The author turned his passion for his native county into a dissertation for his doctorate and then into this book. Although the county was not formed until 1801, Bushong begins his account in 1719 in order to cover the area's early history. Patterned afte

By: Millard K. Bushong, Pub. 1941, Reprinted 2019, 458 pages, Index, ISBN #0-89308-026-8. Jefferson County was formed in 1801 from Berkeley County. It sits in the Shenandoah Valley and is the eastern most county in West Virginia, bordering Washington County, Maryland and Loudoun, Clarke, & Berkeley Counties, Virginia. This book is not too different from other county history books of this era. With such topics as county creation, trade and transportation, labor, farming, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Harper's Ferry, politics, and race relations - all important in the development of the county - are carefully discussed. This type of county history book can help one develop ideas or paths to those missing ancestors by showing the customs and traditions of the local residents. A particular useful feature of this book is the extensive biographical information included. This volume contains biographical sketches on: Baylor, Beall, Bedinger, Boteler, Brooke, Chew, Craighill, Cutshaw, Dandridge, Darke, Douglas, Gates, Gibson, Gwynn, Hagan, Hamtramck, Hawks, Hooff, Hopkins, Humphries, Hunter, Lee (2), Lucas (3), McDonald, Morrgan, Porterfield, Quick, Reynolds, Rutherford, Stephen, Stephenson (2), Washington (4), & Wilson (2). The author has included several appendix's that have rolls of soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanis-American War, and WWI.

Within the picturesque borders of Jefferson County, West Virginia remain the vestiges of a history filled with Civil War battles and political rebellion. Yet also woven into the historical landscapeof this small county nestled within the Shenandoah Valley is an unusual collection of historic homes. In this fascinating architectural exploration, John C. Allen, Jr. details his expansive seven-year survey of Jefferson County's historic residences. By focusing on dwellings built from the mid-eighteenth century to the arrival of the railroad and canal in 1835, Allen unfolds the unique story of this area's early building traditions and architectural innovations. The 250 buildings included in this work - from the plantation homes of the Washington family to the log houses of yeomen farmers - reveal the unique development of this region, as Allen categorizes structures and establishes patterns of construction, plan, and style. Allen's refreshing perspective illuminates the vibrant vernacular architecture of Jefferson County, connecting the housing of this area to the rich history of the Shenandoah Valley. Varying features of house siting, plan types, construction techniques, building materials, outbuildings, and exterior and interior detailing illustrate the blending of German, Scots-Irish, English, and African cultures into a distinct, regional style. Adorned with over seven hundred stylish photographs by Walter Smalling and elegant drawings, floor plans, and maps by Andrew Lewis, Uncommon Vernacular explores and preserves this historic area's rich architectural heritage.