Thank you to Anita of Blue Country Magic for providing additional information regarding the Greenfield property.
In the background is the house from my last Greenfield post, and actually, it was the kitchen building at the Greenfield's home.
The rubble here is from the house they lived in which burned to the ground some years ago. There is a park bench nearby for those who wish to sit and ponder, pray or meditate here.
This was the home of Colonel William Preston and his wife Susanna Smith Preston.
They raised seven children here until moving to Smithfield near Blacksburg, Virginia in 1774 where they had five more children.
From this ruin, found on the Cherry Blossom Trail, you can walk a short distance to what is a family cemetery, and it is where Colonel Preston's mother, Elizabeth Patton Preston is buried as well as other relatives.
From this ruin, found on the Cherry Blossom Trail, you can walk a short distance to what is a family cemetery, and it is where Colonel Preston's mother, Elizabeth Patton Preston is buried as well as other relatives.
I find old headstones to be beautiful, even those that have not been tended to, replaced or forgotten. To me, they tell a story of how unimportant many feel those who came before them are.
Eternity looks quite lovely from this cemetery hill.
The Prestons' old slave quarters can be seen in the distance. I'll take you there next time so you can see more of Greenfield.
15 Of The Groovy People Said:
Interesting history. Anita is always so knowledgeable about those things:-)
Just beautiful Di...thanks for the info. I love the old headstones. Those were someone's beloved mother, daughter, sister...they hurt and felt the loss just as we do...I think that gives us a true feeling of connection with our past...
Look forward to more pix...was great to hear the info..
mare
I have been loving these visits to Greenfield! Please take us again!
what a neat place! love that fields of eternity pic....
Love old cemetaries. Interesting history to go along w/ the pics!
You should have seen our old cemetery right here in the heart of our city. Trash filled, vandelized headstones, just a total mass of destruction. It was like that for years and now it is lovely. Enclosed by an iron fence which is really pretty. Green grass all year long and so well cared for.
There is something about old cemeteries that is fascinating.
So much history in them and I enjoyed the photo's and the way you told the story. Nice! Really a nice tour. I am enjoying it.
I "think" that the house in the first photo is the Bowyer house and the kitchen is up on the hill by the slave cabins from what I read online...also, that is the Bowyer cemetery right down the pathway from that house...I'm sure Anita knows for sure. Although I had always wondered what those ruins were, didn't know that was the original house, but I did know that it burned and he went and rebuilt another home, I think near Radford, which you can tour. Have you been up on the hill and poked around the cabins up there? It's pretty neat. If you do go up there, I think that the tall building is the kitchen possibly, but then that really puts it far out from the foundation that is left which you described as the original house so now I'm confused as to what I had originally read and thought! I'm with Anita, as I'm happy that they are restoring it all, the efforts are pretty minimal. I would be happy to help if they needed it!
Very interesting!!
That's one thing I loved about Virginia...the history...the stories!...:)JP
Interesting history behind that place. That last picture is awesome, what a view
Love the history . . . and the vistas, the final, "eternity" shot is very nice indeed.
Di, if you really want to figure out the buildings for sure - which might be interesting because I'm not 100 percent sure and certainly might be wrong, as it is has been years since I gave this much thought - I can tell you who to call.
Old headstones are so interesting, I think. Always leave me feeling a bit melancholy. Thank you for sharing this, Di. :)
I loved your photos!! I had to giggle over the iron structures they had over the headstones to protect them from vandalism. I sure hope they work but they looked rickety!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Nothing quite as incredible as ancient headstones. Or ruins.
Post a Comment