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My earliest ancestor in my direct line is my ggggrandparents George Mayberry & Rebecca Pennybacker Mayberry who were living in1785 at New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia. Having migrated from Pennsylvania. My gggrandfather Israel Mayberry was born about 1788 in that area probably, since his brother John Pennybacker Mayberry was born there in New Market, Va. on March 1, 1790. George and his brother-in-law Benjamin Pennybacker were in partnerships under the George Mayberry and Company name, doing business as Refiners of Iron or Iron Masters. They built the Columbia Furnace at Stoney Creek in or near Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., Virginia in 1803. George Mayberry and Benjamin Pennybacker also owned land at Edinburg which was also on Stoney Creek which was sold on Oct 10th, 1808 to the Blackford Company. On September 11, 1809 land was purchased by John Arthur, Benjamin Blackford and John Graham of Frederick Co., Maryland which also ilncluded the Columbia Furnace. George Mayberry and his family were moving as were the majority of the people had caught the fever of the westward movement, they had decided to move west and bought several wagons and departed. After several days travel they came to Belleville near the lush land of the close by Ohio river in Wood County, Virginia. After looking the area over decided this was as far west as he would go. He bought a plantation nearby Belleville and remained there until his death.
A son John Pennybacker was still at home having just completed his study of Law under the eminent Judge Allen of New Market, Virginia. After awhile at the plantation John P. Mayberry had heard about Judge Fearing of Marietta, Ohio who was the first Judge appointed to the State of Ohio in the Northwest Territories as it (Ohio) was then referred to. John P. Mayberry was still interested in furthering his education in the field of law, so, he applied to Judge Fearing to study law under his tutelage. After serveral years with Judge Fearing John P. Mayberry applied and was granted the privilege of practicing law in Parkersburg, Wood Co., Virginia. Upon the death of his father (George Mayberry) it is believed that John P. Mayberry may have inherited his father's plantation and with his desire to enter politics was elected on three different occasions as a delagate from Parkersburg to represent Wood County at Richmond, Va. With his prudent investments and business sense John P. Mayberry was fast becoming a wealthy man. He was later elected as Judge in Parkersburg and also served prior to his appointment as Judge he had also served as County Prosecuting Attorney. He also owned and operated a large merchantile business in Parkersburg. Upon his retirement he returned to the plantation to devote full time to his favorite pleasure of raising blooded race horses, which was becoming well known as the finest horses in Virginia and surrounding states. John Pennybacker Mayberry died while sitting in his carriage watching his favorite horse (Lath) run. He was 77 years old at his death in 1866. He was buried nearby in the political cemetery at Parkersburg, Virginia (now WV).
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