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NOT TO LEAVE LIBRARY
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATION NO. 5
June 1975
The Cover - This drawing from Annals of the
Army of the Cumberland (1863) does not depict
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad during
one of its better days. It carries this caption:
"Guerillas destroying a railroad-train near
Smyrna." At the close of the War Between the
States, the Nashville and Chattanooga's road-
bed was in a poor state of repair and the rolling
stock was almost nonexistent. Be that as it may,
the drawing may serve to illustrate the splendid
article on railroads appearing in this issue.
Published by
Rutherford County Historical Society
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1975
V . 5
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATION NO. 5
FOREWORD
It is our belief that one of the most significant
contributions made by the Rutherford County Historical
Society is its continuing program of publications. It
is also our belief that the Society's membership fee of
$5.00 is the best bargain offered by most any organization
in our community. The cost of the two annual publications
alone go beyond the modest membership fee. Sale of surplus
copies, however, keep us in business. And, of course, this
is our only real motive anyway.
I should express the thanks of our membership to
Henry Wray for his dedication to our publications. The
collection and selection of materials and nursing all of
these through the technical aspects of publishing have
almost been a self-imposed chore by Mr. Wray. His departure
for California will leave a void most difficult to fill.
Fred Brigance
RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATION NO. 5
Published by the
Rutherford County Historical Society
OFFICERS
President Dr. Fred Brigance
Vice President Mrs. Sue Ragland
Secretary & Treasurer Mrs. Dorothy Matheny
Recording Secretary Miss Louise Cawthon
PUBLICATION NO. 5 (Limited Edition - 300 copies) is
distributed to members of the Society. The annual member-
ship dues is $5.00 (Family - $7.00) which includes the
regular publications and the monthly NEWSLETTER to all
members. Additional copies of PUBLICATION NO. 5 may be
obtained at $3.00 per copy.
All correspondence concerning additional copies,
contributions to future issues, and membership should be
addressed to
D. M. Matheny
1434 Diana Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
CONTRIBUTORS
The Rutherford County Historical Society is most
appreciative of the efforts of those who made this issue
possible:
Thomas N. Johns, Sr.
Henry G. Wray, Rutherford County Archivist and
Master Geneologist
Walter King Hoover, Historian, author of The History
of Smyrna, and Smyrna mortician.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad
Through Rutherford County 1845-1872 Page 1
by Thomas N. Johns, Sr.
The Sutler's Wagon Page 27
Rutherford County Post Offices and Postmasters
by Henry G. Wray Page 28
The Rutherford Rifles edited by Henry G. Wray Page 43
Hardeman's Mill by Walter K. Hoover Page 54
The Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad
Through Rutherford County 1845-1872
by
Thomas N. Johns Sr.
"The matter of more interest to our readers generally,
connected with the celebration of the opening of the rail-
road to Murfreesborough, would be the speeches of Messrs.
Ready and Stevenson. Although present on the occasion, we
made no effort to sketch these speeches, and unless the
speakers furnish a copy of their remarks f we shall not be
able to gratify the public curiosity to see them in print.
We suppose fifteen hundred persons passed over the
road from Nashville to Murfreesborough, and the citizens of
Rutherford and the adjoining counties were out in large
numbers. The crowd was generally estimated at ten thousand.
It was certainly a very large and a very happy one. The
barbecue was ample and excellent and the arrangements were
so judiciously made and executed that all were accommodated,
without confusion or crowding. Murfreesborough did herself
high honor in the preparations for feasting so large a crowd,
and we are sure that her hospitalities will long be remembered
by the citizens of Nashville.
-2-
It was a great day for both towns and for the enter-
prising gentlemen to whose herculean labors we owe the
success of the great work of connecting Nashville with the
Seaboard cities of the South. A tenth of the effort expended
by Col. Stevenson and his colleagues of the Board of Directors
in getting up this road, will secure the construction of any
other work in which Nashville has an interest. Both for
itself and for its influence we regard this road as infinitely
the most important enterprise in which the citizens of our
State have ever engaged. In honor and in profit may the
stockholders reap a reward commensurate with the benefits
they have conferred on the State."
The memorable event was the partial conclusion of years
of effort by Vernon K. Stevenson, a visionary, who dreamed
of a railroad stretching from the Northeast to the Southern
Seaboard Cities with the center of the system being Middle
Tennessee. His determination, endurance, and salesmanship
created the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Company
which in turn stirred the economic development of Middle
Tennessee and especially Rutherford County.
This article will attempt to postulate the role that
Rutherford County and Rutherford Countians played in the
development of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad and a
few of the events and incidents which occurred between 1845
and 1872 in and around Rutherford County. The N & C Railroad
was the first bona fide railroad in the State of Tennessee,
and did not come under the so called land grant railroad
-3-
2
legislation. The N & C was never in the hands of receiver-
. 3
ship because of the strong leadership and direction of its
three presidents, Vernon K. Stevenson 1848-1864, Michael
Burns 1864-1868, and Edmund W. Cole 1868-1873.^
In the early 1800' s, the land in Middle Tennessee was
newly settled and sparsely populated, and sufficient trans-
portation was provided by the river system (Cumberland,
Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers) and stage roads.
However, by the early 1830 's the situation had changed.
Middle Tennessee's population had increased, more farmland
had been opened, and there were more products for market and
more markets for manufactured products.
The idea of a railroad through Nashville was first
presented, in 1835, to Nashville by Robert Y. Hayne of South
Carolina who proposed a route from Memphis through Nashville
to Knoxville but somehow remained only an idea. Two years
later William Armor, a resident of Memphis, proposed a
railroad from the Southeast to the Northeast, but the economic
depression of 1837 stymied any such venture and thus the
idea of the railroad remained dormant for almost ten years.
About 1831, a young man, V. K. Stevenson, moved to Nashville
and set up business as a merchant. He married well and made
many friends in Nashville as well as Murfreesboro and Ruther-
ford County. Stevenson was moved by the idea of a railroad
and realized as a merchant that a railroad would enhance the
marketable products of the area, as well as bring products
into the area.^
-4-
Some of the predominant reasons for the existence of a
railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga in 1844 were as
follows: (1) The eastern seaboard cities of Charleston and
Savannah offered ready markets for products and access to
other markets through these ports. Nashville and Middle
Tennessee products included tobacco, cotton, hogs, cattle,
mules, horses, wool, brandy and whiskey; also, 3 rolling
mills, 21 blast furnaces, and 11 forges, all totaling almost
13 million dollars per year. (2) The Western and Atlantic
Railroad owned and operated by the State of Georgia was
building a railroad north to Chattanooga from Atlanta scheduled
to be completed in the early 1850 's. (3) The Louisville
and Nashville Railroad was formalizing plans for their road
to Nashville. (4) A fast and efficient mode of passenger
transportation to the east coast was needed since stage
coaches required 3 1/2 days for the journey to the east
7
coast and 14 days to Philadelphia. (5) Accessible entry
into the deposits of coal in the Cumberland Mountains was
needed. (6) The overall economic development of Middle
Tennessee was urgently needed.
V. K. Stevenson enlisted the support of his friends,
James Overton of Nashville and James Whiteside of Chattanooga,
for the development of a railroad. Both men traveled about
making speeches advocating the building of the N & C railroad.
The local newspapers of Nashville and surrounding towns,
through the urging of these men, added their support for
the N & C. Also many small towns, particularly Murfreesboro,
supported the idea for economic purposes. Charleston, South
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-5-
Carolina, and other seaboard cities encouraged the building
of the N & C. The State of Georgia and the Georgia Railroad
and Banking Company pledged their money and support for the
2
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Company.
Thus with much needed support and encouragement, the
Tennessee Legislature lobbied by all these interest, plus
many citizens, voted and approved the organization of a rail-
road from Nashville to Chattanooga.
After the charter was granted on 11 December 1845 by the
State of Tennessee, machinery was set into motion almost
immediately. The first Commissioners appointed were: John M.
Bass, John M. Hill, Francis B. Fogg, Andrew Ewing, A. 0. P.
Nicholson, V. K. Stevenson, John Bell, Willoughby Williams,
William Nichol, S. D. Morgan, Joseph T. Elliston, Joseph W.
Q
Horton, James A. Porter, James Overton and John Shelby. The
Commissioners were instructed to open Subscription Books
for the purpose of listing 60,000 shares at $25.00 each.
The power of eminent domain was granted the N & C plus a
selection of a right of way 100 feet wide. Also the right
of slave ownership was granted. In addition the N & C was
exempted from taxes on its building and property for twenty
years. But the most important task was the selction of a
feasible route from Nashville to Chattanooga.
V. K. Stevenson, on one of his many trips to Charleston,
engaged John Edgar Thomson, Resident Engineer of Georgia
Railroad and Banking Company, to survey a route for the N & C
and report his findings to the Commissioners. Theodore S.
Garrett, C. E. , also of the Georgia Railroad and Banking
-6-
Company, undertook the actual instrumental survey of the
route. Thomson and Company commenced the survey at Chattanooga
some time in 1846 but since the terrain was rugged and
unchartered the survey took six months or more to complete.
By 1847 the Commissioners had Thomson's preliminary
survey and report. In the report he described the route
through Rutherford County as the least obstacled course on
the line. Thomson estimated that the line would be 152 miles
long, actual mileage was 152.6, with almost thirty miles in
Rutherford County. The line enters Rutherford County about
Mile 14 near LaVergne in the northeast section passing
through Murfreesboro and exits near the town of Fosterville,
Mile 45, in the southeastern section.
Thomson estimated the cost of the N & C to be $2,810,000
with the actual cost being about $2,700,000. He even suggested
that the track and iron be made within the State thus creat-
ing jobs and the development of the resources of the State.
Unfortunately all rail and accessories were bought in England
and transported to New Orleans by ship where they were
transferred to barge for the final journey to Nashville.
John Thomson later became President of the Pennsylvania
Railroad. He took no compensation except for expenses for
the survey of the N & C, because he realized the construction
of the road was vital to the Nation as well as Tennessee.
About 1854, the Board of Directors issued Thomson stock in
the company for his services.
-7-
With the survey report in hand, the Commissioners
solicited stock subscriptions from citizens and townships.
The City of Nashville agreed to $500,00 in stock, the town of
Murfreesborough $30,000 (a large sum for a town of only
2,000 people), the town of Shelbyville $50,000, the City of
Charleston $500,000, the Town of Winchester $25,000, the
Georgia Railroad and Banking Company $250,000 and bonds
guaranteed by the State for $500,000, plus individual sub-
scriptions all totaling $2,588,450.
Therefore, on 24 January 1848, the first stockholders
meeting of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Company
was held at the City Hall in Nashville, and the corporate
organization was completed. Officers and a Board of Directors
were elected:
President - V. K. Stevenson Chief Engineer - James H. Grant
Treasurer - Orville Ewing Superintendent of Transportation
H. I. Anderson
Board of Directors
Vernon K. Stevenson James C. Moore)
Alex Allison William Spence) Rutherford Co.
John M. Bass Jeremiah Cleveland)
Francis B. Fogg John T. Neil ) Bedford Co.
Edwin Ewing William S. Waterson-Cof f ee Co.
A. O. P. Nicholson) Peter S. Deckard-Franklin Co.
Samuel D. Morgan ) Davidson Co. A. M. Rutledge-Grundy Co.
James A. Whiteside-Hamilton Co.
The following Rutherford Countians owned 1975 shares of
stock in the N & C with almost 12% of the voting power:
Alexander, J. D. Eaglton, Wm. Jamison, H. D.
Alexander, A. M. Edmundson, Jno. Kerby, James M.
Allison, Wra. Espy, Robt. Kerr, G. W.
Alexander, A. G. Elder, Joshua Kimbro, Joseph
Alexander, M. H. Fletcher, M. L. Killough, James
-8-
Alexander, Jesse
Anderson, Samuel
Alexander, Daniel
Abernathy, J. J.
& wife
Blackman, Alfred
Bowman, Ben E.
Baird, Josiah M.
Baird, J. P.
Brittain, Jno.
Bowman, Daniel
Butler, W. S.
Baird, Jno.
Brown , Thos .
Baugh, Jno. A.
Brashear, Jesse
Black, L. P.
Brown , Jno . , Jr .
Bone, James
Bell, James, Estate
Beaty, Geo.
Burton, Hardy M.
Beaty, Ben j .
Binford, J. W.
Bar , Jane
Bryant, Charlotte
Burk, Francis L.
Brown , Jno .
Butler, T. 0.
Brown, W. T.
Christy, S. B.
Conley, J. W.
Carlton, Kinton
Childress, Jno. W.
Cannon, Alanson
Cranor, Thos. B.
Covington, E. I.
Claud, F. N. , Jr.
Childress, Mary E.
Corporation of
Murf reesboro
Cowan, V. D.
Clark, Sarah
Crocker, Eugenie
Clay, Green
Conley, W. M.
Crosswaite, G. D.
Davis, Luckett
Dromgoole, E. D.
Dejarnett, D. M.
Davis, A. P.
Davis, J. W.
Dejarnett, James G.
Edwards , Thomas
Foster, James
Floyd, Rich'd. J.
Fulks, Jno.
Fletcher
Farris, Chas. B.
Grant, James H.
Garmnay , Wm .
Gilliam, Jesse
Garner, Lewis
Gregory , Henry
Gilmore, J. D.
Gilmore, Peter
Gooch, Eliza A.
(Guardian)
Henry, Rebecca L.
Henderson, Jas. F.
Henderson, G. T.
House, Margrate
House, Ambrose
Hunt, W.
House, Geo. W.
Hill, Jno.
Hord, Thomas
House, Jno. C.
Henry, F.
Harris, Jno. C.
Huggins, J.
Huggins , Jonathan
Hall, Jno.
Hancock, E. D.
Hart, Thos. M.
Hall, Wm.
Hartwell, J. A.
Henderson, A. G.
Huggins, J.&W.S.
Jarratt, Thompson
Jarratt, Jno. J.
Jarratt, Thos. S.
Jetton, James S.
Jetton, Rufus B.
Jones, Wm.
Johns, J. B.
Jetton, Lewis
Johns, Paul V.
Jordon, Blount
Jones, Jno.
Johns, R. V.
Johnson, D. H.
Job, E. C.
Jones, E. H.
Jamison, Thos. H.
Jetton, Maria
Jones, Scisley S.
King, Elias
Kerby, J. H.
Keeble, E. A.
Lamb , Thomas
Leiper & Menefee
Lowe , Wm .
Lytle, E. F.
Lawrence, James
Ledbetter, Wm.
Lytle, W. F.
Lyon, James S.
Landsburger, Moses
McCullough, R. D.
McFadden, Will R.
Martin, Kno.
Martin, Wm.
Mathews, E. L.
Maxey, Philip
McFadden, Sam
McLean, A. H.
McLean, C. G.
McCreary, A.
Mitchell, Daniel
Marable, Benj .
Mankin, Jno.
Maxey, Joel
Mathews, Wm. R.
Miller, Alfred
Murphy , Jno .
Maney, James
Murfree, M. B.
Minter, Jno. M.
Mason, P. M.
May, Frederick
Minter, Jeptha
Mullins Jno.
Morton, George C.
Marr, James A.
McElroy, A. M.
Miller, S. G.
Nance, J. N.
Nelson, A. W.
North, Theodrick
North, A.
Norman , Henry
Newman , E . D .
Newsom, Thos. H.
Newsom, Jno. F.
Northway, H. K.
Oden, Jno. A.
Overall, Robt.
Overall, Asbury D.
Owen , Thomas
Osborne, Harvey
Overall , Sophia
Overall, Sophia &
Mary J.
Peebles, Isham R.
Peebles, George
Phelps, Asa C.
Powell, Jno.
Powell, R. H.
Parker , Nehemiah
Powell, Thos. P.
Quarles, Jno. W.
(Trustee Ruth. Co,
Ready, Chas. Sr.
Ransom, H. D.
Rucker , James
Reed, James
Reed, Wm. A.
Ress, A. M.
Rooker, Wm.
Ransom, Elizabeth
Ransom, R. P.
Ransom, Wm. A.
Ross, Alfred
Rucker, S.R. ,Sr.
Rather, Martha A.
Ransom, B. F.
Rucker, Sm. R.
Rucker, Wm. B.
Ransom, Jno.
Ransom, David
Ransom, Sam'l.
Ransom, Ben j .
Ransom, Ben j .
Ridley, Moses
Ridley, Henry
(Estate)
Rucker, Joseph B.
Ridley, Eliza.
Rucker, Ben j .
Ransom, George
Ransom, Ann E.
Ross, James
Runnel, P. R.
Rucker, Susan C.
Rakes, R.
Ridley, B. L.
Smith, George W.
) Sharp, W. J.
Swann, Moses
Spence, Sarah
Sikes, Jesse
Smith, D.D.
Stroop, Jno.
Smith, Jackson
Summers, T. H.
Smith, W.H. (Whig)
Spence, D.H.C.
Smith, Wm. M.
Smith, W. Hunter
Smith, Joseph
Smith, W.H. (Dem.)
Smith, Jno. E.
(Estate)
Smith, Ben j .
Smith, Swinfield L.
Smith, Elizabeth L.
Smith, Elizabeth J.
Smith, Elizabeth M,
Snell, Robt.
Smith, A. J.
B.
H.
Stone, Wm.
Suttle, Ellis
Tray lor, Joel
Traylor, H. F.
Trimble, Joseph
Tucker, Silas
Thomas, Wilson
Thompson, George
Talley, P. C.
Tucker, P. C.
Wade , Levi
Watkins, S.
Ward, B.
Wright, W.
Watkins, Joseph
Wade, H. & R.
Wade, O. H.
Watkins, Wilson L.
Walden, Jno.
Welch, Thos. (Estate)
Wade, Mordecai B.
Williams, Elisha
White, R. H.
White, B. G.
Weather ford, J. Q.
White, R. M.
White, W. N.
Wether spoon, A. B.
Work, Jno. L.
Wharcy, L. C.
Williams, E.
Young, Hiram
Yandell, L. P.
Actual construction of the N & C started at one of the
most unlikely spots along the route in August of 1848,
this being the tunnel through the Cumberland Mountains near
Cowan, Tennessee. The tunnel nearly half a mile long was
entirely through solid rock with approaches on either side
of the same material. The contract for the tunnel was let to
Thomas C. Bates on August 1, 1848. As work began on each end
of the tunnel, three shafts 11 x 7 feet were sunk 170 feet
-10-
deep from the top of the mountain and thus eight points of
the tunnel could be worked simultaneously 24 hours a day.
Slave labor and Irish emigrants composed the majority of
the work crews. The tools used for excavation were hard
drills, sledge hammers, picks, shovels, ropes, pulleys and
wheelbarrows. Light for working was provided by smoking
torches and the explosive used was black powder. The tunnel
was completed on 22 February 1851 when the Crow Creek heading
of the tunnel was blown. A large celebration was held in
Winchester to commemorate the completion of the tunnel. It
is said workmen, railroad officials and area residents
walked through the trackless tunnel carrying their own
5&11
candles.
Actual letting of sections began on 20 December 1848
when thirty miles were let; 13 miles at the Nashville end
(to the Rutherford County line) , and the remainder in Bedford
County and in Alabama, terminating at the Tennessee River.
It was not until a more detailed survey by James Grant,
Resident Engineer, and the Engineering Department, that
other sections were let. On 19 June, at Murfreesboro, the
section from Fly's curve (Kimbro mile 13) to Murfreesboro
and from Murfreesboro to section 57 (to the Duck River) and
four sections between the Garrison and Barren Forks of the
Duck River were let, all totaling 45 miles. The work was
let to stockholders of the N & C with few exceptions. A
brief description of the line from the Rutherford - Davidson
County Line to Murfreesboro follows:
-11-
"The located line after passing Fly's curve
to the left pursues a straight course for nearly
3 miles crossing the Murfreesboro Turnpike about
one quarter of a mile east of James Buchanan's,
thence crossing the Jefferson Turnpike near
William Davis' Horse saw-mill. From this point
the line runs perfectly straight 13 1/4 miles to
Murfreesboro, crossing Stewarts Creek about one-
third of a mile above Hardeman's Mills, and
recrossing the Murfreesboro Turnpike two miles
from town .
As far as can be determined the route was divided into
152 sections with one section per mile. The section or sections
from Smyrna to Wade were let to Silas Tucker who owned much
12
of the land where Smyrna is today. He sold most of the
land to the N & C and gave a plot of ground supposedly
13
for the public square for the town.
A notable individual, James Grant, who was born in Maine,
educated in the East and a civil engineer was working for
the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company with J. E. Thomson
when Stevenson visited the Georgia Company. Apparently
Stevenson was impressed with James Grant for he became the
first Chief Resident Engineer of the N & C. James Grant had
worked six years with the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company
before he came to Middle Tennessee in 1848. He was charged
with actual location and construction of the N & C Railroad
-12-
from Nashville to Chattanooga. To be near the center of
the line for supervisory purposes he chose a community,
Christiana, 42 miles from Nashville.
From Christiana he directed all construction, super-
structures, ties and rails, buildings and bridges of the
14
N & C. It is said he named all the stations from Nashville
to Chattanooga including the town of Christiana. In the
. . 15
early 1850' s, he married and built his home in Christiana.
His home, which he designed and built within 1/4 of a mile
of the N & C line, still stands. In addition, he was the
agent at Christiana and his wife opened the first Post
Office and store at Christiana. His descendents still
operate the Post Office at Christiana. In 1859, he left the
N & C and worked for the Atlanta and Jacksonville Railroad
and subsequently he was Chief Engineer of the New Orleans,
Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad. After the war he
returned to the N & C as Chief Engineer with his office at
Christiana.
Very little has been written or known about James Grant
(a third cousin to President U. S. Grant) , although his con-
tribution to Middle Tennessee and Rutherford County is
immeasurable. Today he lies buried with his wife behind
the Presbyterian Church in Christiana; however, there are no
markers identifying the graves.
As the line began to develop, points along the line
17
acquired names. Starting in Nashville the points are:
-13-
Nashville
Glencliff
Curry
Asylvim
Antioch
Mt. View
Kimbro
Lavergne
Smyrna
Wade
Florence
Russell
Murfreesboro
Winstead
Rucker
Christiana
Fosterville
Bell Buckle
Wartrace
Haley
Cortner
Normandy
Tullahoma
Estill Springs
Decherd
Cowan
T. C. Junction
Sherwood
Anderson
Bass, Alabama
Stevenson, Ala.
Bolivar, Ala.
Bridgeport, Ala.
Shell Mound, Tn.
Ladds
Vulcan
Whiteside
Etna Mines
Hooker, Ga.
Wauhatchie
Lookout
Cravens
Chattanooga
(Rutherford Co.)
Mile 0 (Davidson Co.)
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
20
22
26
28
32
36
38
42
45
51
55
58
61
62
69
77
82
87
(Bedford Co.)
96
102
106
112
117
123
129
130
134
137
141
145
147
149
151
The 1850 Census lists Irish Emigrants and citizens of
18
Rutherford County working for the railroad.
Irish Laborours
Daniel Raden
Robert Wiseman
Jno. Cochran
Jno . Newman
Patrick Fitzgerald
John Loorney
John Hurley
Wm. Hurt
Thomas Burns
John Clancey
Lawrence Riley
John Face
-14-
Daniel Creden John Cannon James Hope
Wm. Stuart Timothy Godfrey V. G. McDonal
Arthur Mallory William Fin Patrick Armstrong
Nicholas Murray John Smith
Rutherford Count ians
Jno. Gramps Superstructor R. R.
J. Hezekiah Oliver Engineer R. R.
G. W. Becton Railroad Contractor
Richd. G. Buchanan Overseer R. R.
F. Henry R. R. Contractor
John Sullivan Bedford David Peter Mason
Wm. F. Youree Wm. R. Davis Joseph Hays
Wm. Johnson Isaac Rouse John Armstrong
Adon Zumbro John Ramsey Jno. Canada
James Shepherd S. W. Belt Geo. Foreman
In 1849, V. K. Stevenson as President of the N & C,
traveled to England and negotiated a contract for iron rails,
chairs and spikes for the line at 2<: per pound. I believe
this rail to be the old "U" rail, or commonly known at that
1°
time as bridge rail, weighing 80 tons per mile. The rail
recommended by John E. Thomson was the "U" rail weighing
100 tons per mile. The "U" rail was laid on cedar ties.
(These ties were cedar poles about six feet long.) The
rails were set five feet apart which was the standard guage
at that time.
In a letter to M. Burns, President N & C Railroad, on
May 4, 1866, from James Grant, a description of the rail and
roadbed follows : "When the track was laid originally
the joints of the rails were held up by cedar stringers
(7x7 inches 20 ft. long) the rail joints being in the
centre of the stringers it was impossible for them to go
down unless the stringers broke (which they did not) and that
-15-
was one of the Great Advantages the Co. derived from the
stringers. We had no trouble in keeping up the joints on
the mud road bed! The other great advantage derived from
continuous bearing timbers, was saving of the wear & tear
of rails — by giving a uniform and elastic support to them,
they were not unduly strained, crooked and battered up at
the ends, and the "U" rails have lasted (with all the unneces-
sary & fast running over them) twice as long as they would,
if they had been laid on crossties at fissures — where we did
lay them on crossties, on the Chattanooga end, we found out
by experience 15 years ago, that it was impossible to keep
14
the track up without rock ballast! "
H. I. Anderson, who owned land in Rutherford County
where Florence is today, was the Super of all superstructures
(grading and leveling) from Nashville to Murfreesboro. Most
of the work was completed by a negro work force.
The "U" rail from the Tennessee River to Chattanooga
was laid on crossties, and the rails weighed approximately
100 tons per mile. The "U" rail from Nashville to the
Tennessee River was laid on stringers. Most of the "U" rail
lasted until about 1863 when a Federal work force rebuilt
the road.
The bridges across Hurrican Creek, Harts Branch,
Stewart's Creek, Overall Creek and the two Stone's River
Bridges were all constructed of cedar except for some white
oak stringers. The cedar was acquired from land throughout
Middle Tennessee.
-16-
By December 1851, many freight and passenger stations
had been built. A freight and passenger house combined
(third class) was erected at Smyrna and Wartrace. A freight
house was completed at Murfreesboro. Woodsheds and water
stations were constructed at Antioch, Smyrna and Christiana.
By December 1852, water stations were completed at Lavergne,
Murfreesboro, Bell Buckle, Wartrace, Normandy, Tullahoma,
Alisonia, Dechard and Tantalon. Water stations were supplied
as follows: Lavergne, Murfreesboro and Chattanooga, by
steam; Christiana, Estill's Springs and Cowan, by horse power;
Fosterville, Normandy Grade, Cumberland Mt. , Tantalon,
Anderson, and Stevenson by gravity. Murfreesboro Station
received its water from Murfree's Spring Branch.
As the road began to take shape, H. I. Anderson, the
Superintendent of Transportation, journeyed to Cincinnati
and acquired the first rolling stock for the N & C. The
first engine arrived in Nashville 13 December 1850 along
with several passenger cars and freight cars, on the Steamboat
"Beauty." The engine bore the name "Tennessee" and was
built by Harkness and Sons of Cincinnati and was a 4-4-0
type engine weighing 20 tons. The engine was dragged by
mules from the wharf through the streets of Nashville to
the N & C tracks on Cherry Street. This procedure required
four days and was watched with interest by the citizens of
Nashville. A trial run of one mile was made on the N & C
line 27 December 1850. ^'"^^
-17-
By April 9, 1851, the "Tennessee" had pulled its first
train to Antioch, about 10 miles, where a large crowd greeted
21
the train. By April 1851, the train reached Rutherford
County. On 4 July 1851, the train ran to Murfreesboro
where a large celebration took place. About 1500 citizens
of Nashville traveled over the line to Murfreesboro and nearly
the entire population of Rutherford County turned out to see
the "train. "^
A second engine, "Gen. Harrison," commenced service
3 June 1851 and a third engine, "V. K. Stevenson," commenced
service 2 July 1851. When the celebration of 4 July 1851
was held, the N & C had 2 passenger cars, 1 baggage car,
7 box cars, 18 platform cars and 9 repairing cars. Undoubtedly
all were utilized to bring the citizens of Nashville to
Murfreesboro, since many citizens wanted to ride the train.
By 1852 trains were operating as far south as Dechard
and the Shelbyville branch was opened. In February, 1854,
3
the line was completed into Chattanooga.
An interesting occurrence was noted on 6 November 1851
in a letter from J. F. Hibbett at Mt. View to son, Theophalis,
at school: "The locomotive Tennessee ran over a cow about
a week ago and turned a summerset and half killing 1 negro
and injuring several of the passengers, accidents are frequent
on the road occasioned by carelessness on the part of the
Engineer. They travel over about 60 miles of the road daily
backward and forward making 120 mile travel - we have not
22
taken a ride as yet."
-18-
The early engines were all named for prominent people, places
and towns. The entire list is as follows:
1 Tennessee 13 Shelbyville 25 H. Gourdine
2 Gen. Harrison 14 R. I. Moore 26 H. W. Conner
5 V. K. Stevenson 15 Gov. Sevier 27 John P. King
4 W. S. Waterson 16 Ctomberland 28 G. A. Trenholm
5 Tullahoma 17 Gov. Carroll 29 John C. Caldwell
6 John Eakin 18 Gov. Houston 30 Murfreesboro
7 Grampus 19 H. L. White 31 Winchester
8 Nashville 20 J. K. Polk 32 R;. Rogers
9 J. E.Thompson 21 Andrew Jackson 33 Geo. Peabody
10 Coweta 22 Daniel Webster 34 g. B. Lamar
11 Pollard 23 Henry Clay 35 J. T. Soutter
12 Chattanooga 24 John C. Calhoun 36 Wm. Moore
37 W. C. Smartt
The preceding list of locomotives were built by various
builders; Harkness and Sons, M. W. Baldwin, Niles and Company,
Nashville Manufacturing Company, Norris and Brothers, Rodgers,
Ketchiam and Grosvenor, Moore and Richardson, and the Rogers
Locomotive Machine Works. With the exception of one or two
pusher engines, all were 4-4-0 wheel type weighing approxi-
mately 20 tons apiece.
The name "Tennessee" was applied to two other engines.
The first "Tennessee" was scrapped during the war. The
second "Tennessee" was the original "Chattanooga," and the
21
third was a rebuilt Rogers Locomotive built in 1855. It
operated until 1918 when it was sold to a South Georgia
Lumber Company. The engine was used extensively by the
Thomases (John and John, Jr.) as an inspection and pay train
from 1884 to 1912.^
The engine "Murfreesboro" was used primarily as a
freight engine. It was a 4-4-0 type and was built by Norris
and Brothers . The engine exploded in Kentucky during the
-19-
war and was scrapped. Apparently no photo was ever taken of
4
the engine "Murfreesboro. "
Most of the engines could pull 11 or 12 cars success-
fully; and they took two days to reach Chattanooga from
Nashville with a layover at Dechard. It was not until 1870
that the N & C acquired Rodgers built "16 car engines" (none
of these were named) . They were called 16 car engines
because they could haul 16 cars in about 16 hours between
Nashville and Chattanooga. -^
The N & C operated profitably from 1854 until Nashville
fell to the Federal Troops.
Rutherford countians who worked for the railroad,
23
according to the 1860 Census were:
J. Latimer-R. Reader John Thomas-R. R. Agent
H. Prince-R. R. John Cumins-R. R. Supt.
A. B. Sanders-Engineer B. F. Norman-R. R. Overseer
Jos. Tatetum-Engineer Ben Mason-R. R. Hand
Jas. McGill-Engineer John Tilford-R. R. Supt.
Henry Brown-Engineer J. L. Cinse-Conductor
E. McGill-Engineer J. H. Grant-Engineer
M. H. Gowin- Bridge Bldr.
By 1860 the N & C was rolling between Nashville and
10
Chattanooga with the following equipment:
Freight Engines — 21 Coal Cars — 26
Passenger Engines — 7 Gravel Cars — 16
Light Engines & Switchers — 9 Camp Cars — 8
Box Cars — 225 1st Class Passenger Cars — 9
Stock Cars — 31 2nd Class Passenger Cars — 8
Platform Cars — 51 Mail & Baggage Cars — 6
All the engines were wood burners so contractors along
the line furnished wood.
About 1858, John W. Thomas was employed on the N & C
at Murfreesboro as one of the first freight agents. John
-20-
Thomas was born in nearby Wilson County but attended school
at Union University at Murf rocsboro. He graduated from
Union University and began a teaching career. But the rigors
of teaching were not good for his health. His doctor
recommended he resign and begin another occupation. Thus
he was employed to operate the local hotel in Murfreesboro
and in this capacity he became familiar with various railroad
officials. Recognizing his ability they hired him to operate
the Railroad Hotel at Murfreesboro and in 1858 he was
appointed Freight Agent at Murfreesboro. One railroad report
noted that the Murfreesboro Station was in good hands since
the agent there "repudiates the word fail." He gradually
climbed the ladder of management and became President of
the N. C. St St. L. Railroad from 1884 to 1906. His son,
John, Jr., was born in Murfreesboro and he, too, became the
President of the N. C. & St. L. Railroad from 1906 to 1913
,24
and was known by railroad men as "little John.
By 1861, in anticipation of War and of a Federal block-
age, the N & C was busy hauling goods south. Passenger
trains were cut to four daily and all freight engines were
working 24 hours a day. With the fall of Fort Donelson,
the N & C began to evacuate the rolling stock and engines
south for safety. John Thomas was assigned the task of
getting the N & C equipment south of Chattanooga which he
completed. V. K. Stevenson, as the Confederate Quartermaster
at Nashville, became alarmed, so he packed his belongings, sold
his home, and boarded a special train deserting Nashville
and its stores. On February 24, 186 2, the Federals took
-21-
Nashville without a battle. As the Confederates retreated
down the N & C they destroyed bridges and roadway as far
south as the Tennessee River Bridge. They did not destroy
the big Tennessee River Bridge until Federal Troops attacked
and then they only bruned the south section. Union troops
later burned the northern end and rendered it unuseable.
Union construction corps rebuilt 113 miles of the N & C.
General D. C. McCallum reports the condition of the N & C —
"The track was laid originally on an unballasted mud roadbed
in a very imperfect manner, with light "U" rail on wooden
stringers, which were badly decayed and caused almost daily
accidents by spreading apart and letting the engines and
cars drop between them. " Average train speed was about
8 miles per hour. Some of the "U" rail was ripped up and
25
replaced with "T" rail.
With the line opened 113 miles from Nashville to
Stevenson, Alabama, on 12 July 1862, the Federals planned to
advance upon Chattanooga. However, they had not planned on
N. B. Forrest attacking Murfreesboro on 13 July 1862,
destroying track near Murfreesboro. Later Forrest attacked
near Nashville on the N & C and destroyed additional track.
The track was repaired again. General Buell, the Federal
Commander, feared an attack on Nashville so troops were
withdrawn to Nashville. Also about this time, Morgan was
destroying track and bridges on the L & N in Kentucky.
General Braxton Bragg 's army had marched into Kentucky,
but after the Battle of Perryville the army retreated south
-22-
4
to Murfreesboro. Before the Battle of Stones River,
Jefferson Davis traveled to N & C to Murfreesboro where he
conferred with Bragg. ^^ After the Battle of Stones River,
the southerners retreated down the N & C and wintered near
Wartrace and Shelbyville. Thus the N & C was opened and
operated from Chattanooga to Wartrace but not for long.
Rosecrans pushed south in the summer along the N & C. As
the Confederates retreated, the N & C was burned and des-
troyed for the second time. During the remainder of the
war the United States Military ran the N & C with head-
10
quarters in Nashville.
The construction corps built forts at strategic bridges
along the N & C. Most were built of wooden poles resembling
a western fort. Most were never attacked.
During the war John Thomas was the railroad agent at
Wilmington, North Carolina, where he directed the flow of
cotton and other products to Europe by way of the blockade
runners. V. K. Stevenson was also involved in this project
he used N & C engines and equipment for the hauling.
14
Stevenson became a wealthy man from this operation.
In 1865 as Jefferson Davis fled Richmond with his
train, James Latimer, an early N & C employee, was the con-
ductor on that train. Latimer whose home was Fosterville
Q
worked for the N & C for many years. The engine that
pulled Jefferson Davis from Richmond was an N & C engine,
"John C. Calhoun." Another N & C engine, "Nashville,"
was one of the locomotives that hauled President Lincoln's
21
Funeral Train on its journey from Washington to Illinois.
-23-
The federal government returned the N & C to the
management after the war, and Michael Burns was elected or
appointed President of the N & C. James Grant returned to
Christiana and acquired his old job as Resident Engineer
of the road. He retained this position until his death
around 1870. James Grant was in charge of two changes on
the N & C from 1866 to 1868. First, the roadbed was
ballasted for the first time and secondly the locomotives
were changed from wood burners to coal burners.
The Jasper branch was purchased in 1867 and according
to Jamse Grant the N & C had practically owned and
the line for years. This branch brought accessibility to
14
the coal mines in that area.
Around 15 August 1868, an incident occurred in Ruther-
ford County which decided the outcome of the election of E. W.
Cole as the third President of the N & C. Burns, who was
the President, was running against E. W. Cole. John Thomas,
then agent at Murfreesboro, was assigned the task of
delivering proxies from stockholders in Murfreesboro and
Rutherford County to the Stockholders Meeting at Nashville.
Apparently, Thomas was riding a train from Chattanooga to
Nashville with the proxies, but at Christiana the train
was sidetracked by Burns. Thomas learning of this wired
a friend at Murfreesboro to get a fast horse and rider to
Christiana for delivery of the proxies to Nashville. The
horse and rider arrived at Christiana, received the proxies,
and started its journey to Nashville. The horse dropped
-24-
dead at Lavergne where the rider promptly stole a horse in
a nearby field and delivered the proxies on to Nashville.
E. W. Cole was elected the third President of the Nashville
24
and Chattanooga Railroad.
The Rutherford County Courthouse was the site of all
stockholders meetings from 1849 to 18 58. The meetings were
usually held on the second Wednesday of December each year.
However, after 1858 the meetings were always held in
10
Nashville.
After the war, the N & C managed the bankrupt Nashville
and Northwestern Railroad which ran from Nashville to
Johnsonville on the Tennessee River. In 1872, the Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad purchased this road and in the
process changed its name to sound more prestigious to the
17
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad.
25-
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. "The Murfreesborough Celebration," The Nashville
American 6 July 1851.
2. Burt, Jesse C. Jr., "Four Decades of the Nashville,
Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, 1873-1916,"
Tennessee Historical Quarterly.
3. "Seventy- five Years of Service," The Nashville Tennessean,
24 January 1923.
4. Prince, Richard E. "The Nashville, Chattanooga and St.
Louise Railway," Wyoming: 1967.
5. Hackworth, W. S. "Over a century of Railway Service
N, C & St L," a paper delivered before the Round
Table Club of Nashville, Tennessee, 26 March 1953.
6. Clark, T. D. "The Development of the Nashville, and
Chattanooga Railroad," Tennessee Historical Magazine.
7. "More Goods by Express and Nashville and Charleston Line,"
Nashville Daily Union, 24 January 1848.
8. "Events in the History of the N, C & St L Railway,"
The Nashville Banner, 24 January 1923.
9. Thomson, John E. , "Report to the Commissioners of the
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad," February 1847.
10. Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Company, Annual
Reports, Vol. 1-14, 1848-1861.
11. Jones, Sarah, "Half a Mile of History - L & N Tunnel,"
Franklin County Historical Society.
12. Hughes, Mary B. , "Hearthstones,", Tucker Place is
Smyrna Landmark.
13. Hoover, Walter K. , "A History of the Town of Smyrna,
Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, 1968.
14. Grant, James H. , "Collection of Letters and Papers,"
1866-1868, Courtesy of Mrs. J. G. Sugg.
15. Hughes, Mary B. , "Hearthstones," Col. Grant, Easterner,
Builder of Railroads.
16. Sugg, Mrs. J. G. , Conversation with T. N. Johns,
January 1975.
-26-
17. DeBow, J. D. B. , "Legal History of Entire System of
Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway and
Possessions," Nashville, 1900.
18. 1850 Census.
19. Black, Robert C. , "The Railroads of the Confederacy,"
Chapel Hill, 1952.
20. State Historical Marker, "First Steam Locomotive,"
Located at the corner of Hart St. and 4th Avenue South,
Nashville, Tennessee.
21. Warner, Paul T. , "The Locomotives of the Nashville,
Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway," Baldwin Locomotives,
VI (July, 1927).
22. Hoover, Walter K. , Information from collection of rail-
road material.
23. Census of 1860.
24. John W. Thomas, A Memorial, (Nashville, 1906).
25. Abdill, George B. , "Civil War Railroads," New York.
26. The Tennessee Historical Chronicle, Vol I, No. 2,
"The First Train," January, 1975.
THE SUTLER'S WAGON
For those interested in the History of Rutherford
County, The Rutherford County Historical Society, Inc., is
listing known Publications that are for sale. Many are in
limited supply. First Come, First Served.
"Historic Cane Ridge and it's
Families" by
Mrs. Lillian Brown Johnson
109 Chestnut Street
Smyrna, Tenn. 37167
Postpaid $21.75.
History of Smyrna by
Walter K. Hoover
103 Division
Smyrna, Tenn. 37167
Postpaid $30.00.
History of Eagleville by
Minnie Fairfield Dyer
Route 1
Eagleville, Tenn. 37060
$3.00 plus 25<: Postage.
Marriage Records
Rutherford County, Tenn.
1804-1850
By : DAR
Miss Mary Hall
821 E. Burton
Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37130
Postpaid $10.50.
Marriage Records
Rutherford County, Tenn.
1851-1872
By : DAR
Mrs. F. W. Brigance
1202 Scotland Drive
Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37130
Postpaid $10.50.
1878 Map of Rutherford County
By. D. G. Beers Co. Showing
Land Owners.
Order from:
Stones River Chapt. SAR
Mr. William Walkup
202 Ridley Street
Smyrna, Tenn. 37167
$3.00 plus 25<|: Postage.
Rutherford Co. Tenn.
Deed Abstracts
1804-1810
Postpaid $10.00
Order from
Mrs. Dorothy M. Matheny
1434 Diana Street
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
37130
Following May be ordered
from Rutherford County
Historical Society.
Mrs. Dorothy M. Matheny, Sec.
1434 Diana Street
Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37130
Rutherford County, Tenn.
1840 Census
$5.00 plus 25* Postage.
Publication No. 3
Rutherford Co. Historical Soc.
$3.00 plus 25<: postage.
Publication No. 4
Rutherford Co. Historical Soc.
This includes 1810 Census and
list of tax payers not in Census,
$3.00 plus 25<: postage.
Sorry Publications No. 1 Se 2
are completely sold out.
Membership in the Society costs
$5.00 per year which includes
copies of the two Publications
per year, free to members.
There is in progress and
preparation for publishing the
cemetery records of Rutherford
County. This will be in three
volumns. The Northeast third
of the county should be out
soon. An announcement will
be made.
-27-
Rutherford County
Post Offices and Postmasters
by
Henry G. Wray
In English Colonies of America before 1639, such
postal services that existed were supplied by private
enterprise. Later, and up until 1774, each colony pro-
vided for some type of postal service under the direction
of the English crown. Benjamin Franklin, a prominent
figure in the postal effort in colonial times, fell into
disfavor with the British Government and was dismissed
from the Deputy Postmaster Generalship. As a result of
this and the subsequent revolution, the postal service
was never connected to the British Government after 1774.
After 1775 the colonies combined their postal efforts and
the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as
Post Master General. A line of posts were set up from
Maine to Savannah, Georgia, with needed cross stations.
Rates and postage were made uniform.
This service, not always being available in local
or isolated areas, caused many letters to be dispatched
without federal fees in those early days, as it was done
by private carriers.
In 1847 postage stamps were introduced but did not
come into general use until 1855. With their use also
-28-
-29-
came the use of envelopes. Prior to that, a folded note
or legal paper, sealed with a wax and addressed on the
outside, was carried in the pocket or saddlebag of a
friend or traveler and usually arrived at its destination.
From the General Services Administration I have been
furnished some photostatic copies of records of early post
offices. Also I have three rolls of microfilm to complete
the information. Unfortunately, two rolls cannot be read.
Rutherford County Post Offices, Postmasters, and dates
that could be read are transcribed herewith:
ABBOTT'S MILLS:
ALMAVILLE;
BARFIELD;
BEVERLY :
BLACKMAN :
BROADTON :
Ross Houston, Jan. 16, 1830; Granville L.
Pierce, July 5, 1833; Lunsford P. Black,
May 26, 1838; Granville S. Pierce, Oct. 25,
1839; Discontinued Dec. 29, 1845.
Vim. H. Haynes, Mar. 29, 1879; Wm. C. Wood,
Nov. 25, 1881; David N. Fain, June 16,
1882; Jack Puckett, June 23, 1884; Andrew
J. Puckett, July 16, 1884; Vftn. C. Wood,
Oct. 28, 1887; Pleasant S. McRae, Apr. 14,
1890; William C. Wood, Apr. 13, 1899;
Balte P. Ryan, May 28, 1900; John E. Wood,
June 15, 1900; John W. Parham, Oct. 25,
1900; Pleasant S. McRae, Feb. 6, 1904;
Stephen S. Throneberry, Sept. 20, 1904.
Discontinued Sept. 14, 1905. Mail to
Mur f reesboro .
Isaac Z. Brown, Oct. 24, 1891; Thomas B.
Yeargan, Sept. 22, 1894; Discontinued
June 30/ 1902. Mail to Mur f reesboro.
(Late Hall's Hill) Beverly R. Bivins,
Feb. 9, 1874. Discontinued Jan. 29, 1878.
George W. Haynes, July 16, 1895; Frank M.
Burton, Oct. 1, 1902. Discontinued July 31,
1904. Mail to Murf reesboro.
Isham J. Jordan, Apr. 3, 1884. Discontinued
Jan. 23, 1885. Mail to Triune in William-
son County.
-30-
BROOKSVILLE :
BUCHANAN SVILLE:
BANTON ' S FERRY :
BLOOMFIELD:
CARLOCKVILLE :
CARLOCKSVILLE :
CATLETT :
CHERRY FLAT;
CHRISTIANA:
Wm. B. Downing, May 6, 1898. Discon-
tinued Dec. 10, 1898. Mail to Eagleville.
(Late in Davidson County) Jas. B.
Buchanan, Jan. 26, 1837. Change to Mount
View May 1, 1842.
George W. Banton, Dec. 1, 1833. Change
to Elm Hill Dec. 4, 1840.
Andrew S. Dowd, July 20, 1854. Discon-
tinued Jan. 18, 1855.
Lewis Harrell, Feb. 9, 1848; Epenetus
Carlock, Apr. 29, 1852; W. P. Jacobs,
Feb. 1, 1866; Ephraim Jacobs, Mar. 15,
1867. Discontinued Oct. 12, 1868.
Robert Lowe, Nov. 20, 1876; John W. Hobson,
Aug. 20, 1877; John T. Kelton, Nov. 11,
1878; Newton F. Mankin, Nov. 13, 1879;
Napoleon B. Mankin, Aug. 9, 18 81; William
A. Kelton, Sept. 23, 1884; Walter McNabb,
Feb. 9, 1888; Joel Brewer, Aug. 17, 1889;
N. B. Mankin, Feb. 18, 1890; T. J. Owen,
Jan. 25, 1894; Wm. M. Newman, Mar. 29,
1895; Wiley N. Robinson, June 2, 1902.
Discontinued Feb. 29, 1904. Mail to Christiana
James Edwards, Sept. 12, 1900; George W.
Lewis, July 26, 1902. Discontinued Jan. 30,
1903. Mail to Smyrna.
Thomas Robertson, Feb. 26, 1844; Discon-
tinued Aug. 19, 1846; Reestablished July 8,
1850. William H. Cayce, July 8, 1850;
Wilson Y. Posey, Oct. 21, 1852; Amzi
Bradshaw, Dec. 21, 1854. Discontinued
Jan. 18, 1856.
Charles W. Price, May 24, 1894; Thomas W.
Naylor, July 6, 1897; William F. Clark,
May 19, 1898j Ruby Naylor, Apr. 30, 1914;
Bertha R. Barber, Jan. 16, 1922; Herbert
D. Miller, May 1, 1922; Mrs. Henry Clark,
Oct. 1, 1926; Henry H. Clark, Mar. 3, 1927;
Mrs. Bessie J. Clark, Dec. 17, 1927,
Retired July 1, 1932; Lynn C. Beechboard,
Mar. 10, 1933; Mrs. Bessie J. Clark, May 9,
1933; John M. O'Brien, Feb. 1, 1935; Mrs.
Mattie Ida O'Brien, Aug. 15, 1937, Retired
Mar. 31, 1963; Fred M. Wiggs, Mar. 31, 1963;
Mary McGraw Marlin, Jan. 15, 1965.
-31-
COBB:
COMPTON !
CRESCENT:
CRIPPLE CREEK:
DENNIS;
DENTONVILLE ;
DILLTON:
DONNELS CHAPEL;
Petis R. Norman, Oct. 10, 1882; J. H.
Cobb, Jan. 15, 1883; Sidney J. Cobb,
Feb. 9, 1883; Discontinued Oct. 29, 1885.
Mail to Murfreesboro. Reestablished
May 15, 1888; John A. Hopper, May 15, 1888.
Thomas E. Tilford, Sept 27, 1886; Wm. E.
Tilford, Mar. 20, 1890; Joseph W. Dill,
Nov. 1, 1892; Randolph A. Rushing, Feb. 6,
1895; Discontinued Mar. 3, 1896. Mail to
Murfreesboro. Reestablished Jan. 13, 1897.
William J. Smith, Jan. 13, 1897; Robert
W. Rucker, May 3, 1900; Samuel R. Rucher,
Jan. 16, 1901. Discontinued Nov. 30,
1904. Mail to Murfreesboro.
Isaac S. Webb, July 29, 1881; Walter D.
Harrison, Feb. 12, 1891; Charles H. North,
Jan. 18, 1894; Walter D. Harrison, Feb. 9,
1901; Discontinued May 31, 1902. Mail to
Murfreesboro.
Christopher Batey, July 16, 1842; Discon-
tinued Feb. 3, 1845. Reestablished Aug. 19,
1847. Jonathan J. Hall, Aug. 19, 1847;
Discontinued Feb. 15, 1849. Reestablished
July 12, 1852; William B. Wright, July 12,
1852; Jas. Bowling, Nov. 24, 1852; Discon-
tinued May 20, 1853.
James D. Jacobs, Nov. 15, 1894; Charlie
B. Marlin, May 21, 1895; Robert R. Lowe,
Nov. 5, 1896; Thomas M. McCollough, Mar. 5,
1901; Discontinued Mar. 15, 1904; Mail to
Christiana.
Joseph W. Dill, Feb. 6, 1895; Discontinued
May 31, 1904. Mail to Murfreesboro.
James M. Dill, Feb. 20, 1887; Leighton J.
Talbert, Sept. 21, 1893; Sylvester Willard,
Nov. 22, 1901; Discontinued Jan. 17, 1906.
Mail to Murfreesboro.
Bartley S. Ring, May 15, 1876; B. A. King,
Feb. 18, 1886; Bartley A. Ring, Feb. 26,
1886; Smith J. Denton, Oct. 10, 1888;
William D. 55mith, Apr. 6, 1893; Changed
to Donnels Oct. 24, 1895.
-32-
DONNELS ;
Joshua Youree, Oct. 24, 1895; Smith J.
Denton, Nov. 25, 1896; Joseph T. Henegar ,
Dec. 24, 1897; Luther Hayes, Nov. 23,
1898; James D. Carter, Oct. 12, 1900;
Payton A. Carter, Apr. 9, 1902; James D.
Carter, Nov. 16, 1903; Discontinued Dec. 31,
1904; Mail to Murf reesboro.
DUNAWAY :
John G. Cason, Mar. 31, 18 94; John W.
Dunaway, Jan. 6, 1898. Discontinued
Oct. 11, 1899. Mail to Walter Hill.
EAGLEVILLE: (Late in Williamson County) Robert S.
Brown, Feb. 25, 1870; Robert E. Williams,
June 16, 1885; James W. Brov.m, Mar. 27,
1889; Robert S. Brown, Jan. 19, 1891;
James C. Williams, Apr. 13, 1893; Robert
S. Brown, Jr., May 20, 1897; John R. Moon,
Oct. 12, 1909; James B. Dryden, Dec. 13,
1911; Miss Alice P. Brov;n, Jan. 24, 1925;
David H. Hughes, Dec. 16, 1925; Mrs. Alice
B. Ralston, June 28, 1932; Walker Carlton,
Nov. 1, 1934; Hollis K. Stephenson, Jan. 10,
1936; Fred L. Abernathy, Fov. 1, 1947;
Walter S. Smotherman, Jr., Apr. 1, 1948;
Harry M. Patillo, Aug. 27, 1949.
EDNA: Anderson Short, Oct. 27, 1887; Discontinued
Nov. 30, 1888.
ELM HILL: (Late "Banton's Ferry) John M. Williams,
Dec. 4, 1840; James H. Charlton, Oct. 9,
1848. In Davidson County.
EVERGLADE: George W. Burns, July 7, 1886. Discontinued
July 26, 1905. Mail to Eagleville.
FLORATON: William D. Travis, Mar. 24, 1884; Wm. A.
McKnight, Nov. 25, 1895; George A. McCrory,
Aug. 10, 1897; Wm. D. Travis, May 7, 1898;
Discontinued Sept. 22, 1905. Mail to
Readyville.
FLORENCE STATION :Leonidas Russell, Mar. 26, 1867; Discon-
tinued Sept. 25, 1867. Reestablished
June 22, 1869. Samuel G. Hunt, June 22,
1869; Chas. F. Vanderford, Aug. 27, 1872;
Wm. H. Hindman, Sept. 4, 1891; Changed to
Florence Oct. 11, 1894.
-33-
FLORENCE ;
Eugene S. Vanderford, Oct. 11, 1894;
Josh Gore, Aug. 17, 1911; Nathaniel M.
Lewis, Mar. 1, 1912; Wilburn E. Gibbons,
Oct. 26, 1912; Robt. E. Murphey, Nov. 19,
1914; Charles R. Vanderford, July 19,
1921. Discontinued Jan. 15, 1937. Mail
to Murfreesboro.
FOSTERVILLE: (Late Middleton) Thomas Edwards, July 24,
1837; Reappointed June 6, 1862; Andrew M.
McElroy, July 8, 1865; Leander N. Edwards,
May 21, 1881; Major Hugh Neely, July 10,
1897; Alice Edwards, Feb. 27, 1904; Willie
S. Newby, Sept. 3, 1913; Lillian D. Vaughn,
Aug. 28, 1918; G. E. Kerr, Aug. 17, 1927;
Mrs. Carrie B. Kerr, May 27, 1929; Miss
Johnnie B. Williams, Oct. 14, 1936; Miss
Mable E. Harris, July 7, 1939; name changed
by marriage, Mrs. Mable E. Watkins, Jan. 1,
1946; Miss Annie P. Chrisman, July 1, 1948.
FRIENDSLEY: From Mechanicksville July 17, 183 9. Charles
A. Friendsley, July 17, 1839; Joseph L.
Payne, Nov. 4, 184 0. Changed to Mechanicks-
ville June 22, 1841.
GENTRY ;
GUM!
H. S. Crichlow, Aug. 10, 184!
April 30, 1849.
Discontinued
Martin V. Jackson, June 30, 1892; Mary
E. Jackson, Feb. 18, 1893; Wm. G. Wood,
Jan. 18, 1894; George D. Smith, Oct. 21,
1897; Benjamin E. Wooten, May 13, 1898;
Allie Wood, Oct. 13, 1899; Owen W. Baugh,
Nov. 20, 1900; Walter S. McNabb, Nov. 16,
1903; Wm. F. Jernigan, July 1, 1905. Dis-
continued Jan. 31, 1906. Mail to Murfrees-
boro.
HALL'S HILL: John W. Hall, Mar. 7, 1850; Thompson J.
Wright, Feb. 29, 18 56; David A. Vaughan,
Nov. 3, 1857; Discontinued Jan. 25, 1860.
Reestablished Mar. 1, 1860. John W. Hall,
Mar. 1, 1860; Discontinued July 25, 1866.
Reestablished May 27, 1868. Beverly R.
Bivins, May 27, 1868; Ebenezer B. Fathera,
Sept. 29, 1868; Changed to Beverly Feb. 9,
1874. Reestablished Apr. 17, 1879. Joseph
Jones, Apr. 17, 1879; Hugh Kerr, Feb. 28,
1883; John Bowling, May 22, 1885; Thomas
W. Arnett, Feb. 2, 1889; Hugh Kerr, Apr. 17,
1890; Thomas E. Bell, Dec. 28, 1893;
Thompson J. Wright, Jr., Dec. 14, 1896;
Discontinued Nov. 26, 1904. Mail to
Murfreesboro.
-34-
HOOVER !
Henry W. Purtle, Feb. 10, 1880; James M.
Hoover, Apr. 27, 1880; James Sims, Auq. 3,
1881; D. M. Crockell, Feb. 9, 1883; D. M.
Crockett, Jr., Mar. 6, 1883; Charles T. L.
Arbuckle, Mar. 4, 1886; Napoleon B. Mankin,
Mar. 2, 1888; John M. Powell, Nov. 18, 1889;
Mathias Hoover, Oct. 13, 1890; James M.
Butner, Sept. 13, 1898; James A. Pearson,
July 10, 1899; Alexander McMahan, May 23,
1905. Discontinued Aug. 14, 1905. Mail to
Christiana.
HUNTERSVILLE : Robert L. Hunt, Aug. 29, 1870; Discontinued
June 10, 1872.
INDEPENDENT HILL: James M. Layne, Aug. 2, 1854; Patrick H.
House, Dec. 22, 1858; James M. Layne,
Sept. 27, 1859; Discontinued Sept. 22,
1866. Reestablished Feb. 27, 1872.
John H. H. Thweatt, Feb. 7, 1872; Wm. N.
McRae, Mar. 16, 1875; Discontinued July 23,
1877.
JEFFERSON :
JORDAN'S VALLEY:
John McGrigor, Oct. 3, 1827; Sion S. Read,
Aug. 24, 1835; Jacob D. Donalson, Oct. 11,
1839; John Jones, Mar. 30, 1843; Amos M.
Bone, May 19, 1847; William L. Bone, Apr. 11,
1849; John Jones, Mar. 19, 1850; Discontinued
July 20, 1858. Reestablished Aug. 9, 1858.
John Jones, Aug. 9, 18 58; James W. Waller,
Dec. 7, 1866; Discontinued May 18, 1868.
Reestablished June 19, 1871. John W.
Baker, June 19, 1871; William E. Jones,
Mar. 2, 1874; General J. Harris, Mar. 28,
1881; James H. Preston, Mar. 10, 1884;
Robert A. Jones, Nov. 18, 1884; Wm. S.
Jones, Apr. 7, 1886; Ephraim Waller, Oct. 25,
1888; Robert M. Clark, Mar. 15, 1890; Wm. R.
Clark, June 19, 1891; Sallie B. Waller,
Aug. 19, 1891; James E. Bragg, Aug. 7, 1897;
James W. Summers, Jan. 5, 1898; George K.
Robertson, Nov. 25, 1902. Discontinued
June 29, 1907. Mail to Smyrna.
Blount Jordan, Apr. 9, 1850; Pressly F.
Batton, Aug. 22, 1851; Ezra Reed, May 30,
1853; Freeman Sherbrooke, May 15, 1862;
James H. Grant, Nov. 11, 1865; Elizabeth S.
Grant, May 11, 1869; John A. Miller, Oct. 23,
1871; Isaac J. Millet, Jan. 15, 1874; Robert
S. Jamison, Sept. 3, 1874; W. H. Jameson,
July 27, 1880; Robert D. Jameson, Mar. 25,
1881; Alfred J. Brandon, Jan. 25, 1887;
Charles W. Price, Feb. 18, 1890; Change to
Jordan Valley Nov. 18, 1892.
35-
JORDAN VALLEY;
KITTRELL:
LAMAR:
LAS CASAS:
LASCASSAS :
LA VERGNE:
Charles W. Price, Nov. 18, 1892. Discon-
tinued May 24, 18 94. Mail to Christiana.
Louis D. Bowling, Feb. 8, 1884; Vftn. B.
Jamison, June 29, 1897; Louis D. Bowling,
Mar. 4, 1903. Discontinued June 15,
1907. Mail to Murfreesboro.
Daniel T. Sanders, Feb. 17, 1881; F. C.
Foutch, Mar. 20, 1883, Thomas Foutch,
Apr. 3, 1883; Robert J. Smith, Jan. 16,
1888; James W. Patton, Dec. 13, 1889;
Edward M. Weston, May 27, 1897; Wm. J.
Kimbro, May 3, 1900; James W. Patton,
Feb. 8, 1907; Discontinued July 15, 1907.
Mail to Walter Hill.
Valentine M. Sublett, July 17, 1832;
Philip Osborne, Jan. 4, 1836; James Bivins,
Oct. 17, 1837; Discontinued July 28,
1842. Reestablished Sept. 2, 1844. Robert
W. Martin, Sept. 2, 1844. Discontinued
July 6, 1860.
Jeptha G. Barlow, May 23, 1881; Thomas E.
Bell, May 7, 1885; James W. Morton, Apr. 20,
1893; Stephen Greer, Jr., Jan. 22, 1898;
Charlie C. Martin, Jan. 30, 1899; Edgar C.
Freas, Nov. 10, 1904; Alexander Bell,
Feb. 16, 1906; Irving Martin, Mar. 28, 1906;
Wm. 0. Baird, Apr. 30, 1914; John M. Pearcy,
July 9, 1917; Retired June 30, 194 8;
Mrs. Lena Martin, July 1, 1948.
(Late "Mount View" in Davidson County)
John F. Bailey, Aug. 23, 1852; Lemuel R.
Mullins, May 19, 1853; John Hill, Jan. 6,
1857; Jonathan Starkey, Mar. 26, 1857;
Sam'l. R. Mullins, Dec. 9, 1857; William Y.
Bishop, Oct. 19, 1858; Lemuel R. Mullins,
Oct. 11, 1859; Andrew B. Payne, Apr. 7,
1861; John Reicketts, Aug. 22, 1865; Charles C,
McConnell, Oct. 12, 1865; Harvey H. Brumlock,
Aug. 15, 1866; James D. Eskridge, May 18,
1870; Geo. F. Charlton, Aug. 29, 1870; John R.
Eskridge, June 1, 1874; Lee J. Underwood,
Feb. 19, 1889; Nathaniel J. McAdams , June 23,
1897; William N. Austin, Jan. 16, 1902;
Nathaniel J. McAdams, Aug. 20, 1902; John F.
Davis, Feb. 20, 1904; Jefferson D. Nelson,
Feb. 15, 1908; Lipscomb Carter, Jan. 17,
1909; Andrew W. Hutchison, Feb. 16, 1910;
Clyde G. Purvis, Aug. 2, 1911; Harry L. Burt,
July 8, 1914; Walter Burt, Dec. 8, 1915; Mrs.
Pattie P. House, Sept. 17, 1917. Retired
Aug. 31, 1950; Mrs. Dora P. Mitchell, Aug. 31,
1950; Arthur C. Puckett, Jr., June 30, 1952.
-36-
LEANNA;
LINK:
Vftn. J. Smith, Mar. 21, 1901; Discontinued
May 14, 1904, Mail to Murfreesboro.
Wm. H. H. Gentry, Apr. 15, 1870; Bascom
Holden, Aug. 4, 1896; Charles H. Williams,
June 17, 1899; John S. Westbrooks, Oct. 1,
1900; Discontinued Dec. 31, 1905. Mail to
Christiana.
LOWE;
LITTLETON :
Archibald F. Cathey, May 3, 1886; Joseph W.
Dill, July 11, 1887; Joel Brewer, Mar. 13,
1890; Discontinued July 9, 1890. Mail to
Donnel ' s Chapel. Reestablished Feb. 20,
1891. Hatton R. Adams, Feb. 20, 1891;
Calvin D. Bush, June 5, 1901; Hatton R.
Adams, May 7, 1903; Discontinued Feb. 9,
1906. Mail to Readyville.
Ephraim B. McLean, July 27, 1832. Change
to Middleton then to Fosterville July 24,
1837.
LOFTON ;
MABRY:
MANIRE:
Henry C. David, Jan. 31, 1894; Thomas M.
Fite, Aug. 3, 1896; J. W. Tribble, Nov. 5,
1896; Wm. H. Baird, Jan. 4, 1897; W. M.
Jones, Jan. 30, 1899; Alfred A. Loughry,
Mar. 4, 1899; Willie R. David, Mar. 20, 1900;
George W. Bowling, June 17, 1903; Discon-
tinued Oct. 31, 1904. Mail to Lascassas.
John B. Goodwin, July 11, 1894; Discontinued
Apr. 29, 1895. Mail to Smyrna.
Alexander V. Walker, Dec. 26, 1883; Jasper
N. Holt, June 12, 1884; Discontinued
Mar. 3, 1886. Mail to Eagleville.
MANSON:
James E. Manson, Aug. 14, 1888
tinued June 1, 18 95.
Discon-
MAYELLA;
William A. Wright, July 6, 1888; Wm. T.
Hunter, Feb. 8, 1892; John S. Wright,
Mar. 5, 1892; Alice A. Wright, Sept. 10,
1896; Discontinued Feb. 29, 1904. Mail to
Mt. Juliet.
MECHANICKSVILLE: Alexander Smith, Apr. 4, 1834; Elihu C.
Jobe, Feb. 1, 1838. Changed to Friendsley
July 17, 1839. Changed back to Mechanicks-
ville June 22, 1841. Joseph L. Payne,
June 22, 1841; Discontinued Nov. 7, 1843.
-37-
MIDDLETON: (Late McLeans Mills) Ephraim B. McLean,
July 27, 1832; Change to Fosterville July 24,
1837. Reestablished Aug. 20, 1853. C. J.
McLean, Aug. 20, 1853; Robt. B. McLean,
Sept. 21, 1853; Alney H. McLean, Apr. 22,
1857; Disctoninued Sept. 22, 1866.
Reestablished May 9, 1870. William W.
McLean, May 9, 1870. Discontinued November 11,
1870.
MIDLAND ;
MILLERSBURGH;
MILTON ;
William D. Holden, Feb. 3, 1886; James M.
Williams, Sept. 3, 1891. Discontinued
June 10, 1907. Mail to Fosterville.
(Late Stokely) Burwell G. White, Dec. 13,
1836; John A. Gentry, Jan. 11, 1840; Discon-
tinued Mar. 2, 184 2. Reestablished same day.
Burrell G. White, Mar. 2, 1842; Stephen
White, Nov. 28, 1845; Burrell G. White,
Aug. 17, 1847; Discontinued Dec. 7, 1855.
Reestablished Apr. 15, 1879. John H. White,
Apr. 15, 1879; Thomas E. Smith, Jan. 4,
1883; John H. White, May 8, 1883; Stonewall
J. Mankin, Nov. 16, 1886; John H. White,
May 3, 1888; Wm. G. Robinson, Mar. 13,
1890; Wm. N. White, Jan. 2, 1891; John M.
Powell, Apr. 6, 1893; Change to Millersburg
Oct. 11, 1894. Wm. N. White, Oct. 11,
1894. Discontinued June 15, 1900. Mail to
Wayside.
Benjamin Morgan, Feb. 10, 1830; William
Cosby, Feb. 4, 1839; Godfrey S. Newsom,
Aug. 29, 1840; Henry W. Fagan, June 2, 1845;
Martin W. Armstrong, Sept. 22, 1847;
Alexr. D. Marshall, June 16, 1848; John E.
Newman, May 18, 1850; Henry W. Fagan,
Feb. 24, 1852; Franklin W. Rankin, Aug. 23,
1855; John F. Hood, June 18, 1866; Discon-
tinued Nov. 21, 1867. Reestablished May 7,
1868. Wm. B. Byrn, May 7, 1868; James H.
Cook, Oct. 14, 1870; John F. Hood, July 10,
1872; Robert M. Goodloe, Jan. 19, 1875;
John F. Dismukes, Sept 5, 1881; John R.
Stroop, Mar. 22, 1882; William H. Herndon,
Dec. 12, 1884; Thomas J. Duggin, Oct. 10,
1888; John E. Grandstaff, May 12, 1893;
Arthur Martin, June 14, 1897; Charlie E.
Robinson, July 16, 1901; Susan A. Dill,
Dec. 20, 1904; Dosier T. Denton, July 2,
1907; William H. Hooper, Mar. 20, 1908;
Mrs. Ruth G. Mathews, Oct. 1, 1937. Discon-
tinued June 30, 1959.
-38-
MONA:
MOUNT VIEW:
(Late Rushing) Briant E. Rushing, Mar. 18,
1896. Discontinued Feb. 14, 1903. Mail to
Walter Hill.
(Late Buchanansville) Cahoon McFadden,
Mar. 1, 1842. Davidson County.
MURFREESBOROUGH: David Windell, Feb. 24, 1837; David B.
Molloy, Dec. 3, 1838.
MURFREESBORO;
OVERALL :
Greenville T. Henderson, Dec. 2, 1840;
David 0. Wendell, June 4, 1841; Greenville T.
Henderson, Dec. 13, 1842; Ephraim B. McLean,
May 30, 1851; Jefferson M. Leatherman,
Oct. 18, 1853; Wm. Reuben Butler, Mar. 5,
1855; Henry S. Pugh, Apr. 21, 1862;
Discontinued July 30, 1862. Reestablished
Dec. 10, 1863. William C. Burt, Dec. 10,
1863; Reappointed Mar. 12, 1868. Geo. J.
Booker, Apr. 3, 1871; John D. Wilson,
Mar. 30, 1875; Reese K. Henderson, Oct. 19,
1885; Frank White, Nov. 25, 1885; Joseph
T. B. Wilson, Jan. 16, 1890; James H.
Crichlow, Sept. 26, 1893; Robert S. Brown,
Mar. 16, 1898; Zachary T. Cason, Apr. 21,
1910; Gentry S. Smith, May 6, 1913;
Margaret G. Elliott, June 10, 1913; Wm.
Benjamin Bragg, Sept. 17, 1917; James R.
Jetton, Mar. 18, 1919; Mary A. Brown,
June 1, 1922; Rufus N. Vickers, Sept. 22,
1922; James S. Braswell, Sept. 30, 1925;
Beulah 0. Hughes, Dec. 31, 1929; Jesse C.
Elrod, Dec. 26, 193 3; William F. Earthman,
July 16, 1938; William N. Elrod, Apr. 1,
1848; C. R. Byran, Apr. 30, 1950; Norman
Fenn Hutchinson, Aug. 31, 1963.
Mordecai Lillard, Feb. 10, 1880; Charles R.
North, Jan. 31, 1881; James S. Miller,
Dec. 23, 1885; Mordecai Lillard, July 28,
1886; Charles R. North, Jan. 25, 1887; Azariah
Kimbro, Feb. 29, 1888; Durant Beesley,
Dec. 14, 1888; Charles R. North, Apr. 6,
1893; Samuel T. Kelton, Apr. 13, 1899;
John W. Hayens, Dec. 18, 1901; Wm. S.
Smith, Apr. 30, 1914; James D. Smith,
Dec. 18, 1915, Retired Sept. 7, 1932;
Fred Hayes, Jr., Sept. 10, 1932; Herbert J.
Holden, Aug. 25, 1934; Discontinued Nov. 30,
1953. Mail to Murfreesboro.
-39-
PATTERSON ' S :
PERU:
PINKARD:
PITTSTOWN:
POSEY'S STORE;
PUCKETT :
READYVILLE:
ROCKVALE :
Thomas M. Patterson, Apr. 17, 1888;
Geo. W. Haynes, Feb. 25, 1889; Win. F.
Tomlinson, Feb. 6, 1895; Vftn. E. Marable,
Jan. 17, 1898; Andrew F. Watson, Dec. 30,
1901; Discontinued Sept. 30, 1905. Mail
to Eagleville.
Thomas Tucker, June 1, 1896. Discontinued
Feb. 14, 1903. Mail to Smyrna.
Frank L. Morton, Oct. 14, 1887; Wm. D.
Sneed, Apr. 28, 1892; Rosa Morton, May 10,
1893; W. E. Wood, Oct. 4, 1893; Discontinued
Nov. 24, 1893. Mail to Carlocksville.
Wm. A. Pitts, June 25, 1900. Discontinued
Mar. 31, 1902. Mail to Compton.
Pleasant F. Posey, Mar. 25, 1854. Discon-
tinued July 11, 1854.
Charles P. Gillespie, Jan. 18, 1894;
William W. Puckett, Nov. 9, 1896. Discon-
tinued Jan. 15, 1906. Mail to Eagleville.
Charles Ready, Apr. 12, 1837; George
Brandon, Apr. 16, 1840; Charles Ready, Sr. ,
June 5, 1841; Robert W. Brandon, Sept. 15,
1845; Hampton Sullivan, Jan. 18, 1847;
John H. Wood, Feb. 29, 1848; Hugh L.
Thompson, July 28, 1851; John H. Wood, May 18,
1852; Jesse R. Ferrill, June 27, 1854; James M.
Dill, July 27, 1855; Thomas S. Peay, Jan. 18,
1856; Jonathan W. Nichol, Dec. 22, 1857;
Wm. R. Campbell, Nov. 11, 1865; Beverly R.
Bivins, Sept. 25, 1866; Abel McBrown,
Oct. 1, 1867; Bird B. Smith, June 7, 1872;
Wm. F. Holmes, Jan. 26, 1876; Wm. F. Holmes,
Aug. 11, 1904. Cannon County.
Manos B. Carlton, Aug. 22, 1879; John N.
Dykes, Aug. 9, 1881; Thomas F. Carlton,
Mar. 13, 1891; Farnas M. Carlton, Nov. 13,
1893; Lemuel R. Hutcherson, Oct. 20, 1906;
Andrew Jackson, May 27, 1907; Thos. F.
Carlton, Apr. 1, 1909; Cecil G. Bowling,
Apr. 9, 1919, retired July 31, 1953; Mrs.
Ruby L. Powers, July 31, 1953.
-40-
ROCKY FORK:
RUCKER :
RUSHING:
Geo. F. {Chi?)dsey, Feb. 11, 1878;
Discontinued July 29, 1879; Reestablished
Jan. 2, 1884; Robert A. Coleman, Jan. 2,
1884; Wtn. B. Coleman, July 18, 1891;
Wm. E. Hodge, Feb. 14, 1900; Lee P. Neal,
Apr. 1, 1901; John H. Coleman, Aug. 1,
1905; Discontinued Aug. 15, 1908. Mail
to Smyrna .
W. R. Elder, July 3, 1882; J. T. Reynolds,
Feb. 14, 1884; Wm. P. Prater, July 17,
1884; Frank H. Kirk, Oct. 18, 1893;
Isaac Z. Brown, Jan. 17, 18 98; William
Parker, July 6, 1899; Charles C. Brandon,
July 11, 1899; James M. Smith, Sept. 8,
1899; William Parker, Aug. 6, 1900; John E.
McAdams, June 10, 1901; Edward B. Spain,
Sept. 20, 1904; Robert H. Harrison, Feb. 7,
1906; James B. Allen, Dec. 21, 1909;
James H. Wright, Feb. 27, 1911; David F.
Elam, Jr., Dec. 13, 1911; Samuel W. Kerr,
Nov. 26, 1913; Robt. L. Reynolds, Feb. 2,
1917; John Marvin Young, Apr. 1, 1940;
Discontinued Dec. 31, 1944. Mail to
Mur f reesboro .
Briant E. Rushing, Feb. 7, 1896. Changed
to Mona Mar. 18, 1896.
SALEM CROSS ROADS: Benjamin Johnson, Feb. 17, 1837;
Discontinued Oct. 28, 1840.
SHARBERSVILLE ;
SHARPEVILLE;
John B. Lukensf Jan. 10, 1866. Discon-
tinued Dec. 20, 1866.
John G. Bowling, Feb. 2, 1889; George W.
Bowling, Nov. 1, 1895; N. H. Brown, Jan. 28,
1903. Discontinued Dec. 31, 1904. Mail
to Murf reesboro.
SHORT CREEK: Samuel H. Thomas, Dec. 29, 1899; Thomas B.
Arnold, May 3, 1900; Reuben G. Kelton,
Nov. 12, 1902. Discontinued Feb. 28, 1903.
Mail to Christiana.
SHORTS: Wilson P. Henderson, May 5, 1890; Discon-
tinued Apr. 9, 1891. Mail to Walter Hill.
SILVERHILL: Johnnie H. McPeak, May 12, 1894; James A.
Todd, May 13, 1898; Discontinued Feb. 14,
1903. Mail to Walter Hill.
-41-
SMYRNA ;
SNELL :
STEWARTSBORO :
STOKELY :
SWANVALE :
UTOPIA:
VAUGHN VALLEY;
(Late Stewartsboro) Ferguson Fleming,
Sept. 30, 1851; Changed back to Stewarts-
boro Dec. 22, 1851; Back to Smyrna Sept. 20,
1852. Ferguson Fleming, Sept. 20, 1852;
James H. Simmons, June 27, 1854; Richard H.
Dudley, Oct. 4, 1859; John C. Kennedy,
June 16, 1865; Jeremiah M. Br\ambach,
July 20, 1866; Joseph R. Dillin, Aug. 9,
1867; James S. Elder, Nov. 11, 1869; Geo. W.
Hight, Jan. 19, 1870; Samuel E. Hager,
May 26, 1871; Richard H. Dudley, July 10,
1872; Flavions J. Sanders, Mar. 3, 1874;
William B. Jarratt, Feb. 7, 1877; James J.
Dillin, Apr. 3, 1889; Joseph W. Davis, Jr.,
Oct. 26, 1893; Wilson Y. Posey, Sept. 14,
1897; Hugh H. Guill, May 12, 1914; James M.
Gresham, Jan. 11, 1919; Gilbert Marshall,
Oct. 1, 1923; James M. Gresham, May 20,
1924; Chloe A. Gibbons, July 1, 1928;
Marguerite A. Coleman, Oct. 31, 1928;
Mrs. Nell E. Coleman, Feb. 15, 1934; Retired
July 31, 1953; Sara H. Stallings, July 31,
1953; Retired July 31, 1957; Johnnie V.
Braswell, July 31, 1957, Retired Oct. 22,
1965; John G. Mitchell, Oct. 22, 1965.
Gus H. Coleman, June 7, 1886; Isaiah M. Floyd,
Dec. 20, 1888; Luther C. Overall, Mar. 31,
1890; Isaiah M. Floyd, Apr. 6, 1893;
John C. Read, June 17, 1903; Wm. E. Marable,
Aug. 2, 1905; Discontinued Oct. 14, 1905.
Mail to Murfreesboro.
Thomas Batte, Jr., July 1, 1836; Silas
Tucker, Apr. 20, 1837; Changed to Smyrna
Sept. 30, 1851; Changed back from Smyrna
Dec. 22, 1851; Silas Tucker, Dec. 22,
1851; Discontinued Oct. 19, 1852.
Burwell G. White, June 3, 1830; Changed to
Millersburgh Dec. 13, 1836.
Benjamin F. Williams, Apr. 14, 1891. Discon-
tinued Jan. 6, 1892. Mail to Versailles.
James F. Carlton, Aug. 26, 1890. Discon-
tinued Oct. 1, 1892. Mail to Crescent.
Joseph A. Boehms, Feb. 26, 1846; John D.
Vaughn, Dec. 20, 1849; Discontinued May 11,
1853.
-42-
VERSAILLES: (Late in Williamson County) Marquis L.
Covington, Apr. 27, 1840; James C. Hopkins,
Oct. 2, 1846; Sam'l. M. Hopkins, May 1,
1851; Willis S. Ranson, May 24, 1854; William W.
Arnold, May 29, 1866; John W. Parsley, Dec. 11,
1866; John W. Westbrook, Oct. 7, 1869;
John W. Nance, Mar. 25, 1874; Benjamin F.
Nance, Aug. 4, 1896; Discontinued Sept. 15,
1906. Mail to Eagleville.
WALTER HILL: William H. Tilford, Feb. 1, 1860. Discon-
tinued June 20, 1867; Reestablished Aug. 2,
1867; Lee I. Pierce, Aug. 2, 1867; Thomas J.
Black, Jr., Dec. 9, 1872; Samuel B. Black,
June 1, 1874; John D. Hunt, Mar. 17, 1875;
Discontinued Dec. 1, 1875; Reestablished
Sept. 12, 1876; Samuel T. Black, Sept. 12,
1876; Joseph D. Neilson, Nov. 3, 1879;
Jas. M. Lewis, Feb. 24, 1886; Changed to
Walterhill, Aug. 14, 1895; Ben j . B.
Searcy, Aug. 14, 1895; Grover C. Matthews,
Mar. 11, 1908; Deceased Aug. 16, 1940;
Watt W. Holloway, Jr., Aug. 29, 1940;
Military Leave; Epps E. Matthews, Sept. 13,
1941; Mrs. Mamye F. Arnold, Feb. 15, 1944;
Howard G. Eades May 1, 1947; Mrs. Minnie L.
Adams, Aug. 6, 1947; Mrs. Leona S. Duffy,
Jan. 1, 1948, Retired Oct. 31, 1967; Discon-
tinued Oct. 31, 1967. Mail to Murfreesboro.
WAYSIDE: W. K. Elder, Jan. 2, 1880; Jno. W. Cobb,
May 1, 1882; Wm. K. Elder, Feb. 20, 1883;
Charles A. Hall, July 18, 1884; John O'Brien,
June 29, 1885; John W. Kirk, Apr. 24, 1886;
Samuel N. Burger, Jan. 12, 1887; Frank H.
Kirk, Apr. 14, 1888; Thomas C. North,
Jan. 12, 1891; Discontinued Aug. 31, 1903.
Mail to Christiana.
WILKINSON'S CROSS ROADS: Hubbard L. Wilkinson, Jan. 19,
1833; Fred E. Becton, Sept. 21, 1836; Alfred
Blackman, Jan. 20, 1838; Benjamin W. Avent,
Mar. 17, 1838; George W. House, Dec. 14,
1839; Discontinued Feb. 22, 1840.
WINDROW:
George C. Marable , Sept. 10, 1901; James M.
Cobler, June 16, 1904. Discontinued
June 15, 1907. Mail to Overall.
THE RUTHERFORD RIFLES
NOTE: This manuscript is copied from "Some Rutherford
County, Tennessee CEMETERY RECORDS" published 1971
by Jill K. Garrett & Iris H. McClain. Used with
permission of the Authors and Publishers. It is
edited by Henry G. Wray, Rutherford County Archivist.
(Manuscript found in papers of Caroline K. Burrus.)
The Rutherford Rifles (Company I, 1st Tennessee Infantry)
was organized in Rutherford County with William Ledbetter, Jr.,
as captain. They spent one week in daily drills in and about
Murfreesboro. On May 2, 1861, they met on Depot Hill to
leave for Nashville, where they arrived at 11 a.m. They
marched around the square in Nashville to the tune of "Annie
Laurie." They were mustered into Confederate service on
August 1, 1861. The outfit fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta campaign, and in
Hood's invasion of Tennessee.
Alfred Horsley of Columbia, Tennessee, wrote of the
Rutherford Rifles: "The Butlers of our regiment were fine
soldiers. Jack, captain of the Railroad company, and Joe,
his brother, lieutenant, refined and handsome as a woman,
but brave as Caesar, literally shot to pieces at Perryville,
Dock of the Rutherford Rifles, in stature like a Roman
gladiator, shot at Missionary Ridge. For years we had seen
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his grand Apollo-like form in the front of the Rutherford
Rifles, rendered more majestic by comparison with the
diminutive form of captain "Doc" Ledbetter. No matter how
dark the night or how long the march, when the "imminent peri-
lous edge of battle" was in sight, the Rutherford Rifles
always had a long battle line and "Doc" Ledbetter was at the
head. I often recall him and his company, as they appeared
before battle. I think you will concur with me in saying
the Rutherford Rifles was the best company in the 1st
Tennessee Regiment. Sam Davis who died at Pulaski rather
than betray a confidence was a member of the Rutherford
Rifles... If all the men in the Southern army had been like
the Rutherford Rifles, we could have camped on the shores
of Lake Erie instead of the Chattahoochie. My memory is a
picture gallery in which is seen this splendid company of
men at the moment of battle — all others looking like skeletons,
but the Rutherford company of men, a long line of tall,
majestic men. Caesar would have placed them in his "Tenth
Legion" or Napoleon in his "Old Guard." The Ransoms, the
Wades, the Kings, the Bezles (Beazles) , the Jarrats were
all grand men, but like Saul, "Doc" Ledbetter rose proudly
preeminent above them all, and poor Hardy Murfree, the best
of men, his memory is worthy to be honored with the tears
of all good and brace men. All honor to Rutherford County."
List of Members;
1. Capt. Wm. Ledbetter, elected captain at organization in
1861; re-elected at re-organization in 1862; wounded at
Atlanta, at Franklin, and was captured and imprisoned;
made his escape and surrendered in 1865.
45-
2. 1st Lieut. Hardy Murfree; elected 1st lieut. at
organization in April 1861; re-elected at the re-organi-
zation in 186 2; wounded and disabled at Adairsville on
May 17, 1864; surrendered in 1865.
3. 2nd Lieut. R. F. James; elected 2nd lieut. at organi-
zation in April 1861; volunteered after the re-organization
in 1862 as staff officer and killed at the Battle of
Murfreesboro 1862.
4. 3rd Lieut. C. H. King, elected 3rd lieut. at organization
in April 1861; volunteered as a private in same company
at re-organization in 1862; wounded at Perryville, Ky. ,
detailed in 1863 in Signal Corps Service; surrendered in
North Carolina 1865.
5. Ord. Sergt. A. Loeb, elected O. S. at organization in
1861.
6. Anderson, B. F. , enlisted April 1861, surrendered with
command in N. C. 1865.
7. Anderson, E. W. , enlisted April 1861; appointed Corporal,
went to cavalry in 1864; died since surrender.
8. Anderson, J. L. , wounded at Adairsville, Ga. , 1864.
9. Avent, B. W. , Jr., enlisted April 1861; detailed on
special duty in medical department.
10. Bass, A. J., enlisted April 1861; killed at Shiloh in
1862.
11. Batey, B. B. , enlisted April 1861; appointed 0. S. in
1862, wounded at Marietta, Ga. , 1864; surrendered with
command in N. C. 1865.
12. Batey, J. B. , enlisted April 1861; captured in 1862, and
remained a prisoner.
13. Batey, W. O. , went to cavalry in 1863.
14. Becton, J. W. , enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant,
discharged in 1863; captured and died in prison in 1865.
15. Beesley, Jas., M. , wounded near Marietta, Ga. , 1864;
surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865.
16. Beesley, John, enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal;
wounded at Murfreesboro 1862; detailed on special duty.
17. Beesley, N. W. , enlisted April 1861, wounded at Murfrees-
boro and disabled; afterwards discharged and died since
surrender.
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18. Beesley, T. J., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Adairsville,
Ga. , surrendered with command in North Carolina 1865.
19. Beesley, Wm. enlisted April 1861; wounded at Chickamauga,
Ga., Adair sville, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn. ; surrendered
with command in N. C. 1865.
20. Blair, A. H. , enlisted April 1861; sutler.
21. Blair, J. L. W. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perry-
ville, Ky. , captured and remained a prisoner.
22. Beachboard, Wm. , died 1868.
23. Baird, John L. , enlisted April 1861, appointed Surgeon,
transferred to medical department and died during the war.
24. Bock, Adam, enlisted April 1861; detached on special duty.
25. Boring, T. M. , enlisted April 1861, killed at Perryville,
Ky.
26. Brooks, C. C. , enlisted April 1861, wounded and disabled
at Perryville, and discharged.
27. Brothers, A. W. , transferred from 7th Tennessee 1861;
captured in 1863 and remained a prisoner.
28. Burrows, T. W. , wounded and disabled at Adairsville, Ga.
29. Butler, I. W. , enlisted April 1861; mortally wounded and
died at Missionary Ridge, Ga. , 1863.
30. Carney, L. V., enlisted April 1861, discharged in Virginia
in fall of 1861.
31. Gates, Joe D. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville,
Ky.
32. Clark, Geo. W. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville,
Ky.
33. Clay, D. D. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville,
Ky.; lost an arm at Lovejoy, Ga., afterwards discharged.
34. Collier, F. W. , enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864
and remained a prisoner, died 24 April 1880.
35. Cooper, T. C. , furnished Thos. Kinney as a substitute in
1863.
36. Crass, F. H. , enlisted April 1861, detached on special
duty.
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37. Crichlow, Sam, enlisted April 1861; wounded at Cheat
Mountain in 1861; discharged and died after surrender.
38. Crockett, T. 0., enlisted April 1861; killed at Missionary
Ridge 1863.
39. Davis, Samuel, enlisted April 1861; detailed as special
scout 1863; captured and executed by hanging at Pulaski,
Tenn. , by the enemy 25 Nov. 1863.
40. Davis, Sonnie, enlisted April 1861; died in Virginia 1861.
41. Dickson, L. M. , enlisted April 1861; died at Corinth,
Miss., 1862.
42. Dudley, R. H. (B. H.?), enlisted April 1861; went to
cavalry 1864.
43. Drumright, W. B. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at
Murfreesboro 1862; went to cavalry.
44. Edwards, A. M. , enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry.
45. Ewing, Joseph W. , detached on special duty.
46. Farris, W. , enlisted April 1861, discharged in 1861.
47. Featherston, W. E. , wounded near Marietta, Ga. , captured
in 1865 and remained a prisoner.
48. Fletcher, James H. , transferred from 8th Tenn., went to
cavalry 1865.
49. Fletcher, Jas. S. , enlisted April 1861, appointed surgeon
and transferred to medical department; killed since the
surrender.
50. Grigg, Joe H. , enlisted April 1861; discharged at Corinth
in 1862.
51. Hall, Josephus, enlisted April 1861; detailed on special
duty; taken prisoner; died since surrender.
52. Halliburton, B. F. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at
Cheat Mountain, Va. ; went to cavalry 1864; died since the
war.
53. Haynes, C. G. , enlisted April 1861, died at Winchester,
Va., 1861.
54. Haynes, J. E. W. , enlisted April 1861; appointed
corporal, wounded at Perryville; killed at Missionary
Ridge 1863.
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55. Hicks, Wm. H. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
artillery; died since surrender.
56. Higdon, J. A., enlisted April 1861; wounded near
Marietta, Ga.; afterwards detailed on special duty.
57. Henry, J. (?) , enlisted April 1861; appointed
sergeant; went on to cavalry in 1864.
58. Hirshberg, Simon, enlisted April 1861; appointed cor-
poral; detailed musician.
59. Hodge, S. H. , enlisted April 1861; detached as special
scout 1863; captured and kept in prison until the
surrender.
60. Howse, L. H. , enlisted April 1861; discharged and re-
enlisted in 1862; detached as special scout and
surrendered in 186 5.
61. Holloway, Daniel, enlisted April 1861; discharged at
Camp Cheatham in 1861.
62. Hollowell, S. S., enlisted April 1861; discharged and
re-enlisted 1862; wounded at Atlanta in 1865; died since
surrender.
63. James, Allen, enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry in
1864.
64. Jackson, J. W. , enlisted April 1861; captured in 1863,
and remained a prisoner.
65. Jamison, M. C. , enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant;
killed at the battle of Perryville.
66. Jarratt, J. T. , enlisted April 1861; appointed 0. S.
in 1862; killed at Perryville, Ky.
67. Jetton, J. W. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
Gen. Cleburne's staff; died since the surrender.
68. Jetton, Brevard, enlisted April 1861; discharged 1862;
since the surrender has died.
69. Jenkins, J. P., enlisted April 1861; transferred to
11th Tenn. Cavalry 1862.
70. Johnson, G. W. , enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal;
killed at Missionary Ridge 1863.
71. Jones, Robt. G. , enlisted April 1861; surrendered with
command in N. C. in 1865; died since the surrender.
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72. Jones, John, substituted by Pat Lishley 1863, killed
at Missionary Ridge 1863.
73. Keeble, James M. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
Gen. Geo. Maney's staff.
74. Kerr, J. M. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville;
went to cavalry.
75. King, John D. , enlisted April 1861; captured at Cheat
Mountain 1861, exchanged in 1862, and transferred
to medical department.
76. King, J. M. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Chickamauga;
surrendered with command in N. C. in 1865.
77. King, T. M. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Adairsville,
Ga.; surrendered in N. C. in 1865.
78. Kinney, Thos., substituted by T. C. Cooper 1863; killed
near Morgan's Mill in Rutherford County in 1863.
79. Lawrence, J. C. , enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864
and remained a prisoner.
80. Ledbetter, N. C. , enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry;
died since the surrender.
81. Leiper, Sam C. , enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry
in 1864.
82. Leiper, Wm. F. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
4th Tenn. Inf.
83. Levy, Henry, wounded and disabled at Resaca, Ga.
84. Lillard, M. , enlisted April 1861; discharged in 1862.
85. Love, J. R. , enlisted April 1861; furnished a substitute
(Pat McMann) in 1863.
86. Lishley, Pat, transferred from artillery 1863; furnished
a substitute (John Jones) in 1863, and joined 1st Tenn.
Band.
87. Loeb, Maurice, musician.
88. Mayberry, W. G. , enlisted April 1861; discharged in 1862,
died since the war.
89. McLean, A. V., enlisted April 1861, went to cavalry 1864.
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90. McLean, C. L. , enlisted April 1861, went to cavalry 1864.
91. McFarlin, Marion P. , detached on special duty; captured
in 1863 and remained a prisoner.
92. McMann, Pat, substitute for J. R. Love 1863; wounded and
died at Chickamauga.
93. Miller, Charles, enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant
1862; went to cavalry in 1865.
94. Mancy, D. D. , transferred from commissary department.
95. Mitchell, Wm. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to 4th
Tenn. Infantry.
96. Moore, Wm. , enlisted April 1861; discharged in Virginia
1861; died since the war.
97. Morton, James, transferred from 8th Tenn. Inf. in 1861;
captured in 1865; remained a prisoner; died since the
war.
98. Mosbey, Jas. C. , enlisted April 1861; captured 1863
and remained a prisoner.
99. Murfree, Hal, enlisted April 1861; discharged in Virginia
in 1861.
100. Murfree, J. B. , enlisted April 1861; promoted to surgeon
and transferred to Medical Department in 1861.
101. Neal, Fount E. , enlisted April 1861; wounded Cheat
Mountain; appointed sergeant; killed at Atlanta July 22,
1864.
102. Neal, John, enlisted April 1861; discharged 1861.
103. Nance, I. W. , enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry 1863.
104. North, J. M. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Missionary
Ridge 1863; went to cavalry in 1865.
105. North, W. L. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Franklin,
Tenn., 1864.
106. Oden, Thos. M. , captured 1865 and remained a prisoner.
107. Pierce, E. L. , enlisted April 1861; wounded and died
at Perryville, Ky. , in 1862.
108. Poindexter, J. R. , enlisted April 1861, captured 1863
and remained a prisoner.
51
109. Phillips, J. L. , wounded at Marietta, Ga. , 1863; went
to cavalry 1865.
110. Pritchett, Ed, enlisted April 1862; detailed musician.
111. Ransom, A. R. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perry-
ville, Ky. , and Adairsville, Ga., and discharged; died
since the war.
112. Ransom, H. R. , enlisted April 1861; elected 3d lieut.
1862 at re-organization; wounded at Perryville, Ky. ,
1862; wounded and died at Adairsville, Ga. , 1864.
113. Ransom, S. H. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
quartermaster's department in 1861; rejoined the
company in 1862; killed at Perryville, Ky. , 1862.
114. Ransom, Wm. , enlisted April 1861; died at Warm Springs,
Va., 1861.
115. Rucker, Robt. , enlisted April 1861; discharged 1861; died
since the war.
116. Rutledge, Pleasant, surrendered with command in N. C.
in 1865.
117. Searcy, Wm. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville,
Ky., 1862.
118. Seward, Z. T. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville,
Ky., 1862.
119. Shelton, W. D. , enlisted April 1861; transferred to
cavalry 1863.
120. Sims, E. B. , enlisted April 1861; discharged 1862.
121. Sims, N. H. , enlisted April 1861, transferred to
cavalry.
122. Smith, John D. , enlisted April 1861; died at Warm
Springs, Va. , 1861.
123. Smith, L. J., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864
and remained a prisoner.
124. Smith, L. H. , enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville.
125. Smith, J. Battle, enlisted April 1861; died at Edra , Va. ,
1861.
126. Smith, W. B. , enlisted April 1861; died at Edra, Va. ,
1861.
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127. Smith, John, wounded at Chickamauga , afterwards died
in 1863.
128. Snell, J. T. , enlisted April 1861, appointed sergeant
in 1862; wounded at Perryville, Ky. , and Franklin,
Tenn. ; went to cavalry in 1865.
129. Snell, T. A., enlisted April 1861; appointed 2d
Sergeant in 1861; wounded at Murfreesboro in 1862;
elected 3d lieut. in 1864; and surrendered with command
in N. C. in 1865.
130. Snell, F. M. , killed at Murfreesboro in 1862.
131. Sudberry, Henry, went to artillery in 1864; died since
war.
132. Sublett, D. D. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Shiloh;
captured in 1864; remained a prisoner; committed suicide
since surrender.
133. Tucker, E. R. , enlisted April 1861, discharged 1861.
134. Tignor, , enlisted April 1861; detached on special
duty 1861.
135. Traylor, J. W. , enlisted April 1861; died Tupelo,
Miss., 1862.
136. Tucker, J. T. , enlisted April 1861; detailed as hospital
steward 1862.
137. Turner, E. L. , enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perry-
ville, Ky., and Lavergne, Tenn., went to cavalry 1864.
138. Turner, R. J., enlisted April 1861; promoted to assistant
surgeon and transferred to Medical Department in 1861.
139. Vaughan, E. R. , enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry
in 1865.
140. Vaughan, J. F. , detailed as special scout in 1863.
141. Watts, Wm. , enlisted April 1861, wounded at Cheat
Mountain and discharged.
142. Wade, T. J., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Peachtree
Creek, Ga. , and Franklin, Tenn., captured and remained
a prisoner.
143. Walter, George, enlisted April 1861; detailed as a a
musician.
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144. White, J. H. , enlisted April 1861; died at Shelbyville,
Tenn. , 1863.
145. Wilkinson, George H. , enlisted April 1861; elected
2d lieut. at re-organization in 1862; wounded and
disabled at Atlanta, Ga. , 22 July 1864.
146. Wilkinson, W. A., wounded at Marietta, Ga., wounded and
disabled at Franklin, Tenn., 1864.
147. Wilson, G. B. , died at Shelbyville in 1863.
148. Wilson, T. H. , discharged in 1863.
149. Wheeling, C, enlisted April 1861; captured at Cheat
Mountain, 1861; exchanged 1862; detached on special
duty in quartermaster department.
150. Wright, John, enlisted April 1861; transferred to
ordinance department in 1861.
(List compiled in 1880 by T. M. King, B. B. Batey, and T. A.
Snell.)
SJ^
Hardeman's Mill - This replica was reproduced by Walter
King Hoover from random descriptions of the mill house.
It is positioned at the exact original site. Inset shows
the Constant Hardeman grave marker. Abandoned Hardeman
cemetery lies on Stewart's (Stuart's) Creek near the
southeast limits of Smyrna, Tennessee.
Gregory Mills - A sales transaction form of Hardeman Mill's
^
HARDEMAN'S MILL
BY
Walter K. Hoover - 1974
An abandoned cemetery with a few legible grave markers,
a mill house foundation, and a large stone mill dam are all
that remain of a once important family, and a prosperous
business. The mill is located on Stuarts Creek at the
southeast city limits of Smyrna, Tennessee, and was earlier
known as the Hardeman's Mill, later Black's Mill, and still
later as Gregory's Mill.
This area today is owned by the Percy Priest Lake
Recreation Department and is maintained as a public picnic
area accessible by paved streets and a parking area. It is
a lovely spot where one could relax, examine the old dam and
water race, contemplate the efforts, hopes and successes of
the many citizens and slaves who passed this way in years
gone by. Perhaps you could better approach your tomorrows
if you could for a few hours sit in the cool damp shade of
this historic site and contemplate the rushing waters that
eternally hasten by. My father took me there when I was a
boy, and I have returned often.
Constantine (1) Hardeman (2) was born January 3, 1778,
in North Carolina, and died August 27, 1850, at his home
(1) I find Hardeman, Hardiman, Hardaman.
(2) I find Constentine, Constantine, Constant, Constance
and various spellings.
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adjacent to this site (see map) . Constant was the fifth
child of Thomas Hardeman and Mary Perkins. He married Sarah
Marr in 1799. Sarah died in 1823 leaving twelve children:
Thomas, John Marr, George W. , Constant Hardin, Lent, Susan
Perkins, Agatha Ann, William Miller, Mary B. , Sarah E.,
Matilda, and Cornelia. To a second marriage between 1827 -
1829 to Mary (no last name) born 1778, died Feb. 22, 1859,
there was one daughter, Levinia, born 1830, died 1848. Con-
stentine, his second wife Mary, and Levinia are buried in
the family plot east of the mill site across the creek and
above the bluff on the property now owned by J. L. Ross.
Evidently most of these children went on westward to
Texas, Arkansas, etc.
Not finding any early Hardeman land records in Ruther-
ford County, because there was no Rutherford County at that
time, I go to Davidson County Archives and find several land
records of Thomas Hardeman. I find an indenture dated
August 25, 1800, showing that Constant bought from his father,
Thomas, for two thousand pounds (English money) , three hundred
acres and six hundred acres, both described in the same
indenture, in what was then Davidson County, Tennessee, on
the waters of Stuarts Creek.
This land was part of a twelve hundred acre grant to
Mose Shelby, a North Carolina grant before Tennessee was
created.
The Town of Jefferson was by 1800 an organized community,
and Constant no doubt came in through that community.
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Constant, a citizen of some prominence and a resident of
Davidson County, in the year 1803 at age twenty-five years,
did in his own handwriting, draw up the petition which
requested the Legislature to create Rutherford County. This
new county was to be drawn from parts of Davidson and William-
son Counties. Many of the residents of this area are evidenced
by the two hundred and fifty six signatures on the petition,
Hardeman being the first to sign. Thus Rutherford County
began, by Act of the Tennessee General Assembly, October 25,
1803.
There were one thousand one hundred and forty-one heads
of families in the new county as indicated by the 1810 census.
These were mostly scattered along the Stuarts Creak area (1)
and the Stone's River area centered around Jefferson and
Stuartsboro, there being no Murfreesboro at this time. (2)
I cannot determine any exact date when Mr. Hardeman
built his mill or his home, but rather suspect that by 1820
the mill was in operation and his permanent home was built.
I find many documents of land sales and purchases, division
of large land holdings to new settlers and children; many
slave purchases and sales; of lots that Hardeman bought in
the Town of Jefferson; and of the railroad coming through
his property in 1850.
(1) Stewarts Creek - Early maps and documents show Stuarts
Creek rather than Stewarts. I cannot determine why it
was named either.
(2) See Publication No. 3, Rutherford County History Society,
1974.
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Census records show in the Hardeman household:
1810 - 3 males under ten years; 1 male 26-45 years (himself)
2 females under ten years; 1 female 26-45 (wife)
seven slaves
1820 - 2 males under ten years; 2 males 10-15; 1 male
26-45
3 females under ten years; 2 females 10-15 years
1 female 26-45
12 slaves
1840 - 1 male 50-60; 1 male 60-70; 1 female 10-15
2 females 20-30; 1 female 50-60
Male slaves under ten, two 10-20, three 24-36, one
over 36
Female slaves, one under 10, one 55-100, agricul-
tural slaves three, two slaves in manufacturing (Mill)
1850 - Constentine Hardeman - age 72 - Farmer 12,000 -
Real Estate Born in N. C.
Mary Hardeman - age 61 Born in N. C.
Susanah Morton - age 58 Born in N. C.
James Morton - age 29 - Farmer Born in TN.
Charles Sneed - age 19 - Student Born in Ala.
Robert Morgan - age 18 - Student Born in TN.
Gilbert Morgan - age 15 - Student Born in TN.
The Hardeman house sat on the east side of Stuarts Creek
and south of the mill, which was across the creek. A bridge
about forty yards above the dam provided access to the mill and
was the public road at that time (see map) . This home was a
-58-
large frame house about sixty by forty feet, two and one-half
stories. A staircase in the entrance hall ran to the third
floor ballroom. Four large rooms were on the first floor and
two on the second floor, each off the center hall and staircase.
There was a small covered front porch. The lumber in the house
was hand- sawed and hewn. The house corners were each hewn to
turn an angle of 90°, from one log and each ran to the third
floor. Braces to these corners were mortised and pegged.
Rafters were red cedar poles hewn on one side. Sheeting was
boards of log width, with shingles of red cedar. Chimneys at
each end were built inside the house, with closets on each
side of the fireplace downstairs. Walls were plastered through-
out. Floor beams were 12 x 15 inch timber and floor joists
were 4 x 12 inches, all hewn by hand.
This house description came to me from Ira McDonald whose
father, John McDonald, owned the property in 1910. Ira helped
to take it down. The lumber from the house was bought by Ben
Dodd. His son, Horace Dodd, relates to me that he helped to
take it down and haul it, with wagon and team, to the Ben Dodd
home, which is still standing as the James Gambill place today,
off the Rocky Fork Road. This Hardeman House was also the Joe
Black Home in the 1870 's - 1880' s.
Early grist water powered mills in the area were Buchanan's
or Jone's Mill, on Stone's River at the northern edge of
Rutherford County. Crosthwait ' s , or the Davis Mill, was at
Jefferson on the east fork of Stone's River as were Brown's
Mill at Lascassas, the old mill at Readyville and Hall's Hill
-59-
Mill at Halls Hill. On the west fork of Stone's River were
Ward's Mill at Florence, Ransom's Mill at Murfreesboro and
Elam's Mill on Elam Road. Sanders on McKennon was on Spring
Creek - Alsup Mill on Fall Creek a mile east of Silver Hill -
a mill I cannot name is said to have been just south of old 41
highway on Overall Creek. An old map shows a mill on Stuarts
Creek, just south of today's 1-24 on the old Dillon place.
Maps show a mill at Walter Hill near the Thomas C. Black place,
and where the present dam is. I do not know which was the
earliest. *
Hardeman's Mill and the Readyville Mill were different
in that all the above mills were built adjacent to the dams
which diverted the water directly into the power wheel or
turbine. The Hardeman and Readyville Mill dams diverted the
water into a canal or flume which ran several hundred yards
to the mill house and flowed back into the river or creek on
the opposite side of the mill house as it meandered back.*
Mr. Hardeman no doubt having great need for a source of
power to accomplish the needs of his rural society, daily
studied the possibilities of Stuarts Creek in his area, and
selected the site where the proper fall and curve of the creek
made this possible.
Water power is the power obtained from water by its fall
from a higher to a lower level. The real agent is gravity,
the fluid itself being the agent through which the action of
gravity is transmitted to the prime mover. So the dam, the
canal and water gates were arranged to control the water flow
or fall.
*See photos on page 75
-60-
Mr. Hardeman having determined these possibilities, set
about, with slave labor, to quarry the huge stones for erection
of the dam and mill house foundation. Excavation for the dam
footings and digging the canal to the mill house all had to be
done with mules and hand labor. Bricks for the mill house had
to be moulded and burnt. As the mill house went up, timbers
had to be taken from the forest and sawed into proper size
and length, a project that could not be accomplished in a
few days.
The dam is 75 to 100 feet long, 10 to 12 feet high and
3 to 4 feet thick. The park service of Percy Priest did some
repair about 1972 to the dam. Over the years the water had
washed out the dirt banks at each end.*
The mill house was two-story brick above a rock foundation
about 54 feet long and 4 0 feet wide. Under the first floor
which was some four feet above ground level, the rock foundation
had open arch-ways for ventilation and access and was some six
feet space under the floor where the main shaft and belt wheels
sent the power into the mill from the water turbine or wheel.*
The water wheel was not the old picturesque wooden wheel
with water spilling over the top. This was a turbine type, with
the wheel laying down flat and the power shaft in a vertical
position. The fins or veins in the wheel part were arranged
so that water spilling in from the top center, propelled the
sloping fins or blades as it passed and spilt out around the
bottom outside. This was a very popular type power turbine in
*See photos on page 75
-61-
America about 1810. (See water wheels in any good encyclopedia.)
It is reported that "the first water powered mill in Rutherford
County was built in 1799, (then Davidson County.) By 1830,
there were twenty mills in operation."
The machinery in the mill house elevated the grain to
the upper floors and as it came back down through the milling
machinery, which were grinders, sifters, and blowers, the
flour or meal was caught in large bins, from which it was
dispensed to customers or sacked for storage. It would be
interesting to know where Constant got this machinery and water
wheel and how it was transported, over what routes, into this
undeveloped area.
Many years passed, joy and prosperity reigned, a family
was raised and educated as the farm and mill operation continued.
Hardeman evidently operated his mill until the time of his
death on August 27, 1850.
Ira McDonald remembers having been told by his elders,
who were neighbors of Hardeman, that the creek flooded, and that
Mr. Hardeman went to the stable to get his horse out of the
rising waters, where the horse kicked him and killed him. The
tale of a flood in August, a dry month, makes me a little
skeptical, but is handed on as folk history.
A list of articles sold at the residence of the late
Constent Hardeman on the 26th day of September, 1850, shows
that his farm and mill operation was vast. This list included
horse drawn farm tools, augers, planes, axes, frows, saws,
harness, gears, shafts, shingles, guns, saddles, cooking
-62-
utensils, buggies (one fine carriage sold to Charles Lewis
Davis, father of hero Sam Davis, for $452.00), horses, mules,
hogs, cows, sheep, corn, flax wheel, wagons, chains, ten
slaves, and his investment in the Nashville-Murf reesboro and
Shelbyville Turn-pike Company. Since he was 72 years old,
which indicates that he may have been retired at this time,
it is believed he rented the grist mill and saw mill for at
least two months prior to the sale, or they could have been
rented since his death.
The neighbors and friends who attended and bought at
this sale are listed and include many that are lost in the
history of the area: Reed, Ward, Ralston, Farris, Ballentine,
Bennett, Wade, Sneed , Cash, Goodman, Hicks, Haynes, etc.
John C. Gooch, father of Col. John S. Gooch of Civil War fame,
was the administrator of this estate. However, he died before
the estate was settled, and the court appointed Mr. Charles
Lewis Davis to take his place.
In 1882 on November 1, John M. Hardeman of Texas conveyed
to his brother, Thomas Hardeman of Mississippi, all of his
interest in their father's estate including the sale of the
land in Rutherford County where-on he resided at the time of
his death and which was sold for partition, by decree of Circuit
Court of Rutherford County. Also included was his undivided
interest in that tract of land which was assigned as dower to
Mary Hardeman, his widow. This was the home place during her
lifetime. John Marr also transferred his interest in land
in Obion and Weakley Counties at this time to Thomas. This
-63-
document does not indicate why the interest was transferred,
but does show that the mill was sold or partitioned at Constant's
death.
Mary Hardeman, widow, having died in February of 1859,
nine years after Constant and still holding the home place
as dower, is believed to have sold to Charles Lewis Davis the
mill site; because, in April of 1859, Charles L. Davis sold
the mill site containing seven and one-third acres to Mr. or
Dr. Thomas C. Black, father of Dr. Sam P. Black and Joe M.
Black. The record book of this date was destroyed by the
Federal soldiers while they were occupying the court house at
Murfreesboro. It is possible that Charles Lewis Davis deeded
this to Thomas C. Black as administrator and never owned it.
Thomas C. Black owned and operated the mill during the
Civil War, or War Between The States as the U.D.C. prefers to
call it. This was a hectic period for any business operation
in Middle Tennessee. Likely the operation was closed down
and all supplies, machinery, tools, livestock and grain, even
labor, including slaves, were consumed or disrupted by the
Federal soldiers. Occupation of the business by the Federals
could have been possible.
It appears that the war had its effects because in 1869,
four years after the war, a partnership was formed between Dr.
Thomas C. Black and his son. Dr. Sam P. Black, for the purpose
of rebuilding and operating the mill.
Dr. Samuel Pitt Black was born April 10, 1838, near
Walter Hill. At an early age he began the study of medicine
-64-
with his father, Dr. Thomas C. Black. Sam graduated from the
Medical College of Nashville and practiced with his father. He
was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Nashville Hospital where
he did not remain long because of a tubercular condition. He
served in the 4th Tennessee Cavalry Company as a private and
was transferred to the Medical Department of East Tennessee.
Dr. Sam's name appears in the minutes of the Smyrna Medical
Society in 1876. He was a brother to Miss Kate Black Ward.
He was a Democrat and a Mason. Sam was never married.
The part of the property on which the old Hardeman house
was located, eleven and three-quarter acres, was evidently
bought by Henry Gregory and S. H. Miller from the Hardeman
Estate sometime after Mary's death in 1859 (books destroyed).
This is assumed to be true for in 1873 the two above owners
sold that tract of land to Dr. Thomas C. and his son, Sam P.
Black.
This partnership continued until the death of Dr. Thomas
Black in May of 1878, when by decree of the Chancery Court,
that Dr. Sam P. Black, by paying to the estate of his father
the sum of two thousand cash and four thousand seven hundred
dollars, claims and assuming the liabilities of the mill
business, became the sole owner.
I cannot determine why in 1882 John N. Hardeman of Texas
still had an interest in his father's homeplace. However, we
must keep in mind that this was the period of the Civil War,
military government, and reconstruction.
-65-
Sam P. Black ran the mill, after having acquired his
father's interest in 1878, until 1885-88. Here I insert a letter
from Tom G. Sanders dated October, 1974, from his home in
Sarasota, Florida, a response to my request for information.
Mr. Tom is 96 years old, was born and raised at Stewartsboro
and Smyrna. He was a man of great character.
"I was born February 9, 1878, and when I say
something happened which I was a certain age you
can figure what year it was.
When I was 5 or 6 years old (1883-1884) his
boiler exploded. He had a steam engine to supple-
ment the water power when the creek was low. My
father wanted to see the extent of the damage,
and took me with him the morning after the
explosion. Dr. Sam was at the mill when we arrived
and took us around the mill showing us the damage.
He remarked that it just blew it to atoms. It
was the first time I had ever heard the word
"atom," and it made an impression on me that
lasted. The mill was quite a wreck and it was
reported that after the explosion someone went
into the mill to find Dr. Sam, and they said he
was scrambling out from under a pile of bricks
and other trash and was heard to say; Heckl it will
kill all my cats. He had some five cats that he kept
in the mill to keep down rats and mice.
-66-
A stub of the boiler went across the road
and killed a young mule or cow at No. 7. I think
he had' a negro to fire the boiler and I don't
remember whether he was killed or not, if he
was killed he was the only one.
I don't think that Dr. Sam made any effort to
remodel the mill, and it stood a wreck until W. H.
(Bud) Gregory bought it which was about the time
I was 13 or 16 years old." (1891-1894)
When I was 18 to 21 years old (1896-1899) I
visited Miss M. B. McDonald pretty regularly on
Sunday nights, and usually rode horseback and
went by Blacks Mill and forded the creek at the
mill at No. 6., so I know the bridge at No. 8 was
not built or the road opened from No. 3 to No. 4
until after 1900. I don't know when it was opened
for I was away from the Smyrna community. There
was a path and foot bridge, or log, across the
creek at No. 3. The path was from No. 4 to No. 3
and people used it when the creek was up or when
they were walking and had no way to ford the creek.
The Mill was located at No. 1 and the mill race at
No. 2. This is all from memory and of course is
liable to be far from right, so excuse the errors."
"T. G. Sanders"
W. H. (Bud) Gregory did not buy the mill at this time as
Tom Sanders suggested, because I find a deed dated September 5,
-67-
1888, showing that Sam P. Black, now owning all of the Hardeman
mills and home property, and the mill still not repaired after
the boiler explosion, sold the mill and real estate to his
brother, Joe M. Black, W. E. Ward and C. A. Ward for $2,500.00,
payable in three notes at 6% interest. This consisted of
three tracts: (1) the Hardeman Mill site 7 3/4 acres; (2)
the Hardeman home place, 11 3/4 acres,, bought from Henry
Gregory and S. H. Miller in 1873; and (3) 2 1/3 acres which
was a part of the old Academy Lot. The Academy Lot was an
effort of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to establish a female
academy and church in 1837, a story in itself.
In 1892 after Joe Black, Will Ward, and Charley Ward
had repaired and operated the mill four years, they sold it
to W. E. Ward for $3,000.00, still the three tracts, about 21
acres.
Now in 18 94, Henry Gregory conveyed to W. E. Ward a
nearby tract of 94 acres. Ward paid Henry Gregory $2,000.00 and
conveyed the Black Mill property as part payment for the 94
acres. So Henry Gregory got the mill in a land trade January 1,
1895, the day of possession.
One year later on January 1, 1896, W. H. Gregory and wife,
Ida S. Gregory, sold the mill property to a LeRoy McKennon.
The same year, October 27, 1896, for a $500.00 profit he sold
the mill back to Gregory. I cannot determine who LeRoy McKennon
was or why he deeded it back to Gregory a few months later.
Mr. Preston Ford remembers that the old water race was repaired
by the Gregorys in 1906-1907 by walling it up with stone.
-68-
Mr. Robert Heath, son of Henry Heath, born on the Mayfield
Ross place near the present Enon Springs Road Bridge, remembers
that Mr. Henry Heath and his brother, Cal Heath, worked for
Charley Ward, both mill and farm vrark. Henry ran the mill by
day and Cal by night. One night Cal had indulged in a portion
of strong drink, and while his glee was abounding, he put a cat
on the fan-sifter while in operation. The cats unsuccessful
attempt to liberate itself, disrupted the operation sending
clouds of dust and ground wheat all over the place. Mr. Henry
Heath, suspecting trouble, had gone back to the mill to check
things and told of this incident.
The Gregory's ceased to operate the mill around 1916-1^17,
the time of the First World War. Mr. W. C. Fvans was the last
miller to operate the mill. At this time no flour was made, only
meal. One reason for this is that R. 0. Davis and his brother,
Sam B. Davis, had built a large modern steam operated flour
mill on the railroad in Smyrna, where they produced the famous
"Sarah Davis" flour in great quantity. The steam engine had
been moved to the Sam Hager Cotton Gin in Smyrna. The old
boiler was used for a road culvert near the Oscar Mann place
on Enon Springs Road. Evans came into Smyrna and operated a
gasoline powered mill at Hager and Second Street.
Al and Watt Gregory evidently operated the mill at inter-
vals. Dodson and Overton Gregory used the mill house for a
broom factory. They had raised a large quantity of broom corn
on the bottom land at the east end of what is now Rice Circle
in Smyrna .
-69-
An attempt to salvage the brick in the old mill house
ended in the destruction of it. The bricks after some 100 years
were not good enough to be reused. Eventually the old machinery
was hauled away for scrap iron. The vertical shaft turbine or
water wheel was removed and taken to Wards' nill for use there.
On the 12th day of September, 1919, W. H. Gregory and
wife, Ida, sold about 13 acres for $2,000.00 (reserving the mill
and road leading to it) to James T. Seward. At this time the
old Sam Black house was still standing, and Seward had just
married, evidently planning this for his home. James Seward
was a brother to our Walter Seward. James, however, never
moved there and about a year later sold the tract to B. S.
Flowers for a $500.00 profit on November 17, 1'520. On the same
day that Seward sold to Flowers, B. S. Flowers resold for a
$250.00 profit, the 13 acres, to Lon S. Mayfield. Marginal
notation on this deed to Mayfield shows that Mayfield 's title
was cleared in 1929 by J. R. Miller, who was connected with
the Smyrna Bank and Trust Company at that time.
Mayfield being a carpenter by trade, tore down the old
Sam Black house and built a modern frame house. He lived there
with his family until his death. This house was moved across
Enon Springs Road and is there today. This moving occurred
when Percy Priest bought- the- rioperty for a park in 1967 or 1968
Lon Mayfield having lived here for about twenty years and
his children married and gone, turned the property over to his
son, Bovel Mayfield. The deed stipulated that Bovel would pay
a small loan to a Sam Hall and that Mr. and Mrs. Lon Mayfield,
-70-
now in their retiring years, would retain possession until the
death of survivor.
In 1934, w. H. Gregory died intestate and his widow passed
away in 1951. This left H. W. Gregory and Ida Bell Paxton
their only heirs-at-law. They sold the old mill site contain-
ing about 8 acres on Stuarts Creek in 1951, thus bringing back
together the old mill site of 29 acres, to Bovel Mayfield who
held the surviving land on December 3, 1951. (Price not evi-
denced)
On the 5th day of May, 1967, Bovel Mayfield and wife.
Bertha, along with Mrs. Girtie Mayfield, widow, holding dower,
sold the property to the Government. The improvements
untimately cost the Government $35,000.00.
So the dreams of Constant Hardeman and all his efforts
after about 100 years lay idle and in ruin, washed and eroded
by flood waters and the elements, viewed only by an occasional
fisherman, or local boys, who in the summer, swam and played
in the nude. Cattle and stock grazed here peacefully making
paths through the undergrowth.
So the evolvement of man, and the elements that surround
us, have brought this scene along the Stuarts Creek almost
back to where it was when Mr. Hardeman first viewed it in his
youth.
The rains continue, the soft winds still blow, the forest
and fields still react to the seasons that follow, each in their
appointed order. Man continues to pursue his physical and mone-
tary needs, as society rushes on to the moon and the universe
beyond .
-71-
All these people have added much to our today. It is
my hope that, when we are written about, the efforts and
pursuits of our lives will be listed as charity - not as
sounding brass.
-72-
SOURCES EXAMINED
1. Davidson County Tennessee - indenture Aug. 25, 1800.
2. Walter K. Hoover historical collection.
3. Memories of local citizens.
4. On site observations.
5. Rutherford County Tennessee - Deed Book H, Page 422
6. " " " - Appointed Administrator-
list of sale
7. " " " - Deed Book 5, Page 681
8. " " " - Deed Book 19, Page 121
9. " " " - Deed Book 30, Page 220
10. " " " - Deed Book 33, Page 280
11. " " " - Deed Book 35, Page 225
12. " " " - Deed Book 37, Pages 144
and 584
13. " " " - Deed Book 62, Page 473
14. " " " - Deed Book 64, Page 304
15. " " " - Deed Book 69, Page 21
16. " " " - Deed Book 87, Page 79
17. " " " - Deed Book 109, Page 597
18. " " " - Deed Book 175, Page 142
19. T. G. Sanders, Sarasota, Florida
•73-
MEMORIES OF HARDEMAN'S MILL
Preston Ford
"I have seen rats running running over the
roof of the old mill house, so I am sure that
the roof was not tin."
"There were grain bins under the first floor
for storage."
"The steam engine power belt went into the mill,
to the water wheel shaft, through the archway in
the foundation at the west rear of the mill house
(see photo) . At one time there was a shed that
housed the boiler and steam engine, adjacent to
this archway."
Allen W. Gooch
"As I recall it, on the east side of the dam
there was a concrete pillow, on the top of which was
inscribed, (My Fishing Place - W. H. Gregory) .
This was evidently finger marks made by Mr. Gregory,
at a time of repair of the dam."
"I recall when I was a boy 11 or 12, of going
to this mill with Mr. John F. Tucker, who took a
turn of corn to exchange for meal."
"I went hunting on the mill property with John B.
Hager, and just west of the mill house we found a
covey of quail in a canebreak. This was the first
time I ever saw cane growing wild."
Walter King Hoover
"There are two other graves in the Hardeman
cemetery that have not been mentioned. (1) Peterfield J,
January, Oct. 16, 1836; May 5, 1846. (2) Constant P.
son of M. H. and M. J. January; Feb. 15, 1848, Age
11 mo. , 25 days. "
"There are two mill stones in the front walk
at the Henry Davis home at Stuarts Creek, and old
Nashville-Murfreesboro Turnpike, the Davis and Gregory
families were related, which leads me to believe that
these came from this old mill."
-74-
S. Richmond Sanders
"About 1919-20 local boys having a zesty
interest in the old swimming hole, wore permitted
by Dodson Gregory, to move a large round millstone
(a topstone) from the Gregory Mill site to "Calls"
or Kale's Hole. This favorite swimming place is some
100 yards below the Sam Davis Home on the Stewart's
Creek. The seclusion, smooth rock bottom, and about
four feet of water provided a delightful place for
naked boys."
"Jimmie Moore, Leslie and Clarence Wright,
Robert Dayton, John Richmond Jones, and I loaded
the stone on an old four cylinder Chevrolet skeeter
which brought it into Smyrna, where the old skeeter
quit running. Not to be outdone, they hitched
up a buggie, transferred the stone and by going
through the fields, got it to Kale's Hole. They
placed it on a wooden platform just above the water
level, where it remained for thirty or forty years."
"Hundreds of local boys, over several generations,
will recall the joy of their youth, when they recall
Kale's Hole and jumping off this stone."
"The stone was moved by Mrs. Media Sinnott to
102 Crescent Ave. in Smyrna, and is there in the
back door terrace today."
"Leroy McKennon was the miller at Jones Mill,
before going to Sanders Mill or McKennons Mill on
Spring Creek. He also was the McKennon who bought
the Gregory's Mill."
The mill dam - It has changed little since its
construction by Hardeman. The top of the dam
once was topped by a log to prevent debris from
chipping away the top layer of stone. The canal
angled away to the right.
Water flowing through a central gate to the right
was channeled into the canal to the mill house.
In the foreground was once the dirt creek bank.
This canal connected the mill house with the dam.
Once walled with stone, the man-made channel still
carries water past the mill house site.
Remains of the mill house foundation - The power
shaft from the turbine-type wheel went into the
mill through the stone archway. The wheel was
positioned in the channel at the bottom of the
picture.
IT IS READY!
RUTHERFORD COUNTY CEMETERIES
Vol . I , N.W. 3rd of County
(The first of 3 volumes)
A joint publication by the Sons of the American Revolution
and the Rutherford County Historical Society
Complete listing of 256 cemeteries and private graveyards
with maps and index.
A magnificent assist to geneologists and others interested
in the people who played a role in the development of
historic Rutherford County.
Order from: William Walkup
202 Ridley Street
Smyrna, TN 3716?
Ten dollars per copy-add 50^ for postage.
75
THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
as of May 31, 1975
1. Mr. John P. Adams
Route 4
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
2. Mrs. John P. Adams
Route 4
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*3. Mrs. W. D. Adkerson
Route 8, Compton Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
4. Mrs. M. E. Arnold
Route 2, Box 62-S
Richmond, Texas 77469
5. Mr. Haynes Baltimore
302 Haynes Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
6. Mr. Robert T. Batey
Route 1, Box 44
Nolensville, TN 37135
7. Miss Margaret Brevard
903 E. Lytle Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*8. Dr. Fred W. Brigance
1202 Scottland
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*9. Mrs. Fred W. Brigance
1202 Scottland
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
10. Mr. Jerry Brookshire
1815 Hamilton Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37120
11. Mrs, Jerry Brookshire
1815 Hamilton Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
12. Mrs. Lida N. Brugge
714 Chickasaw Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
13. Mrs. C. Alan Carl
120 Ensworth
Nashville, TN 37205
14. Mr. J. D. Carmack
1707 Herald Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
15. Mrs. J. D. Carmack
1707 Herald Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
16. Mr. Cecil J. Gates
1103 Rutherford Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
17. Mr. Steve Cates
1417 Poplar Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
18. Colonel Charles R. Cawthon
1311 Delaware Avenue, SW
Apartment S-245
Washington, DC 20024
19. Miss Louise Cawthon
534 E. College
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
20. Mr. Almond Chaney
Sanford Road
LaVergne, TN 37086
*21. Mrs. George Chaney
P.O. Box 114
LaVergne, TN 37086
22. Mr. James L. Chrisman
2728 Sharondale Court
Nashville, TN 37215
23. Mrs. James K. Clayton
525 E. College
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
24. Mrs. Ellen Snell Coleman
1206 Belle Meade Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37205
25. Dr. Robert Cor lew
Manson Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
26. Mrs. A. W. Cr anker
305 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
-76-
27. Dallas Public Library
1954 Coinmerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
28. Mrs. Florence Davis
Old Nashville Hwy, Rt . 2
Smyrna, TN 37167
29. Dr. Parker D. Elrod
110 Swan Street
Centerville, TN 37033
30. Mrs. Moulton Farrar, Jr.
502 Park Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37205
31. Mrs. Robert Fletcher
14 President Way
Belleville, Illinois 62223
32. Miss Myrtle Ruth Foutch
103 G Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
33. Mr. John H. Fox
1018 Northfield Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
34. Mr. Charles E. Freeman
Pearl
Texas 76563
35. Mr. Robert T. Goodwin
202 N. Academy Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
36. Mrs. Robin Gould
2900 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC 20008
37. Mrs. Robert Gwynne
Brittain Hills Farm
Rock Springs Road
Smyrna, TN 37167
38. Mr. Donald L. Hagerman
807 Sunset Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*39. Miss Mary Hall
821 E. Burton
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
40. Miss Adelaide Hewgley
Route 3
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
41. Mrs. Eulalia J. Hewgley
Route 3
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
42. Mrs. B. K. Hibbett, Jr.
2160 Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37215
43. Mrs. Carolyn Holmes
119 McFarlin Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
44. Mr. Ernest Hooper
202 2nd Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
45. Miss Elizabeth Hoover
400 E. College Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*46. Mr. Walter King Hoover
101 Division
Smyrna, TN 37167
*47. Mr. Robert S. Hoskins
310 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*48. Mrs. Robert S. Hoskins
310 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*49. Mr. C. B. Huggins, Jr.
915 E, Main
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
50. Dr. James K. Huhta
507 E. Northfield Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
51. Mr. Jimmy A. Hut son
P.O. Box 1497
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
52. Mr. Jack I. Inman
5712 Vine Ridge Drive
Nashville, TN 37 205
53. Mrs. Jack I. Inman
5712 Vine Ridge Drive
Nashville, TN 37205
*54. Mr. Ernest King Johns
Box 85, Route 1
Smyrna, TN 37167
-11-
55.
*56.
57.
58.
*59.
*60.
*61,
62.
*63.
*64.
*65,
*66.
67,
68.
Mr. Thomas N. Johns
501 Mary Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
Mrs. Buford Johnson
109 Chestnut Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
Mrs. R. H. Johnson
615 Webb Street
Lafayette, Louisiana
70501
Mr. Homer Jones
1825 Rag land Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Dr. Robert B. Jones, III
819 W. Northfield Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Dr. Belt Keathley
1207 Whitehall Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Mrs. Belt Keathley
1207 Whitehall Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Miss Adeline King
Cambridge Apartments
1506 18th Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37212
Mr. W. H, King
2107 Greenland Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Mrs. W. H. King
2107 Greenland Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Mr. George Kinnard
Route 1
LaVergne, TN 37086
Mrs. George Kinnard
Route 1
LaVergne, TN 37086
Mrs. Edna T. Lackie
141 McCorry
Jackson, TN 38301
Mrs. Louise G. Landy
1427 South Madison
San Angelo, Texas 76901
69. Mr. John B. Lane
P.O. Box 31
Smyrna, TN 37167
70. Dr. Samuel D. Lane
226 Robin Hill Road
Nashville, TN 37205
71. Mr. Albert D. Lawrence
225 McNickle Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167
*72. Mr. Wm. C. Ledbetter, Jr.
115 N. University
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
73. Mrs. Lalia Lester
1307 Northfield Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
74. Mr. T. Vance Little
Beech Grove Farm
Brentwood, TN 37027
75. Mrs. Louise G. Lynch
Route 5
Franklin, TN 37064
*7 6. Mrs. Dorothy Matheny
1434 Diana Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
77. Mr. T. Edward Matheny
102 Park Circle
Columbia, TN 38401
78. Maury County Public Library
211 West 8th Street
Columbia, TN 38401
79. Mrs. James McBroom, Jr.
Route 2, Box 131
Christiana, TN 37037
80. Mrs. Mason McCrary
209 Kingwood Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*81. Mr. Ben Hall McFarlin
Route 2, Manson Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*82. Mrs. Ben Hall McFarlin
Route 2, Manson Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
-78-
83. Mrs. Elise McKnight
2602 Loyd Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
84. Mrs. Evelyn Merritt
R.R. #1
Newman, Illinois 61942
85. Miss Luby H. Miles
Monroe House, Apt. 601
522 - 21st St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
86. Mr. Donald E. Moser
1618 Riverview Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
87. Mr. Eugene R. Mullins
2400 Sterling Road
Nashville, TN 37215
88. Mrs. David Naron
Rock Springs Rd., Rt . 1
LaVergne, TN 37086
89. Mr. James B. Nelson
206 E. Clark Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
90. Mrs. James B. Nelson
206 E. Clark Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
91. Mr. John Nelson
Nelson Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*92. Mr. Lawson B. Nelson
13812 Whispering Lake Drive
Sun City, Arizona 85351
93. Dr. Joe Edwin Nunley
305 2nd Avenue
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
94. Mrs. J. H. Oliver
The Corners
Readyville, TN 37149
95. Mr. Harry M. Patillo
Box 1
Eagleville, TN 37060
96. Mr. Charles C. Pearcy
LaVergne
TN 37086
97. Mr. Dean Pearson
414 Ross Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167
98. Mrs. Janice P. Pettross
120 Hutchinson Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167
99. Mr. Walt Pfeifer
Box 1936
Abilene, Texas 79604
*100. Dr. Homer Pittard
309 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
101. Mr. Bobby Pope
Old U.S. 41
LaVergne, TN 37086
102. Mr. A. C. Puckett
Mason Circle
LaVergne, TN 37086
*103. Mr. Robert Ragland
Box 544
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
104. Mrs. Robert Ragland
Box 544
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
105. Mrs. Frances R. Richards
Apt. 33, Executive House
Smyrna, TN 37167
106. Mr. Granville S. Ridley
730 E. Main
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
107. Mrs. James A. Ridley, Jr.
Route 3, Lebanon Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
108. Mayor Sam Ridley
Box 128
Smyrna, TN 37167
109. Mr. Billy E. Rogers
506 Jean Drive, Route 2
LaVergne, TN 37086
*110. Mrs. Elvis Rushing
604 N. Spring
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
-79-
111. Mrs. Marie Russell
Box 34057
Houston, Texas 77034
*112. Miss Racheal Sanders
1311 Greenland Drive
Apartment D-1
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*113. Miss Sara Lou Sanders
1311 Greenland Drive
Apartment D-1
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
114. Mrs. Janet Saviello
4 Ledgetree Road
Medfield, Mass 02052
115. Mr. John F. Scarbrough, Jr.
701 Fairview
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
116. Dr. R. Neil Schultz
220 E. College
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
117. Mr. John Shacklett
307 S. Tennessee Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
118. Mr. William A. Shull, Jr.
4211 Ferrara Drive
Silver Springs, MD 20906
119. Mrs. J. A. Sibley, Sr.
2007 Cloverdale Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
120. Mr. Don Simmons
1397 Johnson Blvd.
Murray, KY 42071
*121. Mr. Gene Sloan
728 Greenland Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
122. Colonel Sam W. Smith
318 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*123. Miss Dorothy Smotherman
1220 N. Spring Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*124. Mr. Travis Smotherman
21 Vaughn's Gap Road
Apartment B-28
Nashville, TN 37205
125. Mrs. E. C. Stewart
127 Inner Circle
Maxwell AFB, ALA 36113
126. Mr. Allen J. Stockard
1330 Franklin Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
127. Mrs, Robert Mac Stone
921 Westview Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205
128. Stones River DAR
Smyrna
TN 37167
129. Mrs. Robert Stroop
Hidden Acres, Apt 1
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
130. Mr. Roy Tarwater
815 W. Clark Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
131. Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Jr.
1810 Jones Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
132. Mr. Mason Tucker
Route 6, Elam Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
133. Mr. C. L. VanNatta
P.O. Box 2862
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
134. Mrs. Joe Van Sickle
910 Ewing
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
135. Mrs. Frances H. Vaughn
5155 Abel Lane
Jacksonville, FLA 32205
136. Mrs. Emmett Waldron
Box 4
LaVergne, TN 37086
y;tl37. Mr. Bill Walkup, Jr.
202 Ridley Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
138. Mr. William T. Walkup
202 Ridley Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
-80-
139. Mrs. P. H. Wade
1700 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37217
140. Mrs. George F. Watson
Executive House, B-17
Franklin, TN 37064
141. Mayor W. H. Westbrooks
305 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
*142. Mrs. W. H. Westbrooks
305 Tyne
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
143. Mr. Charles Wharton
917 Crownhill Drive
Nashville, TN 37217
144. Miss Kate Wharton
Box 156, Route 2
Apopka, FLA 32703
145. Mr. Alfred T. Whitehead
303 Maple Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
146. Miss Virginia Wilkinson
1118 E. Clark Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
147. Mrs. Virginia Wilson
507 Winfrey Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
148. Mrs. Edwin D. Witter, Jr.
1864 Doris Drive
Menlo Park, California 94025
149. Mrs. Pauline H. Womack
307 E. Monroe
Greenwood, Mississippi 38930
*150. Mr. Henry G. Wray
24367 Fir Avenue
Sunnymead, California 92388
151. Mr. Thomas D. Yates
Rutherford County Health Dept.
303 N. Church
Murfreesboro, TN .37130
* Charter Members
# Junior Member
SOMETHING NEW
QUERIES - Are invited and should be submitted as follows:
Genealogical; List all surnames at top of query,
give enough dates and places to identify the
subject, and type or write clearly.
General Information; These queries are to be
limited to specific items of historical interest.
Queries are free to members and responses will be
carried in the Society publications. To non-
members a $1.00 charge is made. Each query must
contain name and address of person submitting
same. More than one query may be submitted at a
time, but these should be listed in order of
importance as some may be delayed until a later
issue.
Mail queries to Homer Pittard, 309 Tyne Avenue, Murfreesboro ,
Tennessee 37130.
DATE DUE
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Rutherford county historical
society publication no. 5
Spring 1975
LIBRARY
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
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