Gypsy Heart
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HODGES FAMILY HISTORY TRACED BY MAIDEN, N.C., MEMBER OF CLAN
By Dr. J. E. Hodges, Maiden, No. Carolina
When Tom Hodges unloaded his two pack horses and two milk cows, on whose backs were transported all the world's goods he brought over the mountains; all the territory of what is now Watauga County was a howling wilderness.
He had left the scattered settlement on the Yadkin far behind. Many miles down the Watauga, about Sycamore Shoals, was the Watauga settlement. In the Valle Crucis section, Sam Hix and his son-in-law, James Holtsclaw, had a cabin and stockade, but it is doubtful if Hodges ever knew they were there. In fact, he was where the foot of white men had seldon trod, with nature for his companion.
Just west of Boone he built his camp, for that is just what it was a 'Faced Camp', in the language of the frontier. It was built of logs with back and ends solid, roof sloping front to back and front open. The big fire for cooking and warmth was built in front of the open side.
The small of amount of bedding brought along, soon supplemented by bear skins, was spread on forest leaves in the back of the camp for sleeping and rolled up out of the way in the day time. This camp had to answer all the purposes of a home till the pioneer could build a cabin of round logs, covered with split logs and fitted with a big rough stone chimney.
Soon after this cabin was completed and enclosed with a rail fence, the family received quite a scare when the head of the house was away with the dogs and his rifle on a bear hunt. Had he stayed at home, there would have been no need for a hunt, for an enormous black bear came into the clearing and proceeded to investigate this intrusion into his domain. Reaching the fence that surrounded the little cabin, he stood erect and placing both front paws on the top rail - quietly, and for some time, surveyed the surroundings till satisfied, and went on his way, to the great relief of the wife and children.
THOMAS HODGES CHILDREN
According to the 1790 census, Thomas Hodges had nine children, four sons and five daughters, of these, only one son was past 16 years of age. In this article only the three best known sons will be considered. These were William, Jesse and Gilbert. William Hodges married a Mullins, sister of Jesse Mullins, a great hunter, trapper and old time fiddler. He owned a farm on the east side of New River lying on both sides of the Wilkesboro Road. It is said that he had considerable sums of money hidden here and there in the hills and never found.
By Dr. J. E. Hodges, Maiden, No. Carolina
When Tom Hodges unloaded his two pack horses and two milk cows, on whose backs were transported all the world's goods he brought over the mountains; all the territory of what is now Watauga County was a howling wilderness.
He had left the scattered settlement on the Yadkin far behind. Many miles down the Watauga, about Sycamore Shoals, was the Watauga settlement. In the Valle Crucis section, Sam Hix and his son-in-law, James Holtsclaw, had a cabin and stockade, but it is doubtful if Hodges ever knew they were there. In fact, he was where the foot of white men had seldon trod, with nature for his companion.
Just west of Boone he built his camp, for that is just what it was a 'Faced Camp', in the language of the frontier. It was built of logs with back and ends solid, roof sloping front to back and front open. The big fire for cooking and warmth was built in front of the open side.
The small of amount of bedding brought along, soon supplemented by bear skins, was spread on forest leaves in the back of the camp for sleeping and rolled up out of the way in the day time. This camp had to answer all the purposes of a home till the pioneer could build a cabin of round logs, covered with split logs and fitted with a big rough stone chimney.
Soon after this cabin was completed and enclosed with a rail fence, the family received quite a scare when the head of the house was away with the dogs and his rifle on a bear hunt. Had he stayed at home, there would have been no need for a hunt, for an enormous black bear came into the clearing and proceeded to investigate this intrusion into his domain. Reaching the fence that surrounded the little cabin, he stood erect and placing both front paws on the top rail - quietly, and for some time, surveyed the surroundings till satisfied, and went on his way, to the great relief of the wife and children.
THOMAS HODGES CHILDREN
According to the 1790 census, Thomas Hodges had nine children, four sons and five daughters, of these, only one son was past 16 years of age. In this article only the three best known sons will be considered. These were William, Jesse and Gilbert. William Hodges married a Mullins, sister of Jesse Mullins, a great hunter, trapper and old time fiddler. He owned a farm on the east side of New River lying on both sides of the Wilkesboro Road. It is said that he had considerable sums of money hidden here and there in the hills and never found.
