pt. James Parsons, of the South Branch;
and in his neighborhood settled Robert Cunningham, Henry Fink, John
Goff and John Minear. Robert Butler, William Morgan and some others
settled on the Dunkard bottom.

In this year too, settlements were made on Simpson's creek, the West
Fork river and on Elk creek. Those who made the former, were John
Powers, who purchased Simpson's right (a tomahawk improvement)[10] to
the land on which Benjamin [97] Stout now resides; and James Anderson
and Jonas Webb who located themselves farther up the creek.

On Elk, and in the vicinity of Clarksburg there settled Thomas Nutter,
near to the Forge-mills--Samuel Cottrial, on the east side of the
creek and nearly opposite to Clarksburg--Sotha Hickman, on the west
side of the same creek, and above Cottrial--Samuel Beard at the mouth
of Nanny's run--Andrew Cottrial above Beard, and at the farm now owned
by John W. Patton--Daniel Davisson, where Clarksburg is now situated,
and Obadiah Davisson and John Nutter on the West Fork; the former near
to the old Salt works, and the latter at the place now owned by Adam
Hickman, jr.

There was likewise, at this time, a considerable accession to the
settlements on Buchannon and Hacker's creek. So great was the increase
of population in this latter neighborhood, that the crops of the
preceding season did not afford more than one third of the breadstuff,
which would be ordinarily consumed in the same time, by an equal
number of persons. Such indeed was the state of suffering among the
inhabitants, consequent on this scarcity, that the year 1773 is called
in the traditionary legends of that day, the _starving year_; and such
were the exertions of William Lowther to mitigate that suffering, and
so great the success with which they were crowned, that his name has
been transmitted to their descendants, hallowed by the blessings of
those, whose wants he contributed so largely to relieve.[11]

[98] These were the principal settlements begun in North Western
Virginia, prior to the year 1774. Few and scattered as they were, no
sooner was it known that they were commenced, than hundreds flocked to
them from different parts; and sought there the gratifications of
their respective predilections. That spirit of adventurous emigration,
which has since peopled, with such unprecedented rapidity, the south
western and western states, and which was then beginning to develope
itself, overcame the fond attachments of youth,