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| The Ohio River at Wheeling, Virginia, in the 1850s |
Rivers play an important role in the life of our family, but none had so deadly a role
as the Ohio at Wheeling (West) Virginia in 1832. Andrew Marshall (aged 32) drowned in the Ohio River, south of Wheeling,
on a business trip in January or February of that year, leaving his young wife Barbara McQuiston Marshall and their four year-old
son Andrew Eaton Marshall. Documents in his probate file (see above) tell us that the family's home was swept away by
the Great Flood of February 1832. The following account of this wintry deluge at Wheeling comes
from The History of Wheeling City & Ohio County, West Virginia (date):
"in the year 1832
occurred the great flood of that year, which was highly destructive in its character, causing the loss of much valuable property.
The Island opposite Wheeling was submerged to the depth of 10 feet. Daniel Zane, who lived at this time in a
brick house on the Island, was apprehensive that the north wall of his house would he battered
down by the number of logs and trees which were hurled against it, borne by the irresistible force of the current. From
the frequent concussions, the wall began to weaken and was bulging inwards, but fortunately a large tree lodged at the
wall and in a large degree protected it from the threatened demolition. During the night he and his family remained
up, but fearful every moment that the house might fall and they be submerged beneath its ruins. But a kind Providence watched over and protected them. In the early morning
he took steps toward moving his family to Wheeling.
His ferrymen, Walker Hunter and John Watkins, faithful and devoted friends of Mr. Zane, revived to make the effort to
convey the family to the other side. They succeeded in getting the horse ferry boat, which was fastened a short distance below
the house to a large walnut tree to the front of the dwelling, when the family emerged from a window in the second story to
the boat, which rode on a level with it, reaching it in safety.
"The crossing of the angry waters to the town was full of danger as the river was full of driftwood. and the fear that
something about the boat might break and usher them all to a watery grave made it an extremely perilous undertaking. It
required strong arms and brave hearts to accomplish the passage. The boat, as we have said, was a horse ferry operated
by horse power. There were two horses. A landing was effected in Monroe (now Twelfth)
street, midway between Main and Market streets, near a livery stable kept by a person by
the name of Fogle. As they landed, the faithful horses, overcome by exhaustion, fell dead in their tracks."
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| The Ohio at Wheeling, West Virginia, 2005 |
"It is amazing
how much family
is out there!
Who knew?!?"
Cousin Jeff Olson
of the State of Washington
Jeff is a sixth-generation descendant
of John Marshall and
Catharina Truby Rohrer Marshall
ENTIRE SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
(All the Time!)
Photos and Information Placed Online
I make a good effort not to place online any information which easily would
allow someone to contact you or your family members. If I've inadvertently placed such information on our family site
(or a photo of you and/or a family member which you prefer would not appear) just
e-mail me. I'll remove the information and/or the picture right away.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
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and images on this site
which
aren't in the public domain are
the
intellectual property of Gordon Kelly Marshall.
Researchers,
family members, libraries,
or
genealogical and/or historical societies are invited to use
the information
freely, for non-commercial purposes only,
with proper
credit to this site.
The website may not be copied or distributed
without express written consent.
Email me at
marshallfamily@zoominternet.net.
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