By Richie Crim
In the heart of the lush and scenic Cacapon Valley, Captain David Pugh carved a life and legacy of perseverance and ingenuity. Born in 1806 to Mishall and Margaret Reese Pugh in Capon Bridge, Virginia (present-day West Virginia), David inherited a strong work ethic and practical skills as a tanner and farmer. These early lessons laid the foundation for his future as a prominent homesteader, businessman, and local leader.
Captain Pugh’s chosen spot along the Cacapon River
As a young man, David sought to establish his own foothold in the valley, searching for a tract of land to call home. His journey led him approximately 5.5 miles from Capon Bridge to a prime location along the Cacapon River. The journey was challenging in the early nineteenth century, with lacking infrastructure that required multiple fords to reach his chosen site. However, the land he found was ideal for homesteading: a free-flowing 67-degree spring for fresh water, a river for power, ample game for hunting, rich soil for farming, and pastures for grazing. Protected by a nearby mountain, the site offered not just utility but a natural shield against the elements.
This land, originally surveyed by a teenage George Washington for Richard Arnold, passed into David’s hands on October 14, 1831. Levi Arnold, a descendant of Richard, had willed one hundred acres to the ambitious twenty-four year old. Pugh later acquired an additional twenty-two acres from the Commonwealth of Virginia and inherited more land through his second wife, Jane Creswell.
A Home for a Legacy
In 1835, newly married to Jane Creswell following the death of his first wife Mary Keniford, David moved into a newly completed four-room house on his land. Constructed from dimensional lumber milled at nearby Hook’s Mill, the house embodied innovation and quality. The large, knot-free tulip poplar lumber showcased the abundance of the region’s resources and marked the home as a rarity in the Cacapon Valley during the 1830s.
Aerial view of Captain Pugh’s House taken in 1985
Built in the Federal style with Hessian craftsmanship influences, the house was more than a home; it was a statement. The Hessians, celebrated for their skill in stonework and carpentry, left their mark on both the architecture and the artistry of the residence. Each of the four rooms featured unique fireplaces with mantels, their decoration diminishing in elaborateness from the lower south room to the upper north room, a detail that spoke of both practicality and style.
Beneath the house, the basement served as a kitchen, with a large hearth still visible today in its original reinforced stone. Ingeniously, a dumbwaiter connected the kitchen to the dining area above—a feature normally reserved for elite homes such as those of Thomas Jefferson. Outside, the Spring House supplied clean water and refrigeration, a vital utility for a self-sustaining homestead.
Even the attic held historical intrigue. Supported by unmilled timbers bearing Roman numerals—indicating careful prefabrication or reuse—the space bore evidence of habitation. Whether used for storage, as a play area for his six children, or for additional sleeping quarters, the purpose of this space remains a mystery but testifies to the thoughtfulness and adaptability of the home’s design.
Political and Business Achievements
David Pugh’s home was not only the center of family life but also the hub of his thriving career. He became a respected political and business leader in the region, using his home as an office and gathering place. His success in farming and local enterprise made him a pillar of the community. He was for some years a justice of the peace of Hampshire County and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates during the 1841-1842 session. As delegate from Hampshire County in the Richmond Convention, he voted against secession from the Union on April 4 but faced pressure and threats from anti-Union members. On April 17, with a quill he made during the convention, he became the last signer of the ordinance of secession. Pugh affirmed that he would never use that pen again, which now sits in the Appomattox Civil War Museum in Virginia.
Pugh was a member of the West Virginia Senate from 1876 to 1879. He constructed one of the first schools in the county on his property. The location, named Riverdale, would become the local polling establishment, a courtroom, meeting house, and the school for his children and those in the surrounding community. The home would later serve as the post office and occasional inn for weary travelers. Pugh’s leadership and contributions shaped the development of the Cacapon Valley during a time of transformation in the young United States.
Captain Pugh’s Riverdale property was a favorite hotspot for camping
The Miller family vacationing at Riverdale, photos c. 1890-1905
A Lasting Heritage
David Pugh’s story is one of determination, resourcefulness, and legacy. His home, constructed with the finest materials and skills available, stands as a monument to his vision. A place of innovation, comfort, and community, it became the cradle of his family and the heart of his endeavors.
Today, Pugh’s legacy lives on through the enduring structure and its storied past. His life and work remind us of the resourcefulness and resilience that defined the pioneers of the 19th century, leaving an indelible mark on the Cacapon Valley and beyond.
References
Pugh, Maud. Capon Valley: Its Pioneers and Their Descendants, 1698 to 1940. Capon Bridge, WV: Maud Pugh, 1946-1948.
Maxwell, Hu and H. L. Swisher. History of Hampshire County, West Virginia. Morgantown, WV: A. B. Boughner, 1897.
