The 1822 Act of the General Assembly not only created Alleghany County, it also named five individuals to be “Commissioners”. These Commissioners were appointed to ascertain the proper location for the court and erect a public building. These individuals were: John Jordan, Joseph D Keyser, Henry Massie, Philip Rogers, and Robert Kincaid.
John Jordan is famed for his involvement in the iron industry and his part in the establishment of the Longdale Iron Furnaces. He is also a donor to the Virginia Military Institute. Jordan was involved in road construction in the Longdale and Rockbridge County. John and Lucy Jordan’s son Edwin, lived on the Cowpasture River, near what is called Sharon today. His home “White Haven” or “Rest Haven” still stands today.
“Rest Haven,” home of Edwin Jordan, located near Sharon. (Photo from Alleghany County Commissioner of the Revenue – GIS System) |
Joseph D Keyser is shown in the 1830 U S Census for Alleghany County with a total of 17 people in his household. It is believed that this Commissioner held lands in the Iron Gate area of the County. He married Elizabeth Allen Bell April 12, 1808, and had 8 children. Joseph Dimone Keyser Jr. was born around 1782 and died February 10, 1859. He is buried at Locust Bottom Cemetery in Botetourt County, along with his wife Elizabeth and several of their children. It is believed that this Keyser family had a toll gate on the Turnpike Road at Iron Gate.
“The Oaks,” Falling Springs, home of Capt. Henry Massie.
(Photo from Alleghany County Commissioner of the Revenue – GIS System) |
Henry Massie is the son of Major Thomas Massie and Sarah Cooke Massie. He was born October 16, 1784 in Frederick County, VA. He married Susan Preston Lewis, daughter of John and Mary Lewis, on October 22, 1810. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Daggs, daughter of Hezekiah and Martha Daggs, on May 18, 1826. Massie had 5 children by is first marriage and one by his second marriage. Captain Massie, as he was known, received a grant of three thousand acres in the Falling Springs Valley of what was then Bath County. There he built his home which he called “The Oaks” (also has been noted as being called “Oak Grove”). This home still stands today in Alleghany County. Captain Massie died January 12, 1841 and is buried in the Massie family cemetery on his estate in Falling Springs.
Philip Rogers was an inhabitant of the newly established Alleghany County in 1822. However, not much could be discovered about him. It is believed that this Philip Rogers was married to Francis Harris on May 14, 1810. The 1830 U S Census shows Philip Rogers in Alleghany County at the age of 60-69.
Robert Kincaid can be found in the 1830 US Census with a total of 6 persons in the household. Robert and his brother John owned lands along the Jackson River, which later became the lands of Archibald Mann. In 1822, Robert inherited his land, which was across the Jackson River from his brother John. Robert M Kincaid’s will was probated in Alleghany County on January 24, 1840. The Kincaid family was originally in Augusta County, but became a prominent family in Alleghany County.
The Alleghany County Bicentennial Committee will host a celebration of Alleghany County on September 17, 2022 on the campus of Mountain Gateway Community College (formerly Dabney S Lancaster Community College). Plan to join the community for this unique celebration. Details of the celebration to be released soon.
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