Notes for: James Monroe Squires
James Monroe Squires was born in Preston Co, (W)VA., probably on Green's Run, where tax lists show that his father Thomas Squires owned 200 acres. When James was about a year old, the family moved to Kingwood, Preston County, where his father was the village blacksmith. They lived across the street from the courthouse. James was 25 years old when he married Mary Ann Gull. They eloped to Greene Co, PA to get married. James and Mary moved to Barbour County near his Uncle John Squires. In 1849 a child was born to them in Barbour County which must have died in infancy, for nothing more was learned about this child. They are listed on the 1850 census in Cove District of Barbour Co, with a son, Marcellus. In 1855 ,with two children, they moved west to Doddridge Co, WV. They loaded blacksmith tools, household goods, and children into a wagon and followed the B&O Railroad tracks that were being built. By the time they reached Doddridge Co, they were weary, and minus the blacksmith tools which James had abandoned along the way to lightened their load. Daniel Hudkins, an early pioneer of Doddridge County, learned about their plight and invited them to live in a log house on his farm until they were able to settle permanently. On Oct 20 1856, James bought 100 acres from Adam Weaver on Cabin Run; he was unable to pay cash, and Weaver held a lien on it. [DB 3/147]. On Sep 9 1861, James agreed to sell 19 acres and 100 square perches to David H. Young on behalf of Weaver, to settle part of the lein. Young made the payments to Weaver for the land. It was recorded in West Union on Aug 14 1863. [DB 5/44] With his family safely housed at the Hudkins place, James cleared land and constructed a log home.