Sign in or create a free account to curate your search content.
The first European-Americans in Monroe County were mostly Scotch-Irish and Germans from the Shenandoah Valley. Many came because they had been given land for helping during the French and Indian War, or they were attracted by land offered by companies.
The county grew and thrived as the new nation developed. There was plenty of waterpower from creeks like Second Creek, Indian Creek, Laurel Creek, Turkey Creek, Rich Creek, and Wolf Creek, which powered mills. These mills included gristmills (for grinding grain), sawmills (for cutting wood), and woolen mills (for making fabric). The land had good soil for farming, grass for animals, and clean spring water. Additionally, there was saltpeter found in caves, which was used to make gunpowder for the Revolutionary War and the Confederate Army later on.
