The Reynolds family is well-known for their contribution to the American tobacco industry. They are a classic example of how a family can rise to affluence and fall in three generations. The success of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is linked to their story, providing insight into the immense wealth that the tobacco market could generate. However, as their fortune grew, their private and public lives became more complex. The concept of the Gilded Leaf represents the opulence of their lifestyle and the hidden challenges beneath the surface. This blog delves into the Reynolds family's vast economic wealth and the profound personal and family tragedies that their wealth caused.

The American Civil War, a pivotal conflict in the nation's history, witnessed countless acts of bravery, sacrifice, and tragedy. Among the numerous stories of heroism, the tale of the Hoge brothers, as recounted in the touching book My Two My Only Sons, stands out. From a collection of family letters, now 160 years old, the story of their short lives was created. This is a tribute to them on the battle’s anniversary. This blog post delves into the Hoge brothers' significant yet heartrending participation in the Battle of Cloyd Mountain, shedding light on their bravery and the ultimate sacrifice they made.

The Battle of Gettysburg is a significant event in the history of the United States, marking a turning point in the Civil War. The three-day engagement involved intense fighting and resulted in over 50,000 casualties, making it the bloodiest single battle of the conflict. The battle was fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in July 1863, and it is remembered as a critical moment in the country's history. But the battle’s impact was especially detrimental to the Hoge family.

In 1863, James Fulton Hoge and his wife Eliza welcomed their ninth child, Beverly Lacy Hoge. However, the year also brought mixed blessings for the family. James and Eliza's oldest son, Andrew Johnston Hoge, enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861 when he turned 18, thinking he was going out into the world for a great adventure.

In a throw away society, old homes, to many, seem irrelevant. A structure may be perceived as stopping progress when designing and developing a community. The “Green” home trend where the focus is on the efficient use of "energy, water, and building materials", seem to exclude the homes from yesteryear. Instead, it is easier to tear down than to restore. But I would disagree since old places connect us to earlier generations and generations to come. Through success and struggles, they tell the story of who we are. A “rootedness” which helps move us smoothly through the transition of time.

As cows graze and bears sleep on the old bramble grown and forgotten cemetery, those who have served our country over generations lie forgotten. Decades of neglected maintenance left graves weathered and broken to the point of obsolescence. Once a father, son and soldier, these abandoned souls passed on leaving many grieving for a life lost through service or otherwise. Now abandoned to a stranger’s care, they seem almost forgotten. Only one worn and battered flag sat memorializing Dr. William E. Hoge who served in the Civil War. But it is not only who we remember, but how we remember them which expresses our values in believing the worth of a life. The neglect of this cemetery is unfathomable. My promise to the dead is to celebrate their life of accomplishments, service and commitment.

To understand the life stories of those who lived at Belle-Hampton and neighboring Sunnyside, we need to begin with a brief history of their ancesters. Prominent names such as De Jarnette, Shannon, Cecil and Trollinger are all buried in the Sunnyside cemetery, however, the main families we will be discussing at length are Hoge and Howe who's descendants are intertwined. Both the Hoge's and the Howe's were the progenitors of their family in the New River Valley. Joseph Howe was engaged in blazing the Catawba trail in 1750 and moved to Sunnyside shortly after along with James Hoge. But their families came across the pond much earlier.