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RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATION NO. 2
Winter, 1973
THE COVER: The request for bids for building Rutherford County a courthouse that appeared in the Nashville Whig, Novem- ber 25, 1812, was most intriguing. So much so that the idea was suggested that an architectural rendering of the proposed building be attempted. In cooperation with the Historical Society, Mr. Charles Pigg, Plant Planner for Middle Tennessee State University, contacted Yearwood and Johnson, Nashville architects. The firm was amenable to the project and assigned Mr. John E. Suter, a longtime draftsman of the firm, to the job. The sketch on the cover is the result of Mr. Suter 's efforts. A re-reading of the specifications printed in "Publication No. 1" will bear out the faithful and imaginative adherence to the Whig ' s descriptive notice of 1812.
Was the building ever constructed? If Goodspeed is accepted as the authority, it was not. Yet Goodspeed has perpetuated many errors and contradictions in light of later research. If it were not built — possibly because of the cost — Rutherford County made its initial salute to conservatism and frontier economy. If it were built, the loafers and hallway philosophers were in first class quarters.
Published by Rutherford County Historical Society Murfreesboro, Tennessee 1973
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATION NO. 2
FOREWORD
There seems to be a semblance of permanency in a bound document that has an identifying cover. With this in mind the Society hopes to preserve some of the rich historical heritage that abounds in the county. This, therefore, is the principal purpose of this publication and the one that preceded it. Hopefully, there will be others.
The resources of the Society do not permit technical preparation of successive volumes by a professional printer. However, mimeographed material locked in by a printed cover will serve the purpose — at least for the time being.
All members of the Society will receive a copy of the publication, and those that follow, as a part of the membership dues. Revenue derived from the sale of extra copies will pro- vide some assurance of the continuity of the publications.
We express our thanks to those who have purchased one or more copies of this issue. Your assistance will enable us to continue our project.
CONTRIBUTORS
The Rutherford County Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the contributions made to Publication No. 2 by the following:
Henry G. Wray, Rutherford County Archivist
Mary Hall, Retired-Unretired Middle Tennessee State University Professor
Mayor W. H. Westbrooks, City of Murfreesboro
Ben Hall McFarlin, Rutherford County Court Clerk
Ernie Johns, Past President of the Historical Society
Homer Pittard, Rutherford County Historian
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATION NO. 2 1973
Contents
Page Rutherford County Marriage Records (1854-1856)
Prepared by Henry G. Wray 1
Bride Index (Alphabetically by Page Number)
Prepared by Henry G. Wray 10
Dr. Murfree Meets Champ Ferguson
Homer Pittard 15
Rutherford County Militia Commissions (1812-1820)
Extracted by Henry G. Wray and Ernest K. Johns. . . 20
Occupation Mayor: The Honorable J. M. Tompkins
Homer Pittard 30
Memoirs of James M. Tompkins
Written by Himself 32
Mayors of Murfreesboro
Prepared by Mayor W. H. Westbrooks 37
The Ku Klux Klan
Ben Hall McFarlin 39
The History of Kittrell
Mary Hall 4 5
Booknote 8 5
Members of Rutherford County Historical Society
(As of November, 1973) 86
RECORD OF MARRIAGES IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY Prepared by Henry G. Wray, Rutherford County Archivist
Arnold, Barnes, Barnes ,
1854
Adkerson, John J. & Sarah Sneed Jan. 20
Allen, Valentine S. & Nancy A. Ridley Aug. 31
Arnett, Samuel & Sarah Stone Jan. 21
Arnold, Alexander & Eliz. Knox Aug. 10
Granville & Eliz. J. Revis Jan. 24
Elizah & Mary Mitchell Sept. 22
Geo. A. & Lucretia Bottom March 8
Baugh, Joseph L. & Anna Butterworth Oct. 11
Bell, Robert F. & Susan E. Neal Sept. 30
Brantly, E. L. & Mary E. McKnight Oct. 9
Brewer, Thomas & Eliz. Stephens May 1
Bright, Robert S. & Lavina Kerby Nov. 4
Brinkley, James & Sarah Auberry Oct. 5
Brittain, Pleasant H. & Sarah A. Neal March 11
Brittain, Vftn. W. & Sarah H. N. Blair Oct. 23
Brown, Archibald S. & Mary Sparks Dec. 27
Brown, Henry & Isora H. Walden June 19
Brown, Smauel M. & Amanda E. Taylor Aug. 21
Brookshire, Nathaniel & Nancy E. Brown Jan. 4
Brothers, Benj . & Susan Elliott Jan. 19
Buchanan, Alexander B. & Louisa A. Buchanan July 17
Burkett, Wm. H. & Nancy D. Walden June 21
Burnett, John W. & Martha A. McKee Aug. 29
Bynum, Geo. & Lucy Ann Eaks Aug. 25
Carothers, Robert B. & Martha Fletcher May 3
Caruthers, John F. & Mary J. Puckett April 1
Clark, A. W. B. & Eliz. J. Smith Dec. 7
Clark, Joseph & Louisa Ellis Sept. 6
Cobb, Reuben W. & Sarah G. Arnold Sept. 11
Sarah J. Pope June 14
T. & Judith A. Miller May 25
Collins, James & Eveline Nickins Sept. 13
Covington, Larkin A. & Emely E. Covington Nov. 21
Crick, Merriman & Virginia C. Winsett Nov. 14
Cur lee, Thomas G. & Mary S. McKnight Nov. 7
Curtis, Wm. D. & Mary Barnes April 22
Daniel, Henry T. & Martha M. Brown Dec. 11
Daniel, Icabud & Judith B. Daniel May 4
Davis, Wnu K. & Mary E. Allen Jan. 17
Edwards, Wm. & Mary J. Fleming May 18
Elder, James G. & Susan C. Harris Sept. 5
Farmer, E. J. & Mary E. Hicks Oct. 2
Farmer, George J. & Harriett R. Woodfin May 4
Felts, Richard & Mary Sherron Oct. 14
Fletcher, James M. & Susannah Jeans Dec. 23
Coleman, John & Coleman, Wm. F.
1854 (cont'd)
Floyd, Joshua A. & Mary J. Jones Fowler, John G. & Amanda Tucker Fox, Isaac W. & Eliz. Major Frizzell, John & Matilda Winford Garrett, Thomas & Lucinda C. Arnold Gaskey, Garrett D. & Frances A. A. Hooper Hallyburton, James 0. & Nancy demons Harrell, Franklin & Sarah Burks Harrison, Lewis & Rebecca B. Loyd Harrison, Wm. C. & Martha J. Davis Hayes, John & Eliz. W. Smith Helton, Anderson P, & Mary M. Arnett Hicks, Henry H. & Mary W. Ward Hill, Charles J. & Mary M Todd Holden, James P. & Mary J. Read Holt, John H. & Rebecca S. Smotherman Hyde, Hartwell B. & Malissa A. Morton Jarratt, "Alexander W. & Eliz. M. Fleming Jarratt, Levi D. & Susan Brown Jenkins, Nimrod & Jane W. Moore Jetton, John B. & Margaret J. Warren Johnson, C. M. & Mary C. Davis Johnson, Edward & Nancy J. Brown Jones, John & Eliza L. Booker Jones, Richard H. & Martha J. Patterson Landrum, John & Peney Winsett Lannon, Wm. A. & Rachel W. Thorn Layne, Robert & Flora McRae Lee, Robert A. & Mary T. Nance Lewis, Ben j . & Martha A. E. Watson Logan, Samuel F. & C. Virginia Welch Lowe, Walter & Martha S. Kelton Mangrum, Jesse & Louisa Vaughn Maddox, Thomas F. & Amanda L. Nance Mangriam, Jesse & Mary Jackson Mason, Martin S. & Nannetta S. Hamilton Mathis, Wm. T. & Susanah Wade Merritt, George R. & Nancy M. Allen Mitchell, Wm. & Maryann Higgenbotham Moore, Leroy & Mary Armstrong Moore, Leroy & Rebecca Trolander Morris, Joseph & Mary J. Vaughan Morton, John W. & Lillian E. C. Glass Mullins, Andrew J. & Mary A. Shannon Myrick, Alvis & Nancy Jones McCoy, James P. & Sarah J. Yews McFarlin, John A. & Nancy E. Nichols McGinnis, Joseph & Catharine Read MacGowen, Geo. W. & Catura J. White McGowan, Isaac W. & Nancy Harris McGrigor, Clinton & Mary V. Reece McGuire, Thomas J. & Martha J. Ferris
Aug. 28 Dec. 11 Aug . 1 5 July 22 Feb. 1 Jan. 12 Sept. 11 March 21 June 1 Sept. 4 April 19 Aug. 17 Nov. 3 July 26 Aug. 26
Jan. Dec. Dec. Jan. Jan.
5
5
30
16
18.
Dec. 21 Oct. 19 Oct. 9 May 12 Nov. 27 Nov. 2 Jan. 3 Nov. 1 Aug. 29 Jan. 6 Dec. 5 Sept. 13 Sept. 13 Sept. 16 Oct. 28 Jan. 17 Oct. 5 July 3 Aug. 27 Dec. 11 Oct. 3 Nov. 2 0 Nov. 17 Dec. 5 Sept. 11 Nov. 15 Nov. 6 Feb. 1 Jan. 18 April 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 25
1854 (cont'd)
Ring, Joseph F, Rion, Thomas D, Sage, Wm. F. &
McKee, James & Sarah Vaughan Oct. 31
McRea, Thomas R. & Martha J. Fleming Dec. 23
Nations, Christopher & Jane Adams Jan. 10
Norman, Granville L. & Catharine E. Gowen Nov. 23
Orr, Wm. C. & Temperance Miller Jan. 5
Overall, Perilous N. & Louisa M. Kerby Oct. 19
Palmer, Joseph B. & Ophelia M. Burris Feb. 14
Parker, Isaac P. & Margaret J. Mullins July 19
Parsley, James J. & Martha E. V. T. Mathews Dec. 18
Partee, Rodolphus G. & Polemna T. Miles Feb. 13
Patton, Samuel M. & Nancy J. McCloud Oct. 18
Perryman, Wm. F. & Susan C. Sewell Aug. 16
Posey, Wm. S. & Mary J. Anderson Nov. 9
Prater, Philip J. & Isabella Kelton Sept. 4
Quigley, James P. & Mary E. Hall March 23
Randolph, Wm. W. & Mary A. Morton July 25
Rankin, Franklin W. & Martha P. McKnight Nov. 15
Ransom, Robert N. & Isabella S. Huggins Dec. 13
Reed, Marvin & Julia E. Brown Feb. 28
. & Levetha Burks Nov. 6
. & Nancy A. Jones Jan. 4
Corinda A. Felts March 1
Sanders, John C. & Sophia W. Wasson May 24
Sanders, Samuel R. & Henrietta S. Thompson Jan. 3
Shuttlesworth, Wlizah M. & Martha E. Jamison Dec. 20
Smith, James A. & Rebecca J. Taylor June 29
Smith, John B. & Missouri 0. T. A. Pogue March 2
Smith, Josiah L. & Ann M. Smith May 2
Smotherman, Joseph & Mary A. Smotherman Sept. 11
Sneed, John W. & Miss A. L. C. Farmer _ March 9
Snell, James C. & Malissa J. Kirk ' Nov. 2
Spann, Richard H. & Eliz. Murphey March 6
Spann, Wm. R. & Rebecca Hays Oct. 25
Sugg, Wm. & Delitha Smothers April 12
Summers, John W. & Laura A. Kerby Jan. 5
Swan, Lunsford Y. & Harriett C. Elliott Feb. 8
Talbert, Wm. T. & Martha E. Read July 30
, & Mary E. Anderson June 26
Rebecca E. Swan June 2
& Sarah V. Dove Aug. 10
Dovy Auberry Sept. 20
Thweatt, Joseph 0. & Eliz. Welch Jan. 17
Thomas, Stephen & Eliz. Naron Sept. 16
Thompson, Albert C. & Eliz. C. Northcott Feb. 11
Thompson, George W. & Eliz. R. Sanford March 7
Walton, Willis R. & Mary P. Ellis Feb. 28
Ward, Benj . F. & Evelina Hicks Sept. 13
Ward, James R. & Jane A. Baird Dec. 19
Ward, John P. & Ailev F. Walpole Feb. 14
Ward, Milton Y. & Caroline Ward June 20
Ward, Raford C. & Melissa M. Bone Nov. 28
Warren, Robert & Eliz. K. Snell Nov. 27
Williams, Wm. M. & Lucinda Covington Jan. 16
Wilson, James T. & Martha Lane Sept. 27
Tappan, James C. Tatum, Vftn. M. & Taylor, John H. Thewer, Reese &
1854 (cont'd)
Winn, E. P. & Lucy Bellenfant Wood, Andrew J. & Lodica Tucker Wood, Joseph & Susan C. Wood Wood, Obediah & Caroline M. Lane Yearwood, Jacob S. & Martha J. Yearwood
Aug. 11 Dec. 21 Jan. 9 April 8 Jan. 13
1855
Abernathy, Jesse J. & Susan E. Williams Alexander, Henry V. & Sarah J. Holden Anderson, Charles & Martha J. Burge Batey, David & Mary P. Hallyburton Bell, Noah C. & Martha A. Oliphint Benson, John W. & Eliz. A. Mitchell Blakemore, Wtn. H. & Mary E. Ridley Blake, John R. & Josephine Murphey Booker, Geo. W. & Catharine L. Dill Boring, Sterling B. & Eliz. Edwards Bowen, John A. & Juliann L. Bowman Boyce, Joseph A. & Louisa F. Dunn Boyd, Wm. B. & Narcissa Dill Bradford, Wm. & Pamelia Spain Brothers, Jesse & Susan Ann Powell Brown, Wm. D. & Mundora Rucker Bruce, Wm. M. & Nancy C. Smith Bryant, Wm. F. & Margaret Johnson (col.) Burton, Thomas & Martha Batey Caffy, James N. & Mary H. Youree Christopher, Martin A. & Rhoda A. Threat Chumbly, David A. & Frances Staton Craig, F. D. & Roxannah S. Fletcher Crockett, Wm. M. & Sallie C. Hollowell Daniel, James M. & Martha D. Clement Daniel, Lucious & America W. Hughes Davis, Able & Eliz. Johnson Dement, Wilson Y. & Mary B. Harrison & Nancy J. Johnson Sarah Williford & Martha A. Walker & Sarah A. E. Pully Ellen P. Crawford Embry, Edmund & Martha Rouse (col.) Evans, William & Mary Pearcy Ewing, Josiah W. & Ada Byron Hord Farmer, James A. & Nancy J. Runnells Fletcher, James F. & Mary Moore Fox, VM. H. & Jane E. Prewitt Frost, John W. & Susan M. Rather Gilmore, Vftn. M. & Eliz. C. Naylor Glymp, George W. & Lucinda Ryon Gordon, Wm. & Mary Jane Thompson Gotcher, Henry P. & Julia G. Anderson
Dillion, James A. Douglas, Thomas & Drake, Francis M. Edwards, Isaac S. Elam, Daniel F. &
Jan. 16 Sept. 30 Sept. 22 Feb. 12 June 18 Feb. 21 May 8 Feb. 19 Oct. 11 Nov. 21 May 10 Jan. 18 Sept. 18 March 27 Sept. 1 May 9 Feb. 3 March 21 Nov. 22 Dec. 20 Feb. 12 June 2 May 13 Oct. 17 March 12 June 19 Aug. 30 Dec. 6 Nov. 24 Feb. 12 Nov. 25 Dec. 4 June 24 Sept. 14 June 5 Nov. 21 Feb. 1 Oct. 9 March 29 Oct. 23 Dec. 19 Jan. 15 July 19 Jan. 8
1855 (cont'd)
& Martha A. Hill & Eliz. C. Vaughan Susan Gambill T. & Susanah T. McCrary
& Jane J. M. Witherspoon & Tennessee A. Crutcher
Grant, James T
Hale, Joseph P
Hall, Wm. J. &
Harney, Andrew
Harney, George W
Harris, James R.
Henley, Richard L. & Lucretia Henry
Herrod, Rubin & Mary A. Brinkley
Herrall, Calvin C. & Nancy Brown
Herrell, John T. & Martha J. Sherrell
Hibbett, James R. & Isabella W. Burnett
Higgenbotham, John & Martha Renshaw
Hightower, W. W. & Armilda D. Blanton
Hoover, Byron & Euphemia E. Hodge
Hoover, Daniel D. & Mary E, Burks
Hoover, Joab & Eliz. Prewitt
Huggins, Camillus B. & Sallie E. Ridley
Hutcherson, Jos. & Martha Ann Horton
Isham, Absalom & Martha Winfrey
Jackson, John C. & Mary J. Covington
Jacobs, Stokely & Susan Anglin
Jacobs, Thomas H. & Margaret S. Parker
James, John W. & Mary J. Vaught
Jetton, John H. & Isabella Mason
Jones, Geo. L. & Emily Owen
Jones, Wm. E. & Eliz. Wade
Jordan, James F. & Eliza G. Spain
Kerby, Christopher A. & Mary B. Vaughan
Kirk, Alexander M. & Sarah A. Brothers
Lawrence, John B. & Roberta S. Mason
Lawrence, Munroe & Parthenia E. Jones
Lovin, Hugh F. & Angline Evans
Lowe, Milton M. & Mary A. Patton
Lyon, Elijah & Mary J. McCrary
Mankin, James A. & Susan C. Pinkard
Miller, Mathew C. & Zilphia C. Johnson
Miller, M. C. & Harriett C. Tucker
Miller, Henry & Mary J. Cobb
Mitchell, Calvin G. & Mary 0. Gannaway
Moore, Thomas Y. & Lavinia Anglin
Morton, Robert H. & Frances McCoy
Mosely, Henry & Holly Robertson
Murphey, James P. & Mary E. T. Wood
McBroom, Abel & Elmena Hoskins
McCann, John J. & Juliet S. Chamberlain
McCrary, Alex E. & Dorothy Youree
McKnight, John P. & Mary Neeley
McKnight, James N. & Martha A. Alexander
McLaughlin, George W. & Tennessee L. Morton
Neeley, Joshua R. & Sarah Ann Smith
Nelson, Isaac R. & Harriet V. Haynes
Nov. 24 Dec. 14 Oct. 20 Dec. 26 Dec. 22 April 10 Aug. 30 July 19 Jan. 5 July Jan. 1 Jan. 30 Oct. 23 Sept. 19 Sept. 19 Jan. 10 Jan. 3 Dec. 19 March 5 Dec. 19 Dec. 5 Oct. 7 June 13 Feb. 20 Jan. 18 Sept. 5 Jan. 10 Jan. 23 Nov. 27 Oct. 10 May 10 Sept. 24 Jan. 9 March 27 Jan. 16 Sept. 3 Nov . 1 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 2 March 8 Feb. 9 Dec. 19 Aug. 6 April 17 Dec. 10 Jan. 24 Dec. 24 Nov . 2 0 Sept. 15 May 7 Dec. 7
1855 (cont'd)
Nolan, Martin & Maranda B. Cochran
Norvell, Charles W. & Sarah A. Tennison
Pearcy, John J. & Eliza Jane Herbert
Perkins, John B. & Eliz. Tatum
Pierson, Richmond & Sarah N. Summers
Pinion, Augustus & Nancy S. Harris
Pinkston, James D. & Eliz. J. Mankin
Porter, James M. & Jennie T. Hannah
Portis, Joseph H. & Sarah E. McCullough
Pride, John S. M. & Sallie E. Morgan
Puckett, Benj. & Eliz. H. Ridout
Ralston, Alexander H. & Harriet R. Thompson
Rice, W. F. & Mary A. Sanders
Richardson, Wm. T. & Sallie J. Majors
Ridley, James B. & Mary J. Ridley
Ridley, Wm. A. & Nancy L. Haynes
Rucker, Samuel J. & Ada Mitchell
Runnells, James B. & Polly H. Todd
Rutledge, Benj. & Sarah Webb
Ryan, James M. & Elvey Winsett
Sanders, Andrew T. & Martha J. Semmons
Searcy, Anderson S. Amanda E. Batey
Shelton, Thomas & Sarah E. Naron
Shilcutt, Thomas A. & Henrietta M. Buchanan
Shipp, Joseph E. & Martha Ann Lewis
Shlaffer, Mathias & Martha Ehrenseller
Smith, Nepoleon B. & Mary D. Fletcher
Smith, W. W. & Julia Ann McLean
Smotherman, Bartholemew & Judith C. Wood
Smotherman, James A. & Mary A. Douglass
Smotherman, Wm. & Mary J. Love
Snell, Jonathan L. & Martha E. Harris
Span, Hartwell & Eliz. Ryan
Statler, Samuel & Mary Ann Lillard
Stephens, Geo. M. & Sarah Ann Koonce
Sullivan, Robert J. & Sarah E. Barr
Tarpley, John A. & Indiana Jackson
Tassey, John W. & Esther A. Daniel
Thomas, Robert & Sarah E. Johnson
Thompson, Dela F. & Zusilla E. Watson (Halsen)
Todd, John & Rhoda Trolinger
Todd, Jacob M. & Mary A. Nichols
Martha Brinkley & Louisa A. Jones
& Nancy H. Barber
& Susan H. Taylor
& Virginia A. Blackman
Toliver, Wm. & Tompkins, B. C Underwood, Wm. Vaughan, Isaac Vawter , Jesse R
Walden, John & Eliz. Bishop Westbrooks, Vftn. C. & Julia A. Smotherman Wiggs, Thomas W. & Martha E. Smith Wilson, Wm. & Martha Ann Benson Windrow, Travis & Catherine E. Pate
Nov. 7 Oct. 24 Nov. 13 March 13 June 27 July 3 Oct. 8 April 25 Aug. 25 Jan. 11 Oct. 11 June 5 Jan. 15 Sept. 6 Nov. 8 Dec. 4 Feb. 15 Nov. 30 Jan. 15 Dec. 4 Oct. 17 April 25 Feb. 21 Feb. 13 Dec. 19 Oct. 31 Nov. 26 Nov. 26 May 12 Jan. 23 Feb. 15 Dec. 19 July 21 June 2 6 Aug. 16 Oct. 18 Oct. 9 Feb. 1 Oct. 2 May 14 Oct. 15 Jan. 6 Oct. 1 Nov. 14 Oct. 23 Dec. 27 Jan. 9 April 7 Sept 4 Dec. 6 Oct. 25 Jan. 1
1855 (cont'd)
Woolen, Geo. W. & Josephine Zachry Smith Wrather, Enoch B. & Ellen V. Robinson Wright, Thompson J. & Eliz. A. Barker
Nov. 27 Feb. 9 Nov. 26
1856
Alexander, W. T. & Euphemia L. Travis Sept. 30
Alford, Thomas W. & Athelia H. Bone Feb. 11
Allen, James A. & Eliz. D. Christopher Dec. 14
Anderson, Henry R. & Nancy E. Baxter March 31
Armstrong, J. H. & Mary A. Roberts May 17
Arnett, Henry & Martha A. Burnett July 29
Arnold, Wm. J. & Sarah A. Rice Feb. 25
Alsup, E. B. & Susan F. Pearcy Oct. 1
Askew, Aaron 0. & Susan C. Read Dec. 9
Baird, Thomas A. & Lucy A. Perry Sept. 17
Baker, James F. & Amanda Evans Feb. 19
Barnes, John H. & Martha Ivey Jan. 27
Barnett, G. F. & Eliz. Sanders Aug. 20
Baskette, James B. & Martha E. Neal Jan. 24
Baskette, W. T. & Hellin M. Crichlow Oct. 8
Batey, James M. & Harriette G. Morton July 25
Batson, Madison F. & Mary E. Ransom Dec. 17
Beatey, James M. & Mahaly C. Briant Oct. 21
Bell, John & Sarah M. McKee Jan. 30
Bell, Robert F. & Eliz. Major Nov. 10
Belt, William & Celia Howland Jan. 17
Bibb, A. S. & Sarah Ann Hord Sept. 20
Bigham, Robert H. & Lucy Ann Duncan Jan. 26
Bingham, John D. & Nancy C. Pearson Oct. 31
Birdwell, Samuel & Amanda L. Nay lor Jan. 9
Blackman, Raiford C. & Ann B. Ridout Oct. 4
Bone, B. P. & Sarah L. Rankin June 7
Boyd, John & Martha S. North March 22
Boyd, Nathan A. & Mary E. Marable July 14
Bradford, W. H. & S. E. Perry Nov. 4
Brooks, H. J. & Isabella Miles April 30
Brown, Geo. A. & Susan A. Sublett March 12
Brown, Repps 0. & Mary E. McAdoo Jan. 28
Bryant, Wm. 0. & Mossouria A. Hedgepath Nov. 8
Buckner, Marian L. & Sarah J. Brinkley Sept. 25
Burlinson, Isaac & Julia Holloway July 16
Bumpass, Wm. M. & Hannah E. Nash Jan. 14
Cabler, James F. & Martha J. Dickie Dec. 17
Caldwell, Robert R. & Tennessee L. Buchanan March 29
Carlton, John A. & Louisa A. Haynes Aug. 25
Carney Wm. J. & Mariah L. Butler May 14
Cole, James H. & Mary F. Taylor Jan. 14
Coursey, Joseph & Amanda M. Lamb Oct. 1
Cross, John C. & Catharine Newgent Oct. 16
1856 (cont'd)
Dickie, James H. & City M. Rowlett Dillon, Wm. H. & Martha A. Hill Dunaway, Drury & Parlee Smith (Garrison) Dunaway , Thomas & Nancy Moore Dunn, Bolin H. & Catharine Summerhill Dunn, Nuton C. & Cathrine Blagg Eagleton, John A. & Mary A. J. Bethel Elder, Elias A. & Eliz. C. Wilson Elrod, Adam & Eliz. W. Good Fields, Joseph H. & Mary J. Blair Fletcher, Wm. C. & Sarah A. Edwards Furgason, Beriman & Susan Hubbard George, Wm. P. & Chancy Etter Glenn, Stephen M. & Lucie W. Searcy Glenn, Wm. T. & Louisa Glimp Gooch, James H. & Mary Jane Harris Gorden, John B. & Mary Eliz. Ealy Graves, Joseph L. & Amanda Robertson Greer, Elijah V. & Sarah Primm Hail, Baxter W. & Rebecca M. Smith Haley, James A. & Eliz. E. Robertson Heraldston, Joseph S. & Sarah A. Sanders Harrison, David A. & Sarah H. Muggins Harrison, Duke W. & Addie Sublett Haynes, Harvy J. & Julia Ann L. Posey Hays, Thomas H. & Ann Newman Hays, Wm. J. & Martha J. Weatherly Higginbotham, M. L. & Margaret Jane Louis (Lev/is) Hill, Wm. & Priscilla J. Baker Hockins, Elisha & Mary L. Powell Hodge, Wm. L. & Sarah O. Tombs Holden, Geo. W. & Martha Jarratt Hoover, Wm. F. & Martha A. Halton Hoover, James M. & Martha J. Barker Holmes, Charles R. & Sally S. Wade House, James & Nancy G. Wilson Howland, Lewis H. & Izabel Daughtery Huitt, Wm. N. & America Roling Irwin, George T. & Mary J. Gates Jacobs, Alfred & Mary M. Creasy Jackson, Mead H. & Sarah A. Nance & Susan Batey & Sarah Ann Colman
James, J. F. B. Jamison, John W.
Jarratt, Robert & Cyntha Hewitt Johnston, Wm. A. & Jane E. Smith Karney, Charles & Josephine Clark Keller, James M. & Margaret L. Parker Kirby, Smith & Violet Harris Kirk, Wm. C. & Eliz. Smothers Lackey, W. K. & Lucy A. Felts Lamb, Thomas & Martha J. Westbrooks Lyon, G. W. & M. B. Fagan
|
July |
11 |
|
Feb. |
11 |
|
Sept. |
. 29 |
|
June |
9 |
|
April 30 |
|
|
Dec. |
18 |
|
Dec. |
17 |
|
Dec. |
29 |
|
Sept, |
. 18 |
|
March 6 |
|
|
Jan. |
9 |
|
May ;! |
L2 |
|
June |
28 |
|
July |
2 |
|
Dec. |
16 |
|
June |
21 |
|
June |
28 |
|
May i |
5 |
|
Nov. |
24 |
|
March 6 |
|
|
Apri! |
L 10 |
|
Nov. |
17 |
|
Oct. |
1 |
|
Oct. |
6 |
|
Nov. |
8 |
|
Feb. |
20 |
|
Feb. |
8 |
|
Aug. |
21 |
|
Aug. |
27 |
|
Sept, |
. 24 |
|
March 8 |
|
|
March 17 |
|
|
Dec. |
4 |
|
Oct. |
9 |
|
Dec. |
4 |
|
Jan. |
24 |
|
Oct. |
2 |
|
Nov. |
26 |
|
Jan. |
23 |
|
Jan. |
10 |
|
Jan. |
1 |
|
Oct. |
9 |
|
Nov. |
12 |
|
July |
18 |
|
Nov. |
22 |
|
Sept |
. 27 |
|
Feb. |
14 |
|
Sept |
. 25 |
|
May ; |
L2 |
|
May ; |
29 |
|
Jan. |
7 |
|
Aug. |
12 |
1856 (cont'd)
Maberry, W. Y. & Sarah McCalister Mankin, Welcome & Sarah Lyon Marable, Isaac L. & Eliz. Ward Marshall, Wm. A. & Sarah J. Tully Meadows, John A. & Amanda F. Barlow Medlin, John M. & Eliz. C. Hood Miers, Samuel & Eliz. Harris Minter, John M. & Symantha A. Hendrix Mooney, Wellborn & Susan F. Dromgool More, Wm. M. & Margaret Neasbitt Mullins, Thomas J. & Paralee F. McMinn McCullough, R. C. & Catharine Ledbetter McElroy, A. M. & Mary Weaver McKnight, D. M. & Eliza J. Herncon McKnight, Iverson W. & Amanda E. Lyon McKnight, Robert J. & Lucy A. Black McKnight, Wm. T. & Palema Jones O'Briant, Wm. & Mossouria A. Hedgepeth Osborn, Reps T. & Darthula A. McAdoo Ozment, Thomas J. & Eliz. J. Osment Parish, Samuel A. & Louisa A. Arthis Pfaff, Edward & Catharine Lyon Phillips, Benj . F. & Eliz. H. Eillon Pilkerton, Henry L. & Mary Benson Pilkerton, Benj. F. & Malinda Gum Prater, Austin & Harriett Brinkley Prater, John & Sarah F. More Pryor, Wm. & Mary A. Byers Puckett, David L. & Mariah M. Beesley Raborn, R. D. & Mary J. McGill Randolph, Peyton & Sarah J. Sanford Reed, John W. & Miss A. E. Alexander Rhodes, James H. & Martha J. Dill Ring, M. L. & Letty M. Benson Roberts, C. A. & Mary E. Putnam Shelton, Lewellen W. & Ann C. Bennett Simmons, Wm. H. & America E. Graves Sinclair, John M. & Sarah B. Flowers Singleton, S. H. & Sarah M. Tompkins Smith, J. B. & M. E. Davis Smith, John G. & Eliz. Johns Smotherman, Henry & Martha J. Smotherman Smotherman, John & Francis Loving Smotherman, Wm, & Amanda Smotherman Sneed, Alexander & Mary M. Fulton Spann, Benj. & Mary J. Hester Stafford, John A. & Barbary Teal Summers, Wm. & Margarett Painter Thompson, David & Emma H. Crutcher Thorn, Thomas B. & Cornelia A. Underwood Threet, Joseph M. & Caroline Evins Todd, Harrison & Sarah E. Armstrong Travis, Benj. & Francis K. Howse Trigg, John S. & Lucy A. T. Walden Turner, W. G. & Rosannah Nesbitt
|
Dec. |
24 |
|
Feb. |
23 |
|
Jan. |
22 |
|
April 14 |
|
|
Jan. |
27 |
|
Sept. |
, 9 |
|
April 21 |
|
|
April 21 |
|
|
April 15 |
|
|
April 15 |
|
|
Jan. |
24 |
|
Jan. |
7 |
|
June |
28 |
|
Sept. |
. 2 |
|
Sept. |
. 2 |
|
Sept. |
. 18 |
|
Sept. |
. 18 |
|
Dec. |
10 |
|
Aug. |
26 |
|
Dec. |
9 |
|
May 29 |
|
|
Feb. |
14 |
|
Dec. |
27 |
|
Dec. |
17 |
|
March 24 |
|
|
Aug. |
26 |
|
Jan. |
5 |
|
June |
18 |
|
March 22 |
|
|
Nov. |
12 |
|
March 19 |
|
|
Feb. |
26 |
|
March 13 |
|
|
Dec. |
3 |
|
Dec. |
1 |
|
Jan. |
17 |
|
March 3 |
|
|
March 28 |
|
|
Dec. |
11 |
|
Dec. |
17 |
|
Nov. |
18 |
|
May 21 |
|
|
Dec. |
16 |
|
June |
17 |
|
Oct. |
14 |
|
July |
14 |
|
Dec. |
23 |
|
March 7 |
|
|
March 7 |
|
|
March 3 |
|
|
April 7 |
|
|
Nov. |
6 |
|
Oct. |
16 |
|
Jan. |
16 |
|
Nov. |
4 |
BRIDE INDEX (by page number)
10
Adams, Jane 3
Alexander, Miss A. E. 9 Alexander, Martha A. 5 Allen, Mary E. 1
Allen, Nancy M. 2
Anderson, Julia G. 4 Anderson, Mary E. 3 Anderson, Mary J. 3' Anglin, Lavinia 5 Anglin, Susan 5
Armstrong, Mary 2 Armstrong, Sarah E. 9 Arnett, Mary M. 2
Arnold, Lucinda C. 2 Arnold, Sarah G. 1 Arthis, Louisa A. 9 Auberry, Dovy 3
Auberry, Sarah 1
Baird, Jane A. 3
Baker, Priscilla J. 8
Barber, Nancy H. 6
Barker, Eliz. A. 7
Barker, Martha J. 8
Barlow, Amanda F. 9
Barnes, Mary 1
Barr, Sarah E. 6
Batey, Amanda E. 6
Batey, Martha 4
Batey, Susan 8
Baxter, Nancy E. 7
Beesley, Mariah M. 9
Bellenfant, Lucy 4
Bennett, Ann C. 9
Benson, Martha Ann 6
Benson, Mary 9
Benson, Letty M. 9
Bethel, Mary A. J. 8
Bishop, Eliz. 6
Black, Lucy A. 9
Blackman, Virginia A, 6
Blagg, Cathrine 8
Blair, Mary J, 8
Blair, Sarah H. N. 1
Blanton, Armilda D. 5
Bone, Athelia H. 7
Bone, Melisa M. 3
Booker, Eliza L. 2
Bottom, Lucretia 1
Bowman, Juliann L. 4
Briant, Mahaly C. Brinkley, Harriett Brinkley, Martha Brinkley, Mary A. Brinkley, Sarah J. Brothers, Sarah A. Brown, Julia E. Brown, Martha M. Brown, Nancy Brown, Nancy E. Brown, Nancy J. Brown, Susan Buchanan, Henrietta M. Buchanan, Louisa A. Buchanan, Tennessee L. Burge, Martha J. Burks, Levetha Burks, Mary E. Burks, Sarah Burnett, Isabella W. Burnett, Martha A. Burris, Ophelia M. Butler, Mariah L. Butterworth, Anna Byers, Mary A.
Gates, Mary J. Chamberlain, Juliet S. Christopher, Eliz. D. Clark, Josephine Clement, Martha D. demons, Nancy Cobb, Mary J. Cochran, Maranda B. Colman, Sarah Ann Covington, Emely E. Covington, Lucinda Covington, Mary J. Crawford, Ellen P. Creasy, Mary M. Crichlow, Hellin M. Crutcher, Emma H. Crutcher, Tennessee A.
Daniel, Esther A. Daniel, Judith B. Daughtery, Izabel Davis, Martha J. Davis, Mary C. Davis, M. E.
7
9
6
5
7
5
3
1
5
1
2
2
6
1
7
4
3
5
2
5
7
3
7
1
9
4 2
5 6 8 1 3 5 4 8 7 9 5
6
1 8 2 2 9
11
Dickie, Martha J. Dill, Catharine L. Dill, Martha J. Dill, Narcissa Douglass, Mary A. Dove, Sarah V. Dromgool, Susan F. Duncan, Lucy Ann Dunn, Louisa F.
Eaks, Lucy Ann Ealy, Mary Eliz. Edwards, Eliz. Edwards, Sarah A. Ehrenseller, Martha Eillon, Eliz. H. Elliott, Harriett C. Elliott, Susan Ellis, Louisa Ellis, Mary P. Etter , Chancy Evans, Amanda Evans, Angline Evins, Caroline
Fagan, M. B. Farmer, Miss A. L. C Felts, Corinda A. Felts, Lucy A. Ferris, Martha J. Fleming, Eliz. M. Fleming, Martha J. Fleming, Mary J. Fletcher, Martha Fletcher, Mary D. Fletcher, Roxannah i Flowers, Sarah B. Fulton, Mary M.
Gambill, Susan 4
Gannaway, Mary O. 5 (Garrison) Parlee Smith 8
Glass, Lillian E. C. 2
Glimp, Louisa 8
Good, Eliz. W. 8
Gowen, Catharine E. 3
Graves, America E. 9
Gum, Malinda 9
Hall, Mary E. 3
Hallyburton, Mary P. 4
(Halsen) , Zusilla E. Watson 6
Halton, Martha A. 8
Hamilton, Nannetta S.
Hannah, Jennie T.
Harris, Eliz.
Harris, Martha E.
Harris, Mary Jane
Harris, Nancy
Harris, Nancy S.
Harris, Susan C.
Harris, Violet
Harrison, Mary B.
Haynes, Harriet V.
Haynes, Louisa A.
Haynes, Nancy L.
Hays , Rebecca
Hedgepath, Mossouria A.
Hedgepeth, Mossouria A.
Hendrix, Symantha A.
Henry, Lucretia
Herbert, Eliza Jane
Herncon, Eliza J.
Hester, Mary J.
Hewitt, Cyntha
Hicks, Eveline
Hicks, Mary E.
Higgenbotham, Maryann
Hili, Martha A.
Hill, Martha A.
Hodge, Euphemia E.
Holden, Sarah J.
Holloway, Julia
Hollowell, Sallie C.
Hood, Eliz. C.
Hooper, Frances A. A.
Hord, Ada Byron
Hord , Ann
Horton, Martha Ann
Hoskins, Elmena
Rowland, Celia
Howse, Francis K.
Hubbard, Susan
Huggins, Isabella S.
Huggins, Sarah H.
Hughes, America W.
Ivey, Martha
Jackson, Indiana Jackson, Mary Jamison, Martha E.
12
Jarratt, Martha 8
Jeans, Susannah 1
Johns, Eliz. 9
Johnson, Eliz. 4 Johnson, Margaret (col.) 4
Johnson, Nancy J. 4
Johnson, Sarah E. 6
Johnson, Zilphia E. 5
Jones, Louisa A. 6
Jones, Mary J. 2
Jones, Nancy 2
Jones, Nancy A. 3
Jones, Palema 9
Jones, Parthenia E. 5
Kelton, Isabella 3
Kelton, Martha S. 2
Kerby, Laura A. 3
Kerby, Lavina 1
Kerby, Louisa M. 3
Kirk, Malissa J. 3
Knox, Eliz. 1
Koonce, Sarah Ann 6
Lamb, Amanda M. 7
Lane, Caroline M. 4
Lane, Martha 3
Ledbetter, Catharine 9 (Lewis) , Margaret Jane Lewis
Lewis, Martha Ann 6
Lillard, Mary Ann 6
Love, Mary J. 6
Loving, Francis 9
Loyd , Rebecca B. 2
Lyon, Amanda E. 9
Lyon, Catharine 9
Lyon, Sarah 9
Major, Eliz. 2
Major, Eliz. 7
Majors, Sallie J. 6
Mankin, Eliz. J. 6
Marable, Mary E. 7
Mason, Isabella 5
Mason, Roberta S. 5 Mathews, Martha E. V. T. 3
McAdoo, Darthula A. 9
McAdoo, Mary E. 7
McCalister, Sarah 9
McCloud, Nancy J. 3
McCoy, Frances 5
McCrary, Mary J. McCrary, Susanah J. McCullouqh, Sarah E. McGill, Mary J. McKee, Martha A. McKee, Sarah M. McKnight, Martha P. McKnight, Mary E. McKnight, Mary S. McLean, Julia Ann McMinn, Paralee F. McRae, Flora Miles, Isabella Miles, Polemna T. Miller, Judith A. Miller, Temperance Mitchell, Ada Mitchell, Eliz. A. Mitchell, Mary Moore, Jane W. Moore, Mary Moore, Nancy More, Sarah F. Morgan, Sallie E. Morton, Harriette C, Morton, Malissa A. Morton, Mary A. Morton, Tennessee L. Mullins, Margaret J, Murphey, Eliz. Murphey, Josephine
Nance, Amanda L. Nance, Mary T. Nance, Sarah A. Naron, Eliz. Naron, Sarah E. Nash, Hannah E. Naylor, Amanda L. Naylor, Eliz. C. Neal, Martha E. Neal, Sarah A. Neal, Susan E. Neasbitt, Margaret Neeley, Mary Nesbitt, Rosannah Newgent, Catharine Newman, Ann Nichols, Mary A. Nichols, Nancy E. Nickins, Eveline
13
|
North, Martha S. |
7 |
Robinson, Ellen V. |
7 |
|
Northcott, Eliz. C. |
3 |
Roling, America |
8 |
|
Rouse, Martha (col.) |
4 |
||
|
Oliphint, Martha A. |
4 |
Rowlett, City M. |
8 |
|
Osment, Eliz. J. |
9 |
Rucker, Mundora |
4 |
|
Owen, Emily |
5 |
Runnells, Nancy J. |
4 |
|
Ryan, Eliz. |
6 |
||
|
Painter, Margarett |
9 |
Ryon, Lucinda |
4 |
|
Parker, Margaret L. |
8 |
||
|
Parker, Margaret S. |
5 |
Sanders, Eliz. |
7 |
|
Pate, Catherine E. |
6 |
Sanders, Mary A. |
6 |
|
Patterson, Martha J. |
2 |
Sanders, Sarah A. |
8 |
|
Patton, Mary A. |
5 |
Sanford, Eliz. R. |
3 |
|
Pearcy, Mary |
4 |
Sanford, Sarah J. |
9 |
|
Pearcy, Susan F. |
7 |
Searcy, Lucie W. |
8 |
|
Pearson, Nancy C. |
7 |
Semmons, Martha J. |
6 |
|
Perry, Lucy A. |
7 |
Sewell, Susan C. |
3 |
|
Perry, S. E. |
7 |
Shannon, Mary A. |
2 |
|
Pinkard, Susan C. |
5 |
Sherrell, Martha J. |
5 |
|
Pogue, Missouri 0. T. A |
.. 3 |
Sherron, Mary |
1 |
|
Pope, Sarah J. |
1 |
Smith, Ann M. |
3 |
|
Posey, Julia Ann L. |
8 |
Smith, Eliz. J. |
1 |
|
Powell, Mary L. |
8 |
Smith, Eliz. W. |
2 |
|
Powell, Susan Ann |
4 |
Smith, Jane E. |
8 |
|
Prewitt, Eliz. |
5 |
Smith, Josephine Zachry |
7 |
|
Prewitt, Jane E. |
4 |
Smith, Martha E. |
6 |
|
Primm, Sarah |
8 |
Smith, Nancy C. |
4 |
|
Puckett, Mary J. |
1 |
Smith, Rebecca M. |
8 |
|
Pully, Sarah A. E. |
4 |
Smith, Sarah Ann |
5 |
|
Putnam, Mary E. |
9 |
Smotherman, Amanda |
9 |
|
Smotherman, Julia A. |
6 |
||
|
Rankin, Sarah L. |
7 |
Smotherman, Martha J. |
9 |
|
Ransom, Mary E. |
7 |
Smotherman, Mary A. |
3 |
|
Rather, Susan M. |
4 |
Smotherman, Rebecca S. |
2 |
|
Read, Catharine |
2 |
Smothers, Delitha |
3 |
|
Read, Martha E. |
3 |
Smothers, Eliz. |
8 |
|
Read, Mary J. |
2 |
Sneed, Sarah |
1 |
|
Read, Susan C. |
7 |
Snell, Eliz. K. |
3 |
|
Reece, Mary V. |
2 |
Spain, Eliza G. |
5 |
|
Renshaw, Martha |
5 |
Spain, Pamelia |
4 |
|
Revis, Eliz. J. |
1 |
Sparks, Mary |
1 |
|
Rice, Sarah A. |
7 |
Staton, Frances |
4 |
|
Ridley, Mary E. |
4 |
Stephens, Eliz. |
1 |
|
Ridley, Mary J. |
6 |
Stone, Sarah |
1 |
|
Ridley, Nancy A. |
1 |
Sublett, Addie |
8 |
|
Ridley, Sallie E. |
5 |
Sublett, Susan A. |
7 |
|
Ridout, Ann B. |
7 |
Summerhill, Catharine |
8 |
|
Ridout, Eliz. H. |
6 |
Summers, Sarah N. |
6 |
|
Roberts, Mary A. |
7 |
Swan, Rebecca E. |
3 |
|
Robertson, Amanda |
8 |
||
|
Robertson, Eliz. C. |
8 |
||
|
Robertson, Holly |
5 |
14
Tatum, Eliz. Taylor, Amanda E. Taylor, Mary F. Taylor, Rebecca J. Taylor, Susan H. Teal, Barbary Tennison, Sarah A. Thompson, Harriet R. Thompson, Henrietta Thompson, Mary Jane Thorn, Rachel W. Threat, Rhoda A. Todd, Mary M. Todd, Polly H. Tombs, Sarah 0. Tompkins, Sarah M. Travis, Euphemia L. Trolander, Rebecca Trolinger, Rhoda Tucker , Amanda Tucker, Harriett C. Tucker, Lodica Tully, Sarah J.
|
6 |
Westbrooks, Martha J. |
8 |
|
I |
White, Catura J. |
2 |
|
7 |
Williams, Susan E. |
4 |
|
3 |
Williford, Sarah |
4 |
|
6 |
Wilson, Eliz. C. |
8 |
|
9 |
Wilson, Nancy G. |
8 |
|
6 |
Winford, Matilda |
2 |
|
6 |
Winfrey, Martha |
5 |
|
3 |
Winsett, Elvey |
6 |
|
4 |
Winsett, Peney |
2 |
|
2 |
Winsett, Virginia C. |
1 |
|
4 |
Witherspoon, Jane J. M. |
5' |
|
2 |
Wood, Judith C. |
6 |
|
6 |
Wood, Mary E. T. |
5 |
|
8 |
Wood, Susan C. |
4 |
|
9 7 2 |
Woodfin, Harriett R. |
1 |
|
Yardley, Sarah N. |
5 |
|
|
6 |
Yearwood, Martha J. |
4 |
|
2 |
Yews, Sarah J. |
2 |
|
5 |
Youree, Dorothy |
5 |
|
4 9 |
Youree, Mary H. |
4 |
Underwood, Cornelia A.
|
Vaughan, Eliz. C. |
5 |
|
Vaughan, Louisa |
2 |
|
Vaughan, Mary B. |
5 |
|
Vaughan, Mary J. |
2 |
|
Vaughan, Sarah |
3 |
|
Vaught, Mary J. |
5 |
|
Wade, Eliz. |
5 |
|
Wade, Sally S. |
8 |
|
Wade, Susanah |
2 |
|
Walden, Isora H. |
1 |
|
Walden, Lucy A. T. |
9 |
|
Walden, Nancy D. |
1 |
|
Walker, Martha A. |
4 |
|
Walpole, Alley F. |
3 |
|
Ward, Caroline |
3 |
|
Ward, Eliz. |
9 |
|
Ward, Mary W. |
2 |
|
Warren, Margaret J. |
2 |
|
Wasson, Sophia W. |
3 |
|
Watson, Martha A. E. |
2 |
|
Weather ly, Martha J. |
8 |
|
Weaver, Mary |
9 |
|
Webb, Sarah |
6 |
|
Welch, Eliz. |
3 |
|
Welch, Virginia |
2 |
15
DR. MURFREE MEETS CHAMP FERGUSON
Dr. James B. Murfree, a Murfreesboro native, experienced two significant brushes with history: the first was a pleasing experi- ence associated with family preeminence, and the second, startling, if not critically dangerous. In the first place, Dr. Murfree' s uncle. Colonel Hardy Murfree, became the town's namesake. Dr. Murfree, son of Matthias Murfree, was born in Rutherford County in 1835, attended Union University, briefly engaged in the mercantile business, and later attended the medical department at the Univer- sity of Nashville, and still later received his medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1859. His home- town practice was cut short by the outbreak of the war two years later. He enlisted in Company F, First Tennessee Infantry, and served as private until June and then was appointed surgeon. In September he was elevated to assistant surgeon of the Confederate Army. It was during his assignment at the hospital in Emory, Virginia, in the fall of 1864, that he was confronted by the Tennessee Confederate bushwhacker. Champ Ferguson. Ferguson's reputation as a killer or executioner of Blue Coats had spread far from his White County home. By his own estimate he had murdered over one hundred mostly by a knife plunge through the heart followed by a coup de grace shot through the back of the head. His reasoning for the bloody rampage is not clear. Wrongs, real or imagined, committed by Union soldiers on his family may have been a motive force. His mountaineer instinct of total war, with no quarter
16
asked for or given , may have been another. Whatever it was, he played his role well, so well he was a high priority for Union search parties roaming the mountains and late battlefields.
Champ Ferguson's unexpected visit to the Emory hospital, with some compatriots, was a planned mission and in line with his sworn oath to eliminate every Blue Coat that strength and resource- fulness would allow him.
Years later, in Murfreesboro where he was a well-known and respected physician. Dr. Murfree sat down and wrote an account of the Emory incident as he remembered it. This was his story:
During the year 1864 and the early part of 1865 I was stationed at Emory, Virginia, as the Surgeon in charge of the Confederate Hospital located at that place.
In the fall of 1864 a large force of Federal calvary from Kentucky under command of General Stoneman made a raid through Southwestern Virginia for the purpose of destroying the railroad between Bristol and Lynchburg. They were met by Morgan's command and a fierce and bloody battle was fought near Max Meadow in which the Federals were defeated and driven back into Kentucky, A large number of Federals were taken prisoners, many of them being wounded, some very badly.
The wounded were sent to the General Hospital at Emory and Henry College, of these there were 150 or 200 Federal prisoners. The Hospital was on the railroad, nine miles from Abingdon, beautifully located and in a fine section of country. The college buildings were large and commodious and were occupied by the Confed- erates as a hospital, containing 350 beds and was under my care as the surgeon in charge. The Federal wounded were placed on the third and fourth floors of the main building which could be only reached by two stairways, one at either end of the building. In order to prevent the escape of any of the Federal prisoners guards were placed at the foot of each of the stairways.
On a cold and bleak Saturday in November, 1864, Champ Ferguson with twelve or fifteen of his men, quietly rode up to the hospital, dismounted, hitched their horses and entered the hospital almost unnoticed. They attempted to ascend one of the stairways to the ward on the third floor where Lieutenant Smith, a wounded Federal prisoner, was confined.
17
The guard halted them and told them that they could not go up those steps (this guard was an Irishman and as brave as Julius Caesar) . Champ Ferguson followed by his men advanced on the guard swearing that they would go up the steps in spite of him. But the guard undaunted by their threats, raised his gun and leveling it at Champ Ferguson coolly yet firmly told him that he would shoot him if he came any farther.
Unable to scare this guard they left him and went to the other stairway where they overpowered the guard stationed there and ascended the stairs to the ward where Smith was in bed suffering with a severe wound. Champ Ferguson went directly to Smith, sat down on his bed, and patting his gun with his hand said, "Smith, do you see this? Well, I'm going to kill you," and without another word placed the gun at Smith's head, fired, sending a minnie ball through Smith's head instantly killing him.
I was busily engaged in the office of the hospital when a nurse came rushing in saying a lot of soldiers had killed a man in the hospital. I immediately went to the hospital followed by Major Stringfield of the Army of Virginia (who was visiting in that neighborhood) . On reaching the hospital we rapidly ascended the steps to the second floor where we were halted by one of Ferguson's men with a drawn revolver. I promptly told him to go down the stairs, to which he replied that "Captain Ferguson had ordered me to let no one pass up the steps." I pushed by him going on up the steps while Major Stringfield remained behind contending with the guard. On the next flight of steps I met Champ Ferguson and his men, and I said to them, "Gentlemen, you must go down from here, this is a place for the sick and wounded, and you must not disturb them," to which Champ Ferguson said with an oath, "I will shoot you." Standing within a few feet of each other I said to him, "This is a Confederate hospital, I am in charge of it, I command here, you must go down from here." Champ Ferguson then advanced to within three feet of me, raised his cocked pistol and pointed directly at my breast saying, "I don't care who you are, damn you, I will kill you." Realizing the desperate character I had to deal with and being myself unarmed, yet impelled by a sense of duty, I again said to him, "You must go down from here and out of this hospital." While we v/ere standing in this threatening attitude, face to face with Ferguson's pistol at my breast and swearing he would kill me, Lieutenant Philpot of Ferguson's company stepped in between us at the same time motioning with his hand to Ferguson when they all went down the steps, I, going
18
down with them, Ferguson cursing and swearing as he went. They passed out of the hospital, mounted their horses and as they rode off shouted, "We have killed the man that killed Hamilton."
Afterwards I was told that Lieutenant Smith, whom Champ Ferguson had just killed, had mistreated Ferguson's family; that he made Ferguson's wife undress and marched her before him along the public road in a nude state.
The killing of Smith was promptly reported to General Breckenridge at Abingdon, he being in command of the Department of Southwestern Virginia. Champ Ferguson was arrested, a court-martial ordered and held, but it was so near the close of the war that nothing more than this was done with him.
Editor's Note: Dr. Murfree did not complete his story. Champ Ferguson was captured on May 30, 1865. His trial opened in Nashville on July 15 and droned on until September 26 when Ferguson was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. The order of the court was carried out in the morning of October 20. His last words were a request that his remains be returned to the little cemetery near his home in White County. To the last he was fearful that his body would be consigned to the medical school in Nashville. Champ's wishes prevailed.
THE FINAL DAYS OF CHAMP FERGUSON
There is little doubt that Champ Ferguson failed to receive a fair trial in Nashville beginning on July 11, 1865. The three Nashville newspapers. Daily Union, Nashville Dispatch, and the Daily Press and Times were Northern- held, and Ferguson was a Confederate guerilla. Daily, the citizens were fed an emotional diet of lurid stories, vicious attacks, and personal reporter assessments of the killer's war career. The reactions of the citizens and the "reporting" apparently made little impact on Ferguson. There is no shred of evidence that he ever felt any real compunction concerning his actions. The sketches below are from Harper's Weekly (September 23 and November 11, 1865).
ASaviLLS, TKSNE8SKE, Ockbm ». iesft.-£SiiTCK«» bt J. H. AwfotJ.]
20
RUTHERFORD COUNTY MILITIA COMMISSIONS
This is to continue the cominissions listed in Rutherford County Historical Society Publication No. 1. The years 1812 through 1815 were compiled by Mrs. John Trotwood Moore and published in Tennessee Historical Quarterlies June, 1948, March, 1949, September, 1950, and December, 1956. The years following were abstracted from Commissions Book in State Library and Archives by Henry G. Wray and Ernest K. Johns.
1812
William Alford William Arnold William Arnold William K. Barkly John Byford William Caldwell John Clark Wells Cooper John Davis John Doak William Elder William Espey Walker Gannaway
James Gilleland Archibald Harris William G. Harris William Higgins Ephraim Hunter Murphrey Jett Eli Latty Charles McClain George McCrackin John McQuaig
John Maberry Isaac Millekin James Miller James Moore Isaac Nance James Pace David Patton
Robert Sanford Archibald Shanks
|
Lieut. |
22nd |
Regiment |
Nov. 26, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
" |
" |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
4 5th |
II |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
March 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
II |
II |
March 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
II |
" |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
" |
II |
March 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
" |
II |
March 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
" |
II |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
22nd |
II |
Sept. 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
Sept. 11, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
9th |
Bri |
.gade |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
Cavalry Regiment |
|||||
|
Ensign |
45th |
Rec |
[iment |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
Capt. |
22nd |
Oct. 8, |
1812 |
||
|
Capt. |
45th |
April 28, |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
22nd |
March 24, |
1812 |
||
|
Lieut. |
II |
June 9 , |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
4 5th |
July 24, |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
II |
July 24, |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
II |
April 29, |
1812 |
||
|
Capt. |
" |
April 29, |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
22nd |
March 24, |
1812 |
||
|
Light : |
Enfantry |
Co. |
|||
|
Capt. ' |
15th Regiment |
July 24, |
1812 |
||
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
" |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Capt. : |
22nd |
" |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
45th |
" |
April 29, |
1812 |
|
|
Capt. ; |
22nd |
II |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Light : |
Infantry |
Co. |
|||
|
Ensign |
22nd |
Regiment |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
45th |
II |
July 24, |
1812 |
21
Alfred Sharpe Cyrus Sharpe Barnabas Stricklin William Todd Samuel Uselton Burrell Ward Henry Watkins Archibald Wills Daniel Woote
James Barkley Benjamin J. Bass Thomas Bass John Bethel
James Bole William Bowman
Hezekiah G. Cooke David Fleming M. Hollice Thomas Kelough John Knight Abner Lonay Mathew McClannahan
James McEwen John McKinney Bright McLendon Stokeley Pearce Hugh Porter John Rhay Mathew Robeson Archibald Shanks Luke Smith John Thompson Marady Tucker William Vaughn William White Thomas Whitsett Francis Yourey Josiah Zackerry
|
Lieut. |
22nd |
Regiment |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
Lieut. |
II |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
45th |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
" |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Capt. |
" |
July 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
22nd |
Oct. 8, |
1812 |
|
|
Lieut. |
II |
March 24, |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
II |
June 9 , |
1812 |
|
|
Ensign |
45th 1813 |
April 29, |
1812 |
Capt. 4 5th Regiment Ensign 22nd " Lieut. " " Ensign " " Light Infantry Co. Lieut. 4 5th Regiment First Major
22nd Regiment Lieut. " Lieut. 4 5th Lieut. " Capt. " Capt. 22nd Ensign 45th Lieut. Col. Commandant
22nd Regiment Ensign 45th Lieut. 2 2nd Ensign " Ensign 45th Lieut.
|
Lieut. |
II |
|
Lieut. |
II |
|
Capt. |
II |
|
Lieut. |
22n |
|
Ensigr |
I 45th |
|
Lieut. |
II |
|
Lieut. |
" |
|
Capt. |
2 2nd |
|
Ensign |
" |
|
Capt. |
45th |
|
Capt. |
2 2nd |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Feb. |
11, |
1813 |
|
Feb. |
11, |
1813 |
|
Apri. |
L 27, |
1813 |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Sept |
. 3, |
1813 |
|
Jan. |
28, |
1813 |
|
June |
14, |
1813 |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Aug. |
17, |
1813 |
|
Oct. |
1, |
1813 |
|
June |
14, |
1813 |
|
Sept |
3, |
1813 |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Oct. |
1, |
1813 |
|
Jan. |
28, |
1813 |
|
Aug. |
17, |
1813 |
|
June |
14, |
1813 |
|
Aug. |
17, |
1813 |
|
June |
14, |
1813 |
|
Jan. |
28, |
1813 |
|
Oct. |
1, |
1813 |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Jan. |
28, |
1813 |
|
June |
14, |
1813 |
|
Oct. |
1, |
1813 |
|
Oct. |
1, |
1813 |
|
July |
24, |
1813 |
|
Nove. |
8, |
1813 |
22
Abraham Baker John Bankhead William F. Beaty William F. Beaty James Berry George Buchannan Calvin Carlee William H. Davis
Cader Dement
Ezekiel Dickson
James Dickson
Samuel Dunnaway Pre-jley Edwards Littleton Fuller
David Fortunberry Obediah Garner Thomas Gassaway Hugh Good Richard Griffin Matthew Haley John Hall
John Hoover
David Hubbard Robert Jetton
Charles Kavanaugh
John Kellough
Hugh Kirk
Burton L. McFerrin James McFerrin
Ambrose McKee Ambrose McKee John McKee David McKnight John Matthews James B. Meredith Ezekiel Murphy John Nash
Jesse Noaks
1814
Ensign 4 5th Regiment
Lieut.
Ensign "
Lieut. "
Lieut.
Ensign 22nd
Lieut. 45th
Cornet 9th Brigade
Cavalry Regiment
Lieut. 22nd Regiment
Light Infantry Co.
Lieut. 9th Brigade
Cavalry Regiment
Ensign 22nd Regiment
Light Infantry Co.
Lieut. 22nd Regiment
Capt.
Ensign company of men
not subject to militia
duty.
Ensign 4 5th Regiment
Ensign 22nd
Ensign 45th
Ensign "
Ensign 22nd
Ensign "
Ensign 45th
Light Infantry Co.
Lieut, company of men
not subject to militia
duty.
Ensign 2 2nd Regiment
Second Major 45th
Regiment
Capt. company of men
not subject to militia
duty.
Lieut. 45th Regiment
Light Infantry Co.
Capt. 45th Regiment
Light Infantry Co.
Capt. 4 5th Regiment
First Major
4 5th Regiment Ensign " " Capt. Capt.
Lieut. " " Capt. 22nd Regiment Ensign 45th " Ensign " " Capt. 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Ensign 45th Regiment
|
July 20, |
1814 |
|
Oct. 3, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
July 20, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
May 7, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
Nov . 9 , |
1814 |
|
March 2 , |
1814 |
|
Dec. 4, |
1814 |
|
March 2, |
1814 |
|
Feb. 7, |
1814 |
|
July 7, |
1814 |
|
Feb. 7, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
July 7, |
1814 |
|
Nov . 6 , |
1814 |
|
Oct. 3, |
1814 |
|
May 7, |
1814 |
|
July 7 , |
1814 |
|
Sept. 5, |
1814 |
|
Feb. 7, |
1814 |
|
July 7, |
1814 |
|
March 2, |
1814 |
Feb. 7,
1814
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
|
March 2, |
1814 |
|
June 25, |
1814 |
|
Nov. 6, |
1814 |
|
March 2, |
1814 |
|
May 7, |
1814 |
|
May 7 , |
1814 |
|
May 7, |
1814 |
|
July 20, |
1814 |
|
Nov . 9 , |
1814 |
|
April 2, |
1814 |
23
David Patton
Oswall Potts Thomas Potts Cyrus Sharpe
Joseph D. Smith Jidean Thomas George Thompson William Warnick James Warren Benjamin Webb Benjamin Webb Stephen F. White
James Wi lie ford Thomas Yardley
Joseph Bellew Willie Burton Parker Byferd Ota Cantrell
Thomas Carnahan John Caulfield
John Colfield
Hezekiah G. Cooke William Cooke David Covington John Crow Richard D. Doyle Richard D. Doyle Soloman Elam Burwell Ganaway
Walker Ganaway William Gosset Joseph Graves Elijah Haley Allsea Harris Micajah Hollis Henry Hutton
Robert Jetton
Lewis Johnson Larkin Johnson
|
Capt. |
22nd Regiment |
|
|
Light |
Infantry Co. |
|
|
Ensign |
45th Regiment |
|
|
Lieut. |
II II |
|
|
Lieut. |
9th Brigade |
|
|
Cavalry Regiment |
||
|
Lieut. |
4 5th Regiment |
|
|
Lieut. |
" |
1 |
|
Lieut. |
22nd |
1 |
|
Capt. |
4 5th |
' |
|
Ensign |
22nd |
1 |
|
Lieut. |
45th |
1 |
|
Capt. |
II II |
|
|
Cornet |
9th Brigade |
|
|
Cavalry Regiment |
||
|
Ensign |
4 5th Regiment |
|
|
Capt. |
9th Brigade |
|
|
Cavalry Regiment |
||
|
1815 |
||
|
Capt. |
45th Regiment |
|
|
Ensign |
22nd |
|
|
Lieut. |
45 th |
|
|
Second |
Major |
|
|
2 2nd |
||
|
Ensign |
4 5th |
|
|
Capt. |
22nd |
|
|
Light |
Infantry Co. |
|
|
Lieut. |
22nd Regimen |
|
|
Light |
Infantry Co. |
|
|
Capt. |
22nd Regiment |
|
|
Lieut. |
II II |
|
|
Ensign |
II II |
|
|
Capt. |
II II |
|
|
Ensign |
45 th |
|
|
Capt. |
II II |
|
|
Capt. |
II II |
|
|
First |
Major |
|
|
4 5th Regiment |
||
|
Capt. |
22nd |
|
|
Ensign |
45 th |
|
|
Lieut. |
II II |
|
|
Capt. |
22nd |
|
|
Lieut. |
45th |
|
|
Capt. |
II II |
|
|
Lieut. |
22nd |
II |
Jan. 8,
May 7, April 2, Nov. 9,
Nov. 17, April 2, July 7 , May 7 , May 7, March 2 , June 25, Dec. 4,
April 2, Dec. 4,
1814
1814 1814 1814
1814 1814 1814 1814 1814 1814 1814 1814
1814 1814
Light Infantry Co. Lieut. Col. Commandant
4 5th Regiment Lieut. Lieut.
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Apri. |
L 28, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
16, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
Apri |
1 28, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
14, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
14, |
1815 |
|
June |
28, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
Feb. |
20, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
May |
8, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
May |
19, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Jan. |
9, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
May |
8, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
24
John Kelough
Joseph A. C. Kindrick Hugh Kirk
William Leathers Levi McGlothlin Isaac Miller Allen Nance James Patten Alexander Petty Joseph Pollard Thomas Potts G. W. Powell William Powell David J. Robertson Elijah Saunders Stallard Scott
John Sharpe James Stanly Abraham Thompson
Abrahcim Thompson
James Todd William Tucker Thomas G. Watkins Malachi Wimberly
Capt. 4 5th Regiment Light Infantry Co.
Lieut. 22nd Regiment Second Major
45th Regiment Ensign " " Lieut. 22nd " Capt. 45th Lieut. 22nd Lieut. 45th " Capt. Ensign " Capt.
Ensign " " Lieut. " Capt. 22nd Ensign " Ensign 45th " Light Infantry Co. Capt. 22nd Regiment Ensign 45th " Ensign " " Light Infantry Co. Lieut. 4 5th Regiment Light Infantry Co. Ensign 45th Regiment Ensign " " Capt. Lieut. 22nd
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
June |
28, |
1815 |
|
May 8 , |
1815 |
|
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
May |
19, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Feb. |
20, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Jan. |
9, |
1815 |
|
June |
11, |
1815 |
|
Aug. |
30, |
1815 |
|
Dec. |
13, |
1815 |
1816
Elenas Alexander Joseph Balew
Howard Barlow Benjamin Battel Thomas Brotin Isaac Burlison Moses Burlison Alexander Caldwell Robert Carson George Creech James Curry Manen Davis Ezekiel Dickson
Robert Dickson
Joseph Doake Nathan Evans John Fan Thomas Flanagan Harrison Fussle
|
Lieut. 4 5th Regiment |
May |
3, |
1816 |
|
|
Second Major |
July |
29, |
1816 |
|
|
2nd Regiment |
||||
|
Capt. 4 5th Regiment |
June |
11, |
1816 |
|
|
Ensign " |
May |
3, |
1816 |
|
|
Ensign 22nd |
Jan. |
17, |
1816 |
|
|
Lieut. " |
Dec. |
3, |
1816 |
|
|
Ensign " |
June |
11, |
1816 |
|
|
Lieut. 45th |
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
|
Capt. 3rd |
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
|
Ensign 45th |
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
|
Ensign " |
May |
8, |
1816 |
|
|
Lieut. " |
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
|
Lieut. 3rd |
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
|
Light Infantry ( |
Zo. |
|||
|
Ensign 45th Reg |
iment |
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
Light Infantry ( |
2o. |
|||
|
Capt. 3rd Regim |
-nt |
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
Ensign 45th |
' |
June |
11, |
1816 |
|
Lieut. 3rd |
' |
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
Ensign 22nd |
1 |
Dec. |
3, |
1816 |
|
Lieut. " |
I |
Dec. |
3, |
1816 |
25
William Gable
Ezekiel Garrison Moses Glasscock Green B. Green John Hall Alse Harris Thomas A. Harris Gilliat Hubbel Walter Jenkins William Jones
William Jones
David Kees William Leathers James Mankin Alexander McKnight David McKnight William McKnight William McKnight James McFerrin
William McFerrin Alford More Ezekiel More John More John Nugent Daniel Parkrush Mathew Patton Robert Purdy
Benjamin Ransom John Smith
John Smith
Robert Smith
John Steward George A. Sublet Bazel Summers William Thomas Elijah Tucker Henry M. Walker
Thomas Ward Henry M, Watkin
Hugh Webb Charles Wells
Ensign 3rd Regiment
Light Infantry Co.
Ensign 3rd Regiment
Ensign "
Ensign 45th
Ensign 3rd
Capt. 45th
Capt. 22nd
Capt. 45th
Ensign 22nd
Ensign "
Rifle Co.
Ensign 22nd
Rifle Co.
Capt. 45th
Lieut.
Lieut. 3rd
Lieut.
Capt. 45th
Capt. 3rd
Lieut. 45th
Lt. Col. Commandant
2nd Regiment
Ensign 45th Regiment
Capt.
Lieut.
Ensign 3rd
Ensign 45th
Lieut. "
Capt. 3rd
Brig. General
9th Brigade
Capt. 45th Regiment
Lieut. 22nd
Rifle Co.
Lieut. 22nd
Rifle Co.
Lieut. Calv.
9th Brigade
Ensign 45th
Capt. "
Ensign 3rd
Lieut. "
Lieut. 45th
Capt. 22nd
Rifle Co.
Ensign 45th
Capt. 22nd
Rifle Co.
Capt. 45th
Lieut. "
|
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
Oct. |
9, |
1816 |
|
June |
11, |
1816 |
|
Dec. |
3, |
1816 |
|
Nov. |
2, |
1816 |
|
Jan. |
17, |
1816 |
|
June |
11, |
1816 |
Sept. 6, 1816
|
May 8, |
1816 |
|
Nov . 2 , |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
May 8, |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
May 8, |
1816 |
|
July 29, |
1816 |
|
May 8, |
1816 |
|
May 8 , |
1816 |
|
May 8 , |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
Nov . 2 , |
1816 |
|
June 11, |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
Aug. 13, |
1816 |
|
June 11, |
1816 |
|
June 11, |
1816 |
|
Sept. 6, |
1816 |
|
Sept. 19, |
1816 |
|
May 8, |
1816 |
|
Nov. 2, |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
Oct. 9, |
1816 |
|
Nov. 2, |
1816 |
|
June 11, |
1816 |
Nov. 2, 1816
Sept. 6, 1816
June 11, 1816
May 8, 1816
26
Asa West Stephen F,
White
Peter Williams James Younger (?)
Joseph Yourd
Ensign 4 5th Regiment Capt. 3rd Light Infantry Co. Ensign 45th Regiment Cornet Calv. " 9th Brigade First Major 2nd Brigade
Nov . 2 , Oct. 9,
1816 1816
May 8, 1816 Sept. 19, 1816
July 29, 1816
1817
William Alford Gideon R. Allen Joseph Allison George Brandon
John Cherry
Russel Donel Edward Fotherstone Hugh Good
Isaac S. Jetton Ephraim Lawrence John Martin Jesse Mason George Morris John G. Murphy George W. Oliver John Patterson James Rayburn Stephen Roach Edmund Todd William Thomas John Watkins Thomas Williams Samuel S. Wood Joseph Wright
Nelson Blanton Nelson Blanton Robert Dickson
Joseph Donelson James Elliot James Gammel Green Berry Green David P. Hannis
|
Capt. 22nd Regiment |
May 22, |
1817 |
|
|
Ensign 3rd |
" |
July 3, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 45th |
" |
April 22, |
1817 |
|
Lieut. 3rd |
" |
March 6 , |
1817 |
|
Rifle Company |
|||
|
Ensign 3rd |
" |
March 6, |
1817 |
|
Rifle Company |
|||
|
Lieut. 45th |
II |
July 23, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 45th |
" |
March 5, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 3rd |
" |
March 6 , |
1817 |
|
Rifle Company |
|||
|
Lieut. 45th |
" |
March 5, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 3rd |
" |
July 3, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 22nd |
" |
Sept. 6, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 22nd |
" |
May 22, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 4 5th |
" |
April 22, |
1817 |
|
Lieut. 3rd |
II |
July 3, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 45th |
" |
Sept. 23, |
1817 |
|
Ensign " |
" |
April 22, |
1817 |
|
Ensign " |
" |
March 5, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 3rd |
" |
March 6, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 22nd |
" |
Sept. 6, |
1817 |
|
Capt. 3rd |
II |
July 3, |
1817 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
" |
Sept. 18, |
1817 |
|
Lieut. 3rd |
" |
July 3, |
1817 |
|
Lieut. 22nd |
" |
May 22, |
1817 |
|
Ensign 22nd |
II |
Sept. 6, |
1817 |
|
1818 |
|||
|
Lieut. 22nd Regiment |
July 18, |
1818 |
|
|
Capt. |
" |
Nov . 7 , |
1818 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
" |
Oct. 6, |
1818 |
|
Light Infantry |
Co. |
||
|
Ensign 22nd Regiment |
Sept. 19, |
1818 |
|
|
Capt. |
" |
July 18, |
1818 |
|
Ensign " |
" |
Sept. 19, |
1818 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
" |
June 18, |
1818 |
|
Capt. |
II |
Oct. 6, |
1818 |
|
Light Infantry |
Co. |
William Long
William McMurray
George Miller Thomas Palmer William Purtle
John H. Raines William D. Rowlon Lewis Ship
Theophilus W. Short
John Smith
Vincent Taylor James M. Tilford
William Walker John Warren James Woods
Lieut. 2 2nd Regiment Rifle Company Lieut. 53rd Regiment Rifle Company Ensign 45th Regiment Ensign " " Ensign 22nd " Rifle Company Capt. 45th Regiment Capt. 22nd Ensign 53rd Vol. Light Infantry Lieut. 45th Regiment Light Infantry Co. Capt. 22nd Regiment Rifle Company Lieut. 45th Regiment Capt. " " Light Infantry Co. Ensign 4 5th Regiment Lieut. 2 2nd Regiment Ensign " "
July 18,
Sept. 12,
June 18, Dec. 26, July 18,
June 18, Sept. 19, Sept. 12,
Oct. 6,
July 18,
Dec. 26, Oct. 6,
June 18, Sept. 19, Sept. 19,
27
181J
181?
181? ISU 18U
181J 181{ 181!
181!
181!
181! 181!
181! 181! 181!
David M. Andrew David Barton
Absalom Carny Robert Clarke Benjamin Davis Robert Fagan Joseph A. Farmer Thomas M. Fasling Moses H. Glascock Hiram Hunt James Mayberry John McMennamy Ezekiel Moore John Moore William F. Moore General Lee Nolen
John Nolin Robert Patton Willis Pearce John Pearson Luke Puckett Isaac Sanders Henry D. Sims Joseph Smith
1819
Ensign 45th Regiment
Cornet 9th Brigade
Cavalry Regiment
Lieut. 22nd Regiment
Capt. 4 5th
Ensign 53rd "
Capt. " "
Capt. 4 5th
Ensign 53rd "
Lieut. " "
Ensign " "
Ensign 22nd "
Capt.
Lieut. 45th
Lieut. 22nd "
Lieut. 53rd "
Lt. Col. 9th Brigade
Commandant Regiment
of Cavalry
Capt. 53rd Regiment
Capt. 45th
Lieut. 53rd
Lieut. "
Ensign 22nd
Ensign "
Ensign 53rd
Lieut. 45th
|
June 17, |
1819 |
|
Aug. 16, |
1819 |
|
April 27, |
1819 |
|
June 17, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
June 17, |
1819 |
|
March 16, |
1819 |
|
March 16, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
April 27, |
1819 |
|
April 27, |
1819 |
|
June 17, |
1819 |
|
Sept. 30, |
1819 |
|
March 16, |
1819 |
|
May 31, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
July 26, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
May 18, |
1819 |
|
Sept. 30, |
1819 |
|
April 27, |
1819 |
|
March 16, |
1819 |
|
July 26, |
1819 |
Robert Smith Daniel M. Stewart Gideon Thompson Wyatt Tweedy (?) Samuel Uselton
Capt. 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Cornet 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Capt. 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Lieut. 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Capt. 5 3rd Regiment
28
Sept. 16, 1819 Sept. 16, 1819 Aug. 16, 1819 Sept. 16, 1819 March 16, 1819
1820
William Allen Charles Anderson Charles Anderson William Aqummit (?) William Arnold
Meredith Blanton John Brittenham Leroy Burkes Gilbert Copeland John Davis, Jr. Hugh H. Elliston William C. Emraish (?) William C. Emmetr
Anson L. Estes Ansel L. Estes Mumford Fletcher Andrew Griffin Pharoah Hall Edward Hamilton William Hicks Henry Holmes Hugh D. Jamison Isaac L. Jetton Lawton Jones John Jones John Jones John Jones James M. King William Ledbetter
William Locke
James Maney Willard Manchester Robert Mankin
James T. Maxwell Arthur McCrary
|
Ensign 53rd Regiment |
March 20, |
1820 |
|
|
Lieut. 45th |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Capt. |
Dec. |
4, |
1820 |
|
Ensign " " |
Sept |
22, |
1820 |
|
Capt. 9th Brigade |
June |
3, |
1820 |
|
Cavalry Regiment |
|||
|
Ensign 22nd Regiment |
Feb. |
28, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
Oct. |
V, |
1820 |
|
Capt. 53rd |
March 20, |
1820 |
|
|
Ensign " " |
March 20, |
1820 |
|
|
Ensign " " |
Oct. |
5, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
Feb. |
15, |
1820 |
|
Capt. |
Feb. |
15, |
1820 |
|
Second Major |
Dec. |
26, |
1820 |
|
45th Regiment |
|||
|
Capt. " |
Oct. |
7, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. |
July |
12, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. " " |
Sept |
22, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. " " |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Ensign " " |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Ensign " " |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Ensign " " |
Feb. |
15, |
1820 |
|
Surgeon 53rd " |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. 45th |
Sept |
22, |
1820 |
|
Capt. |
Dec. |
23, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. 22nd |
Feb. |
28, |
1820 |
|
Ensign 4 5th |
Feb. |
15, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. " " |
Oct. |
5, |
1820 |
|
Capt. |
Oct. |
7, |
1820 |
|
Capt. |
Dec. |
23, |
1820 |
|
Capt. 9th Brigade |
June |
3, |
1820 |
|
Cavalry Regiment |
|||
|
First Major |
Dec. |
26, |
1820 |
|
4 5th Regiment |
|||
|
Surgeon " " |
Oct. |
7, |
1820 |
|
Ensign " " |
Dec. |
8, |
1820 |
|
Fife Major |
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
53rd Regiment |
|||
|
Lieut. 45th |
Dec. |
8, |
1820 |
|
Lieut. 53rd " |
Oct. |
5, |
1820 |
29
David McKnight
John McKnight
John Molloy John Moore Benjamin Nelson Joseph Newman
James Norman Thomas Norman George W. Oliver
Simon (Simeon) Poake Abner Potts
William Powell George Ralston Athelstone Ransom Hugh Roberson Henry Rogers Pleasant Rutledge Raymond B. Sagely Robert Smith
Nathan Stockird
John Tucker
William Warnick
Isaac Williams Vim. H. Youree
Ad juntant
5 3rd Regiment Sgt. Major
53rd Regiment Ensign 45th Regiment Ensign 53rd " Ensign 45th " Second Master
53rd Regiment Lieut. 45th Capt.
Cornet 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Ensign 53rd Regiment Lieut. Col. Commandant
4 5th Regiment Capt. 22nd Capt.
Ensign 45th Ensign 22nd Lieut. " Ensign 45th Lieut.
First Major 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Lieut. 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Drum Major
53rd Regiment Coronet 9th Brigade Cavalry Regiment Ensign 53rd Regiment Capt.
July 1, July 1,
1820
1820
|
Oct. 7, |
1820 |
|
Oct. 5, |
1820 |
|
Dec. 4, |
1820 |
|
July 1, |
1820 |
Dec. 4, 1820
Dec. 23, 1820
June 3, 1820
Oct. 5, 1820
Dec. 26, 1820
|
Feb. |
28, |
1820 |
|
June |
5, |
1820 |
|
July |
12, |
1820 |
|
July |
25, |
1820 |
|
July |
25, |
1820 |
|
Dec. |
8, |
1820 |
|
Dec. |
4, |
1820 |
|
June |
15, |
1820 |
|
June |
3, |
1820 |
|
July |
1, |
1820 |
|
Sept |
12, |
1820 |
Oct. 5, 1820 Oct. 5, 1820
OCCUPATION MAYOR: THE HONORABLE J. M. TOMPKINS
In the Union Volunteer, May 20, 1862, a newspaper published by occupation authorities, this notice v/as carried: "Some weeks since notice was (part of sentence illegible) of the city of
Murfreesboro, elected during the session
of the 'reign of terror,' that they must
^B- * '^ '^^J take the oath of allegiance as required
by the State Constitution or be removed from office. The Mayor J. E. Dromgole (sic) , the Recorder, D. D. Wendel, and Aldermen Robertson and Saunders declined to comply with the request. They were accordingly removed and others chosen by the remaining Aldermen to fill the vacancies. The following gentlemen now comprise the city government: Mayor J. M. Tompkins; Recorder R. D. Reed; Aldermen Alfred Miller, John Todd, E. S. Jordan, C. B. Huggins , and William McKnight; Magistrates John Jones and V. C. Carter; and Constable Gannaway." (from microfilm in Smyrna, Tennessee Library.)
The length of Tompkins' tenure as the Murfreesboro mayor is not clear. At the time the town was garrisoned by a Union brigade composed of the Ninth Michigan, the Third Minnesota, and some scattered detachments from other regiments. Forrest's raid on July 13 covered a period of some twelve hours, and the prisoners that were carried away with Forrest's withdrawal were replaced by
31 units under General William Nelson. Sometime later, the garrison was abandoned, and early in October, the Army of Tennessee, under General Braxton Bragg, moved into the town and its environs. Following the battle of Stones River, the Confederate army retired to Tullahoma and Shelbyville. Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland became the reoccupation troops. For the remainder of the war, Murfreesboro was in Union hands.
Tompkins states in his "Memoirs" (that are carried in full on the pages that follow) that he acted as mayor "until all civil and municipal law ceased by the action of the war."
There is no record that even a token form of municipal government was allowed from January 3, 1863 until the close of the war. Tompkins' days as a mayor may have covered a few months, possibly a year. Whatever time his office may have existed must have been identifiable by controversy. This inference can be drawn from reading his "Memoirs." It can be noted that biographies of two of his sons, Robert and Albert, that appear in Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1886), make no reference to their father's mayorship. One may conjecture that their mayor father did not achieve widespread popularity. Both sons were Confederates. Robert served with the Forty-fifty Tennessee and Albert with the Eighteenth Tennessee.
Shortly after the war. Mayor Tompkins may have been rewarded for his loyalty. He was appointed clerk and master of the chancery court. He died in 1870.
32
MEMOIRS OF JAI4ES M. TOMPKINS
* Written by Himself
JAMES M. TOMPKINS, son of Wm. and Sarah Tompkins, was born in the County of Fluvanna, Virginia, on Adren's Creek, on the 18th day of October, 1807. He remained with his Father, (who lived in Fluvanna County, Va. , except the years of 1818 and 1819, in which years he resided in Albemarle County, Va., two miles North of Charlottsville, ) until the year 1827. His recollection cannot go back when he did not have a firm belief in the truth of the Christian Religion. In October, 1826, he made a public profession of Religion, and was baptized by the Rev. Moses Brock, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Union Mills Church, in the county of Fluvanna. On the 25th day of October, 1827, he was married by the Rev. John Goss , to Kitty G. Rucker, daughter of Elza and Mary P. Rucker, of Orange County, Va. In December, 1827, he left the County of Fluvanna, and settled in Orange County, Va . , near Caves-Ville, and joined the Orange Church in that neighborhood. He resided in Orange County until December, 1830, at which time he moved and settled in Albemarle County, Va., six miles South of Charlottsville, and became a member of the Church at Temple Hill Church, He remained in Albemarle County, Va., until September, 1831, at which time he left the State of
* An original copy of this document is the property of William Tompkins Walkup of Smyrna, Tennessee. Mr. Walkup claims Mayor Tompkins as an ancestor of his.
33
Virginia and moved to the State of Tennessee, and settled on Overall's Creek in the County of Rutherford, and became a member of the Church at Asberry Church. In March, 1836, he was elected a Justice of the Peace for the Sixth District of Rutherford County. In July, 1837, he was elected Surveyor for the County of Rutherford by the County Court of said County. In June, 1812, he petitioned and was accepted and became a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 18, of Ancient Free and Accepted York Masons. He received all the degrees in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. He was elected several times Master of said Lodge, which he esteemed the highest honor ever conferred upon him. In March, 1816, he was elected by the people of said County Sheriff for Rutherford County. In March 1818 and in March 1850, he was re-elected to the same office. In March, 1852, he retired from said office, having served as long as the Constitution of the State would allow, and having discharged the duties of said office with satisfaction as far as he knows and believes to all, except evil doors. In August, 1855, he was elected by the people of the County of Rutherford a member of the State Legislature of Tennessee, for the Session of 1855 and 1856. This was an office he did not seek nor desire it, never having any desire to engage in political life. In December ,' 1859 , he sold out his farm in the country known as Cherry Flat, four miles North-west of Murfreesboro, moved to Murfreesboro and settled in Town, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, (South) in Murfreesboro, and was appointed one of the Stewarts of said Church. He having raised and educated the children, being seven in number.
34
one daughter and six sons, to-wit: — Sarah Margaret, Benjamin C,
William R. , Robert T. , James E. , George T. and Albert G. Tompkins, and becoming old and infirm in health, and being desirous of leading a quiet and peaceable life the balance of his days, and not any more engage in the busy scenes of life- and at peace with all men. But, alast wicked and designing men. North and South, not having the fear of God before their eyes, and being instigated by evil and selfish designs, determined to brake up and ruin our once happy and beloved country and government, if they could not govern it to suit their own views. They brought on and instigated an uncalled for rebellion and civil war. He was opposed to all this procedure, and done all in his power to prevent it, believing that it was our duty to seek redress for all our wrongs by law, in the Congress of the United States, and not to go out of the Union and resort to arms for redress, until all other ways and means should fail; he believing and so argued, that if we separated from the Union and went to war, that nothing awaited us but defeat, distress and woe. The State of Tennessee voted to go out of the Union in May, 1861, by a large majority of votes. He being a Southern man, born and raised in the South, all his sympathies being with the Southern people, and all he had among them, and although it was like rending soul and body asunder to see the beloved Union of the United States, that had been established and cemented by the blood of his ancestors, torn asunder, and a civil war instituted, he quietly submitted to the fate of his State and Country, and only acting in doing all the good he could to relieve the wants and distresses of the people among whom he lived; daily
35
asking God to guide, preserve and protect us. His course and views gave displeasure to some, and caused ill-feelings to be engendered in a few towards him; but his course of conduct and acts was directed by his judgment, and what he conscientiously believed to be right, and therefore, he acted regardless of consequences. He believed that the South had been imposed upon and our rights invaded and denied us, but he never believed in the doctrine of secession or the right of States to secede from the Union at will. In December, 1861, he was elected one of the Aldermen of the town of Murfreesboro. In 1862 he was elected by the Aldermen, Mayor of Murfreesboro, and acted as Mayor until all civil and municipal law ceased by the action of the war. In October, 1861, he took an active part in restoring Civil Law in our country, and re-establishing and opening the Courts, at which time he was appointed by Chancelor John P. Steele, Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee; and he appointed his son, Robert T. Tompkins, Deputy Clerk and Master of said Court, which office they still fill at this date, (1888). In 1882, owing to some ill-feelings engendered in the minds of some of the members of his Church, (which he had been a member of for upwards of forty years; which Church he loved and reverenced as a Mother,) he withdrew from said Church, and obtained a letter of withdrawal, which letter he kept, hoping, wishing and praying that the cause of his withdrawing might be satisfactorily adjusted, but seeing advances made in that way by the offending parties, and after giving the subject a long, careful and prayerful
36
consideration, and feeling it to be the duty of every Professing Christian to belong to and be a member of a Christian Church, in August 1888, he presented his letter to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro, and became a member of that Church, having full faith in its being a genuing Christian Church in Orthodoxy, and believing he could serve God acceptably in the same.
I have written this condensed Memoir as a present to my Children, a Memento to my memory— hoping and praying that they may all make good and useful citizens, and do more good than I have done; that they may fill their stations in life with honor, and never disgrace the humble character and name of their Father- hoping we all may meet in Heaven.
December 16th, 1888. JAMES M. TOMPKINS
37
MAYORS OF MURFREESBORO 1818-1973
1818 -
1819 -
1820 -
1821 - 1822^- 1823/-
1824 -
1825 - 1826. -
1827 -
1828 -
1829 -
1830 -
1831 -
1832 -
1833 -
1834 -
1835 -
1836 -
1837 -
1838 -
1839 -
1840 -
1841 -
1842 -
1843 -
1844 -
1845 -
1846 -
1847 -
1848 -
1849 -
1850 -
1851 -
1852 -
1853 -
1854 -
1855 -
1856 -
1857 -
1858 -
1859 - 1860 1861 1862 1863
Joshua Haskell David Wendel Robert Purdy Henry Holmes W. R. Rucker W. R. Rucker John Jones Wm. Ledbetter S. R. Rucker Wm. Ledbetter John Smith Edward Fisher John Smith James C. Moore Charles Ready Charles Niles Marman Spence M. Spence Edward Fisher L. H. Carney
E. A. Keeble Edward Fisher G. A. Sublett B. W. Farmer B. W. Farmer H- Yoakum Wilson Thomas B. W. Farmer B. W. Farmer John Leiper John Leiper Charles Ready Charles Ready Charles Ready Charles Ready Charles Ready
F. Henry
E. A. Keeble
B. Palmer
Jos. Jos. Jos. Jos.
B. Palmer
B. Palmer
B. Palmer
- John W. Burton
- John W. Burton
- John E. Dromgoole
- James Monro Tompkins'
|
1864 |
- |
James |
Monro Tompkins |
* |
|
|
1865 |
- |
R. |
D. |
Reed |
|
|
1866 |
- |
R. |
D. |
Reed |
|
|
1867 |
- |
Chi |
arles Ready |
||
|
1868 |
- |
E. |
L. |
Jordan |
|
|
1869 |
- |
E. |
L. |
Jordan |
|
|
1870 |
- |
Thomas B. Darragh |
|||
|
1871 |
- |
JO! |
seph A. January |
||
|
1872 |
- |
I. |
B. |
Collier |
|
|
1873 |
- |
I. |
B. |
Collier |
|
|
1874 |
- |
Dr |
. J, |
. B. Murfree |
|
|
1875 |
- |
Dr |
. J, |
. B. Murfree |
|
|
1876 |
- |
H. |
H. |
Kerr |
|
|
1877 |
- |
H. |
H. |
Clayton |
|
|
1878 |
- |
N. |
C. |
Collier |
|
|
1879 |
- |
N. |
C. |
Collier |
|
|
1880 |
- |
Jai |
s. Clayton |
||
|
1881 |
- |
Jai |
s. Clayton |
||
|
1882 |
- |
E. |
F. |
Burton |
|
|
1883 |
- |
E. |
F. |
Burton |
|
|
1884 |
- |
J. |
M. |
Overall |
|
|
1885 |
- |
J. |
M. |
Overall |
|
|
1886 |
- |
H. |
E. |
Palmer |
|
|
1887 |
- |
H. |
E. |
Palmer |
|
|
1888 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1889 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1890 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1891 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1892 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1893 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1894 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1895 |
- |
Tom H |
. Woods |
||
|
1896 |
- |
J. |
T. |
Wrather |
|
|
1897 |
- |
J. |
T. |
Wrather |
|
|
1898 |
- |
J. |
0. |
Oslin |
|
|
1899 |
- |
J. |
0. |
Oslin |
|
|
1900 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1901 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1902 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1903 |
- |
J. |
H, |
Crichlow |
|
|
1904 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1905 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1906 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1907 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1908 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
|
|
1909 |
- |
J. |
H. |
Crichlow |
38
|
1910 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1911 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1912 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1913 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1914 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1915 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1916 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1917 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
|
1918 - |
Dr. |
G. |
B. |
Giltner |
(Defeated 4-16-18) N. C. Maney (Elected by Commission 5-8-18)
1919 - N. C. Maney
1920 - N. C. Maney
1921 - N. C. Maney
1922 - N. C. Maney
1923 - Al D. McKnight
1924 - Al D. McKnight
1925 - Al D. McKnight
1926 - Al D. McKnight
1927 - Al D. McKnight
1928 - Al D. McKnight
1929 - Al D. McKnight
1930 - Al D. McKnight
1931 - Al D. McKnight
1932 - N. C. Maney
1933 - N. C. Maney
1934 - N. C. Maney
W. T. Gerhardt
1935 - W. T. Gerhardt
1936 - W. T. Gerhardt
1937 - W. A. Miles
1938 - W. A. Miles
1939 - W. A. Miles
1940 - W. A. Miles
1941 - W. T. Gerhardt
1942 - W. T. Gerhardt
1943 - W. A. Miles
1944 - W. A. Miles
1945 - W. A. Miles
1946 - W. A. Miles
1947 - John T. Holloway
1948 - John T. Holloway
1949 - John T. Holloway
1950 - John T. Holloway
1951 - Jennings A. Jones
1952 - Jennings A. Jones
1953 - Jennings A. Jones
1954 - Jennings A. Jones
1955 - A. L. Todd, Jr.
1956 - A. L. Todd, Jr.
1957 - A. L. Todd, Jr.
1958 - A. L. Todd, Jr.
|
1959 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1960 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1961 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1962 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1963 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1964 |
- A. |
L. |
Todd , Jr . |
|
1965 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1966 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1967 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1968 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1969 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1970 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1971 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1972 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
|
1973 |
- W. |
H. |
Westbrooks |
*Tompkins is not usually included in the listing of mayors for reasons implicit in the news item carried in the Union Volunteer, May 20, 1862.
39
THE KU KLUX KLAN By Ben Hall McFarlin
The story of the Ku Klux Klan is one of the most colorful, as well as the most tragic, pages of American history. Its origin as a social club, its name, and its mysterious actions are interesting events to read and investigate, but the violent whippings and murders by the transformed Klan are tragedies. Many Middle Tennesseans were deprived of voting privileges; therefore, they resented the Negro's right to vote. After the Klan began its ghostly activities that frightened the Negroes, its members realized that the Klan could be made into an organi- zation which might aid in keeping the Negroes from the polls; and thereby, defeat the Radicals in the state government.-^
On an evening in December 1865, six young men were sitting around the fireplace in the law office of Judge T. J. Jones in Pulaski, Tennessee, just off the Square on West Madison Street. These men. Captain John C. Lester, Captain John B. Kennedy, Captain James R. Crowe, Frank O. McCord , Richard R. Reed, and J. Calvin Jones were citizens of the highest standing in the community and most of them were college graduates and none of them at any time were ever accused of any offense against the law. They had all served with the Confederate Army, and after they had returned to their homes, and while they were adjusting themselves to the new conditions of life, time hung heavy on their hands.
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So that on this December evening when one of them suggested that
they form a club or society of some sort, the idea met with
p general approval.
The name chosen for the club was KuKlox or KuKlos, a Greek word meaning "circle" or "cycle". The organizers of this club were out for fun, but it was fun of an innocent and harmless variety they had in mind at the beginning. ^ As the Klan grew in membership there was a change in their "fun". Most members regarded themselves as the protectors of white supremacy. Although the Klan frightened many Negroes, the white men regarded it with amusement and were eager to join.l
The members and their initiation was secret, and their meetings mysterious. They rode their horses through town and the countryside covered with sheets, in the beginning. It pleased the members that through their superstitions, they were able to frighten the Negroes. As time evolved their uniform changed. The uniforms were made in complete secrecy. Much care was taken
while the robes were being made to keep the facts from being
2 learned by the public.
The Klan began its activities in the political sphere when
the Negroes were granted suffrage and when the loyal militia was
called into effect. The legislature passed the bill granting
Negro suffrage on February 25, 1867; it permitted the Negroes to
vote but still excluded the ex-Confederates. These actions
interf erred with the rights of the southerners, and the Ku Klux
Klan was the one organization which struggled to uphold these
rights and privileges of which the southerners believed they were
being unjustly deprived.
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Early in 1867 the Klan changed from a social club with an absurd ritual and ridiculous regalia into a "great federation of regulators". It relinquished its frivolous fun-making for the serious purpose of controlling the Negro and the carpet- baggers. The men of Middle Tennessee transformed the Klan into a regulatory organization. It sought to regain freedom for the white southerners by combating the aims of the Negroes and a counter organization called the Union League. Its members consisted mostly of former slaves and carpetbaggers . -*-
The Klan became involved in politics and state government. Knowing the attitude and policies of Governor Brownlow-'- (Governor Brownlow, before the war, was an anti-sessionist. He worked during the war in the North promoting the cause of the Union. After the war he returned to Knoxville and re-established his newspaper and took up his fight against ex-Confederates and carried his fight on to the governorship) , the Klansmen believed that his re-election would be disastrous to the Klan. By the beginning of the election year, the political situation was already distressing to the Conservatives and the ex-Confederates. Registration certificates had been granted to a low white class and to many ex-Confederates who had become Unionists, not because of conviction, but in order to vote. The granting of voting privileges to these people, instead of property-owners and tax- payers was an outrage to most respectable whites both Conservative and Unionists. Many sincere Unionists were not permitted to vote because they did not agree with Brownlow' s policies. The Klan
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did not trust Brownlow. His sympathy lay with the Union and the southerners thought that his continued rule would push the South into further ruin.
The Ku Klux Klan had a strong establishment in Murf reesboro. Membership was so large and bold that it drilled regularly in one of the open lots near town. The Klansmen practiced their marching and counter-marching in the fashion of a regular military company. The Klan also made public appearances in Murfreesboro through parades and similar group activities. A Nashville newspaper reported that one parade in Murfreesboro consisted of five to seven thousand. All marchers were dressed in the robes and tall pointed hats. "Some were so high that they took the slates off the roof of the new church building," the reported stated. On May 12, 1868, a report concerning a Murfreesboro parade declared, "They were all dressed in uniforms and their horses caparisoned in usual style." They commenced parading about nine o'clock and kept it up until after midnight. The Klan increased in number and extended throughout Rutherford County. On a Saturday night, February 22, 1868, about twenty Klansmen paraded through the streets of Murfreesboro. Dressed in white robes, masks, and tall hats with lights in the top of them, the Klansmen frightened the Negroes and ignorant whites. The Klansmen rode slowly through the streets, lingering in front of the houses occupied by teachers of freedmen. On the doorstep of the office of the Freedmen' s Watchman, a Radical owned newspaper, the following message was left: "Prepare thyself. Your doom is sealed. We swear by our slumbering dust you shall no longer oppress your downtrodden Brothers. "^
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The Klan's methods became violent. There were burnings, hangings, and whippings. These outrages did not take place in just one county, but were committed in all parts of Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee especially in Maury, Lincoln, Giles, Marshall, Obion, Hardeman, Fayette, Rutherford, and Gibson County. ■*-
Many of the individuals who were outraged by the Klan and many witnesses to the violence perpetrated by the Klan testified to the government. Since the Ku Klux Klan was so intensive and well-organized, many people did not believe any moral influence could dissolve the Klan. George E. Judd , an agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, expressed the opinion that "Powder and Ball is the only thing that will put them down." Many people shared this view. The power of the government seemed to be the only solution for the protection of the Radicals, Unionists, and f reedmen . -'-
There is no way of knowing just when and under what circum- stances the Ku Klux Klan was dissolved. The truth of the matter could be explained by saying that it just melted away and the process proceeded more rapidly in some sections than in others. One of the factors which led to the final disbandment of the original Ku Klux Klan and the end of its influence, was the appearance throughout the South of groups of counterfeit Ku Klux, who used the familiar and convenient disguise as a cloak for robbery, assault, and other crimes. 2 Since the purpose of the Klan to reinstate disenfranchised southerners by restoring their right to vote had been accomplished, the story generally accepted
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by the historians is that Nathan Bedford Forrest, the Grand Wizard of the Klan, issued a formal disbandment order and that
the Klan obeyed this order and destroyed its regalia, burned its
2
rituals and thus ceased to exist.
■'■Brenda Mack McFarlin. The Ku Klux Klan in Middle Tennessee, (1866-1869), Pages - (Preface ii) , 33, 36, 41, 56, 63, 69, 70, 79.
2
Nelle Roller Cohen. Pulaski History, Pages 19, 21, 22.
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THE HISTORY OF KITTRELL by Mary Hall
Kittrell is located seven miles east of Murfreesboro on Highway 70 S, which was the original Stage Coach Road from Knoxville to Nashville.
It was named for Major Marion B. Kittrell, who was born in Wilson County, July 17, 1820. He married Ellen Johnston on January 27, 1853. She was born in Wilson County, June 24, 1829, and died in the Kittrell Community, October 10, 1890.
Their daughter, Lura, married Judge W. C. Houston of Woodbury. Their children were Frank Kittrell, W. C. Jr., and Simpson Fugitt who died in Murfreesboro, October 2, 1967. Major Kittrell served in the Civil War as a Major in General Joseph E. Johnston's Brigade.
After the Civil War, Major Kittrell left Wilson County and moved to Woodbury in Cannon County.
In 1874 he sold his property in Cannon County and purchased a tract of land on Cripple Creek in the 19th Civil District of Rutherford County. The deed was signed July 18, 1874. He lived on this farm until he died December 31, 1893. He was buried in the family graveyard near his home.
The Federal Government established a Post Office in the -■ Community in 1884. They named it "Kittrell" in honor of one of its most respected citizens. Major Marion B. Kittrell. The
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Post Office was discontinued when Rural Free Delivery was established.
(Sources: Interview with Mrs. S. F. Houston; Records from the Houston Family Bible; Sims: History of Rutherford County; Brown: History of Woodbury and Cannon County; U. S. General Services Administration; Letter from Mr. Victor Keene.
EARLY SETTLERS
Major Kittrell did not come to this community until 1874, however there were many settlers before that time.
One of the largest streams in Rutherford County is Cripple Creek. Legend tells us that a man, probably an Indian, was badly crippled from falling into the stream, and he called it "Cripple Creek." It meanders around the hills and through the valleys of this area. The rich land near its banks enticed men to settle wherever they found a spring.
Records show John Beasley bought land in the area in 1803. Jonathan Hall paid taxes in Franklin County, Virginia in 18 05, and in 1807 he bought land in Rutherford County. He had 640 acres on Cripple Creek.
Elihu Jones came from Virginia about the same time as Jonathan Hall, and was one of his nearest neighbors.
Andrew Carnahan bought land in the community in 1810. Thomas Blair came from Virginia in 1812. He later sold his land to Henry Bowling and moved to Arkansas.
Henry Bowling continued to enlarge his holdings by buying his neighbors land. A friend said, "Henry, how much land are
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you going to buy?" Mr. Bowling answered, "I just want what j ines me . "
Jesse Brashear, another large land owner re^corded a purcliasc in 1814.
Alfred Conley carved the date, 1832, on the jam of his fire- place when his house was built. It is still there, and it is known today as the Uncle Dave Macon house.
David Barton Hall came to this community in 1806, with his father, Jonathan Hall. In 1818 he purchased land at the foot of Pilot Knob, the highest hill in the area, and built a log house near a large spring. He sold his home in the 1840 's to his oldest son, Franklin, and with his four younger sons, Ferdinand, Fleming, Preston, and David, Jr. moved to West Tennessee. Their settlement was called "Halls", and is in Lauderdale County.
Other people known to have been in the District at an early date are verified by the Census Reports of 1810-1850 and by an 1878 map of Rutherford County.
A partial list follows —
Samuel Fulks came from Maryland and settled behind Pilot Knob.
Joseph McCrackin came from North Carolina and settled on the west side of Pilot Knob.
Robert E. Richardson, was a wagon maker and came from Virginia.
C. O. Abernathy, David Batey, G. W. Benson, J. S. Bowling, Lee Freeman, Franklin D. Hall, John A. Herrod, Keele Herrod , John Hoover, Charles Hunt who owned the south side of Pilot Knob.
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Andrew and Samuel Jimmerson, Thompson McCrackin, who helped survey the stage coach road, David and Issac Parker, William H. Smith, Joseph Thompson, William W. Wilson.
David Columbus Witherspoon was a surveyor and went to Alaska when gold was discovered there. He joined the U.S. Geological Survey and helped survey the entire region. One of the highest peaks in a long mountain range was named "Mt. Witherspoon" in his honor.
(Sources: Family records. Bibles, deed books in Registrars office. Census Reports 1810-1850.)
CHURCHES
Haynes Chapel Methodist Church
In the summer of 1884, the noted Methodist Evangelist, Sam P. Jones of Cartersville , Georgia, conducted a revival in Murfreesboro. There was a large number of converts. Among them was a group of people living seven and eight miles east of Murfreesboro on the Woodbury Pike.
A movement was started then to build a church in the community. J. C. Haynes bought an acre of land from W. M. Freeman and gave it for the church. In 1887 the Haynes Chapel Church was built. The trustees were: J. C. Haynes, John Coleman, R. N. Justice, W. M. Rogers, James Weeks, John A. Collier, J. B. Palmer, and W. T. Overall.
The people in the community gave their time, labor, money and logs. The church was dedicated in August, 1887. Rev. W. M.
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Rogers preached the dedication sermon. A large crowd was in attendance. There was "dinner on the ground," an afternoon and evening service, and many more were added to the church that day.
The original church was built of donated logs and lumber. The roof was handmade of wooden shingles. The windows had wooden blinds. There was an aisle on each side of the house, one for the men, the other for the women, with no middle aisle. There was a mourners bench in front of the pulpit.
A partial list of the early pastors were: W. H. Rogers, 1887; Felix W. Johnson, 1888; John R. Thompson, 1889-1890; D. S. Osteen, 1891-1892; J. W. Taylor, 1893; C. R. Wade, 1894; W. T. Walkap, 1895.
During this time fifty-five people were added to the church, and within the next few years twenty-six more were added. Mr. Dave Macon and Mr. George Cranor made up money for a church organ and Bible.
Mr. J. K. Lee was pastor from 1907-1909, and during that time he organized the first children's program.
From 1919 to 1922 Rev. H. E. Baker was pastor. While he was there the Epworth League with fifty members was organized. A new roof was put on and thirty-one new members were added.
For many years the Seventh Day Adventist Church paid two dollars and a half per month rent for use of the church on Saturday.
Due to the rotation plan of the Methodist Church conference, pastors usually serve two or three years. In 1953 Rev. O. H. Lane came back after several years absence for a second pastorate.
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In 1960 the last charter member of the church, Mrs. L. D. Bowling, died at the age of eighty-nine. Some of the older members of the church living today are Mrs. Lizzie Early, Mr. and Mrs. Will Weeks, Miss Bertha Puryear, and Mrs. Lizzie Saums.
During the last few years many improvements have been made to the building. Mr. Archie Macon wired it and put in electric lights, heat has been changed from coal to gas, the floor has been sanded, new seats and pulpit furniture purchased, concrete steps have been added, and rock siding has been put on the outside.
In 1958 the members of the church built a parsonage on the lot adjoining the church and the entire area was landscaped.
Rev. Leon Harris is the present pastor, and the membership is now approximately one hundred and twenty-five.
(Sources: Mrs. Wendel Stegall, Mrs. Ruby Jennings, Mrs. Will Weeks, and Misses Mamie Sue and Lou Benson.)
Seed Tick-Hickory Grove Baptist Church
It is not known when a log house was built for a Negro church and school in the woods on the side of Tinch Hill.
It was called "Seed Tick" Baptist Church, and was the only Negro church and school in the east end of Rutherford County.
It is likely that it was built near the time of 'the Civil War. Alice Wright's daughter remembers her mother, who was born in 1867, telling her about walking as a child, three miles to Seed Tick school and sitting on logs for seats.
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No record or remembrance has been found of the early ministers, but Mr. Frank Ferguson is remembered as being one of the early teachers. Other teachers were: Cordie Douglas, Mattie Crockett, and Frank Knight.
The log house was later torn down, and a frame building - was erected at the same place.
Children came from many miles to school there until bus routes were established. Children were then taken to Woodbury and Murfreesboro.
From the beginning church services were held on the first Sunday in each month with revivals in the summer. Baptizings were conducted in Stones River below the bridge at Readyville.
Early pastors remembered were: Bro. Will Henderson, Bro. Les Womack, and Bro. George Hughes.
Elders were Zeke Brandon, Bud Brandon, and John Knight.
Deacons were Cas Brandon and Oda Brandon.
Church Mothers were Ruthy Davis who walked seven or eight ^ miles from Bradyville and seldom missed a service and Delia Knight.
In 1938 a lot was bought near the highway at the foot of Peak's Hill and a new church was built. The name was changed to "Hickory Grove."
As they were moving into the new church. Aunt Delia Knight, who was born in 1866, said, "I wonder who will have the first funeral?" It was hers in a few weeks. Rev. A. F. Murray was the pastor. She was buried in the Helton Cemetery at the foot of Pilot Knob where most of the members have been buried.
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Other members were: Oscar Bowling, Frances Bowling, Uncle Zeke Brandon's family, the John Knight family, Foster Lyon, Fannie Lyon, Hattie Lyon, Cas Swafford and family. Josh Swafford and his family. Uncle Boss and Aunt Liz Walkup and their children. Aunt Chloe Goodman, Becky Dickens, Betty Sutton, Uncle Simon and Aunt Dink Wright, Alice Wright, Granville Dobbins, and Florence and Lollie Taylor.
Within recent years the house has been improved by installing electric lights and gas heat and painting inside and outside.
Some of the present members are: Pastor, Rev. John Wiser.
Deacons: Gilbert Brandon, Jim Henry Newsom, Luther Russell. ^ Teacher: Andrew Dunn.
Church Mothers: Willie Swafford, Willie Bell Dunn.
Among other members are: Lawyer Brandon, Amanda Brandon, Lorelle Brandon, Anne Dunn, Aline Newsom, Jerry Newsom, Audie Robinson, Alpha Knight Robinson, Lizzie Weatherly.
(Sources: Church Record Book; interviews with Mrs. Willie Swafford, Mrs. Willie Belle Dunn, and Mrs. Alpha Robinson.)
Science Hill
Science Hill was the second Church of Christ organized in Rutherford County.
Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone came to Rutherford County in the early thirties (1832-33) and organized groups which were known as the Christian Church.
Alexander Campbell stayed in Murf reesboro, but Barton W. Stone went out into the country. He met with Andrew Carnahan
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and David Barton Hall in a log house on David Hall's place. They accepted his explanation and theory of the "Back-to-the-Bible" Restoration Movement. They and their families were baptized and started the church there.
They met every Sunday for worship in that log house, and Andrew Carnahan would spend the entire day reading and studying the Bible with all who wanted to hear. They soon had a consid- erable congregation.
About the time of the Civil War that building burned and a larger one was built on a hill nearer the Stage Road on Franklin Hall's farm. It was also used for a school. This building burned in the 1880' s, and a still larger two-story building was erected to serve as a church, school, and lodge hall.
As the school enrollment increased the curriculum expanded from reading, writing, and arithmetic to include science and several other academic areas. It was from the interest in science that it came to be called "Science Hill Academy".
Although it became the largest and most outstanding school - in the eastern part of Rutherford County, it was equally well known as a Christian Church.
As the Kittrell and Readyville schools developed. Science Hill stopped being a school, but it continued to grow as a church.
The building deteriorated as the years passed, and in 1950 Mr. Claiborn Harrell offered to give an acre of ground in front of the Kittrell High School if they would move the church down there.
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The offer was accepted, and the old building was torn down. Much of its material was found to be in good condition. A new, modern brick building was erected, which has rafters, joists, and sub-floor made from the old building. This became the fourth building to serve the congregation in the one hundred and forty years of its existence, and although it is now nearly two miles from the hill where it was started in 18 33, the church will always be called "Science Hill."
The Bateys, Beasleys, Bowlings, Breashears, Carnahans, Craigs, Dunns, Earlys, Halls, Hoovers, Kittrells, Richardsons, Smiths, Travises, Wilsons, Yourees, were among the early members. The fourth generation of some of these families still attend church there.
Among the early ministers were: J. L. Bryant, Jesse Sewell, F. B. Shrygley, W. H. Sutton, T. B. Larimore, E. A. Elam, J. W. Shepherd who held a meeting every other summer for fifty years. C. M. Pullias alternated with Bro. Shepherd in his last years. Science Hill never had a full-time minister until after World War II. Joe Netherland began preaching monthly in 1941 and has been the full-time minister since his military service ended in 1946.
Among the early elders were: Frederick Craig, Franklin Hall, Andy Hoover, W. H. Smith.
Elders today are: Mose Boyd, Roscoe Brown, Jim Laws, Ed Parnell, Mac Wilson, and Arthur Young.
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Deacons are: Ray Donnell, Robert Adams, Fay Upton, William H. Walkup, and Gentry Whitworth.
Secretary-Treasurer: Ray Arnold.
(Source: Church records; Goodspeed's History of Tennessee.)
Wilson Hill Baptist Church
In 1850 a Baptist Church was established at the foot of a hill west of Pilot Knob owned by an early settler named Wilson.
The charter named it "Wilson Hill Baptist Church of Christ."
J. J. Jackson was the Pastor, and a record shows the charter members to be Ed Crosslin, John Cross, Jane Croslin, Mary (Polly) Cross, Rachel Burnett, Jane Mullins, and Emaline Gillum.
The church was burned with all the other records.
A new house was built in 1865 and most complete records have been kept from that date to the present time except from 1900-1913. No records are in the books for that period.
The church met in conference July, 1865, and elected Jesse Jonnigan (later spelled Jernigan) Pastor and Moderator. He held this position until 1886.
Deacons elected at that time were Henry Arnett and Thomas J. Burnett. Henry Mullins was elected Clerk. He continued to be church clerk until his death in August, 1868. At that time Ichabod Daniel was appointed to take his place.
On November 27, 1868, he wrote "I. B. Daniel this day returns this book to his beloved Brother George T. Brandon. So, farewell beloved brothers and sisters."
A letter of dismissal was given him November 28, 1868. He must have moved from the community.
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George T. Brandon continued as clerk from 1868 until 1898. He was ordained a deacon in 1884.
In 1900 T. A. Jamison was the clerk, but there is no record of who followed him until 1913 when R. P. Wilson became a clerk. Others following were A. R. Hoover, Thomas Hoover, Gaither Hoover, and Mrs. Louise McElroy.
Pastors and Moderators
A Pastor was elected by the church conference to preach monthly and moderate at the business meetings.
A visiting minister was invited to assist with an annual protracted meeting, or revival, in the summer.
Among the Pastors were Jesse Jernigan (1866-1886) , James Jernigan, J. W. Jamison ordained in 1890, J. E. Tassey, R. A. Taylor (1913-1965), J. T. Casey and Lester F. Shelton.
Some of the visiting ministers were Hardy Bruer, H. C. Haley, Jason Ray, J. P. Simes, H. T. Montgomery, J. W. Cooper, J. W. Anderton, W. H. Whitlock, and Marion Davenport. Members
Complete records were kept of the members as they came into the church — by experience, baptism, or by letter. The following is a partial list of some of the early members: Henry Arnett, E. Barnes, Thomas J. Burns, Edward Croslin, John Cross, Jesse Daniel, Thurston Daniel, Henry Mullins, David Bivins, Jesse Bowlin, James Cox, A. P. Helton, Peter Helton, Thomas Herrod, Andrew Jimerson, Ed Jimerson, Marshall Pitts, and Wilson Todd.
Female members were listed separately from the male. Among them was a Negro woman named Sely Wright.
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Although the house was built over a hundred years ago, it is in excellent condition today having recently been remodeled and modernized by paneling, painting, storm doors, electric lighting, and gas heat.
The present Pastors and Moderators are: W. C. Banks, Artie Roberts, and Clyde Roberts.
Deacons are: Malcolm Pitts and Charlie Bryson. Clerk: Mrs. Louise McElroy.
Delegates: Charles Bryson, Malcolm Pitts, Thurman Pitts.
(Sources: Church record books; interviews with Thomas Hoover, Mrs. Louise McElroy, and Mrs. Gaither Hoover.)
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS
Captain Robert Ray Boyd
Bobby Boyd was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mose C. Boyd.
He attended Kittrell Elementary School, MTSU Campus School, and Central High School, where he graduated with honors in 1959.
In May, 1964, he received a B. S. degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University and Second Lieutenant rank from ROTC. He was a member of the Sigma Club, Track and Sabre Club, and the Chemical Association.
He was one of six Distinguished Military Cadets at MTSU, and he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Artillery at Fort Campbell. He completed that course in October and went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated from the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course and was sent to Viet Nam in July, 1965.
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On October 24, 1965, he was awarded the "Certificate of Merit in Recognition of Outstanding Performance of Duty."
On March 16, 1966, he was awarded the "Bronze Star Medal for Heroism." The citation states: "Lieutenant Boyd moved under heavy enemy fire to the platoon which was receiving the brunt of the new attack. He directed extremely accurate artillery fire upon the Viet Cong while exposing himself to the murderous fire so he could observe and direct the artillery. Disregarding the fact that the Viet Cong were directing their fire at him. Lieutenant Boyd continued to direct artillery fire for approximately five hours. His actions contributed greatly to the defeat of the Viet Cong forces. First Lieutenant Boyd's outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States."
Following some of the demonstrations against the war, a woman in Pennsylvania wrote a letter to the soldiers in Viet Nam, expressing her appreciation for what they were doing. Bobby answered it. Her letter and his were published throughout the army bases and the United States.
He said, "I consider it not only a duty, but a great privilege to be able to serve so that your boys may grow up in our wonderful country and enjoy all it has to offer. I am serving now, and your husband has served, in defense of our country so that we might enjoy the freedom of America. Now it is my turn to guarantee your children the same promise. May God bless you and your family."
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Lieutenant Boyd was promoted to Captain in January, 1967. He was stationed at the Bein Hoa Air Paso near Saiqon and was the Communications Officer for the 173rd Airborne Division.
He came home in February for the first furlough he had had. It was a wonderful month for his parents, relatives, and friends, and Bobby enjoyed every minute of it.
He was a member of Science Hill Church of Christ. On Sunday night before he went back to Viet Nam he had charge of the service. He showed slides, described the life of the people there, and told with enthusiasm some of the experiences which he had.
He signed up for another tour of duty before he came home, and on February 22 he said a happy "Goodbye" to his parents and family and returned to his base unit on February 23rd.
On May 17 Captain Boyd was preparing for a convoy when a shell from a hostile mortar round hit him. He was killed instantly.
After a military funeral, he was buried in the Coleman Cemetery on the Woodbury Road.
On July 15, 1967, the United States Army presented posthumous awards to Captain Robert Ray Boyd. The Purple Heart, which was established by General George Washington in 1782, and is presented "to heroic men who have shown gallentry and devotion in the service of his country." The Bronze Star Medal and The Air Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster were also awarded.
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"Robert stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have given their lives that our Nation's goal of freedom and peace may be maintained."
Judge A. L. Carnahan
A. L. Carnahan was reared near Bradyville in Cannon County. He attended community schools and later graduated from Winchester Normal.
In 1897 he bought the David Batey farm and moved into the Kittrell Community. He soon became one of the active leaders in church, school, and civic affairs.
He was a member of the School Board for some time and was influential in getting a high school located at Kittrell. He was a member of Science Hill Church of Christ.
He was elected magistrate for the 19th Civil District and held that office for several years. In 1918 he was elected County Judge, and presided over the Rutherford County Court for some time.
Dr. Joseph David Hall
Dr. J. D. Hall, son of Franklin D. Hall and Elizabeth McCrackin Hall, spent all of his life on the farm, "Piedmont," at the foot of Pilot Knob where his grandfather, David Hall, settled in 1818. His great-grandfather, Jonathan Hall, came to Rutherford County from Virginia in 1806 and settled a few miles away on Stones River and later on Cripple Creek.
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Dr. Hall was born in 1854 and grew up during the difficult years of the Civil War. As a child he walked three miles each day to and from "Pap" Huddleston's school at Readyville.
When Science Hill Academy started on his father's farm, he went to school there. The curriculum was extremely broad for those days.
The principal was a highly educated man, a graduate of Princeton University. He also had some well-educated assistants. They offered Greek, Latin, science, trigonometry, calculus, in addition to the usual subjects of English, history, and geography. He took all these subjects. He worked on his father's farm and saved his money.
When he finished school at the Academy, he apprenticed himself to Dr. A. P. McCullough at Milton for two years. In those days they called it, "Reading medicine under an old Doctor. "
When he was not helping Dr. McCullough with his patients, he worked in a drug store and learned about medicine.
In 188 0 he entered Vanderbilt Medical School and graduated in 1883. One of his classmates begged him to go into a partner- ship with him in Nashville, but he chose rather to come home and become a country doctor.
In December, 1883, he married Miss Ella Lowe. They continued to live with his mother and father.
In the early days of his practice, he road horseback with saddlebags across his saddle. He always kept good horses. "Old Joe," a sixteen hands, strawberry roan which he rode for
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thirty years, was considered one of the best walking horses ever in Rutherford County. In the 1890' s he began using a buggy some, and about 1914 he got a car.
His practice had a wide range from the Bradyville to the Hall's Hill Pikes, and from 1920 when the last doctor left Readyville, he was the only doctor between Murfreesboro and Woodbury. The nights were never too dark, nor the weather too bad for him to go when he was called.
He was a member of the Church of Christ, a Mason, and was active in all civic and community affairs.
He was an avid reader and was well posted on many subjects, especially on things pertaining to the medical profession. He belonged to the A. M. A., State and County Medical Associations, and served as President of Rutherford County Medical Society at one time. He was always interested in politics, and served on the County Democratic Committee.
After practicing medicine for over fifty-five years he died of pneumonia at the age of eighty- four , and is buried in the garden of his home, "Piedmont."
Uncle Dave Macon
The most widely known citizen of the Kittrell community was "Uncle Dave Macon."
David Harrison Macon was born near Smart Station in Warren County in 1870. In 1883 when he was a young boy, his parents moved to Nashville and ran the Broadway Hotel. After his father died, his mother sold the hotel in 1886 and bought the Charles Ready farm at Readyville.
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In 1889 he married Miss Matilda Richardson and moved to a farm in the Kittrell community where he lived until his death in 1952. In 1901, in addition to farming, he started a wagon freight line from Murfreesboro to Woodbury. He had two wagons. Hatton Sanfrod drove one, and he drove the other until Archie, the oldest of his seven sons, was big enough to help.
They went to Woodbury one day and to Murfreesboro the next, handling and delivering materials all along the way. He knew every man, woman, and child along the twenty mile route and kept up with everything that happened. When a truck line started in 1920, Mr. Macon decided it was time to stop his wagons.
He always loved to sing and play the banjo. After the boys go big enough to help with the freight line, he had more time on his hands.
On rainy days he would take his banjo to the neighborhood store and entertain all who came by. Soon he started going to schools on Friday afternoons. School children began calling him "Uncle Dave."
It was not long until he was called on to help raise money with school programs, box suppers, pie suppers, cake walks, picnics, and all kinds of community affairs. If it were advertised that "Uncle Dave Macon" was going to be on a program, there was sure to be a crowd, for everyone loved his humor and ready wit as well as his music.
In the early twenties he played some at Lowe's Theatre. In 1924 he went to Knoxville and did his first recording.
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When the "Solemn Ole Judge," Mr. George Hay, started the WSM "Grand Ole Opry" in 1925, Uncle Dave Macon became one of the first artists on the program.
During the next twenty-seven years he seldom missed a Saturday night being there. He began calling himself "The Dixie Dew Drop."
He was one of the first Grand Ole Opry artists to begin a traveling program during the week. He went all over the South — New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham, Mobile, and many small towns, also New York and other northern cities. He drew large crowds wherever he went.
He was a member of Haynes Chapel Methodist Church.
He died of pneumonia in 1952. He is buried in the Coleman Cemetery on the Woodbury Road. One hundred and twenty-five Grand Ole Opry stars contributed to the erection of a three thousand ton granite monument to his memory beside the highway on top of the hill overlooking Woodbury.
Today his name stands among the great of the music world in Nashville where a plaque has been placed in his honor in the Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame.
(Sources: Interviews with Mr. Archie Macon and Mrs. Ruth Wood; Magazine Section, NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN. )
P. M. Puryear, Educator
Portious Moore Puryear was born in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina, November 26, 1839. He moved with his family to Walker County, Georgia, in the early part of 1860. He soon
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enlisted in the 23rd Georgia regiment Confederate Army and served until it surrendered. He was under Stonewall Jackson and in the battle when that officer received the wound that caused his death. He later joined General Robert E. Lee's regiment and was with him at the surrender of Appomattox.
He was a graduate of Princeton University. In 1867 he married Miss Margaret Gunn and came to the Kittrell community of Rutherford County, Tennessee.
In 1870 he became principal of Science Hill Academy and taught there for seventeen years. It was the only school in that part of Rutherford County. Students came from other communities and boarded to go to school there. Professor Puryear, being a highly educated man, developed a very broad curriculum. He taught Greek, Latin, higher mathematics and science. He had two or three assistants who taught the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
He became a magistrate from the 19th Civil District in 1876. He took an active interest in the proceedings of the Quarterly Court and seldom missed a meeting.
He belonged to Haynes Chapel Methodist Church which he helped build in 1884 and was a faithful worker there and "a public spirited and liberal, earnest supporter of all propositions for the good of the public" until his death on November 30, 1891.
(Sources: Interviews with Miss Bertha Puryear; Family records; Copy of Resolutions passed by the Rutherford County Quarterly Court, January, 1892.)
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SCHOOLS
The first school in the Kittrell-Readyville area was taught in 1810 by James Barkley, a Revolutionary soldier, who moved to -^ Danville, Virginia, in 1833. It is not known where the building was.
Soon after that Mr. W. B. Huddleston built a log house in the corner of his yard, where Mr. Leslie Justice now lives, and started a school known as "Pap Huddleston' s School."
Children walked for many miles to this school, getting there by eight o'clock in the morning when "books took up" and staying until four in the afternoon. The curriculum was entirely the three "R's".
Another school known to have been before the Civil War was in a log building at Wilson's Hill on the northwest side of Pilot Knob. It seems to have been discontinued when the war came on.
The people in the community realized that their children's education had been neglected during the war years, and a need was felt for another school.
Everybody joined together and erected a large building on Franklin Hall's farm. It became the outstanding school in the east end of Rutherford County. This was a big step forward in education as "academies" were being established throughout the state. The curriculum was expanded beyond the three "R's" to include science, Latin, Greek, higher mathematics, literature.
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and history. Due to the innovation of science into the school program, the school came to be named "Science Hill Academy". It was used as a church on Sundays.
In 1870 Mr. P. M. Puryear moved into the community. He was a graduate of Princeton University. For the next seventeen years he was principal of Science Hill Academy.
He brought in as his assistants, several other well educated persons. Among them were Mr. Sam Billingsley, Mr. Smith Denton, Mr. Pollard Runnels, and Miss Nannie Stanley who taught music and art.
The fame of this school spread, and students came from all neighboring communities and from far away. Several homes in the community were opened for boarding students.
This building burned, and the school moved to a new building on the hill above the mill at Readyville. This school grew and prospered for several years, but it burned down in 1902.
About 1895 the people in the Kittrell community decided another school should be started there. Mr. CO. Abernathy and Mrs. P. M. Puryear gave the land, and a two-room schoolhouse was built.
For some time the school term in the county was only three months. Usually a subscription school would follow in the winter. After some years the community extended the term to five months and then to eight.
Some of the early teachers were: Mr. Sam Nelson, Miss Ella Pitts, Mr. Tom Jamison, Mr. Henry Barton, Miss Willie Goodloe,
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Mr. Charlie Elkins , Miss Betty Hayes, Mr. S. A. Youree, Miss White Jetton, Mr. Walter Kirby, Miss Jennie Speer, Mr. Genoa Bowling, Mr. Flint Speer.
In 1909 the State Legislature passed a bill establishing four normal schools in Tennessee and a high school in every -^ county .
Mr. Flint Speer was the principal at Kittrell. He visited leaders in the community and called a meeting of all the parents. They voted to petition the county court to build a two-year high school at Kittrell. The court granted the request provided a certain amount of money would be raised by the community. The people responded and raised the money within a few weeks. A sawmill was set up on the school grounds, and people donated logs for the framing. Ceiling, flooring, window and door frames had to be bought. It was discovered that reduced prices could be had in Nashville. Wagons and teams were donated and men drove down one day and returned the next with these building materials. People in the community donated their services.
In the fall of 1911 Kittrell opened a new high school. The first graduates in 1913 were: Esther Couch, Mary Hall, Sam Jones, Ervin McCrary, Emmett Travis, Alline Youree, and Annie Youree.
The following served as principals of the two-year high school: E. T. Stern, Flint Speer, C. F. Holt, Mr. Bryant, Clyde E. Richards, and Mr. Briar.
In 1923 Mr. Flint Speer was principal for a second time and Kittrell became a four-year high school.
In 1925 Frank Bass was principal. By this time the old frame building would no longer accommodate the increased number of pupils,
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The parents launched a drive for a new building, and the present brick building was erected.
Mr. Bass served as principal from 1925 to 1927 followed by Ross Shelton, Clyde Riggs, James Woodfin, Thomas Holden, Esten Macon, David Youree, R. V. Reynolds, and Thomas Tenpenny.
It was through the efforts of Mr. Youree that Kittrell became an A grade school in 1953.
The first gymnasium was built in 1927 principally from the lumber of the old building, but it was inadequate. Again, the community spirit was demonstrated by donating $3,000 for a larger and better gymnasium.
Home economics was made a part of the curriculum in 1922. Mrs. J. J. Northcutt was the first home economics teacher. Miss Ruby McKnight held that position for twenty-eight years.
The present agriculture room and shop were built by the county in 1948, and typing and shorthand were added to the curric- ulum in 1945.
A new building for the primary grades was built in 1953. Since that time seven additional classrooms and a new home economics department have been added. A new agriculture building has also been constructed.
The school now (1972) has an enrollment of 700, grades one through twelve, employing twenty- three teachers.
The high school curriculum has been broadened until it con- sists of four years of English; three years of mathematics; two years of typing and shorthand; one year of business mathematics and
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business law; home economics; agriculture; American history; general science; biology; chemistry; psychology; sociology; civics; health and physical education.
As the school has improved, so has the mode of transportation advanced. In 1914 Mr. Ode Hoover drove the first school wagon to Kittrell. He purchased a new wagon and George Ralston constructed an overhead frame, covered it with canvas, and built benches along the sides. A black and red mule, "Tobe" and "Tige: pulled the wagon from behind Pilot Knob to Readyville and down the pike, now Highway 7 0 S, to Kittrell School.
Other wagon drivers were: Jim Arnett, Elmer Carnahan, and Black McGill. Craig Youree and Roy Good drove wagons down Cripple Creek Road, and Will Weeks and Powell Hall came from the Loafers Rest area.
The school was served by wagons until 1923. That year "Uncle Jack" Coleman got a stock truck for the school truck. He built seats along the sides and enclosed it with pine ceiling on hinges that could be let up and down for the comfort of the pupils in summer and winter. He drove the school truck as long as he was able.
As wagons were replaced by trucks, trucks were replaced by buses.
Since the program of consolidation came to the county, Kittrell as a four-year high school served the communities of Readyville, Halls Hill, Sharperville, Shiloh, Loafers Rest, Dilton, Murray, and Donnell's Chapel.
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Five large buses, each having two routes, make two trips each day into these communities.
(Sources: Kittrell School records: School Superintendent's Office; Report for Alumni by Miss Maggie Lowe.)
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
During Governor Robert L. Taylor's administration, farmers throughout the state began asserting their rights.
In 1890 the Grange, or Farmers Alliance, was organized. They met in the upstairs room of the Science Hill Church.
It was a strong organization for several years, and practi- cally all the farmers in the community belonged to the Grange. Among them were: David Batey, Frederick Craig, G. M. Dunn, Bud Brashear, J. D. Hall, Bud Helton, Andy Hoover, R. H. Kittrell, Jim Smith, and W. H. Smith.
Several men in the community belonged to the Masonic Lodge. Records were destroyed in a fire, but J. D. Hall and W. H. Smith were among the members.
SPORTS
Fox Hunting
One of the earliest sports in the community was fox hunting. Several men in the area had large packs of hounds. Mr. Ed McElroy had twelve. "John" and "Old Blue" were considered champions. Mr. Andy Hoover had nine hounds; among them were "Bugle" and "Trumpet".' Dr. J. D. Hall was another fan. At the time of the Spanish- American
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War he had two dogs and named his hounds "Dewey" and "Schley" after heroes of the war.
The area around Pilot Knob and Peak's Hill provided a very fine hunting range.
The baying of the hounds "coming ' roung the mountain" filled the night air with music to the fans.
In 1932 Harold Earthman (Doc), Broadus Maples, Wash Powers, and a few others organized the Rutherford County Fox Hunters Association.
Mr. Earthman was the Representative for the Fourth Congres- sional District at the time. Being a democratic person, he disliked the possibility of this association's becoming a "Gentlemen's Social Organization," as they are in England. He wanted the love of fox hunting to be the ground for belonging, rich or poor, black or white, and not one's wealth or social position.
In 193 3 he suggested that the name be changed to the "One Callus Fox Hunters Association."
Mr. Earthman had several friends in Congress who were interested in fox hunting, and being very proud of Tennessee, he decided that he wanted to show those people what a real Tennessee fox hunt was like.
In 1934 he came home from Washington and suggested to the other members of the One Callus Association that they put on the biggest fox hunt that had ever been in the United States. The other members joined readily in his plans.
They chose the harvest moon time in October, and the area of Pilot Knob, Peaks Hill, and Craig Hollow for the hunt.
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The camp was set up in Craig Hollow, and Mr. George Lassiter was put in charge of the food. He barbecued thirteen hogs and made coffee and other things in proportion. A news syndicate in Chicago announced the hunt all over the country, and people came from many areas. The Fox Hunting Magazine of England sent a reporter from London, one came from Chicago, a representative for Time, and the National Fox Hunters Association, and the state and local papers covered it.
Some of Mr. Earthman's friends from Washington, Chicago, and New York came as well as fans from all over Tennessee, and a large representation from Rutherford County. There was an estimated one thousand people there and two hundred dogs. Most of them stayed all weekend.
It was a huge success, and everyone said that there had never been such a fox hunt in the United States. The One Callus Fox Hunters Association has a clubhouse now near Eagleville. They still have annual hunts, but never another like that one.
(Sources: Interviews with Mrs. Sam B. Dunn, Mr. Harold Earthman, and Mr. Broadus Maples.)
Baseball
Baseball was a part of the life of the community from the days of the first school, but it did not become very important until about 1911.
Mr. Flint Speer was principal of Kittrell High School at the time.
Walter Norris came home after being discharged from four years of service in the U. S. Army where he had been an outstanding pitcher on an army baseball team.
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The school program at that time gave an hour for lunch. Walter came to school every day at lunch to play ball.
There was a fine group of large boys in school, and acting as coach and pitcher, Walter soon developed a champion team. They practiced in the afternoon after school and on Saturdays until a schedule of games was filled.
From that time they had no open dates during the season for the next two or three years. They played all teams in the county and surrounding areas.
It was the first time a curved ball was ever pitched in this area. Community fans followed them wherever they went. There were always big crowds. Fans went many miles to see the games.
The team went far and near to play schools, at picnics, county fairs, and on Sunday afternoons all summer.
One man from Smithville said, "I would go anywhere to see a ball game if I knew Walter Norris was going to pitch."
The members of the team were: Walter Norris, Will Early, Jesse Helton, Sam Jones, Frank Lowe, Ervin McCrary, Aubra McCrary, Walter McKnight, Orville Tilford, and Youree Perry.
Basketball
In 1923 when Kittrell became a four-year high school, basketball bounced into the school and into the hearts of Kittrell fans.
Mr. Flint Speer was the principal, and Mr. Oscar (Uncle Bud) Baskin was the coach.
On this team was one of the best players the school has ever produced, Powell Early. After playing four year at Kittrell he went to college (MTSU) and made the varsity team. Other players
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during the first few years included Samuel Youree, Marcus Brandon, Maurice McKnight, Rush Palmer, Hall Woodward, Robert Abernathy, Robert Kerr, and Deward (Foots) Compton.
In 1925 Frank Bass came to Kittrell as principal and coach. The boys succeeded in going to the finals in the District Tourna- ment for the next several years.
An outstanding girls team was developed when Miss Sadie Mae McMahan became coach. She had an excellent team in 1920 with Katie Alexander, Sarah Rion, Odell Sneed, Bertha McFerrin, Jenny McElroy, and Ruby Gates. They won both the District and Regional Tournaments.
The boys had a slump for some years, but in 1938 "Foots" Compton led the team as a great point maker with Adam DeBerry as defense man. They went to the state tournament in 193 9 and broke all scoring records. Compton went on to college and was named "All American. "
Mr. Jack Jarrett was the boys coach for the next few years, and Ruby Sanford, a past star, was the girls coach. She developed such good players as Elaine Milligan, Juanita Hollandsworth, Ella Jo and Marie Herrod.
Mr. Kenneth Colston became coach in 1958 and Kittrell really came into the limelight. Jimmy (Monk) Montgomery was one of the most exciting players the state has ever produced. He broke all records for the most points scored in the state. He had great help from his teammates Ben Gates, Bobby Jones, Jimmy and George Nipper.
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In 1962 no coach was hired for Kittrell, and "Foots" Compton, a former star, gave his time to come and coach the boys. He developed another winning team.
Bob Burden became coach in 1963. He had a record of 190 wins and 74 losses in the next nine years. Better things began to happen for the Kittrell girls when Ben Gates became their coach.
In 1971 they went to the state tournament for the first time, having won the county tournament, second place in both district and regional tournaments and first place in the sub- tournament. The leading scorer in the state was Connie Vance. She had splendid help in Jo Love and Emma Newsom.
The Kittrell girls finished the 1972 season with 28 wins and 3 losses. They were runners-up in the district tournament and winners of the regional and sub-state. They went to the state tournament for the second consecutive year and were rated one of the finest teams in the state. Members of the team were: Connie Vance, Sandy Vance, Stella Milligan, Gale Robinson, Jean Lynch, Brenda Eaglen, Debbie Duke, Emily Vance, Dannette Duke, Claudia Hollandsworth, Kahty and Cindy Tolbert. They did credit to the school.
Coach Gates and all the Kittrell fans had great hopes that they would win the tournament. They had defeated every team they played except Gallatin. They easily won their first rounds in the tournament but were defeated by the strong Lewisburg team which won the tournament.
Connie Vance was recognized as the best player in Rutherford County history. Her jersey. No. 33, has been retired along with
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"Monk" Montgomery's, No. 43. She was the leading scorer in the state in 1972 and was chosen by the Nashville Banner as being the Most Valuable Player in the state.
1972 ended forty-nine years of basketball for Kittrell.
There have been many thrilling moments, close games, exciting wins, comparable losses, and tournament champions during these years.
Good coaching has been demonstrated, sportsmanship has been shown, and great players have been developed to linger in the memory of the players and fans as Kittrell High School comes to a close.
(Sources: Mr. Joe Gates, Kittrell School Records.)
GENERAL STORES
There were two stores in Kittrell. They were on opposite sides of the road. Mr. Burgan Jamison and Mr. Billy Smith had a store on the north side of the road for several years, but closed some time before the other one did.
Across the road a few yards from the blacksmith shop was Mr. Lewis Bowling's store.
In 1884 the U. S. Government established a Post Office at Kittrell. They put it in Mr. Bowling's store and appointed him Postmaster.
Both stores were the typical general country store with pot- bellied stoves, J. P. Coats thread, cracker barrels, nail kegs, pins, domestic and calico, smoking and chewing tobacco, sugar, salt, coffee, and all commodities to meet country people's needs.
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The Post Office was closed when Rural Free Delivery was established. Route #5 came out from Murfreesboro. The store continued in operation until Mr. Bowling became ill in 1923. He died in 1925.
INDUSTRIES
Blacksmith Shop
One of the best blacksmith shops in this part of Rutherford County was at Kittrell. It was run by Mr. Jack and Mr. Will Coleman. In addition to shoeing horses, "Uncle Jack," as he was called, could fix anything.
Mr. Will lived some distance from the shop, but Uncle Jack lived "just a stone's throw" from the shop in the tollgate house.
From the early days of the stage coach road, which later was called a "turnpike", until the state took it over, a tollgate was - placed about every five or six miles.
The first one out of Murfreesboro was where Mercury Boulevard now runs into Highway 70. The second one was at Kittrell, a third one just above Readyville, and a fourth one was just below the bridge at Woodbury.
A house was built with a porch reaching the road. A long log would be put across the road about four feet from the ground with a rope on one end which could be fastened to a post on the porch. The other end rested on a frame and had weights on it which would make the pole go up when the rope was unfastened.
A toll was charged of 5<: for horseback, 10<: for buggies, and 15-25<: for wagons according to the load.
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Mrs. Coleman ran the tollgate during the day when Uncle Jack was in the shop and he took care of it at night, and thus they were able to keep up with where everybody went.
The first tourist who came up the road in a car ran into the tollgate and smashed his windshield. As long as Uncle Jack lived he enjoyed telling about the "cussin out" which that man gave him for having a pole across the road.
Uncle Jack could fix anything from a clock to a steam engine. They made plows, wagons, hoes, rakes, and any other kind of tool used on the farm.
When the state highway changed the road the tollgate and blacksmith shop were done away with. Mr. Will began farming and Uncle Jack drove the school wagon.
Sorghum Hill
As soon as "frost was on the pumpkin," and leaves began to turn, people started stripping their sorghum cane and bringing it in great wagon loads to Mr. Pitts' sorghum mill.
Mr. M. E. Pitts owned a farm on the banks of Cripple Creek. He grew the usual corn, cotton, wheat, and a large patch of sorghum. He built a mill to grind his cane under a big oak tree between his house and the creek.
The mill consisted of a grinder which was turned by a pole to which a mule was fastened. He went in a circle around the mill and furnace^.
A large pan, several feet long, caught the juice as it was ground out in the mill. The pan extended over a furnance which was kept hot by a wood fire underneath. After the juice was
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squeezed from the cane the remaining pulp, called "chawings," was put in a big pile near by. Farmers frequently took it home to feed cows, and children loved to play on it.
It took several hours to cook the juice "down" to molasses; therefore, the cooking lasted until in the night. As it was done in the season of the harvest moon, the nights were usually pretty and bright. It was one of the interesting entertainments for the young people of the community to go to the sorghum mill in the evenings with their buttered biscuits for the first taste of the sweet syrup.
Later in the year, molasses candy pullings, helped many evenings pass happily for the young people.
People came for miles with their jars, jugs, and kegs to get Mr. Pitts molasses. The sorghum mill was discontinued when he died in 1913.
Weaving
Mrs. John Sanford, called "Miss Sine" by her family and friends, had a hand loom in her home. For many years she wove blankets, carpets, rugs, and linsey cloth for people in the community and neighboring areas.
One afternoon in the spring of 1911 after a hard rain and thunder storm, her husband came home from the field and found her lying in the road in front of the house. She had been killed by lightening.
Weaving is still being done in the community. Mrs. Lizzie Saums has a loom which she has used for many years. She helped
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her mother and grandmother thread their loom when she was a child, and when they were not looking she shot the shuttle across. As soon as she was tall enough to reach the treadle, they taught her to weave and she has been doing it ever since. She does custom weaving of rugs and carpets at her home on Mt. Herman Road where she has lived all of her life.
LANDMARKS
The outstanding landmark in the Kittrell-Readyville communities is Pilot Knob.
It is said by Dr. Edward Baldwin, geographer for many years at Middle Tennessee State University, to be the highest point in Tennessee east of the Mississippi River until the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains in Cannon and Warren counties.
No one knows who named the hill "Pilot Knob." It was called that when the first settlers came to the area. They said that the Indians had used it as a guiding point, a lookout place, and a smoke signal station. It can be seen for an area of twenty or more miles in every direction.
During the Civil War the North and South considered it of sufficient importance that they had several skirmishes in the area to get possession of the hill. One of the armies built a "lookout" up in a large tree which stayed there until after 1920. It was used as a signal station, and with a telescope one could see a distance beyond Murfreesboro. It was a very important point when the battle of Stones River was fought.
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For many years it provided a recreation area for hunters and youth in the community. The south side of the Knob has always been covered with grass and used as pasture. People frequently entertained visitors by taking them up to view the landscape which was especially magnificent in the fall and spring.
One day some bright youngsters took some wide planks and nailed a foot rest on one end. They took them up to the crest of the hill and rode down on the planks. From that day for a long time to come it became one of the chief recreations for the young people to go to the Knob on weekends and ride down the "shoot-to- shoot" on the south side.
The east, west, and north sides had some tillable land and a lot of woods which provided hunting grounds for all kinds of animals. Boys made their money during the winter months hunting and trapping coons, opossirms, polecats, and foxes whose homes were in the woods.
At one time Mr. Bob Lytle had a famous peach orchard on one side of the Knob, and people came for miles for the choice fruit.
One of the best Girl Scout camps in Tennessee, Piedmont Camp, is at the foot of Pilot Knob and serves girls from Rutherford and surrounding counties.
FOLK LORE
Thomas Blair came from Virginia and settled on Cripple Creek. His daughter, Elizabeth, married Jonathan Hall's oldest son, David Barton Hall. She died in 1815 when their son, Franklin Donald was born.
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Thomas Blair sold his land to Henry Bowling and moved to Arkansas. David Hall and his young son, Franklin, went with them. He soon decided to come back to Tennessee.
On the way he stopped at a trading post and left the little boy with the horse. It took him some time to purchase the food and supplies he needed. When he came back to his horse, Franklin was no where to be seen.
After searching all over the area, a traveler came along and said that he had seen a little white boy in an Indian camp some miles away. They had kidnapped the child and had taken him to their camp. David rode in agony as fast as he could, but it took some time for him to find the camp.
All his fears were allayed when he got there and saw a very happy little boy having a grand time standing on a stump dressed as a little Indian chief with the braves dancing around him singing a song.
After assuring the Indians that he was the child's father and that he had not been abandoned, then laden with gifts, Franklin and his father bade the Indians good bye and were soon again on their way home.
The experience remained a pleasant memory of his childhood which Franklin loved to tell about as long as he lived.
BOOKNOTE:
Historic Cane Ridge and Its Families, a 1973 publication by Mrs. Lillian Brown Johnson, is due to come off the press late this year. It is listed in the Library of Congress under No. 73-85673. The price is $20 plus $1 for tax and 75C for mailing and handling.
This is a combined history and geneological records of the early settlers of District 6, Davidson County. The work was begun by Mrs. Johnson when she started research to complete an appli- cation for her husband, Buford Boyd, to become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
She contacted residents of the area and found so many of those presently living that knew their families had lived in the area of the Cane Ridge Presbyterian Church for several generations, and they were interested in knowing more of the history of the early settlers, so she continued her research until she has completed a 4 50-page book containing over 1500 surnames and hundreds of given names. The book contains church as well as family records and is sure to be of interest to all who have been a part of this area of our state. There are descendants of seventeen Revolutionary Patriots, such as Austin, Baker, Boaz, Gray, Johnson, Peay, Gambill, Thompson, and others.
The book is indexed and contains over one hundred pictures. It is being printed by Blue and Gray press, and it will be available from the writer, a resident of Smyrna.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP LIST AS OF NOVEMBER 1973
1. Mr. John P. Adams Route 4 Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
2 Mrs. John P. Adaras Route 4 Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
y-3. Mrs. W. D. Adkerson Compton Road Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
Vf4, Mr. Robert Baskin 801 E. Lytle Miorf reesboro , Tn 37130
5. Mr. Robert T. Batey Route 1, Box 44 Nolensville, Tn 37135
^,'6, Mr. Fred W, Brigance 1202 Scottland Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
V'7. Mrs. Fred W. Brigance 1202 Scottland Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
8. Mrs. Lida N, Brugge 714 Chickasaw Road Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
9, Mr. J, D. Carmack 1707 Herald Lane Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
10. Mrs. J. D. Carmack 1707 Herald Lane Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
11. Miss Louise Cawthon 534 E. College Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
12. Mr. Almond Chaney Sanford Road LaVergne, Tn 37086
'-13. Mrs. George Chaney P.O. Box 114 LaVergne, Tn 37086
14. Mr. James L. Chrisman 2728 Sharondale Court Nashville, Tn 37215
15. Mrs. James K. Clayton 525 E. College Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
16. Mr. Louis Bush Cole 2815 Tyne Blvd. Nashville, Tn 37215
17. Mrs. Louis Bush Cole 2815 Tyne Blvd. Nashville, Tn 37215
18. Dr. Robert Corlew Manson Pike Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
19. Dr. Walter R, Courtenay Eagleville Tennessee 37060
20. Mrs. A. W, Cranker 305 Tyne Murfreesboro, Tn 37 1.30
21. Mrs. Florence Davis
Old Nashville Hwy, , Rt, 2 Smyrna, Tn 37167
22. Mrs. Moulton Farrar, Jr. 502 Park Center Drive Nashville, Tn 37205
23. Miss Myrtle Ruth Foutch 103 G Street, S.W, Washington, D. C. 20024
24. Mr. Robert T. Goodman 202 N. Academy Street Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
25. Mrs. Robin Gould 2900 Connecticut Ave. Washington, D. C. 20008
26. Mrs. Robert Gwynne Brittain Hills Farm Rock Springs Road Smyrna, Tn 37167
*27. Miss Mary Hall 821 E. Burton Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
28. Mr. John L. Heath Box 146 LaVergne, Tn 37086
29. Miss Adelaide Hewgley Route 3
Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
30. Mrs, Eulalia J. Hewgley Route 3
Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
"31. Mr. Walter King Hoover 101 Division Smyrna, Tn 37167
*32. Mr. Robert S. Hoskins 310 Tyne Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
v«33. Mrs. Robert S. Hoskins 310 Tyne Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
Vc34. Mr. C. B. Huggins, Jr. 915 E. Main Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
35. Dr. James K. Huhta
507 E. Northfield Blvd. Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
36. Mr, Norman F. Hutchinson 410 Apollo Drive
Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
•'f37. Mr. Ernest King Johns Jefferson Pike Smyrna, Tn 37167
38. Mr. Thomas N. Johns 501 Mary Street Smyrna, Tn 37167
"39. Mrs. Buford Johnson 109 Chestnut Street Smyrna, Tn 37167
40. Mr. Homer Jones
1825 Ragland Avenue Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
*4l. Mr. Robt. B. Jones, III 819 W. Northfield Blvd. Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
*42. Dr. Belt Keathley
1207 Whitehall Road Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
Vf43. Mrs. Belt Keathley 1207 Whitehall Road Murf reesboro , Tn 37130
*44. Mr. W. H. King
2107 Greenland Drive Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
*45. Mrs. W. H. King
2107 Greenland Drive Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
*46, Mr. George Kinnard Route 1 LaVergne, Tn 37086
'V47. Mrs. Goerge Kinnard Route 1 LaVergne, Tn 37086
Vf48, Mr. VJilliam C, Ledbetter, Jr, 115 N, University Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
49. Mr. T. Vance Little Beech Grove Farm Brentwood, Tn 37027
"50. Mrs. Dorothy Matheny 1434 Diana Street Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
51. Mrs. James H. McBroom, Jr. Route 2, Box 131 Christiana, Tn 37037
*52. Mr. Ben Hall McFarlin 514 E. Lytle Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
^^53. Mrs. Ben Hall McFarlin 514 E. Lytle Murf reesboro, Tn 37130
54. Mrs. Luby H. Miles
Monroe House, Apt, 601 522 - 21st St., N.W. Washington, D, C. 20006
-2-
55.
56.
57.
58.
60.
61.
63.
64.
66.
67.
68.
Mr. Donald E. Moser I6l8 Riverview Drive Murfreesboro, Tn 37l3U
Mr. Eugene R. Mullins 2400 Sterling Road Nashville, Tn 37215
Mrs. David Naron
Rock Springs Rd., Route I
LaVergne, Tn 37086
Mr. John Nelson Route 4 Murfreesboro , Tn
37130
Mr. Lawson B. Nelson 13812 Whispering Lake Dr, Sun City, Arizona 85351
Dr. Joe Edwin Nunley 305 2nd Avenue Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
Mr. Charles C. Pearcy
LaVergne
Tn 37086
Dr. Homer Pittard
309 Tyne
Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
Mr. Bobby Pope Old U.S. 41 LaVergne, Tn 37086
Mr. A. C. Puckett, Jr. Mason Circle LaVergne, Tn 37086
Mr. Robert Ragland
Box 544
Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
Mrs. Robert Ragland
Box 544
Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
Mr. Sam Ridley
Box 128
Smyrna, Tn 37167
Mr. Knox Ridley
Box 128
Smyrna, Tn 37167
Shull
69. Mr. Granville S. Ridley 730 E. Main Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
70. Mrs. James A. Ridley, Jr, Lebanon Pike Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
71. Mr. Billy E. Rogers
506 Jean Drive, Route 2 LaVergne, Tn 37086
5'f72. Mrs. Elvis Rushing 604 N. Spring Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
73. Mr. E. R. Sanders, Jr. 205 Cttmberland Cr, Nashville, Tn 37214
"74. Miss Racheal Sanders 1114 N, Tenn. Blvd. Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
'f75. Miss Sara Lou Sanders 1114 N. Tenn, Blvd. Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
76. Mr. John F. Scarbrough, Jr. 701 Fairview Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
77. Dr. R. Neil Schultz 1811 Jones Blvd. Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
''^78. Mr. Gene' H. Sloan • ■ 728 Greenland Dr, Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
79. Colonel Sam W. Smith 318 Tyne Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
"80. Miss Dorothy Smothemian 1220 N. Spring Street Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
^<8l. Mr. Travis Smotherman 6565 Premier Drive Apt. A-12 Nashville, Tn 37209
82. Mrs. E. C. Stewart 4200 Old Mill Road Alexandria, Virginia 22309
-3-
83. Mr. Roy E. Tarwater 815 W. Clark Blvd. Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
84. Tenn. State Library & Archives Nashville
Tennessee 37219
85. Mr. Mason Tucker Route 6 , Elam Road Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
86. Mrs. Emmett Waldron Box 4
LaVergne, Tn 37086
87. Mr. Roy L. Waldron Route 2 Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
*96. Mr. W. H. Wilson 1011 Sa\>ryer Drive Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
97. Mr. Henry G, Wray 104 McNickle Drive Smyrna, Tn 37167
98. Mr. Wm. A. Shull, Jr. 4 211 Ferrara Drive Silver Springs, Md 20906
88. Mr. Vester Waldron LaVergne Tenn. 37086
89. Mrs. Vester Waldron LaVergne
Tenn. 37086
90. Mr. William T. Walkup 202 Ridley St. Smyrna, Tn 37167
91. Mrs. George F. Watson Executive House, B-17 Franklin, Tn 37064
92. Mrs. P. H. Wade
1700 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville, Tn 37217
■93. Mayor W. H. Westbrooks 305 Tyne Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
94. Mrs. W. H. Westbrooks 305 Tyne Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
95. Miss Virginia Wilkinson 1118 E. Clark Blvd. Murfreesboro, Tn 37130
* indicates charter members
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DATE DUE |
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1 ^° =°= JOSTE^-S |
DATE DUE
JY 09'^'
m
TTl 8 '97
MAR b
•Q
^jII* ■ * ^
LfiLjI.
5?r ^ V 2|303
ftM»£5 20i«
HIGHSMITH 45-220
M T S U LIBRARY
3 3082 00527 4567
976.857 R931p
V.2
76-01592
AUTHOR Rutherford County Historical Society Publication no. 2, Winter. 197^
LIBRARY
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE