Near Chilhowie in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sulphur Springs Church and Campground

1806–1893

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015

1. Sulphur Springs Church and Campground Marker

Inscription. Across the highway was a log meeting house and campground visited by Bishop Francis Asbury and early Methodist circuit riders. On this site Col. W. P. Thompson gathered his regiment in 1812. Here Elizabeth Henry Russell often worshipped and this was the home church of the Rev. R. Gannaway. The church, brick-cased about 1860, was moved to the present location of Chilhowie United Methodist Church in 1893.

Erected 1977 by (unknown party). Approved by the Smyth County Board of Supervisors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 36° 48.389′ N, 81° 41.499′ W. Marker is near Chilhowie, Virginia, in Smyth County. It is on Virginia Route 107 just north of Sulphur Springs Road (County Route 639), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chilhowie VA 24319, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chilhowie Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chilhowie (approx. ¾ mile away); Farthest West, 1750 (approx. ¾ mile away); Town House

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(approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Chilhowie (approx. 0.9 miles away); Transportation Through the Ages (approx. one mile away); Smyth County / Washington County (approx. 1.3 miles away); William Campbell’s Grave (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chilhowie.

Regarding Sulphur Springs Church and Campground. After her husband’s death in 1793, Madame Russell, as she was known, increased her Methodist activism. She gave up her personal wealth but used the funds she had to support circuit riders and to pay to build churches. With a firm belief in God-given freedom for all people, she freed the slave that she owned. In 1812 she settled into a log cabin with a large room for holding religious meetings. Until her death, she hosted itinerant preachers and alerted community members whenever an impromptu service was to be held. When poor evangelists visited her, she bolstered them with food and clothing, as well as moral support and intellectual stimulation. The Madame Russell Methodist Church in Saltville is named in her honor.

Also see . . . Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (1749 - 1825)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015

2. Sulphur Springs Church and Campground Marker

. Virginia Changemakers website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The View Across the Highway from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015

3. The View Across the Highway from Marker

Gravestone of the Reverend Robertson Gannaway (1780–1859) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015

4. Gravestone of the Reverend Robertson Gannaway (1780–1859)

It is in the cemetery adjacent to the marker.

Frederick Starns, ca. 1700-75 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015

5. Frederick Starns, ca. 1700-75

“Born, Germany 1700, arrived N.Y.C. 1710, West Camp NY 1710-12, Schoharie NY 1713-23, German Flatts NY 1723-41, Juniata R. PA 1741-43, New River VA 1744-69, Holston R. VA 1770-75.”

Chilhowie United Methodist Church in Chilhowie, VA. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

6. Chilhowie United Methodist Church in Chilhowie, VA.

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell burial site, Aspenvale Cemetery, Seven Mile Ford, VA image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

7. Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell burial site, Aspenvale Cemetery, Seven Mile Ford, VA

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,181 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 29, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6, 7. submitted on October 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.