Sawyer Family

Sawyer Family


Source: Moccasin Tracks & Other Imprints by Dodrill

George M. SAWYERS, late in life, came from Alleghany county, VA in 1831 & settled near Upper Glade. His wife, who was Mary R. REESE before marriage, died soon after coming to this county & was the second person buried in the Samuel Given Cemetery. George's son Samson married Elizabeth DYER, daughter of James DYER, Sr. & located on the Gauley near the mouth of Sand Run. He was a farmer & a merchant & died childless in 1866.

Margaret, a daughter of George SAWYERS, married James DYER, the first county superintendent of free schools in Webster county, & lived on the Gauley at the mouth of Beaver run.

John R., the eldest son of the pioneer SAWYERS, born in 1790, married Nancy JOHNSON in 1820, & came from Alleghany in 1833, & settled on the Williams river. He was one of the pioneer school teachers. He was a shoemaker & was often called upon to make the wedding shoes for pioneer brides. The last pair made for such an occasion was worn by Mary (Polly) HAMRICK, who married William DODRILL.

He was a soldier in the War of 1812, & was the fifer of his company. His fife used on that occasion is now a treasured relic in the possession of one of his lineal descendants. He was the father of Isaac J., George M., Elvira, Sarah, Isabella, Margaret, Rachel & Jeremiah M.

Isaac was sent to Camp Chase by the Federal authorities. While there he had the measles, & being discharged before fully recovered, started home. He camped out several nights, sleeping on the damp ground. He died soon after arriving home.

Geroge M., born in 1822, married Letitia WALKER of Nicholas County, & settled on the Williams, where he gained the distinction of being one of the best hunters in the county. He was elected County Clerk of Webster county in 1877 for a term of six years. "The Governor" as he was familiarly called by his many friends, was one of the noted characters of Webster county thirty years ago.

Jeremiah M. was one of the "boys in blue", & saw some desperate fightiing as a member of the Tenth West Virginia Infantry. He now lives at Horner, Lewis county, & is the only one of the family still living.


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