Martha Community

Miss Lou Moore, daughter of Wilson Moore, who came from Virginia. To this 

union was born seven children, all of whom live in Barboursville. This 

farm is now owned by Captain W,. Turner. 

The land on the south of this farm was owned by the Peyton and Swann 

families. These lands have passed into other hands. Daniel Swann, one of 

the heirs lives on a portion of this land. Also Robert and Edgar Swann 

live in the neighborhood and are good men and have raised good families. 

Oliver Peyton and sisters, Mrs. John Hash and Mrs. Fred Lambert, live on 

portions of the Peyton estate. The mother, Mrs. Elisha Peyton is living 

with or near her children. She is a good woman and has raised a splendid 

family, all of whom are progressive citizens. Adjoining these farms lies 

the Beverly Johnson farm. He lived in Virginia, and sold his farm of 1200 

acres to John Morris, the writer's great grandfather, sometime in the 

fifties. Later William C. Miller, father of J. W. Miller of Barboursville 

purchased and lived on this farm. The Miller family were prominent in the 

county, some of whom filled important offices in the state. J. W. Miller 

is the only son living. This farm was sold to the Malcolms, who still own 

it. 

The Guyan Valley Railroad runs through or near all the farms that have 

been mentioned, which makes this a very important part of Cabell County. 

I would not leave the impression that we have all the good things now and 

had none in the good old days of our fathers and grandfathers. I can well 

remember the herds of fine Shorthorn cattle that grazed on the majestic 

hills and fertile valleys, smothering as it were in their fat. Also fine 

fat hogs that could scarcely walk. Southdown and Merino sheep were seen on 

nearly every farm with their heavy well-matured fleeces. In the spring of 

the year it was great to see the farmer boys corraling the sheep near a 

stream and washing them so the fleeces would be clean when they were 

sheared. Then would come the good old wool picking times when the 

housewives would meet at each other's homes and pick wool and chat so 

merrily over their good times and good things to eat. And this is not all. 

After the wool was picked it was then sent to Dusenberry's mill or carding 

machine and made into rolls. All? O, no! The rolls were brought home and 

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