William Ewin

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William Ewin (8 October 1808 - 25 November 1886) was an American artisan, lawyer, civil servant and State Senator.

Contents 1 Early Life 2 Tucker County 3 Work 4 Death and Burial

[edit] Early Life

Ewin was born in County Leitrim, Ireland on October 8, 1808. He emigrated with his parents to New York City in 1822. From 1830 to 1840 he worked in Philadelphia and Baltimore as a maker of mathematical instruments; an example is shown at the Virtual Museum of Surveying.

[edit] Tucker County

He married Martha Ann Dennis in 1835. In 1840 he moved to Western Ford, Randolph County, Virginia, which today is Saint George, Tucker County, West Virginia. Ewin studied law and lobbied the Virginia General Assembly for the formation of Tucker county, accomplished in 1856.

[edit] Work

Ewin served as Postmaster and County Circuit Clerk until barred from public service in 1861 because he, as did other county officials, supported Virginia's secession from the United States.

Ewin used his surveying and legal skills to obtain and sell land grants of many thousand acres. After the Presidential and State amnesties of 1868 and 1871 for secessionists, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, then to the West Virginia Senate from 1879 to 1883.

[edit] Death and Burial

Ewin died November 25, 1886, and is buried in the family graveyard overlooking the Cheat River at Saint George.