A few comments here about the Old Stone and Tinkling Springs churches in Augusta County, Virginia may be helpful. They were formed about the same time, and the minister was Rev. John Craig. He indicated the Tinkling Springs congregation was the more wealthy and cultivated. He broke with it in conflict with James Patton, so ended his time concentrating on Old Stone and establishing new congregations within a hundred or so miles. When asked how he established congregations among the unpolished he responded: "When I canna get hewn stones, I take door noks" . The cemetery visible at Old Stone church is the NEW cemetery. Unfortunately someone visiting there will likely miss the old cemetery. It is located across the highway and behind the house visible from the church. The gate is locked. If there is a church attendant, you can get a key. Otherwise, wear slacks and climb the fence, as I frequently do. The OLD cemetery includes the eighteenth century history, and is most interesting. It was not called a "cemetery," but instead a "burying ground." The word cemetery is French, so did not come into vogue until after Napoleon's time. Likewise, the eighteenth century churches were not called churches, but "Meeting Houses." That is an accurate indication of their purpose on the frontier. And the Old Stone church was indeed used as a fort, Thus the name of the village, Fort Defiance. The Tinkling Springs church is located just off interstate 64 at the Fishersville exit between Waynesboro and Staunton, Virginia. It, too, has both old and new cemeteries. And now the good news. I am told that the book "THE TINKLING SPRINGS, HEADWATER OF FREEDOM" is being republished, either in print or on disc. I will confirm this and advise here. If the information is incorrect, I will try to get same started. And finally, if you choose to visit Augusta County for its genealogical history, you will miss a lot unless well informed or guided. I will write a guide list that will be available to you, and also will be glad to guide anyone liking same, at no charge. Of course, I don't know it all, but spent many years discovering what I do know, and wish I had started earlier. Feedback from those of you who use the guide list will be essential to its refinement so as to maximize efficiency. Daley Craig [email protected]

Daley Craig, I hope you let us know when the book/CD is released. I woud certainly like a copy of it. Pat At 08:13 AM 10/16/2004, you wrote: >A few comments here about the Old Stone and Tinkling Springs churches in >Augusta County, Virginia may be helpful. > >They were formed about the same time, and the minister was Rev. John Craig. >He indicated the Tinkling Springs congregation was the more wealthy and >cultivated. He broke with it in conflict with James Patton, so ended his time >concentrating on Old Stone and establishing new congregations within a >hundred or so >miles. When asked how he established congregations among the unpolished he >responded: "When I canna get hewn stones, I take door noks" >. >The cemetery visible at Old Stone church is the NEW cemetery. Unfortunately >someone visiting there will likely miss the old cemetery. It is located >across >the highway and behind the house visible from the church. The gate is locked. >If there is a church attendant, you can get a key. Otherwise, wear slacks and >climb the fence, as I frequently do. The OLD cemetery includes the eighteenth >century history, and is most interesting. It was not called a "cemetery," but >instead a "burying ground." The word cemetery is French, so did not come into >vogue until after Napoleon's time. Likewise, the eighteenth century churches >were not called churches, but "Meeting Houses." That is an accurate >indication >of their purpose on the frontier. And the Old Stone church was indeed used as >a fort, Thus the name of the village, Fort Defiance. > >The Tinkling Springs church is located just off interstate 64 at the >Fishersville exit between Waynesboro and Staunton, Virginia. It, too, has >both old and >new cemeteries. > >And now the good news. I am told that the book "THE TINKLING SPRINGS, >HEADWATER OF FREEDOM" is being republished, either in print or on disc. I >will >confirm this and advise here. If the information is incorrect, I will try >to get >same started. > >And finally, if you choose to visit Augusta County for its genealogical >history, you will miss a lot unless well informed or guided. I will write >a guide >list that will be available to you, and also will be glad to guide anyone >liking same, at no charge. Of course, I don't know it all, but spent many >years >discovering what I do know, and wish I had started earlier. Feedback from >those >of you who use the guide list will be essential to its refinement so as to >maximize efficiency. > >Daley Craig > [email protected] > > >==== VAAUGUST Mailing List ==== >**************************************************************** >List Administrator >Barbara Stanley - [email protected] >****************************************************************