OTHO & ZEBULON SHEETZ

NOTABLE ANTIQUE GUNS                                                             BY   JIM WHISKER

                                                                      

ARTWORK BY

JEFF PRECHTEL

Click pictures for larger view

Courtesy of The

RICHARD ALAN WOOD COLLECTION

                                                                     
                                                                             
                                                                   


ZEBULON SHEETZ, BORN ABOUT 1793, WAS A GUNSMITH IN BETHEL VALLEY, BLOOMERY DISTRICT, HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.  ZEBULON WAS A SON OF HENRY SHEETZ, SR.

ZEBULON SERVED IN THE 77TH REGIMENT, VIRGINIA MILITIA, DURING THE WAR OF 1812, UNDER CAPTAIN JOHN DEAN.  HE WAS DRAFTED IN NOVEMBER 1814, AND HIS SERVICE LASTED APPROXIMATELY "FIFTY OR SIXTY DAYS".(1)

ON AUGUST 26, 1819, HE BOUGHT 59 ACRES OF LAND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE GREAT CACAPON RIVER, IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY (2).  ON MARCH 16, 1822, HE BOUGHT 33 ACRES ON EDWARDS RUN (3).  IN JULY 1835 ZEBULON AND MARGARET SHEETZ SOLD TO JAMES RINEHART A  TRACT OF 40 1/2 ACRES ON EDWARDS RUN, HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FOR $1000 (4).

ZEBULON WAS A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, A MEMBER OF THE HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COURT (5), AND WAS ACTIVE IN LOCAL POLITICS (6).  AN UN-NAMED FOREIGN VISITOR TO AMERICA, QUOTED IN A POPULAR MAGAZINE OF THE TIME, WAS STRUCK WITH THE BEAUTY OF THE BETHEL VALLEY AND WITH ITS RURAL NATURE.  HE FOUND THAT ZEBULON SHEETZ RAN NOT ONLY A GUNSHOP, BUT ALSO WORKED AS A MILLER, A TANNER, SAW MILL OPERATOR, AND AT THE WOOL-CARDING BUSINESS (7).

ZEBULON'S NAME APPEARED ON THE CENSUSES OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FOR 1820 AND 1830, BUT NOT THEREAFTER.  HE MOVED TO INDIANA SOMETIME AFTER 1830. ZEBULON MADE APPLICATION FOR A WAR OF 1812 PENSION ON MAY 18, 1852, GIVING HIS AGE AS 58 AND HIS ADDRESS AS WHITE COUNTY, INDIANA.  HE DIED IN WHITE COUNTY IN NOVEMBER 1868 (8).

OTHO SHEETZ (?-1833) WAS FIRST LOCATED AS A GUNSMITH IN HAMPSHIRE [NOW MINERAL] COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.  ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1811, FREDERICK SHEETZ SOLD TO OTHO LOT 8 IN FRANKFORD [FORT ASHBY] (9). ON MARCH 2, 1812, OTHO SHEETS BOUGHT LOT NUMBER 7 IN FRANKFORD, HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, FOR $57.00 (10).  ON JANUARY 11, 1815, SUSANNA AND OTHO SHEETZ SOLD LOTS 7 AND 8 TO THOMAS CATHER (11).  THE 1820 CENSUS OF INDUSTRY SHOWED THAT OTHO EMPLOYED 3 MEN AND HAD MADE 90 FIREARMS IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, EACH VALUED AT $18.00.

IN 1820, THOMAS SHEETZ, A GUNSMITH IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, REPORTED THAT HE HAD MADE 90 RIFLES IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS AND EMPLOYED 3 HANDS (12).  NOTHING ELSE IS KNOWN OF THOMAS SHEETS.  WE MAY NOTE THAT THE REPORT IS IDENTICAL TO THAT GIVEN \BY OTHO SHEETZ.

ON JANUARY 27, 1820, SUSANNA AND OTHO SHEETZ SOLD THEIR REMAINING LAND IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY (13).  IT WAS MOST LIKELY THAT AT THIS TIME OTHO MOVED TO OHIO ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO RECORDS OF HIS LAND PURCHASES UNTIL 1824.  IT IS LIKELY THAT THE SHEETZ FAMILY REMAINED IN FLUSHING TOWNSHIP, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO, WHERE OTHO DIED IN LATE 1832 OR EARLY 1833 (14).  THE INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF OTHO SHEETS WAS TAKEN ON MARCH 9, 1833, AND SHOWED:

6 GUN BARRELS, $18.00
1 SHOT GUN, $10.00
19 GUN STOCKS, $ 2.37
1 GRINDSTONE, $2.00
1 LOT OF FILES, ASSORTED SIZES, $3.50
1 LOT OF PLANES, $0.75
1 PLIERS, BEVELING VICE, $1.00
1 TUMBLER GRINDER, $0.75
1 PAIR SHEARS, OIL STONE, TRIGGERS, $1.00
1 LOT OF PATTERNS & FLASKS, $1.25
3 DRAWING RODS, FRAME & BITS, $1.00
1 LOT OF CHERRIES & PUNCHES, $1.50
1 LOT OF PATTERNS, $0.37
1 BOTTLE OF OIL ACQUA FORTIS, $0.62
1 DRILL & BOW, $0.12
14 CHISELS & 2 DRAWING KNIVES, $1.75
1 SCREW VICE, $2.50
2 SLEDGES, 2 HAMMERS & 4 TONGS, $3.50
1 LOT OF SWEDGES, $2.00
1 CRUCIBLE & BRASS, $0.18
1 ANVIL, $10.00
1 BELLOWS, $7.50
29 NEW FILES, $2.50
1 PIECE OF IVORY, $0.62
1 LOT OF SAND PAPER, $0.37
6 POUNDS OF SHEETS BRASS, 1.50


THE GUNS

TWO KNOWN GUNS ARE CO-SIGNED "O. & Z. SHEETZ," FOR OTHO AND ZEBULON.  THEY WERE ALMOST CERTAINLY MADE BEFORE OTHO LEFT HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FOR OHIO.  BOTH EXHIBIT TYPICAL HAMPSHIRE COUNTY STYLING.  THE CARVING AND ENGRAVING PATTERNS ARE WITHIN THE PATTERNS ESTABLISHED BY THE SHEETZ FAMILY WHILE THEY WORKED IN WEST VIRGINIA.

                                                                                   

THE DESIGN AND EXECUTION ARE BOTH EXCELLENT.  ONE WHO WISHES TO RECREATE A WESTERN VIRGINIA RIFLE OF C.1815 COULD FIND NO BETTER INSPIRATION THAN THE  O. & Z. SHEETZ RIFLES.

                                                                             

TOP TO BOTTOM

R P

Z SHEETZ

Z SHEETZ

Z SHEETZ

O & Z SHEETZ

THE ONLY REAL QUESTION, AS WITH ANY AND ALL CO-SIGNED RIFLES IS:  WHICH CRAFTSMAN DID WHAT PART OF THE WORK?  WHATEVER THEIR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP MAY HAVE BEEN, THEY MADE AT LEAST TWO BEAUTIFUL GUNS TOGETHER.

                                                                         

PAGE 147 GUNSMITHS OF VIRGINIA

JAMES BISER WHISKER

Zebulon Sheetz

Courtesy of The

RICHARD ALAN WOOD COLLECTION

END NOTES
1 FROM HIS APPLICATION FOR A WAR OF 1812 PENSION DATED MAY 18, 1852.
2 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 22:  13.
3 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 22:  404.
4 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 31:  92.
5 ALTHOUGH CALLED A "COURT" THESE MEN WERE IN FACT WHAT TODAY ARE KNOWN AS COMMISSIONERS.
6 H. MAXWELL AND H. L. SWISHER, HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT [1923], 277.
7 SATURDAY EVENING POST, JANUARY 25, 1840.
8 FROM FAMILY RECORDS COURTESY OF MARK SMITH TO WHOM I AM INDEBTED FOR A COPY OF THE PENSION APPLICATION.
9 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 17:  94.
10 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 17:  235.
11 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 19:  47.
12 U.S. CENSUS OF MANUFACTURES, 1820.
13 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEED BOOK 22:  39.
14 BELMONT COUNTY WILLS AND ESTATES.  THIS WAS FIRST  LOCATED BY THE LATE BOB MCAFEE.

ARTICLE REPRINTED FROM THE OCTOBER, 2013 ISSUE OF MUZZLE BLASTS MAGAZINE COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL MUZZLE LOADING RIFLE ASSOCIATION (WWW.NMLRA.ORG).  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

**SPECIAL THANKS TO AUTHOR JAMES B. WHISKER & THE NATIONAL MUZZLE

                                             LOADING  RIFLE ASSOCIATION**

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SHOOTING MODERN MUZZLE LOADING RIFLES, ANTIQUE LONG RIFLES , AMERICAN HISTORY & MUCH MORE. CHECK OUT   THE  NMLRA TODAY.
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THANKS TO THE COLLECTORS WHO ALLOWED  US PHOTOGRAPH THEIR RIFLES & USE                                                      OF THEIR PHOTOGRAPH.
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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 

A Scottish Traveler Visit With Zebulon Sheetz

 Zebulon Sheetz was one of Hampshire County's finest gunsmiths.   We have seen his rifles and we know them well,  we hope the following  will shed some light on Zebulon the man.  The following pages came from "Pedestrain Tour of A Scottish Emigrant" , describing his visit to Hampshire County in 1826. 

                                                                    Click Image To Enlarge

This is a little hard to see, you may need your spectacles. 

In the mid-1830s Zebulon Sheetz family moved West.   Zebulon and his family were given a letter of dismissal from their church at Cold Stream to move "to any Presbyterian church in the West, whose neighborhood God might cast his lot.  “He was given a testimonial of appreciation of the high community regard for his church service.

BMS

For more information on Zebulon Sheetz O&Z Sheetz

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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.