Shep's Place Family Tree

In June 1861 the first Wheeling Convention was held to arrange for Western Virginia, which was mainly aligned with Union sentiments, to separate from Eastern Virginia, which sided with the Confederate cause.

"From this time on, rumors flew thick and fast in the general ‎[Ohio River]‎ Bend area concerning Virginia's attempt to conquer the counties rebelling against the Mother State.

On Monday, July 4th, 1861, couriers came to announce that O. Jennings Wise with 1500 men was advancing to take Ravenswood and then on to Mason City. Pomeroy's Home Guards marched to the aid of the troops and citizens in arms in Mason City. Attack seemed almost certain.

The Telegraph announced, 'All the women and children of Mason City, Hartford City and West Columbia have fled to Ohio, bringing what they could of bedding and of furniture. Our streets are filled with fugitives. People from the back townships are pouring in armed with rifles, guns, etc. We expect a very respectable army in Pomeroy by night.'

The next day readers were told:

'The Secesh ‎[Secessionists]‎, if any, heard of the preparations and retired. This morning, all is quiet. Country people are returning home; women are leaving coal banks, caves and other hiding places, returning to their habitations. Was it a false alarm? Responsible men from Virginia declared they saw troops coming in this direction. At least is has been demonstrated that the population is ready to fight.'"

Was Martha Jane Malone, aged about 43 years, one of the women who fled to Ohio? If so, she took her six children, ranging in age from three, Sadie, to fifteen, Nannie.

Martha, wife of Lemuel Jarratt, died at Mason City, West Va, September 1st, aged fifty-nine.
She was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, where at about fifteen, she was converted at a campmeeting and joined the M.E. Church. She was married in Kanawha county, West Virginia, in 1845, where, through many years of great ecclesiastical commotion she continued a faithful member and true friend of the Church of her early choice.
Subsequently with her family she removed to Mason City, where for nearly twenty years, she shed the steady radiance of a devoted Christian life. Her nature was gentle, affectionate and ardent. Born with a delicate consititution, her health was never robust, and for years she had been a subject of asthma, which finally precipitated death. Her exit was sudden, only a few minutes of suffering in the twilight of the evening, and then she passed the gates to endless days. Many of the older ministers, remembering her quiet unwavering devotion to the cause of Christ, and her ever free hospitality, will bless her memory and accord the befitting tribute--"She hath done what she could."