 29. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. George P. Moore of Pocahontas County.

Eagle Presbyterian Church was sold to the Methodists in 1889, thru and by trustees A. D. Kincaid and William R. Dotson. It stood on an acre of ground adjoining lands of John C. Fleshman, about eight miles southwest. It became James Chapel. Nearby about two miles northeast, stands Sinking Creek Baptist church, erected in 1898 on the William Gilkeson land adjoining T. H. Crookshanks.

Williamsburg has been a center of Methodist activity. In the Marcellus Zimmerman papers, in Greenbrier County Library, are listed several nearby camp meeting grounds. Among them is Culverson's Creek campground. However, the most important one seems to have been the Brushy Ridge campground site. These were usually Methodist in influence and supervision. At times, various denominations joined in these meetings. Sometimes a dozen or more ministers were present, many coming from such distant points as Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia and Illinois. According to the press, Brushy Ridge purchased ten new tents for such meetings on August 12, 1897.

Wars and deep seated disagreements are always divisive. Such has been the experience in Methodism, as with Presbyterianism and other denominations. In this area the War Between the States separated Methodist churches and divided families within a few miles of each other. But the inner spirit of man strives for harmony arid is stronger than externalities. The three larger divisions reunited in 1939, and no longer is there a north, south, east or west in Methodism, but a return in spirit to the Oxford student founders of 1729, John and Charles Wesley.

RELATED FAMILIES

The Bobbitt Family

The American Bobbitts, with a distinguished cultural record, are descendents of an aristocratic English family that lived in Cornwall Shire, England. Some time after the Jamestown settlement in 1607, the Bobbitts, the Henrys and the Hills, said to be blood related, became Virginians who in due time decided with the American Colonies against the English Crown. Inspired by their relative Patrick Henry, descendents have fought for freedom on many battlefields. Following the Revolutionary War these families moved in various geographical directions. Several of the Bobbitt families crossed the Allegheny Mountains and settled in the West Virginia counties of Monroe, Greenbrier, Summers, Nicholas and Pocahontas. Cary Newton Bobbitt, who became ruling elder in the Lacy church in 1932, brought into the church a rich spiritual heritage. His grandfather, Gibson Bobbitt, born in Rockingham County, Virginia, who married Elizabeth Burdette of Monroe County, became the father of nine sons and six daughters. This family was intimately related officially to the old Broad Run Baptist church, earlier known as Wolf Creek Baptist church, six miles south of Alderson. Cary N. Bobbitt's father was Floyd Preston Bobbitt who married Sarah Brown. To this union ten children lived to bless and honor the family name. The Bobbitt family line has its proportionate share of worthwhile persons, both in business and the professions. Many of them are outstanding churchmen. To the marriage of Cary N. Bobbitt to Elizabeth Frances Ludington of Pocahontas County, five sons were born, Julian, William Gray, Joe Woods, Cary Newton, Jr., and Charles. With their parents, they belong to Lacy church, except Julian and Charles, non-residents. Mrs. Bobbitt, on her mother's side, is closely related to the widely known Beard families in Oak Grove Presbyterian Church at Hillsboro.

The Handleys

Three brothers came from Scotland to early America and from the ancestral line of one brother, descended Alexander Walker Handley. His son, Alexander Griffin Handley and his two sons, Alexander and Floyd, with their families, became importantly related to Lacy church. This family line of Handleys has been successful farmers and businessmen, earlier living in Kanawha and Putnam counties. Mm Alexander Griffin Handley was the great great granddaughter of Thomas Williams, the founder of Williamsburg. The Handleys, like most pioneers, came to West Virginia by the way of Virginia, and all are, undoubtedly, related. They have been property owners, devoted church members and highly responsible citizens. A small New Testament is in the possession of Alexander R. Handley bearing the inscription date, April 10, 1864, when it was given to his father, A. G. Handley while he was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware, at that time a lieutenant in the Southern army. Alexander R. Handley, as his brother Floyd now living in Alderson, has served his church and community in various capacities. He has been a deacon, town recorder, secretary of the board of education, and now is a Ruling Elder, Clerk of Session and Church Treasurer. To his marriage to Stella Loma Myers, in 1907, two sons and three daughters were born. Carl A., Earl H., Ruth S., Kathleen L., and Thelma Irene. Although in recent years these sons and daughters have become non-residents, they have faithfully supported the church financially. Earl and Thelma continue their membership in the Lacy church with their parents. Alexander and Floyd Handley, and their families must take great pride in having such a close ancestral relationship to the founder of Williamsburg. Their mother, Rebecca Jane Williams, was the daughter of James Williams whose father was David Williams. In turn, David's father was John, the son of Thomas Williams.

Anna Jane Handley, Floyd Handley's daughter who married W. W. Dower, is the mother of three sons, W. F and Freddie are school teachers, as are their parents. James Franklin is a high school freshman in Alderson.

The Keslers

Peter Kesler came to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from Germany about 1750. His family of seven children included two sons, Jacob and Frederick, who came to southern West Virginia. Jacob upon marriage to Betsy Funk, a sister of Joseph Funk, a Rockingham County, Virginia music publisher, moved to the Richlands area in Greenbrier County. Frederick, Jacob's brother, settled in Nicholas County whose two sons, Andrew and Alex, moved west in 1850. Jacob Kesler with his large growing up family of eight girls and five boys left Greenbrier county and settled in Fayette County purchasing a 60-acre farm there where he became a well known successful farmer and cattle dealer. The only surviving son, Frederick, who married Mary Groves, daughter of Colonel John Groves, made his home in Nicholas county and reared a family of four girls and five boys. One son, John Groves Kesler, born March 10, 1844 became a schoolteacher and in 1873 married Elizabeth Hughart of Williamsburg. To this union were born three girls and three boys. One son, Elmer Groves Kesler, born December 8, 1885 at Williamsburg became a doctor of medicine. To his marriage in 1906 to Nadie J. Black of Ohio, a daughter, Alice Mary was born in 1911 and a son, Elmer Groves, Jr., born in 1917. To his second marriage to Hazel Eleanor Nunley were born two children, John Frederick and Joan Elizabeth. Dr. Elmer G. Kesler devotedly and faithfully treated his sick father professionally until the latter's death in 1918. Dr. Kesler, himself, died in 1950, aged 64. Several Keslers have been doctors of medicine. Nearby have been Dr. Martin C. Kesler of Pineville and Drs. A. K. and J. C. Kesler of Huntington. Dr. Elmer G. Kesler was a member of Lacy Church. Mrs. Hazel Kesler, her son a college freshman and her daughter a high school senior, are active members. Likewise, Dr. Kesler's sister, Mrs. Etta Judy. His sister, Mrs. Lula Harrah, a non-resident, was the first organist of Lacy church.

The McClungs

The name of McClung is early interwoven with the history of Greenbrier county. It is claimed that a John McClung left his father John McClung's home in Ireland in 1720 and settled in Virginia. From his family of ten children, seven sons are said to have located in the Greenbrier county area. One of these sons, named Samuel, arrived in 1765. Through marriage in 1769, his own family consisted of ten children. The youngest son, born in 1790, was named Samuel. An early McClung, named Charles, left Greenbrier county to become one of the first settlers of Charleston, and in 1789 became clerk of court there. Family lines are difficult to accurately trace because of same names being repeatedly given to offspring. The McClungs are known to be of Scottish descent, historically Presbyterian reaching back to the era of the famous John Knox, the Scottish Protestant reformer. Religious persecution in Scotland greatly disturbed three McClungs, James, John and Robert in 1690, and there began a migration that changed the course of McClung history. Miss Caroline McClung, a life-long member of Lacy Church, who lives with her brothers, Edward and Charles, gives as their father, William Washington McClung.

Madison McClung was her grandfather and Joseph McClung was her great-grand father. Probably her great-great-grandfather was one of the Samuel McClungs. William Washington McClung had a brother named Charles W. who was the father of Ed gar McClung, a Williamsburg stockman. Mrs. Edgar McClung belongs to the Lacy church. The Caroline McClung family line may be distantly related to the earlier McClung members of Lacy church, inclusive of J. Warwick McClung, a former Ruling Elder, and Clerk of the Session from 1909 to 1933; also a prominent leader and educator. McClung families have been large and influential, personalities colorful, their land ownership extensive with livestock in great numbers and fine in quality. All professions have been enriched by their able leadership.

The Shirkey Family

Oliver Shirkey's early ancestors emigrated from Ireland to America to escape religious persecution imposed upon Protestants. The Shirkey ancestors were Presbyterians. George Shirkey and his wife Catherine Callahan, the parents of Oliver, lived in Virginia on the James River. To the marriage of Oliver Shirkey and Mary Circle of English descent, were born two sons and a daughter. They were George, James and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Shirkey and their daughter, Bertha, were active charter members of Lacy Church. In 1888 George, Jr., owned and operated a sawmill near Sunlight where his father's family settled upon coming from Virginia. In 1892 the daughter, Bertha married Samuel Winfield Hinkle of German descent whose grandfather, Samuel, settled near Frankford and later became president of the county court. According to the press, the Hinkle-Shirkey wedding took place at Maysville in the home of Oliver Shirkey at one o'clock in the afternoon of April 21, 1892 on Thursday. Rev. G. O. Homan performed the ceremony. To this marriage a daughter was born, Mattie Greene Hinkle. In turn, she married J. Kent Phipps, a successful businessman and farmer. Mrs. Phipps is very active both in church and club work, a lifelong member of the Lacy church. Upon visits to the United Nations headquarters in New York, she has become a student of International Relations and World Missions. Her husband is a member and regular attendant of the Lacy congregation, and a Past District Governor of Rotary International. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps live on her father's old home place three miles east of Williamsburg on the Frankford Road, adjoining the late Dr. C. F. McClintic estate.

INTERESTING PRESS ITEMS

Selected interesting items from The Greenbrier Independent, as reported by the Williamsburg reporter.

1887-SEPTEMBER 29-All public schools in the district are in full operation. Three new schoolhouses are in the process of erection.

NOVEMBER 3-Greenbrier Presbytery met at Hillsboro church on October 26. Rev. S. L. Wilson was received from the West Hanover Presbytery, and he accepted calls to Richlands and Lacy churches, Rev. M. L. Lacy’s calls to Mt. Pleasant and Union churches, approved.

NOVEMBER 17-Rev. S. L. Wilson preached his first sermon three weeks ago. Henry Bransford died on November 10, age 84.

DECEMBER 1-Last Sunday we had two good sermons. Rev. S. L. Wilson preached at 11 a. m. and Rev. E. H. Henry at 7 p. in,

1888-JANUARY 19-The Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Frankford circuit of the M. E. Church, South was held here January 7-8. Presiding Elder W. H. Kinzer was in charge. Rev. S. L. Wilson baptized the infant of Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Baker last Sunday.

APRIL 12-Messrs Handley, Baker and Williams have made 1,260 pounds of maple sugar, the product of 250 trees. It sells for 10 cents a pound. While J. R. Kincaid was preparing to thresh for W. M. McClung, sparks from the engine started a fire while thresh hands were at dinner which burned 150 bushels of oats. On the same day fire got out of control of Jesse Bright burning 1,400 fence rails.

JUNE 21-F. L. Wallace and Lee Wilkerson were married by Rev. L. Butts.

OCTOBER 11-Revs. Chappell and Clarke began a meeting at Pembroke schoolhouse, and Rev. W. D. Dearing is carrying on. Rev. L. Butts has begun a meeting here at Andrew Chapel.

1889--FEBRUARY 2-H. A. Wallace was ordained a Ruling Elder by Rev. S. L. Wilson last Sunday.

APRIL 25-Rev. B. A. Pendleton of the Lexington Presbytery is received into the Greenbrier Presbytery.

MAY 9-An election is to be held in Williamsburg to decide whether a 4 or 6 month school term.

JULY 11-There are now 14 schools and 2 more are needed, one in Rader, Valley. The school board is attempting to buy the Bethel Baptist church for school purposes.

SEPTEMBER 15-Greenbrier District Conference, M. E. Church held its annual conference at McMillion church, August 28-31.

OCTOBER 24-Bethel church has been Purchased and refitted for a schoolhouse.

NOVEMBER 8-Lena Ayers is teaching in Mt. Vale public school in Trout Valley. She has 70 pupils enrolled. W. H. Wyatt has purchased a sawmill to be attached to his gristmill.

1890-JANUARY 23-Prayer meeting is being conducted at Pleasant Valley schoolhouse, by members of different churches.

APRIL 3-Rev. B. A. Pendleton preached his first sermon here last Sunday.

MAY 15-Rev. B. A. Pendleton accepted calls from the Lacy and Richlands churches and will be installed.

JULY 10-Two more new schoolhouses are to be built this year. One at Cold Knob, the other on McMillion Creek. The Second Quarterly Conference at Andrew Methodist church was held on July 5-6. Presiding Elder is Rev. S. G. Fergeson. Rev. B. A. Pendleton has been installed at Lacy church by Rev. E. D. Jeffries of Alderson, Rev. S. L. Wilson and Elder J. M. Sydenstricker.

NOVEMBER 27-Members of Andrew Chapel have bought an acre lot adjoining the chapel for cemetery use and are cleaning off the brush.

1891-SEPTEMBER 10-The funeral sermon of the late Mrs. Mattie Hinkle will not be preached at Williamsburg on the 20th as announced, due to the Third Quarterly meeting of the Frankford circuit to be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 at Carol Hill.

1892---APRIL 28-The training school, taught by Professor J. T. Rucker, is now closed. Many teachers were turned away due to lack of room.

1893-MARCH 30-Teachers Association met at Maysville Saturday, March 18. Superintendent W. F. Lowance was in charge. J. G. Kesler made the opening prayer. Teachers listed included Luna Hume, Ida Williams, Ada Kesler and Anna McHale.

JUNE 8-An enumeration of school population of school age children in the Williamsburg district showed a total of 746. Forty of these were colored.

1894-MARCH 8-Lee Hughart, a promising young teacher at Bethel schoolhouse, died of pneumonia, at the youthful age of 25.

JUNE 14-James McCoy is building a saddle shop. G. Decker has built an addition to his dwelling, and J. Toothman has built a carpenter shop.

JUNE 28-Quincy Hinkle and Lelia Livesay, daughter of Jasper Livesay, were married at Lacy church on June 20 by Rev. C. H. Dobbs, pastor.

JULY 20-Two new schoolhouses are to be built. One near Williamsburg and the other in the Cohenaur settlement. Contract is to be let on August 4. See specifications in the office of the secretary, C. A. Watts.

DECEMBER 20-Plank side walks, J. McCoy has made one from his shop to the C. A. Watts store, and one is being built from the store of Handley and Williams to Lacy church. Then one will be made from McCoy's shop to Andrew Chapel.

James William Wright

Reverend James William Wright, D. D. was born in Prince William County, Virginia, and educated at Otterbein College, Yale University Divinity School, The University of Chicago, Columbia University and The American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem, Palestine. He has traveled extensively in America, in Europe and Asia. During the years, 1926-1940, he was church pastor and college teacher at Harrisonburg, Virginia. He came to Greenbrier County in 1942 and was a teacher of history at Greenbrier Military School until 1946. Since 1946 Dr. Wright has been Associate Professor of Sociology in the Graduate School at West Virginia University. In 1950 he joined Greenbrier Presbytery and has been a temporary supply minister in several churches, including the Lacy Church continuously from 1950 to 1962. He lives in Lewisburg.

SOURCES

Cole, J. R...........................History of Greenbrier County, 1921 (Book loaned by Raymond E. Bright)

Courtney, L. McF………..The Church on the Western Waters, 1940

Dayton, Ruth Woods ……Greenbrier Pioneers and their Homes 1942

Guadino, Domenick………A History of Secondary Education in Greenbrier County 1940 (An unpublished Master's Thesis)

Judy, Ada…………............History of Williamsburg, a high school essay, 1926 (Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Judy)

Paxson, Rev. S. E…………The Richlands Evangel, December 1928 issue

Wright, James W …............Frankford Presbyterian Church Booklet, 1953 (One Hundredth Anniversary)

Greenbrier County Historical Booklet, 160th Anniversary 1938

Greenbrier's Schools and Communities, Board of Education Survey, 1955

Greenbrier Independent, newspaper, years 1888-1898

Greenbrier County Clerk's Office (Deed Books)

Greenbrier County Library and Museum (Miscellaneous)

Historical Foundation, Montreat, N. C., Letter August, 1961

Union Theological Seminary, Library, Richmond, Va., Letter August 28, 1961

Andrew Chapel, Church Bulletin, August 27, 1950 (Loaned by Miss Lillian McClintic)

Old Stone Church Session Minutes

Lacy Church Session Minutes

Personal Interviews