The Shadow
The children and descendants of James Phillip and Ada Florence Humphries Craft held their 17th annual family reunion at the “Craft Homeplace” Aug. 29.
The Craft Homeplace is located at the headwaters of Barbours Creek in Craig County where Alleghany and Craig counties meet.
The land was first owned by Phillip N. Craft and his wife, Janetta in the mid-1880s and is now owned by his great-grandson, A. Leo Bradshaw and family.
James P. and Ada Florence Craft were married in 1906 and raised six children, three of whom are now deceased, Percy Craft, Arless Craft and Frances Bradshaw. Surviving are James Edward Craft Sr., Rebecca Bradshaw and Mary Reynolds and also a daughter-in-law, Marie Redman Craft, all of the Covington area.
Most of the descendants still live in this area, but some came to the reunion from Maryland, Northern Virginia, Florida and the Roanoke area. There were over 70 in attendance this year, ranging in age from a few months to 92 years young; and included one family of five generations.
There were food a drinks and plenty of room for the little ones to run and play. Some of the older attendees toured the orchards; hiked to the spring for a drink of cold mountain water; to took a ride in a four-wheel-drive to the top of Rich Patch Mountain.
The date for the reunion varies each year, but is planned for the last weekend before the Labor Day weekend.
