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.


                                                                        
                                                                        

George Young Rifle

 This George Young Rifle recently came out of a collection in West Virginia.  Thanks to the owner for allowing us to handle this rifle and post a few photos.  We depend on owners of these old rifles to have material to post here.  

                                                                       

Flintlock 40 Inch 40 Caliber Rifled Barrel

                                                                     Stocked In Maple

                                                    Nicely Engraved Pierced Brass Patchbox

                                                                                 

                                                               Signed G Young in Script

This rifle was built by George Young in Romney WV circa 1830s.   George Youngs shop was on lot 17.  This location is on Bolton & Main Street, where Voit's Garage is currently located.  For more information on George Young and his rifles see George Young

                                                                           FB

                                                                                   

Bits & Pieces

  Many of the gunsmiths in the 1800s made approximately 20 rifles a year.  We believe some of the bigger shops in Hampshire County, such as Sheetz & Rinehart shops, produced more.   Where did they go? 

Some of the early Glaze rifles made near Springfield on Springfield Pike near Milleson's Bridge saw service in the American Revolution.  However, most of the makers here & the vicinity were active in their trade post-Revolution. The War of 1812 probably contributed to the demise of many.  However, the Civil War was the most efficient eliminator of Virginia-made rifles.  Many were destroyed in battles and horrible conditions, and others were confiscated from Rebels & citizens by Union Troops.   

Immediately after the Civil War, the old American Long rifle was nearly forgotten.  The birth of cartridge guns and war surplus was more than it could handle. 

So, where did the rest go?   As the stock became damaged with age and abuse, some were discarded, but parts that could be used for other tools were saved.  I believe a lot was lost to house fires that were so common until fairly recently.

Many old barrels, locks & brass parts also went into WWI and WWII war efforts.  During both wars, Americans actively sought and donated scrap metals to meet the massive demand for metals. 

While Bits & Pieces are not as desirable to a collector or student of the long rifle as the complete rifle would be, they are still a handy tool in studying the work of our early gunmakers.   

  All of the following relics are remnants of rifles made here in Hampshire County. 

Attributed to Zebulon Sheetz 1793-1867

                                                           Frederick Sheetz 1774-1861

                                                     Made by someone in the Sheetz Family 

                                                             George Young 1802-1875

                                                                                   

                                                             This Rifle Exploded in Half

                                                                                   

                                               George Young Rifle Barrel Signed G Young

                                                                            41" .45 cal.

                                                                               
                                                                      For More Info 

George Young

Frederick Sheetz

Zebulon Sheetz

Patchbox Sunday #4 George Young

                    Here are three patchbox rubbings taking from signed George Young rifles.  

                                                                  Click For larger Image

For more information click G. Young

Here is our Our First Patchbox Sunday

                                                                               FB

                                                                                             
 

                                                                                   

                                        HAMPSHIRE COUNTY GUNSMITHS 1750-1900

1.JOHN G. BRANDT ,  ELK GARDEN

2.WILLIAM BRITTON,  FORT ASHBY

3.W T BROWN

4.JOHN CAMPBELL

5.ROLAND SAVAGE DAYTON,  HEADSVILLE

6.CONRAD GLAZE, SPRINGFIELD

7.GEORGE GLAZE, SPRINGFIELD

8.GEORGE W. GLAZE

9.J J GOOD

10.JOHN HIGGINS

11.JOESPH HIATT

12.JOHN C. HAWKEN

13.WILLIAM HAYDEN

14.WILLIAM HOLLENBACK JR, FORT ASHBY

15.WILLIAM HOLLENBACK, FORT ASHBY

16.HENRY KLINE,HOOKS MILL, CAPON BRIDGE

17.JACOB KLINE, HOOKS MILL, CAPON BRIDGE

18.JACOB KLINE JR, NEAR YELLOW SPRING

19.JACOB LUDWICK

20.JOHN MOORE

21.JAMES E. NELSON,NEAR CAPON BRIDGE

22.NATHANIEL OATES, CAPON BRIDGE

23.NATHANIEL OFFUTT,CAPON BRIDGE

24.MICHAEL RANNELS

25.JACOB REED

26.ANTHONY D. REGER

27.JAMES RINEHART,COLD STREAM ROAD

28.JOHN W RINEHART,COLD STREAM ROAD,CAPON BRIDGE

29.BENJAMIN F SHANE, COLD STREAM ROAD

30.FREDERICK SHEETZ, FORT ASHBY & HEADSVILLE

31.HENRY SHEETZ,  FORT ASHBY

32.HENRY SHEETZ JR,  FORT ASHBY

33.JACOB SHEETZ, THREE CHURCHES JERSEY MOUNTAIN

34.JACOB DICE SHEETZ, THREE CHURCHES JERSEY MOUNTAIN

35.OTHO SHEETZ

36.THOMAS SHEETZ

37.ZEBULON SHEETZ, COLD STREAM ROAD, CAPON BRIDGE

38.CHRISTOPHER SLONAKER, COLD STREAM ROAD, CAPON BRIDGE

39.PETER M THRUSH, BURLINGTON

40.HENRY TOPPER, COLD STREAM ROAD

41.EVAN P. WARD, CAPON BRIDGE

42.SIMEON WARD, CAPON BRIDGE

43.GEORGE YOUNG,  ROMNEY

Added 2/26/2013

44.RUDOLPH RINEHART, BEAR WALLOW HOLLOW

Recently added,

45.JAMES MERRICK, NAME ON BARREL OF  A DEFINITE HAMPSHIRE COUNTY RIFLE.

46. R P

47. H P HARRISON

NOTE: THIS LIST CONSIST OF KNOWN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY GUNSMITHS. THEY ARE NO DOUBT A FEW UNKNOWN OR UNDISCOVERED. NOT ALL GUNSMITHS WERE LISTED AS SUCH IN RECORDS.SOME WORKED AT GUNMAKING A SHORT TIME AND THERE ARE NO RECORDS ON THEM. NOT ALL GUNSMITH SIGNED THEIR WORK.

                                                                       BMS

2023 Peach Festival Romney WV

Several rifles built in Hampshire County circa 1835 were on display today at the Peach Festival in Romney, West Virginia.  Including rifles made by George Young, Zebulon Sheetz, James Rinehart and John W Rinehart.  

BMS & JDM