Excerpts of "The Western Waters; Early Settlers of Eastern Barbour County, West Virginia.

Violet Gadd Coonts.

Page 216: WILLIAM WESTFALL SR.

Westfall was another name that has confused historians . Westfall was the name of a large family who were early settlers in the Tygart River Valley.

The Westfalls who were in the Tygart River Valley in old Aigista County in 1777 and signed the petition to form a new county (in central western Virginia) were: William Westfall, George Westfall, James Westfall, Jacob Westfall, Daniel Westfall, Jowl Westfall and Jacob Westfall Jr.

Abel Westfall reputed to be another brother of William, lived in Hampshire County during the Revolution and commanded a company in the Eight Virginia Regiment. His must have been an interesting story. He was captured by Indians in 1758 or 1759 during a raid known as the Decker Creek Masacre, in which his wife and children were killed, and ws taken to the Delaware's camp in Ohil. Somehow he escaped.

John Chenoweth of Hampshire County enlisted as served as a corporal in Abel Westfall's Company from May 25 1776 to October 1777. Chenoweth later said Abel Westfall received money to pay his troops in Hampshire County during the Revolution.

A Joel Westfall may have been killed by the Indians in the 1777 masacre in the Tygart River Valley, since his estate was settled in 1778 by William and Jacob Westfall.

Daniel Westfall who was a neighbor of Benjamin Wilson helped Wilson settle the estates of men who died or were killed early in the Tygart River Valley.

The Westfall's who were listed as serving under Captain Ralph Stewart's militia company in the Dunmore War and later in the Tygart River Valley were: Daniel Westfall, James Westfall, George Westfall, Jacob Westfall, Joel Westfall and William Westfall.

Page 217:

One important frontiersman, William Westfall Sr. was definitely living in eastern Barbour County by 1784 at the forks of Teter's Creek. He claimed a settlement right of 400 acres on Teter's Creek in the Northern District and said he settled in 1772, he also claimed 1,000 acres on a preemption right adjoining his settlement . This was given by the commissioners at Col. John Evans, March 5, 1781 and entered on the Survey Book, February 20, 1782.

William Westfall escaped from the Decker Creek masacre in 1758 or 1759 in which his brother Abel's family was killed and Abel taken captive.

The Westfalls had emigrated from New York to Hampshire County, and from there they came at an early date to the Tygart River Valley. William was born March 26, 1735, in Kingston, New York. He first married Elizabeth Thorne, daughter of Peter Thorne. His second wife was named Mary. Elizabeth, Williams first wife, may also have been killed in the Decker Creek mascare.

William's father was Jacob Westfall born June 8, 1715 in Kingston, New York. His mother was Judike Hoorenbeck(Judith Hornbeck) the daughter of Jodst Hoorenbeck( Justin Hornbeck) who married Agatha Van Fleet.

William's grandfather was Jurian Westfall, born on April 27, 1684, who married Christiana Kuykendall probably about April 2, 1682.

A John Westfall died April 13, 1789, in Hardy County and named the following heirs: wife Sarah, sons Isaac, jacob, Abel, John, Cornelius, and Abraham. Beneficiaries were Jacob Fisher, Ezekial Bogart(probably sons in law), Abel Westfall, Cornelius Westfall, Witness were John Synder, William Bailey, and Benjamin Williams.

When the Westfall's came over the Alleghany Mountains from Hardy County into the beautiful Tygart RiverValley they brought other related families , the Hornbecks and Kittles.

William Westfall was recommended by the Augusta County court to be added to the Commissioners of the Peace on August 20, 1777.