Elihu Jasper and Hetty Sutherland

Elihu Jasper Sutherland was a man of so great achievement and versatility that he scarcely requires an introduction.  A native of Dickenson County, and son of William Beauregard and Eliza Counts Sutherland, he grew up in the Frying Pan section.

Elihu J. Sutherland

Elihu Jasper Sutherland was a man of so great achievement and versatility that he scarcely requires an introduction.  A native of Dickenson County, and son of William Beauregard and Eliza Counts Sutherland, he grew up in the Frying Pan section.  He attended all available public schools, after which he entered  the Chattanooga College of Law, where he graduated in 1920.

During World War 1, he served as an infantry captain.  From 1924 to 1928 he was Commonwealth’s Attorney of Dickenson County.  In 1926, he was married to Miss Hetty Swindall, and they became the parents of two sons, James and William.  He continued his law practice, and in 1948 he was one of he first trial justices to be appointed in Virginia.  In 1956 the designation was changed to County Judge.

Known as a genealogist and historian of he area, he spent untold hours collecting family, local, and area history.  He was also a poet and author.  During his life he published three volumes of verse, served editor-in-chief of the official county history of Dickenson County  in 1955 during the diamond jubilee celebration.  He was also compile of a historical volume entitled “Some Sandy Basin Characters,” and numerous pamphlets, including the history and minutes of Primitive Baptist Associations of he area.  His column, “Pioneer Recollections” was published over a period of years in the Dickensonian, and was read all over the nation.

Judge Sutherland was a true sportsman and outdoor enthusiast.  He participated in inter-community baseball games.  One of his favorite hobbies was hiking.  It has been said that both he and Mrs. Sutherland have walked the entire  length of the Breaks Gorge, and possibly more than once.  Another of his goals was to walk the length of Pine Mountain from the Breaks of the Cumberlands to Pound Gap, in laps, and I understand that he accomplished that feat, also.

He was co-founder of the Historical Society of Southwest Virginia, and its second president.  He was also a member of the National Genealogical Society.  Rarely has any individual collected such large store of history, fiction, genealogy, and verse as was found in his private library on Sunset Hill overlooking the town of Clintwood.

Judge Sutherland passed away on July 1, 1964 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, and was buried in the family cemetery near his childhood home.  He had served as Judge until January 1, 1964, when he retired because of ill health.  Surviving him were: his widow, two sons, two grandchildren, and some sisters and brothers.

On September 30, 1972, the major portion of his historical and genealogical library had been removed to the Archives of the Historical Society of Southwest Virginia, and a special program of presentation was given at the John Cooke Wyllie Library building on the campus of Clinch Valley College, Wise, Virginia.

Sources: Mrs. Hetty Sutherland,  Clintwood, Virginia, Publications of the Historical Society and personal acquaintances

“…His interests and gifts were boundless.  Elihu Jasper Sutherland found time to work with the Clintwood Kiwanis Club, the Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, the American Legion Post # 66 of Dickenson County.  He was the county Chairman of the Office of Price Administration during World War II, a member of the Dickenson County Bar Association, the Parent-Teacher Association, the Dickenson county Mutual Fire insurance Association, attorney for local banks and the town of Clintwood.  He was historian for the Sandlick Primitive Baptist Church and the Washington District Primitive Baptist Association.  He was commonwealth’s Attorney for Dickenson County 1924-27; Judge of he Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court 1931-34; Substitute Trial Justice 1934-48 and Trial Justice 1948-56; County Court Judge 1956-63.  He served on the Clintwood town Council and was Mayor of the town 1938-40.  In 1945-46, “E J” prepared a new charter for Clintwood replacing the old one adopted in 1894.  About the same time he drew to scale a detailed map of the town, which was enlarged and made into blue prints by his son Billy while an engineering student at VPI.  He prepared the Clintwood Zoning and Building Ordinance which was adopted in 1956.

“E J’s” gifts have long been shared with students and fellow researchers in genealogical and historical fields.  Inquiries directed to public officials of he county have been turned over to him and, since his passing, they are referred to Hetty.

He was recognized to have a true poetic nature.  He published two books of delicate verse: “The Sunken Star” in 1917, and “In Lonesome Cove” in 1951.  The second volume was dedicated to his devoted wife, who he said, gave invaluable service as typist, research assistant, and in improving the style and contents of his published volumes.

In Lonesome Cove

“Lord, give me strength to move the stones From out my neighbor’s way And may I see him smile his thanks Before I pass away.

“Lord, let me stand upon the Mount of Friendly Hope and Cheer, And hear the people softly say, “He lent me a hand while here.”

“Lord, make me mindful of the need Of others as they cry Do let me sing a helpful song Before my time comes by.”

From: A Sandy Basin Character by J. Hoge T. Sutherland and Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Publication No. 5, March 1970

Hetty Swindall Sutherland

Hetty J. Sutherland

Southwest  Virginia’s Living Legend – Submitted by Marjorie a. Sutherland, daughter-in-law

Southwest Virginia Historical Society’s charter member Hetty Jane (Swindall) Sutherland is from sturdy pioneer stock, and she so proudly bears the two favorite names her Grandfather Austin gave her when she was born on December 14, 1901. Hetty” was a special name to him, for both his wife’s step-grandmother and his second daughter was given this beautiful name.  The name “Jane” is special because both of our member Hetty’s grandmothers were Martha Jane.  She has lived an exemplary life and brought honor to the name and family it represents.  She is lovingly called “Miss Hetty” by her many friends, relatives, and associates.

Miss Hetty was born in a log cabin on the old Swindall homeplace located right in the curve of the Pound River opposite the mouth of Camp creek.  She walked to Camp creek School as a child.  At that time, Dickenson County Schools lasted only five months, ending in December.  Wise County schools ran two months longer, so she was glad she could stay at Grandpa Austin’s for two months each year and attend Austin School on Bear Pen Creek.  When the first Wise County Post Office was established in Grandpa Austin’s home, it too, was given the name “Hetty.”

after finishing Elementary School, she secured a second grade teacher’s certificate  and taught tow terms at Honey Camp and camp creek, before attending National Business College at Fort Worth, Texas.  She returned to Dickenson county in September 1921, and was greeted at the door by “Ma” (Ardella Austin Swindall), who said, “Your Pa has found you a job!”  “Pa” was Milburn Eddie Swindall, an the had found her a job as secretary to John w. Flanagan, attorney for W.M. Ritter Lumber and Clinchfield Coal Companies.  She later was employed by Cumberland Band and Trust Company, the department of social Welfare, and the Dickenson County Home Extension Service.  She also served as Court Reporter for Dickenson County, and as secretary in 1948 for the world famous Clintwood all-woman Town Council, the first in Virginia.

Hetty Jane Swindall was married to Elihu Jasper Sutherland on September 11, 1926, in a ceremony officiated by her grandfather, Elder John Calvin Swindall.  A month later they moved into the lovely hilltop home he had built in Clintwood called “Sunset Hill.”  The raised two sons, William Hubert and James Douglas.  She and her husband were instrumental in establishing the John Counts of Glade Hollow Family Reunion in 1936.  Her husband, E. J., was its first president and was its genealogist until his death in august, 1964, when Miss Hetty took his place as Genealogist.

Miss Hetty has always been and continues to be active in many community organizations and activities.  She was a charter member of Southwest Virginia Historical Society on March 6, 1961 and was elected its first secretary.  She was elected treasurer  in 1965 and served in that position for several years.  She was elected to life membership in recent years.  She was also a charter member of Dickenson County  Home Demonstration Club and Dickenson County Historical Society, and is a member of the Big Sandy Valley Historical Society and of Mountain People and Places.  She likes to attend Little Zion Old Regular Baptist Church, established by hr grandfather, J.C. Swindall, who preached the doctrines of the church.

Her many honors include the establishment of the Hetty Swindall Sutherland Archives of Dickenson County historical Society at the Dickenson County Library at Clintwood, selection as Dickenson County Woman of the Year, and celebration by the town of Clintwood of her ninetieth birthday on December 14, 1991.  In thanking the townspeople, she surprised everyone by remarking that this was the very first birthday party she had ever had!

She has always liked people and continues to be very public spirited, giving her noblest and best to the building and betterment of Southwest Virginia, even to the pick-up of litter along the route of her daily walks through the town of Clintwood in Dickenson County, Virginia.  These walks usually include stops at the post office, frequently to mail genealogical materials to correspondents and buyers of her own publications; at the library, to gather genealogical information as well as the daily news from newspapers at the Clintwood senior Center, for lunch and a visit with friends and relatives.

Her mind is quick and her memory long, for she can name off ancestors of almost anyone in Dickenson County.  On rides along the back roads of the county, which are a particular pleasure for her, she gives a running account of who lives or once lived in home places along the route.   She especially enjoys the trips to the places of her childhood n or near the region locally known as “South o’ the mountain.”  She finds a source of strength there, for a new vitality springs from the precious memories of her past.

Miss Hetty has accomplished much in her almost ninety-two years, and still has much more to do.  She continues to be a very active genealogist and always finds time for anyone who wants help pin finding his “roots.”  She has carried high the torch of enlightenment left to her by her late husband, Judge E. J. Sutherland. For over fifty years he collected a vast amount of Southwest Virginia history, folklore, and genealogy, from which she  draws her resources, continuing the work he started and making his dreams become reality.  She has edited and published several books from his material, including “Some  Descendants of John Counts of Glade Hollow.”  She is presently in the process of preparing a second edition of this book, adding new material and updating it to the present generation

Miss Hetty Sutherland is truly a  living legend for Southwest Virginia

From: Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia Publication No. 28 – 1994

Bonnie Sage Ball and Theodosia Wells Barrett

Bonnie Sage Ball was a charter member who has served in many capacities.  She has contributed many articles for its annual publication, has done extensive research on families and events of historical significance, and has compiled and published several family histories, including those on the Sage and Ball families.  She wrote “The Melungeons – Their Origin and Kin.”  She grew up among them in Lee County, Va. and adjoining Hancock County, Tenn.

Bonnie S. Ball

A Tribute to Bonnie Sage Ball by Gladys Julian Stallard

From: Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Publication No. 31 – 1997

The Historical Society of Southwest Virginia has lost a very valuable member who has been with the organization from its very beginning. Bonnie Sage Ball was a charter member who has served in many capacities.  She has contributed many articles for its annual publication, has done extensive research on families and events of historical significance, and has compiled and published several family histories, including those on the Sage and Ball families.  She wrote “The Melungeons – Their Origin and Kin.” She grew up among them in Lee County, Va. and adjoining Hancock County, Tenn.

She was a retired schoolteacher, a homemaker and mother of four. … Her ancestors are from London, England. Bonnie was  born Dec. 17, 1901 on Wallen’s  Ridge near Stickleyville, Lee County, Va.  She was brought into this world by Dr. Bradley T. Young, during a blinding snow storm. Bonnie was the fourth of 13 children of Vas Sage and his wife, Mary  “Mollie” Duncan. When Bonnie was six years old her father moved off the ridge so the children would be near the Stickleyville school.

Bonnie attended Radford Normal School for women.  She taught school during the winter and continued her education at Radford during the summer. In 1926 she went to St. Charles in Lee County to teach.  There she met Palmer Ray Ball. They were married a few months later. The next year they moved to Virginia City in Wise County, then resided in Haysi, VA. for a period of time.

Bonnie taught school in Dickenson and Buchanan Counties. She was also News correspondent for the Bristol Herald courier, the Coalfield Progress, the Dickensonian, the Roanoke Times and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Bonnie retired in 1967, after a total of 33 years in the teaching profession.  she and her husband moved to Big Stone Gap, less than a block away from the June Tolliver House and the site of the John Fox Jr. drama, “The Trail of he Lonesome Pine.”

Bonnie Ball remained busy.  She was a member of Virginia Creative Writers, Trinity United Methodist Church, the UDC, DAR, and several historical societies.  She was a life member of the Virginia Retired Teacher’s Association.   She recorded cemeteries, researched courthouse records,  compiled a history of Methodist Churches, wrote a book of verse and a book of Appalachian Folklore.  Besides all these activities,  she published a bicentennial history, “Stickleyville – Its Schools, History and People,” and carried on a voluminous correspondence with people all over the United States.

Bonnie Ball suffered Health problems during her later years and lived for sometime in Heritage Hall in Big Stone Gap.  She remained alert until her death.  She died after a short illness in the Lonesome Pine Hospital, Saturday, May 11, 1996, at the age of 95.  She was preceded in death by an infant son, by her husband and a daughter, Dorothy Ball Booten of Chicago Heights, Ill.

She was survived by a son, George Ball, San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Nancy Ball of the home; a sister, Thelma Powell, Richmond, Va.; three brothers, Carl Sage,  Orleans, Ind., Earl Sage, Stickleyville and Ralph Sage, Kingsport, Tenn.; and by four grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted in the Holding Funeral Home Chapel, Monday, May 13, at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Buford Hankins and the Rev. Joe Berta officiating.  Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14 in the Cecil-Frye Cemetery, Pennington Gap in Lee County, VA.

Bonnie Ball will be missed very much indeed, but her accomplishments and name will be familiar to people of like interests for generations to come!

Theodosia Barrett

Theodosia Wells Barrett, 88, died Saturday, March 23, 1991, at her home.  She was a native of Swords Creek section of Russell Co., and a former resident of Tazewell Co., and Florida.  She  was a widow of Frank Barrett.

She was a graduate of Radford University and retired school teacher in Russell, Tazewell and Buchanan counties.  She authored several local history books and articles and chaired “The  Heritage of Russell County 1786-1986.”  Her first book , “Pioneers on the Western Waters,” is the only written history of northwestern Russell Co.  She was a member  of numerous historical and genealogical societies and the National League of American Pen Women.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

From: Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Publication No. 26 -1992.

Ann Wynn Laningham

A native of Lee county, she was the daughter of John C. and Henrietta (Browning) Wynn of Jonesville.  She was a person of many talents and tireless energy.

Ann Laninghan

A native of Lee county, she was the daughter of John C. and Henrietta (Browning) Wynn of Jonesville.  She was a person of many talents and tireless energy.  The writer first remembers her as a piano teacher and director of school musical programs at Stickleyville School about 1912, prior to her marriage to James E. Laningham.

Even though they reared four children, her long life has been of endless activity, but she was best known as the first regent of the Lovelady Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, a life member and Lee County Director of the Historical Society of Southwest Virginia, and co-author of “Early Settlers of Lee County,” along with Mrs. Hattie (Muncy) Bates.

She was past president of the Lee county Garden Club, member of the Eastern Star Powell Valley Chapter #13, an active member of the First United Methodist Church and Methodist Women’s Circle, Homemakers Club, and was the principal organizer of the first Pennington Gap High School Band in the early 1930’s.

Mrs. Ann Wynn Laningham died on Thursday, September 3, 1987 at her home in Pennington Gap, Va., at age 96.  Funeral services were conducted at the Firs Methodist Church in Pennington Gap by her pastor on Sunday, September 6, 1987.  Interment was in the Memorial Garden at Woodway, Lee County, Virginia.

Mrs Laningham  is survived by the following children: John W. Laningham, Jonesville, Va.; Col. Wm. B. Laningham, of Orlando, Fla.; and twins Mary Ann and James E. Laningham of North Carolina.  She was proceeded in death by her husband and a grandson, John W. Laningham, Jr.

Survivors from her family also include two brothers: Browning Wynn of Jonesville, and Richard Wynn of Knoxville.  Two sisters, Mrs. Mary Wynn Hall of Dayton, Ohio, and Mrs. Jim Wynn Litton of Jonesville, Va., and four grandsons, one granddaughter, three great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.

By: Mrs. Bonnie Ball

From: Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Publication No. 21 – 1987

The Red Fox Trail

The Red Fox Trail near Pound, Virginia where a massacre took place.

If you would like to read more about the story of Doc Taylor, “The Red Fox of the Cumberland” and the Massacre of  Pound  Gap, you will find it in Charles A. Johnson’s book,[intlink id=”8″ type=”page”]WISE COUNTY VIRGINIA[/intlink].  You will find it in  the Bookstore on this site or visit Wise County Historical Society Office and Bookstore at the Courthouse in Wise.

Killing Rock In Pound, VA

Hiking the trail

Taking A Breather

Railroad Station Site

Shortcuts up the Mountain

Drinking from the Stream

Site of Ambush

Pausing for Thought

Places to visit in Wise County

Places of Interest to Visit In Wise County

The Inn at Wise

APPALACHIA, VIRGINIA

Appalachia: Food, Churches, Schools, Shops.

Roaring Branch: Near Appalachia, VA

Bee Rock Tunnel-Worlds second shortest railroad tunnell beside the beautiful Powell River

[intlink id=”353″ type=”page”]Coal/Railroad Days-[/intlink]August  (event)

Lewis E. Henegar Miners Memorial park: Callahan Avenue in Appalachia – Open Park with old mining machinery

The Peake Building: Main Street, Appalachia, VA (Guinness Book of Records)

101 Presidential Car: Railroad car from the South Carolina & Georgia Railroad, representative of passenger cars from the late 1800’s. Open Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm; May-Oct., Mon-Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm.

BIG STONE GAP, VIRGINIA

  • Big Stone Gap: Hotels-Food-Services, Gifts, Hospitals, schools and Churches
  • Appalachian Day- October – Bullitt Park
  • Duff Acadamy: Duff Family Private School
  • June Tolliver House: Clinton, Avenue – Restored house,Gifts, Area Crafts and
  • John Fox Jr.  Museum – East Shawnee Avenue Preserved home of famous author.
  • Meador Coal Museum: See how coal was mined here for the last 100 years
  • Mountain Empire Community College: mountain crafts, food, music and more (event)
  • Dotson Park
  • Southwest Virginia Museum-First Street-Exhibits depict heritage of Southwest Virginia.
  • “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” Clinton Avenue – Oldest outdoor drama in Virginia
  • [intlink id=”353″ type=”page”]Home Crafts Day:  [/intlink]October at Mountain Empire Community College
COEBURN, VIRGINIA
  • Coeburn: Churches, food, schools-craft shops, shopping center
  • Flatwoods Job Corps
  • Flatwoods Picnic Area
  • Guest River Rally: Labor Day Weekend-music, crafts, food
  • [intlink id=”1343″ type=”post”]Guest River Gorge Trail:[/intlink] A trail made from an old railroad bed. Gorgeous scenery
  • Lay’s Hardware Building: Old Time Music, Flat-footing/Clogging  every Friday Night
  • Old Tacoma School and Community Center: – Blue Grass Music and Dancing- Friday Nigh
  • Ramsey-Flea Market: (Wednesdays) Long running flea market that started out as a stock – market, marketing cattle.
  • (This flea market has now discontinued after more than 50 years.)
  • Lonesome Pine International Raceway
  • Shopping Center

POUND, VIRGINIA

Food, Motels, Churches, Schools

ST. PAUL, VIRGINIA

Saint Paul-Food, Churches, Schools, Shopping

  • Ox Bow Lake
  • Sugar Hill Loop Trail
  • Guests River

NORTON,VIRGINIA

Norton: Hotels, Food, Churches, Schools, Shops, Hospitals

WISE, VIRGINIA

Diseases and Epidemics in Wise County : 1856 -1894

Listed below is a list of diseases and epidemics in Wise County from 1856 when the county was formed through 1894. The infant mortality rate was enormous. Notice the many infant and children’s deaths in comparison to adults.

Diseases and Epidemics in Wise County

1856 -1894

Causes of deaths
As recorded in Wise County Death Records
Fannie Lane Steele

Listed below is a list of diseases and epidemics in Wise County from 1856 when the county was formed through 1894. The infant mortality rate was enormous. Notice the many infant and children’s deaths in comparison to adults.

In 1856 there were 28 entries of which 19 were children under the age of 12 years old

In 1857, 28 were infants and children and 9 were above the age of 12 years.

In 1864-1866 there were 38 entries of which 22 were infants and children. Many were babies who only lived a few days, hours or months.

In 1867-1869 seventy deaths were listed of which 41 were children

1870-1874 there were 76 entries of which 36 were children

1876-1879 there were 108 entries of which 35 were children

1880-1883 there were 106 entries listed and 50 of them were children

1884 there was 108 entries listed of which 65 of them were children and 73 of the 108 died of the flux.

1885 – 74 listed of which 40 were children under 12 years old.

1886 – 37 listed of which 21 were children

There were very few who lived to be the age of 90 or older. Note the simple and repetitive causes of death such as “fever,” “Old age,” “Hives, ” “Fits,” “Child Bed Fever” and “Croup.” Other causes of death were stated as: “Killed by a horse,” or “Killed by a tree,” “Falling off Train,” “burn,” “drowned,” or simply “shot.”

There were numerous causes listed as simply “Unknown.” This makes us realize how far medicine has progressed. The causes of death listed below does not represent every death during the years listed. I only listed the causes of death for each year as there was numerous repetitions of the same cause of death such as “flux,” in the year of 1884.

From the time our county was formed in 1856 the disease of “Consumption” was rampant, which I understand is “Tuberculosis.” In 1884 there was an epidemic of the disease called “Flux” which was a stomach or bowel disorder. In 1917 the influenza “Flu” epidemic was everywhere including Wise and surrounding counties.

Notice the strange names such as “Bealing,” “Erysipelas,” “Gravel,” “Hydrassal,” “Infantum,” “LaGripp,” “Putrid,” “Torpid,” “Scrofula”

What is the difference in “Hives” and “Bold Hives?”

1856

  • Hives
  • Bold hives
  • Consumption (Tuberculosis)
  • Killed in a fracus (fracas)
  • Burns
  • Croop (croup)
  • Old age
  • Child bed (fever)
  • Killed by a horse
  • Tipos (typhus) fever (Typhoid?)
  • Not known
  • Fits
  • Dropsy
  • Croops (croup)
  • Hives

1857

  • Flux
  • Unknown
  • Pleurisy
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Palsy
  • Fits
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Crushed by log

1858

  • Hives
  • Flux
  • Burned
  • Consumption
  • Fever
  • Croop (croup)
  • Unknown

1859

  • Unknown
  • Croup
  • Scrofula
  • Fever
  • Quinsy
  • Whooping Cough
  • Dropsy
  • Liver Complaint
  • Eating Dirt
  • Child Baring (bearing)

1860

  • Croop (croup)
  • Unknown
  • Phthis(?)
  • Burn
  • Whooping Cough
  • Ulcer
  • Hives
  • Colera (cholera)
  • Palsey (palsy)
  • Killed
  • Quinsy
  • Palsy
  • Liver
  • Gravel
  • Rhematism (rheumatism)

1861

  • Measles
  • Consumption
  • Croup
  • Unknown
  • Croup
  • Fever
  • Hives
  • Stillborn
  • Colaymorbes
  • Disease of head
  • 1864-1866
  • In Child bearing
  • Unknown
  • Erysipelas
  • Dropsy
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Hives
  • Burn
  • Flux
  • Shot
  • Croup
  • Childbirth
  • St Antnies fire
  • Cancer
  • Consumption

1867-1869

  • Fever
  • Croup
  • Inflammation
  • Bleeding
  • Consumption
  • Old age
  • Unknown
  • Disease ??
  • Hives
  • Kidney Disease
  • Typhoid
  • Shot
  • Lung Fever
  • Irecepilas
  • Rheumatism
  • Cholera
  • Irrecep
  • Burn
  • Erecylipus
  • Change of life
  • Killed
  • Cold
  • Hives
  • Dropsy

1870-1874

  • Bold Hives
  • Unknown
  • Old Age
  • Fever
  • Smothered
  • Drowned
  • Diphtheria
  • Still born
  • Consumption
  • Whooping Cough
  • Cramp
  • Poisoned
  • Tumor on arm
  • Fulex
  • Hives
  • Dyspepia (dyspepsia)
  • Dyspepsia
  • Kidney Disease
  • White Swelling
  • Thrash
  • Croup
  • Breast disease
  • Dropsy

1876-1879

  • Bold Hives
  • Consumption
  • Diphtheria
  • Hooping Cough (Whooping Cough)
  • Neumonia (Pneumonia)
  • Old Age
  • Palpitations
  • Unknown
  • Fever
  • Burned
  • Dropsy
  • Shot
  • Unknown
  • Drowned

1880-1883

  • Fits
  • Shot/Dr. Howell
  • Dyspepsia
  • Unknown
  • Consumption
  • Infla. bowels
  • Coroup (Croup)
  • Piles
  • Fever
  • Heart Disease
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Heart Disease
  • Diphtheria
  • Scrofula
  • Cramp
  • Lung Disease
  • Bronchitis
  • Brain Fever
  • Hives
  • Burn
  • Palsy
  • Old Age
  • Unknown
  • Ulcer

1884

  • Flux
  • Fever
  • Swallowed Fish bone
  • Liver Disease
  • Inflam..stomach (Inflamed)
  • Pneumonia Feaver (fever)
  • Chollera (cholera)
  • Consumption
  • Croup
  • Canser (cancer)
  • Cold
  • Lung Fever
  • Unknown
  • Dipthery (Diphtheria)
  • Old Age
  • Spinal Affection (Infection)
  • Child Bed Fever
  • Hart (Heart) Disease
  • Brain Fever
  • Inflammation Brain
  • Dead Born
  • Dropsy
  • Ulser (ulcer)
  • Cramp
  • Accidently (accidentaly) killed by a tree
  • Scrofula

1885

  • Bole Hives
  • Hooping Cough (Whooping Cough)
  • Spinal Affection (infection)
  • Bealing of Stomach
  • Fits
  • Hemorrhaging
  • Flux
  • Fits
  • Pneumonia Fever
  • Bold Hives
  • Euresipullas (Erysipelas)
  • Disease of Kidneys
  • Cancer
  • Unknown
  • Brain fever
  • Consumption
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Croup
  • Canser (cancer)
  • Accidental Shot
  • Bold Hives
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Burnt to death
  • Bronchitus (bronchitis)
  • Heart Disease

1886-1887

  • Disease of liver
  • Measels (measles)
  • Flux
  • Brain Fever
  • Yellow Janders (Jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Consumption
  • Inflammatory rheumatism
  • Diseased lungs
  • Croup
  • Unknown
  • Diptheria (diphtheria)
  • Infermation (Inflammation)
  • Bold Hives
  • Hives
  • Falling off Train
  • Scrofula
  • Burn
  • Hooping (whooping) Cough
  • Heart Disease
  • Diptheria (diphtheria)
  • Putrid Sore Throat
  • Crooked limbs
  • Bold hives
  • Fevor (fever)
  • Not known
  • Dipthery (diphtheria)
  • Not listed
  • Cholerra (cholera) Infantum
  • Flux
  • Measels (measles)
  • Inflation of Brain
  • Croup
  • Consumption
  • Rupture In Side
  • Dropsy
  • Hives
  • Childbed fever
  • Child Bearing
  • Unknown
  • Croup and Bold Hives
  • Lung Disease
  • Hooping (whooping) Cough
  • Enlargement of Bowels
  • Hydrassal
  • Bone Eresephlis (erysipelas)

1888

  • Infermation (Inflammation ) of Brain
  • Nerve Fever
  • Asthma
  • Consumption
  • Not known
  • Croup
  • Paralysis
  • Hives
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Shot
  • Hooping Cough (whooping cough)
  • Infermation (Inflammation) of stomach
  • Rodeolo
  • Not Known
  • Heart Disease
  • Measles
  • Whooping Cough
  • Erechyalas (erysipelas)
  • Brain Fever
  • Fever
  • Dipthera (diphtheria)

1889

  • Yellow Jaundice
  • Not Known
  • Fever
  • Spinal Affection
  • Consumption
  • Bold Hives
  • Brain Fever
  • Old Age
  • Dysenterria (dysentery)
  • Diptherie (diphtheria)
  • Flux
  • Paralysis
  • Murdered
  • Rupture on the Brain
  • Lagrippe
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Suicide
  • Killed
  • Rheumatism of the head
  • Killed Accidentley (accidentally)
  • Crop (croup?)
  • Rheumatism of head
  • Liver Diseas (disease)
  • Paralysis
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Cholery (Cholera) Infantim
  • Fits
  • Pneumonia Fever
  • Died at Birth
  • Hives
  • Inflamation (Inflammation)
  • Membramers (Membranous) Croup
  • Sore Throat
  • Diptheria (diphtheria)
  • Burn
  • Billious Fever
  • Inflamation (Inflammation) Bladder
  • Paralysis

1890

  • Consumption
  • Fever
  • Hives
  • Yellow Jaundice
  • Dysentery
  • Croup
  • Hooping Cough (whooping)
  • Drowned
  • Notriceran (?) (Nutrician?)
  • Dysentry (Dysentery)
  • Jarpron
  • Dysentary
  • Old age
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Not known
  • Paralyisis (Paralysis)
  • Dyspepsia
  • Indigestion
  • Bold Hives
  • Brain Fever
  • Drowned
  • Measels (measles)
  • Murdered
  • Dropsey (dropsy)

1891

  • Bold hives
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Catarrah of Head (catarrhal)
  • Lagripe
  • Parralisis (paralysis)
  • Consumption
  • Fever
  • Not Known
  • Ulcer
  • Not listed
  • Pregnant condition
  • Fever or Lagripp (Lagrippe)
  • Croup
  • Heart Diseas (disease)
  • Shot
  • Murdered
  • Relaps on Measels (relapse)
  • Burnt to death
  • Rupture
  • Shot
  • Congestion of Brain
  • Yellow Jaundice
  • Liver Diseas
  • Pluracy (pleurisy)
  • Measels (measles)
  • Shot
  • Paralysis
  • Dipthery (diphtheria)
  • Brain trouble
  • Torpid Liver
  • Killed by Train
  • Dropsy & Fever
  • Poisoned
  • Old Age
  • Croup
  • Famer (?) (Fever) ?
  • Lagrippe
  • Measles
  • By fire
  • Killed by Blast
  • Collery Infantum (cholera)
  • Hives
  • Cholliera Infantum (cholera)
  • Scroffula (scrofula)
  • Not known
  • Erresipalis (Erysipelas)
  • Worms
  • Hives
  • Lagrippe
  • Drowned
  • Neuralgia

1892

  • Torpid Liver
  • Killed by a falling tree
  • Shot
  • Not known
  • Measles
  • Old age
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Flux
  • Murdered
  • Bold Hives
  • Fever
  • Hives
  • Consumption
  • Murdered
  • Thrash
  • Spinel (spinal) Affection (Infection?)
  • Iritation of Stomach (Irritation)
  • Heart Failier (failure)
  • Hurt with a tape(?)
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Heart Diseas (disease)
  • Not Known one hand?
  • Rheumatism
  • Croup
  • Herat (Heart) dropsey
  • Lagrippa (lagrippe)
  • Acidently (accidentally) Shot
  • Skin Disease
  • Gravel
  • Margetis (meningitis)
  • Killed in Coal Mines
  • Cancer
  • Lagrip (Lagrippe)
  • Scrofula
  • Liver Diseas disease)
  • Rheumatiom (rheumatism)
  • Worms
  • Asthma
  • Shot
  • Suicide
  • Bronchitis

1893

  • Hives
  • Not known
  • Killed by Falling
  • Indijestion (indigestion)
  • Fever
  • Absess of Bowels (abscess)
  • Killed y RR Train
  • Dipthera (diphtheria)
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Consumption
  • Croup
  • Abcess (abscess) of Bowels
  • Diarea (diarrhea)
  • Fell Down Stares
  • Scrofulus (scrofulous)
  • Spinal Menjitis (meningitis)
  • Cholra Morbus (Cholera morbus )
  • Flux
  • Cramp Colic
  • Rheumatism
  • Childbed Fever
  • Liver Diseas (disease)
  • Diarrehorea (diarrhea)
  • Died from a fall
  • Cold
  • Gravel
  • Diarrhea
  • Bronchitus (bronchitis)
  • Paralysis
  • Bold Hives
  • Heart Disease
  • Spinel Mengetis (spinal meningitis)
  • Spinel Disease (spinal)
  • Lagrippe
  • Burned
  • Burnt
  • Exposier (exposure)
  • Lagripp
  • Paralissis (paralysis)

1894

  • Not Known
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Spinal Mengitis (meningitis)
  • Hooping (whooping) cough
  • Killed Accidintly (accidentally)
  • Side Pluracy (pleurisy)
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Lung Disease
  • Whooping Cough
  • Rheumatism
  • Consumption
  • Spinal Mengitis (meningitis)
  • Croup
  • Burnt to Death
  • Side Pluracy (pleurisy)
  • Paralissis (pleurisy)
  • Rheumatism
  • Hemorhage (hemorrhage) of womb
  • Dropsey (dropsy)
  • Spinal Affection
  • Whooping Cough
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Spinal Menegitis (meningitis)
  • Bold Hives
  • Fell – accidently Killed (accidentally)
  • Ulcer of Bowels
  • Scrofula
  • Paralisis (paralysis)
  • Lagripp
  • Fever
  • Not known
  • Hives
  • Brain Fever
  • Hooping (whooping) cough
  • Erecipelas (erysipelas)
  • Cole (cold)
  • Flux

Rita Kennedy Sutton

Rita Elizabeth (Kennedy) Sutton was born March 13, 1906 in the community of Imboden, near Appalachia, Virginia. Later, her name was changed to Rita Jo, for a favorite character in “Little Women.” The daughter of Benjamin F. and Rosa R. Kennedy, she spent most of her life in Dickenson county. She was an avid reader and brilliant scholar. 

Rita Kennedy Sutton

By Mrs. Bonnie S. Ball

Rita Elizabeth (Kennedy) Sutton was born March 13, 1906 in the community of Imboden, near Appalachia, Virginia.  Later, her name was changed to Rita Jo, for a favorite character in “Little Women.”

The daughter of Benjamin F. and Rosa R. Kennedy, she spent most of her life in Dickenson county.  She was an avid reader and brilliant scholar.  The family moved to Clintwood where she attended high school.

At age 17 she entered Martha Washington College, and at age 19 she returned to Dickenson County, where she taught English, French, and History in the junior high school near Fremont and McClure.

On September 2, 1928 she was married to John I. Sutton, a banker from Abingdon.  She later attended William and Mary College, and moved to Abingdon.  The following Spring they moved to Clintwood, where her husband opened the first Piggly Wiggly store.

Their daughter, Eliza Rose (Mrs. Kent Rigg), was born in 1929.  At the age of 24, Rita Kennedy Sutton was suddenly stricken by polio, after which she went to an Abingdon hospital for six months.  Eventually a vaccine was developed that cleared the infection.  After two months she went to Warm Springs, Georgia for treatment periodically.

In August , 1932 the Kennedy family moved to Wise.  Although Rita’s body grew weaker, her will grew stronger,”  She later became Advertising Manager for the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain, and became interested in genealogy, having published “Early Osbornes & Alleys,” “Early Carters in Scott Cunty, Va.”, and “Kennedy’s Piggly Wiggly Stores, Inc.: A Backward Glance.”

Quotation from a biographical sketch by Catherine C. Riggs, In The Coalfield Progress.

Mrs. Sutton was a founding member of the Wise Study Club, a woman’s group that remains true to its early motto, “Tis the mind that makes the body rich.”  Mrs. Sutton was an honorary life member of the Southwest Virginia Historical Society.

According to her granddaughter, Catherine C. Riggs, she became a published author at the age of 71.  She taught herself to type at 67.  In 57 years she was unable to walk, but never complained.  She passed away on November 20, 1987.

What a marvelous woman!

From: Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia – Publication No. 22 – 1

The Appalachian Quarterly

Qua-Dec2003.JPG (653259 bytes)

Special Focus:June Carter Cash – Compiled by members of WCHS

Tribute: Ruth Kilgore Hamilton by Rhonda Robertson

Regular Features: Aging-Marie Olinger Davis – by Dorothy H. WittUncle Dan Richmond – by  David Chaltas & Richard G. BrownW. VA Unclaimed Civil War Medals Tell us a Big Tale – By Kathleen TaylorDescendants of WM. Vicars – by Dawna VicarsJohn  Counts of Glade Hollow-  By E.J Sutherland Tazewell Co. Marriage Register 1800-1853 – by Rhonda RobertsonFirsts for Wise County Historical Society: Wedding Legend of the Baker Estate – by Fred H. LawsonCommemorative-Carter SignName and Family of Dotson by Emory L. HamiltonHylton Family Heritage by James F. Carver

 

Melungeons

Melungeon Movement In the Past Decade – by Jim Callahan

American Indian Melungeon Book By Karlton Douglas

Wikipedia Definations of Melungeon-ness

National Melungeon Registry

The Uncertainty of Melungeons – by Karlton Douglas

Dictionary of Genealogy and Archaic Terms – by Dick Eastman

 

On The Bookshelf – Fannie Lane Steele

 

APPALACHIAN QUARTERLY

Dec02.jpg (398166 bytes)Special Focus

Bad Talt Hall by Nancy C. Brown

Features

Letters from the Battlefield by Greg Lepore

Shoot-out at Martin Train Depot by Bob Hall

The Whitakers by David C. Whitaker

Descendants of William Vicars by Dawna J. Vicars

The Saga of Bad John Hall by Bob Hall

Benjamin Harrison 1750-1808 by Jeremy F. Elliott

Mystery of the Young Soldiers by Willis Sexton

Aging Gracefully – Emily Qualls by Dorothy Witt & Wanda Rose

Correction by Benjamin F. Luntz

Wise County Marriage Books by William C. Gobble

 

 

 

Melungeon

Pike County Kentucky Marriages by Patricia H. Baldwin

New Columnist by P.H. Baldwin

Mixing It Up by Karlton Douglas

Melungeons and Myth by George R. Gibson

Update–What is Melungeon by Dr. N. Brent Kennedy

On The Bookshelf by Fannie Lane Steele

Calendar: Events of the area

Home Crafts Day

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Each Year in October, HOME CRAFT’S DAY is held at Mountain Empire Community College where people can bring their crafts to show and sell.

There is Apple butter making, Corn grinding, Wood work of many kinds, and various crafts where people show their magnificent handiwork of the mountains. Lots of Vendors, Music, Food and Fun.

scan0014Highway near MECC

Home_Crafts_DayTents

apple.peelersApple Peeler’s

Apple_CiderApple Cider

grinding.cornGrinding Corn

Corn.mealCorn Meal

grindstoneGrind Stone

work.benchWork Bench

workbenchWork Benches

Corn.mealBench/old Irons

Fannie__NinaFannie Steele & Nina Mullins

Nina__WandaNina Mullins & Wanda Rose

wpe1Ganell Marshall and her corn-shuck dolls