These are pictures of my grandmother, Myrtle Adams Thompson. I’ve always loved these old photos. The first one reminds me of an old Currier and Ives American Farm scene lithograph. Looking at these old photos, one would probably think that the photos were taken in the early 1900s. The first two were taken in the early 1950s by my father and the third picture was taken in the 1970s. Although I love these old home place photos, looking at them always made me a little sad because they clearly depict that my grandparents had very few pleasures in their life. I can remember my grandmother would use Prince Albert tobacco and torn pieces from a paper bag to make her cigarettes. She died in 1975 of throat cancer and is buried in the family cemetery at Harts Creek or “on Harts Creek” – using a bit of old local colloquialism.
My grandfather was a carpenter and dynamite blaster. However, like many people living on Harts Creek, my Grandpa Herbert was also a farmer. We would rarely leave from visiting them without taking home some garden-fresh vegetables during the summer and canned blackberries, tomatoes, pears, green beans, etc. in the winter. I especially miss his hickory-cane corn.
My grandparents lived a quiet, simple life with few modern conveniences. However, they also enjoyed a simple connection to the land and nature which we have lost. Today, many try to recapture the same type of life by moving to the backwoods of Canada and Alaska.
Harts Creek Photo Gallery
If you have photos you’d like to contribute to this page, please do so; email them to the webmaster@loganwv.us or go to the site’s Contact Page.
Click on any of the thumbnails to see the full-size images and descriptions.
My husband Leonard was born and raised in Harts Creek.He is looking for his real father, mother was Lori B.Evans, grandfather Richard Evans (wife Nona). They lived on Rum Creek Junction. His aunt (Verona Lambert) also known as “doll” told him that his real father was a mailman,around 1940′s, tall, thin, with dark black hair, but that didn’t tell him much. Anyone with any info is appreciated.
Patty, was your dad born at (Little) Harts in Lincoln County or Big Harts in Logan County? What year? The Harts Post Office was in Lincoln County and the Whirlwind and Shively Post offices were at Harts Creek in Logan County. Was your biological grandfather supposed to be a mailman at Harts or Rum Creek? My mother was post master at Whirlwind (Harts Creek in Logan County). We moved to town (Logan) in July 1942. Folks had to go to the post office to get their mail at Harts in Logan County (No RFD until later). We were a 2 car family in the 1940s though and my dad had black hair and beautiful blue eyes. Women loved him
Thank you for this beautiful site.
have enjoyed your site Hope you can help me find my cousin Loretta Lynn Workman she is the daughter of Donna my cousin and Oscar Workman I have pictures of her mom dad and sister and thought she might want them I have been looking for her for years hope you can help me Have a Blessed Day From Gaffney South Carolina I was born in Logan and lived at Dingess for years….
I am a Great Great Great Grandson Of Barnett and Mahulda Mullins Carter. It was so nice to see the picture of their cabin. Barnett passed away in 1907. I never thought it would be standing nearly 80 years later. It makes me yearn to visit before I get too old to do so. Thank you for posting it.
My great grandmother Julia Carter was Barnetts and Mahula Mullins Carter she died before I was born my grandfather Willie Maggard was her son lived at dingess wva julia and her husband Thomas Maggard lived at Twelve Pole wva I haven’t been able to find any background about Barnett could you help. Have a Blessed Day
It was so great to look at the pictures and comments about Harts Creek WV. I am Alvie Thompson’s wife, and he is living in West Jordan near our son and close enough that family can visit him. His health is so that he can not live alone. When Myrtle died, we helped Herbert clean out some of her person things. They were letters from family, and poems. Special things that money could not buy. It show me her love for her family and the kindess sent to her and Herbert. Ilana Thompson
When me and my husband were first married we moved into the carter cabin on hoover fork of harts creek for short time, would like to have a picture of it if anyone has one. Paul worked the night shift in the mines and I was there all alone and we had no electric for a few weeks so I was so scared that I kept a fire burning so bright in the fire place all night. lol
To Loretta:
I was born and raised on Crooked Creek. My Dad (Ellis Blevins) and Mom (Florence, Hazelett, Blevins) moved to Henlawson (1958) while i was in the navy. After I was discharged from the Navy in June 1960, I lived with my parents until I entered the Army (March 1961),
We lived up on the hill across the tracks, directly across from the Freewill Baptist Church.
I have many memories of Henlawson.
If I remember correctly, your dad went to church there.
Ibetter stop before thic becomes book.
I am related to the Vance, workman, kinser and bryant families. My grandmother is Alice (Vance) Bryant or Marie is what she goes by . My grandfather was Brady Bryant his only living sibling is Dilly Mae and she still lives in Harts Creek. I dont know much about my grandparents just some of theiran brothers and sisters name and my grandmothers mom’s name was zeda or zetta vance. Does anyone have anymore information on the Bryant /Vance famiy? I’m really interested in my family’s history. Thanks in advance
Jacqueline,
You and I are cousins several times over, but I would at least need ages (they don’t have to be exact) of the folks you are trying to place. Different generations (especially the Wokmans) all named their children the same names and it can get confusing. Also if you know if they had other marriages besides the ones you mentioned. I don’t have much information on the younger generations. By “younger generations” I mean the ones my age (74) or younger. Are you sure that Dilly Mae wasn’t Delia Mae Bryant?
I’ve done alittle digging. Delia Mae Workman is my mothers living Aunt. Also my great grand parents are Billy and Cora Bryant they lived right across from Delia and her husband. I found my mothers uncles obituary he died in 1965 his name was Billy jr. married to Georgia Conley. Amos Bryant was my grandfather died 2001 then there was Okey and Ohley deceased as well as Mollie Kinser. I’m still digging do you have any suggestions on a good place to start? I was in Logan about 3 weeks ago and I love it! My mom always told me that I was related to 90% of the population there and I’ve never believed her until I started this lol.
My dad is a Payne, my mom is a Vance. Her dad was herbert Vance who lived and owned a church on Coal Branch. The Vances are a VERY large family, with many off shuts. If your family is from that area chances are you have Vance blood line in there somewhere.
Dodie,remember asking about Alfred Vance ,I’m sure he’s Nathanael UNCLE. His daddy was Mr. Vance who owned a Church at Coal Branch.A brother Kenneth,one i think Herby,I can’t remember the girls names.
Peggy, Do you know where the church was at Coal Branch? I remember that sometimes church was held in the schoolhouse. I wish I could remember more about Coal Branch. After Frank took pictures at the City View Cemetery and I saw the name Meekin Vance, I realized that Alfred Vance’s family must be distantly related to me. The Rev. Meekin Vance who lived at Coal Branch and is buried at City View (probably Alfred’s grandfather) was son of Meekin and Phoebe (Workman) Vance. Phoebe Workman was the daughter of Moses Workman (Sr), who was my great-great grandfather.
Peggy, Do you remember Luceal McVey? Her parents divorced and her mother remarried and they moved to Ohio when we were in 7th grade. Luceal has been deceased for several years, but I met her beautiful daughter on line and we correspond occasionally.
Dodie,across the road from the school house.Down from June Miller,remember we went to school with Ronald Miller,but it where we used for a playground.Rev.Vance builded a nice home place and a church next door I think maybe in the 60s.
Luceal McVey, she was my best friend in grade school, after they moved to Main St. Mrs. Vey call me, I think I was in the 6th grade, wanted me to come to their house. She gave me the most beautiful leopard coat, I love it. I never saw her again?
DELIA MAE BRYANT (WORKMAN) IS MY AUNT, I AM MOLLIE’S DAUGHTER, IF I CAN BE ANY HELP I WILL TRY ALL OF THEM ARE DEAD AND EVERYBODY CALLED HER DILLY MAE, SHE IS THE ONLY ONE LIVING, BIILY & CORA BRYANTS DAUGHTER.
Diana, you might know my mom Brenda Bryant do you have more information on the Bryant family? And Cora?? My E-mail is jackie2547@gmail.com
My dad was Stacy Browning, born in big Ugly, s/o Martha Riffe and Silas Hubert Browning. My mother was Elsie (Ruth at birth, but grandma changed it when midwife filed it) Workman. Her mom was Brookie Vance Workman, d/o Phoebe and Green Vance, Phoebe’s mom was Nancy Nelson Vance, her dad Rev Samuel Vance. My mother’s dad was John Workman, s/o Stonewall Jackson Workman and Martha Mae Herald. My ancestors were all over the place. Mingo, Lincoln, Logan, Mud Fork, Queens Ridge. I was with my great grandma Phoebe when she passed up here in Cleveland. I sure love hearing about all of them back then. My dad died young, and I only have 1 aunt left. Keep writing, I truly love reading about how it was back then. I miss them all so much.
Darrell Mullins has been putting great pictures of Grandma Berthas old stores and Queenis old house on facebook. He also has old pictures we don’t know who is in them.
I remember walking down the road to Bertha’s store. My cousins Carol, Joyce Doyle and Debbie Thompson and I would get a package of kool-aid and pour a small amount in our hand and lick to see who would pucker up more from it being so sour. I also remember Queenie living across creek from store and then Johnnie Adams having a small store down the road. My favorite person in that area was Roxie Mullins, better known to everyone as Aunt Roxie.
Hi, love seeing these pictures. My mom owned Farleys Groc. Herburt was always coming by.
Dad would take me to deliver the groceries. I went to Hoover a lot with Dad. The last time I saw Mary was in the 60s she had come by and it was really dark. She had no flashlight and Daddy gave her an old carbide lamp he had so she could see. She would walk to Mud Fork.
That would have been Myrtle, Herberts wife. My grandmother was Mary, she was married to Millard Thompson. They had lived on Hart, but moved to Chapmanville, however their sons, Richard and George live on Harts. George and his family moved to Mich. in the 60′s and Richard died in the 80′s or 90′s
Doddie I love your work. It brings tears to my eyes! My parents were from Harts; Henry Farley and Malinda Smith. I grew up in Ohio, but every year we would go see family for a week or two. Those old pictures is how I remember Harts Creek. Its been 20 years since I’ve been back. I’d love to sit on my grandparents porch with a cup of coffee and watch the cars come around the curve, I’d get up early and wrap myself in a blanket and watch as the fog moved in by Uncle Nim and Aunt Mag’s house. I don’t think anybody had a better veiw!
Bev,
The pictures on this page are Frank’s work and the pictures are his grand parents. Like you, I love the old pictures. This is how folks licved on Harts Creek when I lived there.
Bev, I love the way you described sitting on the porch wrapped in a blanket watching the fog move in. It was almost like being there. I could just see the fog in the mountains. The old folks used to say that was smoke from the campfires of our Indian ancestors up in the hills making coffee.
Sorry Frank and Dodie. I was looking for the chapters to Dodie’s book and just got lost in the pictures. The work on here gives me a better understanding of my parents life. I loved watching the “Waltons”, I used to think that’s what it was like until one time mom said the Waltons were rich compared to them. That’s why Mom always said she was saving for hard times. If any of your work gets published, I’d buy it.
Bev,
There is nothing to be sorry about. I took no offense whatsoever. Like Dodie, I enjoyed your little story about you sitting on the porch also. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi Madaline. I’m wondering if we’re cousins. My dad was Henry Farley , son of Tom and Tilda Farley. They lived by a Farleys groc. Tom had brothers Nim and Jim on Harts Creek too. Do you have a sister named Lnda Gail?
I have pictures of Willie, Dickie, Noria and Mary, also her husband Millard which was my grandparents. I lived with them from childhood until I married. I have pictures of my uncles, Willie, George Richard, and their daughter Dicie. My mother was Dicie Thompson Martin.
I can get tin photos of Richard Vance. Probably Norie, Dickie, Mary and Willie.
paul if those pictures are of richard vance sr. i would like to see them he is my 3. gr. grandfather.if you can please send to my email site and post on wall thanks e. ramey
can there be copys of the pics. paulif so i;ll be glad to pay for the pics. emaile. edmondramey@aol.com i havent visited this page in a while but i will get back.
Herbert & Myrtle Thompson lived on Hoover Fork of Big Harts Creek. They had two sons named Fred & Alvie Thompson. Herbert had a brother named Millard Thompson who lived on big Harts Creek about a half mile below Hoover.
Hello Chester,
Herbert & Myrtle Thompson were my grandparents. They actually had four sons: Brady (my father), Lace, Fred and Alvie and one daughter, Gladys. Fred, Alvie and Gladys are still living.
Hi Dodie, my family is also from that area..Dingess. Brownings, Vances, Hatfields. My grandmother is Millie Vance who eventually married Jack Mess, Hugh Tomblin. She was never married to my grandfather, Emmett Roy Browning. My father was Buster William Browning who was murdered by Samuel Roscoe Boggs. Both men very drunk, and one thing led to another and well, Dad died when he was 42. I never knew him but I’m sure that people who see your pages know lots. He died in 1960, Crystal Block. Also, I married Kenneth Adams s/o Hubert & Mary Smith Adams and am researching those lines for my children. They never knew Hubert, but they knew and greatly loved Grandma Mary. I need more info on her parents, Hurston and Clarisa Sweney (Sweeney?) Smith. Her greatgrand parents were Henry Smith and Mary and Spencer Sweeney and Sarah Issacs. Any info? thanks so much.
Hi Brenda, You probably already know this but your grandmother Millie Vance was the daughter of Samuel Vance and Nancy Nelson. Sam Vance (a Baptist preacher) was the son of Meekin Vance and Phoebe Workman. Phoebe was the daughter of my Great Great Grandparents, William Moses Workman and Sarah Marrs.
Phoebe/Phebe Workman, d/o Wm Moses Workman and Sarah Marrs, was born circa 1822 at Burkes Garden, Tazewell County Virginia. She married Meekin Vance, s/o Richard & Mary (Simms) Vance. Phoebe was shown as age 80 in 1900, when she was living with her son, A. Jackson Vance’s family in Mingo County. Seven of her twelve children were still living in 1900.
Samuel Vance was born 1863, married 14 March 1878, Nancy Nelson, d/o of F.& M. (Maynard) Nelson. Sam and Nancy were living in Mingo County in 1900 and had been married 22 years. Eleven of their twelve children were living, and nine of them were still at home in 1900. They were:
W(8k1) *Mary A. Vance, born circa 1883
W(8k2) *Cynthia D. Vance, born circa 1885
W(8k3) *Linda Vance, born circa 1886
W(8k4) *Richard Vance, born circa 1888
W(8k5) *Wm. Floyd Vance, born circa 1890
W(8k6) *Millie Vance, born circa 1892
W(8k7) *Farabell Vance, born circa 1894
W(8k8) *Lewis Vance, born circa 1897
W(8k9) *Chloe Vance, born 1900
I’m sure you know that your Vance ancestors go back
to Abner Vance who was hanged on the courthouse Square in
Abindon (Washington County VA) in 1819.
Sorry, I can’t help with the other names you are researching.
I recognized some of the other names, but not anyone in your line of descent, nor your children’s.
Good luck with your search!
Dodie
I AM RELATED TO THE PEOPLE THAT IS IN THIS..MY FAMILY ARE THE DALTON’S AND ADKINS. I LIVED UP BIG BRANCH WITH MY MAM MAW ROXIE DALTON ADKINS. MY DAD WAS ARNOLD ADKINS…LOVE THE STORIES ON HERE…
my name is VELVA DINGESS,i am from the old home place you are talking about.HARTS,w. va. my father is ALLEN DINGESS,my mother is VIRGIE ADKINS DINGESS. we call it the allen dingess land because my father owns three parcels of land there ,curry branch little harts,coal branch. i see names i reconize. i would love to have someone let me know if this rings a bell .
i am sherry meade daughter of velva dingess meade .we were there in harts creek last oct 16,2010 aunt linnie dingess frye passed to go on up yonder to meet her lord. we walked all around and up the road as far as we could. at coal branch .little hart and curry branch my grampaw duss.ALLEN DINGESS.loved the mountin the trees ,he had a ole saw mill there.and a few clydesdale horses he put me up on one he called old bess, and hitched a whomade sled to the back and we would drag that up the middle of the creek and up the sid of the hill to a coal bank and i would play up in the trees while he doug coal and put it on the sleigh then he would put me back up on ole bess and we would hed on back down the branch to the house .we had a big potbelly stove in the middle of the room .well i could go on forever i will never forget the best years of my life down in harts with my papaw and my memaw. this was about 1955.
Velva,
My Grandmother’s Maiden name was Dingess and she grew up in Hart’s creek until she was 16 when she left home and hiched cross country to Cali and met my Grand father Young! Her Father’s name was Edward Dingess. There were four children: Thelma (Pat) my G-ma, Shelvy, Inez, and John. My G-ma (Pat) was born in 1919 and died in 2001 in Iowa. Hope to hear from you. Doug
My grandmother was Delphia Vance Vanderpool Workman and as a child, I would listen to her sing the Vance song while she would rock, in her rocking chair, on our front porch.
The Vance song was supposedly written by Abner Vance in his cell while he was waiting to be hanged for the murder of his son-in-law. Shortly after he was hanged, the Governer granted him a pardon.
The song he wrote is known today as “Man Of Constant Sorrow” and has been recorded by many different artists and was in the sound track of the movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”.
Farabel Vance was my great grandmother. My grandpa was her son Gale. do you know anything more about her parents or grandparents?
I’M sorry. wrong Farabel Vance. Forgive me, I got too excited.
My mother grew up on Little Harts Creek – my grandmother was Gladys Napier-Toppings.
Anyone have any pictures of memories?
mary, i am velva dingess, i knowed gladys toppings. from little harts .i then was living in big harts 1940s.i married eugene meade,and his brother was jennings meade, he lived up on the hill,by the ole church house he owned a garage down the hill on the side of the road.there well me and gladys, were pragnet at the same time.1946.we walked to the bus and rode the bus to hamlin to get checked up by the doctor.she was the best person, she knowed edith ,jennings,eugene.is she still living. I am the only one left in the allen dingess family.my mother was virgie adkins dingess.Iam 87 years young. i was back there in harts in october 2010 when my sister linnie passed away. i walked the ole road and seen my fathers beautiful land. which i am the hier too.now it brought back all the wonderful years i was raised up there .and my children.then i moved to logan then somehow ended up in arizona.were i live now,but i am working my way back to the mos beautiful place i know w. virginia. jan.25 2012. VELVA DINGESS.
Your name is so familiar to me, Ms Dingess. Did you know of my father (Jim Carper) or my mother (Lillian Morrisset)? I seem to remember them talking about you. For sure, they talked about Harts Creek. I loved your story and pray you get back to W.Va. one day soon.
My oldest brother married Dova Adams. Their daughter Irene may have some pictures.
Hi, I am looking into the Nickell/Nichols/Adams families. Charles Robert Nickell was my husband’s grandfather and he had a sister named Sennie Nichols Adams who married Edward Adams. I believe Sennie and Edward had a daughter named Dovie. Is this the same as Dova that you are speaking of?
Please contact me at 843-687-6011.
Hi Herb,
That house on the curve at City View was a pretty dangerous place to live! My sister was learning to drive when we lived on top of City View and her boyfriend (who later became her husband) was her “instructor”. She was about 16 and had no permit. She missed the curve and lost control of the car coming down the hill. She ran onto the porch, knocking down the porch post and made a mess of the porch. Thank goodness she ran onto the porch. If she had made the curve, we would have gone over that rock wall and over the hill. They quickly changed seats and my bro-in-law told the police that he was driving. I believe “Pap” and “Granny Gertz” lived in the house at that time. I remember it well, because I was in the back seat!
Dodie
Hi Carla,
I didn’t do much Browning research. Browning is my married name. I gave all my Browning “stuff” to one of my children many years ago and my kids have no interest in genealogy.
Sorry I couldn’t help.
Dodie
Hello Dodie,
I have been doing a lot of genealogy research and have found that my Great Grandfather married a second time after the death of my Great Grandmother. His second wife was Pearlina Browning. I just wondered if you have any additional info. on Pearlina’s second husband.
Many thanks,
Carla
Dodie, Yes we lived in the fourth house on the right, beside the Napiers from 1948 to 1953 then we moved to Cherry Tree. We lived in Cherry Tree from 53 to 57 and then moved back to City View. This time we bought the first house in that same row beside the Harrison’s. I lived there until I went into the Marines in 1959. My family moved to Lynchburg, Va while I was in the service in 1961.
Thanks,
Herb
Thank you to Herbert and Frank for responding to my messages. Frank, I don’t have any extra copies of my book. I had intended to have it published, but in addition to it being erxtremely expensive, “they” wanted me to redo it in PDF format. I have several genealogy books as well, but just made enough copies for my own family- due to expense and limited market..
Herbert, I remember your name, but can’t place you. Did you live in that row of houses where the Harrisons and Napiers lived? I lived in the second house on top of the hill- right in the last curve. When you topped the hill, you were looking right at our house. Actually the first house on the top was a duplex, so technically we were the 3rd family. That house is still standing- doesn’t look much different except the porch bannisters have been removed. I called the Logan County BOE a few years ago, trying to find a picture of the little school we attended at Coal Branch, but they said all the old records and pictures were destroyed many years ago.
Thanks for the memories!
Dodie
Dodie,I also attended the Coal Branch School 1948-1951. Surely, someone has a picture of that school. I remember you from City View. We lived at the end of the hardroad and I believe you lived near the end of the dirt road at the top of the hill.
Hi Dodie, yes, I think we are related. Myrtle and Herbert Thompson were my grandparents. I think their house was at Little Harts Creek. I’ll have to check with my Uncle Alvie. He still lives up the same hollow. Her house was at the very end of that hollow. Uncle Alvie said that there is a lake there now.
Also, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your work researching our family tree. I spent a lot time reviewing your web pages about our family. I can’t even image how much time you devoted to the research and to your web sites. That was great work. I am in awe.
Your research traced our family all the way back to Orange County Virginia. I think it’s kind of interesting that my brother moved to Orange, Virginia about ten years.
By the way, do you have a copy of your book I could buy?
Phyllis, is the little two room school up Coal Branch Hollow still standing? We moved from Whirlwind (Big Harts Creek in Logan County), to City View when I was five years old. I went to school at Coal Branch from grades 1-4. We didn’t have Kindergarten back in those days. Schools were still segregated when I was in school. There were three schools at Coal Branch- A lovely brick building-Aracoma High School(all black students & teachers), on the hill was a very nice grade school for all black students and farther up the hollow was where I went to school in the little two room school for all white students. I had to walk past the nicer schools everyday to get to the “white” school. I have tried for many years to find a picture of the little two room school. We had two outdoor “privys” one for boys and one for girls. We had a big pot bellied stove in each room. We did have a small drinking fountain in each room though. Do you have any pictures that you could share of Coal Branch Hollow? Most people think I am senile when I tell them where I went to school and what it was like. People from Logan County didn’t just study history, we LIVED it!
Dodie, my mother grew up on Coal Branch and went to the school there…she also remembers walking past the “nice” school for “the coloreds” (pardon me) on her way to her school. She also mentions a cemetery “up on the backbone…” do you know what that might refer to? A ridge above town is what I assume it means. Thank You
Hi Lori,
What a delight to hear from someone who knows where the backbone is! Yes, it is a ridge above town. If you look at the picture on the home page, look to the left. The back bone is that pretty ridge that divides Aracoma from Coal Branch. I used to go up there every year to cut a Christmas tree. My sister went with me one year, but other times I went alone. It was hard work dragging a tree all that distance, back to the top of City View, but we always had a tree- mostly just scraggly ones with “home made” decorations (no lights). Sometimes in the summer, we would go up on the Backbone to picnic and to watch the “traffiic” going in different directions from the “Triangle” just out side of town.
I don’t recall a cemetery on the backbone, but that is not to say there wasn’t one. It was a large area. There was a very large cemetery owned by the county on the hill on the other side of Coal Branch. It was at the end of City View and we used to play there as children. It was what would be considered a “potters field”. It was not segregated as most cemeteries were in those days. Most graves did not have stones. Some of the later graves had little metal frames with paper inserts from the funeral home. Ask your mom if she remembers an old man called “Shamrock” who was the grave digger for the county. Shamrock was pretty lazy and he began digging “fresh” graves in the old sunken ones because it was less work on him. Since no one ever went to the cemetery (or so he thought), he would just throw the bones from the old graves over the hill. My mother knew that we played in the cemetery, but didn’t know about Shamrock throwing bones over the hill until one Halloween I brought home a skull on a broom stick and was holding it up to people’s windows. I was about seven or eight years old. Boy, what a beating I got! Needless to say, Mother went to the county, raised holy “heck” with the authorites and Shamrock “retired.” My mother personally gathered up all the bones we could find and buried them. I feel bad to this day about how disrespectful we kids were, but actually we were just ignorant and did not associate the bones with human remains. I hate Haloween and I am sure it goes back to that old neglected cemetery on City View.
thank you Dodie for replying! I will ask her about Shamrock. She’s told me so many stories over the years about Logan and Coal Branch. She loved it there. I’ll post some more of her memories soon. I’m so glad to have found this site!
Hi Lori. Its your cousin Bruce. I remember the backbone when we lived there. I think there was an old indian cemetery up there i have heard some older people say. The cemetery on city view has a lot of dads people buried there. His mom and dad are there. I remember helping dig graves when i was little. Get in touch sometime, would enjoy hearing from you.
Hey Bruce! It’s been ages, how are you doing? I never thought I’d see a family member on here, this is cool! I sometimes wish I’d been born a little earlier, and in another place, because the stories that Mom has told over the years have just enthralled me. I wish I could have experienced a little of the things that she did, even though times were so hard. I know that she wouldn’t trade a minute of it. So good to see you here! Say hi to your folks and to Trina!
Last night was the first time i discovered this site. When i seen your name, i thought this has to be her. Hope this finds all of you well. I went to Logan about a month ago and spent the day just looking around. Some things have changed and some i remember well from living there as a kid. Im sure its a lot different than our Moms remember. Maybe we can swap stories sometime. I will see if mom has your number and get in touch.
sounds great! be sure to check the photo gallery, I posted a few old pics
people still live this way, Go to Logan, outside of Logan the school bus garage. is at the head of University Ave.(formerly Coal Branch Hollow)
Take a ride down memory lane.. the farther up you go to more you see…Enjoy
My Grandmother, Zetta Gore Walsh also was raised on Harts. I have never know a more stronger, God loving and wise woman. I am proud of my W.Va roots. Although I live in Logan, it was always a treat to go to the Harts Homecomings. Wonderful memories.
DO YOU HAVE A AUNT NAMED BRENDA WALSH ADKINS? SHE IS MY AUNT BY MARRIAGE AND I KNOW SHE WAS A WALSH…
I was born at Whirlwind (on Harts Creek) in Logan County in a house very similar to the one in these pictures. My mother was post mistress and the post office was in a corner of our little country store, which was in our yard, to the right of the house. Was the house in these pictures in Logan County or Lincoln County? My sisters went to Adams School (remains still standing as far as I know) at Whirlwind (Big Harts Creek). “Big” Harts Creek is in Logan County and “Little” Harts Creek is in Lincoln County. We were related to the Thompsons. Incidentally, I don’t find pictures like this sad nor “disheartening”. This is part of our history and what made people happy then is not the same as what makes young people happy today. I wrote a book (Copyrighted) called “Whirlwind In Appalachia” (The History Of Harts Creek And The People That History Forgot). My manuscript was privately published for my own family because I wanted the younger generations to understand and appreciate their culture and not be influenced by stereotypes. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. Wonder what was in that churn on the porch? Pickled beans? Pickled corn? Freshly churned butter milk? Looks like she always had a dog at her side……God gave us pets to show us how to love unconditionally and how to be happy with what we have.
Hello, My name is Paul Triplett. Just so happens I knew Herbert. He is my great Uncle Millard Thompson s brother. My uncle Willie is Buried there next to Millard and Mary, his parents. Small world.
I remember uncle Herbert would walk to Logan and back when he was almost ninety.
He had no teeth, but always chewed Wrigley’s gum.
Those were the golden years.
How can I get a copy of the book?
Hello Kathy,
I am sorry to say that Dodie (Smith) Browning’s book “Whirlwind in Appalachia” is not in print.
I would be very interested in any photos you have of our family. BTW, I just added two photos of Millard Thompson to the Gallery on the http://loganwv.us/old-home-pace-harts-creek-wv/ page.
IS THERE A WAY TO GET (PAY) FOR A COPY OF YOUR BOOK…PLEASE LET ME KNOW..I AM RELATED TO THE THOMPSON, LILLY, BRYANT, DALTON AND THE ADKINS ALL FROM HARTS CREEK.
Hello Dodie,
Your name and this website were given to me by Kyle Workman, a former grade through high school acquaintance of mine. He said you were quite an authority on Harts Creek, and I would love to purchase a copy of your book if it is for sale. I was born on the Lynn Branch of Kiah(‘s) Creek at Little Harts in Lincoln County. My Father was Linza Williamson (first name has been spelled Lindsey, Lendsey, Linzie, Lindsay, etc. on various documents,) son of Charles Williamson and Polly Dillon Williamson. My Dad had three brothers (Jim, Oscar, and Charles Jr.) and one sister, Nettie. My Dad passed away when I was three years old, and we moved out of Harts shortly after he passed. I was wondering if you knew the Williamsons or had any information on the family. I am just trying to reconnect with my Harts Creek roots, and would appreciate any info you might have about my Father’s family. BTW, we are also related to the Thompsons, as well as to Jenny Wiley (daughter of Jenny Sellards Wiley born after her return from Indian captivity) and Richard Williamson. I had “The Alden Williamson Genealogy” by Joseph W. Alley reprinted. Therefore, I am looking more for anecdotal information regarding personalities, etc., rather than just family tree information, which I already have. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings here. I wish you well in any case. Cheers, BJWH
Hi Betty,
Kyle gives me way too much credit! My book “Whirlwind In Appalachia” was written for my children and was never for sale. I really don’t know much about Lincoln County families. I was born at Whirlwind (Big Harts Creek in Logan County) and left when I was five years old. I did spend thirty plus years researching my roots though, tromping through old cemeteries, visiting courthouses in different states, reading microfilm, etc. As far as I know we were not related to the families you mentioned. Kyle and I are cousins, many times over, through Workman, Mullins, Thompson, etc. The anecdotal information you are trying to find is what really makes our ancestors “come alive”. I found lots of great “stuff” reading court records and old deeds, etc.
Good luck with your search. Maybe someone from “Little Hart” will see your post and be able to help.
Dodie
Thanks, and I appreciate your prompt reply to my inquiry. I have made some progress just talking to my first cousin who still lives at Little Harts. Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year. BJWH
I just found this site. Wow. My family were the Mart and Farabell Morris family. my grandpa was Gale Morris. I went to Harts two years ago for the first time and thanks to Sherry Workman Marshall found some of my relatives and saw where my grandfather grew up. This is the most beautiful place on earth. If you have or know anything about the Morrises, I would love to know more.
Would like to find some photos of the Adams family from Harts Creek. Earnest Adams, Nina Adams and the whole gang. These are part of my family would like to see the area in the older photos and the people. Thanks Jeanette Sheppard
I HAVE AMY ADAMS ON MY FACE BOOK… SHE IS TENNIS ADAMS SR. DAUGHTER….IF THIS HELPS LET ME KNOW…I WILL TELL HER TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU..
Randall Adams, my dad, was a brother to Ernest. My sisters that live on Trace (Bess, Gloria, and Alice), have a lot of old family pics, but they don’t use computers.
As an afterthought, check with my sister-in- law, Inis Adams, on Facebook, she may have some.
My grandparents (both sides) lived in Lincoln Co too. In houses like this one. To go from Dehue to Ranger and then on to Peyton Branch (right around the corner from Branchland) seemed to take forever when I was a kid. I got car sick even going to Logan, so I was miserable going to see them even tho I loved it once I was there.
DOSE ANYONE HAVE ANY OLD PHOTOS OF SANDY BOTTOM, W.V THAT THEY COULD POST ON HERE? I WOLD LOVE TO SEE THEM. I CAN NOT FIND ANY. FROM THE LATE 50s EARLY 60s. THANKS A MILLION
Randy, also try leaving a comment for Sandy Bottom pictures on this site . Good luck.
I love seeing these pictures. Most all of our grandparents lived like this, but it was a blessing for us. This is where we got our work ethic. Joan Steele-Taber, Blairsville, GA
ALTHOUGH LOOKING AT THESE PHOTOS IS VERY DISHEARTENING. BUT ALSO BACK THEN, CAME A BETTER BREED OF PEOPLE. A PERSON WITH A HEART, AND A BIG SMILE TO OFFER ANYONE WHO CAME DOWN THE HOLLER. MY FAMILY WAS FROM LOGAN, W.V., A SMALL DIRT ROAD, A PLACE THAT STILL REMAINS IN MY HEART. SANDY BOTTOM, W.V. THE MEMORYS I HAVE. AND WILL KEEP.
Randy,I agree with what you said.A hand shake was the only contract that a man needed.His word was good enough.I was born in Logan 1960,to LeeH.Jarrell & Georgie (Adams) Jarrell.Dad from Henlawson and mom from HartsCreek.Grandpa Eddie and Granny Quillie Adams.
I spent every summer between both sets of grandparents.I would give anything to be able to have my daughter to know her grandparents,she really missed out.When grandpa Eddie passed away in 1979,I came back to Ohio and gave birth to Dawn Lee.
Being able to spend the summer getting to know my aunts ,uncles and cousins was amazing.Memories I will always treasure.I live here in Ohio but Home is WVa.
All of moms sibling are now gone and dad has two sistersthat are still living, one in Huntington and one in Williamson.
My life is rich with what i learned back when I was a kid,I have alot of my grandparents and parents in me and in my everyday life.
I am seeking info on Adams families of Harts creek WV I am granddaughter of George [Queenie] Adams My parents was Frank and Victoria Farley I grew up at Harts and Chapmanville I make my home in Ohio when Im not at home in Fla as I am as we speak Please feel free to pass this on for info Thanks M
my name is Almeda (Abbott) Mccloud. Vada Adams Abbott was my mom and I grew up on Hoover in Harts WV. Eddie and Quillie were my great Aunt and Uncle. Freddie Adams was my grandpaw.
I KNOW AMY ADAMS HER FATHER WAS TENNIS ADAMS….
It’s disheartening that people were still living this way in the 1970s.