Chuck,
 
You may be aware of this, but I'll note it anyway; there
is a book entirely devoted to your topic:
 
   Stealey, John E.  THE ANTEBELLUM KANAWHA SALT BUSINESS
     AND WESTERN MARKETS.  Lexington, KY:  University Press
     of Kentucky, 1993.
 
Our library catalog (Univ. VA) also lists a couple of
primary sources:
 
   MEMORIAL OF THE MANUFACTURERS OF SALT, IN THE COUNTY
     OF KENHAWA [sic], VIRGINIA, AGAINST THE REPEAL OF THE
     DUTY ON IMPORTED SALT:  APRIL 30, 1830, ORDERED TO BE
     PRINTED: TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
     REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,...
     Washington, DC:  s.n., 1830.
     (18pp. 23 cm)
 
and-
 
   PAPERS OF THE BREAM AND PATRICK FAMILIES, 1787-1843.
     1 reel microfilm, positive.  Manuscripts Div., #M687
     (..."discuss the salt works at Charleston, Kanawha
     County, W. Va., include land grants, legal papers,
     indentures, land plats, and correspondence"...)
     Accession #5045.
 
Hope this is of use,
 
Marty Perdue
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