Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc.

P.O. BOX 817, Sparta, N.C. 28675

President: Wilma R. Foster			
Vice President: Peal Reeves
Secretary-Treasurer: Lou Reid Landreth

Vol. 5, No. 3		 	             September 1983	 	BULLETIN NO. 16

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

GREETINGS TO EACH OF YOU!

It doesn’t’ seem possible that the time is here again for another bit of news for the Society, but it is!

The summer has flown on by as it always does and we are left with much to be done that we had hoped would be finished by the time “Jack Frost” appeared, but then I guess that if we were that far ahead in our goals…nothing would be left to challenge us on.

We have enjoyed several programs of interest this year and a very special trip to the museum in Galax, Virginia.  We are really looking forward to more special programs and speakers in the coming year.  You’ll miss a lot if you don’t get in the habit of attending each and every meeting.

The possibility of getting the Floyd Crouse House to be used for a museum has become an impossibility because of many factors.  We, therefore, would really appreciate any input you have as to the next steps we may take to secure a sight for the museum. This is just another delay, so lets not let the desire for a museum die, lets really get to work on developing other ideas until it is reality.

Thanks to each of you who have paid your membership dues and also those who have bough books.  A very special welcome to all new members.  Lets really get to work on inviting our neighbors and friends to come to the meetings, and of course, to join.

The Alleghany County Public Library is now open to the public after five moves and a lot of work.  I am sure you will want to go by and see all the library has to offer, including a special space they have set aside for our Society.

See you at the next meeting, and please remember: Our Society is only as great as we choose to make it, so lets really get busy and not sit back and say “THEY aren’t doing anything”…   “THEY” includes YOU!

HERITAGE BOOK NEWS:

	We expect the Heritage Book to be ready around mid-October.  Those who paid postage to have the book mailed can expect to receive it direct from Hunter Publishing Company where they have proper wrapping and mailing facilities for books.

	Those who have not paid postage for mailing are expected to pick up your books in Sparta or to give your authorization to someone else to pick it up for you.  Give them a note or write to us the name of the person to whom we can release your book.  Or you may send the postage ($2.75) and it will be mailed to you.

	We will put notices in the papers and on the radio s to when and where the books will be ready for pick-up.  Those of you who were kind enough to buy advance copies will be taken care of first.  In other words, your brooks will be given out before we start selling additional books.

	As you know, the price is now $35.00, plus $1.40 tax, if taken in North Carolina.  Mailing to any destination is an extra $2.75 postage.  

	We wish all of you “HAPPY WINTER READING” and hope you will be delighted with the book.

NOTICE:

	The North Carolina Society of County and Local Historians, Charlotte, N.C., seeks to discover and perpetuate the history of North Carolina on a “grass roots” level.

	The Society encourages the writing of North Carolina history by presenting annually the Smithwick Award for the best story published in a North Carolina newspaper or magazine on some phase of the history of North Carolina.

	The McDaniel Lewis Historian of the Year Award is presented annually to a person who is contributing in some unique manner to preserving for posterity and heritage of North Carolina.  

	The Willie Parker Peace Award is given biennially for the best book written about a North Carolina county, institution or individual.

	The Robert Cooke Award is presented biennially for the best in-depth story or history of a North Carolina family.

	Presentation will be made for the McDaniel Lewis Historian of the Year Award, the Willie Parker Peace Award and the Smithwick Award at the Society’s fall meeting to be held on Saturday November 19, 1983 at the Radisson Plaza in Raleigh.  

INQUIRIES:

	As early as 1787 John and Sarah Connely were in a part of Wilkes County which later became Ashe, then Alleghany.  John died there in 1798 or 1799.  They probably had six sons and five daughters 9names of daughters not known) and all likely born between 1765 and 1790.

	Between 1812 and 1822, Sarah and the following sons moved to Lawrence County, Indiana: William, John, Elijah, Josiah and Joel.  We have knowledge of them.  There may have been another son, Edmund, who died young or remained in North Carolina.  

	We are searching for Bible records and information of any kind on this family background.  Did the daughters marry and remain in that part of North Carolina?  Would like to hear from any of the descendants or anyone who might have any information.  Mrs. Anita M. Wallace, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

PUBLICATIONS:

	CHOATES OF THE SOUTH, DESCENDANTS OF CHRISTOPHER CHOAT OF MARYLAND, by Irene Choate Williams, 1983.  This book has an excellent section on early Choate records of Ashe and Wilkes Counties.  The entire volume is solid research with little speculation.  Mrs. Williams’ address: Wartrace, Tennessee.  Price of book is $12.50.

	THE FAMILY OF GRANVILLE H. COX, 1822-1888, OF EARLY ASHE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND ATCHISON COUNTY, MISSOURI, By Karl T. Jaeckel, Council Bluffs, Iowa: Farmer Labor Press, 1980.  This book is about a branch of the Choate family, since Granville H. Cox married Nancy Choate.  Cost is $20.00 and may be purchased from Karl T. Jaeckel, Denver, Colorado.

	STURGILL- A FAMILY HISTORY, by David Andrew Sturgill and Mack Howard Sturgill, 1983.  Copies are $20.00, plus $2.00 postage.  Order from David A. Sturgill, Piney Creek, N.C. or Mack H. Sturgill, Marion, Virginia.

	The letter which follows on page 4 was submitted by member Earl D. Harris of Stone Mountain, Georgia.  The letter is to Mr. Harris’ great-grandfather, Joel Gilmore Harris and is from S.M. Rankin, Chairman and Superintendent of Orange Presbytery.  The letter is in appreciation for the interest of the Glade Valley community in seeking the school and also urging the support of the Sparta community.  

	On page 5 is a copy of the program of the Closing Exercises of Piney Creek High School in 1914.  This was submitted by Sidney Sturgill of Piney Creek.

HISTORY OF ALLEGHANY COUNTY

The following is the first installment of a series to follow.  It was written
about 1912 by S.F. Thompson.

	 Alleghany County, North Carolina, is situated south of the Virginia line and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is bounded by Grayson County, Virginia, on the north, on the east by Surry County, on the south by Wilkes County and on the west by Ashe County.  This county is principally drained by New River and its tributaries.  New River flows along the northern border of the county, therefore the principal slope of New River in the county and drains the central part of it and rises near City postoffice and flows by the county seat and empties into New River near Baywood, Virginia.  East of Little River are Glade Creek and Brush Creek and Crab Creek, all of which empty into Little River draining the eastern half of the county.  The western part of the county is drained by Pine Fork, Meadow Fork of Cranberry, Elk Creek and Prathers Creek, which empty into New River.  Abundance of water power is surnished by the streams of New River and Little River.

Surface and Mountains

	Alleghany is what would be termed a mountainous county.  The eastern border is the crest of the Blue Ridge and extending across the county from southeast to northwest, and between New River are the Peach Bottom Mountains, and situated bodies of fertile bottom land of varying size, usually styled “meadows” ranging in price from $50.00 to $150.00 per acre.

	The soil of Alleghany is a sandy loam principally with a good stiff clay in the northern part.  The soil is not of the highest grade of fertility, but will produce average crops of corn, rye, oats, etc., and with intelligent farming and fertilizing will yield the very best of crops.  The principal industry is stock raising.  Along the water courses are fine meadows yielding from one to three or four tons of good hay to the acre, and the hill and mountain lands are naturally adapted to grazing.  On the Peach Bottom Mountains are some other sections, blue grass grows naturally.  The most improved herds of beef cattle to be found in the State are in this county.

	In the mountain coves and in various parts of the county are thousands of white oak, poplar, white pine, and various other kinds of the very best timber.  In fact the timber next after the livestock, is Alleghany’s chief asset.  The predominating forest growth are oaks, hickorys, chestnuts, poplars, white pine and maples, with an undergrowth is rich in composite plants as asters, goldenrod and violets.  Of the cryptogamic flora of the county may be mentioned ferns, mosses, lichens, mushrooms, etc.

	Alleghany with its average elevation of not less that 2800 feet above sea level is destined to become one of the greatest apple growing regions in America as soon as its capabilities in this respect become fully known to fruit growers.  Though the apple thrives here under the most negligence and usually produces large crops, there have been few attempts to grow this fruit in a systematic manner.  The neglect among the growers as to the proper manner of culling, packing and shipping has caused the apple industry of this county to receive a reputation it does not serve.  From early settlement, apples have been grown from seed, therefore a great variety of worthless fruit is found here.  We find growing in this county the Limbertwig, Ben Davis, York Imperial, Falawater; also cherries, quinces, grapes and other fruits are perfectly at home.  This county is a paradise for the stock raisers, dairy man and fruit grower.

	Some minerals are found in Alleghany County.  Iron is found in a number of places, and before and during the Civil War, iron mines were worked in different places, especially near White head.  Near these mines n the bank of the Little River was a forge, which furnished iron for the Confederate Virginia, a distance of about forty-eight miles.

	Also, copper at one time was mined in considerable quantities at the Peach Bottom Copper Mines and at different places all over the county are indications of various kinds of minerals.  

	Stone Mountain on the line of the Blue Ridge is in the southern part of this and northern part of Wilkes County, but is principally in Alleghany. Is it an enormous mass of gray granite of uniform texture and color and it appears to be free from injurious substances and will doubtless make an excellent material for architectural purposes.  It is about the same quality as the Mt. Airy granite.  

Schools

	A number of good schools have been established in the county. Sparta has had a high school almost from the beginning of the town.  Professor Brown located here in 1870 and, with the exception of two or three short periods, has been in charge of this school.  Also good academy buildings are at Whitehead, Laurel Springs, Scottville, Piney Creek, Elk Creek and Turkey Knob.

Glade Valley High School

	In 1909 the Orange Presbytery established a high school at Glade Valley.  Three or four buildings have already been constructed and others are to be erected in their near future.  These buildings are heated by steam and are equipped in a modern, up-to-date manner.

****TO BE CONTINUED*****