Romney, West Virginia

Romney is a city located in Hampshire County, West Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,940. It is the county seat of Hampshire CountyTemplate:GR. Romney holds the title of West Virginia's oldest town, chartered December 23, 1762. Named for the Cinque Ports city of Romney, Kent, England by Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the town still bears placenames and symbols from its colonial past such as its Marsham Street, named for Robert Marsham, 2nd Baron Romney. It is also home to the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind and the nation's First Confederate Memorial.

Contents

1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Romney in the Civil War 4 Historic Sites 5 Complete List of Romney Streets 6 References 7 Town of Romney Links 8 Romney Business & Tourism Links

Geography

Romney is located at 39°20'42" North, 78°45'25" West (39.344915, -78.756960)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,940 people, 884 households, and 454 families residing in the city. The population density is 814.2/km² (2,114.3/mi²). There are 974 housing units at an average density of 408.8/km² (1,061.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.91% White, 1.91% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 884 households out of which 21.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% are married couples living together, 14.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% are non-families. 44.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 26.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.97 and the average family size is 2.72.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 76.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 68.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $22,261, and the median income for a family is $34,271. Males have a median income of $28,667 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,765. 24.6% of the population and 17.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.5% of those under the age of 18 and 18.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Romney in the Civil War

List of some of the engagements or occupations in or around Romney

Historic Sites

• Arnold House (1770) The families Millar, Parker, and Arnold are associated with this house built in 1770. It was the home of Isaac Millar, a prominent officer during the Revolutionary War, businessman and civic leader.
• Blue House (1900) This has been home to descendants of Lt. John Blue, famed Confederate spy, whose memoirs were published in Hanging Rock Rebel.
• Boxwood (1800) Reortedly sold for about $10 for unpaid taxes, the house was used as a Civil War hospital. It is said that each of the 56 changes between the Northern and Southern armies during the Civil War in Romney took place under the great elm in the front yard.
• The Buffalo House at Fern Cliff (early 1800s) Isaac Pancake built the original log portion in the early 1800's. Recently restored with additions made, it is the home of John and Barbara Pancake.
• The Burg (c. 1769) Built around 1769, this property has been in the original family (Williams) for seven generations. It was used as headquarters by both armies during the Civil War.
• Davis History House (1798) The Davis House was home to the Davis family which sent two sons to fight for the Confederacy and one for the Union. Now a museum, it features Civil War artifacts and period furnishings.
• Hickory Grove (1838) Adam Stump and wife, Mary Gregg Parsons, built the brick house in 1838. Their son, Captain George Stump, was killed by Yankee soldiers a short distance from his house just before the end of the war. The seventh generation of the family continue to live there.
• Kerns House (c. 1780) Now the home of the American Legion, it was built by Hessian former prisoners of war soon after the Revolutionary War ended. The front is Flemish bond construction, the sides of American bond. Much of the window glass is original.
• Kuykendall-Hicks House (Mid-1700's) The north portion of the present structure was Fort Kuykendall built during the French and Indian War. Additions were made in 1814 by Isaac Pancake and a two story addition was completed in 1987.
• Liberty Hall (1858) Traditionally referred to as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's headquarters, the house and grounds were used by both Union and Confederate troops at various times during the Civil War. It was built in 1858 by John B. White, clerk of the circuit and superior court in Hampshire County, who fled to Richmond to escape arrest and served in the Treasury Department of the Confederacy.
• Literary Hall (c. 1820) As a meeting place of the Literary Society, it housed the largest library west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the National Register of Historic Places, it features antique firearms, music boxes, and period furnishings.
• Pancake-Kuykendall House (1872) Situated on lot 12 of the Fairfax South Branch River Survey, it was built in 1872 by Joseph A. and Susan Parsons Pancake. Third generation Pancake family continue to live there.
• Romney Presbyterian Church (1860) It was used as a hospital and stable during the Civil War. Originally it had a bell tower and steeple, but those were removed because of the weakened condition of the building. Iron rails outside and rods inside were added to reinforce the walls.
• Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church (1885) Built in 1885 for $1800, this small brick church features Gothic windows and tiny porticos. The Tiffany-style alter window is in memory of the minister who served from 1886 to 1915. The marble baptismal font predates the church building.
• School House (1825) Built as a church around 1825, it suffered a fire in 1853. From 1866 to 1906 it served as public school, with primary grades continuing to be housed there for some time after. It became a private home in 1914.
• Sycamore Dale (1836) Referred to in the General Lew Wallace raid of June 12, 1861, Sycamore Dale was built by David Gibson in 1836. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Taggart Hall (c. 1790s) Frances Taggart, a Quaker, constructed this clapboard "half" house on a lot from the Lord Fairfax survey. It now serves as headquarters for the Fort Mill Ridge Foundation Museum & Exhibit Center.
• Valley View (1855) Built for Hannah Parsons Harlan by her father, James "Big Jim" Parsons. Sold in 1927 to Joseph O'Hara, who was instrumental in bringing electric power to Romney. Currently a private home.
• Van Meter Fort (1754) Used as a French and Indian War fort, this structure is adjacent to the Kuykendall house. It shows the gun slits and relatively fireproof construction.
• Wappacoma (1773) The main part of the house was built in 1773 from bricks used as ballast on English ships, off-loaded at Newport News, and hauled across the mountains by oxen. It has been home to six generations of the original family.
• Wilson-Wodrow-Mytinger House (c. 1760) Romney's oldest house features three buildings. The main house reflects architecture of the Jamestown area. The clerk's office, West Virginia's oldest public office building, 1788, was constructed in a Williamsburg. These structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Complete List of Romney Streets

References

• History of Hampshire County by Maxwell & Swisher

• The Devastating Hand of War: Romney, West Virginia During the Civil War by Richard A. Sauers

• Romney in the Civil War by C. H. Ambler

Town of Romney Links

• www.RomneyWV.com (http://www.romneywv.com/)
• Romney Middle School (http://rms.hamp.k12.wv.us/)
• Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce (http://www.hampshirereview.com/Websites/HampshireChamber/)
• Hampshire Review Nespaper (http://www.hampshirereview.com)
• Hampshire County History Homepage (http://www.historichampshire.org/hamphist.htm)
• Hampshire County Public Library (http://www.hampshirecopubliclib.com/)

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Romney Business & Tourism Links

• The Bank of Romney (http://www.bankofromney.net/)
• Chef Harv's WV Gourmet Central (http://www.wvgourmetfoods.com/gourmetcentral/index.htm)
• Crystal Valley Ranch (http://crystalvalleyranch.com/)
• Dillon's Furniture & Country Treasures (http://www.hampshirereview.com/Websites/dillons/dillonsfurniture.htm)
• The First National Bank of Romney (http://www.fnbromney.com/)
• Hampshire House 1884 Bed & Breakfast (http://www.hampshirehouse1884.net/)
• Potomac Center, Inc. (http://www.potomaccenter.com/)
• Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad (http://www.potomaceagle.info/)
• South Branch Inn Romney (http://www.wvafun.com/sbi-files/sbir-html/southbranchinn-romney-page.html)
• Trough General Store Canoe Rentals (http://crystalvalleyranch.com/)