Tag Archives: U.S. South

James R. Godfrey

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Wyoming County

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for James R. Godfrey, who resided at North Spring, West Virginia:

Is among the most highly respected citizens of Wyoming county, and is of a family that has always stood among the first in purity and nobility of character and brilliancy of mental endowments. As a teacher he has no superior and but few equals in that county, and is always zealously active for the advancement of education. He was appointed in 1885 on the board of teachers’ examination, served that term and two other terms since. He was born in this county July 25, 1859, and was married there Nov. 2, 1882, to Sarah M. Davis, who was born in Fayette county, W.Va., May 15, 1857. Their union has been blessed with the following offspring: Almira C., born Aug. 30, 1883; Cordova C., born Aug. 14, 1885; James C., born Oct. 2, 1889; they are all now living with parents. Mr. Godfrey owns a beautiful home on Huff’s Creek not far from Guyandotte River, surrounded by extensive mineral lands underlying valuable timber growth. His post office is North Spring, Wyoming county, W.Va., and his vocation is teaching and conducting his farm. His father, Armour L. Godfrey, was born in Mercer county, W.Va., March 25, 1827, and at present resides in Wyoming county. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Lister, was born in Wyoming county, Aug. 15, 1827. They were united in marriage in Wyoming county, Aug. 14, 1851. Her father, Jesse Davis, was born about 1800 and died in Wyoming county at the age of 72 years. Her mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Godfrey, was born in 1802 and died in Wyoming county at the age of 63 years. The Godfrey family came from England, and have long been seated in Virginia and in Wyoming and Mercer counties, W.Va. They have always commanded respect among the citizens, having filled many offices ably and honorably.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 830-831.

Dr. Millard F. French

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Logan

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Dr. Millard F. French, who resided at Logan Court House, West Virginia:

The French family in America was founded by one of that name who came to this country in the 18th century and settled in Virginia. He was the father of Mathew French, who was born Feb. 2, 1735; married in Montgomery county, Va., Jan. 20, 1758. He served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and died in 1810. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Locke, was born in Montgomery county, Va., in 1739, dying at the age of 85. The issue of this union was Isaac French, born Nov. 20, 1770, in Montgomery county; was married Sept. 20, 1792, in Tazewell county, Va., to Elizabeth Stowers, who was born in that county Dec. 18, 1774; they passed from life in Giles county, Va., the husband Nov. 15, 1850, the wife Dec. 19, 1839, leaving a son, Isaac French, Jr., who was born in that county July 11, 1803, and died there June 28, 1876. He was married in Tazewell county April 24, 1824, to Rhoda Day, who was a native of that county, having been born Jan. 9, 1806, and died in Giles county, Va., on the anniversary of her marriage, 1869. Their son, William Henderson French, is father of the subject of this record. This gentleman was born in Giles county Feb. 2, 1828; was married to Martha Burton, of Bland county, Va., where she was born Oct. 9, 1830; their marriage was solemnized by Rev. John Hoge, Feb. 25, 1847. The mother died in Giles county June 13, 1885. Dr. Millard F. French was born in Giles county, Va., March 4, 1861; graduated at Concord, W.Va., Normal School July 22, 1881; in 1882 he entered Richmond, Va., Medical College, where he graduated in 1884, with the degree of M.D.; locating in Bland county, Va., he practiced there until Jan. 23, 1885, when he removed to Logan C.H. He is one of the most skillful young physicians in the State, and though he has been at his present home but a few years, he has built up a fine and extensive practice, not only his skill as a physician and surgeon has rendered him popular, but the amiability and generosity of his disposition, with his exemplary moral character, have won him a host of friends wherever he has lived. Aug. 19, 1884, Rev. Thos. Pullion officiating, he was united in marriage to Ella L. Wilburn, who was born in Carter county, Ky., Nov. 22, 1865; the ceremony was performed in Giles county, Va. Their only child, R. Moss French, was born Dec. 17, 1888. Mrs. French’s parents were born in Giles county, Va., and married there. Her father, Patterson Wilburn, was born Jan. 17, 1820, and died in Carter county, Ky., May 20, 1871; her mother, nee Mary Ann Eaton, was born Nov. 30, 1824; they were united in wedlock Sept. 19, 1850. The Eaton family of Giles county are descended from David Eaton, who came to Virginia from Ireland.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 829-830.

Suzy Phillips (2015)

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Women's History

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When I visit the Tug River section, Suzy Phillips is often my guide and partner. She is a descendant of Frank Phillips, who gained fame during the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. She loves history. 20 June 2013

John Fry Family Cemetery (2015)

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Cemeteries, Green Shoal

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The John Fry Family Cemetery, which I revisited on 12 June 2015, is located at the mouth of Green Shoal Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia.

ADKINS SECTION

Row 1

Randal S. Adkins (11 July 1953-04 July 2014); s/o Samuel and Edith (Gore) Adkins

David Ray Adkins (20 August 1937-05 May 1973); s/o Samuel and Edith (Gore) Adkins

Edith Gore Adkins (31 October 1912-10 April 1975); d/o M. French and Weltha (Kirk) Gore; m. Samuel Adkins

Samuel Adkins (18 March 1914-20 March 1976); s/o Pleasant B. “Fed” and Marinda S. (Davis) Adkins

Samuel D. Adkins (24 October 1960-30 June 1984); s/o David R. and Donna L. (Adkins) Adkins

Donna Lou Adkins (17 December 1941-23 December 2005); d/o Ernest C. and Bessie (McNeely) Adkins; m. Samuel D. Adkins

Rodney David Adkins (15 November 1965-still alive); s/o David R. and Donna L. (Adkins) Adkins

Row 2

John D. Adkins (18 June 1916-01 May 1980); s/o Pleasant B. “Fed” and Marinda S. (Davis) Adkins; nicknamed “Red John;” S2 US NAVY WWII

Goldie Adkins (21 September 1918-04 February 1992); d/o Joseph and Georgia (Gartin) Brumfield; m. John D. Adkins

Row 3

Georgia Brumfield (1900-1984); d/o James A. and Chloe A. (Fry) Gartin; m. Joseph “Joe” Brumfield

BRUMFIELD SECTION

Row 1

Wayne C. Brumfield (1901-1976); s/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield

Maggie A. Brumfield (1917-1996); d/o Richard A. and Sarah A. (Wiley) Adkins; m. Wayne C. Brumfield

(gap)

Jack Brumfield (23 June 1918-23 March 1990); s/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield

Belva Brumfield (11 June 1922-16 March 1984); m. Jack Brumfield

A bench placed on Jack and Belva’s graves reads: Jackie G. Brumfield (17 August 1950-25 December 2011); d/o Jack and Belva (Simpkins) Brumfield

Row 2

Christopher Lee Adkins (23 March 1983-24 August 2000)

Row 3

George E. Taylor (19 May 1919-03 May 1975)

Ida P. Taylor (14 December 1914-2007); d/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield; m. George E. Taylor

Sarabeth Shelton (19 April 1989-17 November 1993); d/o Robert and Jackie (Easterling) Shelton

Jackie Lee Easterling (16 April 1941-still alive)

Sarah Lee Easterling (11 May 1942-29 March 2005); d/o George E. and Ida P. (Brumfield) Taylor; m. Jackie Lee Easterling

Row 4

Michael E. Taylor (25 February 1949-16 January 2008); s/o George and Ida (Brumfield) Taylor; nicknamed “Mickey”

LAMBERT SECTION

Row 1

Lonnie Lambert (14 March 1901-22 July 1995); s/o Samuel and Georgia E. (Lucas) Lambert

Edna Mae Lambert (30 September 1905-19 November 1980); d/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield; m. Lonnie Lambert

Row 2

Cecil Lambert, Jr. (27 September 1925-2014); s/o Lonnie and Edna (Brumfield) Lambert

Kathleen Ann Lambert (01 October 1926-19 February 2010)

Billy Ray Lambert (06 February 1950-16 August 1950)

Row 3

Everett Lonnie Dean (08 May 1950-29 January 1951)

FRY SECTION

Row 1

Zola Frye (07 May 1919-09 September 1964); d/o Clarence and Angaline (Mullins) Fry

Thelma P. Carter (1918-1967); d/o Clarence and Angaline (Mullins) Fry; m. Hassell Carter

Row 2

unmarked grave with rock headstone and little square footstone

C.L. Fry (Clarence Fry); born November 1886; s/o Daniel C. “Tucker” and Rachel (Lucas) Fry; died 2 March 1948

Angie Fry (Angaline Fry); born 16 December 1896; d/o Emery and Stella (Abbott) Mullins; m. Clarence Fry; died 14 September 1947

Elsie L. Mullins (16 December 1911-08 November 1959); d/o Clarence and Angaline (Mullins) Fry; m. William Mullins

William Mullins, Sr. (12 August 1894-04 February 1975)

ABBOTT SECTION

Row 1

Ottie Fry (1909-1987); s/o G. Cleveland and Betty (Fry) Fry

Row 2

Bobby Ray Abbott (02 April 1969-16 June 2001)

Brian Scott Abbott (04 October 1971-21 March 2011)

Row 3

Woodrow E. Abbott (1914-1977); PVT US ARMY WWII

Wallace Abbott (22 January 1930-30 March 1987); s/o John E. “Cricket” and S. Evona (Fry) Abbott; SP 4 US ARMY KOREA VIETNAM

Denny Hobert Abbott (15 February 1928-22 June 1996); s/o John E. “Cricket” and S. Evona (Fry) Abbott; PFC US ARMY

Row 4

Luther W. Abbott (09 February 1917-02 March 1963); s/o John E. “Cricket” and S. Evona (Fry) Abbott; WV PFC CO E 16 INF WWII P4

John E. Abbott (1892-1966); s/o John H. and Caroline (Fry) Abbott

Evona Abbott (1892-1983); d/o Daniel C. “Tucker” and Rachel (Lucas) Fry; m. John E. Abbott

Row 5

John “Duke” Abbott, Jr. (08 August 1924-03 July 1992); s/o John E. and S. Evona (Fry) Abbott

(gap)

Michael Roy Fry (19 February 1944-20 February 1944); s/o Curtis and Birdie (Bryant) Fry

Row 6

tall rectangular rock headstone and rock footstone

Delphia Adams Bryant (the date of August 22 and an illegible year appears on a small cinderblock); m. Marshall “Bud” Bryant/Mullins

(gap)

perhaps another grave marked by a flat rock that has fallen over

MIDSECTION

Row 1

Wealthy Hatfield (01 May 1904-27 December 1928); d/o Samuel and Georgia E. (Lucas) Lambert; m. Bruce Hatfield

Kenneth Hatfield (05 October 1924-10 October 1925); s/o Bruce and Wealthy (Lambert) Hatfield

unmarked grave with rock headstone and footstone

unmarked grave with rock headstone and footstone

broken baby headstone with rock footstone

Row 2

Katie A. Hunter (died 11 August 1895, aged 13 years, 11 months, 27 days); d/o John E. and Parlee (Ferrell) Hunter

unmarked grave with rock footstone

unmarked grave with rock headstone

UPPER SECTION

Row 1

Rinda Fry (26 January 1826-29 July 1887); d/o Reuben and Clarissa (Perry) Steele; m1. James Davis; m2. ___ Walker; m3. Baptist “Nab” Fry

Baptist Fry (26 November 1824-15 June 1881); s/o John and Catherine (Snodgrass) Fry

(large gap)

Michael George Brumfield (29 January 1948-01 February 1948); s/o Wayne C. and Maggie (Adkins) Brumfield

unmarked grave with rock headstone and footstone (baby)

Cleo Lambert (born and died 18 August 1924); Lonnie C. and Edna (Brumfield) Lambert

Lottie Brumfield (1904-1907); d/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield

Bird Brumfield (1850-1905); s/o William R. and Mary A. (Elkins) Brumfield

Sarah A. Brumfield (1853-1932); d/o Charles and Lucinda (Fry) Lucas; m1. William Bird Brumfield; m2. Josephus Irvin Workman

unmarked grave with rock headstone (fallen over) and footstone

Letilla Brumfield (1881-1947); d/o Elisha and Catherine (Fry) Dial; m. James S. Brumfield

Row 2

unmarked grave with small footstone

Julia Ann Dean (born and died 13 June 1948)

Row 3

unmarked grave with rock footstone above Albert Abbott grave

unmarked grave above Lucinda Lucas grave — small rock headstone and footstone

“K.L.” — square rock headstone and footstone above Charles Lucas grave

unmarked grave with sharp rock headstone and footstone above Eliza Fry grave

(large gap)

W.W.A. (29? May 1917-10? June 1917)

Wetzel Brumfield (1910-1932); s/o James S. and Letilla (Dial) Brumfield

unmarked grave with rock headstone and footstone

H.C. Fry painted on a rock (possibly Harvey Fry, son of Baptist Fry)

Row 4

John Fry (10 March 1794-20 October 1883); s/o George and Keziah (Adkins) Fry; PVT CAPT SHIELD CO 7 VA MILITIA WAR OF 1812

“Wilson Abbott, died M.11.92” carved on rock

Albert Abbott (no dates); born 11 July 1824; s/o John A. and Elizabeth (Scott) Abbott; CAPTAIN CARTER’S CO. 129 VA MIL CSA; died before 1900

Druzilla Fry Abbott (11 January 1826-27 September 1889); d/o John and Catherine (Snodgrass) Fry; m. Albert Abbott

L.L. (Lucinda Lucas); born 27 September 1819; d/o John and Catherine (Snodgrass) Fry; m. Charles Lucas; died before 1900

Charles Lucas (2 September 1818-24 November 1904); s/o John and Mary (Fry) Lucas

E.F. (Eliza Virginia Fry); born November 1865; d/o Charles and Lucinda (Fry) Lucas; m. George F. Fry; died c.1902

NOTE 1: Some John Fry descendants are POSITIVE that John Fry died and was buried on Fourteen Mile Creek in Lincoln County. His tombstone was placed at Green Shoal in the 1990s based on a WPA cemetery map.

NOTE 2: I know of other persons buried in this cemetery but cannot identify their exact location. There are also some family members who I suppose to be buried here but have no proof.

John B. Ellison

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by in Logan

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for John B. Ellison, who resided at Logan Court House, West Virginia:

Attorney and counselor at law, Logan Court House, West Va., is a native of Monroe county, Va., where he was born Jan. 15, 1853. He first began the practice of his profession in 1878, and has since practiced in Boone, Raleigh, Wyoming and Logan counties; is also notary public; the duties of this position are ably executed by him. He is a lawyer of superior ability and has won a distinguished position in his profession; being gifted with a brilliant intellect, he has by close study and extensive practice acquired a thorough knowledge of law that can compete with the oldest and most learned at the bar, but it is his indefatigable energy and zeal in the interest of his clients for which he is most conspicuous. He resides at Logan Court House, and practices in all the neighboring counties.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 829.

Author Appearance at Hatfield-McCoy Marathon

12 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Lincoln County Feud

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Tomorrow, on 13 June 2015, the book and I will appear at the Hatfield McCoy Marathon in Williamson, WV. We will be located near the Coal House. I hope my Tug Valley friends will stop by our table and say hello. We love to discuss the Lincoln County Feud.

Coal House, Williamson, WV, 2014

Coal House, Williamson, WV, 2014

Leander Ellis

11 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in Gilbert

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Leander Ellis, who resided at Gilbert, West Virginia:

The subject of this sketch, is a native of Logan county, W.Va., born June 30, 1856, and married in the same county to Miss Frances Elkins, born there also Jan. 25, 1862, their marriage being solemnized Oct. 6, 1876. To this union there have been five births: Annie B., born Sept. 15, 1877, and died Nov. 5, same year; George R., born Nov. 30, 1878; Lloyd W., born Oct. 26, 1880; Albert, born March 21, 1883; and Mary, born Sept. 28, 1884. Mr. Ellis’ parents are Lloyd and Flora (Spratt) Ellis, both yet living. He is engaged in farming and the timber business, and his address is Gilbert, Logan county, West Virginia.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 828-829.

John Dejernatt

06 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in Logan

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for John Dejernatt, who resided at Logan C.H., West Virginia:

Carpenter and cabinet-maker, Logan C.H., W.Va., is descended from the family of Dejernatts, whose genealogy in Va. may be thus traced: Munford Dejernatt was born in Petersburg, Va., in 1779; married Feb. 3, 1814, to Chloe Price, who was born March 8, 1791, in North Carolina; the husband died in Boone county, W.Va., Jan. 1854; the wife in Logan county, W.Va., June 21, 1861. Their son, John Dejernatt, the subject of this sketch, was born May 20, 1817, in Iredell county, N.C.; his wife, Mary J. Bryan, was born June 8, 1823, in Covington, Va.; they were married at Logan C.H., W.Va., April 16, 1850. The record of their offspring is: John S., born Dec. 3, 1852, married; William A., born Nov. 10, 1854, married; Roxalina A., born Nov. 22, 1856, died Sept. 26, 1870; Mary E., born May 10, 1865, died Sept. 13, 1870. Mr. Dejernatt served as colonel in the 129th Va. regiment militia, Confederate army, during the late civil war; since the close of the war he has been overseer of the poor in Logan county. As a citizen he is esteemed and respected as a man of honest integrity and zealous energy; has raised his family in Logan county, where they stand well. The record of his son, John Dejernatt’s family, is as follows: He was married in Logan county, W.Va., Jan. 6, 1875, to Minerva Avis, who was born Jan. 14, 1855. Their children: John H., born July 14, 1877; William H., born April 3, 1879; Chloe A., born Aug. 23, 1881; Russell, born Sept. 23, 1883; Joseph P., born June 7, 1886, died March 14, 1888; Roxie M., born Feb. 12, 1888, died Aug. 8, 1890; the first four reside with their parents

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 827-828.

Memories of Roxie Leana Adkins 1

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Big Harts Creek

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In 1979, Roxie Leana (Dalton) Adkins, daughter of James and Viola (Tomblin) Dalton, wrote a history of her family, which includes memories of her early life on Harts Creek. Roxie, born in 1904, married Willis Adkins in 1924 and mothered nine children. In the late 1990s, Roxie’s daughter Emerald (Adkins) Fleming gave this history to me.

This is the Dalton family tree as far back as I have learned of the record of my great-great-grandparents, Jim Dalton (“Old Yellow Jim” as he was called) and Virginia Workman. I don’t know Yellow Jim’s age or his death but I have heard talk of him and his family. His wife was always called Jane. They came down from Tazewell, Virginia before the kids were born or some of them. Their two sons were Moses (“Wog” as he was called) and Peter (no nickname). Moses “Wog” married America Thompson.

Moses “Wog” and America Dalton had Elizabeth Dalton, who married Billie Kinder, and James Dalton, who married Viola Tomblin. Viola first married Paris Smith. He died in July of 1893. Her son by this first marriage was Joe Smith. Joe married Laura Simpkins and their children were Elvin Smith, Albert Smith, Goldie Smith, Velvie Smith, Herbert Chilton Smith, Sidney Smith, Dixie Smith and Leana Smith. Ruth Smith and David Smith died as infants.

James and Viola had eight children: Melvin, born May 2, 1900; Robert, born February 23, 1902; Roxie Leana, born April 11, 1904; John, born March 20, 1906; Howard, born September 22, 1908; Leonard, born March 15, 1911; George, born April 15, 1914; and Ruth, born June 17, 1918.

Yellow Jim’s daughters were Fine Malinda Dalton, who married John Nester, and Pratt Dalton, who had a son by Reece Myres named Reese Jr. (but who was always known as Wid Dalton). Pratt married Moses Tomblin and had five sons: Jim Tomblin, Lewis Doad Tomblin, Peter Tomblin, William Tomblin, John Tomblin and one daughter, Charlotte Tomblin, who died small.

Other daughters of Yellow Jim were Causby Dalton who married Thomas Conley, Sarah Dalton who married Bock Conley, and Mary Ann Dalton who married John Morgan Adams. She was always called “Poos.”

Rev. James H. Cook

26 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Wyoming County

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for James H. Cook, who resided at Oceana, West Virginia:

Is a son of Robinson and Nancy Cook, both natives of Giles county, Va.; the father was born Feb. 7, 1812; both parents now reside in Wyoming county, W. Va. Their son, James H. Cook, the subject of this sketch, was born Aug. 11, 1835, in Logan county, W.Va. He was united in matrimony to Elizabeth Cooper, Dec. 25, 1855, in Wyoming county, W.Va. His wife was born in Giles county, Va., Feb. 3, 1842. Their children have the following records. David H., born Feb. 21, 1857, now married; Almeda, born March 25, 1859, now married; Joseph L., born June 6, 1864; Mary E., born June 30, 1866; Florence, born Aug. 21, 1868; Annie, born Aug. 15, 1870; John R., born April 3, 1879; the last five live with their parents. Mr. James H. Cook enlisted in Co. I, 22d Va. infantry, C.S.A., and served from 1862 for 12 months, having espoused the cause of his native State. In 1868 he was received into the fellowship of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was a most devoutly pious and consistent Christian, always zealous in all Church and Sunday School work. In 1872 he entered the ministry of that church, and ever since has labored in the spread of the Gospel. As a minister he is greatly beloved by all who know him, having been the instrument in the hands of the Master by whom many have been turned to righteousness. He resides in Oceana, Wyoming county, W.Va., with his family, and by his earnest precepts as well as conscientious example is accomplishing great good in the cause of Christ. He spends his leisure hours during the week, when not engaged in preaching at his appointments, in attending to his farm.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 826-827.

Jacob Cook

25 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Wyoming County

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From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Jacob Cook, who resided at Oceana, West Virginia:

Son of Jacob and Linda (Chambers) Cook, was born Aug. 5, 1860, in Wyoming county, W.Va. His parents are now living in this county at very advanced ages, the father born May 21, 1814, and the mother July 19, 1819. Jacob Cook was married Feb. 19, 1885, Miss Amanda E. Lester becoming his wife. The result of this union has been: Araminta M., born Jan. 4, 1885; Inez V., born May 17, 1886; and Laura M., born June 29, 1889. Mrs. Cook’s father, Mathew J. Lester, was born June 10, 1846, and her mother, Araminta Lester, was born in Pike county, Ky., Jan. 1, 1844, both now residing in Wyoming county. Mr. Cook is a farmer, and his post office address is Oceana, W.Va.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 826.

The Life of Pioneers 12

18 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Big Harts Creek

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This history of early life in Logan County, West Virginia, was written by Howard and Daisy Adams. Howard (1906-1976) and Daisy (b.1915) were children of Major and Belle Dora Adams of Trace Fork of Harts Creek. Titled “The life of pioneers during the latter half of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the 19th century” and written in the late 1960s or early 1970s, their history marks the only known attempt by local people to reconstruct the story of pioneer life. This final part of the history includes information regarding sugar-making.

So the time of year for sugar making has arrived. You see, the sugar and syrup supplied on the farm came from big sugar maple trees. This operation began usually in the early spring and lasted about 30 days. First the trees had to be tapped. To do this a large 2 inch auger was used to bore holes at a 45 degree angle downward in the tree or if no auger was available deep cup like notches were cut in the trees with an ax. Then a small auger was used to bore holes slanting upward into the holes made by boring with larger auger or ax. Now a little hollow piece of wood called a spline was needed. To get this elder bushes were used. A piece about a foot long with the ___ removed forming a pipe. This was driven up ___ in the small holes in the tree. he spline extended out from the tree far enough to reach buckets or troughs. The juice from the trees poured out through the splines into the troughs. The troughs were made by cutting down a buckeye or basswood tree about 16 inches in diameter and sawing in block about 3 feet long. These blocks were splint in halves and each half or the flat side chopped or dug out as it was called. A foot adz was used for this operation. These troughs, which held at least 5 gallons were placed under the splines in trees to catch the sap or juice. They usually had 75 to 100 trees tapped. Several large kettles were set in rock and clay furnaces. Also the molasses pan was used, too. The sugar water or juice from the trees was carried and poured in these kettles and the evaporator pan. Fires were built and it was boiled in to syrup and sugar. Boy, this took a lot of work and long hours. I’ve heard Granny tell many times about sugar making time. I have eaten some of this sugar and syrup and it was sure good. Even if the old pioneer lived a hard life I’ll say one thing: He sure had better food than we have now.