Marion County Historical Society Museum

~ • January • ~
January is “Founders' Month” celebrating the following dates . . .
January 3, 1758	The birthday of Boaz Fleming, founder of Middletown, Virginia now Fairmont, West Virginia, was born in Delaware. He served in the Revolutionary War. Encouraged by David Morgan, at the age of 29, with his wife Elizabeth (Hutchinson) and their one year old daughter, Clarissa, Boaz led a party of 43 persons with their worldly goods and animals across the Alleghenies to the Morgan settlement near Milford (now Rivesville) He purchased 254 acres. A picture of Clarissa is hanging at the Museum. Boaz, Elizabeth and Clarissa are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
January 14, 1842	Marion County was established by an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia. The story goes that Boaz Fleming was tired of paying taxes to both the counties of Harrison and Monongalia for his property. When complaining to Dolly Madison, she suggested he form his own county which he did. Delegate William S. Morgan, grandson of David Morgan, assisted by Senator William J. Willey, introduced the House Bill 69. The new county was named for Revolutionary War General Francis Marion. However, Mr. Fleming did not live to see the actual passage of the Bill.
January 19, 1820	In 1843 the name of Middletown was changed to the Borough of Fairmont and became incorporated. In 1865 the trustee form of government changed to mayor and council. The first Mayor was Jacob Beeson, whose home, built in 1851, still stands on Locust Avenue. In 1899 the WV Legislature granted the Borough of Fairmont a new charter by which the towns of Palatine and West Fairmont were incorporated into Fairmont. The name was changed to the City of Fairmont. In 1913 Barnesville, now Belleview was incorporated in the City of Fairmont.
January 25, 1814	Francis H. Pierpont, the “the Father of West Virginia”, was born. He was elected as the Governor of Restored (to the United States) Virginia, at the Second Wheeling Convention, June 20, 1861. There were now two Virginias – Union and Confederate. Pierpont’s plans and actions prior to being and as the Governor of Restored Virginia (1861-1868) made him greatly responsible for the creation of West Virginia, June 20, 1863. Pierpont died March 24, 1899 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery next to his wife Julia Augusta Roberson Pierpont. April 30, 1910, his statue was placed in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, honoring him as the “Father of West Virginia”.
Enjoy the the following festivities at the Marion County Historical Society Museum on the dates listed below . . .
January 4, 2010 10:00 am - 2:00 pm	Join us at the Marion County Museum on Monday, January 4th to celebrate Boaz Fleming's Birthday. Come chat and and learn about the founding of Middletown, Virginia, now known as Fairmont, West Virginia. See a photograph of his daughter who crossed the mountains from Delaware with him to this new land. Have a piece of birthday cake with us at noon and learn a little about the history of birthday cakes, Do you know why they are round & have candles? The Mayor will be there & Pat Pagan will be singing a song written for Boaz. Please be there around 12:00 noon.
January 14, 2010 10:00 am - 2:00 pm	Marion County was established by an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia. County Commissioner President, Randy Elliot, will read a Proclamation around noon. Cake will be served.
January 19, 2010 10:00 am - 2:00 pm	The Museum will be open from 10:00 - 2:00 to celebrate the establishment of Middletown on this date in 1820. pat Pagan will be the guest vocal for this event. Cake will be served at 12:30 pm.
January 2010	Membership Meeting.
January 26, 2010 10:00 am - 2:00 pm	Birthdate of Francis H. Pierpont the Father of West Virginia. Birthday Cake will be served to honor his contributions.
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~ • March • ~

~ • April • ~

~ • May Events • ~
May 2010	Julie Pierpont Day, Founder of Decoration Day, and First Lady of Restored Virginia.
~ • June • ~
June 2010	Celebration of West Virginia's Birthday.
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~ • August • ~

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~ • November • ~
November 2010	17th Annual Holiday Historic Homes Tour
~ • December • ~
December 2010	Annual Open House