I can attest to how hard of work it is to build one of those log cabins. Back in the early eighties, my older brother who was really interested in the old ways decided to build a log cabin just like the pioneers did just for the fun of it. He roped all of us younger brothers into helping him. We cut all of the logs off of our property, squared them, and notched them with axes. We did cheat a little bit and used an old car to drag the logs to the building site, since we didn't have a mule. Talk about hard work. I was 14 that summer. It took us most of that summer to complete it, working on it whenever we had time free from doing farm work. It looks a lot like the cabins in your pictures. I ended up moving into it in September of 1989 and still live there. It's two story, measures 12 ft by 12 ft on the inside, and is completely off grid. It has no indoor plumbing and run and get it water (from the well at the main house on the farm). I cook on a wood stove that's almost 100 years old and have an outdoor kitchen for summertime. Even though I didn't when I first moved in, I now have solar power for lights. It's a lot more work living this way, but I actually enjoy it. I really have been enjoying your videos and the stories you tell. By the way, I still have the single bit axe that I bought 41 years ago when we built the cabin and still use it.

If you have any gratitude in your heart, thank God for our country and pray that God shows us mercy in these chaotic times

Howdy Donnie- thank you so much for mentioning me on your channel. I sure do appreciate it. And thank you for showing these old log cabins that have survived and being cared for. The first log cabin I built I wanted to do it the way the pioneers did all by hand to get a feel for the hard work they did. That gave me an appreciation of how hard they worked and having few tools to work with. Nowadays I use a mix of the old tools that I’ve restored and some modern tools. Thank you so much for the effort and research you did to make this video possible. God bless you

They did not know they were dirt poor. They were the foundation this country was built on. Thanks for saving their story

They were such hard workers! I'm always amazed at the craftsmanship they had. I love seeing those old chimneys and thinking of the hands that placed the rocks just so. This was a good one Donnie 🙂

Donnie, I built a log cabin by hand back in the 80s. A 2 story and it took me about 5yrs. The logs were 12" logs and some were 14-16 feet long. I moved and lifted them all by myself.l used a chainsaw to cut many of them. I was young and had a strong back back then. Them were the good ol' days....

Thank you again, Brother Donnie! Headed to southern West Virginia/eastern Kentucky this weekend for 10 days to see “our” people. I sure have missed home since the pandemic began. Pray that I have safe travels. When I hit those winding two-lane roads, I know I’m home.

God bless America! ☀️

Nobody tells a story like you do Sir. I literally could sit here all day, and watch you bring history alive. It's an escape from the rat race going on out there. I'm thankful for my property here in Va. I'm nestled in, with woods on three sides. Such a blessing and I thank God every day for what I have. Thank you Donnie for sharing, your friend, Louise

My Grandfather was born in Altapass, NC. His stories were not told easily, but rather pulled out over the years. He attended Crossnore Home in his teens in Cossnore, NC. He was a amazing man, a hard worker, and was well loved by his family and neighbors. But as hard as life was for him growing up he was always proud of his heritage. Thank you for your videos.

Thank you Donnie for telling the rest of the country about the self-reliance and decency of our ancestors who came into the wilderness mountains, hollows, and valleys to establish their homes.

I remember watching my great grandfather working a team of mules turning ground for a garden, my great grandmother wringing a couple chickens necks so we would have supper. Going into a root cellar to get some taters and a couple jars of green beans That was in the early 60s in Bell county KY. I was just a kid, but I remember it very well.

I have pictures of my Appalachian 4th great grandparents sitting in front of a fireplace in an old log cabin in NC.Grandpa Rooker is posed reading a book because some education was important to him.

Just found your videos, I've really enjoyed watching them. Reminds me of my Papaw Walker telling me all the stories of his family settling in these mountains. The land I live on has been in my family for 150 years.The Walker Sisters have a nice cabin up at Metcalf Bottoms, they definitely lived off the land. Also, refused to leave there property. They growed there own food, made clothes. My momma always told me about going to visit them, they where always entertaining visitors. I miss hearing all those old stories. Thank you Sir, for bringing back a flood of old memories. 🐻

I love your stories.... I have such a nostalgia and love for the days of old ( before I was ever born). I've been looking into my family roots and reading about yarb Drs and talking the fire out and wart buying... all of which my great grandmother or grandfather as well as my husband's great grandfather were said to be gifted with..... sadly I have no elders left living to pull these secrets from. Is there any way you could do a video on the old medicine tricks... or faith healing. I would be so grateful. I want to share the ways of old with my daughter's before this cold world swallows up all that's left of the good old days.

I never thought much about being Appalachian. Or my southern draw or. The things we say. Untill here of late. But I'm mighty proud of my heritage never been ashamed of it. I'm starting to get up in age. Ans I guess looking back is a habit of mine now thinking of those who went before me. And my own raising.my granddaddy traded mules back then logging was still a big thing and still is in,places in these mountians. Thanks Donnie. I enjoyed this. You take care. Now,,,ps one. Of my great great uncles rode a cow cause he couldn't afford a horse. I used to have s picture of it but it got lost.

Another Great Appalachian Story of our past Donnie, want to Thank You Friend. It makes us feel mighty proud of our Ancestors and their determination to make a life for themselves and family in this beautiful, but rugged country 🙂.

Thank you for preserving our history, and for passing it on to newer generations. You are a TREASURE! I hope you get well very soon, Donnie!! ❤️🙏🏼✝️

It was such a hard life, and every aspect of your daily lives, was work, and you worked to keep yourself and your family alive, housed and fed. Even Sundays, that were meant for rest, rarely were strictly for that. Like I’ve been told by my family, the joy that you did have, were story telling and visiting with your family and neighbors, playing music and singing along, and time to read the good book. Wonderful pictures and your captivating story telling, always makes my day. Thank you Donnie!

Thank you again, so much, for another great video and history lesson. I have lived in Maryland, all of my life. One thing I always thought about doing, was to walk the whole Appalachian Trail. I have been on parts, of the Appalachian Trail, but now, at 73, will probably and gratefully, watch your videos, to get the the experience of Appalachia. Thank you.

Another beautiful story of days gone by, Donnie. Life seemed so much simpler back then!💖

Wish school child in USA could see your videos.

Donnie your stories are great 😊 You spell everything out with heartfelt emotions and you bring the listener right into the reality of all of this during this time. Thank you for sharing.

An excellent historical tour. Very well put together. I noticed and found very interesting that in one of the homestead interior pictures (10:30 seconds into the video) that a duck decoy was on the mantle. Very interesting and no doubt today worth a lot of money as "folk art" as these originals are.

I had a wonderful history teacher in Jr. high who brought this proud history to life for us. Your video is a wonderful refresher, that should be shown to all students. It's that good.

Thank you Sir, for being here now. I think me & you were born 200 years late in time....ATB

Love listening to your stories thanks again keep them coming

Thank you Donnie. My ancestors came out of Appalachia to settle in the Midwestern States. It's nice to know more of their history and lifestyles. From my now modern cabin, I watch it snow and think of how my Ancestors survived winter. Being warm and comfortable, I think to myself, " I'm glad I don't have to cut wood today. "

You ar ed one of the best story tellers I e ever listened to mr Donnie much appreciated many thanks godbless goodluck stay safe

When I listen to you all is right in the world!!! Pls make longer videos 💜!

Thank you for keeping the history and traditions of the stewards of the land alive.

I live in Ohio right on the corner of Kentucky and Indiana you can drive to either state and be there in less than 30 minutes. But, I live a long the Ohio river and the Shawnee Indian lived in these parts but like you said good and bad on both parts. Our ancestors taught us to be thankful they worked hard and helped each other. In my opinion older things were built better furniture etc was built to last. And pioneers for the most rested on sundays and gave thanks to God! I’ve always been interested of stories on the Oregon trail…I remember reading about a pioneer family in the 1800s something happened to where the parents died so the young teenagers learned enough from their parents to be able to take care of the younger children but they made a living out of selling medical plants etc it was all about family and looking out for each other and your neighbor! Much respect for our ancestors! Love your story of history your a true blessing to many. God bless

Your stories are the best Donnie!!!

I know these people lived a hard life. I kinda got a taste of it growing up on a little ole hog farm in North Florida. But nothing compared to what they had to do. We had tractors and trucks .I sometimes wish I could have been back then . The way of country living is so interesting to me. Love this history. Thank you Mr Donnie. Lord bless you and yourn my friend.

Beautiful narrative, Mr. Laws. Beautiful photographs.

Hey Donnie, I thoroughly enjoy your channel. I constantly find myself searching for more of your stories. You have an art and a God given talent! Have you ever thought of reading the Bible? I can’t speak for everyone here... but I feel a lot of folks would enjoy hearing your voice reciting the Holy Bible verse by verse.

My Mamaw and Granny lived in their cabins until they passed. I loved those old houses with the smoke house, root cellar and spring house. I still remember how wonderful the curing barn smelled when filled with drying burley. Thanks for bringing back those memories.

I love you voice. It reminds me of my people. Scots, Irish, English, German, Pamunkey and Cherokee. Family from Clay County, Ky.

Mr LAWS, you are a remarkable speaker, your voice sounds honest, I have no problem believing what you say. I would have loved to been raised in the Appalachian mountains. Although I didn't watch the Waltons in my youth, I bought the series and realized how much I missed, that GOD and Family are number 1.GOD BLESS YOU and keep the vids coming.

Took alot of patience along with that skill.The very backbone of our country these people were.Great Video.

It is great history Donnie ,Thank you i enjoyed it

Thank you so very much Mr. Laws for your enlightening, wonderful videos.

These blueridge mountains around Bedford are full of old chimneys and grave yards with just a stone for a marker. My wife was born and raised in a log home built by here grand father she was raised by them. I learned a lot from here grandpa he did every thing with a horse he said as long as he lived there would never be a tractor or a tiller in his garden he had no education but was one of the smartest men I ever knew. I was lucky to have been around him and learn how to garden and taught me how to can and dry food . I’m 72 now but my life is speeding on buy . About all the old mountain people have passed on about all of it is been sold to outsiders for hunting camps it makes me sad . Thanks for your hard work putting out these story’s and keeping it alive .

I love the respect you show these largely forgotten people. I’m old enough to have known some many thought of as “poor”. Though some could barely read and sign their names they were among the most noble and wise people I ever knew. It’s sad we, as a nation, have lost their nobility of mind and spirit. Keep these wonderful videos coming! As you know there are many more tales waiting to be shared! I wish I would have discovered your channel sooner. Al

I love watching these. Love the Smokie Mountains...back where I was born. Bit of Heaven on this side. 💖

So nice to see a simpler life

DW, thank you for having this channel. It brings back memories, I'm not from any part of the south but you got me hooked on your memories and story telling. Just a few days ago I clicked on your channel and now I can't get off of it. I'm loving everything about it. Keep up your great work 👍

This is beautiful! The story of the humble America needs to be told.

I Thank you so much for sharin!!! I Love hearin about our heritage!!! Thank you again for sharin!!😇❤

I am a native of Oconee County, SC and almost every word, phrase, ways of doing things, etc are familiar to me because when I was growing up I stood beside my mama whenever adults were talking and listened intently with a plan to remember it. Children were seen and not heard then, and now I’m glad for I learned a lot. I’m enjoying your video series and trying to record my memories for my descendants if they’re interested. And I hope at least a few will be. But, anyhow, thanks for jogging my memory about things and phrases I’d forgotten. Keep up the good work! I’m proud of who we are and want to share it.

This is beautiful Donnie. I’m sitting here in my cabin with all its modern conveniences trying to imagine what these people’s lives were like. They must have had strong bodies and big hearts.

I really love watching and listening to you tell about the people who lived there. The pictures of the people and homes they built shows how hard they worked to survive. Thanks Donnie!

Thank you Donnie, for showing these videos. It should be prerequisite for our young folks to see. My grandparents hacked out a life in southern Missouri. I marveled at their ingenuity. I can't help but wonder where their tools came from. You are performing such a service by presenting these videos. I can hear the pride and enjoyment in your voice which makes them all the better. God Bless.

Words escape me as to the absolute majesty and beauty of this region, especially Eastern TN. Thanks for the share!

Thank you so much!! That was really something to behold.... it should make us all appreciate the great county we live in... And why people are so passionate to preserve and protect it, specially when politics go to all hell......

My family moved to NC from Va in the early 1700s. They owned a lot of farmland and still do. As a child visiting my grandmother’s farm, I was able to explore with my cousins a lot of these old log cabin homes that had been deserted over the centuries. I loved it! It was fascinating to explore the rooms, whatever old furniture or household items were left behind. Thanks for this wonderful video. ❤️👍

I love these old pioneer homes old rustic looking log cabins they remind a lot of the old cabins props they used up in martin station wilderness road up in Virginia love the old ways and pioneers and Appalachian ways

Yay Story Time Thanks Mr Donnie 👍😊

Thank you Donnie, Sending love too all the kind hearts!

Thank You Donnie I Love History My Heart and Soul can't get Enough of It Blessings and Please Be Safe ✌️

Thank you so much. So calming is your voice, in a time when the world seems crazy. I’m of Irish Scotch decent. I imagine a possible family member years and years ago

I love these old pictures. Thank you for sharing them❤

I’m in love with some of the old homesteads. The Walker Sisters place holds a spot close to my heart. I can’t pinpoint what attracts me to it but I don’t feel like I’m home until I visit it. Have always said if the government would let me live there I would

My 6th Great grandfather was named Meshach Browning, who was a pioneer and great hunter that settled in the Appalachian wilderness of what is now Garrett County MD. He wrote his stories down in his autobiography "Forty Four Years of the Life of A Hunter" which is a beautiful, if simplified collection of stories about hunting the area, courtship of his beloved Mary McMullen and even mention of the birth of my 5th grandmother, Dorcas. The book is still in print today. Meshach Browning is still a popular folk figure of the area with a trail system named for him, Historical Society museum, and his grave being popular MB destinations to visit, and so it's fun to spend time in the area and learn about him and his/my family. One of his surviving flint lock guns and a powder bag is in the Smithsonian Institute's gun room. Your video brings his life to mind, all the struggles he and his family had to keep food on the table and a roof above them. His own cabin was torn down in the first half of the 20th century, but his presence is still felt there in the Deep creek area of Western Maryland.

Great video as usual. Keep them up.

I look forward to your content...from finding old shells in the woods, to telling history of these mountains. I was especially touched by the story of your Mamaws house...your story and mine are almost the same, and brought back many memories. Thank you so very much.

As always, the narrative is professional and a genuine testimony of our ancestors. God bless you Donnie.

Thank you Mr. Donnie, i love all your stories. God Bless you.❤

Another fine video! My maternal Grandpa built their first home in Scott Co. VA around 1920. That became my uncle's cabin in 1930's when he built their second house (still occupied today.) that first cabin was the smoke-house in the1950s when I was a boy. They built things to last. The Museum of Appalachia in Norris, TN has preserved old cabins, old hand tools, and has demonstrations on occasional. Well worth a visit. Thanks Donnie!

Beauty in it's purist form.

Sorry I missed you guys will catch up now been away fore the week been a long one but will have a full catch up now you legend 👍 👍

Enjoyed watching thank you for sharing 😊♥️✝️

Pretty amazing. My family has been here living in the western part of Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains since the early 1700s. I’m very very proud of all of the hard work and the hardships they went through to get our generation here to where we are today. Let’s all remember their love of independence hard work and freedom. Because they fought in every war that this country has been through to preserve those freedoms. Never forget where you came from

Super informative presentation Donnie, great work. Really drives home just how lazy we've become, and distant from others as well. Seems like ages ago these folks were here, but it's really just a few generations of us. This reminder does us all some good. Love it!

None of today's youth has any idea of what our ancestors did to build this country into a civilization that makes everything so easy for them. Thanks, Donnie, for this trip into our rich culture and history. 😊

Thank you, Donnie. God bless.

Love your stories sir! My grandads ole homeplace started life as a 1 room cabin that gradually got added onto over the years it unfortunately got torn down about 25 years ago and the land sold off.

The narrator's voice seems the way the Pioneers would have spoken. Very straightforward and methodical. Interesting video. You can see the difficulty of the life in the faces of the adults.

Thank you. Love to see our early family.

I really wish that I lived a little bit of this, I love seeing old buildings and mining camps!

Grateful for my grandpa and my great Smoky mountain ancestors.

The more I watch your content the more I enjoy it. Keep it up my friend.

As a child that grew up watching 'The New Yankee Workshop', I proudly identified that beautiful dovetail joint! Were I not disabled, I dearly wish I could build a home for my family.

Amazing. I'm obsessed with log homes and cabins. Thank you once again for the effort you put forth in bringing us this beauty, info and intrigue..

Mr. Laws, another fine video to be proud of. It is an honest and true rendition of how life was for many generations. These people were my ancestors, and I am so proud of that. (People don't want to believe that we didn't all lay around in hoop skirts sipping tea, or that we aren't illiterate 'hillbillies'.)

Another great video. I would love to read all those headstones in person. Hope you're healing well, Donnie! See you by Spring with new videos, we hope and pray!

Yes Donnie, i like the bearded carpenter . Beautiful log cabins he builds .thank you Donnie for this educational video .

REALLY LIKE YOUR VIDEOS. PLEASE DONT STOP AND GOD BLESS.

I lived in sitka ky for 16 years loved it home sweet home

My grandmother told us about her family traveling from illinois to Texas in a covered wagon. My grandmother was sitting in the back of the wagon in an old washtub. The wagon hit a bump & she fell out & broke her arm. She also lost her twin sister on that trip because she got some kind of fever & died on the way to Texas. Thank you for the video! I have seen lots of old cabins like this traveling in Tennessee & Kentucky, I love them.

I just love these stories of yours. Your voice is soothing and relaxing, you're an excellent storyteller, and the way the photographs flow, is mesmerizing. Love the music, too. Thank-you.

Thank you for your wonderful stories. I absolutely love listening to you.

So good to hear this little slice of history.

Love Love your videos. Keep them coming.

That was inspiring, us men / women need to recognize our roots and how simple life could be 👍

I sure enjoyed that!!❤

Dam Boy!! This is truly a great KZfaq channel!!

Such a wonderful video wonderful hard working people I love to go through the country and see the old buildings and the old rock fire places and the way they made them. My grandmother had an old dug out cellar where she had her can stuff. They used to get water from the spring down the road. Thanks you for sharing I love all of your videos ❤ have a blessed day 🙏

Thanks again, Donnie for sharing

Your video's are always a treat! Thank you for being you. ❤