West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 5 by Charlie Miller

Early Newspapers: The earliest newspaper in our area of which copies remain was the Madison Patriot. It was only published for one year, and then due to the lack of sufficient circulation, closed down. About halfway through its life, the name was changed to The Madison Patriot and Farmer’s Review. It was published in London, Ohio between October 1833 and October 1834, by Mr. P. Lapham and was edited by a local attorney, Ira Root. It was published once a week, and the subscription price was $2.00 per year. It was composed almost entirely of national and international news, along with serialized stories, little local news was incorporated. The following three items I found to be of interest: November 9, 1833: The great National Road runs directly thro’ the county. Several towns have already sprung up, among the most conscious of which is Jefferson. The official name of the town was Jefferson. The “West” was added to designate the Post Office as there was already a Jefferson in the state where 18 months ago was nothing but the native forest. The Road, during the year of 1834 will be completed as far as Jefferson, and the graduation and masonry will be extended much further west. April 25, 1834: Oats and Bacon Hams, wanted at this office in payment of subscriptions. August 4, 1834: the recent anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill was celebrated in a manner very interesting at Ipswich, Mass. Twenty-seven-year-old Revolutionary soldiers were present as guests, whose united ages amounted upwards to 2,100 years. Nine of these venerable men were present at the battle that they were commemorating.

The London Sentinel, 1850 “The Whig Party leaders of West Jefferson are Dr. Rabb and George W. Lewis The London Sentinel, 1850 “Thos. J. Stutson agent for Dr. Gutscott’s improved Extract of Yellow Dock and Sarsaparilla. The Madison Reveille, February 1852, “Be it known that my daughter, Charlotte, hath on several occasions left my house and protection, and whereas the said Charlotte hath thought it proper to run away again, that I give notice that I forbid anyone from harboring, or in any way trust said Charlotte, on the full penalty of the law. Z. Hukill Charlotte Hukill died January 25, 1853, aged 16 years and 2 months. Her father Zebulon Hukill died the following year on March 31, 1854, aged 57 years 11 months, and 15 days. Many sad stories can be read on the epitaphs and dates on the tombstones in Hampton Cemetery.