John Skidmore was 31 years old when he first fought in the French and Indian Wars in 1767 as a captain. His Augusta County Militia was called out for service in 1774, when he was 38 years old. His military service ended in 1778 at the age of 42, when he resigned with the rank of Major. He was the father of 15 children, 13 of whom survived him. We don't know alot about John Skidmore, except we believe that he was at least 6 feet tall (an early day report said all of the men in the Augusta Militia were that tall), possibly auburn-haired (as many Skidmores were reported to be), and that he was a powerfully strong man. One report said John Skidmore once defeated an indian in hand-to-hand combat. He was a quiet and serious man, who was very religious and devoted to his family. He married Mary Magdelena Henckle, who was born in 1748 (also known as Polly), in 1762. Captain Skidmore (later promoted to Major) was wounded twice in the Battle of Point Pleasant, often referred to as the first Battle of the American Revolution. He was one of 11 justices that organized present day Pendleton County, West Virginia.

**Directions to the John Skidmore Gravesite**

Before you go on your journey, remember that John Skidmore's grave is on private land! Be sure to ask permission before entering the property! --The owner's home is clearly visable, once you turn off of US Highway 220. Please take note that the "road" is in really bad shape, so you may want to park your car and continue by foot before you reach the first brook, or consider borrowing a jeep, truck or All-Terrain Vehicle.

Start at the Pendleton County founder's memorial, on US Highway 220, at Ruddle, West Virginia:

From the Pendleton County founder's monument, go north on U.S. Highway 220-- 2.1 miles to Squire Road, turn right and go over bridge

Take the first right at Sugar Maple Bridge Road

Go 0.2 miles to gate (just past barn on the left). Go through gate, cross a brook twice and turn left at second gate.

Go approximately 0 .1 mile; the trail to the grave will be on your left.

It is marked with a painted metal plate nailed to a tree on the left side of the "so-called" road you just drove up.

Follow the trail 100 yards straight down the trail.

You will come to a small clearing. The grave is surrounded by a small blue metal fence. The total distance from the Founder's monument to the trail is approx 2.7 miles.