Blue Ridge Cousins Archive

William Clifton Nethers, known affectionately as "Tip," was a central figure in the mountain community of Nethers, Virginia and he was my great-grandfather. Located on the Hughes River at the base of Old Rag Mountain, the village of Nethers served as a vital hub for families in the surrounding Blue Ridge hollows. Tip carried on a family legacy, operating the Nethers Mill and general store—a property his great-grandfather, Arnold Nethers, who aquired it from his father-in-law, John H. Huffman in 1858. Previously known as Huffman's Mill, the site's history dates back to at least 1794, when surveys by developer Benjamin Lillard convinced Rowland Yowell that the location was ideal for a mill. Arnold Nethers, who had previously worked for Huffman, eventually received the deed for the grist mill, the family residence, and eighty surrounding acres, which also included a sawmill. By all accounts, the life of a miller suited Tip well, just as it had his grandfather and his great-grandfather before him. He was well-respected in the community, and his slow-ground cornmeal was renowned for its superior taste. Beyond processing grain, the mill and store functioned as the community's primary social center; it was frequented by the residents of Weakley Hollow, Corbin Hollow, and Nicholson Hollow, who often arrived on foot. Neighbors gathered here to pitch horseshoes, play marbles, and cast their votes on election days. The store also provided essential hardware and groceries hauled in from Culpeper and Charlottesville, and housed the local post office.

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