Sutherland Books - history of the Sutherland/Swindall family

Judge Elihu J Sutherland was a scholar, a genealogist and member of the National Genealogical Society, a WW-I soldier, a teacher, a lawyer, a civic leader, a recognized local historian who loved his homeland and its people (always taking advantage of contacts with older people to record genealogical and historical data), a charter officer of the Historical Soc of Southwest VA, Historian for the Sandlick Primitive Baptist Church and the Washington District Primitive Baptist Association, and one of the organizers of the Breaks Park Association which ultimately resulted in the establishment of Breaks Interstate Park.. He had a BA and LLD from the Univ of Chattanooga where he participated in sports, drama, debate, and journalism. E J married Hetty Jean Swindall, lived in Clintwood, and had two sons, Wm H and James D Sutherland. EJ is buried on his grandfather’s land in Sutherland Memorial Cem.

Judge Sutherland’s grandfather, William Sutherland, was elected chairman of the first Board of Supervisors (1800-1807) of Dickenson County, VA. His father, William B Sutherland, was a minister and moderator of the Primitive Baptist Church, a farmer, a civic leader, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1895-97), and a member of the Dickenson Board of Supervisors. His mother was Eliza Jane Counts a daughter of Noah and Aily (Amburgey) Counts.

Hetty Jean Swindall, wife of Judge E. J. Sutherland and daughter of Milburn and Ardelia Austin Swindall, was born in a log cabin on Georges Fork., Dickenson County. Hetty taught two terms in a one-room school then in 1921 boarded the train at Jenkins, Ky for an adventurous trip to Fork Worth (TX) where she stayed her aunt and uncle, completed a course in shorthand, typing, and fast calculation, and received a Certificate of Achievement from the National Business School at Fort Worth. She returned to Clintwood, became secretary to John Flannagan (attorney for Ritter Lumber Co and Clinchfield Coal Co and later Congressman for the Ninth District of VA). Later she worked as a teller and as secretary for the County Dept of Public Welfare and the local V.P.I. Extension Office (20 years). She was chosen clerk of Clintwood's All-Woman Council ‘48, Grand Marshall of the Pioneer Days Parade ‘85; "Dickenson County Woman of the Year" ‘86, and Queen of Clintwood's Centennial Celebration. Hetty is a charter member of the Southwest VA Historical Soc (treasurer 20+ yrs) and the Dickenson County Historical Soc, and a member of the Sandy Basin Historical Society and the Mountain People and Places. Hetty has been the Counts Family Genealogist since her husband’s death.

William H “Bill” Sutherland received a 1950 BSME & ROTC Army commission from VA Polytechnic Institute (VPI-VA Tech), and a 1955 MSME from West VA Univ; was presented with a VPI Distinquished Mining Engineer Alumnus Award; served in the US Army in Korea with the Commendation Ribbon for his Army liaison work with the Korean Coal Mining Industry; retired from the US Army Reserves as Lt Colonel; was Manager of Contract Mines for Clinchfield Coal Co and part owner & Vice-President of Operations for Sycamore Coal Co & Patsy Development Co; was Chief, Division of Health (principal health advisor to the National Administrator), Coal Mine Safety & Health Administration (Federal Coal Mine Inspectors) and received the US Dept of Labor's Meritorious Service & Distinguished Career Service Awards. In 1952 Bill married Thora Cornelia "Toy" McElrath of Sophia, WV. Toy received a 1951 BS in Business Administration from VPI where she was active on the newspaper and yearbook and was elected president of Pi Delta Epsilon - the national honorary journalism fraternity. She was a Girl Scout leader, a Red Cross Gray Lady; and a teacher. She has done extensive research on her family for 30 years. They have two daughters, Dr.Sharon L Sutherland and Susanne K Sutherland Frame, and two grandchildren, April Beth and Ian Frame.

The Heritage of Dickenson County, Virginia