A Peek into Summers County’s Past: A Special Butter Churn

I had mentioned my good friend John “Chubby” Clay in a few previous writings. One in particular was when I told the story about how the community of Riverside Rest came to be and his parents John and Lucil Clay who ran a convenience store there.

In addition to running the store, the Clay family showcased their many talents. For instance, Lucil repaired antique wicker baskets and was a true craftsman at recaning chair seats. Chubby worked wonders with his ability to refinish antique furniture.

His father John also assisted Chubby in the line of refinishing furniture. But John had an exceptional skill of knowing how to get the most out of using a wood lathe. Chubby gave me the last wooden bowl his dad was working on when he passed away. It was never finished, and I left it just as John did.

I had always heard about these fantastic authentic-looking miniature butter churns that he made in the 1950s. I had never seen one but heard countless stories from many different people about them. I finally found one and purchased it from Naomi Ryan's estate sale at her house in Pence Springs that was held in 2012.

Ryan was a family friend of the Clays and had babysat for them when Chubby was born. So this little butter churn must have been a gift to Ryan from John. Ryan was a fixture in the small community of Pence Springs, everyone knew her as just that, “Mrs. Ryan.”

I digress and will get back to John's trade. The little churn is made from Walnut and measures 7.5” tall by 2.5” in diameter. It is actually a toothpick holder. If you pull up on the dasher it pulls up a round bucket that rests inside of it and holds them. As you pull the dasher up they fall around to the sides of the container so you can easily grab one.

There is a label applied to the bottom that reads; “Native W.Va. Walnut J.H. Clay Rt. 3 Alderson, W.Va.” Even though Riverside Rest is in Summers County, it falls under the Alderson zip code.

John was such a master at his craft that he had all of the prominent antique collectors in Lewisburg, Beckley, and even as far away as eastern Virginia contact him. They would have him replicate missing pieces from antiques they acquired. For instance, he could reproduce the finials that sat on the center of 18th-century corner cabinets that could fool the naked eye, he was that good.

I never got to meet John and I only vaguely remember Lucil when I was growing up. Mainly I remember her being out working her garden with her hair pinned up, wearing a bonnet and an apron. I didn't become friends and spend time around his house until I was in high school.

Growing up I was always different and had way more older friends than people my own age. I learned so much from them, I was truly blessed growing up the way I did. I will say this, I will be 38 this August 2, I have probably lost more friends from their passing away than I've ever had at this point in my life.

Most people my age have only lost a few friends the way I have, it is sad. But I wouldn't go back and change it for anything. The things I have learned and the memories I have made over the years have made it all worthwhile."

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