User:Bailey Knotts/sandbox

Note - The majority of my sources are on the main article, the only one not included yet os here in my sandbox.

Walnut Hill
Walnut Hill (Lynchburg, Virginia)

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/015-5012/

Walnut Hill is a historic home located in Campbell County, Virginia. The building is notable mainly for its Georgian architecture and its following features. Also on the property are a contributing smokehouse, chicken house, kitchen chimney, and family cemetery. It was initially on land owned by the Clark family, who obtained it from a land grant from King George III. The property also stood witness to events in the civil war as a drill field or muster ground. A "drill field" or muster ground is said to have existed at Walnut Hill during the war, located on the low ground along Flat Creek at the southeast end of the property. The Leftwich members participated heavily in the first and second World Wars. Its architectural significance is from the original building and frame remaining. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Historical and Architectural Significance
Walnut Hill is located around fields and meadows, and close by is Flat Creek. The property is somewhat hidden to passerby's and surrounded by a thinly veiled woods. The one 1/2-story dwelling was built in several sections, starting in 1802. The oldest section is a log dwelling with an internal gable-end stone chimney and is now the south wing. Before 1820, a two-room-plan frame addition was built onto the north end of the log dwelling to become the main or front section of the house. The building reflects many evolutionary changes throughout its existence. These modifications are evident by the changing rooflines throughout these divisions. Smaller wings and porches that had been added on were removed in a restoration/rehabilitation effort lasting from 1948 to 1950. Walnut Hill holds significant Georgian style interior finishes. It contains substantial architectural features dating as far as 1802 and up to the 1900s. Early sections of the house display common wooden floorboards, plaster over split lath walls and ceilings attached with cut nails and some reinforcing wire nails. Both the exposed stonework fireplace and the arch are painted white and framed by a Georgian architrave mantel. Most of the woodwork was redone in the 20th century.Also on the property are a contributing smokehouse, chicken house, kitchen chimney, and family cemetery.

Funerary Significance
The family cemetery The Moorman-Leftwich Cemetery can be found on the property giving it more character. The rectangular cemetery is surrounded by a rough stone wall and sits on a steep-sided ridge above the house. Headstones are normally accompanied by footstone as well. Many of the mid-18th-century headstones display features more kin to North Carolina than Virginia. The cemetery is notable for its cantilevered stile and for the artistry of the monuments it contains. It is a professional and competent work; however, the stonemason is unknown. There are 23 family members buried in the cemetery.

Walnut Hill Genealogy
The building was built for Samuel Moorman (ca. 1771-1835) and his wife Judith Clark Moorman (ca. 1774-1868) after their marriage in 1796. Samuel's family was of Quaker origin who moved into Campbell County in the mid-1700s. He bought 450 acres of property from the Goggin family. In 1805 he purchased an additional 60 acres from his brother in law Micajah, who lived on adjoining tracts. Sam and Judith had raised ten children to adulthood. Judith outlived Samuel by 33 years, leaving the land to her daughter Lucy. In turn, it was owned by Lucy's husband, Joel Breckenridge Leftwich. The land has been in ownership of the Leftwich family since.

Joel Breckenridge Leftwich, Sr was a member of the Campbell County in the Virginia Legislature 1859-186. He also played a role in the civil war as Colonel of Reserves. For his service as Sabbath School Superintendent, a plaque was placed at White's United Methodist Church, English Tavern Road, Rustburg, VA. He left Walnut hill to his son William Edward Leftwich (1852-1913).

This is a New Section

 * I am extremely excited to be able to find new information on the building, area, history influencing the area, and family that resided at "Walnut Hill"
 * Because of the high expectations I have for myself I am concerned I wont be able to find as much information and images as I am hoping for.
 * I have never been a very strong writer, I consider myself mediocre at best. I am hope to see myself grow in this and the course, but know it will be rough.

Prof. D Response
I'm glad you've gotten excited about your topic. Try not to be too ambitious. This is not a major research project. You should be able to gather the information that is available and then translate that into what the average reader will want to know. You're right about the relative lack of information, but you'll just have to use what you can find. As far as writing quality, you can rely on your classmates to help since we will be doing peer evaluation. Keep up the good work!

Prof. D