Birkett-Cresap

Birkett-Cresap. . In the 1830s Isaac Baker, Sr. bought a two-story log house on this site from the heirs of Daniel Capito. The Bakers lived here and operated a hotel called the Rising Sun. In 1843, Baker lost the property because of debts, and the house and lot were sold "at the front door of the Randolph County Court House.", In 1853, Reverend John Birkett bought the house from his father-in-law George Buckey. He and his wife Rebecca lived here and operated a store in one end. During the Civil War, the Birketts moved to Ohio, and while they were gone the house was destroyed. Upon their return in 1865, they built the existing two-story frame house plus a new store on the lot north of the house., In 1871, Birkett sold the house to Charles J.P. "Pin" Cresap, a Beverly lawyer who was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1881. The Cresaps had no children, but a niece, Nannie Evans, lived with them and inherited the house after their deaths in 1900., This two-story, "I" house with a rear ell is an example of Greek Revival style. It has 6/6 windows and clapboard siding with rake and corner boards. The entrance door has sidelights and flat transom with scroll pilasters. The roof eaves have interesting arrow-shaped drop finials.