Hampshire County Long Rifle

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

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

Hope you enjoyed , BMS

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Martin Sheetz "Take-Down" Fowling Piece

Circa 1790s

Two Hundred and fifteen years ago today, the estate sale of Martin Sheetz was held. This marked the conclusion of the life and career of one of Virginia's prominent gunmakers. While his life here on earth was short, his fingerprints on the gun-making industry and historic town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will not be erased, nor will his contribution be forgotten.

Martin was a gunsmith in Shepherdstown in the late 1700s to early 1800s. He was born on March 30, 1776. Martin was the son of gunsmith Philip Sheetz and the older brother of gunsmith John Jacob Sheetz. Philip was from Pennsylvania and served his apprenticeship under George Unkafer of Hanover, Pennsylvania. Brothers Philip & (1) Henry Sheetz settled in Mecklenburg, Berkeley County, Virginia, in 1772, present-day Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia. Philip purchased lot 1, Northwest corner of German & King Streets, in 1788. (2) This is the shop where Martin served his apprenticeship and built his guns.

Philip Sheetz died in 1793 at 55 years old, and his son Martin was 17 years old. In Philip's will, he states,

"I will that my gunsmith tools of every kind be and remain in the possession of my wife until my son Martin Sheetz shall arrive at full age. Should my son Martin Sheetz continue to work at the trade of gunsmith until the period at which he shall arrive at full age & should desire to keep the said tools in case my executors are ordered to have all the tools appraised and my said son Martin Sheetz may take them at the appraisement the amount whereof he shall be charged with so that no injustice may be done to my son Jacob Sheetz and my daughter Margaret Hanes."

Martin continued the art of gunsmithing and acquired his father's tools. The few surviving guns he built are works of art and are sought by collectors. This well-used, simple but elegant fowling piece is attributed to Martin Sheetz. This gun has all the typical features and furnishings of a fowling piece; fowler trigger-guard, butt plate, no cheekpiece, no patchbox, and a smooth bore barrel; where it differs is the two-piece stock. On page 158 of "Battle Weapons of The American Revolution," George C. Neumann said, "A new form of private light hunting gun gaining acceptance among well-to-do Colonist after 1750 was the "take-down" design." These could be taken down into two pieces for convenient travel. This gun is signed M. Sheetz in script between the rear sight and the hooked breech on top of the 39-inch long, 22-gauge, octagon-to-round barrel. A hooked breech aided the quick disassembly and re-assembly utilizing the take-down feature. This gun was originally flintlock; during the percussion era, it was converted to percussion using the original lock plate. The trigger guard, butt plate, side plate & breech tang are engraved. There is a relief carving of a Rococo shell design at the tang area. The brass furnishings are artistically engraved. We were pleased to see it show up, we don't see many fowlers from West Virginia, and surviving guns with the "take-down" feature is a rarity for any American-made gun of that era. This fast-handling 5.5-pound, overall length 50-inch gun was built for a "well-to-do" person to carry on bird hunting trips or similar excursions. The addition of the rear sight made it more versatile and adaptable to buck & ball.

Signed M Sheetz

39-Inch Octagon to Round Barrel Overall Length 50 Inch

Maple Stock

Beaver Tail Carving

Maple Stock

Ready to Travel 39 Inches

Brass Plate on Both Ends of Take-Down Assembly

Rococo Shell

Relief Carving

Engraving on Butt Plate Tang

Engraving On Hooked Breech Tang

Engraving on the rear Tang of Trigger Guard

Engraving on the Bow of Trigger Guard

Engraving on the Finial of Trigger Guard

.......................................................................................................................................

Martin married Eva Yeasley in January of 1799 & they had four children.

Martin's Will

In the name of God Amen, I, Martin Sheetz of Shepherdstown in the County of Jefferson and the State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind, do make this my last will and testament in manner following:

In the first place I desire my just debts to be paid and after payment of debts and funeral charges I assure and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Eva, 1/3 part of my estate, that is 1/3 the personal estate to her and her Heirs, forever, and 1/3 part of such real estate as I may be entitled to for and during her natural life and to the rest and residue of my estate of every description to be equally divided between my four children- Philip, Joesph, Jacob, and Daniel, to them , their heirs, and assigns forever and it's my desire and I hereby direct that the whole of my property , except such parts as my wife may desire to keep at the appraised value or acc't of her third, shall be as soon as convenient converted into money and put out to interest by my executors for the support and education of my children aforesaid.

I also desire that my children may be bound out to trades when they become old enough to choose, but the such choice to be approved by my executors. I hereby make and constitute my wife, Eva, executrix and my friend Jacob Haines executor of my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all former wills be me made. In testimony whereof I have here write set my hand and seal this 4th day of December 1807.

Martin Sheetz died in January of 1808 at the age of 31. Until his death, he lived in his parent's house, which he owned one-third of. Some of the tools listed at Martin's estate sale below were undoubtedly tools he bought from his father's estate.

* Inventory of the Personal Estate of Martin Sheetz, Deceased, and appraisal by the undersigned being duly qualified. Order of Jefferson County 29^th January 1808 –

4 vices 21.29 Gun locks 21.75

6 gun locks 14.00 3 gun locks 3.75

2 pistol locks .67 2 pistol locks and 3 plates of cocks 2.14

Screws and very good chargers $1.50

1 pair unfinished pistols $12.00 4hand vices $1.50

175 rasps and files $29.49 1 rifle leader $5.00

142 rasps and files with handles $20.29

11 drawn saw blades $1.00

3 hand saws $2.00 4 drawing knives $1.121/2 2 spoke shaves .75

62 chisels and gouges assorted $3.00 5 bench hammers .75

3 pair pliers 2 pair nippers $2.50 2 pair shears $2.00

2 candle sticks $1.50 14 bullet mold cherry and counter sink $3.85

Chisels and punches assorted $1.50 2 braces $1.50

3 anvil bows stock and drill $1.75 1 lot punches screwdriver $1.50

2 screw plates taps & breech plated $2.25 2 stocks 7 screw plates $3.00

`1 stake, 1 horn $1.25 box and contents .25 powder horn & shot pouch .75

1 upright drill 13 pieces $2.75 81/2 H wire 4 rifle barrels $10.70

1 smooth gun barrel 1 box old iron $2.50 1 ox old files $2.00

1 oil stone .15 old brass $4.50 2 pistol barrels, 5 ¾ old copper $3.20

1 lot old iron 1 bottle varnish $1.371/2 1 hold fast $3.60

Brass $16.25

2 pair shoe brushes $1.00 1 grindstone & frame $1.00

6 bottles oil ladz, 1 hand ax $1.75 gun mounting patterns. 50

3 augers 3 bowes 1 bottle Aqua Fortis $1.25 1 pair bellows

1 anvil $8.00 2 cast anvils $5.00 1 vice $6.00

1 lot old iron .75 smith tongs hammer and lets $3.00

1 gun barrel float mandrel $1.00, 75 old files & iron .25

2 boxes old iron .25, 1 grindstone & frame shop tub $2.50

232 maple & walnut gunstocks $58.00, boring machine $10.00

350 bushels coals $21.00, 3 shovels $1.00, 1 frame saw $1.00

2 axes, 1 mattock $2.50, 11 short walnut stocks $2.30

6 pair pistol stocks, 1 pair skeets $1.25, 4 gun barrels .25

2 auger 3 chisels .11, 1 box and contents 2 fish lines hooks $1.12 1/2

2 smoothbore guns $12.00, 1 small cupboard .50

1 fish net $1.00, 1 mare saddle bridals and halter chain .01

1 sow and pigs $4.00, 3 hogs $8.00, 3 beehives $2.75

1 koop $2.50, 1 heffer $5.00, 1 grindstone $10.00

1 grindstone $4.00, 1 canoe $1.50, 1 fish net $4.00

1 pidging net $1.50, 1 ten plate stove $14.00

2 fire buckets 1 coffee pot 1 tea kettle 2 iron pots $4.00

1 bake oven 1 skillet 1 brass shovel 1 bake iron $1.50

2 frying pans with feet 1 coffee mill, 1 morter, 2 chafing dishes $2.75

3 ladels 1 scimmer 2 pewter dishes 1 bason 1 white dish $3.00

1 dresser $7.00, 1 negro boy $150.00, 1 large iron pot $2.50

2 wash tubs 1 bedstead 1 old basket 1 tub 3 wire cages $7.08 ½

1 hoisting block, 1 chopping bench, 1 backgammon table $6.25

5 pictures, 2 brass candlesticks, 3 scrivers, 6 Windsor chairs $16.60

1 tea table, 1 corner cupboard, 3 chairs, 2 leather buckets

1 table, 1 ten plate stove, 5 tight barrels, 2 ½ barrells $26.50

56 black bottles, 1 chest, 1 small tub, 1 meat tub, 16 gal. gin $26.58

2 ½ bbl vinegar, 5 gal. whiskey $29.00

2 rifle guns, 3 smooth rifle guns, 3 shot guns, 1 eating table $105.00

1 mockingbird cage, 1 feather bed and steed and bedding $21.00

1 shot pouch and belt, 3 chairs, 1 chest, 3 Winsor chairs $5.75

1 desk bookcase, 6 vol. Washington’s life and 2 razors and strap $39.75

2 feather beds, bedding and stead, 1 trunk, 1 chest $53.25

23 ½ bu. Corn, 1 bedstead, 4 old barrels, 1 dough tray $12.84

6 bread baskets, 1 meal sieve, 1 electrifty machine .75

1 pair fire tongs and shovel, 1 ten plate stove, 1 pair steelyards $10.50

105 lb. pork, 1 pair saddle bags, baskets, kegs and pitchers $942

1 old wheat barrel .75

512 feet maple plank $20.33, 23 bu. Wheat $15.33 1/3

2 bu. Salt $2.00, 1 lock $1.50, 1 graz hook .33 1/3’

The Berkeley and Jefferson Intelligencer

Jefferson County Will Book Page 421

* Sale of good and chattels of Martin Sheetz, deceased, on Friday 19 February 1808.

Jacob Entler bought boring machine, 5 gun barrels, cherries, springs and hooks.

Sale amounted to $1,713.95 ½.

William Butz (?) for making Sheetz’ coffin at $3.25.

Paid Rev. Mr. Matthews for preaching funeral sermon $2.00

Credit of $600.00, being ½ part of $1,800.00.

Martin's wife, Eva, died in January 1809.

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Take-Down Fowler

(1) Henry Sheetz was the father of Hampshire County Gunsmiths, Frederick, Otho, Henry Jr., and Zebulon. Henry's son Michael was a gunsmith in Charles Town & his son was Jacob Sheetz of Hampshire County.

(2) Sheetz House Shepherdstown

Oh, well, while we are on the subject of fowling pieces:

Martinsburg Gazette August 24, 1843

Hope You enjoyed this post, BMS & JDM

Saturday, February 4, 2023

David Henry Cutlip Randolph County Gunsmith

David Henry Cutlip was born July 30, 1847, in present-day Nicholas County, West Virginia. We find him in the 1850 census at two years of age, living with his father, Washington Cutlip, and his mother, Hannah (Anna).

1850 Nicholas County Census

Click Image for Larger View

1860 Webster County Census

We did find a David H Cutlip, a Confederate soldier in 1864 enlisted in Co. H of the 19th Virginia Cavalry. Company H mustered out of Gilmer County. He would have been 17, which is possible, but we need more research to confirm. If any descendant has more info on this, please contact us.

1870 Webster County Census

David was 22 years old in 1870 and is listed as a farmer. In 1871 David marries Melcina Hamrick.

1880 Randolph County Census

David Cutlip Half Stock Percussion Rifle Circa 1880

We find David listed as a farmer & gunsmith in the 1880 census, living in Mingo Flats. Hopefully, we will learn from whom he learned the trade of gunsmithing. We know that gunsmith, preacher, and lawyer David H Lilly was in Randolph County in 1860 & 1870.

In 1884 David's wife Melcina died. In 1867 he married Florence Shiflett.

1900 Randolph County Census

In the 1900 census, he is listed as a Gun & Silversmith. His wife Florence and four children are listed.

David was a faithful member of the LDS Church. He was an ordained priest as well as an elder. We are not sure when David and his family moved to Odgen, Utah, but it was soon after the 1900 census. Was he still practicing the art of gunsmithing in Utah? David H Cutlip died in 1903 in Utah.

Odgen City Cemetery

David's widow Florence stayed in Odgen & remained faithful to her religion, as her obituary below attests.

We want to Thank James Whisker for using his photo from "Gunsmiths of West Virginia."

Thanks to Krista Al Qirim for the use of her photo of the headstone.

If anyone has any additional information on David & his rifles, please contact us; we would love to learn & hear from you.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Hiram Clark

Revolutionary War veteran & early settler to Ohio, Jacob Nicholls Clark was living in Cumberland Maryland in 1800 when he bound his eldest son James to George Rizer gunsmith. The Rizer family of gunsmiths worked in present-day Berkeley County West Virginia and Allegany County Maryland. George Rizer and his father settled in Cumberland in 1793, acquiring properties both in town and the surrounding countryside. Completing his apprenticeship under George Rizer, James Clark became a journeyman gunsmith by 1805. Eventually, James settled in Lebanon Ohio & became one of the finest gunmakers in that state. He became famous for beautiful silver-mounted rifles. The Clark & Sheetz rifle is one of the best-known. James And his sons continued their trade there until 1836 when they moved to Mississippi and started a plantation. James died in Bolivar County, Mississippi in 1859.

Jacob bound another son Hiram Clark to George Rizer, on March 26, 1807. Hiram was 15 years old, and this indenture was to last seven years when Hiram would turn 21 on March 29, 1814. In the 1820 Maryland Census, we find a Hiram Clark in Hancock Maryland. We have not found him in any other records thus far. We have found photos of a couple signed rifles by Hiram Clark. One family tree we found indicates he had a son Hiram C Clark, who married Ann Border, of the Border gunsmith family of Bedford Pennsylvania. This same tree gives 1829 as the year Hiram senior died. If you have any information on where Hiram senior worked, lived, and died, please contact us.

The rifle below is described by Bowers, on page 153 of “Gunsmiths of Pen-Mar-VA 1790-1840”. As follows, “This writer has seen just one example of Hiram Clark’s work. His name was in script on top of the barrel. There were about a dozen silver inlays, Bedford style, a fine oval eagle cheek inlay, and an elaborately pierced side plate. The patchbox had a full wingspread eagle finial and lid engraving is done in a neat floral pattern, in the center which was set an oval of tortoise shell. It was a fullstock, octagonal 40 1/2 inch barrel, with a Golcher percussion lock."

Click the photo for a large view.