NICHOLAS COUNTY, WV HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Nicholas County, West Virginia: A Genealogical Overview

Nestled in the mountainous heart of West Virginia, Nicholas County is a region defined by its rugged landscape, resilient pioneer heritage, and strategic importance during the American Civil War. From its early settlement by hardy farmers carving homesteads out of the wilderness to its later development as a center for the state’s vital coal and timber industries, the county’s story is one of perseverance. For genealogists, the records of Nicholas County offer a look into the lives of the families who settled the Appalachian frontier and fueled the nation’s industrial growth.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Nicholas County was created from three large parent counties and later gave birth to several others, making a knowledge of its changing boundaries essential for successful research.

  • 1818: County Formed: Nicholas County was created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on January 30, 1818.
  • Parent Counties: It was formed from territory taken from Kanawha, Greenbrier, and Randolph counties. Research for ancestors in the area prior to 1818 must be conducted in the records of these three parent counties, depending on the specific location.
  • Subsequent Formations: The original territory of Nicholas County was vast. Its land was later used to form all or part of several other West Virginia counties, including:
    • Fayette County (1831)
    • Braxton County (1836)
    • Webster County (1860)
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Wilson Cary Nicholas, a soldier, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Virginia at the time the county was established.
  • County Seat History: The county seat was established at the time of the county’s formation and has always been Summersville. The town was officially named in 1820 in honor of Lewis Summers, a prominent Virginia jurist who introduced the legislation to create the county.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was a traditional hunting ground for the Shawnee, Cherokee, and other Native American groups, but the difficult terrain precluded large, permanent settlements.
  • Pioneer Settlement: The first European-American settlers, primarily of Scots-Irish and German descent from eastern Virginia, began arriving in the late 1790s and early 1800s. These self-sufficient pioneers established small farms in the isolated hollows and along the Gauley, Williams, and Cranberry Rivers.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Civil War: Due to its central location and control of key turnpikes, Nicholas County was the site of significant military campaigns in 1861 as Union and Confederate forces vied for control of western Virginia. Key engagements included the Battle of Keslers Cross Lanes and the Battle of Carnifex Ferry, a pivotal Union victory that helped secure the Kanawha Valley for the Union and paved the way for the future state of West Virginia. The noted Confederate spy Nancy Hart was captured and famously escaped from Union forces in Summersville.
    • Timber and Coal Industries: The arrival of railroads in the late 19th and early 20th centuries opened the county’s rich seams of coal and vast timber stands to commercial exploitation. This led to a boom in population as numerous coal company towns and lumber camps were established, fundamentally changing the county’s economy and social fabric.
    • Summersville Dam: Construction of the Summersville Dam on the Gauley River was completed in 1966 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project created West Virginia’s largest lake, which became a major center for tourism and recreation.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records are centralized in the county seat of Summersville. Researchers should be aware that the historic courthouse was destroyed by fire, but many essential records were saved.

  • County Courthouse: The Nicholas County Courthouse, 700 Main Street, Summersville, WV 26651, is the main repository for records.
    • County Clerk’s Office: This is the most important office for genealogists, holding land records (deeds), probate records (wills, inventories, settlements), marriage licenses from 1818, and birth and death registers.
    • Circuit Clerk’s Office: This office maintains the county’s court records, including law and chancery (equity) cases, as well as divorce records.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Official registration began in West Virginia in 1853, though compliance was often inconsistent until statewide enforcement started in 1917. The County Clerk holds these original registers.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records are held by the County Clerk and date from the county’s formation in 1818.
  • Courthouse Fires: The historic 1898 courthouse was destroyed by a fire in 1996. While many original records were thankfully saved and relocated to the new courthouse, this event may have resulted in the loss of some documents. Researchers should be aware of this when seeking original papers.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Nicholas County Historical and Genealogical Society: Located in Summersville, this organization is an invaluable resource. It operates a museum and maintains a collection of family histories, cemetery records, and other materials crucial for local research.
    • Summersville Public Library: The library has a local history collection that can aid researchers.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Clay County (west)
    • Kanawha County (southwest)
    • Fayette County (south)
    • Greenbrier County (southeast)
    • Webster County (northeast)
    • Braxton County (northwest)

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