Since 1998 - Historical and Genealogical
Resources
for the Upper New River Valley of North Carolina and Virginia
The actual military defense of Virginia's extreme western frontier did not begin, on a large scale, until the spring prior to the outbreak of Dunmore's War in the fall of 1774, more commonly referred to by historians as the Point Pleasant Campaign.
It has been stated by some writers that not a single palisaded fort existed along the Clinch frontier until after the circulation of Lord Dunmore's order requesting that such be built. Those making these statements used the argument that after the end of the French and Indian War that peace existed and there was no need of palisaded forts. It is probably quite true that prior to 1774 there were no real palisaded forts, the inhabitants depending on strongly built fort-houses with port holes for warding off surprise Indian attacks. Some of these still stand today, such as the old Osborne house in Lower Castlewood and the Dickenson house on Clinch River north of Castlewood. However, those who aver that prior to 1774 peace existed between the Indians and whites need to review their frontier history.
Admittedly peace did exist on paper as the treaty of Fort Stanwix and Lochaber prove, but a paper peace meant little to many of the savages who probably had never heard of it, or to those who did not concur with it in the first place. Consider the killing of Boone's party on Wallen's Creek on October 10, 1773, almost a year prior to Dunmore's circular letter regarding the erection of forts.
John McCulloch, whose father Thomas McCulloch had settled on Moccasin Creek in 1769, states that in June 1771 all of Moccasin Creek was evacuated for fear of Indians and remained so for more than a year. (1)
On June 30, 1773, Colonel Evan Shelby had a roster of 71 militiamen. (2) Captain William Russell also had four Indian scouts on patrol on the 15th of April, 1774, (3) two months prior to Dunmore's request for forts, and again in 1773, Colonel Evan Shelby lists a group of four scouts on Clinch River, among whom was William Moore of Moore's Fort. Does it not seem strange to aver that peace existed when we see a contingent of 71 militiamen, scouts on patrol and the massacre of five people on Wallen's Creek?
There were seven of the original forts erected in compliance with Lord Dunmore's order, four on the lower Clinch under Captain William Russell's militia command, and three on the upper Clinch under the militia command of Captain Daniel Smith. These forts were erected by the local militia under the supervision of Colonel William Christian who had been sent out to the frontier by Colonel William Preston who was militia commandant for the area.
When Captain Russell received Lord Dunmore's orders for building forts it happened to be muster day for the militia in Cassells Woods, and he immediately, on June 25, 1774, laid the facts before his constituents and informed Colonel Preston of their actions on June 26, 1774, (4) saying:
"My company yesterday voted two (2) forts to be immediately built, I think in as convenient a place as we can get, and we shall immediately began to build them."
Two weeks later, on July 13, 1774, Captain Russell again wrote to Colonel Preston the following letter showing that his people had changed their minds about the number of forts to be built and states that the forts had already been erected:
"Since I wrote you last, the inhabitants of this river have altered the plan for two forts only, on this river, below Elk Garden, and have erected three; one in Cassell's Woods which I call Fort Preston; a second ten miles above which I call Fort Christian; the third, five miles below the first, which I call Fort Byrd, and there are four families at John Blackmores near the mouth of Stoney Creek, that will never be able to stand alone without a company of men. Therefore, request you, if you think it can be done, to order them a supply sufficient to enable them to continue the small fortification they have begun." (5)
None of the names given to the forts by Captain Russell to enhance his military status caught the fancy of the settlers and were never used by them. This is understandable since Colonels Christian and Preston both lived near present day Blacksburg, and Colonel William Byrd lived far away at Westover on the James.
The fort that Russell named Fort Preston was on the lands of David Cowan in upper Castlewood, and stood just back of the present Masonic Lodge Hall. It was called Russell's Fort by some because it was here that Captain Russell had his military headquarters and used the fort also for personal shelter. It is also, sometimes referred to as Cowan's Fort and later Charles Bickley bought the Cowan land and it is then called Bickley's Fort. A fort in this area was also called Bush's Fort and is probably this same fort, but some contend otherwise.
Russell's Fort, or Fort Preston was perhaps a much smaller fort than Moore's or Blackmore's, and is mentioned in pension statements less often. It was attacked on more than one occasion by Indians, and it was at this fort that Ann Bush Neece was tomahawked, scalped and survived. It continued in use until the cessation of Indian hostilities.
Fort Christian, better known as Glade Hollow Fort lies between Dickensonville and Lebanon on Cedar Creek. It is hard to determine just who owned the land when the fort was erected in 1774, as no one had deeds to lands prior to the sitting of the Commissioners in 1781, only warrants, and these warrants changed hands and were assigned many times to others before actual recording took place. Some available data indicates that the land may have been in possession of one James Smith who seems to disappear from the records after 1777. This assumption is based upon letters written by Colonel William Christian and Arthur Campbell, the former being on the Clinch at this time supervising the erection of the forts.
On July 12, 1774, the day before Captain Russell wrote to Colonel Preston giving the names of the forts, Christian wrote to Preston, heading his letter "Captain's Russell's Fort", and saying:
"There are four (4) forts erecting on the Clinch in Captain Russell's company, one at Moore's four miles below this; another at Blackmore's sixteen miles down; and one at Smith's twelve miles above this place. I am about to station 10 men at Blackmore's and 10 here. Captain Russell thinks this will do as the other forts are very strong and well supplied with men." (6)
Arthur Campbell in a letter relating to Elk Garden and Glade Hollow Forts, states:
"I give no orders regarding Elk Garden and Glade Hollow, only that I would write you so and so. I believe a wiser head that yours or mine put together would not please Jemmy Smith." (7)
These two letters seem to indicate that James Smith had something to do with Glade Hollow Fort, and since he was not a militia officer it must have meant possession of the land.
In 1777, Robert Dale settled on a tract of land on Big Cedar Creek in Glade Hollow and obtained a patent warrant for the same. This may be the land upon which the fort stood and which James Smith was residing at an earlier date. John Carr, who was born on Carr's Creek in 1773 refers to Dale's Fort on the Clinch, which was surely a reference to the Glade Hollow Fort. (8)
Tradition says that after the cessation of Indian hostilities the old Glade Hollow Fort was converted into a church known as the Glade Hollow church. That a church did exist here is shown in Semple's "Baptist in Virginia", Table of Holston Baptist Association, page 358, which reads: "The Glade Hollow church was planted by T. Burgess and S. Goodwin in 1788."
"There were baptist churches in this district at a much earlier date but they were broken up by the Indian wars." (Do, page 360)
"The glade Hollow was taken off from Clinch River church, which is one of the two old churches mentioned above as broken up by the war. A few members returning after the war, the church was reconstituted." (Do, page 361)
Tradition states that Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel, preached in the Clinch River church at Castlewood. If this is true then the church was active between 1773 and 1775, which period covered Squire Boone's stay on the Clinch.
Russell's Fort Byrd was located in lower Cassell's Woods on the road leading to Dungannon, and is now owned by W. S. Banner and known as the "Sally Meade" place. This fort was built upon the land of William Moore, who along with his brother, Joseph, settled in Castlewood in 1769, hence the name Moore's Fort. The Moore Brothers assigned their land warrants to Captain John Snoddy when they left the Clinch and since Captain Snoddy was a militia officer and at times was in command of Moore's Fort, as well as owning it, it was sometimes called Snoddy's Fort. Moore's Fort was the largest and most widely known of the Clinch chain of forts.
No description has been left of the size or shape of Moore's Fort, but we know it had two gates, a front and back one, with the front gate opening toward the spring which one may still see by visiting the spot. This was the fort that sheltered Daniel Boone and his family after their return to the Clinch in 1773 when Boone's son and others were killed by the Indians on Wallen's Creek in his first attempt at a Kentucky settlement. By petition of the people of Blackmore's Fort, Daniel Boone was placed in command of Moore's and Blackmore's Forts in 1774 as a Captain of militia and continued in command of them until he went to Kentucky in the spring of 1775 to found Boonesboro. While living on Clinch a son was born to Daniel and Rebecca Boone, whose name was William, and who died soon after birth and lies in an unmarked grave in the old Moore's Fort cemetery on the brow of a hill overlooking the fort and Clinch River.
An amusing story is told of the Boone family while they were living in Moore's Fort by Mrs. Samuel Scott of Jessamine County, Kentucky, who was also at the time living in the fort. Mrs. Scott says the men had become very careless in guarding the fort, lounging outside the gates, playing ball and in general lax in their duties. One day Mrs. Boone, her daughter, Mrs. Hannah Carr and some of the other ladies loaded their guns lightly, went out from the fort, shut the gates and shot their guns off in rapid succession like the Indians. The men all scrambled for the fort, but finding the gates shut none could get in, but one young man who managed to climb over the stockade wall. So great was their consternation that some of the men ran right through the pond in front of the fort. After they were finally let in the gates Mrs. Scott says the men were so mad some of them wanted to have the women whipped. (9)
We learn from the pension statement of James Fraley that Moore's Fort must have been large - perhaps the largest fort on the frontier. He says that there was continuously some 20 families in the fort, with 20 or 25 men out on patrol as Indian Spys. Considering the large size of pioneer families, plus the militia assigned to protect the fort it surely must have sheltered from one hundred and fifty to two hundred people, and it would have taken a large stockade to quarter and shelter this number of people. (10)
Moore's Fort was attacked many times by Indians, and many settlers and militiamen were killed in and around the fort.
This is the "small fortification" that Captain Russell wrote Preston was being built at Blackmore's at the mouth of Stony Creek, but which in time grew to be the second most important fort on the frontier. Built on the lands of Captain John Blackmore, who along with his brother Joseph had come from Fauquier County, Virginia, with their families to carve out homes in the wilderness in the year 1772.
Being more exposed it was attacked by Indians more often than Moore's, and many people were killed and captured in and around this fort. The fort stood on the north side of the Clinch, just outside the village of Fort Blackmore. It was to Blackmore's that all the people came when the forts in Powell Valley were evacuated in 1776, just prior to the outbreak of the Cherokee War, as did the people from Rye Cove Fort. It must have been of large proportions, but no one has left any known description of this fort. According to Samuel Alley who was born in sight of the fort in the year 1801, it was torn down and no vestige of it remained in 1887, when he paid a visit to his old home and found the ground where the old fort stood being tended in corn. However, nearby stood an apple tree planted by his father which to that day was known as the "John Alley Apple Tree." (11)
Across the road in a fringe of trees and brush, and slightly northeast of where the old fort stood is the old fort graveyard, with rows of small, uncut stones marking the final resting place of those who died from either the stroke of disease or tomahawk in the long ago.
Always known as Blackmore's Fort, the village today, almost two centuries later still bears the name except in the reverse order of Fort Blackmore.
Of the seven original forts built by order of Lord Dunmore, the last Colonial Governor of Virginia, three were located on the upper Clinch River and were under the military command of Captain Daniel Smith. Of these three, perhaps the most noted and possibly the largest was
This fort was located just south of State Route 19, on land now owned by the Stuart Land and Cattle Company, and in the general vicinity of the Elk Garden Methodist Church. Just who owned the land on which the old fort stood has not been ascertained, but those owning land in the immediate vicinity of the fort was Captain John Dunkin, Captain John Kinkead, Richard Price and Solomon Litton. That it was a stockaded fort is beyond question, but as to its size and shape nothing is known.
No record has been found of an actual Indian assault directly upon the Elk Garden Fort though it is very possible there was such, as many people were killed and captured in the elk Garden section from 1774 to the end of Indian depredations which ceased with the slaying of the half-breed Chief Benge in 1794. The fort was manned throughout this period by militia.
Andrew Lynam who filed his pension application in Bath County, Kentucky in 1834, says:
"In 1776, I entered the service under Captain John Kinkead and marched immediately to a station called Elk Garden, and as the object of our service was to keep down the Indians, we were put to repairing and fixing up the Station."
The statement of Lynam shows that although the fort was only two years old it was in need of repair, which shows that green logs embedded in earth as a stockade soon rot and no doubt, the stockades had to be repaired and rotten logs replaced frequently, as well as repair to the cabins and buildings inside the stockades.
The second fort under Captain Daniel Smith's command was Witten's Fort, also sometimes called "Witten's Crab Orchard" and the "Upper Station." This fort was the home of William Witten and was located not far from the county seat town of Tazewell. It has been restored, less the stockade, as a tourist attraction alongside State Route 19, near Tazewell.
Apparently from all available records we must come to the conclusion that Witten's Fort was a small affair, as the militia complement stationed to defend the fort was usually a small force, despite the fact that it was wide open to the Sandy War Passes.
In the pension application of James Elkins, filed in Clarke County, Kentucky in 1832, he makes this statement:
"The next tour of duty was an "old" Mr. William Witten's Fort on a tour of three months in the fall of 1777, from Russell County, Virginia, under Captain Thomas Maxwell as a volunteer. On this tour we ranged the country, but the principal part of our time we were guarding the above fort."
The third fort under Captain Daniel Smith's command was the Maiden Springs Station located on the Maiden Spring branch of Clinch River, and was the home of Rees Bowen. No description has been found as to the construction details or size of this fort. There is no account that it ever came under a direct assault by the Indians, but it did remain one of the frontier defense bastions throughout the troubled Indian days.
Rees Bowen was born in Maryland in 1742. He fought in the Point Pleasant Campaign in 1774, and went to the relief of the Kentucky Stations in 1778. During the illness of his brother, Captain William Bowen, he succeeded as Lieutenant to his brother's command at the Battle of King's Mountain and was shot dead by a Tory from behind a baggage wagon.
Thus is completed the description of the seven original forts built on the Clinch frontier. It may be of interest to the reader to know who manned and protected these forts and the frontier during the well documented period of Dunmore's War, as militia rosters have been preserved of the first men to man these forts immediately after their construction.
The rosters first lists the forts, distance from each, and the name of the officer in charge and the number of men assigned.
Blackmore's Fort - 16 Men - Sergeant Moor, Officer in
Charge
Moore's Fort - 20 men - 20 miles - Boone (Daniel), Officer in
Charge
Russell's Fort - 20 men - 4 miles - W. Poage, Sergeant, Officer in
Charge
Glade Hollow Fort - 15 men - 12 miles - John Dunkin, Sergeant,
Officer in Charge
Elk Garden Fort - 18 men - 14 miles - John Kinkead, Sergeant,
Officer in Charge
Maiden Spring Fort - 5 men - 23 miles - Joseph Cravens, Sergeant -
Officer in Charge
Witten's Big Crab Orchard - 3 men - 12 miles - Ensign (John)
Campbell
This list is dated 6 October 1774. (Draper Mss 3 QQ 116)
At the Elk Garden Fort - 13 August to 18 November, 1774
James Anderson, Robert Breeze, Robert Donnelson, Thomas Donnelson, Ben Jones, David Kincaid, John Kincaid, Sergeant, James Laughlin, John Lewis, Henry Mannadue, Richard Price, Thomas Price, David Priest, Samuel Priest, William Priest (later killed by Indians), Ericus Smith.
At the Glade Hollow Fort - 29 August to 6 November, 1774
Jeremiah Able, William Bustar(d), Richard Byrd, Isaac Chrisman (killed by Indians Rye Cove 1776), Abraham Cooper, Francis Cooper, James Coyle (killed by Indians 1780), John Dunkin, Sergeant (Captured by Indians 1780, released 1783), William Ferrell (Killed by Indians), Joseph Horne, Solomon Litton (prisoner of Indians 1780-1783), James McCarty, Henley Moore, Ensign, James Price, Drury Puckett, Archibald Scott (killed by Indians 1785), James Scott, Richard Thompson, William Wilmoth, Archibald Woods.
At the Maiden Springs Fort - August to November 1774
Rees Bowen (killed by King's Mountain), Robert Brown, Sergeant, Thomas Bromley, James Cravens, John Cravens, Joseph Cravens (Sergeant from 22nd September), Robert Cravens, James Douglas, John Flintham, Samuel Fowler, John Jamison, Andrew Lammey, James McElhenny, John Newland, Samuel Paxton, James Rogers (Draper Mss 6 XX 106), David Ward, Henry Willis
At Big Crab Orchard (also called Maxwell's Mills and Witten's Fort - First Listing August to October 1774
Levi Bishop, Andrew Branshead, William Brompson, David Bustar(d), John Campbell, Ensign, John Crawford, Samuel Doack, George Daugherty, James Edwards, James Fullen, Michael Glaves, Alexander Grant, John Grinnup, Francis Hambleton, Isaiah Hamilton, John Hamilton, Alexander Henderson, Francis Hines, James Mitchell, Robert Moffett, Thomas Potter, Benjamin Redford, Edward Sharp, Isaac Spratt, Sergeant, Andrew Steel, George Vaut, Thomas Whitten, Sr., Sergeant, Thomas Whitten, Jr., John Williams, Roland Williams (Draper Mss 9 DD 2)
At the Big Crab Orchard Fort - October to November 1774
Christian Bergeman, Richard Breeze, Robert Brown, Phillip Dutton, Johnathan Edwards, Daniel Henderson, Thomas Jones, Jacob Kinder, Peter Kinder, William King, William Lashley, Thomas Meads, William Pharis (Ferris), Michael Razor, Thomas Rogers, Jeremiah Whitten (Draper Mxx 6 XX 106)
Strength of the Upper Clinch Stations at the End of October, 1774
At Elk Garden - 1 Sergeant, 15 men
At Fort Christian - 1 Ensign, 1 Sergeant, 15 men
At Maiden Springs - Brown & Cravens (Sergeants) and 15 men
At Whitten's Fort - 1 Ensign, Sergeants Spratt & Whitten, and 44 men.
Total men and officers - 97 (Draper Mss 5 XX 2)
Indian Scouts on the Clinch in Early 1774
Ephraim Drake, William Herrell, Edward Sharpe, Richard Stanton. Sent out by Captain William Russell as Scouts, 15 April 1774. (Draper Mss 3 QQ 18)
Scouts Listed by Captain Daniel Smith on Clinch - August to October, 1774
Rees Bowen, William Bowen, William Crabtree, Robert Davis, James Fowler, Samuel Hays, John Kinkead (17 days), Thomas Maxwell (10 days), William Priest (7 days), John Sharp (7 days), David Ward. (Draper Mss XX 2)
Roster of Troops Under Captain Daniel Smith (perhaps Maiden Springs 4 October 1774)
Thomas Boylston, Robert Brown, Saul Cecil, Israel Harman, Vincent Hobbs, William McAdoo, William Magee, Thomas Maxwell, Holton Munsey, Samuel Munsey, James Myers (Marrs), John Myers (Marrs), David Patton, Thomas Shannon, John Smith, Joseph Turner (Draper Mss QQ 114)
While Fort Christian (Glade Hollow) was erected in Captain William Russell's command originally, it seems later to have been transferred to the command of Captain Daniel Smith.
No list for the Forts in Russell's Command in 1774 have been found, which were Blackmore's, Moore's and Russell's Forts. A later list has been uncovered for Moore's Fort, which is given below.
List of Troops at Moore's Fort - June 30, 1777 (Draper Mss 1 XX 20 and 1 XX 24)
Patrick Porter, Sergeant, Lewis Green, Jr., Robert Kilgore, James Alley, Charles Kilgore, Samuel Alley, John Montgomery, Samuel Porter, Zachariah Green, John Alley, Alexander Montgomery, Sr., Alexander Montgomery, Jr., Andrew Cowan, Frederick Friley, John Kinkead, John Barksdale, James Ozburn (Osborne), Thomas Osborne, Nehemiah Noe.
Some 16 miles north of Lebanon, on Highway Number 19, on Indian Creek in upper Russell County, is a State Highway Historical Marker, which bears this inscription:
"Near here in 1774, stood Daniel Smith's Fort, also known as Fort Christian. The fort was named for Smith who was a surveyor and Captain of militia on the upper Clinch."
To prove that this marker has an error, I herewith quote two letters written at the very time these forts were being built on the Clinch frontier. The first of these letters was written by Captain William Russell, who was in command of the forts on the lower Clinch below Elk Garden. Russell's letter is dated July 13, 1774, and written to his superior military officer, Colonel William Preston, and reads:
"Since I wrote you last the inhabitants of this river have altered the plan for two forts only, on this river below Elk Garden, and have erected three; one in Cassell's Woods which I call Fort Preston; a second ten miles above which I call Fort Christian; the third five miles below the first which I call Fort Byrd..." (12)
Colonel William Christian, the same man for whom Fort Christian was named was in Cassell's Woods at this very time supervising the construction of the forts, having been sent to do so by Colonel William Preston. On July 12, 1774, Colonel Christian wrote to Preston, heading his letter up "Captain Russell's Fort" in which he writes:
"There are four forts erecting on the Clinch in Captain Russell's company; one at Moore's four miles below this; another at Blackmore's sixteen miles down; and one a Smith's, twelve miles above this place." (13)
Captain Russell says that Fort Christian was ten miles above Castlewood; and Colonel Christian says it was at Smith's twelve mile above. These distances from Castlewood puts the location of the fort on Big Cedar Creek in Glade Hollow and it can be none other than the Glade Hollow Fort, so Glade Hollow Fort and Fort Christian were one and the same.
It will be remembered that at the time of the erection of these forts that Fort Christian was in Captain Russell's company below Elk Garden and it is not likely that Russell would have had the audacity to name Daniel Smith's very own fort over which he had no military authority whatsoever.
It is approximately 40 miles from Russell's Fort in Castlewood to the site of Smith's Fort at Indian Creek, north of Lebanon, and this certainly does not agree with the distance given by both Russell and Christian from the Castlewood Fort to Fort Christian.
Some say that near Belfast stood Smith's Fort built in 1774 by Capt. Daniel Smith, and that after Daniel left the Clinch it became the fort of his brother Colonel Henry Smith who lived at Clifton in upper Russell County. This may be true as Colonel Henry Smith became militia commandant for Russell County after its formation in 1786, but it either event it certainly must have been a "family fort" defended by its occupants, as no record has been found to prove that it was manned by State Militia and no know Revolutionary War soldier who has left a pension statement says he served in Smith's Fort.
There is only one document that might suggest that Smith had a fort on Indian Creek, and that is a letter written by Col. Arthur Campbell to Colonel William Preston, dated September 9, 1774, in which he states:
"Yesterday morning early, one John Henry was dangerously wounded upon Clinch, about four miles from Captain Smith's Station. I have sent out orders to this, and the next company on the Holston for all the men that have arms and ammunition to assemble tomorrow in order to patrol a few days in the Rich Valley, and some of the best hands to go over and see what has become of Captain Smith, as he is very weak at his own station, having only eight (8) men the last account." (14)
Campbell's letter does lead one to believe that Captain Smith had a fort at his home on Indian Creek, but why was it not mentioned in the military correspondence of 1774, and why were no militia troops assigned to defend it? There can be only one answer and that is, that it was a family fort as previously suggested and then the question arises, was it a stockaded fort, or only a forthouse?
In the beautiful New Garden section of Russell County, Virginia, on the south side of the Clinch was another very early fort called the New Garden Station. This is another the historians have passed by and no historical marker denotes its existence, even the people now living in the area are unaware that fort ever existed there. This section of Russell County was settled very early, in fact as early as 1769, and upon whose land and when the fort was built it not known.
Certainly it can be proven that the fort stood upon Thompson's Creek, from this entry in Washington County, Virginia, Land Entry Book, dated August 20, 1780, which reads:
"We the commissioners, etc...do certify that Israel Christian is entitled to 100 acres of land near the New Garden Fort, on the north side of Clinch River, on the waters of Thompson's Creek."
The New Garden Station may have been built as early as 1774 and manned by the settlers in proximity to it. Certainly there is no militia list for it as this early date, and neither is it listed as one of the garrisoned forts under Captain Daniel Smith's command at this time.
Settlers of the New Garden section would have been at the complete mercy of the Shawnee entering through the Sandy war passes, and sanctuary in either the Elk Garden or Castlewood Fort would have been miles away. Considering these conditions and the very early settlement of the area it seems that an early fort would have been a most urgent necessity of the settlers.
Both Andrew Lynam and George Huffaker in their pension applications say they served at this fort under a Lt. James Leeper in the year 1777, with Huffaker saying that when he served there Alexander Smith and a Mr. Jackson lived there.
Robert Sinclair says in his pension claim that he served there in the fall of 1776 or 1777 under Captain William Norton. These statements not only prove the existence of the fort, but also that it did exist at an early date.
George William Settle in an unpublished history of Russell County entitled "A Brief History of the Earliest Generations and Events, Etc., In the Eastern Part of Russell County, Virginia, page 53, states:
"About one half mile north of Oaks Garage, or around 300 yards up the ridge from Robert Green's was an Indian fort where twenty-five or thirty people lived for protection against the Indians. Some old man told me they would go down to the big spring below the road, eat and go back to the fort, but never without the men along with their rifles."
The above traditional statement may actually pinpoint the location of the New Garden Fort.
Tate's Fort on Moccasin Creek in Russell County was another the early historians completely overlooked, and only two historical references brought it to light. The first made by Mrs. Samuel Scott of Jessamine County, Kentucky, who in referring to her stay on the Clinch makes this statement:
"We moved out of Tate's Fort, close on Moccasin Creek, over to Holston to get ready to come to Kentucky." (15) This was in the spring of 1780 and she joined a party of emigrants to Kentucky in 1784.
The other statement was made by Captain John Carr, of Sumner County, Tennessee, who was born on Carr's Creek in Russell County, Virginia, in 1773, and moved with his widowed mother to the Cumberland settlement in 1784. In speaking of the year 1776, he states:
"My father settled on Big Moccasin Creek with some 15 or 20 families from Houston's Fort. The Indians were so troublesome that we built a 'new fort.' It was called Tate's Fort, where we forted in summer and returned home in winter." (16)
Carr's statement needs some clarification and he does not mean that his father settled on Moccasin Creek in 1776, but that it was this year in which they moved out of Houston's Fort where they had refugeed in the past and built a new fort for their convenience. His father had settled on Moccasin Creek much earlier for John, himself, was born there in 1773, and his father died there in 1782. This, then, places the construction of Tate's Fort in the year 1776.
That Tate's Fort was s stockaded affair certainly cannot be doubted, for 15 or 20 families could never have crowded into a fort house. It certainly must have been manned and defended by its occupants for I find no record of militia ever having been stationed there.
This fort was built on the lands of Colonel John Tate who had settled on Moccasin Creek in the year 1772, on a tract of 174 acres of land surveyed for him December 13, 1774. (17) I have not found any account that this fort was ever attacked directly by Indians.
On March 25, 1774, Captain Daniel Smith, who was the Surveyor for Fincastle County, surveyed 225 acres of land on Cove Creek in the Rye Cove of present day Scott County for Isaac Crissman. Crissman entered his land in Fincastle County, March 28, 1774. The exact date that he settled on the land is not shown. He and two members of his family were slain at or near the spot in 1776 by the Indians. The Washington County, Virginia, court appointed Archibald Scott, who was later himself slain by the Indians, as Administrator of Crissman's estate on January 28, 1777. Crissman had served in the militia as a private at Glade Hollow Fort during the Point Pleasant Campaign in 1774.
Prior to his death at the hands of the Indians, Crissman had built a fort on his land, probably sometime in the year 1774. John Redd who had come to Powell Valley with Captain Joseph Martin in 1775, knew Crissman, and has left the only known description of the fort. Of it he says:
"Rye Cove Fort was about 8 miles from the North Fork of the Clinch, situated about a half mile from Cove Creek on its west side. There were several springs at the fort. It enclosed about half an acre of land." (18)
This fort has been referred to as Crissman's Fort, but more commonly as the Rye Cove Fort. In military correspondence it is called Fort Lee, but not a single soldier who served there and left a statement has ever referred to it as Fort Lee, but always as Rye Cove Fort. It was one of the major forts and was garrisoned throughout Indian times with militia. May people were killed and captured in the Rye Cove, including troops and spys sent out from the fort.
There has been some thought that Crissman's Fort and the Rye Cove Fort were separate forts, due to the fact that Captain Joseph Martin and his troops were paid for building a fort in Rye Cove in 1777. I think, however, that it can be proven that Fort Lee, Crissman's Fort and Rye Cove Fort were one and the same, and that Martin and his troops were paid for repairing the old fort, not building a new one. First let us go to the pension declaration of Charles Bickley, filed in Russell County, Virginia, in 1838, in which he states:
"That he entered the service in the month of September or October, 1775, under the command of Captain William Russell, Lt. William Bowen and Ensign James Knox, and was rendezvoused and stationed at Rye Cove, where he remained in the service guarding and defending that fort until January 23, 1776, when he was discharged. That in the ensuing summer of 1776, exact date not remembered, he was engaged in hoeing corn in the county of Russell when an alarm that Indians were in the neighborhood was raised. The people assembled at the fort (Russell's) and the company of militia from Reed Creek in Wythe County, under the command of Captain John Montgomery, Lt. Michael Daugherty and Ensign John Simpson, were on their march to the Rye Cove Fort, preparatory to an expected expedition against the Cherokee, when he, Charles Bickley, enrolled and marched as a Private under the said officers to Rye Cove where they remained a short time. Colonel (Anthony) Bledsoe, then in command of the forces on the frontier, ordered the evacuation of the Rye Cove Fort and marched to Blackmore's Fort on Clinch River, where a junction was made with the forces then in the fort and they marched from Fort Blackmore into Tennessee, where they were joined by Colonel (William) Christian and Major Evan Shelby.
On return of Christian's Army at the close of the Cherokee Campaign, it was disbanded, except a few companies scattered here and there on the frontier. One of these companies under command of Captain Joseph Martin was stationed in the Rye Cove during the winter and spring of 1777. They were stationed at Crissman's Fort. While here Martin's Company was attacked by Indians under the leadership of a son of Nancy Ward's, known among the whites by the name of Little Fellow."
It was during the winter of 1777 that Martin's troops were paid for building the fort in Rye Cove and Bickley says they were stationed in Crissman's Fort, which seems to prove that they were paid for repairing the old fort built by Crissman, which Bickley speaks of as both Rye Cove and Crissman's Fort.
During 1792 and until after the last Indian raid on the frontier in 1794, Captain Andrew Lewis (Jr.), son of the historically famous Andrew Lewis of Salem, was in charge of the frontier militia with his headquarters at Fort Lee in Rye Cove.
Further westward in the Rye Cove of Scott County stood Carter's Fort, supposedly built by the Carter brothers, Joseph, Thomas, and Norris. Most early historians place the date of this fort around 1786, but it can be proven by Revolutionary war pension claims that this date is at least a decade too late.
James Elkins says in his pension statement filed in Clarke County, Kentucky in 1832, that he served at Carter's Station in the Rye Cove in the latter part of the summer of 1777, under Captain William Bowen. His statement is no doubt correct for Lt. William Bowen is shown to have been in the Rye Cove, both in 1776 and 1777, according to early military records.
How many years prior to 1777 this fort existed is not known, but the Carter brothers were very early settlers in the Rye Cove with land entrys in old Fincastle County in 1774. Since this was the most westward fort in Scott County and openly exposed to Indian forays it is reasonable to think that the early settlers of Rye Cove would have had a fort for their protection at a very early date. This was undoubtably a palisaded fort and it stood close along the old "Hunter's Trace" passing through Scott County.
Still in Scott County on the waters of Moccasin Creek was Houston's Fort. While the Moccasin Creek waters are a tributary of the Holston River this stream was more in the Clinch River defensive area than of the Holston, and it was thought for several years after the first settlers that Moccasin Creek was a tributary of Clinch River.
The fort was built by William Houston and his neighbors in 1774, upon land which had formerly been settled by Thomas McCulloch in 1769, and abandoned by McCulloch in June of 1771, because of fear of Indians. William Houston, assignee of Thomas McCulloch, seems to have taken up his abode on the land in 1772. Nearby stood a grist mill which Houston had built to serve his and his neighbors need for bread.
In the late summer of 1776, probably in August, Fort Houston was attacked by a large force of Cherokee Indians, said by some people who were in the fort to number 300. This attack was driven off when two companies of militia under Captain Daniel Smith and Captain John Montgomery were sent to the relief of the station from Fort Blackmore where the troops were gathering for Colonel William Christian's Cherokee Campaign. (19)
Samuel Cowan who lived in lower Castlewood had raced across country on a borrowed stud horse belonging to Deskin Tibbs to warn the station that Indians were in the area and arrived before any attack had been made upon the fort. After delivering his message he insisted upon returning to his home against the advise of those in the fort and started upon his return and was fired upon a short distance from the fort. The defenders of the fort hearing the shots sallied out to his assistance, found him shot and scalped, but still alive. He as carried into the fort, but died a short time afterwards. The horse Cowan was riding was uninjured and reached Castlewood, covered with sweat and lather from the long run, and Mrs. Cowan seeing the riderless horse fainted, knowing that her husband had been shot from the horse. (20)
John Carr, who was in the fort with his parents, and at the time, only three years of age, wrote to Dr. Lyman C. Draper in 1854, that he could remember his father holding him up to a port hole to see the Indians firing upon the fort. (21)
Mrs. Samuel Scott, another inmate of the fort, said that when the fort was attacked there was about thirty people in the fort, with perhaps ten of these being men, and that the Indians stayed around several days killing livestock. (22)
On the old Kentucky Trace between Woodway and Dryden in the vicinity of the Litton Dairy Farm, stood Rocky Station which was the only fort in Powell Valley to remain open during the dangerous days of the Revolutionary War when the Indians, aided and abetted by the infamous British agents, living among them were inciting them to slaughter innocent women and children along the western frontier.
The Rocky station was garrisoned by a Company of Rangers who patrolled Powell Valley and watched the war paths from the Cherokee and Shawnee nations especially Cumberland Gap, which pass was used by both nations. Colonel Charles Cocke assumed command of this station in 1780, and remained in command until after the Revolutionary War. Colonel Cocke was particularly alert, often delegating command of the fort to a subordinate and going out as an Indian spy himself. We sometimes find this station referred to as Cocke's Station, because Colonel Cocke was in command there.
There are numerous accounts of Indian attacks upon the fort, and it's Rangers had many encounters with them throughout the valley, especially those bonds dedicated to stealing horses, which acts seemed to increase many fold during the Revolution. (23)
Rocky Station was perhaps erected in 1775 or 1776, and was the home of Isaac Crissman, Jr., who is assumed, without proof, to have been a son of Isaac Crissman who built Crissman's Fort in Rye Cove and was slain by the Indians in early 1776 in Rye Cove. At least Isaac, Jr., was heir-at-law to an Isaac, Sr., in possession of this property. Washington County, Virginia, Land Entry Book 1, shows that Isaac Crissman, whether Junior or Senior not known, made actual settlement on the land in 1775. In a letter written by Colonel Joseph martin to the Governor, dated November 8, 1791, he says:
"Crissman's Station is north of Clinch Mountain in Powell Valley." (24)
In the year 1769, Joseph Martin of Henry County, Virginia, led a group of land seekers into Powell Valley in search of land. After losing their trail and having much difficulty in finding the valley they finally arrived, staked out vast acreages under the Loyal Company grant and returned to Henry County.
In January, 1775, Martin with a group of men from Henry County returned to the valley. Among those accompanying him was John Redd, Mordecai Hoard, Brice Martin (his brother), and William Parks, the latter killed by the Indians the following year on his land claim. These men and others staked out their claims and were improving them for home sites. Sometime between January and June of 1775, this little group built a fort of which John Redd leaves this description:
"Martin's Fort was on Martin's Creek. The fort was located on the north side of the creek. There was some 5 or 6 cabins; these built some 20 feet apart with strong stockades between. In these stockades there were port holes. The station contained about half an acre of ground. The shape was a parallelogram. There were two fine springs near the station on its north side. The station was not reoccupied after 1776, or during the Revolutionary War." (24)
This station was evacuated in June of 1776, just prior to the outbreak of the Cherokee war. Captain Joseph Martin, after the Cherokee Campaign was appointed Indian Agent to that nation and moved his headquarters from the valley to Long Island. When Long Island was ascertained to be in the state of North Carolina, Martin then moved back to the Valley. In 1783, the Governor of Virginia and Council authorized the building of a fort at Cumberland Gap which fort was erected under the supervision and on the lands of Captain Martin, in the fall of 1783. This new station was some 18 or 20 miles below Martin's Old Station and 2 miles from Cumberland Gap on Indian Creek, or on Station Creek, a tributary stream, for certainly that is how the stream got its name. Unfortunately no one has left a description of the new station, but it is sometimes referred to as "the Blockhouse" suggesting that it had bastions at the corners. This was the last stopover for emigrants on the great Wilderness Road before their entry into Kentucky. Martin retained possession of this station until 1788, (25) when he sold it and returned to Henry County never to return to the western frontier in which he played so great a role, and has been almost forgotten by historians writing of the area.
There is a State Historical Marker locating the site of Martin's Old Station at Rose Hill, in Lee County, Virginia. The location is correct, but the marker states that the fort was built in 1768, which is an error. Martin's first venture into the valley, as previously stated was in 1769, and no fort was built since their stay at this time was only a few days.
The location of Martin's two forts can be easily verified by a letter written by him from his home in Henry County to the Governor of Virginia, on November 8, 1791, wherein he states:
"From Moccasin Gap to Martin's Old Station, 25 miles; from thence to Martin's New Station, 20 miles; from thence to Cumberland Gap, 2 miles."
He further states in this letter that about 100 souls were living at or near the Old Station, and at Martin's New Station and the neighborhood about 50 souls. These two stations were always in Virginia, and when both Walker and Henderson ran their lines they were so run as to leave Martin's Stations within the state.
John Redd, in his Narrative in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography states that in the fall of 1775, William Mumps, with a small band of men built a fort at the Sinking Springs, about 20 miles from Martin's Station. The Sinking Springs was the present site of Jonesville, the county seat of Lee County.
William Mumps and his men were probably from Henry County, Virginia, and likely induced by Martin to make settlement in Powell Valley. Redd says the fort was evacuated in 1776, and never again reoccupied. In June of 1776, shortly before the evacuation of the fort the historically famous George Rogers Clarke was a guest at Mump's Station on his return from Kentucky, which he had left because of fear of an Indian War. Redd says the fort was evacuated in 1776 and never again reoccupied, yet Alexander Ritchie, Jr., in his Revolutionary war pension claim gives the line of forts and stations in use by the militia and he states: "A fort where Lee County Courthouse now stands."
In this statement he is referring to the year 1777, or thereabouts. It is possible that he was referring to Mump's abandoned fort and that it was in occasional use by the militia after 1776, however, this is only a supposition. It is unknown if this was a stockaded fort, but in all probability, due to the exposed location, it had some sort of rude fortification around it.
This is another fort found only in the memoirs of John Redd, and of it he says:
"That it was located some 5 or 6 miles above Martin's Station and was on no water course." It was built about the same time as Mump's Fort, and William Priest, its builder, was perhaps a Henry County, Virginia, man in the valley through Martin's influence. Five or six miles from Martin's Station would locate this fort between the towns of Rose Hill and Jonesville, in Lee County.
This fort was evacuated at the same time as Mump's and Martin's, and the men from both fled to Fort Blackmore, in June, 1776, when alarmed by the outbreak of the Cherokee War. All evidence points to the fact that it was, as Redd says, never reoccupied after the initial evacuation, as no other mention of it has been gleaned from any source.
The only known mention of Owen's Station comes from the pension statement of James Kincaid, filed in Lafayette County, Missouri. He tells of going to Owen's Station ten miles below Martin's Station in Powell Valley, in present day Lee County. Ten miles below Martin's Old Station would place Owen's Station some eight miles from Cumberland Gap, and in the vicinity of the present village of Ewing. Kincaid's reference was to the year 1776, or 1777, and no other reference has been found mentioning this station.
In the year 1786, a William Owen was living in the vicinity of Owen's Station, and this station may or may not have been his home.
Located in Powell Valley on the banks of Powell River, between Dryden and Woodway, near where the highway crosses the bridge at the Wygal place. Yokum's Station seems to have been a neighborhood fort for the scattered settlers of Turkey Cove. The station was perhaps the home of one George Yokum and anything of his personal life is unknown to this writer.
It appears that the station was built some time after 1780, since this is about the time that Turkey Cove began to be settled, with Vincent Hobbs and some others settling there in this year.
No description has been found for this fort and none of the military correspondence or pension claims make mention of it. This leads to the assumption that it may have been only a neighborhood fort manned by the settlers. The only intimation that militia troops might have been stationed there comes from the assignment order for militia troops in 1792, which shows a Captain, Sergeant, Corporal and 24 Privates stationed in the Turkey Cove, but does not show at what particular places, if any, they were stationed.
In a letter written from Morristown, Tennessee, September 9, 1925, by Mr. William A. Orr, who grew up in the neighborhood of the fort, to Dr. David F. Orr, he says:
"When the fort was built there was only a trail from it up and down the river, up Turkey Cove and on over Lovelady Gap and across Natural Tunnel in Scott County. It was then part of Washington County. Do you remember a large pile of rocks at the Comfrey Patch? That is where the fort stood. It was from there that Captain Hobbs went when he shot Benge."
It is true that it was from this fort that Captain Vincent Hobbs led his small band of settlers that killed the half-breed Indian Chief Benge in present Wise County, Virginia, forever freeing the frontier from the Indian scourge. All of Hobb's men lived in and around Turkey Cove and most of them were members of the militia in Captain Andrew Lewis' (Jr.) command, which again might suggest that some militia was stationed at this fort.
Gibson's Station was located in lower Lee County, about five miles from Cumberland Gap, and is still, today, called Gibson's Station.
In 1775, Ambrose Fletcher made a settlement on a tract of land in the western end of what is today Lee County, Virginia, and on the 10th of August 1785, Fletcher assigned his certificate for this land to Major George Gibson. This tract was entered before the Commissioners of Washington County, on August 10, 1781, by Fletcher, and is described as 400 acres of land lying in Washington County in Powell's Valley, and known by the name of the "Indian Old Fields". George Gibson had this land surveyed on December 8, 1785, and was issued a patent for the same on August 1, 1785. (26)
George Gibson doubtless moved on this land shortly after acquiring it and established a station, since, and to this day known as Gibson's Station. His home was a two story log house nearby a spring. The spring was inside the fort, and the chimney of the old Gibson home is still standing, but another house has been built to it. The location is beyond the Southern Railroad underpass and about 300 yards beyond, on the right.
Apparently this was another of the neighborhood forts, for I find no record that militia was ever stationed there. It was likely defended only by its occupants.
George Gibson was a son of Robert and Isabella Gibson, and was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1732. Come to America when quite young with his parents and settled in Augusta County, Virginia. About 1776 he married Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of Zachariah Smith of Augusta County. When upon coming to Southwest Virginia, it is said that he first settled in the vicinity of Abingdon, before coming to Powell Valley round 1785. He was a Lieutenant in the French and Indian War, and served during the Point Pleasant campaign in 1774. During the Revolution he served in the Continental Army, was promoted to Major, and is said to have been at the Battle of King's Mountain. He died at Gibson's Station, April 3, 1819.
The Indians captured his son, Matthew Moss Gibson, when he was a small child and he lived with the Indians until grown, when he was identified by a birthmark and ransomed by his father. Family tradition states that he never became accustomed to living with his family, and would often be found outside the door listening and not entering the house. That he often returned to his Indian parents, staying awhile and then returning to his own parents. He later moved to Missouri where he spent the remainder of his life.
While not on the waters of either the Clinch, Holston, or Powell Rivers Davidson's Garrison; on the waters of Bluestone River in present day Tazewell County, contributed to the defense of the upper Clinch and Holston Rivers in preventing entry by the Shawnee toward the headwaters of both streams. The fort located on Cove Creek, about 3 miles from it's mouth, which stream is a tributary of the Bluestone River, and the Bluestone settlement is often mentioned in military correspondence during the troubled Indian days, but never Davidson's Fort, which seems strange, as the head of the Clinch and Bluestone settlements were wide open to the Sandy War passes, and also from the fact that state militia was stationed at this fort.
The fort was built by the Davidson family who were direct emigrants from County Down, Ireland, first settling on Jackson's River in Augusta County, Virginia, later moving to Crab Creek in Montgomery County and from thence to Cove Creek in Tazewell County. In this family there were at least three sons, William born in County Down, Ireland, in 1759, his brothers Joseph, born in 1767, and Andrew Davidson. Both William and Joseph served in the militia at their fort, and it is from the pension statement of William, that we draw our information and the knowledge that such a fort really existed. In his pension statement filed in Tazewell County, Virginia, he states:
" The company stationed in Davidson's Fort in the spring of 1777 was divided into 3 or 4 companies, and when the spys would come in and report Indian signs, it was the duty of the companies to go in turns in pursuit of them. He says the settlement where he lived in Montgomery (now Tazewell) County was very weak and from 1777 to 1786 they had to call on the country to the east for assistance, and that a company was sent in each of the aforementioned years from the eastern part of Montgomery County, part of which were stationed in the garrison with him. That they usually went on their spying missions from Davidson's Fort across Bluestone River, across the Dividing Ridge between the waters of Bluestone and Guyandot, and around this ridge between the Bluestone River and Davidson's Garrison. (27)
An interesting sidelight on this fort is that from 1777 to 1786, it was under the command of Captain James Moore, who along with his entire family were so cruelly destroyed by the Indians on July 14, 1786. A small booklet published many years ago under the title "The Captives of Abbs Valley" by an unnamed relative tells the tragic story of the destruction of the Moore family, except a son, James who had previously been captured by the Indians and was still a prisoner when his family were all slain.
James Moore was appointed a Captain by the court of Montgomery County, on April 8, 1778, on the waters of Bluestone. The same court on August 23, 1786, entered this interesting order:
"George Peery appointed Captain in place of James Moore, deceased, Joseph Davidson, Lieutenant, and Andrew Davidson, Ensign in the same company."
This is another of the vague stations about which too little is known. There are several references in official communications of troops being stationed in the "Rich Lands", however, no particular station is mentioned.
This station may have been the home of one James Fowler, who served as a scout under Captain William Russell, and was at Fort Blair on the Point Pleasant Campaign in the fall of 1774, and he, Fowler, was dead prior to 18th of August 1778, the date the Washington County court appointed administrators of his estate.
In Washington County, Virginia, Survey Book, page 120, is a land entry which reads:
"On the North Fork, both sides of Clinch, in the Rich Lands. We, the Commissioners, etc., do certify that John Fowler, heir-at-law to James Fowler, deceased, assignee of Thomas Sharp, is entitled to 200 acres of land by settlement in the year 1772, lying on the North Fork of the Clinch River, being the same where James Fowler resided in his lifetime."
Joseph Starnes, in his pension statement says that he served under Captain Aaron Lewis in a tour of 3 months at a placed called "Fowler's Station." (28)
That Fowler's Station and the Richland Station were one and the same is perhaps logical reasoning, and certainly it was a very early station, although we do not know the year in which it was built. In the year 1792 a list of troops and their places of stationment shows a Sergeant, Corporal and 12 Privates to be stationed at Brown's or Fugate's in Richlands. This may mean that by 1792 the old station had been abandoned and the above two mentioned places may have been fort-houses where troops were stationed.
When William Ferrill was killed by Indians in New Garden in June, 1778, Captain Daniel Smith ordered the Sergeant in charge of Richlands Fort to take half his men stationed there and go to the assistance of Captain John Kinkead in New Garden. This order shows that Richlands Fort was a garrisoned station in 1778, with a Captain Edmondson being in command, but absent at the time.
Upon whose land and when this station was built cannot be stated at this time. Next to nothing is known regarding it, with few references available and only one pension statement reference which may be found in the application of Patrick Coyle, filed in Wayne County, Kentucky, in 1833, in which he says:
"That he entered the service in October, 1780, under Lieutenant James Hawkins and was stationed at Dump's Creek."
It is possible that the Dumps Creek Station may have been only a fort house and not a stockaded fortress, however, this fact is unknown.
Of all the frontier stations along the Clinch this one presents the greatest enigma. The location is between Big and Little Tom's Creek, on the Guest River at the present site of Coeburn, Virginia. Outside of deed references which mention this station frequently no other direct reference has been found pertaining to it, and no militia correspondence or pension applications make mention of it.
Charles B. Coale, in "Wilburn Waters" tells of the Indians going to this station in 1777, after their capture of Jane Whittaker and Polly Alley, and finding it well defended make no attack upon it. Coale gives no authority for this statement and search for it has prove fruitless. Who built the station and for what purpose is unknown. There are several opinions, but opinions unless backed by factual data should never become a part of written history. This writer does categorically deny that it has any relation with Christopher Gist as has been written, since Gist did not travel through the present bounds of Wise County.
Elder Morgan T. Lipps, who settled on Tom's Creek in the spring of 1838, states in his diary: (29)
"That the old settlers showed him some of the logs of the old fort and chimney rocks still lying upon the ground when he arrived there in 1838."
Even if Christopher Gist did visit this spot in 1750, he could never, with the help of a small Negro boy, have built a structure whose remains would have lasted 88 years after his departure.
That some sort of fortification existed at Coeburn is unquestioned, since from the earliest times the place was called Guesses Station, and retained that name until the coming of the railroads when the name was changed.
A few forts along the Holston River played a part in the defense of the Clinch River Valley settlements, and only those playing some sort of defensive role will be mentioned in this manuscript.
Fort Patrick Henry often referred to as the Long Island Station (present Kingsport, Tennessee) was built in 1776, largely by the troops of Captain William Russell, while waiting there for the gathering of the troops for Colonel William Christian's Cherokee Campaign. Long Island in the Holston, upon which the fort was built was a spot held in veneration by the Cherokee Indian nation and was not ceded to the United States until after the turn of the 19th century. The fort was the main defensive bastion against the Southern Indians and was active until cessation of hostilities. It was at this fort that Captain Joseph Martin had his headquarters as Indian Agent until it was determined that the island lay in the state of North Carolina instead of Virginia.
John Redd who has left an excellent description of this fort, describes it thusly:
"The fort was built on the Holston in 1776; was built on the North bank about 200 yards below the upper end of the island. The place selected for the fort was where the bank of the river was very high, I suppose some 20 feet, and the water some 4 or 5 feet deep. The ground enclosed by the fort was about 100 yards square. There was only three sides enclosed, the bank of the river being almost impregnable. This fort was built similar to that built by Joseph Martin in Powells Valley with the exception that the walls had bastions at the corner. The house for the store was in the center of the square and also the house for the commander. There were several springs that broke out of the bank of the river which was used, but the river was our main dependence for water." (30)
The Blockhouse on the Holston was one of the most widely known places on the Wilderness Road. It stood in Carter's Valley on the outer edge of the Holston River settlements, about four miles southeast of Moccasin Gap. In Scott County, Virginia. It seems to have been the only Blockhouse within the area, insofar as available data reveals, the other forts consisting of log cabins and stockades.
The Blockhouse was built by John Anderson sometime prior to 1782. It had two rooms, a lower and upper floor. The walls of the upper floor had the usual port holes, and the upper story extended out wider than the first floor. During the period of greatest travel over the Wilderness Road, John Anderson, as proprietor of the Blockhouse was host to literally hundreds of people who stopped over on their way to Kentucky and elsewhere.
When danger of Indian attack had passed, John Anderson built nearby a larger two story house with log kitchen, into which the family moved, and the old Blockhouse was converted into a "loom-house." It was continued in this use until 1876, when it, together with the newer house was consumed by fire.
Dr. William A. Pusey, of Chicago, author of "The Wilderness Road to Kentucky", had a monument erected on, or near the site of the old Blockhouse, the inscription which reads as follows:
"This Tablet Marks The Site of the Blockhouse the meeting point of the pioneer roads to Kentucky from Virginia and North Carolina, and the gathering place of pioneer travelers at the entrance to the wilderness. Erected by a descendant of William Bowen who recorded that, "We waited hereabouts near two weeks and then set out for the Wilderness, with 12 men and 10 guns, this being Thursday, 18th July." (1782)
This fort was located on the North Fork of Holston. In the year 1782 tithables of Washington County, Virginia, three adult Harrisons were listed. They were Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah, and from the Biblical names they are assumed to have been brothers. Jeremiah bought a tract of 400 acres and the later took up a tract of 340 acres. The 400 acre tract was on Sinking Creek of the North Fork of Holston and is dated in the Fincastle Survey, May 28, 1774. Yet the 340 acre tract appears in the Washington County Survey Book, and it is this tract he sells to David Smith on June 14, 1787. (31)
The first mention of any fort here comes in a letter of Arthur Campbell to William Preston, dated October 6, 1774, (32) in which he says: "He was stationed on the main path to Clinch, opposite the Town House (33) to protect the settlers, and he mentions the families of Vance, Fowler, Harrison, etc., including John Campbell who had been serving as an Ensign to Captain Daniel Smith on Clinch."
This Jeremiah Harrison and others, probably brothers, must have come to the area very early as the settlement certificate mentions settlement in 1772. They certainly appear to be the same family as lived in Augusta County, Virginia, from the earliest times, for instance, entry of 15th of September, 1742, shows Jeremiah Harrison and Isaiah Harrison as delinquents in the company of Hugh Thompson. (34) They appear to be sons of Joseph Harrison who died in early 1748, with Isaiah as Administrator of his estate appointed on May 18, 1748, (35) with Jeremiah as his security.
In the summer of 1774, Jeremiah Harrison was paid for the pastureage of 135 steers for use at the Maiden Springs Station. (36) There were two Jeremiah Harrisons in Augusta County and they have different named wives. Apparently Jeremiah Harrison left the Holston and moved on to Kentucky where he is listed in a deposition at Woodford Courthouse, Kentucky, dated July 14, 1781. (37) That these men were old, or aging, when Dunmore's War broke out is likely as they are not reflected in any muster lists.
Isaac Crabtree in making a supporting statement to his brother Abraham's pension application filed in Wayne County, Kentucky, in 1828, tells of their being sent to Jeremiah Harrison's Fort in 1776, and Jacob Crabtree, says that he was discharged from the militia at this fort in 1776.
It is fairly evident that Harrison's Fort was a stockaded affair, but probably small due to the fact that it did not lie on an exposed frontier, and how long it remained in use is unknown, as no reference have been found concerning it, other than those above mentioned.
This was a sister station to Jeremiah Harrison's Fort, and about five miles separated the two forts on the North Fork of Holston. This fort, like some others came to light in Revolutionary War pension statements. Vance's Station was no doubt the home of old Alexander Vance. The station is mentioned in both the pension statements of Abraham and Isaac Crabtree, who lived with their father, William Crabtree, on the North Fork of Holston, near the present Saltville, Virginia. The Crabtree brothers mention going to Vance's Station after a tour of militia duty at Blackmore's Fort and at the Flat Lands, which is believed to be another early name for Flat Lick, that section around Duffield down to Pattonsville in present Scott and Lee counties.
Old Alexander Vance owned 289 acres of land on the North Fork of the Holston River surveyed and recorded in Washington County, Virginia, in June, 1783, although he had been living on the land many years prior to this survey and entry. This land included the mouth of Beaver Creek. Somehow, later, this land became the property of General William Tate who lived at Broadford in Smythe County, just upstream from Saltville.
There were two Vance families in the area, one living on the North Fork of Holston River and the other on Beaver Creek near Bristol.
In 1818, one Abner Vance of the North Fork of Holston family was hanged at Abingdon for murdering a member of the Horton family who had debauched Vance's daughter. Vance felt he had gotten an unfair trial and while in prison wrote a very stirring and tragic ballad which in early days virtually became a folk song and was widely sung around the hearthside of the pioneers and known as the "Vance Song."
On October 6, 1774, Colonel Arthur Campbell wrote concerning Vance and Harrison's Stations in this manner, and this may be the clue to the dates one, if not both of these forts were built.
"Upon the alarm of (Samuel) Lammey being taken Vance and Fowler's wives, with several other families convened at Mr. Harrison's, which lies upon the main path to the Clinch in the Rich Valley, opposite the Town House. Upon request of several inhabitants on both sides, I ordered six men to be stationed there for ten days, two of which were to be out ranging. Henry and John Dougherty moved their families to this side of the mountain, disagreeing with ye majority of ye inhabitants, as to the place to build a fort. Mr. John Campbell's wife has been on this side of the mountain this past two months and (Campbell) himself has acted as Ensign to Captain (Daniel) Smith on Clynch ever since that Gent was ordered to duty.
Archibald and John Buchanan's families and Andrew Lammey came here, (to Royal Oak) who has continued on this side yet. Captain Wilson went immediately with 15 men, and ranged near a week in the neighborhood where Lammey was taken," and left four of his best woodsmen with neighbors for several days longer. I also ordered two of the most trusty persons I could get to act as Spys along Clinch mountain for ten days, which they performed, I am satisfied, faithfully; besides the six men at Harrison's I ordered Mr. Vance's and Fowler's wives three men a week, particularly to assist about saving their fodder, which they got secured safely." (38)
Campbell's reference to a disagreement between the settlers as to the proper place to build a fort, it undoubtably the beginning of both Vance and Harrison's Stations, thus placing their erection in the year 1774.
Samuel Lammey was taken captive by the Indians on Holston, carried into captivity and never returned. He was taken by a band under the leadership of the Shawnee Black Hawk.
Located on the North Fork of the Holston River near Mendota was the fort of John Benham. This was perhaps only a family fort for no mention is made of militia troops ever having been stationed there, or that it was in use after the Revolutionary War. The date the fort was built is unknown, but John Benham settled there in 1769. He owned a thousand acres of land along the Holston River about four miles below the village of Holston. (39)
John Benham was evidently a brother-in-law to the elder Vincent Hobbs, and Benham had a son named Vincent as did Hobbs, and both had sons named Joel. The Hobbs and Benhams lived on adjoining farms. There was also a connection between these families and the family of John Douglas who was killed by the Indians at Little Moccasin Gap in 1776. (40) John Douglas who lived with his father Edward Douglas on Clinch River, near Flour Ford in present day Scott County, Virginia, may have been returning from a visit with these relatives when slain by the Indians.
John Benham, builder of Benham's Fort died in 1800.
This fort was the home of William Wynn and may have been only a fort house or small fort. It seems likely that it must have had some sort of rude palisades due to its exposed location, and seems to have served Wynn and his neighbors and was at times also guarded by state militia.
William Wynn was born August 10, 1729, and died July 8, 1808, and is buried near the old Fort. From his birth date it can be seen that he was too advanced in years to take a very active part in the militia. His first wife was Cynthia Harman, and his second wife was Mary, the daughter of William Whitley. William Whitley was murdered by the Indians on the head of Clinch River in the fall of 1789, and cruelly mutilated, even his heart and entrails torn from his body and cast upon the ground and bushes. (41)
Wynn's Fort was located at Locust Hill on the North Fork of Clinch River, about one and a half miles from the present town of Tazewell, Virginia, and was probably erected in 1774. Whether it was ever directly attacked by the Indians is unknown, but due to its proximity to the Sandy War Passes it may have been.
In that section of Scott County from Dungannon down to Gray's Island, along Clinch river is one of the most interesting sections of Scott County. It was settled very early with residents there in 1770. Along that very short stretch of river, approximately two or three miles from Hunter's Ford to Gray's Island, then called the Big Island, there seems to have been at least four fort-houses, at least it is believed these were fort houses and not stockaded forts. This conclusion is deduced from the fact that the residents of this area, during Indian forays, are shown to have been inmates of Moore's and Blackmore's Forts.
Again knowledge of these facts became known from studying the Revolutionary War pension claims of men who served in them and from land deed records and litigation suits in the High Court of Chancery of Augusta County, Virginia.
Elisha Wallen says in his pension application that:
"We were organized by law and by the officers named, and were divided out along the line of the following names forts, to-wit: Blackmore's Fort, Rye Cove, Rocky Station, Stock Creek, Duncan's Fort and Osman's Fort." If that is not enough, Charles Kilgore says in his pension statement:
"In the following year (1779) in summer, he again volunteered under Captain John Snoddy and Lieutenant (William) Cowan for the purpose of guarding Osman's Fort on Clinch River in said county of Washington. He remained in the said fort for three months, with said company, guarding the same."
To further add to the confusion Alexander Ritchie, Jr., says in his pension claim:
"The militia was arraigned from that of a Captain's Company (24 men) to a Sergeant's command at the different stations and forts from Blackmore's Fort to Martin's Station, about 20 miles from Cumberland Gap; Moore's Fort in Castlewood, Rocky Station, Rye Cove Station, Shallow Ford of Clinch; Stock Creek and Duncan's Fort."
Ritchie says in an amended statement that he served 6 months beginning in April, 1780, at Duncan's Fort. Here we have three militiamen, all living in the same general area of Scott County, as well as others not quoted, who tell of having served in the same forts which should prove the truth of their existence.
In disposing of these forts, first there is mention of Stock Creek and Shallow Ford of Clinch. Of these two the writer has no knowledge. The "fort where Lee County Courthouse now stands", if this was not the abandoned fort built by William Mumps, already discussed, then the writer has no knowledge of another at this place.
Osman's Fort I believe to be a corruption in the spelling of Osborne, and being the home of perhaps one William Osborne, which is not quite clear, but certainly not to be confused with Stephen Osborne at Osborne's Ford, as the former stood near Gray's Island on Clinch. A deed to one William Osborne in Scott County, dated October 9, 1829, reads:
"A certain tract or parcel of land, lying and being in Scott County, on the south side of Clinch River, it being part of the same bottom that joins Buster's Shoals, opposite a place called Nicholson's Fort, containing 41 acres more or less." (42)
Here we pick up another fort which was the home of Benjamin Nicholson who settled there about 1772, later sold his land and emigrated to Clarke County, Kentucky. The Nicholson land was sold to William McClain and his "fish-trap" is mentioned as the place where Elizabeth Livingston crossed the Clinch with Indian Chief Benge when he had her captive in 1794. The Nicholson land was near Gray's Island and this fort has been found mentioned in deed references only.
Another in this same area, with no further reference found except in a Russell County deed, which reads:
"One certain tract or parcel of land known by the name of Ritchie's Fort, containing 360 acres." (43)
Originally this would have been the home of Alexander Ritchie, Sr., who came to the area from Prince Edward County, Virginia, and was the father of Alexander Ritchie, Jr., whose pension statement has been heretofore quoted. The strange thing, however, is that in his pension claim, Alexander, Jr., makes no mention of his father's fort. The Ritchie's settled on this land in 1772, later selling it and leaving the area. It was sold to one William Osborne of Pendleton County, South Carolina, and he in turn sold the same land on October 20, 1792, to one James Osborne and it is again referred to as "Ritchie's Fort". Since this fort land was sold to two men named Osborne it may be logical to assume that Ritchie's Fort and the fort referred to as "Osman's Fort" were one and the same, the name changing with ownership.
Duncan's Fort was the home of Raleigh Duncan and stood between Dungannon and Gray's Island on the Clinch River. Raleigh Duncan and his brother, John, first settled on a tract of land at Hunter's Ford in 1772, which they were jointly developing into a plantation. John was killed by the Indians in 1774, and Raleigh and the widow of John fell into dispute over the Hunter's Ford land and Raleigh moved down the river to another tract of land in 1775 and here he built his home which was Duncan's Fort. (44)
Alexander Ritchie, Jr., in his Revolutionary War statement says that he lived at Duncan's Fort from March 1778 to April 1779, and that he enlisted again in 1779 and 1780 under Captain John Snoddy for six month tours of duty for the purpose of guarding Duncan's Fort. In 1786, he was appointed, along with John Alley as Indian Spys by Colonel Henry Smith of Russell County. He states they left Duncan's Fort every Monday with their provisions on their backs, ranged across the Cumberland Mountain and Sandy in Kentucky, returning to Duncan's Fort on Sundays. These statements show that the fort was an active military defense from 1778 to 1786, and perhaps before and after these dates.
Raleigh Duncan came to the Clinch from Culpepper County, Virginia, and was born in 1723, and died at Duncan's Fort in 1786.
Other than the old Kilgore Forthouse which is still standing, Porter's Fort was perhaps the most widely known fort house in present day Scott County. It was the home of Patrick Porter, who emigrated from Guilford County, North Carolina, in October, 1772, and established his fort house and grist mill on the waters of Falling Creek, near Dungannon. This was nothing more than a strongly build fort house and according to the pension statement of his son, John Porter, it was built only for family protection. (45A)
It is well authenticated that the Porter family sheltered in Moore's Fort during Indian forays, and Patrick served in the militia protecting this fort in the year 1774. There is no factual evidence that Porter's Fort was ever under direct Indian attack.
Just below the falls of Falling Creek, Patrick Porter built his grist mill, the first ever approved by court order on the Clinch River, permission being granted by the court of old Fincastle County, in 1774. Despite the fact that it was the first mill ever approved for the Clinch, it was not the first mill. The Lynch Mill at upper Castlewood was in operation for sometime before Porter's Mill was erected, but no order has been found granting permission for this mill.
Patrick Porter was born in 1739, and had married Susanna, the daughter of John and Ann Houston Walker.
Located about one mile southeast of Nickelsville, Scott County, Virginia, on the Combs farm, this was the home of old William Dorton, Sr., who was killed by the Indians in July, 1780. (45) Undoubtably this was just another family fort house, and there is no record of it ever having a complement of militia. When it was built is unknown, but likely sometime in the 1770's. The family of William Dorton continued to live at the place after he was slain. The court records of the 1780's refer to it as "Dorton's Old Fort", meaning that it may have fallen into disuse and disrepair.
Little is known of the life of William Dorton, Sr., prior to his untimely death at the hands of the Indians, even the place and details of his death are unknown. His son, William Dorton, Jr., was in one of the parties that pursued the Indians under Benge after his capture of the Livingston family in 1794. This party led by Captain William Dorton, Jr., overtook one of the Indian parties, who seem to have split into three separate groups after the capture and killing, and killed one of the Indians in that particular group. (46)
Leaving the waters of Clinch and crossing through Kane's Gap of Powell Mountain we come to the headwaters of Wallen's Creek, a tributary of Powell River and Scott's Fort. This was the home of Archibald Scott, built in 1775, and nothing more than a fort house and not stockaded. It stood on a section of the old Kentucky Trace and was a noted stop over for emigrants traveling to Kentucky.
Archibald Scott and his four children were massacred here on the evening of June 20, 1785, and his wife, Fanny taken captive and carried north by the Indians, presumably led by the half breed Benge. She eventually escaped and returned to the Clinch frontier where her story has become one of the classical Indian stories of Virginia's last frontier.
After the destruction of the Scott family the old fort became the home of Robert Duff, who had married Fanny Scott's niece and remained a famous stop over on the Kentucky Trace for many years afterwards.
Scott and his children were buried near the old fort house, but no markers were ever erected at their graves and today only the general location of their resting place is known. The Duff family graves are well marked and it is interesting to read the epitaphs of some four or five members of the family who served in the Confederate Army.
Mordecai Hoard of Henry County, Virginia, came to Powell Valley in Lee County, with Captain Joseph Martin in 1775 and took up a 400 acre tract of land in the Martin grant of 1769. He also took up another tract of 860 acres. Hoard returned to Henry County where he died. Captain David Chadwell, also a native of Henry County, bought from the heirs of Hoard the 400 acre tract and 707 acres of the other tract. Deeds for these tracts being dated November, 1791, however, David Chadwell was in the area as early as May, 1790, and immediately upon coming here he built a Station or Fort, which was widely known as "Chadwell's Station."
The station was a stop over for people traveling westward over the Wilderness Road, as well as being a refuge from Indian attacks for Chadwell and his neighbors. Whether this was a stockaded fort or just a fort house is not known. There is today a church in this area called Chadwell's Station Church.
After settlement David Chadwell began acquiring other lands and by 1801 he was assessed with 1800 acres of land in Lee County. He continued to acquire land in both Lee County, and adjoining Claiborne County, Tennessee, and finally moved to Tazewell, the county seat of Claiborne County, leaving his Lee County lands in the hands of his children. He died at Tazewell, in 1832, at the age of 100, having been born in 1732, and is buried there at Breastwork Hill. He married Elizabeth Turner and their children were:
1. John Chadwell, b. 1771, m. Mary (Polly) Adams, b. 1772 2. David Chadwell, Jr., b. 1776, m. Nancy Lane 3. Susanna Chadwell (1773-1846), m. (1) Benjamin Posey (2) Daniel O'Daniel 4. Barthena Chadwell, b. 1775, m. (1) Moses Cotterill, the Ensign who was chased across Powell Mountain by the Indian Chief Benge in 1793. Married (2) Jerome Skelton. 5. Mary (Polly) Chadwell, 8-30-1777, d. 1855, m. (1) Walter Middleton, 2-29-1801. Married (2) Benjamin Cloud who died in 1845 at Chadwell Station. 6. William Chadwell, b. 1783, d. 12-5-1857, m. Charterine Lane, b. 1795 in Grainger Co., TN. 7. Alexander Chadwell, b. 1783, d. 1868, m. Lucy Bailey, b. 1789, d. 3-31-1859, daughter of Carr and Mary Bailey of Henry County, Virginia. 8. Nancy Chadwell, b. 1774, m. in 1790 to James Brittain We know that David Chadwell, who was a Captain in the Revolution, was in the area of his station as early as May, 1790, for on that day he was granted permission to establish a grist mill on his property.
David Chadwell had a sister, Jemima, who married William Cox and settled also in Lee County, Virginia. This could possibly have been the Mrs. Cox shot at by the Indians, on march 17, 1785, mentioned in letters to the Governor of Virginia from both Captain Joseph Martin and Colonel Arthur Campbell.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: (1) Augusta Court Causes Ended O. S. 177 N. S. 63, Bill filed 1808. (2) Shelby Family Papers, Library of Congress (3) Draper MSS 3 QQ 19-20 (4) Ibid, 3 QQ 46 (5) Ibid, 3 QQ 64 (6) Ibid, 3 QQ 63 (7) Ibid, 9 DD 3 (8) Williams, Early Times in Tennessee, Chapter 10 Appendix (9) Draper MSS 11 CC 224 (10) Pension Statement James Fraley, National Archives (11) Draper MSS 5 C 70 (12) Ibid, 3 QQ 64 (13) Ibid, 3 QQ 63 (14) Ibid, 3 QQ 94 (15) 11 CC 224 (16) Williams, Early Times in Tennessee, Chapter 10, p. 225 Appendix (17) Washington County, Virginia, Land Entry Book 1 (18) Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Vol. 7, p. 3 (19) Pension Statement of Charles Bickley, 1836, National Archives (20) Draper MSS 11 CC 224 (21) Draper MSS (22) Ibid, 11 CC 224 (23) Pension Statement Alexander Ritchie, National Archives (R-8784) (24) Virginia State Papers, Vol. 4, p. 341 (25) Virginia State Papers, Vol. 5 (26) Pension William Davidson, National Archives (R-2695) (27) Washington County, Virginia Land Entry Book 1 (28) Pension Joseph Starnes, National Archives (29) Dairy in possession of author (30) Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Vol. 7, p. 1 (31) Washington County, Virginia Land Entry Book 1 (32) Draper Mss 3 QQ 145 (33) Home of James Thompson, near Chilhowie, VA (34) Draper MSS 1 QQ 20 (35) Augusta County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 78 (36) Draper MSS 6 XX 106-2 (37) Chalkley, Chronicles of Scotch-Irish Settlement, II, 47 (38) Draper MSS 3 QQ 115 (39( Washington County, Virginia Land Entry Book 1 (40) Draper MSS 4 QQ 53 (41) Virginia State Papers, Vol. 5, p. 180 (42) Scott County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 553 (43) Russell County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 13 (44) Augusta Court Causes Ended, Cockrell vs Duncan (45A) Pension of John Porter, National Archives (45) Pension James Fraley, National Archives (46) Virginia State Papers, Vol. 3, (Ltr. Capt. Andrew Lewis)
Pages 1 to 26
Just 100 years prior to February 22, 1966, a unique and noble character was born in Scott County, Virginia, about whom this brief sketch is written. Scott County has provided our country with a large number of notable people, not the least of whom was Dr. John Preston McConnell, founder and first president of what is now Radford College, Radford, Virginia. Dr. McConnell was the eldest son of Hiram, better known as Squire, and Ginsey Brickey McConnell of Obey's Creek, Scott County.
He received his early training in the elementary school of the community. Later he taught the same school for three years. He wrote in his Autobiography, a volume entitled WHO AM I?
"In my early teens I conceived the idea that I wished to be, for a season, at least, a school teacher; however, it did not occur to me that I would devote the major part of my life to educational work. As a boy I looked forward to the time when I could become a lawyer, or what was a little nearer to my heart, editor of a weekly newspaper...I felt that the editorship of a weekly newspaper offered any good man, or woman, a very good opportunity to increase the public intelligence and to influence public opinion in the right direction." (1)
After three years of most enjoyable experience in elementary education he decided to secure a college education, and was persuaded to enter Milligan College, located near Johnson City, Tennessee, from which institution he received the B. A. and M. A. degrees, taking first honors in his class. For several years following his graduation he taught at the College. During this time, on May 21, 1891, he married Clara Louisa Lucas from Montgomery County, Virginia. She was at the college at that time. During these years at Milligan, in addition to his teaching, he served as business manager and acting president. It was here that he decided to make education his life's work. However, he believed his education was far too inadequate for the work of a teacher.
So in 1900 he took his wife and four small children to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he enrolled as a graduate student in the University of Virginia. There he majored in History and Economics: To help defray expenses he tutored, and served as an instructor in Rawlings Institute in Charlottesville.
He was awarded the Ph.D. degree by the University, along with three other men. They were the first to receive this degree from the University. He chose for his dissertation subject as part of the work for his Ph.D. degree, NEGROES AND THEIR TREATMENT IN VIRGINIA FROM 1865 TO 1867. This dissertation was copyrighted in 1910, and the book was widely distributed at $1.00 per copy, which was a good price for a small volume in those days.
Upon his graduation at the University, he accepted a position at Emory and Henry College, Emory, Virginia, as professor of History and Economics. He moved with his family, now increased to five children, in the fall of 1904. While serving on the faculty of Emory and Henry College he actively participated in many programs for the improvement of educational and civic life in Southwest Virginia, and throughout the State. He was an enthusiastic promoter of the historic "May Campaign" in the State in 1905 for State support for secondary education. Soon after taking up his work at Emory and Henry, he was asked to serve as Dean of the College, and Chairman of the faculty committee on COURSE OF STUDY.
He was a very popular professor, and the students soon gave him the friendly title of Dr. "Ekie" due to his emphasis on the importance of courses in Economics.
He enjoyed his work at Emory and when he refused an offer at a much more lucrative salary, a friend asked him how much he was receiving at Emory and Henry, to which he replied, "$50,000." His friend, realizing that there must be some trick to it, asked how it was paid, Dr. McConnell replied, "About $1,000 in cash, and the balance in pure satisfaction."
The fact that Dr. McConnell was selected to head the new State Institutions to be established at Radford, is evidence enough as to his reputation in the field of education in the State. He was elected in 1911 and while teaching at Emory and Henry, directed the planning and building of the new school to have the name of The Radford Normal and Industrial School for Women. It has since changed its name several times, but is now known as Radford College.
He moved with his family to Radford in the late summer of 1913, and opened school to its first students in September of that year. His assuming this new position, and moving to Radford, changed his work from a college professor, principally, to an administrator, but it did not change his interest in the program of working for the betterment of community life throughout the State.
For his new faculty he took great care to find, not only good teachers, but persons who were civic minded and enthusiastic about their work as educators. Notable among these were Prof. W. E. Gilbert, Dr. J. E. Avent, Dr. M'Ledge Moffett and Prof. F. B. Fitzpatrick in 1919.
Dr. McConnell's life and work at Radford was very closely tied up with these dedicated members of his faculty. They devoted themselves to promoting to the utmost of their ability the ideas and ideals which he advocated. He had an unusual ability of unifying, coordinating, and welding the faculty into a united force for the advancement of living conditions of the people of the State.
By this time Dr. McConnell knew more people in Virginia, particularly Southwest Virginia, and was known by more people than most any man in the State. He not only knew the individuals, but he knew their ancestry, and the members of their families by name. It would be safe to say that he spoke to more groups of people, and under more auspices, than any man of his generation. His ability to deliver forceful messages with illustrations and stories of familiar origin enabled his hearers to appreciate and remember. He was a much-sought-after speaker for important gatherings.
Along with the gratification of serving his people in this way, many ludicrous incidents happened. For example, he was speaking Gate City at an outdoor function, when someone out on the periphery began shooting a pistol; whereupon most of his audience took to cover leaving him standing on a platform alone. A friend called out, "Run, John McConnell, run. You're too good a man to be sacrificed this way."
Later he gained questionable publicity when the Press gave wide coverage to an incident of his trousers slipping down while speaking at the Annual Banquet of Southwestern Virginia, Incorporated, in Bristol. Immediately following this experience he received at least a dozen pairs of suspenders from friends all over the country, one pair from as far away as Walla Walla, Washington.
Dr. McConnell was very proud of his ancestry, and of his home county of Scott. His love of Scott and his constant reference led to the prevalent statement by others in referring to Scott County as "The Great State of Scott," or sometimes abbreviated to "Great Scott." He wrote in the book, WHO AM I?, referred to above, as follows:
"As a child I was impressed by both of my parents that they had undertaken the very great task, and one in which they took much pleasure; namely, properly rearing and educating their large family of children. I am not able to decide whether I was more influenced by my father or by my mother." (2)
Among the many organizations with which he was affiliated as a leader in one capacity or another, besides being president of the College until 1937, were the following: During World War I he was Director of Junior Red Cross Work in Virginia, also Director of the sale of War Savings Stamps for Montgomery County, and Director of the Near East Relief Campaign in Virginia. He served for a season on the Board of Directors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind at Staunton, and for a number of years was president of the State Board of Charities and Corrections. He was president of the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia, 1921-1928. He was very active in the promotion of regional alms-houses in Virginia.
Of the various educational and civic organizations with which he was a leader might be mentioned the following: He was president of the State Teachers Association, chairman of the State Educational Conference, and president for many years of the Cooperative Educational Association. He served as president of the Southern Education Association, and of the Southern Educational Society, and the Home Betterment League of the South. He was for many years president of the Southwestern Virginia Incorporated, a Regional Chamber of Commerce. He served for many years as president of the First and Merchants National Bank of Radford.
He was a member of the Christian Church and took an active part in its program from the local church to the national organizations. He was a member of the Board of Managers of the International Convention, chairman of the Board of Recommendations of the Christian Church in the United States and Canada, and a member of the International Board of Education of the Christian Church.
To give an example of his philosophy of life a statement may be given from his book above referred to:
"I believe one can live a very happy and useful life, even though his life is devoted to education, religion, unofficial, and unselfish work for others, although it is manifest on almost every hand, that the material rewards, or the financial recompense, in the work of this kind, are smaller than they are in the fields of industry, commerce, or manufacturing. The undefinable, imponderable, unpurchaseable, and untransferable compensations and gratifications of mind and heart, as I see it, are more permanent, and more satisfying than any material rewards that business or pompous official life can provide. I believe from my own experience and observation that one does well for himself, and for others, when he decided to live a life of service to others, in promoting the finer things of life rather than a life of getting, and using, and spending for one's self. I think I can truly say that if I were privileged to go through life again, I would choose the teacher's or educator's vacation." (3)
The result of a questionnaire sent to a large number of alumnae of the College give an indication of his most noted characteristics, when they answered the question, "As you now recall them, please list some characteristics of Dr. McConnell." Hundreds voiced such terms as human, humorous, democratic, loyal to convictions and ideals, kind and helpful. Perhaps the most consistent answer was his amazing gift of making and keeping friends.
An illustration of his appreciation of the value of an individual is given in the following incident: It was near the appointed hour for a conference with the Governor of Virginia, when he, accompanied by a friend, entered the capitol grounds and stopped to get a shoeshine. He began talking with the shoeshine boy, and when the shine was finished the friend indicated that the time was near for the conference. Dr. McConnell waves his hand reassuringly, and continued the conversation with the boy. At last after a few parting words of advice, he joined his friend and said to him, "My friend the Governor will be there when we get there, but this was our only chance to influence and help that boy, who may be a future Governor."
As long as Dr. McConnell was President of the College, a chapel service was held every school day, regularly scheduled for thirty for forty minutes. A Scripture reading and a prayer, frequently the Lord's Prayer, characterized the program. He enjoyed group singing, although he did not sing. The program was concluded usually with some words of wisdom from him, expounding on one of his familiar proverbs, such as:
"An honest man is the noblest work of God."
"A man see what he is looking for."
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
"The grass is greener on the other side of the fence."
"The fool's eyes are in the ends of the earth."
"Riches of the mind and spirit are the only true wealth."
"It is not enough to be good, be good for something."
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Goodridge Wilson wrote in his "Southwest Corner" of the Roanoke Times as follows:
"In his special field of education he has been an aggressive pioneer in teacher training, in providing equal opportunities for men and women, in adopting the curricula to the needs of the workaday living. In all these he has been not merely an interested participant, but an active and forceful leader - and with that surest mark of greatness, unaffected simplicity, he has been the genuine personal friend of hundreds of common men, and the beloved fatherly adviser of thousands of boys and girls." (4)
H. Powell Chapman, Editor of the Roanoke Times, said:
"John Preston McConnell was born in the hills of Scott County and the eternal strength of the hills, their dignity, their simplicity, their sheer beauty, their contrast to all that is artificial or petty, have been reflected in his life and character as he has moved about among the people of the Southwest all his days, ever helpful, every sympathetic, ever kind to one and all." (5)
On the occasion of the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the presidency of the College, his long- time friend Dr. Roy Flanagan sent him the following sonnet:
"Believer in the 'things that are not seen'
Discerning prophet of a better time,
Perceiver of rare jewels in the grime
Of life's dark corners 'mid the poor and mean;
Wise Teacher of the True, the Brave, the Clean;
Exponent of the Law of Sinai heard:
Strong Fashioner of the Deed to match the Word;
And Faithful Guide into the Light serene;
Great friend of the forgotten, Helper rare;
Your stalwart form and clear, simple speech
Have taught a humble people everywhere
How fine a thin it is truly to teach.
To work, to serve, to hear and forbear,
And what it means to 'Practice as you preach.'" (6)
FOOTNOTES: (1) WHO AM I?, an unpublished autobiography (2) Ibid (3) Ibid (4) The Roanoke Times, November 15, 1937 (5) Ibid, November 15, 1937 (6) An Interpretive Study, The Philosophy of Education of John Preston McConnell, TeaCher, by June McConnell Graybeal, 1949.
Pages 27 to 30
The following are a few of the Lee Countians who have helped lay the foundations or progress and development for their county, beginning with the early religious heros who helped safeguard Christianity and keep in progress the ideals and purposes of higher and better standards of living.
Dr. I. S. Anderson
Dr. Isaac S. Anderson was probably the first white child born on the Virginia side of Bristol. He was born in 1854 and his father, Joseph Anderson donated the land on which King College is founded. After being graduated from this college and also from a theological seminary in New York, Dr. Anderson came to Lee County and devoted some 47 years to the ministry. He would often ride 30 miles each way to and from his church appointments. He founded Mount Carmel Church at Rose Hill and was pastor of it for more than 40 years. He also established many other churches in the county. Always a scholar as well as a minister, Dr. Anderson once made a trip to the Holy Land. The Reverend N. C. Burkhart
N. C. Burkhart was only sixteen years old at the outbreak of the Civil War and consequently was too young to be inducted into service. He was not too young, however, for Christian service and for helpfulness to humanity, and to this he dedicated his life. It is said that he would visit the battlegrounds, take water and food to wounded soldiers, pray with them, and give every aid possible.
He entered the ministry at an early age and still specialized in helping the unfortunate and troubled. Hanging was the means of capital punishment in his day and Mr. Burkhart would often spend the previous night with the condemned man, praying with him and helping to prepare for his imminent death. Mr. Burkhart organized the first Methodist-Episcopal group in Pennington Gap in 1892.
The Reverend Reuben Steele
Reuben Steele was chaplain in the 64th Virginia Regiment during the Civil War and was with them when they drilled on the grounds of the old Seminary Church in eastern Lee County. After the war he became an outstanding minister, preaching throughout Lee, Scott and Russell counties. Embittered and impoverished by the war, the people in some places were cruel and unfriendly towards Steele, but he always maintained a courage and perseverence that was almost superhuman. On some of his circuits, there was so much hostility that they locked up some of his churches and threatened to whip Steele or even kill him if he did not abandon his field. Mr. Steele's faith is singularly evident in a farewell letter which he wrote just before his death to the Reverend John Borden: "I am not afraid to die for religion is not a failure, I have tried it long enough to know. Let atheists, infidels, skeptics, and scoffers say what they will, religion is not a failure. I have tried it long and am trying it right now in death."
The Reverend Daniel H. Carr
Daniel Carr was born at Whitegate, Giles County, on the 12th of July, 1838. He became a licensed minister in August of 1866. It is said that he read the Bible through once for each year of his life, one time entirely on his knees. He underwent the dangers and the hardships of service in the Civil War and was for a time a prisoner of war. He moved to Jonesville as pastor of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, south, in 1891 and from there he went to Pennington Gap. In his diary Mr. Carr records that at Jonesville he tore down the old parsonage and built a new one, built a new church of Pennington Gap and built a parsonage at Pennington Gap. The Reverend Mr. Carr was the grandfather of the Reverend S. E. Bratton, who was later at Pennington Gap.
Henderson Graham
Henderson Graham was a member of one of Lee County's most prominent families living in the Hickory Flats community. After service in the Civil War he became Lee County's first superintendent of schools.
Robert L. Evans
Robert L. Evans was one of the first school teachers in the mountainous section of Lee County. He taught in a one-room, log school house just off the highway from Stone Creek on the Harlan road. The school building was warmed by a wood stove, had one window in the rear of the building, and was furnished with crude wooden seats. In his funeral oration for Mr. Evans, the Reverend Tom Forrester had this to say, "He was one of the kindest and best men I have ever known, and I know how great it must be if Heaven is in that home to which he has gone."
Dr. John C. Orr
John C. Orr, D. D., was a native of the Sugar Run section of Lee County and grew up on a farm. While still a boy in his early teens, his parents moved to the community now known as Green Hill between Dryden and Woodway. Dr. Orr helped establish churches in Lee County, became president of Sullins College at Bristol, and also pastor and professor of Bible at Emory and Henry College. He was a great singer and led the song services for the Jonesville Camp Meetings and for Holston Conference. He was one of the most widely known and outstanding ministers of his day.
Professor W. S. Cox
Professor W. S. Cox was a pioneer Lee County school teacher. One of his early schools was a little three- room building in Pennington Gap.
Asa Johnson
Perhaps it is not out of order for us to take a backward look at a family who in earlier years meant so much in the building of Pennington Gap. They were the Asa Johnsons, a wealthy family from Ohio who came here about the year 1893, it was now this time that the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was being constructed through this section toward Norton. Mr. Johnson became the first depot agent and soon his daughter Myrtle succeeded him. The Johnsons built and operated the first hotel in Pennington Gap, a beautiful three-story building, and in the west wing of the ground floor they operated a general merchandise store. The hotel and store were located where the Piggly Wiggly store now stands. Every day at noon a big bell suspended on the outside of the hotel called the patrons into the dining room for the noon meal. The Johnsons also founded a laundry that stood near where the C& P Telephone building is now located. They established and operated a planing mill and a lumber shed. They were a charitable family and donated to the building of a new Methodist-Episcopal Church in east Pennington and also to other worthwhile organizations. There were five girls in the family and one boy Earl who now holds a high government position and lives in Vancouver.
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still was a native Lee Countian who blazed the pages of not only Lee County but American History. He was born in an humble cottage home two miles west of Jonesville about 1818. His father was the Reverend Abram Still, one of the founders of Jonesville Camp Ground in 1810. The house in which the family lived was removed several years ago. Dr. Still was the discoverer of osteopathy, which is a system of therapy based on the belief that the body normally makes its own remedies, but can do so only if it is in the proper adjustment. After several years of effort, hardships and struggles, Dr. Still established a college of osteopathy at Kirkland, Missouri in 1892. The college has grown until at the present time there are over 13,000 licensed physicians in the United States. Dr. Still died in 1917.
Dr. W. L. Davidson
Dr. W. L. Davidson, a native of Jonesville, is listed among the world's leading scientists. He was formerly director of the B. F. Goodrich Research Laboratory at Akron, Ohio. One of his early achievements was invention of the talking golf ball. The ball was made radioactive by the use of .02 grams of radioactive zinc under the rubber cover which answers to the call of a Geiger counter by setting up a ticking instrument as one nears the ball. Dr. Davidson once stated that a similar but still harmless amount could e added to register at 100 feet.
Eli Davis
One of the first commercial enterprises in Lee County was the Silver Leaf Nursery, four miles south of Rose Hill, established by Eli Davis in the early 1800s. Tradition says that Daniel Boone had a part in naming the nursery. On his trek westward Boone sat down to rest at a spring near the place. Leaves on the silver Maple trees nearby were casting prancing shadows over the waters and Boone called the place" Silver Maple"; but Davis preferred "Silver Leaf."
Mr. Davis came to Lee County as a young man from Claiborne County, Tennessee. For a while he farmed and taught school. For a text book he used the old Blue Back Speller. He would also talk from the New Testament and tell the children Bible stories. After a long usefulness in the church, school and other public interests, he became interested in budding and grafting fruit trees by joining buds and cuttings from choice varieties to seeding root stock. This grew into a flourishing business that lasted over fifty years, giving employment to many.
Mr. Davis and his wife Nancy donated the lot on which Silver Leaf Church was founded, and he was chairman of the first Board of Supervisors of Lee County, and at one time was county surveyor.
Jim Laningham
Jim Laningham was the first licensed embalmer and undertaker in Lee County. Although there were other stores in the county that sold hardware, he purchased the first real hardware store in Pennington Gap. He achieved his greatest financial success in the early years of the coal industry. He was superintendent of the Black Mountain Coal Company, held an interest in Penn-Lee Coal Company, and was its superintendent for several years. He was also consignee for the Texas Oil Company in both Lee and Wise counties.
These many business interests and activities did not supplant Jim's love for his church. He attended as long as he was physically able and supported it liberally. He and his brother Earl gave the church its lovely pipe organ and Jim later donated the carillon chimes. In the last years of his illness while bedfast he would telephone his friends and urge them to be present at the Sunday School and preaching services.
Dr. James E. Browning
Dr. James E. Browning, a pioneer resident of the Camp Ground area, was a versatile man. He was a land surveyor, operated an old-time water mill, and was a preacher and doctor of medicine. It is recorded that on one occasion he stayed for six weeks in the house of a man who was afflicted with typhoid in Harlan, Kentucky. When the man recovered from his illness, Dr. Browning charged him $5.00.
Charlie Bondurant
Charles W. Bondurant, one of the pioneer Lee County "coal kings," was born in Bristol, Tennessee, January 23, 1866, son of Jessee Green and Elizabeth Latham Bondurant.
At the early age of 9 he worked in a brick yard at Bristol at 40 cents a day and soon after this first job worked with a grocery store in Bristol, at $3.00 a week, gradually gaining the reputation for hard work and honesty. For a time he was with the R. J. Reynolds tobacco Company and still later worked with a company in Knoxville.
In the beginning of the early coal industry, Mr. Bondurant came to Lee County opening up mines an taking out coal leases. For a time he had as a partner Mr. S. G. Hill, now living in East Pennington. After the two dissolved partnership Mr. Hill operated the Virginia Lee Coal Company. He was chairman of the Lee County School Board for several years.
Mr. Bondurant got off of the train at Pennington Gap and either walked or rode horseback up through the mountain country. He would pick up the mail in Pennington Gap and deliver it to people along the way. One after another coal mine or station opened up. Bondurant influenced the building of the Mountain Branch of the L & N Railway through Pennington Gap into the coal fields; and at Darbyville the first car of coal was shipped out of the county.
Mr. Bondurant and his office assistant gave the name of Saint Charles to the mining center which later became a good-sized town. Bondurant's first name being Charles, and his office assistant Saint John.
Pages 31 to 34
For three quarters of a century there was very little industry on Garden Creek of Buchanan County. The people managed to eke out an existence by farming the steep hillsides and raising a few cattle and sheep. Once in several years a lumber company would move in, cut out the trees, and move out and wait for more trees to grow. The people, though industrious and hard working, had very little. In fact, you might say they had only two things in abundance, their freedom and their pride, to both of which they clung tenaciously. Because life was so hard, they longed to educate their children. A mother whose son had just graduated from Triangular Mountain Institute, was getting him ready to leave for Emory and Henry College. She said, "I want more than anything in the world to give my children a college education, then I want to spend the rest of my days going to church and visiting my neighbors." This statement would not be unusual except that it came from a mother who had been denied the privilege of learning to read and write. It points up how much the people wanted education for their children.
One summer morning in 1920, we saw strangers approaching my home. My father went out to invite them in, for strangers were always welcome in those days. My mother set about to prepare a good dinner - yes, it was dinner - lunch was just something we carried to school in a tin lard bucket.
One of these strangers was the Reverend B. N. Waterhouse, Field Secretary for the Methodist Church. During dinner he told my father that Mr. William Boyd had given the church 150 acres of land at the forks of Garden Creek, on which to build a high school. The school would open in temporary buildings which the church had acquired from the White Oak Lumber Company.
In order to secure the very best teacher to take charge of the school, the church asked Harris Hart, whom I think, was Superintendent of Public Instruction at that time, to recommend a teacher. The man, who came to serve as principal and only teacher was Professor Ben Woolsey, formerly from Iowa. He told us later the reason he came was that he had been reading some of John Fox, Jr.'s novels and thought he was coming to the same locality.
The temporary buildings consisted of a long row of rooms in which the boys were housed. Another large building contained a kitchen, dining room and rooms for the girls. A building which had been a barn and had a dirt floor, was used as the auditorium. There were two classrooms. All of these were just shacks, covered with black tar paper.
My best friend and I had never seen the inside of a high school. We had no idea what Latin and Algebra were but we simply couldn't wait to register. So as soon as the principal arrived, we went to his office to register - and I, who had been the despair of my mother, because I talked more than any girl should, for once was speechless. Fortunately few words were needed. Since all students were freshmen, only four courses were offered, Latin, Algebra, English and History. Professor Woolsey would teach all of them. I think there were about forty students. Many of the boarding students were from the mountains of West Virginia. Local students paid their tuition in farm produce. In this way there were always vegetables for the dining table. A widow lady was hired to run the kitchen and look after the girls.
Professor Woolsey proved to be the most marvelous teacher I ever had. He opened a whole new world. We had been surrounded with beauty - the beauty of nature, which before the days of mining, was unsurpassed. But the beauty of words, ideas, language and poetry, in these we were poverty stricken. This was the world he opened for us. However, unfortunately, he was dismissed at the end of the first semester. The church said it could no longer afford to pay the salary he was receiving. He later came back, courted, married and educated one of the lovely girls who had been in his freshman class, thus taking a page right out of a John Fox, Jr. novel.
P. C. Hoffman of Reading, Pennsylvania came to replace Woolsey. So much was Woolsey liked that many students dropped out and didn't finish the year.
The second year Arva Rudy, who later became a Methodist minister was principal. Beginning the third year, in the fall of 1922 came Mr. and Mrs. Edgar L. Ball, and Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Hurt to serve as teachers. It was during this year that a lovely brick building was erected. All materials were hauled in over the temporary railroad of the White Oak Lumber Company. This building had 48 rooms, a delco lighting plant and running water. The first class consisting of two girls was graduated in this building in 1924. Both went to college and became teachers.
Triangular Mountain Institute, or T. M. I. as the school was called, quickly became the center of our lives. We went to school there all week. On Saturday night we went to a social or a party. Sunday morning it was church and Sunday School.
During the summer months, the first three years, the school became Camp Pocahontas. Youths from all the surrounding area came in two week shifts. There was worship, games, sports and even a swimming hole. The school grew rapidly, new teachers were added, the curriculum expanded, and competitive sports were enjoyed. In fact last year, 1966, a picture and a story were published in the Richlands paper, showing that the first football game ever played in Tazewell County was between Tazewell and T. M. I.
Miss Estelle Wagoner, on leave from her work as a deaconess in the Methodist Church, came to take charge of the girls in 1925. She later became principal.
During the great depression of the thirties the church could not longer obtain money to support all its projects and T. M. I. had to be dropped. Boys and girls were living here who had no home and no place to go. So Miss Wagoner determined to continue the work and the school against all odds. Somehow, through the help of God, I think, she managed to keep food and clothing, and through the sacrifice of fine Christian men and women, a faculty.
In 1931 Miss Wagoner's sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Wolfe, came to join the staff. Their coming was truly a blessing for the community.
IN 1933 the brick building burned to the ground. The community was stunned by the loss, and under the inspired leadership of Miss Wagoner and the Wolfes, they determined somehow to rebuild.
Mr. Paul Brown of Drill gave a large frame building which was carefully torn down and transported to Garden. The alumni gave plays and held other fund raising affairs. Each alumnus also bought a window for the new building. Mr. Wolfe went to various areas getting donations. He also persuaded Syler Lumber Company to sell us materials on credit. The heads of families declared their wives and children would eat corn bread (corn was grown on their farms) for breakfast until the school was replaced. Every man, woman, and child worked. Those too young to drive a nail carried water for the workers to drink. Every Sunday worship services were held out in the open under the shade of the trees. In September the school was ready for classes, a tribute to the faith and will of a community.
Four years later in 1937, the need was so great that the county took over the operation of the school, at the request of the church. Its name was changed to Garden High School, in January, 1941, the school was moved to its present location at the mouth of Garden Creek. Some of the teachers were T. M. I. graduates and at least two still are.
A very high percentage of the T. M. I. graduates went on to college. Most of them became teachers.
Many fine men and women came to teach at T. M. I. In addition to those I have named were Reverend and Mrs. George McCreary, Reverend and Mrs. H. M. Russell, Miss Ruth Russell, Mr. Hugo Addy.
Although the school was moved, this did not end the work. The old building was still used as our church. Club work was carried on, and an apartment for a deaconess was arranged on the second floor.
The first deaconess to be sent under the Women's Division was Miss Obra Rogers, who later became Mrs. Earle Simpson, and is one of the outstanding teachers at Garden today.
Miss Verdi Anderson came to us next and stayed for 16 years, working with all groups and carrying on the work of a community center.
In October, 1953, a lovely $78,000 building of native stone was dedicated, a gift to Garden community from the Women's Division of the Methodist Church. Many people worked and sacrificed to make this building possible, but credit should go especially to Mrs. L. A. Tynes and the Methodist women of Tazewell District.
This building contained an apartment for the deaconess, a lovely chapel, a lounge, a kitchen, a kindergarten room, and classrooms for the church school.
The first worker to live in the new building was Miss Emma Mann. The center program involved Kindergarten, Brownies, Girl and Boy Scouts, Home demonstration work, as well as all church centered activities. Now the center was the hub of our lives. We went there for weddings and funerals, for studies and clubs, for showers and parties, but the thing that set it apart and made it a hallowed place for us, was the fact that it was here that we went to worship our God. It was to this lovely chapel that we took our children to worship. They grew up knowing no other church.
The community was changing. Older people died, new people moved in, a new generation grew up. The Women's Division decided the need for the center as such was diminishing. So this lovely building was deeded to the Methodist Church to be used solely for church purposes. Very quickly the building was converted. Pews were installed, more rooms were converted to Sunday School rooms, as more space was desperately needed. So, the work goes on.
It would be impossible to measure the impact of the work begun in those tar paper covered shacks. Much of the community leadership through the years has come from T. M. I., as the graduates went on to college and came back to serve as teachers and business leaders.
I can honestly say that for dozens and dozens of boys and girls, for their children, and grandchildren the sun shines brighter, the sky is bluer, the birds sing sweeter, and the dew on the roses is fresher, because of those who dreamed and planned, who came and loved and worked in Garden community.
Pages 35 to 37
The southwestern part of Buchanan County lies in the Sandy Basin, its waters emptying into the Big Sandy River of Kentucky.
Although nearly all citizens owned land, including coal and timber, in the early years around the turn of the century, they were often poor, and lacked the conveniences and opportunities of modern life. Unaware of the potential value of their mineral and timber rights, they frequently sold them for a pittance. The fine virgin forests were almost intact. Some small sawmills had ripped a few thousand feet of lumber from the great forest. The millions of tons of coal that had underlain the hills for ages had been untouched. Not a foot of railroad penetrated the county, nor was there a single mile of improved public road.
The one factor responsible for the tardy development in the county was the great lack of educational facilities. The raw material was there and the great progress made in education during the last half century is ample proof that this material was rich and ripe for harvest. A few schools in dilapidated vacant houses, or rude schoolhouses, were taught for about five months of each year by poorly paid teachers.
On the headwaters of Russell Fork of the Sandy River is a community known as Council. It lies at the base of Big "A" Mountain. Here have lived for many years a people of pioneer stock and high native intelligence, who had no roads, no schools, and little contact with the outside world. Most of these people held firmly to the old ideas of honesty, sobriety, and neighborliness. The invigorating and thrill-satisfying activities of hunting were gone, with nothing to take their place.
Some thought that the supreme need of these marooned people was their special brand of religion, and there began a scramble between different denominations to be the first in the field.
Some time prior to 1900 a Missionary Baptist Church was organized near Council, at Hale's Schoolhouse. In May, 1906 the Baptist State Mission Board of Virginia sent the Rev. Walter A. Hash, of Grayson County, Virginia, into the community, but the work did not prosper. Rev. Hash was convinced that the solution lay in schools and education.
The Virginia Women's Union gave the initial sum of $2000 to begin the erection of the first building. According to the manuscript of Mrs. Grace Mays Hale, Reverend Hash, Mr. J. M. McFarland, and Lazarus Hale were the first to break ground and start the building of the Buchanan Mission School at Council.
The school opened on January 16, 1911, with two teachers: Mrs. J. W. Reams, and a Miss Yates. The first session had an enrollment of 72 day students. No dormitories had yet been built. (Mrs. Reams was Martha Ford Reams, the wife of a Baptist minister of Southhampton County, Virginia).
The mission board began seeking for a qualified person to assume charge of the new school. They heard of Professor Henderson's fine work at Franklin, Virginia, and his wife's ability and interest in mission work. So they offered the job to the Hendersons.
Helen Timmons Henderson was born May 21, 1877, in Cass County, Missouri, a daughter of George S. Timmons and Martha Welby Rhoten, who were temporarily living in Missouri, but who returned soon afterward to their home in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Martha Welby Rhoten (Timmons) was a daughter of Dr. John F. Rhoten, who left Scott County, Virginia, in young manhood, married Juliet Peck, and lived at Dandridge, on the French Board River in Tennessee, during 1834.
Among the valleys of the French Board and Holston rivers, Helen Timmons grew up. She attended Carson Newman College, where one of the professors was Robert Anderson Henderson, who later became her husband.
At the time of her marriage Helen Timmons was a Methodist, as had been her ancestors. Her husband was a Baptist. Without discussing the matter with him, she quietly changed her membership to the Baptist Church, to which she adhered loyally for the rest of her life.
In 1903 Professor Henderson became dean of Carson Newman College. As wife of the dean, and sister-in- law of the president, Dr. John Thompson Henderson, she had unusual opportunities to display her abilities as a leader of social activities.
In 1907 Professor Henderson was offered the presidency of Franklin Female Seminary in Southhampton County, Virginia. They had two children - a son, Robert Ashby Henderson, and a daughter, Helen Ruth Henderson.
The change from the quiet halls of the Franklin Seminary and its cultural environs, to the remote pioneer surroundings was a sudden wrench to the life of the Hendersons. They were advised against bringing their children to the mountains to rear, but here was the first decision they made that showed their mettle, and paved the way into the hearts of their new neighbors.
In August, 1911 the whole family journeyed by train to St. Paul, Virginia, where they spent the night at the Blue Sulphur Hotel. The next morning they continued to Honaker, the nearest station to Council. They found a man who agreed to take them across Big "A" Mountain in a wagon for six dollars. For the first five miles they passed hills and blue grass farms, and began to disbelieve the tales of hardship and road punishment they had heard on all sides. Yet they saw a mountain ahead of them that grew larger and more forbidding as they neared its base.
Suddenly the bluegrass ended, and the road reared menacingly in front of them, flanked by immense boulders and precipices, above and below. The pace was slower and slower. The hot sun climbed higher and higher. Team driver and passengers felt the dual effect of the scorching sun and the mountain climbing.
The Hendersons soon became hungry. A tree of red apples by the roadside tempted them, and they stopped. They had purchased some home made cheese and crackers in Honaker. Finding this insufficient, they stopped at a little roadside store for more, but failed to find any. They were told at the store that the Rev. Hash was preparing to leave Council on their arrival.
They ate the cheese and crackers under an oak tree and drank cold water from a spring nearby. After lunch they approached a steep place over which the team could not pull the wagon. The driver borrowed a team of mules to help get the load to the top. Often the passengers got out and walked to lighten the load.
On top at last! To the left the mountainside sloped steeping upward to the summit another eleven hundred feet. To the right in front, it dropped downward into the valleys nine hundred feet below. If possible the decent was more dangerous than the ascent.
Late in the day they reached the foot of the slope, one mile from Council. It had taken them ten hours to travel the eleven miles from Honaker. They found Mr. Hash packing to leave. The Council store furnished them groceries for a hasty meal, in dishes lent by Mr. Hash.
Professor Henderson was the principal of the school, assuming charge of teaching, financial affairs and discipline. Mrs. Henderson was assistant principal. Her duties included: Care of the health and welfare of students, supervision of dormitories, religious and social life of the school, and serving as speaker in public meetings.
They studied the people quietly and sympathetically. They did not put on "airs", or criticize anyone's religion - or lack of it. A friendly interest in the joys and sorrows of each family opened all doors, and smiles of welcome and co-operation greeted their approach.
Doctors could be obtained only from distant towns, and at a cost that was prohibitive for the average person, who called one only in the most severe illnesses. Mrs. Henderson had learned much about nursing and the use of medicines from her grandfather, Dr. John F. Rhoten, and was regarded as a person endowed with superior ability to ease the pain and restore people to health.
But bringing the opportunity for education to those thirsty for learning was the crowning effort in the life work of the Hendersons.
The Buchanan Mission began its first session under the guidance of the Hendersons in August, 1911, with an enrollment of 105 pupils. At that time the plant consisted of a two-story school house, and a three-story dormitory. Since that time there has been erected from native sandstone, a schoolhouse and dormitory. Practically every cent of the many thousands cost came from people far away from Council.
Some students boarded at the school dormitory; some stayed with relatives living in the area; others rode horseback, or walked many miles over rough trails, and through deep mud. They needed no compulsory school laws, but came with a determined purpose to learn. Buchanan Mission School turned out into the busy world scores of students equipped to lead useful lives, and to help their neighbors.
Helen Henderson was a fighter. She liked to strike out new paths - to see behind the sun. To this woman who gloried in pioneering, came a new challenge in 1923, only three years after women had been given the right to vote and hold offices. Even though woman suffrage was not popular with the hill people, some far-sighted men saw in Mrs. Henderson a God-send to their desire to have their party capture the seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1923 the Democratic Party offered her the nomination for this office. She was so busy with school work that she refused, but the committee persisted, assuring her that she could win, and could help them in Richmond. Her fighting blood was touched.
She threw her heart into the campaign. To her daughter, Ruth, she left her school work. In a Ford roadster she flamed through the district day by day, often speaking twice daily at points far apart. The hills were witnessing "something under the sun."
It took two days after the election for the final news to trickle into Council. Mrs. Henderson was the first woman ever to be nominated for a seat in the Legislature of conservative Virginia. (The following fall Norfolk City, not to be outdone by the chivalry of the hills, sent Mrs. Sarah Lee Fain to the General Assembly.)
Not long after the session opened Mrs. Henderson was called to the chair, and became the first woman ever to preside over the law-making body. She told the House more about Buchanan and Tazewell counties than they had ever heard before. She gave a picture of the roads over which the judge lost twenty-four hours in reaching court; of a people who need guidance of law and the example of quick justice.
But politics was strong. The Senate killed her bill to create an additional circuit court in Southwest Virginia, which had shown a strange tardiness in building roads for its people. Localities had no money; and the State had no money for the purpose.
Mrs. Henderson, in her twelve years of experience, had learned that, next to adequate educational facilities, Buchanan County had a great need of roads. She sought out road authorities. They smiled and promised to investigate - then forgot. She agitated the question everywhere she went.
They saw she was in earnest and finally granted her a hearing. They could not refuse her outright. So they agreed to giver her 6.2 miles of improved road from Fuller's Store in Russell County, across Big "A" Mountain, to Council, in Buchanan County. She felt that this was not enough, but had to be content with half a loaf.
Six months later the people of Council held a meeting at the school gate, where the state road ended, to express their gratitude.
She fully realized that this was the beginning of a new epoch in the life of the school and community. The road was still crooked, and often steep, but it was also a blessing.
Helen Henderson had many plans to bring better conditions to the people of her area, and they trusted her. She was unanimously renominated for another term, but did not live to see another election day.
During the spring of 1925 her health began to decline. She returned to the home of her parents at Jefferson City, Tennessee, where she died on July 12, 1925.
The old Council School has lost most of its youth and attraction, but it stands as a monument to this great Christian pioneer.
And today, as you travel along Route 80, and read on a road sign "Helen Henderson Highway", pause and whisper a prayer of gratitude for a life that meant much to the past, present, and future of a Buchanan County community.
Pages 38 to 41
In a rural society any event which gives men an excuse for congregating is always tinged with excitement. Until the inexorable march of industrialism provided more frequent and more regularized means of bringing men together, nothing could surpass the court days either in hearty good fellowship or in exuberant violence. Stories were exchanged, horses and knives were traded, whiskey was drunk, and fights were provoked. (1) When the February term of court convened in Abingdon, Virginia, in 1861, there was a new element of excitement and contention injected into an already explosive situation. Charging Northern aggression against their domestic institutions, seven states of the Lower South had found secession preferable to remaining in the Union under the rule of Lincoln and the Republican party. South Carolina had been out of the Union since December 20 and had been followed by five of her neighbors at intervals throughout the month of January. Now word had just been received that Texas had dissolved its bonds with the government in Washington.
Not one of the hundreds of men who poured into the little county seat was without an opinion as to what his state ought to do. An observant stranger circulating among the knots of earnest, gesticulating men would probably have decided that, on the issue of secession or union, opinion was about evenly divided. He would also have experienced a sudden sense of apprehension when , without warning, the steady drone of argument stopped, and all eyes turned to a piece of fluttering cloth suspended across the street. Someone had raised the flag of the Confederacy.
The moment of quiet was replaced by the cheering of the secessionists mingled with the outraged cries of the unionists. Above the din could be heard the voice of William B. Clark, descendant of one who fought at King's Mountain, urging those who were loyal to the Union to tear down "that damned rag." There were as many prepared to carry out this suggestion as there were those to prevent it. Only the timely intervention of one of the town's patriarchs prevented the shedding of blood. (2) The forces which would result in four years of total war were clearly present in Southwest Virginia.
In explaining the presence of secessionist sentiment in this isolated and mountainous region, most of the usual reasons prove inadequate. In the eight counties which extreme Southwest Virginia, the Negro population, free and slave, constituted less than eleven percent of the total. (3) Here was no insuperable obstacle to emancipation and no cause for fear of servile insurrection. It was an area of sheep-raising and grain-growing where cotton was neither king nor even subject. Although a few families had sufficient land to enable them to affect a pseudo-plantation atmosphere, the heart of the economy lay in the efforts of the small farmer who had the mountaineer's distrust of pretension. It cannot be said that the Southwestern area was inherently subservient to those who controlled the state government three hundred miles to the east. It had fought successfully for manhood suffrage, for internal improvements, and for tax adjustment. It possessed a healthy two-party system and was accorded all the respect due to section that often wielded the balance of power. Southwest Virginia was bordered on three sides by Eastern Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and the area which would become West Virginia. All these neighbors revealed striking similarities to her in geography and in economic interests, and all of them were pervaded by a strong unionist sentiment throughout the four years of conflict. Yet when the time came to make the decision for union or secession, "Little Tennessee," as the politicians called this section of Virginia, would find itself aligned with the secessionist cause. In explaining this seeming anomaly, one might turn to a study of a prominent resident of this area who was in the main-stream of events in the decade before Sumter.
Even if he had possessed no personal ambition, John Buchanan Floyd's family ties would have been enough to have thrust him into a position of leadership in almost any society. He was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, on June 1, 1806. His father, John Floyd, was an intelligent and forceful governor of Virginia and was also an eminent physician, having studied with Benjamin Rush. His mother was Letitia Preston, a shrewd and capable woman who could run the Governor's Mansion and preside over the family salt mines with equal facility. (4) Through birth and through marriage his connections thus included the Prestons and the Johnstons, families with enormous political and military prestige both in Virginia and in South Carolina.
At the insistence of his father, young John B. Floyd was sent to South Carolina College for his education. There he had an opportunity to strengthen his ties with relatives living in that state, and to display an unusual intelligence and facility of expression. He also revealed a certain petulance which would remain with him throughout his life. (5)
Upon graduation he married his cousin, Sallie Preston, and established a law practice in Wytheville, Virginia. He soon found himself caught up in the flood of adventurers who passed daily through the streets of Wytheville on their way to Cumberland Gap and the opportunities of the newly-opened west. He arrived in Arkansas in time to have his plans wrecked by the panic of 1837 and by an outbreak of fever among his slaves. Between April and August of that year, his medical expenses alone amounted to $260. (6) He ultimately lost forty slaves, about forty thousand dollars, and his own health.
After this disaster, he returned to his brother's home at Burke's Garden, Virginia, where the clear air was credited with speeding his recovery. By the summer of 1839 he was hard at work with his brothers in an effort to repair the family fortune. With "beef selling at enormous prices everywhere," they determined to buy cattle. It was, however, exceedingly difficult for a man with a forty thousand dollar debt to come by the needed capital, and Floyd "...found it impossible to make any negotiations with any of the Banks for a single dollar." (7)
After meeting with indifferent success in this family venture, John B. Floyd moved in 1842 to Abingdon where he practiced law. He could soon write to his mother.
"My success here has been beyond what I could have calculated upon. I feel that I am making my way in spite of many obstacles...There is nothing I think lacking for me here but industry and constancy. These requisites you know are difficult to me for I am lazy and national. But I hope I have nevertheless manliness enough to stick to the true course. My practice in this county has been worth to me since I came here a thousand dollars whereas I only calculated on four hundred - and it is still increasing." (8)
Anyone who reads the correspondence of the Nineteenth Century is struck by the emphasis which is placed upon the concept of "manliness." Every human action was characterized as "manly" or "unmanly". What reaction this would have upon the attitudes of Southern manhood at the time of Sumter or Lincoln's call for troops is incalculable. That Floyd was thoroughly imbued with this spirit is seen further in this letter to his mother.
"The cloud my dear mother which covers us now is indeed to all appearances a thick & a dark one but I do not despair - far from it - the fury of the storm has already been expended and we can now begin to look around at the effects of it. What are they? Yours sons are stripped of their property but there is no blot upon one of them. I know and feel that their standing as men is uninjured and untouched." (9)
In spite of his beliefs to the contrary, Floyd found not only financial solvency in Abingdon, but he also found a place in its society. For example, he soon became involved in its church affairs. When a conference of the Methodist Church sought to deprive one Rev. Thomas Stringfield of his "ordination parchments" for selling a slave, Floyd was one of those who interceded in his behalf. Stringfield's wife was the actual owner and the sale was a forced one in satisfaction of a judgment for a debt. A committee consisting of Colonel David Campbell, General Peter Johnston, eldest brother of Joseph E. Johnston and the brother of John B. Floyd's sister's husband, and Floyd himself entered the room where the Methodist Conference was meeting and announced that it was their duty to inform them."...that such an abolitionist body as this cannot sit in the state of Virginia." (10) The case of Stringfield was speedily reviewed and he was restored to full status.
By 1847, Floyd had been elected to the House of Delegates and had achieved the rank of captain in the Virginia militia. In 1848, he campaigned throughout "Little Tennessee" for Lewis Cass, accusing the Whigs of "...attempting to practice the deceptions of 1840 upon the people." Although the Richmond Enquirer could never be accused of impartiality, this description of Floyd as a budding politician is of some interest:
"If you were ever to hear Floyd once at the forum, you would want to hear him again. He never fails to illustrate his views by anecdotes, which are inimitable, throughout his addresses. We have in him a zealous, able and eloquent standard bearer, without fear and without reproach." (11)
It was during this campaign that the talents of John B. Floyd came to the attention of Henry A. Wise, an ambitious politician whose chief strength lay in his championing of a program of internal improvements for the western sections of Virginia. In exchange for this support, the west was expected to help maintain the position of the eastern slave-holders. (12) There was need for increased solidarity between the sections of the state. There had been a split in the Democratic party in Virginia when the followers of Calhoun opposed the Mexican War. (13) There was then a danger of creating in miscrocosm the situation which would ultimately dissolve the Union: the building of a sectional party in Virginia which would favor territorial expansion and internal improvements while opposing slaver. Because of a rapid growth in white population relative to that of the Tidewater section, the western sections were already challenging the stagnant east. So long as Virginia remained one of the two states without universal manhood suffrage, the shift in power could be temporarily forestalled. There was however, already agitation for a constitutional convention to remove this anachronism. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, the shrewd Henry A. Wise and others began a campaign to cement Southwest Virginia to the interests of the Eastern Shore. They did this with prizes such as the Southwestern Turnpike, a macadamized road which would begin in Salem and extend through Wytheville and Abingdon to the Tennessee line. (14) Another effort at solidarity was the election of John B. Floyd to the governorship in December 1848.
In the election, the last by the legislature, Floyd was elected as a western man with eastern principles - a lateral doughface, as it were. The delegates from those counties which would soon comprise West Virginia rejected him almost to a man as did those who represented the Valley. With few exceptions, his support came from those areas of heavy slave concentration in the east and from the mountain counties of "Little Tennessee." (15)
When Governor Floyd opened the General Assembly of 1849, he recommended the calling of a convention to construct a new state constitution. The call for free manhood suffrage, the popular election of state and county officials, and certain each section would have its distinct motives. In the East, the Jacksonian wing of the Democratic party wanted the support of the growing laboring class, whereas their western counterparts were interested in a system of representation which would be more sensitive to their sectional needs. Even the Whigs, out of power and feeling that any change would be for the better, supported the general movement. (16)
John B. Floyd's brother, Benjamin Rush, delegate from Wythe County, took a leading part in the convention. The interests of the western section are seen in the report of one of his speeches:
"We had been asked by the gentlemen from Fauquier 'how long was the patience of the East to be abused by the eternal clamor of the West for the control of their purse strings.' Not a moment replied Mr. F. That was not what they wanted. They clamored for justice, for right, for their political equality, and would never desist until it was obtained. 'Why should not 500 western voters have as much political power and influence as 500 western.'" (17)
The new constitution proved to be popular in "Little Tennessee" with 3,785 votes cast for it and only 360 against. The adoption was a victory for the western leaders and their Jacksonian allies in the East. (18) Another victory for Floyd and Southwest Virginia came when the General Assembly incorporated the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company in the 1849 session. (19)
John B. Floyd achieved at least several of his purposes during his term. A new constitution had been brought forth around which all sections of the state could rally. East-West differences had been minimized by the chattering of a railroad which would stimulate commerce and communication between the two sections. If Floyd's tenure also strengthened what one historian has called the "Abingdon-Columbia, S. C. axis," (20) it also brought solidarity to his own state and stilled the sectional controversies which had long agitated the General Assembly.
These accomplishments seemed to appease, for the time at least, the feeling of alienation and failure which had plagued Floyd earlier. As he neared the end of his term, he wrote to his mother:
"If I have in your estimation, lived not altogether unworthy of my father's character, then indeed I am satisfied, and I hope it may be excused in me saying to my mother that I feel I have done something towards rekindling a spirit in Virginia (towards)...progress and improvement." (21)
At the end of his gubernatorial term, John B. Floyd returned to Abingdon where he lived quietly as a county seat lawyer. He was induced to resume on active political career, however, by the rise of the Know Nothing party which, with growing popularity in the eastern section of the state, threatened to crack the solidarity which Floyd had labored to achieve. The first trial of strength in the South for the new party would come in the gubernatorial election of 1856. Floyd's friend, Henry A. Wise, would run against Thomas A. Flourney, who bore the Whig-Know Nothing banner. This would be a supreme test of Wise's long-range strategy of sectional cooperation, and Floyd and his friends were confident that they could deliver the votes. The Abingdon Democrat reflected their optimism:
"Since Mr. Wise made his appearance in the Southwest, everything has put on a bright and flattering appearance...The Abolition Know Nothing concern is growing 'small by degrees and beautifully less...' Let Eastern Virginia but half do her duty, let Mr. Wise be but half sustained...and we will make up all your shortcomings in the West...Scarce a trace of Know Nothingism will be left in Little Tennessee. On Monday (the Know Nothing candidate for the State Senate) spoke at our Courthouse, and was replied to (by) Ex. Governor Floyd - and such a skinning, 'Oh, Lordy!' Governor Floyd is tanning hides at a round rate..." (22)
With the supercharged oratory, the violent editorials, and the "tanning of hides," there was no facet of daily life which did not take on political significance. When the chief engineer of the projected railroad visited in Abingdon in the spring of 1855, he was apparently indiscreet enough to betray some political preferences. The Abingdon Democrat immediately charged that "he knew all about Know Nothingism and nothing about the work of which he had charge." It was assumed that the Know Nothings, who were by this time called "abolutionists" by the Democrat, were deliberately sabotaging the railroad construction, or so the unsuspecting voter was supposed to believe. "It is important that the voters should know that Messrs. Floyd and (William K.) Heiskell are in favor of completing the railroad and that speedily," the newspaper declared. "Whey they go down to the Legislature next winter they will suggest prompt and effective measures to remedy the many abuses which have crept into the management of our public works." (23)
Every age must have its public heroes and, in the Nineteenth Century, this place was largely filled by the politicians. They were the entertainers, the gladiators, and the preceptors who added a touch of glamor, humor, and vicarious excitement to an otherwise drab, melancholy, and sickly age. Something of the place occupied by the politician is seen in an editorial appearing int he Democrat under the title, "A Dangerous Character Abroad."
"Our sympathies for Governor Floyd were deeply excited by reading the graphic description of the discussion at Jonesville, Lee County, between that gentleman and Mr. George E. Naff, published in the last issue of the organ of the abolitionists. It will hardly be believed, we know, but Governor Floyd was badly used up...But seriously, it is a good joke; Mr. George E. Naff demolished Gov. Floyd in a discussion of Lee Courthouse! O, cruel, cruel Naff!" (24)
Floyd campaigned energetically throughout the summer, speaking at Abingdon and in other county seats. In August, he addressed a "quiet and respectful" audience in Lebanon. The Abingdon Democrat reported it with its accustomed partisan exaggeration:
"He then spoke of Know-Nothingism and the objectionable manner of its proscriptive policy...They (the Know Nothings) rose up with one accord and in the person of an elderly gentleman who should have known better...they undertook an interruption...The voice of Governor Floyd was heard, and the excited multitude became still, and with infinite tact they were led once more back to the subject...This speech was powerful and effective. It made its mark and will tell in November..." (25)
Whether through the efficacy of speeches such as this one or the assistance which he received from Henry A. Wise, Floyd was elected to the House of Delegates and the tide of Know Nothingism in Southwest Virginia was halted. In spite of the opposition of John Letcher, Fayette McMullen, and other members of the Ritchie wing, who did not quite trust him, Wise defeated Flournoy by a majority of over then thousand votes. (26)
Because of his interest in internal improvements, Floyd was immediately appointed chairman of the Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation when the General Assembly convened. (27) In this capacity, he discharged his duties without apparent sectional favoritism, supporting with equal fervor proposals for the James River and Kanawha Canal, eastern roads and turnpikes, and the Abingdon and Cumberland Gap railroad. He was also instrumental in adding another county, to his district when Wise County was formed in 1856 out of parts of Lee, Scott, and Russell counties. It was, in fact, Floyd who moved that the county be named for the new governor. (28)
Floyd's sensitivity to the problems of those areas having heavier slave concentration is seen in the frequency with which he introduced legislation which was connected with slavery. For example, he introduced a resolution asking that inquiry be made "into the expediency of appropriating like sums of money to the use of free people of color who shall emigrate to any non-slave-holding states and settle permanently therein that are now appropriated for the removal of such persons to Liberia." (29) He was also placed on a committee to study means "more effectually to prevent the escape of slaves." (30)
As in Floyd's first legislative term, which had been truncated by his election to the governorship, his second tenure would be interrupted by a call to higher office. This small-town lawyer from a remote section of Virginia would become James Buchanan's Secretary of War. (31)
When the time came for the National Democratic Party to name a successor to Franklin Pierce, Governor Wise led the Virginia delegation to the Cincinnati convention. With his prestige much enhanced by his recent victory over Know-Nothingism in his own state, he used this new stature to the fullest advantage, obtaining the promise of a cabinet post for the man who had carried for him Southwest Virginia. There is evidence of some lack of gratitude on Floyd's part - he thought he should have had the vice-presidential nomination! (32)
In spite of his disappointment, Floyd campaigned throughout the summer of 1856 for James Buchanan whom he called a "fitting exponent of...national principles (and) the only candidate now before the people capable of controlling the excited political elements of the country." (33)
The rigors of his campaign in "Little Tennessee" are illustrated by this description:
"The Governor (Floyd) went on from Russell to Gladeville, Wise County a distance of 41 miles, where he addressed some 3 or 400 citizens in the open air...We understand that some 3 or 4 political conversions to the support of Buchanan were among the visible effects of the Governor's address. Indeed, one gentleman, a citizen of Wise, told the writer that but seven K. N.'s went to the meeting and only two K. N.'s left it...The Democrats of Wise are sanguine of eradicating Know-Nothingism from their county..." (34)
The climax of Floyd's efforts on behalf of Buchanan came when he addressed a huge gathering on Wall Street in New York. (35)
With the energetic efforts of Wise and Floyd and the magic of the watchword "Anti-abolitionism," James Buchanan received the largest majority ever accorded by the Old Dominion to a Democratic candidate until that time. In addition, the jubilant Democrats carried every congressional district in the state. (36) This was indeed solidarity - in the Southwest, in the state, and in the Democratic party. It did not seem possible to Floyd that any conflict of principles could estrange him from the administration of which he was about to become a part. In a letter welcoming him into the Cabinet, as Secretary of War, the President-elect felt that he "...need not specify the principles on which the administration shall be conducted, as they may be found in the resolutions of the Cincinnati Convention, so ably enforced by yourself throughout the late Presidential canvass." (37)
By October of 1857, Floyd was settled into the routine of his office and could write to his wife that he was "was...getting on very quietly and pleasantly." He apparently attacked his duties with energy and dedication:
"No one scarcely has been here...and consequently I have my uninterrupted opportunity for study & work. I go into town at 9 and I return at four so my evenings are quite long." (38)
Actually there was present here something more than the wistful complaint of a husband separated by distance from his wife. Floyd did not fit into the circle of admirers, sycophants, and bons vivants who surrounded the gay bachelor president. He would soon became alienated from most of the cabinet, from James Buchanan, from the National Democratic Party, and, ultimately, from the United States Government. Thus it was that John B. Floyd served on the single stars of a Confederate Brigadier General five months after resigning his position of civilian control over the nation's military establishment. During the early days of the War, he disagreed violently with General Henry A. Wise during the course of a joint operation. He also quarreled with Jefferson Davis, who relieved him of his command after a controversial withdrawal from Fort Donelson. Floyd returned to Abingdon where he died on 26 August 1863 at the age of 57. Towards the end of the war, Union troops burned his house and most of his papers. His separation was complete even from the historians who would seek to understand this complex and unfortunate man.
FOOTNOTES: (1) Wise County was organized in February, 1856. At its first Court day, "a fight occurred between a man named Dickenson and another named Carrico, which resulted in the death of Carrico." Abingdon Democrat, 9 August 1856. (2) Lewis P. Summers, History of Southwest Virginia (Richmond, 1903), 513. (3) This compares with about 32% for the whole state. Conclusions in this paragraph are based on reports of seventh and eighth censuses. (4) John B. Floyd to his mother, Tazewell Court House, 26 March 1846: Floyd-Johnston-Sargeant Papers, Clinch Valley College Library, Wise, Virginia (5) John B. Floyd to his mother, Columbia, South Carolina, 5 July 1829: Floyd-Johnston- Sargeant Papers. (6) Bill, Lewis Shanks, M. D. to John B. Floyd, Buck Island, 14 August 1837: Floyd-Johnston-Sargeant Papers. (7) John B. Floyd to George Rogers Clark Floyd, Thorn Spring, Virginia, 19 June 1938: Floyd-Johnston-Sargeant Papers. (8) Sally Preston Floyd to George Rogers Clark Floyd, ibid. (9) John B. Floyd to his mother, Abingdon, 23 January 1843, ibid. (10) Mrs. J. H. Mongle, "Early Methodism in Southwest Virginia," in Washington County Historical Society Bulletin, No. 7, December 31, 1942, 1-7. Mrs. Mongle places this event in 1835 which is chronologically impossible. The present writer has fixed this date 1845 by certain internal evidence. (11) Richmond Enquirer, 8 September 1848 (12) Charles H. Ambler, Sectionialism in Virginia f rom 1776 to 1861 (Chicago, 1910), 243 (13) Ibid, The analogy in the next sentence is not meant to be an exact one. The Republican party did not favor territorial expansion, but they did favor means of stimulating settlement of existing territory. (14) Summers, Southwest Virginia, 507 (15) Journal of the House of Delegates, 1848-49, 61-62. (16) Francis P. Gaines, Jr., "The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850-51," unpublished doctoral dissertation, (University of Virginia, 1950), 79-80. (17) Abingdon Democrat (18) Gaines, "Constitutional Convention," 306ff. (19) Summers, Southwest Virginia, 495. (20) George G. Shackelford to present writer, Blacksburg, Virginia October 1965. (21) John B. Floyd to his mother, Richmond, 15 March 1851: Floyd-Johnston-Sargeant Papers. (22) Abingdon Democrat, 25 April 1855 (23) Abingdon Democrat, 19 May 1855 (24) Ibid, 19 May 1855. Naff was Commonwealth's Attorney of Washington County from 1855 until he became president of Snide Female College, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1858. He was only 26 at the time of this encounter and died at 33 of erysipelas. See biographical sketches in Summers, Southwest Virginia. (25) Abingdon Democrat, 23 August 1855 (26) Shanks, Secession Movement, 48 (27) Journal, House of Delegates, 1855-56 Session, 5 December 1855. (28) Ibid, 15 February 1856 (29) Journal, House of Delegates, 7 January 1856. (30) Ibid, 8 December 1855 (31) The present writer has corresponded with a friend, George G. Shackelford of the VPI History department, concerning this apparent paradox. His answer is worthy of quotation: "The Abingdon-Columbia, S. C. axis kept JBF in the increasingly southernly orientation of the Democracy. In goals, tho' not in means, WBP (William Ballard Preston) is not an exception to the rule...It is almost as if the dynasty was determined to hold on to the living of Bray no matter what king may reign. JBF was the best counterweight before Letcher to Whiggery in the 50's that the decayed Junto could find. In this light, a cabinet post for JBF was a logical move, since the Whigs had given one to WBP in the triumph of old Zach." (32) Henry A. Wise to James L. Kemper, 12 June 1856, Kemper Papers (33) Abingdon Democrat, 3 July 1856 (34) Ibid, 23 August 1856 (35) John W. Johnston, "John Buchanan Floyd," John P. Branch Historical Papers, (Randolph-Macon College, 1913), 81 (36) Ambler, Sectionalism in Virginia, 307 (37) Robert W. Hughes, "Major General John B. Floyd," in A. E. Pollard, lee and His Lieutenants (Richmond, 1867), 789. (38) John B. Floyd to his wife, Washington, 10 October 1857: Floyd-Johnston-Sargeant Papers.
Pages 42 to 49
NOTE OF EXPLANATION:
The writer of this sketch has included numerous letters pertaining to Dr. John T. Smith's life and family, because he feels that the historical value of this information is of consequence; and also the references to other families might be of some interest and assistance to someone else undertaking a similar task. The letters also reveal many of the customs and hardships of the people in this section during this period of time.
The letters are in chronological order, according to date and time of Dr. Smith and his family, and history as related to this area.
Index of Letters: Letters of Dr. J. T. Smith to Mary D. Anderson before marriage; Letters of Dr. J. T. Smith to Mary D. Anderson after marriage; Letter to Dr. Smith while in Mississippi from John W. Lampkin; Letter to Dr. Smith while in Mississippi from his sister, Eliza Smith Carter, wife of Dale Carter and grandmother of the late Governor H. C. Stuart; Letter of Dr. Smith to wife; Letter of Dr. Smith to wife describing first train ride; Letter of Dr. Smith to wife; Letters to son, J. H. A. Smith, while in private school at Lynchburg; Letters to wife from Richmond; Letter to son, J. H. A. Smith, at Rosedale; Letters to wife; Letter to son, J. H. A. Smith, at home; Letter from William A. Wade (half-brother of Mary D. Smith); Letter to wife; Letter to Dr. Smith from son, J. H. A. Smith; Dr. Smith - List of Property; Will of Dr. J. T. Smith; Letter of Sympathy to Mary D. Smith from William A. Stuart, husband of Mary Lampkin Stuart, who was daughter of Eliza Smith Carter. William Alex Stuart was father of the late Governor H. C. Stuart; Note of C. A. Smith payable to Mary D. Smith, Guardian of J. H. A. Smith, for interest in slaves of grandfather, Henry Smith; Letter of Sympathy from S. T. Cox to Mary D. Smith. Mr. Cox was at Saltville attending the funeral of Mary Stuart, wife of W. Alex Stuart; Statement of J. E. Evans, Attorney. Henry Long was the father of Richmond Long, both of whom were slaves of Dr. J. T. Smith. Henry escaped and was recovered. Richmond went through the Civil War as a bodyguard of Major J. H. A. Smith, son of Dr. J. T. Smith. Two Notices from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Dr. John T. Smith
Dr. John T. Smith was born at Clifton, Russell County, Virginia on July 5, 1805. He was the son of Henry Smith III and Mary McCandlass Taylor Smith. Henry Smith III was the son of Henry Smith II and Mary Strothers Smith. Henry Smith II was the son of Henry Smith I and Mary Crosby Smith.
It is not known where Dr. Smith received his undergraduate education. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania about 1833 with an M. D. Degree. Upon completion of his education, he proceeded to practice medicine in Russell and adjacent counties. He also looked after his vast acreage. A portion of his lands is still owned and operated by a descendant, a part of which was patented by Henry Smith.
Dr. Smith sought and won the affection of Mary Douglas Anderson of Elliston, Montgomery County, Virginia. (LETTERS 1 and 2) They were married on the 10th day of October 1833. Mary D. Anderson was born on the 31st day of July 1816. Dr. and Mrs. Smith started housekeeping in a log house on the above-mentioned property, about 5000 feet northeast of present Route 19. This house stood on a beautiful knoll in a boundary that has always been called the "house seat boundary." It was located approximately 150 feet from a beautiful spring. The writer remembers a shrub or planting that stood nearby the house seat until about 1938.
Written Before Marriage
Pattonsburg, July 24th 1833
Dear Mary,
I am now about to return the promise I made you in my last to inform you at what time you might expect me in Christiansburg. This, I am enabled to do with entire certainty, after making allowance for accidents and unforeseen occurrences. It is my intention to leave here on the 30th inst, and allowing two days for the journey, you may expect to see me on the 1st day of August. Should any thing transpire, however, between this and that period to detain me longer, I shall apprise you of it in order to quiet every thing like mental anxiety, and relieve your mind of the painful anticipation which you might have, as well also, as to supersede the necessity of your trying to look too pretty. If that is all, you think I might spare myself the trouble. It is better to be disappointed in seeing a sweetheart at the expected time, than to neglect a patient, especially when they are so few and far between as mine.
Though my practice, so far, has been very limited, I have some reasons to be encouraged. I have the promise of the practice of the most wealthy, and respectable families in the vicinity, among which are the Harveys. This is at least flattering to my vanity, if it puts nothing into my pocket. My patient of whom I spoke in my last has been discharged, cured. This event was as highly gratifying to myself and friends, as it was mortifying to my opponents. Dr. Pendleton and myself are on terms of rather more sociability than heretofore, although there is no friendship between us.
I was at the Judge's yesterday, when, I find that suspicion is on the wing. They cannot exactly see the motive of my visit to Montgomery, especially, for so much punctuality, as I am about to exercise. They say, they suppose I have some love affair up there, and that I always look so cunning out of my eyes when a certain name is mentioned. Aunt Taylor and her two daughters are going up soon, but I hope they will not make it convenient to go with me, although, such is the calculation at this time -
I received a letter from Margaret some days ago, in which, she informed me that you had paid her a visit on the reception of my letter, and that you expressed much anxiety to know when I would be up, never suspecting all the while, that you had received a letter as well as herself. She says you are "so very prudent that she can get nothing out of you, also, that you are right artful. I wonder if she has just discovered that, if so, she is very much in the rear of myself. I shall show you the whole of it when I see you.
I hope you are thinking very fast, and that, you will have your mind entirely made up by the time I see you, whether my sentence is to be given in mercy or in wrath, if in the former, try to look as angelic as possible, if in the latter, look as little like an angel as you ever did in your life. At all events do not have any set speech made for me, such as, that "Candor requires you to say that you have no warmer feeling for me than friendship. I once heard of a young lady who after giving a gentleman his papers, said to him, by the way of consolation, that it did not in the least diminish her friendship for him. Said he, "G-d___ your friendship." -
I want you to ride out with me to the Springs during my stay, - and let us try the efficiency of a discussion on horseback. I hope, it will not occupy us three days again, hard labor. Em Gardner, and an escort will accompany us, I presume.
I understand, that Frances, and her beau are about to make a match, and upon my word, when I saw him, I would not have given my chance for his, and it appears to me now, that I am at an awful distance from a wedding. I have nearly expended my paper, and quite my resources, therefore, I must conclude, by recommending you to the especial protection of Heaven - Adieu.
John T. Smith
Written to Miss Mary D. Anderson, before marriage -
Clifton, VA, August 30th 1833
My Dear Mary,
I have nothing to write to you about, and my object is merely to prove to you, that you are yet as fresh in my remembrance as the day on which I parted with you. Time, which is continually wearing away the frail and dissoluble fabrics of earth, serves only to increase my devotion to you. I am counting days constantly with arithmetical precision. Soon, will I commence counting hours, then minutes, and then seconds.
Could I believe, my Mary, that you felt only half the warmth of feeling towards me, which I do towards you, I should enjoy a perfect Elysium on earth, but, woman is called, "uncertain, coy, and hard to please." Still, however, I know her to be capable of the warmest attachment, constant in her affection, patient and persevering under the severest trials.
There is but little sickness in the country at this time I therefore enjoy a state of almost perfect rest. I returned yesterday from a visit to Eliza, having spent only one day with her; she said the reason I would not stay longer, was because, I wished to have some person else to talk to me about that belle in Christiansburg.
The girls and myself were attending a two days meeting on last Sunday from Col. Bowen's, held by Mrss. M'Intyre and M'Kewen in Tazewell. The w_____ was all smiles and graces, but she did not venture to joke me about you, although, she knew what was in agitation, as every body else does. The report, I suppose, was first brought some Wythe to Tazewell, by the lawyers of that place.
I had a most distressing dream about you a few nights since. I thought you had proved perfidious tome, and had suffered yourself to be lead away, by some worthless character. I was not permitted long to suffer such a state of mental torture, the effect was so perturbating as to cause me soon to awake, and thus relieved me of the horrors of such a vision.
Mary, I want to see you very much, indeed, not for any reason in particular, but just to be in your society. But if I cannot enjoy that happiness now, the day is not far distant when I hope to experience the full fruition of what my most enthusiastic feelings have lead me to anticipate.
I am as ever your affectionate lover.
John T. Smith
To this union the following children were born:
First child, female, 8th day of October 1834 - dead
Second child, male, 26th day of August 1835 - dead
Third child, female, 21st day of November 1836, near Holly Springs, Mississippi - stillborn
Fourth child, male, 7th day of June 1838 at their place near Tallahassee, Mississippi - stillborn
Fifth child, male, 19th day of March 1938 at their place near Tallahassee, Mississippi - stillborn
Sixth child, male, 2nd day of march 1841 at Rosedale - stillborn
Seventh child, female, March 1842, lived about 12 hours and expired
Eighth child, male, 7th day of May 1843 at Rosedale - stillborn
Ninth child, male, 1st day of July 1844 at Rosedale - stillborn
Tenth child, male, John Henry Anderson Smith, born on Wednesday the 28th day of July 1857 at 8:00 o'clock A.M. He was the only child that lived.
Eleventh child, male, 20th day of March 1849 - stillborn
Twelfth child, 12th day of June 1850, at 8:00 A.M., at Rosedale - stillborn
Letter
Marion, VA, June 2nd 1834
My Dear Mary,
I write mostly for the purpose of informing you that, I have had a call this evening to Russell to see Scott's wife. She is represented as being in a dangerous way, and from the description given of the case, I am inclined to suspect phlegmasia dolens, vulgarly, child bed fever. I shall start in the morning and probably will not reach home before Sunday next, as I shall probably take Clifton in the way and perhaps May Tate on my return. I shall give orders for our other articles to be brought forthwith, as I have offers to hire some of the Negroes and I think there is little doubt but I can hire them all without difficulty when they come.
I have felt much anxiety about you since your departure, having heard that the waters were up, and dreading lest our journey might fatigue you. I hope I shall bear from you by morning's mail and have my anxiety entirely relieved. I have been in quite a depressed state of spirits ever since you left me. What then is to become of me during an absence of three months? You situation is totally unlike mine. You are in the midst of your friends, relations, and acquaintances. I am in a land of total strangers. You are mistress of your own time and can command your own engagements. I am the slave of the people and must sit still or move at their command.
We held a meeting in the Court house last evening for the purpose of making some arrangements to celebrate the approaching anniversary of American Independence. Dr. Thorman acted as Chairman. Mr. Pendleton was appointed to read the declaration. The orator is yet to be appointed by a committee. The honor of preparing suitable toasts for the occasion, was conferred on a committee, of which I am one. A dinner will also be given and perhaps a ball. I am, however, more inclined to think I shall celebrate my 4th in Christiansburg. I am sure, it would be productive of much more happiness to me.
I hope, my dear darling, you are strictly obeying my directions as to your health. If you do not, I shall reflect on you for it. There is nothing would give me so much pain as for you to practice deception on me. I wish you to write to me and let me know how you are doing and particularly about what I told you. If Capt. Strother and myself should not commence merchandizing here I should like to build a house as soon as possible and let us go to housekeeping immediately. If a female school could be made up, I think we would find it to our advantage to take boarders. I am entirely in favor of building on a back lot.
Give my love to all the family and believe me to be your most
Affectionate husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. Mary D. Smith
Letter
Marion, June 19th 1834
My Dear Wife,
You cannot well conceive of the unhappy state of my feelings in not having recd a second letter from you. To tell you the honest truth, for the last three or four days, I have been literally in a state of distraction which has rendered me totally incompetent to every kind of business. Have you totally forgotten the man who loves you far better than his own life? If yo have not how could you treat me with such cruelty, when you knew my extreme anxiety about your health? Is your health too bad? Then you could have got some body else to have written for you. Nothing but the near approach of Court kept me from starting on Tuesday to see the cause of your not writing. When the mail arrived, I was absent in the Valley but I hurried home full of expectation of finding a rich repast in the long letter you had promised me.
I shall start down tomorrow and will arrive at Christiansburg by 12 oclock on Sunday. Can you meet me at Uncle John's on Saturday evening. If your health will permit I wish you would as it will abridge that much of my misery till I see you. I hope then my dear you can account satisfactory for not having written.
I have not enjoyed any good health since you left here and I am confident that if I were seized with an acute disease at this time. I should sink under it in your absence. I am compelled to close my letter; my feelings will not permit me to continue it farther.
I remain as ever you truly faithful
And affectionate husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. Mary D. Smith
P. S.
I should get down in two days but for having heard that Betty Crockett is sick, so that I must go by there. Try my dear to meet me, if not look for me to dinner on Sunday - JTS.
Letter
Marion July 17th 1834
My Dear Wife,
I had the exquisite pleasure this morning of reading your very affectionate letter which was dated on the day I left you but postmarked the 15th. From your great promptness, I am inclined to think you must have been trying to imitate some other very affectionate wives of your acquaintance. I am truly sorry my dear, to learn that my absence has exercised so unfavorable an influence on your health, while at the same time. I am compelled to acknowledge that a similar one has been felt on my own from the same cause. My second day's journey was performed with extreme pain to myself and on the following day I was unable to leave my bed during the early part of the day. I am, however, much improved since that time. I found Betsy Crockett in a much worse condition than when I left her before. Indeed, I consider her case as wholly hopeless.
My friend Dr. Watson invited me to spend the day with im, also you & myself to call on them on our way home, which I promised to do if we can conveniently - I have not been out of town since my return until last night, when, I was called to Pendleton. James Strother has not been here since my arrival and I am therefore unprepared to let you know our arrangements. I understand that he is at present lying by his wife. I have been called to see Mrs. Harley who has been threatened with abortion for a week, of a foetus of three months, in consequence of a fright. I think I shall be able to save it if I can prevail on her to use any prudence. I understand that Maj. Taylors family are sick to the number of half a dozen among them, Mary. They did not send for me I presume from the presumption of my absence. Broger is over at Henry Taylor's also Miss Mayo whose bacon I am told he is threatening furiously. The Squire's house is progressing rapidly, so that, we may expect to get into it by the 1 September at farthest. I am fully determined that I will not stay here another spell without you, for the truth is, I can scarcely be said to live without you. It is as you say, that we never were intended to be parted. I am not so certain about my going down on the 1st August as I originally expected, unless we could be ready to go to housekeeping by the middle of that month. I am unwilling, my darling, to be absent from here long at a time, as Dr. Allen got several cases in my absence part of which I should have got had I been here. I would therefore prefer to postpone going down, until I could be prepared to receive you here. I shall however let you know farther of this before that time. Our landlady took leave of us on Sunday for Botetourt. Your last letter arrived here on yesterday. She contemplated spending a few days in Wythe on the way. I did not invite her to call on you and I presume she will not. I intend going to the Saltworks on tomorrow if I can get off. I understand, the Squire is very anxious to see me, having sent several messages to that effect. I cannot see Juliet before the mailing of this letter, but if I should on inquiry find it necessary, I will communicate to you, early, whatever may be necessary concerning her. Give my love to all the family and the Squires folks also and believe me as ever
Your most Affectionate
Husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. M. D. Smith (write soon)
Letter
Marion July 20 1834
Saturday night
My Dear Wife,
I am sitting in my room at a late hour of the night, absorbed in the most profound meditation about the absent idol of my heart. Yes! Absent to my bodily eyes but continually present to my imagination. I feel that state of melancholy which is inseparable from absence from you, and which I can only alleviate by holding this kind of intercourse with you. If I attempt to read, "thy image steals between my book and me." If I sit unemployed, you are not on my lap to beguile the hours away with affectionate embraces and when I retire to rest, I have no Mary to lay her head on my breast and sooth me to sleep. Ah! Mary - you little know how my heart overflows with love to you. There is nothing else on earth that has any charms for me or that I desire farther than it would contribute to your happiness.
I have just been reading in Byron, in which I find a great deal to admire and some to condemn, tho' I am fully of the opinion that this literary Colossus has not had justice done him by the world. I am however not a little thankful that I am totally unlike him in private character; still more so that you are so unlike his wife.
Tuesday evening
I have just returned from Saltville leaving all well, but Eliza in daily expectation. The Squire and myself did not decided on any measure certainly tho' our views are very alike.
I called on Juliet who says that John Sanders will be in want of clothing, but that the rest will have a sufficiency. Mary may go down she says.
I met Maria Spotts and Ellen Bowen at Maj. Thompson's; they came in with me and are now at Harley's -
It is said at the Saltworks on the best authority that Dr. Gunn, that monster of imposture, hypocrisy, and perfidy, has eloped carrying off the wife of a respectable lawyer of Knoxville with him. "Oh! Frailty they name is woman!"!!!
It is enough to raise a blush not only on the cheek of the sex, but on that of human nature.
I have not time to say more to you at present as I look for the stage ever minute.
Write my Dear on the receipt of this and add to the happiness of your ever faithful and affectionate
Husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. M. D. Smith
Letter
Marion, VA Oct. 9th 1835
My Dear Wife,
I am compelled to avail myself of the present opportunity of writing you a few lines merely for the purpose of expressing to you what my feelings are during your absence. I am, indeed, as dejected in spirits as you can possibly imagine, and if I had not already gone so far, I should be almost tempted to decline my contemplated journey entirely - My determination is made up never to be seperated from you again while we both live, but from the most extreme necessity - I hope my dear we will each of us duly appreciate the value of our separation and learn never to doubt each other again in any respect whatever; in other words we must never pout at each other on any account -
John Crockett and Dr. Sayers just arrived here this evening to go on with us - I expect we shall not start till Sunday -
I have sold our casting china and a few other trifles to Sheffy but I see no prospect of getting rid of any of the furniture -
I have the two umbrellas here which I will leave for you and Henry to take with you. I want you as you go to Russell, to stop at Aunt Crocketts and stay as long as you can. Treat them all with great friendship and familiarity as I want you to do all our relations you see while you are out.
Uncle Taylor's suit was just decided today in his favor after a long and tedious discussion.
Oh my darling! Is this the last word I am to say to you till I leave you for a turn, which will appear an age to me? May God bless and protect you in my absence is the constant prayer of your ever loving and affectionate
Husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. M. D. Smith
Letter
Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Oct 25th 1835
My Dear Wife,
You will see from the date of my letter that I am still moving Westward. I am now only 20 miles from the Alabama line and about 150 from La Grange the place where we purpose crossing over to Mississippi. We have so far all enjoyed perfectly good health and our company, now is reduced to four, Major Thompson, Jno Taylor, Mr. Cunningham and myself - The weather is as hot here now, as Aug is with us - I have traded off old Davy even swap for a very fine horse that is not so well gaited but much better able to carry me thru the mud a thing which I shall feel the importance of very much when I start home - We came on from Marion in company with a Mr. Reynolds formerly of VA to his residence in Giles Co on Friday last, and stayed till today (Sunday) where we were very comfortably entertained in bachelor style. I should have written from there but could not get paper enough - The destruction of cotton in this part of the State by frost has been beyond example; the planters do not calculate on even a third of a crop.
I expect to write to you again from La Grange and after that you need not expect a letter from me till I get thru the Chickasaw Nation as there are no Post offices in that county. I am apprehensive that his letter will not reach you directly as I fear you will have left C before this reaches you. I want you, however, to write to me at Columbus as early as you receive this and let me know where to write to. I have a great deal more to tell you about but it is late and I am fatigued and sleepy and will reserve it till I write to you again or see you. You cannot imagine, my dear, how crazy I am to see you and I shall use my endeavors to urge the company to return as soon as possible - Farewell my dear Wife
I am as ever
Your Affectionate
And devoted
Husband
John T. Smith
Mrs. M. D. Smith
Letter
Baltimore, March 16 1836
My Dear Wife,
As Mr. Aston will start home on tomorrow, I avail myself of the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along - We had intended starting to Philadelphia in the morning but Mr. Morrison appears much inclined to abandon the trip entirely. If any of my friends should be going to that city in a few days, I may perhaps go, otherwise, I think I shall not. We had a fine sermon today in Eutaw Church from Mr. Ridgway of the Md. Conference - In the afternoon, I went with William and all the Russell merchants to the new German Catholic Cathedral - The architecture surpasses all that I have ever seen - As the house was densely crowded, we could not sit down, but stood just within the door. Nearby us, stood an official with his star inscribed J. E. S. and a halbred under his arm to keep heretics in there place. When the congregation came to the part of the service at which all kneel he turned to me, and told me I must kneel, I told him, I would not, but that I could retire; he then told me I must leave the house which we all did in short order - A jolly old heretic taking the hint soon followed in our rear, and asked us if we had been ordered out, which we answered in the affirmative. I told him I had never committed idolatry, and I was too old to begin it now - We then went to the old Cathedral and arrived before service; we stood long enough to see the splendor and magnificence of the building, saw the foolery of several infant baptisms and profiting by the hint we had already recd we retired more heartily disgusted with Romanism than ever - I saw so motley a crowd assembled together before. Sandy is not a patching to it. It consisted mostly of the lowest order of foreigners who are but little above deformity. We continued our walk to the green mount cemetery - This is the burying ground of the aristocracy of Balto. It is indeed a beautiful place; in the center, stands a magnificent gothic building of brown stone - The grounds are decorated with a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs and alas! With the marble monuments which were more impressive than all the sermons we had heard thro' the day - Of all these there was one, which I stopped to gaze on with peculiar interest - It was a plain marble slab, on which lay a beautiful little infant chiselled out of the purest white marble, over it a thin drapery through which you could detect the prominence of its form and beneath which projected a beautiful little foot - Under it, was a perfect imitation of a little bed and beneath its head a pillow of the same.
It was a solemn spectacle to a parent - We then returned to our hotels well-fatigued with much improved appetites for supper -
On last evening Mr. Hy Aston, Tho Alderson and myself were at Mr. Warden's. We were very kindly recd by Mrs. W. who asked many questions about her friends in Russell - Mr. Morrison declined going on the plea of business - They insist on your coming in the fall - and I have promised that you shall -
George has been complaining for two days of a very bad cold; he is quite hoarse today. Wm is well though not so fleshy and rosy as when he was at our house. He and George both appear cheerful and we all appear to enjoy ourselves well together - I have scarcely seen Eldred since the day of my arrival. He is mostly at Conference thro' the day -
We have not made any new arrangement since my last letter from this city, namely for you to send by Nye's for us on Tuesday the 25 - I think we are both growing a little homesick, and I shall be glad when the day of starting comes - Give my love to all and accept the assurance of my sincere affection
Your devoted husband
John T. Smith
Dr. and Mrs. Smith moved from Russell County to near Tallahassee, Mississippi about 1836 and lived there for approximately three years before returning to Russell County. The population of this area at that time was so thinly settled that it was difficult for a doctor to live by the practice of medicine.
(Letters 10 and 11)
Dr. and Mrs. Smith employed a young Indian maiden to help with the house work while in Mississippi. They became very attached to the little girl and she likewise idolized them. Mrs. Smith taught her how to read and write. Upon their leaving Mississippi, the little girl begged and pleaded to accompany them home. When they boarded a boat to come up the Mississippi River, she became very hysterical and took off one of her little Indian moccasins and threw it on board the boat then jumped into the river and drowned. The moccasin is still in possession of the writer.
In 1839 or 1840 Dr. and Mrs. Smith returned to Russell County. In 1850 Dr. Smith completed "Smithfield", the brick house which is now occupied by the writer. This house has twelve rooms and a large attic with no windows on the south-west or north-east. All of the original wood was hand-hewn and put together with pegs. Cut nails were used on the beautiful poplar floors. Each of the twelve rooms contains a fireplace. This house took about two years to complete and cost approximately $5000.00. The brick were burned from clay on the farm and are of remarkable hardness. The four corners of the house at the time it was erected pointed north, east, south and west. I feel sure that C. A. Smith, brother of Dr. John T., laid the foundation for he was quite famous as a surveyor.
Written to Dr. Smith while he was in Mississippi
Abingdon, VA Nov 30th 1837
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 4th Ult. was duly received, and as you have probably seen, I took the liberty of publishing from it some extracts, relating to Mr. Prentiss and the politics of your state. As yet, I have not learned the result of your recent elections. It seems that Claiborne and Cholson have refused to enter upon the convass taking their stand upon the decision of Congress giving them their seats during the approaching regular session. I cannot approve their course in this matter; - for, from all that I can learn, the people of your state elected them to serve in extra session only. If this be the fact, it appears to me, that the decision of Congress was an assumption of power, to which Mississippi should by no means submit. At all events, as it is a doubtful question, Claiborne and Gholson should not have refused again to submit their claims to the decision of the people at the polls. So far as the Congressional election is concerned, I feel some anxiety to learn the result. Should the people of the State have elected the Whig members, will it not bring Congress and the State into collision? Claiborne and Gholson will claim their seats under the decision of Congress, at its late extra session; and Prentiss and Ward will claim theirs under the verdict of the people of a sovereign State. Will Congress undertake to confirm their former decision, in opposition to the expressed will of the people of Mississippi? The question will be a novel one, but it strikes me that the people, of a State, certainly have the right to decide who shall represent them.
Your remarks in relation to the establishment of an Opposition Press at your place have been considered, and your kind offer, to render me any service in your power, is duly appreciated. At this time, however, I am undecided as to whether I shall continue in this place. My present business is tolerably profitable, and my friends, here, wish me to remain and engage in the practice of the Law, in which they offer to do all they can in my behalf. I do not, however, regard the profession of law as very profitable in this section of country; but perhaps it might do in connection with some other business. In case I should determine to quit this place, I will write to you more fully in reference to locating in your part of the country; but at present, the probability is, that I shall remain here, for sometime to come, at least.
As to news from this part of the country, there is little that I could write you, which would be interesting. Business is usually dull, owing to the great difficulty in collecting money. Our merchants in this place, are doing almost literally nothing. Only a few of them have laid in a stock of New Goods. The people are more pressed for money than I have ever before known them, and Sheriffs and Constables seem to have their hands full of business.
In a political point of view, I think a considerable change has taken place in public sentiment, in this section of our state. A considerable number of the old Jackson party, who were formerly so hostile to a U. S. Bank, seem now convinced of the expediency of such an institution, as well, on account of the advantages it affords to the people at large in the way of conducting the exchanges of the country and affording a sound and uniform currency - as an account of its aid in conducting the fiscal operations of the General Government. The SubTreasury scheme does not seem to be very popular with us, nor indeed in any part of our State. You have probably noticed the course of Mr. Hopkins, upon this subject. He has gone farther in opposition to the Administration than I had supposed one of his character and in his political circumstances would do. I presume he would now, as upon a former occasion, be unwilling "to let the people know," his real political sentiments, in full. I was greatly disappointed in the result of the election between himself and Humes - having no idea that Humes would be so badly beaten. I think the individual destined to turn Hopkins out of Congress, is the notorious F. M. M. of Scott. But enought concerning these folks.
Your Brother Henry, is announced as a candidate to represent Russell County in the next Legislature. Gray declines a re-election. Wm. Gibson, I understand, will also be a candidate. I am surprised at Gibson's strength in the County of Russell, as developed in the last election. He was within a few votes of being elected.
From present prospects, I am inclined to think, there must be a new organization of political parties. Should, what is termed the Conservative Party, maintain its position, the remnant of the old Jackson party still adhering to the Administration, will leave it in a lean minority. The Administration will be compelled to retreat from its late position in regard to the currency and fiscal schemes in agitation and fall back, either upon the Special Deposite System, or consent to the re-establishment of a U. S. Bank. The Deposite Bank scheme will not be tried again. The Whigs will never consent to it and the conservatives are too weak, of themselves, to revive that system again. The two parties last named, should they coalesce upon the question, will always be able to defeat the Sub-Treasury System. The only alternative then, is to resort to the Special Deposite plan, or recharter a National Bank. At present, the former plan would be more likely to prevail. And I think it not improbable that at the approaching session of Congress, a sufficient number, of the several parties in existence, will unite and carry through this plan. Should this not be the case, most of the conservatives will fall into the Whig ranks, and the establishment of a National Bank take place at no very distant day.
You must excuse the political cast which I have given this letter, as I could not have filled my sheet, without some speculations of that character. I presume the neighborhood news which would interest you, you generally receive through the correspondence of your friends in this section - I shall, at all times, be glad to receive a letter from you, and whenever I can write you anything interesting from our part of the country, will take great pleasure in so doing. The direction concerning your paper, has been attended to. With great respect, I remain
Yours Sincerely
Jno. W. Lampkin
Dr. John T. Smith
Holly Springs
Mississippi
Words copied as misspelled in letter -
Russell County Feb 9th 1839
My Dear Brother
I deem it unnecessary to tell you how much I was rejoiced on the perusal of your letter of Nov. 27th not only because it was from one I had long wished to hear from but also because it contained the very intelligence I wished most to hear. That you have found the pearl of great price, the very best treasure you could ever be in possession of. What a happy thing. I dont know how to congratulate you enough. I hope by this time Mary is a partaker and that she is now a living witness for our blessed Jesus. Very truly do you observe how much better is is even in this life the difficulties and afflictions to which we are subject in this life are more easily supported beside a peace which this world cannot give and the longer you continue a faithful follower of the meek and lowly Jesus you will find that trust and that hope in Him grows stronger and stronger and take it away from us and we would rather live not at all. Though my dear Brother you will meet with many a sane temptation (perhaps have already had some) that will seem to almost overcome you and sometimes feel like you will faint by the way but in such an hour let me tell you to trust in the Lord and in every case watch and pray - I went up to Fathers soon after I received your letter they had not heard that you had embraced religion. They were very much affected at hearing it tears of Joy & gratitude flowed from their eyes. - Mother said she thought she would not see half the uneasiness about you now that she had done in days past. I think Father said very little as he does generally about such things. He still seems unconcerned about that which involves his best interest. The salvation of his Soul. I think we ought to be mightily engaged for him he is getting quite old and his head almost entirely white he stayed with us last night - I think there is a good work going on in our family the female part all appear to be thoughtful and engaged. I thought Henry looked serious on reading your letter. John Taylor is very much changed. I think nothing but grace could have wrought so great a change. I do not know whether he professes or not, Cousin Mary is still going on in the old way I think she is the most pious woman I ever knew. Aunt Taylor is very unwell her health has been bad for some time aunt Peggy scarcely ever leaves her. You wish to hear the particulars of Uncles death Mother was with him she has a great hope for him as he had himself but he would have given everything he had in the world to have known that he would be happy he exhorted his children and his servants and in fact every one he saw to meet him in Heaven. I am told he prayed with every breath never was a family more deeply distressed I suppose but it is wearing off Charles said he was ruined. It is thought Sally T. will marry a Mr. Stewart before long such is the report. When I wrote you last I thought Sally Smith would have married before this but that has all fallen through and I am in hopes it was all for good as she has another "beau who is I suppose a much better man He is the President of the Emory & Henry College I have a slight acquaintance with him he is a Methodist Preacher I dont know what she will do with him. The Editor still visits Clifton occasionally...
*This was Mr. Charlie Collins 1st President of Emory & Henry College.
There has been a great revival of Religion about Marion I understand almost all in and near town have joind the Church James Strother amongst the rest has joined and professes Religion I believe Eliza professed before you left here. Aunt Strother is going fast with her cancer it has eaten considerably about her face. I believe I have given you all the news that I can think of at this time and will therefore conclude a long and hastily written letter. Mary has given me a lone message for yourself and her Aunt Mary too tedious to write she says she wants to see you mighty bad. Henry is at his Grandfathers and John is at home quite sick and troublesome but is getting better. I hope you will write to me soon again they are complaining at Fathers of your not writing. I hope you will remember me the weakest and most unworthy of all creatures that ever took the name of Jesus give my love to Mary and may the Lord help you to go on may he bless and guide you and at last save you in his kingdom is the earnest prayer of your truly affectionate Sister E. C. C.
Mr. Carter sens his respects to yourself & Mary.
E. C. C.
As previously stated, due to the thinly populated area, Dr. Smith was forced to ride horseback and practice over a large area of Southwest Virginia. Letters attached will indicate that he would ride into Scott county, then over to Washington County and on through Smyth, Wythe, Pulaski, and into Montgomery County. He would always stay with the Andersons at Elliston, his wife's people. As you can see from the following letters he did quite a bit of consultation and surgery on his circuit.
As has been said, Dr. and Mrs. Smith's only living child was J. H. A. Smith I. Mrs. Smith was kept in bed for three or four months before his birth. He attended Emory and Henry College and private schools in Lynchburg. He entered the Civil War at about the age of 18 as a Captain in command of a company of volunteers from Russell County. He was promoted to major in 1864.
Dr. Smith was one of the first doctors to inoculate for smallpox by removing a scab from an infected person, making a small cut on the person to be inoculated and tying the scab onto the cut. It was successful so I was told but the lack of antiseptic practices very often made quite a sore. He also wrote a paper which was delivered before the National Medical Board on the prevalence of enlarged thyroid (commonly called goiter) in women in this section of the country. He said he was not sure but that he felt the cause was due to the lack of some element in our soil and he thought it might be iodine. This paper was in the possession of the writer but has been misplaced.
Letter
Clifton VA April 9th 1840
My Dear Wife
I have just retired from the noise and bustle at a large crowd to answer your sweet affectionate letter just rec'd by todays mail, hoping that I may be able to get an opportunity of sending it to Abingdon on tomorrow thereby enabling you to receive it on Monday. The wedding as you know took place last night. There was quite a respectable little company over from Abingdon and every thing so far has gone off very well. I could not enjoy myself for want of you. I think I never have wanted to see you so badly before in my life but circumstances put it entirely out of my power to do so earlier than the 20 or 21st Inst. When you may look for me with certainty and I hope you will be well prepared to receive me. Henry and family came over last Friday. I was down at home when they came. I have been living with old Mr. Williams ever since I went down who kept me from being as lonesome as I might have been. He is however about moving now to another place. I shall go tomorrow or next day with Dr. Preston to Tazewell to operate on a tumor which will consume a whole week.
This throws me so back that I cannot spare time to go earlier than I tell you. I wish therefore if any dinners are to be given to George they may be given immediately after the wedding or we cannot be at this. John Taylor reached here on last Thursday from Mi with no news more than we have heard. Mary Fulton's son died a few days ago.
I do not remember any thing more than would interest you at this time. Give Mr. and Mrs. Anderson my congratulations for the happy consummation of that event which has contributed so much to their enjoyment.
Accept my warmest love from your absent but loving husband
John T. Smith
Excuse my short letter - it is unnecessary to tell you why. J. T. S.
Dr. John T. Smith died in Lynchburg in January 1862 on his return home from visiting the battle fields in and around Winchester, Virginia. He was buried in an iron casket on a beautiful knoll about 3500 feet west of the Smithfield house. His favorite saddle horse was buried close by his grave. Also buried there was the ranger referred to in the letter from Dr. Smith's son, one Yankee soldier whom he treated while in his home who became ill on the march from Tazewell to Saltville and rode to the doctor's home seeking medical attention, all of his negro slaves who preceeded him in death, and a few other white people.
(Letters 13 through 30)
Richmond VA March 10th 1856
My Dear Wife,
Well, you see I am in the great metropolis of our native state, having arrived a few minutes after three today - As I have been here too short a time to give you any account of the city, I shall defer that and try to entertain you with a sort of description of our trip down. When we reached the seven mile ford, I felt a good deal indisposed and hypochondrical, and felt somewhat like going back home. I thought, however, I would venture as far as Christiansburg and if I still felt homesick, I could only return from there. These inquisitions continued to haunt me till I reached the depot, when a sight of the great "iron horse" and his monstrous train dispelled them like chaff before the wind - How little idea had I of a railroad car or locomotive! and how strange that I have never seen any person who could give me an adequate conception of them! I must be the greatest admirer of the works of nature and art in the world, or the most childish man that ever lived. I wish you could have partaken of my enthusiasm, or even witnessed mine when I first entered the car. Instead of a little narrow pent up affair, resembling a large mail coach in which the passengers sit cramped up together, you are to imagine a building quite as long as our house and wider than our passage with rows of fine walnut, cut velvet spring-bottom seats on each side, each one sufficiently large to contain two persons, with a spacious aisle in the middle, with a glass window to every seat a blind and a curtain; and the backs of the seats to constructed that they can be inverted in a moment, so that you can ride with your face forward or backward, or persons can sit and vis a viz. The whole interior of the car is finished in a highly ornamental style and is admirably warmed by a stove fire. You may guess that as green a gentlemen as I was, highly dazzled with these first impressions, but my enthusiasm had not yet attained its acme. In a few moments the huge monster in front began to bellow forth the signal of departure - then the monstrous train followed in the rear with a speed which seemed to leave all the world behind - On we went at one moment with a yawning gulf beneath us at another with a frowning precipice over-hanging us then, darting into a tunnel of utter darkness then suddenly emerging into light.
How much did I regret that you and son and Sarah had not all been along. Can you imagine how I felt when I saw old Settensones well known mill-dam, and still more, when I reached the gorge leading up to Aunt Polly's and cost a wistful look at the old place. When we reached the station at Capt. Kent's - I looked out and saw George conducting a lady into the cars. We had but one minute to converse but he told us that Eldred had gone on two days before, and that he, himself, would be on today. When we meet I shall be able to tell you something more.
We reached Lynchburg Saturday at 5 o'clock P. M. and met Mr. F. G. Morrison of the Depot who took us home with him and treated us very hospitably till this morning. Miss Martha promises to go home with us on our return. We went to the episcopalian church on yesterday. It is a very fine building and contained a very fashionable congregation.
I am determined to take you all on a railroad trip this summer if we live. Tell son I have wished for him throughout my journey. We shall spend the day here tomorrow - and leave next day for Balto. I have met with Mac, and various other fiends here who appear glad to see me. I hope you will push the work with your might. Enquuire how the stock are doing and if they are kept out of mischief -
Tell Wm that flax seed is dull at this time and he had better be cautious how he buys - One keg of butter either yours or Carolines we do not know which is still on hand - we shall know in the morning - it is said to be injured by too long delay -
Give my love to Sarah and son and Caroline and William also Mr. Morrison - and believe me your truly
Affectionate Husband
John T. Smith
Letter
Alleghaney Springs VA Aug: 13 1858
My Dear Wife,
Douglass and I reached here on the day before yesterday, after spending twenty four hours at the White Sulphur.
I found our friends all well on our arrival on Saturday. On Sunday, I was reattacked with diarrhoea which harrassed me till the following Tuesday, since which time I feel in my usual health. Annie has so far given general satisfaction to all her friends in this quarter. Hamilton and John are devoted to her beyond measure. I met with my old friend Dr. Bourland, whom I knew in Mississippi whom I recognized at first sight and who appeared overjoyed to see me. He has removed below N. Orleans and been greatly damaged by the flood. He introduced me to his second wife whom I found a charming lady from Norfolk. I regretted to part with him. I found Henry Taylor and wife, Virginia Crockett and Mrs. Mays here. We shall go to Christiansburg tomorrow and stay till Monday among our friends.
The Company, here, is not large and mostly of the rather plebeian order, so upon the whole, we do not pass our time very pleasantly.
I received Mr. Morrison's letter last night informing me of the happy termination of Caroline's labor. Tell him that I entirely approve of his selection of a name, and I think he could not bestow it more worthily. I cannot say any thing about going home, but I shall probably remain at least a fortnight longer.
May Kent's wife died lately, also, the widow Craig.
Give my love to all our friends and accept the assurance of my sincerest devotion
From Your Affectionate Husband
John T. Smith
Letter
Rosedale VA. Sept 17th 1860
My Dear Son:
I have the pleasure of informing you that I reached home on last Wednesday (the 12th Inst) and found all well. I spent one day and two parts of days at your Uncle George's, one at Christiansburg, one at Dr. Radfords, and from Saturday to Tuesday at Wytheville. I found our friends all well and very glad to see me.
Your mother recd a letter from Mr. Morrison on Thursday informing us that you are very diligent at your studies. This was very gratifying to me indeed. Nothing would give me so much pleasure as to see you a head and shoulders above all the other boys of your age. By patience and perseverance, you may surmount all difficulties which beset your path. Besides intelligence, I want you to cultivate good manners, as no person is ever acceptable in good society without these. Attend strictly to cleanliness of person, by washing your face, hands and neck thoroughly, and cleaning your nails daily; also, have your hair neatly trimmed when necessary. Do not lean back your chain or lounge in it, and when in company, attend closely to the conversation, so that you may learn something, and at the same time be prepared to answer any question addressed to you.
Above all be on our guard against bad company, as nothing is so likely to deprave the morals of boys as that. Be kind to your fellow students, and above all, be very obedient and respectful to your teacher.
Let me again enjoin on you to be very studious that I may see your improvement when I see you; never go to school with your lesson half-learned.
Let not the word Can't be found in your vocabulary. Learn, throughly, whatever you undertake, and look in your dictionary for every word whose meaning you do not know, and as you progress in Latin, endeavor to understand the derivation of words.
We have had a glorious peach season which has just ended - We have had some so large that they would not go in at the mouth of our cans - Your mother is very much pleased with the new cans I brought, and has them all filled. Tell your Uncle Morrison that we can furnish him with the feathers early in October. Ask your Aunt Caroline, if she would like to have as much as fifty pounds of butter at that time or less; either will suit us.
Tell your Uncle Morrison that Henry Vencile paid $30 during my absence - and Calvin Griffith paid me $20 on Saturday.
Your mother and myself send our love to you and all the family.
I am affectionately
Yours and Jno. T. Smith
Letter
Rosedale Russell Co., VA Nov 8th 1860
My Dear Son,
I write you a very few lines to inform you that your mother reached home on yesterday about 5 o'clock. When she came in sight of Lebanon, she met our friend Wm. Samples in his buggy, who kindly volunteered to bring her home, and but for this fortunate occurrence, she would have been detained there all night, as the coach horses had given out and were unable to bring her further. Of course, she gave me an agreeable surprise, as I had ceased to look for her after hearing of the disasters on the Railroad. She distributed the various presents among the servants last night, all of which were very acceptable.
I was happy to hear of the progress you are making in your studies, and hope you will be stimulated to still further exertions. Nothing but hard labor will ever make you a man of intelligence. I do not mean that you should not allow yourself time for exercise and recreation.
It is unnecessary to say any thing to you about the election in this County, as you will see a more correct report in the papers that I can give you. Your horse and dog are well. Stewart has not noticed your mother since she came home; he seems a little pouty.
Give our love to all Mr. Morrisons family and accept our most affectionate regards.
Your Affec Father
John T. Smith
We shall send down some things as soon as the railroad damages are repaired - Your mother says you must be careful never to go to bed with cold feet and when the weather gets colder, get you a warmer cravat.
Write to us soon.
J. T. S.
Get your Aunt Sally to sew string to your shawl so that you can tie it up around your throat.
Letter
Richmond, VA
April 8 1861
My Dear Wife,
I arrived here on Friday about 3 o'clock in company with Mr. Thomas Alderson, without any unpleasant occurrence except the loss of my trunk at Lynchburg. When we arrived there, one of the agents of the Orange & Alexandria road met us to knew if we would take that route, and being answered that we would, he called for our checks and assured us he would deliver our trunks at the depot immediately. We went to the place, and bought our tickets and waited for our baggage till we become fearful it was lost, when Mr. Alderson went over and got his, but could not find mine. The car then started and when I arrived here, I wrote to Mr. Morrison and on Saturday I recd a telegraph from him that my trunk was forwarded that morning. I went to the Depot this morning but it was not there. I then telegraphed again but have no answer yet.
I have met many of my old acquaintances, and been in the Convention some time. The Union men still have a large majority, though many of them have yielded since they came here.
I have placed Cynth in the Hospital and the Doctors think she will be very easily treated, but advise that she should be kept under treatment for some weeks to insure the impossibility of relapse. She is greatly admired by all who see her, and one man on the Cars tried hard to buy her.
I could sell her at this house the (American Hotel) if she were sound. She is very desirous of being sold here and I think I shall give them the refusal as they appear to be very clever gentlemen.
Tell John Henry to study very diligently till I get home and let me see that he has learned a great deal.
I want to leave here about the last of this week for Lynchburg and stay a few days there, but I do not think I shall stop any where else on a/c of the cars passing after night. I shall however know more about it after I reach Lynchburg.
You may guess I was in a pretty bad fix about my wardrobe after losing my trunk, but I soon found Will and we went to a clothing store, and I rigged out in the way of shirts, collars, and so forth -
Will and family are all well. I spent one evening with them. It has been raining every day since Saturday, and is very disagreeable.
Give my love to son and accept my affectionate regard, from your
Affectionate Husband
Letter
Richmond VA April 12th/61
My Dear Wife,
I am still here, hoping to recover my trunk but I am about to abandon all hope. The Agent telegraphed yesterday but has received no answer this morning. I have accordingly bought another and if I do not get off tomorrow, I shall do so by Monday. Yesterday was the first dry day since I have been here, and today, it is almost raining again. I took tea with my excellent friend Eckol, night before last and was introduced to his lady and who do you think she is; the widow London whom we met at the Alleghany, and whom we admired considerable. I did not recognize her until after tea, when Mr. E. casually mentioned to me who she was, when I could at once see a resemblance, though she is a good deal broken - She is the same modest, retiring lady she was when you knew her. I enquired for our friend Mrs. Hubert and Ella and expressed a wish to see them; upon which, they insisted on my going, and Mr. Eckol promised to go with me. We went on yesterday and met with a very cordial reception. Ella is large as Lucy Fuller. Mrs. H. is as youthful in appearance as ever. She has a splendid organ in her house which made the finest music I ever heard. We parted with an invitation that I should spend a day with them before leaving the City. She made many enquiries for John Henry and said as Ella had grown too fast for him that she had a niece he might have.
I went to the slave auction on yesterday and determined they should not sell one for me unless they became worse than any we have. I am on a trade today with the proprietors of the American and I think they will give me $900 for Cynth, as she is, and pay all expenses. I am willing to take less for her privately, than to sell her publicly. These men, too, are very kind to all their servants.
I cannot say when I shall be at home, but will write from Lynchburg. I do not think I shall stop any where else on a/c of the night travel. I shall sue the Company at Lynchburg if my trunk is not found by the time I get there. Give my love to son and urge him to learn a great deal by the time I get home.
Your Affectionate Husband
John T. Smith
Letter
Richmond VA April 13/61
My Dear Wife,
I write to inform you that a telegram reached here today about 3 o'clock announcing the capture of Fort Sumpter by the troops of the Confederate States - The attack was made on the previous day about 4 A.M. and on yesterday it surrendered.
There is a perfect furor of enthusiasm here among the secessionists. Cannon has been firing ever since the news was announced in Capitol Square - And all men are wondering was it to be the denouement.
The secession feeling is growing in the East but our members are as firm as rock yet.
Another dispatch has announced that Botts is appointed Sec'y. of War, but this is considered somewhat doubtful. I failed in disposing of Cynth, as I hoped, on account of the fears apprehended of her disease. I shall leave her in the hospital with directions to Mr. Eckols to dispose of her to the best advantage.
I rec'd a telegraph from Mr. Morrison this evening that no news can be heard of my trunk.
I shall leave here next Tuesday for Lynchburg and when I arrive there I shall see the Company.
I have become heartily tired of City life and long for my retired life. Mr. Eckols is still my constant friend ever ready to wait me in every thing needful.
I am engaged to dine with him tomorrow.
This is the second dry day since I have been here and it rained the entire night most tremendously.
It is so warm tonight as to make fire unnecessary.
I say to you again to urge John Henry to preserve in learning. Tell him he can never shine among gentlemen unless he is learned.
I am very affectionately
Your Husband
John T. Smith
Letter
Lynchburg, VA April 17th 1861
My Dear Son:
I arrived here last night at 10 oclock, having been delayed from failure to connect at the Junction.
I suffered intensely all day from influenza which made its appearance on Sunday morning. I do not suffer so much today with headache, but I am still very poorly. The news is of the most thrilling character. I should not be surprised if the State secedes this week. Instead if she does not the people will compel them to do it. A dispatch arrived this morning that the President has reinforced the Navy Yard at Gusport. If this be true, I do not doubt that any army will be marched immediately to capture it, and also, Harpers Ferry.
You will see that Lincoln had ordered 75,000 volunteers to be mustered into service to subjugate the Southern States. This is goading the Virginians to madness and there is now but one voice and that for separation. I am very desirous to get home but as I am too unwell to turn out this cold weather I shall probably stay here till I feel better.
The excitement here is tremendous, all are for fight - Flags are waving from almost every house.
I want you to have all the corn ground harrowed and when necessary ploughed over by the time I get home.
Your Uncle Morrisons family are as well as usual and very glad to see me.
I shall write to you when to meet me. I have not time to write you any more till the mail closes so give my love to your mother and accept my sincere and affectionate regard.
John T. Smith
Letter
Lynchburg, VA April 18th/61
My Dear Wife:
I am still very unwell today, more so than yesterday. Still, I cannot forbear coming down to hear the latest news. A dispatch has reached here today that Harper's Ferry has been captured by the VA troops. Every body, here, seems to be on fire. The very women are talking of joining the army.
The soldiers are all in readiness to march at a moments warning. We cannot hear any thing from the Convention as they are still in secret session. But, there is no doubt but we are out of this infamous Union with Yankees. Tell all our neighbors to be rubbing up their guns and to prepare to march when called to repel Lincoln's 75,000 murderers.
I cannot tell when I shall be at home, as I am too unwell to think of turning out yet, and what is more, I would rather wait till the Sup. Court passes, as I should be summoned there every day.
Urge the hands to have every thing ready for planting by the time I get home. Have the old orchard cut down broke up and harrowed for sugar cane. Give my love to John Henry and believe me as ever.
Your Affectionate Husband
John T. Smith
Letter
Lynchburg, VA April 20th 1861
My Dear Wife:
I write to inform you that by a dispatch last night, we learn that a bloody engagement took place on yesterday at Baltimore between the citizens of that city and a Boston regiment which was on its march to Washington, in which a hundred or more of the enemy were killed and 800 made prisoners while only about 20 of the Baltimoreans lost their lives.
This event has been hailed here with shouts of joy. Our troops are moving on Harpers Ferry and Gusport Navy Yard and other important places. The companies here are burning for a call to the conflict. We send you the latest news by the papers of today. I hope you will impress on our neighbors the war spirit to revenge the outrages offered by Lincoln against our country.
I feel greatly better today than at any time since I have been here, and I shall go to George's tonight. I shall, also, stop at Christiansburg and Wytheville, and get to Lebanon on Friday next, but of this I shall write to you again. I want to get home, but I regret very much to leave the great lines of communication, while events of so thrilling a character are going on. Give my love to son.
I am Your Affect Husband
John T. Smith
Spread the news.
Letter
Lynchburg, VA June 14th 1861
My Dear Son:
I recd your letter of the 10th inst. On the day before yesterday, and though very feeble from an attack of diarrhea, I avail myself of today's mail to answer you. I reached here this morning at 5 « A.M. and find all well. The news which you will have read before this reaches you of the battle of Bethel Church is fully confirmed. The victory is a most glorious one to the Confed. States. It is now satisfactorily proved that the enemy lost about 300 men, while we lost but one man, and that through his own fool hardiness.
It is, also, reported on good authority that a second battle has been fought at Phillippi, with a loss of about 100 to the enemy, and a very slight one on our side, whilst our troops have recaptured the village, all the arms lost before, and several cannon besides.
All here is enthusiasm, and all are shouting over our victory. Troops are arriving from the South at the rate of about 10,000 per week. They are greeted every where along the road with the plaudity of a grateful people. As I received no letter from Richmond, I think I shall go down there on Monday. I wrote to Will to write me a letter at this place; he has written one to Mr. Morrison entirely unsatisfactory.
Write to me again at this place on the recpt of this. Give my love to your mother and my respects to our neighbors and accept the assurance of my affectionate regard from
Your father
John T. Smith
Letter
Christiansburg, VA 19th August 1861
My Sister Mary
Be not alarmed when you behold the signature appended to this humble communication. It is not my intention to unloose for a few moments the bonds of silence which hitherto have kept us in (almost) profound silence with regard to each others condition; but now to renew a correspondence, long since abandoned for reason, I presume unknown to each; that we may be advised in all time to come as to our conditions. I have heard from you occasionally, mere simple statements that you and all with you were well, and such information is but little gratification to those united by the ties formed by nature.
I have not received any direct communication from you since Bro. John was pleased to favor us with a visit (at which time my wife fell in love with him) and I am growing anxious to hear from you.
We have been, and may now be called in large family yet, inroads are being made upon our ranks and will be until twill be but one left on Earth, to keep green in the memory, recollections of former years, places and persons. With the forcible demonstration we have had evidenced the great futility, prospects and aggrandizement of Earthly accumulations, an instance has occurred reminding us of the truthfulness of the declaration "that all flesh is as grass," formed but to wither, created but to expire, set afloat on the boistrous sea of time. To sink and rise in the vast ocean of Eternity, were it not for these ruptures of feelings and association, intended doubtless by God for our immortal and external well-being, we would conclude all mortal save ourselves, and the unwelcome and starting thought of dissolution would never haunt our imagination, or flush the streams of life that course our veins, no never would we think that "corruption, Earth and worms, would have a work to accomplish in refining these vile, frail tenements that enshrine the priceless jewel. Shaped by the hand of Omnipotence, to form the Savior's diadem in Heaven. "Death enters and there's no defense." - I will not attempt a description of that which sickens the heart - the announcement of departed friends, - let it suffice me to say that it seemed to me the hour of darkness and I mourned beneath its power; - here are distresses, losses, partings, and every thing calculated to incite despondency, and cruel the sprit beneath a load too pondrous to be bourne but "there is a land of spirits bright which obey faith I see," where nothing of this kind is known to the inhabitants; thanks be to God for that land, Eternal Glory be to Christ, for the new and living way which has been made accessible; for the fountain for his most precious blood opened for sin and uncleanliness, whereby sin in its deepest dye may be washed away, and man eventually saved, O, Jesus rather than I should forget thee let this stammering tongue, and these limbs be stilled in death. Let me forget my nearest and dearest Earthly friends, even her who bore me, but never O never let me forget thee and what thou hast done for me.
There is consolation in the thought that we all may meet, where the "weary are forever at rest" and by divine assistance I am determined to make my home in that blessed place, there I desire, to meet not only those who have already passed from sorrow, but all who composed the family on Earth.
I must give you some of the news of the village.
Some time since I thought Ellerbe had well night run his race and would shortly enter into the joys of Eternity, he looked as tho' his flesh would soon be unable to hold the spirit, not that he was prostrated on a bed of sickness; but evidently he grew daily weaker, but now he is improving tho' unable to walk about much. Yet I think he will be spared some years to accomplish good on the Earth.
Doubtless you have heard of the death of Dr. Gardner.
All the rest of your friends are well.
Aunt Polly appears to be enjoying very good health now and looks much better than she has for some time.
My wife joins in love to you, Sallie, Bro. Jno., Jno. Hen. & all.
Let me hear from you soon.
Your aff and devoted bro.
Wm. A. Wade
Several of Aunt Esther Douglas' family (Ellerbe, Gilson and Anna who was married in Jan to a Mr. Pawley) were here this month and Eliza Anderson went home with them.
Letter
Winchester, VA Dec 21st 1861
My Dear Wife:
I arrived here on yesterday morning after a rather wearisome journey from Lynchburg. We left the Junction about dark and reached Strasburg at 10 P.M., and after a nap of two hours on a straw bed in a dirty house, we were roused up to take the hack for this place. I am now in the Hotel formerly kept by Taylor but is at this time a very rough place. My first inquiry after breakfast was for our army which I found encamped three miles from here. My old friends were all very much gratified to see me among whom were the Rays, Howard and Marshall: all of whom are well except Ira Ray who is down with jaundice.
I accidentally learned during the day that John was in town in the employ of Maj. Truhart, and on my return, I went to work to search him out. I inquired for the Ordinance Dept. And when I found it I was told that he was out, whereupon, I was about to leave him my card, but at that moment he turned a corner of the street, saw me and ran to me in double quick time. Maj. T. soon came in, and I was introduced to him and found him a very polished gentleman. I took John over to the hotel and introduced him to Rob and John Lampkin.
The news from Great Britain is most cheering and the first reports are fully confirmed by the papers of this morning. I enclose you three papers just arrived from Richmond, which may contain more than our others. Read the resolutions of Vallandigham, which is a trap laid for the rogue, to get them committed so that they can't back out. I am going out to the Camp again today and tomorrow John and I are going to Martinsburg to see Ham & Henry who have been ordered there recently with a view to destroy the Chesapeak & Ohio Canal. I learn they are succeeding in accomplishing their object. The people here, as in Lynchburg, are all excitement at the recent news.
I have nothing more worth writing at present but may have some thing more interesting by the time I write again.
Give my love to Sarah, John Hand, accept the affectionate regard of your husband,
John T. Smith
Letter
Rosedale December 24th 61
Dear Pa
You will doubtless be surprised to hear that one of the Kanawha Rangers has died in our house since you left. They were in a drunken frolic, Dr. Thornton was in the pulpit pretending to preach, while there he was shot through both legs, wishing you to be his surgeon, he made them bring him here immediately believing you were at home. He was brought here Tuesday, the day you went to Abingdon and died Friday evening. He requested Mother to let him be burried on the farm. We found him an intelligent gentleman, much liked by all the company who said he was a perfect gentleman when sober. He was from Kanawha County, was once wealthy, but had spent his property drinking, etc.
Dr. Atkinson, has been with us ever since we came from Abingdon, left this morning for Tazewell and said he would return tomorrow. The cavalry in this county has been ordered to Bowling Green, KY, and will leave in a few days. We have formed the acquaintance of many of the soldiers stationed at the church, and find them very polite, intelligent gentlemen. We are all well and send much love to you. We will expect a letter from you tomorrow.
Your affectionate son
John Henry A. Smith
Census - Inventory of Property (Added by WGS)
Sam, 46; Richmond, 22; Horace, 20; Ambrose, 7; Romulus, 3; Remus, 3; Henry, 3; Stanley, 1; Due, 46; Glouvina, 38; Laura, 24; Camilla, 22; Aurelia, 21; Alice, 18; Leanah, 19; Cynthia, 21; Maria, 16; Dora, 16; Felicia, 14; Lydia, 11; Sophia, 9; Mary, 6; Caroline, 4. Whites males: 1 - 55, 1 - 12; Females, 1 - 44, 1 - 24; Amount of grain: Corn: 1200 bushels; Wheat: 157 bushels; Rye: 87 bushels; Oats: 89 bushels. Horses: 12; Cattle: 60, Hogs: 31, Sheep: 57. Value of Land in Russell Co., 44,000 and Land sold but not deeded: 4,500.
JOHN T. SMITH: 778 acres residence 5446.00; 232 acres Joining same on Price Mountain 464.00; 116 acres joining 778 acre tract 400.00; 75 acres joining Jefso Vermillion Fuller, Jr., 225.00; 200 acres Clinch Mountain Davis place, 900.00; 15 acres same place 60.00; 116 acres joining A. F. Kindricks Kinser, 500.00; 1800 acres Keats Ridge Immel, Tazewell, 2250.00; 330 acres both sides N. F. Clinch of Taylor 1485.00; 182 acres joining same 728.00; 770 acres on Keats Ridge Guison Senrs' 1500.00; 70 acres on north side Clinch R. Hoburn 280.00; 35 acres opposite mouth Musics Branch 122.00; 44 acres Keats Ridge of Kindricks heirs 100.00; 656 acres Warder tract 656.00. A. B. 80 acres of Warder land to be added to the above. 87 acres John Jones Place and various other acreages.
Will of Dr. John T. Smith
In the name of God Amen. I John T. Smith of Russell County and State of Virginia do make this my last Will and Testament as follows that is to say:
1st - I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid as soon after my death as it my be conveniently done.
2nd - I give to my wife Mary D. Smith the place on which I now live including all the land adjacent thereto during her natural life.
3rd - I give to her also all my slaves and their increase until my son John Henry A. Smith shall attain the age of twenty one years.
4th - I give all my other lands to my son John Henry A. Smith on my decease, also on amount of my slaves which shall be equal in value to two thirds as soon as he attains the age of Twenty one years to him and his heirs forever.
5th - I give to my son John Henry A. Smith the place on which I now live with all the adjoining lands thereto on the decease of my wife Mary D. Smith to him and his heirs forever.
6th - Should my son John Henry A. Smith die before attaining the age of twenty one years, I then give to my wife all my lands and all my slaves and all my other property of ever kind to her and her heirs forever.
Lastly - I do hereby appoint my wife Mary D. Smith executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
In Testimony of the foregoing I have hereinto set my hand and affixed my seal the 3rd day of June 1859.
John T. Smith
At a court held for Russell County on the 4th day of February 1862
A writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John T. Smith deceased was produced in court by Mary D. Smith the executrix therein named, and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto, Dale Carter, Henry D. Smith and John W. Lampkin were sworn and severally deposed that they were well acquainted with the Testators handwriting and verily believe the said writing and the name thereto subscribed to be wholly written by the Testators own hand. Whereupon the said writing is ordered to be recorded as the true last Will and Testament of the said John T. Smith deceased. And on the motion of Mary D. Smith the executrix therein named who took the oath of an executrix prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged her bond in the sum of Fifty thousand dollars with Henry D. Smith and John W. Lampkin as her security conditioned as the law directs. A Certificate is therefore granted her for obtaining probate of the said Will in due form.
Teste
R. H. Lynch
A Copy
Teste
R. H. Lynch
Letter in sympathy in the passing of Dr. John T. Smith
Saltville Jany 29, 1862
Dear Aunt Mary,
I embrace the first leisure I have had since my return from Richmond a few days ago, to offer you my sympathy and condolence - Your bereavement I know is a heavy one - The sympathy of friends, and all else that Earth can give, must afford very little comfort, to a heart borne down under such a heavy stroke of Divine Providence. But it is all we mortals can offer - It appears to me that much of consolation is to be found in the circumstances of the death of a friend, where they are such as to lead us to believe that to him "Death was the gate to endless joy" - We can then I think resign our last ones - and not even desire their return to this world of sorrow -
In this view of the subject I think we all have such great cause for thankfulness to the Great Disposer of human events in granting out departed and lamented friend, his reasoning faculties on a dying bed, a clear view of his approaching end - a praying heart - and above all the hope and resignation of a dying saint - When I think of the lot of many who mourn the loss of a departed companion, I really feel as if I could congratulate you on the lightness of your affliction compared to theirs - taking in view the comforting circumstances of the death of yours -
That it may suffice somewhat to lighten your affliction I will mention one instance which is fresh in my mind - My sister Mrs. Headen a few days ago heard of the death of her husband Dr. Headen - He became a lunatic some 6 or 8 years ago - His lunacy was unexpected to him and all his friends, and came on while in his sins - The hope and constant prayer of my sister (who was a praying woman) was that he might have a lucid interval before his death that he might make his peace with God - But this boon for Wise purposes no doubt was withheld - How hard does her lot seem compared to yours - And yet hard as it is I believe that "He that tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb" hath given her grace to submit - and even to kiss the afflicting rod -
I trust and indeed have no doubt that your faith, with the grace which our Heavenly Father gives his children under severe trials, has enabled you to bear up successfully, under this the greatest affliction of your life - How sweet to the afflicted is that promise "As thy day so shall thy strength be"
We mortals frequently live to see the wisdom and goodness of the Lord in afflicting us and our friends - We sometimes see Him snatch from a family one that is prepared to go - and then see that affliction sanctified in the saving of other members of the family, who before were thoughtless and even wicked - But whether we behold in this world or not the good that is designed for us, or our friends in these and afflictions, we must with resignation submit to them - and rest assured that in another world we shall behold the good designed us by these trials - and beholding, shall feel a fresh incentive to praise the Good Author of them.
Let us pray that this affliction may lead to the turning of many friends and relatives of the Dr.'s from the paths of sin to the way of holiness - and especially of that son of his upon whom he doated -
Many joins me in love to you and John Henry - We are all well -
Yours affectionately,
W. Alex: Stuart
Letter
Dec 16th 1881 Sent to
Judge Burn's this day
One day after date I bind myself my heirs to pay Mary D. Smith guardian of her son John Henry A. Smith the sum of two thousand seven hundred & fifty dollars for his interest in the slaves of his grand father's estate they having been this day divided and his for being valued at that sum by persons chosen for that purpose , I have the privilege of holding this money until John Henry arrives at the age of twenty one or to make payment at any time previously in current funds -
Witness my hand, and
Seal April 26th 1863
H. D. Smith C. A. Smith (Seal)
Mrs. Smith
My dear friend
being here at Mr. Stuart's (having come yesterday to the burial of Mary) I concluded to drop you a line. But what shall I say? That I was greatly shocked to hear of Mary's sudden demise you may believe truly! But when did death not come unexpectedly? But I am quite assured she sleeps peacefully and that her spirit now basks in the sunshine of Paradise. How little did any of us dream that she and her Uncle John would so soon have met! Our Julia too has gone! Yes! Death has come to our little circle and stolen perhaps the brightest gem! You knew Julia. She knew and loved you all, but her joyous spirit has left the bright scenes of this beautiful earth and gone to a purer clime. I feel that she is safe, while I am left to struggle on. I am now teaching near Chilhowie Springs Smyth Co., VA, 7 mile Ford is my P. O. But why need I tell you, you will never write me a line. Ah! How I have sighed for a good long talk as in the olden times! But it seems that I always miss seeing you. No one loves you as does my Paxton, she has so often recounted me pleasures of her visit to your house. She has always been a sick child, her baby Paul a noble fellow is very feeble, and I doubt it he Survives the Summer. All the connection praise your boy as being smart & noble. I do so desire to see him.
Give him and Sarah my love and a kiss and believe me your friend and well wisher.
S. T. Cox
Saltville
July 5th 1862
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