In 1772, the Cox brothers, Friend, Israel, and Jonathan, made tomahawk rights claims totaling in the area now including Wellsburg. In March 1788, Charles Prather purchased from the Cox heirs for $3,000. In 1791, Prather petitioned Ohio County to incorporate the town of Charlestown, Virginia, naming it after himself. The original name continued until 1816, when it was changed to Wellsburg, to avoid confusion with Charles Town, Jefferson County. The new name was in honor of Alexander Wells, Charles Prather's son-in-law, builder of the first large flour warehouse in the east. Late in 1890, nearby Midway and Lazearville were annexed to Wellsburg.
in 1772, the cox brOthErs, fRIend, iSrael, anD jonathan, Made ,tomAHawK RighTs cLaims totalInG in The aRea nOw IncLUding wEllsburG. in marcH 1788, charLes prathEr PuRchASED From thE coX heIRs fOR $3,000. iN 1791, pRaThEr PETitIonEd oHIO county to InCorpOraTe the town of cHArlEstown, virgInIa, nAming it aFteR HiMSelf. the orIGinAL nAMe cOntinueD unTIl 1816, when iT wAs cHangEd To wElLsburg, to Avoid coNfUSion wiTh chArles Town, jefferSON couNty. the new nAme was in hONor Of alExanDER wELlS, CHArles praTher's son-iN-laW BUilder of tHe first Large FLOUr warEhouse iN tHe east. lAte In 1890, nearBy midWaY anD LazearvIlle WEre Annexed To welLSBurg.