James Hoge Tyler was a Confederate soldier, writer, and politician belonging to the democratic party. He was a member of the Virginia Senate and served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1890 to 1894 and as the 43rd Governor of Virginia from 1898 to 1902. Tyler inherited Hayfield farm from his grandfather, General James Hoge, which he renamed Belle Hampton after his daughters Belle and Sue Hampton when he renovated and expanded it in 1878. Later, he built a house in Radford, Virginia, named Halwick after his daughter Nellie passed away. During those years, he maintained a journal documenting his daily life and the family's history. James Hoge Tyler kept a diary for most of his life on his farm in Dublin, Virginia, and later as the governor in Richmond. He started writing when he was 33 in 1879 and continued until 1924, just months before his death at the age of 78. These diaries are a valuable source of information about his family, friends, neighbors, employees, and daily life in Virginia around a century ago. They offer a glimpse into the past and provide a treasure trove of historical information.