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The soulful, spirited, free- spoken artist Jen Ayres has been gone for nearly thirty-five years. But her “creations live on in the hearts and memories of her friends and family, in the homes of art collectors, and on the walls of Lynchburg institutions.” SEE STORY PAGE 38
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4 New Glasgow: The Rise and Fall of an Antebellum Virginia Village by Joe Stinnett. What do a 25-year-old slave woman, Yale-educated minister, and prominent Amherst physician have in common? They’re all running away from New Glasgow while Hessian prisoners and free blacks are petitioning to stay put. In this engaging article, Stinnett brings both his heart and his well-honed humor to the history of his native mountains, the “hallowed recess” now called Clifford.
14 Life at Tusculum During the Nineteenth Century by Christian Carr. In this rags-to-riches “Cinderfella” story, a poor schoolteacher is swept off his feet by a silk-clad young lady “devoid of all the affectation and common prudery of modern girls.” So begins the history behind Sweet Briar College’s Tusculum Institute. If a celery vase could talk, this is the tale it would tell.
21 Clifford: A Historical Driving Tour of the Old Village by Sandi Esposito. Following the remnants of the stagecoach roads that ran through old New Glasgow, the author reveals the connections among people, land, and architecture over centuries. This historical home tour complements the two articles above and adds many intriguing details of its own.
30 Books about New Glasgow and Amherst County by Joe Stinnett. Deed books, genealogies, diaries, accounting ledgers—Stinnett shows his appreciation for the hunched-over researchers and writers who preceded him. The result is a charming, random stroll through the archives.
32 Growing Up in Lynchburg on Wheels with Motors by Terrell Moseley. Neither snow nor rain nor the fact that he was still in his pajamas could stay young Terrell Moseley from scooting about in the open air. This personal look back serves as a tribute to all good neighbors who quietly and effectively teach by doing.
38 Jen Ayres: A Remembrance of Her Life and Love of Art by Douglas MacLeod. The author, whose previous contributions profiled entrepreneurs, athletes, and outlaws, steps out of his comfort zone to take on the daunting challenge of writing about art. Perhaps it runs in the family, because this frank and loving portrait proves to be among his best work.
departments
3 From the Editor 44 History in Brief 47 Books of Interest
FRONT COVER:
The Saddlery, c. 1800, is the oldest surviv- ing intact commercial structure in Clifford and is believed to have served as a stage- coach stop, an apothecary, and saddle shop. Photo by Sandi Esposito
FALL/WINTER 2008
Official Publication of the Lynchburg Historical Foundation
PUBLISHER
Nancy Blackwell Marion
EDITOR
Mary M. Abrams
DESIGN
The Design Group
EDITORIAL BOARD Lamar Cecil
John d’Entremont Peter Houck
James Huston Greg Krueger
Thomas Ledford Marilyn Martin Scott Smith
Kirt von Daacke William Young
Lynch’s Ferry is published twice a year by Blackwell Press 311 Rivermont Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24504 Telephone (434) 847-0939
Subscription orders and notice of change of address should be sent to the above address. Subscription rate is $10.00 per year (2 issues) or $18.00 for two years (4 issues) paid in advance.
Copyright 2008 by Blackwell Press All rights reserved
Lynch’s Ferry is for sale at the following locations: Bookshop on the Avenue, Givens Books, Hill House (Amherst), Inklings Bookshop, Lynchburg Visitors’ Center, Macon Bookshop, Old City Cemetery, Point of Honor, Walgreens–Boonsboro Rd., and Lynch’s Ferry’s office at The Design Group.