newsletter

"There is nothing new in the world except the history you don't know" -- Harry Truman

"We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech. " -- Nikki Giovanni

Tom Perry Will Be Doing A Book Signing With Randle Brim Saturday, December 15, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pages Bookstore, Main Street, Mount Airy, North Carolina.

"My wife and I just spent the last most incredible days in the Dan River District area. Our story has to be told!!! First, some background. I left Dublin Virginia at age 13 near 50 years ago. My father died in an accident and left mother with six kids at our small Virginia farm. After trying hard for year’s mom had to finally move us to the west coast to make a new life and new beginning. My wife and I have been in the Seattle area for the bulk of our adult life. We are now retired and decided to do an RV trip to the east coast. The trip was to include a return to my neck of the woods to try and find information of my heritage and to try and find my grand parents grave and, if lucky, find the family tobacco farm. All we knew was that the farm was located in the Dan River District and that my grand father was buried on the family farm. Before we left the Seattle area we punched in Dan River District, Patrick County Virginia into the internet. Wow…a great web page popped up telling about the district and Patrick County. In addition there was a picture of the district supervisor, Jonathan Large, with a phone number. Upon arriving in the area we called Jonathan to try and gain information as to where we might start. I have for many years wanted very much to try and gain knowledge about my family past. The story gets much better from here!!!! Jonathan, after hearing our desire….and how important this was to us, gave me a phone number for Shelby and Raleigh Puckett who established and run the Hollow History Center in Ararat. I was extremely happy to get a name that could get us on the right trail. After giving us Shelby’s number Jonathan asked where we were going to park our motor home. Not knowing the area, I told him we didn’t have a plan yet. He immediately tells us to stay in his drive way and plug into his front porch for power. Jonathan was leaving on travel and wanted us to have a place to stay near the History Center and Shelby. Jonathan has never met us….but opened up his home to us strangers. I called Shelby and told her of our mission. She and her husband immediately went to work. It gets better from here!!! After a call to Shelby and her husband Raleigh saying we were settled in at Jonathans’ they came to our RV and picked us up. When they arrived they told us to get into there van….and sit back as they had great news. Not only had they located the family farm….but my grand parent’s grave site also. As if it couldn’t get any better….they located a third cousin….I didn’t know I had, Clarence Hall, and told us he had accumulated much information about my grand parents and their parents before them. Wow…off we go to visit Clarence. As all we’ve met in this area so far he opened his home as if I’d known him for ever. He had much info for us including some pictures of my grand parents…and my great grand father. The package was near 1” thick with family data. I cried I was so happy. After this visit, Shelby and Raleigh loaded us up and took us to the family farm. The home was empty but still standing. The current owner opened it for us and let us tour the home. Next to the home, across a small road were three grave sites. There were the graves and markers for my grand father James Henry Hall, my grand mother Laura Alice Hall, and a young daughter Birdie Hall ….again I cried with emotion. You probably think the story is over here….well it got even better. Shelby had made a couple calls before picking Debbie and me up at the motor home in Jonathan’s drive way. She had talked to a lady named Linda Holder in the Claudville area, close to my grand father’s farm, who said she believed there might be a couple grave stones at the back of her property up on a hill…in a small wooded area. She told Shelby she’d leave the gates unlocked and that we were free to drive back there to see if the may be our great grand parents graves….as she believed there was a Hall on them. We left my grand parents place and drove about a half mile down the road and into Linda Holder’s property. We drove back half way through the pasture, passing several old tobacco drying log buildings then came to the last gate. We got out and walked the rest of the way across the pasture and up the hill to the wooded area. In the woods was three donkies standing around. Next to them were two head stones. One my great grand father William Henry Hall and my great grand mother Elizabeth Francis Hall. My heart was ready to bust. Worth noting was that there original head stones were broken in half and lying next to a tree….and someone, person unknown, had purchased new ones and placed them where the old ones use to be.

My wife and I can not begin to thank Jonathan, Shelby, Raleigh, Clarence or Linda enough for their help and information. These two days will remain with me for ever. I do know one thing for sure….southern hospitality is still alive and well. I now know lots about my past….and have cousins I can now know and enjoy. I hope your paper will print this story or at least give credit to these wonderful Dan River District folks. One final request….if anyone knows anything they could add information about my family we’d appreciate talking to them. Our cell phone we carry all the time is 360-710-8542 and email address is DDHall@wavecable.com."

The Bassett Historical Center is pleased to announce a symposium on regional history to be held March 1, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Old Bassett High School Auditorium now owned by EMI Imaging, who is providing the facility free of charge in Bassett, Virginia. Proceeds from this event will go to the Bassett Historical Center Building Fund. All speakers are coming free of charge to support the project to expand the library. Advance tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. Students and Senior Citizens are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Visit the webpage of the Bassett Historical Center http://www.bassetthistoricalcenter.com

or call 276-629-9191 or email baslib@hotmail.com for more information.

Advance payment can be sent to Bassett Historical Center at 3964 Fairystone Park Highway, Bassett, VA 24055.

Collections at the Bassett Historical Center http://172.22.0.52/Bassettcollections.htm

The Bassett Historical Center has been called 'the best little library in Virginia'. The Center has grown considerably since we merged with Blue Ridge Regional Library in 1992. From that time through 2004, our patron count increased 1359% over a period of 13 years. Since 1998 we have had an increase of 125% per year. People from all 50 states and 9 foreign countries have visited the Center. Our family files now number 9496, local history files number 2518, and our books number 11,074. It is time for expansion of our facility. We need to double our present size so that we will be able to accept new collections that otherwise may be sent to another facility outside of our immediate area. An estimate of $800,000 has been given to add 4195 square feet to our existing building. Tax-deductible donations for memorials or honorariums will be considered for shelving, furniture, display units and the large rooms proposed

Larry Hopkins is a Human Resource Manager for Hanesbrands, Inc. at its Woolwine location in Patrick County, VA. Born in Patrick County, he and his wife, Eva, have resided in the town of Stuart for more than 30 years where they raised their two sons, Josh and Ryan. After receiving his BA from Mars Hill College, Larry returned to Patrick County and developed a strong interest in local history. In 1976, he made his first visit to the Bassett Historical Center, where many hours were spent in the basement doing family research and talking with Mrs. Shirley Bassett. Pursuing other local interests and research eventually led to railroading, particularly the Danville & Western Railway Company, better known locally as the “Dick n’ Willie”. Fascinated with its history, Larry has spent more than a decade collecting facts, photos and memorabilia pertaining to this local legend. He has shared this information on several occasions at local and state sponsored events. In 2001, Larry was featured as the guest speaker for the annual meeting of the Southern Railway Historical Society, and the following year did a presentation at the 22^nd Annual National Narrow Gauge Railroad Convention held in Providence, Rhode Island. In recent years during his spare time, he has been working on a book about the Danville & Western. Larry currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Patrick County Historical Society and Museum, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History in Mt. Airy, NC. He will speak on the Danville and Western Railroad “The Dick and Willie” at the symposium.

J. E. B. Stuart’s biographer Emory Thomas describes Tom Perry as "a fine and generous gentleman who grew up near Laurel Hill, where Stuart grew up, has founded J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace and attracted considerable interest in the preservation of Laurel Hill. Thomas David Perry grew up in Ararat, Virginia, as did "Jeb" Stuart. Tom graduated Patrick County High School in 1979 and Virginia Tech in 1983, with a Bachelor’s Degree in history. Tom started the J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust in 1990 and the Free State Of Patrick Internet History Group in 2005.The non-profit organization has preserved 75 acres of the Stuart property including the house site where James Ewell Brown Stuart was born on February 6, 1833. Perry wrote the eight interpretive signs about Laurel Hill’s history along with the Virginia Civil War Trails sign and the new Virginia Historical Highway Marker in 2002. He spent many years researching traveling all over the nation to find Stuart. Tom can be seen on Virginia Public Television’s Forgotten Battlefields: The Civil War in Southwest Virginia with his mentor noted Civil War Historian Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. Perry has begun a collection of papers relating to Stuart and Patrick County history in the Special Collections Department of the Carol M. Newman Library at Virginia Tech under the auspices of the Virginia Center For Civil War Studies. He is the author of Ascent to Glory, The Genealogy of J. E. B. Stuart, The Free State of Patrick: Patrick County Virginia in the Civil War, J. E. B. Stuart’s Birthplace: The Stuart Family in America and the Laurel Hill Farm, and Images of America: Patrick County Virginia. Tom credits Henry Wiencek’s book on the Hairston family as leading him to the Bassett Historical Center. He will be presenting his popular slide program on Civil War General J. E. B. Stuart.

Henry Wiencek is a prominent American historian and editor whose work has encompassed the founding fathers, various topics relating to slavery, and the Lego Company. In 1999, The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White, which chronicles the history of the racially intertwined Hairston clan, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for biography and autobiography. Wiencek has come to be particularly associated with his work on Washington and slavery as a result of his most recent book, An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America, which earned him the Los Angeles Times Book Award for history. Henry wrote the series National Geographic Guide to Americas Great Houses, Virginia & the Capital Region Smithsonian Guides, Smithsonian Guides to Historic America: Southern New England - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Old Houses, Plantations of the Old South (Great American Homes), The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America Southern New England, The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America Southern New England, World of Lego Toys, The Lords of Japan (Treasures of The World). Born in Boston and educated at Yale, Henry lives with his wife, writer Donna Lucey and their son, Henry in Virginia. He has contributed articles to American Heritage, American Legacy, Smithsonian Magazine, and Connoisseur. In 2003, Wiencek was appointed to the board of the Library of Virginia. He will speak on The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White.

I am a Life Member of the Patrick County Historical Society, a member on the Patrick County Genealogical Society and a multiple contributor and purchaser of both recent books by the Patrick County Heritage Book Committee. At this moment, all three groups have large financial resources. I call on all three groups to support the building fund of the Bassett Historical Center.

I call on them to look beyond the provincial attitude of Patrick County only and see the Bassett Historical Center as “OUR” regional research library. Patrick County’s history does not end at the boundary line with Henry County or the state line with North Carolina. There are people all over the nation interested in Patrick County’s history and they come to the Bassett Historical Center. It contains the collections of Eunice Kirkman and O. E. Pilson. I view both the museum in Stuart and the Bassett Historical Center as not competing, but as partners in preserving our history. Why not work together so that people can visit and be a part of all the groups and facilities that preserve this common history.

In the last year, I have promoted the efforts of all three groups and offered web pages to two of the three. I purchased the books of all three groups and contributed material to all three recent publications of each group. I give copies of my writings to both facilities because I do not believe that one person or group owns this history. We all own this history and we have a responsibility to preserve and educate. I think of Mr. O. E. Pilson and where he would stand on this effort. He would support the Building Fund of the Bassett Historical Center and you all should as well.

Patrick County Material in the Bassett Historical Center Collection

O. E. Pilson Collection contains 1206 family files and 107 notebooks relating to Patrick County history.

Ruth Fair Morris Collection contains Patrick County family materials on Via, Koger, Burnett, Spencer, Corn, Shelton, Turner and others. http://www.brrl.lib.va.us/RuthFairMorris.htm

The Bassett Historical Center’s online catalog lists 146 books on Patrick County including census records from 1800 through 1930. Also included are records on Patrick County marriages, wills, deeds, tax lists, births, death, obituaries, cemetery records, order books along with military records on the American Revolution, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War and the Spanish-American War.

The Bassett Historical Center is a repository for genealogy and regional history. Beginning in one small room in the basement of the present building, then the Bassett Public Library, with one filing cabinet and two shelves of books, the BHC has grown considerably since it merged with the Blue Ridge Regional Library in 1992. Through 2004, the number of patrons visiting increased 1359% (420 to 6129 patrons). Since 1998, an increase of 125% (2720 to 6129 patrons) a year occurred. Researchers from all fifty states and nine foreign countries (Canada, England, Italy, Luxembourg, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand and Taiwan) have come to the library that serves the counties of Henry and Patrick along with the City of Martinsville. Of the 6, 223 patrons using the BHC in 2005 914 where from out of state, 800 where from other parts of Virginia and 831 patrons from Patrick County used the resources of the BHC.

The Bassett Historical Center contains over 9,496 family files, 2, 518 regional history files and 11,074 books. The library houses over 400 rolls of microfilm, 113 genealogical files are on computer and 139 CDs. The BHC answered nearly 300 letters and almost 2,000 emails in 2005.

The goal of this committee is to raise $800,000 to expand the Bassett Historical Center by 4, 195 square feet. This will double the size of the center allowing for new collections and a work room for the staff to better take care of the existing material.

For those giving $1000, the committee will place a plaque with a maximum of 35 characters in a prominent place. Other levels of support and corresponding recognition are as follows:

For more information or to make a tax deductible donation contact the

Bassett Historical Center Building Fund

"I attended your talk at the Star Theater and want to compliment you on your knowledge, organization and delivery."

FROM: sjald@suddenlink.net DATE: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:47:47 -0500 SUBJECT: Jonathan R. Brown I am a new subscriber to your website and am interested in the family of Dr. Jonathan R. Brown. He is listed as a "Gentleman Justice" on your History of Ararat Virginia page and I would like to know where I can find further information on these "justices". I have found Jonathan R. Brown in the 1850 Patrick County census and the 1860 Carroll County census, but after that, nothing. I have also found a couple of land transactions, the birth of his son, Christopher, listed in the Patrick County births, and his marriage to Nancy Soyers in Patrick County.

My great-grandfather, Joseph Reynolds was born in Rock Castle around Woolwine in 1805. I would like to find out if anyone else is related to him too.

I noticed that your website links to sites about genealogy and family trees. I'd like to notify you of a new, unique service for creating flash family trees online. If possible, may we be linked by your site? Please see:

http://www.tribaljunction.com

Tribal Junction makes it easy and fun to create a family tree and find distant relatives. As users in your family tree add more relatives, your tree automatically grows and automatically links to existing trees of more distant relatives. This lets you discover your roots more easily, as well as avoid duplicated work of other relatives that have already built their own trees. With additional user features like group email, automated notifications, customizable user profiles and more, Tribal Junction is also a great way for families to better keep in touch

ANNOUNCING A NEW EDITION OF PIONEERS OF THE VIRGINIA BLUEGRASS BY GEORGE B. GOSE, REVISED EDITION BY MARY B. KEGLEY, 2007.

Mary B. Kegley and Kegley Books have reprinted the original edition published in the 1960s, with additions and corrections. The original book had genealogical information from church and cemetery records as well as court and family records. These have been augmented by Corrections and Additions known to Kegley and in place of twenty-five separate indexes plus a general index, there is now one large index of 114 pages. Married women appear under their maiden names as well as their complete married names, when given. Geographic locations such as cities, counties and states are also included.

Gose documented many families of Southwest Virginia, especially in Wythe, Tazewell and Bland counties. His primary focus included the families of Gose, Groseclose, Brown, Crute, Repass, Sluss, Peery, Spangler, Fox, Thompson, Foglesong, Huddle, Rhudy, Spraker, Jones, Legrand, Michaux, Thompson, Rosenbaum, Broadbent, Burke, Litz, Catron, Wilson, Crabtree, Mahood and Greever. There are many connecting lines.

The revised edition has 460 pages including the index, added information and bibliography. The book is hard bound and measures 6 by 9 inches. Price in Virginia is: $47.00 and Out of State is $45.00. Shipping and taxes are included in the prices. Make check or money order payable to Kegley Books and send to P.O. Box 134, Wytheville, VA 24382.

Mr. Perry; My name is Dan Akin and my 6th great grandfather, John Rice, lived in 1758 on the Smith River in what is now Henry County, VA. He was a part of the Smith River Longhunter community of William Blevins and Elisha Wallin. In 1758 he was probably in the old Halifax Militia that met the Cherokees. I believe this group might be the war party of Cherokees and Cheraws (under King Johnnie) led by Capt. Richard Pearis, that aided in the final taking of Fort DuQuesne. My Green family that married into my Rice family has a very long history of American Indian descent and have always claimed "Cherokee" ancestry, but I'm finding that real history would indicate that they were most likely Cheraw. I am the former Dept. Principle Chief of the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory. A group based on the ancestry of my family. That, in itself, is a very long story.

VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

ENDORSES BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION INITIATIVE

(Richmond, Va., 12/05/2007) – The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission has unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Civil War Preservation Trust’s (CWPT) Virginia Sesquicentennial Battlefield Initiative. The Initiative encourages state funding for battlefield preservation in Virginia prior to and during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War (2011-2015). CWPT President James Lighthizer calls the endorsement “an immensely promising development for Virginia ’s battlefields.”

For a copy of the news release, visit:

==> http://www.civilwar.org/news/PressDetail.php?releaseID=155

For the Commission’s endorsement of the Initiative, visit:

==> http://www.civilwar.org/news/append/150InitiativeEndorsement.pdf

For the latest news on battlefield preservation, visit CWPT's online newsroom at:

==> http://www.civilwar.org/news/

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Jim Campi or Mary Koik at 202-367-1861. A text version of the release appears below.

-----------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2007

VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION ENDORSES BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION INITIATIVE

Commission unanimously passes resolution endorsing state funding for battlefield preservation in the years leading up to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

( Richmond , Va. ) – At its meeting last Wednesday, the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Civil War Preservation Trust’s (CWPT) Virginia Sesquicentennial Battlefield Initiative. The Initiative encourages state funding for battlefield preservation in Virginia prior to and during the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War (2011-2015).

“This is an immensely promising development for Virginia ’s battlefields,” said CWPT President James Lighthizer. “As we approach the Civil War’s sesquicentennial, these hallowed grounds are more threatened than ever before. There is no better way to commemorate the sacrifices of our ancestors than to permanently protect the land where they fought and bled.”

CWPT has spent two decades working to protect hallowed ground in the Commonwealth and throughout the nation. While the Trust has already preserved nearly 12,000 acres of battlefield land at 40 sites in Virginia , significantly more historic land in the Old Dominion remains vulnerable to development. As part of the Initiative, CWPT has identified in excess of 50,000 acres within the state that should, if possible, be preserved prior to the Sesquicentennial, lest they be lost forever. Nationally, an average of 30 acres of hallowed ground is destroyed daily.

“The Commission feels very strongly that preservation must be a central part of our commemoration activities,” said Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell, Chairman of the Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. “As the stewards of these sacred places, it is incumbent upon us to see them protected so that future generations may learn from them.”

The upcoming commemoration is expected to generate increased interest in both Civil War history and visitation to Civil War-related sites. Since preserved battlefields function as both outdoor classrooms and tourist destinations, the Virginia Sesquicentennial Battlefield Initiative is an ideal way to enhance this period of remembrance.

“Through its actions, the Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission is ensuring that for generations to come, students of history will be able to come to the Old Dominion to follow in the footsteps of heroes,” Lighthizer noted. “We at CWPT are proud to have such a visionary partner in our preservation efforts, particularly one which unanimously recognizes the importance of this undertaking.”

In the Initiative, CWPT calls for a yearly appropriation of $5 million for battlefield preservation to be considered along with each annual state budget. If approved, the money will be made available in the form of matching grants requiring two dollars in private funds for each dollar allocated by the state. This mechanism effectively triples the power of the state’s contribution and creates a powerful public-private partnership. Previously, in fiscal years 2006-07 and 2007-08, the state legislature has approved a total of $700,000 in appropriations for battlefield preservation, funds that have been used toward the acquisition of the Slaughter Pen Farm in Spotsylvania County and portions of the Glendale battlefield in Henrico County .

Although the Commission’s vote does not guarantee the funding, it is an important step in formalizing the group’s stated intention that preservation, along with education, must be an important component of the sesquicentennial commemoration.

In addition to their historical importance, preserved battlefields maintain valuable open space in some of the state’s fastest growing regions. Many of these battlefields lie within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, giving them key environmental importance. Others, moreover, contain threatened wildlife habitats, riparian zones and endangered streams and creeks.

With 65,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States . Its mission is to preserve our nation’s remaining Civil War battlefields. Since 1987, the organization has saved more than 25,000 acres of hallowed ground, including 11,775 acres in Virginia . CWPT ’s website is located at www.civilwar.org.

Christopher M. Sullivan, Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander-in-Chief, will present the Stephen Dill Lee Award to Congressman Virgil Goode at a ceremony Wednesday. Congressman Goode (which rhymes with mood) represents the 5th District of Virginia in the U. S. Congress. (This includes the Southside of Virginia to Charlottesville.) He served in the Virginia Senate beginning at the age of 27 as a Democrat. He later became an Independent, and ultimately in 2002, a Republican Congressman. Goode (right) is a member of the Liberty Caucus which meets each Thursday while in session and is hosted by Congressman Ron Paul. Goode will speak at the Rosslyn banquet honoring him on his favorite subject, Robert E. Lee. The event is the annual Christmas party for the camp and their guests. It will be held on Wednesday, December 5th at the Holiday Inn, Key Bridge, in Rosslyn, VA, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Tickets for the banquet and program are $27. All members and friends of the SCV and Congressman Goode are cordially invited to attend.

Tom Perry is looking for more photos and letters for an updated second edition of the book on Patrick County In The Civil War to be released in 2009. Send an email to freestateofpatrick@yahoo.com if you know of any letters or photos of Patrick County Civil War soldiers that could be used.

Bassett Historical Center (ALL BOOKS)
Family Pharmacy
Wanda's Estate Jewelry
Green Pastures Christian Books
Just Plain Country Store Booth #110 (ALL BOOKS)
Mayberry Trading Post
Greenberry House
Poor Farmer's Market
Meadows Mercantile
Meadows of Dan Food Mart

Pages Bookstore (ALL BOOKS)
Mt Airy Museum of Regional History
Dickson's Records and Toys

If you have photos and stories about racing in the county that you are willing to share please send an email to freestateofpatrick@yahoo.com.

Patrick County In The Vietnam Conflict: Seven Men Who Gave All and One Who Came Home

The house where the last owner of J. E. B. Stuart's Birthplace, Icy Bowman Brown, grew up is available. Check the link below for more information. The property includes The Hollow Post Office.

"Never attribute to malice what you can explain with stupidity" -- Hanlon's Razor

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