THE legacy

Shortly after the turn of the 19th century, Clifton Fuller from Henry County in the foothills of Virginia’s iconic Blue Ridge Mountains began to make his name as a purveyor of an irresistible tonic of well-being and relaxation. During each day he set out to the tobacco fields from dawn to dusk. Clifton wore his bib overalls with his ever-present adorned gold watch always tucked in his pocket. The gold watch was inherited from Pap, Mr. Cliff’s country “doctor” daddy.  The watch accompanied Mr. Cliff everywhere. He wore it on the outside of his clothes when wearing his fedora and his going to meeting duds on Sunday morning.

When not in the bacca field or in church, Mr. Cliff was busy delivering his tonic made from corn, mash, and sugar cooked in cast iron pots to customers near and far. Mr. Cliff shared his tonic in jugs and canning jars to neighbors and friends at local fish fries and barnyard gatherings, particularly after an evening of curing tobacco. Mr. Cliff would grab a fiddle, guitar, banjo, harmonica and even a steel washboard and join the revelers. All were well lubricated with ample amounts of his moonshine. In addition, Mr. Cliff delivered his tonic to rural Virginia and North Carolina jook joints. He met up with travelers who came from afar in search of a concoction that among other things could serve as the base for various country remedies.

Besides working hard in the fields, at the stills and loving life, Mr. Cliff was a devoted family man with a loving wife. Ms. Estelle had 10 children, 40 grandchildren, and numerous amounts of great grandchildren. Mr. Cliff was always respectfully addressed as “Mr.Cliff”,  a community leader, a medical advisor and more.  Mr. Cliff is truly an untold American Story!