MICHAEL HOFFMAN was born near Lynchburg, Campbell County, VA., Oct.10, 1808, to John Hoffman and Nancy Townley (Dangerfield) Hoffman.

Sometime before August 26, 1819, his family moved from Campbell County to a farm located on the waters of Snow Creek in Franklin County, Virginia. It's very likely that Michael spent his youth there.

Nancy Dangerfield, destined to become Michael's wife, was born in Pittsylvania County, VA., August 2, 1816, to Herion H. Dangerfield. Michael's mother was a Dangerfield and she was originally from Pittsylvania County, so it seems likely that she introduced Nancy to Michael. Franklin County borders Pittsylvania County, it's also probable that the families lived near each other and possibly attended the same church. Regardless, they were married July 18, 1831, in Pittsylvania County.

Michael and Nancy took up temporary housekeeping in Franklin County, since the next record I have of the family finds them there in l839. They lived on the property of his parents. Michael, like his father, John Hoffman, was a blacksmith, so it seems likely that they would have worked together.

Sometime after July, 1841 and prior to the 1850 Census, Michael, and his family, left Franklin County, and his Parent's family, and resettled in the mountainous country of Pulaski, County Virginia.

They probably left Pulaski County in the spring of 1852, because Michael's wife Nancy lost a baby Julany B. born 9/1852 died 9/12/1852. This loss would have been caused by the crossing of the rugged Appalachian mountains. Michael Hoffman together with his father’s family and William Dangerfield’s family headed west.

Their journey would have been a major undertaking. The only mode of transportation available to them through the treacherous, mountainous terrain was by foot or horse. No doubt, the families loaded what possessions they could fit in covered wagons and, the family members that were capable of walking, walked the many miles to their new home.

Walking, was preferable to riding in a wagon as it bounced over the rutted, rocky trail. The families would have traveled the James River and Kanawha Turnpike which was the major thoroughfare that connected the Ohio River with Tidewater Virginia. The wagon road started at the end of the canal at Buchannan, Virginia and crossed the Allegheny Mountains, and followed the Kanawha River to Charleston. The road crossed the Kanawha River at Charleston, and, headed west through Teays Valley to Guandotte on the Ohio River. U. S. Route 60 generally follows this old route.

Their trip was probably partly funded by Michael’s grandfather John Dangerfield as he stated his will that he had all ready given all he was planning to give to his daughter Nancy Hoffman and his son William Dangerfield.

The children of Michael and Nancy were William Henry Grunberry born 1833, Mary Ann born 11/7/1834, John Wesley born 12/12/1836, Leonard H. born 5/24/1839, James Harrison born 7/1841, George Washington born 5/8/1844, Josiah Edwin born 2/27/1846, Martha Jane born 6/9/1884, Rhode Frances Snow born 9/13/1850, Julany born 9/1852, Lewis Michael born 2/28/1854

Their next child and youngest child Lewis Michael was born in Kanawha County February 28, 1854 in Malden, WV. The 1860 Census, finds the family living in Loundon District of Kanawha County. The family is possibility the namesake of Hoffman Hollow Road, now part of Kanawha State Forest. The Hollow is located approximately 3 miles from Hernshaw. On October 15, 1855 Michael and Nancy purchased their farm on Davis Creek (92 acres for $500). Located next to 2009 Huber Road in Charleston is a small family cemetery, on top of a small enbankment, this is thought to be the resting place of John and Nancy Dangerfield. No markers exist for them but it is noted in Michael Hoffman's bible that he lay them to rest there.

In the spring of 1861 the American Civil War erupted. In many cases, it pitted family against family and friend against friend and there is little doubt that that happened in the Hoffman, Dangerfield families. The western part of Virginia, where the Hoffmans now lived, overwhelming supported the Union. East of the mountains, the place of their birth, their friends and the families that they had left behind, supported the South. The war tore families apart, nearly destroyed a generation of young men, and it cost Michael and Nancy two of their sons.

Three of their sons went off to war; George Washington, John Wesley and James Harrison, all enlisted at Malden, Kanawha County, in Company E, 8th Regiment, of the West Virginia Mounted Infantry. (The Regiment would later become the 7th West Virginia Cavalry)

John Wesley Hoffman, the first to volunteer, enlisted Nov.21, 1861, for a term of 3 years. He was mustered in Dec. 4, 1861. He died, Aug.13, 1863, in a military hospital in Martinsburg, WV., from wounds received in battle with the Confederate Army.

George Washington Hoffman volunteered as a Private on December 10, 1861. On August 26, 1863 he was captured by southern forces in the Battle of Rocky Gap, near White Sulpher Springs, WV, and sent to the infamous Confederate Prisoner Of War Camp at Andersonville, Georgia. He died there May 10, 1864. Only 17 when he volunteered, he died two days after his 20th birthday.

James Harrison Hoffman survived the War. He enlisted on December 10, 1861 (with his brother George) for a term of three years. He re-enlisted Feb. 1, 1864, at Martinsburg. and was promoted to Corporal Sept. 1, 1864. On Aug. 1, 1865, he was mustered out. His military record describes him as being 5 feet 10 inches; fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair. Born in Franklin County, VA. Occupation: Farmer.

The 1870 Census, finds Michael and Nancy, in the Union Township, Sissonsville Post Office, Kanawha County. In addition to Lewis, their youngest son, a 22 year old female, Eliza Dangerfield is also living in their household. Eliza's birthplace is shown as Virginia and I suspect she is a niece of Nancy. She identified her occupation as being a domestic servant and she helped care for Nancy, who was bedfast since 1856, in addition to taking care of the household chores. After years of hard work Michael Hoffman died March 16, 1881. Nancy his wife died September 3, 1873 after being bedfast for 17 years 5 months and 24 days.