Hampshire County VA Genealogy

Probated Will of Valentine Switzer

In the name of God, Amen. I, Valentine Switzer, of the County of Hampshire, and State of Virginia, being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God for the same, I make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form, following. That is to say first: I will and desire that after my decease, that all my just debts be paid, and secondly: I will and desire that my whole estate, both real and personal shall be sold and equally divided amongst all my children, both sons and daughters, except … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Beavers

John W. Beavers, deceased; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., Sept. 3, 1814; he married Miss Mary A. Madden Sept. 10, 1840; she was born in Hampshire Co., Va., March 26, 1819; they had seven children, six living – Samuel M., John B., Richard R., George W., Marcellus S. and Mary E. He lived in Virginia until 1854, when he moved to Illinois, and settled about one-fourth of a mile west of the present village of Humbolt; in 1856, he moved to Iowa, and in 1857 he came to the present place; he was one of the first Road Commissioners … Read more

Berry in Cottonwood Township

Philip Switzer, Nancy Bridger, Son of immigrant, Valentine Switzer an his wife, Mary (Hutsinpillar) Hotzenbella, was born in Hampshire County, Va., March 15, 1757, and died in Addison Township, Gallia County Ohio, July 3, 1835. Wife of Phillip Switzer was born Dec. 20 1767, and died August 11, 1829, in AddisonTownship, Gallia County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John Bridger. Children: William Switzer, Valentine Switzer, married Lydia Lasley John Switzer, Mary Switzer, married David Lasley Nancy Switzer, married Samuel Blake Rebecca Switzer, married Theophilus Blake Sarah Switzer, married William Guthrie Elizabeth Switzer, married John Hinkle Items: Phillip Switzer was … Read more

Biography of George Mitchell

George Mitchell was the son of Rev. John Mitchell and his first wife, Catherine Margaret Teter. John Mitchell was born at Dawston, Lancashire, England, May 1, 1763, and came to America in 1774. He lived in Hampshire, Rockingham, and Harrison (later Lewis) counties, Virginia. He died April 29, 1840, and his tombstone is still standing in the old Harmony churchyard near Jane Lew, Lewis County, West Virginia, where he had “preached the Gospel forty years.” This John Mitchell, Mrs. Guernsey’s greatgrandfather, according to the records in the War Department and Pension Office, served as a private in the Virginia militia … Read more

Remarks on Valentine Switzer

The foregoing will was admitted to probate in Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on 14 May 19, 1817. The testator, Valentine Switzer, is the same Valentine Switzer mentioned in the Stephen Hotzenbella will as son-in-law. The wife of the said Valentine Switzer, being Mary Hotzenbella (Hotzenpillar), a daughter of said Stephen Hotzenbella. There can be no question but the above Valentine Switzer is the father of John Switzer, who owned lands in Little Levels, Bath County, Virginia (now Pocahontas County, West Virginia) from 1800 to 1807, at which time he sold same and moved to Gallia County, Ohio, where … Read more

Fisher Genealogical History

This manuscript starts with Sebastian Fisher, a native of Germany, with his wife Susanna and their two small children, embarked for England at Rotterdam, Holland, on July 28, 1708. The family came with the intention of settling on land in the Schoharie Valley in New York, but found on arrival that they did not hold legal tender to the land, since the land was not first purchased from the Native Americans. Sebastian then moved with other German immigrants who had also purchased land to the Tulpehocken Valley of Pennsylvania, where he settled his family. The 76 pages of the manuscript take some of the descendants of Sebastian and Susanna Fisher into the 20th century.