Middleway, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Middleway is an unincorporated
census-designated place
in Jefferson County
, West Virginia
, USA. As of the 2010 census
, its population was 441.
passed an act establishing the town of Smithfield on land owned by John Smith II and William Smith. A post office was established in 1806; and since there was another town called Smithfield in the state, a different name was needed to avoid confusion. Because Smithfield had become a center of commerce between several other towns, the post office became known as "Middleway." Middleway remains a small village and retains many of its historic buildings. The Middleway Historic District
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1980.
The area where the town grew was apparently first visited by John Smith I and his sons John Smith II and Rees Smith in 1729. By 1734 they had established a grist mill and a hemp
mill. In the 1790s, in an effort to increase the town, the Smithfield Promotion was undertaken. This did increase the size of the town, but it stagnated from then on.
The town has also been known as "Wizard Clip" or "Clip", and townspeople as "Clippers". This is the result of a legend from the 1790s, in which A traveler lodged with Adam Livingston and his family. During the night, the traveler died, calling for a priest. After the stranger's burial, Livingston saw coals popping from his fireplace and tried to remove a phantom rope from the road in front of the house. A constant clipping sound, like that of scissors, pervaded the house. Anyone entering the house had their clothes cut into tatters or half-moon crescents. Livingston contacted a priest in Shepherdstown, Father Dennis Cahill, who exorcised the spirit.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, West Virginia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 53,498. Its county seat is Charles Town...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, USA. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, its population was 441.
History
On January 15, 1786, the Virginia General AssemblyVirginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
passed an act establishing the town of Smithfield on land owned by John Smith II and William Smith. A post office was established in 1806; and since there was another town called Smithfield in the state, a different name was needed to avoid confusion. Because Smithfield had become a center of commerce between several other towns, the post office became known as "Middleway." Middleway remains a small village and retains many of its historic buildings. The Middleway Historic District
Middleway Historic District
The Middleway Historic District comprises sixty major buildings from the late 18th century and early 19th century in Middleway, West Virginia. Middleway was a crossroads town on the Shepherdstown-Berryville road and the Charles Town turnpike. The town was established by John Smith, Sr...
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1980.
The area where the town grew was apparently first visited by John Smith I and his sons John Smith II and Rees Smith in 1729. By 1734 they had established a grist mill and a hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
mill. In the 1790s, in an effort to increase the town, the Smithfield Promotion was undertaken. This did increase the size of the town, but it stagnated from then on.
The town has also been known as "Wizard Clip" or "Clip", and townspeople as "Clippers". This is the result of a legend from the 1790s, in which A traveler lodged with Adam Livingston and his family. During the night, the traveler died, calling for a priest. After the stranger's burial, Livingston saw coals popping from his fireplace and tried to remove a phantom rope from the road in front of the house. A constant clipping sound, like that of scissors, pervaded the house. Anyone entering the house had their clothes cut into tatters or half-moon crescents. Livingston contacted a priest in Shepherdstown, Father Dennis Cahill, who exorcised the spirit.