The William Patton Peters House

Instinct is a curious thing. The very first time Tom and I walked up into Peters Hollow we passed this old house and I felt compelled to go in it. It was surrounded by brush and saplings and we quite literally had to hack our way in. At that time we thought it was the Estepp house and had no special interest for our family, apart from housing the near neighbors of our near kin.

But a short time ago we found out that it was in fact built by our Great-Grandfather William Patton Peters. We were told this by Roy Peters and Zella Peters Collins, son and daughter of Uncle John, and by Cecil Estepp, the son of Hiram Estepp who bought the house from the heirs of Bill Peters. So when we walked tentatively into this old house, we were in fact entering the place where my grandfather, Noble B. Peters, spent his youth. Where his mother, Nancy A. Stallard Peters, tended to his young brother and sisters, where she herself likely drew her last breath. The census record shows the family here in 1900, Bill and Nancy, and their children, Lucian, 15; Noble, 13; Carrie, 10; Valera, 8; Kyle, 7; and Lizzie, 3. Their oldest son, Charles, was missing from this record, and it is possible he had died of a copperhead bite to his neck. There is a story, vaguely remembered by the old folks, that one of Bill's children did indeed die in this terrible way.

By 1910 Nancy herself had died, Bill had remarried and was living in Big Cut, Brothers Noble and Lucian were living side by side in Peters Hollow, Lucian with his second wife, Mary Jane, and Noble with his wife, Maggie, and twin sons, Will and Abe, eight months old.

We learned, too, from Cecil that the original house burnt down and a second house was built in its place. There is a family story that our Grandfather Noble never knew his age for certain, as the family Bible had been lost in a fire. And so a little snatch of information becomes more certain.The house is in poor shape now, the porches rotting away, old wallpaper peeling, chimney stones falling, and floors sagging. But it is still a wondrous thing to stand inside and listen for the echoes of voices long gone.

It is amazing to stand quietly and imagine all the life that happened here - Nancy tending the babies, Lucian fetching water, Noble milking the house cow, Bill seeing to his corn crop, and then in the evening all of them gathering 'round the fire to talk, to plan the next day's chores, to read from the Bible. We haven't found a picture of Great-Grandfather William Patton Peters, but I can very nearly see him, leaning forward in the dim light to drop a few more coals on the fire.

I am constantly surprised how the past reaches out to us, here in these mountains. Perhaps those who have lived here their whole lives are used to it, but to me it is beyond understanding. I have come to look for it, to wait for it, to welcome it, and sometimes even to trust it. But still it is a wondrous thing, that fills me with awe and gratitude. I hope that it always will, that I will not get used to it, or take it for granted. I hope I will always be able to hear that distant voice that tells me to ask more questions, to come again, to walk a different path.....to listen to that which my own heart tells me is true. I hope - and believe - that I will.

Birthday Girls

This beautiful girl is our oldest granddaughter, Alexzandra Nychole Craley, who turned 15 on April 19. I can't believe it! Really I can't. Next year she'll be driving, if her Dad lets her, that is. At least she'll be here in Gate City where her Grandpa can teach her how to drive these winding roads. We love you, Lex!

The three little cuties above are cousins. From left are Vikki and Donna Byington, and Connie Penley. Vikki celebrated her birthday on April 18 with a family dinner. How old is she? I will never, ever, ever tell. Promise. Happy Birthday, Vikki!

And my wonderful - and old! - friend, Susette Desiree Stallard, also had a birthday on April 18. She's younger than me, but I tried never to hold that against her. Still, I won't tell. Sue is on the right above and I think this was taken about 1975. The little cutie with the wedgie is my niece, Sarah; her Mom, C. Rebecca, is right behind her, and the gal in the middle is Shelley, a friend from college.

Happy Birthday, Girls. And many more.

Manville Road

Tom and I did these a couple of weeks ago just as an experiment. They're not very good, but they should give the kids an idea of what it's like driving up Manville Road. Watch the bottom one first.

Baseball Hill

Those of you who grew up here, likely have fond memories of Baseball Hill. You kids in Pennsylvania and Maryland have never seen anything like it in your life! Baseball Hill is just down the road from Grandma's house, past the McDavids, and then a little climb. It's that little climb that gives you the breathtaking 360 degree views. After our walk in Ridge Hollow, we drove with Aunt Wanda up to Baseball Hill for a quick peek. The picture above shows Uncle Abe's house, Grandma's house, and the roof of the McDavids newer house.

Tom felt the need to get as high as he could.

But I was content to watch the sunset from the ground. Baseball Hill is high enough for me just as it is.

Grandpa's Barn

Tom and I have gone walking so many times in so many different places, that I'm beginning to forget what I've already blogged. I don't think I've covered Grandpa's Barn.

While talking to Cousin Bob McConnell and emailing Cousin Kay Stallard, I learned that there used to be a small house down in the hollow in front of the Peters house on the ridge. Kay and I have named this Ridge Hollow, so if we mention it again, you'll know which one we mean. You can reach this hollow by walking down a dirt road directly across from Uncle Abe's house on the ridge, or you can walk up it from Manville Road, just below the red and white house which used to belong to Rev. Charles Pendleton. In case you didn't know (I sure didn't!), Uncle Glen and Aunt Doretta were married by Rev. Pendleton in this house.

The small house in Ridge Hollow was likely used by the Peters family several times. We believe that the family lived here at the time of the 1920 census, and it is possible that my mother, Zella, was born here. The family lived here once again in the early 1930's after Uncle Bill bought the ridge property, and before the house on the ridge was built. Uncle Glen remembered how very crowded it was in this tiny one or two room house.

Aunt Wanda remembers walking to Manville School down Ridge Hollow, and she joined Tom and I there a few weeks ago on a walk down Memory Lane..... I'm sorry, I know that's lame. But it was just so perfect!
In the above picture, Aunt Wanda follows the old lane down through the field. Crops were grown in this field, and the path skirted it on the left.

And after that long and confusing introduction, here is Grandpa Peters' barn in Ridge Hollow. It sits on the edge of the field in the photo above and down over the steep bank in front of the ridge house.

The barn has three sections, stepping up the slope, and was, to my mind, very ingenously built. In this picture, I am sitting on Grandpa's mower. Yes, it really was his. It is a McCormick-Dering model, used to be red, and was pulled by two horses. Aunt Wanda told us that Grandpa used to mow hay on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Grandpa would mow around the fence line, and then turn the reins over to Uncle Glen to mow the middle. This must have tickled Uncle Glen, as he loved anything to do with horses.

This is the other side of the barn and I stood in the field to take this picture.

This is a detail of a door. Bob, please leave a comment and tell me what this door would have been used for....as you've figured out by now, I don't know a darned thing about farming. Grandpa would be ashamed of me, but I am trying to learn.

I was amazed at this foundation, as some of these stones were huge. I can't imagine how these big old barns were built. It's as much of a mystery to me as the pyramids.

Here is a close-up of Grandpa's mower which used to sit in Ridge Hollow. Now it is sitting in our yard. I asked Bobbie Tignor, the present owner, if I could possibly have it. She had the same idea that I did - to put it in the yard and plant flowers around it - but her husband, Billy, never would drag it up for her. I know she was reluctant to part with it, but when I told her I would like to have it, she immediately said yes. I am so grateful to have something that belonged to Grandpa Peters.....I never in my life thought I would.

The present owner of Uncle Abe's house, Roger Russell, brought the mower over with his tractor. He picked it up in a big sling and drove the mile or so over here to put it in the yard. We are so thankful to him as well. He came along as Tom and I were trying to figure out how we were going to move it, and offered to bring it for us. And two days later, it was here.

That's the way folks are down here, and that's part of the reason we love living here.

Tom and I haven't decided yet if we're going to leave the mower unpainted or if we want to restore it to its former glory. What do you think? What do you think Grandpa would want us to do?

Post a comment and help us decide!

Happy Easter

Jennie posted these on her blog and they were just too cute not to share. Here is Chloe in one of her Easter dresses....yes, I understand she ended up with several......but when you're this cute, people will buy you presents! Below, Ella plays Bunny.....And isn't it funny?!

Chloe will be two in early June and Ella is 7 months old. We're terribly far away from them, so thank goodness for the internet, as we can get pictures and news as often as Jennie can find time to blog. Actually, she's much better than me and does post often. Too bad I don't take after her....

Highland Street

Of all the pictures that have been shared with me so far, I think this one is my favorite. It shows Uncle Glen in the little car, and from left, Aunt Monnie, Coy Tilson, and my mother, Zella Mae, standing in front of their house on Highland Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mom looks to be about 9 or 10, so my best guess is that this picture was taken about 1930. The family moved to Kingsport in 1926 and were there at least through the early 1930's.

I have been wanting to look for this house for quite awhile, and finally, this week, I did. Four of us have been going out for lunch just about every month - Aunt Wanda, Cousin Nila, and Cousin Judy - and when we went out this Friday, I hijacked them to help me find the house on Highland. We thought these houses had to be on this street because the family was living there when the 1930 census was taken. Of course, we didn't know if the houses were still standing or if we'd recognize them from this picture.

But we were in luck. Using the picture above as a guide, we drove along Highland Street till we spotted them. In the end it was easy, because they really haven't changed much at all, considering this picture was taken about 79 years ago.

This is the house as it looks today. The fence has been added, the porch columns above the brick replaced, and the brick sides along the steps have been stuccoed. The parking area has been changed from the right side of the house to the left, but that's about it.

Here's a picture of Aunt Estelle, Nila's mother, in front of this house. She was born in 1912 and looks to be about 16 or so, thus we are guessing this photo was taken about 1928. Grandma loved her flowers and the Peterses have always loved their swings, and you can see both in this picture.

This is also Aunt Estelle, and Nila believes the baby might be Uncle Glen. The ages look about right to me, but I can't quite see Uncle Glen's face in this little tot. Maybe when Barbara and Linda see this photo, they will be able to help us out. Anyway, in this picture you can clearly see the house next door, which also helped us to know we had the correct house.

As you can see, the house next door hasn't changed too much either. The double window is new and the chimney seems to be missing, but the brickwork is certainly the same. In this photo, I am holding our small copy of the top photo which we used as a guide.

While we were looking at our little picture, we wondered about the second story and the back porch addition. Were they there when our family lived here?

As you can see from the picture above, they sure were. Aunt Estelle was a beauty and liked to have her picture made. I sure wish we could find out who this old car belonged to!

The shot below was taken from about the same angle and shows that the house has not changed much over the years.

Grandma's sister, Kate Lane Tilson, was widowed young, and in the 1930 census she appears next to the Peters family, with her three children, Coy (shown in the top photo), Thelma and Edith. Uncles Will and Abe, Aunt Estelle and Auntie Kate all worked at the Kingsport Press at this time, and Grandpa Noble Peters was listed as a carpenter. We may never know for sure, but I imagine that Grandma kept Kate's children while she worked.

It is pretty amazing to think that yesterday I posed for a picture in the exact spot where my mother posed about 79 years ago. It was a special moment, and I'm so glad Aunt Wanda, Nila and Judy were there to share it with me.

Life Is Good

This was my snack tonight.... And this is what I was looking at while I ate it....

Life is good.