Prickett Fort and Cemetery

Prickett Fort

Prickett Fort was not a military fort but rather a fort for settlers around the area came when Native Americans threatening to attack. Built in 1774, by Captain Jacob Prickett it held a meeting house, a storehouse, and 14 tiny cabins in 12 foot high log walls and a blockhouse in each corner.

Location: Near Fairmont, West Virginia. Take exit 139 from the I-79 and follow the signs to the park.

Hours: April 22nd to October 27th, Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday noon to 4:30 pm. But tickets are only sold until 4 pm; During the off season, audio tours are offered for $4 per person.

Cost: Adult are $8, Seniors (60 plus) $6, Youth (6-12) $4, and Children under 5 Free, and special discounts for military persons on special days. Memberships start at $30 each if you will be visiting more then once or have a large family

The fort supported 80 plus families in the area during Native American upraising. The fork was never attacked as Native Americans would rather attack small parties or settlements.

I am sure that the families were mostly happy to see each other and enjoyed time together as they arrived at the Fort but with each passing day, they started to get on each other nerves. But the safety of the fort keep them from leaving for home.

But I can just imagine the aromas that would produced by that many people living in such closed quarters plus the cows, chicken, and other animals (baby diapers) that were a part of the fort’s inside life.

Plus there was only about 16 little cabins along the walls of the fort for about 80 families, i.e. at least 200 men, women, and children. Sharing a room with a sibling was hard but image sharing with another family or even more.

I am not sure what would be worst. The cold winter in not greatly insulation for cabins or the heat of the summer and the smells, bugs, and sweating without being able to take a bath.

Just outside the Fort to the right, you have the Blacksmith shop and Job Prickett’s house which was built by Captain Jacob Prickett’s great grandson in 1859. It was not opened the day that I was there but I believe that you can visit it most day’s.

In the Blacksmith shop, Meeting Room, and other areas of the Fort; costumed personnel are around to demonstrate and share stories on life in the Fort during the 18th century. They were very informative.

The Fort is located just off Prickett’s Creek and Bay and the Monongahela River. Just behind the Fort is a boat launch, picnic areas, fishing, and nature trails. Although the Fort is neat, it is not an all day event unless they are having special event.

Through the gift show and up some stairs is a small museum with items and a video. I highly suggest see it. They have a bear, elk, and deer skin available to touch which I was surprised that all three were a bit course to the touch.

Prickett Cemetery

Just prior to reaching the fort, there is a small park to the left that I watched the geese at and just before the Forts parking area is the Prickett Cemetery.

Prickett Cemetery holds a lot of Prickett’s but also holds Colonel Zackquill Morgan who founded Morgantown which is just up the highway from the fort.

One item about the graveyard which was very sad was how many children and babies this family lost through the years even as recently as the 1960’s.

Brief History

The Morgan families history is woven in that of Americas history. Morgan Morgan was the first to come to America from Wales.

• Considered the first permanent white settler to build a residence in West Virginia
• Engineered the first road West Virginia
• Constructed and a member of the Mill Creek Church (the 1st church west of Blue Ridge Mountains
• Opened the 1st Inn for pioneer travelers
• Consulted with George Washington
• Father of Colonel Morgan founder of Morgantown who grave is in Prickett Cemetery
• Great grandfather of Francis Pierpont, the “Father of West Virginia”
• Ephraim F. Morgan was a direct his descendant and West Virginia’s Governor from 1921 to 1925

Colonel Zackquill Morgan, son of Morgan Morgan, and who’s grave is in the Prickett’s Cemetery:

• Founded Morgantown in 1735
• Served in the Virginia forces in Braddock’s ill fated Expedition in 1755
• General Forbes successful one in 1758
• In 1784, George Washington visited him in Morgantown
• Open the first tavern in Morgantown in 1783
• Married twice but his second marriage was to Drusilla Springer who was Dinnis Springer Sr. and Ann Prickett’s daughter
• His 1st daughter married John Pierpont
• At least 2 of his children married Prickett family members
• Great grandfather of Francis Pierpont, the “Father of West Virginia”

Francis Peirpont’s great great grandfather was Morgan Morgan

• Called the “Father of the West Virginia”
• Was an abolitionist
• Helped found Fairmont Male and Female Seminary now Fairmont State University
• Active supporter of Abraham Lincoln
• Governor of the Union controlled parts of Virginia during the Civil War
• After the war, all of Virginia
• Actively worked to get statehood for West Virginia in 1863
• In 1910, West Virginia donated a marble statue to the US Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection (of course these statues were so heavy that they almost took the capital down, lol)
• Helped create the West Virginia Historical Society
• Last public office was collector of the IRS under President James Garfield

Ephraim F. Morgan is a descendant of Morgan Morgan through his son David Morgan.

• Judge of Marion Intermediate court 1907 to 1912
• The 16th Governor of West Virginia 1921 to 1925
• In 1921, asked President Warren G Harding to dispatch federal troops to end an armed miners’ march
• First resident of the present West Virginia Governor’s Mansion as a fire destroyed the original two months prior to him taking office

A great American family which helped start this country. I am sure if I dug a bit harder, the family was also in several other wars during America’s history.