The late Henderson and Caroline Cummins, who were very prominent in making the history of Madison County, were brought to our state by their parents from Virginia at age six and seven in the year 1833. Their parents were endowed with the courage and stability to endure the hardships that were encountered by all pioneers. So it was that Henderson Cummins and Caroline Trout grew up as playmates and the age of 21 and 22 were married by Rev Horn of the Methodist Church; and at once began housekeeping in a one-room log cabin on rented land. This one room served them as living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining room. Soon, however, they were able to buy the tract of eighty acres of land on which they had gone to housekeeping. From that very humble start in the log cabin, they later became the largest land owners in the community, just buying one small tract after another until they owned and operated over a thousand acres of Madison County's good earth.
    Thrift and true companionship was ever exemplified by this faithful couple. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins were the parents of eight children, 5 girls and 3 boys. As their family and acres increased, they increased the size of the log cabin by adding a second story for the boys. My mother (Amanda Cummins Prigg) and older sister, at a very young age, took over full management of the house and cooking, leaving their mother free to always work hand in hand with her husband, whether it be indoors or out.
    Drifting down memories' lane (sic) back four score years and more, my mother painted a typical picture of pioneer living in the large family room of the old log cabin on the hills of Sly Fork of Madison County. After the evening meal was finished, the children tucked away in beds and trundle-beds, the devoted couple, ever working together, made a true living picture of faithfulness, perseverance, thrift and integrity. By the sweat of the brow they had acquired all the necessary equipment for creating all the clothing for their large family.
    The large, old fashioned fireplace took up the larger portion of one side of the room. One side was a complete outfit for making shoes and all the required materials. On the opposite side was the old spinning wheel and weaving looms. This mother prepared all the goods, whether wool, cotton or flax. She even made the dye from certain barks of the trees in the woods.
    In the left far corner was the most prized piece of furniture; really a luxury very few had in those days, a sewing machine. The good father, by the light of the candle operated it. After these materials were cut out by the wife, the father fashioned them into suits, dresses and what nots. Since our grandfather was noted for punctuality, at eleven o'clock sharp, the sewing ceased, the materials were carefully put in the proper chests by the mother. Everything was made ready to be used the next morning at 4 o'clock, such as rolling a large log into the fireplace, placing a small bundle of kindling and a small can of kerosene near by. In this ever-active household the spiritual life was ever a part of daily living. Sunday was a sacred day. As Henderson Cummins was never know to be late, at a stated time every Sunday morning he was waiting in his three seated surrey drawn by two well cared for horses. Not just part of the family found their allotted seats, but all of them, were off to the old Bristol Church three miles away.
    Most probably, many present today could tell us very many interesting beginnings of their pioneer grandparents of Madison County. These real pioneers helped blaze the trail and helped to build the bridges on which we as free citizens stand today. Surely we can be justly proud of the sheer courage of our pioneer grandparents propagated, by honest toil, the "wherewith" that created (in my opinion) the grandest stake of our USA, proving without any hesitation the true value of private enterprise. I am happy today to own the first tract of land on the hills of Sly Fork in Madison County that my grandfather homesteaded many years ago. I am quite sure if he had a notice from Washington, D. C. just how many acres of corn, wheat or whatnot he could plant, the notice, no doubt, would go unheeded. Regardless of what hardships our grandparents were confronted with, they did have a lawful right to plant what they wanted, where they wanted it. Today, we can look back with pride that they, by the sweat of their brow, proved that private enterprise could be a real success.