THE EVICK GUNSMITH FAMILY OF PENDLETON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA

 

 

WILLIAM EVICK RIFLE

Click for larger image

 

Adam Evick born 1782 died 1855 was son to George Evick . George's brother Francis Evick was the founder of Franklin the county seat of Pendleton County. Adam Evick was a gunsmith in Franklin from the early 1800's until his death in 1855. His early rifles were flintlock and stocked in wonderful tiger stripe maple. These rifles had brass patchboxes with excellent engraving. Some of  his rifles  had neat silver inlays made of coin silver. Most of the rifles he made after 1835 until his death had percussion locks. We do not know for sure where Adam Evick learned the art of gunsmith. The four petal flower finial on the patchbox is typical of the Valley of Virginia, and the push button patchbox lid release is much like that of John & Henry Sheets from Staunton Virginia. Adam may have apprenticed to Archibald Rutherford Gunsmith of Harrisonburg Virginia.  The few rifles we have been fortunate enough to inspect that Adam made were signed on the top of the barrel, "A E".

 

 

ADAM EVICK RIFLE

Signed A E

 

 

ADAM EVICK

Click for  Larger View

 

 

ADAM EVICK FLINTLOCK

 

 

Signed A E

 

 Adam had two sons that followed his trade, John & William. John was born 1804. John left Pendleton County after 1830 and is listed in the 1840 Census in Pocahontas County. In 1850 he is in Wood County and in 1860 he is in Kentucky. He dies in Lawrence County, Ohio 1882.

 

                                                                                

 

Signed John Evick Rifle

 

                                                60" Overall length, 43 3/8" Barrel, 48 Cal.

                                                                                 

 

Original Flintlock Converted To Percussion Using the Original Lock Plate.

                                                        Click Pictures For Larger Image

 

Special Thanks To The Owner For Sharing

 

 

 

 

William Evick was born 1803 and died in 1886; buried in Mt. Hiser Cemetery in Franklin . He spent most of his life making rifles and keeping them in good working order in Pendleton County. His rifles are in the style of his father's. While some of his guns are flintlock, most are likely  percussion. His workmanship was clean and precise. He was a master craftsman. Some of his rifles are signed, "W E" and we have seen at least one signed, "Wm Evick" in script. William had a son William C Evick who followed in his father's footsteps. The time period that William C was a gunsmith was late in the longrifle period. While he may have made a few muzzle loading rifles, he most likely worked on later model guns. He possibly repaired guns built by his Grandfather Adam, his father, and his uncle.

 

 

 

WILLIAM EVICK

 

To see more pictures of the Evick Rifles see "Gunsmiths of West Virginia" ,"Long Rifles of Virginia" and "Gunsmiths of Virginia." These books are by James B. Whisker. If you have anymore factual information on the Evick Gunsmiths please contact us; we will update this. Also if you have any pictures of Evick rifles that you would let us post here on this blog, we would appreciate your contribution.

 Evick Rebel Rifle

THANKS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE PICTURES FOR ALLOWING US TO POST. PLEASE DO NOT COPY.

 

 

 

 

 

ADAM EVICK

WOW,  was we  delighted to receive these excellent   photographs of this most elegant flintlock long rifle made by Adam Evick.   We are  grateful  that the owner of this wonderful rifle was so generous to share it with us and  thankful  to the photographer who took these fine pictures. 

Click Pictures for Larger View

Adam Evick signed his barrels in the above manner.

In 1769 Francis and his brother George Evick surveyed 160 acres of land on the bank of the South Branch of the Potomac River.  It is on a portion of this land that the town of Franklin West Virginia was built.  George lived across the river at the mouth of Evick Gap.  

                                                              Elegant Incised Carving

Adam Evick was the son of George and Eve.  He was born in 1782 in Franklin.  Adam married Sophia Engleton in 1801.  John & William sons of  Adam also became gunsmiths.  Adam died in 1855.

Incised Carving on Fore-stock 

Flintlock

Engraved Brass Patchbox

Brass Side Plate

&

 Double Set Triggers

                                  For more information on the Evick Gunsmiths:

                                                        Click    EVICK 

Please do not copy pictures, as they are the property of the photographer and are shared with us at his pleasure.  Thanks for reading, Mark 

  

A Rebel's Rifle

 

When the Civil war began, men and boys from these hills of Western Virginia, grabbed their hunting rifle and headed off to the cause.  Of course, many times they need not venture far, as the conflict may be at their doorstep.  Every time I handle an antique longrifle  I wonder who the early owners were, where it has been, and what it may have experienced.  The ole adage, "if this gun could only talk".   Well, the rifle we present today, has some provenance engraved to it, so in a sense, it can speak, sharing a little of its history, while keeping the identity of the soldier who carried it into battle a secret.  This rifle has witnessed the bloodiest day on American soil. Shortly after the rebel combatant fell or was captured, his rifle came into possession of the Gosnell's. The Gosnell's had it engraved and gifted it to their uncle, Samuel Ward, a veteran of the War of 1812.  This gift was a way for the nephews to honor their uncle’s loyalty and service to our country during America's Second War of Independence.  Samuel Ward's nephews were his sister's sons.  Samuel Ward lived in the Baltimore area.  Samuel died in 1867 at the age of 82 & was referred to as an " Old Defender" of Baltimore in the War of 1812.  The Gosnell's were also residents of Maryland. 

                                                                 Click for larger image

                                                                                      

The side plate is engraved, “A Rebels Rifle captured on the battlefield of Antietam 17 Sept. 1862.”

                                                                          

The patchbox door bears a presentation inscription, “Presented to Samuel Ward / Soldier of the War of 1812 by his nephews / L.W. Gosnell, M.T. Gosnell, / & Wm. L. Gosnell.”

                                                                                 

                                                  C. Robbins Flintlock converted to percussion

                                                                                 

W E in script 

The percussion longrifle was made by William Evick (1803-1886) of Pendleton County and signed W E in script on top of the barrel. The Evick's were prominent gunmakers in Franklin. I believe the rifle was originally percussion & used a repurposed lock, that was originally flint and converted to percussion.  The rifle is approx. 40 cal, and has a 32-inch barrel, obviously cut down from an original length of 40-44 inches.  The rear sight has been moved from its original location to the breech tang to suit the aiming practice or eyesight of some owner. For more information on EVICKS

 

                     

 

                                                  Thanks to the owner for sharing.

                                                                             FB

Adam Greenawalt Gunsmith Pendleton County West Virginia

 Adam Greenawalt was born in Pendleton County in 1799.  Adam was the son of George Greenawalt and Barbra Lough.  Adam married Mary Ann Sites in 1829. 

We were excited to see this flintlock rifle attributed to Adam Greenawalt. It could easily pass for one made by the Evick's of Franklin, Pendleton County. We have not yet found any records that reveal where Adam learned the gunsmithing trade, but this rifle is a pretty good indicator that he may have worked with Adam Evick.  Greenawalt is listed as a gunsmith in the 1850 & 1870 census.  He was probably making rifles as early as the 1820s.  The Greenawalts had a son, Jacob, born in 1832, who served in the 46th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War. We have not found any information on Jacob working as a gunsmith. 

While we have seen at least a dozen rifles made by the Evicks, this is the first rifle made by Adam Greenawalt we have seen.   This flintlock rifle is stocked in beautiful tiger-striped maple and has a 44-inch long barrel rifled in 36 caliber. Has an engraved brass patch box with a push button lid release at the toe of the rifle.  Engraved brass sideplate and toeplate. There is decorative engraving on top of the barrel surrounding the rear & front sight. There is also punch mark decor at the muzzle surrounding the bore.  The rifle is signed on top of the barrel A G between the rear sight & breech. 

We hope that more rifles signed by Adam will be discovered. If you own one, we would like it if you could share photos. This rare maker deserves more study, and we would appreciate factual information on him. 

                                                              Click Images for large View

Signed A G Top of Barrel Between Rear Sight & Breech

                                                            44-Inch-Long Octagon Barrel

                                                             Engraved Brass Sideplate

Flintlock

                                Push Botton Patchbox Lid Release in Engraved Brass Toeplate

Engraved Brass Patchbox

                                    Decorative Punch Marks Surrounding Front Brass Sight

Punch Marks & Engraving 

                                                                               36 Caliber

                                                                                     

                                                             1850 Census Listed as Gunsmith

                                                                                     

        1870 Census Listed as Gunsmith

Adam died in 1870 and is buried in Greenawalt Cemetery in Kline, West Virginia. As with all of our posts, this one is a work in progress; we will update it as we find more information. We hope you all enjoyed this rifle and the history of Adam Greenawalt, another wonderful craftsman from our past and great state of West Virginia. 

Thanks to the owner of this fine rifle for sharing photos with us.  Without owners sharing with us, we cannot share with you. 

Pendleton County

BMS & JDM

                                                                                 FB   

POCAHONTAS COUNTY GUNSMITH JOSHUA BUCKLEY KEE

The student  of the American Long Rifle  may think they   know of every gunsmith who operated in their area or state of interest. However, from time to time a signed rifle shows up that is signed by a maker that is not known to them.

Recently, we received the following pictures of an antique long rifle.  The rifle is signed J B Kee in script on the top flat of the octagon barrel between the rear sight and  the breech. 

                                  

Signed J B Kee

Click picture for larger image.

The person who sent the pictures  thought the rifle  was made in West Virginia & stated there could be some  association  with Evick’s of Pendleton County WV,  or McGilvray in Rockingham County VA. Both famous gun making families of "Old Virginia".   Consulting with other persons more knowledgeable than myself, as well as looking through every book I own on early gunsmiths, I could not find anything on J B Kee.  Finally, searching the 1850 Census  I found a Joshua B Kee listed as a farmer in Pocahontas County.  Census records from 1850 list occupations. Checking census records from 1860 - 1880 still had him listed as a farmer. I even found him in the 1840 census. I found a few other persons named Kee, with the same initials, but none were gunsmiths.

                                                                           

                                                                   

Engraved Brass Patchbox

With Push Button Release

Percussion Lock

Incised Line Along Forestock

Brass Entry Pipe

44 Cal 44 Inch Rifled Barrel

Hunters Star

Made of Coin Silver

Very Nice Tiger Stripe Maple Stock

So following the Pocahontas lead, we finally obtained the proof that it was indeed Joshua B Kee, who was the gunsmith.  In the book “Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia,” by William Thomas Price, published in 1901, starting on page 292, you can find a biography of the Kee family.  The following paragraph is an excerpt from that biography

“Joshua B Kee, the eldest son of the Kee family, married Rebecca Stevenson, of Bath County, and settled on the Greenbrier a mile below Marlinton. Esther and Rachel were the names of his daughters, and they both died when about grown. Joshua Kee was a person of remarkable mechanical skill. He could work in stone, iron, and wood, as well as farm. His specialty was gunsmithing, in which he excelled, and in his time when so much hunting was done this was of great service to the people.”

Joshua was the son of George Kee, an Irish immigrant. George was born 1776 in Ireland, and died 1863 in Pocahontas County. Joshua's mother was Esther Hetta Buckley, born 1779 died 1850. Joshua  was born in 1807.

In the will of George Kee, he leaves to his eldest son Joshua, 100 acres & one still. 

 Kee Log Cabin Built  About 1830

You Can Visit This Cabin At The Pocahontas County Historical Society

Museum In Marlinton.

While it is very possible there may be more surviving rifles that Joshua made, this  is the only one that we have knowledge of. 

_______________________

NEW UPDATE 10/12/2014

Kee Guns

Recent discovery and identification of rifles made by Joshua Buckley Kee (J B Kee) has resulted in a reuniting of weapons of the Kee family.  The Pocahontas County museum has in its collection a signed rifle of J B Kee and a rifle attributed by family descendents to his nephew Samuel Kee.  Samuel gave this rifle to his brother James B. Kee for his use as a soldier in the Union army. 

While James was serving with the Union, his first cousin, George M. Kee was a member of the 17^th Va. Cavalry fighting for the Confederacy.  During his service, he carried an Adams model revolver manufactured by Webley and Sons of London, England.  This pistol is in the care of George’s great grand-son, Robert Sheets of Green Bank, WV. 
                                                                     

Top to Bottom

Rifle Made by Samuel Kee

Webley Revolver

Rifle Made by Joshua B Kee

Click Pictures For Larger View

All of these weapons were recently reunited and pictured at the Pocahontas County museum.  They will be available for viewing at the October 20^th meeting of the Pocahontas County Historical Society at the Marlinton Presbyterian Church.

                                                                         

                                                               Signed J B Kee

Nicely Engraved Iron Patchbox

Engraved Iron Toe Plate

Engraved Trigger guard Finial

Back Action Percussion Lock

Iron Trigger Guard

Silver Inlay Surrounding The Barrel Wedge

Brass Nose Cap

Finial On Iron Patchbox

Engraved Iron Patchbox

Work is Similar to  Guns Made  By Alexander McGilvray

Samuel Kee

Joshua B Kee

Samuel Kee

Joshua B Kee

Joshua Buckley Kee

Died 1885

 Kee Family Cemetery

 Pocahontas County

West Virginia

Below is a list of  gunsmiths who operated in Pocahontas County before 1900.

1. Joshua Buckley Kee

2.Samuel Kee

3.Nathan Burgess

4.John Dilley

5. Ellis Houchin

6.George Curry

7.William Reynolds

8.William H. Reynolds    

The William Reynolds gunsmiths of Pocahontas are not to be confused with William Reynolds of Greenbrier County.

FOR THE ENTIRE KEE FAMILY BIOGRAPHY & MORE HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK

History of Pocahontas County

ANOTHER INTERESTING LINK

Pocahontas County Historical Society

SPECIAL THANKS FOR EVERYONE WHO ALLOWED US THE USE OF THEIR PICTURES.

PLEASE DO NOT COPY PICTURES WITHOUT PERMISSION.

AS WITH ALL OF OUR BLOGS, THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION ON JOSHUA BUCKLEY KEE & HIS RIFLES WE WILL UPDATE.

BMS