Ask for Nothing: A True Story, 1846-1925

Foreword (excerpt)...After the death of my grandparents, Charles and Viola Weaver, I went to a public auction of their possessions on September 23, 1967. I found the family Bible stuffed in a box with many old books to be sold. As I turned to the center of the Bible, I found the deed to the house that is currently 2027 Weaver Hollow Road in Madison County, Virginia. I don't know what happened to the Bible or who obtained the old deed at the sale, but one fact has haunted me throughout the years ... the story of Frances Henderson. The deed stated that whoever bought the old pre-civil home, would also have to take care of Frances Henderson. She was "never to leave the property." ... But many true stories were discovered as I interviewed family members for approximately thirty years. My father Elton Weaver was seventeen years old when Frances died. He remembered her as a kind, sweet lady. He told me many tales about her life with his family. Lula Weaver was 101 years old when I interviewed her. She was the daughter of Willie and Rosa Weaver. Her stories were wonderful. I emulated her country dialect as the characters speak. Mae Weaver Yowell, the daughter of Charlie and Viola Weaver, has been my biggest inspiration. She gave me the picture of Frances Henderson, the only one that is in the family albums. As a nine-year old, she sat beside the bed of the dying 84-year-old Frances. Herstories were humorous and sad as she recalled the life of a woman who lived with her family. Other members of the family added diaries, legends, folklore, recipes, and living conditions during Frances' lifetime. Without their help, this story would not exist. Every person who remembered Frances gave the same description. She was "sweet ... kind ... positive ... hard worker. .. "and "she never asked for nothing."