GEORGE YOUNG GUNSMITH

WE ORIGINALLY POSTED A BLOG ON GEORGE YOUNG IN MARCH OF 2013.  SINCE THEN, WE HAVE FOUND NEW INFORMATION.  ALSO WE HAVE ADDED SEVERAL  PICTURES. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO  SHARED THIS INFO & PICTURES  WITH US. WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW FACTUAL INFORMATION & PHOTOS.

 THE STUDY OF THE AMERICAN LONGRIFLE IS CONTINUOUS  , WE WILL NEVER HAVE THE COMPLETE STORY ON THESE MAKERS OR THEIR RIFLES.

                                                                 
                                                       TOP   GEORGE YOUNG
                                                    MIDDLE   JAMES RINEHART
                                                    BOTTOM  GEORGE YOUNG
                                                    Click Images For Larger View
                                                                         
                                                                       
                                                                         

 

 He Would Sign His Barrels, G. Young. He Would Use Either A Silver Plate Inletted Into The Barrel With His Signature On It, Or Would Scribe His Name Directly Onto The Barrel.

                                                                         
                                                                   

 George was one of Hampshire County's finest gunsmiths. Born in Harpers Ferry in 1802. The son of Peter and Catherine Young. Catherine was a sister to William Hollenback Sr who was a gunsmith who made rifles near Fort Ashby.  William had a son by the same name, who was a gunsmith  as well. Sometime before 1815 both Peter and Catherine died, leaving George to be raised by his grandmother Margaret Hollenback.  In 1815 George was indentured to Frederick Sheetz.  Frederick Sheetz is to  many students of the Hampshire County Long Rifle the finest maker Hampshire County ever had.  While many have agreed that Young must have apprenticed to Sheetz, we did not have positive proof until recently , when the following record was uncovered.  Much thanks goes to our friend  for sharing this with us:

                                               "To the Court of Hampshire"

The subscriber was some eight or ten years ago appointed guardian for her grandson George Young. And now on account of her age and infirmities,  wishes to relinquish the same favour of Fred'k Sheetz, Esq.  To whom she inclines binding the boy that he should to learn the Trade of Gunsmith, he having arrived to the age of nearly thirteen years. It is also the desire of the boy that he should be bound to Mr. Sheetz. Given under my hand this 15th day of Apl 1815.

Signed,  Margaret ( her mark) Hollinback
George Young was born 7th Augt 1802
Signed, Margaret ( her mark) Hollinback
In the presence of A. King and Zebn Sheetz

The witness "Zebn Sheetz"  was no doubt Zebulon Sheetz, Gunsmith and brother to Frederick. This leaves lil wonder why George became such a skilled maker of long rifles.

EARLY SIGNED GEORGE YOUNG RIFLE

                                                              "Long Rifles of Virginia"
                                                                          Page 99
                                                                         

                    This Signed George Young Rifle Has Never Left  The County, Or The Original                                                                          Owners  Family.

                                                          Engraved Toe Plate

                                                 He Mostly used Incised Carving

"Long Rifles Of Virginia"

Page 100

                                                           1830 Circa made in Romney

                                   Same Type Side Plate That Zebulon Sheetz Used

You Can See The Influence of  Frederick Sheetz 

                           This George Young Rifle Likely Blew Apart  Shortly After It
                                    Was Made in About 1830. The  Carving Is Not Worn.

                                                  Maybe The Result Of To Much Powder,
                                                          Or Failure To Seat The Ball

                                   Nearly Identical Carving To Signed George Young Rifle.
                                         Rifle Was A Master Piece Before Its Destruction

Click Pictures For Larger Image

George Young's Work Rivaled  That of Frederick Sheetz

George Young's Will

Estate Inventory 

George served his apprenticeship at present day Headsville. This is where Frederick located his gun shop and mill, after leaving Fort Ashby. For many years Headsville was called "Sheetz' Mill". This was one of the mills that Union Troops burned during the Civil War.


George married Elizabeth Nicholson in 1824. She was born in 1805. Together they had eight children.



We  find George Young in the 1830 census in Hampshire County. George bought lot 17 in Romney  in 1832. There he opened his gun shop and made some of his finest rifles. I believe that lot 17 is on the corner of South Bolton and Rt. 50, where Voit's garage is presently located.

George did incised carving on the maple wood stocks on some of his rifles. He  liked to use silver wire inlay and other silver inlays. He was a excellent engraver as can be seen on the brass patchboxes and on some of the inlays. The use of rectangular shaped nail heads can be seen on his rifles. This was  nearly a trademark of Frederick Sheetz, to whom he apprenticed with. You will find some of his rifles are flintlock. Most of the rifles made after 1830 were percussion. While he did make some real fancy rifles, he also built rifles for the average person of his day. We are fortunate that a few of his rifles have survived.

George Young Left Romney Area Around 1840,  and headed West to Perry County, Illinois.  In the 1850 & 60 census he is listed as a gunsmith.  In the 1870 census he is listed as a farmer.  He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Du Quoin Illinois. After the death of George, his wife Elizabeth, and some of their children relocated to Orange County, California. Elizabeth Young, died 1888 and is buried in the Santa Ana Cemetery.
                                                                   

                                                       
                                                                     

Here is a link with information on George Young's sons.

George Young, Civil War Veteran, Orange County California Genealogical Society Civil War Veterans Project (occgs.com)

Here is a link to an interesting story about George Young and a Neighbor.
Reports of Cases at Law and in Chancery Argued and Determined in the Suprem... - Google Books
Note: Silkwood was originally from Hampshire County it is possible that Young and Silkwood left Hampshire County about the same time, so this feud may have started here. After this incident two of Youngs's sons married daugheters of Elam Silkwood.

For more information on George Young and other West Virginia Gunsmiths:
"Gunsmiths of West Virginia" By James Whisker
"West Virginia History Volume XLV 1984" Pages 125-158 William H. Ansel & James B. Whisker

Photos From Page 99 & 100 " Long Rifles Of Virginia" Courtesy Of James B Whisker





THANKS TO THE COLLECTORS WHO ALLOWED US TO POST PICTURES OF THEIR RIFLES.  PLEASE DO NOT COPY.


                                                                        
                                                                        

Who Was H. P. Harrison & R P?

As much as we have studied the old rifle makers from here in this wonderful state of West Virginia, we still don't have all the answers.  They're so many rifles that are not signed, we can only give an educated guess of attribution from signed rifles we have handled that wear similar characteristics.  Then there are the rifles that are signed, but no maker by that  name has been uncovered. 

A while back a rifle came to our doorstep that was made in Hampshire county probably in the 1830's.  On the top flat of the octagon barrel between the rear sight & the breech, you can see the signature H. P. Harrison.  While searching for this maker in any place, we thought an answer might be hidden.  We managed to find two more rifles signed the same way.  We are not so fortunate to have any photos of those, but we did see them, so they do exist.  If we get photos of them & permission we will post them here.                                                              

                                                          Click Pictures for Larger Image

                                                                             

                                                                 Signed H P Harrison
                                                                             

                      Records indicating that John Harrison was a substitute for his brother Henry

So, we started digging around in records & after numerous hours and even days, we  came up with one possible candidate, Henry Harrison.  I will not bore you with all the details,  only enough that you may be able to help us fill in the blanks.  This Henry Harrison who lived in Hampshire County, came here  before 1820 & died in present day Mineral County in 1867.   He was born in Saint Marys County, Maryland in 1790 son of Joseph.  1820 records indicate he resided close to Zebulon & Frederick Sheetz both gunsmiths.  Frederick Sheetz, manufactured some of the Virginia Militia Contract Rifles .  Later, Henry can be found in present day Antioch located in Mineral County.  At some point Harrison's had a mill there.  During that time the  place was called Harrison's Mill.  During the War of 1812, John Harrison brother of Henry served in the war in place of Henry.  So, our speculation is, if this Henry had his brother serve in his place, then it is a possibility that maybe he was working with Frederick Sheetz on the Contract Rifles . That would have been good reason to have John serve as his substitute.  Another point that this Henry Harrison might be the maker of these rifles  his family had a mill, after he moved to present day Antioch.  The fact that Frederick Sheetz had a Mill as well as a gunsmith shop, could  have been the catalyst to Harrison's mill.  We have found more than one gunsmith who  owned  a mill.  I checked several records such as estate sale records, there was tools and such but not a specific listing of gunsmith tools.  One problem with this Henry as the maker of these rifles is that nowhere in our research can we find him using the letter P as a middle initial.  As a matter of fact we find no mention or use of a  middle name or initial in any records thus uncovered.  We also did not find him listed as a gunsmith in any records.  We are not stating that this Henry Harrison is the maker of the three signed pieces, we just believe he is a plausible candidate.  So if any of our readers have any information on this Henry Harrison having worked as a gunsmith, or some other person by the name of H P Harrison being a gunsmith,  please contact us via the contact form at the top of the blog.

Now, " Who is R P" ?  We have found two rifles signed by R P.  Both rifles made by R P look very similar to some of the rifles that Zebulon Sheetz made as you can see in the pictures.

                                                                         

Top to bottom

Attributed Zebulon Sheetz

Signed R P

Signed R P

Signed Z Sheetz

                                                                      Signed R P

                                                                      Signed R P

Attributed Zebulon Sheetz

                                                                       Signed R P                      

                                                                      Signed R P

                                                                               

Attributed Zebulon Sheetz

We believe that R P must have worked with Zebulon Sheetz, either as a apprentice or a journeyman  in his shop.  This R P should not be mistaken for rifles signed  R M P, or R. Patterson, who is Richard Miller Patterson of Marion County, as their work is not of the same hand, neither is their signature.   As in  previous "mystery maker" we are asking for your help. If you have any info on the makers or rifles signed the same way, we would appreciate you contacting us, using the contact form at top of page.
Thanks, Mark 

JACOB SHEETZ GUNSMITH & FAMILY

 

JACOB SHEETZ & FOUR OF HIS SONS.

WE BELIEVE JACOB DICE IS THE ONE ON THE LEFT IMMEDIATELY BEHIND HIS FATHER JACOB. WILLIAM F. ON THE RIGHT.

 

 

JACOB SHEETZ, SON OF MICHAEL SHEETZ GUNSMITH IN CHARLES TOWN, CAME TO HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FROM CHARLES TOWN IN ABOUT 1840. MICHAEL WAS THE SON OF HENRY SHEETZ SR AND BROTHER TO HENRY, FREDERICK, OTHO, AND ZEBULON. FREDERICK SHEETZ CAME TO HAMPSHIRE COUNTY IN 1792. OTHO, ZEBULON, AND HENRY ALSO WERE GUNSMITHS IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. JACOB MADE GUNS NEAR FRENCHBURG,  FIVE MILES EAST OF ROMNEY, ON THE NORTHWESTERN PIKE. IN 1858, HE MOVED TO THREE CHURCHES AND MADE GUNS THERE UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1884. WILLIAM'S CIVIL WAR RECORDS INDICATE HE WAS A GUNSMITH AS WELL. JACOB DICE ALSO FOLLOWED IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS. IN THE 1900 CENSUS HE IS LISTED AS A GUNSMITH. HE DIED IN 1907 AT THE AGE OF 59. HE WAS THE LAST SHEETZ GUNSMITH IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.  FOR ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN YEARS THE SHEETZ FAMILY OF GUNSMITHS PRACTICED THE ART OF GUNSMITHING IN THE HILLS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

 

CIVIL WAR TRAILS MARKER IN FRONT OF JACOB SHEETZ HOME & GUNSHOP LOCATION.

CLICK PICTURES FOR LARGER IMAGE

 

 

 

                                               JACOB SHEETZ RIFLE SIGNED J.S.

For Better Picture Click Below

  Collection (wvculture.org)

*ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR BROADSIDE.    "UNION  GENERAL BENJAMIN F. KELLEY'S PROCLAMATION".

 

UNION TROOPS HAD ALREADY DESTROYED THE PRESSES AT THE SOUTH BRANCH INTELLIGENCER IN ROMNEY. GEN. KELLEY PROBABLY HAD THESE PRINTED IN KEYSER OR CUMBERLAND.

 

NO DOUBT MANY OF THESE CITIZENS , MILITIA MEMBERS, AND THOSE INVOLVED IN GUERILLA WARFARE AGAINST THE UNION FORCES, THAT UNION GENERAL B. F. KELLEY WAS WARNING, WERE ARMED WITH RIFLES MADE BY JACOB SHEETZ. JACOB'S SONS WILLIAM  F. AND  GEORGE R. WERE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS, AS WAS HIS DAUGHTER, SARAH ANN'S HUSBAND GEORGE W. BOWMAN.

 

 

JACOB SHEETZ WAS AN EXCELLENT ENGRAVER & USED NICELY FIGURED MAPLE WOOD FOR THE STOCKS.

CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE

 

MANY OF JACOBS RIFLES WERE SIGNED IN THE ABOVE MANNER, HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME SIGNED J. S. IN SCRIPT.

 

 

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO

JACOB SHEETZ

SIGNED J C S

                                                                    ROMAN NOSE

 

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CHARCTERISTIC

HOWEVER THIS  DIMPLE CAN BE FOUND ON RIFLES

FROM OTHER AREAS AS WELL

_____________________________________________

 

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS BY JACOB SHEETZ' GREAT, GREAT GRANDSON. WE ARE GRATEFUL, FOR HIS SHARING THIS WITH US.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEORGE W. BOWMAN & SARAH ANN

 

GEORGE W. BOWMAN JACOBS SON-IN-LAW SERVED THREE YEARS IN THE 18TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY.

C.S.A.

                                                    BURRIED AT OSCEOLA, IOWA

 

RECORDS OF WORK GEORGE PERFORMED FOR HIS FATHER-IN-LAW JACOB

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

---------------------------

 

GEORGE R. SHEETZ

C.S.A.

 

    

--------------------------

 

WILLIAM F. SHEETZ

GUNSMITH

C.S.A.

 

                         
                                                                         

 

CLICK FOR LARGE VIEW

 

 

JACOB SHEETZ OBITUARY

CLICK PHOTOS FOR LARGER IMAGE

                                                                                                                          

 

                                                                      JACOBS WILL

 

                                                                                  

                                                  

                                                                 JACOB SHEETZ

                                                         EBENEZER CEMETERY
                                                              ------------------------

                                                             JACOB DICE SHEETZ.

          "THE LAST GUNSMITH FROM THE SHEETZ FAMILY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY"                                         

                             

 

THE SHEETZ FAMILY OF GUNMAKERS HAD SERVED THE PEOPLE OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY IN ARMS & HONOR FOR  OVER A CENTURY.

 

                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JACOB SHEETZ AND HIS GUNS SEE:

 

"GUNSMITHS OF WEST VIRGINIA" BY LAMBERT/WHISKER

"WEST VIRGINIA HISTORY VOLUME XLV 1984" ARTICLE BY WILLIAM H. ANSEL

* BROADSIDES WHERE A WAY OF COMMUNICATING CURRENT EVENTS OR NOTICES.THEY WERE PLACED WHERE PEOPLE MAY GATHER , SUCH AS COURT HOUSES, STORES, TRADING POSTS, NEAR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND AT CROSSROADS.

 

THANKS TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHS AND INFORMATION. PLEASE DO NOT COPY.

 

NOTE: THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. WE WILL ADD MORE INFORMATION AND PICTURES IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS.