ASPENVALE

Back in the summer of 2004 I was just out piddlin and ended up on Route 11 in Smyth County, Virginia. When I piddle, I tend to stay off the Interstates. Everyone knows Interstate Piddlin is not much fun. 

Anyway, I found myself in the community of Seven Mile Ford. It was there that I came upon a large stone monument standing in someone front yard. So, I stopped and discovered that this was the site of Aspenvale, which was the home of Revolutionary War General William Campbell. General Campbell is known as the Hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain and was a significant participant in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell

Another interesting fact is that General Campbell was married to Elizabeth Henry who was the sister of Governor Patrick Henry. Yes, the same Patrick Henry who utter those immortal words, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” General Campbell died in 1781 and in 1783 Elizabeth married another General named William Russell.

The couple moved to Saltville a few years later and She became a devout Methodist.  In fact, she is credited with the growth of the Methodist Church in Southwest Virginia.  If you ever find yourself in Saltville, pay attention to the Large stone church that you see there. It is known as “The Madam Russell Church,” named for Madam Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell. 

Now back to the large monument on the side of the road. It mentions the Aspenvale Cemetery is located nearby. So off I went.

General William Campbell

The cemetery sits on private property on top of a hill. As luck would have it the owner of the property was nearby and kindly allowed me to drive up to the cemetery. Here in the small family cemetery surrounded by a rock wall, I found the graves of General William Campbell, Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, and General Francis Preston, who was the son of Colonel Will Preston.

General Preston married William and Elizabeth Campbell’s daughter Sarah. The Preston’s initially lived in Saltville, Va., where they managed the Saltworks. On a side note, during the Civil War, Saltville was known as the Salt Capital of the Confederacy. The Preston’s became quiet wealthy and later built an elaborate home in Abington.  The Preston Home in Abingdon is today known as The Martha Washington Inn.

Wow, I discovered so much history, all because I decided to stop and read a Monument on the side of the road. That quick stop, turned into about a two-hour adventure right here my own back yard. Just goes to show, History is all around you, you just have to take time to experience it.