Richard Miller Patterson Marion County

 Gunmaker Richard Miller Patterson was born in July 1806 and died in 1852.  In 1828 he married Rachel Hart Fleming. Rachel was born in 1801 and died in 1845.  In the 1830 and 1840 Census, we find Richard living in Western Monongalia County, Virginia, or present-day Marion County, West Virginia. In the 1850 census, he is listed as a gunsmith in Marion County. Nine of his children are living with him, ages eight to twenty-two. One of the founding fathers of New Salem was John Patterson; possibly Richard is a descendant of this Patterson.  The following signed rifle has been attributed to Richard. We have not found who taught Richard the art of gunsmithing. However, some of the unique carving and S-stamping on the stock are very similar to some Western Pennsylvania rifles.  A clue to where or whom he learned the trade. The unique design of the patchbox and engraving on the patchbox and sideplate are of his imagination and design. The rifle has a 41.5-inch swamped rifled barrel of 36 cal., signed on top between the rear sight and breech, R. Patterson in script. 

                                       Click the picture for a larger image. 

Circa 1830

                                                                             

Richard M Patterson Estate Sale August 1852

Richard's son John and gunsmith Thomas P Lilly purchased gunsmith tools and supplies at the estate sale. 

                                                  Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fairmont

Thanks to George Fleming for the use of the headstone photo. Hope you all enjoyed viewing this rifle and info on Richard Miller Patterson, JDM & BMS

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 

CORNELIUS IMAN, GUNSMITH GRANT & HARDY COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. 1830-1885

        

                                                                               

CORNELIUS IMAN RIFLE

CLICK IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW

                                  

                                         

       THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH WAS PROVIDED TO US BY JAMES B. WHIKSER

Iman, Cornelius 1830-1885). gunsmith. Cornelius Iman was a son of Emanuel and Barbara (Seitz) Iman and was born in Pendleton County. He married Hanna Kimble (1836-1929), daughter of James and Jane (Porter) Kimble. They had issue: Susanna (b. 11/19/1856); James Monroe (b. 7/30/1854); John (b.1858); Abraham (b.1860); Mary A. (b.1862); William Edgar (b.1868); Sara Jane (b. 6/27/1870); Rhoda Viola (b.1872); Rutherford (b.1876); Alice (b.1879); Henry (b.1882); Henry (b.1882); and Alva (b.1879). In 1862 Iman enlisted at Greenland, Grant County. His enlistment papers described him as a gunsmith, standing 5'11" tall, with black hair and dark eyes. He served in Company I, 7th Virginia Infantry, Union Army, known as the Bloody 7th as they had the highest casualty rates of all WV units. They were the only WV unit in The Army of the Potomac and fought in every major battle in the east including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg, and Appomattox. Hardy County Home Guards, Private under Captain Daniel C. M. Shell Co. on roll dated 12 November1862 .He contracted scrofula and on 13 February 1863 was given a medical discharge from the army. In 1870 he lived near Patterson Creek, Grant County, with real estate valued at $300 and personal valuation of $100. In 1870 he was a gunsmith living in Union district, south of Petersburg, near Mill Creek, Grant County [Census]. Cornelius died on 7 June 1885 at Pansy, Grant County: Cornelius E. Iman; white; male; born - Pendleton County, WV; died June 7, 1885 in Milroy Dist., Grant County, WV; aged 55 years 1 month 20 days; parents - Emanuel and Barbara Iman; occupation - gunsmith; cause of death - heart disease; death source - Hannah Iman (wife). His widow was granted a government pension because his death was related to the disease contracted in the army [Death Register No. 1: 25 Grant County; Census; Ancestry].

                                 

                                                             CIVIL WAR PENSION

                                 

                                                                 1860 CENSUS

                                                             HARDY COUNTY

 Below is a beautiful halfstock 36 cal rifle made & signed by Iman. The rifle & accouterments where Cornelius Iman's personal hunting outfit, according to family history. 

                                                                        

Click Pictures for Larger View

                         Pictured Below is another halfstock  rifle made and signed by  C E Iman

                                                        Click pictures for larger view

Below is a signed full stock rifle. 

                                                                            

                                                                      

Below signed C E Iman Fullstock Percussion Rifle 

                                                 Below Is An Attributed Iman Rifle 

                                                                        

Recently Added Another Fine Rifle Made by C E Iman

Cornelius Iman's Grave just off RT 93 in Scherr WV

SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMES  B. WHISKER, FOR SHARING THIS RESEARCH WITH US.

PHOTO OF CORNELIUS IMAN RIFLE FROM PAGE 136  "GUNSMITHS OF WEST VIRGINIA" , BY FRED R. LAMBERT & JAMES B. WHISKER. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION FROM  JAMES B WHISKER.

IF YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON CORNELIUS IMAN OR PICTURES OF HIS WORK , WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU CONTACTING US.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO SHARED PICTURES OF THEIR RIFLES WITH US . 

Hope You Enjoyed, BMS