|
KANAHWA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - BIOS: RUE, Israel
******************************************************************
Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
SSpradling@aol.com
September 19, 1999
******************************************************************
History of Kanawha County
George W. Atkinson
1876
p. 325
ISRAEL RUE
The oldest man now living in Kanawha county is Israel Rue, colored, who
resides on Davis' creek, seven miles south of Charleston. He was born in
Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1777. He was owned by Samuel
Gallaway, and when he was eight years of age he was sold to James Gilkerson,
of Scott county, Kentucky. According to the laws of Pennsylvania, all slaves
born after the passage of the Declaration of Independence were to be made
free at the age of twenty-eight. This law was afterwards changed, granting
freedom at the age of twenty-one.
After Uncle Israel reached the age of twenty-eight, he brought suit for his
freedom at Newport, Kentucky, and employed Hon. Richard M. Johnson, who
afterwards became Vice-President of the United States, as his attorney,
promising him one year's labor for his fee. He obtained his freedom, but Mr.
Johnson did not require him to work the full year.
He came to Kanawha shortly after the beginning of the present century, to
labor for Robert Johnson, the father of Hon. Richard M. Johnson, who was at
that time manufacturing salt above the mouth of Campbell's creek, on the
lands of Colonel David Ruffner. Mr. Johnson, however, did not reside in the
valley longer than two years, but Uncle Israel, being favorably impressed
with the country, and the salt manufacturing business, remained in Knnawha,
and although nearly one hundred years of age, he is still here.
Uncle Israel is small in stature, and was once very active. A few weeks
since, he walked from his homestead on Davis creek to Charleston, a distance
of seven miles, and returned the next day, without material injury. He
connected himself with the Baptist church a few years since, and is confident
that, although he spent over ninety-five years in worldly life, he is now
saved through the riches of redeeming Grace.
|
