In contrast to the generally negative view of Appalachia as a subculture of hopeless poverty and deprivation, this book shows a very different picture. Roy Anderson was a resourceful though poor farmer, but also a talented cabinetmaker, musical instrument maker, and lay preacher, and at age 80 he tells with modesty the story of his life. Roy's words are accompanied by evocative black and white photographs?descriptive of his life with his sister on the farm, his cabinet shop, the community, and his church life. They give a pictorial dimension to a hard but enterprising life lived with dignity on one of the few remaining small farms in a particular community in southwestern Virginia. Roy begins by telling of his earliest memories. As these are becoming things of the past, we can all learn a great deal about life in Roy's time and place while gaining insight into an inspiring life in a rich American culture most of us would like to know more about.

They examine historic structures ranging from the Essex County courthouse (1729) and the King William County courthouse, built ca. 1725 and one of the oldest public buildings in continuous use in the nation, to the newer historic courthouses such as Richmond's massive Supreme Court/State Library Building, dedicated in 1941.

A close study of one region of Appalachia that experienced economic vitality and strong sectionalism before the Civil War This book examines the construction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad through southwest Virginia in the 1850s, before the Civil War began. The building and operation of the railroad reoriented the economy of the region toward staple crops and slave labor. Thus, during the secession crisis, southwest Virginia broke with northwestern Virginia and embraced the Confederacy. Ironically, however, it was the railroad that brought waves of Union raiders to the area during the war

"Bristles with analysis, details, judgments, personality profiles, and evaluations and combat descriptions, even down to the squadron and company levels."-Civil War Times Illustrated

James Craft (ca. 1730) was probably born in Pennsylvania, but possibly in Germany. He married Sarah Hammons and they had at least one child. Their son, Archealous Craft (1749-1853) was born in North Carolina. He married Elizabeth Adams and they had ten children. They moved to Kentucky ca. 1806- 1807. Their descendant Maude Craft (1905- 1991) was born in Letcher County, Kentucky. She married three times and had two children. Descendants and relatives lived in Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, Missouri, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma, California and elsewhere.

Hans Jacob Honegger, born 24 July 1718 in Switzerland, married Anna Bleyler, 20 June 1747 in Prattelin, Baseland, Switzerland. They immigrated to Philadelphia in 1749. Anna and their son died aboard ship. Hans married Maria Goetz in Philadelphia 8 July 1753. They lived in Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia. They had fourteen children. Hans died in May 1796 in Wythe County, Virginia. His descendants have lived in Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, and other areas throughout the United States.