Heritage

Ezekiel Whitford, resting on what would come to be called Chunk Rock, first notices the chunks were good. He does not write it down. He tells his wife. She nods.

Ezekiel fences the North Field. Keeps seven cows. Begins bottling for neighbors.

The Appalachian Chunkery Guild is established in a neighboring county. Ezekiel is invited to join. He declines.

Ezekiel's son, Obadiah, inherits the hollow. Opens the Sycamore Field. First Whitford jar bears the family name on a printed label.

The original Settlin' Shed is built by Obadiah and his sons. The keys are not yet in any one person's pocket.

Bill's grandfather, Horace, fences the High Meadow. The fence is still there.

The stoneware crocks that still rest the Patriarch Reserve are fired by a potter two hollows over. He charges what he charges; Horace pays what he asks.

The hundredth year. A small gathering is held at Chunk Rock. No photographs were taken; someone forgot the camera.

Bill Whitford takes over the Chunkery from his father Ezra, who retires to sit on the porch. Bill has not missed a chunkin' season since.

Aunt Mable draws the map of the hollow that hangs in the Settlin' Shed office and is reproduced on the Our Hollow page.

Jeb Hollister marries into the family and begins assisting with grading.

Silas Mercer comes up from the next hollow over to help during a calving season. He stays.

Jeb pulls the largest Monumental chunk ever recorded: 1.8 lbs. Witnessed by Otis and Silas. A note is kept in the Hollow Journal. The chunk is not sold.

The first Patriarch Reserve release of the modern era — 42 jars, each marked by Bill, released only when Otis allows. The practice continues.

The sixth generation of Whitfords is at the Chunkery. The chunks have not changed. Neither have we.