Last Update December 21, 2009
Starting at the Comfort Inn near Weston we will travel via bus along pastoral fields of Hacker's Creek with our guide, Joy Gilchrist Stalnaker who wrote "They Started It All: A Guide to Hacker's Creek Historic Sites." William Hacker whom Hacker's Creek is named for came from the South Branch with John Jackson. The Hacker's Creek saga is one piece of the puzzle that relates to what John Jackson's family was enduring in the Buckhannon settlement and somewhat to the Clarksburg area. The settlers from these three areas were very much aware of the Indian raids at these various places.
The significance of Hacker's Creek in the settlement of western Virginia/now West Virginia comes alive through the stories Joy tells about the Indian raids.We will learn where Jacob Cozad, father-in-law of John Jackson Jr., lived and nearby stream where three of Jacob's children were captured and a son Benjamin was killed. We will pass by where William Hacker's cabin was located and where the nearby Morrison Cemetery is located. Continuing our journey we will go past the early Fairview Church and Cemetery to the location of the Indian Ring of Fire and nearby blockade that is still standing. Next we will come to the early Harmony Church and have pointed out where the Harmony Cemetery is located in back of the Wilderness Plantation Inn near Jane Lew.
We will see the location of the home of Jesse Hughes, noted Indian fighter and hear about the Indian raid on John Waggoner's family. The latter was the only massacre that Chief Tecumseh is said to have participated in on Hacker's Creek.
In Jane Lew we will pass by the sites of West and Beech forts where we will learn about the sad Indian attack. This story will linger in your minds. It is here on the old Christian Straley farm where the "Indian Spring" is located. We will hear about Henry McWhorter and see where his log cabin (moved to Jackson Mill) was located. In 1833 the cabin and mill was sold to Edward Jackson, son of Col. Edward Jackson.
Some other highlights we will learn about are the lands of Samuel Bonnett, John Waggoner and others as time permits.
I have personally toured this area several times with Joy Stalnaker and will continue to take this tour as frequently as I can. Joy is a superb historian that brings to life the early settlement of Hacker's Creek. Don't be surprised if she comes as the wife of William Hacker. Joy's stories leaves me pondering why I didn't learn this significant history in my early education. Her tours stimulated me to read historical writings about this area.
Note: Joy's booklet: "They Started It All: A Guide to Hacker's Creek Historic Sites" can be ordered for delivery at time of reunion registration August 6, 2010 for $10 (See registration form).