Part of the cover for the program created for the 1932 event honoring George Washington. Please be sure to see the last paragraph of this item. (Photo Provided)

Forgive me for yet another item pertaining to George Washington and Wood County, but there’s one more important piece that should be shared. Some years ago, while browsing records in the Wood County, W.Va., courthouse, in Misc. Recording Book 1 Page 27, I happened across the following document:

“AFFIDAVIT – Wood County, West Virginia has two historical sites which were of importance in 1774. Under date of September 20, 1774, Major William Crawford advised George Washington that he was setting out on that date with the first division of troops, during LORD DUNMORE’S WAR, for the ‘mouth of Hockhocking, and there to erect a post on your Bottom, where the whole of the troops are to rendezvous.’ The site referred to was on the east side of the Ohio River, opposite what is now Hockingport, Ohio, in present-day Wood County, West Virginia. The troops consisted of the Northern Division, under command of his Lordship, The Earl of Dunmore: Governor of Virginia.

“Under date of November 14, 1774, Major Crawford advised George Washington, ‘We have built you a house on your land opposite Hockhocking and cleared about eight acres.’ Again, this site would be the east side of the Ohio River, in present-day Wood County, West Virginia.

These letters, along with others, were first published in 1877 by Robert Clark & Company of Cincinnati; chronically arranged and annotated by C. W. Butterfield, ‘bringing to light incidents of importance, before but little known, in the early settlement of the trans-Allegheny region, and in Lord Dunmore’s War.’

“This sworn affidavit is being recorded in the public records of Wood County, West Virginia for the purpose of preserving valuable historical information pertaining to said County.

“Signed- Patricia Burton,

Patricia Burton,

Historical Consultant

Mason County Bicentennial Commission”

The document, recorded Dec. 22, 1975, was witnessed by three persons.

Did George Washington ever stay in his “house” in Harris District, Wood County, West Virginia? A couple years ago, members of Captain James Neal Chapter SAR, searched for on-site evidence of George Washington’s “house”. Unfortunately, nothing was found. Though any evidence of what was probably a simple log structure may be extremely hard to locate, this area may be worthy of more in-depth search.

As previously stated, 2026 is the year that the United States celebrates its Semiquincentennial, 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. These past three weeks of Look Back have highlighted George Washington’s involvement in Wood County and West Virginia. Hopefully readers of Look Back have found them interesting. More importantly, it is hoped that enough interest has been sparked that action will soon begin, preparing for the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

In the Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, issue of The Parkersburg and Sentinel, Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce is cited as saying “It’s important for the cities and county to work together, whether it’s public safety, economic development or other issues.” I totally agree, especially when the city is the county seat. Wood County and Parkersburg leaders hopefully will begin working together soon to assure that Parkersburg has an appropriate celebration.

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.