Reed Homestead on Rock Camp Run, Arden, Barbour County, WV

These are the parcels as of 2020 that make up the land that was once the farm of James Harrison Reed along the Rock Camp Run in Arden, Barbour County, WV. 9-15-14.2 was where the home was. Perhaps they owned all of 9-15-4. 9-15-4.1 and 9-15-4.2

Map of the area where many Reeds lived in Barbour County, WV

Farmland as of 1975, Primary farmland of State importance is Green, Additional farmland is Yellow.

Good's Mill - McGaheysville: James Harrison Reed

This 1885 map of Rockingham County, Virginia is a good representation of how close to home James Harrision Reed was in 1860, when he lived with the William W. Carpenter family and was likely working at Goods Mill in the Ashby District of Rockingham County. His family lived in McGaheysville, which was only about 6 to 7 miles away, about a couple hour walk.

Location of Goods Mill shown in upper right quadrant above. This was a grist mill owned by Samuel Good, located two miles east of Cross Keys on Mill Creek. The Mill was burned by General Sheridan during the Civil War in 1864, and was rebuilt following the war.

The W.W. Carpenter farm shown in the lower left quadrant, which is near the Kyger family that one of his niece's married into, mat be the location of the William W. Carpenter farm. This is most likely the area James' brother William G. Reid was residing, as in the upper right corner is the farm of Cornelius Armentrout, who William provided substitute service for during the Civil War.

James Harrison Reed's Last Will and Testament

Last Will of James H Reed

I publish this my last will and testament, my mind being clear and sound. First, Give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Nancy Jane Reed, all of my personal property to do with as she may please. I also give and bequeath to my said wife all of my real estate, which consists of my farm where I now live and all the appurtenances belonging thereto, to have and to hold as long as she may live, or during her natural life. My wish and desire is that my children to whom I am indebted shall not press their mother for payment. I have given to my sons, Hampton Homer, Eugene F., James Lee and Ira Milton, all the property I feel myself able and give them my blessing. To my daughter Lucy Virginia, Ida L, and Isa Dora I give and bequeath to them all my real estate which consists of the farm where I now live, but they shall not have possession of the same until after the death of their mother, Nancy Jane Reed, for I am determined that my wife shall have full control of the said farm so long as she may live, or during her natural life. I bequeath it my said farm to my said daughters equally and will that each one of them shall pay her equal proportion of my debts. I wish a tombstone to mark my last resting place, but do not wish my family to burden themselves with an expensive monument. I will and give this my last blessing to my dear wife and daughters hoping they will all meet me in heaven, when they are done with earth and earthly things. I pray God to give his grace to each of my sons and where I and my Master are they may be also when this life is over.

Witness my signature this the 6th day of June 1892 

Jame H Reed

x mark

Test.

R M Talbott

Reubin Haddox

West Virginia

Barbour County Court Clerk’s Offic, October 18th 1892.

The Last Will and testament of James H Reed, deceased was this day presented in said office for probate and the same being duly proved before me by the oaths of R.M. Talbott and Reubin Haddox, the subscribing witnesses thereto, was ordered to be recorded and a record thereof was made accordingly.

Attest: Fran E Daft Clerk

May Louisa Stockton Headstone

MAY LOUISA STOCKTON

Departed this life on the

14th of April in the year of our

Lord 1907 in the 25th year 

of her life.

She studied, loved and obeyed

God's holy law. And her soul

is at peace.

Obituary: Jack Norman Reed

Jack Norman Reed, 89, of Cincinnati, OH, went home to join his beloved wife Mabel Ruth Blosser, who preceded him in death almost exactly three years prior. He made a peaceful transition on Tuesday, September 24, 2013.

Jack was born to the late Austin Clyde Reed and the late Salinda May Powell in the Montana coal camp in Marion County, West Virginia. He was the younger brother to the late Wanda Reed, who died as an infant, and the late Starling Reed.

Jack was part of the “Greatest Generation,” a generation that knew what it was to be a man, partly because they had to become men at an early age. Faced with the dangers of following his father into the coalmines, he decided to risk his luck instead by signing up for the U.S. Army at the start of World War II. He was assigned to the 774^th Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as a Corporal. For his act of bravery for directing field artillery from behind enemy lines, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After the war, Jack went to West Virginia University on the GI Bill to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering, thus ensuring that he would never be going into the mines. While back home in West Virginia, he met his wife Mabel at a local square dance. His adoration for her that started that day and lasted their nearly 63 years of earthly marriage could never be doubted.

Always following the next engineering project, he ended up settling in Cincinnati, where he eventually started AE Development, an engineering company, with loyal business partner Nick Neidich.

Jack was a very caring man, who always put his family first, and worked hard to well provide for them. A humble man, his pride was reserved for his family. He had a great sense of humor and had a smile and laugh that would light up the room. He loved a good party, and was always quick to get ready, wanting to be early, never late, to an event.

Jack is survived by daughters Carol and Karen; grandchildren Heather, David, Steven, and Phillip; and great-grandchildren Austin and Jack.

A memorial service at the Pleasant Ave, Fairfield, OH Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 6:30PM. Jack begins his temporary rest on Friday, September 27, 2013 with a military burial with full honors at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, WV. Here he will rise on the day of Resurrection, and perhaps, as usual, he will be a little early to enjoy the festivities with his family.

May Louise Stockton - Obituary 4/18/1907

MISS MAY LOUISE STOCKTON

The death of Miss May Louise Stockton, which occurred Sunday morning at 6 o'clock, proved quite a shock to a large circle of her friends. She was a young woman with a wonderful charm of manner and immediately endeared herself to all who had the good fortune to come within the circle of her charm. She was a true Christian, following closely in the Master's footsteps, and there were many who felt the gentle kindness of her ministrations in time of need.

Miss Stockton was a daughter of Mrs. Maggie A. Stockton and the late Colonel Philip Stockton, and was just budding into a beautiful and useful womanhood at the time of her demise. She graduated from the Lower Girls' High School in 1901, and then attended the Normal School, with the intention of devoting her talents to school work. She was a member of the Carrollton Methodist Church, and previously had done much Christian work at the Carondelet Street Church. She was very proud of a gold medal awarded to her for attendance at Sunday school every Sunday for three years.

The funeral took place Monday afternoon and was attended by a host of her sorrowing friends, who paid the last sad tribute to her memory at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

Daily Picayune, 1907-04-18, Pg. 11 col. 5