this is the stories that I have from Grandchildren of Samuel and Elizabeth. I will attempt to attach the documents
My documents will not attach so here goesThe Doak Family
Samuel and Elizabeth (Malseed) Doak came from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1800.
They then moved to Virginia (which is now West Virginia) in 1824. They purchased a farm at Central Station in Doddridge County, but soon sold that farm, accepting for payment, in part, horses, wagons and guns. Horses and wagons were essential for travel and guns were needed for game hunting and for protection from hostile Indians. They moved with their families to Ohio. The retuned to Wv after little more then one year and settled permanently on Middle Island Creek near Joseph’s Mills in Tyler County. A deed or land grant from Gov Wood to Samuel Doak mad Feb. 28, 1838 for “the residence of 500 acres of land.”
They cut trees to build their first home of roung logs, chinked and daubed. The lived near a large spring. Many years later, Samuel helped his son Samuel Jr build a new log home nearby. A daughter of Sam Jr. says that there was no door hung on the cabin, but a blanket was hung in its place.
Especially when the menfolk were away, a fire was kept going all night to keep wolves away.
The Doaks cleared farm land and grew most of their “living”. They grew flax which they hackled and wove into linen cloth for their clothing . They grew wheat which was cut by sickle, laailed out with clubs and ground in a hand mill.
They sent their children to Subscription School for which they paid tuition. The school children were housed in a log cabin with greased paper for windows. The children sat on benches hewn from split logs and turned flat side up and with pegs driven into holes bored into the curved side. These schools were of short duration and often far from home.

Of their six children, the oldest 2 William and John died young. The other six Robert, Alexander, Samuel Jr. , James, Hiram and Margaret lived to a ripe old age and reared their own families. The children for all six families totaled 56 and grandchildren totaled 270.
There are 2 stories told about Samuel and Elizabeth. Some say they were married before embarking on their trip to America and some believe they became acquainted on the boat and were married upon landing in America.
The following bit of legend was contained in a newspaper clipping in the possession of a grandchild. It says that the Doaks came from Ireland; and when they started, Grandmother, then a winsome young bride, fell overboard while attempting to negotiate the gangplank at the wharf.
Grandfather Doak instantly sprang to the rescue. He came the surface with his loved one in tow.
Grandmother left one slipper in the soft sticky mud of the farther shore.
Another legend says Grandma was of royal blood and because the husband was not, it was thought best to run away to America.
This is the story My Grandfater, Edgar Griffin told me. Grandmother did fall in the water and was saved by Grandfater. Since he had no money, Grandma paid his fare across the sea, and they were married in America Freda Mumford.








ALEXANDER AND ELIZA (IRELAND DOAK)
Alexander was born 1805 and married Eliza Ireland (b. 1810) . She was the daughter of Alexander Ireland. The had 4 sons and 4 daughters.
Amy b. d. m. Mathias Dotson
Isaiah b.1839 d 1915 m.Eleanor b. 1837 d. 1917
Sarah b d m Elias Thomas
Hamilton b 1834 d1898 m Martha b. 1832 d,1908
Elizabeth m Isaiah Griffin
Robert b 1842 d 1915 m Ingabee b 1842 d 1917
S Maxwell b 1742 d 1921 m Harrit b 1849 d 1921
Gorrel b 1851 d 1903
Martha m Samuel Grimm
There were 65 grandchildren.
Mr. Doak’s home was on Hamond Ridge above what is now called Deep Valley and within 1 mile of his parents home.( Near the Tygart River )
A grandson who had once lived with uncle Alex and Eliza says: “ when my granddad retuned from Ohio he bought 300 acres for $2.00 per acre. Later he gave my dad our home place. The did the same for 2 of my uncles. Mother said he chiefly paid for it by hauling oats on horses to West Union which was 11 to 12 miles away. He sold it for 25 cents per bushel. She said one of the land had been cleared, but for 3 acres for corn and a place for truck and garden the first year.
He was a member of the Christian church and scarcely ever missed a meeting. The church was 3 to 4 miles away. He was a local preacher and exhorter. He was a good neighbor and had many friends. Another grandson remembers hearing Grandma of buying her first calico dress. She paid 25 cents a yard and she got 5 yards. She paid for it with butter at 5 cents per pound. 25 pounds of butter = 5 yards of calico.