j - H. Tracy Hall Foundation

FOREWORD
The history of 1 lalliown Paper Board Co. (briefly called Valley Board Corporation, 1955-63, and now Halllown Paperboard Co.) has been difficult to
research — the work has been done mostly by untrained people. But, as a
Chinese philosopher (Tai T'ung) said, "Were 1 to await perfection, my book
would never be done."
Don C. Wood of Martinsburg, W. Va., genealogist and research historian,
has traced the ownership of the property through deed books and recorded wills
and surveys in court houses in Jefferson County (formed in 1801), Berkeley
County (of which Jefferson County was a part before 1801), Frederick County,
Va. (which formed from Orange County, Va. in 1743 and of which Berkeley
and Jefferson Counties both were a part in the 1760's and 1770's), and the
Virginia State Library in Richmond, Va.
Interviews with Donald Bruce MacLeod Eyster and Helen Harrison "Penny" Castle provided much of the early Eyster family and Halltown history.
Conversations with Joseph Allison (Jay) Eyster 111 prior to his death in 1979 was
also the source of some of the data.
One thing seems certain. .. Anjj^ratjng mill existed on this same site for
over 200 years. During the 1760's it was a grist mill for flour. In 1769 one of the
earliest known fulling (fiber scouring & thickening) mills existing in the area was
located beside the grist mill. From 1869 to about 1900 it was a straw board mill.
From 1900 to the present it has produced recycled paperboard from waste
paper. All these uses involved some work being done on cellulose and other
fibers.
. n
n
( om ad C . Hammann
(Born December 1, 1929, Murlinsburg, West Virginia, B. S. Cheni. Eng., CarnegieMellon University 1951, joined Halltown April 1956.)
V*
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
In trying to get underway to write a history of Halltown Paperboard Company, while some resources still existed, we were encouraged by Dr. William
Barnhart, Linnie Schley and Dr. John E. Stealey III, all of whom were greatly
interested in preserving historical information concerning Jefferson County.
Lisa Hammann Boyle rccordcd conversations with Donald Bruce MacLeod
Eyster and Helen Harrison "Penny" Castle, typed and organized the notes and
writings, and provided the opportunity for getting this history—however disjointed and meandering—published.
Mary Ann Hammann edited the proofs and helped organize the material
many times.
We welcome you to a quick view of our operation. We hope to continue to be a positive part of the Jefferson
County community. We recycle over 50,000 tons of waste paper annually and consider ourselves to be a
positive factor in solid waste disposal concerns as well as a substantial contributor to the local economy.
Synopsis of Halltown Histoiy
Around 1760 a grist mill existed on the present Halltown Paperboard Company property. Its foundations
are within the current "Beater Room'' foundations.
By 1763 deeds indicate that the grist mill was owned and operated by William Hall, who died in 1764. He
left the mill and surrounding property to his two sons, Thomas Hall and John Hall. In 1769 a "Fulling'1 mill
existed next to the grist mill, built and operated byjohn Rion, father of Sarah Rion, who married Robert Lucas
J
and resided at Rion Hall.
* A''
In 1869, the Eysters of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania bought the grist mill and began a "board" mill - for
packaging "board" - using straw from local farmers as the principal raw material. In the latter pan of the 19th
Century rags were added as raw material. By about 1900 the "formula" or "furnish" was waste paper.
In 1955, the mill property was purchased by the Old Dominion Box Company of Lynchburg. Virginia and it
continues to this day under that ownership. Old Dominion has ] 9 other plant establishments throughout the
South. Halltown is the only Paperboard manufacturing facility in the Old Dominion Company. The other Old
Dominion plants use about 15% of Halltown's production.
Recent Improvements
In the mid-1960's Halltown invested in extensive power and steam, stock preparation, and production
facilities. During the late 1960's and the 1970's we invested heavily in environmental expenses, principally in
waste water treatment and re-use. Halltown has developed a system that enables it to recy cle and reuse all of
its waste water.
In the late 1970's and early 1980's energy efficiency projects were essential to the survival of the company.
Process analyses and changes resulted in energy use per-ton-of-production being cut in half from the 197577 use Figures while production in total tons was being increased.
Our latest improvements since 1984, and now being completed, include the installation of a coal-fired
boiler and all of the necessary environmental, and other, auxiliaries. Also included was renovation of the
Power Plant, a new Waste Paper storage warehouse, truck sales for weighing coal and waste paper, a "backup" waste water treatment facility and an added converting operation involving production of heavy pasted
boards.
WHY WAS THE HISTORY DONE?
Some of the intentions of researching the current site of Halltown Paperboard Co. were to see what type of mill existed when Joseph A. E\ster bought it
in 1869, how long had it existed here, what were the historical facts and who was
the Hall for whom Halltown was named?
These questions have been answered by exhaustive "audit-trailing" the
ownership through the recorded deeds and wills in Berkeley and Jefferson
County Courthouses and plats and surveys at those locations as well as in the
City of Richmond and Frederick County, Virginia.
IN THE BEGINNING
To set the scene for the OLDEST MANUFACTURER
IN CONTINUOUS
OPERATION IN WEST VIRGINIA let's look back to the middle of the
EIGHTEENTH
CENTUR Y.
In the 1760's the subdivision of which the Halltown Mill site was a part was
Frederick County, Virginia. By 1772 this area was Berkeley County and by 1801
Jefferson County was formed from Berkeley. In March of 1763 a survey indicates a 2236 acre parcel of land (now the area in and around Halltown) w hich
had been surveyed for William Hall (Appendix F). This was granted by Lord
Fairfax to William Hall in that year.
In the mid-18th Century the Shenandoah Valley (of which Jefferson Count)
was a part) was the western frontier. By the 1760's wheat was grown all througl
this area and 80% of the grain raised was sold. Wheat was a major cash crop o
the valley from the 1780's. This valley was the bread basket for the Tidevvate
area landholders and residents.
The 1955 Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society includes aj
article about Old Mills by Louise Singleton Kemp. She says, "In looking over a
old map in 1809, by Varle, (see opposite page) you wonder at the number of mi
sites. Almost every Plantation had its own mill . . . The first and most numerou
were grist mills . . . The flour mills were larger mills and usually built of stone."
In 1763, on the current site of the Halltown Paperboard Company mil
there existed a grist mill owned by William Hall. William Hall died in 1764 an
left the mill and surrounding property to his sons, Thomas Hall and John Ha!
John Potts bought the mill and property from the Halls in 1792.
In 1769, a "Fulling" mill existed next to the grist mill, built and operated \
John Rion (Appendix I), father of Sarah Rion, who married Robert Lucas
John Potts purchased the grist mill from Thomas Hall in 1792 and issued
Deed of Trust to Thompson and Veitch. John Potts then died and his wil
- Elizabeth," remarried... to Jacob Allstadt. The mill property was sold
Thomas Beall (Appendix J) of Georgetown (DC) after some negotiations.
In 1805 the property where the mill was located was bought from the Po
estate (for the debts from the court) by Thomas Beall, although final title did r
appear to be passed to Thomas Beall until 1810. His wife Anne Orme Beall
herited the property including what is now Beall Air as well as the area where
mill is located. Their daughter, Elizabeth Ridgely Beall, married George Con
Washington. Elizabeth died in 1820, seven years before her mother's death
1827. Their son, Lewis William Washington (the Colonel who becam<
prisoner of John Brown during his Harpers Ferry raid of 1859) later beca
owner of Beall Air.
Thomas Beall died in 1819. The estate was left to his wife Anne Ori
Upon her death in 1827 it was divided, (see pg. 4) The mill property wen
Thomas B. Peter and Calvin Peter, grandsons of Thomas Beall.
In 1835 the land containing the mill was sold for debts to the highest bic
— John Yates — after John Peter (father of Thomas and Calvin) faile<
make some payments. The property was described to "include a brick flour
merchant mill, known as the Halltown Mill, a miller's dwelling house of brick,
and a brick store and warehouse at the Halltown depot."
It passed to John Yates' heirs upon his death in 1851. In 1854 it sold to
George VV. Fox. In 1857 it was sold to Francis Yates. In 1863 Francis Yates sold
to Matilda Moler "that property at Halltown containing about 10 acres, the
large brick mill and Depot and other buildings, Mill Machinery and fixtures,
etc.
In December 1868 Matilda Moler gave a trust deed to John H. Strider (her
son-in-law), the owner of the property until December 1868. John P. Strider
— son of John H. Strider — is listed in the letterhead (pg. 5) as part of the ownership in 1872. John P. Strider kept his 1 /6th interest until April 18, 1881 (Deed
Book Ref. I, pg. 259). Charles H "Chiz" Strider. currently (1985) a County
Commissioner of Jefferson Count} is a relative of John P. Strider (first cousin
to "Chiz'" grandfather).
The following letter to "John Chas. Jas Faulkner" from John H. Strider is
of interest. W. G. Eyster's name had been scratched out by Jan'y. 2, 1872 and
the stationery was altered to read Virginia Paper Mills office of Eyster & Sons
(from Eyster, Bro. & Co.).
J. Allison Eyster
Geo. S. Eyster
Jno. P. Strider
VIRGINIA PAPER MILLS
Office of
EYSTER, SONS & CO.
Halltown, W.Va.
January 2, 1872
Hon. Chas. Jas Faulkner
Martinsburg, W. Virga.
Dear Sir: I got Mr. Eyster to agree to take 5000$ of
stock in our increase of capital of our Bank. He informed me yesterday that his "Brother in law" Hon. Thos.
Scott U.S. Senator, had called on him for 7000$ which
he felt obliged to let him have by the 1st of Feby. — and
that he would borrow 3000$ to enable him to carry out
his promise to me and asked me if I knew where it could
be had for 3 or 6 months.
If you have it to spare for above length of time, he will
give you Eyster & Son Note endorsed by John T.
Henkle, Geo W. Eichelberger and pay 8 per cent.
Should he need it, we will be able to let him have it out of
the Bank by that time! H e are stretching our links (?) to
make our Bank a respectable institution.
Yours truly
John H. Strider
It appears that whatever bank John H. Strider had an association with was
just beginning. Could it have been the Farmers & Merchants Deposit Company, a predecessor to the Bank of Charles Town, or a Martinsburg bank?
The Honorable Charles James Faulkner, owner of Boydville during the Civil
War, husband of Mary Boyd, was the son of Major James Faulkner of Martinsburg, a merchant who commanded a voluntary artillery company in the War
of 1812 and was honored by the Virginia House of Delegates with a resolution of
thanks and a ceremonial sword. Charles J. Faulkner was born July 2, 1806. He
studied law under Chancellor Tucker (Henry St. George) in Winchester,
Virginia. He was admitted to practice in Superior Court of Chancery of
Frederick County, Virginia in 1825 at the age of twenty one. In 1832 he was
elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1851-52 he was elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives. In 1859 he was appointed Minister to France by
President Buchanan, until 1861 when President Lincoln appointed his successor. In 1872 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of West
Virginia. As a matter of fact he was elected president of the Convention. In
1874, after his rights of citizenship had been restored, he was elected again to
the U.S. House of Representatives. He died November 1, 1884 at Boydville.
(The Berkeley Journal 1978).
Notice the reference to the Honorable Thomas Scott, U.S. Senator and
brother-in-law of "Mr. Eyster".
Even though the mill has been referred to as Halltown Paper Board Company when it was incorporated in 1912 and "since 1869 as Eyster & Son" it apparently had several names in the beginning — even though the Eysters began it
and became sole owners during the early years. J. A. Eyster bought out the
'non-Eysters' and by 1873 sold his and his wife's share to his son, George S.
Eyster.
HALLTOWN PAPER BOARD CO.
(& EYSTER & SON)
1869-1955, 1955-1963, 1963-Present
1869-1955
To set the scene in 1869 it should be remembered that John Brown's raid on
the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry (3 miles to the east) had occurred just ten
years (1859) prior to the establishment of the "board" mill and that the light
bulb was invented ten years after the board mill began (1879). Also, in 1869, the
Jefferson Security Bank was begun (in May of that year) in nearby Shepherdstown ("the oldest bank in Jefferson County in the oldest town in West
Virginia"). In the nature of trivia, organized baseball lists 1869 as its year of
origin.
In July of 1869 the large brick Grist Mill and Depot at Halltown and about
ten acres were purchased by John H. Strider, William C. Eyster, Joseph Allison Eyster and George Eyster (Appendix C). The Eyster family came from
Chambersburg, Pa. They owned the property until it was bought by "Eyster &
Son" — (Joseph Allison Eyster and his oldest son George during the 1870's.)
Joseph Allison Eyster, Jr. (1865-1912) eventually came into the business. Joseph
Allison Eyster was able to pay for the "brick mill and depot" (when he began
the company) by payments over several years at no interest. Also one of the abbreviations in some old memos indicate this J. A. Eyster may have been an attorney by training.
Joseph Allison Eyster I,
about 1870
George S. Eyster I, GeorgeS. Eyster, Jr. ( West Point
graduate and WW II General) and J. A. Eyster I
Jefferson County, West Virginia (it had been Virginia a little over six years
earlier) still had widespread and strong southern sympathies in 1869. Either
through prudence, or requirement, the mill property was bought with John H.
Strider acting as an intermediary and his son, John P. Strider becoming part
owner. Some say that it was a method of letting a local resident benefit from a
property purchase by a "Yankee."
7
A question often asked is, "Why did the paperboard mill end up in
Halltown?"
There were at least four reasons:
- a grist mill already existed that could be used as a base
- it was located on a stream. .. Flowing Springs Run
- it was located on a railroad siding.. .the Valley branch off the B & O
main line which went through Harpers Ferry, three miles away.
- the agricultural nature of the area promised an adequate supply of straw.
Because of the railroads, agricultural products (grain as well as flour) could
be shipped to the east coast from the Midwest more cheaply than from Jefferson
County to the east coast. Preferential rates from areas — such as the Midwest —
where competition was present, could lower rates considerably.
In an area such as Halltown, with its grist mill and depot on the Valley
Branch, there was only one choice of transportation. It is likely that the
Halltown grist mill was falling on bad times for several reasons:
a. The probable unfavorable transporatation costs versus other, more competitive areas.
b. The fact that it was obviously so pro-Virginia and pro-South during
the War Between the States probably made it more difficult to deal with
the areas of commerce that survived the war — most certainly Northern.
Jefferson County was made a part of West Virginia against the will of the
overwhelming majority or" its residents (most had fought for the south).
Jefferson and Berkeley Counties had been kept in the state of West
Virginia because the Union needed the railroad.
Members of the Eyster family relate their memory of the story of the location of the mill at Halltown. The Eyster family had a small wheat flour grist mill
in or near Chambersburg, Pa. The family had grown. For new opportunity
some members of the family had to look elsewhere for their livelihood.
The family tells of how residents of the Chambersburg area had "bought
off" the Southern troops two times during the Civil War but were not able to do
so a third time. In 1864 the residents were told to evacuate and the town was
burned down by the Confederates by riding through town on horseback with
torches and setting fire to drapes and curtains in every room they could reach.
The South wanted to destroy as much of the food supply, milling capacity, etc.
that the North depended on in the area.
Joseph Allison Eyster Jr. must have been born slightly after the burning of
Chambersburg.
One pertinent fact is that the main raw material from 1869 to about 1900 was
straw. By 1902 the "furnish" was entirely of waste paper. A memo in the handwriting of J. Allison Eyster dated May 9, 1873, mentions just having been "detained in Philadelphia by a protracted meeting of the Straw Board
Association" (Appendix E). Another hand written purchase order dated in
1876 describes an order from a Hartford, Conn, box maker (straw board
boxes) using some of the standard terminology still used today.
When Eyster & Son began producing Straw Board it is said that they produced about six tons per day. Since night lighting was so problematical it is not
8
About 1910
known if the mill ran through the night or not. By the early 1900's the mill did
run 24 hours each day with two shifts. The daylight shift worked 11 hours — 7
AM to 6 PM — and the night shift worked 13 hours — 6 PM to 7 AM. The company provided a transportation "pick-up and return" for the mill employees at
about 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 5:30 PM, and 6:30 PM.
To determine who were the chief decision-makers during the Eyster family
ownership we need to look at the heads of the family. From 1869 until 1912,
(when J. A. Eyster, Jr. died), the business must have been run by J. A. Eyster,
his son George and, later, George's younger brother J. A. Eyster, Jr. Frank S.
Harrison (brother-in-law of J. A. Eyster, Jr. and an Engineer) apparently contributed to the management of the company prior to the death of J. A. Eyster.
Jr., who died as a result of heart failure.
Joseph Allison Eyster, Jr. about 1884
Joseph Allison "Jay" Eyster III,
early 1900's
Joseph
Joseph Alii
(1909-presei
Frank Spcrr
Harrison (1
F.vster, Jr.':
< 'irillr WII'I
I l|K>M ll
llostnl < <>
" A i m c c " IS
I Ian ison,
F. S. H
Halltown F
Board duri
three days
helped with
—One*
of the Boar
1912 was tl
pany at a
month."
Not mi
the ninetee
difficult ti
memory in
1930's
Superintendent's house
MISCELLANEOUS
— -j-cund the property are items of interest. A house that still exists (and is
:i i er. small piece of land not owned by Halltown Paperboard) on the
Hi.:: "»r.-Shepherdstown road was once known as the Halltown Turnpike Toll
36
House. This road has been in existence since the last half of the 1700's as-has
the road from Harpers Ferry to Ch=_rles Town (once known as the Harpers
Ferry-Winchester road).
A farm to the southwest of the rr_ (now owned by the Peacher family) was
owned by J. A. Eyster III and Leeds K Riely during the 1940's and early 1950's.
Through this farm passes a right of w. 2. / (and once a road) to the Beall Air house
(once home of Colonel Lewis Washir gton, son of George Corbin Washington
and Eliza Beall).
—To put the Halltown-Millville-Harpers Ferry area in perspective, it had
long been a commercial-industrial a r r a . A pulp mill (Shenandoah Pulp Company — on the Shenandoah River) a : . : a paper mill (Harpers Ferry Paper Company — on the Potomac River) e\is:=-d in Harpers Ferry during the years from
1884. The paper mill existed in H a r p e r s Ferry until destroyed by fire on January
15, 1925. The pulp mill on the Shenandoah River existed until August, 1935.
—The Shepherdstown-Halltown r arnpike was built in the 1870's. The present Hoak house was the Toll House. None of the turnpikes paid very well. The
County Court had a representative c n the Board of Directors of the pike and
reports were made to it each year ( 1 - 3 6 Jeff. Co. Hist. Soc. Mag.).
HISTORY OF
HALLTOWN, JEFFERSON CO., W. VA.
by
Don C. Wood
November 1984
Halltown acquired its name frorr. ^ne of old Berkeley County's early, prominent settlers — William Hall. Locating :n the area of Howard's Branch (now Flowing Springs) by 1750, William Hall acquired surveys and official title from Lord
Fairfax for a total of 2,236 acres all in z^ne continuous tract of land by grants for the
north side of his plantation in 1751, t h e middle in 1756 and a small 164 acre tract on
the east end in 1764. See Map I.
The location of his plantation was excellent — nearby Gersham Keyes had
established a ferry in 1748 on the Shenandoah and Robert Harper established one at
his plantation, now Harpers Ferry. The 1764 survey map shows a road leading to
Winchester; around this time a road was established across his plantation known as
the Warm Spring Road linking ye famed Warm Spring (now Berkeley Springs) with
Alexandria, Virginia by crossing at Keyes Ferry. This road was travelled many times
by General George Washington on his trips to his nearby lands in present Jefferson
County and to the Warm Springs.
Hall's plantation was joined on the east by Gersham Keyes and Joseph McCamres (McCormacks) on the south by Colonel John Carlyle (of Alexandria,
Va.) the ore bank tract and John Gladion and by John Sewell and John Crow
and Simon Rice on the west and Robert Harper on the north. See Land Grant
Map II. (Original land grants and survey Virginia State Library. Galtjo Geertsema Land Grant Map, Berkeley County Courthouse.)
William Hall took advantage of this excellent location and established a grist
mill and new Manor House along Howard's Branch by 1760. When William
/'Hall established his plantation it was located in Frederick Co., Va. which had
been taken off Orange Co., Va. in 1"38. In 1772 Berkeley Co. was taken from
Frederick Co., Va. and in 1801 Jefferson Co., Va. was carved off Berkeley
County, Va. and was part of the State of Virginia until during the Civil War
when the new State of West Virginia was formed June 23, 1863. Berkeley County and Jefferson County did not become officially part of West Virginia until
November of that year.
William Hall wrote a will on October 21, 1764, probated 4 December 1764.
He divided his land among his children. To son William Hall he gave the land
where said William lived and below his plantation to son James Hall; the northern section he gave to son Richard Hall. His old plantation was to be divided
between sons John Hall and Anthony Hall. To son Thomas Hall and Joseph
Hall he gave his new "dwelling and the mill thereon." But all of the above tract
of land were only to his sons for their life time and then to their eldest son or
daughter. He gave to his son William Hall the right to cut hay around his mill
and 3 acres of the meadow next to the mill to his son James Hall. His children
were to have the right to have their grain ground "tool free" at the mill for their
life time. To his daughter Elizabeth Pemberton, Ruth Heavin, Hannah Harris
and Sarah Keyes he left his new survey which was to be sold by his executors and
the money divided between them. To his beloved wife, sister of Richard
Richardson he gave his stock and everything on his plantation for her life.
(Frederick Co., Va. Will Book 3, page 233.)
Hannah Hall, the widow of William Hall I, petitioned the Court for her
dower land from her husband's estate since the will had not allowed any land in
August 1765. Jacob Hite and Robert Rutherford and others laid off Hannah
Hall's dower land of 690 acres. This land was hers only for her life time and then
went to the various sons which it had been assigned to (Frederick Co., Va. Deed
Book 11, page 175.)
On 27 September 1769 Thomas Hall who had received the grist mill, leased
for 3 pounds 10 Shillings Virginia currency, to John Rion 73 acres of his mill
38
Anthony Hall
William Hall
Richard Hall
James Hall
John Hall
division of William Hall's land
land adjoining his grist mill for 20 years. This tract of land lay right beside the
grist mill. John Rion was to have the right to erect a fulling mill with use of the
dam, etc. Rion did build a fulling mill. This was one of the first known fulling
mills in the old Berkeley County area (Frederick County Deed Book 13, page
228).
Thomas Hall apparently had a large operating grist mill and leased Vi of the
grist mill with half of his mill tract to Robert McKnight 27 April 1774 (Berkeley
County Deed Book 6, page 15). In April 1791 Thomas Hall leased the other half
of the grist mill and the fulling mill to Abraham Davenport for 150 pounds
Virginia Currency. The lease was to start 1 April 1791 and run for 13 years
(Berkeley County Deed Book 10, page 68).
40
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Thomas Hall, Sr. had married Hannah Vcslal, widow of William Vestal,
who had owned the "River Mill on Shannook" with 408 acres. This tract of land
was iocatcd above Keyes Ferry and also had a ford known in early days as Vestal
Ford. Hannah Hall sold her dower interest for $1,000.00 which included the
Mill to Thomas Hall^Jji jn 1801 (Kerkclcy County Deed Book 17, page 104).
-There had been a Court suit and John Potts had purchased the mill tract. He
then sold to Thomas Wilson. William Vestal heir-at-law of William Vestal was
of age and deeded any right he might have to Thomas Wilson in 1801 (Berkeley
County Deed Book 17, page 104).
John Pott.s, who had purchased the Hall mills, married Elizabeth Hall October 15, 1800. John Potts was deceased before 1810. His widow Elizabeth Hall
Potts married Jacob Allstadt. On 7 December 1811 Jesse and Jane Moore of
Jefferson County sold to Jacob Allstadt part of the Kcycs land grant that joined
Hall's plantation at the crossroads to Jacob Allstadt who operated a tavern here
for severaj years (Jefferson County Deed Book 7, page 32). The Jacob Allstadt
house is still standing and just been restored by its present owner James G. Gibson.
The Hall mill became part of the Bcllair Plantation and the Bcllair Mill during the ownership of George Bcall and his wife. Bcllair Plantation was formed
by George Bcall of Georgetown by the following purchases. Appendix D. Bcllair
Plantation.
A boom came to the mill with the establishment of the Winchester and
Potomac Railroad right beside the mill in 1835. John Yates, then owner of the
mill, built a new brick mill, a brick depot and brick miller's house. The railroad
provided easy transport of Hour lo the District of Columbia and the Baltimore
area. See copy of the 1852 Howell Brown maps of Jefferson County with
William Hall's original plantation outlined in red.
The mill buildings have been repaired and new ones constructed throughout
the Halltown Mill(s) 225 years of continuous operation as a grist, fulling and
paper mills. Most of the buildings are standing and used in its operations today
:iiwl :nr ol ?Oili f'rntnrv construction.
*
In the years as Eyster & Son all Straw Board was certainly shipped out by
railroad. The raw material at [hat time — straw — was purchased from
throughout the entire area. Forty-eight mules and one horse were the normal
complement at the mill with eight mules being used to pull a wagon. (One has to
know that mules cannot reproduce among themselves to figure out why the
horse was needed.) A large barn with many stalls was used for the mule teams as
well as another large barn to store the straw. Mrs. H. H. Castle remembered
mules still being on the property in 1902 and many mule gravesites on the property. However, she says that waste paper was then being used to make board
and that straw was not mixed with it.
The waste paper was brought in by rail, mostly from Baltimore and
Washington in the early 1900's. There were only two basic grades then —
Newspaper and Waste Paper.
APPENDIX F
DIVISION AND SALES OF THE
W ILLIAM HALL I
2,236 ACRES PLANTATION
by
Don C. Wood
November 1984
See division map and pic: of the sale of various tracts of land, Map III an<
Map A through H.
A. The new survey -LTgct of 164 acres
Frederick County, Va. D»eed Book 12, page 679, William Hall executc
William Hall sold 164 a c r e s to Howard Havens.
B. William Hall (11 received 432 acres
Berkeley County Deed BiOSk 6, page 420, 13 November 1784, William
sold to William Hall, Jr. QTlI) 432 acres. Please note that William Hall I w i l k £ l
the land, and made the eta Vision in his will only to each son for their life time
then to their eldest son Dr- daughter.
B-l. Berkeley Cour.r Deed Book 2, page 32, 11 March 1774, William
II sold to John Rion a t r a c t of land containing 100 acres. Was to Hall froif\
father William Hall.
B-2. Berkeley County Deed Book 6, page 422, 19 November 1784, Wil
Hall, Jr. (Ill) and Merriass^ his wife, sold to John Rion for 600 pounds 292 ;
of land, a part of 432 a c r ^ s formerly belonging to William Hall II who sojJL
William Hall III. The 2 r Z acres includes the 100 acres which had been so u I
William Hall II to John ft yon 12 March 1774.
B-3. Jefferson C o u r . r . Deed Book 8, page 476, 5 November 1814, T W ^
Keyes and Margaret, IyJ^ wife, of Jefferson Co. sold to Robert Lucas.
SI ,600.00 a tract of lane containing 32 14 acres. Was to Keyes by WilliamJTT
son of William II 13 Mourdh 1806.
( B-4. Jefferson C o u n t y Deed Book 20, page 432, August 1835, William
III and Mary, his wife, g d Jefferson Co. sold to Robert and William Luca<=>
$1,530.00 the remaining rart of the tract of land William Hall had purcheo
from his father William H-all H which included the family graveyard of V*
w hich was reserved "isfUPt to be exposed to be rooted up by hogs." This trad."^"
land joined the Allstadt ^ eirs._
C. Richard Hall r e v i v e d 165 acres
Berkeley County Deed B o o k 10, page 284, 29 August 1789, Richard Hall
Sarah, his wife, sold 165 ccres to Smith Slaughter.
C-l. Jefferson C o u - r y Deed Book 3, page 86, 13 August 1803, The
Hall and Priscilla, his wir'i. of Jefferson Co. sold to Jacob Strider a tract of
containing 164 acres. Was by William HaJHl) to son Richard Hall now dcccased
and then tp his eldest son Thomas HalK
D. James Hall received 296 acres
^
'
Berkeley County Deed Book 10, page 197, I April 1791, William Hall, eldest son
of James Hall of the County of Newberry, South Carolina sold to William
Graham 296 acres. James Hall had sold his interest to brother Richard Hall in
1765 (not found recorded) who sold to Graham.
A
E. Anthonv Hall received
'
;1 nvs
y
IHIir.on ( ounlv Deed Book 3, pair
I May I,SOS, An(lw>ny Hall and
Kacliacl, Ins wile, and Joseph Hall his cldcsl son, now 30 years old, sold 252
acres lo Thomas Beall. Land was to Anthony Hall from William Hall (I) and
then to his eldest son said Joseph Hall.
a^
"" F. John Hall received 258 acres
/ ^
Berkeley County Deed Book 16, page 47, 8 April 1800, William M. Hall of
Berkeley Co. sold to John Kcarslcv 258 acres that was from William I lal (I) lo
his son John Hall and then lo his eldest son (he said William M. Hall.
^ G. Thomas Hall received 334 acres and the Mill
Berkeley County Deed Book 10, page 369, 20 February 1792, Thomas Hall and
Hannah, his wile, sold for 5(X) pounds to John Potts 334 acres. Was part of
William Hall I's land, \s>\<
^yjQ
H. Joseph Hallreceived 309 acres and the MansLem House
Berkeley County Will Book 3, page 33, Will of Joseph Hall of Berkeley County.
All that tract of land containing 396 acres for hei/fifc and al ter her death to niece
Elizabeth North, wife of George North, and John Hall, son of my brother John
Hall Deceased. My slaves Joseph, Alex, Jacob, Sarah and Beck to my wife Maryf Cu'
Hall.
H-l. Jefferson County Deed Book 20, page 354, 9 May J_83_5, William Hall
and Mary, his wife, sold to Richard Hcndmon 180 acres. Note: Deed gives no
information how said William Hall acquirecFlhc land.
82
APPENDIX 1
THE HALLTOWN AREA
IN THE EARLY YEARS
NEIGHBORS
To set the scene us Joseph Allison Eyster knew it in the first decade of his
operation of the mill as Eyster & Son we need to mention two historic properties
in the area — Rion Hall and Bcall Air. The mill properly was owned by Thomas
Beall in the early part of the 19th Century.
Memos (1873-74) in the writing of J. Allison LZystcr to Win. Lucas were
preserved by the Eyster family. Some related to purchases of straw and sod but
others indicate a neighborly relationship between J. A. Eyster and Win. Lucas.
As the following extracts indicate, William Lucas was as much interested in his
farming operations as his legal practice.
To explain Rion Hall and Bcall Air we offer the following:
JOHN RION AND RION HALL
by
Don C. Wood
John Rion who established one of the first fulling mills in the State apparently did quite well. He had acquired a lease from Thomas Hall in 1769 for land and
the right to build a fulling mill. Two years later in 1771 he purchased 100 acres
from William Hall II. Note: 1 Ic did not have lull ownership at this time since the
land had been left to William Hall III (Frederick Co., Va. Deed Book 15, page
254). John Rion made another purchase from William Hall for 100 acres 11
March 1774 (Berkeley County Deed Book 2, page 32). Then on 19 November
1784 John Rion purchased 292 acres from William Hall 111 and Marriam, his
wife (Berkeley County Deed Book 6, page 422). See Land Grant Map.
John Rion had made purchase on 28 June 1780 from Benjamin Weed of
Albany County, New York, who had married Simeon Rice's only daughter,
Elizabeth Rice, for 400 acres of land which joined the Hall Plantation. This tract
of land had been purchased from Benjamin MeCall by Simeon Rice 9 March
1759. Since John Rion was residing on this plantation when he died in 1788 it is
quite possible that he had rented this land earlier. In his will, written in 1785,
John Rion left 'A of the tract of land he had bought of Benjamin Wade (Weed)
to his wife, Mary, for her life time and the other 2A to his son John Rion, Jr. The
Hall land which was then leased to Daniel Smith to his two daughters Sarah
Rion who martial Robert I ticas ami Cloc Rion to be equally divided between
I hem. I III'- I.mil w.r. lite ulr ol Kiou 11.ill (Beikrli-y ( oimlv Will Book I, paj-.e
485). See Howell Brown 1852 map ol Jellerson County). 1 lie Bet keley ( ouiily
143
Tax lists Robert Lucas with a house valued at $131.00 which was rented
rge Shagley. Lucas paid taxes on 121 acres of land in 1800. John Rion II
j August 9, 1792 Sarah Talbott.
EARLY BRIDGE
.e of the earliest bridges of the area was located on the run between Vestal
:;on and Keyes Plantation on the Shenandoah River. On 12 March 1792
3
otts of Berkeley County rented to Jacob Baugh and William Douglass his
Mill and dwelling House on Shennandoah" also a San1 mill Seat at the
between Vestals ford and Keyes Ferry on a run running through said
'> plantation with the privilege of the water course and all things the conof a log and board yard with half an acre (Berkeley County Unrecorded
3ook 1, page 474).
From The Magazine of the
Jefferson County Historical Society (1971)
THE CURTILAGE OF RION HALL
"William Lucas was the third son of Sarah Rion and
Robert Lucas. He was born on November 30, 1800, at
"Cold Spring, " an ancient stone house on the original
Lucas grant, near Duffields in Jefferson
County. He
studied law under Judge Henry St. George Tucker in
Winchester, Virginia and practiced in Shepherdstown
and Charles Town. (His son, Daniel, married Judge
Tucker's grand-daughter, Evelina Tucker Brooke). He
served two terms in the U.S. Congress, from 1839-1841
and from 1843-1845, and was a delegate to the Virginia
constitutional convention in 1830 and 1851.'
While law was his vocation, horticulture was his
avocation. He started with a small farm or two and
developed them into a large estate (before 1861) known
as "Rion Hall".2 The name comes from two branches
of the family, the Rions and the Halls, early owners of
much of the land.
In 1830, William Lucas married Virginia Ann
Bedinger, a daughter of Sarah Rutherford and Daniel
Bedinger of Shepherdstown. She died in 1840, leaving
four young children.3 William never remarried, but
devoted himself to his curtilage and "goodly home on
the banks of the Shenandoah. " When he died there on
1. Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1961, p.
1240.
2. Spirit of Jefferson,
Charlestown, Jefferson County, West Va.,
Tuesday Morning, October 9, 1877.
3. Zion Episcopal Churchyard, Lot No. 1, and Church records.
29 A ugust 1877, he had outlived all but one child, Judge
Daniel Bedinger Lucas, who inherited "Rion Hall,"
"with 300 acres attached. "4"
4. Jefferson County Will Book A, p. 115.
From The Magazine of the
Jefferson County Historical Society (1949)
RION HALL
The history of Rion Hall is so closely interwoven
with the names of Hall and Lucas (hat this charming old
estate can not be depicted without telling something
about the interesting personalities who constituted these
families and who have contributed to the development
of the place over a period of more than a hundred years.
The following quotation expresses to me the
historical development of Rion Hall: "Time is a sort of
river of passing events, and strong is its current; no
sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and
another takes its place, and this too will be swept away. "
Many history making events have occurred. Numerous
improvements have been made over the years; some remain, and others have been swept away. Rion Hall,
although showing the effect of age, is in a splendid state
of preservation. May its restoration add to community
values in Jefferson County!
William Hall, an Englishman, received a land grant
in the Valley of Virginia. He willed this land to his son
William Hall II, who married Elizabeth Lucas.
Elizabeth's parents were Robert and Sarah Rion Lucas,
the daughter of John Rion. From his Sarah Rion and
her five sisters inherited the Rion property, which constituted much of the land between Halltown and
Harpers Ferry. William Hall II moved to South
Carolina and, in turn, deeded his land to his son William
III, the latter moving to Ohio and selling all that was left
of the Hall acres to Edward and Robert Lucas.
Numerous small tracts of land were added by purchase from time to time. Thus the old estate eventually
comprised lands either inherited or purchased from the
Halls, Rions, Burnetts and others.
It was one of the sons of Robert and Sarah Rion
Lucas, William Lucas, who built Rion Hall in 1836. He
was born November 30, 1800, at Cold Spring near
Shepherdstown. He practiced law for a time at
Shepherdstown, then moved to Charles Town. He was
elected to the General Assembly for the 1837-1838 session and in 1839 was chosen a representative in Congress. Two years later he was defeated for Congress, but
was again elected for the 1843-1845 term.
The following is an extract from Callahan's History
of West Virginia:
"William Lucas acquired an estate near Hall Town
which he named Rion Hall. He took much pleasure in
adding to his holdings and at one time owned nearly
2000 acres. His intense love for his home is revealed in
the following conversation in Richmond when his name
was mentioned for that of Governor: "/ am here,
gentleman, with Hunter and Faulkner, at the Constitutional Convention, to do what I can for the old state, but
no office for me. 1 have possessed me of a goodly home
on the banks of the Shenandoah in the Valley of
Virginia, with the Blue Ridge stretching away to the East
and the Alleghany to the W est of my estate. In the morning as 1 stand on my portico I can behold the sun rising
through the Gap at Harpers Terry, where the marriage
of the waters of the Shenandoah and Potomac takes
place. Thanks, gentleman, but no office. / wouldn't
swap my curtilage and acres for your whole city of Richmond. "
After his second term in Congress, William Lucas
returned to the farm and to the home he loved so well.
He became recognized as an ardent lover of trees and
plants. His granddaughter, Virginia Lucas, wrote: "The
enthusastic owner planted trees, roses, trees and more
trees. It was reputed that he had 500 varieties of plants,
an arboretum of which the country-side felt proud.
Time has swept away many of these. " But many have
sur\'ived and are enjoyed by visitors to Rion Hall.
William Lucas was over sixty when the war broke
out. He lived through the unfortunate experience of losing most of his property and seeing the devastation of
his country. However, Rion Hall was saved. He spent
his declining days in seclusion and died at Rion Hall,
August 28, 1877.
Rion Hall was inherited by his son, Daniel Bedinger
Lucas, a distinguished son of a distinguished father. He
was poet, lawyer and jurist. His was a life of intense
human experience, both good and bad, experiences
which seemed to enrich rather than embitter. He had a
fall in infancy that resulted in a spinal trouble which
overshadowed his life. He witnessed much sorrow and
had many sad experiences, among the saddest of which
was the trial and death of John Yeates Beall, a very dear
friend. He endured the ravages of war, with a stout
heart.
His war experiences inspired the writing of "The
Land Where We Were Dreaming, " which brought him
recognition as a poet and the designation as "Poet of the
Shenandoah. " This poem has been described as "a war
poem that probably expresses better than any other
poem has expressed the beauty and heriosm and tragedy
of the Southern Cause. "
Daniel Bedinger Lucas died at Rion Hall in 1909.
Virginia Lucas, his daughter, was willed a life interest in his estate, which included Rion Hall and Cold
Spring. She also inherited her father's talent for writing,
publishing the following: "The Captain. " a story;
"Wild Flower," "Dream Circles," and "June" in
verse; and a yearbook of sonnets.
The collection of poems in "June" reveals the
author as an idealist living in a dream-land. Her tender
passion, expressed in verse, for flowers, birds, squirrels,
trees, stars, seasons of the year and her surroundings in
general, is an outpouring of a loving heart. She dosed
her book of poems "June" with a poem entitled "Rion
Hall in Love Time. " She was intensely devoted to Rion
Hall as were her father and grandfather.
Virginia Lucas died at Rion Hall in 1929 and title
passed to the descendants of E. W. Bedinger living at the
time of the distribution of the property provided for in
the will of Daniel Bedinger Lucas. There were five
daughters, two granddaughters and two grandsons.
Thus ended a golden era at Rion Hall.
It must be remembered that the stories of Rion Hall
may be, in part, facts and, in part, legend. Be that as it
may, these narratives make interesting reading.
Virginia Lucas in writing about Rion Hall said:
"The house was used as headquarters by General
Sheridan. An old neighbor, a Mrs. Beck (the Becks were
Union and German people, but warm friends and
tenants) carried under her hoop skirt the family portraits
to her house at the gates, and slept all through the war
with them under her featherbed." She described the
smashing of mirrors, invasion of sick rooms, searching
of wardrobes and bureaus (for concealed soldiery),
stealing of watches, etc. ' 'In our parlor the saber cuts on
door and mantel still show Sheridan's consulting room.
Desecration of the graveyard was prevented by my
grandfather's going out and asking if a Colonel Burnett
was not one of their officers. 'Well,' he said, when they
replied in the affirmative,
'you 're violating the graves
then of your ancestors, for these Burnetts are the
ancestors of the Burnetts of Ohio, whence you have
come.' They desisted. Of course, it was hidden treasure
for which they were searching, and, alas, (here was
none." The saber cuts on both mantels of the double
parlors remain.
It may interest the reader to know that, recently,
Carlina Sheridan Glasgow, granddaughter of General
Sheridan, visited Rion Hall.
This old mansion was built on a hill, with a curtilage
of about twelve acres, located in the midst of a threehundred-acre farm, from which one may view the everchanging panorama of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It
consists of a main house and a small house, both of
brick construction on stone foundation, and connected
by a double gallery. A third story was added later to the
main house, but the little house remained as originally
constructed. The main house has a center hall running
all the way through with hidden stairway. Two rooms
on each side of hall, and fireplaces in all rooms. The
smaller house served as kitchen and servant quarters.
Giant hemlock and pine, linden and larch, fir and
walnut, towering a hundred feet or more, age old, dot
the front yard. A spreading yew, a century old, nestles in
the curve of the roadway leading to the house. Three
very large magnolia trees, an unusual boxwood tree of
giant height, a boxwood hedge and flowering shrubs
add beauty to the back yard. Acres of ground are
covered with thick myrtle and ivy through which spring
wild flowers such as dutchman's breeches, anemones,
spring beauty, wild phlox, and many other native wild
flowers. One of the most distinguishing of these lovely
flowers is the Virginia Blue Bell, which covers a considerable area around the old graveyard back of the
house and has spread in all directions. Truly a sight to
see in May-time.
There is nothing more unfortunate for a farm than
the loss of its owner. For many years after the death of
Virginia Lucas, Rion Hall suffered.
The grounds became a jungle; flowers, ferns, plants, shrubs and boxwood were carried away (so I have been told). The old
mansion went vacant, neglected and in need of much
repair.
However, a new era has dawned for Rion Halt, and
the same love for trees, flowers and all the beauties of
nature that surround it has found its way into the hearts
of its new possessors.
In 1938 title passed to Charles L. Crane. There was
much to be done to make the house habitable. The
jungle was to be cleared, roads to be built and many
necessary repairs to be made. The Cranes, truly, were
the pioneers in the process of restoration.
In 1944 Bonney Youngblood and George W. Bachman became joint owners of Rion Hall. These two scientists devoted their efforts to bringing the land back into
cultivation.
In 1946 George W. Bachman sold his one-half interest to Bonney and Lotus Youngblood, who now live
at Rion Hall and operate the farm.
There is an inexplicable charm about Rion Hall,
even in its run-down condition. What it must have been
in its heyday! One is impressed with the "survival of the
fittest" among the trees, shrubs and all remaining plant
life. Nature has been kind in protecting so many things
that were planted by loving hands and given tender care
in the beginning. The result, today, is the survival of
many, many trees, shrubs, and plants. When I walk
among the lovely flowers, or stroll beneath the giant
trees, I feel grateful to those of the past for having made
it possible for us to enjoy such grandeur. "
—Lotus Youngblood
The 1949 Jeff. Co. Historical Society Magazine history of Rion Hall was
written by the owner at that time... Lotus Youngblood. Since then Rion Hall
has been owned by Maurice Cooper (a relative of the Youngbloods) and now,
his widow, Mrs. Maurice (Ora) Cooper.
A '
;" . -
n,.
. I, U
APPENDIX J
THE BEALL AIR LAND
by
Don C. Wood
Thomas Beall of Georgetown acquired his land to form his Beall Air Plantation by the following deeds. See man.
Historical Marker at Ha/ltown Paperboard Power House, October 1984.
Purchase of Beall Air Tracts
Thomas Beall made his first purchase on the 13 September 1803 by purchasing most of John Crow's land grant and John Sewell's land grant from Joseph
Nourse of Georgetown who had already formed a good size Plantation. All indications are that part of the present house was built by John Crow ca. 1770.
The house owned by Nourse in 1793 House Tax was valued at over $500.00. Jefferson County Deed Book 1, page 528. See map. Tract 1 contained 363 acres
part of 463 acres granted to John Crow by Lord Fairfax in 1770 who devised the
land to his son Thomas Crow who sold to Joseph Nourse.
2. 33 acres was purchased by John Crow from Jeremiah Stitewell and
Mary, his wife, in 1775, later acquired by Nourse.
3. 50 acres was by John Crow to Jonathan Brittian. He to Nourse.
4. 43 acres was part of Sewell land grant Nourse purchased from John Bull.
Purchase of Belleair tracts
5. 38 acres was part of Sewell land grant Nourse purchased from John Bi
6. 3:/2 acres was part of Sewell. Nourse from William Bountain who w
married to Elizabeth Sewell, daughter of John Sewell.
7. 43 acres was Sewell to daughter Elizabeth Bountain.
8. 43 acres was Sewell land grant. End of purchases in Deed Book 1 wh
start at page 528.
9. 38 acres was Sewell land. He to daughter Abigail Sewell Conklin. S
sold to Isaac Houseworth who sold to Thomas Beall 27 October 1804. Jeffers
County Deed Book 2, page 325.
10. 252 acres part of William Hall land purchased by Thomas Beall fr<
Joseph Hall and Rachel, his wife, 1 May 1805. Jefferson County Deed Book
page 35.
11. Small tract. Deed does not state acreage or bounds. Was part of Sime
Rice land purchased by Beall from Philip Stryder 14 May 1805. Jefferson Co
ty Deed Book 3, page 43.
12. 7 acres part of Hall gram. Sold by Robert Lucas and Sarah, his wife, to
Thomas Beall 22 November 1805. Jefferson County Deed Book 3, page 146.
13. 156 acres part of William Hall grant. Was by John Potts to Joseph Fair
who sold to Thomas Beall 8 May 1806.
->14. Purchase of the Hall Sl'ill by Thomas Beall 9 January 1811. From
Chancery Court case over John Potts' estate. Acreage not given.
15. 65 acres was William Hall. Given in Deed of Trust by Thompson and
Veitch. Later assigned as dower interest to Elizabeth Hall Potts Allstadt, widow
of John Potts and wife of John Allstadt who sold her dower interest to Thomas
Beall 5 October 1810. Jefferson County Deed Book 6, page 525.
From :he Magazine of the
Jefferson County Historical Society (1971)
BACKGROUND OF BEALL AIR
''The construction of Beall-Air is fully described in
an article by Henry T. McDonald in the 1946 Magazine
of the Jefferson Co. Historical Society. It tells us that
Lewis William Washington inherited it from his grandfather, Thomas Beall H 748-1819). Thomas Beall and his
wife, Anne Orme (1752-1827), had a daughter,
Elizabeth Ridgely (1786-1S20), who married George
Corbin Washington (1789-/854/ in 1807. By inheritance
the property passed to Col. Lewis W. Washington, who
occupied Beall-Air, and who was a victim of the famous
kidnapping during the John Brown raid. "
From The Magazine of the
Jefferson County Historical Society (1946)
BEALL AIR
"This old home of generous dimensions, but incongruous types of architecture, will always command
the attention of those who are interested in the events
which will have shaped the destiny of America. Situated
a half mile off the Harpers Ferry-Charles Town portion
of Marv Johnston's Long Gray Trail, to the west of
Hall town, it is rather inaccessible to easy approach and
not readily discerned by the uninitiated traveller. It is
evidently a home which grew. And it grew under the
plans of those who had discordant architectural notions,
since it is a three-in-one type of building, in which each
type has a distinctive individuality. Yet the whole
breathes forth a rugged strength and endurance, which
bespeaks a long tomorrow. Lewis William Washington
(1812-1871) inherited it from his grandfather, Thomas
Beall (1748-1819), who is believed to have been the
builder of the rear and older portion of the house. The
newer part, facing south, was built by Mr. Washington.
The dates of these separate constructions are
unknown, but it is reasonable to believe that the older
portion of the home was built over one hundred and fifty years ago. It is generally understood that the name
"Beall Air" was given to the estate, then very much
larger in acreage than at present, by Mr. Beall. The inheritance of Mr. Washington came through his mother,
Elizabeth Ridgely Beall (1786-1820), daughter of
Thomas Beall and his wife, Anne Orme (1752-1S27).
She married George Corbin Washington (1789-1854),
on Sept. I, 1807. Beall Air was a home of gentle ease and
a hospitality becoming the times.
That increasing prosperity did not always accompany the efforts of (he owners seems to be attested by
the several sales, through the years, of portions of the
original ample acres. Thus it was just prior to the Civil
War. In 1858 a dashing, handsome young man, John E.
Cook, came to Harpers Ferry. By his superior education
and considerable travels he became a prominent figure
in the community. He taught the village school and
made wide acquaintance. Among other places where he
was welcomed, he came to know well and become a frequent guest at Beall Air. He and Colonel Washington,
whose title was by courtesy, since he belonged to the
staff of Governor Wise, found common interests. A
mutually agreeable friendship arose. And from that
betrayed friendship stemmed the event, which will
forever make Beall A ir a place of enduring interest.
Who induced John E. Cook to come to Virginia,
and for what purpose he came, are still at this late day,
moot questions, without satisfactory answer. Men
believe he was a forerunner of John Brown. There we
may rest the matter. Certain it is that on that fateful
night of October 16, 1859 he was the leader of the band,
who near the midnight hour went to Beall Air, aroused
Mr. Washington from sleep, ordered him and some of
his slaves to accompany them, and took with them some
cherished family possessions, including a dress sword,
which had belonged to The Father of our Country. This
had come by inheritance into the possession of Colonel
Lewis W. Washington. That event, in itself rather insignificant, suddenly became an initial part of a raid
upon a quiet town and a peaceful citizenship, which was
to drench a nation with the blood of brothers and complete a far-reaching political revolution in America. In
its part in those first, tumultuous events, no Virginia
home had so outstanding and memorable a part as did
Beall Air. Without design by its owners, this fine home
had a kind of unforgetfulness thrust upon it, which will
endure.
Fortunately the bitternesses of war are past. The
marks of conflict, save in quiet trench or nearly
obliterated artillery road have been erased. Monuments,
some of doubtful worth, tell their sanguinary stories.
But there are other monuments to conflict, monuments
created for the warmth of home and the glow offireside,
where gay happiness reigned, where no thought of
another's woe ever intentionally entered, but which by
the rude twist of unheralded events were to become a
place apart and distinguished. Thus it was with Beall
Air.
Its war time master and mistress have long since
gone. The fertile acres have passed to other owners.
Where once wheat and corn were harvested by unrequited toil, and a fine understanding existed between
owner and owned, now in spring time, rolling acres of
billowing boughs breathe forth a fragrance, not excelled
by apple blossom time in Normandy, and where during
the golden autumn weeks is harvested some of the finest
fruit grown in all the land.
A new fragrance and sweetness controls the nation
because of Beall Air. We do well to reverence and
preserve it.
Abstract of Title back to ownership by Thomas
Beall, who named it.
The C. L. Robinson Ice And Cold Storage Corporation, present owners, purchased it from Frank W.
Hilbert and wife, Nth April, 1930, containing 364.41
acres.
Frank W. Hilbert purchased same by deed of
Bargain and Sale, from Henry L. Lee, 12th February,
1930.
Hanson B. Black and wife, by deed of Bargain and
Sale, sold the property to Henry L. Lee. Deed dated
15 th of May, 1929.
1st December, 1906 a deed for 20 acres, more or less,
from George D. Baumgardner and wife, to G. W. Z.
Black was made, and this acreage was added to Beall
Air.
Mary B. P. Black, who, by will of G. W. Z. Black,
her husband, had come info possession of Beall Air on
his death, by virtue of a contract, whereby her son, Hanson B. Black, agreed to her enjoyment of income from
the estate so long as she lived, received a deed for Beall
Air, as Trustee during her life time. The estate was said
then to contain "370 acres, more or less. " This transaction is dated, 8th November 1926.
By order of the Court, Andrew Kennedy and A.
Hunter, were appointed Special Commissioners to make
sale of Beall A ir. Mrs. Ella B. Washington, wife of (he
deceased Lewis W. Washington, was ordered by the
Court, to join with them in making a deed of sale to G.
S. Z. Black. This deed of Bargain and Sale was dated
20th July, 1877.
By will of Thomas Beall of Georgetown, his lands in
Jefferson County, Virginia, were to be divided between
his daughter, Elizabeth Ridgely Beall, and two grandsons, Thomas Beall Peter and Collin Peter.
The marriage of Elizabeth Ridgely Beall and George
C. Washington had occurred on 1st September, 1807.
Mrs. Washington died in 1820, while George Corbin
Washington, her husband, survived till 1854. Lewis
William Washington was their son. The will of Thomas
Beall was probated in 1819. And seven years after the
death of Elizabeth Beall Washington, division of the
lands of Thomas Beall was ordered by the Court in
September 1827. The division as made was approved at
the October term of the Court, 1827. The division as
made was approved at the October term of the Court,
IS27. The division as made allotted 670 acres, 1 rood, 26
poles, to George C. Washington and Lewis William
Washington, husband and son of Elizabeth Ridgely
Beall Washington. This was all one tract. To the two
grandsons, Thomas Beall Peter and Collin Peter went
' 'the remainder of said tract of land, the same being in
two tracts." Tract No. 1 "containing 533 acres" and
tract No. 2 "containing 50 acres of woodland. "Incidentally these two tracts were rather widely separated and
the larger was very irregular in shape. Thus Beall Air,
the first mentioned tract, which included the buildings,
was (he larger estate. And it is with it that we have to do.
The Commissioners making (he division were: John
Yates, Richard Duffield and John Moler.
h is apparent "on: :he above, that when Mr. G. W.
Z. Black became :ie c •••ner of Beall Air, it already had
been materially decreased in acreage. It would further
appear, from the stucy made, that this was not an
original Washington ei:ate, but that it became such by
will and inheritance."
—Henry T. McDonald
K
e
Society, 1954
AND
JD
aid
lor
t 195!.)
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