Notes for: Nathan Davis, Jr.

Regarding the origin of the naming of the town of West Union, West Virginia, the following account has long been reported, but has been refuted by further research:

"West Union, the county seat, was incorporated by the Virginia General Assembly on March 14, 1850 and by the West Virginia legislature in 1881. It is said that the town's name was suggested by Nathan Davis. At that time, the town was located just across Middle Island Creek near Lewisport, a small settlement of about six families. At the time, Lewisport was attempting to change its name to Union. Nathan Davis then suggested that their town, located just west of Union, be called West Union."
http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/doddridge/82004316.pdf

But Lewisport and West Union were actually two separate towns that existed simultaneously on opposite sides of the Middle Island Creek.
http://www.doddridgecountyheritageguild.com/incorporation-of-west-union