Tag: Teas

A History: Elizabeth UMC

April 27, 2024November 7, 2024 Admin

Church History 1899-1972 Written March 26, 1972 by Sena R. Ward In 1899, in a one room schoolhouse on the property of Monroe Pugh, now owned by his grandson Hix Pugh, three fourths of a mile west of the present Elizabeth United Methodist Church, the idea of the present church was put into a contract. One Sunday each month services were held there. Voting for elections also was done here in the Williams School as it was named. During the week the building, now leveled by the erosive elements of time, served for the following known pupils: Celia Gore Richardson, Cullen Cox, Dave Cox, Claude Cox, Guy Cox, Boss Cox, Ted Calhoun, Hazel Calhoun, Ida, Calhoun, Laura Calhoun, Edith Calhoun, Martha Williams Griffitts, Cordie, Keesling Steffey, Beulah Keesling, French Keesling, Annie Robbins, Fannie Kirby Robbins, Flossie Scott, Chloe Scott Draper Wysor, Jettie Griffitts, Evelyn Griffitts, Bertie Keesling Currin, Edd Pugh, Mable Dunlap Meek, Charles Scott, Alice Scott Griffitts and Minnie Scott Rector. The stewards who drew up the contract were: J.T. Calhoun (Thomps), L.M. Pugh (Monroe), S.A. Meek (Steve), J.C. James (Con), John M. Williams. The original copy of the contract is owned by Mrs. Martha Williams Griffitts. Charles Richmond Scott made the copy from which this is taken: “Know all men by these present, that we, J. M. Williams, L.M. Pugh, J.T. Calhoun, S. A. Meek and J.C. James party of the first part and S. F. Wright party of the second part, have hereby entered into the following contract binding ourselves for the execution of the same under the following bond. The party of the second part contracts to build a church on the lot of ground given by L.M. Pugh, said church to be built according to the pan and specification which have been furnished by Frank Fallenshir and said plan and specification are a part of this contract. Party of the second part is to thoroughly season the lumber, party of the second part shall erect the house doing all the carpenter work except the windows, sash and inside doors, shutters, include pulpit seats, entire inner walls and build the tower, all to be done in workman like manner of the first class, said work to be completed by August 1st 1899. Party of the first part shall pay the sum of $300.00 to the party of the second part when said house shall be received by them or satisfactory party of second part therefor. Party of the first part shall have a credit of $1.00 per day for all carpenters work as subscribed which they may be able to put in on job provided it shall not exceed $50.00 and shall in no way hinder the completion of the work by him aforesaid. We bind ourselves each party to the other in the sum of $1000.00 for the faithful execution of this contract.” May 1, 1899 Signed/ Signed/ S.F. Wright, Contractor J.T. Calhoun L.W. Pugh John M. Williams S. A. Meek J.C. James Mr. Joe H. Scott hauled the big flat rocks that were used for the foundation of the original church. Mr Steve Meek gave and hauled lumber. Mr. Thomps Calhoun sawed it on his mill, located just below where the old Teas School house, which is now used for storing hay. Grandville Griffitts gave the big poplar log which Steve Meek hauled, Thomps Calhoun sawed, and out of which all the original seats were made. Bill Pugh remembers seeing the picture of the log, which was so large they had to cut part of the log out before it could be loaded between the standards on a wagon. Mrs. John M. Williams (known as Aunt Jane) did a great deal of work for the early church. At her death she gave the sum of $500.00, the interest of which was to be used for the church/ She also did the same for the WIlliams Cemetery She gave $15000.00 to the orphanage at Greenville, TN. The church was named for Elizabeth L. Thomas WIlliams (1819-1877), Wife of Rufus K. Williams (1806-1860). Elizabeth was the mother of Sarah Loulle Williams Pugh (1857-1892), first wife of Monroe Pugh. This information was obtained from a bible owned by Mrs. Martha Williams Griffitts. Mrs. Martin Richardson, mother of Mrs. Herbert Scott, attended the dedication of the church in August, 1899, and told Mrs. Scott there were no shade trees around the church; poles were put up for shade. This is quite a contrast to the beautiful sugar maples there today. The first major remodeling of the church was done in 1930. The work was started when the Rev. C. H. Vernon was pastor. A furnace, purchased from Marion Vance, was installed . Basil and Ralph Griffitts did the work under the direction of Bayard Cole. Jim Scott and Bill Meek dug the basement with a horse drawn scraper. Part of the curbing and walks were put in. The church was bricked. I.C. Choate and Steve Meek gave $400.00 each on this job. Others contributed also. The upstairs Sunday School rooms were built by I. W. Leedy. A piano was purchased with money raised by Roy Grifitts. Mae Collins Scott was one, if not the first, organist. The organ was traded in on a piano. So far, no record has been found of the purchase of the organ. Walt Calhoun directed the singing until the organ was purchased. Walter (Bass) Griffitts, Lee Robbins, Estelle Robbins and Claude Sexton lad the floor, finished them and did the other interior painting and refinishing as it is today, 1972. Will Calhoun made the channel rail. The beautiful stained glass windows were given in honor of Emory L. Calhoun, William M and Walter V. Grifitts, Donna H. Keesling, E. L. and Myrtle M. Pugh, Darrell Earnest, Stephen A. Meek, Lanthel Choate, Frank M. Robbins, John A. and Ollie JohnsonBill and Myrtle Meek, G.L. an H.Y. Pugh, Roy Griffitts, W.M. Grifitts and Mae Collins…

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Calhoun, Chisenhall, Choate, Churches, Cole, Communities, Cox, Currin, Elizabeth UMC, Griffitts, James, Keesling, Methodist, Pierce, Pugh, Robbins, Scott, Teas, Ward, Williams

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

Hamm-Roberts Mill

April 11, 2024November 24, 2024 Admin

In the sleepy town of Sugar Grove, Virginia, there is a quaint red mill, a silent witness to the passage of time since its construction in 1918. Situated along the south fork of the Holston River, it once thrummed with the energy of bustling activity. But as years slipped by and farming practices evolved, the mill fell into a quiet slumber, its wooden floors echoing only the scurrying of mice and the chirping of birds. Constructed in 1918 under the direction of Famous Hamm, the Hamm-Roberts Mill stands as a testament to early 20th-century industrial architecture. Crafted by the skilled hands of architect Jackson Peacock, this multi-story frame edifice originally served as a bustling mill. A.B. Roberts later acquired the property, managing its operations until his passing in 1935. After undergoing meticulous restoration efforts years later, the mill now proudly stands as the sole operational relic of its kind within the county. Enter Sena Ward, an octogenarian at the time of the original publishing of this story whose spirit belied her age. With faded blue jeans and a painter’s cap perched upon her head, she was the unlikely overseer of this dormant relic. A full-time farmer and keeper of livestock, Mrs. Ward wore many hats, but her heart belonged to the old mill. As a young girl, she had danced among the dusty aisles of her father’s business (Adam B. Roberts), absorbing the secrets of the mill with every sweep of her broom. Her education spanned far beyond the confines of formal schooling; she learned the intricacies of belt repairs, gear changes, and the alchemy of turning cornmeal and buckwheat into the finest quality golden flour. Life led her down different paths — from teacher to hospital dietitian — but the call of her inheritance beckoned her home in 1967 at the age of nearly 70. With determination blazing in her eyes, she rolled up her sleeves and set to work. Armed with a broom and a vision, she breathed life back into the forgotten mill. “It’s important for people to know their heritage,” Sena would say, her voice tinged with the wisdom of years gone by. She was more than just a miller; she was a steward of history. Hand looms and ancient artifacts coud still be found around the mill’s storied halls, each telling a tale of a bygone era. “I. think it’s important for people to know their heritage, she explains as she shows off the two hand looms she keeps on the mill’s second floor. “That’s why I save things like old telephones and old Indian tomahawks.” Though the mill still bore the scars of neglect, Mrs. Ward’s determination knew no bounds. With each passing day, she lovingly tended to its restoration, a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit. Amidst the whirring of machinery and the gentle hum of the river, Sena Ward stood as a beacon of hope, breathing new life into the heart of her community, one grain at a time. Some of the lucky lifelong residents of Sugar Grove still have an original Hamm-Roberts Corn Meal bag, once in a while one of these will turn up at someone’s estate sale framed or in a random box of goodies. They are few and far between. The mill is now over 100 years old and has been repainted. The grounds are well maintained beautifully. It makes for great drive by photography. Driving across the nearby bridge will provide a view of the dam and waterfall in back of the mill. Mrs. Sena Ward was a highly educated woman having earned degrees from Berea, Columbia University and the University of Kentucky. She was a vast source of local history and information as well as a former educator and dietitian. Mrs. Ward also wrote regular articles in the Smyth County News which give us quite a bit of insight into the community from time to time. She lived well into her 90s and passed away August 11, 1995. She was laid to rest at the Blue Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. The Hamm-Roberts Mill is a historic structure that we hope will remain in our community for many, many years to come! *Quotes taken from Southwest Times, Volume 79, Number 28, 3 February 1982

Communities, Industry, Mill, Teas, Ward

Teas Extract Plant

April 10, 2024May 30, 2025 Admin

Situated just outside of Sugar Grove Virginia is the smaller community of Teas wherein lies a storied chapter of industrial history – the Teas Extract Plant. Formerly known as the Marion Extract Plant, this facility was chartered in 1910 in what is now the community of Teas, just outside of Sugar Grove. The charter was granted to the Marion Extract Company on May 20 1910, with a capital of not less than $300k or more than $600k. Officers for the first year named in the charter were W. H. Teas, President, E. M. Campbell, Vice President, both of Ridgeway, PA. Also, J.C. Campbell of Marion was named secretary and treasurer. The Extract Company consisted of the following buildings: Main Building 75 x 100 Engine House 40 x 75 Barreling House 40 x 100 2 Leech Houses each 50 x 250 Chipper Shed 60 x 10 Pan House 40 x 60 Machine Shop 60 x 100 12 boilers, 200 HP each The company expected to use about 100 cords of wood each day It was The name “Teas” was bestowed upon the area in honor of W. H. Teas, the esteemed Superintendent of the Extract Plant, who left an indelible mark on the community. Read more about the history of Teas here. Mr. Teas, a prominent figure in the region, not only oversaw the plant’s operations but also built his grand residence in the heart of the community, a home that still stands today along Teas Road just past the church, serving as a testament to the area’s rich heritage. While the plant was in operation, it boasted its own company commissary, expertly managed by Mr. Charlie Keesling, catering to the needs of its workforce and fostering a sense of community spirit. During its heyday, the Teas Extract Plant employed over 2000 individuals from the surrounding area, becoming a vital economic lifeline for the community. Operating with a capacity of 300,000 gallons per day, it ranked as the second-largest extract plant globally. The plant’s operations revolved around the processing of chestnut, oak, and hemlock bark, primarily for the production of tannic acid. Unfortunately, this demand resulted in a near-extinction of chestnut trees in the region, highlighting the environmental impact of the plant’s operations. However, as resources in the area became depleted, the fate of the Teas Extract Plant was sealed. Once its supply was exhausted, the plant was dismantled, marking the end of an era for Sugar Grove and the Rye Valley area. The community, which had thrived around the plant, witnessed changes as the small houses constructed for plant workers were eventually sold off and demolished. Several community elders have told stories over the years of going outside to watch the demolition of the smokestack and likened the blasting to fireworks. It was quite a memorable spectacle to been according to most accounts given. The legacy of the Teas Extract Plant lives on through the memories and stories shared by residents, preserving its impact on the region’s history. The rise and fall of this industrial giant serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of progress and the delicate balance between economic development and environmental stewardship. As visitors explore the scenic beauty of Sugar Grove and the surrounding area, they are invited to reflectupon the legacy of the Teas Extract Plant and its enduring impact on the communities it once served. Through the contributions of individuals like Mrs. Lucille Kinkade, who graciously shared her insights, the story of the Teas Extract Plant continues to be woven into the fabric of Sugar Grove’s history, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come. Mrs. Kinkade shared this account 7/21/2018. She passed away at the age of 101 on May 23, 2023. Her obituary can be viewed here.

Communities, Extract Plant, Industry, Teas