U.S. Data Repository -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: History and Progress of the County of Marion, West Virginia by George A. Dunnington, Publisher 1880 CHAPTER XII, PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION FROM 1785 TO 1819. After the close of the Indian hostilities, nothing of importance transpired for several years, except the rapid progress consequent upon the removal of all danger from attack by the savages. Every month brought new comers who took up claims and began the work of clearing and fencing their farms. The population rapidly increased, and the counties of Monongalia and Harrison (which latter county had been formed in 1784,) were developing into wealthy and thickly populated communities. In October, 1785, Morgantown had been regularly established upon the lands of Zackquell Morgan. Fifty acres of his land lying upon a beautiful bottom on the Monongahela river, was "vested in Samuel Hanway, John Evans, David Scott, Michael Kearnes, and James Dougherty, gentlemen, trustees, to be by them, or any of them; laid off in lots of half an acre each, with convenient streets, which shall be, and the same are hereby established a town by the name of Morganstown. At the same time an act was passed establishing the town of Clarksburg, in Harrison county. William Haymond, Nicholas Carpenter, John Myers, John McAlly, and John Davison, were appointed trustees. These, two towns were the only ones in this vicinity for some years, and they were made the marketing head-quarters for all the settlers of the surrounding country. From time to time after this, other various improvements were made. Mills were erected along the rivers, the buildings constructed not so rough as those formerly put up, and stores began to be established. On December 5th, 1793, an act was passed by the General Assembly providing for the clearing and extending of the navigation of the Monongahela and West Fork rivers, in the counties of Monongalia and Harrison, and trustees were appointed to receive subscriptions for the purpose. This was the first move ever made towards the improvement of the Upper Monongahela. The act also directed that "any person who should erect any dam across the said Monongahela or West Fork rivers, should at the time of making the same, erect a slope in or through the said dam, in such a manner as should admit the easy passage of fish; and also erect a sufficient lock at such dam for the convenient passage of canoes, batteaus and flat-bottomed boats, at least twelve feet wide, and keep the same in good repair." Such improvements as these after a while became more frequent, Owing to the advances made in civilization, many of the inconveniences incident to pioneer life; began to disappear and better accommodations were found on every hand. The mail facilities, especially, were much improved, a regular route being established, which allowed the citizens to communicate with the outside world at least once a month! Previous to this there had been no regular mails, and the inhabitants of the new country were not made aware of what transpired away from home, save through the medium of travelers that would be passing, or some settler who had been away visiting, or upon business, and would bring with him on his return a budget of newspapers or letters. The war of 1812 with Great Britain did not affect this part of the country. Indeed, the inhabitants might scarcely have known that the war was waging, so little were its effects felt by them. A few volunteers, however, went from this region, but very few. The settlements here had furnished but few Revolutionary soldiers, owing to the fact that the men were all needed at home to defend their families from the savages just at that time, and now, in this second war, there was not so great a demand for volunteers; besides, we were so far removed from the immediate scene of the difficulties.