This hiking trip I was honored to have the chance to follow the footsteps of some of my ancestors.
I visited the spring that my Great Grandfather C.D. Phillips (born June 1st 1866) used to drink from and carry water from to his home. Later my grandfather Ethridge Phillips used this same spring and once my dad Earnel Phillips was old enough one of his chores was to carry water from this spring to their home and also lead the milk cow and horses to an area to the right of the spring that was used to water the stock a safe distance away from the family's drinking water supply.
Near this spring is also an area where they would collect clay to use for several projects. This clay is so white that they would often use it to make a white wash to paint the walls inside their home.
If your out hiking and run across a very old homesite here on the Cumberland Plateau chances are if you look close you will find a spring nearby. Often these springs are contaminated today. But years ago these springs would often determine where a family would decide to settle and build their home. They were prized and taken very good care of and cleaned out often to keep from getting clogged up. Now a lot of them no longer flow water above ground or are unsafe to drink from. It was nice to see this one is still there and flowing fresh cool clear water!
( I do not recommend drinking from any spring or water source today without filtering it or boiling it unless you know forsure the water is pure, clean and safe.)
My Great Grandfather CD Phillips My Grandfather Ethridge Phillips and barely visible my Great Uncle Erbin Phillips.
My Grandfather and Grandmother Ethridge and Winnie Phillips and 3 of their children including my Dad Earnel Phillips, my Aunt Maxine and Uncle Robert.
