After serving his country in the Revolutionary War,
James Stiff acquired land near Thaxton Switch near Bedford, VA
and settled into the role of a frontier farmer.
Thaxton is in the northwest part of Bedford county where the terrain is mountainous.
Taylors mountain and Cobbs mountain are a short distance to the north.
In the same direction, about 10 miles away, the peaks
of the Blue Ridge begin with Peaks of Otter.
Part of the old house built by James Stiff in 1780 was still standing in 1932.
After a long life and raising their 12 children,
James and his wife are buried nearby in “Stiff Cemetery # 120”
.2 miles from the Union United Methodist Church.