Historical Timeline
Family milestones alongside the regional and national events that shaped our heritage, from the earliest Hash settlers in 1724 to the Vietnam era.
Old John Hash Born
Earliest known Hash family ancestor, born in colonial Virginia.
Old John Hash Born
Earliest known Hash family ancestor, born in colonial Virginia.
John Shumate Sr. Born
Earliest confirmed ancestor in the Shumate line, born in colonial Virginia. He would marry Winifred Oxford and settle in Fauquier County, Virginia. 6x great-grandfather.
John Shumate Sr. Born
Earliest confirmed ancestor in the Shumate line, born in colonial Virginia. He would marry Winifred Oxford and settle in Fauquier County, Virginia. 6x great-grandfather.
Hash Brothers Settle SW Virginia
John, William, and James Hash arrive in what is now Grayson County.
Hash Brothers Settle SW Virginia
John, William, and James Hash arrive in what is now Grayson County.
Taliaferro Shumate Born
Son of John Shumate Sr. and Winifred Oxford, born in Fauquier County, Virginia — on the eve of the American Revolution. 5x great-grandfather.
Taliaferro Shumate Born
Son of John Shumate Sr. and Winifred Oxford, born in Fauquier County, Virginia — on the eve of the American Revolution. 5x great-grandfather.
Old Glade Presbyterian Church Founded
One of the oldest congregations in Southwest Virginia, formed in the Glade Spring area.
Old Glade Presbyterian Church Founded
One of the oldest congregations in Southwest Virginia, formed in the Glade Spring area.
Hash Land Grants on New River
John Hash receives 250 acres at Bridle Creek. William receives 435 acres.
Hash Land Grants on New River
John Hash receives 250 acres at Bridle Creek. William receives 435 acres.
American Revolution Begins
The Shumate family of Fauquier County, Virginia lives through the Revolution. Taliaferro Shumate grows up during the war years in a family noted for patriotic service.
American Revolution Begins
The Shumate family of Fauquier County, Virginia lives through the Revolution. Taliaferro Shumate grows up during the war years in a family noted for patriotic service.
Washington County Established
Created from Fincastle County, named for George Washington.
Washington County Established
Created from Fincastle County, named for George Washington.
Claiborne Watkins at Treaty of Holston
A Watkins ancestor present at the Cherokee treaty, establishing the family's connection to the region and Cherokee relations.
Claiborne Watkins at Treaty of Holston
A Watkins ancestor present at the Cherokee treaty, establishing the family's connection to the region and Cherokee relations.
John Shumate Born in Fauquier County
Son of Taliaferro Shumate and Lydia Clark, born in Fauquier County, Virginia. He would later migrate to Wilkes County, North Carolina. 4x great-grandfather.
John Shumate Born in Fauquier County
Son of Taliaferro Shumate and Lydia Clark, born in Fauquier County, Virginia. He would later migrate to Wilkes County, North Carolina. 4x great-grandfather.
John Wesley Wadkins Born
Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Father of John Andrew Watkins. The family spelled their name 'Wadkins' at this time. 3x great-grandfather.
John Wesley Wadkins Born
Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Father of John Andrew Watkins. The family spelled their name 'Wadkins' at this time. 3x great-grandfather.
Taliaferro Shumate Dies
Taliaferro Shumate passes away on March 3 in Fauquier County, Virginia, at age 67. His son John would carry the family line to North Carolina.
Taliaferro Shumate Dies
Taliaferro Shumate passes away on March 3 in Fauquier County, Virginia, at age 67. His son John would carry the family line to North Carolina.
Shumate–Handy Marriage
John Shumate marries Nancy Handy on October 22 in Wilkes County, North Carolina — connecting the Shumate and Handy families. Their daughter Mary Katherine would marry into the Wadkins line.
Shumate–Handy Marriage
John Shumate marries Nancy Handy on October 22 in Wilkes County, North Carolina — connecting the Shumate and Handy families. Their daughter Mary Katherine would marry into the Wadkins line.
Elizabeth Catherine Dutton Born
Early Dutton in Glade Spring, Washington County. Daughter of Hugh Mahaffey and Mary George.
Elizabeth Catherine Dutton Born
Early Dutton in Glade Spring, Washington County. Daughter of Hugh Mahaffey and Mary George.
Old Glade Presbyterian Church Rebuilt
The brick sanctuary built on land gifted by Francis Kincannon.
Old Glade Presbyterian Church Rebuilt
The brick sanctuary built on land gifted by Francis Kincannon.
Railroad Arrives in Glade Spring
The Virginia & Tennessee Railroad transforms Glade Spring and Meadowview into thriving communities.
Railroad Arrives in Glade Spring
The Virginia & Tennessee Railroad transforms Glade Spring and Meadowview into thriving communities.
John Andrew Watkins Born
Born on Christmas Day in Wilkes County, North Carolina to John Wesley and Mary Katherine (Shumate) Wadkins. He would later change the family spelling from 'Wadkins' to 'Watkins' upon moving to Virginia.
John Andrew Watkins Born
Born on Christmas Day in Wilkes County, North Carolina to John Wesley and Mary Katherine (Shumate) Wadkins. He would later change the family spelling from 'Wadkins' to 'Watkins' upon moving to Virginia.
Civil War Begins
Virginia secedes from the Union. Southwest Virginia families are divided. John Wesley Wadkins serves as a Confederate soldier.
Civil War Begins
Virginia secedes from the Union. Southwest Virginia families are divided. John Wesley Wadkins serves as a Confederate soldier.
John Wesley Wadkins at Fort Fisher
John Wesley Wadkins fires the biggest cannon at Union ships trying to invade North Carolina at Fort Fisher in December 1864. He survived the war but died a few years later, around 1870, in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
John Wesley Wadkins at Fort Fisher
John Wesley Wadkins fires the biggest cannon at Union ships trying to invade North Carolina at Fort Fisher in December 1864. He survived the war but died a few years later, around 1870, in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Glade Spring Incorporated
Town has 31 houses, six stores, two hotels, and a Masonic Hall.
Glade Spring Incorporated
Town has 31 houses, six stores, two hotels, and a Masonic Hall.
Glade Spring Baptist Church Founded
Helped establish the Southwest Virginia Institute for women's education.
Glade Spring Baptist Church Founded
Helped establish the Southwest Virginia Institute for women's education.
Bristol Becomes Independent City
Separates from Washington County, straddling the Virginia-Tennessee border.
Bristol Becomes Independent City
Separates from Washington County, straddling the Virginia-Tennessee border.
John Andrew Watkins Marries Mary Alice Ham
John Andrew marries Mary Alice Ham, a woman of Cherokee heritage, in Damascus, Virginia. Their union brings Cherokee ancestry into the family line.
John Andrew Watkins Marries Mary Alice Ham
John Andrew marries Mary Alice Ham, a woman of Cherokee heritage, in Damascus, Virginia. Their union brings Cherokee ancestry into the family line.
Eugene 'Pap' Dutton Born
Son of Leonard and Lelia Hash Dutton, born in Washington County, Virginia.
Eugene 'Pap' Dutton Born
Son of Leonard and Lelia Hash Dutton, born in Washington County, Virginia.
Great Depression Begins
The Dutton and Watkins families struggle through years of hardship. The Watkins family nearly starves.
Great Depression Begins
The Dutton and Watkins families struggle through years of hardship. The Watkins family nearly starves.
John Andrew Watkins Dies
John Andrew Watkins passes away at age 78. Buried at Greenfield Baptist Church Cemetery in Meadowview, Washington County, Virginia — the man who changed the family name from Wadkins to Watkins.
John Andrew Watkins Dies
John Andrew Watkins passes away at age 78. Buried at Greenfield Baptist Church Cemetery in Meadowview, Washington County, Virginia — the man who changed the family name from Wadkins to Watkins.
U.S. Enters World War II
Eugene Dutton joins the Navy SeaBees and ships out to the South Pacific.
U.S. Enters World War II
Eugene Dutton joins the Navy SeaBees and ships out to the South Pacific.
Pap Survives the War
Truman drops atomic bombs, canceling the planned invasion of Japan. Eugene Dutton comes home alive.
Pap Survives the War
Truman drops atomic bombs, canceling the planned invasion of Japan. Eugene Dutton comes home alive.
Roger Williams Killed in Vietnam
Roger Williams, age 19, son of Pete and Betty Williams, killed in action. Teresa White's cousin.
Roger Williams Killed in Vietnam
Roger Williams, age 19, son of Pete and Betty Williams, killed in action. Teresa White's cousin.
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