Beverly in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Gum Hart - Collett House
Frontier Fort & Early Civil War Graffiti
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
1. Gum Hart - Collett House Marker
This may be the oldest existing structure in Beverly. Local tradition says James Westfall built the first floor on the north section of this home as a log fort between 1772 and 74. The log section of the house predates the town.
By 1840, this house was owned by Montgomery "Gum" Hart, a saddler. In 1860, Hart traded this house to Marteny Buckey in exchange for the Buckey Hotel up the street. During the Civil War this house was used as a hospital. It also housed a tavern during the 19th century.
It was bought by Andrew J. Collett in 1871 and was owned by his family until 1948.
(Captions):
The logs and the brick chimney in the interior of the building are what remains of a frontier fort built before the founding of Beverly.
This house has some of the earliest graffiti of the Civil War. Lewis Hooke of Rockingham County, a Confederate prisoner of war, signed his name and the date - "July 14/61" - one day after Lt. Col. Pegram surrendered his contingent in Beverly.
Erected by Historic Beverly Preservation and West Virginia Humanities Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Buckey House (within shouting distance of this marker); Beverly Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Laura Jackson Arnold (about 300 feet away); Jonathan Arnold House (about 300 feet away); Crozet~Chenoweth / Rich Mountain Battlefield (about 400 feet away); Beverly Covered Bridge (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Lemuel Chenoweth House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly.
Other markers no longer nearby. Gum Hart / Collett House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Peter Buckey House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Lemuel Chenoweth House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
2. Gum Hart - Collett House Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
3. Gum Hart - Collett House
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
