The Family Who Loved This Land Before Us

Before we jump into our “diamond in the rough” farmhouse chapter (and the furry—and not so furry—creatures we found living there 😄), it feels important to pause and honor the family who owned this land for nearly a century.

John and Fennie McGuffey settled here in 1923, and according to the late Ken Pennington—our beloved local historian—they built a small cabin on the property. We have a wonderful photo of John and Fennie from the 1920s standing proudly in front of their horse-drawn carriage… and unbelievably, we’ve even found a few remnants of that carriage tucked away on the farm.

In 1948, they built the farmhouse—hidden back down the driveway lined with hemlocks—with a stone fireplace and beautiful hardwood floors. That house is still standing today. Their original cabin is no longer here, but their story absolutely is.

Over the years, we’ve heard from many of their relatives about how loved John and Fennie were in this community. We genuinely enjoy hearing those stories—we actually heard a new one just yesterday at the feed store. And it’s clear they treasured this land. You can still see their care in the terracing, the old pear and apple orchard, and the blueberry bushes scattered around the property. We’re grateful for the foundation they created and the way they honored the land long before we ever arrived.

I’ve also included a photo of John in his later years, standing proudly next to his dinner-plate dahlias. I’ve been told he was quite the gardener, and it feels like a privilege to continue that tradition—doing our best to steward this place with the same kind of love.

Next up: the farmhouse… and the creatures who apparently thought it belonged to them. 🐀🐍