Piney Woods

Free Union also known as Piney Woods is a small community located within Martin County, North Carolina. Piney Woods is Ruby's ancestral homeland. The community was founded sometime during the 18th or 19th century. The early founders were American Indian, Free Blacks, and White Settlers. The three groups intermarried and raised their families on the beautiful and fertile land. Piney Woods offspring learned the customs and traditions of all three groups and take pride in being a multi-racial community. Legends say that in bygone days the community folks worked from sunrise until sunset with nothing more than a grubbing hoe, mule, and plow to clear the land. Thereafter, they cut timber with a hand held saw and built homes using a hammer and nails. In order to plant crops and gardens, they used a garden hoe, and a mule and plow. The families raised corn, beans, squash (The Three Sisters), collards, fruit trees, watermelon, field peas, tobacco, hogs, cows, and chickens. The produce was always fresh and delicious. Without doubt, Piney Woods People respected Mother Earth! They only used what they needed for survival and left the rest to nature. In those days, the people shared with each other and anyone else that was in need! However, legends also tell us that Piney Woods folks made moonshine and participated in family feuds. In addtion, the community often came together and hosted a good ole stomp or pow-wow. If you visit Piney Woods, be prepared for a walk down memory land because those were the good old days, no doubt!