Abraham Van Metre
Abraham Van Metre is the son of John Van Metre the Indian Trader and Margaret Mollinaer. A Virginia Pioneer who helped settle Ohio County in the northern panhandle of Virginia (now West Virginia).
Born: About 1721 in Somerset County. New Jersey, Colonial America.
Died: Before 18 Nov 1783 (when his will was proved) in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
Married 1st: About 1742 Ruth Hedges in Orange County, Virginia, Colonial America.
Married 2nd: 1762 Martha (Roberts) Wheeler in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia).
Find A Grave: Memorial #160857625 buried on his farm in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Military: His service included his participation in the defense of the border when it was infested by the British, renegade Tories, and their Indian allies. Abraham was present and among those who signed a petition to the Congress May 18, 1776. He served under General George Rogers Clark–with Captain William Harrod’s party at the Falls of the Ohio, Louisville, Ky. in 1780, and also with Squire Boone at his station, “Painted Stone” in (now) Shelby County, Kentucky, June 1780. This was a company of militia on an expedition against the Shawnee Indians, July-August, 1780.
Table of Contents
Ruth Hedges daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Land) Hedges.1
Born: 1722 in Salem County, New Jersey, Colonial America.
Died: 1761 at the age of 39 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Find A Grave: Memorial #243244221 showing buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
Note: According to Samuel Gordon Smyth, Catherine was the daughter of John Stalcop, but Peter Stebbin Craig, who wrote The Colonial Descendants of William and Mary Hedges, maintains that Catherine was the daughter of Samuel Land and Dorcas Walliam. There is compelling evidence to support this. See my post Joseph and Catharine Hedges for the details. (coming soon)
Martha (Roberts) Wheeler daughter of Robert and Hannah (Howell) Roberts and widow of unknown Wheeler.
Born: 2 May 1727 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Colonial America.
Died: Before 1780 at the age of about 52 most likely in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married 1st: Unknown Wheeler
Find A Grave: Memorial #237108347 buried at the Van Matre farm near Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia) USA.
Note: It appears that Martha (Roberts) and her first husband (unknown Wheeler) had children. How many is unknown, but it appears that Rebecca Wheeler Van Metre was one of them and is listed in Abrahams will as a daughter, but she would be his step daughter. She married 1st John Spahr or Spahn, and second Joseph Morgan. There are also other Rebecca Van Metre’s in this generation that can add to the confusion. I have removed her as a (biological) daughter of Abraham.
Abraham Van Metre the Pioneer
The following was extracted from “A Van Metre Family Record” by Frances C. Van Metre, 1934.[Van Metre, Frances C., “A Van Metre Family Rec old”, 1934 Reviewed online at https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G006926.pdf (Accessed 12 April 2023). I have edited for easier reading:
Abraham had become a famous grazer, horse breeder and cattle trader. He inherited lands from his father on Opequon Run (Creek) in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia) and in Prince George’s County, Maryland (now Frederick County, Maryland).
On March 8, 1743 (1748?) he was appointed by court of Frederick County, Virginia as overseer of road from Simon Linder’s to Old Sayd’s.
Abraham voted for Washington in his election to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Winchester 24 July 1758.
Before 1772, he settled in Southwest Pennsylvania, Washington County (now Greene County).
Abraham was indicted for riot, along with Henry, Jacob, John and John Jr., (all Van Metres) and Thomas Swan in Washington County, Pennsylvania (now Green County), July 6 1772, the riot probably arising over conflict of authority between the two state governments. For many years a dispute existed between Virginia and Pennsylvania as to ownership of territory in North part of present state of West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. This dispute not infrequently was accompanied by violence.
He was petitioner with others to Lord Dunmore against Pennsylvania exercising jurisdiction over Virginia inhabitants and territory in Southwest Pennsylvania, May 15 1774.
He was petitioner with others to Lord Dunmore against Pennsylvania exercising jurisdiction over Virginia inhabitants and territory in Southwest Pennsylvania, May 15 1774.
In 1776 Virginia convention proposed temporary dividing line–(finally decided by commissioners appointed by the two states, 1785.)
He was signer to a petition on the inhabitants of Transylvania (Kentucky) in the Western district of Virginia to the court against the proceedings of the Virginia convention 18 May 1776, in regard to the encroachment of the Kentucky Indians.
It is recorded that Jacob and Abraham, brothers, and others produced recommendations from court of Monongalia County, Virginia, to Pass unmolested to the falls of Ohio (Louisville, Kentuck). Jacob moved from Muddy Creek, Southwest Pennsylvania, to what was afterward Hardin County, Kentucky. Abraham was frequently with his brother, Jacob, in cattle trading expeditions on the Upper Ohio River and having to do with the Colonial military supplies and had business relations with the frontier posts.
Short Creek country was settled by pioneers from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Abraham acquired settlement rights to lands on Short Creek, in Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia) called the Short Creek Country, a portion of which was originally improved by him in 1773, and on which he built a cabin putting it in charge of his apprentice named [Adam] Black. This gave to the settlement the name of “Black’s Cabin”. Black was an apprentice of Abraham of Berkeley County, Virginia, sent by Mr. Van Metre 1770 to hold and establish a claim. Blazing the trees which was done by chipping out a piece and cutting the claimant’s name on the bark, constituted what was called in those days, a “tomahawk right” and was also called an “improvement”. Such claims were sacredly recognized and respected and none dared to infringe upon them.
During the period of the Revolution, the name of Black’s Cabin was changed to West Liberty. It is about eleven miles NE of current Wheeling, West Virginia. Part was not surveyed until after Abraham’s death, then the property of his heirs.
The town was laid out by his two sons-in-law, Foreman and Mounts, 29 Nov 1787–the first town in Ohio valley. On an elevated site above Black’s Cabin stood a fort which was called interchangeably, “Van Meters Fort” and the “Court-House Fort”. This stockade built by Abraham Van Metre, belonged after his death to his son Joseph. It was one of the first forts erected in this part of Virginia, standing on the North side of Short Creek about five or six miles above its juncture with the Ohio River in Richland township, now Brooke County, West Virginia. [Important Correction: There were apparently two forts “Van Meters Fort” and “Fort Van Meter”. The one erected above Black’s Cabin “Van Meters Fort” was included in the 2 acres sold to the county. “Fort Van Meter” built on the North side of Short creek was the one left to his grandson, Morgan.].
It is called the “Court House Fort” because the first court of Ohio County in Virginia (now West Virginia) was held in it after the first court of Ohio County was held in it after the organization of Ohio County, from the district of West Augusta, 6 January 1777. This was the date of the first deed on record in Ohio County, and was made by Abraham in Deed Book No. 1, which states that for the consideration of twenty pounds he sells two acres, “Black’s Cabin” to Court of Ohio County. The contract for county buildings was obtained by Silas Hedges from Abraham Van Metre.
In 1776-1782 Major Samuel McCollough commanded at Fort Van Metre. McCollough, killed by Indians, was buried in the enclosure of the fort, at the top of the hill directly North of the present consolidated school of Richland district. This grave is marked by the Ohio County Historical Society. The spring now supplying pure drinking water for the school, in pioneer days furnished water for the fort. Through Mr. Garden’s efforts, Wheeling Chapter D.A.R. erected a permanent marker for the site of Fort Van Metre on November 17, 1933, a monument of cut stone with bronze tablet.
Abraham served as a Revolutionary soldier. Under General George rogers Clark–with Captain William Harrod’s party at the falls of the Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky in 1780, and also with Squire Boone at his station, “Panted Stone” in current Shelby County, Kentucky, June 1780.
Abrahams will was made in 1780, Berkeley County, Virginia. He died in 1783.
The following excerts are from The Origin and Descent of an American Van Metre Family, by Samuel Gordon Smyth2 (Edited for easier reading):
Abrahams second wife, Martha (Roberts) Wheeler, was probably the sister of Samuel Roberts, an intimmate business associate of Abraham Van Metre.
By his father’s will, Abraham was bequeathed three separate tracts of lands comprising the homestead his father bought of francis Prichard, one hundred acres on Opequon Run; another in the same locality bought of Jost Hite containing two hundred and thirty-seven acres; and the half-moiety under the bond of Jost Hite. The three tracts aggregated five hundred and thirtoy-seven acres; and he had land of his own in addition to these parcels.
Abraham succeeded in recovering the land from Hite which was in dispute with his father and obtained his patent for it, from Lord Fairfax, on the 28th of October, 1754, and from which Abraham sold one hundred acres in May, 1768, to Samuel Roberts, who had then married Abraham’s granddaughter Naomi, the daughter of Abraham Van Metre, Jr. She thus became Samuel Roebrt’s second wife.
Abraham, settled down as a breeder, grazier and trader in horses and cattle; and carried on extensive business relations with the settlers along the Ohio River Frontiers. He supplied many of the posts that had been established on the border, and at the crossings of the streams in the wilderness. In addition to the trading, he and his sons acted as guides and counsellors to the pioneers and so in the days preceding the Revolution they had become known as active, reliable frontiersmen.
The following is oen of the many instances of a business character which relates to Abraham Van Metre’s trading expeditions up the Ohio valley. The item is dated July 4, 1777, a memorable day the year previous. “Then rec’d of Abraham Van Metre Three Steers & one Cow mark’d a crop and half-peny in ye neare eare – half-peny the of [off] eare. Being appraised by Jacob Van Metre and Edward Polke according to order of Captain Connelly commander of Fort Dunmore, Pittsburg. Being for the use of Government o Virginia & appraisment to Sixteen pounds ten shillings. Rec’d by me – William Harrod.”
While engaged in these trading tours Abraham had ample opportunity of observing the character of the county, consider the advantages it offered, and the inducements to purchase, so that he was able to provide for himself and friends back in Berkeley [County] certain settlement rights which he located on the waters of Short Creek, in Ohio County, then in Virginia. some of this ground which he obtained was not surveyed, however, until it was made for his heirs in 1786 – three years after his death. With a portion of these lands he was historically connected because it included “Blacks Cabin and Spring” where the Court of Ohio county was afterward held for the district of West August, and where it was organized on the 6th of January, 1777, as recorded:
“At a meeting of the Court held at Blacks Cabin, January, 1777, . . . forasmuch as the tract of land agreed upon for holding Coarts at in future doth of right appertain unto Abraham Van Metre of Opeqhon Creek, in the county of Bartley [Berkeley], Ordered that Zachariah Sprigg, and Silas Hedges Esquires be appointed to contract and covenant with the sd Van Metre for not less than two acres of sd tract – Including the cabin and Spring. In behalf of this county, for the purpose of erecting and Building thereon a Courthouse, Prison and other necessary publick Buildings, for any sum not exceeding Twenty pounds & Report make of their Proceedings therein as soon as may be to this Coart.”
[Signed] DAVID SHEPHERD.
“Know all men by these presents that – I, Abraham Van Metre, of Bartley [Berkeley] county, Colon y of Virginia, do bargain and sell for the Consideration of Twenty pounds Paid when Sur’yd of the county current money to the Court of Ohio county & Successors a Lott of land containing Two acres which I claim lying at the head of the Northerly Fork of Short Creek known as Blacks Cabin, Bounded as follows – Beginning at White Oak standing at the head of a spring and running thence N. 56 deg. W – 20 poles to a stake, S. 34 deg. W – 16 poles to a stake, thence S.E. 20 deg. 20 poles to a stake, thence N. 34 deg. 16 poles to the beginning, containing Two acres for the Use Publick of the sd county, I do Bind myself my heirs and assigns forever quit my claim for the above Two acres as Witness my hand & seal this ___ day of March, on thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven.”
[Signed] Abraham Van Metre. Seal.
Interlined before signing,
Witnesses. – ANDREW FOUTS,
CONTRAD STROUP,
JOHN SPAHN
Ordered to be recorded, Test,
JAMES McMECHEN, C.C.
“3d. April, 1777. Ordered that a Coarthouse be erected and that John McCullough High Sheriff, – be ordered to put the contract up at Publick auction to the lowest undertaker, on Abraham Van Metre’s ground.”
“3d. November, 1777. Ordered that the Sheriff pay Abraham Van Metre 20 pounds for the lands which the county took to build Courthouse and Prison on – out of the money by him collected of the tithables in this county.”
The county seat being thus established on a part of his lands, Abraham, with his nephew David Shepherd sitting as Judge, and there being a number of other settlers from the Packhorse Ford, on the Potomac, then living in the vicinity, of whom may be mentioned Jacob Van Metre, Levi Harrod, Henry Keeth, John and Francis Duke, Morgan and John Van Metre, David McIntire, Wm. Shepherd and Charles Hedges, all relatives of the grantee, Abraham Van Metre, found it necessary for the protection of the neighborhood, to erect a stockade on Short Creek, near its juncture with the Ohio. This post became known in the border history as “Van Metre’s Fort” and it became the rendezvous for the settlers during subsequent attacks by the Indians on the settlement. This fort subsequently fell to the possession of Abraham’s son Joseph Van Metre during his father’s lifetime and he, predeceasing his father, willed it to Joseph’s son Morgan VanMetre. From. 1777 to 1782, “The Courthouse Fort,” as it was locally known, was under the command of Major Samuel McCullough. it was situated in Richland Township, in what is now Brooke County, West Virginia; and is believed to have been the first fort erected in this part of Virginia.
West Liberty, West Virginia
As a side note, it was Jacob Van Metre (brother of Abraham and uncle of Joseph) who settled on a tributary of the Monongahela River at Muddy Creek in Cumberland Township, Pennsylvania, where another Fort Van Meter was erected. Whether or not Joseph joined his uncle prior to him relocating to Short Creek on the Ohio is not clear.
Joseph built a “Fort” at this location, which was called Fort Van Meter, not to be confused with Van Meter Fort located at what is now West Liberty and also called the Courthouse Fort. (There were two forts with similar names, e.g. Fort Van Meter and Van Meter Fort).
By most accounts, Fort Van Meter, built by Joseph and possibly with help from his father, Abraham, was located on the Ohio River a few miles above the confluence of Short Creek. At least one historian places the fort just north of Clinton (now West Virginia).
The following is an excerpt from “A Story of a Van Matre Family” by Joseph Van Matre:3
The land where the town of West Liberty is located was part of Abraham Van Metre’s original land grant. The town was laid out on land surrounding the courthouse that was then owned by Abraham Van Metre. Abrahams daughter Ruth married Reuben Foreman and his daghter Hanna married Providence Mounts and they inherited this land. On November 20, 1787, the Virginia Assembly officially recognized the town thereby making it the first organized town in the Ohio River Valley. This statement is from the record of the Virginia Assembly: “It is directed that sixty acres owned by Reuben Foreman and Providence Mounts already laid off into lots and streets around the courthouse in the county of Ohio be established a town by the name of West Liberty.”
One of the advantages of the land near Black’s Cabin was that it was located on a defensible ridge. When Dunmore’s war in 1774 brought about an increase in Indian attacks in the region, a blockhouse style fort was constructed at the highest point on the ridge a few hundred feet from the cabin. It is likely that the location of the fort was near the location of the gazebo at the West Liberty town hall because that area is the highest part of the ridge and because there is a hand dug well near the gazebo and another one near the corner of the garage just across Rt 88. Most likely, one of those wells was inside the fort. Around the same time, Fort Van Meter was also built on a ridge just above Clinton. Sometimes, people are confused by the fact that there were two forts [Van Meters Fort aka Courthouse Fort and Fort Van Meter] with similar names in the region.4
The fact there were two Forts with similar names explains my confusion over the many discrepancies. Abraham Van Metre left the Fort Van Meter, to his grandson, Morgan. The Van Meter Fort would have been included within the 2 acres sold to the county.
There is an interesting story with many pictures of Blacks Cabin, located on Van Meter Way in West Liberty, on the Weelunk website at https://weelunk.com/a-seat-of-frontier-justice/. This is also close to the Old Graveyard, that is reported to be part of the two acres.
Abraham was instrumental in acquiring and improving the land in the Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia) but returned to his home in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virignia for his final days.
Abraham was frequently with his brother, Jacob, in cattle trading expeditions on the Upper Ohio River and having to do with the Colonial military supplies and had business relations with frontier posts.
Abraham Van Metre Death and Will
Abraham’s will left considerable land to his sons and daughters, most of it located in the Short Creek area of Ohio County, West Virginia. He left his son Daniel, his homestead on Opequon Creek in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., Virginia, containing 235 acres.
Sims Index to Land Grants in West Virginia shows that some of these children acquired land grants from Lord Fairfax in Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia) prior to the creation of the Virginia Land Office, as follows:
- Hannah, daughter of Abraham and his second wife, Martha Wheeler, 345 acres on Short Creek in 1785.
- John, son of Abraham and Martha Wheeler, 400 acres on Short Creek in 1786.
- Isaac, son of Abraham and his first wife, Ruth Hedges, 1,000 acres on Mid Island Creek in 1791.
- Joseph, 100 acres in 1786 and 75 acres in 1791, on Short Creek. (This apparently is not Joseph, son of Abraham Van Metre and Ruth Hedges since records show that Joseph disappeared about 1780).
- Morgan, oldest son of Joseph and Margaret Morgan, almost 2,000 acres from 1786 to 1791 in the Short Creek and Cross Creek areas.
The following is an excerpt from A Story of a Van Matre Family written by Joseph M. Van Matre:5
“On my visit to Martinsburg, I was conducted to the farms owned by Abraham Sr. and his father John. We passed two cemeteries in the city and saw many tombstones that bore the name Van Metre. Also, there was a small cemetery on one of the Van Metre farms. About two miles south of Martinsburg, there was an old brick Baptist church, which had been built by the Van Metre family, and behind the church as a Van Metre cemetery. The church, lawn, and cemetery are all well maintained, and there is a family picnic and a church service there once a year.”
Abrahams full will is found in Will Book 1, page 348, Berkeley County, West Virginia (formatted for easier reading).6
“In the name of God, Amen. I, Abraham Vanmeter Senior, of the County of Berkeley and the Commonwealth of Virginia being in a perfect state of health and Sound mind and memory but recollecting the mortality of Human Nature do make and constitute this my last will and Testament do first dedicate my Soul to the divine author of nature and my Body to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner and after my just debts and Burial are paid do give and dispose of my worldly Estate in manner and form following, Viz:
do give and bequeath unto my legitimate son Daniel all that tract of land lying and being in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid on the South Side of Opequon Creek bounded on the one side by the said creek it being my Present dwelling Plantation (aid off for (?) and containing by Patent obtained from Governor Gauges office) two hundred and thirty five acres of land to him his heirs and assigns forever.
To my Legitimate Daughters Ruth and Hannah by my executors and Do also further forever give unto my said Daughter Hannah two negro boys namely Joe and Peter.
I have a Body or parcel of unapertained land lying in the aforesaid county Ohio and Commonwealth of Virginia not yet thoroughly Secured by my Executors and hereby empowered and required to make ue of all and every legs method in their Power (at the expense of my estate) to have the Same property Secured by good and Valid rights out of which Said Tract. Parcel or Body of land do give and bequeath unto my legitimate Son John forever Two Hundred Acres to be laid off by my executors So as to Include Obrinson’s Cabbin do also give and bequeath out of Said Parcel or Body of unapertained land two hundred Acres unto Rebecca Spahar wife of John Spahar forever to be laid off by my executors as above Directred So as to include the present Dwelling House of Said John Spahar and after the above quantities of this said unappertained Parcel or Body of Land are disposed of in manner and from herein Directed the residue or remainder of Said Body of land is to be equally and equitably divided amongst the nine of my legitimate Children forever (namely Joseph, Rebecca, Jacob, Mary, Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, Hannah and Daniel) by my executors together with the aid and assistance of Three disinterested freeholders to be Those by a majority of the above named Legatees and I do further will and bequeath to my Legitimate Son John Ten pounds hard Species or the exchange in paper Currency to be paid out of the Sales of my Personal Estate hereafter mentioned and it is my will and desire that in the Course of four months after my decease that the whole and every part and parcel of my personal estate except what is herein devised to be Sold for Ready Money at auction and out of which my Son John is to be first paid as above directed and then it is my will and desire that these Several Sums be paid out by my executors as Legacies unto my legitimate Children hereafter mentioned out of the money arising from the Sales of the Said personal Estate. viz:
unto my Son Isaac: Thirty five pounds.
unto my son Abraham the like sum of thirty-five pounds.
unto Rebecca my (someone has added ‘step) daughter forty two pounds
unto my Daughter Ruth fifty pounds and
unto my Daughter Hannah fifty pounds Current Money inclusive of all and every other Gifts and legacies to be paid hard Specie or the exchange in paper Currency to be estimated.
two Respectable disinterested freeholders to be appointed by William Gorrell al of which Several Sums are to be immediately paid without Delay after the day of Sale and after the just and punctual payment as herein above directed the residue or Remainder to be equally Divided amongst the whole of my Legitimate Children (my Son John only excepted)
And I hereby make ordain constitute and appoint my Son Jacob Vanmeter, my Son Isaac Vanmeter and William Gorrell Sole executors of this my last will and Testament (first revoking all other wills) In Trust for the interest and purposes in this my last will contained to take Care to have the Same performed according to my true intent and meaning. In Witness whereof the said A. Vanmeter have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this twenty first day of December one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty.
Abraham Vanmeter (LS)
Signed, Sealed and published by the Said Abraham Vanmeter as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who were present at the Signing and Sealing thereof.
Ephraim Gaither, Saml. Patton, David Foumeaur, Beali Gaither.
At a Court held for Berkeley county the 18th Day of November 1783.
This lasst Will and Testament of Abraham Vanmeter Deceased was presented in Court by Jacob Vanmeter and William Gorrell two of the executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the Same being proved by the oaths of Ephraim Gaither, Samuel Patton and David Fourneaur, Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded and at the motion of the Said executos who entered into Bond with William Burns and Samuel Roberts their Securities in the penaty of one Thousand pounds Conditioned for their True and faithful administration of the Said Estate.. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate in Due form of law.
Teste:
Will Drew, C.B.C.
Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre Children
1. Joseph Van Metre
Joseph Van Metre is the son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1743 in Berkeley County Virginia, Colonial America.
Died: About 1780 at the age of 37 in Short Creek, Ohio County, Virginia. Some webgens show he died in Tiltonsville, Ohio, which is just south of the Short Creek on the other side of the Ohio River from Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was last seen by a Mr. Hite, in a boat on the river and is supposed to have been either shot by the Indians, or lost his life by the capsizing of his boat. Nothing more was ever heard of him. The finding of his gun on a sand bar in the river, with his name upon it, many years afterward, only deepened the mystery.
Married: About 1760 Margaret Morgan most likely in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America. There is confusion about a Druscilla Morgan showing up in his will. It’s not clear whether Druscilla is a nickname or middle name for Margaret or if she is a different person. Since we’ve found no evidence of a Druscilla Morgan, it’s probably a nickname. Some speculate a baptismal name as Druscilla was a common baptismal name for the Morgans.
Find A Grave: Memorial #160867237 no body was recovered. He disappeared while fishing.
Military: He enlisted in the military on 14 January 1777 for 3 years. In September, 1778 he was in the James Woods Company of his Woods Regiment.7
Margaret Morgan daughter of James and Margaret (Hedges) Morgan. Margaret (Hedges) Morgan is the sister of Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre, wife of Abraham Van Metre, making Margaret and Joseph first cousins.
Born: About 1748 In Virginia, Colonial America.
Died: About 1789 in Yorktown, Delaware County, Indiana, USA.
Married 2nd: After 1782 John Seaman
Note: John and Margaret (Morgan) Seaman had three children: John, Jeremiah and Elizabeth.8
You can find Joseph and Margaret (Morgan) Van Metre Family story here.
2. Mary Van Metre
daughter of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1745 most likely in Frederick County, Virginia, Colonial America (now Berkeley County, West Virginia).
Died: Sept 1802 at the age of 57 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married: About 1765 William S. Gorrell most likely in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Find A Grave: Memorial #36180289 buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
William S. Gorrell son of Abraham and Isabella (Kelly) Gorrell.
Born: About 1749 in Somerset County, New Jersey, Colonial America.
Died: 31 Aug 1804 at the age of 55 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #243244118 buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
William S. and Mary (Van Metre) Gorrell children
- Ruth Gorrell (1766-1814) married Tunis Quick.
- Abraham Willis Gorrell (1770-1834) married Isabel Van Metre, daughter of Jacob and Isabella (Evans) Van Metre.
- Hannah Gorrell (1774-1815) married Jonas Quick.
- James Gorrell (1778-1845) married Nancy Boley.
- Joseph Gorrell (1779-1870) married Ruth Van Metre, daughter of Jacob and Isabella (Evans) Van Metre.
- Mary Gorrell (1780-1833) married Richard B. Chenoweth.
- Jacob Gorrell (1782-1824) married Isabella Burns
- Rachael Gorrell (1790-1855) married Joseph Chenowith.
- William Scott Gorrell Jr. (1797-1854) married Nancy Van Metre daughter of Nathaniel and Martha (Hoagland) Van Metre.-
3. Jacob Van Metre
son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1744 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 20 Oct 1806 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married: about 1765 Isabella Evans in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Find A Grave: Memorial #21398673 buried at Pleasant View memory Gardens, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
Notes: His will states that his sons Isaac and Abraham had already received their share in his lifetime, but that Joseph was to have part of the land upon which Jacob, the testator, then lived, which adjointed the lands of Samuel Roberts.
Childrens birthdates are difficult to verify. Many of their birthdates are contradicted by many webgens. Some do not make sense. Please consider this in your research.
Isabella Evans daughter of John and Margaret “Mary” (Polly) Evans.
Born: About 1746 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 23 June 1816 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #21398896 buried at Pleasant View memory Gardens, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA.
Jacob and Isabella (Evans) Van Metre Children
- Magdalena Van Metre (?-1830) married William Burns, son of William and Joanna (Van Metre) Burns.
- Isaac Van Metre (1766-1828) married Mary “Polly” Evans.
- Abraham Van Metre (1769-1833) married Hannah Burns, daughter of William and Joanna (Van Metre) Burns.
- Elizabeth Van Metre (1770-1809) married Thomas Tabb.
- Joseph Van Metre (1771-1806) married Nancy Evans.
- Ruth Van Metre (1772-1804) married Joseph Gorrell, son of William and Mary (Van Metre) Gorrell.
- Isabel Van Metre (1774-1853) married Abraham Gorrell, son of William and Mary (Van Metre) Gorrell.
- Mary Van Metre (1779-1850)) married John “Jack” Evans.
- Nancy or Anna (1784-1859) Van Metre married Abraham Van Metre III.
- Jacob Van Metre, Jr. (1788-1866) married Clarissa Larue.
4. Isaac Van Metre
son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1747 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 10 Jul 1810 in Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married: About 1775 Mary Burns in Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Find A Grave: Memorial #239384946 burial details unknown.
Mary Burns daughter of William and Joanna (Van Metre) Burns.
Born: About 1755 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: After 1795 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA. Many webgens show her death as 28 Jun 1823. There is a Mary Burns who died 28 Jun 1823 that was found in the New York Post compilation that shows up in Ancesty.com hints, but she did not live in New York and she would most likely have been known as Mary Van Metre. I’ve discounted this as her death date and placed her death date as after 1795 (when her last known child was born).
Find A Grave: Memorial #239385016 burial details unknown.
Isaac and Mary (Burns) Van Metre Children
- Ruth Van Metre (1775-1838) married 1st: James Ramsey; married 2nd: George Wightman.
- Joannah Van Metre (1777-?)
- Achsah “Axa” Van Metre (1779-1824)
- Milcha Van Metre (1785-1865) married 1st: John Whitaker; married 2nd: Robert Mannon.
- Rebecca Van Metre (1790-1866) married William Seaton Propeck.
- Abigail Van Metre (1791-?)
- Amasa Van Metre (1795-1851) married Elizabeth Pinkstaff.
5. Abraham Van Metre II
son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: 25 Dec 1750 In Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 30 Dec 1834 at the age of 84 years 5 days in Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia) USA.
Married: 1771 Elizabeth “Betsy” Burns in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Find A Grave: Memorial #243592482 burial details unknown.1
Elizabeth “Betsy” Burns, daughter of William and Joanna (Van Metre) Burns.
Born: 20 October 1753 in Kearneyville, Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 13 Jun 1831 at the age of 77 in Virginia, USA.
Abraham and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Burns) Van Metre Children
- Ruth Van Metre (1772-1801) married Robert Phillips.
- Naomi Van Metre (1775-1835) married Samuel Roberts.
- Joseph Van Metre (1778-1872) married Margaret Whitenak.
- Josiah Van Metre (1781-1872) married Lydia Covenhaver.
- Abraham Van Metre III (1783-1867) married Nancy Van Metre, daughter of Jacob and Isabella (Evans) Van Metre.
- Ashahel Van Metre (1785-1870) married Mary Burns, daughter of William and Magdalena (Van Metre) Burns.
- Abishua Van Metre (1788-1872) married Elizabeth Elliot Tabb.
- Isaac Van Metre (1792-1818)
- Elizabeth Van Metre (1795-1820) married Col. John Evans Van Metre, son of Isaac and Mary (Evans) Van Metre.
6. Major John Van Metre
son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1752(?) in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.*
Died: 1806 at the age of about 56 in Wellsburg, Brooke County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married 1st: Before 1768 Rebecca [unknown maiden name].
Married 2nd: About 1784 Jemima (Dunn) Bukey, widow of John Bukey
Military: John served as an ensign in the Yohogaia County, Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War, and later attained the rank of Major.
*Note: Some webgens show his birthdate at 1738 (which would have been before his parents marriage), others show his birthdate as 1752 (which would have made him 16 when his daughter Hannah was born).
In 1783 Johns first wife, Rebecca, and an infant child were cruelly murdered at their doorstep by the Wyandot Indians. After looting the house, they set it on fire. Their 15 year old daughter, Hanna was at a nearby creek washing clothes at a spring and had on a sun-bonnet, which prevented her from discovering the approach of the stealthy savage before he was upon her, and who tomahawked her while she was in the act of bending over the spring. Their sons aged 6, 8 and 11 saw them coming and ran for safety. The two older boys made it over the fence, but John, the youngest, was caught in the act of mounting the fence and carried away by them.
See my post: “John Van Metre’s Family Killed by Indians“, for the full story including reuniting the kidnapped John with the family in 1805, just before his fathers death. Coming soon.
Abraham and Martha (Roberts) Van Metre Children
7. Ruth Van Metre
daughter of Abraham and Martha (Roberts) Van Metre.
Born: About 1764 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 15 Jun 1815 in West Liberty, Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married: 1782 Reuben Foreman, in Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #74031027 buried at Dixon Farm Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, USA.
Reuben Foreman, son of William and Rachel Grizzell (Mounts) Foreman.
Born: About 1754 in Hampshire City, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 10 Feb 1828 at the age of about 74 in West Liberty, Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #74030865 buried at Dixon Farm Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, USA.
Note: Providence Mounts and wife Hanna; and Reuben Foreman and wife Ruth, inherited the land around the 2 acres sold to the county from Abraham Van Metre. They laid out the town of West Liberty which was organized November 29, 1787.
Reuben and Ruth (Van Metre) Foreman children
- Mary Foreman (1785-1873) married Salathiel Curtis.
- Rebecca Foreman (1787-1830) married Isaac Leffler.
- Hannah Foreman (1792-1866) married Hiram Hedges.
- Nancy Foreman (1797-1850) married William T. Foreman
8. Hanna Van Metre
daughter of Abraham and Martha (Roberts) Van Metre.
Born: 27 Jan 1764 in Frederick County, Virginia, (now Berkeley County, West Virginia) Colonial America.
Died: 27 Jul 1811 at the age of 47 in West Liberty, Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married: 20 Sep 1785 Providence Mounts, II, in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA9
Find A Grave: Memorial #151285207 buried at Dixon Farm Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio, West Virginia, USA. II
Col. Providence Mounts, II son of Providence I and Rachel (White) Mounts.
Born: Dec 1758 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 16 May 1813 at the age of 54 in West Liberty, Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia), USA.
Married 2nd: After 1811 Sarah Darling
Find A Grave: Memorial #151285135 buried at Dixon Farm Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, USA.
Military: Served in the Revolutionary War.
Note: Providence Mounts and wife Hanna; and Reuben Foreman and wife Ruth, inherited the land around the 2 acres sold to the county from Abraham Van Metre. They laid out the town of West Liberty which was organized November 29, 1787.
Providence and Hanna (Van Metre) Mounts children
- Rachel Mounts (1786-1823) married Edward White.
- Caleb C. Mounts (1789-?) married Susan George
- Rebecca Mounts (1792-?)
- Elizabeth Mounts (1795-?)
- William Mounts (1798-1887) married 1st: Sarah Jeffrey; married 2nd Martha Mary Galloway.
- Providence Mounts III (1800-1880) married Emily T. J. W. Noble.
- Daniel S. Mounts (1805-1858) married Temperance Stark.
9. Daniel Van Metre Sr.
son of Abraham and Ruth (Hedges) Van Metre.
Born: About 1768 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: 4 Jan 1826 at the age of 58 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA.*
Married: 17 Apr 1793 Ruth Harp in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia) USA.
*Note: Daniel was the heir of Abraham who inherited his homestead / plantation in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia). It’s interesting that he would relocate to Ohio, although his son Daniel did settle in Cincinnati after attending Yale, so perhaps he joined his son there. I was unable to find out more about Daniel and Ruth or where they were buried.
Ruth Harp daughter of Thomas Miles and Mary J. (Morgan) Hart.
Born: About 1745 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), Colonial America.
Died: About 1804 at the age of about 59.
Daniel and Ruth (Harp) Van Metre child
- Daniel Van Metre Jr. (1800-1860) married Maria Adelaide Henderson (attended Yale University, Class of 1820 – settled in Cincinnati and was State’s Attorney for Hamilton County).
Citations:
- Hedges Migration to Maryland and Virginia online at http://mosesrawlings.freeservers.com/hedges.html (Accessed 19 Apr 2023).
- Smyth, Samuel Gordon. "The Origin and Descent of an American Van Metre Family", 20 Oct 1923. Lancaster Press, Inc., Lancaster, PA., pp 38-42. Accessed online at ancesty.com: https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=12599&path=
- Van Matre, Joseph, "A Story of a van Metre Family, 1985, page 12., source: Wheelings Intelligeneer, Sat., Dec 1975 by Richard S. Klein and Alan H. Cooper.
- Website: Historical Stories and Resources / An Overview of the Early History of West Liberty (Accessed 16 April 2023).
- Van Matre, Joseph M. "A Story of a Van Metre Family", 1985.
- Van Matre, Joseph M "A Story of a Van Matre Family", 1985
- Joseph Van Metre Military record, obtained from Joseph Van Metre at wikitree.com online at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/VanMeter-1128#_note-rolls1 (Accessed 13 April 2023).
- Smyth, Samuel Gordon. "A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Metre Family." Lancaster, Pa. 1909, page 112, under David Van Metre, reviewed online at archive.org: https://archive.org/stream/genealogyofdukes02smyt#page/n5/mode/2up (Accessed 13 April 2023).
- New and Notes, Berkeley County, West Virginia, Records Accessed online at https://www.jstor.org/stable/23373636 (Accessed 16 April 2023).