Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
204 W. Washington St.Lexington, VA 24450
specialcollections@wlu.edu
URL: http://library.wlu.edu/specialcollections
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use
Preferred Citation
Donna Huffer research notes, WLU Coll. 0786, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of author, Donna Huffer, April 2021.
Biographical / Historical
Irish Creek Valley is located in the eastern corner of Rockbridge County, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This steep and rugged valley winds some fifteen miles between the South Mountain Range and the Blue Ridge, with the northern end adjoining Rockbridge, Amherst, and Nelson counties. The South Mountain Range is actually a series of mountain peaks and hollows given local names like Orebank Mountain, Feather Bed Hill, and Dark Hollow. Similarly, the Blue Ridge flanking the eastern side of Irish Creek Valley is divided into Clark Mountain, Mt. Nettle, Boston Mountain, Painter Mountain, Deep Hollow, Cooper's Hollow, and Snake's Den. Flowing southward through the valley is Irish Creek which originates in the Blue Ridge. Irish Creek joins Nettle Creek at the base of Mt. Nettle. From there Irish Creek continues south until it empties into South River. On the opposite side of the Blue Ridge, south from Irish Creek Valley lies the area called Pedlar, connected to Irish Creek by the Snake's Den road. Pedlar is bounded on the west by Route 60 and by the Pedlar River on the east. The small village of Oronco, the post office address of Pedlar residents, lies at the footr of the Blue Ridge on Route 60. Low Gap, Sorrells' Hollow, and many other hollows can be found in Pedlar.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Clark family
- Mason family
- Sorrells family
Container List
The Irish Creek Auxiliary is composed of three circles, one at McCutchen Church at Cornwall, one at Mt. Zion Church, Irish Creek, and one at Sparrow Chapel, Clark Mt. Mission.
Includes information on the McCutchen Church at Cornwall, Mt. Zion Church at Irish Creek, Sparrow Chapel at the Clark Mt. Mission, and the school, which began in 1911, with teacher, Miss Sallie B. Dickenson.
Includes the following: Clark, Mason, Sorrells, Tyree, and Wood family members, Rev. Joseph Williams and wife, group of girls at Stella Sparrow's, Sallie B. Dickenson School, Sparrow Chapel, Clark Dam swimming hole, Manse during the 1930's, Blueridge Parkway Clark family cemetery, and unidentified photos.
Lemuel Ramsey killed Watt Clark in Amherst near Oronoco, October 4, 1912.
Includes material on the Inter-Racial Law and Racial Integrity Act, concerning the marriage of Atha Sorrells and Robert Painter.