CARPET HILL 



ITUATED in the southwest corner of Virginia, in 

 Washington County, is the quaint old town of 

 Abingdon, headquarters of the first pioneers west 

 of the Appalachian Range. It was founded in 

 1788, and is said to be the first town incorporated 

 west of the Alleghanies. Here Daniel Boone spent 

 many months, and Parson Cummings lived most of his life as a 

 forceful and fearless exponent of the Presbyterian Church Militant. 

 He used to preach with his loaded rifle in the pulpit by him in 

 case of an attack from Indians. 



One of the most notable places in this section was Carpet Hill, 

 the White homestead and the center of the gatherings of that 

 family for more than a hundred years. The name originated 

 from the mantle of blue grass that covered the slope and was 

 heavily carpeted with violets in the spring. The first owner of this 

 estate was William Young Conn, who bequeathed it in turn to his 

 nephew, William Young Conn White. The latter married Mar- 

 garet Jane Greenway and the two left many descendants, a few of 

 whom still live in Abingdon. 



From the house, situated on the top of a gentle rise, could be 

 seen nearly thirty miles distant. Mount Rogers and White Top 

 Mountain, the two highest points in Virginia, White Top with an 

 altitude of five thousand six hundred and seventy-eight feet above 

 the sea level. 



The driveway leading up to the residence was bordered on 

 either side with stately Norway pines, which in the spring became 

 the home of countless blackbirds, robins and orioles. The walks 

 beneath these trees were covered with tan bark, the color of which 

 was effective against the dark green of the pines. The turfed circle 



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