John Wellman was sheriff of Kanawha county for 16 years when it contained one-half of what is now West Virginia,
and was a magistrate for 50 years, and universally esteemed. Eliza Jane, wife of Mr. Bartram, was a daughter
of Washington and Anna (Damron) Ratliff. Her father was born in Pike county, Kentucky, May 5, 1821, and settled in
Wayne county in 1854; her mother was born in this county, Lincoln district, November 21, 1854, and died
here October 13, 1873. David Bartram was deputy sheriff of Wayne county, 1876-8, and was captain in the State
militia from 1854 to 1859. His postoffice address is Fort Gay, Wayne county, West Virginia.
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David BARTRAM, farmer and blacksmith of Butler district, Wayne county, was born in
this district, December 30, 1836. At Cassville, this county, April 8, 1858, he was joined in wedlock to Eliza Jane
Ratliff, who was born in Pike county, Kentucky. In the years that have ensued six children have been born to
them: John Bell, July 9, 1860, lives in this district; Willie, August 30, 1863, died January 24, 1877; Jay
Frank, November 4, 1856; Leona, September 19, 1869; Washington, July 27, 1872; and Wayne, December 1, 1874, the last four
live at home. David Bartram was a son of William Bartram, who was born in Wayne county, November 1, 1816, a son
of David Bartram, a native of Appomattox county, Virginia, who emigrated to Wayne county about 1803. William
Bartram married Luna, daughter of John Wellman. She was born at Cassville, March 14, 1818; her father was
born in South Carolina and came to this county about 1801. The two men, David Bartram, Sr. and John Wellman
were pioneers of the settlement of Wayne county and both lived to a good old age, the former dying at the age
of 83 and the latter at 93.
Submitted by Marilyn Gouge and extracted from Hardesty's Historical and Geographical
Encyclopedia, Wayne County, WV, Biographies List, 1884.