A Heartfelt Handover at the Knob

“I am Ready to Give up the Possession of the Knob to you before that time”

Imagine holding a piece of history so fragile it feels like a dried leaf in your palm. That is exactly what it is like to look at this little slip of paper from way back in 1885. It is yellowed deep as a piece of old corn husk, with creases worn into it from being folded and tucked away in a pocket or a drawer for over a century. Even though the years have left their mark, the brown ink cursive is still as clear as a bell, telling a story that started right here in Fayette County, West Virginia.

In this short and sweet note, a gentleman named Thomas Gwinn is writing on behalf of Elias Estep to Mr. Laban Gwinn. It was written in mid-February, just as the winter chill was starting to think about letting go. Thomas is letting Laban know that the first of March is coming up fast, and he is all set to hand over the keys—or possession as he calls it—of a place they knew simply as the Knob. He is nudging Laban to head up to Spring Dale soon so they can get everything settled before the new month turns over.

Back in those days, a piece of land was not just dirt; it was a livelihood and a legacy. We can almost see the horses being readied and the neighbors shaking hands over a fence line. The Knob likely stood tall over the Spring Dale area, a landmark everyone recognized. It is a quiet reminder of how folks used to do business—with a respectful letter and a firm plan to meet face-to-face, honoring the seasons and the calendar as they moved from one home to the next.

When we look at a letter like this today, it reminds us that while the world moves a whole lot faster now, the basics of being a good neighbor have not changed a bit. It is about keeping your word and looking out for the person coming in after you. This little scrap of paper is a bridge to our past, showing us that every hill and knob in our beautiful hills has a story of a handoff, a new beginning, and a respect for the land that connects us all.

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