Mrs. Dayton blends genealogy with architectural history to capture the pioneer days of Lewisburg and surrounding Greenbrier County. Each chapter treats an important building over 100 years old at the time of the book's original publication in 1942 and the people who either built, occupied, or were otherwise associated with it. The author recounts the history and descriptions of nearly 100 homes, schools, taverns, and farms in Greenbrier County from their erection until the middle of the 19th century, illustrating many of them with graceful line drawings. While the genealogical coverage of the buildings' inhabitants varies, in most cases we are given the names of the original head of household, his spouse and children; the names of subsequent owners and their families; years occupied; something of the residents' lives and/or careers; and more.