// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did John Simpson's trap say? You're caught up in me.
John Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | hunter and trapper |
| Known for | Establishing a camp at present day Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1764 |
John Simpson was an 18th century hunter and trapper in western Virginia. He is described as the earliest known person of European descent to enter present day Taylor County and as the first European to claim land in the area that became Clarksburg.[1][2]
History
[edit]
Later in 1764 Simpson decided that year to move farther west. Simpson wanted hunting grounds with fewer competing hunters, while the Pringles wanted to avoid being recognized as deserters. After crossing the Cheat River, Simpson quarreled with one of the Pringle brothers and separated from them. He then crossed the Valley River near the mouth of Pleasant Creek and reached the headwaters of a stream that Withers says he named Simpson's Creek. Continuing west, Simpson came to another stream that he called Elk and established a camp at its mouth.[3]
Simpson remained at his camp at the mouth Elk Creek camp for more than a year without seeing the Pringles or anyone else. He later returned to the South Branch, where he sold his furs and skins, before returning to the camp at Elk Creek. Simpson remained there until permanent settlements were established nearby in what is now Clarksburg, West Virginia.[3] The camp was located on the opposite side of the West Fork River from the mouth of Elk Creek, near the site of the later fairgrounds and Stealey farm.[4]
Simpson was involved in a dispute with a man named Cottrill over a debt of one quart of salt. During the confrontation, Cottrill reportedly attempted to shoot Simpson with a gum belonging to Daniel Davisson. Simpson took the gun from him and killed him. The identity of the Cottrill involved is uncertain, and the incident occurred sometime around 1779–1781.[5][6]
In 1781, commissioners appointed to settle claims to unpatented land granted Simpson a certificate for 400 acres on the West Fork River opposite the mouth of Elk Creek, based on a settlement claim dating to 1772. Simpson did not complete the title, but assigned the certificate to Nicholas Carpenter, who later received the patent.[7]
Legacy and namesakes
[edit]- Simpson Creek (West Virginia) was named for Simpson.[8]
- Simpson's name is also preserved in the unincorporated community of Simpson, West Virginia and the Simpson District in Taylor County.[9]
- According to Alexander Scott Withers, Simpson named Elk Creek during his travels through the region.[10]
External links
[edit]Related John Simpson historical markers - Location and pictures of historical markers placed for Simpson.
References
[edit]- ↑ Stafford, Margo (April 3, 2026). "Clarksburg". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council.
- ↑ "Taylor County". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council.
- 1 2 Withers, Alexander Scott (1895). Thwaites, Reuben Gold (ed.). Chronicles of Border Warfare. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke Company. pp. 118–119.
- ↑ Haymond, Henry (1910). History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia: Acme Publishing Company. pp. 18–19.
- ↑ Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia. Chicago: H.H. Hardesty & Company. 1883. pp. 10–11.
- ↑ Haymond, Henry (1910). History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia: Acme Publishing Company. p. 384.
- ↑ Haymond, Henry (1910). History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia: Acme Publishing Company. p. 19.
- ↑ Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, West Virginia: The Place Name Press. p. 579.
- ↑ "John Simpson". Historical Marker Database.
- ↑ Withers, Alexander Scott (1895). Thwaites, Reuben Gold (ed.). Chronicles of Border Warfare. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke Company. pp. 118–119.