History of Jeter Farm
How the Jeter Family Came to the Roanoke Valley
After the Revolutionary War, Henry and Betty Bell Jeter
moved to Bedford County, Virginia from Caroline County
near Front Royal. Benjamin Elliott Jeter, Henry's grandson
married Susan Bonsack on September 6, 1853. The couple began their new life together in Bonsack on part of Susan's father's accumulated acreage (305 acres). Benjamin was a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of the Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It wasn't long before many knew Benjamin as the local "old country doctor."
Homeplace
Benjamin build their farmhouse in 1854 along Blue Ridge Blvd (460). The house survived for 100 years before it had to be moved in the mid-twentieth century, when Blue Ridge Blvd was widened. The house now sits behind the barn without its original brick foundation, steps and basement.
Historic Barn
The barn was built in 1871 and remains as one of Botetourt County's best examples of the forebay bank barn. This structure is built of hewn timbers (cut on the homeowner's land) and pegged joinery. The barn sill sits in its original position along Blue Ridge Blvd and has served as a prominent landmark to many for over 140 years. The Jeter's still use the barn to cure and store hay.
The Family
Benjamin and Susan Bonsack, the original homeowners to the Jeter Farm, had eight children: John Albert, Jesse Walter, Edward Mae, Laura Susan, Charles Elliot, Reuben, Dillie, and Jacob Bonsack.
Jacob Bonsack Jeter married Hattie Brugh of Nace and took over his parent's farm until 1940. Jacob and Hattie Brugh Jeter had four children: Max, Richard, Josephine, and Annie Laura. When Hattie passed away all four children learned to work hard at an early age to keep this farm afloat.
When Richard turned 23, in the 1930's, his father died. Richard kept a promise he made to his father to keep the farm afloat, no matter what happened. Richard married at age 31 to Genevee and the couple continued the family tradition of farming despite the poor economy during the Great Depression. Richard and Genevee had six children.
Richard has since passed away and his son Ned Jeter has taken over ownership, operation, and the promise of keeping the farm going along with his two sons, Ned II, and Darrell.