From PoliSci Dept., W.Virginia University: Marion County History:

"Oral history indicates that in 1808 BOAZ FLEMING made an annual his annual trek to Clarksburg to pay his brother's Harrison County taxes. While in Clarksburg he attended a social gathering that included DOLLY MADISON, His cousin. He complained to her about having to travel over a hundred miles each year from his home to pay his Monongalia County taxes and his brother's Harrison County taxes. Dolly Madison supposedly suggested that he create his own county to save him all the travel. Six years later, Boaz Fleming circulated a petition to do precisely that, naming the proposed county Madison County, in honor of Dolly and PRESIDENT MADISON. The petition failed to gain suficient support to be presented to the Virginia General Assembly. He then focused on creating a town near his farm. In 1819, a road was built from Clarksburg to Morgantown. His farm was about halfway between the tw, making a good resting point. He laid out the town on the west side of Monongahela River in 1819. It was incorporated on January 19, 1820 as Middleton. It is unknown if the town was called Middleton because of its location mid-way between Clarksburg and Morgantown or because Boaz Fleming's first wife, Elizabeth Hutchinson, was originally from Middleton, Delaware.

Middleton was named newly-formed Marion County's first county seat on February 18, 11842. At that time, William Haymond, Jr. suggested that the town's name be changed to Fairmont because the town had a beautiful overlook of the Monongahela River, giving it a "fair mount". The borough of Fairmont was incorporated in 1843 by the Virginia General Assembly."