Civil War E. Flanagan’s Letter: Life Amidst Civil War Chaos M Gwinn, February 28, 2026March 27, 2026 Flanagan describes a community on the brink of collapse due to the ongoing American Civil War. The author notes that “times is very hard” and that the threat of starvation is drawing near. Continue Reading
Administrative The Gwinn Papers Archive: Stories and Documents From Our Ancestors M Gwinn, February 24, 2026March 3, 2026 This site exists to provide access to the “Gwinn Papers” and to preserve the family history of the descendants of Laban Gwinn. For many years Nelson Gwinn cared for these papers and later he passed them to his grandchildren. All of these stewards had hopes of finding a way to… Continue Reading
History A Helping Hand from the Summer of 1873 M Gwinn, February 20, 2026April 7, 2026 “I am hard up for money By so doing you will Much oblige Your Friend” Well hello there! I was just rooting through some old papers in the back of the archive and I found something special I wanted to show you. It’s a tiny little note from July 28th,… Continue Reading
History A Neighbor’s Plea: John Gwinn and the Iron Horse M Gwinn, February 19, 2026April 13, 2026 “I dont wash to do aney thing to inger the progrese of its Bilding but I onley Look to my Just rights & intrust” Come sit a spell and let me tell you about a piece of history I found tucked away. It is a letter from May of 1872,… Continue Reading
History Sleigh Bells and Warm Welcomes from 1867 M Gwinn, February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 “I thought after a long silance I would drop you a few lines to let you know that One Bill Gwinn was still in the land among the living and at home this cold winter day.” Gather around, friends, because I have a real treasure to share with you from… Continue Reading
Civil War Era Rainy Days and Family Ties: A Warm Message from 1864 M Gwinn, February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 “but we must plant if raise any corn to sell or eat to sustain life” Pull up a chair, friends, and let me share a real treasure I found in the archives. It is a personal letter written over three days in May of 1864 by a fellow named A…. Continue Reading
Family History Echoes of the New River: The Legacy of the Gwinn’s of Round Bottom M Gwinn, February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 [This article is a summary of the work of Leona Gwinn Brown – the DEFINATIVE work on the history Round Bottom and the New River Gwinns. It is posted here in hopes that you will go read it in its entirety at https://www.gwinnreunion.org/] In the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where… Continue Reading