The early settlers were hunters, indian fighters and land speculators.   In wartime they would join the army as scouts, in peacetime they'd hunt beaver and make land claims. 

Land was claimed by marking trees on the boundaries of the claim with an axe (a 'tomahawk claim') or by burning the bark with gunpowder.

Usually they would sell the claim to new settlers.   Sometimes they would build a cabin on the claim and grow a plot of corn, this helped reinforce their claim to the land, because the courts gave preference to land claimants who demonstrated they were settling and developing the land. 

The Tomlinson brothers (Samuel and Joseph) claimed the Williamstown area in 1770.

Also in 1770, their sister Rebecca's (age 16) first husband was killed by Indians.   The next year Rebecca joined her brothers in Williamstown as a housekeeper.   She would be alone in the cabin for weeks while the brothers were hunting.

The Tomlinson family owned their own private fort in Moundsville, WV.   In 1777 Indian raids were so intense the family retreated to Moundsville and then to Redstone PA.   Samuel Tomlinson stayed behind to defend Wheeling and was killed.

Joseph Tomlinson owned the original 400 acre 'tomahawk' claim, and also claimed an adjacent 1,000 acres (a 'premption claim'.

Joseph gave the original 400 acre claim to his sister Rebecca as payment for her services as a housekeeper.

In 1775 Rebecca Tomlinson married Isaac Williams, a hunter and army scout.

In 1783 Joseph Tomlinson gave Rebecca the 400 acre Tomahawk claim, which became Isaac Williams' property by marriage.

In 1787 the area was peaceful enough for a permanent settlement, Isaac and Rebecca founded Williamstown.   They divided the 400 acres into lots and rented them out.    They also ran an Inn and a Ferry.

The picture shows Fort Harmar, with Williamstown in the background.

Williamstown was originally called Williamsport, and has also been called Sarge's Landing, Duncan and Williams Station.

The Henderson's., a rich family from eastern Virginia decided to invest in the cheap land available on the frontier.   They bought up a lot of local land and sent a son to operate a plantation in Pleasants County. 

Photo shows this first plantation in Pleasants County.   In 1835, this branch of the family moved to Henderson Hall Plantation, near Williamstown.

Also in 1802 the first Wood County courthouse was built in Parkersburg, marking the end of a struggle to have Williamstown be the county seat.

The Hendersons were friends with George Washington, and the elite of Virginia,  In 1806 Harman Blennerhassett proved his ineptitude by trying to recruit the Hendersons to his scheme to estalbish his own nation in the  West.    The Hendersons promptly reported the scheme to the authortities and organized a militia to invade Blennerhassett Island. 

In 1850, a local landowner died and his land was split amongst his children.

Soon lots were for sale along the river and larger tracts up on the hill.

With a population of 200, citizens felt it was time to incorporate and General Assembly of Virginia passed a law incorporating the town.

One of the town officers authorized to hold an election was Parkinson Reed, who had once been briefly jailed for harboring escaped slaves.

The era of the rail roads brought growth and modernity to Williamstown, as symbolized by a new bridge over the Ohio, built in 1903.

1884 Railroad built.

1893 Oil found nearby. 

1899 First Telephone pole.

1901 First paved streets.

1901 Williamstown incorporates (again!).

1902 First trolley car.

1903 Bridge to Marietta built.

1903 Gas street lamps!

1907 First piece of Fenton Art. Glass made in Williamstown.

1912 First Chief of Police.

1913 Electricity comes to Williamstown.

1916 First Williamstown High Football team.

1918 First electric street lights.

1921 First women votes in WIlliamstown.

1922 Rt 14 to Vienna completed.

1924 First gas station.

1926 First Police Car.

1933 Williamstown High School band founded.

1935 Tomlinson Park.

1936 Fire siren installed.

1946 Wood County airport opens.

1946 Trolley service stopped.

1957 Last passenger train.