David H Lilly, A Man of Many Hats

While studying the old West Virginia gunsmiths, we find some interesting and colorful characters, David H. Lilly does not disappoint. David H Lilly was in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1848-49. This could be where and when he learned the art of gunsmithing. In the 1850 Palatine, Marion County, Virginia census, present-day Fairmont, West Virginia, we see him, his wife Josephine, and their six-month-old daughter Angelia. David is listed as a gunsmith. While living in Fairmont, he is a Temperance Society and Western Virginia Methodist member. The following records and newspaper articles will tell his story better than we can.

1860 Census Beverly, Randolph County: Lawyer 5 Children

1860 Elected County Attorney, Webster County

*1861 Accused Confederate Spy

1863 Accused Confederate Spy

1864 Joins the Confederate army. 

May 1865 Surrenders & pledges allegiance to the United States.

October 1865 is elected Prosecuting Attorney for Webster County. He was deemed ineligible and could not prove loyalty to the Union during the war. (1) 

1870 Census  Leadsville, Randolph County: Lawyer.

1872 Elected Prosecuting Attorney for Webster County

1877 1877-1878 Business Directory, Grafton: Attorney at Law.

1880 Census Curtis, Roane County: Minister.

1910 Census Parkersburg, Wood County: None; he is 87 years old. & Luther J. Lilly 51

The following percussion half-stock rifle circa 1850 is attributed to Lilly and is signed in script D H L on top of the barrel between the breech and rear sight. The rifle is stocked in tiger stripe maple, with brass furnishings and a 33-inch long .43 Cal. barrel. 

                                                                

                                                                         

                                                                              

 On May 24, 1860, David was elected county attorney for the newly formed Webster County. However, by September of the following year, *David finds himself confined in the guard house at Camp Carlile in Wheeling. 

                                                               Click to enlarge                                               

                                                                        

                                                                           

                             *The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer September 19, 1861 

                           The four images below are from civilian civil war records.                             

1863 Rebel spy, occupation lawyer

Signed affidavits testimony against Lilly.

This letter appears to say that even though the writer believes David is guilty, they may have a hard time proving it & he will send him and his family beyond the lines.

The writer of this letter states they have additional evidence and that they could send Mrs. Lilly and their children to relatives in Pennsylvania. They believe it would be better to send them out of West Virginia. 

On March 1, 1864, David enlisted in the Confederate army. 

Surrendered in Beverly May 1865 Occupation Lawyer

On May 15, 1865, David surrendered at Beverly, West Virginia, and the following day he was paroled. Signed his allegiance to the United States.

The Wheeling Daily Register August 19, 1872

The Weston Democrat April 27,1874

The Wheeling Daily Register August 3, 1876

The Wheeling Daily Register February 9, 1877

                                                                                    

                                              Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 24, 1910

                                                                       

Josephine Lilly 1831-1881

Limestone Cemetery

David H. Lilly 1823-1910

Limestone Cemetery Rockport, WV

No doubt there is more to David H Lilly's story, but this will give us all a glimpse into the life of one of West Virginia's colorful characters. 

Thanks to Crystal for the headstone photos!

(1) Page 102 Moccasin Tracks and Other Imprints by Dodrill

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Robert Allen Lilly, Elkins Chief of Police Son of David & Josephine

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Hope you enjoyed , BMS