THE VALLEY OF THE DAN 



OAK RIDGE 



AK RIDGE, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, about 

 ten miles from Danville, is owned and occupied by 

 Mrs. Jessie Wilson Word and Mrs. Lizzie Wilson 

 Hall. The house was built between the years 1840 

 and 1850, by their maternal grandfather, Mr. 

 John Adams, and Justina, his wife. Oak Ridge is 

 splendidly kept and retains to a remarkable degree its pristine 

 beauty. The only occupants are the two widowed sisters, who 

 manage personally and successfully their large estate — tobacco being 

 the money crop. 



The approach to the house from the gate is through a wide 

 driveway of smooth, white sand, on either side of which tower huge 

 oaks, maples, holly and other varieties of our native trees, many 

 of which are entwined with ivy and some with wistaria. The house, 

 which is delightfully spacious, is filled with rare and exquisite fur- 

 nishings, having the home charm about them. The gardens, en- 

 closed by a hedge of cedars, lie to the right of the house and must 

 be seen to be appreciated. The cedars seem to protect the endless 

 variety of beautiful flowers, vines, shrubs and evergreens which here 

 reach a degree of perfection and loveliness rarely ever seen. Nut 

 and fruit trees also abound. 



BRIARFIELD 



Briarfield plantation, which is owned and conducted by Mr. 

 Harden Hairston, is situated in Pittsylvania County, about fifteen 

 miles from Danville, Virginia. The plantation is a very old one, 

 having belonged to this branch of the Hairston family for four 



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