Category: Adwolfe

Abijah Thomas and Holston Mills

February 10, 2025 Admin No Comments

The Rise and Fall of Holston Mills: A Historic Textile Town In 1844, industrialist Abijah Thomas made a significant investment in a 344-acre tract of land, complete with a sawmill and grist mill, in what would later become the town of Holston Mills. This land was nestled within a growing area that would become the heart of a bustling industrial hub during the 19th century. By the early 1860s, Thomas, along with a business partner, founded the Holston Woolen Factory, marking the beginning of the town’s rise as a textile center. The Holston Woolen Factory became a major producer of textiles, particularly wool, and played an integral role in the local economy. The village that grew around the factory adopted the name Holston Mills, a nod to the success and importance of the textile mill in the region. The town’s growth was not limited to the mill itself; as the factory flourished, so did the surrounding community. Residential areas, shops, and services began to spring up, creating a vibrant, self-sustaining village. The Impact of the Civil War During the American Civil War, Holston Mills found itself at the center of wartime industry. The village became the site of Co. A of the 23rd Battalion of the Virginia Infantry, and the woolen mill played a crucial role in supporting the Confederate war effort. The factory produced textiles for Confederate uniforms, contributing to the logistical needs of the Southern army. This connection to the war effort highlighted the strategic significance of Holston Mills, not just as a community, but as an essential manufacturing hub during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. However, following the end of the Civil War, the mill and the town faced challenges. The industry was left dormant for a time, and the post-war years proved difficult for many Southern communities, as they struggled to recover from the destruction of the war. But Holston Mills would not remain stagnant for long. A New Era of Prosperity In the years following the Civil War, the Holston Woolen Factory saw a revival. In 1875, new ownership took over the mill, marking the beginning of a period of renewed prosperity for the town. With fresh investment, the mill, now known as Holstein Woolen Mills, began to expand once again. This resurgence allowed Holston Mills to grow into a fully developed village, with a school, shops, a post office, and a telegraph office. The mill and the infrastructure surrounding it helped solidify the town’s status as a thriving industrial community in the late 19th century. The new owners were instrumental in modernizing operations at Holstein Woolen Mills, ensuring that it remained competitive in a rapidly changing industry. As the town’s population grew, so did the demand for services, and Holston Mills became an attractive place for workers and families looking for employment opportunities in the textile industry. The Decline of Holston Mills However, as with many industrial towns, the fortunes of Holston Mills would eventually shift. In the early 1890s, Holstein Woolen Mills relocated to Salem, marking the beginning of the village’s decline. Without the mill as the central driving force of its economy, the town began to lose its former vibrancy. The population dwindled as people moved away in search of new opportunities, and the shops, post office, and other services that had once been vital to the community fell into disuse. Over time, Holston Mills was abandoned, and what had once been a bustling industrial village gradually disappeared. Today, little remains of the once-thriving town, but its legacy as an important part of the 19th-century textile industry lives on. The rise and fall of Holston Mills serves as a reminder of the rapid changes that can occur in industrial communities, and the impact that one mill can have on the development of a town. Holston Mills may no longer be a vibrant community, but its history stands as an important chapter in the story of America’s industrial past, illustrating both the opportunities and challenges that came with the growth of the textile industry in the 19th century. The location is on Red Stone Road, north of Old Mill Road/South Fork Road (County Routes 648/650). When traveling north, it will be on the right-hand side. A historical marker is located at or near 2107 Red Stone Rd, Marion, VA 24354, United States.

Adwolfe, Black History, Communities, Holston Mills, Industry, Thomas Bridge

History of Valley View Baptist Church

November 24, 2024 Admin No Comments

In June 1939, a small group of men from the community gathered to build a brush harbor on the land of George and Carl Kirk, located about two miles below Teas. This shelter, constructed from pine boughs and trees, served as a temporary but vital space for worship. The seats were rough wooden planks, and the pulpit was made from simple boards, with the ground serving as the floor. As the people gathered for services, Roy Redding, a young preacher, went door-to-door, inviting members of the surrounding communities, including Teas, Sugar Grove, and Stoney Battery, to attend the revival. He also brought along a collection of used clothes for those in need. The revival, which took place in July 1939, was a transformative event. The brush harbor was filled to capacity every night, with people spilling outside to hear the preaching. The services were a resounding success, with many finding faith, including several individuals who had been involved in illegal activities. One local sheriff famously remarked that Roy Redding had done more to rid the area of bootleggers than the entire county law enforcement. Following the revival, a large baptism was held in the nearby river, where Roy Redding and young preacher James Powell baptized 22 people, including Mr. Alexander Kirk, a 75-year-old man who had to be carried into the water in a chair. Local photographers captured the moment, and the images were published in the *Marion Democrat* on July 11, 1939. As the revival ended, the community felt a strong desire to continue gathering for worship. Mrs. Deamie Nelson suggested starting a Sunday School, and Roy Redding organized a union Sunday School. Each Sunday evening, people from nearby hollows would walk to the brush harbor for services. The services were scheduled in the evening to accommodate those who attended other churches, and people traveled by foot, car, and truck to join the growing congregation. As winter approached, the need for a warmer place of worship became apparent. Jasper Nelson, a local resident, offered a small two-room house just up the road. The congregation removed the partition between the rooms, creating a larger space for services. They built rough benches and a makeshift pulpit. The community held a farewell picnic at the brush harbor before moving into the house, where the church continued to grow. In 1940, the church was officially organized as Quebec Baptist Church in the little house where services had been held. The name was chosen due to the proximity to Quebec Knob, though some later questioned the origin of the name. Reverend Gus Martin and Reverend Mahathy assisted in the church’s organization, with Gus Martin becoming its first pastor. Other key figures included Jasper Nelson, the first Sunday School Superintendent, Georgia McCarter, the first church clerk, and Maude Davis, the first Sunday School secretary. The first revival at Quebec Baptist Church took place in 1940, with evangelist Craig Lowe leading the services. During this revival, a local moonshiner named Milton Ford was saved and, in a powerful act of repentance, destroyed his still. He was later baptized and became one of the church’s first deacons. The first baptismal service, which followed the revival, saw several people immersed in the river, marking a new chapter in the church’s history. By 1941, the congregation had outgrown the small house and began looking for a more permanent place to meet. The church moved to the old Valley View Schoolhouse, located about a mile down the road. The school had ceased operations, and the church hoped to purchase the building, but plans fell through. It was at this location that the church formally changed its name to Valley View Baptist Church. In the midst of World War II, many young men from the community were drafted, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Among them were Preston H. Martin, Jr., who was killed in action on July 31, 1943, and Cecil L. Ford, who died on March 23, 1945. Despite these hardships, the church continued to grow. In 1944, the congregation moved again—this time to a house owned by Charlie Gore, located near the original church site. A significant milestone occurred in May 1945, when George and Carl Kirk donated land to the church for the construction of a permanent building. The deed, signed by the Kirk family and church trustees, stipulated that the land be used solely for church purposes. With a combination of hard work, faith, and community support, the church began construction on its new building. The men of the community, including Preston Martin, George Kirk, and Milton Ford, helped cut logs from government land to build the church. The church was largely constructed by the volunteers, with some materials donated or repurposed. Bill Thomas, who worked at the Lincoln Furniture Factory in Marion, provided scrap plywood and theater seats for the new church. The church was finally completed and dedicated in the fall of 1945, marking a new beginning for the congregation. In 1946, the church purchased an organ, which was played by Lillie Owens, Valley View’s first pianist. The church’s first piano was purchased in 1949, and it was used until 1972, when it was replaced with a new one. Over the years, the church continued to grow, hosting its first Christmas program in 1940 and its first Bible school in 1941. Weekly cottage prayer meetings were held in homes across the community, and the congregation remained deeply committed to worship, prayer, and service. As the years went on, the church building and ministry expanded. In 1962, Valley View Baptist Church officially became a Missionary Baptist church, and a new Baptist Sunday School was organized. In the following decades, the church underwent several changes in leadership and continued to serve the community. In 1998, the congregation voted to expand the church to accommodate its growing membership. The church borrowed funds to finance the construction, and in 1999, a new sanctuary was completed. The old sanctuary was remodeled into classrooms and a nursery, ensuring…

Adwolfe, Baptist, Churches, Communities, History, Moonshiners & Bootleggers, Quebec, Sugar Grove, Valley View Baptist Church

Reverend Roy Redding: A Missionary’s Journey Through Southwest Virginia

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 Admin 2 Comments

Roy Warren Redding was born on October 12, 1900, in Franklin County, Kentucky, the youngest of six children to Jake and Linda Lyman Redding. He spent his childhood in the small community of Switzer, located just north of Frankfort. It was here, at the age of 11, that he preached his first sermon at the Rocky Branch School, a one-room schoolhouse that he attended. Despite the six-mile walk to school, it became a sacred place for Roy, especially on rainy days when he would baptize converts and preach on the schoolhouse floor. At age 12, Roy experienced a pivotal moment in his faith when he accepted an invitation to follow Christ. “I had to borrow two dollars and fifty cents from my brother, Charlie, to buy clothes for my baptism,” Roy recalled. “I paid him back by selling rabbits at 10 cents a piece.” A deep, burning desire to become a missionary took root in his heart, and each evening, he would pray alone in the back of the barn, asking God to show him His will. He ordered two sermon books from Sears, thinking he might leave home to become a minister without anyone knowing. But God had other plans. His pastor, Dr. Charles Stevens, soon approached him with the very question Roy had been waiting for: “Do you feel called to the ministry?” With a joyful “yes,” Roy was introduced to Bible schools that would help him further his calling. Though Dr. Stevens offered him $25 to get started, Roy refused and instead borrowed $75 from a friend. Tying a rope around an old suitcase, he walked 15 miles to the railroad station, singing “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” as he went. Roy traveled 150 miles by train to attend his chosen school and worked as a church caretaker for $25 a month. During his studies, a missionary from the American Sunday School Union spoke to students about mission work, inspiring Roy to apply for a position. He was accepted and assigned to Southwest Virginia, where he would spend the next several decades of his life. Roy’s missionary work spanned several counties in Southwest Virginia, including Smyth, Grayson, Lee, Tazewell, and many more. He conducted over 1,150 Bible schools and organized summer Bible camps in three counties. His travels often took him to remote, underserved communities, such as Groseclose, where he walked 15 miles to assess the area. A local man warned him, “You’ll never come out of that place alive—the bootleggers will think you’re a detective.” Undeterred, Roy organized his first Sunday School in Groseclose, and with the help of his friend, Reverend C. H. Atwell, who donated land, a church was established there. Throughout his years of service, Roy encountered numerous challenges and memorable experiences. On one occasion, he and his wife became stranded on a muddy road while traveling to an evening service. With no money, Roy borrowed a logging chain from a nearby farmhouse, leaving his wife as collateral. Despite the difficulties, they managed to get their car unstuck, though they arrived at their destination only at 4 a.m., covered in mud and soaked through. (Photo near the Odd Fellows Hall in Sugar Grove, VA, Roy and Nell Redding.) Roy’s missionary work took him across Southwest Virginia, logging more than a million miles. Over his lifetime, he conducted over 2,500 funerals and officiated at 1,500 weddings. Despite threats from moonshiners and other challenges, Roy remained committed to his calling. One former Smyth County sheriff, Sam Dillard, said that after one of Roy’s revivals in 1937, the impact on local moonshine activity was greater than all law enforcement efforts over the previous 20 years. Roy married Nell Rouse in 1932, but tragically, she passed away from leukemia in 1974. In 1975, at the age of 75, Roy remarried to Margie Barker, and they moved to Washington County. Roy continued his ministry until his passing on January 28, 1992, at the age of 91. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Marion, Virginia. Margie, his second wife, passed away in 1993. (Roy and 2nd Wife Margie Redding, photo at left. Photo from Valley View Baptist Church Collection) Roy Warren Redding’s life is a testament to dedication, faith, and the power of one person’s commitment to spreading the Gospel. His legacy of service in the mountains of Virginia continues to inspire those who follow in his footsteps. *Source: Valley View Baptist Church History & Virginia Dare Baker Photo Collection

Adwolfe, Baptist, Churches, Communities, Methodist, Moonshiners & Bootleggers, Quebec, Valley View Baptist Church

Rye Valley Cemeteries

April 16, 2024August 23, 2024 Admin

Across the Rye Valley you will find many interesting cemeteries that are historic, that pre-date the civil war and maybe a few that aren’t even officially documented or that were previously largely unknown! Check the list below to begin your historic journey! Anderson Cemetery Asbury UMC Cemetery Ashli-Wilkinson Family Cemetery Blue Springs Methodist Church Cemetery Carmi Cemetery Comers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Cress Cemetery Crigger Cemetery Dennison Family Cemetery Groseclose Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery* Horne Family Cemetery Hutton-Cox Cemetery James Family Cemetery (Also see Thompson James Family Cemetery) Keesling Cemetery Keesling Cemetery 2 Kirk Cemetery McCarter Cemetery McClure Cemetery Meek Cemetery Morgan Cemetery Nelson Cemetery Pierce Cemetery Porter-Scott Cemetery Pugh Cemetery Rash Family Cemetery Ridgelawn Cemetery Rowland (Roland) Creek Cemetery Ross Cemetery Scott Cemetery Shannon Cemetery Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery Shuler Cemetery Slemp Cemetery South Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Saint Clair Bottom Primitive Baptist Cemetery Thomas Cemetery Thompson James Family Cemetery (Previously Undocumented) West Cemetery

Adwolfe, Blue Springs, Camp, Cedar Springs, Cemeteries, Communities, Flat Ridge, Sugar Grove, Teas

The Octagon House

April 10, 2024September 21, 2024 Admin

Tucked within the quaint landscapes of Smyth County, Virginia, stands a remarkable testament to architectural ingenuity and the pioneering spirit of its builder, Abijah Thomas. The Abijah Thomas Octagon House, situated near Thomas Bridge, serves not only as a historic landmark but also as a symbol of progress and innovation in the heart of Marion and Sugar Grove. Abijah Thomas, a visionary figure of the mid-19th century, was deeply rooted in the fabric of Smyth County. Born into a family of settlers, Thomas possessed an innate appreciation for the land and its potential. His entrepreneurial endeavors and community involvement marked him as a leader within the region, poised to leave a lasting legacy. Inspired by the writings of Orson Squire Fowler and the architectural trends of the era, Thomas embarked on an ambitious venture: the construction of an octagonal house for his family. In 1856, this project commenced, with Thomas overseeing every detail, from the selection of materials to the meticulous craftsmanship required to bring his vision to fruition. The Abijah Thomas Octagon House, completed in 1858, stood as a striking embodiment of Thomas’s vision. Its unique design, featuring eight sides and a commanding cupola atop its roof, captured the attention of all who passed by Thomas Bridge. The house quickly became a symbol of progress and prosperity in Smyth County, reflecting Thomas’s belief in efficiency and innovation. However, amidst the grandeur of its architecture lies a poignant reminder of the past. During the ante bellum construction of the house, enslaved individuals and children were involved in the laborious process of brickmaking. Each brick bears the imprints of their hands and fingers, a silent testament to the toil and hardship endured during its construction. For generations, the Abijah Thomas Octagon House served as the cherished residence of the Thomas family, bearing witness to the passage of time and the evolution of Smyth County. Its preservation in the 20th century as a historic site ensured that Thomas’s legacy would endure, offering future generations a glimpse into his remarkable life and achievements. Today, visitors to Smyth County have the opportunity to explore the Abijah Thomas Octagon House, immersing themselves in its rich history and paying homage to the enduring spirit of innovation and perseverance that defined its builder. As this architectural gem stands as a beacon of the past, it continues to inspire and captivate all who encounter its timeless charm. **Unveiling the Legacy: “Abijah Thomas and His Octagon House” by Mack Sturgill** In the annals of Smyth County’s rich history, few figures loom as large as Abijah Thomas, the visionary pioneer whose legacy is forever intertwined with the iconic Octagon House near Thomas Bridge. While the octagonal residence has captured the imagination of many, it is Mack Sturgill’s seminal work, “Abijah Thomas and His Octagon House,” that offers an unparalleled exploration into the life and times of this remarkable individual. Sturgill’s book, a labor of love and meticulous research, delves deep into the story behind the creation of the Abijah Thomas Octagon House. Through meticulous detail and vivid storytelling, Sturgill paints a vivid portrait of Thomas’s journey, from his humble beginnings in Smyth County to his enduring legacy as a pioneer of architectural innovation. At the heart of Sturgill’s narrative lies the compelling tale of Thomas’s inspiration and determination to build a home that defied convention. Drawing upon the architectural theories of Orson Squire Fowler and the burgeoning octagon house movement of the mid-19th century, Thomas embarked on a bold endeavor to construct a residence that would not only stand as a symbol of progress but also reflect his own values and aspirations. “Abijah Thomas and His Octagon House” goes beyond mere architectural analysis, delving into the social and historical context of the era. Sturgill sheds light on the laborious process of construction, revealing the role of enslaved individuals and children whose handprints adorn the bricks of the house, a poignant reminder of the human cost behind its creation. Through Sturgill’s meticulous research and evocative prose, readers are transported back in time to experience the sights, sounds, and struggles of life in 19th-century Smyth County. From Thomas’s entrepreneurial endeavors to his community involvement and enduring impact on Marion, Sugar Grove, and beyond, Sturgill’s narrative captures the essence of a bygone era and the enduring spirit of a visionary pioneer. “Abijah Thomas and His Octagon House” stands not only as a testament to the remarkable legacy of its titular subject but also as a tribute to the power of historical storytelling. Through Sturgill’s insightful exploration, readers are invited to discover the untold stories and hidden complexities that lie beneath the surface of one of Virginia’s most iconic landmarks. As visitors to Smyth County explore the Abijah Thomas Octagon House, they do so with a newfound appreciation for the man behind the masterpiece, thanks to Mack Sturgill’s illuminating work. In bringing Thomas’s story to life, Sturgill ensures that his legacy endures, inspiring future generations to embrace innovation, perseverance, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Today the Octagon House is in the process of getting a restoration. For more information, check out the Octagon House Foundation for events and fundraisers to help!

Adwolfe, Black History, Communities, History, Slavery, Thomas