David VAN METER

                   or 9 Feb 1810

Section D, lot 85

age 40
                  

                   or 13th

age = 38

age 49, Moorefield PO

Wm, age 59

Wm C, age 69


Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, pp. 56-57 (Louisville, 1901): Second child of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham, born March 13, 1811, married Martha Ann Pierce, April 21, 1841; "lived and raised a family on a part of the old Fort Pleasant tract of land, and died at the age of about seventy-eight years, December 7, 1889.  He was an honored Christian gentleman and a practical, energetic business man.  His worthy and devoted wife survived him, and died in the sure hope of eternal life, April 13, 1895."

1880 - 2 domestics & 1 servant


1863 Oath

Old Fields, Nov. 2, 1863:
Being at the house of W. C. Vanmeter on Sunday evening first, when the event occurred which has caused his arrest. I deem it just and proper to submit the following statement of what occurred there up to the time of the entrance of Lieutenant Brown and his men. We had all eaten supper and Mr. Van --- and myself had been sitting by the fire conversing for perhaps an hour. When some one knocked at the door which was locked and Milton, Mr. V-'s son, opened the door and admitted two soldiers, one of whom proved to be Young McNiell, son of rm. George McNiell (now dead). McNiell introduced the other man to Mr. V-- as Capt.. Enwright. The Capt. said that he had walked from Burlington since one or two o'clock that afternoon, and wished to get some provisions to take out to his men, who, he said, were about two hundred yards from the house, tired and hungry. He was informed by Mrs. V-- that she had neither bread nor meat prepared to give him but that he could have some apples. The apples were brought, tied up in a cloth and given to Enwright. Both the men then went out and the door was locked behind them. All this occupied not more than ten minutes. No one went out with the men, nor were there more than these two entered the house. In about one minute after the left the firing commenced, and in a few minutes Lieut. Brown entered. He knows the rest. To my knowledge, no one left the house, that night. I remained with Mr. V-- until about nine o'clock when we all went to bed. I am fully satisfied that the visit of Enwright and McNiell was entirely unexpected to Mr. V-- and his family, and a circumstance for which he ought not to be held accountable. I have been teaching in his family for more than two years, have been at his house almost every day, have seen his property taken by both Federal & Confederate forces, and his hospitality bestowed, when asked for in a gentlemanly manner, upon both sides, and that too, without compensation. He has been remaining quietly at home with his own family, has not avoided the presence of the Federal forces, and is seldom off his own farm,. I know him to be a man of strict integrity, always speaking the truth no matter how it may affect himself or others.
This statement I hereby certify to be strictly true.
Ê Ê Ê Ê J. G. Carlile.
                  

                   or 1815

age 33, Miller

age 43, Miller

age 57, Miller

age 64, Miller


Fifth child [of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham],  Sarah, born July 15, 1816, "who married William Miller [December 26, 1831], lived for many years with her husband in Virginia, and afterwards they removed to Coles County, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives and raised a family of children.  She died July 31, 1893."
                  

                   age 32	1  CAUS Infected Leg



Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, p. 57 (Louisville, 1901):   "Sixth child [of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham], George, who married Elizabeth Gamble, lived in Hardy County, West Virginia; had two children born to him, and he died at the age of thirty-seven years, while his children were yet  quite young; but his son, David G., was in the Southern army from start to close."
                  

                   or 6/6/1916
                  

                   age = 28


Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, p. 57 (Louisville, 1901):   Eighth child [of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham], Solomon, who married Maria H. Cox, lived for many years in Hardy County, West Virginia; raised a family of children, and after the war he removed with his family to Baltimore, Maryland, where he and his wife still reside.  During the war he took an active part in the Confederate service, although he was too old to bear the hardships of a regular soldier; but he had two sons in the army, viz: Reson Bell and Edwin P."  [LBV Note: I believe "Edwin P." was really Edward Payson and after the Civil War, he moved to Ohio, married and became a dry goods merchant.]

1850 U. S. Census, Dist 23, Hardy County, Virginia:    Solomon C. VanMeter, age 28, farmer, born VA; also included in household: Maria VanMeter, age 29, born OH; Resin Bell VanMeter, age 6, born VA; Ed Payson VanMeter, age 4, born VA; Emma Theresa VanMeter, age 2, born VA; Jno Inskeep VanMeter, age 5/12 years, born VA.

1890 Baltimore City Directory (R.L. Polk & Co.):  Solomon C. VanMeter, 1728 W. Fayette, occupation watchman.  (c) Ancestry.com. [database online].

1900 U. S. Census, Baltimore City, Maryland, 5th Precinct, 20th Ward:     Solomon C. VanMeter, head, W M born May 1822, WV, age 78, married 58 years, both parents born WV;  Maria E. VanMeter, wife, W F born Jan. 1822, OH, age 78, married 58 years, both parents born OH; Hannah VanMeter, daughter, W F born Jul. 1859, WV, age 40, single; next family, same household, Edward A. Eberly, head; Annie V., wife, Edward A., son, Maria, daughter.
                  

                   or 1831

age 19


" [from Richmond Whig].   Died.  December 18, 1863, Mr. David C. Vanmeter, son of David and Hannah Vanmeter, of Hardy County, Virginia.

"Mr. Vanmeter was attached to the command of Gen. Rosser, and fell in an attack on Sangster's Station on the 17th of December, badly wounded, and died the next day, leaving a devoted wife, two little children, his aged parents, and a large family of brothers and sisters to mourn his loss.  He was a dutiful son, a kind husband, a tender father, an affectionate brother, and a good soldier, and what is best of all, an [sic] humble Christian.  Brought up by pious parents, at an early age he became a communicant of the Presbyterian church, in his native valley, of which he continued a consistent member until he fell in discharge of one of the highest and most sacred of duties -- the defence of his country.

"Doubtless it is a source of much affliction to his family and friends, that, dying as he did in the hands of the enemy, they could learn nothing of his spiritual exercises in his last moments; but let them remember that a Christian life is much better than dying raptures.  Nor let them imagine that, because no loved ones were near to smoothe his dying pillow, or soothe the anguish of his last moments, he died alone-- Christians never die alone.  Angels delight to minister to them; and as they carried Lazarus to Abraham's bosom, so they carry every one of his saints to the bosom of their redeemer and God.  W.V.W.

"[Extract from an Address, by Col. Ball, upon the occasion of the presentation of a flag to the Virginia Military Institute by Gen. Rosser, in April, 1864.]

"Colonel Ball, during his address, alluded to the death of the heroic Captain Vanmeter in the following words: -- 'And thou, too, my noble friend, ever gentle, modest and daring, who fell by my side, leaving to thy young family the glorious legacy of the dying words, "Tell them I fell at the head of the column." ' "

This Week in the Civil War (http://www.civilweek.com/1863/dec1363.htm): From the editor:  When a small Union detachment is sent into the Shenandoah Valley to divert attention away from William Averell's raid against the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, Tom Rosser's Laurel Brigade is ordered to move swiftly to the lower end of the valley to cut off their retreat. Although only twenty-seven years old, Rosser, who started the war as a lieutenant, was promoted to brigadier-general and command of Turner Ashby's old brigade last October. The order is welcomed by Rosser as it provides him with a chance to display his skills in independent command. The valley men in the brigade also welcome the mission because is means spending Christmas in home territory. Rosser's ride quickly turns sour when three men drown while crossing the rising waters of the Occoquan River. Knowing that he has other streams to cross, Rosser abandons his cross country path and heads for Sangster's Station. Although only lightly guarded, Rosser's attack misfires in the inky darkness. A second attack claims the lives of Captain Mordecai Cartmell and Private David Van Meter and fills three of Rosser's ambulances with casualties. Rosser catches a break when the telegraph operator at the station is too drunk to send for reinforcements. Knowing that his presence is now known, Rosser can't wait long enough to burn the railroad bridges at Sangsters. He continues the march throughout the night as the rain gives way to sleet, only to find that the Shenandoah River is too high to cross as Berry's Ferry. According to Rosser, "My mind was now bent, not on how best to...capture the party mentioned in General Lee's order, but how best I could escape with my own command." Captain McDonald describes the condition of the bedraggled troopers. "The horses, jaded and hungry, staggered through the mud, now stiffened with cold, while the men with garments frozen, bodies benumbed, and faculties almost palsied with distress, half unconscious, kept their places in the laboring column." By the time Rosser is able to cross the Shenandoah River at Conrad's Store, the Union forces in the valley have retreated back to Winchester. Rosser's first independent trial as an independent commander is a dismal disappointment and his weakened men will need ten days of rest before the unit is operational again. The body of Captain Cartmell is claimed by his two brothers and brought to the family homestead at Round Hill for burial. Private Van Meter's widow is able to secure transportation for his body three weeks later and it is brought Moorfield, West Virginia. Two forgotten casualties from an obscure campaign that failed. General Early said it best: "Rosser's horses were broken down and his men a good deal scattered, he having accomplished nothing."

Dec 17 1863 (Thursday)   Using a local guide, General Rosser pushes his brigade across the Occoquan River at Wolf Run Shoals. Three men drown in the rising waters during the crossing as Rosser's march to the Shenandoah Valley is hindered by a driving thunderstorm. Worried that the streams may become impassable, Rosser abandons his cross country path and heads for the bridge over Pope's Head Creek at Sangster's Station, despite knowing that it is garrisoned by a Union outpost. When Rosser reaches the small station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, he launches a swift attack. The initial charge by the 7th Regiment becomes disoriented in the darkness and Rosser sends Lieutenant-Colonel Ball's 11th Regiment against the Union fortifications. Rosser reports, "Although the enemy was by this time thoroughly aroused and was pouring sheet after sheet of fire into the head of Ball's column, the gallant old regiment went surging through the water and in a moment was up the hill on the other side, and the stockade was ours." Captain Mordecai B. Cartmell, shot in the breast and killed instantly, is the only Rebel fatality during the charge. J.H. Devereux reports, "Rosser's brigade...struck the Orange line at Sangster's. The wires were at once cut, and firing continued between the road guards and this force for some hours. Two bridges on Pope's Head were set on fire, but the damage done was slight. Two of the rebel wounded were found by Armor (telegraph operator) in the poor-house at Sangster's, and one of them said the rebels...went off in direction of Blue Ridge." General Corcoran, who commands this stretch of the Union line, organizes a force to chase down the Rebel raiders. He reports, "Our guard, consisting of about 50 men, was attacked at Sangster's Station. Our telegraph operator was so much intoxicated that we did not receive any intimation of the attack until about half past 8 p.m....Colonel Flood...collected what force could be spared...and went to the relief of Sangster's as quickly as possible....Through the utter inefficiency of the cavalry, the expedition proved a failure. At the first fire they broke and ran back...producing great confusion....The most efficient officer with the squadron could not make himself understood by the men from the fact that he did not speak German, and they could not understand commands given in English." The body of Captain Cartmell is strapped to a horse and carried to Berryville, where two of his brothers then transport him back to the family homestead near Winchester, Virginia, for a proper burial.
                  

                   Living with in-laws & husband


Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, p. 57 (Louisville, 1901):   "Hannah C. , who married John T. Peirce, raised no children, lived with her husband in Virginia, all her life, and died September 10, 1882, and John T. Peirce died after a very eventful life, August, 1896.  He acted the part of a Scout in the Confederate service, and made some very narrow escapes."
                  

                   age = 23


Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, p. 58 (Louisville, 1901):   "Tenth child [of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham], Isaac VanMeter [born April 9, 1827], who married Sally Inskeep [May 4, 1852], resided on a farm in Hardy County, West Virginia, and raised a family there.  He lived the retiring and quiet life of a farmer, and died February, 1890, and his widow is still living at the homestead."
                  

                   Benjamin F. VanMeter, Genealogies and Biographical Sketches, p. 58 (Louisville, 1901):   "Eleventh child [of David VanMeter and Hannah Cunningham], Joseph VanMeter [born October 25, 1828], who married Teressa Cox, inherited and lived for many years on the homestead of his father, David, and raised a family of children there, but afterwards removed to Utah, where they now reside.  This Joseph was a graduate of college at Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, and also in law at the University of Virginia; was captain in command of a battery of artillery in the Confederate Army, but was compelled to quit the military service on account of failure of his eyesight.  After the war closed he came within two votes of receiving the nomination of the Democratic party for Governor of West Virginia, which was at that time equivalent to an election.  He was one of the  most prominent and influential men of his State when he left west Virginia."

1900 U. S. Census Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, 4th Ward (Roll 1684 Book 2, Page 165): 271 L Street:  Joseph VanMeter, head W M age 70, born October 1829, married 47 years, born WV (both parents born WV), occupation lawyer;  included in household, Teressa VanMeter, wife, W F age 69, born October 1830, married 47, mother of 6 children, 4 then living; born in OH (both parents born OH); Estella H. VanMeter, daughter, W F age 35, born January 1865, single, born WV, occupation stenographer; Cary White VanMeter, granddaughter, W F age 12, born September 1887, single, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born WV, student.
                  

                   age = 16


NEWSPAPER  Richmond Whig & public advertiser (Richmond, Va. : 1833 : Semiweekly)
ENTRY   Died- On July 25, at the residence of his father in Hardy County, Va. (now W. Va.)
Jesse Vanmeter in his 21st year. (p. 2, c. 5)
DATE OF PUB.  Tuesday, August 7, 1855.
FILM NO.  Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 144)