Pruntytown in Taylor County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

First Taylor County Jail

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

1. First Taylor County Jail Marker

Inscription.
This is the site of the first Taylor County Jail. After the formation of Taylor County on January 19th, 1844, Pruntytown was named the county seat. A room in the home of Abraham Williams was leased for $1 a month and used as the first jail in Taylor County. The jail was found to be inadequate and as a result Mr. Zedekiah Kidwell was awarded $1,954 to construct a new jail.

It was from that jail that the first slaves in the United States were freed by order of President Lincoln on November 22nd, 1862. This occurred weeks prior to President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863.

The original structure burned in the spring in the spring of 1864 after being struck by lightning.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1881.

Location. 39° 19.999′ N, 80° 4.582′ W. Marker is in Pruntytown, West Virginia, in Taylor County. Marker is on Valley Falls Road (County Route 18) south of U.S. 50, on the left when traveling south. It is on County Road 18 between US 50 and US 250. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grafton WV 26354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of

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this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pruntytown (a few steps from this marker); John Barton Payne (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial School for Boys (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dedicated to the Memory of Thornsbury Bailey Brown (approx. 2.2 miles away); Valley Falls (approx. 2.4 miles away); Grave of Thornsbury Bailey Brown (approx. 2½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Grafton National Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pruntytown.

First Taylor County Jail Site and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

2. First Taylor County Jail Site and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.