YALE UNIVEHSIU LIBRARY 3 9002 06447 2724 l^-jjr *¦> i^liv. V*-^K\ ?M» >-r • i-i rfiSV's-. - - llir-'r,.' - t ' YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY W. JEROME D. SPENCE. A HISTORY HICKMAN COUNTY TENNESSEE BY W. JEROME D. SPENCE AND DAVID ll. SPENCE "Some said. Print it; others said. Not so; Some said, It might do good; others said. No. ' ' Nashville, Tenn. GosPBD Advocate Publishing Company 1900 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the Year 190O by W. JEROME D. SPENCE and DAVID L. SPENCE, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, -at Washington TO THE MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS OF HICKMAN COUNTY AND TO OUR FRIENDS WHEREVER FOUND THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHORS PREFACE. In this Preface to that which is perhaps a History, the authors desire to make some explanations, that those who would criticise may, after reading them, be just to themselves by not being unjust to us. In the preparation of this book our source of infor mation has been largely oral tradition, with but little documentary testimony at our disposal as to names and dates. Often statements made to us by different par ties as to the same facts have differed radically. In many cases we have possibly accepted the wrong version. After an investigation of several years we are of opinion, however, that the things herein stated are in the main true. Where misstatements and errors occur we, in advance, express our regrets. To many Hickman County families we have not given the space which we desired to give them, solely on account of our inability to procure from these families the full information which we desired. We have used the most strenuous efforts in an- attempt to secure a per fect list of Hickman County's soldiers, especially a correct list of those who wore the gray. In this we have been partially successful; and if those who read this knew how difficult it is, even after the lapse of a few years, to procure a correct and complete list of (5) 6 Preface. Hickman County's Confederate soldiers, they would realize that in the list which we publish alone they have a full return for the price of this book. We hope those who are about to criticise will hesitate for a moment, and then conclude that, as this is the only History of Hickman County ever published, it is, after all, the best. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Early History of Tennessee 9 CHAPTER II. Some Pioneer History 20 CHAPTER III. Hickman County 43 CHAPTER IV. The First District 46 CHAPTER V. The Second District 82 CHAPTER VI. The Third District 109 CHAPTER VII. The Fourth District 149 CHAPTER VIII. The Fifth District 165 CHAPTER IX. The Sixth District 188 CHAPTER X. The Seventh District 207 CHAPTER XI. The Eighth District 238 (7) 8 Contents. CHAPTER XII. The Ninth District 270 CHAPTER XIII. The Tenth District ¦ 290 CHAPTER XIV. The Eleventh District 302 CHAPTER XV. The Twelfth District 318 CHAPTER XVI. The Thirteenth District 330 CHAPTER XVII. The Fourteenth District 342 CHAPTER XVIII. The Fifteenth District 356 CHAPTER XIX. Our Legislators 373 CHAPTER XX. Hickman C6unty Magistrates 431 CHAPTER XXI. Militia Officers 440 CHAPTER XXII. County and Court Officials 450 CHAPTER XXIII. Hickman County Soldiers 454 CHAPTER XXIV. Hickman County Confederates 4gg A HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. IjS[ 1540, forty-eight years after the discovery of America by Columbus, Ferdinand De Soto, a Span ish explorer, after lighting his way with disastrous loss through successive Indian tribes from the sliores of Florida through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, crossed with his army the Mississippi River at the Indiai! village of Chisca, which stood upon the pres ent site of Memphis. These were the iirst white men who trod upon the soil which is now Tennessee. It has been claimed that De Soto, in his wanderings, traversed a portion of East Tennessee. This conten tion, however, is not supported by authentic proof. De Soto found a burial place in the Father of Waters nearer its mouth, and until 1682, when Eoberf Cavelier Sieur de La Salle built the French fort of Prud'homme, on Chickasaw Bluffs, now Memphis, the savages held undisputed control of what is now Ten nessee. In 1714 M. Charleville, a French trader, came from Crozat's colony, at New Orleans, and built a (9) io History of Hickman County, Tenn. store " on a mound on the west side of the Cumberland River, near French Lick, in the Shawnee country." While the exact location of this store is not known, it was within the present corporate limits of the city of ^Tashville. The presence of Charleville and other French traders gave to the salt lick " on the west side of the Cumberland Eiver " the name of " French Lick." Despite the fact that English possessions in America M'ere not recognized by Spain till 1670, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and others petitioned Queen Elizabeth, in the spring of 1674, " to allow of an enterprise for the dis covery of sundry rich and unknown lands fatally re served for England, and for the honor of your Majes tie." In 1578 Queen Elizabeth complied by granting to Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent " to undertake the discovery of the northern parts of America." Gilbert lost his life in 1583, and during the following year his grant was renewed to his half-brother. Sir Walter Ealeigh. Ealeigh's grant included the present State of Tennessee. The failure of the attempt to plant a colony on Eoanoke Island; the birth of Virginia Dare, the iirst English child born in America; the final fate of the gallant, yet unfortunate, Ealeigh ; and the story of what Spencer called '' the fruitfulest Virginia " are all too well known to be further referred to here. No successful attempts were made by Ealeigh to explore the interior, and his attempts at American colonization were fruitless, nave that it was he who introduced to bacco and the Irish potato into England. Others less Early History of Tennessee. ll worthy than he profited by his mistakes and succeeded where he had failed. In 1665 Charles II., King of England, granted land in America to Edward, Earl of Clarendon; Monk, Lord Craven, Lord Ashley Cooper, Sir John Col leton, Lord John Berkeley, Sir George Carteret, and Sir William Berkeley. Tennessee was included in this grant, it being until 1790 a part of North Carolina. The Lords Proprietors, as Clarendon and his associates were called, employed the celebrated philosopher, John Locke, to prepare a Fundamental Constitution. The " Grand Model " which Locke produced, provid ing for an intricate system of government by land graves, caziques, and barons, was not suited for the swamps and poor and scattered people, and was there fore never more than a theory. A partial attempt to put it into execution completely failed after a trial of twenty-two years. North Carolina became a royal province in 1729, it having been ruled by a governor until that time. In 1748 Dr. Thomas Walker, of Virginia, and a party of explorers penetrated Tennessee and gave the name of Cumberland to the mountains and river of that name, they being named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland. In the granting of lands in America by the sover eigns of England, the claims of the Indians to these lands had been ignored. In 1756 a treaty was made with the Cherokees by Governor Dobbs, of North Carolina, which allowed the establishment of forts on 12 HisTOKY OF Hickman County, Tenn. Indian lands. As a result, Fort Dobbs, in Eowan County, North Carolina, was built this year. In the following year Fort Loudoun (Loudon) was built at the junction of the Tellico and Little Tennessee Elv ers by the English under Gen. Andrew Lewis. " This was the first fort built by the English-speaking people on Tennessee soil," and was named in honor of John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun. This fort remained in the hands of the English until 1760, when the Chero kees, enraged by an unfortunate collision with Vir ginians, attacked it and massacred the entire garrison with the exception of one " messenger of defeat," who escaped. This was avenged by Colonel Grant, who, in the following year, burned the Indian tovra of Etchoe. In this campaign against the Indians Gen. Francis Marion saw his first service. He was a lieutenant in the company commanded by Capt. William Moultrie. The following inscription -may yet be seen on a beech on Boone's Creek, near Jonesboro : " D. Boon cilled A BAE on tree in The year 1760." In this year Timote de Mont Breun (Timothy Demonbreun), a French soldier who had served under Montcalm in Canada, came to the French Lick, on the Cumberland. He was the first white settler of Nashville, and has hundreds of descendants in Tennessee. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave to England the sovereignty of that region of the United States east of the Mississippi, a portion of which, including Ten nessee, having hitherto been claimed by France. In 1768 the treaty of Stanwix with the Six Nations Early'^ Histoky op Tennessee. 13 gave Tennessee to the King of England. This treaty was probably ratified by a few Cherokees who were present, but its conditions were never complied with by them. In 1766 Colonel James, Joshua Horton, Uriah Stone, and William Baker, of Carlisle, Pa., with a negro slave belonging to Horton, explored the coun try around Nashville and named Stone's Eiver after Uriah Stone. Three years later William Bean built a cabin at the junction of Watauga Eiver and Boone's Creek. His son, Eussell Bean, was the first white child born in Tennessee. During the same year (1769) Abraham Bledsoe, Casper Mansker, and others came from Virginia to where Nashville now stands. They found immense herds of buffalo and other game in abundance. In 1770 James Eobertson, " the father of Tennessee," settled on the Watauga Eiver, in East Tennessee. During this year Colonel James Knox and a party of hunters and explorers went as far west as the mouth of the Cumberland Eiver. In the follow ing year Casper Mansker established a station on Sta tion Camp Creek, in what is now Sumner County. In 1772 the settlements in East Tennessee com bined under the name of the Watauga Association. This desire upon the part of the early settlers of what ¦ is now Tennessee for local self-government finally gave rise in 1784 to the establishment of the State of Frank lin. The story of the State of Franklin and of its Governor, John Sevier, the idolized " Nolaohucky Jack " of the mountaineers, is one of the most in- 14 History of Hickman County, Tsnn. teresting to be found in the pages of Tennessee his tory. In 1774 Tennessee made its debut as the " Volun teer State," when Capt. Evan Shelby and his com pany of fifty men participated in the battle of Kana wha, or Point Pleasant. The trouble between England and the colonies was now coming on. The North Carolina " Eegulators " had, several years before this (1771), resisted British tyranny, the battle of Alamance being the result. Numbers of the defeated " Eegulators " sought free dom over the mountains in what is now Tennessee. Now, when they saw that the struggle was surely coming on, they acted with the same promptness that had characterized their actions when they were called upon to resist Governor Tryon's tyranny. On May 20, 1775, the patriots of Mecklenburg County, N. C, met and adopted resolutions which have passed into history under the name of the "Meck lenburg Eesolutions." This was over a year before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and some of the very phrases found in the " Mecklenburg Eesolutions " are embodied in the Declaration of In dependence. Later — April 4, 1776 — ^the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, having among its mem bers men from what is now Tennessee, passed resolu tions favoring the United Colonies declaring inde pendence. Tennessee now had a population of 600. The Whigs had a sufficient majority to enable them to force the Tories of the Nolachucky settlement to Early History of Tennessee. 15 take an oath of allegiance to the Eevolutionary cause. To-day there are many families in Hickman County who can give the names of ancestors who fought for American liberty during the Eevolutionary War. The first white man to raise a crop in Middle Ten nessee was Thomas Sharpe Spencer — erroneously called by Phelan "James Spencer" — ^who came to Bledsoe's Lick, now Castalian Springs, in 1776. He was a very large man, but lived during his stay at the Lick in a hollow sycamore tree. Many are the stories that have been handed down to us regarding the gigantic Spencer. That he was as generous as he was brave is exemplified in the story that when his comrade, HoUiday, became faint-hearted and desired to return, Spencer broke his own knife and gave one of the pieces to HoUiday, who had no knife. It is related that one of Captain Demonbreun's hunters, seeing one of Spencer's large footprints and not know ing that Spencer was in the vicinity, deserted his cabin and fled in terror to the French settlements on the Wabash, thinking that he had wandered into a land of giants. Notwithstanding his great strength, Spencer was for peace. Upon one occasion, in order to pacify a belligerent backwoodsman, he picked him up and tossed him over a ten-rail fence. Spencer was one of the first settlers at Nashville, and there had several bloody encounters with, and hair-breadth escapes from, the Indians. It was from their hands, however, that he finally received his death wound. This occurred in a mountain pass, near the present 16 History of Hickman County, Tenn. site of CrossviUe, in what is now Cumberland County. One of his pecuUarities was that he would always go several yards either behind or in front of his party. This peculiarity, doubtless, cost him his Ufe. Eiding several yards in advance of his party, he was kiUed from ambush by Indians. The place where he fell has since that day been caUed " Spencer's HiU." This occurred in 1794. Spencer, the county site of Van Buren County, is named for this " big-foot hunter." Jonesboro, the first town in the State, was estab lished by an Act of the North Carolina Legisla ture in 1778, being named for WiUie Jones, of that State. In 1779 Tidence Lane organized the first Bap tist Church in the State and commenced to preach regularly to the congregation. This church was on Buffalo Eidge, in what is now East Tennessee. Seven years before this Charles Cummins, a Presbyterian preacher, had established a church at the Watauga settlement, the location of the church being, however, within the present limits of the State . of Virginia. The Baptist Church was therefore the pioneer church of Tennessee. Samuel Doak, the celebrated Presby terian, commenced to preach to the people in Wash ington and Sullivan Counties a short time after Lane made his appearance on Buffalo Eidge. During the winter of 1779-80 James Eobertson, Mark Eobertson, Zachariah White, and others came through Southern Kentucky from East Tennessee to the French Lick, on the Cumberland. New arrivals soon increased the number to about 300. This was Early History of Tennessee. 17 the beginning of the permanent settlement of what afterwards became Nashville. On December 22, 1779, John Donelson started " in the good boat Ad venture from Fort Patrick Henry, on Holston Eiver, to the French Salt Spring, on Cumberland Eiver." Donelson's pa,rty was composed of the families and friends of those who had gone with Robertson's com pany. After going down the Tennessee Eiver to the Ohio Eiver, up the Ohio to the Cumberland, and up the Cumberland to French Lick, the voyage ended on April 24, 1780. Of this expedition, it has been said: " It has no parallel in modem history." The winter of 1779-80 was one of unusual severity. The settle ment at the Bluffs, near French Lick, was called " Nashborough," in honor of Gen. Francis Nash, a North Carolinian who had fallen in the battle of Brandywine. The fort of the settlement was situated on what is now Front street, Nashville, between the southeast comer of the Public Square and Church street (formerly ealled Spring street), near where the Davidson County jail now stands. Here the "battle of the Bluffs " was fought on April 2, 1781. The condition of these pioneers was very precarious until tlie close of the Eevolutionary War, in 1782, and the advent of the commissioners appointed by North Carolina to run the Continental Line, which is re ferred to elsewhere. These commissioners were a(> companied by a strong guard. From that time the permanency of the settlement on the Cumberland was 18 History of Hickman County, Tenn. assured, although the dangers and the hardships were far from being all removed. Before the close of the Eevolutionary War (October 7, 1780), 440 East Tennesseans, under Cols. John Sevier and Isaac Shelby, gave Great Britain a sample of what she afterwards received at New Orleans, by assisting in the defeat of Ferguson at King's Moun tain. King's Mountain has been called "the tuming point of the Eevolution." In this engagement the American loss in killed and wounded was 88 ; the Brit ish lost 505 killed and wounded, and 600 eaptured. James Eobertson (1783) was Davidson County's first representative in the North Carolina Legislature. This year, Eev. Jeremiah Lambert came to the Holston Circuit, he being the first Methodist to preach in Ten nessee. The following year a town was established at the Bluffs on the Cumberland by the North Carolina Legislature, the old name of Nashborough giving way to the present name of Nashville. In 1789 the North Carolina Legislature passed the Act ceding to the United States territory embracing the present State of Tennessee. In the following year a deed was made, and on April 2, 1790, the territory was accepted by Act of Congress. WiUiam Blount was appointed Govemor of this Territory, "the Terri tory South of the Ohio Eiver." The Territory was di vided into two districts — ^Washington and Miro. The latter embraced the counties of Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee; and, therefore, included a large portion of Early History op Tennessee. 19 the present county of Hickman. The name of this district is spelled " M-E-E-0 " in all of the old records, but the name was given in honor of Don Estevan Miro (pronounced " Mero "), the Spanish Governor of New Orleans. This was done upon the suggestion of James Eobertson, who was desirous of keeping on friendly terms with the Spanish, who then had control of the Mississippi Eiver. James Eobertson was appointed brigadier general of this district by President George Washington. In February of the following year (1791) he was made a major general in the United States Army. A few months later he was with Edvsdn Hickman, in what is now Hickman County, being present at the time of the Indians' attack upon the party near the present site of Centerville. The foUowing year (June 26, 1792) Zeigler's Sta tion, in Sumner County, was captured and burned by Creek Indians. September 30 was the date of the attack on Buchanan's Station, four miles south of Nashville. The Indians were 700 strong, but were defeated by the fort's fifteen gallant defenders. On June 1, 1796, Tennessee was admitted into the Union. Previous to this (January 11) a Constitu tional Convention convened at Knoxville, and, upon the suggestion of Andrew Jackson, a delegate from Davidson County, the name " Tennessee " was given to the State. On November 12 he was commissioned as the first Eepresentative in Congress from the new State. The winter of 1796-7 is said to have been the coldest in the history of the State. 20 History op Hiokmajj County, Tenn. CHAPTER II. SOME PIONEER HISTORY. IN the preceding chapter is given an outline of the early history of Tennessee in general and of the Cumberland settlement in particular. All of this is indirectly connected with the history of Hickman County. In this chapter those incidents more directly connected with its history will be referred to. A large number, if not all, of the early explorers of what is 'now Hickman County came from the Cumberland settlements. In May, 1780, a few months after the commence ment of the settlement at the BlujBfs (now Nashville), Indians made a raid around Ereeland's Station and captured a number of horses, loaded with meat, from Thomas Sharpe Spencer, who was returning to the Bluffs from a hunting tour. A pursuing party, headed by James Eobertson, was organized. The party was composed of about twenty men, but the names of only three others are known — Alexander Buchanan, John Brock, and William Mann. Buchanan had come to the Bluffs from South Carolina, together with John Buchanan, Sampson Williams, Thomas Thompson, and others. He was one of the number killed by the Indians during the battle of the BlujBfs on April 2, 1781. This pursuing party followed the Indians to a point near the old Lick, on Lick Creek, in the Fourth Some Pioneer History. 21 District. Here they came within hearing distance of the pursued, who were building their camp fires. The whites dismounted and marched upon the Indians, who deserted their camp and escaped. The stolen property wag recovered and returned to the Bluffs. This expedition was the first that went from Nashville against the Indians. At the close of the Eevolutionary War, North Caro lina had no money with which to pay her disbanded soldiers. It was decided to give them, in payment for their services, land in thd western portion of the State, in what is now Tennessee. By an Act of the North Carolina Legislature, in 1782, Anthony Bledsoe, Absalom Tatum, and Isaac Shelby were appointed commissioners to lay off lands to be allotted to the soldiers of the Continental Line. They were to have guards not exceeding one hundred in number. In February, 1783, the commissioners went from Nashville to Latitude Hill, in Giles County, and, after having located the southern boundary of the State, they went fifty-five miles to the north and ran parallel to this southern boundary a line known as the " Commissioners' Line." This was to mark the boundary of the land to be given to the Continental soldiers. This party at the same time laid off the 25,000 acres of land given by North Carolina to Gen. Nathaniel Greene, they loca.ting it in what is now Maury County. The Commissioners' Line ran through Hickman County, passing near the present site of Vernon, and some of those who went this way 22 History of Hickman County, T^nn. in surveying and marking it Avere : James Eobertson, Anthony Bledsoe, Daniel Smith, Isaac Bledsoe, Cas per Mansker, Philamon Thomas, Elijah Eobertson, Frederick Stump, Thomas Call, Andrew Casselman, WiUiam Davidson, WiUiam Loggins, Andrew Boyd, Patrick McCutchin, Samuel McCutchin, James Mc- Cutchin, James HoUis, Turner WiUiams, Sampson WnUams, James Clendenning, David Frazier, Samuel Barton, Eobert Branks, Ephraim McClain, Jr., Julius Sanders, WiUiam CoUinsworth, David Hay, James Todd, Thomas Spencer, Edward Cox, WUliam Brad- sha.w, Nathaniel McClure, Absalom Tatum, two men named Shelley, and three McMurrays. Many of these are names which often occur in the early an nals of Tennessee. No marks of this line, however, can now be found in Hickman County. It immedi ately ceased to be a line of notoriety and is not men tioned in any of the early grants. The reason is this : The officers and soldiers of North Carolina were not satisfied with the allotment of lands made by the com missioners, and the North Carolina Legislature imme diately passed an Act fixing the boundaries of the Continental Eeservation as foUows : " Beginning on the Virginia [Kentucky] line, where the Cumber land Eiver intersects the same; thence south fifty-five miles; thence west to the Tennessee Eiver; thence down the Tennessee Eiver to the Virginia [Kentucky] line; thence with the said Virginia line to the begin ning." General Eutherford was selected to supervise the running of this line, and, in Febmary, 1784, he Some Pioneer History. 23 and party began on the Virginia (now the Kentucky) line and ran what they supposed to be fifty-five miles to the south to Mount Pisgah. Here the party divided, one portion going east to the Caney Fork River, and the Cither portion going west to the Tennessee River. The party which went east became confused in the snow, found that they were declining too far to the north, changed compasses, but continued confused. The surveyors of the party went as far east as Powell's River. Having failed to commence at the starting point provided for by the Act when they commenced their measurements to the south, the eastern boundary of the reservation was never run by North Carohna. This was done in 1807, by William Christmas, sur veyor of the First District of Tennessee. The south ern boundary, although run several miles too far to the south, was recognized as the true Continental Line, and was so called; the other being known as tha Commissioners' Line. The surveyor, John Davis, who knew the location of the two lines, said that the Con tinental Line (the line of 1784) was seven or eight miles south of the Commissioners' Line (the line of 1783). The close proximity of these two lines — the one, legal; the other, not — caused much confusion, which was often worse confounded by designing land speculators, and the courts were often called upon to settle disputes as to land titles where the Continental Line was called for. Judge Parry' W. LIumphreys, in May, 1808, said: " The line run in February, 1784, is the true Continental Line and no person can be per- 24 History op Hiokman County, Tenn. mitted to dispute it." The party which went west from Mount Pisgah ran the line, which is yet found to be plainly marked, through Hickman County. There were about sixty in this party, but the names of only the following have been preserved: Thomas Wright, John Hardin, Frazier, Henry Eutherford, John I'ate (chain carrier), William Polk, Ezekiel Polk, Ephraim McClain, Sr., Bradley, and John Hib- bets. Ezekiel Polk was the grandfather of President James K. Polk. Mount Pisgah, where the party di vided, was twelve miles east of where the line crossed Carter's Creek, in Maury County. By some of this party this creek was known as " Hardin's Creek," named for John Hardin, who was one of the old men of the party. The name by which it finally came to be known was in honor of Capt. Benjamin Carter, for whom William Polk made an entry here. This line was marked by mile trees, and its course through Hickman County is as follows: Eunning west from Maury County, the first marked tree in Hickman County is on the ridge south of Leatherwood Creek and near the head of this creek. Another marked tree is on the farm of Dallas Johnson, near Jones' Valley. This tree is a beech. The line crosses Leatherwood Creek between the store at Jones' Valley and the Meadors place, crosses Duck River l>elow the mouth of Leatherwood Creek, and runs intO' Anderson's Bend, where it was marked, by a tree which stood in the yard where the pioneer, Robert Anderson, once lived. It leaves Anderson's Bend at the lower end. Some Pioneer History. 25 Here a marked poplar tree on the Clifford Smith pla,ce, just above the mouth of Robertson's Creek, is still standing. After crossing the river at the lower end of Anderson's Bend it runs through the 0. A. Jones farm and again crosses Duck Eiver, running through the southern portion of Totty's Bend, near the phosphate mines. It crosses Swan Creek, near the river, and runs between Duck Eiver and the Cen terville and Columbia road, until it crosses' this road south of Centerville. Crossing Indian Creek and Duck Eiver, it runs through Shipp's Bend, near the place owned by the late John Thompson, and crosses Duck Eiver above the Huddleston Bridge. Tt crosses Bea.ver Dam at the Jack Malugin place, and Sulphur Fork of Beaver Dam at the Jim Malugin place. Crossing the head of Cow Hollow, it continues, west, crossing Buffalo^ Eiver between Beardstown and Lo- belville. It strikes the Tennessee Eiver near Den- son's Landing, in Perry County, the marked tree at this point being a sycamore. This line is well known from the point where it crosses Duck Eiver, near the mouth of Leatherwood Creek, to its end on the bank of the Tennessee Eiver in Perry County, this portion of tho line being a portion of the Congressional Eeser vation Line of 1806. The purpose of the latter line is explained in following' pages. In addition to the per sons named above. Gen. Griffith Eutherford, Anthony Bledsoe, and Ca.ptain Looney were with the party which ran the line west from Mo'unt Pisgah. Capt. John Eains was probably a member of this p'arty, he 26 History op Hickman County, Tenn. having been a hunter for one of the parties. After reaching the Tennessee Eiver they spent several days in camp, and members of the party made numerous entries along the Tennessee Eiver and Buffalo Eiver. These entries were made for themselves and friends, and a list of those in whose names entries were made in this section would not necessarily be a list of the names of the surveying party. Entries were made on Duck Eiver ; " Swan Eiver, a branch of Duck River ; " and " Cane Creek, a branch of Buffalo River," as the party went on its way to the Tennessee River, and by individual members on their return. The party divided into several small part.ies, who returned by different routes to Nashville. On April 29, 1784, an entry was made in the name of George Wilson between the twentieth and twenty-first mile trees — ^nine miles west of where the line crossed Carter's Creek. This entry was transferred to William Polk. On April 30 an entry in the name of "Thomas Polk, son of Ezekiel Polk," was made on Cane Creek, " beginning at the place where Ezekiel Polk, Captain Looney, and others camped on their return from the Tennessee River in 1784, after having run the west line." Entries near this were made on the same day in the names of Sam uel Polk, William Polk, and John Polk. Samuel Polk was the father of President James K. Polk. On the same day an entry in the name of Thomas Sprot was made "where the line struck Duck Eiver the second time " — that is, in Anderson's Bend. Other entries were: April 30 — Eobert McCree, on east side Some Pioneer History. 2*7 of " Swan Eiver," beginning at the thirty-second mile ti-ee ; George Wilson, at the mouth of Cane Creek ; Adlai Osborn, two and a half miles above the mouth of Cane Creek ; Adlai Osborn, " on Duck Eiver, one- half mile below where the west line of 1784 crossed the third time ; " Adlai Osborn, " on Swan Eiver, a fork of Duck Eiver, four miles above where the west line crosses it ; " David McEee, on " Swan Eiver," two and a half miles above this line ; Samuel McGLea, on " Swan Eiver ; " George Oliver, on " Buck Creek," two miles above this line; and Samuel McLea, on Cane Creek. Several of these entries were trans ferred to members of the Polk family. On May 7 this entry was made in the name of James Lindsey : " In Greene County, on the south side of Duck Eiver, joining the line, run in 1784 and including the place where the commissioners and guards camped on the S(nith side of said river in 1784." On May 10 an entrs' in the name of John McFarland was made as follows : " On the south side of Duck Eiver, above the red bank, including General Rutherford's encamp ment and a large Indian encampment." On May 15 an entry in the name of Nicholas Long was made on both sides of Duck River where the line crosses the first time. On May 22 this entry was made: " Thomas Norris — On the north side of Duck River where the west line crosses the first time, including a small branch and a spring, a tree marked J. R." On the same date is this entry : " Griffith Rutherford, Sr. — ^On the north side of Duck River, opposite a 28 History of Hickman County, Tenn. smaU creek that empties into the river on the south side, joining Rutherford's Ford and the camp where General Rutherford camped in March, 1784." On May 24 the following entries were made : " Abraham McLealen — On the north side of Duck River and south of the line ran by Rutherford and Bledsoe, be ginning at the twenty-first mile tree ; " "Archibald Lytle — On Swan River three or four miles above where west line crosses; " " G. Kerr — On the north side of Duck Eiver opposite the red bank, where line crosses the fifth time." On May 25 an entry in the name of Samuel Clenny was made on Swan Eiver three miles above the line ; and in the name of Thomas E. Sharpe, "' on the south side of Duck Eiver, begin ning at the mouth of the first creek that runs into said river on the south side above the line of 1784." In 1787 the Indians shot down and scalped a son of William Montgomery, on Drake's Creek, and killed a number of others throughout the Cumberland set tlements. The act, however, which caused retribution to quickly follow was the killing of Mark Eobertson. Clayton's "History of Davidson County" says: "In May, Mark Robertson, a brother of the Colonel, had been killed, after a desperate defense, near the lat ter's residence." Ramsey says: " In May the Indians came to Richland Creek, and in daylight killed Mark Robertson near the place where Robertson's mill was sirice erected. He was a brother of Colonel Robert son, and was returning from his house." James Rob ertson, writing to Governor Caswell, of North Caro- Some Pioneer History. 29 lina, a justification of the Coldwater expedition, says, under date of July 2, 1787: " My brother, Mark Rob ertson, being killed near my house, I, by the advice of the officers, civil and military, raised about one hun dred and thirty men, and followed their tracks." As James Robertson then lived near the present site of West Nashville, these accounts would fix the place of Mark Robertson's death within the present liinits of Davidson County. However, local tradition is to the effect that John Gordon, the pioneer scout and Indian fighter, repeatedly stated that Mark Eobertson was killed at a spring on Eobertson's Creek, in the Fif teenth District of Hickman County. The late Boiling Gordon, a man of prominence and veracity, is author ity for the statement that his father, John Gordon, made this statement to him, pointed out the place where Eobertson fell, and said that it was from this that the creek took its name. The historical accounts of the death of Mark Eobertson were doubtless taken from the letter of James Eobertson, and the historians quoted above easily construed the expression, " near my house," as meaning only a short distance away; when, in fact, forty miles,, as compared with the dis tance to the capital of North Carolina, was " near my house." Mark Eobertson was, at the time of his death, in the Indian country, and in justification of the Cold- water expedition James Eobertson suppressed some of the facts and made the vague statement of " near my house." Haywood and Eamsey, after the lapse of 30 History of Hickman Coujtty, Tenn. years, accepted t;his statement as being Uterally true. If the Indians came to NashvUle and killed Mark Eobertson, James Robertson could have more easily defended his action in going on the expedition against them than he could if he admitted that, in fact, Mark Eobertson was, at the time of his death, surveying in the Indian country and a trespasser on their territory. James Robertson, who followed the dictates of a broth er's love, did right in going on this expedition; and when it was all over, he palliated Governor CasweU, wh'! was far away from danger, and, therefore, prone to criticise, by the perhaps misleading statement of " near my house." The duty of making expeditions against the Indians had been assigned to Evans' battalion by an Act of the North Carolina Legislature, but the delay occasioned hy the recruiting and equipping of this battalion was so great that Colonel Robertson determined to organ ize an expedition upon his own responsibility. He ac cordingly called for volunteers from the several settle ments. One hundred and thirty men responded to this call and assembled at his house. Of these he took command. He was assisted by Lieut. Cols. Robert Hays and James Ford. "Among .the number was Capt. John Rains' company of spies or scouts, a body which for efficiency in border warfare was never surpassed." Other members of the party whose names have been preserved were : Joshua Thomas, Edmond Jennings, Benjamin Castleman, William Loggins, Some Pioneer History. 31 WiUiam Steele, Martin (or Morton) Duncan, John Buchanan, Jonathan Denton, Benjamin Drake, John Eskridge, and Moses Eskridge. Lieutenant Colonel Hays was a brother-in-law of Andrew Jackson, he marrying a daughter of John Donelson. In 1792 he was a colonel of cavalry. He, Castleman, Loggins, Duncan, Buchanan, and Drake were in 1787 taxpayers in Davidson County, and were twenty-three years of age or over. Lieut. Col. James Ford "was over six feet high, rather fleshy, and of commanding appearance." He became colonel in the Davidson County militia, and participated in the Nickajack Expedition. From 1793 to 1796 he repre sented Tennessee County, which embraced the larger part of Hickman County, in the Territorial Legisla ture. In 1796 he represented this county in the Con stitutional Convention." He was afterwiards in the State Legislature. A more extended sketch of Cap tain Rains will be found in the following pages. Joshua Thomas and Edmond Jennings were for years almost inseparable companions on the hunt and scout, sharing together the many hardships and few pleas ures of frontier life. Thomas was killed during the Nickajack Expedition in 1794, he failing to heed Jen nings' advice to " take a tree." Benjamin Castleman was one of the fighting Castlemans, one of the most fearless of the pioneer famUies of the Cumberland. In the tax list of 1787 the name " William Loggans " appears. In the list of participators in the Coldwater Expedition the name appears as " William Loggins." 32 History of Hickman County, Tenn. John Buchanan, founder of Buchanan's Station and ancestor of the Governor of that name, was probably with this expedition. That his famous fowling piece was along is a certainty, as Edmond Jennings with it killed three Indians at one fire. Benjamin Drake was one of a family of early explorers. He was one of the signers of the Cumberland Compact; but as the tax list of 1787 shows two persons of this name, it is im possible to say which one participated in this expedi tion. In the early part of June the men left Nashville, v.'tU armed and provided with dried meat and parched com. They were accompanied by the Chief Toka and another Chickasaw, who, aware of the location of the camp of the recent marauders, had come to Nash ville for the purpose of acting as guides. The route they pursued is given by Haywood as follows : " They crossed the mouth of South Harpeth ; thence they went a direct course to the mouth of TurnbuU's Creek; thence up the same to the head, and thence to Lick Creek of Duck River; thence down the creek seven or eight miles, leaving the creek to the right hand; thence to an old lick as large as a cornfield; thence to Duck River where the Old Chickasaw [Trace] crossed it; thence, leaving the trace to the right hand, they went to the head of Swan Creek, on the south side of Duck River; thence to a creek running into the Tennessee River, which the troops called Blue Water, and which ran into the Tennessee about a mile and a half above the lower end of the Muscle Shoals. They Some Pioneer History. 33 left this creek on the left hand." A discussion of the route through Hickman County may be found in the following pages. Reaching the Tennessee, they re mained in hiding, sending Captain Rains and a smaU party out to reconnoiter. When night came on, Thomas and Jennings swam the Tennessee, a mile wide at this place, and brought over a very leaky ca noe. Forty persons attempted to cross by standing in the canoe and swimming by its side. In this they were unsuccessful. The canoe was again brought to the north side and patched up, after which a small party crossed and took position in the woods. It now being daylight, the remainder plunged their horses into the stream and swam over without accident. Ad vancing about eight miles, they came upon the Indian viUage, which they charged. The savages were routed, and fled to their canoes, which were moored upon the banks of Coldwater Creek. Here they were met by a destructive fire from a party under the com- mimd of Captain Rains. Twenty-six warriors, to gether with three Frenchmen and a white woman, were slain. The houses of the village were burned and several French traders captured. Their goods were put into the canoes of the Indians and placed, in charge of a detachment of whites, who proceeded down the river to what has since been known as Colbert's Ferry. Here the prisoners were released, their sugar and coffee was divided among the troops, and their dry goods carried by the boats to Eaton's Station, near Nashville, and sold. From this point the troops -3- 34 History of Hickman County, Tenn. marched north untU they struck the path leading to the Old Chickasaw Crossing, where they had crossed as they went out. From this point they returned as they had come, and reached Nashville after an absence of nineteen days. None of the party had been killed or wounded. An expedition by water, which had started at the same time with the view of cooperating with the land force, was not so fortunate. Going down the Cum berland and up the Tennessee to the mouth of Duck EiA^er, they had met with no resistance. At this place a canoe was noticed tied a short distance up Duck River. Capt. Moses Shelby's boat went up to investi gate, when it was fired upon by Indians concealed in the cane. Josiah Renfroe, one of the ill-fated family of Renfroes, a number of whom were killed by In dians, was shot through the head, and died almost in stantly. Hugh Rogan and John Topp were shot through the body; Edward Hogan, through the arm; and five others were slightly wounded. This brought to a close this expedition, which was commanded by David Hay. The wounded were conveyed overland to j^ashville, about seventy-five miles away. Rogan, who was an Irishman, carried his gun the entire dis tance, although he was shot through one lung. Cap tain Shelby, referred to above, had settled in what is now Montgomery County in 1783, and afterwards be came a colonel of militia. The troops under the immediate command of Cap tain Rains had several engagements with the Indians Some Pioneer History. 35 in 1787 before they vrent out with the Coldwater Ex pedition. In AprU, Curtis WUUams and Thomas Fletcher had been killed by the Indians near the mouth of Harpeth. Colonel Robertson ordered Cap tain Rains to raise sixty men and pursue. Referring to Colonel Robertson's selecting Captain Rains for the performance of this duty, Haywood says : " He was led to this choice by the entire confidence he had learned by experience to place in his diUgence and prowess. He very often selected Captain Rains and gave him his orders, which were uniformly, punctually, and promptly executed, and ^vith a degree of bravery which could not be exceeded." They failed to over take the Indians, and were on their return to Nash ville, when, near Latitude HiU, in what is now Giles County, they came upon the deserted camp of Indians on their way to attack the settlers on the Cumberland. They foUowed the savages, and came up with them and defeated them on Rutherford Creek, on the north side of Duck River, six miles from the mouth of Globe and Fountain Creeks, in what is now Maury County. About a month later Captain Rains' troops went out the Chickasaw path, crossed Duck River and Swan Creek, and came upon a party of Indians composed of five men and a boy. Four of the men were killed and the boy captured. He was carried to Nashville by Captain Rains and named John Rains. He was soon afterwards exchanged and sent back to his tribe dressed in the garb of the whites. When he came to visit Cap- 36 History of Hickman County, Tenn. tain Eains the following year, he bore no marks of the attempt to civUize him, but was a typical savage — dirty and scantily clad. Immediately after the Coldwater Expedition the In dians commenced to come across the Tennessee Eiver in small parties for the purpose of striking the outly ing settlements. One of these parties, led by Big Foot, was f oUowed to the Tennessee by Captain Shan non's company. The whites reached them as they were preparing to cross. Abraham Castleman, called by the Indians, on account of his reckless bravery," " The Fool Warrior," killed one. Big Foot, being the stronger, had almost succeeded in taking Luke An derson's gun from him, when William Pillow sprang to the rescue and tomahawked the burly chief. Pil- kuv was the uncle of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, of the Mexican and Civil ^^'^ars. Tn September, 1787, Captain Eains' company, rein forced by Captain Shannon's company, again went against the Indians. They crossed Duck Eiver near Greene's Lick. On Elk Eiver, Captain Shannon, leading the advance, passed over an Indian trail, which was detected by the veteran Eains. They came upon the Indians, and, during the fight which foUowed, John Eains, Jr., captured an Indian boy. He was carried to Nashville, and later to Washington City, where a white girl fell desperately in love with him. He was finally released, and this attempt at the civili zation of an Indian was no more successful than the one mentioned above. He joined the Creeks, and was Some Pioneer History. 37 Abounded in the battle of Talladega in 1S13 while fight ing against the whites. In the foUowing year — ITS-S — the Indians in the daytime went to the house of WiUiam Montgomery, on Drake's Creek, and kUled the boy whom they had scalped and left for dead the pre"^ious year. They also kUled two of his brothers, this occurring at the spring, one hundred yards from the house. Qn De cember 23, 1793, Montgomery himself was badly wounded by the Indians, he receiving a buUet in the thigh. Another broke his arm. On the night of July 20, 17SS, Col. Anthony Bled soe, one of the commissioners who ran the Une of 1 783, was shot by the Indians at Bledsoe's Lick, now Cas talian Springs, Sumner County. It was seen that he could not Uve till morning. He had eight daughters; and, according to the laws of North Carolina, if he died without a will, they would receive no part of his property. There was no light in the house ; but Hugh Rogan, who was wounded at the mouth of Duck Eiver a year before this, went to the house of Katie Shavers, several hundred yards away, and returned with a torch. The Indians did not offer to molest him, they probably being dumfounded at such an exhibition of bravery. The wiU was completed before Colonel Bledsoe died. Phelan was referring to just such deeds as this when he said: " The marvelous tales of Cooper sink into commonplace when compared with the won derful feats and adventures of Spencer and Jennings aud Castleman and Eains and Mansker." 38 History of Hickman County, Tenn. In 1789 the Indians made a raid upon Eobertson's Slation and shot Colonel Eobertson in the foot. Capt. , Sampson WiUiams, who was with the commissioners A'/ho ran the line of 1783, went in pursuit, and de feated the Indians on the south side of Duck Eiver. Andrew Jackson accompanied this expedition as a piivate. In April, 1791, occurred that event which gave to Hickman County its name. James Eobertson, Edwin Hickman, Eobert Weakley, John Garner, J. Smith, and Eichard Shaffer left the Cumberland settlements for the purpose of surveying some lands on Piney Eiver. The party, which had been out about two weeks, had commenced at the head of Piney, and had surveyed to its mouth and up Duck Eiver to near the present site of Centerville, where they encamped for thi" night. Eobertson and Hickman were up before daylight, and had made a large fire, when just at dawn they heard a cracking noise in the cane. An investi gation developing nothing, they concluded that the noise was made by their horses, which had been hob bled and turned loose to graze. Eobertson was sit ting by the fire mending his moccasins, when Hick man, repriming his gun, remarked to the others, who were still lying down: " Com'e, boys; let's be going. 1 think the yellow militia are about, for I had a very bad dream last night." He had not completed the narration of his dream, when the Indians fired upon them. Hickman fell dead, and Robertson was wounded in the hand. The others, seeing Hickman Some Pioneer History. 39 fall and finding that they were outnumbered, ran in different directions. Weakley took the direct course for home, and, by traveling all of that day and the en suing night, reached Jocelyn's Fort early on Saturday morning. The fort of Jocelyn was several miles out from Nashville, on the Charlotte Pike. When he reached the fort, he found the women milking, guarded by the men. He had considerable difficulty in reaching them without being shot, they mistaking him for an Indian spy. That night Robertson, Gar ner, and Shaffer reached Robertson's Fort, near the present site of West Nashville. Smith, being a poor woodsman, did not arrive till several days afterwards. I'he death of Hickman cast a gloom over the entire settlement, where he had been universally popular. A party composed of about twenty persons, led by Cap tain Gillespie, left Nashville on Sunday morning for the purpose of burying Hickman's body. They reached the place where Hickman fell on Monday at sunset. His body was nude, with the exception of his belt, which had not been removed, and it was so near the fire that the lower extremities were completely baked. The proximity of the fire had, however, kept the Avolves at a distance, and the body had not been molested by them. The party hastily did that which they had come to do by laying the body beside a large log and placing small logs, chunks, and brush upon it. This was the usual mode of disposing of the bodies of those who fell far from home. While carrying the body to the log, William Pillow, who supported the 40 History of Hickman County, Tenn. head, observed that the Indians, contrary to their usual custom, had not scalped Hickman. The party did not tarry long in this dangerous locality, and im mediately started on their return to Nashville, which place they reached on Wednesday. Their attempt to jirotect the body of Hickman from the wolves was fu tile, as they reached the body and left the bones to bleach in the forest wilds for years. They were after- ¦wards buried, as stated in the sketch of the First Dis trict. It is said that during the return trip to Nash ville a singular incident occurred. Upon leaving their camp on Tuesday morning, John Davis and WiUiam I! wing found that they had more bread than they would need. They half-jokingly proposed that they leave two pones in the fork of a low dogwood for Smith, who was supposed to be still lost in the woods. This they did, and the half-famished Smith, wander ing aimlessly through the woods, came upon their trail a short distance from the camp, followed it, and found the bread. This gave him additional strength; and, following their trail, he finally reached NashviUe. This party surveyed lands lying on " Pine Eiver of Duck River " near the mouth of Spring Creek. These lands had been entered in the name of EUza beth Eobertson, a daughter of Elijah Eobertson. They probably surveyed the lands granted to John Dickens. These lands lie in the Seventh District and are known as the Jessee James lands, now ovraed by F. P. Tidwell. Smith and Gamer were chain carriers for the party. Some Pioneer History. 41 Edwin Hickman was born in North Carolina in 1760. He served in the Eevolutionary War as a sol dier in a North Carolina regiment. After the close of hostilities, he married Miss Elizabeth Pryor, of Vir ginia, the result of this union being two sons — Edwin Hickman, who died a bachelor, and John Pryor Hick man. In 1788 he was commissioned as a surveyor by the State of North Carolina and sent west to survey the Miro District. John Pryor Hickman married Narcissa, a daughter of Col. Eobert Weakley, they having only one child, Edwin Weakley Hickman, who was the father of John P. Hickman, of Nashville, from whom these facts were obtained. The particu lars of Hickman's death and of the expedition which went out to bury him are taken from a copy of the old Nashville OrthopoUtan. This version of the affair is regarded by Capt. John P. Hickman as being authen tic. Both Haywood and Eamsay state that Hickman Avas killed in 1785, they confusing his death with the attack made by Indians in 1785 on Peyton and others on Defeated Creek, in Smith County. The account as published here is the version which the pioneer sur veyor, John Davis, who was with the party that buried Itickman, claimed to be true. In June, 1791, three travelers were found dead on tlie Chickasaw Trace, near Duck Eiver. There were eight in the party, and only two arrived at Nashville, leaving the fate of the other three unknown. On April 20, 1793, Eichard Shaffer, who was with Hiclanan at the time of the latter's death, was kUled 42 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. by Indians. On July 19 of this year Smith was also killed by the Indians. On May 12, 1793, Captains Eains and Gordon, with a cavalry detachment of one hundred men, were or dered out on a scouting tour to Duck Eiver and south of it, with instructions to guard the several paths and crossing places at rivers and creeks. They succeeded in giving the Indians much trouble,' as it was difficult to pass Eains' vigilant scouts and reach the Cumber land settlements. The immediate cause of this expedition was the kill ing of Nathaniel Teal, mail carrier between Natchez and Nashville. He was killed by Indians who had been hunting on Cathey's Creek. They were over taken on the Tennessee Eiver below the mouth of the Elk, they having stopped for dinner. Eains' men ad vanced on the right of the Indians, Gordon's on the l(-ft, Gordon's men came to a high bluff, down which they could not ride; but their gallant captain leaped from his horse, pursued the Indians, and killed one of them. Eains' men killed five and captured a boy. As to Avhether Captain Eains made any further exper iments in the direction of civilizing Indians, using this boy as a subject, we are not informed. About August 5, 1793, the Indians made a raid around Jocelyn's Station, and killed Samuel Miller. Captains Eains and Gordon headed a pursuing party, which came upon them after they had passed Duck Iiiver seven miles, and killed several of them. Hiokman County. 43 CHAPTER in. HICKMAN COUNTY. V^^ASHINGTON COUNTY, North Carolina, V V embraced all the territory contained in the present State of Tennessee; Greene County, North Carolina, established later, embraced the ter ritory within the present limits of Hickman County; Davidson County, established in 1783, was bounded on the north by the Virginia (Kentucky) line and on the east by the Cumberland Mountains. On the south it was bounded by the Continental Line, run in the following year, to the point where it crossed Duck River, near the mouth of Leatherwood Creek, in the present county of Hickman; then Duck Eiver to its mouth was the southern boundary. It was bounded on the west by the Tennessee Eiver. In 1788 Tennes see County, embracing within its Umits Hickman (bounty north of Duck Eiver, was formed from the western portion of Davidson County. When Ten nessee became a State in 1796, Tennessee County was divided into ^[ontgomery and Eobertson Counties, Montgomery County including the territory now em braced in Hickman County north of Duck River. In 1799 Williamson County, south of Davidson County, was established, a portion of its western boundary be ing the Une which now marks the eastern boundary of Hickman County. In 1803 Stewart County, 44 History or Hiokman County, Tenn. bounded on the north by the northern boundary of the State and on the south by the southern boundary, was established. It was bounded on the west by the Tennessee River, while its eastem boundary was a north and south Une running thirteen miles west of Clarksville. Stewart County, .as then estabhshed, in cluded all of the present counties of Houston, Hum phreys, Perry, and Wayne west of this line and all of Hardin County east of the Tennessee River. During this year the Legislature established Dickson County, bounded on the north by Montgomery and Robertson, on the east by Davidson and WilUamson, on the south by Alabama, and on the west by Stewart County. llierefore, Dickson County, as established, included a portion of Cheatham County, all of Hickman, a por tion of Humphreys and Perry, all of Lewis, a portion of Maury, the larger portion of Lawrence, and a large portion of Wayne. On December 3, 1807, Hickman (.\>unty was established, being formed from the south ern portion of Dickson. It was bounded on the north by Dickson, on the east by Williamson and Maury (the latter being also established in 1 807), on the south by Alabama, and on the west by Stewart County. T'his placed within the original limits of Hickman County a small portion of Humphreys and Perry and the larger portion of Lewis, Lavsrrence, and Wayne. I'lie erection of Humphreys County in 1809, Law rence and Wayne in 1817, Perry in 1819, and Lewis in 1843, together with minor changes in the county line from time to time, reduced Hickman County to its Hiokman County. 45 present limits. In the establishment of the counties of Williamson, Stewart, and Dickson, Tennessee ig- noied the claims of the Indians, but the early settler could not so easily ignore the savage himself. There fore that portion of Dickson County embraced in Hickman county north of Duck River was not per manently settled until after the treaties made by the L'nited States in 1805 and 1806, and that portion of Hickman County south of Duck River was not per manently settled until after the final treaty of 1818. So, while the territory now embraced in Hickman County was at various times included in Washington, Greene, Tennessee, Montgomery, and Dickson Coun ties, the real settlement of the county commenced but a short time before its establishment; and while the larger portions of Wayne and Lawrence were, prior to the treaty of 1818, included in Hickman, they were oi'ganized as counties as soon as they were settled ; and Avhile they were created in 1817, they were not organ- i;-;ed and settled until after 1818. 46 History op Hiokman County, Tenn. CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST district. THE First District of Hickman County lies on ei ther side of Duck River, near the center of the county, and embraces in its limits that portion of the rivea^'s fertile valley from Rocky Branch, below Cen terville, to the line of the Second District near Totty's Bend, above. It includes Council's Bend, Mayberr/s Bend, Shipp's Bend, Bear Creek, Little Piney, In dian Creek, Mill Hollow, Defeated Creek, Haley's Creek, Gray's Bend, Eason's Bend, and a portion of Swan Creek. The general boundaries are: On the north, by the Seventh District; east, by the Foui^ teenth and Seoond Districts; south, by the Eleventh and Twelfth Districts ; and west, by the Ninth, Elev enth, and Seventh Districts. This district has a greater population than any other district of the county, Centerville, the county seat, being within its limits. Centerville is situated on the south side of Duck River near the center of this district. It is also near tlie center of the county. Shipp's Bend, just below Centerville and on the north side of Duck River, was regarded by many as the most suitable place for the county seat, and a strong influence was brought to bear in favor of lo cating the town there ; but the influence in favor of the south side prevailed, and placed Centerville on First District. 47 the hill instead of in the level country of Shipp's Bend. This bend was first settied by a man of Eng lish parentage, Josiah Shipp, for whom the bend was named. His wife, prior to her marriage, was Esther Joyce. He settled here in 1806 with his family, con sisting of three sons and three daughters. His eldest son, William, was then but ten years old. The other sons were Josiah and " Zid." The three daughters were Polly, Sally, and Esther, two of whom married Gothams. This bend was then a dense wilderness, abounding in game, while the streams contained large numbers of fish. All of this suited the fancy of this hardy pioneer and great lover of sport. Shipp located at the place where John P. Broome now lives. In 1822 he killed an elk near where David Huddleston now lives. This was an animal that was seldom seen here, even then. In addition to his being a lover of hunting and fishing, he was also an industrious farmer and a sportsman of the higher order. He was a breeder of fine horses, and tradition has it that he was not averse to giving all comers a race for their money. That he might engage in this to the full ex tent of his desires, he, with the help of his slaves, of which he had a number, opened and established a straight mile track in the bend, one end of which was near where the railroad trestle now is — near where Robert Griner, Sr., once lived. Griner owned the upper end of the bond in aiter years. After many years of hunting, fishing, working, and horse racing, Shipp divided the larger portion of his property 48 History of HionaiAN County, Tenn. among his children and removed to Mississippi, leav ing behind him evidences that a man of sipirit and energy had once resided here. He died in Missis sippi. The lands of Shipp were divided among his sons, his daughters receiving as their portion his slaves. Thus the lands of Josiah Shipp passed into the hands of William and " Zid " Shipp,. their brother, Josiah, having sold his interest to them. The middle portion of this valuable bend became the property of these two brothers, who were quite dif ferent in disposition. So different were they that there was no point of similarity, save that of " family favor." Yet both were good citizens and prosperous farmers, who were noted for the hospitality of their homes. William Shipp, bom in 1796, married Be- thenia, the daughter of Robert Griner, Sr., and was the father of Josiah Horton Shipp, of the Seventh District, and Dr. John E. Shipp, of Buffalo, Hum phreys County. Other sons were Ira, Albert, Rob ert, and Moore, all of whom are dead. Dr. John E. Shipp, who is a successful physician and farmer, was the eldest son, being bom in 1823. Josiah. H. Shipp was born on April 18, 1827. The daughters of Will iam Shipp were Emeline, Martha, and Tera Ann. The last-named is yet living, near Littie Lot, and is the wife of J. W. Shouse, a farmer of that neighbor hood. Josiah Shipp, brother of William and " Zid," married Eliza Griner, da,ughter of Robert Griner, Sr. He removed with his father to Mississippi, where he died. " Zid " Shipp, unlike his brother Williamj First District. . 49 was of a fun-loving disposition and was much given to jesting. He was never better pleased than when perpetrating some practical joke at the expense of his brother William — a quiet man, who seldom engaged in merriment or jesting. He married Peggy Kim- mins, and was the father of Frank Shipp, who now lives in Obion County, and of Joseph and James Shipp, who gave their lives for the " Lost Cause." Joseph died in a Northern prison ; James, a gallant boy, died at his post of duty on the field of battle. His daughters were Caroline, Ann Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Mary. Ann Jane, who married Jo siah Scott, of Humphreys County, and is now a widow, lives on a jjortion of the old Josiah Shipp lands. William and " Zid " lived each to a good old age within a few hundred yards of each other, and died on the lands settled by their father when this bend was the home of the deer, the wolf, the panther, and the bear, and when he could stand in the door of his lone cabin and see the camp fires of Indians across the river. It was from this cabin that William Shipp, at the age of nineteen, shouldering, his flint lock rifle and carrying the blessings of his pioneer father and mother, went with other Hickman Coun- tians to New Orleans, where he took part in the pre liminary skirmishes as well as in the final fight of January 8, 1815. About 1807 the upper end of the bend was settled by Robert Griner, Sr., near the west end of the rail road trestle. He obtained water from the " blowing -4- 50 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. spring " near the ford of the river. The next year he moved out on the Natchez Trace, and had an inn near where the Lewis monument now stands. This was then in Hickman County, but is now in Lewis County, named for Meriwether Lewis, who com mitted suicide here in 1809. Levris, who was a Vir ginian, was one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clarke e.Kpedition which three years before this had returned from an exploration of the great Northwest, during which the source of the Missouri River was discov ered, the Rocky Mountains crossed, and the Colum bia River explored to its mouth. From 1801 to 1803 Lewis had been the private secretary of President Thomas Jefferson, and after his return from the Northwest he was appointed by President Jefferson Govemor of the Territory of Louisiana. The regu larity of some of Lewis' official transactions was being questioned, and he was hastening along the Natchez Trace en route to Washington City for the purpose of demanding an investigation, when one night in 1809 he came to Griner's Stand, accompa nied by two servants, one white and one black. One of these was named Pemey. When Lewis reached the stand he had been drinking and was in such a highly excited state that his servants feared him and would not sleep in the room with him. During the night three shots were heard, and when Lewis' room was entered he was found lying near tiie door, beg ging for water. He lived until noon of the following day, and was buried near by, where a monument to First District. 51 his memory was erected by the State. This account of Lewis' death is substantiated by a statement made in 1879 by 'Linda, a negro woman, who was bom in 1797. She was a slave of Robert Griner, Sr., and was present on the night of Lewis' death, and saw him before and after his death. A few years later Griner returned to the north side of Duck River and settled where he had first located. While an innkeeper on the Natchez Trace, Griner often sold whisky to the Indians. Their love for ¦" fire water," a? they called it, wa,^ so great that they would aUow them.selves to be bitten by snakes in order to get whisky. This method resulted disastrously to one, who, after sur viving several bites, finally died from the effects of one. The sons of Robert Griner, Sr., were William, John, Albert, Robert, Jr., and the twin brothers, Hulett and Noble. Albert and Noble, in fits of in sanity, committed suicide by hanging — Noble, near the old camp ground at the John Thompson place in 1855 ; and Albei-t, below the mouth of Indian Creek in 1850. About 1830 Rev. Samuel Whitson lived in Shipp's Bend, and was one of the principal property holders of the bend. He was at one time Trustee of the coimty. He was the father of Rev. William E. Whit son, who was murdered by jayhawkers on Indian Creek, in Wayne County, in 1863. This inoffensive man was dragged away from his wife and little chil dren, and shot to death within their hearing and in sight of his home. Jane, a daughter of Samuel Whit- 52 History op Hickman County, Tenn. son, was the mother of Thetis W. Sims, who is at present Representative in Congress from the Eighth District of Tennessee. The Whitsons of Hickman County are related to the celebrated Vance family, of the Carolinas. About the year 1810 Robert Wright located in Shipp's Bend near where Simpson Prince now lives^ and kept a ferry at the place where the metal land ing was afterwards established by operators of ^tna Furnace. Robert Wright was the father of Levin D., John, Robert, and Thomas Wright, the former being th© only one who married. Th© wife of Levin D. Wright was the daughter of Frederick Mayberry. Two sons of Levin D. Wright are now living in this county. Another son is Dr. Levin D. Wright, of Dickson. A daughter of Robert Wright, Sr., mar ried Maj. William P. Whitson. In 1830 John Hulett lived at th© place where Da vid Huddleston now lives. H© was a school-teacher, and was a man of intelligence and well educated for that time. As was the custom then, he kept his gun with him at the schoolhouse, frequently killing game while on his way to and from school. He was prob ably th© first merchant of Vernon.- He at on© time possessed considerable property and was, one of the moneyed men of the county. He was th© owner of several slaves, but became involved in trouble. He was charged with th© killing of John Gainer, which caused the sacrifice of most of his property. He afterwards engaged in school-teaching. Gainer was First District. 53 a fine-looking young man, and was present at the bat tle of New Orleans. He had many friends. His slayer was never known, but suspicion pointed to Hulett, who was justified by many, as the comp'ro- mising conduct and the place where Gainer was when killed caused many to say that Hulett was right, even if he did kill-him. It was never proven that Hulett was guilty. Gainer was killed at night liy a shot fired through a window. Th© house where Gainer was killed was th© most noted in the bend, as it had been the blockhouse, or fort, of the settlement. Its location was well adapted to th© purpose, being near the center of the settlement on a high bluff overhang ing the river. It gave a view of the Indian country south of the river, as well as a view of the neighboring whites on the north. The ground sloped gently to th© west and north into the beind, where lived, the whites, while an almost perpendicular bluff dropped several hundred feet from the fort to the river, this bluff preventing an attack from two sides. Th© Bear Creek country can be seen from this eminence, and a view may be had of Centerville, five miles a,way. From 1810 to 1812 a spirit of anxiety and suspense prevailed among the frontiersmen, as the -Indians were encouraged by foreign emissaries to commit depredations. Bands of huntersi and those not en gaged in agricultural pursuits frequently organized as guards for the frontier. They made their head quarters at this and other blockhouses, where they were alwavs welcome visitors, they bringing venison 54 History of Hickman County, Tenn. and turkeys with them. Llere they deposited their furs before starting with packs to the general mar kets. These pa,rties patrolled Duck River from Shipp's Bend to the blockhouse at the mouth of King's Branch in Bro\^'n's Bend, and from Shipp's Bend up the river to the blockhouse on Leatherwood Creek, near the old Chickasaw crossing. Near the John Thompson farm in 1842 there was a camp meeting held by the iiethodists and Presbyte rians. William Ervin, father of Rev. Wesley Ervin, of Maury County, lived there at this time. The late Abram Burchard was present, and remembered hear ing a preacher named M^oore sing a song in which were these lines : " I think I've heard some children say : ' I never heard my parents pray.' " In 1830 WiUiam Shipp killed two bears and wounded a third near the creek on the south side of the river nearly opposite the old blockhouse. From this incident the creek took its name — Bear Creek. •Ill 1825 John W. Huddleston lived in the lower end of Shipp's Bend. He was the father of Benjamin Huddleston, Howell Huddleston, and Jack Huddle ston (who was sheriff of Hickman County in 1842). He settled on the hill where A. V. (Tine) Burchard now lives. Near this point is the northeast corner of a large survey, or entry, in the name of William J. Council, which contained about 12,000 acres, and was made about 1812. This entry includes the fertile First District. 55 lands near the bridge at present known as the Huddle- :?tc.n Bridge, on the south side of the river. This entry also includes the bend just below, which received its name — Council's Bend — from the man who first obtained a legal claim to it. Council's entry extended doAvn Duck River on both sides, including the AV. P. Whitson land, on the south of the river, and tha I on the north side to the Old Mound Fields, near the mouth of Pine River, in the Seventh District. In the extreme lower portion of the First District, north of the river, are the Young Mayberry lands, which were settled by James McClanahan in 1830. He afterwards removed to Kentucky. These lands lie north of the Council lands. CouncU's Bend con tains about 1,000 acres of good fanning lands, and a portion was once occupied by George Whitfield, a brother of Gen. Jeff. Whitfield, Gen. John W. AVhit- field, and Monroe VtTiitfield. AVhitfield sold to Abra ham Dansbv, he to Maxwell, and he to Samuel Will iams. This portion of the bend was at the time of his death the property of Gabriel Fowlkes. The other, which consists of about 500 acres of farming land, war for many years the iiropertv and home of Capt. Rob- ei-t Whitson. It is now the property of John M. Gra- liaui. G. FoAvlkes, referred to above, overcame many envly disadvantages, and at the time of his death, in 1898, had amassed a fortune of several thousand dol lars. He was constable of the Seventh District at the breaking out of the Civil AVar. He became a soldier in the Confederate -Vrmy, and as such was faithful. 56 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Ife was for several years a justice of the peace of this district, and M-as chairman of the County Court at the time of his death. A history of that portion of the district lying south west of Centerville would be incomplete were the names of the school-teachers omitted. Of these, Hu lett, referred to in the preceding pages, was among the first and best. Others were: Thomas McClanahan, Albert AVilson, John Fowlkes, Dr. John E. Shipp, Dr. Reveaux Raymond ; Mrs. Emily Cash, one of the best teachers who ever taught in the district; and her no less talented daughter, Mrs. Mary Shouse. Mrs. Cash Avas the mother of Dr. T. W. Cash. Her daughter. Mar}', married Howell Shouse, who was an extensive Uve-stock dealer and raiser. He was at one time a. deputy sl.ieriff. Another daughter, Emma, married Frank Hornbeak; and another, Jennie, married Jacob Shouse and then Hon. N. E. Sugg, who at one time represented Dickson County in the Legislature. Mrs. Cii.sh was a descendant of the celebrated Outlaw fam ily, a family which derives its name from the fact that it is descended from Eadgar the Atheling, king of En gland, de|JOsed in- 1071 by his conqueror, William I. One of the bloody tragedies of the Civil AVar was the death of AV^illiani Carlisle, which occurred at a point near the public road between the places where A. V. Burchard and William Moore now live. Car lisle had been arrested hj order of Col. Alonzo Napier at the stillhouse pf Martin Gray, in Perry County, upf^n the charge of taking without orders a pistol and FrBST District. 57 shotgun from Mrs. Susan Lomax, of Lowe's Bend. Carlisle claimed to be a member of Captain Lewis' company, then encamped near Lobelville. Captain Lewis disclaimed him, and started him under guard to (¦eneral Forrest at Columbia. After crossing Duck Ki^'er at Huddleston's Ford, Carlisle and his guards h;id proceeded about one-half mile, when Carlisle was shot and killed by C. B. Dotson, who, with the pris oner, was some distance in advance of the detachment. Dotson said his prisoner attempted to escape. He was buried near by on the place now owned by Burchard. Near what has for many years been known as Hud dleston's Ford there is now a bridge, erected by the county at a cost of about $6,000. There are five other bridges across Duck Eiver in Hickman County. Near this bridge, on the south side of the river, are the lands of Eobert and Newton ilcClanahan, sons of Absalom AfcClanahan, whose father, AA'ilUam AlcClanahan, came from North Carolina to Davidson County and from there to Council's Bend about 1835. Newton AieClanahan was bom in Davidson County on August G, 1833. These facts are given in connection with the fact that the McClanahans have had much to do ¦\\ith the building of several of Hickman County's bridges. The first bridge erected was at Centerville, before the railroad had reached this place. Colum bia, the nearest shipping point, was thirty-one miles SiWRY. The committee, whose duty it was to arrange for the deUverv of the material for the bridge, em ployed Eobert and Newton AlcClanahan and John T. 58 History op Hiokman County, Tenn. I'owlkes, a son-in-law of the latter. They, together with Dr. T. W. Cash, agreed for $300 to deliver the ijia terial at the point selected for the bridge. This they did, bringing it by flatboats down Duck Eiver. TliC material for the Beaverdam Bridge, weighing, ex clusive of the cement, forty tons, was carried by wagons a distance of thirteen miles from Nunnelly Station for $360, Newton McClanahan and John T. Fowlkes being the contractors. The material for the Totty's Bend Bridge, hauled fourteen miles by wagon, was delivered for $330 by the same contractors. NorthAvest from Centerville and across the river is Alill Hollow, once known as Moore's Hollow, as a man of tliat name lived there in 1825. He built a mill and sold it in 1830 to William McCutcheon, who built a carding factory at that place. McCutcheon in 1836 raised troops for the Seminole War. A man once liA'od ill this hollow whose name was AVigman, called " Diggy " AVigman. The road leading up the hollow tc'vvard Vernon was called the " Diggy " Wigman road. A young man, William Poore, came to the laill one Sunday morning for meal. His horse ran away, threw him, and killed him one-fourth of a mile south of the mill on the ridge. James Lawson was miller here in 1840. A'orth of Centerville, on the opposite side of Duck Eiver, is Defeated Creek, Avhich takes its name from the fact that near its mouth Edwin Hickman was slain by Indians, as nan*ated in a previous chapter. It is there told how a party came from NashviUe and First District. 59 baried in an imperfect manner the remains of Hick man. Later a party of explorers found his bones and interred them. AA'hen Allan AValker laid his land warrant here in 1815, he found the grave of Hick man, and marked it by leading a hackbeii^' tree at one end of the grave, and a poplar at the other. So to-day one may visit and look upon the spot where rest the remains of the man w^hose name the comity bears. WiUiam Satterfield lived on Defeated Creek in 1832, and erected a miU near where Eeeves Pace now live.«. He sold to Eobert, Griner, Jr. Satterfield re moved to Missouri Avith his son-in-law, Elisha Dotson, in 1840. Allan Walker, who entered the land east of and ad joining Defeated Creek, added to the original amount of lands until he owned about 000 acres of valuable lands on both sides of the river. He established A\'alker's Ferry, one mile above Centerville. He reared a large family, which became prominent in the development of the county. His sons were: Joel, William, Allan, James, Pleasant, and Elijah. Dr. Joel AValker went to Williamson County, where he became prominent in business and political circles. Pleasant A\'alker represented Hickman County several terms in the Legislature, and was sheriff of the county four years. Eli j all Walker became one of the best judges that ever presided in a Tennessee courthouse. He was a good judge of law — not an eloquent speaker, but a profound thinker. He was honest in his deci- 60 History' of Hiokman County, Tenn. sions, and, as a lawyer, would refuse a fee when his would-be client was in the wrong. WiUiam Arnold, Jesse Eatliff, Timothy Suggs, Sh,adrach Lawson, and A^'anderford were early settlers on Haley's Creek. Lawson was the father of John, Thomas, and S. S. (Dock) Lawson, and was, in the full meaning of the term, an honest man. I'ersimmon Branch comes next above Haley's Creek, and is included in Gray's Bend. The early set tlers of this branch were: John AA'ilson, Aaron Wil son, and Elijah Cantrell, Sr. (the father of Elijah, Jr., Brown, and Pinkney). Pinkney Cantrell emigrated to Texas in 1868. Elijah, Jr., recently died on this branch at the age of seventy-six. Elijah Cantrell, Sr., came here about 1810. Peanut, a little village on this branch, was for years one of the polling places for the First District. It was here that Skelt Eodgers killed Jackson King in a fist fight. He caught King by the hair, jerked him for ward, and dealt him a heavy blow with his fist on the neck, which was broken. King fell dead, and Eodgers escaped. He afterwards wrote back that he was dead, and the people thought he ought to know as to this. Thus the matter ended. Alexander Gray, for whom the bend was named, lived in the bend as early as 1810. Lie was the father of James, John, Sherrod, Alexander, Jr., and G. W. Gray. His neighbors were Thomas Easley and Stu art AA'arren. Thomas Easley was the father of James D., Warham, Thomas, Jr., Eobin, Stephen, Edward, First District. 61 and AVilliam Easley. His daughter was Sally Easley. James D. Easley was County Court Clerk for twenty- four years. Gray came from North Carolina, and Easley from South Carolina. Ned Nunnellee, who came from Virginia about 1806 to the Fifth District, came to Gray's Bend about 1810, and died here. He was the father of Washing ton, Mark, and Timothy Nunnellee. His' daughter, Jane, was the first wife of Jesse E. Eason. Nunnel lee was buried on the John V. Gray place. Anderson Nunnelly lived in Gray's Bend in 1818. These names are the same in pronunciation, but are spelled differently. There was a "big camp meeting" held in this bend by the Methodists in 1831. Eev. James Erwin, a fluent speaker, preached at this meeting. Britton Garner was a Primitive Baptist, who preached in the bend in 1831. In 1830 a cotton gin was operated in the bend by Alexander Gray. Above Gray's Bend is Dry Creek, and higher up is Morgan's Creek, named for Morgan, who located here in 1815. Near the mouth of this Creek Aaron Wilson built an overshot mill in 1825. His wife was a Creole. George .Foster laid his land warrant on Morgan's Creek in 1815. Later he be came owner of the AVilson mill and of a fine body of land between Morgan Creek and Dry Creek, now known as the Foster lands. William Foster, his son, settled upon it, and, with the assistance of his slaves, opened a fine farm. WiUiam Foster married Sally, 62 History of Hickman County, Tenn. the daughter of Anderson Nunnelly. Though a some what eccentric man, '" Billie " Foster, as he was exten sively and favorably known, amassed a fortune of con siderable proportions — this by industry and economy. In 1818 -Jackson StanfiU located on Swan Creek about one mile south of the river. Here he opened a fine farm, and, by farming and stock raising, became a prominent and ivealthy citizen of the county. He married Lamira Canady, of Maury County. His sons were: Irving, Jackson, Jr., (jeorge,* and A"an; his daughters were : Alartha and Betsy. The latter mar ried Sherrod Gray. StanfiU built a mill here about 1845. In 1835 Thompson Fowlkes came to Swan Creek from Bedford County and located near StanfiU. He was the father of Johenry and Wilkins AVhitfield AA^hitman Fowlkes. Above StanfiU on the creek was John McGUl. Ephraim Alexander lived near by in 1830. James Spradling lived half a mile up a hollow on the " trail " to Gordon's Ferry, now the road to Shady Grove. Edmund Jones bought the lands of Spradling, who emigrated to HHnois in 1832. Edmund Jones was the son of Alston Jones, Sr. Edmund Jones married Mary, the daughter of Gabriel Fowlkes. Gabriel Fowlkes was born on April 21, 1777, in Virginia. He married Jincy Hyde, who was born on July 11, 1792, in North Carolina. She was the daughter oi Hart- well Hyde. Thompson Fowlkes, father of Gabriel, was a Eevolutionary soldier. Gabriel Fowlkes came First District. 63 to the Fifth District of Hickman County in 1806 and to the First District in 1,S31. He located below the mouth of Swan Creek near Joseph Jones Eason. He was the father of Henry, Blount, Thompson, Wash ington, John, Eichard, Mark, and James Fowlkes. His daughters were: Mary, Nancy. Elizabeth, Lucy, Sallie, and Martha. He was Hickman County's sec ond sheriff, and served eight years, resigning to accept a seat in the State Legislature. From his fainily sprang some of the county's most successful financiers. AVhUe Fowlkes was sheriff, he publicly whipped two white men upon their bare backs, giving to each thii-ty-nine lashes. This was done in 1830 by order of the court, the men having been convicted — ^the one, on the charge of stealing money; the other, on the charge of forgery. Joseph Jones Eason, who was of English parentage, came from North Carohna to this district in 1819, and settled on lands adjoining Gabriel Fowlkes, where he spent the remainder of his life, and was buried in the front yard of the place where Jesse Eoss Eason now Uves. Joseph Eason believed that the land lying be tween the lands of Fowlkes and Allan Walker was yet vacant. He asked John Davis, the pioneer sur veyor, whose name appears in a previous chapter in connection with the death of Edwin Hickman, as to whether his theory was correct. Davis, although he desired the land himself, was a friend of Eason, and withal an honest man; and he immediately told Eason that the land was vacant, whereupon Eason proceeded 64 History of Hickman County, Tenn. to enter it. It proved to be a good selection, and pro vided a valuable home for himself and chUdren. After the death of Joseph Eason's first vrife, he mar ried the widow of a man named Elliott, her maiden name having been Kinney. She was a native of Geor gia. She was the mother of Mills Eason, Jesse E. Eason, and of a daughter, Mary Jane, who married Hulett Griner. The children of Eason's first mar riage were : James, Joseph, Carter, Calvin, and Mills. The latter died before his father's second marriage. There was also a daughter, Susan. It Avas the second Mills Eason who engaged with William Holt in the most terrible fistic encounter that ever occurred in the county. This took place at Ver non. Eason, it is said, tried to avoid the fight, which ¦was forced upon him by Holt, who was a pugilist of renown in the early days of the county. In the fight Eason pulled the eye of Holt from its socket, yet Holt refused to say, "Enough!" which was the signal for friends to interfere. This fight left Holt with but one eye, and cost Eason what property he had accumu lated, in addition to trouble to himself and friends. Eason would not leave the country, although advised to do so by friends, until legal proceedings were at an end. He then removed to Texas in 1850. He died in Cherokee County, of that State, two years later. Jesse Eoss Eason, the youngest son of Joseph Eason, was bom on February 5, 1822, at the place where he now lives, Avhich is opposite the mouth of Haley's Creek. His first wife was a daughter of Ned Nun- First District. 65 nellee ; his second wife, Elizabeth Ann, whom he mar ried over fifty years ago, is a daughter of Gabriel Fowlkes. She was bom on November 22, 1822. The children of Eason's second mairiage were: John F., Anna, Henry, Martha, Sallie, and Eichard AL Jesse Eason has for years been one of Hickman County's most prominent men. At one time he was State Sen ator, and served his constituents in an acceptable man ner. In 1852 Jesse Eason loaded a flatboat with about four hundred barrels of corn in the ear and started from near the mouth of Swan Creek down Duck Eiver for New Orleans. He went no farther than Mem phis, where he sold his com and boat. He returned to NashviUe by steamboat. AVhile on the boat he met a negro trader, from whom he bought a negro Avonian and child, he paying for them $650. He stayed over night with John Davis, the sur\-eyor, who lived five or six miles from Nashville, between the Charlotte and Hardin turnpikes. Davis, who Avas a genial gen tleman, and AA'ho had partaken of Eason's hospitality, assisted him on his Avay hoineAvard. This incident is here given not on account of its intrinsic historic value, but on account of its showing the lack of travel ing and shipping facilities and the insight it gives into the customs of " the good old days." In 1840 Thomas McClanahan bought the lands of MUls Eason, Avhich Avere adjoining to those of Jesse Eason. McClanahan married a sister of Jack and HoAveU Huddleston. The children of this union -5- 66 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Avere: L. B., Alortimer, Lycurgus, Dee, " Dock," William; Josie, who married Kinzer; Xantippe, who mairied Burton Anderson; and Nellie. The sons of Thomas McClanahan, under the firm name of Mc Clanahan Brothei-s, operated a cotton gin, tanyard, stillhouse, and sawmill south of the Columbia and Centerville road, near the StanfiU old mill, about 1868. Thomas Harbison, who came from North Car olina in 1832, liA'ed near McClanahan. A flatboat loaded with cotton bales struck a snag in Duck Eiver near the mouth of Swan Creek in 1835. The boat sprung a leak, and the cotton, in a damaged condition, was taken to Centerville in wagons. It was there rebaled at the gin of Henry Nixon. Near this part of the river Pemberton, a slave of AVashington Gray, was droAvned by the upsetting of a canoe. A short distance above Centerville is a ford known as the " Negro Ford," from the fact that about 1825 a negro man Avas at this point accidentally knocked from a flatboat and droAvned. Local tradition is to the effect that at an early date Asa Shute, a pioneer land locator, Avas shot from ambush AA'hile crossing at this ford. In 1829, in Gray's Bend, Henry Nunnelly, a ne gro, outraged and murdered a Avhite girl, Tampay Car lisle. He Avent to the home of the girl, Avho was alone, and attempted to force an entrance into the house. I'he girl closed the doors and escaped through a Avin- dow. She Avas pursued in her flight toAvard a neigh bor's house, and Avas overtaken at a fence, dragged to the bushes near by, and murdered. He attempted to First District. 67 conceal her body by covering it Avith a heap of stones ; but the crime Avas discoA^ered, dogs procured, and a pursuit instituted, Avhich resulted in the finding of Henry concealed under a bam. He Avas carried to Centerville, and there tried, convicted, and hanged. The hanging, Avhich Avas public, was the first in the county's history, it taking place in 1830, Avhile Ga briel FoAvlkes was sheriff. The negro was hanged in the level near where A. W. AA^arren now resides and Avithin one hundred yards of Avhere the Christian church noAV stands. The entire countrA^ was aroused, but lynch law was then almost unknown, and the ne gro had the benefit of a trial by juiy. He then paid the penalty Avhicli laAv and public sentiment said he unquestionablj^ OAA'ed. In 1861 Carter Nunnelly, brother to Henry, murdered Jackson B. Nunnelly, a AA'hite man, this crime being also committed in Gray's Bend. The negro went to the house where his victim Avas living, and, with an ax, murdered him in a most brutal manner. I'or this and the murder of a white woman he was arrested, and, after trial and convic tion, was hanged near the jsresent site of the colored church, one mile east of the Public Square of Cen terville. These brothers were the only persons ever legally hanged within the present limits of the county. The first man sent from Hickman County to the peni tentiary Avas Treadway, Avho stole a horse from Will iam Phillips, of Pine Eiver. The first inmates of the county asylum for the poor, then located on Defeated Creek, were Mary and Mittie Williams. 68 History op Hickman County, Tenn. AVe now come to a class upon whose virtues we love to dwell — the teachers of the old-time schools — good men and true, who Avere heroes no less than those that assisted " Old Hickory " in rebuking the haughty Briton at Ncav Orleans. Eobert Cooper taught in Gray's Bend in 1821. The foUoAving year he taught on Indian Creek. Dr. Kinkead taught on Swan Creek in 1835. He was a good teacher, who had been educated for the Presbyterian ministry. An uncon trollable desire for intoxicants had hurled him from his high estate, and he became a country school teacher — the first in the county, however, who com manded a salary of $40 per month. On the same creek Samuel Aydelott and AVilliam TAvilly taught in 1835 and 1836. Hayden Church, who also taught on this creek, was a typical old-time schoolmaster, who spoiled no child by sjDaring the rod. James D. Easley taught in CenterAdlle, on SAvan Creek, in Gray's Bend, and on Indian Creek. Another class of heroes of the early days is that composed of pioneer preachers, AA'ho came into the wil derness bearing aloft the cross, and Avho kept unfurled to the breeze the banner of Israel's King. Through the darkness of the pioneer period shone the light of the gospel, which sei'ved to guide and direct the foot steps of our fathers as they penetrated the Avilderness in search of homes and happiness. Soldiers of the cross, faithful and brave, while your earthly deeds are being recorded, you possess the crowns promised to those who are faithful to the end. The pioneer First District. 69 preachers of the kind here described were not con fined to the First District ; their names appear in the sketches of the scA'^eral districts of the county. But the names of some just as Christlike, just as faithful, are not mentioned here; their names are written in the imperishable records of heaven. The pioneer preacher — "Remote from toAvns, he ran his godly race. Nor e'er had changed, nor wish'd to change, his pace. Unskillful he to faAvn or seek for power By doctrines fashion'd to the varying hour; Far other aims his heart had learned to prize. More bent to raise the wretched than to rise. To relieve the wretched was his pride. And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side; But in his duty, prompt at every call. He Avatch'd and wept, he prayed and felt for all; And, as a bird each fond endearment tries To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies. He tried each art, reproved each dull delay. Allured to brighter Avorlds, and led the way. Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools Avho came to scoff remained to pray. To them his heart, his love, his griefs were giv'n; But all his serious thoughts had rest in heav'n. As some taU cUff that lifts its awful form. Swells from the vale, and midAvay leaves the storm, Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread. Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 70 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Prior to 1830 Benjamin Lancaster, a Primitive Baptist, preached in this district, as did also Samuel Whitson, Avho preached at Centerville. In 1834 Womack and Soiry preached at a camp meeting in Shipp's Bend. One of the songs sung by Sorry, the words of Avhieh are recalled by a hearer over sixty years later, contained these lines: " Come, humble sinner, in AA'^hose breast A thousand thoughts revolve." In 1820 the county seat Avas still Vernon, on Piney River ; Avhile the lands Avhere Centerville noAV stands were the property of McLemore, who liA'ed at Nash viUe and Avas an extensive landoAvner. He donated about twenty acres to the county for a site for the pro posed neAV county seat. This land, after setting apart enough for a public square, was divided into lots and sold in 1821. Then the building of the town was be gun. Eli B. Hornbeak, a citizen of Vernon, erected on the south side of the Public Square a double log house, afterwards occupied by him as dAvelling and storehouse. Peter Morgan's house was the first house completed in Centendlle. It Avas a round log cabin, and with him boarded the men engaged in building the houses of the town. Peter Headstream built the first hotel, Avhich was of hcAvn logs. In 1822 Maj. Eli B. Hornbeak entered into the mercantile business here in copartnership with Robert Sheegog, who also came from A^ernon. Sheegog soon returned to his former home, seUing his interest in the business to First District. 71 James AVeatherspoon. In 1823 the county records were removed from Vernon to CenterAdlle. The courthouse at Vernon, Avhicli was of large hewn poplar logs, was torn doAvn and hauled by Avagons to the new county seat, eight miles aAvay. The jail building was not removed from Vernon, the commissioners, after their experience Avith the moving of the courthouse, deeming it less expensive to build a ncAv one. It, like the old one, was made of logs. Garrett Lane was one of those Avho superintended the removal of the court house. Samuel Bean, a very large man, was the first jailer here. One of the first settlers at Centerville Avas William Bird, mentioned in the sketch of the Seventh District. He came here from Bird's Creek in 1823. He was a typical pioneer. At the time of his marriage he could not read aud write, these arts being taught him by his wife. John G. Easley succeeded Headstream as ho tel keeper, and he was succeeded by Maj. John Bul lock, the father of Lee Bullock. Major Bullock ran a hotel here from 1842 to 1845. He was also at one time a merchant here. John Phillips and E. W. Dale were merchants at Centerville in 1830. Archibald, Samuel, and Joshua Williams were merchants here during the decade from 1850 to 1860. The partnership between AVillJarn George Clagett and Horatio Clagett, merchants, has extended over a pe riod of more than fifty years, harmoniously and profitably. The late William G. Clagett was bom in Maryland on December 7, 1813. Horatio Clagett is 72 History op Hickman County, Tenn. a younger brother. Their father was Horatio Cla gett, Avho came to Hickman Countv and located on Lick Creek, where J. W. Shouse uoav lives, in 1816. W. G. Clagett married Theodocia, the daughter of Wilkiiis Whitfield, a A'irginian, on July 21, 1835. Clagett, after the death of his first wife, married Elizabeth, daughter of Eli B. Llombeak, on Feb ruary 10, 1842. He died in 1898, his wife dying during the same year. She was bom at Vernon on February 18, 1818. William G. Clagett, so long prominent in the business circles of Centerville, Avas a man who never deceiA'ed his fellow-man. His statements were plain and to the point. Eli B. Hornbeak, mentioned above, married Sallie Coanbs, of East Tennessee. His son, Pleasant, was the father of Eli, John, Samuel, Frank, and Pleasant Horn beak. Centerville's first laAvyer Avas Henry Nixon, father of Orville A., .John, Henry, and a daughter, who be came the Avife of Samuel Williams. He was twice married, each time to a sister of Stephen C. Pavatt, of LIumphreys County, Avho Avas several times a mem ber of Congress. Nixon, in addition to his legal busi ness, engaged largely in land speculations, extending into adjoining counties. Tie operated a cotton gin here from 1S30 to 1S33. He did much toward the development of the tOA\Ti from 1821 to Alay, 1833, the date of his death. Elijah Walker, one of the early laAvyers, was prom inent as a laAvyer on account of both his legal learning First District. 73 and extreme candor in expressing himself as to points of law and equity. Among the laAvyers here at a later date Avere: John AV. Hornbeak, James D. Easley, John H. Moore, and AVilliam Moore, natives of Hick man County; and Josiah Hubbard, Thomas P. Bate- man, J. J. Williams, Alexander H. Vaughan, WUl. M. EdAvards, James L. Sloan, Richa.rd Lyle, and Jobson, Avho were natives of other counties. Among the eminent laAvyers from other portions of the State Avho practiced in the courts of Hickman Avere : A. 0. P. Nicholson, L. D. Myers, David Campbell, George Gaunt, James H. Thomas, Jacob Leech, AV. C. Whit- thorne, N. N. Cox, and Jo. C. Guild. The members of the bar at present are: J. Alonzo Bates, John H. Clagett, Beasley, W. L. Rinkerton, W. P. Clark, AV. A'^. FloAvers, AV. A. Knight, John H. Cunningham, and Llenry Nixon, the latter a grandson of Center ville's first laAVA'er. E. W. Easley, of the Seventh District, and R. L. Peery, of the Twelfth District, are also members of the Centerville bar. Among the early judges Avere: Parry AV. Humphreys, West H. Humphreys, Edmund Dillahunty, and Stephen C. Pavattu The first physician to locate at Centerville was Samuel Sebastian, who came here from A^'ernon. Other physicians of the early days of Centerville Avere: Samuel B. Aloore, Bird Moore, Eeveaux Raymond, Rodney Ea,ymond, W. B. Douglass, John Sebastian, and John C. Ward. The last named. Dr. John Cofieald AVard, son of David Cofieald AVard, is yet 74 History op Hickman County, Tbnn. living in Centerville. David Cofieald AA^ard, bom on March 2, 1802, on White's Creek, Davidson County, married Mary Bowen Moore, a near relatiA-e of Goa'. AVilliam BoAven CampbeU. She was born in Smith County on May 2, 1800. Dr. AVard Avas bom in Smith County on February 26, 1828, and came in 1843 to his uncle. Dr. Samuel BoAven Aloore, at Cen terville. In 1846, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted under John AV. Whitfield, captain of Company A, First Tennessee Eegiment. This Avas the famous " Bloody First " of the Mexican War, commanded by Col. WiUiam B. Gam]3bell, who was afterwards Gov ernor. Dr. Ward Avas one of the regiment's surgeons, was present at the capture of Monterey, and, after this, was detailed for duty in the hospitals at Tampico. From Tampico he returned to Centerville, where he has since almost constantly resided, and Avhere he has practiced liis profession for over fifty years. Dr. AVard married Sarah Casandra Charter, daughter of Eobert Charter, one of the pioneer merchants of Cen terville. After the death of his first Avife, he married Kate McMurray, of Humphreys County. Dr. Ward is justly proud of his ancestral line, which goes back to the English house of Cofieald. Dr. Samuel BoAven Moore, Avho came from Smith County to Centerville, Avas for years one of the most prominent physicians in the county. He did a very extensive practice, visiting almost every section of the county even after physicians became more nmnerous than when he commenced to practice here. He was First District. 75 the young practitioner's friend, meeting him often in consultation without any exhibition of a desire to over whelm him with his greatness. He preserved the dignity of the profession Avhich he, as a member, adorned — a man of brains and a man of honor, Avhose hospitality was proverbial. Dr. Moore represented Hickman County scA^eral times in the General Assem bly of the State,- and, as a public servant, sustained the character for honesty and uprightness which he had established as a private citizen. Being popular with his associates in the Legislature, his influence was often sought, but given only to worthy causes. That vacancy made in Hickman County by the death of Dr. Samuel B. Moore, although years liaA^e rolled by and others have come and gone, has never yet been filled. " His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world : ' This was a man. 5 ); Physicians here at a more recent date Avere: John AV. Hornbeak, E. G. Thompson, Eagsdale, James L. Thompson, S. McE. AA'ilson, and J. A. Edwards. Dr. J. E. Sliipp,a prominent physician of Humphreys County, practiced for a short time in Shipp's Bend. The physicians of Centerville at present are: J. C. Ward, J. T. Ward, K. I. Sutton, and J. N. Doyel. Dr. A. H. Grigsby, dentist, is now located at Center ville. Dr. J. H. Plummer, dentist, was for several years located here. The First District has furnished a fair proper- 76 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. tion of the county's representatives in both houses of the State Legislature — viz. : Gabriel FoAvlkes, Jesse Eason, S. B. Moore, Joel AValker, Pleasant Walker, O. A. Nixon, E. G. Thompson, and J. A. Bates. Judges Elijah AValker and T. P. Bateman Avere from this district. T. P. Bateman, Josiah E. Hubbard, J. J. AVilliams, aud Eobert M. AVhitson, captains in the Confederate service, were from this district. Bateman was pro moted to lieutenant colonel; Williams and Hubbard were each promoted to major. Those Avho left this district a.s captains are mentioned not because they were better, truer, or braver men than those they led, for from the ranks of these companies fell On many a sanguine field some of Hickman County's best young manhood during the days between 1861 and 1865. Scarcely a home in the district Avas free from the shadow throAvn across its threshold by the death an gel's wing ; scarcely a home in which were not heard the lamentations of some Southern Eachel, weeping for the one who went aAA^ay wearing the gray, but who came not back again — Aveeping for one who gave his life for Dixie, one who sung as he marched and said while he fought : " The fairest and dearest land upon earth Is Dixie, fair Dixie, the land of my birth." Among the early magistrates of this district Avere AA^'illiam Craig, John McGill, Alexander Gray, John Gray, AA^ashingion Gray, and Troy S. Broome. The First District. 77 latter was bom in North Carolina on February 22, 1806. He Avas a son of Jonathan Broome. In 1835 he married ]\Iary E. Gaunt, and after her death, he, in 1843, married Mary E. Sebastian, daughter of Dr. Samuel Sebastian. He Avas th© father of John P. and Samuel T. Broome, and of a daughter, Sallie. One of the justly celebrated magistrates of this dis trict was William G. Clagett, a man who never al lowed his ideas of justice to be warped by any iron clad rules of law. As a magistrate and as a man, he was stern, but just. James D. Easley, J. A. Bates, Henry Gray, .John B. Gardner, E. A. Dean, G. Fowlkes, flohn P. Broome, and others haA'c been magistrates in this district. James BroAvn, E. C. Murrell, .John F. Lawson, Van Buren Shouse, Howell Shouse, H. H. Walker, and John F. Dean are the names of a fcAv men who have served as constable of this district. The latter, Avhile in the discharge of his duty, shot and killed a negro in 1896. Eeeves Pace was deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Baker (1866-68). During the CivU AVar he Avas a lieutenant of cavalry. A'^an Buren Shouse, HoAvell AValker, and Howell Shouse A\'-ere other doputy sheriffs furnished by this district. Col. .John H. (Jack) Moore, son of Dr. Samuel B. Aloore, was at one time a prominent candidate for Congress, and, had he been opposed by any less popu lar man than W. C. AVhitthome, would have been successful. Colonel ]\Ioore was at West Point ^t the 78 History op Hickman County, Tenn. breaking out of the OiAdl War, but he immedia,tely enlisted in the Seventh Tennessee Eegiment, com manded by the gallant Eobert Hatton, and served with distinction in the A^irginia campaigns^. Lavisa, Colo nel Moore's only sister, married W. M. Johnson, who Avas for many years clerk a,nd master of the Chancery Court at Centerville, Avhere he shot and killed Martin Bentiey, a desperate character of the town. On October 29, 1863, Capt. John Nicks' company of the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, C. S. A., engaged a Federal regiment, commanded by Colonel SciUly, at the ford west of Centerville. The p^remature dis charge of a gun lost to the Confederates, the advantage Avhich would have attended a surprise, and almost the entire company was captured. J. Sharp, of Nicks' company, Avas killed. Centerville Avas the scene of a considerable conflict in 1864 betAveen the Federals, under the command of Colonel Murphy, and the Confederates, under Col. "Jake" Biffle. The Federals had been pursued for nearly two days from Buffalo to Centerville, a dis tance of forty miles. At the latter place they took refuge in the courthouse and other buildings, from Avhich they checked the Confederate advance. Al though the firing was for a time very brisk, the casual ties were few. One Confederate, Jasper Springer, was killed by a shot from the courthouse. He fell on the point where Mrs. S. McE. Wilson now lives. During the running fight four Federals were killed near the Charter pla,ce, on Indian Creek. The Fed- First District. 79 erals, after a short resistance, retreated rapidly in the direction of Nashville. Later the courthouse was burned by order of Capt. Henon Cross to prevent it being further used as a fort by the Federals, who had been operating in Hickman County from Centerville as a base. They had made portholes in the walls and had converted it into a fort, impervious to an at tack from small arms. During the same year the Perry County Jayhawkers, under Capt. John Taylor, burned the business portion of the tOAvn, including a large number of private residences. They left the town in ruins, a smoking mass of coals and ashes over which Desolation reigned supreme. In 1828, Ashley Hickman and his son-in-law, James AVofford, lived at the head spring of Indian Creek, three miles south of Centerville. They came from North Carolina in 1815 with Allan Walker, and preferred the healthy location at the spring to the cane-covered bottoms of Duck Eiver, upon which they could have as easily placed their land warrants. Be low Hickman, on the creek, was George Lovelace, who soon after erected a mill. He was the father of Lee LoA'^elace, who was a gunsmith, this being a very im portant trade in the early days. Peter Lovelace, another son, had but one eye, but was a fine marks man, and could see a bullet hole sixty yards. He often waged his money upon his skill as a marksman. Tradition weaves around the name of Indian Creek a beautiful story of love, romance, and tragedy. It is said that before the beginning- of the present cen- 80 History op Hickman County, Tenn, tury a party of adA'enturous Avhites, after crossing Duck Eiver, came upon a lone wig^vam on Avhat is noAv Indian Creek, and that this lone wigwam had but a single occupant. From the Indian the Avhites learned that he had been ba,nished from Uie village of his tribe, far to the south, on account of his attempt to AA^ed the daughter of his chief. He told them that in a hollow not far aAvay he had built a lodge, and that he Avould some day steal back to the viUage and return Avith the daughter of the chief. The Avhites returned to the settlements, and by them this creek was ealled " Indian Creek." Years after this, one of this party came this Avay again, and found the place Avhere the lone wigAvam had stood deserted. He inArestiga,ted further, and from some Indians learned that the ex iled Indian had carried into execution his designs. AA'^ith the assistance of another brave, he had been able to steal the chief's daughter aAvay from the viUage, and together they had fled toAvard Duck Eiver. They Avere pursued to the riA'er, Avhere the trail Avas lost, the last trace that the pui-stiers found being a dead fish in the edge of the riA^er. In this fish was an arroAvhead of the -kind fashioned by their tribe. They kncAv that the pursued had come this fa,r, and, supposing tiiat they had crossed the river into the country of the Avhites, the pui-suit Avas no longer con tinued. Several years later a part,y of Indians from this tribe gathered at Gordon & Colbert's ferry, and there engaged in a drunken roAv. One of these, sepa rated fi-om the others, Avandered doAvn the river. First District. 81 crossed Indian Creek, and in what is now called the Haunted HoUoav of Little Piney he came by acci dent in sight of a lodge. Watching closely, he soon sa,AV the missing daughter of his chief, her husband, and tAvo little Indian boys. He immediately re turned to his village Avith the news, and a few nights later a band from the village, headed by the chief, cam© here, burned the lodge, and killed the entire family. Here in this hollow yet grow numerous wild flowers, planted here, it is said, by the Indian girl. Here, too, tradition says, tiie pioneer hunters often saAv a milk-white doe attended by tAvo milk-white f avras. The most unerring marksmen failed to bring them doAvn, and soon concluding that these were the spirits of the murdered Indians, they allowed them to roam the hills unmolested. 82 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER V. THE SECOND DISTRICT. THE Second District is bounded on the north by the Fifth District; on the east, by the Fourth and Thirteenth Districts ; on the south, by the Fif teenth District; and on the west, bj' the First Dis trict. It lies on both sides of Duck EiA^er above the First District, to which it is adjoining. Within its limits are the fine lands of Totty's Bend, on the south Slide of Duck Eiver, and the equally fine lands in the bend opposite to and above Totty's Bend on the north side of the river, where the village of Little Lot stands. This village is situated in one of the most beautiful A'alleys of the county. It is a short distance north of the mouth of Lick Creek, and is about one mile from Duck Eiver. From Little Lot there ex tend roads up the river, down the river, up Lick Creek, and to the several valuable farms in the vi cinity. One and a half miles below Little Lot is a bridge, located near the site of Baird's Ferry, AA^hich Avas operated for many years prior to the erection of the bridge. This bridge, which connects Totty's Bend with the little Lot and Lick Creek sections of the Second District, was erected by the county at a cost of about $8,000, and was completed in 1895. In the lower portion of the Second District is On- stof s Branch, now knoAVn as Greeria Branch, which Second District. 8 3 received its name from a Dutch family, who came here in 1810, they being the first settlers. They came here about the time that Eobert Totty, for whom the bend Avas named, settled on the opposite side. Eobert^ Totty was a son of Francis Totty, who lived and died in Virginia. He came to Nashville in 1809, and lived one year on land belonging to James Eobertson. In 1810 he came to the mouth of Morgan's Creek, where he encamped, liAdng for a short time in his wagon. Then he liA^ed in a tent until he could erect a house, the first on the present Foster farm. Moi^ gan, for whom the Creek was named, lived farther up the oreek. Totty, while living here, laid a soldier's warrant, in 1810, upon the land across the river, where Col. Leviis P. Totty lived and died, and where L. P. Totty, Jr., now lives. AVhile Eobert Totty lived near the mouth of Morgan's Creek, his two sons, Matthew and William, enlisted for the War of 1812, and were present at the battle of New Orleans. After their return they laid land warrants on lands now owned by John Cummins and Fletcher Harvill. They, being young and unmarried, lived with their father and assisted him in opening a farm in Totty's Bend, to Avhich he removed with his family in 1815. Soon after both MatthcAV and WUliam Totty died and were buried in the graveyard at the mouth of Mor gan's Creek. Eobert Totty, Jr., inherited the lands of his deceased brothers. Lewis Perkins Totty, an other son of Eobert Totty, Sr., inherited his father's lands. The name " Lewis Perkins " was given him 84 History of Hickman County, Tenn. by his father as an evidence of the high regard he had for a Virginia gentleman of that name for whom he had been overseer previous to his removal to Ten nessee. Lewis P. Totty was bom in A^irginia in 1807, came to Nashville with his father at the age of two years, and to Hickman County at the age of three. He remembered traveling in a wagon, this being his only recollection of the journey. He grew to man hood in Totty's Bend, was highly esteemed by his neighbors, and was recognized by aU who knew him as a prominent citizen of the county. He was second lieutenant in Company A,. First Tennessee Eegiment, during the Avar Avith Mexico, after which he was a colonel of Tennessee militia. He was a large man, being over six feet tall and weighing two hundred pounds. He possessed great muscular power, but, being of a kind and quiet disposition, he took no pride in an exhibition of this power, as many men of that day did, in fistic encounters. He Avas firm, but not a fanatic; brave, but not brutal; positive, but pa tient ; determined, but not despotic ; and was, there fore, very popular as colonel at the general and petit musters, which were frequentiy held on his premises, and at other times on the Killough place on Lick Creek, near the upper line of the district.. At the latter place, during one of the petit, or dis trict, musters, Joe Arnold and Lemuel Smith had a fisticuff. Arnold was a son-in-law of David Killough, and Smith was a renter on Killough's farm. In the fight Arnold was getting the better of his antagonist, Second District. 85 when a man named Hooten and one of Smith's broth ers, Edmond Smith, " showed foul play," as it was termed, by assisting Smith. This resulted in a gen eral fight between the friends of the combatants. At the time of the fight most of the men were on the mus ter field drilling. When it Avas discovered that a fight Avas in progress, Capt. " Lam " Kelly gave orders to break ranks, which order Avas obeyed with alacrity, and they double-quicked to the scene of the conflict Upon arriving there, the Captain, upon learning of the foul play, deliberately pulled off his coat and hat, mounted a stump, and announced to the crowd that he could whip either of the men guilty of the act. The accuracy of this statement was not questioned. He then announced that he could whip any man who was not a friend to Joe Arnold and David Killough. The reception of this statement was of a kind that indi cated that all present were the warm personal ad mirers of the gentlemen named. This is related as a typical incident of " the good old days." In 1830 Neal Younger lived on Onstot's (or Greer's) Branch. He came from North Carolina, In the same year Harrison Totty lived where Ben. Arnold now lives. Eobert Totty, Sr., OAvned this land, having bought it in 1815 from John Davis. Eobert Totty, Jr., lived at the Fletoher Harvill place, from which he removed to Texas in 1840. Nancy, a sister of Col. Lewis P. Totty, married Col. William Eeeves, who emigrated, to Grayson County, Texas,, about 1840. Matilda, another sister, married Albert 86 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Griner, father of AVilliam and Lewis P. Griner. HiU Totty, Avho came to the bend at an early date, and who is the ancestor of a majority of the Tottys who now live in the bend, was distantly related to Eobert Totty, for Avhoni the bend Avas named. Eobert Totty, Avho located at the mouth of ^Morgan's Creek in 1810, Avas a first cousin of AVilliam Totty, who located at the mouth of Sugar Creek, in the Eighth District, in the same jear. They came together from NashAalle to TurnbuU Creek, Avliere they separated, ea,ch going his Avay. .John DaAds entered a large tract of land in this bend, and Joseph McLaughlin, one of his tenants, lived at the place Avhere the late Young .J. Harvill lived. Other tenants of DaA'is were Alexander Nun nellee and Alexander Cathey, Avho lived in 1815 near the John A. Jones place. This land Avas entered by Davis in 1810. He Avas a generous man, kind to the poor, and lenient with his many tenants. .A AvidoAV named Clymer Avith a large family lived on a, portion of his lands several years rent free. He gave to the public a building sit© on which uoav stand a public schoolhouse and church, free for all denominations. His request Avas, however, that no Mormons be allowed to hold services there. Davis was a member of no church, but Avas incLined to the-Universalian doctrine, claiming that God is too good to condemn any of his creatures to eternal punishment. He believed that the disobedient AA-ould be punished, here and hereafter, but not eternally. He often told of his nephcAA-, Avho, Avhile acting as chain carrier on one of his surveying Second District. 87 tours, was accidentally shot. The wound Avas mortal, and while dying he told Davis that he Avould soon be at rest, and that he felt assured that he was going to eternal rest. This young man was not a member of any church, and this incident helped to confirm the faith of Davis. Many pleasing incidents and gen erous acts are connected with the history of this pio neer surveyor, who marked the way far in advance of permanent settlements in almost every part of Hick man County from 1790 to 1820. One of the many proofs of the high regard which those Avho dealt Avith him had for him is the fact that a granddaughter of the pioneer, William Totty, of Sugar Creek, was named Sophia Davis, this being th© name of one of Davis' daughters Avho, in 1815, married Joseph W. Horton, of DaA'idson County. Davis was a tall, slen der man, possessing wonderful powers of endurance. He could subsist for days on parched com when out suTA'eying. John Davis, son of Frederick DaA'is and Fannie (Grieves) Davis, was bom in North Carolina on July 30, 1770. He came to Davidson County in 1788 ; in 1791 he was with the party that buried Ed Avin Hickman ; in Febmary, 1794, he Avas out under Capt. Thomas Murray in an expedition against the Indians near Muscle Shoals, and later in the year Avas with the Nickajack expedition. His last service against the Indians was in January, 1795, when he Avas out Avith a detachment of mounted infantry. In 1798 he married Dorcas Gleaves and became the father of ten children. His Avife died in 1851, and 88 History of Hickman County, Tenn. he, at the age of eighty-three, died suddenly and peace fully in 1853. He was not ill, and was lying doAvn Avaiting for breakfast Avhen the summons came. He lived aiid died in Davidson County, but there are few districts in Hickman County where his name is not met Avith in connection Avith its early history. jinother pioneer surA^eyor, whose name appears in the land papers of the county, Avas McLemore, from AA'hom Maj. Edwin Baird bought lands in 1820. EdAvin Baird Avas a son of Samuel McClearen Baird, who was born in Buncombe County, N. C, and oame to this district in 1811. Edwin Baird was born in Lincoln County, N. C, on March 1, 1799. His vrife Avas Jane Clampitt, who Avas bom in AA'^ilson County, Tenn., in April, 1802, and who was married on July 20, 1820. Other sons of Samuel McClearen Baird Avere Albert, Joseph, Samuel, Jr., and James P., who a fcAV years ago died in Arkansas. The daughters of Samuel McClearen Baird were Matilda and Eoena. Matilda married Jacob Fite, and was the mother of -John, Leonard B., and Samuel Fite, of Nashville. Eoena married William Anderson, of the Fifteenth District. EdArin Baird, after his marriage to Jane Clampitt, removed from his father's place, near Littie Lot, to Totty's Bend, where he opened up a farm, and Avhere he and his Avife liA^ed to a ripe old age. Their children Avere the late W. CampbeU Baird and James Perry Baird, who uoav lives in Nashville. James P. Baird married Parmelia Williams, of Maury Coimty, He was bom on September 11, 1822. Second District. 89 Edwin Baird was knoA^m as a man of honor, true to what he conceived to be right, discreet in all things, industrious in his habits, correct in his calculations, just in his judgments, true to his friends, and reason ably lenient with those from whom he differed in opinion. Col. Alfred Darden once lived on lands adjoining those of Edwin Baird. In 1845 Neal BroAvn, a very remarkable man, came to Totty's Bend. He lived at the place where Mrs. Hendricks now lives, near the church. He came from TurnbuU Creek, in AVilliamson County. After coming to Totty's Bend he commenced the manufac ture of whisky and brandy, which he sold, but did not drink. AVhen a young man, he had, whUe intoxi cated, been beaten in a rough-and-tumble fight, during which one of his eyes had been pulled from its socket. I'he eye was replaced, the sight not being seriously impaired; but BroAvn, as the story goes, was never again intoxicated. He, however, was at all times ready for a fight, being willing to fight any man in order to settle the momentous question as to which was the better man. During the few years he re sided in the bend a man frequentiy came doAvn Duck Eiver on flatboats, who, like BroAvn, was " much of a man." Consequently a rivalry sprang up between them. Banterings and challenges foUowed. The boatman finally agreed that upon his next trip down the river he would land his boat and settle the ques tion in dispute. The time came and the boat landed. Brown was there, and he and his rival greeted each 90 History op Hickman County, Tenn. other cordially, each understanding the purpose of the meeting. Littie time A\^as lost in preliminary ar rangements, and soon the principals were stripped of ha,ts, coats, and shirts. They then proceeded to fight in the most approved fashion of that day. Standing erect at first, they proceeded to strike each other with their fists ; then they clinched and fell to the ground. BroAvn, being an expert Avrestier, threw his antagonist, Avho, being larger and more jiowerful, turned him. But the wary wrestler would not remain underneath, and was soon on top of his more powerful antagonist. Thus the contest was Avaged, the victory being still in doubt. Brown was "long-winded" and "game;" but the boatman, equal ly " game " and more powerful, finally partially tri umphed. He and Brown were both satisfied, and neither insisted on a further discussion of the point at issue. And this was a characteristic incident of " the good old days." Brown liA^ed during his latter days at the mouth of Defeated Creek, where, with accumu- lated money, he bought the lands upon Avhich his son, D. L. BroAvn, uoav lives. He Avas the father of Mrs. Hendricks, of Totty's Bend, and of James A. BroAvn, of Centerville. Saniuel ilcClearen Baird located in 1811 Avhere Mrs. Suggs now lives. In the following year he estab lished Baird',s Ferry, one of the first established in the county. Henry Truett, Avho married Sallie Clampitt. a sister of the AAufe of Edwin Baird, lived near Baird's Ferry in 1812. Benjamin Greer and James McCa- Second District. 91 leb liA'ed near Baird's Ferry in 1811. They OAvned the lands upon Avhich the western portion of Little Lot noAV stands. McCaleb had a cotton gin here in 1820. He was a Primitive Baptist preacher, and preached here as early as 1815. There is a record of his ha\dng preached at the house of Henry Truett in 1820. He v,-as a man of energy, and cleared much of the land betAveen the present site of Little Lot and Baird's Fen-y. Lie was the OAvner of several slaves, and, with their help, operated his gin and also engaged in the raising of cotton. His neighbors also cultivated cot ton, which he ginned for them, thereby encouraging the culture of this plant here at an early date. He Avas buried at the McCaleb (or " old peach orchard ") graveyard, near the place where uoav lives Zebulon HasseU the Third. Zebulon Hassell the Second was bom on October 1 8, 180^ , in North Carolina, and came to the Lambert place, on Hassell's Creek, with his father, Zebulon Hassell the First Here he lived Avith his father until April 5, 1827, at which time he married Alary Mc Caleb, who Avas bom on June 27, 1810. Soon after his marriage he lived near Little Lot, Avhere, in 1846, he enlisted in Whitfield's company. First Tennessee Regiment, and served in the war Avith Mexico. His neighbor, Alfred Darden, enlisted in the same com pany. They returned to Hickman County in 1847. After serving as comrades in the army, they bought adjoining farms, Darden buying the Gill Anderson place, and Hassell buying the place AA^hei-e his son. 92 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Zebulon Hassell the Third, now lives. They bought from Joseph Anderson, Hassell paying $3,000, and Darden paying $3,500. Artin Hassell, who was killed at Shady Grove by Griff. Nichols, was the oldest son of Zebulon Hassell the Second. Other sons were Joseph and James. The latter removed to Texas, Avhere he died. A daughter, Nancy, married Will iam Suggs, deceased. Zebulon Hassell the Third married a, daughter of Col. Lewis P. Totty, and she takes pleasure in telling the many stories of pioneer life told her, when a child, by her parents. Joseph Anderson, from whom Darden and Hassell bought lands as above stated, married a daughter of Benjamin Greer, from Avhom he inherited these lands. Greer, together with James McCaleb', oAvnec! the larger portion, if not all, of the land from Littie Lot to Baird's Ferry. In 1835, George Martin, father of Washington Martin, OA\'ned the brick house, at Little Lot, now the property of John A. Jones. This house was built by Hugh McCabe, who came here in 1810 from ifary- land. McCabe entered the land on Avhich Little Lot stands, or bought it from Asa Shute, who was here also at that date. McCabe Avas a Avealthy man, pos sessed of slaA'es and money. He owned a half section of land. McCabe, in 1815, at the solicitation of neighbors, who had concluded that they needed a church and schoolhouse, gave them a site upon which to build. Out of his hundreds of acres he made the princely donation of one-fourth of an acre. When )> Second District. 93 the neighbors assembled to haul the logs and build the house, one of them suggested that all other ehurches had names, and that one should be provided for this. Parker Tyler, the Lick Creek wag, replied : " It is such a d — n little lot, Ave can't give it a big name. The people concluded that Tyler was right, and from its si,ze it took its name, Little Lot This is how Lit tle Lot was named almost a hundred years ago. Parker Tyler was a brother of Wat Tyler. He was much given to frivolities and was somewhat dissi pated, AA'hile his brother was a sober citizen and a leading church member. Their father lived a fcAv miles from Littl© Lot on Lick Creek, and Avas the owner of a number of slaves and of much other prop erty. One of th© negroes was a carpenter, and Parker had him make a coffin, in which he kept his tobacco, giA'ing as his reason that the negroes would not dare to approach the coffin in the night to steal his tobacco. He added : " Then I may need it later for .another purpose." This is a characteristic anecdote told of the thoughtless, but generally esteemed, Parker Tyler. In 1829 Robert Bratton, Sr., carne from North Carolina and loca,ted at the Rochell place, on Swan Creek. In 1835 he removed to the Second District, settling near Little Lot, where he bought two hundred and fifty-five acres of land for $1,600. His sons were Claiborne, William, Robert, Jr., George, James, J. J'., and Samuel H. William Bratton married a daugh ter of John Griffith, uncle of J. O. Griffith, at one time a prominent newspaper man of NashviUe. Bratton 94 History op Hiokman County, Tenn. was a member of the firm of Bratton, Fowlkes, & Stod dard, Avho at one time operated Oakland Furnace, in the Seventh District. Claiborne Bratton was the firm's bookkeeper, and was retained in this position by Carothers & Easley,' who afterwards ovra.ed and operated this furnace. The wife of Robert Bratton, Sr., was Matilda Hnll, of Williamson County. In 1845 AA^'illiam Spence lived where William Stan fiU now lives. He was bom in North Carolina in 1792, and came to Harpeth, near the Newsom place, in 1810. He was a poor boy without education, and Avorked here as a hireling for ten years. At the age of tAventy-eight he married Phoeb© Forehand. John Davis,, who lived in that neighborhood, induced him to visit Hickman County, where Davis OAvned land. The result was he purchased from Davis four hun dred and fifty acres south of, and adjoining, Littie Lot. He settled on this land in 1845. His sons Avere Miles, Mark, and John; his daughters, Nar cissa, who married Robert Bratton, Jr. ; Rebecca, who married Gill Anderson ; Nancy, who married Eobert Dean; and Tennessee, who married James Harring ton. Gill Anderson's father was John Anderson, of the Fifteenth District Gill Anderson was bom on June 11, 1827, in the Kettie Bend of Duck Eiver, in Maury County. Llis father was bom on February 25, 1805, in North Carolina. Ferdinand B. Eussell was the first to estabUah a general store at Littie Lot, which he did in 1853. William Gar^' was one of his clerks. The first physi- Second District. 95 cian to establish himself here Avas either Francis Eas ley or Clagett Sothem, in 1850. Physicians here at a later date were DaAvson, Hall, James T. Ward, A. N. Doyel, Bryant, and Dennis AA^. Flowers, a grand son of William FloAvers, one of the pioneers of the Ninth District. He is a son of the late Eev. Gideon Flowers. Taa'o miles south of Little Lot, beloAV the mouth of Lick Creek, O. A. Jones noAV lives on a tract of land once OAvned by LaAA'son Harrison Nunnelly. Jones came to this place from the Fourth District, above John Groves' mill on Jones' Branch of Lick Creek. 0. A. .Jones' father was also named Alston Jones. He has one son, John A. Jones, a, prominent business man of this section. LaAvson H. Nunnelly, who once lived here, was bom in North Carolina in 1801. He came to this county in 1810. He afterwards removed to Da^dd- son County, but returned to this county in 1830. AA'^hile he lived here there occurred an incident of which he spoke in after years with much merriment This was his fight with Fowler. In 1830 Jeff., a valuable slave of Eobert Totty, was droAvned at the ford above Baird's Ferry. In the following year his funeral was preached by Champion Anderson, a negro preacher, at Baird's Ferry. Zebu lon Hassell the Second lost two slaves by droAvning near the Jones place. They had been allowed the customary Saturday night and Sunday liberty to visit their wives, who lived in Anderson's Bend. They 96 History of Hickman County, Tenn. were returning on Monday morning before daybreak in order to be at their quarters ready for AVork. The riA'er had risen since they crossed, but they were not aAVare of it. They drifted from the mule they were riding, it swimming to the shore. Their bodies were recovered near where th© bridge now is. In 1864, at the house of J. C. Bradley on the hiU near Little Lot and near the mouth of Lick Creek, was committed the most cowardly and brutal murder in the history of the county. This was the killing of the young men. Pointer and Buf ord, by a company of Federals under the immediate command of the noto rious Creasy, who bore, and disgraced upon nmnerous occasions, a captain's commission. The young men, Avho were from Williamson County, stopped here for breakfast, Avhich they Avere just preparing to §at when the presence of fifty Federals at the gate was an nounced by members of the family. There Avere only two doors to the room in which the young men were. To pass through one was to- come face to face with the approaching Federals ; to pass through the other was to enter a small bedroom from which there was no other means of exit. They retreated through the lat ter and awaited the advancing Federals and their own approaching doom. Ci-easy came to the door of the room and demanded their surrender. Young Pointer gave the Masonic sign of distress, and replied, " We surrender ; " whereupon Creasy commenced firing, and did not cease until his victims lay dead at his feet, murdered after having surrendered to odds of twenty- Secoxd District. 97 fiA'e to one. These young men, who Avere members of prominent famiUes, were guilty of no offense, save that of their sympathy for the rebelUon. They had left home to avoid being an-ested and carried to North ern prisons, and were probably preparing to enter the Confederate Ai-mv. Creasy was the bmte who, while acting in the capacity of captain of a negro company, upon more than one occasion insulted good women and brave, though ]DOAverless, men throughout the county. BeloAV the bridge, north of the river and opposite Totty's Bend, is Gerry's Branch, named from the fact that a man named Gerry entered and OAvned a large tract of land, including the branch and adjacent hills. He lived on this land as early as 1830. In these hiUs are some of the finest surface indications of iron ore to be found in Hickman County. Gerry's Branch lies between Littie Lot and Morgan's Creek. On this branch, in 1863 and 1864, was Tarkington's still house. In 1864, near this place, after' a chase of nearly three miles, David Miller shot and killed a Federal soldier, who was fleeing from the scene of the ong'agement near Baird's Fei-ry, described elsewhere. Panther Branch comes into Duck Eiver a short dis tance above GerrA-'s Branch. On this branch is Pan ther CaA'c, which has never been explored sufficiently to justify a statement as to its dimensions. In earh' days panthers AA-ere supposed to rear their young here, as they and numerous wolves came from these hills and committed depredations upon flocks of geese, 98 History of Hickman County, Tenn. calves, and sheep belonging to early settlers on Lick Creek and in the valley of Duck Eiver near Little Lot Drury Harrington was bom in Chatham County, N. C, in 1788, came to Tennessee in 1809, and set tled near the large spring about one mile north of Little Lot. His wife was Mary Mattocks, of Chat ham County, N. C, who was bom in 1790. He died on August 10, 1844. The children of Drury Har rington were Jane, who married William Malugin; James, who was bom in 1811; Miles, Calvin; Sallie, Avho married Meredith Gossett, of Mill Creek; Fan nie, who ma,rried William Worley ; and Philip, who married Martha, the daughter of Benjamin Wilson, of LeatherAvood Creek. The late Philip Harrington Avas bom on March 27, 1814. At the age of eighty- four he Avas still strong and healthy, and lived at the place where his father settied ninety years ago. He remembered when aU around Littie Lot was a swampy wUdemess through which wolves and pan thers roamed. He recalled the fact that the first clock he ever heard strike was the property of Hugh McCabe. The clock was one of the old-fashioned kind that stood on th© floor and reached to the ceiling overhead. Drury Harrington's brothers, who came here about 1809, were Dempsey, Eobert, and WiUiam. They were great hunters and trappers. They buUt wolf pens on the head of Mill Creek, and one on Mor gan's Creek. In the latter they caught a large Avolf one Sunday morning in 1835. Several men of the neighborhood gathered for th© purpose of visiting the Second District. 99 pens, carrying witii them their guns and dogs. The Mill Creek pens were found to be empty, but when they reached the Morgan's Creek pen they found a large, fierce Avolf safely entrapped, despite its des perate efforts to escape. It was killed in the pen and its body carried back to the settlement. Thus the pioneer days Avere frequently enlivened by the chase, the hunt, and other pastimes and pleas ures of a kind unknOAvn to the present generation. One of the popular sports engaged in by our fore fathers was the shooting match — ^legalized betting upon their skill as marksmen. This form of gambling was legalized for the purpose of training th© early set tlers in the use of firearms. To the training obtained at these early shooting matches was largely due the deadly skill with which the Tennesseans handled their rifles at New Orleans, where they gave an exhibition of marksmanship which not only astonished the Brit ish, but the entire world. At thes© shooting matches the procedure was about as follows: Each partici pant contributed a dollar to .i^hat was called " the pony purse," taking in exchange five chances, or shots. He then took a board and burned it until one side was blackened. Upon this blackened surface he placed a cross, indicating its position by placing upon the cross a small bit of white paper. Placing this board sixty, and sometimes a hundred, yards away, he lay down, and, resting his gun upon a " chunk," fired at the "spot." A\Tien all had done this, the judges, pre viously appointed, compa,red the boards and gave the 100 History of Hickman County, Tenn. " pony purse " to the contestant Avho had placed three bullets Avithin a smaller radius than had any other. If there Avas a tie, it AA^as decided by alloAving the con testants three shots, the nearest two winning. Some times a " beef," worth five or ten dollars, took the place of the " pony purse." In this case the " hide and talloAV " was ealled the " first choice," and Avent to the marksman Avho made the highest average. The heaA'iest " hind quarter " was called the " second choice ; " the other " hind quarter," " third choice ; " the heaviest " fore quarter," " fourth choice ; " the other " fore quarter," " fifth choice." By this ar rangement there were always five partially success ful contestants, the " choices " going to the best five marksmen. However, the contests did not alAvays end here, the " choices " sometimes- being " staked " one against the other. This often resulted in the " beef " being driA'en home alive by some successful marksman. A^^ile these meetings were for amuse ment, they did not always pass off pleasantly, but occasionally ended in a general fight, in which case all guns were laid aside and a thought of bringing them into the fight was never entertained. George Martin, father of Annistead Martin, was one of the early marksmen of thisi district. At a distance of sixty or one hundred yards, it was no unusual occurrence for the cross or " center " to be " knocked out " or " drove " by expert rifiemen. The shooting match was a characteristic incident of " the good old days.'' Up to the time of the Civil War guns with " percus- Second District. 101 sion locks," now almost entirely obsolete, were con sidered as luxuries obtainable only by the wealthier class. The guns used by a large majority of the peo ple were the old fiintiock rifles. After the close of the Mexican War a number of flintlock muskets were to be found throughout the county. These were called " British muskets." At the breaking out of the Civil AA^ar these muskets Avere collected by the Confederate authorities and provided Avith percussion locks, gen- erallj' knoAvn as " cap locks." This was the gun with Avhich Confederate soldiers were principally provided during the first year of the war. Fiintiock rifies were made by local gunsmiths. A steel octagon, about four feet in length, Avas bored out and rifled, this consti tuting the barrel, which was incased in a wooden stock, which ran the entire length of the barrel. Near the " breech pin " and in the side of the barrel was the " touchhole," Avliich opened into the " pan," which Avas attached to the lock just beneath. When powder was placed in the barrel, a portion would drop into the pan, constituting the " priming." The pan was covered by a lid, to which was attached a piece of smooth-faced steel, against which the flint would strike. The flint was fastened by a clamp in the hammer. There were tAVO triggers; the rear one " sprung the trigger," the front one caused the ham mer to fall. The flint strUdng the face of the steel piece over the pan caused a spark to drop into it, the lid falling forward. The powder ignited in the pan communicated instantaneously with that in the bar- 102 History of Hickman County, Tenn. rel. The rifle was loaded Avith powder measured accurately in a charger made of a piece of cane or the tip of a deer's antler. This charger was attached to the strap by which the shot pouch was suspended from the shoulder. In this shot pouch were carried buUet molds, lead, bullets, and " patching." The " patch ing " Avas cloth, which was placed over the muzzle of th© gun, into Avhich the bullet was forced to a level with the muzzle. The patching was then clipped with the hunting knife, which was carried in a scab bard attached to the shoulder strap of the shot pouch. Then bullet and patching Avere " rammed home " with a " ramrod " mad© of hickory and carried in the stock of the gun beneath the barrel. A flint after much use would become so dull and smooth that it would not emit a spark, and this would necessitate its being " picked." Sometimes the powder in the pan would fail to ignite that in the barrel, and this was called " a flash in the pan." This imperfect descrip tion of the pioneer's most trusted friend wiU perhaps be of no particular interest to many now living ; but in these days of long-range Krag-Jorgensen and Mau ser rifles and smokeless powder, the old flintlock rifle and musket will soon be forgotten, along Avith the sickle, the bar-share plow, the metal mortars in which grain was pounded into meal, the hand loom, and the spinning wheel; yet these were the guns that were used at King's Mountain and New Orleans. On Lick Creek at the mouth of Hassell's Oreek, in 1810, lived David Killough, who came from Pennsyl- Second District. 103 vania and bought a half section of land from Asa Shute. This land lay at the mouth of Hassell's Creek and on both sides of Lick Creek, including the mouth of Fort Cooper hollow. His place was near the road leading to Leatherwood, WiUiamsport, and Columbia; also, near the roads leading to Char lotte, Eeynoldsburg, Vemon, Franklin, and Nash viUe. This caused the Killough place to be one of note, at which were held elections, musters, and other public meetings. A near-by neighbor was Dr. Smoot, who was the father of twins, Betsy and Polly. Betsy married Frank, a son of David Killough. Farther doAvn the creek, from 1812 to 1815, at what was afterwards known as the "Jack Tarkington place," lived Elizabeth BerrA', the widoAv of Hum phrey Bybon Berry, Avho died in Maryland. She came here with her father, William Tyler, father of Wat and Parker Tyler. Her sons were WiUiam Tyler Berry and Ferdinand Berry. The former Avent to NashviUe, where he became a prominent citizen; the latter, to Memphis, where he attained equal promi nence. Mrs. Berry married John I. Webb, of AA'^ill- iamsport, at which place they both died. They ^vere buried in the graveyard on the "Jack Tarkington place." The name of the Avife of William T3'ler Avas Stoddard. She was a relative of William Henry Harrison. At the death of her husband she became the sole OAvner of his extensive property, which she in turn gave to her son, George Parker Tyler, vvho 104 History of Hickman County, Tenn. named Little Lot ]Mrs. Berry had in her possession silver spoons upon which AA'ere engraved the name of Humphrey Bybon Berry. These spoons Avere among the first of the kind brought to the county. In 1816 Horatio Clagett, father of William and Horatio Clagett, so long prominent business men of Centei'ville, lived at the place where J. W. Shouse UOAV lives. In this neighborhood were a number of families who came from Maryland, among whom Avere the Tylers, Berrys, Primms, Smoots, Clagetts, Gannts, and Smiths. They Avere refined, Ayealthy, and well educated, and brought with them physicians, lawyers, and school-teachers. Tn this neighborhood, at a later date, liA'ed Col. "Jack" Tarkingt,on, who bought the Tyler lands. He Avas a, prominent trader and stock raiser, carrying large droves of hogs and mules to Alabama and Missis sippi markets. His stallions and jacks were the best in the cou"nt}', and, as a trader, he removed the surplus stock of the county, and, in exchange, put into circu lation large sums of money. He was the father of George and J. H. C. Tarkington. Henry Tucker lived near Baird's Ferry in 1815. AVilliam Mattocks, in 1809, lived near his brother-in- law, Dmry Harrington. He emigrated to Arkansas, AA"here he committed suicide by hanging. In 1825 Britton Gamer, the Primitive Baptist preacher, preached at Little Lot and in Totty's Bend. Epps Bishop, of the same church, preached here about Second District. 105 the same time. In 1897 the Avife of the latter was still living at Lyles Station, draAving a pension on account of her husband's service in the War of 1812. The names of a few of the preachers who have preached in this district at a more recent date are: H. O. ^[oore and A. N. Doyle, of the Methodist Church; and John and James Morton, of the Chris tian Church. Of the preachers of this district, local and A'isiting, no one is entitled to more prominent men tion than Elder Young .James Harvill, of the Primi tive Baptist Church, who was bom in Cumberland Coimty. N. C, on June 19, 1821, and came to Dunlap Creek, in the Third District, in 1826. His father was Aloses HarviU ; his grandfather, James Harvill. His mother was Mar\- Simms, whose father was Am bers Simms. All of these Uved in North Carolina. He died in 1808. one of the most widely known and generally respected preachers who evev lived in Hick man County. George Gannt, who came from Maryland, taught school near the KiUough place in 1820. Wiley Har per taught school at Little Lot from 1820 to 1822. James D. Easley taught in Totty's Bend in 1835. Nathan Springer taught at Littie Lot in 1840 ; Gibson, in 1S36; and Eobert Cooper, in 1^30. In 1864 David ^Miller — ^who then lived, as he does UOAV, in Anderson's Bend — was at the head of a com pany of independent Southern scouts Avhich operated in the upper portion of Hickman County and in the adjacent portions of Alauiw and Williamson Counties. 106 History op Hickman County, Tenn. The Federals, who had possession of Columbia and of the Northwestern Eailroad, Avere anxious to capture or kill Miller, and several unsuccessful expeditions had been made into the county for this purpose. In the loAver portion of the county ther© was an organiza tion similar to Miller's, commanded by Cross. One night in 1864 these two commanders met in Totty's Bend for the purpose of consulting as to the reception which should be given a Federal detachment then in the vicinity. A. J. (Jack) Sullivan, a well-known citizen of Mill Creek, was acting as guide for the Fed erals. Sullivan boro a, captain's commission. The Federals had passed through Totty's Bend boasting of the horrible fate that Avould befall any " bush whackers " that they might encounter. They had arrived at Little Lot, and on the foUowing day twenty- four retiirned in the direction of Baird's Ferry. The Eebels, numbering eleven, including Miller, Cross, and McLaughlin, had crossed the river at Baird's Ford and concealed themselves in a skirt of timber near the road betAveen Zebulon Hassell's and the river. Cap tain Cross went in the direction of Little Lot to recon noiter, and, after passing Hassell's front gate, he dis covered the Federals coming through a long lane. He Avheeled his horse, and, taking his hat, waived de fiance at his approaching foes. They started toward him at full speed, and he retreated rapidly in the direction of the river. A lively chase ensued, with Jack Sullivan leading the pursuers. No sooner had Cross passed the point where his comrades lay in - Second District. 107 ambush than he turned and fired into the Federals, who halted just as a volley came flashing from their right, fired by an unexpected and hidden foe. The pursuers now became the pursued, and back over the road they went, the clatter of horses' hoofs intermin gled with the rapid reports of smaU arms. One- fourth of a mile east of his home, at the turn of the lane, Hassell and his neighbor. Colonel Darden, stood and watched this exciting chase. Near this point was a gate. AA^hen opposite this gate a horse turned to the right and entered it. Just inside the gate, near where now stands a large elm, its rider fell from its hack, lifeless. The dead man was Jack Sullivan. Another horse came through the gate, and its rider fell dead near the chimney of a near-by house. A woman had crouched behind this chimney for protec tion from the flying bullets. The chase continued to Little Lot, and even farther. It was during this chase that David Aliller killed the Federal near Tark ington's stillhouse in the Adcinity of Gerry's Branch. In this affair were engaged twenty-four well-mounted, well-armed Federal cavalrymen and eleven Confed erates whose courage sometimes became foolhardy. Of the Federals, eleven were slain; of the Confed erates, not one was killed or wounded. The lucky thirteen that escaped reached their camp on the Northwestern Eailroad that night, and, reinforced, returned on the following day under the leadership of the cur, Creasy, who came ready for that work in AA'hich he was most proficient — the burning of houses, 108 History op Hickman County, Tenn. the robbing of defenseless homes, and the insulting of unprotected women. He came with the intention of burning the residence of Ilassell, but loyal citizens of the neighborhood prevented this by their influence. One of Creasy's soldiers, who had been in the fight of the day before, argued against the burning of the house, saying : " Nobody is to blame but ourselves. They surprised us and Avhipped us, all of which is fair in war."Since 1893 phosphate deposits in the upper end of Totty's Bend have been AA'orked with varying degrees of success. Th© output of the mines was at first carried to Centerville by wagons ; later it was towed to Centerville in barges by a small steamer. Finally, an arm of the Centerville branch of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St Louis" Eailroad was run from Centerville to the mines. This road runs along the valley of the river, crossing Swan Creek near its mouth, to the mouth of Onstot's Branch, and up the branch to its head, wher© the mines are located. These mines were for several years under the imme diate management of the late W. B. Comer, formerly superintendent of the ore mines at Nunnelly. Third District. 109 CHAPTER VI. THE THIRD DISTRICT. THE Third District is bounded on the north by the Thirteenth District ; on the east, by Maury County; on the south, by the Fourteenth District; and on the Avest, by the Fifteenth District. It in cludes that portion of Hickman County on the south side of Duck EiA'er and north of the Fourteenth Dis trict, extending from tne Maury County line to Buck Branch. A small portion of the district is on the north side of Duck Eiver near Gordon's Ferry. The section of country surrounding the quiet Adllage of Shady Grove Avas the scene of some of the most im portant events of the pioneer days, a number of which are described at greater length in a previous chapter. SomeAvhere near Gordon's Ferry and the " Duck EiA'er licks," situated on Lick Creek, Avas the fight with the Indians in May, 1780. Over the line in Maury County were located Gen. Nathaniel Greene's 25,000 acres of land, laid off by Shelby, Bledsoe, and Tatum in 1783. Through the adjoining districts., the Thirteenth and Fifteenth, ran the Continental Line of 1784. Through these districts ran also the old Chickasaw Tra,c©, or path, Avhieh was, prior to the opening of the Natchez Trace, the road from Nash viUe to Natchez and th© Chickasaw country. It was OA'er a portion of this trace that the Coldwater Expe- 110 History of Hickman County, Tenn. dition went in 1787 to avenge the death of Mark Eobertson, who had been killed on Eobertson's Creek, in the Fifteenth District, up which the trace ran. It was over this trace that the desperately daring bands of scouts under Capt. "Jack" (John) Gordon and Capt. John " Go long " Eains marched often over a hundred years ago. It was over this trace that, in 1795, the old Col. Casper Mansker went Avith a de tachment of men from Na,«hAaUe to the assistance of the Chickasaws, AA'ho Avere sorely pressed by the Creeks. In January of this year the ChickasaAvs, Avho were in the main friendly toward the whites, had come upon a body of Creeks on Duck Eiver, some where in this vicinity, and had taken five scalps. These were sent to NashviUe, with the explanation that the Creeks at the time of the attack were on their Avay to attack the whites. A war ensued, and the Chickasaws called for assistance, which was furnished imder the leadership of the veteran, Mansker. Pio- mingo, of the Chickasaws, in his appeal for help, stated that if it did not soon arrive, " You shall soon hear that I died like a man." The most prominent of the early settlers of this sec tion was Capt. John Gordon, remembered by a few old citizens of the county as " Old Capt Jack Gor don." He had a reputation as a fighter from Nash ville to New Orleans. Here, as early as 1804, he, in partnership with General Colbert, one of the famous Chickasaw chiefs of that name, had a trading post He did not bring his family here until two or three Third District. Ill years later. At this time he kept a tavern in Nash- AiUe, on the west side of Market street, near the PubUc Square. At this trading post Thomas H. Benton, "' Old BnUion," aftei-wards United States Senator from ]\Ii55ouri, was a clerk. He also taught school on Duck Eiver somcAvhere in this section. John Gor don had married DoUie Cross, sister of Eichard Cross, and prior to 1805 Gordon and Cross located on the north side of the river near Gordon's Ferry, which Avas then established, Gordon and the Indian, Colbert, running it in partnershi]A. Up to this time the whites had no legal treaty right to any lands within the pres ent Umits of Hickman County. This territory be longed to the Chickasaws. It was also claimed by the Cherokees, who alleged that they had assisted in the expulsion of the Shawnees. They made this claim the excuse for their numerous inroads into Tennessee. The most persistent of the Indians in their attacks upon the whites were the Creeks, who never even at tempted to excuse themselves by claiming any of this territory. The reservation by North CaroUna of lands for her soldiers, the soutlfem boundary of which was marked by the Line of 1784, included much of Hickman County, but it must be understood that North Carolina obtained her title from England at the close of the Eevolutionary War. England had obtained her titie from the Six Nations by the treaty of Stanwix in 1768. The Six Nations held by the right of conquest, and after this relinquishment to the whites the Southern Indians reasserted their claims. 112 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Adventurous surveyors, holding military warrants, made locations in Hickman County after the running of the Line of 1784 ; but few, if any, attempts were made to settle upon these lands prior to the treaties of 1805, which will b© referred to in the foUovring pages. From this it Avill be seen that the running of the Continental Line of 1784, locally knoAvn as the Military Line, had no connection with any treaty with the Indians. Captain Gordon, in running the trading post in connection with the Chickasaw chief. General Colbert, had only a trader's rights in this territory, but it enabled him to mate a good selection of lands, which he soon afterwards occupied. Local tradition says he had permanently settled here before 1805. If so, it was because his business connections with the influential Colbert, family made him safe from molestation. In 1801 a treaty was made at the Chickasaw Bluffs which gave permission to the United States to lay out and cut a wagon road between Nashville and Natchez. The Chickasaws were to be paid $700 for furnishing guides and other assistance. This work was com menced immediately under the direction of United States troops commanded by Capt. Eobert Butler and Lieut E. Pendleton Gaines. This trace came by the way of Kinderhook, Maury County, crossed Duck Eiver at Gordon's Ferry, passed between the head of Dunlap Creek and Jackson's Branch on the east, ran along the ridge between Ca.they's Creek, of Maury and Lewis Counties, and Swan Creek, of Hickman Third District. 113 County, crossing the latter creek at the point knoAvn as Johnson's Stand, below the Kittrell place. It was on this trace at Griner's Stand, in Lewis County, that Meriwether Lewis met his death. WhUe this trace was being opened, Benjamin Smith, uncle of the late Daniel Smith, lived at Kinderhook, as did also Squire Kearsey, father of Eev. John Kearsey, who at one time lived in the Eighth District Squire Kearsey is said to have been the original of the following time- honored story: While magistrate, application was made to him for a search warrant for a broadax. A careful perusal of his Avell-wom form book failed to discoA'er a form for a search warrant for a broadax, the nearest approach being a form in AA'hich a tur key hen was mentioned. This form was accordingly copied, and the applicant was instructed by His Honor to take it along and "keep an eye out for the broadax." John W^illey, who afterwards lived in the Fifteenth District, was one of the party that open©d the Natchez Trace, knoAvn locally as the " Notchy " Trace. Some time was spent in digging the banks of the river at the mouth of Fatty Bread Branch, on the north side, and the banks on the south side near where Joseph Bond now lives. W^hile this was being done the party camped at the large spring at the foot of the hill where Samuel Cochran now lives. This spring is on Dun lap Creek, and directly on the trace one mile west of wher© it crosses Duck Eiver near Gordon's Ferry. The spring is one and a half miles south of Shady Grove, and was well suited for a place of encampment. 114 History op Hickman County, Tenn. The party remained here for several weeks, after Avhich the camp Avas moA'ed to Swan Creek in what is now the Taa'cK th District. On July 23, 1805, a treaty was concluded between the ChickasaAVs and James Eobertson and Silas Dins- more, representing the United States, by which the Indians ceded land in Tennessee to the whites. A portion of the boundary agreed upon was as follows: " Up the main channel of the Tennessee Eiver to the mouth of Duck Eiver ; thence up the left bank of Duck Eiver to the road leading from Nashville to Natchez ; thence along said road to the ridge dividing tilie waters running into Duck Eiver from those run ning into Buffalo Eiver." On October 25 of this year the Cherokees, by trea,ty, relinquished all claims to lands north of Duck EiA'er, and in the foUoAring January Sour Mush, Turtle at Home, John Jolly, Eed Bird, and other Cherokee chiefs ceded to the United States all lands north of the Tennessee Eiver. Thes© treaties placed tiie dangerous Cherokees far to the south, and made Duck Eiver throughout the county, and the Natchez Trace at one comer, the boundary between the Avhites and the comparative ly peaceable and honorable Chickasaws. This date marks the commencement of the permanent settle ment of Hickman County on the north side of the river. The permanent settlement of that section of the county lying south of Duck Eiver followed the trea,ty of October 19, 1818, by which the Chicka saws relinquished all claims to Tennessee soU. Isaac Third District. 115 Shelby and Andrew Jackson represented the United States. One of the considerations was that the United States pay Capt. John Gordon $1,115 due him from the OhickasaAVS. This was probably the amount of the bad debts left on his old trading-post books. The forty-five Tennesseans who had in 1795 gone to assist the OhickasaAVS against the Creeks, referred to above, were paid $2,000 by the United States. Alaj. James Colbert had, while on a visit to Baltimore two years before this, lost $1,089 at a theater. This was re funded by the government, and as to whether the gal lant Chickasaw, Colbert, was at the time of the loss overcome by force of numbers or by that enemy of his race, John Barleycorn, is left to the imagination of the reader. That accomplished villain and prince of traitors, William McGilliA'ray, received $150, as did also IskarAveuttaba and Immartoibarmicco. Despite the superior length of their names, Hopoyeabaummer, Immauklusharhopoyea, and Hopoyeabaummer, Jr., received only $100 each. These were some of the minor considerations, the terms of the treaty being in general unusually favorable to the Chickasaws. FoUoAving the treaties of 1805 and 1806 came the congressional reservation line, described in an Act of Congress, approved April 18, 1806. As this line is in local tradition confused with the line established between the whites and Indians, the events leading up to its establishment are here referred to. The loca tion of the Third District of Hickman County makes it a place par excellence for the iUustrating of the con- 116 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. fusion attending the perfecting of titles to land in Tennessee from 1796 to 1806. 'North Carolina, rely ing upon the title obtained from the Six Nations, in matters of legislation studiously ignored the claims of the Chickasaws and Cherokees. This is made evi dent by the erection in 1777 of AVashington County, N. C, which embraced all of the present State of Ten nessee. At the time of the cession of this territor}' to the L^nited States in December, 1789, there were unperfected titles to lands in Tennessee founded on military service in the Eevolutionary' War ; on entries in John Armstrong's office ; on service in Evans' bat talion ; on services rendered in laying off the military reservation — that is, running the lines of 1783 and 1784; on grants to particular persons, like that to General Greene : and on settlements made on public lands — preemption rights. By the terms of the Aqt of cession North Carolina retained the right to per fect these titles. After the a,dmission of Tennessee into the Union, this State declined to recognize the right of North Carolina to perfect these titles, and the opening of entry taker's offices bad© fair to cover the State with a ucav series of entries. The matter Avas happily arranged as between the two States by North Carolina's transferring to Tennessee the right to perfect these titles, reserA'ing for herself the right to issue warrants to be laid in the military reservation. This was assented to by the United States, Arith the additional conditions set out in the Act providing for the " Congressional Eeservation Line." This line is Third District. 117 described as foUoAvs : " Beginning at the place where the eastem or main branch of Elk Eiver intersects the boundary of the State; thence due north to the northern or main branch of Duck Eiver ; thence doAvn the waters of Duck Eiver to the military boundary line; thence with said line west to the Tennessee Eiver; thence doAvn the Tennessee to the northern boundary of the State." Tennessee surrendered all her right to the land south and Avest of this line, the L'nited States in turn surrendering her right to the land north and east of it. So the United States, Avhile recognizing the ChickasaAvs' title to the land as far north as Duck Eiver, also recognized Tennessee's title to the land as far south as the ^Military Line, or Line of 1784. The general belief that the Alilitary Line was the true boundary between the whites and Chickasaws, and Duck Eiver the recognized boundary, is, there fore, erroneous. Tennessee could perfect titles as far south of Duck Eiver as the 3ililitary Line; but the Avell-founded fear that the Chickasaws would enforce Avith the tomahawk that treaty which made Duck Eiver the boundary preA'cnted any attempts at perma nent settlements on the south side prior to 1818. Possible exceptions to this general rule are to be found in the Third District Here the Chickasaw line turned to the south along the Natchez Trace, and the settler who encroached upon this comer of the reser vation risked not as much as he Avho encroached far ther doAvn the river. Here were doubtless made per manent settlements on the south side of the river and 1 18 History op Hickman County, Tenn. on the Indian side of the trace. The early settler on the north or east side of the river, like Capt. John Gordon, obtained his title from North Carolina through Tennessee; the early settler on the oppo site bank of tiie river and on the east side of the trace obtained his title from 'the United States; the early settler on this side of the river and on the west side of the trace Avas a " squatter." Immediately after the treaty of 1805 a man named Mcintosh commenced a " clearing " on the place AA'here the late Joseph Bond lived. Tradition says that this AA'as the first " clearing " in the county. A detachment of soldiers patrolled the trace after the treaty in order to restrain the " squatters," which term, as applied to some of the most daring of the early settlers of the county, is certainly used here in no offensive sense. On the ridge, near where Samuel G. Baker's residence now is, there had been erected a round-pole schoolhouse. The teacher Avas George Peery, Hickman County's first surveyor, who after Avards became one of the most prominent pioneers of the Twelfth District. He owned land on the other side of the river, near the Gordon place. One day his school AA'as interrupted by the sound of horses' feet, and a troop of government rangers turned out of the trace and rode up to th© schoolhouse. He was told that the house Avas on the Indian side, and, after order ing him and his pupils out, the building was tom down. He was ordered to rebuild on the other side or not at all. The house was not rebuilt, and this Third District. 119 ended the school. AVhile the party at work on the trace were encamped at the spring at the Cochran place, they cleared away much of the cane and under brush around the spring. Later John Pruett, in looking for a desirable place to settle, fixed upon this on account of the good spring and surrounding partial clearing. He accordingly erected a dAvelling house en one side of the trace, and a comcrib and stables on the other. As the party which had encamped here had partially opened up land on either side of the trace, he naturally did this. In addition to this, he fenced land on both sides. The government rangers, on one of their tours, told him to remove his crib and stables from Indian territory. He replied with great emphasis and some profanity that he would build wherever he pleased. The rangers at once set fire to his buildings and fences on the Indian side, and told him that if he rebuilt on that side they would the next time destroy the buildings on both sides. Eobert Dunlap, from whom Dunlap Creek took its name, set tled at this spring in 1810. Capt. .John Gordon was a man whose prominence has given him a place in Tennessee history, and he is certainly entitled to a prominent place in a history of the county in Avhich he lived during his latter days, and with the early settlement and development of which he and his family had much to do. Captain Gordon Avas bom in Virginia, and, tradition says, Avas a descendant of Pocahontas, as was also his wife, DoUie Cross, whom he married in Davidson County. 120 History of Hickman County, Tenn. He came to Nashville betAveen 1780 and 1790, and died in Hickman County prior to 1823, as Judge Hay wood, writing at this time, said : " Captain Gordon was a braA'e and actiA'e officer, distinguished through life for a never-failing presence of mind, as well as for the purest integrity and independence of principle. He had much energy, both of mind and body, and was in all, or nearly all, the expeditions from Tennessee which were carried on against th© Indians or other Liiemies of the country, and in all of them was con spicuous for these qualities. He now sleeps witii the men of other times, but his repose is guarded by the affectionate recollections of all who knew him." One of his expeditions against the jlndians, not already mentioned, started from Nashville on June 11, 1794. He followed a party of Indians, who had killed Mrs. Gear, nearly a hundred miles before he overtook them. Later in this year he Avas out with the Nickajack Ex pedition, which resulted in the destruction of the upper Cherokee towns. Before crossing the Tennes see Eiver, Colonel Orr, AA'ho was the nominal com mander of this expedition, called a council of war, in which Avere Colonel Mansker, John Eains, John Gor don, and other veteran Indian fighters. Captain Gordon was among the first to swim the river on this September morning before daylight, and he stood on the bank and counted the whites as they reached the bank and fell into line preparatory to making the at tack. In this expedition were Joseph BroAvn and WiUiam and Gideon Pillow, ancestors of promi- Third District. 121 nent Maury County families. Gordon's future com mander, AndrcAv Jackson, serA'ed as a private in this expedition. In 1796 he was a justice of the peace in Davidson County, and was Nashville's first postmas ter, serving from April 1, 1796," to October 1, 1797. F'oUoAring this came his trading-post venture near what is now Gordon's Ferry, and his removal to Hick man County, AA'hich became his home. Here he evi dently hoped to end in peace an eventful life, satisfy ing his love for adventure by an occasional trip to New Orleans on a flatboat. Before he came to Duck Eiver he had made at least one trip to New Orleans. He had a loaded flatboat tied up at Nashville. He and one of his negroes, while attempting to fasten it more securely, allowed it to drift from its moorings and out into the current of the Cumberland Eiver. Thev had provisions already on board, and, Avithout at tempting to again bring it to the shore, these two set out for New Orleans, a, thousand miles away. They reached this point after a voyage of many days, and when, as was the custom, an offer was made to assist them in landing, Gordon replied : " Ned and I have brought this boat from Nashville, and I think Ave are able to land it" And they were. Whatever may have been his dreams of peace, they were rudely interrupted in September, 1813, by the neAA^s of the horrible massacre at Fort Ifimins, Ala bama, of five hundred whites by Creek Indians. He Avas now advanced in ag-e, and nearly a score of years had passed since he had last heard the vengeful crack 122 History op Hickman County, Tenn. of a Tennessee rifle followed by the death cry of a savage; yet the feelings of indignation Avith which he heard the horrible news rolled back the tide of the years, and the hero of 1794 became the hero of 1813. His ancestors in old Scotland never rallied around the bearer of the cross of fire with more alacrity than did " Old Captain Jack " Gordon answer the call to arms. He reported for duty and was made captain of a com pany of scouts, or spies, which rendered such service in the Avar Avhich foUowed that the name of Gordon became inseparably linked with those of Jackson, Car roll, and Coffee. On November 16, 1813, after the batties of TaUushatchee and Talladega, the troops, worn out by fatigue and weakened by lack of food, demanded that General Jackson lead them back home. He was on the point of acceding to this demand and abandoning Fort Strother, aa'Iicu, thinking how much the desertion of the fort would encourage the Indians, he declared that he would remain at the post if only two men would bear him company. Captain Gordon was the first to volunteer, and, moved by his example, over a hundred agreed to remain. Later, when Jack son's command was reduced by desertion in the face of the enemy to about 800 men, Gordon's spy com pany was " faithful among the faithless found." At Enotachopco Creek, on December 24, 1813, when the Indians made a spirited and unexpected attack upon the rear guard. Captain Gordon, who had command of the advance guard, recrossed the creek and assisted in changing what bade fair to be a disastreus defeat Third District. 123 into a complete victory. Eeferring to this affair, one historian calls him " the famous spy captain of Duck Eiver, Gordon;-" another refers to him as "Capt John Gordon, an old pioneer hero." In August, 1814, after a treaty had been concluded Avith the Creeks, Gordon was called ijpon to perform one of the most hazardous duties of his whole career. Clayton, referring to this, says: " General Jackson, being anx ious to make sure of the fruits of his important victo ries, now sought to make the Spanish Governor of Pensacola a party, as it Avere, to the treaty vrith the Indians, so as to hold him to a stricter responsibility for his future conduct. But to reach him it was neces sary for the bearer of his messages to traverse a long stretch of tropical wilderness, unmarked by road or path, and rendered doubly difficult of penetration by reason of numerous swamps, lagoons, and rivers. The bearer of the dispatches was Capt. John Gordon, who, with a single companion, undertook the danger ous and seemingly desperate mission. At the end of the first day's journey the companion of Captain Gor don became so much appalled by the prospects ahead that the Captain drove him back and continued his mission alone. After many difficulties and dangers from hostile Creeks, he reached Pensacola. On his arrival he was surrounded by a large body of Indians, and it was only by the greatest presence of mind that he escaped instant death and reached the preteetion of the commandant His mission being ended, he re turned as he came, and reached General Jackson in 124 History of Hickman County, Tenn. safety." The informa,tion obtained by Gordon re sulted in General Jackson's marching against Pensa cola, attacking it, and bringing the Spaniards to terms. As to whether Gordon participated in fhe fights around New Orleans, we do not know, but later in th© year 1815 we find him engaged in operating a cotton gin, which was located on Dunlap Creek be tween Duck Eiver and Shady Grove. Eight years later Judge Haywood refers to him as one who is no more. Captain Gordon's brother-in-laAV, Eichard Cross, was a very wealthy man. On his land in what is uoav South Nashville was the first race course in the vi cinity of Nashville. Here General Jackson ran some of his noted horses. Cross OAvned the A'aluable lands on the Natchez Trace adjoining the Gordon place. He dying Avithout issue, these lands were inherited by the children of his sister, Mrs. Gordon. These chil dren were Boiling, Powhattan, Fielding, Andrew, Eichard, John, Mary, DoUie, and Louisa. At Gordon's old ferry Duck Eiver is now spanned by a good bridge, built by the counties of Maury and Hickman at a cost of $10,000. Fatty Bread Branch, Avhich fioAvs into Duck Eiver here, is for a short dis tance near its mouth the line between Maury and Hickman Counties. The large, white house among the cedars on the hill near by was the residence of Maj. Boiling Gordon, who for years Avas, political ly, Hickman County's most prominent citizen. The large number of surrounding buildings Avere the quar- Third District. 125 ters of his numerous slaves. All of thes© buildings show plainly the marks left upon them by Time in his fiight. The broAvn brick building Arith the severe ly straight walls which stands in the valley south of Boiling Gordon's old residence was the home of Capt. John Gordon. This much-dilapidated and out-of- date building Avas for years the most elegant home in Hickman County. Here lived the most aristocratic family of the county. The name of Gordon, once so prominent in the county, is now no longer to be found here, and it is doubtful if even a relative can be found in the coimty. The old home is almost in ruins, and where once was grandeur, gloom now is. And the waters of the near-by branch Arith the peculiar name seem to murmur : Men may come and men may go. But I go on forever. Boiling Gordon married Mary Watkins, of Vir ginia. He was a member of the General Assembly of the State from 1828 to 1836, sometimes as Senator, sometimes as a member of the Lower House. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1834, and also of the Constitutional Convention of 1870, being one of the few men of the State who enjoyed the distinction of being a member of two constitutional conventions. When the convention convened at Nash ville on January 10, 1870, Boiling Gordon, on motion of A. O. P. Nicholson, was made temporary president of the convention. Major Gordon, on taking the 126 History op Hickman County, Tenn. chair, referred to the fact that he was the only one present Avho had been a member of the other conven tion, which had met " almost on this identical spot thirty-five years ago." He referred to some of those with Avhom he was then associated, naming the ven erable Blount, the upright Walton, and the brilUant Francis B. Fogg. In closing, he said : " May I not invoke this convention, in which I see so many gray heads and so many distinguished men, to aid in mak ing a constitutional- government which shall answer all the ends designed ? May I not invoke you to dis charge all the duties of the occasion Arith credit to yourselves and with benefit to the State ? " Later, when the president of the convention, John C. Brown, was absent. Major Gordon was, upon motion of John F. House, again called to the chair. During the con vention he served with distinction as a member of the Committee on Elections. As chairman of the Com mittee on Common Schools, he left his impress upon that portion of the Constitution providing for Tennes see's present public school system. Major Gordon died about 1880. On September 24, 1835, in the brovra brick buUd- "ing aboA'c referred to as the home of John Gordon, Louisa Pocahontas Gordon was married to Felix K. ZoUicoffer, who, while leading a Confederate brigade, was killed at the battie of Mill Springs, Ky., on Sep tember 19, 1862. ZoUicoffer, who was a Whig, edited the old NashviUe Banner, was Comptroller of Ten nessee, and was at one time a member of Congress. Third District. 127 No braver man ever wore either th© blue or the gray. Powhattan Gordon married Caroline Coleman, of Maury County, who was a sister of William and Eu- fiis Coleman. Eufus Coleman was the best fiddler to be found in Hickman County in the early days. He clerked for William Coleman and Powhattan Gordon, who, about 1830, had a store near where the late Jo seph Bond liA-ed. This store was on the Dr. Green field Smith place, and was situated on the south bank of Duck Eiver near the old ferry landin*?. Dr. Smith, who was a cousin of Dr. Greenfield, of Greenfield's Bend, lived here in 1825. He afterwards lived on Lidi Creek. He was one of the colony which had come from Maryland to Tennessee. The Colemans probably also came to Tennessee vrith this colony. They were, at least, related to some of its members, the Tylers. Near Gordon & Coleman's store Ben. AVilson, of Leatherwood, sold whisky ; and just above, on the lands of George Church, were two race courses, one a half mile in length, the other a mile. This section bore the suggestive name of " Pluck-' em-in," and was the scene of many a revel in the tAventies and thirties. In 1825 John Skipper had a stillhouse on Jackson's Branch. Eichard Smith was probably the first to sell whisky in the village of Shady Grove, but this was long after the notorious " Pluck-' em-in " had gone out of existence. George Grimes had a saloon at Shady Grove in 1854. The laws were not then 90 stringent, and men, while under the influence of 128 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Avhisky, seemed to have less of the brute in their nature than has the average drunken man of the pres ent day. Men did not then flll up on mean whisky in order to prepare themselves to make murdereus assaults upon their felloAAMnen as they do in this day of higher civilization. During the existence of " Pluck-' em-in," one of its frequenters was Eobert W^hite, a noted gambler. One day there came to George Church's race course a stranger riding an ugly, "' slab-sided," bobtailed bay horse, with mane reached, like a mule. The stranger Avas shabbily dressed, and the questions he asked about the horses and horse racing shoAved him to be entire ly unfamiliar with th© sport then in progress. He drank some and was very anxious to buy cattle, of which he was in sea,rch. He learned that there would be in a fcAv days a big horse race on Josiah Shipp's track near Centerville. By going there he could see cattle OAvners from all over the county, and, in addi tion to this, he was told that he could se© a very lively horse race. For this latter he did not care, but, al though an additional twenty miles' ride Avould be rather hard on his horse, he concluded to go on to Cen terville in order to buy cattle, of which he Avas in great need. He went to Centerville the night before the day on AA^-hich the races were to be run. The next moming he Avas one of the large crowd at the track ; but by the demon. Drink, the quiet, inoffensive cattle buyer had been transformed into a swaggering drunk ard, Avho wanted to bet on the race money which his Third District. 129 appearance showed he could ill afford to lose. His condition was such that he could scarcely walk, and his faculties were so overclouded that he did not care which horse he backed. Lie just wanted to bet He had seen other people bet at Church's track, and, so he said, he had as much money as anybody. His own old horse was hitched near by, and, mounting it, he, continuing his boasting, announced that it could beat anything on the ground. Eemonstrances were in vain, and he, continuing to wave his money, soon found takers. He was, in race-course parlance, " an easy thing," and soon there was a mad rush for his money. HaAdng come for the purpose of buying cat tle, he had money to cover all money offered him, and, in addition to this, was soon bettine money against watches, pistols, overcoats, etc. When the horses lined up for the start, some of the more observant noticed that the stranger seemed to have become strangely sober in a short time. A\Tien three-fourths of the track had been gone over and the stranger and his horse were still well up in the bunch, it was re membered that nobody had seen him take a drink. When the stranger's horse won with ease, beating Griner's horse, the pride of Hickman County, it gradually dawned upon those who had bet "with the stranger that they had been victimized. The stranger was Shilo True, the trickiest trickster of them all, and the missionary work that he did that day produced lasting good. Many saw the error of their way and never bet again. Many who that day bet "with the -9- 130 History op Hickman County, Tenn. professional gambler, Shilo True, afterwards became tiie most prominent citizens of the county. Tavo of his converts were Emmons Church and his father, Abram Church, who, riding back to Shady Grove Avithout their overcoats, agreed that they would gam ble no more. For years, whenever people saw the appearance of fraud, a cheat, or a s"windle, or when they wanted to halloo, " Enough ! " they simply said, " Shilo I " and were understood. On the old " Pluck-'em-in " grounds lived the late Joseph McEea Bond, a progressive and well-to-do farmer, who was bom in Maury County on February 14, 1833. He came to the Eleventh District, near .xEtna, in September, 1851, but soon afterwards re moved to the Fourteenth District, where he was for many years a magistrate. He came to the Third Dis trict a few years ago, and until his death owned this valuable land along the Natchez Trace. It was here that Mcintosh felled the first timber in the county preparatory to making a clearing. The first com raised in the county, however, was on the place now owned by Thomas Field, in the Seventh District, where the cane was cut away and corn raised in 1806. From 1813 to 1815 many troops passed over the Natchez Trace going to and returning from the South. Jackson's army in the Creek War, in the operations against Pensacola, and in the fights around New Or leans, was composed of Tennessee militia. His sol diers, who are entitied to the name solely on account of their fighting qualities, were unused to military Third District. 131 serrice and seemed to be controlled by the idea that they could serve until they became tired, then quit It was Jackson's ability to hold enough of these to gether to AAdn every fight in which he engaged that shoAved he was a great general. During these t;wo years squads of neighbors would form, go and attach themselves to some command in Jackson's army, serve until they became hungry and tired, and then return home. The prospects of an immediate fight would more nearly serv'e to keep them together than any army regulations. So the general statement to be found in local tradition that General Jackson marched his army over the " Notchy " Trace to New Orleans is misleading. At the time the British fleet bore. doAvn on New Orleans, Jackson was at Pensacola. Coffee was also there, and marched his men through to New Orleans. Carroll, who had the immediate command of the 2,500 Tennessee hunters who prac tically fought and won the flnal battle of Ncav Orleans on January 8, 1815, carried his men to Ncav Orleans by boats, starting at Nashville on November 19, 1814. In January, 1813, Coffee, Arith 650 cavalry men, had gone over the trace to Natchez. However, the larger portion, if not all of the Tennessee portion, of Jackson's army returned from New Orleans by the way of Natchez, and over the Natchez Trace to Nash ville. It is said that the soldiers from this section of the State were discharged on the Natchez Trace near where the LcAvis monument now stands, the parting between General Carroll and his soldiers being an 132 History of Hickman County, Tenn. affecting scene. So, while Jackson's army did not in a body go over the trace to New Orleans, it returned this way, and during the Creek War many straggling detachments went and returned this way. A story of the return trip from New Orleans was told to the late Daniel Smith by William Grimmitt, who lived on Smith's land on Dunlap Creek, and is yet remembered by many citizens of the Third District. Grimmitt, in connection Arith the story, pointed out a hollow tree on a hillside near the trace. Grimmitt, when he enlisted, lived in Dickson County. On the return from New Orleans in the spring of 1815, a former neighbor of his became seriously sick before they came to the Tennessee Eiver, and he was detailed to drop out of ranks and care for his sick friend. OAring to the sick man's condition, they traveled very slowly. Other Dickson County soldiers, reaching home, told Grimmitt's father that his son was in company with tlie sick man somewhere on the Natchez Trace this side of the Tennessee Eiver. The father proceeded to find the trace and follow it in search of his son. AV^hen Grimmitt and his sick companion were near the tree pointed out, a rain came up, and his companion sought shelter in this hollow tree and remained until the rain ceased. They then continued on, their jour ney, but, after crossing Duck Eiver, the sick soldier became much Averse, and, lying doAvn, by the side of the trace, soon expired. Securing assistance, the body was carried to the Dr. Long place, now known as the Eufe Puckett place. Jack Charter, of Leather- Third District. 133 wood, made the coffin. Charter was the father of CaA'-e Charter, a well-informed citizen of the Thir teenth District. The dead soldier was buried on the Long place, and soon aftor friends or relatives came from Dickson County and placed a rock wall around his grave. On the day of the burial Grimmitt's fa ther arrived with horses, and they returned together to Dickson County. This is the story of the rock- walled grave of the unknoAvn soldier on the Eufe Puckett place. Grimmitt, while he lived in Hickman County, drew a pension as a soldier of the War of 1812, and a part, of his pension money was used to pay his burial expenses. He was buried in the old Presbyterian churchyard on Cathey's Creek in Maury County. Soon, perhaps, his grave, too, will be marked " Unknown," as no stone Arith epitaph marks the last resting place of this old soldier of the AVar of 1812. He has fought his last fight. He sleeps his last sleep; No sound can awake him To glory again. From the late Daniel Smith much information was obtained concerning the history of the Third District His father, George Smith, was bom in Georgia in 1779, and came to NashviUe in 1797. From Nash viUe he went to Dickson County. He came to Hick man County in 1825 and settled on the lands OAvned by the late Joseph Bond, locating within tAvo hundred 134 Hlstory 01' Hickman County, TENrf. yards of Gordon's Ferry. Here he and several mem bers of his family are buried. Near McCbnnico's Church, on South Harpeth, he married Nellie Baker, daughter of Absalom Baker. She was bom in Vir ginia in 1794. Their children were: Daniel, James, Benjamin, George, Lindsey, Collins, Catherine, Mary, Eebecca, and Emeline. Daniel Dansby Smith was bom on Jones' Creek, in Dickson County, on May 13, 1813. He died on Dun lap Creek in 1898. The names of his children are: E. J., J. H., Erastus, Daniel L., George E., Franoisi, and Ellen. E. J. Smith AA'as killed during the Civil War by Federals neai- Charlotte. After the Thir teenth District was detached from thisi, about 1848, Daniel Smith was elected constable of the Third Dis trict. The election was held at Shady Grove, which then became the polling place, and there was a general fight on the day of the election. Later he was one of this district's magistrates for six yea.rs, and in 1862 was elected sheriff, receiving every vote cast in this district, sa,ve one. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1834 justices of the peace Avere elected by the Legislature, the basis being not more than two for each militia company in the county, with the exception of the one which embraced tiie county tovm; for this one, not more than three. In 1834 civil districts were first established, they becoming the basis of representation as they are uoav. After this the justices of the peace were elected by the people. Previous to this the peo- Third District. 135 pie sometimes made their selections, communicating their Arishes to their Eepresentative. This was done here in 1827, when Samuel A. Baker and Granville M. Johnson Avere selected as the choice of this section. The selection was made by the friends of the several candidates lining up by the side of their choice. The men in the several Unes were then counted, and the re sult declared by tellers. For some time after 1834 the larger portion, if not aU, of the present Third, Thirteenth, and Fifteenth Districts were in one civil district The voting place was at the place where William McEwen now lives, William Weems liring there then. Johnson lived on Leatherwood Creek. Baker was the father of John Baker, the first sheriff of the county after the Civil War. He was a magis- tra,te from 1827 to the time of his death in 1862. He was succeeded by James Nelson Bingham, who served eighteen years. Bingham was bom on March 25, 1808, in North CaroUna, and died on January 16, 1876. He married Eebecca Smith, a sister of Daniel Smith. She was bom in Dickson County on Decem ber 13, 1811, and died on April 15, 1885. James N. Bingham was a son of Eobert Bingham, and oame to Hickman County in 1830. The first constable of the district was John H. Davis, who was not related to the surveyor, John Davis. He lived at the George Mayberry place, north of Gordon's Ferry. He could neither read nor Avrite, and the magistrates did his Avriting for him. He was, however, a faithful officer. Josiah S. AVheat, son of Wyley Wheat, was bom on 136 History op Hickman Ootjnty, Tenn. March 7, 1840. He was constable of this district for twelve years, and was deputy sheriff under Sheriff John V. Stephenson. Phil. Hoover, of this district, was at one time a deputy sheriff, and William J. Mc Ewen made one of the most popular and efficient sheriffs the county ever had. Shady Grove, situated on Dunlap Creek on© mUe from Duck Eiver, was given its name by Henry (Harry) Nichols, who was the first merchant here. The name is still an appropriate one. Shady Grove is noted for its churches and schools. The Christian Church has a membership of one hundred and twenty- five, and the Methodist Church has a membership of about fifty. In the upper story of the Methodist Church is the lodge room of Trinity Lodge, No. 501, F. and A. M. This lodge was organized in 1871, and was for years th© only working lodge in the county. John E. Bates was its first Worshipful Master. In 1897 some of the officers were: George McGahee, W. M. ; J. E. Bates, S. W. ; G. W. Adkisson, J. W. ; P. P. Anderson, Treasurer; D. W. Flowers, S. D. From 1800 to 1805 was the time of the " Great Eevival," an era o£ great religious excitement through out' Southern Kentucky and Northern Tennessee. It Avas during this time that " the jerks " prevailed and camp meetings originated. Barton Warren Stone was pastor of a Presbyterian Churoh in Bourbon County, Ky., and, hearing of " the jerks " or " epi demic epilepsy " whidi prevailed at the camp meet ings which were now becoming numerous, he attended Thted Disteiot. 137 one. This hitherto staid Presbyterian was so im pressed Arith what he saw that he wrote a book de scribing it. A Avriter, referrinsr to this, says : " Elder Stone has been described as a man of respectable bear ing, of spotless character and childlike simplicity, and easily attracted to the strange and marvelous. His judgment was somewhat under the dominion of his imagination." A further extract from the same au thor is given Arithout comment : "About the same time (1804) other sects sprang up, knoAvn by the respective names of ' Stoneites,' or ' New Lights ; ' ' Marshall- ites,' ' Schismatics,' etc. By these ' heresies ' the Synod of Kentucky lost eight members. The ' Stone ites,' or ' New Lights,' were a body formed mainly through the efforts of Elder Stone after he had de cided to abandon Presbyterianism altogether. This new body was called by its adherents the ' Chris tian Church,' while by outsiders it was called by the name ' New Lights.' They held many of the vicAVS Avhich afterwards characterized the Campbell refor mation, especially the famous dogma of ' baptism for the remission of sins,' and Elder Stone intimates in his book pretty plainly that in adopting it the ' Disci ples of Christ ' or ' Campbellites,' as the followers of Alexander Campbell were originally called, had stolen his thunder. When the Campbell reforma tion reached Kentucky, Elders Stone and Purvianee united with the reformers, and thus the Southern branch of the old ' Christian Church ' disappeared. Since then the name ' Disciples,' or ' CampbeUites,' 138 History of Hickman County, Tenn. has been exchanged for the old name, the ' Chris tian Church.' " AVithout discussing the appropri ateness or inappropriateness of any of these names, the simple statement is here made that this church has for nearly eighty years been one of the lead ing churches in tiiis section of the county, and from its starting point here has spread to nearly every other neighborhood in the county. Here near Shady GroA'e, at what is knoAvn as " The Stand," this churoh was first established in Hickman County about 1820, and here was held their last camp meeting in 1834. In addition to its, being the first in the county, it was among the first in the State. Barton W. Stone preached here during the twenties, and the celebrated Tolbert Fanning preached here at a later date. Na thaniel Kellum, William Nicks, and John Hooten, of this church, preached here as early as 1825. John Hooten Avas a son of" Elijah Hooten, who, as a soldier in the American army, was present at the surrender of CornAA'allis at YorktoAvn. He came from Virginia to Tennessee about 1811. He was on© of ten chil dren, and was the father of ©leven. He married Mary Eeeves. His son, William E. Hooten, was also a preacher, having been ordained in this district in 1829. John Hooten had but one eye, and could not read or Avrite. HoAvever, he is said to have been a good preacher, and his memory was so good that he gave out his songs correctly, quoted his texts correctly, and told where they could be found. He died in Mar shall County at the age of seventy-five. WiUiam Third District. 139 Nicks was the father of seventeen children, one of whom is the venerable Elder John Nicks, the well- -knoAvn preacher, Avho uoav lives in the First District. John Nicks was bom in the Third District on April 2, 1829. Another Nicks who preached at " The Stand," at a later date, however, was Absalom Doak Nicks, J r., son of Absalom Doak Nicks, Sr. Absalom Nicks, Sr., was a brother of AA'^illiam Nicks, and was bom in North Carolina on March 6, 1794, and died in Arkan sas in 1848. He married Hester Perry, who was bom in South Carolina on October 8, 1788, and died at WiUiamsport, Maury County, in July, 1858. Ab salom Nicks, Jr., was bom on Mill Creek, in the Fifth District, on July 19, 1826. In 1845 he married Margaret Blocker, who was born near WiUiamsport on July 10, 1829. His chances for obtaining an edu cation were limited, but by home study he stored his active and retentive mind Arith much valuable infor mation. He was a dose student of the Bible, and it is said that while at work in his blacksmith shop he had this first of all books so placed that he could read while at work. He moved to Dickson County, and there made a record of which any man might feel proud. At the close of the Civil War, when it became necessary to reorganiz© the State government, Gov emor Brownlow, in appointing Eepresentatives from the disloyal counties, appointed Nicks, a conservative Union man, to represent Dickson County. He ac cepted the appointment, which came without solicita tion; but when he entered into the discharge of his 140 History of Hickman County, Tenn. duties, he voted as he pleased and according to his ideas of justice and honesty. This did not meet Arith the approval of his partisan associates, and they pre ferred charges of disloyalty against him and declared his seat vacant. The elective franchise having been restored to the people of Dickson County, they elected him to fill the vacancy. He so satisfied his people that he was tendered a reelection. This he declined. He now lives in the Fourth District of Hickman County. The first Methodist to preach at " The Stand " was Arthur Sherrod, who preached her© as early as 1825. He was from Leiper's Creek, and had been a captain of militia before he commenced to preach. AVhile the Presbyterian Church, weakened b"t' the secession of the followers of Elder Stone and others, was finally rent asunder by the effects of the " Great Eevival," the Methodist Church gained greatiy by this religious awakening. In Tennessee, in 1796, there were 799 white Methodists and 77 colored; in 1803 there were 3,560 whites and 248 colored. Phelan tells the story of the advent of Methodism into Hickman County Avhen he says : " Other denominations have followed in the wake of civilization; the Methodist circuit riders led it." The one church in Tennessee which neither gained nor lost by the " Great Eevival " was the Baptist Church. Its members kept the even tenor of their way, looking upon their neighbors who had " the jerks " Arith feelings in Avhich were blended pity and contempt. Occasionally at a camp meeting a Third District. 141 Baptist spectator would feel an attack of " the jerks " coming on, but by the exercise of will power he gen erally warded it off. As early as 1809 John Gill lived at the place where the late Daniel Smith last lived. The house in which Gill lived is still used as a residence. Here at an early date preached George Nixon, grandfather of th© late Chancellor George H. Nixon. He was a Methodist, and Mrs. Gill was a member of this church. They having no church house at that time, sendees were held at the homes of the members. Mrs. Gill was an aunt of Eichard A. Smith, of the Thirteenth District A church was built on Dunlap Creek just below the Samuel Cochran place, but this was destroyed by a hurricane in 1830. In 1839 Wyley Ledbetter, father of Eev. Henry S. Ledbetter, of the Sixth District, preached at the home of Nehemiah Nichols. About the same time the funeral of Mrs. Weems was preached at the William McEwen place by Eev. Enrin. The Mormons have no organized church in the county, but in this district there are about thirty members of this church. AVhen an elder preaches here, it is at the residence of some member. As to the doctrines of this church or their practices in Utah, we know nothing, but, as citi zens of Hickman County, the Mormons of the Third District ar© hospitable and industrious. At Shady Grove is located the finest, best, and most conveniently arranged school building in the county. It has many modem conveniences, and was erected at a cost of $2,000. Here in recent years have taught 142 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Professors Salmon, Parrish, Carraway, and Marshall. About 1887 Elder E. W. Norwood, of the Christian Church, taught school at Shady Grove. Elsewhere an account is given of the closing of George Peery's pioneer school by " government rangers. The first permanent schoolhouse in this section was built out on the ridge toward Buck Branch about 1820. It was an imposing structure for those days. It was built on government land, and was built of hevra logs. The seats Avere made of split logs, made smoother by a broadax. The legs were long wooden pegs driven into auger holes in the half logs. A vmting desk was made by boring holes in the wall and driving long wooden pegs into these holes. On the pegs was placed a plank or board. Writing was done with goose-quill pens made with a penknife by the teacher or some of his " large scholars." Gold pens and steel pens w©re not then in existence. A good goose-quill pen would last well when proper care was taken of it, and did as well as a steel pen or a gold pen of the present day. Some of those who taught here were Nicholas P. Simms, John C. Kelley, James AVinns, Dr. Joseph Shields, Branch, William Dickey, Samuel Ba ker, William Willey, and AViUiam Leiper. Simms was a Methodist preacher, and came here from WiU iamsport. Shields was an Irishman, and was edu cated at Edinburgh College. He was a fin© mathe matician and rigid disciplinarian. In punishing his pupils he used papaw bark, which he kept at the schoolhouse for the additional purpose of bottoming Third District. 143 chairs at recess. He taught school at Columbia be fore coming here in 1831. Willey was the adopted son of John Willey, who helped to cut out the Natchez Trace, and who lived at the big spring on Dunlap Creek where Cochran uoav lives. John Willey was the father-in-law of Craig Anderson. William Leiper was a brother of the late Green D. Leiper, of the Tenth District, and married Amanda Nicks. Beyond this schoolhouse from Shady Grove lived Arehibald Eay, the father of Hal, "Hy," and "Dick" Eay. It was Eay who remarked, after the seventh baptism of Capt. "Lam" Kelly: "Next time aa-c baptize ' Lam ' we'll use warm tar, so that it Arill stick or make him stick." Hal Eay was killed by a negro at the Jewell place. In 1858, about three- fourths of a mile from Shady Grove on Buck Branch, WiUiam Brinkle stabbed and kille'd EUjah Deaton at the home of Deaton's daughter, who was a widow. Brinkle was never arrested. He, at the breaking out of the Civil War, enUsted in the Confederate Army, and after the close of the war he did not return to the county. In 1865 or 1866, at Henry G. Nichols' store in Shady Grove, Griff. Nichols stabbed and killed Artin Hassell. In 1897 Winfred Cotton, an old and respected citizen of Shady Grove, committed suicide. Dr. Greenfield Smith was the pioneer physician of this section. Here at an early date was Dr. McPhail, Avho was a brother-in-law of John W. Whitfield, a man long prominent in the military and political af fairs of the county. From 1830 to 1840, and for 144 History op Hickman County, Tenn. many years afterwards. Dr. Samuel B. Moore, of Cen terville, was the family physician of many citizens of this district Dr. John Eeed was located here in 1847. Dr. D. B. Cliffe, of Franklin, was at one time a physician here. In 1897 the physicians of Shady Grove were Dr. Q. A. Dean and Dr. Charles Walters. Dr. Quintin Abel Dean was bom in Oenterville on March 23, 1847. He is a son of Eansom Dean, who came from Kentucky to what is now the Eleventh Dis trict prior to 1820, and for years lived with Squire Kimmins, of Beaverdam. In 1846 Eansom Dean went to Mexico as color bearer of Capt John W. AVhit field' s company. In 1825 William Savage and GUbert, Nichols occu pied lands on Dunlap Creek. In order to perfect their titles they were later forced to pay twelve and a half cents per acre for their land. The locations were made by a friend of Nichols, James Dobbins, a surveyor and land speculator. Elijah Emmons had located here, but, being unable to pay the required number of cents per acre, Dobbins paid it and took the land. Dobbins was the locator of other lands on Dun lap Creek, but the most valuable were the lands around Shady Grove, which h© located for John Pruett, of Virginia. The land upon which Shady Grove now stands, and some lying on the present road from the village to the bridge at the site of Gordon's Ferry, was located for Johnson and James Miller. Gilbert Nichols was bom in Maryland in 1768, and married Ellen Charter, of Pennsylvania. He oame to Ten- Third District. 145 nessee in 1819, and in 1825 settled at the place where his son, Christopher Nichols, now lives. This house, Avhich is still a good one, Avas built in 1823 by Nimrod Mcintosh, who was the champion rail splitter of that section. Christopher Nichols Avas bom in Bedford County, A"a, on September 10, 1812, and came Arith his father to this district. He married Prudence ^lanerva Nicks, one of the seventeen children of AA'ilUam Nicks. She Avas bom on Mill Creek on De cember 1, 1816, and is the mother of nine children. James Miller, who located here about 1810, was the father of Simpson, Francis, and James ililler. The latter two are citizens of Shady Grove, and have had much to do Avith the building of this thriving little rillage. On a portion of the original Miller tract of land now lives John ]\Iinor Anderson, who was bom on March 17, 1848. He has been county surveyor since 1883, prcAaous to which he taught school. He is a son of " Big Dick " Anderson. " Kettle Dick " An derson, brother of Eobert Anderson, who was the first settler of Anderson's Bend, Avas his maternal grand father. David Anderson, who lived in Bedford County, Avas a brother of Eobert and " Kettle Dick " Anderson, and was the father of " Big Dick " Ander son. The children of " Kettie Dick " Anderson, who lived in Maury County in the Kettie Bend of Duck Eiver, were: John, who married Mary, daughter of John GiU, of Dunlap Creek; David, Henry; Craig, Avho married a daughter of John Willey ; and Mary, 146 History of Hickman County, Tenn. or Polly, who married John Y. Smith, father of Rich ard A. Smith. After Smith's death she married her cousin, "' Big Dick " Anderson, the father of John M. and David Henry Anderson. David H. Anderson was bom on June 5, 1841. He has in his possession a powder gourd raised in North Carolina in 1773. It Avill hold about a pound of powder. It was brought to Tennessee by " Kettle Dick " Anderson, and was inherited by his nephew and son-in-law, " Big Dick " Anderson, at whose death it became the property of his son, -David H. Anderson. The pioneer brothers, Richard and Robert, belonged to different political parties. Richard (" Kettie Dick ") was a AVhig, and Robert was a Democrat In 1836 Simpson Miller had a wood shop where Shady Grove now is. He had a tuming lathe, and made for th© people of the surrounding country many bedsteads, bureaus, sugar chests, cupboards, side boards, spinning wheels, reels, etc. Henry G. Nich ols, the first merchant, commenced to sell goods here about 1844. Nichols wasi a deputy under Sheriff W. H. Carothers. In 1849 a man named Pmett had a shoe shop here. A few years ago T. B. Walker, now of Whitfield, and J. B. AValker, now cashier of the Centerville Bank, were merchants here. In 1897 the merchants here AA'ere J. D. Evans and J. H. Houser. D. H. Anderson had here at the same time a shoe, saddle, and harness shop; John Leek, a saddle and harness shop; and John Thornton and D. Chamber lain, blacksmith shops. Third District. 147 As early as 1815 Joel Pugh had located at the Grimes place, near Shady Grove. He was born in Kentucky, and came to Mill Creek in 1810. Here George Pugh was bom on Alay 12, 1812. Other children were Sally (bom on September 15, 1815), who married Henry Cummins ; Jane (bom on March 30, 1818), who married Joseph AVebb, of the Seventh District; John W. (bom on April ll, 1820) ; and Mary Melissa (bom on Alay 12, 1825), who married M. H. Puckett, who was at one time County Court Clerk of this county. Henry Cummins was at one time a deputy sheriff, and was the father of Samuel and John Cummins, tAvo of the county's substantial citizens. Samuel Cummins is now one of the magis trates of the Third District, and says what he thinks, and thinks what he says. The other magistrate is James Grimes, who is also a descendant of one of the pioneers of the Third District. Joel Pugh was a millwright and wood-Avorkman, and cleared about the first land west of Shady Grove. Some of his early neighbors were : John Grimes, Samuel Montgomery ; George Gannt, a laAvyer; and George HarviU, an uncle of the late Elder Y. J. HarriU. Evans Shelby lived at the B. B. Bates place, near Buck Branch. On the Natchez Trace, between Pmett's Spring and Duck River, Samuel Alderson Baker located in 1816. He was bom in Virginia on June 16, 1792. His Arife was Frances Walker, who was also bom in Virginia He located where his son, Samuel Giles Baker, now lives. Samuel G. Baker was bom here on June 25, 148 History op Hickman County, Tenn. 1833. He is the OAvner of his father's lands, through which the Natchez Trace runs. Samuel A. Baker located 160 acres here, and afterwards bought 240 acres more. The sons of Samuel Alderson Baker were: John (bom in 1823), who was sheriff of Hickman County immediately after the Ciril War; Thomas, William, Samuel G., and James P. Alice, the AAdfe of George Church, was his daughter. Fourth District. 149 CHAPTER VII. THE FOURTH DISTRICT. -np HE ;E'ourth District is bounded on the north by -*- Dickson County; on the east, by Williamson and Alaury Counties ; south, by the Thirteenth Dis trict; and west, by the Second and Fifth Districts. It includes the valley of Lick Creek, from the mouth of Hassell's Creek up to the Unes of Dickson and Williamson Counties, which Ue beyond the head waters of the northwestern tributaries of this creek. The line of the Fourth District, however, does not cross Lick Creek until it reaches the mouth of Dog Creek, where it crosses and embraces in the Fourth District all of this creek, save a small tributary. Sugar Creek, which lies in the Thirteenth District Zebulon Hassell the First, from whom the creek took its name, settled at the Lambert place, on Has sell's Creek, a short time after the Indian treaties of 1805 and 1806. The next tributary of Lick Creek above Hassell's Creek is Morrison's Branch, named for a family which lived on it at an early day. Jesse Peeler, Avho died a few years ago in the Eleventh Dis trict, lived on this branch in 1836. Frank Killough lived here in 1835. A fork of Morrison's Branch is Jones' Branch, upon which John Groves now has a mill and dry goods store. It received its name from Alston Jones, father of O. A. Jones, who settied upon 150 History of Hickman County, Tenn. it about 1825. At its mouth Harvey Giles lived in 1835. Ned Carver, a noted gunsmith and black smith, had a mill at the Tatom place in 1835. Ferdi nand B. Russell OAvned the Little Rock Mills, now OAvned by Groves, in 1858. Above Morrison's Branch is Gin Branch, which re- ceiA^ed its name from the fact that Frank Worley had a gin here in 1825. Col. Alfred Darden lived here in 1836, and from this place h© Avent, ten years later, to Mexico as a member of Whitfield's company. J. H. Nichols, of the Fourth District, was also in the Mexican AVar. On this branch, in 1846, lived Will iam Jefferson Bond, Avho was bom at Hillsboro, AVilliamson County, on July 26, 1826. He was a son of AVilliam Bond, of Virginia. He married Clara Mayberry, a daughter of Gabriel Mayberry, Avho was bom in June, 1828. William J. Bond was the father of John T. Bond, AA'ho was bom on January 9, 1851, and of Albert J. Bond, who was bom on January 29, 1863. In 1867 a negro woman, Nancy Mayberry, was shot and killed by imknown parties in Gin Hollow. The shot was fired through a window one night. The gin has long since disappeared, and only th© name recalls the fact that here the farmers^ of the upper portion of Lick Creek brought their cotton to have it ginned, prepara,tory to passing it into female hands to be, by the cards, the spinning wheel, the reel, and the loom, transformed into clothing for the family. Just below the mouth of Gin Hollow (or Branch), Fourth District. 151 near a good spout spring, lives Jerome Reeves, one of Hickman County's best citizens. He is a son of John Reeves, Avho Avas born in Kentucky on August 13, 1800. John Reeves was a son of James Reeves, Avho Avas bom in Greene County, Tenn., in 1778, and who married Peggy Ayres, of Kentucky. John Reeves came with his father to Alaury County in 1805. He came to the Fourth District in 1836 and settled on the John Overbey place, which he bouffht from Robert Oakley, Avho had bought it from Henry Potts, Avho had located here about 1815. Hugh Hill then OAvned the place where Jerome Reeves now lives. Hill after Avards sold it to James Oliver, father of Captain Oli ver, C. S. A. Sons of John Reeves were S. Jerome Reeves (bom on September 28, 1829), and Leonard Reeves (bom in 1839). His daughter, Oleander, married AVilliam Dean, of Dog (or Cedar) Creek. Ophelia RecA'es married Joseph Holmes, who, while a soldier in the Confederate Army, was killed at Ma rietta, Ga. Garrett Turman, Jr., lived at the W. T. Warft" place in 1836, and about the same date James Anglin lived at the Blount Turman place. At what is UOAV known as Martin's shop, Phelps Martin Uved in the long ago, and his near-by neighbor was Benja min Vaughan. Turman Parker lived on this, the Bar ren Fork, about 1835. George W. Hicks, who lives at the mouth of the Barren Fork of Lick Creek, Avas bom on April 22, 1835, on Lick Creek. He is a son of William M. Hicks, who was bom in Virginia on January 9, 1804, and who married Alargaret, the 152 History of Hickman County, Tenn. daughter of Josiah Davidson, who was a North Caro lina soldier in the Revolutionary War. Margaret, DaAddson was bom in Rutherford County, Tenn. The Hicks family came to Lick Creek in 1815. Jerre Ingram laid a soldier's Avarrant at the Hicks place in 1815. The land upon which W. T. Warff lives, was granted to Butler, the grant embracing 640 acres. An adjoining grant of the same number of acres was to Grant. The Grant lands are on the Trace Fork, and have since been knoAvn as the Tidwell or Dean lands, and lie adjoining to the Ingram lands-. The Butler lands, which Avere also for military service in the Eevolutionary War, were located about 1810. The TidAvell aboA'e referred to Avas Eli TidAvell, father of the late Levi J. TidAvell, aa'Lo was for many years one of the Fourth District's magistrates. Levi J. TidAvell Avas a man of determination, firm in his views upon all questions, whether personal, political, or re ligious. He was a Alissionary Baptist, having joined that church at Union Hill, Llenderson County, Tenn. Tn politics he was an unflinching Eepublican, and Avas at one time a candidate for EepresentatiA'e. He was beaten only eighty-four votes by Col. Vemon F. Bibb, who was considered the strongest Democrat in the county. Tidwell Avas bom on Mareh 14, 1825. He lived in what is called " The Barrens," above the head waters of Lick Creek, on the Tannehill entry, Avhich was made in 1826. This entry embraced sev eral thousand acres. A near-by entry was one made by John Stone in 1820. Alfred TidAvell, a son of Fourth District. 153 Levi J. Tidwell, Avas a deputy under Sheriff John A''. Stephenson, and another son, Johnson Tidwell, is at present one of the magistrates of the Fourth District. The Tidwells came from North Carolina in 1843. There is a larg© family of them in the flat country along the county line, and they have built up a thrifty settlement, knoAvn as the " TidAvell Settiement" At the Hicks place Lic-k Creek forks. The Barren Fork, already referred to, rises near Alartin's Shop. The other fork, knoAA'n as the Trace Fork, rises in Williamson County and runs about twelve miles be fore entering the Fourth District of Hickman County. The first place on Lick Creek in Hickman County was settled by John Mayberry, who came from Vir ginia, near the Peaks of Otter. He was here as a hunter as early as 1800, and made a permanent settle ment here about 1806, he being the first settler on Lick Creek in Hickman County. He Avas a farmer and blacksmith, and has hundreds of descendants' through out Lliclunan, Alaury, and AVilliamson Counties. He Avas the father of a large family, all of whom were older than the present century-. His sons were Mike, Job, John, George, and Gabriel. He was the grand father of Walker and Sim Mayberry. A daughter of John Alayberry married a Kinzer; another mar ried Alston Jones, and was the mother of 0. A. Jones ; and another married Pleasant Eussell, and was the mother of Ferdinand B. and Washington B. Eussell. Gabriel Mayberry, after the death of his father, lived at the old Alayberry place, where John T. Morton now 154 History of Hickman County, Tenn. lives. It is said that when an old man he kept as one of his most valued treasures a pair of trousers which his mother had made. These he kept folded carefully and laid away in an old-fashioned chest. Oooasion- ally he would take them out, gaze on them reverentiy, and say: " Mother made these for me, and I want to be buried in them." When he died, friends granted his vrish. Farther doAvn the creek, on the lands entered by Grant, Stockard settled at an early date. Hardin, a soldier of the Eevolution, lived here a few years later. This is the place at Avhich Tidwell and Dean later lived. In 1807 Eobert E. C. Dougherty settled on the creek below the Stockard place. Lie was a school teacher and was one of the early magistrates of the county. In 1819 he resigned his seat in the State Legislature and removed to AVest Tennessee. At the place where Dougherty settled there now lives Garret Turman Overbey, who knOAVs much of the history of the Fourth District. Daniel Overbey, early in the present century, emigrated from North Carolina to Sumner Countv, Tenn., and in the autumn of 1814 he came to Hick man County, settling in the following spring at the head of one branch of the Barren Fork of Lick Creek. His Avife was Emily Tyler, who was related to Presi dent John Tyler. OA'erbey and his vrife both died in 1869. Daniel OA'erbey, Jr., a son of Daniel Over bey, Sr., on March 15, 1832, married Sarah Parker, Fourth District. 155 and they became the parents of eight children. He died on February 2, 1865, his wife living until De cember 15, 1890. Sarah Parker was a daughter of Elisha and Eebecca Parker. Eebecca Parker was a daughter of Garret Turman, Sr., who was a soldier in the Eevolutionary War, and Avho was at one time held a prisoner by the Indians for six months. This was during the Eevolutionary AVar, when North Carolina and Georgia were overrun by the Tories and the fron tiers devastated by the Indians. Garret Turman Overbey, a son of Daniel Overbey, Jr., was bom on October 13, 1834, and, on December 23, 1858, mar ried Emily J. Moss, who was bom on September 11, 1837. lie is the father of six children— John T., W. AV., America L., James D., T. F., and Annie C. The Avife of G. T. Overbey is a descendant of the Foote family, of Virginia, a member of which was at one time Governor of Mississippi. No portion of Hickman County is more closely con nected with the early history of Aiiddle Tennessee than is the Lick Creek country. " Lick Creek of Duck EiA'er " was one of the first streams of Middle Tennessee to receive a name. It derives its name from the black sulphur spring on the south side of the creek, on the old Eussell (and later Beale) place, now OAvned by John T. Overbey. Here buffaloes, deer, and other wild animals congregated in large numbers. Such places as this were called, in the pioneer days, " licks." The buffaloes coming from across Duck Eiver to this lick crossed at the mouth of Leather- 156 History of Hickman County, Tenn. wood Creek, and the path they made was used by the OhickasaAVS VA'hen they came into the Cumberland set tlements. According to the late Maj. Boiling Gor don, the route of the ChickasaAv Trace, the path by Avhieh th© whit©s and Indians traveled to and from the Chickasaw country, Avas as f oUoavs : " Up Trace Creek in LaAA'rence County, down Swan Creek, and across Blue Buck somcAvhere near the residence of Jo. M. Bond ; then over to the spring on Eobertson's Creek, Avhere Mark Eobertson was killed by Indians ; then OA'er to Lick Creek, near Mrs. Beale's residence ; thence to Nashville by way of Johnson's Lick, on Eichland Creek near Charles Bosley's; then on to French Lick, now Nashville." The Chickasaw Trace ran for several miles up the Trace Fork of Lick Creek. AA''hen James Eobertson, in 1780, made the first expe dition from the Bluffs against the Indians, he came upon them near this lick on Lick Creek. When the Coldwa,ter Expedition went out from Nashville in 1 787 to avenge the death of Alark Eobertson, it went Avest from NashviUe to the mouth of TurnbuU Creek, and up that creek to its head. They then went to the head of Lick Creek, and traveled several miles along the ridge, leaving the creek to their right. They then, tuming into the creek valley, came down Trace Fork to the lick on the John T. Overbey place, described as " an old lick as large as a cornfield." They then crossed Dog Creek, went up the Gee HiU, over to Leathenvood Cre©k, and doAvn this creek to its mouth, A\'here they crossed Duck Eiver. Then leaving the Fourth District. 157 Chickasaw Trace, which ran up Eobertson's Creek, to the right, they went to the head of Swan Creek. From this point they went the route described in pre ceding pages. John Dean, father of William, Eobert, Ephraim, and Mark Dean, came to Hickman County on March 24, 1844, and located at the T. J. Oakley place. Soon after locating here he commenced the manufacture of plug tobacco, the first industry of the kind ever operated in the county. The factory was near the Oakley place. The reputation of the " Dean To bacco " as a high-grade tobacco is yet remembered by m.any, and this reputation was sustained by WilUam Dean, who in 1857 erected a factory at the mouth of Dog (or Cedar) Creek. John Dean was bom in East Tennessee on August 7, 1803, and in 1825 married Eliza AndreAvs, of AVilliamson County. Dean died at the T. J. Oakley place, and is there buried. His father was VA^illiam Dean, who married Alice Wood- Avard, of East Tennessee, from which place Dean came, in 1811, to Alaury- County. William Dean died in 1819 on his return from Missouri, where he had been to locate land. Eobert A. Dean, son of John Dean, was throAvn from a mule and killed near Littie Lot on Febmary 25, 1880. In 1836 Josiah Davidson Uved at the John W. Mayberry place. Here, during and after the Civil AVar, lived Joseph Bizwell, a hospitable man and a Christian gentleman. Before the war he was tax 158 History of Hickman County, Tenn. collector for Hickman County, and was at one time deputy sheriff. At the John T. Overbey place, in 1835, lived the" widow of Pleasant Eussell, the father of F. B. and W. B. Eussell. This place is frequentiy called the Beale place, as it was once owned by Capt. Charles Wesley Beale, who commanded a company in the Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, and Avho died at BoAvling Green, Ky., in the latter part of 1861'. In 1836 Vincent Irwin lived where H. G. Primm now liA^es, and later sold the lands to F. B. Eussell. ' In 1830 John T. Primm, who was bom in Mary land on September 22, 1790, located at the place so well knoAvn as the Primm place. Primm married Cecilia C. Gannt, also of Maryland, who was bom on May 6, 1803. Other daughters of Mrs. Elizabeth Gannt married Alton Massey, Capitain Clagett, and Eev. George Hicks. In 1834 Hicks Avent to Missis sippi, where he died. Primm was a school-teacher, and taught here, as did also his brother-in-law, Gannt He was also a merchant, and was one of the first to sell goods on the creek. This place, noted as one of the earliest settled in this vicinity, was first OAvned by AVilliam Lytle, who laid a soldier's warrant here in 1811. The Primms, Smoots, Smiths, Gannts, Cla getts, Tylers, and Berrys came here from Maryland at an early date and formed a Maryland colony near the lines of the Second, Fourth, and Thirteenth Dis tricts, where they had schools of their own. They Fourth District. 159 had two doctors. Smith and Smoot; two teachers, Gannt and Primm ; and one merchant, Primm. They brought no preacher Arith them, but the eldest son of John T. Primm — Oliver Hazard Perry Primm, who was bom on October 24, 1819 — ^became a preacher. Another son is Hinson Groves Primm, who was born in August, 1839. There were nine other children. Hinson G. Primm, who married Emma V. Eooker, is also the father of eleven children. Another son, Clagett Primm, now lives on Hassell's Creek. In 1825 a man named Cox lived on Dog (or Cedar) Creek, on a portion of the lands now oAvned by Will iam Dean. He had no children, and he AriUed the lands to Stephen (or Jesse) Harper, a boy whom he had reared. At times Cox would become violently insane, and his neighbors would be forced to confine him. After he would recover he would tak© revenge upon tiiose who had confined him by refusing to aUow their children to have any apples out of his fine orchard. The other children of the neighborhood Avould be given access to the orchard. Finding that his fine flock of sheep was decreasing in numbers, he commenced to keep a close watch for wolves, which infested the hills near by. One day a large " dog wolf " pursued his sheep to Arithin a few steps of his house. Snatching his rifle from th© rack — ^two forked sticks nailed to the wall — he killed the woK. The report of the kilUng of this pest spread throughout the neighborhood, and from the kiUing of the " dog woK" the creek took its name — ^Dog Creek. Ac- 160 History of Hickman County, Tenn. cording to William Dean, Edward Mahon, of Maury County, bought land on the creek from Malugin and erected a mill on it Mahon became tired of telling his old neighbors in aristocratic Alaury County that he lived on Dog Creek; so, when Colonel Bibb was in the Senate, Mahon had him to introduce a bill chang ing the name to " Cedar Creek." This bill passed both houses, was approved by the Govemor, and be came a laAV " from and after its passage, the public Avelfare requiring it." Primm's Springs are at the head of this creek. These springs were almost unnoticed until 1831, when Alten Aiassey, a brother-in-law of John T. Primm, entered the land surrounding them. He had ma,rried a Miss Gannt, and, not having any children, he vrilled the springs property to the children of Primm. The springs in 1836 were fitted up for visitors, and since that time this has been a popular resort It is said that Matilda, th© vrife of J. AV. Stephenson, and an aunt of AA^illiam Dean, gained a pound a day while staying here in 1837. Primm's Springs are now principally the property of Alaury County parties. Hickman Oountians who have interests here are: 0. A. Jones, .John A. Jones, and E. A. Smith. These springs, like almost all others of their character, Avere, before they were fitted up for guests, considered pub lic property, and hither in the early days resorted hunters, trappers, and explorers. They came when it suited them, and departed when they pleased. William Dean came to this creek from the Oaklev Fourth District. 161 place in 1857 and erected a tobacco factory. The first plug of tobacco he made was at the Oakley place, on August 5, 1846. Here on Dog (or Cedar) Creek he had also a tanyard, which he operated, together with the tobacco factory, until 1861. The "Dean Tobacco," the trade being then unlimited by taxes or by laws, Avas carried in wagons and sold in either large or small lots throughout Middle Tennessee and por tions of Mississippi and Alabama. Dean bought part of his lands from a man named Hehns, who had bought from Asa Shute, a pioneer land locator. That Shute was here as early as 1811 is evidenced by the fact that a beech tree on the creek was marked : "Asa Shute, 1811." Another, which stood near by, was marked: "Asa Shute, Thomas Ingram, 1811." These trees stood about halfway between Primm's Springs and the mouth of the creek, about one-fourth of a mile above where Dean now lives, and near the foot of Gee's Hill. These inscriptions were cut in the bark of these beech trees, which, as they stood near the creek, have been washed away. They were once im portant landmarks. Gee's Hill takes its name from a man named Gee, who once lived here, and from whom the ford at the mouth of Dog (or Cedar) Greek and the road leading over to the head of Leatherwood Creek take their names — Gee's Ford and Gee's Eoad, respectively. This Gee was probably the on© who killed so many deer while herding cattle in the Cow Hollow, in the Ninth District On Dog (or Cedar) Oreek a house built by John Irwin in 1809 is still 162 History of Hickman County, Tenn. used as a residence. There is a hcAvn-log house on the place Avhere G. AA^. Malugin now lives which was also built in 1809. This place is knoAvn as the "Billy Malugin place." There is yet another house built in 1809 on this creek. This is situated on a tributary of the creek, and is Avithin the limits of the Thirteenth District This house Avas built by Mattock, and from it John G. Malugin once ran in great fright to the home of Gee. He ran doAvn the creek valley and through a dense canebrake, thinking that Indians Avere in close pursuit His hasty arrival and the terri ble news he brought caused Gee to also become fright ened. They made arrangements to resist the sa"vages as best they could and to fight them to the last. After hours of weary waiting and of suspense, they con cluded that it was a false alarm, and such it was. Eobert Dean, an uncle of AVilliam Dean and a brother of John Dean, located on Bell's Branch, in the Seventh District, in 1820, and taught school there. As early as 1830, and probably earlier, Pleasant Eussell lived at the John T. Overbey (or Beale) place. His son, the late Lion. W. B. Eussell, was a great hunter. In 1840, after a long chase, he lost th© trail of a deer in the Dog (or Cedar) Creek bottomsu A fcAV hours later he went to the sulphur springs at the head of the creek for water, and there found the deer on a like errand. The deer was slain. During th© Civil AVar this district furnished its quota of brave men for the Southern army. They were led by Captains Beale, Oliver, and Campbell. Fourth District. 163 Capt. Thomas Campbell was badly wounded in the leg during the war. After th© war h© was elected tax collector, defeating Eobert Green, a one-armed ex- Confederate. In another race for the same office Green defeated CampbeU, and thus Hickman County gav© this, the most responsible county office, to these tAvo wounded heroes. Th© majority ©ach time was very small, and it seemed that the voters wanted to elect both men. Ferdinand B. EusseU was at one time one of the leading mill men of the Fourth District. He lost his eyesight while blasting rock near his mill on Jones' Branch. His father was Pleasant Eussell, who was bom in Virginia. F. B. Eussell was bom in William son County on March 10, 1822. Felix Cockrum was droAvned at the mouth of Lick Creek, in the Second District, in 1851. His body was recovered at or near the O. A. Jones (or Nun nelly) place. At the Inkstand Point — so called on account of its peculiar shape — ^near the mouth of Lick Creek, the body of a man named Ashworth was re covered in 1887. He was drovraed at Gordon's Ferry, and lived in Alaury County. In Lick Creek, in the Fourth District, at what is called the Pine Bluff Hole, littie Charlie Haley, of Maury County, was drowned in 1888. He was in bathing with other boys. The early physicians here were Drs. Smoot and Smith, already mentioned. They lived near the mouth of Fort Cooper Hollow. Physicians here at a recent date were Drs. Daniel, Capps, and Shacklett 164 History op Hickman County, Tenn. On Jones' Branch Elder J. P. Litton lived in recent years. He by his upright course made many friends and gained the esteem of even those who differed from him on doct.rinal points. Fifth District. 165 CHAPTER VIII. THE FIFTH DISTRICT. THE Fifth District is bounded on the north by Dickson County; on the east, by the Fourth District; on the south, by the Second District; and on the west, by the Sixth District It includes that portion of Hickman County knoAvn since the first set tiers came here as " The Barrens.'' It received this name on account of the lack of timber. Grass, how ever, was to be found here in abundance, and here grazed A'ast herds of deer, even for years after the first hunters came. This district includes the head waters of Mill Creek, Big Spring Creek, and Little Spring Creek; it also includes the larger portion of Beai' Creek. All of these rise in the Fifth District and floAV westAvard into Pine Eiver. Mill Creek is in the southern part of the district, and Bear Ci-eek in the northern part. The two Spring Creeks are in the west central part. Near the head waters of Alill Creek, and on the edge of " The Barrens," the first hunters who came here found evidences of an Indian dancing ground and camping place. This was near the Daniel Cock- mm (or A. J. Eodgers) spring at the head of the west branch of Mill Creek. For years numerous arrowheads were foimd here. Daniel Cockrum, who was bom in Kentucky, settled at this spring in 166 History of Hickman County, Tenn. 1818. He bought th© lands from A. J. Eodgers, who had settied here in 1810. Daniel Cockrum was the father of Henry and William Cockrum. The latter was bom here on February 11, 1821. James Pickett, the father-in-law of Henry Cockrum, came from Kentucky about this time and settled on the creek below Cockrum. In 1815 Absalom Nicks, Sr., lived on the head waters of MUl Creek, as did also his brother, William Nicks, the preacher. They lived at the Lafayette AVynn place. In 1814 a forge was built by Hardin Perkins on the McAllister place, five miles doAvn the creek from the Cockrum place. Here iron was made from ore, which was melted, " puddled," and rolled into baUs. Into these balls a bar of iron was inserted for a handle. The balls were then turned over and over, while a ponderous hammer struck the red-hot metal repeated ly. AA''hen by this process it had been converted into a good quality of iron, it was draAvn into bars, which were conveyed from th© forge by wagons, and sold throughout the country for ten cents a pound. This iron was by the blacksmiths of the county used in the construction of the primitive farming implements then in use. Much of the iron made here was sold in Kentucky, to which State it was hauled in wagons. Perkins built another forge, called the "Lower Forge," near the mouth of Alill Creek, in what is now the Seventh District In 1825 Alontgomery Bell came to Hickman County and bought these two forges from Perkins, who was his most formidable competitor in Fifth District. 167 the manufacture of iron. Bell, who was a Pennsyl- vajiian, OAvned and operated at that time Cumberland Furnace, on Barton's Creek, in Dickson County. This furnace he had bought from Gen. James Robert son prior to 1800, and here were cast all of the cannon balls used by General Jackson at New Orleans. The cannon balls were carried to the Cumberland River, eight miles away, and shipped to Ncav Orleans in keel boats. Bell also operated a forge at the Narrows of Harpeth, in what is uoav Cheatham County. By his trade Arith Perkins he evidently intended to monopo lize the entire iron trade of Aliddle Tennessee, West Tennessee, and portions of Kentucky, ilississippi, and Alabama. Bell made no attempt to operate the forges bought from Perkins, being satisfied vrith the removal of so formidable a competitor. Perkins, like BeU, was also looking alone to his OAvn interest, and, gathering his slaves and employees, he in a short time erected two forges between those he had sold to Bell and commenced to operate them. Bell abandoned the field, and Perkins continued to operate his forges until 1835. In 1825, and for several years previous to this, David Duncan Avas manager for Perkins. He was succeeded by Daniel ^McCord. Duncan Avas the father of Thomas Duncan, of the Seventh District Mill Creek received its name from the mill built near its mouth in the Seventh District, this being the first mill erected in the county. In the valley of the upper portion of Mill Creek some of the first settiers of the county located. Na- 168 History of Hickman County, Tenn. thaniel and Gabriel Fowlkes, who were brothers, lo cated near where Taylor Jones now lives as early as 1806. They came from Virginia to Rutherford County, lived there a few years, removed to William son County, and came from the latter county to Mill Creek. Nathaniel married Lucy AVynn, daughter of James AAVnn, Avho lived on the creek. He was tArice married. His children were: James, Martha, Sally, Jane, Nancy, Edward, John, and Gabriel. The lat ter was the late Gabriel Fowlkes, of the First District, who was bom on Mill Creek on January 27, 1833. Gabriel Fowlkes, the brother of Nathaniel Fowlkes, lived near the forks of th© creek in 1828, and his daughter, Mrs. .Jesse R. Eason, went to school to George Ingram, who taught school in a log school- house Avhieh had no floor. Mrs. Eason was then seven years old, and, although seventy years have passed, she remembers the force with which her toe struck a small stump which stood in this little log schoolhouse which had a dirt, floor. " Billie " Bates and Moses Thorn ton were school-teachers here in 1829 and 1830, re spectively. AA''illiam Nicks was a pr©ach©r in this neighborhood. He and his followers were called " Sdiismatics." They had " moumer's benches," called for " mourners," and had " shouting revivals." Nicks baptized Airs. Hartzogg in Alill Creek in 1829. From this neighborhood, in 1828, William Cockrum went to a school three miles awa,y. It was located near where A. Groves now lives'. The teacher was named Thompson. Here Wesley Ervrin taught in Fifth District. 16^ 1829. All schools then were subscription schools, this being long before the present free-school system Avas inaugurated. In 1836 the Alethodists and Pres byterians held a camp meeting above the Upper Forge at the place where Alex. Gossett now lives. Pre paring for this camp meeting, William Cockrum was trying to kill a pig, when the animal turned upon him and upon his left arm left a scar as a souvenir of this " big camp meeting." In 1840 Colonel Adair, the father of Joseph Adair, a " singing master " of to day, " sung by note " at the Qtiilly Tidwell place. He used " the four-note system." In 1820 James Wynn cam© from A^irginia and set tled on Mill Creek near where his son, Lafayette AA'ynn, now lives. Lafayette Wynn was bom on De cember 26, 1840. In 1823 Robert Bates came from Virginia and located at the Alex. Gossett place. He was bom in Albemarle County, Va, in 1787. His sons were B. B. Bates (who died near Shady Grove a few years ago) and Samuel Richard Ba,tes. Samuel R. Bates was bom near Hillsboro, Williamson County, on January 22, 1814. He married Charlotte Suggs, a daughter of Timothy Suggs, who came from Bedford County to AliU Creek in 1833. Suggs bought land from Matthow and Alston Myatt, who came from North Carolina to this creek in 1820. They removed to Dickson County. In 1897 Samuel Bates, at the age of eighty-three years, lived vrith his son, Mac Bates, near Lyell Station. AVhen Hardin Perkins operated 170 History op Hickman County, Tenn. the forges on Mill Creek, Bates chopped wood for him to pay for iron at ten cents a pound, with which he had made a bar-share plow. The work was done by John Alalugin, a blacksmith, who lived near Littie Lot. In 1834 Bates heard Rhoda Alarlin, afterwards Mrs. Jones, " sing by note," she, too, using " the four-note system." She Avas the mother of Taylor Jones, a justice of the peace in this district. David Duncan and Josiah Thornton were magistrates here at an early date. Edward (" Ned ") Nunnellee, who came from Virginia to Bedford County, and from that county to this district, prior to 1810, was one of Hick man County's magistrates in 1817, this being after he had removed to what is now the First District. Ga briel FowUjes was a magistrate in 1815. Fowlkes was sheriff while he lived on Mill Creek, and was also sheriff after he removed to the First District: In 1829 'articles of impeachment were found .against Judge Joshua Haskell. He was charged with having left the courthouse on several occasions during the progress of trials, going out to engage in conversation, business, and amusement. During this trial it de veloped that the judge had on one occasion escaped from the fleas which infested the courthouse, and from the laAvyers Avho were arguing a case, and had gone outside to eat a watennelon Arith a member of the bar. During the trial of Judge Haskell, Gabriel Fowlkes testified that upon one occasion h© Avas, during the progress of a trial, sent for the Judge, and that he found him either in the courthouse yard or at a show Fifth District. 171 near by. While the Judge was absent from the court room a dispute arose between the laAvyers as to the admissibility of testimony. A disinterested attorney Avas called upon to decide, which he did, and the trial proceeded. Despite his watermelon-eating and flea- escaping proclivities. Judge HaskeU was acquitted by the State Senate. The late J. A. Harvill was sheriff of the county for six years, and J. C. Yates, also of this disti-ict^ is the present incumbent Thomas Pat ton, who is personally acquainted with every voter in the county, served one term as tax assessor. He made a courteous and efficient offidal. Jo. Beasley was sheriff at one time, and John L. Grifiin, in the days before the Civil War, was Circuit Court Clerk. Taylor Jones, Sr., brother of Bart Jones and father of Taylor Jones, Jr., liA'ed on Mill Creek as early as 1820. He married Rhoda MarUm On the north branch of MiU Qreek, on the lands where James Barnhill lived from 1810 to 1825, War ner Furnace was built in 1880 — Barnhill lived at the spring above the furnace. Before being placed in the furnace, the ore Avas washed and crushed, a great im provement on the methods employed in the early days. The charcoal was burned in brick ovens, in which were placed cords of wood. This, too, was a great improve ment on the primitive and tedious method of burning- the wood in small heaps in the forest, covering the wood vrith dirt and leaves. This furnace was op erated until 1893. Where Quilly Tidwell now lives Joel Carroll lived l72 History of JLickman County, Tenn. in 1825, he having located there in 1810. He sold to James AIcMinn. At this place were the precinct and muster grounds. Here the people met to vote, to muster, and, incidentally, to drink Abner Pender's Avhisky. Fisticuffs often took place here. Promi nent participants in inuster-da,y festivities were Rob ert Lyell, Sr., "Billie" Boothe, and Arch. Ponder and his brothers. In 1835 Jonathan P. HardArick came from Dickson County, bought 2,700 acres of land from his son, Dil lard HardArick, of Mississippi, and located about one mile north of Bon Aqua Springs. Here he erected an inn for the entertainment of travelers who came this way from Kentucky to the Southern States. Dil lard Hardvrick bought this land from the heirs of Abner Ponder. The large amount of wild game to be found on this Hickman County prairie, " Th© Barrens," caused hunters to come here as early as 1790. The flrst step toAvard permanent settlement was, however, in 1800, Avhen Abner Ponder came from Georgia and laid a, land warrant for one acre around the large free stone spring one mile above the Bon Aqua Springs. This spring was then over ten feet deep and forty feet in diameter, and contained many fish. This is the head spring of Big Spring Creek. Ponder returned to Georgia, but revisited this spring in 1801. Again he came in 1804. AVith him Avere George Hartzogg and James Barnhill. They were na,tives of Ger many. Hart.zogg laid a land warrant on a branch of Fifth District. 173 Mill Creek about two miles from Pender's location, and Barnhill laid one on the land around the spring above the present site of AVarner Furnace. Ponder was bom in Germany in 1755, and Avas a soldier in the Eevolutionary War. He, during his short stay here in 1804, located other lands around his spring, and planted here a peach orchard of ten acres, having brought the seed with him from Georgia. He after wards became an extensive landoAvner and a Avealthy and prominent citizen of Hickman County. He, Hartzogg, and Barnhill returned to Georgia Imme diately after the Indian treaties of 1806, Ponder came with his family and made a permanent settlement here. He built a tavern here, and " Pender's Inn '" was a popular stopping place for those who went over this route from Kentucky to the Sonthem country, and for those who passed this way going to and from Duck Eiver and the Tennessee Eiver. This cele brated inn was made of small poles. The cracks were filled with stones, pieces of wood, and mud. The rooms were so large that a man of average height could very easily stand upright in them. Yet great was the comfort they afforded, compared vrith what would haA'e been the traveler's lot had they not been there. Here stopped the various classy of men to be found on the borders of civilization; here stopped hunters, 'home seekers, and adA'enturers. Tradition says that an unknown man stopped to rest at this spring in 1799, and was slain. In 1807 a Kentuckian named Willis was killed two miles from Pender's Inn on the 174 History of Hickman County, Tenn. road to Charlotte. Eobbery was the motive, as he had $1,000 and had been South looking for invest ments. He had been followed for miles by his un known murderers, who at last accomplished their purpose. John A. MurreU, " The Great Western Land Pi rate," often passed this way during the years between 1820 and 1834. Murrell cam© from a respectable Middle Tennessee family, but was a professional rob ber by the time he was twenty-one years of age. At first he operated singly ; then he gathered around him a few confederates ; then he became the chief of what he called a " noble band of valiant and lordly ban dits ; " and, finally, he emerged from the penitentiary an imbecile. The organization of this dan was almost perfect, and the crimes they committed are without parallel in the criminal history of the SouthAvestw The clan was governed by what was called the " Grand Council of the Mystic Clan," which held its meetings under a large cottonwood tree in Arkansas. The Council directed the operations of the individual members of the band, called " strikers." Thes© Avere the small thieves and robbers, who, under the direc tion of Alurrell and his immedia.t© associates, caused a reign of terror throughout the entire Southvpest. Lacking the intelligence and energy which Murrell unquestionably possessed, these " strikers " would, ' under the direction of this master mind, perform the most fiendish of crimes. While they did not hesi tate to rob from th© person, and then carry out their Fifth District. 175 motto, " Dead men teU no tales," their operations Avere confined principally to horse stealing and negro running. The completeness with which stolen horses and runaway slaves disappeared convinced the suffer ers that there was an organization of this kind; but the name of Murrell was not connected with it in the begiiming, and of its very existence they Avere not certain. A suggestion that such an organization ex isted was laughed at by the " strikers " in every neighborhood, and by prominent men who had much at stake and feared to incur the enmity of an organiza tion, the indiAddual members of which they did not know. The completeness and secrecy of this band's work created a condition in which the law-abiding citizen knew not A\'hom to trust Murrell being in ordinately vain, A^irgU A. Stewart so successfully AA'orked upon his vanity that j\Iurrell told of his past life, of his clan, and of his future plans. Stewart be trayed him, and Murrell was sent to the penitentiary in 1834. Murrell then lived in Madison County. Murrell has been described as a man of pleasant ad dress, possessed of much intelligence — as a man who could adapt himself to his surroundings, whether he stood in the midst of his Alystic Clan around the Arkansas cottouAA-ood tree, or in the pulpit preaching to a God-fearing eongregation. He could pose as an eminent laAvyer or cut a throat; he could quote scrip ture and pass counterfeit money Arith equal ease. As a man, he is said to have been cool, possessed of good judgment, fearless, just in his dealings with his 176 History op Hickman County, Tenn. " strikers," to whom he always gave a portion of what they stole for him. As a husband, he was kind ; as a friend, faithful. Some of these attributes he may have possessed, but th© f oUoAring extract from his con fession shows the fiendishness which predominated in his nature — a fiendishness which, had it been elimi nated, might have left a man of such parts that he would have been an upright man "and good citizen. Alurrell, in his confession, said : " AVhile I was seated on a log, looking doAvn the road the way I had come, a man came in sight riding a good-looking horse. The very moment I saw him I determined to have his horse, if he was in th© garb of a trav©l6r. I arose from my seat and drew an elegant rifle-pistol on him and ordered him to dismount. He did so, and I took his horse by the bridle and pointed doAvn th© creek and told him to walk before me. W© w©nt a few hun dred yards and stopped. I hitched his horse, and then made him undress himself, all to his shirt and drawers, and ordered him to turn his back to me. He said : ' If you are going to kill me, let me have time to pray before I die.' I told him I had no time to hear him pray. He turned around and dropped on his knees, and I shot him in the back of the head. I ripped open his belly and took out his entrails and sunk him in the creek. I then searched his pockets and found $401.37 and a number of papers that I did not take time to examine. I sunk the pocketbook and papers and his hat in the creek. His boots Avere brand-new and fitted me genteelly, and I put them on Fifth District. 177 and sunk ray old shoes in the creek to atone for them. I rolled up his clothes and put them into his port manteau, as they AA'ere quite new cloth of th© best quality. I mounted as fine a horse as I ever strad dled, and directed my course to Natchez in much better style than I had been for the last five days." This story, in Murrell's ovm. words, of the deliberate murder of a defenseless traveler is on© of th© many stories of the bandit, Murrell, which overshadow all of the good traits of character of which tradition says he was possessed. Tradition says that Murrell had friends along this route^ and that a pret©nd©d friend — - Peter Clifford, of Big Spring Creek — ^upon one occa sion betrayed him. Clifford learned from MurreU that he had stolen a horse in Humphreys County, and was then on his 'waj to AVilliamson County to seU it. Clifford followed him and had him arrested by WiU iamson County authorities. Murrell was punished by thirty-nine lashes upon his bare back. AVhile con fined in the Franklin stocks, he, it is said, Avrote upon them a transfer of his interest in them to a citizen of Hickman County, giving as his reason that the citi zen named should have that which was justly due him. These stories of Murrell and his clan are not intended as a reflection upon the law-abiding citizens of the Fifth District or upon their no less law-abiding ances tors. Bad men pass through all communities; bad men live in all communities. Abner Ponder, the builder of Pender's Inn, was the father of several children, some of whom were: 178 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Afadison, Arehibald, Penn, Abner, and Clarissa. The latter was bom on Alarch 15, 1813. Sh© mar ried Leroy Perkins, the ceremony being performed by Daniel AA'hite, a Primitive Baptist, who preached often at the head of Bear Creek between 1825 and L830. After the death of Perkins she married Jo seph Webb, of the Seventh District. At the age of eighty-four her mind Avas still vigorous, and she talked entertainingly of how she and her little brother Avatched their father's sheep as they grazed upon the luxuriant grass of " Th© Barrens." She carried a tin horn, so that she could sound an alarm in case of an attack by wolves. In tlie event that she became lost, she was to sound this horn, so that her father could find her. She also told of how she gathered the wild flowers and strawberries which grew around her father's mill, built at his spring in 1820. That the ' fear of wolves was well founded is made evident by a Avolf hunt engaged in by Joseph Weems and ArcL Ponder. Ponder, early one moming, went near the spring where Edney or McCord now lives, in search of his milch cows. He came upon a fawn, which he killed. He was preparing to lash it to his saddle, Avhen the restlessness of his horse caused him to look toward the place Avhere he had slain the deer. Near this place he saAV a large black wolf, which he imme diately fired upon. The wolf fell, rolled over and over, snapping and snarling. Then it sprang up and ran rapidly away. Ponder, knowing that the animal was wounded, Avent for Weems, who kept a large pack Fifth District. 179 t of hounds and a particularly ferocious cur. The chase went first in the direction of TurnbuU Creek, then through the hills of upper Mill Creek, finally, after ten hours, coming to an exciting end ih a hollow near Lick Creek. Here, when Ponder arrived, the wolf stood at bay. Dismounting, he again shot it The wolf, however, again rose, and this time rushed at his pursuer. Not baring time to reload. Ponder sprang behind a tree which had been stmck by light ning. From this he jerked a larg© piece of wood and with it again brought the wolf to th© ground. Weems arrived at this juncture. With him was his large cur, valueless during the chase, valuable at the finish. The already sorely wounded wolf was soon slain. James Birden, who married a daughter of Abner Ponder, was in the American army at the battle of Ncav Orleans. When the Tennessee soldiers returned home, Birden was not with them, and his fate was unknown. Late in th© autumn of 1819 a stranger cam© to Bonder's and asked for lodging. He was dressed in plain, but good, clothing, and wore a heavy beard. AVhen he entered the yard, a dog which had belonged to Birden commenced to leap about him, manifesting great joy. The stranger asked for Airs. Birden, and when told that she had been dead tAVO years his genuine grief disclosed his identity. It was James Birden, first recognized by his faithful doff. Soon after this he returned to his former Jiome, Georgia, to which State his three children were after wards carried by his brother-in-law, Peim Ponder. 180 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Andrew Carothers, a Primitive Baptist, preached on the head of Bear Creek between 1820 and 1830, as did also Thomas MurreU, of the same church. In 1820 Jacob Tucker taught school about on© and a half miles from Bonder's Spring. Hore Mark Thornton and Doyal Beard also taught. Dr. Haley, Avho lived on Pine Eiver, was one of the first physicians of this section. Near Lyell Station lived the late William Lyell. During the Civil War he served for a time in Mor gan's Cavalry. After the war he engaged in a hotly contested race for sheriff against E. A. Dean, Dean winning by a small majority. William Lyoll had much to do Avith the building of Lyell Station, as did also Jolin and Eobert Lyell, who live near by. Lyell Station is located upon a portion of a large entry mad© by Stump, a member of a German family that were among the first settlers at " The Bluffs," now Nashville. Asa Shute, who was a pioneer land locator, Avas also a German. This family came to Nashville nearly twenty years after the Stump family came. One corner of this large entry is a white oak near the Blue Spring at the head of the west fork of Big Spring Creek, near where Fitz lives on the road from Pinewood to Nashville. Another comer is near the Wynn place at the head of Alill Creek. AlatthcAv Thornton,, who died a few years ago on Sugar Creek, in the Eighth Distiict, was one of the chain carriers when this survey was made. Near the Blue Spring, above referred to, Richard Beach^ of FrFTH Disteiot. 18 1 Williamson County, was killed during the Civil War by a detachment of Federals. At Lyell Station, there are uoav two stores — one conducted by Overbey Bros. ; the other, by Lovell & Son. The senior member of the latter firm, James Anderson Lovell, was bom on Pine River on January 12, 1826, and has lived near his present place of residence since 1845. Near the head of Big Spring Creek is Brister's Branch, named for Brister, a negro, who lived on this branch. Brister had been the slave of Edward (Ned) Nunnellee, but had purchased his freedom. In a cave on Brister's Branch saltpeter dirt was found. This dirt was placed in hoppers made of boards. Upon it water was poured. The drippings were caught in vessels and boiled doAvn. AVhen suffi cientiy crystallized, the product was carried in large quantities to Nashville, where it was easily sold. It was one of the principal ingredients used in the manu facture of powder, and there was a great demaiid for it. Aluch of the salt used by the pioneers of Hick man County was taken, from the earth in the above manner. Most of it, however, was bought at Nash- A'ille, saltpeter and pelts being exchanged for it Nicholas Dudley, who was a prominent dtizen, was engaged in -the saltpeter business from 1812 to 1815. During the pioneer days he often acted as dentist, sur geon, and physician for his neighbors. He extracted teeth, set broken limbs, and kept on hand a collection of native herbs, the medicinal properties of which he understood. 182 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Near Bon Aqua Station are th© famous Bon Aqua Springs. These springs did not particularly attract the early settlers of the county, and no particular attention was given them until William B. Ross be came the owner, about 1823. Even then there was nothing done, except to establish the ownership. The lands around the springs remained unoccupied. Eoss located on the Tennessee Eiver above where Johnson- ville now stands, and established what has since 1835 been knoAvn as Eoss' Ferry. He ran the original line between Dickson and Hickman Counties. AVhile the springs and a small tract of the surrounding land be longed to Eoss, there were no buildings or inclosures, and the hunter, the trapper, and the citizen were at liberty to camp there for whatever period they liked. In 1827 Jacob Humble, Millington Easley, and James D. Davis, of Pine Eiver ; Garrett Lane, of Vernon ; ¦and Gen. William D. A\''ilUams, of Maury County, together Avith their families, spent the summer in the valley just above the springs. They occupied four little log cabins. From this point they w©nt forth to the deer chase or wolf hunt ; from here they went out in the early morning and "gobbled up" turkeys; from here they went in search of wild strawberries and chinquapins, which grew in abundance on the surrounding lands. In the near-by forest they could almost any day find a " bee tree," with its treasure of honey. No violence is done the memories of these good citizens when the statement is made that here in the shade they often took a " drap," " peach and FiPTH District. 183 honey" and "mint juleps" being their favorite medi cines. Later many others came, living during their stay in wagons, tents, rude shelters, and cabins. William Loche Weems was the first to make of this a famous Avatering place and health resort. He was born in .Prince George County, Aid., on December 9, 1792. He married Elizabeth Taylor Birch, who was bom in the same county on April 11, 1797. She was a cousin of Gen. Zachary Taylor. AVeems came to Tennessee in 1825 and located on Lick Creek. In 1826 he lived near A'emon, on the AV. F. Mays place; and in 1827 he moved to the William McEwen place, in the Third District, at which place he lived until 1839. In 1837 he bought the spring-s, which he named " Bon Aqua " — ^good water. He bought the springs and four hundred and six acres of land. He afterwards added to this until he OAvned about eighteen hundred acres. These lands were bough# from McKenzie and Long and from Dickey and Long, Avho had grants from North Carolina In 1839 Weems, having an idea of the true value of the springs, and believing that they could be made profit able to himself and beneficial to mankind in general, erected about fifteen cabins of hcAvn logs and began to advertise his springs as a health resort. From that date the name and fame of Weems' Springs went far and wide, and visitors from many places and many States came her© from year to year. Weems also commenced to improve his farm, and, with th© assist ance of his slaves, which he OAvned to the number of 184 History of Hickman County, Tenn. fifty, he opened about two hundred acres of farming land. In 1840 the springs were managed by William H. Deadman, who lived on Leatherwood Creek. He was a native of Virginia. After this year Weems assumed in person the management of the springs, and continued as manager until his death, in 1852. He was buried at the McEwen place, in the Third District. After his death the springs and farming land became the property of his youngest son, to whom he had bequeathed them. This son was Philip Van Horn AVeems, th© son of Weems' second wife, who was Ann Elizabeth Burchett, of Virginia. Capt. P. A^. H. Weems enlisted in Bateman's company of the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry in May, 1861. Of this company he later became captain, and, while acting as colonel of the regiment, he was mortally wounded in front of Atlanta, Ga., on July 27, 1864. He died on July 30. As a child, he had been the idol of the home and the pet of every visitor to the springs ; as a friend, no man was ever truer ; as a soldier, no braver man ever donned a uniform or waved a sword. Such was Capt. Philip A''an Horn AA^eems — braA'e, noble Van Weems — who sleeps be neath the soil of his native county, far. from the bloody field upon Avhich he laid doAvn his life. After the close of the war the springs were bought by the Bon Aqua Springs Association. This company placed many expensive improvements here. Numerous nice cottages took the place of the log cabins, and a larp-e hotel was erected at a cost of $40,000. Bon Aqua Fifth District. 185 took first place among the Avatering places of Ten nessee, and for several years enjoyed an era of great prosperity. Here rested from their labors some of the most prominent men of Tennessee. In August, 1888, misfortune came. The large hotel burned, and has ncA'er been rebuilt A small hotel and a number of neat cottages yet remain. Nathaniel Weems, a son of WiUiam and Elizabeth (Birch) Weems, died several years ago in the Third District He was a wealthy and prominent citizen. Another son, Hon. Joseph Weems, represented this county in the Lower House of the Forty-fourth General Assembly. He was bom in Prince Geoi^e County, Md., on September 19, 1820, and was brought by his father to Hickman County in 1825. In 1846 he enlisted in Company A (Whitfield's company). First Tennessee Eegiment. He returned from Mex ico in 1847. Since that time he has been active in the pubUc life of the county. Ellen Weems, a daughter of WiUiam Weems, mar ried Henry Cummins, and was th© mothor of John and Samuel Cummins. ' Elizabeth Taylor Weems, another daughter, mar ried Albert Wilson, who once owned the land upon which the Adllage of Pinewood now stands. He moved to Texas, where he died. This district, in addition to Captain Weems, fur nished another brave officer to the Confederate Army — Lieut. John L. Griffin, of the Forty-eighth Tennes see Infantry — and from this district went a large 186 History of Hickman County, Tenn. number of private soldiers as brave as those who led them. From this district a few saw fit to enlist in the Federal Army. Some of these fought well imder the flag' they chose to follow, while others acted as guides for Federal detachments operating in Hick man County. ' Ernest Harold was killed by a train near Lyell Station in 1894. Joseph Lyell and a son of Thomas Yates were killed near Bon Aqua on July 4, 1893. Their slayer escaped. A negro, Sowell, was burned to death by molten metal at Warner Furnace a few years ago. On the branch just below Bon Aqua Springs, dur ing the latter part of the Civil W^ar, Perkins shot two men, Moor© and Graeey. Aioore afterwards died from the wound inflicted. The men had some trouble about a horse, and an attempt was made to arrest Per kins, who seemed inclined toAA'ard taking charge of the springs, despite the remonstrances of the manager, AIcMinn. Constable Llenry Cockrum and posse had Perkins in charge. When opposite the place where Joseph Weems lives,, Perkins dismounted and opened fire upon them. The result is given above. Perkins, who claimed to be from Kentucky, escaped. Capt. Dick MeCann, of NashviUe, while encamped Avith his body of independent rangers near Bon Aqua Springs, was surprised and captured by a Federal company in 1863. One of MeCann's men was killed during the attack. McCann explained to his captors that, while his ca,pture might have an unpleasant re- Fifth District. 187 suit, as far as he was concerned, anything was pleasant to him, just so that it was a change. During the latter part of the war Jesse K. McMinn was killed by Federal soldiers at his home near Bon Aqua Springs^ 188 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. CHAPTER IX. THE SIXTH DISTRICT. THE Sixth District lies in the northeastern por tion of the county, and includes that portion of Pine Eiver between the mouth of Bear Creek and the line of the Seventh Dis.trict which crosses the river between the residences of AL AI. and H. T. Petty, one and a half miles beloAv PincAvood. It is bounded on the north by Dickson County ; on the east, by the Fifth and Seventh Districts; on the south, by the Seventh District; and on the west, by Humphreys County. Included in this district are Gamer's Creek, Beaver Creek, and Plunder's Creek, all on the Avest side of Pine Eiver. Flowing into Pine Eiver from the east are Big Spring Creek, Little Spring Creek, and Bear Creek, which rise in the Fifth District ; also. Key's Branch. Pin© Eiver, which flovre through the Sixth and Seventh Districts, rises in Dickson County near the town of Dickson. It runs in a southern direction and empties into Duck Eiver near the noted Indian mounds in the Seventh District. Jesse Fuqua, th© Primitive Baptist preacher, in 1827 located on Big Spring Creek, one and a half miles from its mouth, on lands then owned by Solo mon Jones. E. E. Brovra, th© father of James, Eob ert, William T., and John Eiley BroAvn, has lived on Big Spring Creek since 1836. He was born in Dick- Sixth District. 189 son County on November 26, 1828, and is a son of Spencer BroAvn, who came from North Carolina On the west side of Pine Eiver, opposite the mouth of Big Spring Creek, lived Jacob Humble in 1825. In 1849 he donated to the Primitive Baptist Church the lands on which is now located Humble Church. James Weatherspoon taught school at the mouth of Beaver Creek in 1829. Hutchens taught at the head of Little Spring Creek in 1827, and James Crockett, a cripple on crutches, taught at the same place in 1828. The foUoAring is the story that tradition tells of the origin of the name " Plunder's Creek : " Early in this centurv' hunters came from Dickson County for a hunt on Pine Eiver and its tributaries. With them was Lemuel Eussell, who Avas the owner of a A'aluable dog, " Old Plunder," the first in a deer chase and the last to leave a beai" fight Here on Plunder's Creek human, eyes last rested on " Old Plunder," who left his master's side in pursuit of a retreating bear. The hunters, in honor of their lost friend, named the creek " Plunder's Creek." Tradition has it that at an early date a party were on Gamer's Creek. One of them. Colonel Gamer, in attempting to cross the creek, fell from the log on which he was attempting to walk, and from this in cident the creek received its name. Col. William Gamer settied near the head of th© creek, in Dick son County, and in 1809 was killed by Indians, who crossed Duck Eiver and came through Humphreys 190 History of Hickman County, Tenn. County. Whether it was for him or for John Gar ner, who was a chain carrier for Edwin Hickman in 1791, when Hickman made his disastrous locating tour dovsm Pine Eiver and up Duck Eiver, that this creek was named, is not knoAvn,. It is known, how ever, that this party located land in, this vicinity — at the mouth of " Spring Creek of Pine Eiver." Beaver Creek received its name from the large number of beavers which the pioneer hunters found there. Near the head of this creek, in 1840, Eichard Hobbs operated a tannery and distillery, supplying th© people Arith two articles — one a necessity, and the other, in that day, thought to be a necessity. Ed mond Shumach and Cornelius D. White located on this creek about 1805. At an early date Oliver Smith laid a land warrant for 640 acres at the mouth of Bea ver Creek. On this creek occurred th© birth of the first white child bom in Hickman County — Jane Wil son, sister of Ben. Wilson. In after years she became the second Avife of Jared Curl. Before the erection of Humble Church there stood at th© mouth of Bea ver Creek a PrimitiA'-e Baptist church. Here this church, whose membership exceeded in number that of all the others combined, flourished under the leadership of Andrew Carothers, Jesse Fuqua, and Claiborne Hobbs as ministers, and such men as Jacob Humble and Solomon Jones as members. Several years after the building of Humble Chureh the Aleth- odists and Cumberland Presbj'terians built Kedron Church, at the mouth of Garner's Creek. At this SrxTH District. 191 church have preached James Parrish, of Dickson County; John Eeynolds, Nesbit, the Hinsons, WUl. Allan Tumer, Whitten, Aloody, W. T. Dye, H. S. Ledbetter, E. E. Jones, George Cole man, W. D. Cherry, and others. After the erection of the cotton mills at Pinewood by Samuel Gra ham, a church was built here, with a Alasonic hall OA'erhead. Here a Christian Church was organized, and some of the preachers Avho have preached here are E. G. Sewell, Eufus Aleeks, James and John Mor ton, and James P. Litton. After a suspension of tAventy years, a Alasonic lodge has recently been re organized here. The officers of PincAvood Lodge, F. and A. M., are Eufus Sugg, AV. AI. ; WilUam Mc Donough, S. AV. ; T. D. Thompson, J. W. ; J. C. Fra zier, Secretary; Joel Errineton, Treasurer. John Gordon taught school on Garner's Creek in 1821, and one of his pupils was Emily Steel. Isaac AVright taught here in 1830, and about that time mar ried Emily Steel. The AridoAV, Elizabeth Steel, came to this creek in 1821. She was bom in North Caro lina on .July 2, 1779. Her husband, Thomas Steel, Avas bom in the same State on November 26, 1769, and died in Orange County, N. 0. , Elizabeth Steel came to Gamer's Creek Avith her five children — ^three girls and two boys. The eldest daughter, Eebecca, married Lint Box, of Humphreys County; her sec ond daughter, Eachel, married Jesse George; the third is Airs. Emily Wright William Alston Steel, the elder son, married Susan Stone, of Dickson 192 History of Hickman County, Tenn. County, and lived in that county. Th© other son, Thomas Steel, was a deputy under Sheriff Solomon Jones George. Th© widow, Elizabeth Steel, was a half-sister of Solomon Jones. Airs. Steel's mother was the AvidoAV Pollard, who married James Jones, the father of Solomon Jones. Solomon Jones mar ried. Chrissie Alston in North Carolina. He oame to Tennessee in 1807, and settied at the mouth of Big Spring Creek. He exchanged his lands in North Carolina for military land warrants, and laid them here. Later he returned to North Carolina and in duced his sister to come to Tennessee. Several of his brothers-in-law, the Alstons, came in 1810, and settled on Beaver Creek. His sons were Col. Dennis Jones, who married Martha Atkins, sister of Hon. J. D. C. Atkins, of Henry County ; William Jones, who married Susan AIcNeilly; and James G. Jones, of Humphreys County, who married Elizabeth Griner. The mother of James G. Jones was the second Arife of Solomon Jones. She, at the time of her marriage, was the widow of Daniel Alurphree, one of the pio neers of the Eighth District One of the daughters of Solomon Jones was the first wife of Alillingtp-n Easley ; another married John Stuthard. Mrs. Emily Wright (nee Steel) was born on Alay 21, 1813. At the age of eighty-four she possessed a vigorous mind filled vrith memories of other days. She lives alone, save the companionship of her sev eral pets. These pets are a milch cow, a calf, a mule thirty-five years old, ten cats, and a goose thirty-four Sixth District. 193 years old. Sixteen years ago the goose quit lay ing, and since then Airs. Wright has not picked it iinother and oft-consulted companion is her family Bible. BeloAv where Mrs. Steel located, Bartlett and An- drcAv Stuart, settled prior to 1815. They lived at the present Freeman place. At the old Christian place, Greenterry Leathers, father of John, Thoma=, and Fielding Leathers, lo cated in 1806. He lived there at the time of the earthquake of 1811, Avhich rattled the dishes in his cupboard. This cupboard is now the property of ilrs. Emily W^right. Although over ninety years old, it is Avell preseiwed. It was made by a neero cabinet Avorkman, Avho was the slave of James Davis. Leathers lived on Gamer's Greek at a time when settlers gathered their families at certain places at night for protection against the Indians. AVhen moming came each would return to his home for the day's work, assembling again at night. Joel Errington, from North Carolina, settied on Garner's Creek, five miles from its mouth, in 1809. His son, Jacob, Avho Avas born on April 17, 1821, is noAA- living at the old homestead. He has been mar ried three times. His last Avife is the daughter of Lemuel Eussell, the pioneer hunter, for whose dog, "' Old Plunder," a creek was named. In 1812, at Avhat is now the Eeeves place, lived Thornton Peny, father of Dr. Eli Perry, of Hum phreys County. Just below him on the creek lived 13- 194 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Aaron Potter. AVhile Perry and Potter vrer© run ning after a hog, Potter heard behind him a heavy fall and a groan. Turning, he found Perry lying dead on the ground. Potter lived to be about seventy years old. He was the father of Joel Potter. At the Lytle Haley place, in 1812, a man named Hani erected a mill. In 1820 John Christian, father of George W. Christian, erected a mill, which has later been known as the Solomon Georg© mill, the Stanfield Andrews mill, and the John Martin mill. Solomon J. George lived at, and ovyned, this mill in 1856, when he was elected sheriff. He sold to An drews and moved to Centerville. Georg© was a son of Daniel George, of North Carolina. Daniel George married Miss Pollard, a half-sister of Solomon Jones, for whom he named his son, Solomon Jones George. At the place later called the "Aaron Caughran place," Daniel Afartin, father of William Martin, lived in 1815. James Joslin lived near this place in 1809. In 1810 James Eason lived where Frank Scott now lives. Near by lived George Evans, who was a great pugilist, and who had, when he was a young man, lost a portion of one ear in a fight One of the early preachers on Gamer's Creek was Hale, a Primitive Baptist. In 1822 John ("Daddy") Brown preached at the home of Mrs. Steel, there then being no church house in this sec tion. Airs. Steel was a Baptist, and during BroAvn's sermon she several times interrupted him, calling at tention to what she claimed were misstatements. Sixth District. 195 One of the first to locate on Plunder's Creek was Andrew Llaley, who came from North Carolina in 1810. He was the father of the late Lytic Haley, of Gamer's Creek. Moulton Eeeves, the father of Marvin and Albert Eeeves, was a prominent farmer and citizen of Gar ner's Creek. Jacob Humble lived on Pine Eiver below the mouth of Garner's Creek, and was one of the county's magistrates. Joel Errington, who later lived on Gamer's Creek, was the first to settle the place opposite the mouth of the creek. Claiborne Hobbs lived here at a later date. Indian Camp Hollow, named on account of its once having been the site of an Indian camp, runs into Gar ner's Creek near the Dickson and Hickman County line. Chimney Hollow is so named on account of the peculiar standing rock near its mouth. This rock bears a striking resemblance to a chimney. Gordon HoUow received its name from the pioneer school teacher, John Gordon. Chalk Hollow is so named on account of a white clay deposit found in it. The Biter .Hollow received its name on account of a family of that name who lived in the hollow. Cave Hollow is named for the cave near its mouth. This cave has been explored for over a mile. One of the curiosities to be found in this cave is a peculiar rock which, when struck, s:ives forth a bell-Uk© sound. In the floor of the cave is a pool called " The WeU." In 1865, in the creek valley near where Samuel Errington now lives, Frank McCaslin, a Primi- 196 History op Hickman County, Tenn. tive Baptist, prea,ched the funeral of G. Washing ton Christian. Christian was a member of Vernon Lodge, No. 217, E. and A. M. Joel Fuqua, a son of Jesse Fuqua, was bom on June 17, 1819, and manded Eebecca Dudley on August 20, 1846. He located at his present place of residence in 1850. He assisted in the erection of the Plunder's Creek mill, which Avas built in 1862. Prior to this he had assisted in the building and re building of the PineAvood mills. H© possesses re markable ingenuity as a Avorker in wood, iron, and leather. As a fifer, he, in 1846, played for Whit- field's company of volunteers at Vemon. Dorsey AVeatherspoon was the drummer. In 1810 James DaA'is lived on the hill where John AIcDonough now lives. Dr. Shelby boarded vrith him in 1829 and 1830. In 1832 Dr. Lewis boarded Avith him. Dr. LeAvis married a Aliss Bowen, and later lived at A^ernon. On the east side of Pine Eiver, on Little Spring Creek one mile from its mouth, Andrew Clark located on April 22, 1822. His son, Thomas Clark, uoav lives near AA'here his father first settied. Andrew Clai-k was bom in North Carolina, in 1778. He ex changed his lands in North Carolina for the lands on Avhich the late John L. Temple lived. Here Clark died in 1852. These lands, before Clark traded for them, belonged to Solomon Jones, who had come from North Carolina several years before this. Some of those Avho came to Tennessee through tiie influence Sixth District. 197 of Jones Avere Andrew Clark, Jesse Fuqua, James Alston, and ^irs. Steel. Jones bought these lands from Billy AA'hite, who Avas probably the first indi- A"idual OAvner. Sons of AndrcAv Clark were William A. Clark and Joseph E. Clark. A daughter, Susan FI. Clark, married John Loyd Temple on April 26, 1819. !AIr. Temple Avill again be mentioned in the sketch of the Thirteenth District, where he was bom on April 18, 1825. In 1855 Mr. Temple, while clearing land, found a terrapin. Carving the date on its shell, he released it. In 1885 he again found this terrapin — thirty years older, but going the same old gait. Again he can'ed the date and again re leased it. On NoA'ember 25 he covered a terrapin Avith leaA-es and dirt and left it by a stump. In the foUoAA'iiig February he raked aAvay the coA'ering and found the terrapin alive, well, and AAdth speed undi minished. On June 15 he found a terrapin on a nest in AA'hich were five eggs. On September 15 he removed the coA'ering of the nest and found five little teiTapins. A terrapin Avas found on Mr. Temple's farm Avith the following dates carved on it: 1862, 1868, 1873, 1878, and 1880. In 1896 it was carried to PincAvood, the date and initials " H. H. G." (Harry H. Graham) carved on it, and released. On December 25, 1848, Mr. Temple, AA'hile crossing Pine EiA'er at the mouth of Little Spring Creek, missed the ford. While battling Avith the current the SArim- iner was encouraged by shouts from a negro. Bob Davis, who stood on the bank. No white people 198 History op Hickman County, Tenn. living near. Air. Temple went to Bob's cabin, which stood where the brick storehouse of H. H. & T. H. Graham uoav stands, and dried his clothing. Bob ha,d been the slave of James Davis, who OAvned the mill site here and the land on both sides of the river. Bob had been given his freedom and the land on which Nortii Pinewood uoav stands. This was done on account of Bob's wife having becoine the mother of ten children. The land given to Bob was then timbered land. James Davis had come to this place about 1810, and as early as 1820 had a gristmill and cotton gin here. Under Davis' control was a boy, Albert Wil son, who became the OAvner of this property after Daris' death. Wilson sold the mill site to WUliam Lytle, Avho had married a sister of Samuel L. and Eichard A. Graham. This sale to- Lytle and the Graham brothers marked the beginning of a new era in the business of the district and entire county. AA-'ilson, AA'ho sold the property, was a gentleman of the first order. He married Aliss Weems, sister of Hon. Joseph Weems. Lytle was an Irishman, pos sessed of the noble characteristics of that race. He soon sold his interests here to his brothers-in-law, the Grahams, and bought property on Sugai' Creek, in the Eighth District. A few years later he removed to West Tennessee. The Graham brothers, now hav ing full control, began the building of Pinewood, to Avhich they gave the name. The gristmill was im proved, and in 1851 the cotton mills had about 1,200 Sixth District. 199 spindles. Tenement houses were erected, and soon Pinewood, touched by the magic power of money, directed by the hand of industry and vris© economy, came forth from the shades of obscurity into the full light and busy bustie of a live littie toAvn. In 1862 Eichard A. Graham sold his interest in the Pinewood property to his brother, Samuel L. Graham, and re moved to New York City, where, after several years of successful business, he died. He never married. After the departure of his brother, S. L. Graham took charge of the business, and, although it was during the dark days of the rebellion, he remained at his IK)st He suffered from raids by Federals and Con federates aUke. Frequently parties unauthorized by either government raided his mills and factory and appropriated his goods to their indiridual use. After the din of war was hushed he continued to pros- j>er, and in 1870 he formed a partnership Arith his son, John AI. Graham. On July 15, 1871, the cotton mills were destroyed by fire, the result of spontaneous combustion. The loss was $60,000. This was a scA'ere blow to S. L. Graham & Son and to th© sur rounding country, but the spirit which first planned and built was alive, and that energy which knoAV no failure began to remove the rubbish ere the smolder ing ruins had cooled. Larger building's soon took the place of those destroyed. At Pinewood there Avas little friction betAveen employer and employee. Mr. Graham employed and discharged his men with out taking the outside world into his confidence. 200 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Under his management Pinewood was a model vil lage, Avhere Indus trv' and morality held uninterrupted SAvay. Mr. Graham was industrious and moral, the inhabitants, of PincAvood were industrious and moral — a noble example Arisely followed. After the death of Samuel L. Graham, John M. Graham built a, large brick store and put improved machinery in the mills; but, in the division of the property, these improvements became the property of the other heirs, IT. H. and T. H. Graham. BetAveen Avhere PincAA-ood now stands and the mouth of Beaver Creek, Clem. Deshazo lived in 1828 and 1829, at what was later knoAAm as the " HoAvell Huddleston place." At this time the place Avas claimed by one Leftwick. Howell Huddleston married Anna Easley, daugh ter of AA'illiam Easley, who in 1820 lived Avhere Dr. Thomas Cash uoav Uves. AVilliam Easley was the father of AA'illiam Easley, Jr., knoAvn as " Long-jaw Bill," so called to distinguish him from other AVill iam Easleys—" Texas Bill," " Eed-eyed Bill," and " Eussell Bill." A negro named AVilliam Easley was caUed "Proper BiU." WiUiam Easley, Sr., Avas bom on Alay 8, 1761, and died on January 20, 1826. He AA'as buried at the Easley graveyard, now knoAA'n as the " Petty graveyard." One of his daugh ters married Robert Sheegog, the well-knoAvn Irish merchant of Vernon. A son, Alillington Easley, set tled where Hardy Petty lived for years, and where Rev. H. S. Ledbetter now lives. The Easleys OAvned Sixth District. 201 most of the level bench land north of Key's Branch. On this land a circular race track a mile in length Avas situated, extending from near where !M. AI. Petty lives to near AA'here the Graham Cemetery now is. Here, between 1825 and 1S40. many dollars, horses, and slaA'es changed hands as the result of bets on the seA'cral horses that here contested. One of those who neA'er hesitated to back Avith his money his favorite horse was Claiborne Hobbs, afterward,? a faithful and zealous preacher in the PrimitiA'c Baptist Church. On these lands AVilliam Joslin liA-ed in 1S07. In his house were held the first courts of Hickman County prior to the erection of a courthouse at A'emon. WiUiam Phillips once OAvned the lands north of the Easley lands and adjoining the James Davis lands. Upon them that portion of Pinewood south of the principal street now stands. Hardy Petty, for several years a leading member of the Hickman County Court, lived for many years at the Alillington Easley place, where he died on June IS, 1888. He Avas bom in North Carolina on De cember 5, 1810. He married Susan AVrenn, of A'ir- ginia She Avas bom on April 15, 1,^15, and died on August 8, 1885. The sons of Hardy Petty are: George, John, AVyley, :\niton, and H. T. (" Dock") Pettv. His daughters are: Mrs. Thomas Field and Z\rrs. II. S. Ledbetter. Peter AA^renn (bom on April 8, 1801 : died on April 2, 1874) came to Tennessee from Vii^inia, and to Key's Branch, in 1852. Air. Wrenn was a re- 202 History op Hickman County, Tenn. spected citizen, arid when he and his brother-in-law, Hardy Petty, died, Hickman County lost two Avorthy citizens. Matthew and John Wrenn are the sons of Peter Wrenn. Hardy Petty and wife and Peter Wrenn and wife are buried in the graveyard near where Milton M. Petty now lives. On a tombstone in this cemetery is this inscription : " B. B. Satterfield, bom Feb mary 18, 1804; died July 2, 1885." Colonel Sat terfield died near Bums, Dickson County, from the effects of a pistol shot. AVhether this shot was sui cidal or accidental, no one Arill ever know. Colonel Satterfield was a man of pride, but not haughty. He Avas at one time possessed of considerable property, Avhich was swept away by the Civil W^ar. He was a fine carpenter and cabinet AVorkman, and, undaunted by misfortunes, he, in his old age, resumed the trade long before this abandoned. For many years he lived near Vemon, where his hospitable home was open to all. On his tombstone are the Masonic em blems, as he was a member of Vemon Lodge, No. 217, F. and A. M. Mrs. Satterfield died on December 8, 1849. On a near-by tombstone is this inscription: " AA^iUiam Satterfield, bom November 7, 1837 ; died, 1858." On another: " S. J. Easley and M. E. Eas ley, 1835." Another: "Louisa Stephenson, bom, 1809; died, 1861." Here in an unmarked grave lies Allan Ethridge, who for many years was machinist at Pinewood. Here Ethridge, his vrife, seven chiL dren, and two grandchildren ar© buried side by side. Sixth District. 203 On a tombstone h©re is this inscription : " W. T. Easley, bom October 4, 1838; died December 26, 1870." Emily Easley, his Arife, was a daughter of Hardy Petty. She Avas bom on November 25, 1843, and died on Alarch 23, 1882. The tragic death of W. T. Easley is yet well remembered. On the day of his death he was the guest of Joseph Webb, Avho lived on Pine Eiver below Vemon. With his uncles, J. T. and D. T. Webb, he was engaged in a deer chase. While they were galloping through the AA'oods a limb struck D. T. AVebb's gun, causing a discharge. The contents of the gun stmck Easley, killing him. Easley Avas a son of Solomon Jones Easley, son of Millington Easley. Other sons of ^[illington Easley were Samuel, Dennis, and Frank. Dennis is buried at the Petty graveyard in an un marked grave. Samuel went to California in 1849, was one of the famous " Forty-niners," and died in California a bachelor, possessed, it is said, of con siderable wealth. In the spring of 1849 Easley, Ephraim Willey, and the late William C. Thompson entered into an agreement to go to California. If one of them failed to go, he was to forfeit one hun dred dollars to the party or parties who did go. Eas ley alone Aveiit, but never demanded the payment of the forfeits. At the Petty graveyard, in unmarked graves, are William Philips and his good Arife, Susan, the uni versally beloved daughter of James McNeilly. Phil lips was for three terms sheriff of Hickman County, 204 History op Hickman County, Tenn. and for one term Eepresentative of Hickman County. He married Susan Jones, who was the Avidow of that highly respected citizen, William Jones. Standing in this graveyard is a large cedar tree AA'hich is said to mark the grave of the first one buried here. How- CA'er, nobody knoAvs Avho this was. The Sixth District has furnished a number of good officials. AA''illiam Phillips and AA". B. Eussell served their constituents as members of the LoAver House of the State Legislature. John ]\[. Graham is at pres ent State Senator. This district has furnished the f oUoAving sheriffs : William Phillips, Solomon J. George, and E. A. Dean. Under Sheriff George, Tho'mas Steele Avas a deputy. Some of the magis trates of the district were: Jacob Humble, Hudson Dudley, WiUiam Wilson, W. B. Eussell, Hardy Petty, AV. P. Eussell, Ed. Still, W. A. J. McDon ough, and AA^illiam BroAvn. One of the present magistrates is John AIcDonough. AA^here AVilliam Harbison now lives, on Big Spring (Jreek, AA^illiam AA^alker, aged eighty years, in a fit of despondency, committed suicide by shooting. At Pinewood a young man named Jones was drowned. Here, too, Saniuel, a son of S. L. Graham, was droAvned. A fcAv years ago a sister of Mrs. S. L. Graham Avas droAA'ned in Pine Eiver op^posite the Graham residence. At PincAvood, during the Civil AA'ar, a man named Buchanan, who was one of a raiding party, Avas seri ously wounded by James M. Aleacham. Buchanan Sixth District. 205 Avas attempting to enter Graham's store. Meacham Avas a clerk in the store. Another more serious shoot ing occurred at Pinewood during the Civil War. Jones Collins, who had just returned home after seiA'ice in the Confederate Army, was employed as night Avatchman by Mr. Graham. A man named Parham came to Pinewood, and, while engaged in an attempt to assume charge of affairs there, was having an altercation with James M. Aleacham, when Col lins came up and took part.. During the fight which followed Parham Avas killed by Collins. Here at PincAvood Calvin Ladd shot and seriously wounded Aaron Caughran. A man named Cooper built and operated a spin ning- factory in 1830, just below where the present PincAvood ^lills stand, and nearly opposite the resi dence of James Aleacham. Near the southern Iwundary of the Sixth District, on the A\'est side of Pine EiAcr, is the Camp Ground HoUow, so ealled from the fact that in 1845 the Methodists and Presbyterians held their camp meet ing here. These meeting's were held here as late as 1850. Near the mouth of this branch were spent the boyhood days of Eca'. Lee B. Thurman, the weU- knoAvn preacher. Near this branch, on the Alillington Easley (or HardA' Petty) place, uoav Ua-cs that yeteran soldier of the cross, Eev. Henry S. Ledbetter. He was bom on August 18, 1831, and was licensed to preach on August 3, 1857. He preached his first sermon at 206 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Enon Church, in Bedford County. His text was: " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Eight well has he obeyed this com mand, and now, aged though he is, he is still strong in the faith. His grandfather was Eev. Charles Ledbetter, who oame to Tennessee from Virginia in 1790. Liis father Avas Eev. Willie Ledbetter, who Avas bom on July 31, 1803. Eev. Willie Ledbetter married Martha Knott, daughter of William and Elizabeth Knott, of North Carolina. She was bom on August 22, 1802. Seventh District. 207 CHAPTER X. THE SEVENTH [DISTRICT. - I ^ HE Seventh District is bounded on tie north -¦- by the Sixth District ; on the east, by the First and Sixth Districts; on the South, by the First and Ninth Districts ; and on the west, by the Eighth Dis trict and Humphreys Countj'. It includes a portion of Pine Eiver valley, Wilson's (or Pretty) Greek, Taylor's Creek, Bird's Creek, and a portion of AliU Creek. Pretty Creek, formerly caUed ¦' Wilson's Creek," is about four miles long, flows from the west, and empties into Pine Eiver near Vemon. John AA'ilbum settled near the head of this creek in 1815. He bought the lands on which he settled from Isaiah Green, who bought from Hugh Johnson, to whom a large tract had been granted by the State about 1810. Felix McGuire settied on the north fork of the creek near Snipes, who had settled there in 1806. Snipes was the first settler on the creek and one of the pioneers of the county. In 1813 Barney Donelson settled on what has later been knoAvn as the " Gates place." Merriman McGuire also located here. Lower doAvn the creek Colonel Bailey located in 1807, on the place later OAvned by Jesse George, the first man who raised peanuts in Tennessee. The peanut crop was for years the " money crop " of the farmers of Hickman, Humphreys, and Perry Coun- 208 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ties, there being more peanuts raised in these three counties than in all of the other counties of the State combined. From the pla,ce of its introduction on Pret,ty Creek, this crop spread to the surrounding dis tricts and counties, so that in a few years almost every fanner in the above-named counties had a crop of " goobers," as peanuts AA'ere called. Tradition has it that upon one occasion George carried a load of bad ly mildeAved peanuts to Nashville. The merchants ther© asked him to what particular variety these pea nuts belonged. He looked innocent and informed them that they AA'ere " Big Brindles." The mer chants thereupon bought from this unsophisticated countryman his peanuts for one dollar and forty cents per bushel. They probably received fifty cents per bushel for them. At an early date John AA^ilbum had in his employ a man named John Phelps. AA''hen they came to set tle Phelps claimed that AA^ilbum did not pay him all that Avas due him. He said that he Avould get even. Next moming Phelps was gone, as was also AVil- biirn's fine stallion. Traders carrying furs to Nash viUe took with them the neAvs of AA^ilbum's loss, and told of the fifty dollars roAvard Avhich he had offered. From this point the news spread to all of the ]\Iiddle Tennessee settlements, and Phelps Avas soon appre hended, and he and the stallion were returned to Hickman County. The roAvard Avas paid by Wil burn, and Phelps paid the penalty of his crime. He Avas publicly Avhipped at A^emon, th© county seat, by Seventh District. 209 Sheriff AViUiam Phillips the First, father of Sheriff WiUiam Phillips the Second, and grandfather of Sheriff William Phillips the Third, who now Uves in Shipp's Bend. James Barr, the pioneer Presbyterian preacher, at one time lived on Wilson's Creek. He built a gristmill near the forks of the creek, this mill being the only water mill ever operated on the creek. Evi dences of this mill may yet be seen here. John H. Whitson operated a steam saAvmill and gristmill on the farm of the late Col. John Parham from 1885 to 1890. Tradition says that Rev. James Barr, while he lived on Wilson's Creek, had several beautiful daughters. So beautiful were they that the creek on which they lived came to be called " Pretty Creek." The old name, " Wilson's Creek," is now seldom heard. One of the daughters of Eev. James Barr was the late Mrs. Cynthia Easley, of Gray's Bend, widow of MiUington Easley ; Mariah, another daugh ter, married William H. Carothers. Eev. James Barr was a finely educated divine, and on© of the strictest of his sect. He married a sister of Charles Bowen, who was a near relative to the prominent Bowen famUy, of Smith Comity, and to Lieut Eeece Bowen, who was MUed at King's Mountain. Eichard Parham, from South CaroUna, located at the mouth of Pretty Creek, on the south side near a fine spring, in 1808. On the north side of the creek, opposite Parham, Armistead Estes located. He was a peculiar charao- .14- 210 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ter, tiiough a prominent citizen and the owner of several slaves. One of these, Bob, is yet living at an advanced age. Bob, when a young negro, was considered one of the strongest men in the country. He was a swift runner and a good jumper. His fingers were never put to the ground under a hand spike at the logrollings, Avhich were then common. These logrollings were heavy tasks which the early settier had to perform in connection with the clear ing of fields. After the trees were felled and cut into logs of convenient lengths, so that they could be handled by the expected force, an invitation was sent to neighbors for miles around to come on an appointed day and help " roll logs," as it was termed. At an early hour on the appointed day the settlers would commence to assemble at the appointed place. Then they would Avork all day long as if for wages, carry ing the logs and laying them in heaps. These log heap® would later be burned. Every man did his best, knowing that all present would help him on like occasions to roll his logs. Logrollings were only one kind of pioneer reciprocity. There were quilt ings and house raisings and corn shuckings, where the pioneer men and women assisted their felloAvs. When the day's work was over, a free-for-all dance Avas indulged in, and the " old Kentucky reel " was run from dark till daAvn. He who could jump the highest, "sift sand" the longest, and "cut the pigeon's wing " with the most vigor was the lion of thes§ OQcasxons. Those were glorious, grand old days Se"venth District. 211 — the days our ancestors knew. Despite the thorns of pioneer life, they gathered the wild roses that grew in the wilderness. Men were then just as gallant as now; women, just as fair. Pioneers — noble, grand, and brave — God bless their memory ! They cleared the fields; we have only to till them. They pene trated the pathless wilderness; we enjoy broad high ways. They kept wateh at night for the savages; we sleep in security and dream only dreams of peace. Taylor's Creek is in the southwestern portion of the Seventh Distrid, and flows into Duck Eiver. It is about three miles long, and is noted for the bold spring about two and a half miles from the river. The water from this spring sinks a half mile below the spring and rises again before it reaches the river. As tradition has it, a man named Taylor came from North Carolina in 1792 and entered a large tract of land around th© mouth of the creek, which was after Avards called "Taylor's Creek." Early in the present century Taylor returned from North Carolina to look after his interests here. He stopped overnight Arith a settler and was never again heard of. Those with whom he stopped claimed that he had returned to North Carolina. His friends in North Carolina sent fruitless inquiries here concerning him. The early settlers believed that he was slain by his host, and the dead body throAvn into one of the near-by sink holes. The more superstitious claimed that Taylor's voice could be heard nightly resounding through these sub terranean passages making appeals for help. 212 History of Hickman County, Tenn. At th© large spring above referred to, Henry and Andrew Stobaugh (or Stobuck) located about 1806. I'hey were cousins of Mark Eobertson Cockrill, of Da vidson County. Andrew Stobaugh was a son-in-law of William Curl, who in 1806 settled on the flat lands east of Taylor's Creek, where Clinton post office was lately located. Curl was bom in Chatham County, N. C, in 1767. He married Keziah Gamblin, who AA'as born in North Carolina in 1770. He died in 1862, within a few steps of where he located. The house which he built eighty years ago is still stand ing, as is also a portion of a rock chimney built at the same time by "Black" John Warren, so called to dis tinguish him from another John Warren of fairer skin. A^''hen Curl first settled here the Indians from across Duck Eiver were frequent visitors at his house. They were at all times friendly, and would bring wild honey which they would exchange for homemade soap. This they did not use in the orthodox way, but amused themselves by bloAring soap bubbles. Curl, Avho was a saddler, sold them a fine saddle, which, mounted on a pole, they carried Arith them on all of their hunting and fishing expeditions. Mrs. Curl, who was always kind to them, was much loved by the savages. On one of their visits they found her seriously sick. They immediately, after the fashion of their tribe, commenced ceremonies to frighten away the evil spirits which annoyed her. With vrild cries they marched around the house. Then, with deep sorrow depicted on their faces, they filed slowly Seventh District. 213 through the house, each brave, as he passed, placing his hand on the sick woman's brow. Curl, in 1819, mad© a journey back to North Carolina on horseback to assist in the settlement of his deceased father's affairs. He left home in October and returned in the following February. William Curl was a promi nent dtizen of the county, and was one of the first magistrates of Hickman County, holding the position while Vemon was the county seat When he had held this office as long as he vrished, he was succeeded by Thompson Wright, the falier of Bartlett and "Blue John" AV'^right. Jared Curl, a son of William Curl, was for many years a magistrate in the Seventh Dis trict. He lived to be more than one hundred years old, and died a few years ago in the Ninth District, at the home of his daughter, the widow of Dr. Da vid D. Flowers. Jared Curl, together vrith Thomas Uslam, John Eichardson, and others, enlisted under Captain Porter, of Vemon, and were present at the battle of New Orleans. With them went Dr. Schmit- ton, a German, who has descendants in neighboring counties. Local tradition makes him the hero of an oft-told story. It is said that his prayer in broken English just before the battle was : " Lord, if you are not for us, don't be against us ; just stand aside and see one of the d — nest fights you ever saw." Keziah Curl, a daughter of William Curl, married Elijah Frazier, who came from Dickson County. She became the mother of Jared C. and WilUam G. Fra- t-i^'f^t-.'- ¦^" V. 2l4 History of Hickman County, Teni^. zier. Judge Curl, of Arkansas, is a descendant of the pioneer, William Curl. William and James Holmes located on Taylor's Creek below Curl in 1808. A young man named Holmes fell dead at a dance on this creek in 1810. One of the first schools, if not the first school, in the Seventh Distrid was taught by George Y. Pey ton near AVilliam Curl's in 1812. The early settlers in the Seventh and Eighth Dis tricts would go in small companies with pack horses and carry their com to a mill on Yellow Creek, in Dickson County, forty miles away. They carried their rifles as a precaution against robbers, and wild beasts as well as to proride themselves Avith food. These hardy pioneers, after a trip' of a w©©k, would return home with their com ground into meal, and bringing with them a good supply of turkeys and venison, and frequently bear meat. There was an other way by which their corn was converted into meal. The shelled com would be placed in a mortar made by burning a hoi© in a stump or log. A hoavy wooden pestle was then suspended over the mo'rtar and attached to a SAveep. By regular movements of this sweep the com was pounded into meal, the coarser portions being used as hominy. The mill near the mouth of Pine Eiver, knoAvn as " Montgomery's mill," AA'as buUt in 1830 by an ingenious workman, Hugh Johnson. The money necessary for the purchase of the machinery was fur- Seventh DisTEict. 2l5 rii'shed by Axemen's Irish merchant, Robert Sheegog, who eventually became tiie owner of the mill. He sold it for $3,000 to John Montgomery, who came from Charlotte, Dickson Coiirity, in 1840". Mont-- gomery was a laAvyer, and was on© of the pioneers of his profession at Charlotte. Hugh JohnSon, iri addition to being a millwright, was a clock maier". AVhile operating this mill he made a number of clocks of the tall, old-fashioned kind. Montgomery's mill' was erected near the face of a high bluff from which ' burst a stream of water which furnished the power. This stream is almost Pine River in its entirety, as most of its waters sink over a mile above and come through a subterranean passage to this point. That portion of the river which does not enter this under ground channel flows southward. It abruptly strikes a towering bluff, changes its course from south to northwest, and flows almost parallel Avith Duck River for about two miles, until it reaches the point at which the waters of the two rivers are united. On the high strip of land lying between the rivers are located the celebrated mounds built by some prehisr torie race. If these mounds were erected for de fense, the location is an ideal one. On two sides are high bluffs Avhich could not have been scaled by an attacking force, while the remaining sides are pro tected by earthworks. The great age of these motmds is made manifest by the large tiees now growing upon tiiem. Near the mounds are a number of graves. Near the base of the bluff on the Duck River side is 216 History of Hickman County, Tenn. a fine spring, reached from above by the " Winding Stairs," a series of roughly cut steps. In 1806 Robert Bowen, father of Robert and Charles Bowen, located on Pine River. Charles Bowen bought a large tract of land near what is now knoAvn as the " Hassell place " from Airs. Orlean Smith, in whose name 640 acres of land had been entered in 1806. Charles Bowen lived on the east side of the river ; Robert, Bowen, on the west, between the places where David and Thomas Webb now live. The h©irs of Robert Bowen sold these lands to Will iam II. Carothers, who in 1845 erected a cotton gin at the Thomas Webb place. Charles Bowen married Naomi Carothers, a sister of Andrew, Samuel, and William Carothers, and an aunt of William H. Ca rothers. Narcissa, a daughter of Charles Bowen, married a laAvyer named HoAvry, who lived at Center ville, the ceremony being performed by Eli Horn beak. About 1832 Charles Bowen sold his lands to John Hassell and moved to Mississippi, where his son-in-law, Howry, joined him a few years later. John Hassell was the father of Hardeman, Joseph, and Hiram Hassell. In 1807 three brothers — Andrew, Samuel, and William Carothers, of Georgia — located on Pine River. Samuel Carothers bought the Montgomery place in 1810 from Charles Bowen. He married Naomi Brown. Andrew was a Primitive Baptist preacher, and later lived on Sugar Creek, in the Eighth District He was the father of WiUiam Se"venth District. 217 HoweU Carothers, who was at the beginning of the Civil War the largest slaveholder in Hickman County. He was also a prosperous farmer, and speculated largely in lands, hogs, and mules. He carried large droves of hogs and mules overland to HoUy Springs and other Mississippi points. He rendered great service to the farmers of the surround ing counties by making a market for their surplus stock. He at one time, in copartnership Arith WiU iam Easley (" Long Jaw Bill "), owned and operated Oakland Furnace, on Mill Creek. He was at one time sheriff of Hickman County. At the close of the Civil War, his slaves aU free, and a stanch friend of the Confederacy, having a large lot of worthless Confederate currency, he found himself, like a great many other Southern men, a financial AATeck. Undismayed by disaster, he emigrated to CoryeU County, Texas. He there bought a farm, and by hard work paid for it He died there in 1880. He served several years as tax collector for CoryeU County. John Lowe, the father of Jesse and Maj. LcAris Lowe, in 1815 located on Pine River above where the Reynoldsburg road crosses it, and between the Hugh Johnson and Orlean Smith lands. Jesse Lowe mar ried Jennie Carothers, a sister of WiUiam H. Ca rothers. Joseph Webb, who was born in York County, S. C, in Mareh, 1797, came to Cathey's Creek, in Maury County, and then to Hickman County, where he mar- 2l8 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ried Elizabeth Carothers, a sister of William H. Carothers. He settled on the Smith lands. His house being on th© Reynoldsburg road, and he the most hospitable of hosts, his became one of the most popular of tiie wayside inns along this road. Here was the scene of a stirring incident in the vrinter of 1863. A troop of Federal cavalry was in the county capturing Confederate soldiers at home on furloughs. They pretended, however, to be in search of the guer rilla bands of Henon Cross, Duval McNairy, and James McLaughlin. On the day referred to they had captured Capt. John H. Coleman, Willis Tur ner, and others, and had stopped at " Uncle Joe " Webb's to spend the night Just about dusk, and Avhil© the soldiers and their prisoners were scattered about the yard, the hurrying of hoofs was heard just doAvn the road, and a lone horseman gaUoped to the front gate about thirty feet away. He called out a demand for an immediatei surrender and fired his revolver rapidly into the crowd. Before the one hundred men had recovered from the disorder into AA'hich one man had thrown them, James McLaugh lin, who had encountered odds of one hundred to one in an attempt to assist the prisoners to escape, had disappeared. Evidences qf this daring dash may yet b© seen in the form of bullets from AIcLaugh- lin's pistol embedded in the wall of the house. After McLaughlin had gone his way in safety, one of the gallant Federals retrieved th© fortunes of the day by sending a musket ball through both the arms of Se"venth District. 219 Captain Coleman, a defenseless prisoner, who was making no attempt to escape. From this same house, upon another occasion, eleven Federal cavalrymen went in pursuit of Duval McNairy. McNairy left the main road and ascended a steep, rough point AATien he reached the top, he turned and discharged both barrels of his shotgun at his pursuers, wound ing ten out of eleven. He, hoAvever, did not stop to learn the result of his shot. On the east side of Pine River nearly opposite where the waters sink is a branch, called "Jacob's PilloAv," so called on account of a large stone in the middle of the valley doAvn Avhich the stream runs. Near this rock the Presbyterians and Methodists held camp meetings in 1848, 1849, and 1850. In 1861 Nathan Hickman erected a tannery near this point Two miles above Jacob's Pillow, Bird's Creek floAvs into Pine River from the east This creek is named for William Bird, who located near its mouth in 1807. Bird was in the battle of New Orleans, and duidng the engagement his rifle became useless. He immediately rolled over the breastworks and secured a gun from a prostrate enemy. After the battie he went out on the field over Avhich the British had charged, and soon returned with a fine saddle, which was later identified as the property of Sir Edwai'd Packenham, the dead leader of the EngUsh forces. At the head of Bird's Creek, Stuart Warren set- tied in 1807. He owned the present site of Goodrich 220 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Furnace. He was the father of John, Goodloe, and Darid B. Warren. The latter was at one time clerk of the County Court. Stuart AVarren's three daugh ters married three prominent citizens of the county — Pleasant Walker, Jack Huddleston, and James D. Easley. The first-named was county judge and a member of the Legislature; th© second was sheriff; and th© third was for many y©ars County Court clerk, and was also a member of the Legislature. John ACuirhead located at the forks of the creek where John H. Barr now lives, and erected a miU and distillery just beloAV the forks of the creek. Elisha Green located near the mouth of Bird's Creek in 1807. A near-by neighbor was a man named Dezell. John LIulett taught school on Bird's Creek in 1836, and Harper taught here in 1838. Dr. Samuel Sebastian at an early date lived in the Pine River valley below A^emon and above the mouth of Bird's Creek. He was one of the pioneer physicians of this district; another was Dr. Hailey. In after years Avere Drs. Levris, Shenault, Douglass, Hunt, Hall, Puckett, William Montgomery, Thomas D. Thompson, and others. At the Stuart Warren place, on Bird's Creek, in 1812, lived William Carter, a brother-in-law of Asa Thompson. Carter lived here until his death, in 1869. He was in the War of 1812, and was out in the first Seminole War (1819). After his death his heirs sold the lands to the Standard Charcoal Com- Se"venth District. 221 pany, which company in 1882 erected Goodrich Fur nace and wood alcohol works. These were later operated by the Warner Iron Company and the Southern Iron Company. They are now, after a period of several years' inactivity, being operated by the Tennessee Iron Company. The Adllage, post office, and furnace are named for Levin D. Goodrich, a son-in-law of Dr. Bellefield Carter, who was once prominent in Aliddle Tennessee as the owner of sev eral furnaces in Dickson and Hickman Counties. Before the Civil War, Goodrich was the manager of ^tna Furnace, -in th© Eleventh District " Lev." Goodrich, as he was familiarly knoAvn, did more than any other man toward putting on foot the plans which in 1878 and 1879 resulted in the commencement of the building of the Nashville and Tuscaloosa Rail road, now the Center\'illo branch of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. Then, too, he did more than any other man in securing the rebuild ing of old furnaces and the building of new ones in the county. Allien the first train was run over the Nashville and Tuscaloosa road to Centerville, Lev. Goodrich was seated on the cowcatcher in front of the engine. He has gone to his final reward, but he deserved a front seat on the first train, and deserves a prominent place in the history of Hickman County. About a mile north of Goodrich Furnace are the ore mines, formerly called the " Oakland or© banks," now the Nunnelly ore banks. These mines were operated during the same tim© as the enterprises at 222 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Goodrich. Operations were suspended at th© same time (1893), and are just uoav being resumed. Near where the railroad crosses Mill Creek is a small station — Graham Station. Below the railroad trestle is a large dam across Alill Creek. From this point Avater was formerly forced over a hill two hun dred feet high, and carried in pipes to the ore Avasher at the Nunnelly ore banks, orie and a half miles away. One-half mile below Graham Station may yet be seen the ruins of the once-famous Oakland Furnace. This fumace was built in 1854 by Felix Studdart, Blount Fowlkes, and William H. Bratton. This fumace Avas erected at the place where before this had stood the Lower Forge of Alill Creek. The ore for the fumace was taken from the Oakland ore banks, now the Nunnelly ore banks, and conveyed by AA'agons to the furnace. The furnace and ore banks gave employment to many citizens, and, in addition to free labor, the operators hired from the neigh boring slaveholders their surplus slaves for periods ranging from one to tAvelve months. The negro slaves employed here were allowed to visit their fami lies on Saturday nights and Sundays. However, there were instances where some of th© slaves re mained aAvay from their families for the entire pe riod of twelv© months. Near the site of this furnace, in 1806, a mill was built by the united efforts of the settiers. The erec tion of the mill Avas superintended by Charles Muir- he^d, of Bird's Creek, and it was operated under his Se"venth District. 223 direction. Two years later AViUiam Hale, from East Tennessee, converted this temporary mill into a per manent one. A good dam was erected instead of the brush dam. This was the first mill built in Hick man County, and from it this creek took its name. Before its erection the temporary structure built by the settlers (the Aluirhead mill) had not a sufficient output to supply the demands of the settlers, and they had been compelled to go to Yellow Creek, in Dickson County, as narrated in previous pages. Near the mouth of Mill Creek, near where T. D. Field now Uves, Adam AAalson cultivated the first crop of com cultivated by a white man within the present limits of Hickman County. This was in 1806, and Wilson made no clearing, save the cutting away of the cane. At the mouth of Mill Creek, Avhere Thomas D. Field now lives, William Holt in 1838 built a grist mill, saAvmill, cotton rin, and spinning factory. Holt OAvned and lived on these lands, and was for years a prominent citizen of this section of the county. His daughter, Madaline, married Andrew Carothers, a brother of William H. Carothers, the ceremony being performed by Jesse Fuqua, the Primitive Baptist preacher. Andrew Carothers had lost one eye as a result of fever. He moved to Mississipni, where he died. A daughter, Elizabeth, married Dr. Elisha Green Thompson. Thomas Thompson came in 1806 from York Dis trict, S. C, and settled one and a half miles south of Vemon and to the north of Bird's Creek. Thomas 224 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Thompson was the father of Asa, William, John, James, and Elisha Thompson. His son, Asa Thomp son, who was bom in South Carolina in 1798, lived near the old homestead until his death, in 1877. Asa Thompson married Mary Carothers, a daughter of Andrew Carothers, the Baptist preacher. Two sons of Asa Thompson — Drs. Elisha Green Thomp son and Thomas D. Thompson — have been promi nent physicians of the county. Dr. E. G. Thompson was for two terms the deputy of Circuit Court Clerk AA^illiam G. Clagett, and Avas for two terms Circuit Court Clerk. He was also at one time Clerk and Alaster of the Chancery Court at Centerville, and filled out the unexpired term of Dr. A. J. Lowe, who died Avhile a member of the State Legislatura Dr. T. D. Thompson was aid-de-eamp to Gen. James E. Raines, and served in that capacity until the death of General Raines, at Murfreesboro. William C. Thompson, another son of Asa Thompson, held sev eral important district offices, and was at the time. of his death a member of the County Court, of which body he had for years been a member. Another son, John B. Thompson, who saw service in the Civil War, although he was several years below the regulation age, is at present a prominent citizen of this district, as is also Dr. Thomas D. Thompson. Two other sons of Asa Thompson — Andrew and Stuart — ^lost their lives while soldiers in the Confederate Army. A son of tiie former, William D. Thompson, at present a citizen of Centerville, was tvrice elected register of Seatenth District. 225 the county, and by majorities among the largest ever given a candidate for office in Hickman County. Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Asa Thompson, married Joseph Hemdon, who died while in the Con federate Army. Their only child, MoUie Herndon, married James F. Alartin, the founder of the Hick man Pioneer, established in 1878, at Centerville, the first paper published in Hickman County. Susan Thompson, daughter of Asa Thompson, married Eev. AA''illiam Whitson. One of their sons, John H. AVhit son, in connection with Horatio C. Thompson, a son of William C. Thompson, at on© tim© published the Hickman Pioneer, succeeding S. L. Neely. Neely purchased the paper from Alartin, who had success fully conducted it for a number of years. Whitson and Thompson sold the Pioneer to J. H. Eussell, son of Ferdinand B. Eussell. The Pioneer, a few years after this, suspended publication. About this time Horatio 0. Thompson established the Hickman County News, which he published for several years. Thompson is uoav editor of the Savannah Courier. Thompson was succeeded as editor of the News by S. S. Speer, of Georgia, and he by W. P. Clark, who sold to Stockard & Ozment, the present publishers. Dr. W. T. Childress, of Terrell, Texas, married Catherine, a daughter of Asa Thompson. After her death he married her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Hem don. Eichard Craig, the father of John, Solomon, and Elijah Craig, was one of the eaidy settiers on Bird's -15- 226 History' of Hickman County, Tenn. Creek. .John Craig married a daughter of Andrew Carothers. James Singleton taught school just below Vemon in 1832. At this point, one mile below A^emon, was erected th© first schoolhou.se and chureh constructed in the county. It was erected by the Primitive Bap tist preacher, Andrew Carothers. The location of this building is now marked by a walnut tree in the graveyard below A''emon. In this graveyard An- drcAV Carothers is buried near the scenes of his for^ mer labors. The Primitive Baptist Church was the strong church of early days, but among the promi nent preachers of the pioneer days was James Barr, the Presbyterian. The Presbyterian Church has never been a strong church in this district, but, sup ported by it, the Methodist Church has supplanted the Baptist Chureh in the Seventh District. The Christian Church has in recent years become one of the prominent churches of the distrid. Eev. Lee Thurman has in recent years preached the doctrine of entire sanctification, and has made many converts in this section of the county. The date of the first permanent settlement at Ver non is not knoAvn. The large spring at the foot of the hill was, before the place was permanentiy set tled, a stopping place for hunters and trappers. In 1800 James AVilson and Joseph Lynn laid a land warrant here, and a few years la,ter they, together with Garrett Lane, WiUiam Hale, and Dr. William Brown, came from East Tennessee and permanent- Seventh District. 227 ly settled here. In 1808 Carey Pope settled here. In 1812 Samuel D. AIcLaughlin, who had been a schoolmate of Gov. William Carroll, lived at Vernon. AVhen Garrett Lane and associates came here this territory' was embraced in Dickson County. Joseph Lynn was Vernon's first hotel keeper, and John Hu lett its first merchant AVhen Hickman County was created and Vernon made the county seat, a hewn-log jail and a hewn-log courthouse were ereded. AVhen the county seat was removed to Centerville, in 1823, the courthouse was tom doAvn.and removed to the new county seat. A new log jail was erected, and the old one was allowed to remain at Vernon. However, be fore these buildings were completed, th© first court of th© county was held on the third Monday in Janu ary, 1808, at the house of AVilliam Joslin, who liA'ed near the present site of Pinewood. In 1809 the courthouse had not yet been completed, and the court met at the house of James Wilson, on whose lands Vemon Avas located. William Stone was then clerk of the court, and tradition has it that when he was once fined for contempt of court, he coolly refused to enter the fine and the incident was closed. Stone re moved from Vemon to Jones' Creek, in Dickson County. After a lapse of ninety years, it is difficult to learn anything as to the proceedings of this pioneer court. The paper of which the foUoAring is a copy was found among the papers of the late William G. Clagett, and it is probably the only portion of the records of that court now in existence : 228 History of Hickman Count"y, Tenn. " State of Tennessee ) To the Sheriff of Hickman Hickman County ) County Greeting Where as here to fore to vrit at October Term of tlie court of pleas and quart,er Sessions for the county of Hickman Eichard Compton Sued out a writ of capias ad respond endom against James Peery com manding the Sheriff of Hickman County to take the Body of James Peery and have him b©fore the court of pleas and quarter sessions to be holden for the county of Hickman at the House of WiUiam Joslin on the third monday of January then to answer the said plaintiff of a plea of covenant broken to his dam age one thousand Dollars &.C. upon Avhich writ the Sheriff made tiie foUoAring return to wit) not found Signed AVilliam Phillips S H 0. W^here upon it is ordered that a Judicial Attachment Issue against the Estate of the Said Defendant according to act of Assembly in that case made and provided — These are therefore to command you, that you. Attach the Estate of the said James Peery if to be found in your county or so much there of repleviable on Security as shall be of Value Sufficient to Sa,tisfy the said Damages according to the above complaint and such Estate so attached in your hands tO' secure or so to provide that th© same may be Liable to fur ther proceeding there on to be had at the court to be held for the county of Llickman at house of William Easleys on the third monday of July next so as to compell the said James Peery to appear and answer the above complaint of the said Eichard Compton, Se"venth District. 229 when and where you Shall make knoAvn to the said court how you have executed this writ Witness Will iam Stone clerk of our said court at office this third monday of April iu the year 1809 and the 33rd year of the American Independence — WiUiam Stone C C." On the back of this are the foUovring entries: " Richard Compton ) vs > Judicial Attachment James Peery ) To July Term 1809 Isd 23rd Alay 1809." " Came to hand Alay the 24 1809 leved May the 27 1809 on 500 [Here "'ten thousand" is written and a line draAvn through it] acres of land where James Peery Senr and James Peery Junr now lives on Leatherwood Creek of Duck river Wm. Phillips, shff hickman county." All of the above is legibly written, and, consider ing the lack of educational facilities at that time, the number of mistakes in spelling and punctuation is surprisingly small. Th© William Easley at whose house the court met in July, 1809, is the William Easley referred to in the sketch of the Sixth District He lived where Dr. Thomas Cash now lives, and represented Hickman County in the Legislature in 1815, 1817, and after the resignation of Robert E. C. Dougherty in 1819. The court met at the homes of citizens until the courthouse at Vemon was com- 230 History of Hickman County, Tenn. pleted. Three of these citizens were William Joslin, James Wilson, and William Easley. After the estab lishment of circuit courts, in 1809, Judge Parry W. Humphreys held court, at Vemon. Robert Estes was the first clerk of this court. James Wilson lived in what is now the Seventh Distrid. After the erection of the public buildings and until the county seat was moA'ed to Centerville, A''emon was a pros perous frontier toAvn, rivaling in its magnificence Charlotte and Reynoldsburg. Among the prominent laAvyers who attended court here were Felix Grundy, A. O. P. Nicholson, Cave Johnson, John Mont gomery, and Elijah Walker. After the real court had adjourned, the moot court commenced its ses sions, and much was the amusement furnished to judge, bar, and visitors. Partiesi were tried for all kinds and conditions of offenses, both real and im aginary, and the punishment was almost uniformly a fine of sufficient amount to buy liquid refreshments for judge and jury, lawyers, litigants, and spectators. AVhen the docket had been cleared late at night, the moot court, adjourned, if sober, which was not often the case; otherwise it scattered. In 1817 Alajor Hornbeak lived near where J. H. Shipp noAv lives, and operated a stillhouse on the opposite side of tlie river. He supplied Vernon Arith whisky and brandy. He was the father of Pleasant Hombeak, Airs. AViUiam G. Clagett, and Airs. Sam uel B. Aioore. The pioneer, Garrett Lane, lived to a good old age, Seventh District. 231 and to the last retained his love for outdoor sports. In 1850 he Avas the promoter of a " gander pulling." A live gander was suspended by its feet, and the con testants, mounted on horseback and riding rapidly, tried to carry away in their hands the token of vic tory in the form of the gander's head. Jones Easley brok© the gander^s neck, but Claiborn© B. Dotson wrenched off its head and won the p'rize of eighty dol lars in gold. Old A^ernon has been the scene of per haps more " fist-and-skuU," old-fashioned, rough-and- tumble fights than any place in Tennessee. The most serious of these was the fight, in 1847, between Mills Eason and William Holt, during which the latter lost an eye. Robert Sheegog sold goods in Vemon in 1836 ; Carothers & Easley, in 1845 ; WiUiam Bal- throp and John Primm, in 1850 ; and Marable Eeeves, in 1855. Robert Sheegog, who Avas bom in Ireland, died in Texas in 1 879. T- N- Carter ran a saloon here for a number of years, as did also Solo mon George. George was a saddler and a good citi zen. William Gravitt was a good saddle and harness maker. Among the good citizens of this place were Col. B. B. Satterfield and AndrcAv Walker. Colonel Satterfield AA'as at one time a merchant here. Philip Afaroney, Sanford Bros., A. I. Brown, Allies Afays, and AV. S. Nunnelly have sold goods here at different times since the Civil War. Vemon was almost en tirely destroyed by Federals in 1864, and the bumed portions were never rebuilt; so it does not now ap pear as did Old Vemon when it was new. 232 History of Hickman County, Tenn. In 1829 HaAvkins Ward taught school at the mouth of Taylor's Creek. Ward was from North Carolina, and was joumoying Avestward. He was coming dovra Duck River in a canoe, and stopped overnight Arith John Scott, who soon learned from his conversation that he was a well-educated man. Ward was em ployed to teach school, and continued teaching until other emigrants from North Carolina brought the news that Ward had a deserted wife in the Old State. Ward immediately renevred his journey westward. John and Thomas Thompson were teachers in this district in the early days. Bartiett Wright taught on the ridge west of Pretty Creek and three miles west of Vemon in 1855. At A^ernon many good teachers have taught, several of Avhom were ladies. Miss Kate Guthrie taught near where W. S. Nunnelly now Ua'cs. Aliss Bettie Osborn, in 1849, taught in Tem perance Hall at Vemon, and later in the valley south of the village. In this valley Airs. Elizabeth Nun nelly taught school prior to her marriage to Lawson H. Nunnelly. She was of Irish parentage, refined, intelligent, and Avell educated. She lives to-day, far beyond the allotted threescore years and ten; and when she goes away, Hickman County will lose one of its noblest women, one who has few equals and no superiors. Later Misses Emily and Alariah Sheegog taught here. The former taught at Vemon for many years; the latter afterAvards taught at Centerville, and then went to Alaiiry County. In later years Alisses Nora Bly, Lula Crutcher, Genie Crutcher, Seventh District. 233 and DoUie George have taught here. Some of the men who taught at Vemon were James H. Fowlkes, Gabriel Fowlkes, and " Bunk " AVhite. One of the best schools taught here was that taught by W. D. Askins in recent years. Among the early magistrates of the district were Garrett Lane, William Curl, Thompson Wright, and Jared Curl. William Bird was chairman of the County Court from 1840 to 1846. Capt E. W. Easley has held this position several times in recent years. Some of the magistrates of later years were AViUiam Gravitt, Jesse James, Solomon George, Will iam 0. Thompson, and J. T. Webb. The present incumbents are E. W. Easley and J. T. Duncan. Some of the constables of the district were William C. Thompson, AV. D. Thompson, W. H. Stuart, and John F. Lawson. The present incumbent is W. H. Betty. W. D. Hedge, of Taylor's Creek, was a deputy under Sheriff J. A. Harvill. There have been a number of violent deaths in this district AVilliam Balthrop was droAvned in Pine River, near Vemon, in 1850; a white man named Hodges was drovmed above Vernon in 1866; and a negro, Adam Spence, was droAvned below Vernon in 1895. In 1864 David Seymour and HoAvell Luten, a boy of about fifteen years, were murdered in their beds. These murders occurred on Pretty Creek, two miles west of Vernon, and the object was evidentiy robbery. Seymour was dead when found by neigh bors^ but the boy lived in an unconscious state for 234 History of Hickman County, Tenn. several days. They were killed with an ax. The murderer was never a.pprehended, and, amid the stir ring events of that year, the murder was soon almost forgotten. In 1885 WiUiam ("Buck") BroAvn kiUed W^illiam T. Easley, at Graham. In 1886 Absalom Cathey was killed at Goodrich by his brother-in-law, Samuel Devault About this time, and at the same place, Henry Warren killed " Buck " BroAvn. At Goodrich, in 1887, Alfred Dunn kiUed AValter Oli ver. At Goodrich, in 1891, James LaAvson killed two negroes, Anthony Lockridge and Henry Crutcher. About this time Samuel Phillips, a negro, killed AVade Carothers, another negro, near Nunnelly ; and WUliam Phillips, a negro, was killed at Vemon by Vernon Hedge. During the Civil War th© Seventh District was the scene of several thrilling incidents, in addition to those already mentioned. This distrid was much frequented by the band of independent scouts, or bushwhackers, under command of Henon Cress, a son of Professor Cross, of NashviUe. Cross had associated with him Duval McNairy, of Nashrille, and James McLaughlin, of Maryland. They "first came as refugees, to Hickman County, where their pleasant manners and gentlemanly deportment as sured for them a hearty welcome. Soon tiring of inactivity, they gathered around them a band of ad venturous spirits and proceeded to wage war against th© proAvling bands of Federals that often passed this way. In Cross' command were all kinds of men — Seventh District. 235 good, bad, and indifferent. Those whom they espe cially desired to fight were a similarly organized band of Federal sympathizers, the Perry County jay hawkers. In July, 1864, a company of these, en camped at Centerville, concluded to visit Pinewood Mills in search of booty. On their way to Pinewood they treated harshly a number of citizens whom they met. One of these was Lafayette Turbeville. They robbed him of his pocketknife and tobacco, and made by force an exchange of hats vrith him, in which Turbeville was badly beaten. Finally, adding insult to injury, they forced him to take the oath of alle giance. He went that night to the camp of Cross, Avho immediately commenced to take steps toward attacking them on their return from Pinewood on the foUoAring day. This he did in a hollow through which the old Centerville road passed one-half mile south of A^emon. Cross took them by surprise, firing upon their flank from his place of concealment in the bushes. At the same time Turbeville and McLaugh lin charged from the rear, yelling and firing their pistols. This stampeded those who had not already been shot, and a vrild chase ensued from there to Centeiville, eight miles away. The jayhawkers lost eleven in killed and wounded, about a dozen horses and mules, and two wagons loaded vrith flour and other spoils gathered at Pinewood- TurbeviU© re covered his hat. Campbell Kimbrough, a citizen of Hickman County, who had joined the jayhawkers as a guide, was mortally wounded. He was taken to the 236 History of Hickman County, Tenn. home of Dorsey Weatherspoon, on Taylor's Creek, Avhere he died. Cross' party sustained no loss. In December, 1864, the Federal troops were being concentrated at Nashville. The Federal General, Cooper, was at Johnsonville, and, having had com munication Avith Nashville cut off by a raid along the Northwestern Railroad by the Confederate General, Lyon, he marched to Nashville by the way of Cen terville and Columbia. He came the Reynoldsburg road, and had met with no enemy when he reached Pine River and encamped for th© night near H. H. Hassell's and Joseph A^''ebb's. During th© night Cross gathered his little band and determined to annoy them on their inarch to Centerville. Next morning, soon after the Federals had left the valley and had entered the woodlands on the ridge, they were attacked by Cross' men, who would fire and re treat, only to appear a few minutes later in an attack on the flank or the rear. During one of these attacks Brownlee Cross, a brother of Henon Cross, was seri ously wounded. The Federal loss was one killed, several wounded, and flfteen captured. In 1864 Captain Cross was captured by a detach ment of Federals, piloted by Alex. Puckett, a citizen of Hickman County. At the time of his capture Cross was attending chureh at Briggs' Chapel, near the Alontgomery Mills. Capture in this case meant death in a few hours, but Cross walked about seem ingly unconcerned, closely guarded by his captors. Cross came close to where his horse stood hitched. Seatenth District. 237 With one bound he mounted his horse, broke the Umb to which it was tied, leaned over to the opposite side from his late captors, and escaped under a heavy fire, his horse making its way with safety to itself and rider up a steep hiUside. It was this and other dar ing deeds by their leaders that made the people almost forget some of the questionable acts of some of the bushwhackers. Aloses Wright, a slave, who was al ways faithful, was present on this occasion, wearing a coat on which were a number of Confederate but tons. These buttons were cut off by the Federals. For this act, Aloses, so he said, gave Alex. Puckett " a good cussin'." He, however, qualified his boast by the statement that it was some hours after Puckett and his Federals had gone before the vials of his pro fanity were uncorked. 238 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XI. THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. ^p HE Eighth District is bounded on the north by J- Humphreys County; on the east, by the Sev enth District; on the south, by the Ninth District; and on the west, by Humphreys and Perry Counties. This district lies in the extreme northwestern portion of the county, and includes a portion of the Duck River valley. Sugar Creek is the principal stream, Avhich lies entirely in this district. It flows into Duck River from the east, and is about eight miles in length. It has several branches, on© of which is known by any of the three names : the " Coleman Branch," the " Barren Fork," or the " South Fork." Through tiie valley of this fork of Sugar Creek runs one of the first roa,ds opened in Hickman County — the Reynoldsburg road. This road ran from Rey noldsburg, which was in Humphreys County about two miles below the present site of JohnsO'nville, to Vemon, and later to Centerville. It entered Hick man County at the head of Oemulgee Hollow, and ran down that hollow to where it intersects Sugar Creek, about one mile below the forks of the creek. It followed the valley of the creek, ruiming in an easterly directio.n, until it reached Lee's Fumace, where it left the main valley of the creek and ran up the Coleman Branch to its. head. Striking the ridge, Eighth District. 239 it ran to Vemon. Later, when Centerville was built, the Reynoldsburg road forked at what is now called the " Rossen place," and the Centerville fork ran to Pine River, which it crossed between the Webb and HasseU places, and thence to Centerville, crossing Duck River at the Griner Ford. The place where it crossed Pine River is no longer a fording place, and the old Reynoldsburg road is now for miles no longer a public highway. The toAvn which gave it its name is now only a memory. AVhen Humphreys County, named for Judge Parry W. Humphreys, was organized, it included all of what is now Hum phreys and Benton Counties. In 1812 th© county seat was located on th© T©nnessee River below the present site of Johnsonville, and named " Reynolds burg " in honor of Congressman James B. Reynolds, who lived at Clarksville. In 1836 Benton County, named for Thomas H. Benton, was established, and the county seat of Humphreys County was moved to near the center of the county. The new county seat was named " Waverly " by Hon. Stephen C. Pavatt, AA'ho was an admirer of Scott's " Waverly Novels." The decline of Reynoldsburg was swift and sure, and the thriving little tOAvn, situated on the NashviUe and Alemphis stage road, which at one time ranked with Axemen and Charlotte among the prominent tOAvns of Middle Tennessee, is now indeed a " Deserted Vil lage," whose almost-forgotten location is marked alone by its dilapidated brick courthouse, which for years has been used as a residence. So also has the 240 History of Hickman County, Tenn. glory departed from Grattan's Grove, at Clarksville, Avhere lived the genial Irishman, James B. Eeynolds, known as " Count Eeynolds." In 1808 AndrcAv Carothers, the Primitive Baptist preacher, located on the Coleman Branch of Sugar Creek, at what has for many years been known as the " Coleman place." Near where he located is a fine spring, at which the numerous travelers over the Eey noldsburg road stopped to quench their thirst. Jesse Sparks, father of James, Hale, Absalom, and Jesse Sparks, and grandfather of J. J. Sparks, for many years liA-ed on the farm adjoining the Coleman place. Samuel Walker lived on Sugar Creek as early as 1807. In the Wilkins Hollow, which runs into Duck Eiver above th© mouth of Sugar Creek, there lived the pioneer Baptist preacher, Jesse Fuqua, Sr., father of the Baptist preacher, Jesse Fuqua, Jr. He was loved best and honored most by those who kncAv him best His faith was strong in his power to Arield the " divining rod," with which he located underground streams of water. Wells, when dug, would always reveal the presence of water at the places he desig nated. Fuqua came to this county with Solomon Jones, and first located on Big Spring Creek, in the Sixth District. Above Lee's Old Fumac©, and on the main fork of Sugar Creek, WiUiam Thornton and William Foi^ Tester uoav live. The line between their farms di vides one of the finest springs on this creek. Here Eighth District. 241 at this spring was located one of the blockhouses to which the early settlers repaired for protection against roving bands of Indians. The farm on which this blockhouse was located was for many years the property of William Nicks, who settled there about 1830. One mile above the blockhouse is the juncture of the north and middle forks of Sugar Creek. The creek was named "' Sugar Creek " on account of the large number of sugar maples which grow in the val ley of this stream, from its source to its mouth. The products of these sugar orchards were a source of revenue to the pioneers. A small basin was chopped in tiie trunk of the trees. This was called " tap ping." From below, a small hole was bored into this basin and a cane inserted. Through this cane the sap of the tree would stream into a wooden trough two feet long. The sap — called " sugar water " — thus collected was carried in buckets and pails to the " sugar camp," Avher© it was boiled doAvn to sugar, AA-hich was placed in cups, saucers, and plates to cool. From these primitive molds it was taken ready for the market. At the head of the Middle Fork of Sugar Creek, Leonard Claiborne, from South Carolina, settied in 1809. In 1820 Samuel Dunaway came from South Carolina and married Alariam Claiborne, a daugh ter of Leonard Claiborne. Their sons were Giles, Thomas, Benjamin, Alark, Hiram, and Daniel Duna way. Giles Dunaway lived to be ninety years of age, -i6- 242 History op Hickman County, Tenn. and died a bachelor. Samuel and Claiborne Duna- Avay, sons of Thomas Dimaway, now Uve on Sugar Creek near Avhere their ancestors settied. The North Fork of Sugar Creek was settled by Reeves and Forrester. Jonathan Reeves, Sr., was a prominent citizen, and he and Obadiah Tumer, Sr., Avere the only slaveholders on the creek above Lee's Furnace. Richard Forrester, from South Caro lina, the father of Silas and Hezekiah Forrester, set tled here in 1815. Silas Forrester Avas the father of Madison, Can-oil, and Silas, Jr. Isaiah Forrester Avas the father of Alfred, Stephen, and WiUie For rester. Lucinda, a daughter of the pioneer, Rich ard Forrester, married AArilliam Turner, a brother of Obadiah Tumer, Sr. Alston Moppin, of South Carolina, was one of the first settlers here. In 1830 Samuel B. Lee and James Gould entered and purchased several thousand acres of mineral and timber lands in Hickman and Ilmnphreys Counties. On Sugar Creek, just beloAv where it is entered by Coleman's Branch, tiiey located their furnace, the old-fashioned stack standing there now. The char coal for this fumace Avas burned in the old-fashioned coal pits, and hundreds of laborers, Avhite and black, were employed in cutting Avood in the adjacent for ests and burning it into charcoal. AVhen the fumace Avas being built here it Avas thought that in the hill against Avhich it stood there Avas a rich deposit of ore. When they came to investigate it further, this was found to be not so, and they were compelled to go Eighth District. 243 near Vemon for ore, which was found in abundance near Pretty Creek. Thev obtained their ore from tAA'o banks — one south of the Reynoldsburg road, one and a half miles from A^emon ; the other on the north side of Pretty Creek, three-fourths of a mile from A'^eimon. The ore was taken from the earth with picks and shovels, placed in ox carts and horse wagons, and conA'eyed to the fumace, nine miles away. This was a slow method of mining and transporting, com pared Arith the steam shovels and railways of the pres ent day. The heaA^y expense which attached to these primitive methods, together AA'ith the heavy expense of transporting the. products, soon caused the aban donment of this fumace. The pig-iron products of the old Oakland Furnace, on Mill Creek in the Sev enth Distrid, Aver© carried overland to the boat land ing at the lower end of the I'onng Alaybeny lands, in th.e First District. From this point they were conveyed hj flatboats doAvn Duck EiA'er. From Lee & Gould's fumace, on Sugar Creek, the pig iron was carried by wagons to the mouth of the creek and placed on flatboats. These boats were flat-bottomed boats constructed by skilled designers. They Avere about sixty-five feet long and twenty-flve feet Aride, and would carry several tons. When a boat was loaded and ready to start on the voyage doAvn to the Tennessee Eiver, some trusty man of nerve, who was acquainted with the channel of the river, the nature and strength of the current, and the different and difficult points which must be passed on the voyage. 244 History of Hickman County, Tenn. was selected as ca,ptain and pilot. He seleded as many men as he thought necessary, and after taking on board a good cable, some bread, some jerked veni son, dried beef, or a side of bacon, he started on his journey and began his lookout for dangers ahead. Soriietimes they floated safely into the Tennessee Eiver and on to their destination; sometimes they foundered at " The Hackle ; " sometimes they sank in the " AVhite Horse Bend ; " and sometimes the treacherous sucks and whirls of the " Paint Eock Bend " claimed the boat's cargo, which, once at the bottom, was seldom recovered. When one of these boats sprung a leak, the pumps were worked rapidly, for the heavily laden boats filled quickly, and to be on a sinking metal boat was hazardous in the extreme. " Uncle Al." Lowe, an aged negro Avho is yet living, on one of these trips years. ago misunderstood the ex clamation, " Look out ! " for the order, "Jump out ! " He obeyed with alacrity, jumped about twenty feet from the boat, went to the bottom of the river, arose, and saw with surprise that the boat Avas still floating in safety and that he alone of all the crew had obeyed th© imaginary order. At the end of the voyages and after the cargoes had been unloaded th© boats were sold. Th© landing from Avhich Le© & Gould's boats Avere launched Avas a small bottom just beloAV the mouth of Sugar Creek. This was a portion of the land sold to WiUiam Totty, Sr., on Febmary 27, 1810, by Asa Shute. B. G. Stuart was then register for Hick- Eighth District. 245 man County. Totty OAvned the lands adjacent to the mouth of Sugar Creek and on both sides of Duck Eiver, and a portion of thes© lands are now OAvned by J. B. Pruett, a great-great-great-grandson of Will iam Totty, the titie to the land having remained in the family for ninety years. WiUiam Totty came with his cousin, Eobert Totty, from Virginia to Da vidson County in 1807, and then to Hickman Coimty, as stated in the sketch of the Second District He AA'as the father of one son, William Tottv, and the father of four daughters. Polly married Amsel Ep person, who came from Davidson County; Chanie married Henry Ammons ; Sallie married Arthur Eus sell ; and another daughter manded James Singleton, the school-teacher, who at one time taught in the Seventh District. William Totty, Jr., was the fa ther of one son, William Harrison, and one daugh ter, Sophia Davis, who married Dr. John L. Spence. Epperson lived on the south side of Sugar Creek about a mile from its mouth. He lived opposite the larg© hollow AA'hich bears his name. On the same side and farther doAvn the creek, below a large spring, lived his brother-in-la.w, Arthur Eussell, a well-edu cated Irishman, who taught school on the creek from 1818 to 1820. One moming Eussell rushed into Ep person's house calling loudly in his Irish brogue for " Omsel." Epperson soon found from Eussell's ex cited and ahnost unintelligible statements that Eus seU had a deer imprisoned in his stable at home. Epperson took his gun and went with Eussell to kill 246 History op Hickman County, Tenn. the " dom big beast." As he went he learned that the deer, closely pursued by dogs, had come to a high, heavy fence recently built by Eussell, and had fol lowed it to a comer near the stable, where it was sur rounded by its pursuers. Eussell discovered it, and, mshing in, seized the untamed and desperately an gered animal by the horns and led it to the sta,ble, the door of which he closed with rails. He left his Avife to guard the door with a club while he went for "' Omsel." While putting th© deer in the stable, Russell was assisted by his wife, avIio had the deer by the tail, guiding its course. Russell, while this was going on, said : " Sally, hold tight to his tail or ye moight lose ye mon." The deer was slain by Ep person. Dr. John Lycurgus Spence, who in 1835 married Sophia Davis Totty, a granddaughter of William Totty, Sr., was bom near CoopertoAvn, Robertson County, on August 13, 1810. He Avas the youngest son of David Spence, who was a hatter. David Spence was the son of Thomas and Sarah (Herri- man) Spence. He was born in Ncav Jersey, and at the breaking out of the ReA'olutionary War he en listed in Capt. Robert Wilkins' company in the Sixth Pennsylvania Eegiment. AVhile a soldier in Gen eral Greene's army he was retreating through Surry County, N. C, Avhen he, a half -famished, ragged Continental, AA''as fed by Mary Ann AIcElyea, the daughter of Lodwick McElyea. He told her that if he lived through the AA'ar he would return to Eighth District. 247 North Carolina to see her. This he did, and they Avere married and moved to Robertson County, Tenn. From this coimty three of their sons — Thomas, Jo seph, and Daniel — ^went Arith the Temiessee troops to New Orleans and participated in the battle there, DaA'id Spence died in Robertson County in l^oO. His Avife died at the home of her son. Dr. Spence, in Hickman County, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years, eight months, and twenty days. Dr. John L. Spence was educated in the common schools of Rob ertson Cotmty. One of his teachers was Jerome Loring. He sttidied medicine under Dr. Thomas. of Springfield, in 1S31 and 1^32. He went from Springfield to Reynoldsburg in 1S33 to practice his profession, but in the foUoAring year he came to Lee (t Gould's furnace, on Sugar Creek, where he boarded with James AIcNeilly. He pradiced medicine on this creek and throughout the sun-ounding country for fifty-one years and until his death, which occurred on January 5, 1885. Soon after he came to Hick man County he was employed to teach school at the newly ereded schoolhouse and church house in the AA^ilkins settlement To this place he gave the name " Moimt Zion," this being the name of a church which stood near the home of his childhood in Rol> ertson Coimty. New buildings haA'c succeeded the old ones, but the name " Afount Zion " still remains. ..After the death of his first wife he married Airs. Rachel Tennessee Patterson, Aridow of Mark R. Pat terson, of Nashville. Before her marriage to Patter- 248 History of Hickman County, Tenn. son she was Aliss Boyd, of Nashville, a daughter of Col. Richard Boyd. Colonel Boyd was a son of John Boyd, who came to " The Bluffs " with Donelson's party in 1780. Colonel Boyd was born on one of the boats during the voyage. AVhen the Mexican War came up. Dr. Spenc© volunt©ered as a member of Capt Jefferson Whitfield's company; but this com pany was one of the many raised at this time in the A^olunteer State, and its services were never needed by the government In 1850 Dr. Spence and his wife established a boarding school near t,h©ir hom©. It was called " Spring Mount Academy," and for several years it was a flourishing and Avell-patronized boarding school. This was for a time a flourishing locality, and here Dr. Spence engaged in the mercan tile and milling business until the breaking out of the Civil War, which brought disaster to so many Southerners. Here was established the first post office of the Eighth District. It was named by Dr. Spence, the postmaster, "Dunningtqn," in honor of F. C. Dun- nington, of the Nashville Union and American. James McNeilly came from North Carolina in 1810, and located on Sugar Creek just below Lee's Old Furnace. He owned all the land on the creek from that point down to Totty's line, near the mouth- He was a man of intelligence, energy, and honesty. He had plenty of land and live stock, some money, a fcAV slaves, and many friends. His home was on the Reynoldsburg road, and for years he conducted one of th© most popular inns along the read. He mar- Eighth District. 249 ried Marj' Yates, daughter of John A''ates, who was also from North Carolina. He died on Februai-y 3, 1835. His sons were William, Thomas, John, James, and Alatthew McNeilly. The latter married Nancy-, the daughter of Joseph Webb. Susan Mc Neilly, a daughter of James AIcNeilly, was bom on September 16, 1814, and died on October 23, 1856. She married William A. Jones on December 24, 1833. AVilliam A. .Jones was a son of Solomon Jones, and was born on September 23, 1812. He died on August 10, 1845. He was the father of Solo mon and Dennis Jones. The former died while in the Confederate Army, and the latter is a promi nent preacher of the Baptist Church. Alary, Mar tha, Nancy, Sophia, and Priscilla were daughters of William A. and Susan .Jones. After the death of Mr. Jones, his widow married William Phillips. The result of this union was two sons, William H. and Jacob Phillips, and one daughter, Nellie, the wife of W. S. Nunnelly. WiUiam A. Jones was a brother of Dennis Jones, who lived and died at the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, in the Ninth Distrid. AVilliam A. Jones was buried at his home on Duck River below th© mouth of Beaverdam Creek. His wife was buried at the Alillington Ea.sley graveyard, near Pinewood. Near his home on Sugar Creek, James McNeilly in 1829 erected a sawmill and gristmill. This gristmill supplied the citizens for miles around with meal, and later with flour, which was obtained by grinding the 250 History of Hickman County, Tenn. wheat, and then taking it from the box. into which it fell and placing it in a hopper on .top of the bolting chest. Through the bolting chest a fine cloth sieve extended. At one end of the chest was a crank air tached to the sieve within. By turning the crank the ground wheat in the hop.per was jostled into the sieve and the flour drO'piped into a chest; Avhile the larger portion, the bran, Avas carried doAvn the incline sieve and fell into a box at the other end of the bolt ing chest. The flour made in this way was rather dark, but, as evei-ybody thought then, made good bis cuits for Sunday mornings and Avhen co'mpany came. Farmers then soAA'ed but little wheat, which was reap©d with reap hooks held in one hand. Each SAvath was caught by the hand and carefully laid in place. The sheaA'es Avere afterwards laid in a circu lar heap on tiie bare ground, a,nd the grain trampled out by riding and leading horses over it. The heap was occasionally stirred to separate the straw from the wheat. After this the AA'heat and chaff in vessels Avere held at arm's length overhead and poured slowly on a sheet. If a AA'ind Avas blowing at the time, the chaff was carried away and the Avheat fell in a heap below ; if there was no wind blowing, two men stood near by, and by the shaking of a sheet or quilt blew the chaff away. These facts considered, it is small AA'onder that the early settlers had biscuits only on Sunday mornings and Avhen visitors came. The old-fashioned ginger cakes sold on election days and muster days at AEcNeilly's mill were the best ever Eighth District. 251 eaten, unless it were those eaten at other places in the county on muster days and election days. On these days, at McNeiUy's mill, the entire male population of the Eighth Distiict would meet to vote or muster. On muster days the ante-bellum militia captain woiUd put his men through involutions ^nd maneuvers of which the great Hardee never heard, and which he himself could not possibly have executed, had he tried. But these were good old days. We had the ginger cakes there ; we had the cider there ; Ave had the boys all there; we were " at peace Arith all the world and the rest of mankind." Here at this mill was the voting place for the Eighth District, which, in addition to Sugar Creek, included Brown's Bend and Cude's Bend, on the north side of the riA'er, and Blackwelltown, a settlement on the south side. The Sugar Creek vote about equaled the vote of the other three sections combined ; hence, in the election of distrid officers, there was much rivalry between the sedions. This culminated later in ill feeling, resulting fropi a race for constable. The contestants were Ben. F. Wills, of Sugar Creek, and Clement Wilkins, of the BroAvn's Bend section. Each faction loyally supported its champion, and AA'^ills, on the face of the returns, received a majority. Wilkins, however, had positive assiu-ances from a suffi cient number of voters to justify the belief that he had been elected and that there had been a fraudulent count. He thereupon canvassed the district and re ceived the positive statement of a majority of the 252 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. voters to the effect that they had voted for him. De siring to be assured of this fact before commencing a contest, he secured the services of a magistrate and went over the district taking the affidavits of those who had voted for him. Coming to Andrew J. Tui^ ner, whose vote w^s needed in the Wilkins column, the usual oath was administered and the usual question asked. Tumer replied : " Clem., I told you the other day that I voted for you. I am swearing now. I SAvear that I voted for your opponent, Wills." The contest Avas dropped. AVilkins, though sincere him self, had been deceived. Richard AA^ilkins, the father of Thomas, Clement, J ohn, and James Wilkins, located within one hundred ya,rds of the celebrated Mount Zion Spring in 1808. He Avas known as " Littie Dickey " Wilkins. He married Susan Epperson, a sister of Amsel Epperson. His son, John Wilkins, married a daughter of Carey Epp©rson and moved to Texas. There he was slain by a negro whom he was attempiting to handcuff, the negro striking him with a hammer. The daughters of Richard Wilkins were Nancy, Susan, Melinda, and Lucinda. The last two were tArins, and ma,rried brothers, William and Richard Brown. Richard AVil kins was born in 1771, and died in February, 1863. He was a son of Clement Wilkins, who emigrated from Virginia to Georgia, and from Georgia to Yel- loAV Creek, in Dickson County, in 1798. Clement AVilkins married Clarissa Dicker, of Virginia. Rich ard Wilkins saw all phases of pioneer life. When a Eighth District. 253 mill boy in Georgia, he was chased by Indians. His horse became entangled in a grapevine, and was extri cated just as the foremost Indian Avas almost upon him. Here he lost his bag of meal. The Indian stopped, stmck his tomahawk into the sack, poured out the meal, and then disappeared into the forest, carrying away in triumph the empty sack. Clement AA'^ilkins ran a stillhouse in Georgia. This stillhouse Avas frequented by the Indians. One night, after a party had left, carr^'ing with them a la,rge supply of whisky, Wilkins and family were aroused by repeated knocks on the door. Wilkins, of course, refused to open the door, and demanded the names and business of the midnight intruders. After a muttered con sultation on the outside, the spokesman of the party of visitors said : " Up, Wuckerson ! Up ! Hal Tony be dead." This Avas the name of one of the day's visitors; and AVilkins, finally becoming satisfied that the Indians meant him no harm, Avent on the outside. There he found the A'-aliant Hal Tony dead drunk. Hal Tony recovered and lived to lead many a band to battie against John Barleycorn. But Richard Wil kins' experience vrith the Indians did not end Avith his residence in Georgia. After he married he came to Hickman County. After erecting his cabin near the spring and making other preparations for a perma nent settlement here, he locked his cabin, containing all of his Avorldly goods, and, together with his wife, retumed to YelloAv Creek. They went for the pui^ pose of weaving cloth out of which to make their 254 History of Hickman County, Tenn. clothing, they having no loom at their new residence. When they retumed they found a heap of ashes mark ing the place Avhere their cabin had stood, the In dians, during their absence, having come from across the river and committed this and other depreda tions. In 1809 a blockhouse was built near Avher© Clement AVilkins had located, he having followed his son from Yellow Creek and located near the mouth of King's Branch. Mrs. Clarissa Wilkins Avas th© second per son buried in the graveyard at this place. The first buried here was Rhoda Pierpont, who was slain by Indians in 1810. She was in the blockhouse, sur rounded by her children, when the Indians fired the fatal shot through the door. The next da,y Mrs. Wil son, who lived in what was later knoAvn as " Cude's Bend," heard of this killing, and, as her husband had gone to the YeUow Creek mill, in Dickson County, she was much frightened. She awaited his return until dark, and then, taking up her baby boy, she left her isolated cabin and co.mmenced her journey to the Beaver Creek settiement, twenty miles aAvay. Fro.m this settlement she had come six months before. The way was but imperfectly marked and the journey a perilous one, but all through the night she walked on, carrying her boy. Just before day she reached friends and kindred on Beaver Creek. The son of this heroic woman Avas Williahi Wilson, who for many years was a magistrate of the Sixth District He lived at the Russell place. In his honor was named Wilson Eighth District. 255 ¦ Lodge, F. and A. M., which met at the church house at Lee's Old Fumace. The Alount Zion church house and schoolhouse was built in 1833. Here the Primitive Baptists have had an organized chureh since the days of Jesse Fuqua and Claiborne Hobbs. Since they went to their re ward there have followed in their footsteps Jesse Fuqua, Jr., French, the three Edwardses, Young J. Harvill, David Thomas, Willis Bryant, Dramis Jones, and many others who have at times visited this sacred spot and made their sacramental meetings and May meetings events to be long remembered and well by the hundreds who have gathered here in the sweet long ago. Here many school-teachers have taught. The first was Dr. John L. Spence. Others were Al bert Wilson, Robert S. Hudspeth, Clement Wilkins, Oscar Sutton, and Monroe Rodgei-s. These and oth ers taught here before the Civil AVar. One of those who taught here since the war was RcA'eaux Raymond, who has since become a. prominent preacher in the Methodist Church. In 1858 Andrew J. Stanfield taught school on the Coleman Branch of Sugar Creek. He later taught at the Old Fumace, and still later at Centerville. He was one of the best school-teachers that ever taught in the county. He died a few years ago in Union City. In 1845 Jonathan Reeves, Jr., had a smaU mill just above the old blockhouse farm, on Sugar Creek. It was a water mill, the only kind that existed in Hick man Cotmty then. In 1820 WilUs Weatherspoon 256 History of Hickman County, Tenn. • erected a mill in the southeastern portion of the dis trict It was located in the midst of a pine forest, and was a sawmill as well as a gristmill. From this mill the settiers procured planks, this being a con siderable improvement over the Avhipsaw method of supplying lumbor for the groAving demand. In 1870 Thomas Spencer brought the first steam mill into the district. It was located in the Slate Stone Hollow, on the lower end of the William Jones place, now OAvned by J. J. Sparks and H. E. Carothers. Since then a number of steam mills have been operated in the district Among the number was one run at Mount Zion by Dr. A. C. Wilkins, for years a promi nent p.hysician of this district The post office at Alount Zion is now called " Only ; " it was at one time called " Dreamer." In 1885 a steam mill was operated in BroAvn's Bend by Stephen Owens. An other steam mill in this district in recent years was run by Willis Weatherspoon, a grandson of the pio^ neer miller, Willis Weatherspoon. The Weather spoon family is a family of mechanics. James E. AVeatherspoon, the youngest son of the pioneer, Willis AVeatherspoon, uoav lives at an advanced age upon the same land on which his father lo.ca,ted in the early days of the county. He runs an overshot water mill, the ingeniously arranged machinery being the wonder of those Avho see it. This family has produced some of the best blacksmiths, wheelAvrights, and coopers to be found in the county. Eedden, Euffin, and Calvin AVeatherspoon were all good worlonen, but James was Eighth District. 257 the wheelAvright and cooper of the family. Before the Civil War he made a very superior quality of cedar ware, equal in finish and superior in quality to that turned . out from the workshops of the State prison at that time. Many washtubs, water buckets, chums, ete., are yet to be seen throughout the county, mute witnesses to his skill. There are also yet to be s©en throughout the county Weatherspoon wagons, all displaying a superior quality of workmanship. AVhile th© Primitive Baptists are largely in the majority in this district, other denominations are and have been represented here. In 1856 the Cumberland Presbyterians, under the leadership of Eev. B. B. Brown, established a church at Spring Alount Acade my, on Sugar Creek. AVhen BroAvn moved to West Tennessee, this church was gradually absorbed by the Alethodists. It was, however, occasionally visited by the well-remembered and much-loved Eev. James Par rish, who lived in Dickson County. At Lee's Old Fumace, on Sugar Creek, the Alethodists organized a church. Among the preachers who labored here were John Eeynolds, Simon P. AVhitten, WiU AUan Tur ner, the Hinsons, Nesbitt, from Yellow Creek ; Brooks, and Coleman. Here many great revivals were held. Among those who held out faith ful to the end was Eev. James Johnson, who from early boyhood lived in this district, and who died here in 1895 at an advanced age. His voice in song and prayer was often heard in the rerivals of the county. Not a brilliant man, not an educated man, a man in -17- 258 History of Hickman County, Teitn. whose veins no blue blood ran, a man who perhaps had some of the frailties peculiar to humanity, he was a man Avho in his humble way served th© Lord after his OAvn manner and according to the didates of his owa conscience. The Christian Church has never been as strong, numerically, in this district as the others named above, but it had here one faithful preacher and representative. Elder David Jackson BlackAvell, familiarly knoAvn as " Davy Jack." He AA'as the son of Jesse Blackwell, who settled in Black- well's Hollow (or BlackwelltOAvn), on the south side of the river, in 1818, just as soon as it was abandoned by the Indians. Jesse Blackwell was a man of ability in business matters. He Avrote title papers in land trades for his neighbors, was their legal adviser, and was considered by the early settlers as authority on questions of law. He erected a gristmill on the lower end of his fine body, of land. It was located north of his residence, one mile. Near it stood a large, hoUow sycamore tree, in which th© horse of the mill boy was often stabled while waiting for the grinding of the grain by the slow process of that day. In recent years the FrecArill Baptist preacher, Rufus Choate, of Humphreys County, has preached on Sugar Creek. On a branch flowing from the southeast into the Barren Fork of Sugar Creek lived John Coleman, father of ex-County Court Clerk William P. Cole man. Above the mouth of this branch, on the Barren Fork, lived Robinson Coleman, father of Capt B. F. Coleman, who gave bis life for th© "lost cause." He Eighth District. 259 was also the father of Capt John H. Coleman^ who taught school for many years in this district, and who died recentiy in Texas. The father of John and Robin son Coleman Avas Benjamin Coleman, who died sud denly while out hunting. He was found on the hill side near his home, sitting by a tree, dead. A hoUow mnning into the Dry Fork, below the Coleman place, is called the " Sand Quarry Hollow," from the fad that when Lee & Gould's fumace was being built, sandstone was quai-ried here for the hearth. At the head of th© Middl© Fork of Sugar Creek is Dead Alan's Hollow, in which the skeleton of an unknoAvn man was found in 1869. It is supposed that the man was some Federal soldier who had fallen into the hands of bushwhackers and had by them been " sent to General Forrest," a phrase which they used to ex plain the disappearance of prisoners. Near the mouth of Sugar Creek, on the north, is King's Hollow, settied in 1815 by a man named King. Since that time John E. G. Patton, William Smith, WiUiam demons, and others have Uved in this hol low. Patton and Edmond Miller, his father-in-law, were the pioneer stone masons of this district. Miller lived, in 1820, in a hollow near where the late John Dodd lived. Stone chimneys yet stand in the dis trid as monuments to their skiU. But one of the most wonderful pieces of masonry in the county is the stiU standing stone stack of Lee & Gould's old fur nace. The stack was built of reughly dressed stone by a man named Heel. The stack is about forty feet 260 History of Hickman County, Tenn. high and about forty feet square at the base. Some of the stones of which it is composed weigh several tons. It stands to-day, unhurt by the ravages of time, a monument to the skill and energy of the young Irish man, Lleel, who superintended its erection. At the base of a towering bluff below the mouth of Sugar Creek, in 1870, Alinn and Samuel Easley found buried three human skeletons. ¦ Two were skele tons of adults ; the third, that of a child. They were found all in one grave, covered by a flat rock. Above the mouth of th© creek is an island into which many valuable rafts, property of citizens of Alaury, Bedford, and other up-the-river counties, have been thrown. Above this island, in 1835, was the mill of Richard Wilkins, just below the Wilkins Ford at the mouth of the Barren Hollow. Above the mouth of the Barren Hollow, and on the south side of Duck River, is the famous bluff knoAvn as tiie " DoaqI's Grandmother's Building." However, neither history nor tradition asserts that the grandparent of His Sa tanic Majesty ever had residence here. At the upper end of this long Avail of rock is the noted cave in which was once situated Blackwell's mill. Tradition has it that here, too, an Indian chief of renoAvn had his coun cil chamber. Opposite this bluff, and on the north side of tihe river, are the fertile lands of Brown's Bend, which received its name from Dr. William BroAvn, who came from Georgia by the way of East Tennessee to Vei^ non, and later settied in this bend. He settled here Eighth District. 261 when the Indians were yet uncomfortably close to him, they roaming just across the river. Near the spring at the mouth of King's Branch, where the blockhouse was located, Allan P. Kelly, a soldier of the War of 1812, settied in 1815. He often told of one of the night attacks which occurred previous to the battie of New Orleans. During this particular fight in the dark, he said that the running which he did was far more dangerous than the fighting. Kelly died in 1849, as the result of blood poisoning caused by a tick bite under his arm. Dr. William BroAvn, the first physician to locate in the distrid, came from Vemon some time between 1811 and 1815. He still, however, was the family physician of Garrett Lane and other pioneers of A''emon, riding fifteen miles to visit them when they were ill. He was the father of John ("Jack"), Jere, and Richard BroAvn. The lat ter, who met a tragic death by his team miming away, was the father of Jesse R. and William H. BroAvn, the former of whom is still living in BroAvn's Bend. Jere BroAvn was a man of convivial habits', which he alAvays made manifest when he visited the stillhouse of " Uncle Dickey " Wilkins. When ready to Sitart for home, he would say to his horse. Jawbones : " Now shoAV m© how you act when Becky starts to mUl." The horse would immediately fall to his knees, and Jere would mount and go on his way rejoicing. .Local wags made him the hero of the story of the inquisitive owl and the unsophisticated traveler, and many Avere the choice bits of profanity which they alleged that 262 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Jere, when going home with his " jag," would hurl at th© OAvl, who asked him impertinent questions. Daniel Murphree, the father of Stephen, Levi, Ca leb, Redden, Benton, Daniel, and David Murphree, settled in 1811 at what is now known as the " Willis BroA\m place." He was from North Carolina, and came to Hickman County with Garrett Lane, Dr. William Brown, and others. Samuel Wherry came from North Carolina to Pine River, in the Seventh District, in 1825. In 1830 he came to BroAvn's Bend and bought land from Richard Wilkins. H© died a short time after coming here, but his Avidow and boys — Cornelius, Irving, James, William C, and John — paid Wilkins for the land. Mrs. AVherry was, prior to her marriage, Elizabeth Shirley, and Avas a native of South Carolina. Of the sons of Samuel Wherry, only one — ^William C. — is now alive. He was bom in 1828. At the upper end of BroAvn's Bend is Bickerstaff Eddy, so called from the fact that Bickerstaff, a boat- m.an, who lived at the mouth of Taylor's Creek, floated into this eddy and experienced much trouble in get ting out. This was at an early date. Just above this eddy, at the Blackwell Ford, a son of Redden AVeatherspoon was droAvned. He and an older brother Avere crossing the river here in a wagon, Avhen they missed the ford, and the older brother was almost droAvned in an attempt to rescue the younger one. On the same side of the river and above Brown's Eighth District. 263 Bend is Cude's Bend, which was settied by John Cude about 1815. The only cotton gin ever operated in the district was erected in Cude's Bend in 1860 by WiUiam H. Ca rothers, who operated it until 1870. On Duck EiA'^er, above Cude's Bend and at the Horseshoe Bend, is a point knoAvn to boatmen as the " Hurrah Bush." Here a boat was wrecked, and the boatmen, taking refuge in trees, called loudly for help. This was the place of a double droAvning a few years ago. -David Askins, now of Centerville, to gether with Mrs. Huldah Richardson, her daughter — Miss Sallie Richardson — and Miss Cassie Mayberry, attempted to cross the river near this point in a vehi cle. The mules became unmanageable, turned into deep water, and soon all were swept downstream. Askins swam ashore, and rescued Miss Eichardson. Mrs. Richardson, whose body was recovered on the same day, and Miss Mayberry, whose body was found some months later near the mouth of Wolf Creek, were droAvned. Some of the magistrates of this district were James McNeilly, Amsel Epperson, Jesse Blackwell, Robin- sen Coleman, W. H. Brown, R. J. Work, Robert Bing ham, O. B. Turner, W. H. Baker, 0. Weatherspoon, J. J. Sparks, .1. A. Pope, and the late Robert S. Pot ter. Some of the constables were A. W. Coleman, O. B. Tumer, John H. Coleman, John Weatherspoon, R. 0. Forrester, W. F. Wherry, and Amos Alexander. W. F. Wherry has several times been a deputy sheriff. 264 History of Hickman County, Tenn. John Grimmitt, of this district, was a deputy under Sheriff Stephenson. William P. Coleman, of this distrid, has, since the Civil War, been county sur veyor and County Court Clerk. Liis uncle, Robinson Coleman, was, before the war, tax collector. W. J. D. Spence, who was reared in this district^ represented Hickman County in the State Legislature from 1891 to 1893. Some of the physicians of this district, in addition to tiose already mentioned, were Dr. A. B. Brown, Dr. Joseph Thompson, and Dr. Jones. The Eighth Distrid furnished its quota of soldiers to the Confederate Army. Benjamin F. Coleman was a captain in th© Forty-s©cond Tennessee Infantry, and was killed in battle; his brother, John H. Cole man, was a lieutenant commanding a company in the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry; J. R. BroAvn was a lieutenant in the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry ; W. J. D. Spenc© was captain of a company in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry; and David AI. Spence was a lieutenant in the TAvelfth Tennessee Cavalry. Many gallant men from the Eighth Distiict Avent out as privates, and sleep to-day in many graves in many States. The citizens of the Eighth District were much harassed during the closing days of th© Civil War by marauders from Colonel Dorr's Eighth Iowa Cavalry, stationed at Waverly. A troop from this regiment overtook and captured in the Epperson Hollow, after a sharp skirmish, a detachment of Kentuckians under command of Colonel Brewer. The Kentuckians vrere Eighth District. 265 attempting to get through to the Southern army. At another time a troop from this regiment was made to double-quick haK the length of Sugar Creek by the fir© of one lone bushwhacker. Along the line of their retreat they dropped numerous chickens and other booty. In 1869 and 1870 there was a reign of terror on Sugar Creek Arithout parallel in the annals of the county. The originator of all the trouble was a man called "James Stevenson," who claimed to have come from EUis County, Texas. On his arm, however, was tattooed the name "James Hooten," which was gen erally thought to be his name. In 1869 he and Wyatt J. Chappell killed a negro, " Red Joe " Carothers. They took him from his home and shot him through the head Arith a rifle ball. " Red Joe's " offense was that he had accused Stevenson and others of ha"ving robbed him, a crime of which they were doubtless guilty. During this year Kinchen Batteau was shot down from ambush while plowing in a field near where Lee & Gould had their store when they operated their fumace on Sugar Creek. Bob Wilson, a non resident, who had escaped from the jail at Centerrille, and who was being harbored by parties on the creek, was suspected of this crime. Batteau, who had come to Sugar Oi'eek from Kentucky, recovered from his wounds, and afterwards removed to West Tennessee. Pj-evious to this was the kiUing of Cody near the juncture of the North and Middle Forks of Sugar Creek. He was killed from ambush by Chappell and 266 History of Hickman County, Teistn. Stevenson, against whom he had made threats on account of their having given him a counterfeit bill. At the time of his death, Cody carried a shotgun, the stock of which was riddled Avith bullets. Stevenson and Chappell fled to Kentucky, where they were later arrested by Stephen Reeves and Luke L. Bingham, of Sugar Creek. They Avere carried to Centerville and lodged in jail. Reeves went to Nashville to collect the reward offered by th© Govemor. After his re- tum he Avas arrested on complaint of Bingham, who claimed that Reeves had not turned over to him his portion of the reward. AVhile this suit was pending, Reeves and Bingham met at a church on Sugar Creek and exchanged several shots. Neither was wounded. Eeeves was sent to the penitentiary for three years, but was almost immediately pardoned by Governor Brownlow. He retumed to Sugar Creek, but was waited upon by a vigilance committe© and requested to move on, which he did. He went West and never retumed. During Eeeves' trial one of the prose cuting attorneys, Col. N. N. Cox, made remarks which offended the prisoner, who promptly denounced the attorney as a liar. The attorney just as promptiy stmck him Arith a heavy book, and a few minutes later gracefully paid a fine for this act In the meantime AVyatt Chappell and two other prisoners escaped from the jail at Centerville. Chappell made his way to Cairo, 111., and no further attempt was made to appre hend him. Stevenson did not escape from the Center ville jail, on account of the smallness of the hole Eighth District. 267 through which Chappell and the others escaped. He was removed for safe-keeping to the jail at Columbia, from which place he soon ©scaped. He, in company with a Alaury Cotmty criminal named Hatehel, made his way to the mouth of Sugar Creek. He had hard ly reached the neighborhood when he commenced to make threats against prominent citizens. He carried none of these threats into execution, as he and Hatehel Avere slain by Walker Coleman, Milton Spence, and Hosea Chappell. They were buried Arithout coffin or shroud in a hole made by the uprooting of a tree. The place of their burial is on the ridge between Sugar Creek and the Weatherspoon Hollow, near a dogwood tiee which stands near the road in the head of a small hollow. This ended the reign of terror. On Sugar Creek there now lives a grandson of the celebrated Indian fighter, Capt. John Eains, whose deeds have already been frequentiy mentioned in these pages. This is Jonathan Hans Eains, a son of Capt John Eains' youngest son. In addition to the fre quent mention of Captain Eains' exploits in the pre ceding pages, the following additional information is given concerning him : In October, 1779, John Eains started to what is now Kentucky from New Eiver, Va VThen he reached Kentucky, he met the party led by James Eobertson. This party was going from East Tennessee through Southern Kentucky to the French Lick on the Cumberland Eiver, and Eains, who had Arith him his family and live stock, was per suaded to join them. When they cam© to the Cum- 268 History op Hickman CounTy, Tenn. berland on the side which is now East Nashville, they found the river frozen over. This was in Janu ary, 1780, during the winter which is till this day referred to as " the cold Arinter." Eains and his party and their stock crossed the river on the iee. He was the first man to bring live stock into what is now Aliddle Tennessee. Eains settled on what has since been known as " Doaderick's Plantations." Here he remained for three months, when the killing of a set tler caused him to seek safety in the fort at " The Bluffs." Lie remained here four years. Eains had a horse, Bowie, which his da,ughter, Patsv, was one .day riding. The Indians fired upon her, killing Bet sey Williams, who was riding behind her. The horse, hoAvever, carried Patsy Eains aAvay in safety, leaping th© stockade surrounding the fort. Rains soon be came prominent among the settlers, who were all daring, by his cool bravery, and for years there was seldom a fight with the Indians at Nashville or in the surrounding country in which Rains was not a par ticipant. When the handful of defenders of Buchan an's Fort were surrounded by seven hundred howling Indians, Rains Avas among the first to enter the fort from the outside and give cheer and assistance to those within. There is scarcely a page of the early history of Tennessee on which the name of " Rains " does not appear in connection with some deed of daring. So great was his energy and persistency when in pursuit of the savages that they soon began to call him " Go- long " Rains. In Humphreys County there lives a Eighth District. 269 brother of Jonathan H. Rains who is generally known as " Long " Rains. His real name is John Golong Rains, which perpetuates the name given by the In dians to their unrelenting enemy, Capt John " Go- long " Rains. As a hunter and woodsman. Captain Rains had few equals in the Cumberland settiements. It is said that during one winter he killed thirty-seven bears in the vicinity of Nashville. 270 History or Hickman County, Tenn. T CHAPTER XII. THE NINTH DISTRICT. LIE Ninth District lies on both sides of Duck River, and includes th© mouth of Beaverdam Creek and both sides of this creek up to the line of the Eleventh District. It is bounded on the north by the SeA'enth and Eighth Districts; east, by the First and Eleventh Districts ; south, by the Tenth and Eleventh Districts ; and west, by the Eighth District and Perry County. In 1808 Richard C. Lowe, father of Jesse, Wyley, Aquilla, Anon, and Aden Lowe, located in that por tion of the distiict which lies north of Duck River, and' which is knovm as "Lowe's Bend." Lowe, for whom the bend was nam©d, was a man of wealth and OAvned a number of slaves. He and his slaves were rebuilding his fence which had been throAvn doAvn by the earthquake of 1811, when a neiffhbor, Shumake, came up and remonstrated with them, saying that the Lord had destroyed the fence and that they should not attempt to rebuild it. Lovre answered that he did not intend that his hogs should get out and run Arild, it mattered not who tore dovra. the fence. He con tinued to rebuild it. Jesse Lowe was a man of great strength, and was able to defend himself in the fistic arguments which frequently occurred in those days. He emigrated to Missouri, to Avhich State his brother. Ninth District. 271 AVyley, went at a later data Other members of the family sleep near where their father's remains were interred and near the place where they were born. Perhaps the first to locate in Lowe's Bend was Sellars, who settied in the upper end of the bend, at the place which has for years been knoAvn as th© " Lo max place." The house which Sellars built here in 1808 is still standing. It is a log house, twenty by twenty-four feet in size. It stands on a hill, at the foot of which is a fine spring. It was well suited for the purposes for which it was built, it having been built for a residence, and also for a blockhouse into which the settlers could go for protection, should the Indians come across the river to attack them. Just opposite the lower end of Lowe's Bend the Indians had a camp on Skull Creek, so called by the . pioneers on account of the finding ther© of a human skull. Duck River alone separated th© approaching whites from the Indians, who looked with jealousy and hatred upon their encroachments. On Skull Creek John Scott, who lived at the mouth of Taylor's Creek, erected an overshot mill in 1825. This mill was patronized for years by those who had pushed across the river after the treaty of 1818. Panther Branch, so called on account of its having been in fested by panthers in the pioneer days, is above SkuU Creek. After the death of Sellars, his Aridow married Jo siah Lomax, who had been employed by her late hus band. Mrs. Lomax died in 1832, and Lomax, who 272 History of Hickman County, Tenn. had come into possession of the fine lands here, mar ried Susan Southall, Avho was the mother of Thomas Lomax, of Humphreys County, and William Lomax, who died in 1861. Stephen Gotham settled at an early date near the Lomax place. H© was the father of Pleasant, Hai^ vey, James, and Josiah Gotham, all of whom were good citizens. Jesse Lovett, for whom Lovett's Island was named ; James AValker, and Levi Murphree were prominent men who once lived here. At the lower end of Lowe's Bend there lived that prominent and industrious citizen, the late Abram Burchard, who bought the lands on which he lived so long, in 1843, from Wyley Low©. Burchard, who became a man of Avealth, made his first money by the hardest of work. When Lee & Gould operated their fumace on Sugar Creek, he chopped wood for them at thirty-one and a half cents per cord. While indus trious and attentive to business, he was a great ad mirer of, and participator in, outdoor sports. In his old age he recounted vrith much pleasure the story of a wrestling bout which he had in the Lee & Gould "coaling" with the Pace brothers. Burchard was vic torious in the wr©stling contest, but the fight which followed Avas a draw. However, in later years, Bur chard and Milton Pace, who were the participants, acknowledged that they were both whipped. At the lower end of Lowe's Bend a county bridge was built in 1891. The material was hauled from Ninth District. 273 NunneUy Station, thirteen miles away, by NcAvton McClanahan, John Fowlkes, and OUie McClanahan. They were engaged at this for six weeks. The bridge ccst about $6,000. In 1896, the original pillars hav ing proven to be unstable, stone pillars were placed in their stead. The stone was obtained from the quarry of fine building stone between the residences of S. G. and J. C. Carothers. On the south side of the river, opposite the Bur chard farm, is the farm of John A. Jones. This farm lies on Duck River and on both sides of Beaver dam Creek. These lands, as Avell as those across the river belonging to Samuel G. Carothers, were entered by the pioneer surveyor, John Davis. Davis owned a fine tract of land in Humphreys County below the mouth of Tumbling Creek. This Humphreys County farm Davis sold for $4,000 to Dennis G. Jones, a son of the pioneer, Solomon Jones. Jones concluded that, as the lands were so frequently overflowed by the river, he preferred more elevated lands. He then gave these Humphreys County lands and $1,000 for the valuable body of land now OAvned by his son, John A. Jones. The farm of Samuel G. Carothers be longed to his father, William Carothers, and, prior to that, to his grandfather, William H. Carothers. Samuel G. Carothers bought the interests of his brothei-s, J. C. and W. D. Carothers. The former of these lives near by, and the latter is a prosperous farmer of Shipp's Bend, Avhere he married the daugh ter of Van Buren Shouse, a highly respected citizen -i8- 274 History of Hickman County, Tenn. of that bend. When Dennis G. Jones located at the mouth of Beaverdam Creek, he moved to this place the mill which his father had built in the Eighth Dis trict, four miles below, on the William A. Jones place, near where Hugh R. Carothers, who married a daugh ter of William A. Jones, now lives. The mill, after its removal, was erected at a point where the waters of Beaverdam Creek fall abruptiy into a cave, through Avhich tiiey run in a northerly direction under a bluff tAvo hundred feet high, rising in the bed of Duck River, three-fourths of a mile aAvay. At high tide a portion of the waters of Beaverdam Creek flows through the natural channel west to the river, one mil© distant. The first settier on the Jones place Avas AA^^illiam Loftis, who married a sister of Solomon Jones.. He leased the lands from John Davis and cleared the first acre. At the S. A. J. Peeler place, above th© Jones place, Levi McCoUum, father of James McCoUum, and gi-andfather of Hon. Levi AEcCoUum, built a mill in 1830. He expected the large volume of water which comes in a sluggish stream from under the high hill here to furnish the poAver, but in this he was disap pointed and the mill was abandoned. Southwest from the location of AlcCoUum's mill is the Brier Pond, so called on account of the mass of green briers which grew here in the early days. Here Hugh Rinkerton and John Rinkerton, who came from Bedford County and married daughters of John Cooper, lived for many years. Ninth District. 275 John Cooper lived at what was later known as the " AValker place." He bought this place from John Stoddard, who bought it from Caleb AlcCord, who had purchased it from the original OAvner, John Davis. James AValker, the father of Dr. W. L. Walker, John T. Walker, Darid N. Walker, and James B. AA^alker, all worthy sons of a Avorthy sire, married a daughter of John Cooper. James Walker was in the Mexican War, and participated in the battles which made famous Campbell's " Bloody First" Near the western portion of the Brier Pond, Valen tine Flowers, father of AVilliam Flovrers, located in 1825. Valentine FloAvers was a Primitive Baptist preacher, and in a chureh house which stood on his lands Liberty Church Avas organized on June 1, 1827. Two Baptist preachers who signed the minutes of the day's proceedings Avere Willis Dotson and Elias Dea ton. The chureh was afterwards moved from the Flowers place to the Sulphur Fork of Beaverdam Creek, and in 1853 it was moA'cd to its present site, where, instead of the original round-log cabin, there is now a neat frame building. Here, before the Civil War, preached that humble old servant of the Lord, " Black George." " Black George " was a slave, who showed great ability as a Baptist preacher. So marked was this ability, and so unquestioned was his honesty and devotion, that the members of the Bap tist Church purchased his freedom. He died several years after the Civil AVar. One of the most cele brated of the preachers of the Baptist Chureh was 276 History of Hickman Count"y, Tenn. E. A^ Meadows, who lived on Sulphur Fork prior to 1839, at which time he went to Mississippi. Dr. Richard Fain, who, in addition to being a prominent physician, was a Baptist preacher of note, at one time lived at the Joseph Cooper place, west of Brier Pond. William Flowers reared a large family at the place settled by his father, Valentine Flowers. Sons of AViUiam Flowers were Robert, John L., James, Valen tine, Dr. David D., and Rev. Gideon Flowers. His daughters were Mrs. Nancy Fowlkes, Arife of James LI, Fowlkes; and Mrs. Sarah Pric^ Burchard, who, on November 24, 1841, married Abram C. Burchard. AVilliam FloAvers owned a number of slaves. Near his home he operated an old-time stillhouse. After the death of William Flowers, his son. Dr. David D. Flowers, lived at the old homestead, wher© h© prac ticed medicine until the time of his death. In 1846 the Methodists and Presbyterians erected a church near the Flowers place, to which they gave the name " Alacedonia" Here they held several camp meetings, Avhich Avere conducted by B. B. BroAvn, James Parrish, John Brigham, and others. Services were held morning, evening, and night, un der a large arbor, covered with boards and brush. The seats were benches made of split poplar logs. Sendees were announced by the bloAving of a ho.m or a conch shell, which AA'as kept hanging on a peg driven into a post near the pulpit, or " preacher's stand," as it was called. AVhen this was sounded the congrega- Ninth District. 277 tion commenced to assemble from the adjacent woods, the near-by cabins, and the surrounding grounds. For those who came from a distance to attend these meetings, eight log cabins Avere erected. The cabins Avere built in pairs — one for the women, the other for the men. Straw Avas placed on the dirt floor and on the shelf which extended around the cabin, providing upper and lower berths for the lodgers. Fifty peo ple could sleep in each cabin. Provisions were fur nished by the citizens of the surrounding country. Part was cooked at home, and part in the camps. This was placed on long board tables, to which all were invited. It is said that upon one occasion one man, during the course of his breakfast, visited four tables and drank four cups of coffee at each. One night after the services a large snake was discovered in the straw near the wall of one of the cabins re served for the women. There were numerous loud screams and appeals for assistance from the women, most of whom Arere in deshabille. Gallant men soon rushed to the rescue of th© fair ones, and the "snake," which was about three feet in length, was speedily slain. The men held it up in momentary triumph, then dropped it, looked disgusted, and walked out into the night. One, however, called back to the women to pick up the "snake," that it would not bit© them. Finally, one of the more courageous of the women picked up the " snake " on a stick to throw it from the cabin. It was a tunic. A tunic was not a species of poisonous reptile, but an article of feminine 278 History- of Hickman County, Tenn. dress, the predecessor of the bustle of the present day. While Liberty Church was located at the Flowers place, Mrs. James Pope joined the church, was bap tized, and started for home rejoicing. When three miles aAvay, she remembered that she had left her infant with a friend at the church. The terrified mother started to retum, but found the littie one sleeping complacently in the arms of one of those who were then with her. John Halbrooks was a Primitive Baptist preacher of that period. Some of those Avho taught school at Macedonia were William Aioore, of Shipp's Bend; J. N. Pace, who now lives in Bedford County; and Professor Haynes, who afterwards went to Levrisburg and estab lished a good school there. Miss Josephine Spence taught school at Macedonia in 1861. Some of those who taught at Liberty were James D. and Robert S. Alurphree, sons of Stephen Murphree ; and Dr. Will iam L., John T., and David N. Walker, sons of James Walker. During the vrinter of 1858-59 Dr. Andrew J. Lowe gave instruction in an informal manner to a party of young men at his home in th© Ninth District. The young men formulated their OAvn rules, and met and adjourned at their pleasure, their instrudorjoin- ing them when his business affairs permitted. Some of those who had the benefit of his instruction were Samuel G. Jones, Thomas Lomax, John F. M. Fain, Wesley Morrison, Pleasant Poore, Samuel Woolard, Amsel Murphree, William Burchard, Jared 0. Fra- _ Ninth District. 279 zier, AV. J. D. Spence, " Bud " Woolard, and Henry Lowe. Dr. Lowe, who was a son of Alaj. LcAris Lowe, Avas a good physician, but preferred farming. He AA'as a member of the Forty-Sixth General Assem bly, and died during the term. At the upper end of Brier Pond, on the south side of Beaverdam Creek, is Coav HoUow, so caUed on ac count of a large number of cattle haviuff been herded there between 1820 and 1825. Th© winter range was good here, and stockmen from Davidson and William son Counties would bring their cattle here. Tradi tion says that Henry Gee, from WiUiamson County, or the eastern portion of Hickman County, during one winter killed one hundred and twenty deer while he was herding cattie here. At the mouth of Powder Mill Branch, which runs into Sulphur Fork, a primitive powder mill was built in 1823, saltpeter being found near by. WUliam Bates, father of LcAvis Bates, was badly bumed by an explosion of this miU. He died from the effects of the bums. A man employed about the mills was an enemy of Bates, and he vras suspected of having put gravel in the mill, a spark from which caused the ex plosion. There was, however, no direct proof against him. On Sulphur Fork, in 1823, Adam Coble erected a pottery, from which he turned out in lai-ge num bers jai-s, crocks, jugs, lamps, chums, etc., of vari ous shapes and sizes. Good potter's clay was found pear by. The wares made by Coble for many years 280 History of Hickman County, _Tenn. found ready sale in Hickman CouUty and adjoin ing counties. Agents representing him, and accom- jjanied by Avagons loaded Avith his wares, traveled throughout these counties. First they Avere sold from ox carts, and later from wagons drawn by horses, but still the demand continued and the work went on until the Civil War. After the Avar, competing firms from other points, with more improved machinery, caused the Coble potterA^ to suspend, after having been oper ated, under the management of several proprietors, for half a century. Llowever, many of the products of the Coble pottery may yet be found in a number o"f Middle Tennessee counties. Prominent men who located on Sulphur Fork at an early date Avere Joseph Halbrooks, William Woolard, and WiUiam Chandler, all of Avhom came from North Carolina. Halbrooks, after he came here, became dissatisfied with life in the Avildemess and retumed to the old State, but there he became dissatisfied when he thought of the good lands AA'hich he had left behind him in the West He returned to Sulphur Fork, and this time he remained. Above the mouth of Sulphur Fork there runs into Beaverdam Creek from the south a little stream known as "Blue AA^ater," from the fact that in the early days, before the lands were cleared and cultivated, the Avaters of this stream were very blue. Alajor AlcClaren erected a mill on this creek in 1829. At the mouth of Blue Water, Samuel Lancaster laid a land warrant in 1830 on lands claimed by Ninth District. 281 David Blackfan, a land speculator. Lancaster won the lawsuit AA'hich followed. He came from North Carolina, making the journey in an ox cart Near Lancaster's residence, at the foot of a steep hill, there stood a blacksmith shop, at which an exciting incident occurred in 1864. John FloAvers, a much- wanted guerrilla, being a blacksmith, stopped at this shop to shoe his horse. While in the shop about forty Fed erals came upon him. Not having time to mount his horse, he rushed around the corner of the shop and up ths hill in safety, followed by a shower of bullets. Previous to this the Federals had attempted to cap ture him by surrounding his house at night. AVhen they knocked at the door, he made no answer, and they forced it open. Eleven entered and attempted to strike matches. Three of these he shot, and, vrith a pistol in either hand, firing as he went, he rushed through th© body of Federals in the yard and escaped. Above Blue Water, and on the sam© sid© of Beaver dam Creek, is Joe's Branch, named for Joe McCann, Avho lived there in 1825. This branch is near the line between the Ninth and Eleventh Districts. BeloAv Blue Water, in 1830, James McCoUum set tled where his father, LeA'i AlcCoUum, had placed a land warrant a fcAv years before. He here erected a gristpiill, and, later, a saAvmill. This soon be came a point of importance, people hauling logs to this mill from a distance of fifteen to twenty miles. James McCoUum was the father of Hon. Levi Mc CoUum. 282 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Another good citizen of the Ninth Distrid who lived in the upper portion of the district was Simeon AVright. One of his daughters married John M. Bates. Although the Baptists were largely in the majority in this distrid, Samuel Chesser, of the Christian Church, preached on Sulphur Fork as far back as 1836. A prominent preacher in this church to-day is Elder Thomas Cagle, of this district. He is a great- grandson of the pioneer Baptist preacher, Thomas Curb, who lived in the Seventh District and preached throughout the surrounding country as early as 1807. Curb's daughter, Elizabeth, married Charles Cagle, the father of Thomas Cagle, Sr., who was the father of Elder Thomas Cagle. Charles Cagle lived on Alill Creek, in the SeA'enth District, at the time of the earthquake of 1811. He had a chill, and when the earthquake shook doAvn some venison suspended over his bed, he thought that his ague Avas severer than usual. The people throughout the country had not recovered from the effeds of the " Great Revival " of 1800, and they were much wrought up over the earthquake of 1811, which they understood as a mani festation of the Lord's displeasure. Andrew Caroth ers, the Baptist preacher, baptized large numbers who sought to fiee from the Avrath to come. In 1839 Gyms AA''. Russell sold goods in the valley near where his widow. Airs. Delphia Russell, now lives. Cyrus W. Eussell was a rigidly honest man, Avho wanted all that was his, and nothing more. His Ninth District. 283 wife is a sister of Jared C. and William G. Frazier. James H. Fowlkes, a son-in-laAv of William Flowers, sold goods at the Flowers place about 1855. John W. AValker & Co. commenced the mercantile business at AVhitfield in 1852, and continued until 1860, when they were succeeded by James Walker and James Gray. After the war John T. Walker and — — Pet- wa,y sold goods here, and were succeeded by the AA^alker brothers — John T.. David N., and James B. Walker. They were succeeded by their cousin, Thomas B. Walker, who is still in business here. One mile southwest of Whitfield, FloAVers & Coble now sell goods near the mill of Cagle & Coble. The post office, AVhitfield, was established in 1857, and Avas named in honor of John W. Whitfield, who was perhaps the most famous man who ever lived in Hick man County. He commanded the Hickman County company in Campbell's " Bloody First," and, after the Mexican War, was several times a State Senator. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Army as a colonel and brigadier general. Before the war he was connected Arith the Indian Bureau, De partment of the Northwest ; but at the breaking out of the war he cast his fortunes with his Southern brethren, and brought a regiment of Indians into the Confederate service. He died in Texas on October 27, 1879. His first Arife was a daughter of Eobert Charter, the Centerville merchant, and his second wife was a sister of Gen. George Dibrell. The following are the names of some of th© magis- 284 History of Hickman County, Tenn. tiates of this district: WiUiam Flowers, William AVoolard, Cyrus AA^. Eussell, James H. Fowlkes, Jo siah Gotham, Samuel Chesser, John A. Jones, D. N. Walker, W. L. Walker, S. G. Oarothei-s, Samuel Ches ser, Jr., and D. S. Chandler. This district has fumished the foUovring deputy sheriffs: S. A. J. Peeler, John T. AValker, and J. A. Cunningham. J. A. Cunningham's father, John Cunningham, was at one time census taker for Hick man County. Two widely knov^m constables of this district were Lewis Bates and D. T. Pinkerton. Dennis G. Jones, of this district, was a State Sen ator in 1837 and 1839. His son, Samuel G. Jones, in 1889 represented Hmnphreys County in the Lower House, and his grandson, J. Grady Jones, is at pres ent the Eepresentative of the counties of Humphreys, Perry, and Wayne. In 1895 J. Alonzo Bates and W. Valentine Flowers, of Centerville, both of whom were born and reared in this district, were in the Sen ate and LoAver House, respectively. FloAvers was succeeded in 1897 by Dr. W. L. Walker, of this dis trict Dr. A. J. LoAve was Hickman County's Eepre sentative in 1889. Levi AlcCoUum, who was bom and reared in this district, represented Hickman County in the Legislature in 1871 and 1873. James D. Alurphree, of this district, a gallant sol dier who lost a leg while in the Confederate Army, was at one time County Court Clerk of Hickman County. Ninth District. 285 In the Mexican War, Dennis eJones, James Walker, John S. Pickard, and others were soldiers in AVhit- field's company. To the Confederate Army the Ninth District furnished Lieut. William Clinton Jones, who was one of the best-drilled men in the Eleventh Ten nessee Infantry, together Arith a large number of pri vate soldiers, who were as brave as any who donned the gray and as true as any who Avore it. The names of some of the physicians of this district not already mentioned are : Leroy Blackburn (1848), John S. Dickson, James A. Edwards, and Dr. J. C. Flowers. Stephen Alurphree, born in the Eighth District on •January 3, 1823, came to this district on January 1, 1 846. Between Murphree's house and the mouth of Cow Hollow there occurred, about 1820, a tragedy not altogether traditional, as for more than sixty years there could be seen nailed to two black oak trees two shoes of oak-tanned leather. Between the trees was a grave, and in the grave a stranger who lodged one night in the long ago with a settler near the mouth of Cow HoUow. Just at daym the stranger was pre paring to depart He was standing in the cabin door, when a man came out of the woods Arith a gun ore- sented. The stranger attempted to flee, but the man fired and wounded him. The wounded man then rushed at his assailant, wrenched the gun away from him, and was preparing to brain him Arith it, when a second nTan came from the woods and shot the stranger, who feU dead. To the terrified settler the 286 History of Hickman County, Tenn. slayers of the stranger told the following story : They said that the dead man had, two weeks before this, killed in Kentucky a brother of one of them. He left Kentucky, and they had been on his trail for ten days. They immediately after the killing went away, and as to the truth of their story nobody knoAvs. The identity of the dead man and of his slayers was never discovered. The dead man was buried near the place Avhere he fell, and for over sixty years his shoos re mained nailed to the trees which marked his grave. AViUiam Gilbert, a young man of Lowe's Bend, accidentally shot himself Avhile hunting on Lovett's Island, in 1885. In Duck Eiver, at Scott's Ferry, at the mouth of Ta.yloi''s Creek, Thornton Scott was drowned in 1856. His body was recovered four miles beloAv. One Sunday in 1850, Edward AVright a son of George AVright, Avas droAvned at the head of Blakeley's Island, .fie, with an older brother and a negro boy, were returning from the island, when their canoe was OA'crtumed in the swift current Verses composed by Dr. John L. Spence were sung at the funeral, and were for several years frequentiy sung in this portion of the county. Blakeley's Island re ceived its name from the fact that a pioneer boatman named Blakeley ran his raft aground here and had to await another rise of the riA'er before going farther. Eeece Flowers, a negro, was drowned in Duck Eiver, at the mouth of BeaAJ^erdam Creek, in 1892. About 1835 the Avife of Arthur Atkinson was droAvned in Beaverdam Creek, just above AlcCoUum's Ninth District. 287 mill, over the dam of which her body floated. She Avas going to visit the sick wife of John Grimes, and was riding behind him on his horse, when, becoming dizzy, she fell into the slightly swollen stream and was swept away. On April 24, 1859, a hurricane of violence unparal leled in the county's history sAvept across the Ninth District from southwest to northeast. Fences, or chards, and outbuildings were destroyed. Maj. Lewis Lowe's residence was unroofed, and a tree falling across the residence of John A. Jones was perhaps Avhat saved it from being blown off the bluff into the river. In LoAve's Bend the walls of Josiah Gotham's house Avere blown away, together with all of the fur niture, except the chair in AA'hich Gotham sat. Bed clothes and Avearing apparel were found miles away. In the northern portion of the Ninth District, be low the mouth of Eoeky Branch, is a fine body of land knoAvn as " Whitson's Bend," named for one of its first settlers, William P. AVhitson, Sr., who died on February 25, 1892. Major AVhitson was a tanner, and here so well plied his trade that he became a man of wealth and prominence. He was a son of George AVhitson, of East Tennessee. Other sons of George Whitson were George AVhitson, Jr. ; Samuel A\Tiitson, of AA^artraee, Tenn. ; Capt. Eobert, AI. Whit- .son; and David AVhitson, Avho in 1833 was killed at Shelbyville by the storm Avhich destroyed that place. this storm being knoAvn throughout Hickman and Humphreys Coimties as the " Bearden storm." In 288 History of Hickman County, Tenn the upper end of Whitson's Bend, years before the Civil War, Eobert Wright built a mill. Nancy, a daughter of Wright, married Major Whitson. Eob ert Wright was the father of Eobert, Jr., John, Levin D., and Thomas Wright. The latter was killed in Perry County, near Lobelville, by Dock Leiper, who had married his sister. Leiper claimed to have aded in self-defense. AVright Avas insane at the time of his death. The early settiers of AVolf Creek, so named on account of the large number of wolves which infested its hills, were Henry Sawyers, John Duff, the Devi- neys, the Bakers, the Blackwells, Henry Powell, and Ammons, who was th© owner of a small water mill. Eans Peppers, of this creek, was one of the principals in the " rough-and-tumble fight " which took place at the Lomax muster grounds in 1858. The other principal was AVillie Forrester, Avho yet lives on Sugar Creek, Avhere he is a highly respected citizen. Other participants were Maj. LcAvis LoAve, Chambers, Thornton Scott, and a brother of Eans Peppers, on the Peppers side ; and Bright Forrester (who was left-handed), Eichard Forrester, Stephen Forrester, and Carroll Forrester, on the For rester side. This was one of the many incidents of a like kind Avhicli almost invariably occurred on gen eral muster days. The Line of 1784 runs through the Ninth District, crossing Beaverdam Creek at the Jack Alalugin place, and Sulphur Fork at the James Alalugin place. It Ninth District. 289 crosses Cow Hollow near its head. This information was furnished by the late Thomas Cagle, who entered fifty acres of land south of this line, which was his northern boundary. North of this line and north of Cagle's entry was an entry made by Henry Nixon, one of the pioneer lawyers of Centerville. Thomas Cagle, Sr., was bom on June 2, 1814, on Taylor's Creek, in the Seventh District. His father, Charles Cagle, was born in North Carolina in 1779, and mar ried a daughter of th© pioneer preacher, Thomas Curb. Thomas Cagle settied in the Cow Hollow in 1823, and ten years later saw the thrilling meteoric display which, in pioneer chronology, mad© th© year 1833 known as " the year the stars fell." He mar ried Eachel Chesser, daughter of James Chesser. She was born on October 19, 1818. -19 290 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XIII. THE TENTH DISTRICT. THE Tenth District is bounded on the north and west by Perry County ; on the east, by the Ninth and ElcA'cnth Districts; and on the south, by Lewis County. It includes Cane Creek from the Lewis County line down to the Perry County line, which runs near Enon Church, near the mouth of Lower Sinking. Upper Sinking and Lower Sinking, the valleys of which enter the valley of Cane Creek, arc so called on account of the Avaters of each disappear ing before Cane Creek is reached. The disappear ance of the Avaters of Lower Sinking is gradual, and is not so marked as is the disappearance of the wa ters of Upper Sinking, Avhich drop abruptly into the mouth of a cavern at the foot of a large and rugged hill. The place of disappearance is on the farm once OAA'ued by Amos EdAvards; the place of reappear ance is supposed to be the large, bold spring near the A. C. AlcClaren place. Upper Sinking is about three miles above LoAver Sinking. Cane Creek, which is about twenty miles long, rises in Lewis County, and empties into Buffalo Eiver in Perry County, near BeardstoAvn. In the Cane Creek valley are found some of the most fertile farms and some of the neatest and best-built farmhouses to be found in the county. Coming into Cane Creek, just above the Perry Tenth District. 291 County line, and near where Eobert 0. Murray now liA'^es, is Salmon Branch, named for Salmon, Avho located here about 1820. Martin's Branch, which runs into Cane Creek above the mouth of Salmon Branch, Avas named for George Martin, an early set tler. AVhere Mrs. Dudley now Ua'cs, William AVhit well and Eli Dyer once lived. James Salmon, a prosperous citizen, at one time lived on Salmon Branch. In his old age he became involved in debt, and, after brooding over this for some time, he went into the woods a few hundred yards west of Eobert C. Murray's present residence, and there cut his throat with a razor. His body lay undiscovered in the woods for a week. It was finally found by the search ing neighbors and buried on the spot. Salmon's wife and children paid his debts and retained possession of his lands. One of the earliest and most important settlements in the Tenth District was made on that portion of Cane Creek between the mouth of Upper Sinking and the present site of Fanner's Exchange. Th© perma nent settlement was made immediately after the .with drawal of the Indians, and locations were selected here as early as 1815, while this was yet in the In dian country. The pioneers who settled here were Thomas AVhitwell, Alexander Davidson, John D. Murray, John MitcheU, LcAris Dunning, and John Anderson. AVhitwell located where " Bud " Joyce now lives; Davidson, just below the present site of 292 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Pleasantville ; Murray, where Thomas Eodgers now lives ; Mitchell, near the fine spring on the Adolphus AlcClaren place; Dunning, on the lands now OAvned by James S. Bates; and Anderson, at the Wesley Jones place. On one of his trips into the Indian country, John Anderson camped one night in 1815 in Cow Hollow, in the Ninth District, His name, together with the date, was cut on a tree which stood near the Line of 1784. John Anderson was a hunter, a shoemaker, and a cooper. He made and mended shoes for the pioneers ; made barrels, washtubs, water buckets, chums, ete., for them ; and made for himself the well-earned reputation of being one of the best hunters in the settlement. His children cleared his lands, while he worked at his trades. His daughter, Jennie, Avho was bom on September 4, 1806, married Samuel Bates, who was bom in Maury County on August 21, 1807. Samuel Bates was the father of the late WiUiam Bates, who manied a daughter of J. E. Sutton. Sutton, who is the father of Dr. K. I. Sutton, of Centerville, was at one time a magistrate of this dis trict and a prosperous merchant at Farmer's Ex change, to which place he gave the name. He was the first postmaster at this point. He now lives at Dickson, where he is, as he was in Hickman County, a prominent citizen. Samuel Bates was the father of James Samuel Bates (bom on January 17, 1829), who yet lives in this district. J. S. Bates married Tenth District. 293 Phoebe Tumer. Their children are Andrew Jackson, John T., Daniel D., Susan J., Delia A., and Nora T. Bates. James Bates, an old settler, lived at one time where the late Green D. Leiper lived. Green D. Leiper, Avho was a good and highly respected citizen, came to Hickman County from Alaury County, and for sev eral years lived in the Eighth District, About 1870 he came to the Tenth District At the mouth of Cave Branch, so called on account of the larg© cave near its mouth, there lived another good citizen of the district, who came from another county to this — the late James S. Eodgers. Rodgers was bom in Williamson County on July 20, 1825, and came in 1881 to the Tenth District, where he died on January 23, 1897. In 1844 he married Elizabeth Hughes, of AVilliamson County. She was bom on October 24, 1828, and is yet liring. When he first came to the county. Rodgers lived where W. A. Mc- Claren now lives, and OAvned the land from the mouth of Cave Branch doAAm to near where Hughes now Ua'cs. He later sold a portion of this to W. A. and Adolphus McClaren, who own one hundred and tAventy-five acres of fine land. The unsold portion of the Rodgers lands is yet OAvned by his son, Thomas Rodgers, who was bom on February 9, 1860. On Alay 0, 1894, Thomas Rodgers married Sallie East land, daughter of W. C. Eastland, of the Third Dis trict The Rodgers lands wei-e formerly OAvned by Shad- 294 History of Hickman County, Tenn. rach Lewis. One of the first settiers on Cane Creek Avas John Comer Lewis, who came from North Caro lina in an ox cart soon after the removal of the In dians, and settled near the present site of Farmer's Exchange, on lands entered by Reuben AlcClaren. AlcClaren was a land speculator who entered much land on Cane Creek and Beaverdam Creek. In making an entry on Cane Creek, he used the name of Lewis, who settied on the land, of which, in after years, by industry and economy, he became the OAvner. His first Avife was Miss Forrest, a cousin of the Con federate cavalryman, Nathan Bedford Forrest; his second vA'ife was a daughter of Reuben McClaren. Th© sons of John 0. Lewis were Shadrach, Fielding, and Llenry Lewis. One of the first mills built on Cane Creek was built by Shadrach LcAvis. In 1830 he and his brother, Fielding LcAvis, built a carding mill on the lands entered by John D. Aturray. In 1854 this mill was bought by George S. Stephens, who died one mile below Pleasantville in 1884. The father of George S. Stephens was AVilliam A. Stephens, who was bom near Henry Courthouse, Va, on Alarch 15, 1802. A son of George S. Stephens is Sidney Stephens, a prominent farmer of the Eleventh District. Col. James Levris, of the First Tennessee Cavalry, C. S. A., was a grandson of John C. Lewis, and a second cousin of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, under whom he served. At the breaking out of the Civil War, Colonel Levris lived at Linden, Perry County. Tenth District. 295 A nmnber of the young men of Cane Creek were members of Lewis' Regiment, they being under the immediate command of their neighbor, the brave and chivalrous Hartwell F. Barham, captain of Com pany I. James S. Bates served in this company, as did also his brother, W. C. Bates. In 1864 two of Barham's company, John Gotham and Daniel Kelly, Avhile at home on furloughs, were murdered by Perry County jayhawkers, the leading participants in the murder being Alex. Guthrie and George Shelton. Gotham and Kelly were spending the night with Alor- ris Twomey, where Mrs. Rainey now lives. The jay- , hawkers surprised them, and, after capturing them, murdered them. The jayhawkers were out after Commodore Gotham, a man by them much wanted and much feared. At the head of Cane Creek they attacked a party at a dance and killed James Peeler, a son of Jesse Peeler, of Beaverdam Creek. Com modore Gotham escaped with a few scratehes ; but the jayhawkers, coming on doAvn the creek, wreaked their vengeance on his brother, John Gotham, whom they clubbed to death Avith tiieir pistols. After boasting that they left three dead Eebels behind them, these brave " homemade Yankees," v/ho defended their country's flag by killing unarmed prisoners, went on their way to Linden, varying the monotony of their journey by killing another prisoner whom they had with them. Another attempt was made to capture Commodore Gotham, he being at that time Avith Da vid Miller, in the Fifteenth District When sur- 296 History op Hickman County, Tenn. prised by the Federals, Miller and Cotham were engaged in cleaning out a well. Miller was in the Avell, and Cotham was tuming the windlass. Their pistols were in the house near by, and they surren dered. However, they were allowed to go into the house, Avhereupon they seized their pistols and imme diately rescinded their recent action. When armed, so great was the terror of their names that the troop of Federals, during the confusion Avhich followed, allowed them to escape unharmed. AA''. H. AVhitwell, of the Tenth District, was a cap tain in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, C. S. A., and lost a leg in the serrice. In 1840 William Bradley Cook sold goods near where George Williams now lives. He was the first merchant at Pleasantville and the first postmaster at this post office, which was established about this time. Andrew J. Dudley was the first mail carrier who brought the mail here, he carrying th© mail from Lin den to Franklin. A young man in his employ occa sionally carried th© mail for him, and on one of his trips the mail was robbed. Suspicion pointed to the young man, whom Dudley discharged. This inci dent cost Dudley, Avho was a poor man, about three hundred dollars. At one time Dudley paid a security debt of seven hundred dollars, selling all of his prop erty, except one horse and a pair of oxen, in order to do this. These h© oft'ered to soil, too, but the creditor refused to allow him to make the further sacrifice. In 1820 Pleasant Whitwell, a Primitive Baptist Tenth District. 297 preacher, taught school near where Beech Grove Church now stands, near Pleasantville. AVhitweU was not only a good school-teacher, but was a good preacher and an upright man, Avho labored long and well in the Tenth District and surrounding coun try. In 1838 Silas Eeeord taught school at Beech Grove. The following year John Nolan, a Metho dist preacher, taught here. The Tenth District has to-day good schools and churches, and some of the leading school-teachers of the county are to be found here. The most extensive enterprise ever conduded in the Tenth District was the large saAvmill operated at Pleasantville by C. L. Storrs. This mill Avas placed here about 1890, and continued in operation for four years. In 1817 Aaron Anderson Edwards married Nancy Aloody, this being the first wedding on Cane Creek. Eleven children resulted from this marriage. Their names were John Anderson, Andrew Jackson, Will iam Thomas, David L., William J., Nicholas, Eliza beth A., Martha J., Malinda, Margaret, and Amanda. Aaron Anderson Edwards lived just above the mouth of Ivy Branch, which flows into Cane Creek from the north. The flrst marriage in the county was that of William Cotham and Sarah Shipp, in 1808. John Anderson Edwards was bom on March 9, 1824. He married Alary Ann Wilburn (bom on December 20, 1822), a daughter of Burrel Wilburn, who came from Virginia to Perry County. Burrel 298 History of LEickman County, Tenn. Wilburn married Mary Lomax, a daughter of Samuel Lomax, of North Carolina. John A. Edwards, who was a prominent preacher of the Primitive Baptist Church, died on January 9, 1878. His brothers, David L. and Andrew Jackson Edwards, were also preachers of prominence in this church. John Ed Avards, a son of John A. Edwards, is at present a magistrate of this district. Another son of John A. Edwards is Thomas C. Edwards, who lives near Lobelville, Perry County, and who owns a fin© tract of land, bounded on the north by the Line of 1784 ; another son is Dr. James A. Edwards, of Columbia, a man of whom Hickman County is justly proud. A. J. Pace, a son of Pleasant G. Pace, married a daughter of John A. Edwards and lives near the old Edwards homestead. At an early date Amos Anderson Edwards lived on Upper -Sinking, and the cavern into which the waters of Upper Sinking fall is on the farm on which he lived. He was bom on October 27, 1814. He mar ried Elizabeth Wilburn, who was bom on May 12, 1826. He was the father of Wilburn Edwards. John Lancaster and his brother, Gabriel Lancaster, of Beaverdam Greek, were Baptist preachers who preached in the Tenth District in the early days. Their father, Benjamin Lancaster, was probably the first preacher who held services in this district. Isaac Cotham came from Georgia in 1807 and located on Sugar Creek, in the Eighth District He located at AA'hat is knoAvn as the " Coleman place," Tenth District. 299 Avhere, in 1809, Andrew Carothers erected a grist mill, this being the second mill erected in the county. In 1815 Cotham removed from Sugar Creek to near the mouth of Ivy Branch, this then being in the In dian country. Having doubts as to the title of his lands, he retumed to Sugar Creek. After the treaty he (in 1818) retumed to the Tenth District, and re mained here until his death. His son, John Cotham, Avho was bom on Sugar Creek on November 26, 1808, is yet liA'ing in the Tenth District, h© being the old est natiA'e citizen of Hickman County. Th© mother of John Cotham was Sallie Depriest, a daughter of Eandall Depriest, who cam© from Georgia to Big Spring Creek, in the Sixth District, in 1812, and to Cane Creek in 1818. John Cotham married Eliza Sanders, who was bom in 1812. She was the daugh ter of Joseph Sanders, who was one of the pioneers of the Tenth District, he settling at an early date above the Walter W. BroAvn place. The aged John Cotham remembers the bottoms of Cane Creek when he first saw them as a dense canebrake, with here and there a settler between Buffalo Eiver and the head of the creek. One of these settlers was Pdty, who lived at the Tumer Depriest place in 1818, Avhen the people of this section carried their com to a mill near A^emon. Mr. Gotham's first teacher was Moses Nicks, who taught on Sugar Creek above the jioint where Le© & Gould later built their furnace. The sons of John Cotham are W. A. and Eichard Cotham ; his daughters, Martha, Susan, and Mary. 300 History op Hickman County, Tenn. On the north side of Cane Creek, about one mile below the mouth of Ivy Branch, is one of the best mill sites to be found in the county. Here for many years have been run a gristmiU and a cotton gin. The lands on Avhich the mill stands have been OAvned suc cessively by Jones Whitesides, John Sisco, Hiram Campbell, Martin McClaren, Jack AlcClaren, Adol phus AlcClaren, James Eodgers, AVilliam D. Hum phreys, and John E. Sisco, who is the p.resent owner. John E. Sisco was bom on July 6, 1842, and is a son of A. J. Sisco. The father of A. J. Sisco was John Sisco, who in 1820 came from Nortii Carolina and settled near th© mouth of Can© Cre©k. In th© territory annexed to LcAris County by the Tennessee Legislature in 1897, liA'ed for many years those tAVO worthy citizens, Johnson Downing and Walter AV. Brown, who were brothers-in-law. DoAvn- ing, who was bom in 1813, came to Cane Creek from Lincoln County in 1835. He for many years ran a gristmill and saAvmill on his farm, which, prior to 1 897, Avas the last farm on Cane Creek in Hickman County. He died a few years ago. Walter W. BroAvn Avas bom in A^irginia in 1807, and came to Cane Creek in 1833 and located near Brown's schoolhouse, where he lived until his death, a few years ago. He was for many years a magis trate in the Tenth District He Avas the father of John, Isham, and Walter W. Brown, Jr. Some of the other magistrates of this district were Pleasant Whitwell, J. E. Sutton, Eobert C. Murray, Tenth District. 301 and James S. Eodgers. The present incumbents are John EdAvards and E. C. Beasley. Harvey Hinson, who lived near Farmer's Exchange, was at one time a constable in this district, as Avas also Mr. Depriest, Avho Uved on Depriest's Branch. J. D. Whitwell was a deputy imder Sheriff Stephenson. J. N. Pace, a son of Pleasant G. Pace, of Cane Creek, was for two terms Trustee of Hickman County ; and his brother-in-laAv, A. J. McClaren, was serving his second term as County Court Clerk at the time of his death, in 1897. In the autumn of 1864 the Confederates under Col. Jacob Biffle came upon the Federals under Colo- . nel Murphy near Buffalo post office, in Humphreys County, and a ruiming fight continued, Arith the Fed erals retreating, until the final engagement at Center ville. Biifle had under his command th© companies of Capts. Eobert Anderson, Thomas Easley, and Green, and the detached companies of Henon Cross and David Miller. The pursuit continued up Buf falo Eiver to Beardstown, and then up Cane Creek to near Farmer's Exchange. A detachment of Con federates here attempted, by tuming to the left, to intercept the Federals at the head of Depriest's Branch. In this they were unsuccessful, the Fed erals in their wild flight passing this point before the arrival of the Confederates. The Federals continued their retreat through the Eleventh District. 302 History op Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XIV. THE ELEVENTH DISTRICT. THE Eleventh District lies on Beaverdam Creek, and includes this creek and its tributaries from the LeAvis County line doAA'n to the line of the Ninth District, near Joe's Branch, below the Levi AIcCol- lum farm. It is bounded on the north by the Ninth and First Districts; on the east, by the First and Twelfth Districts; on the south, by Lewis County; and on the west, by the Tenth District Beaverdam Creek derives its name from the fact that the flrst settlers found, near where John Peeler noAV lives, the remains of a large dam which had been built by bea vers. Portions of fallen trees were in the creek here, and the stumps standing near by showed plainly that they had been felled by the beavers. This dam was above the mouth of Alilam's Branch and near the present McClaren place. Alilam's Branch was named for Jordan Milam, Avho settled on this branch in 1819, he having occu pant's rights in the lands on this tributary of Beaver dam Creek. Alilam had been a soldier in the Revo lutionary War. Above Alilam's Branch is Wade's Branch, knovra originally as " Murray's Branch." James and Jo seph Alurray settled on this branch in 1819. In 1828 they sold to Eobert Wade, whose name the branch has Eleventh District. 303 since borne. Wade was bom in Virginia. AVhen a young man, he Avent west into Kentucky, Avhere he married Miss Bearden. From Kentuckj' he and his young wife came, in 1823, to Hickman County. AVade then OAvned a black mare, a gun, and a dog. He placed his wife on the mare, shouldered his gun, called his dog, and started on foot for Tennessee, and in this manner they made the entire journey. They settled on Alurray's Branch, and in 1828 bought the lands here from the Murrays. AVhen Wade first came here, he traded his mar© for a still, his saddle for some com, and commenced the manufacture of Avhisky, which he continued for thirty years. Dur ing this time he claimed that he drank one quart of whisky each day. AATien at home his drinks Avere carefully measured, and when he was on a journey he carried Avith him that quantity of whisky which his frequent measurements had shoAvn him he would need. Yet Wade was not considered a dnmkard, but was an energetic and prosperous, citizen, who for a number of years Avas one of the magistrates of this district. According to his statement, he drank during these years nearly three thousand gallons of whisky. The place where his distillery stood is about one mile below the location of Old .lEtna Fumace, at the present George Milam place. Sons of Eobert Wade Avere Eobert and George Wade. Eobert Wade, iTr., married Harriet, the daughter of Samuel Malu gin, and soon after his marriage he died. George Wade married a daughter of Eoss Breece. He died 304 History of Hickman County, Tenn. at Fort Donelson in 1862. Benjamin Harris married a daughter of George Wade, and now OAvns the lands originally OAvned by Eobert AVade, Sr. At this place the Federal Colonel, Murphy, was overtaken and sur prised, early one morning in 1864, by the Confeder ate Colonel, Biffle, during the mnning fight from Buffalo to Centerville. The firing was for a time brisk, but there were no casualties, and the Federals continued their retreat. Above A\'ade's Branch is Brushy Fork of Beaver dam Creek, which was settied about 1820 by Levi Garr©tt, John Hinson, and Halbrooks, all from North Carolina Eobert and Thomas Dolison and Daniel Davidson came here from North Carolina in 1825. In 1830 John Hinson lived where Joel P. Moifison now lives, but these lands were entered in 1825 by Eobert Thompson. At the mouth of Brushy Fork, in 1830, Daniel Davidson taught school, and his patrons were the Dolison^, Hinson, Garrett, the Walkers, John Angel, and Joseph Kimmins. Joseph Kimmins lived just below the site of Old JStna Furnace. Here, in 1830, his son, Eobert Kim mins, died. Daughters of Joseph Kimmins were Nellie, who married Daniel AlcClaren ; Jennie, who married Elias Denson Morrison; Keziah, who mar ried Elias Bradshaw ; Elizabeth, who mairied James Chandler; Theresa, who married James Halbrooks; Alargaret, who married Zerah Shipp; Grace, who married John Cunningham; and Charity, who mar ried James Garrett Four of these sisters held a ET.KVjgfiTH District. 305 reunion in 1892 at the home of one of them, Mrs. Jennie Atorrisom The youngest was seventy-seven years of age,; the oldesti, ninety-four. Alajor Mc Claren was for many years the only slaveholder in the Eleventh District. After his death his slaves Avere being hired publicly, when one of them — ^Wyley -^announced to a bidder that he need not bid for him, as he would die before he would go with him. This bidder made the highest bid, and Wyley was expected to commence work for him on the foUoAving Alonday morning. On that moming, however, Wyley was found hanging to a rope tied to the " eaves bearer " of his cabin. Williamson Poore, who married a Kiminins, was the father of John AL. Joseph C, Pleasant B., Rob ert, Benjamin, David, Samuel, and James Poore. Of these, only Samuel and Pleasant are now Hving. One of the last bears kiUed in Hickman County was kiUed in 1822 by James Arnold, on the farm now OAvned by Joel P. Atorrison. Arnold, who set tled on Peter Branch of Sulphur Fork in 1820, was a great hunter, and, although a poor man, he paid his debts punctuaUy vrith the skins and meat of the Avild animals he killed. In making trades he would not promise to pay in money, but would promise so many deer skins, wolf skins, or deer homs. The last pan ther Trilled in the county was killed in 1828 by Claiborne Berryman, near the place now known as " Buffalo Switeh," on the railroad between Center- viUe and .(Etna. On the day before that on which 306 History of Hickman County, Tenn. th© panther Avas killed it had pursued the Avife of Elias Denson Morrison for two miles, she escaping on account of the superior speed of her horse. Berry- man settled near the site of Old .^tna Fumace in 1820, and Avas for several years miller at Spencer Tinsley's mill. AA^hile out hunting he found the panther fast asleep on a log, and shot it, James LaAA'rence, a pioneer " Baron Munchausen," lived at this time near the Ninth District line, and the unreasonable and humorous stories Avhich he told about his favorite dog are yet recalled by old citizens. Llenry Breece, father of Benajah Breece, settied in 1820 on Beaverdam Creek, seven miles from Cen terville. He died here in 1834. Benajah Breece married Dilary J. Winters. Marcus Black in 1820 settled at the Elias Bates place, and cleared some of the land now OAvned by Bates. Arthur Atkinson about 1825 settled on Wade's Branch. His son, John F. Atkinson, was shot one night in 1870, the shot being fired through an open window. A young man named Shepherd, whom At>- kinson had discharged a few days before this, served a tei"m in the penitentiary for this crime. This oc curred near Avhere Wesley Mondson now lives, AVilliam B., Eobert, Elijah, and James Hicks, who Avere brothers, settled near the present site of .ZEtna Fumace in 1818. Benjamin and William Harris, who removed to Illinois in 1825, also settled here at this time. The}- moved to Illinois in ox carts, one of Elea'enth District. 307 which broke doAvn soon after they started, delaying them for several days. A son of one of them, Wooten Harris, had twelve fingers and twelve toes. Jere Booth, a pioneer pf this sedion, Avas a hunter and fortune teller, and had great faith in the di vining rod. Lie spent much of his time in pursuit of game and in search of valuable minerals. He claimed to have discovered gold in what is now Lewis County, but died without ever having disclosed the location of his mine. From North Carolina, Bunis AVarren, John Pat ton, and " Billy " ^lorrison came to the lower part of the district in 1818. They Avere brothers-in-laAv, they baring married sisters named Peacock. Pat ton entered one thousand acres of land, and there are UOAV several fine farms which originally were a part of the " Patton surA-ey." In 1830 j^Iorrison was miller at Arthur A-tkinson's mill, and went during the entire Avinter without shoes. His appearance gained for him the nickname, " The Short and Dirty Aliller." !Major ^McClaren made a large entry in this portion of the district in 1820, and during this year Joseph, John, and ClcA-e McCann — rela tives of Warren, Patton, and Morrison — cam© from North Carolina and settled here. When the wife of Patton failed to make any butter from " a churning," she concluded that " old lady Hamby," who lived near by, had bewitched her coavs or had bewitched the milk. She thereupon thrust a piece of heated iron into the milk. AluCh butter was the result ; and 308 History op Hickman County, Tenn. Avhen she went to the hous© of " old lady Hamby " and found her suffering from a bum, her suspicions Avere confirmed. This occurred about 1825. In 1825 Sylvanus Walker lived near the present site of J^]tna Fumace, as did also Elijah Blackbum. Jacob Byler lived where Alex. Prince now lives, and was Hickman County's first coroner after the Constitution of 1834 was adopted. John Lovett in 1830 lived in the Eleventh Dis trict, and here was born his son, Jesse Lovett, who afterwards lived in Lowe's Bend. Ewel Warren, father of the late Jasper N. War ren and of Hickman County's present register, Darid Warren, was for many years a magistrate in the Elev enth Distrid. Jesse Peeler was bom in Eowan County, N. C, on May 4, 1788. He married Hannah Smith on February 14, 1814, and in 1816 he came to Vemon. Here his Arife died, and, returning to North Carolina, he married Miss Joyce F. Woodson on February 14, 1817. He then returned to A^emon, but later moved to Lick Creek, where his second wife died. On Feb ruary 14, 1839, he married Alargaret B. Giles. This was his third and last marriage, and all of them were on the same date — Febmary 14. He in 1853 moved from Lick Creek to the Eleventh Distrid, where he died on August 30, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, three months, and twenty- six days. He AA^as the father of David W., George, Jesse G., Jacob E., Jasper N., James M., and John C. Ei.e"venth District. 309 Peeler. James M. Peeler was killed on Cane Creek by Perry County jayhawkers ; Jasper N. Peeler, who was in 1888 tax assessor for Hickman County, now Ua'cs in Giles County ; Jacob Peeler Avas at one time constable of the First District; John Calrin Peeler, Avho has been a magistrate since 1888, is now chair man of the County Court. Frances Cordelia, a daugh ter of Jesse Peeler, married John Bates. .Jesse Peeler lived where his son, John C. Peeler, now lives, and this point has been the voting place of the district for over sixty years. Spencer Tinsley erected a mill near the site of Old .Etna Fumace in 1824. In 1840 Madison Napier 'erected a mill one mile below the site of Tinsley's mill. This mill furnished meal for th© employees of Napier, who had since 1837 been operating ^tna Furnace, About 1845 Eobert Wade built a mill on AVade's Branch, and fiv© years before this Jacob Byler had a mill near this branch. Squire Peeler, a half- brother of Jesse Peeler, at one tim© OAvned the Byler miU, and Thomas Warren had a mill at the same time on the opposite side of Beaverdam Creek. Sometimes Beaverdam Creek Avonld not furnish enough water for both mills, and Peeler would prosper in the milling business, but his competitor would not It is said that upon one occasion Warren, during the night, cut a ditch into Peeler's mill pond and proceeded to ap propriate the water thereof to his OAvn use. A laAV- suit followed this, but Arith what result is not knoAvn. Elias Bates and Jonathan Arnold now have mills in 3lO History of Hickman County, Tenn. this district. The mill of the former has been in operation since 1867 ; the mill of the latter has been in operation for over fifty years-. Even before Tennessee became a State it was known that rich deposits of iron ore were in the hills surround ing the head of Beaverdam Creek, but not until 1830 Avere steps taken toward the converting of this ore into iron. In this year j\Iadison Napier, who was already interested in mineral lands in Dickson County, bought a large number of acres in this section. In 1836 ATapier eame AA'ith his slaA'es and many other laborers, built a furnace here, and commenced the mining of ore and the manufacture of iron. The pig iron from this furnace, AA'hich Avas named ".Etna Fumace," was carried to the place on Duck Eiver, opposite Shipp's Bend, whidi has since been knoAvn as the " IMetal Landing." Napier continued to operate this fumace imtil 1848, when he became financially embarrassed. The property was then sold by Sheriff J. W. Huddle ston, and was purchased by Dr. Napier, who sold it to AV. H. and W. C. Napier, who, in turn, sold it to Dr. Bellfield Carter and Daniel Llillman. Carter and Hillman continued to operate the furnace until 1855, Avhen operations were suspended tmtil 1862. In 1862 they resumed operations, employing a large number of slaves, who were hired from their owners in Dickson and Davidson Counties — points exposed to the Fed eral Army. LIoAA'ever, in the foUoAving year the Fed erals camg here, confiscated the stock, carried aAvay the iron, freed the slaves, and hushed forever the hum of Elevexth District. 311 business where Old .Etna stood. In 1884 a company of which y. K. SteA'enson Avas manager began the building of a furnace on the railroad, four miles above the site of Old .Etna. After the death of Stevenson the .Etna Iron Company pushed the AVork to comple tion. The furnace here afterwards passed into the hands of the Southern Iron Company, which operated it until 1893, since which time it has not been in operation. At a muster at the Cross Eoads, above Peeler's, in 1830, Aleredith Hinson and Charles Warren, who had prior to this been friends, engaged in a pugilistic encounter, from the effects of which both died within tAvo weeks. In 1886 a negro was killed- at .Etna by another negro, Ben. Htunble. In 1892 Martin Hin son and " Dock " HightoAver killed Stump Devisor at .Etna. In 1828 a man, Avho later figured as principal in one of the most celebrated criminal cases of this sec tion of the State, came to the Eleventh District. This was Joe Bearden, who came with his two brothers from Kentucky in search of employment After stopping here for a short time, h© went to Mussel Shoals, AA'here th© government was having work done. After remaining there for some time, he and a com panion left for their respective homes. Bearden came to the Eleventh District, but his companion, Avho lived elsewhere, never reached home, and was last seen alive with Bearden. The missing man's relatives instituted a search, and his dead body was 312 Hlstory of Hickman County, Tenn. found in the southern portion of Perry County. Suspidon naturally po.inted to Bearden ; and Thomas Green, who lived in th© Eleventh District, said that he recognized a coat which Bearden had as the prop erty of th© dead man. Green arrested Bearden and held him until th© relatives of the murdered man could b© communicated Avith. The coat was identi fied by a peculiar patch there Avas on it, a sister of Bearden's victim writing to Green a description of this pateh. Bearden was taken to Centei-ville and placed in jail. He was tried at Perryville, and his ca!=© Avas taken to the Superior Court, at Eeynolds burg, wher© he Avas finally convicted and hanged in 1832. Bearden said, while in jail, that if he was hanged, the meeting betAveen him and the devil would be a stormy a,ffair. During the night following the day on which Bearden was hanged there swept over Tennessee a terrible storm, which in its course almost destroyed the town of Shelbyville. Eemembering Bearden's remark, the people throughout the counties of Hickman, Perry, and Humphreys called this " the Bearden storm." Thomas Sheppard, Eobert Wad©, Jacob Byl©r, Thomas Warren, John F. Atkinson, Ewel Warren, Joel P. Morrison, J. F. AI. Fain, Fort George, and G. W. Mathis have been magistrates in this district The present incumbents are P. E. Lovelace and John C. Peeler. John Doddy, James Devore, John F. At kinson, A''an Arnold, Will. Black, and James Norman have been constables of this district Col. Levi Mc- Eleventh District. 313 CoUum, of this district, was tArice a member of the State Legislature. In the autumn of 1861 Sheriff Levi McCoUum, who had just been elected after a close race with EU jah Cantrell, resigned and raised a company for the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry. In this regiment he was promoted successively to the positions of major and lieutenant colonel. During the same year Joel P. A[orrison raised a company for the Forty- eighth Tennessee Infanti-y. Captain Morrison was captured at Fort Donelson, and, after having been imprisoned at Camp Chase and Johnson's Island, he Avas exchanged at Vicksburg in 1862. He was in the battles of Chiekamauga and Missionary Eidge, and in January, 1864, he was discharged, he being too old for the serrice. Captain Morrison served in the Alexican War as a priA'ate in John W. AVhitfield's company, being present at the battie of Monterey and at the siege and capture of Vera Cruz. Elias Denson Morrison was bom in Meddenbui^ Coimty, N. C, on Febmary 20, 1795, and died on Sulphur Fork of Beaverdam Creek on March 30, 1852. His wife, Jennie Kimmins, was bom in North Carolina before her father, Joseph Kimmins, came to Tennessee. She was bom on Noyemb©r 7, 1798, and died on June 30, 1893, aged ninety-five years. The daughters of Elias D. and Jennie (Kimmins) Morrison were : Jane, Avho married Dr. WUliam Eus sell, a brother of Cyrus W. EusseU; Margaret, who married Andrew EusseU, a brother of Dr. WilUam 314 History of Hickman County, Tenn. EusseU ; Dorothy, who died unmarried ; and Cynthia, who married John Pickard. Their sons were: John Cooper, David BradshaAv, Eobert. Kimmins, James AA-'esley, Elias Kirkpat.rick, Thomas Brown, and Joel Porter. David B. and Thomas Brovsm Alorrison died while prisoners of war at Camp Douglass. Capt. Joel Porter AIorriso.n, the only surviving son of Elias Denson Alorrison, was born near Old .^Etna on July 14, 1823. A portio.n of Sulphur Fork is in the Eleventh Dis trict, and here WiUiam Chandler settled in 1825. He married Aliss Bates, a sister of Eobert, James, AVilliam, Jere, Jesse, Josiah, and Samuel Bates. The sons of William Chandler were John, Benja min, fFames, AA'illiam, Isaac, and Willis, all of who.m are now dead. Benjamin Chandler had seven sons in the Confederate Army, and a majority, if not all, of them lost their lives during the Civil War. Jesse Southern lived on Sulphur Fork in 1840, and, Avhile cutting rye in his field, was shot from am bush, the ball striking the index finger of his right hand and shattering the handle of th© old-fashioned sickle which he was using. Eloonah A. Curry was charged AA'ith shooting him, arrested, tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary for a term of years. The judge Avas Edmund Dillahunty (de la Honte) and th© attorney-general Avas Nathaniel Baxter, who after-, Avards became a judge. At the head of Sulphur Fork ar© th© celebra.ted Beaverdam Springs.. In 1832 Joseph Jones com- Eleventh District. 315 menced the erection of a hotel here, and by 1835 he had it completed, together Avith about forty cabins for the accommodation of guests. He also built a grist mill and saAAinill at a point one mile below the springs, where a cotton gin had stood prior to this. The sons of Joseph Jones were: AUan, George, Ab ner, Stephen, Joel, Alontague, and Dr. AVilliam Jones. Joel Jones, the only one of these uoav living, lives at Palestine, in LcAris County. Joseph Jones sold the springs to Jesse Hart, who, after oAvning them for a time, sold them to Thomas AValker and Arm strong, of Alaury County. The springs are now OAvned by the B©av©rdam Springs Company, com posed of citizens of Alaury County. A serious fight occurred here before th© Avar between some young men from Columbia and some young men from the neighborhood. LcAris Bates, who was using his fists in the most effective Hickman County style, was stabbed with a sword cane in the hands of a young Alaury Countian. Bates was not seriously injured, and, despite the difference in the Aveapons used, he and his party came out of the engagement with colors flying. James Pope taught school on Sulphur Fork in 1823; Paschal Lancaster, in 1838; and Thomas Smith, in 1840. While teaching here, Lancaster on© day at " playtime " became choked on a sweet potato. Lie called two of his pupils, Isaac and Wil lis Chandler, to his assistance, instructing the former to rub his neck, while the latter went for water. 316 History of Hickman County, Tenn. While they were doing this he gasped : " Eub, Ike, mb ! Eun, AVillis, run ! " These, hoAvever, were not the last words of Lancaster, as the rebellious potato Avas finally overcome. One of the early preachers of this section was •lohn Lancaster, the Primitive Baptist. Lancaster assisted in the building of the cabins at Beaverdam Springs, working six days and preaching on th© s©v- enth. Other pioneer preachers of the Baptist Chureh were Pleasant Whitwell and Eagsdale. An- droAV Craig and Isaac Pace were preachers of the Christian Church, who preached here from 1835 to 1840. Carey Pope, Avho had settled at A''emon in 1808 and planted a peach orchard there, removed in 1820 to Sulphur Fork and settled at the Adam Coble place. -James Pope liA'ed three miles below Beaver dam Springs in 1827. He had here a mill and dis tillery. Airs. David Morrison and Mrs. Jack Malu gin are daughters of James Pope. Tn 1840 a party of hunters from Centerv^ill© and Shipp's Bend chased a deer to Beaverdam Creek. On this creek Dr. Bird Moore, Thomas Dansby, and Ho ratio Clagett AA^ere waiting for the deer, which was being pursued through the woods by th© hounds be longing to AVilliam Shipp. AVhen the deer came to the " stand," Dansby and Aioore both fired. Moore shot the deer, and Dansby shot Moore. Aioore was badly wounded, and while Clagett, Dansby, and others were trying to relieve his sufferings, William Shipp Ele"venth District. 317 arrived. He was told of the serious accident and saw the wounded man, but his first words were : " But where's the deer ? " He soon found the wounded deer, cut its throat, and then commenced to render assistance to the sufferer. A messenger was sent for Dr. Samuel B. Moore, who was at Beaverdam Springs, and another Avent to notify the vrife of Dr. Bird Aioore, at Centerville. Moore was placed in a coal cart obtained from ^tna Fumace. When, on their retum to Centerrille, the party was met by the sorrow ful wife of the wounded man. Dr. Moore outdid Shipp by replying to his Arife's question, "Are you dying. Bird ? " Arith the statement : " I killed the deer, Eva- line; Dansby never touched it." Dr. Moor© recov ered, --ll 318 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XV. THE TWELFTH DISTRICT. THE TAA'elfth District is bounded on the north by the First and Fourteenth Districts; east, by the Fourteenth Distrid; south, by Lewis County; and west, by the Eleventh District. It includes Swan Creek and its tributaries from th© Hiram Prince place, now the William Prince place, up to the Lewis County Un©, above the Harder place. SAvan Creek received its name from the f a.d that a swan was killed in this creek by hunters prior to 1800. As stated elsewhere, it was called by the party which ran the Line of 1784 " Swan Eiver," and it was probably on© of this part.y "who killed the swan. .\t Swan Bluff, which is just over the line in the First District, B. M. Hutcheson sold goods for tAvelve 3'ears, Arthur I. Nixon succeeding him at this point. Above Haw Branch, at the mouth of which is Swan Bluff, is Persimmon Branch, on which Peter Condor located as an occupant in 1816. John Burcham lived here in 1820. Georg© Tatom, who liA'ed on this branch years ago, was at one time a magistrate in th© Twelfth District. He sold his lands to George Peery about 1 820. Elihu Morrison lived here from 1816 to 1820. On this branch a family named Banks lived in 1830. Bartlett Alathis lived on this branch in 1860 ; Tvtelfth District. 319 Clayton, a wagon maker, wheelwright, and shoemaker, lived here in 1833. Copperas Branch, so called on account of this min eral being found here and used by the pioneers in dyeing their clothing, was settied by George Berry, an occupant, prior to 1830. .^n " occupant " was one whose occupancy of a tract of land, sunnlemented by a small established price per acre, c-onstituted his title; his titl© was based on no warrant; he merely came, settled on a tract, and later paid a small price for it Joseph Eossen, a cooper and a faith doctor, married a daughter of George Berry and lived for years on this branch a homeless, inoffensive man. In 1825 William Beakley returned from Missouid (he had gone there in 1820), and bought lands at the mouth of Copperas Branch from Thomas Bing ham, of Cathey's Creek, Maury County. Coleman's Branch, named for Coleman, an occu pant, Avho settied on it prior to 1830, is above Cop peras Branch. Next is Jenkins' Branch, named for the occupant, Jenkins. This branch was named by th© surveyor, George Peery, " Fall Branch AVest of Swan Creek," and is so called in the early land papers of this section. The Lewis County line runs near by, and here John Harder has a gristmill, and Mr. Bates a saAvmill, both operated by water power, secured by the confining Avith a dam the waters of a large spring. The tributaries above named are on the west sid© of Swan Creek. Going doAvn Swan Creek from the 320 History of Hickman County, Tenn. LcAris County line, the first tributary on th© east side is Horse Branch. TuUy Gregory lived her© as an occupant in 1834. The Tolly family lived here as early as 1824, they being original settlers. Below Horse Branch are Upper and Lower Pine Branches, so called on account of the luxuriant growth of pine trees here. Farther down is Fall Branch, named by the surveyor, Georg© P©ery, on account of the f aUs on this branch. Early settlers on Fall Branch were Azariah Ander son and James Edwards. Anderson, who lived here in 1825, was the father of AVhig Anderson. Azariah Anderson, Jr., also lived on this branch. Martin Condor lived here in 1823. AVilliam Duncan, th© father of W. H., James A., David M., Marcenus, and John Duncan, cam© from Kentucky and bought land at this point from the original owners. The father of William Duncan was killod by Indians. In recent years much phosphate has been mined in this sedion. Near the line between the Twelfth and Fourteenth Districts are the places now knovm as the "xirch Peery place " and the " Gilmore place." They were settied by Eobert Peery in 1817. Eobert Peery, a son of James Peery, Sr., was bom in Virginia in 1796, and in 1814 he enlisted in the American army and went with his three brothers from Leatherwood Creek, in the Thirteenth District, to New Orleans, where they took part in the battle of January 8, 1815. Eobert Peery was one of the few American soldiers wounded Tavelpth District. 321 in this battle. After his retum from New Orleans, the Peery lands on Leatherwood Creek were lost as a result of a long and ©xj)©nsive laAvsuit ; but, undatmted by misfortune, the Peery brothers — Alexander, Eob ert, William, and George — ^bought the John Tate lands, five hundred acres. When the land was di vided, Eobert Peery's portion included the present Arch. Peery and Gilmore lands. In 1820 Eobert Peery married Jane BroAvn, daughter of Charles BroAvn, of Cathey's Creek The children of this union Avere Charles BroAAm Peery and John Luther Peery. Charles Brown Peery, who was bom on January 23, 1824, at the E. G. Peery place, married Mary A. Lusk, of Maury County. After her death he married Mrs. AIcGill, of Swan Creek. Brovsm Peery's two daugh ters, Alargaret and Alildred, died in their infancy. Llis sons are Eobert Alexander Peery and James Eu fus Peery. John Luther Peery, who was bom on Alarch 12, 1826, married Elizabeth Wheat, of Alaury County. A son of John L. Peery is Hon. Eobert L. Peery, who represented Hiclanan County in the Legis lature from 1893 to 1895. He married Sarah C. Holmes, of Maury County, a daughter of Samuel II. Holmes, the Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. The wife of Samuel H. Holmes was Nancy E. White- sides. Eobert, Alexander, William, George, and James Peery, Jr., Avere the sons of Jamos Peery, Sr. The first three named were triplets, and all lived to be over 322 History of Hickman County, Tenn. fifty years of age, but not one lived to be sixty.- The first four named were at the battie of New Orleans. All retumed and became leading dtizens and the an cestors of a numerous posterity. James Peery, Sr., was born in England and came to Virginia when young. He served in the American Army during the Eevolutionary War. He was a soldier under General Morgan at th© battle of the Cowpens. William Peery moved to Mississippi, where he died. His son, W. D. Peery, was a State Senator in Missis sippi. The other sons of James Pe©ry, Sr., lived and died in Hickman County, and were buried at " the old camp ground " on Swan Creek. As a family, they Avere Cumberland Presbjd^rians. George Peery was a pioneer school-teacher and sur- A'eyor, and lived a long life of usefulness. He was bom in Virginia and came to Tennessee at an early date. Lie married .Ann Carson, of East Tennessee, and was the father of Marcenus G. Peery, Darid C. Peery, and George Peery, Jr. His daughters were: NeUie, who married David B. Warren; Alary, who married WiUiam P. Weatherly ; Atartha, who married Abner F. Aydelott; and Alzenia, who married Brown, of LcAvis County. George Peery was the sec ond man to hold the position of county surveyor for Hiokman County, holding this office from October 28, 1825, to May, 1851. He was succeeded by Sam uel C. Aydelott, who seiwed from May, 1851, to 1865. David C. Peery was entry taker for Hickman County Twelfth District. 323 from 1836 to May, 1851, when he was succeeded by George Peery, who served until 1856, at which time the office was abolished. Near the line of the First and Twelfth Districts, in 1816 and 1817, George, ,Alexander, and William Peery operated saltpeter works. One evening George left for their home on Leatherwood Creek, cautioning his brothers, who were to remain overnight, to be on the lookout for Indians, the works being located in Avhat was still their territory. After going a short distance, George, for the sake of amusement, rushed back, crying : " Indians ! " William and Alexander, trained woodsmen, soized their rifles and sprang into the bushes, from which George expected them to soon reappear. In this he was disappointed. Minutes grew into hours, and finally George Peery reached the correct conclusion tiiat h© was th©re alone, ten miles from the settiement on Duck Eiver at Gordon's Ferry. He, however, remained through the night; and next moming as he journeyed through the woods toward Leatherwood Creek, he met his brothers re turning cautiously toAvard the saltpeter works, accom panied by a party of settlers. Explanations foUowed, but it was difficult to find a place to introduce a laugh. Samuel C. Aydelott, already referred to as the suc cessor of George Peery, was bom in 1802, and was the son of Joseph and Ann Aydelott, Avho came from North Carolina, He married Adeline McMinn. He was a brother of Abner F. Aydelott, the father of Marcenus P., William D., James D., Luther, and 324 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Samuel D. Aydelott The latter died in the Confed erate Army while a soldier in the Forty-Eighth Ten nessee Infantry. The daughters of Abner F. Ayde lott were : Alargaret, who married Beakley ; Priscilla, who married Burcham ; Frances, who married AVhite- sides ; and Ellen, who married Sharp. The Sharjis Avere early settlers here, and the old Sharp place was for years the voting place and muster grounds for this section. Nehemiah Sharp was the original owner of the James Campbell lands, he hav ing entered them prior to 1825. Th© lands wh©r© David M. Duncan and Jonathan ToUes now live were in 1835 the property of Ca rothers, an early settler. Jere Harder in 1830 lived where John L. Peery now lives. Here, before the Civil War, lived J. H. Plummer, the OAvner of a num ber of slaves. He afterAvards lived at Palestine, in Lewis County. He Avas the father of the late Dr. H. K. Plummer and of O. T., Frank, Lee, William, and T. A. Plummer. AVilliam Harder, Sr., a brother of Jere Harder, was an early settler and lived Avhere Thomas Duncan now lives. Lie eame from North Carolina and mar ried a daughter of his neighbor, Carothers. His son, AA^illiam Llarder, was a lieutenant in the Confederate Army, Avas a school-teacher, and Avas at one time a magistrate in this district. Another son. Pleasant Harder, died Avhile a soldier in the Confederate Army. In 1821 Thomas ]\IcJ\Iinn became the OAvner, by soldier's Avarrant, of five hundred acres of land ad- Tavelfth District. 325 joining the Tate five hundred acres, bought by the Peery's. These lands are now owned by th© Meece heirs, John L. Beakley, and others. William Beak ley, grandfather of John L. Beakley, became oAvner of these lands in 1825. Louisa, a daughter of William Beakley, manded John L. Flowers. Eichard Meece, who came here from Maury County about 1860, married Margaret Ann, a daughter of AA''illiam Duncan. He became the OAvner of a large portion of the AIcMinn lands and died here. Eobertson Whitesides, who Avas bom in 1800, came from South Carolina to Ala.ury Cotmty, and from Maury County to Swan Creek, in 1825. He died here in 1885. Lie bought land from Brock, the origi nal OAATier, and afterwards entered and bought land until he OAvned over six hundred acres. He was for years a magistrate in this district, and was at one time a member of the Legislature. He married Sarah, a sister of Joseph Webb, of Pine Eiver, and was the father of Pleasant, Luther, and Lafayette AVhitesides. His daughters were: Mrs. Maiy xinn Duncan, Airs. Peggy Jane Sharp, Mrs. Nancy E. Sharp, and Mrs. Keziah Burcham, One mile below the Eobertson Whitosides place, at which Alexander Peery now lives, is the post office, Sunrise. J. L. Beakley has a store here, and Luther Lindsay has a blacksmith shop. Luther Lindsay is a son of David Lindsay, who was born in North Carolina on May 18, 1818. David Lindsay married Margaret Gresham, of LavTence County, who was bom on Mareh 22, 1822, and died 326 History of Hickman County, Tenn. on October 27, 1895. H© is a carpenter and wheel wright, having lea,med these trades wh©n a boy from W. S. Eicketts, who lived near Mount Pleasant, in Maury County. Since 1837 Darid Lindsay has been a member of th© Cumberland Presbyterian Church. . The Cumberland Presbyterian Church at " the old camp ground " was organized in 1826, and at present has a membership of nearly on© hundred and fifty. The first elders were Eobert Peery and James Peery, Jr. BroAvn Peery, a son of Eobert Peery, is one of the present elders. The present pastor is Wesley Young Lindsay, a son of David Lindsay. He has been pastor here for about twenty years. Buffalo Switeh, the point from which the phosphate of this district is shipped, is on th© railroad b©tw©en the head of Indian Creek and xEtna. It was named a few years ago for " Buffalo Bill " Coleman, a well- knoAvn bridge carpenter. Hiram Prince, who lived for a tim© in the First District, came from Bedford County to the Twelfth District in 1830. His sons were: Isaac, John, Thomas; H. C, who lived in Kentucky; and James Prince, who died in the Confederate Army. His daughters were: Mrs. Sarah Anderson, Mrs. Louisa Short; Mrs. Malinda Williams, of Perry County; and Airs. D. W. Peery, of Kentucky. Pinkney Prince, the father of O. A. Prince, at one lime lived where Hon. E. L. Peery now lives. He married a daughter of Alexander Peery, and during his wife's last illness she disclosed to her attendant Tavelfth District. 327 neighbors four hundred doUars in coin stored away in a stocking between the mattress and the feather bed upon which she lay, this representing the savings of years. Prior to 1844 the people of this section voted at Palestine, at that time in Hickman County. Mus ters were held at the Eobert Peery place, where Gil more now Ua'cs ; and at one of these, in 1835, Thomas Kingston and Edward Anderson, a son of Whig .An derson, had an unusually savage fight. Peery would not after this incident allow musters to be held on his premises. In 1825 a man named Jones built a mill at the Thomas Bates place, and in 1822 the Peery brothers had a small mill and distillery at the spring near the church at " the old camp ground." There is a Alissionary Baptist Church at Fall Branch called " Pine Grove." The Primitive Bap tists have a church at Center, near the county line. This denomination had a church in the pioneer days near the line of the TweKth, Fourteenth, and First Districts. It was called " Sycamore," it being built of sycamore logs. The preachers here were Benja min Lancaster; Temple Hicks, and Wolverton. This church was a short distance from the present site of SAvan Bluff post office. Some of the pioneer Cum berland Presbyterian preachers were Eeuben Bur- roAAS, King, Eichard Baird, and James Calhoun. The latter preached her© in 1826 at th© first camp ineeting held in this section, 328 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Hand in hand with the pioneer preacher came the pioneer school-teacher, who taught from a wonderful assortment of readers and spellers. There was then no uniform system of text-books, and for readers the " scholars " used the Bible, " Life of Washington," "Life of Lafayette," "Life of Francis Alarion," or, in fact, any book that might be found in the very scantily supplied libraries of their parents. AVebster's blue- back speller was used as a reader and speller. The " scholars," in many of the schools, when " getting their lessons," would " spell out loud." For years the question Avould frequently be asked applicants for schools : " Do you teach a silent school or a spelling- out-loud school ? " The noise from th© " spelling-outr loud schools," when in session, could be heard for half a mile. The " big scholars " — ^the privileged class Avho, on account of their superior knowledge, were allowed to " go outdoors " to " cipher " — studied Walker's Dictionary, in which only one word ("arc") ended with a "c." Arithmetic, spelled " a-r-i-t-h-m-e- t-i-c-k," was taught only to the "big scholars." The text-bodks were Pike's and Smiley's, and, later, Eay's. Girls seldom studied " arithmetick," and the boy who reached " the single ml© of three " or " th© double mle of three " — simple and compound proportion — often " stalled the teacher." This docs not apply to the early schools of the TAvelfth District alone, but to many of the schools of all the districts of the county. Samuel C. Aydelott, a stirA'eyor and a good mathe matician, taught at " the old camp ground " in 1830 ; Twelfth District. 329 James P. AIcNutt taught at Pine Branch in 1832 ; David B. Wan-en taught in this district years before the Civil AA'^ar, as did also George and Alexander Peery. The latter taught here in 1842. Dr. Carroll, of Centerville, practiced medicine on Swan Creek at an early date. He attended James Peery, Sr., during his last illness, in Febmary, 1829. Later Dr. Samuel B. Moore, of Centerville, practiced here. Dr. Pettus and Dr. H. K. Plummer at one time lived on Swan Creek. Some of the magistrates of the district were Alexan der Peery, William Duncan, Jere Harder, Eobertson AVhitesides, George Peery, Marcenus G. Peery, Pink ney Prince, J. AI. Harder, and E. D. Clark. The present incumbents are W. D. Aydelott and Esau iinderson. Some of the constables were George Har din, T. S. SouthaU, AV. A. Beakley, and J. L. Baker. One of the natural curiosities of this district is " Bat Cave," near Avhere J. AI. Bates and D. M. Dun can noAv live. Aliners in 1896 exhumed, AA'hile work ing in the phosphate mines at Fall Branch, four skele tons, of the identity of AA'hich the oldest settlers know nothing. 330 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XVI. THE THIRTEENTH DISTRICT. THE Thirteenth District is bounded on the north by the Fourth District; on the east and south, by Maury County ; and on the west, by the Second and Fifteenth Districts. It includes vrithin its botmda- ries Leatherwood Creek, Arith its tributaries — era- coy's Branch, Webb's Branch, and Adair Branch. It also includes a portion of Dog (or Cedar) Creek and Fort Cooper Hollow, these being tributaries of Lick Creek. This district was formed by the Legis lature in 1847, it being taken from the Third Dis trict The Line of 1784 mns through this distiict, as stated in preceding pages. Through this -district ran the old Chickasaw Trace, near the mouth of Leather- wood Creek was "the old Chickasaw crossing on Duck EiA'er," and through this district marched the Cold- water Expedition in 1787. Nearly every man promi nent in the pioneer history of Aliddle Tennessee set foot, before the beginning of th© present century, on the soil now included within the limits of this distrid. Alany incidents connected with the early history of this territory are mentioned in the sketch of th© Third District, of which it Avas for years a part The derivation of the name " Sugar Oreek" in this Thirteenth District. 331 district is the same as that of " Sugar Creek" in the Eighth District. On this creek, in 1820, there was located a " sugar camp." It was from this creek, which is a tributary of Dog Creek, that Malugin rushed to the home of Gee, in the Fourth District, running from imaginary Indians. On this creek is the Wild Cat Cave, also knoAvn as the " Saltpeter Cave." Its first titie comes from the fact that it was for years the den of numerous wild cats; the seoond title comes from the fact that from 1805 to 1820 salt^ p©t©r was procured from this cave and carried to Nashville. It was carried over the Natehez Trace, which runs through one corner of this district. The Natchez Trace has the same general direction as the old Chickasaw Trace, but, when it was being opened, the more easily traveled ridge was followed instead of foUoAring the old route doAvn Lick Creek and over to Leatherwood Creek. So, on the so.uth side of Duck Eiver, it followed the ridge to the head of Swan Creek instead of going OA'er to Blue Buck Creek and up Swan Creek to the head. Fort Cooper HoUoav enters the valley of Lick Creek a short distance below the location of the historic Uck vvhich gave to the creek its name. David Killough settled near the mouth of this hollow in the Fourth District, and some of his tenants lived from 1810 to 1815 near the spring at which Dr. Warren now lives. The family was named Cooper, and their log cabin was given the name " Fort Cooper " by some pio neer wag. A cabin nearer the head of the hollow was 332 History of Hickman County, Tenn. called " Campbell's Station." The upper portion of tlie hollow is noAV inhabited by a prosperous settle ment of negroes. They have a school and a church here. The patriarch of this tribe is Nathan George, Avho was bom in Alaury County in 1827, and was brought to Swan Creek in 1829 by his master, Heze kiah George. After the Civil AA^ar he came her© and bought t-AA'o hundred acres of land. Lie belongs to that fast-vanishing class, the ante-bellum negro. Some of the negroes of Hickman County who belong to this class are: AA''illiam Phillips, the preacher, of Pine Avood ; John Johnson, th© school-teacher and barber, of Centerville ; and Centerville's two veteran black smiths, Charlie Whitesides and Eobert Hombeak. All of these, Avith possibly one exceptio.n, were bom in slavery. .Along the ridge between the head of Fort Cooper Hollow and Leatiierwood Creek nms an old road opened in 1815 by Parker Tyler, the man who named Little Lot. This road Avas opened from the place later OAvned by Tarkington to AA'here it intersects the road mnning from the old lick on Lick Creek to Leatherwood Creek — the route of the old ChickasaAv Trace. Parker Tyler was one of the sons of William Tyler, Avho was one of the number of aristocratic Alarylanders who came, between 1810 and 1815, to Lick Creek, they hoping to repair in this undeveloped country their somewhat shattered fortunes. William Tyler bought the Tarkington place from Asa Shute, who had entered it in 1810. This road opened by Thirteenth District. 333 Parker Tyler connected the Maryland colony Arith the outside world. On the east side of Lick Creek, just above the mouth of l"'ort. Cooper HoUoav, Dr. Charles Smoot, one of the Alai-yland colony, located. He married Nettie Dent Tyler, a sister of Mrs. Berry, and a daughter of WiU iam Tyler. A daughter of Dr. Smoot, Ann Hinson Smoot, married Dr. James Greenfield Smith, who in 1840 OAvned the Killough place. Dr. Smith, who was bom in Alaryland in 1799, came to Greenfield's Bend, in Alaury County, below WilUamsport, in 1812. He Avas a cousin of Dr. Greenfield, who located in this bend and from whom it received its name. In 1825 he came to Hickman County and settled near Gordon's Ferry. From this place he went to the Killough place, on Lick Creek. Llis oldest son, Patrick Sims Smith, was bom on September 18, 1823. He mar ried ilartha, the daughter of Josephus EusseU. In 1S47 he went Avith AAThitfield's second company to Mexico, and in 1861 he again volunteered, going out Avith Bateman's company, the first company raised in Hickman County. In 1897 he was still Uving, although deprived of the use of an arm and a leg hy a stroke of paralysis. For his serrice in the Alexican War he receives a pension. Gracey's Branch received its name from John C. Graeey, Sr., its first settler. John C. Graeey, Sr., Avas bom on NoA'ember 25, 1808, and settled here on lands bought by his father, NcAvell Graeey, on Novem ber 24, 1822, from John 0. McLemore and John 334 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Davis. On these lands is a fine spring, at which, tra dition says, the Indians camped while traveling to and from the crossing at the mouth of Leatherwood Creek. John C. Graeey, Sr., was the father of John 0. Graeey, Jr., and of Atiantic Graeey, who married E, W. Shaffer. John C. Graeey, Sr., taught school on Leatherwood Creek in 1834, near the present site of the schoolhouse below Jones' Valley. Jesse Temple at one time lived on Gracey's Branch. He was bom in South Carolina on December 20, 1790, and married Tabitha Tinsley. In 1825 he came to what is now the Thirteenth District, and first located on the line between Hickman and Maury Counties. Here his son, the late John Loyd Temple, of the Sixth District, was born on April 18, 1825. A daughter of Jesse Temple, Airs. Edith T. Balch, lives in Kansas. John L. Temple's only brother, Jesse Marion Temple, died in June, 1862, Avhile a soldier in the Confederate Army. On May 29, 1846, John L. Temple enlisted in AVhitfield's company of the First Tennessee, and at the expiration of his term of service he again enlisted, on September 27, 1847. After his second enlistment he was seco.nd lieutenant of Company K, Third Tennessee Eegirnent. Of this company Ned Fowlkes was first lieutenant, and John W. AVhitfield was captain. AA^hile a member of the First T©imessee he acted as fifer, and during the Civil War h© per formed the same service for Hubbard's company in the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry. In the Thir teenth District lives Joshua W. Burnham, who was Thirteenth District. 335 in Whitfield's first company in the Mexican War, and in Bibb's company of the Ninth Battalion in the Civil AVar. The soldiers of the First Tennessee in the Mexican AA^ar were mustered out of service at New Orleans ; th© soldiers of the Third Tennessee, at Mem phis. Near the mouth of GraceVs Branch Uved for years Berry Jones, the father of James Jones, who lives at this place, and of Thomas .Jones, the weU-knoAvn Nash- A'ille drummer. .Above the mouth of Gracey's Branch is the store of James Greenberry Loftin, a son of Matthew Bishop Loftin. He was boi-n in Davidson County on April 7, 1834, but came to this district when young. He has several times been the constable of this district, and was at one time a candidate for sheriff. His father was bom in Virginia One-half mile farther up the creek WUliam Has sell built a mill in 1836. Near the present site of the church and schoolhouse Thomas Newcomb's miU stood. Near the present location of the store at Jones' Valley, Joe Davie's mill stood in 1830. Leatherwood Creek has had more miUs on it since 1810 than any creek of the same length in the countv. As many as four mUls have been mnning on this creek at the same time. The names of some of those who have been millers on the creek are: Jo© Dari©, Thomas New- comb, William Hassell, Peter Hanes, Vemon F. Bibb, Robert Woody, Thomas Brooks, and NeweU Johnson. At the NeweU Johnson miU three fine springs burst 336 History of Hickman County, Tenn from a cove, and, uniting, form Leatherwood Creek. The waters from these springs, confined by a stone dam, make the poAver for Johnson's miU. The lands here were first entered in 1811 by Branch, who conveyed them to Eobert Woody. Woody was bom in Orang© County, N. C, in 1806. He married Alary Brooks, who Avas bom in Kentucky in 1807. His son, Samuel Tho.mas Woody, was bom o.n March 30, 1837. He was buried at the V. F. Bibb place. Two brothers, Joseph and Eichard Davie, Avere among the earliest settlers on Leatherwood Creek. Eichard Davie lived wher© C. S. Johnson now lives. Joseph Davie built the house, later knoAvn as the " Wash. Fowlkes place," where Eobert and Thomas Woody now live. This house, Avhich is still standing, was in pioneer days used as a blockhouse. Tradition says that at the house of Eichard Davie, John A. Alur^ roll was once arrested for horse stealing. He had stopped here overnight, and in th© moming he was arrested by the pursuing posse. The Davie brothers bought lands from .Asa Shute, Avho cut his name on a tree in their line in 1811. This tree, which is still standing, is near the mouth of Gracey's Branch and near the Continental Line of 1784. Benjamin Adair, father of Col. Andrew .Adair, was an early settler on this creek, as was also Houston Cooper. Eobert A^'oody once OAVned the mill now OAvned by JPtickett, and the Y. F. Bibb lands were onee owned by Brooks. Here located an early settier, John Griffith, Amcle of James O. Griffith, once a prominent ncAVS- Thirteenth District. 337 paper man of NashviUe. A daughter of John Griffith married AViUiam H. Bratton ; another daughter, Han nah, married Joseph Davie. John Wesley Webb, who was bom in North Caro lina on January 14, 1812, eame to this district in 1840 and settled where his son, Charles S. Webb, now lives. Charles S. Webb was bom here on Mareh 9, 1847. Benjamin, Charter and Thomas Jones were the first merchants at Jones' VaUey, they selling goods her© in 1866. Col. Vemon F. Bibb, who was for yoars one of the most prominent citizens of the county, lived on Leath©rwood Creek. He was bom in Dickson County on August 24, 1816, and died in 1896. H© was sev eral times a member of the Stat© Legislature, both as a Senator and a Eepresentative. In 1861 he raised Company O of the Ninth Battalion of Tennessee Cav alry, C. S. A., and was the first captain of this com pany. The Ninth Battalion was a splendid body of men, who, as fighters and good soldiers, had no supe riors in either the Southern or Northern armies. The men from L©ath©rwood Creek and vicinity, under the l©ad©rship of Bibb and Mayberry, did, and did well, Avhatever they were called upon to do. .A good citizen and prominent man was Granrille M. Johnson, who lived on th© Dry Fork of Leather- wood Creek. The " captain's company " to which he belonged embraced the citizens of what is now the Thirteenth District as well as those of the Third and 338 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Fifteenth Districts. Each "captain's company" was entitled to two justices of th© peace selected by the Legislature. Tn 1826, at the request of his neighbors and friends, the Legislature seled:ed him as one of the magistrates of the county, and this position he filled long and well. He was the father of Jacob H. John son, Granville M. Johnson, Jr. ; Dallas Johnson, one of the present magistrates of the Thirteenth District ; and C. S. Johnson, a prominent citizen, who has sev eral times been constable of the district Jacob H. Johnson enlisted as a private in Company H, Elev enth Tennessee Infantry, the first company from Hickman County to join the Confederate Army. At the reorganization in Alay, 1862, he was elected sec ond lieutenant. A few weeks after this Gen. George W. Gordon, then lieutenant colonel commanding the regiment, was captured. Lieut "Jake" Johnson, Avith eighteen men, searching for his superior officer, came upon forty-two Federals and captured them. Some of thes© were exchanged a few days later for Gordon. When the gallant Capt. P. V. H. (Van) AVeems was promoted to be major. Lieutenant John son was promoted to th© captaincy of Company H. In the battle east of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Cap tain Johnson was killed. This was on the same day that Alaj. Van Weems was mortally wounded. Of them General Gordon says : " These were popular and daring officers, and in their fall the regiment sustained a great loss." Concerning Granville M. Johnson, Jr., Gen. George W. Gordon writes : " Granville Johnson, Thiktjsenth District. 339 lolled in battle at Chiekamauga, a mer© boy, under eighteen years of age, and when shot, said : ' TeU them at home that I died Uke a soldier.' A grapeshot broke his thigh, one minie baU passed through his breast and another shattered his hand, and the noble boy did die like a soldier." A daughter of GranviUe M. Johnson, Sr., married Thomas Spencer, a promi nent man and a good financier. He loaned money to buy©rs of Uve stock, and was th© cans© of much money being put into circulation. The father of Thomas Spencer was, it is said, kiUed in the mountains of East Tennessee. He was returning from North Carolina, where he had been to settie some unfinished business, and had Arith him a large amount of money, of which he was robbed. On the hiU just south of Jones' Valley lived the father of Joseph, James, and Thomas Meadors. He was an old settler of this vicinity. Up the East Fork (or Dry Fork) of Leatherwood Creek lived George W. Bratton, a prominent citizen. He died a few years ago. One of the pioneers of this locality was John E. Charter. Leatherwood Greek was in the pioneer days knoAvn as " No B'ar Creek," from the fact that, while found elsewhere in this section, no bears could b© found on this creek. This was told to the first settlers by th© Indians. This was found to be par ticularly true concerning the East Fork. Near wher© Cave Charter lives. Squire WUUam Anderson, in 1895, fell dead from the mule which he was riding. In 1873 WiUiam Charter was droAvned 340 History of Hickman County, Tenn. in Duck Eiver near where it is now spanned by the " LeatherAvood Bridge." James Hooten was killed about 1880 near where C. S.. Webb now lives. It was night, and Hooten -n'as overtaken by a party of young men, with some of whom he had previously quarreled. At the mouth of Leatherwood Creek lives Eichard A. Smith, who is a son of John Y. Smith. John Y. Smith married Polly, a daughter of Eichard (" Ket- tie Dick ") Anderson. She was bom on October 17, 1806. After the death of Smith she married Eich ard ("Big Dick") Anderson, her cousin, and was the mother of David H., Philander P., and John M. An derson. Her daughter, Isabella Anderson, married J. B. Cathey. Philander P. Anderson is a dtizen of the Thirteenth District He was bom on Decem ber 22, 1845. Th© land on which Smith now Uves belonged, originally to Jeremiah Harlan, a brother of Benjamin and Jacob Harlan, of Maury County. Llarlan was one of the early magistrates of the county. He sold these lands, about 1820, to Joseph Hassell. Haywood Parte© married one of Hassell's daughters in 1833 ; and William Hassell, a son of Joseph Has sell, married Clementine Partee, of Maury County. In 1855 Elias Dotson bought th© upper portion of these lands from William Hassell. Th© remaining portion was OAA'ued by Kit Hudson, who married the widow — Airs. Sanford — to whom it belonged. Hud son was a man of wealth, OAvning many slaves. Among the physicians who have practiced their pro fession in this distiict ar© Dr. Eichard Fowlkes, son Thirteenth Distriot. 341 of Wash. Fowlkes, a highly respected citizen ; and Dr. L. G. Hensley. One of the early school-teachers of the district was Thomas Smith, of Georgia In later years J. J. Keyes, of the Nashrille city schools, and E. S. Hal low, County Superintendent of Public Instmction, have taught here. One of the early preachers was that veteran of the cross, Britton Gamer. 342 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XVII. THE FOURTEENTH DISTRICT. ^V^ HE Fourteenth District is bounded on the nortii -'- by the Third and Fifteenth Districts; on the east, by Lewis County ; on the south, by the Twelfth District ; and on the west, by th© First District. This district Avas established in 1857, during Hon. J. J. AVilliams' first tenn in th© Legislature. Prior to that time the vo.ters of this district voted at Shady Grove and Centerville. After the adoption of the Constitu tion of 1834 twelve districts were established, and the three additional districts — th© Thirte©nth, Four^ teenth, and Fifteenth — ^were established later by the Legislature. The boundaries of the Fourteenth Dis trict, as given in the Act creating it, are as foUo'WS : "Beginning one-quarter of a mile from StanfiU's Mills on the AA'^illiamsport road, running, to nearest point of Swan Creek, leaving Mrs. StanfiU and John McGill in District No. 1 ; thence up said creek with its mean ders and on to the dividing ridge between Short and Fall Branches; thence with said ridge to the old Natchez road, east vrith same to. the Old WeU ; thence on a line to what is ealled the ' Eobert Totty road ' where the same intersects the WiUiamsport and Cen terville road ; thence with sam© to beginning." Later in the session the line was so changed as to indude in this district the residence of William P. Kelley. The Fourteenth District. 343 Act creating the district provided that the voting place should be at AVheat's Shop until removed by a vote of the people of the district Blue Buck Creek, the prin cipal stream of the district, is about seven miles in length, -and rises near th© Alaury and Lewis County line, flowing west into Swan Creek, which it enters near EaAvley's Chapel. Long before the early settier came, this creek was known as " Blue Buck Creek," from the fact that on this creek a hunter had killed a buck at that season of the year when its hair was of a bluish color. This creek was probably named by some member of the party running the Line of 1784. SAvan Creek was called by this party " Swan Eiver of Duck Eiver." It derived its name, as stated else- Avhere, from the killing of a swan in its waters. The derivation of the name " Ugly Creek " the principal tributary of Blue Buck Creek, is unknovm. Pickett's Branch, which flovra into Bin© Buck Creek on the north, was named for Tapley Pickett, an early -set tler. WilUam AVheat, who came from Maury County to Blue Buck Creek in 1830, lived for years near the voting place of the distrid. Charles Wheat, his son, lived on an adjoining farm, and was for several years a magistrate of this distrid. He was also at one time a constable. Jared Cotton, who Avas bom in North Carolina in 1800, came in 1835 to Blue Buck Creek, where he died in 1879. Where Will. Whitesides now lives, Isaac Farris 344 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. lived in 1839 ; but George W. McNutt was the origi nal OAvner of these lands, he having s©tti©d her© in 1817. In 1837 he r©mov©d to Northern Mississippi. His wife was Margaret, the daughter of James Peery, Sr. ; and their sons were James P., Eob©rt,- Wil©y B., Samuel, George H., and the tArins — ^William and Tilford. James P. and George H. McNutt were Cumberland Presbyterian preachers. The first settler at the place where Samuel Bond liA'es was Searcy. It was later OAvned by John McGill, who gave it to his daughter, Mary, the wife of Thompson Fowlkes. After the death of Fowlkes she married Alark Mathis. Of this place the late Jo seph Bond became the owner in 1869, and her© h© lived until his removal to th© Third District The old Chickasaw Trace crossed Blue Buck Creek near th© Bond place. This trace was originally a path made by buffaloes on their way to the sulphur lick on the John T. Overbey place on Lick Creek. Later it was the trace, used by whites and Indians, connect ing Nashville and the Chickasaw country. An early settler was William Watts, who lived at the AVheat place at th© jundur© of Ugly Cr©©k and Blue Buck Creek. Other members of the Watts family were early settiers here, and John Gibbs lived above the AVheat place as early as 1830. These fami lies have disappeared from the cotmty, leaving no pos terity here. •Jack Devore lived at the upper Wheat place in 1840. He remoA'ed to the Eleventh District, where Fourteenth District. 345 he died. He was at one time constable of the Elev enth District Alton McCaleb Uved for many years in this dis trict, and died here. He was a son of James Mc Caleb, whose father was James McCaleb, of North Carolina. Alton McCaleb, who was bom in the Third District in 1823, was for years a magistrate of the Fourteenth District, and was a prominent and influen tial citizen. He was a gallant soldier in the Civil War, being a lieutenant in th© famous Ninth Bat talion of Tennessee Cavalry, C. S. A. He was the father of th© following sons : James P., W. M., J. A., Andrew, AI. B., M. M., D. E., and Jasper McCaleb. His only daughter was Alena B©Ue McCaleb. His oldest son, James P. McCaleb, who was bom on De cember 8, 1847, is one of the magistrates of this dis trict John Skipper, the father of Samuel Skipper, set tled on Blue Buck Creek in 1830, and erected a grist miU and distiUery, two things whidi seemed to be in separable and necessary to th© comfort and happiness of the pioneers of Hickman County. At that time almost every man kept whisky at his home, stiUhouses were in every district and in almost ©v©ry neighbor hood, and whisky was sold by every man who desired, as its sale was unrestricted by law. Occasionally at that time an old man would so far forget himseK as to become a drunkard; but young men then seldom ever became intoxicated, as they do in these days of higher civilization. It was then considered disgrace- 346 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ful for them to do so. John Skipper lived and died a respected citizen, and his posterity are good citizens of this district The lands upon which James P. McCaleb lives Avere entered in 1818 by Holston. George Peery at the same time entered lands adjoining, and a portion of these he sold to Ann Watts. In 1817 James Peery, Jr., a son of the pioneer and old Eevolutionary soldier, James Peery, Sr., entered lands on Ugly Creek. On these lands he lived, and after him lived his son, Andrew Peery, the hermit of Ugly Creek. The following stories are not intended to reflect upon the character or memory of this quiet, honest, and inoffensive man, who lived and died a hermit — respected, however, by all who knew him. After the death of his father, James Peery, Jr., An drew Peery became the owner of his father's lands, and soon after commenced th© ©rection of his won derful rock house. This house was about sixteen by eighteen feet in size, and the stone of which it was built was quarried, dressed, raised, and placed in posi tion by Peery, unaided. This work occupied his time for several years, and, as his neighbors never saw him at work, the secret of how he succeeded in doing this work without assistance died Arith him. After the completion of his house he built a stone milldam about on© hundred and fifty yards in length, and then he erected a mill, at which he ground his com into meal. Occasionally, if convenient, h© would grind com for his neighbors. Th© stone for the miUdam Fourteenth District. 347 was draAvn by him to the place in a cart which he had mada The timbers were prepared in the forest and draAvn in the same manner to the place where the house was framed. After having framed it satisfac torily, he tore th© house down and removed it, piece at a time, to its permanent location near the dam. The mill, which was of the old water-wheel kind, had no " rattle staff " to shake the com from the " shoe " beneath th© hopper ; so Peery was forced to drop the com into the " eye " of the stone — that is, he would feed the miU by hand — a tedious process. Upon one occasion, William, a son of James P. McCaleb, went to the mill and was requested by Peery to feed it McCaleb commenced to feed it rapidly, and, choking, it soon came to a standstill. Peery, returning, found his miU in this condition, and gave young McCaleb a rebuke which, coming from Peery, was terrible: " William, you are a bad boy ; you have choked my mill." This was language as bitter as was ever used by this kind-hearted and sympathetic man, and noth ing but the great provocation of having his miU choked by too many grains of com would have brought from his Ups such bitter words of denunciation. Upon one occasion he found a mouse in his clothes chest Cateh- ing it, he carried it to the mouth of Fall Branch, three miles away, and there released it, unharmed, warning it, however, against again being found in his clothes chest. An opossum which he found molesting his chickens was carried beyond Swan Creek and re leased, and requested not to molest his chickens in the 348 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. future. Peery, before his mill was completed, "would not borrow his neighbor's horses to carry his com to mill, but would walk and carry it To cross the creeks, he would carry with him two light benches. He would place one of these benches in the creek, and, walking out on it, he would place th© other bendi in front of it, repeating this operation until he had reached the opposite bank. It was a slow mdhod, but he successfully carried his com across in this manner. In the yard surrounding his rock hous© he built a log house, which he used as a workshop. Here he commenced a wagon. However, when he had fin ished on© wheel he found that it was so larg© that it would not pass through the door, and he abandoned the enterprise, the wheel remaining in the house until his death. Preparing his supply of pork, he shot all of his hogs, and then remembered that h© had heated no water. LeaAdng his hogs lying on the ground, he then proceeded to heat the water. He at one time conceived the idea of SAvimming the Tennessee Eiver, and started on foot on the journey of forty miles to the river. Eeaching the river, parties to whom he told his intentions would not allow him to attempt it unless one of them accompanied him with a skiffi To this he objected, and retumed without having carried into execution his designs. He was, however, an ex pert SArimmer, and often went to Duck Eiver, five miles distant, for the purpose of bathing and swim ming. Upon one of these trips he swam to the oppo site side, and before he retumed some cattie destroyed Fourteenth District. 349 his clothing, which h© had l©ft on th© sand bar, where he entered the river. They left unmolested a sack which he had brought for us© as a towel. Open ing both ends of this sack, he utilized it as clothing, and in this garb he reached home, going through the woods and along unfrequented paths. Peery was an unceasing worker. He "pieced" two quilts, and then concluded to have a quilting, to which he invited his neighbors. Some of those present were: Mesdames James McCaleb, Alton McCaleb, Joseph AVheat, AViU iam Short, Eochell, Alex. George, Jones Totty, and Charles AVheat, the daughters of Campbell Peery, and Mr. and Airs. AVinfred Cotton. The best fami lies were present at this quilting, as all respected the peculiar old man. It was a noted quilting, weU remembered by many who were children when they were present, but are now heads of families. Some of the older ones present are yet Uving, and refer to the occasion as on© around which pleasant memories cUng. Upon this occasion some of the young ladies found his cider in a trough in his smokehouse. They discovered that it was draAvn by removing a peg from the bottom of the trough. DraAring some of it, they failed to replace the peg and the remainder was wasted. One of the quilts finished upon this occa sion was a silk quilt, made from scraps which he had been collecting for years. This quilt was afterwards entered in the contest at the CenterviUe Fair for the prize offered for fancy patehwork. It was awarded the prize, but Peery refused to receive it, giving it. 350 History of Hickman County, Tenn. instead, to an unsuccessful contestant. At th© quilt ing Peery assisted in preparing the dinner, much of which, however, he had prepared on th© previous day. Despite his peculiarities, he was a devout Christian, and as such was recognized. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and this doc trine he preached at irregular appointments. His congregations were always large, and, despite the fact that the Presbytery would not recognize him and fur nish him vrith th© necessary authority, he continued to preach whenever and wherever he desired. He would always walk to th© places where he had an nounced that he would preach. On these journeys he would always wear moccasins, made frequently from boot legs. AVith him he carried his shoes, and before reaching the church he would remove the moccasins and wear his shoes instead. He studied the Scrip tures and knew their contents. He preached stirring discourses, and often during his services shouted the praises of his Alaker. H© lived to the age of sixty- fiA'e, and died on Ugly Creek. Buried at " the old camp ground " on Swan Creek, near th© graves of his ancestors, his body has retumed to dust and his spirit to his God. Now noise and activity are A^diere once slowly moved the hermit preacher of Ugly Creek. Even th© rock house, which so long defied the ele ments, has fallen into the hands of the phosphate dealer and is, too, numbered among the things that were. At the William Simmons place Samuel Golden setr Fourteenth District. 351 tied in 1825, and lived here for several years. In 1838 Jesse Briggs bought this place. In 1830 Will iam Briggs built a mill at the place now OAvned by the A. W. Anderson heirs. William Briggs was the father of Jesse, James (" Pap "), William, and John Briggs. The late James Briggs was for years prior to his death a grocer at Centerville. John Briggs, who died recentiy in the Second District, and his brother, William Briggs, Avere for years prosperous citizens of the Seventh District, Briggs' Chapel was named either for them or their father, who was a Methodist preacher. In 1840 William Briggs, Sr., sold his lands to Joseph Campbell, who bought them for Alex. ("Biscuit") Baker and Thomas Stuart Stuart & Baker improved the Briggs saAvmill and gristmill and added a carding fadory, thus giring to the people of this section a convenience which they had not hitherto possessed. This was for years the most extensive business of the kind in the county. Aleal and flour from these mills were carried in wagons to Nashville, Franklin, Columbia, and other Aliddle Tennessee toAvns. The location of these mills is now marked by a larg© barren sand bar. Baker was a Pennsylvanian and was not accustomed to the use of com bread. His partiality to biscuits gained for him the name " Biscuit " Baker. Th© post office. Swan Bluff, named for the bluff north of this place, was established here in 1871. The first postmaster was the late John N. Smith. The post office was moved in 1892 to its present 352 History of Hickman County, Tenn. location at the mouth of Haw Branch, which is in the First District. At the latter location B. M. (" Dock ") Hutchison sold goods from 1885 to 1896, Avhen his store was purchased by Arthur I. Nixon. In 1818 ther© lived on Blu© Buck Cr©©k, Spencer Tinsley, who had no fixed place of residence. He was a man of ability, and was her© when th© land south and AVest of th© Congressional Eeservation Line (which from th© mouth of Leatherwood Creek was th© sam© as the Continontal Lin© of 1784) was vacant and could have been ©asily obtained from the United States. This h© made no attempt to do, but contented himself vrith an attempt to discover the secret of per petual motion. He was an ingenious workman, and this was th© only attempt of his ever accompanied by failure. He lived in sev©ral districts of the county, and finally died in poverty. John Williams, who settled at th© forks of Blue Buck Oreek in 1817, was one of the first settlers of the distrid. AVhere h© first settied he died at an advanced age. John Daris, his son-in-law, was a pioneer Primitive Baptist preacher, who preached in this section before churches were built As was the custom in this and other portions of th© county, he preached at th© residences of the dtizens. The pioneer preacher was ahvays a welcome guest, and the house of the pioneer was gladly surrendered to the preacher and his congregation. Upon these occasions young and old would come for miles around. They traveled on foot, as the roads Avere not well suited for Fourteenth District. 353 travel on horseback. Wagons were seldom seen then and buggies were unknoAvn. The principal wh©©led vehide was the two-wheeled ox cart and the two- A'l^heeled horse cartu In the summer many of the con gregation Avould travel to church barefooted. Some would carry their shoes, which they would put on their feet just before they arrived at the place where serrices Avere to be held. John Davis became insane and was sent to th© asylum near NashviUe. He later returned to his home on Blue Buck Creek, where he died. Eobert. Willey came to Blue Buck Creek in 1817 and located at the Alson Shelby place, where he Uved until his death, in 1862. He was droAvned in the creek wher© the water was not mor© than on© foot deep. He was one of th© first settlers of this section, settiing here when it was still in the Indian country- He assisted in the cutting away of th© cane in this valley and in th© clearing of the first lands on this creek. This was but a short distance inside the In dian country, as the line, the Natehez Trace, ran along the ridge at the head of the creek. Often friendly Indians would visit the frontier settlements here. Eobert AVilley was the* father of Moses, Andrew, and John Willey. Andrew Willey had a stillhous© from 1861 to 1863 above CraAvford's house, in a hollow, north of the Centervill© and Columbia road, in the First Distrid. Large deposits of phosphate, the value of which was not appreciated prior to 1893, are to be found in -23- 354 History of Hickman County, Tenn. this section. This phosphate has b©©n mined by different companies, Arith varying degrees of suc cess. In the pioneer days Hibbard Moor© taught school on uppor Blue Buck Creek. Samuel Erwin, who taught a ten-months' school here in the early days, was a Alissionary Baptist preacher, and he often preached on this creek. John Golden, a son of Samuel Golden, taught here about 1835. Charles AVheat was at one time a teacher on this creek, and here John Beasley was teaching in 1861. He closed his school and joined the Confederate Army. A pioneer preacher Avas the Missionary Baptist, Elijah Hanks ; another was Thomas Easco, a Primi tive Baptist Eev. Eoland Hull, of WiUiamsport, had for years prior to 1897 preach©d at " Union Church," which stands near the home of James P. McCaleb. The Alissionary Baptist Church here has a membership of sixty. Eev. W. T. Ussery, a promi nent preacher of the Missionary Baptist Church, has often preached here. Th© old Methodist church, " Eawley's Chapel," has been replaced by a new and commodious church which bears the same nam©. The church here was established in.l830. Since its organization the Fourteenth District has not had its share of county officials. E. Brown Short was an efficient deputy under the late Sheriff J. A. HarviU. John N. Smith, of this district^ was at one tim© a prominent candidate for sheriff, and in 1898 Samuel E. Bond, one of the present magistiates, made Fourteenth District. 355 a good race against two prominent and popular oppo nents — ^Robert BroAvn and J. W. EusseU. The magistrates of the district have been WiUiam Wheat, Charles AVheat, Alton McCaleb, Joseph Bond, Polk Grimes, A. B. Geoige, Samuel Bond, and James P. McCaleb. Some of the constables her© have been Charles Wheat, John N. Smith, J. W. Smithson, and J. A. Smith. From this district, as from every other district of the county, went many brave men to the Southern Army. Joseph Bond and Alton McCaleb, of this dis trict, were Heutenants in the Confederate Army. 356 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. T CHAPTER XVIII. THE FIFTEENTH DISTRICT. HE Fiftoenth District is bounded on the north by the Second Distrid, Duck Eiver being the line ; on the east, by the Third District ; on the south, by the Fourteenth Distrid; and on the west, by the Seoond and Fourteenth Districts. Until 1859, when it was created by the Legislature, its territory be longed to the Second and Third Districts. Some of the citizens were compelled to go to Little Lot to vote ; others, to Shady Grove. The County Court was sev eral times appealed to in vain for th© creation of a noAv distrid. Finally, when Hon. J. J. Williams was in the Legislature, the advocates of a new district were successful. The boundaries as fixed by the Act are as follows : " Beginning at the mouth of Buck Branch, running up said branch to the line of the Fourteenth Civil District, thence with that line west until it reaches the Totty road, and thence vrith the same and the old Greene road to the river, thence up the river to the beginning." It was enacted that th© voting place should be at or near the house of Nathaniel A^oung until the vo'ters of the district voted for its re moval to another point. As the Fifteenth District includes Anderson's Bend, a sketch of this district is almost entirely a history of the Anderson family. The pioneer An- Fifteenth District. 357 dersons were four brothers — ^David, Eobert, Eichard, and James. Their father eame from England, and Eobert And©rson had in his "possession an old-fash ioned clock made in London prior to 1600. David Anderson Uved in Bedford Coimty. H© was bom on December 29, 1772, and was the father of Joseph, WiUiam, and Eichard ("Big Dick"). Of these, only the latter came to Hickman County. He was bom on December 20, 1810, and married PoUy, the daughter of his uncle, Eichard (" Kettle Dick ") An derson. She, as heretofore stated, was the widow of J ohn Y. Smith. The sons of this marriage were Da vid H., Philander P., and John M. Andorson. A daughter, Isabella AV., married J. B. Cathey. Will iam Anderson, a son of Joseph Anderson, of Bedford County, came to Hickman County, and was one of the first two magistrates of the district. This position he held for twenty-eight years. Eobert Anderson was bom in Buncombe County, N. C, in 1774, and in 1804 he located on the north sid© of Duck Eiver in the Little Lot bend, near th© river. He afterwards sold thes© lands to LaAvson H. Nunnelly. In 1805 he came across the river and built the house wher© Mrs. Xantipp© Anderson now lives. This is probably the oldest house in Hick man County. Eobert Anderson had married Jane Shinn, daughter of Colonel Shinn, of a North Caro lina raiment in the Eevolutionary War. For this service Colonel Shinn was given by the North Caro- 358 History op Hickman County, Tenn. lina Legislature 2,500 acres of land. These lands his son-in-law, Eobert. Anderson, inherited. Eobert Anderson, in partnership with his brother, Eichard ("Kettle Dick") .Anderson, bought other warrants granted by North Carolina for services in the Eevolu tionary AVar,. and made their locations in what was, for them, named "Anderson's Bend." These loca tions were just north of the Continental Line of 1784 — the southern boundary of the Continental Eeserva tion, which extended north to th© Kentucky line. As heretofore stated, this Une ran through the yard sur rounding Eobert Anderson's house, he having settied as far south of th© river and the cane-covered bottoms as possible. This was then in the Indian country, as the Indians did not by treaty relinquish their right to land in th© Contin©ntal Eeservation south of the river until 1819. Only a f©w miles away Duck Eiver ceased to be the Indian line, as at Gordon's Ferry it turned and foUowod th© Natehez Trace. Being in the comer of the Tennessee territory yet daimed by the Indians, he was probably never molested. In this bend the brothers, Eobort and Eichard Anderson, located the fine body of land extending from Bluff Point, at the lower end of the bend, up to Boat Branch. AVhen they dirided their lands, Eichard's portion was the lower end of the bend ; Eobert's, th© upper ©nd. Th© sons of Eobert Anderson were William, Joseph, and Burton. His daughters were : Jane, who married Hooten; Elizaboth, who married Nathaniel Fifteenth District. 359 Young ; Matilda, who marriod William Walker ; and Sallie, who married Eobert Harrington, father of the late Dr. A. L. Harrington. Burton Anderson, the youngest son (bom on March 28, 1818), on account of some misunderstanding be tween himself and his father, left hom© wh©n a young man, stating that he would never retum. About thirty years later William Walker and others, on their Avay to Coltunbia, met a stranger, who was walking. - On their retum from Columbia, they overtook the same man. Entering into conversation "with him, they discovered that he was on his way to Anderson's Bend, and that he was the long-absent Burton Ander son. He had been in Texas, Missouri, and Califor nia, and, although afoot, he did not retum empty- handed. At home h© found no parents' greetings, as both Avere dead. Over their hitherto unmarked graves he placed tombstones. He married Xantippe AlcClanahan (bom on February 22, 1836), and lived at his father's old homestead, which had been be^ queathed to him by his father, provided h© ©ver re turned. He became a good citizen, and at his death was buried in the same graveyard in which rest the remains of the pioneer, Eobert Anderson. In this graveyard are buried, also, Joseph Anderson (bom on December 18, 1806), and his wife, Eoena (Baird) Anderson (bom on August 9, 1805). The first constable of this district was Nathaniel Young, who was bom on Greene's Lick Creek, Maury County, on September 16, 1807, and was in 1897 360 History of Hickman County, Tenn. the oldest man living in Hickman County. He was bom on th© 25,000-acr© tract of land given by North Carolina to Gen. Nathaniel Greene, and located by the commissioners who ran the Commissioners' Line of 1 783. This land lies south of WiUiamsport and be tAveen Bigby Creek and Duck Eiver. Benjamin Har lan and Edward Little-field lived on this tract The father of Nathaniel Young was also named " Nathan iel," and was born in South Carolina in 1777. He married his cousin, Jemima Young, who was bom in the same State in the same year. Nathaniel Young, Jr., married, as above stated, Elizabeth, a daughter of Eobert xAnderson. She was bom in 1810. Their daughter, Mary Young, married David Miller. Na thaniel Young, Sr., came to Maury County in 1805, and to the place where David Miller now lives in 1829. Since Nathaniel Young, the first constable, some of the other constables of the district have been Polk McCaleb, John E. Bates, and William Beasley. William AValker, who was one of the most success ful financiers who ever liA'ed in the county, was bom on April 8, 1806, in Northumberland County, Va., and was a son of Thomas AValker. He married Ma tilda Caroline Anderson, aa'Uo was bom on November 7, 1813. In the possession of his son, Thomas J. AA^'alker, is his well-worn Bible, printed in 1828. A son of William Walker, Hon. Leon Walker, was bom on Alay 15, 1832. He lived several years in Texas, but retiirned to his native State and county, where he died. In the House of Eepresentatives of the Thirty- Fifteenth District. 361 ninth General Assembly he represented the counties of Hickman, Perry, and Levris. Another son of William Walker, Thomas J. AValker (knoAvn as " Old Eelia- ble "), was bom on April 19, 1838. In 1874 he was elected register for Hickman County, and held this position for eight years. AVhile a private in Com pany I, Forty-second Tennessee, he lost three fingers from his left hand at the battle of Shiloh, on April 7, 1862. They were .shot awa_A' after his gun had been discharged, but before he had removed it from his shoulder. He remained in the army, and, although his Avound had not entirely healed, he went into the battle of Alurfreesboro, and on December 31, 1862, had his left arm so badly shattered that amputation Avas necessary. H© married Sarah C. Gray, who was bom on September 21, 1841. She was a daughter of Shen'od Gray, of Gray's Bend. A daughter of Will iam AValker married Dr. A. Norris, who, in partner ship Arith Dr. Eolff© Wilson, is now a physician of Centerville. Eichard Anderson, brother of Eobert Anderson, was called " Kettle Dick " on account of his being the OAvner of the valuable lands in th© Kettle Bend of Duck EiA'er, just over the line in Maury County. He Avas a AVhig, and his brother, Eobert, was a Democrat, and the discussions between these two pioneers would sometimes become very h©ated. Eichard Anderson was the father of John, David, Llenry, and Craig An derson. His daughter, Mary (or Polly), first married John Y. Smith, and then Eichard Anderson, son of 362 History of Hickman County, Tenn. David Anderson, of Bedford County. Craig Ander son married a daughter of John Willey, who was with the party that opened th© Natehez Trace. John Anderson, son of Eichard (" Kettle Dick ") Anderson, and father of Gill and Eichard AI. Ander^ son, was bom on Febmary 22, 1805. He married. Alary GiU (bom on Febmary 27, 1805), a daughter of John Gill, of Dunlap Creek. Gill was on© of the pioneers of that section, and it was at his house that the pioneer preacher, Nixon, held services. Eichard M. Anderson, son of John and Alary (Gill) xAnderson, was bom on November 24, 1808. H© mar ried Mary Jane Baker, who was bom in Philadelphia on March 6, 1834. Sh© was the daughter of Alexan der Baker, whose father, Samuel Baker, was a noted gunsmith at Baker's Cross Eoads, Pa, during the Eevolutionary War. So diligentiy did he ply his trade, and so destructive were the arms he manufac tured when in th© hands of the Continentals, that the British mad© an attempt to capture him. Being warned of their coming, he sent his entire stock of guns to the Continental Army, and was preparing to go himself when the British approached his house. It being too late to attempt an escape, his vrife hid him between the ceiling and the floor above, and the British searched for him in vain. Mrs. Baker assured the British that the arms had by this time reached the American camp ; but they, believing that Baker was concealed about the house, comm©nc©d preparations for burning it She asked for permission to remove Fifteenth District. 363 her household goods and children, and said that after this was done they could proceed. This convinced them that Baker was not there, and they w©nt away much disappointed over their failure to capture him. Mrs. Anderson's grandmother was a Bumsides, a sister of James Bumsides, the first clerk of the United States Supreme Court. Jan© Bumsides mar ried William Phillips, of Pennsylvania, and became the mother of three daughters, one of whom married John Campbell, father of the prominent laAvyer, Da vid Campb©ll. Eichard M. Anderson was on© of the first two magistrates of this district, and held this office for eighteen years — as long as he would accept it. He was succeeded by Wash. Young. H© is now postmaster at Bluff Point, named from the high point of the bluff which comes abruptly to Duck Eiver at the lower end of Anderson's Bend. This post office was established in 1855, and Isaac Perry was the first postmaster here. In 1847 Eichard M. Anderson en listed as a private in AVhitfield's second company from Hiokman County — Company K, Third Tennessee. This regiment was commanded by Col. B. F. Cheat ham, the brave Gen. Frank Cheatham of th© Civil AVar. The brigade commander was General Lane, of Missouri, who, in an address to the soldiers at Jalapa at the close of th© war, told them to remain calm and to not attempt to rush home. He told them the trip hom© would take time, and that he had as many reasons for wanting to get home as any of them, that he had eleven reasons — a wife and ten children. The 364 History of Hickman County, Tenn. retum trip was of a month's duration, Anderson's military career did not close here. While a member of Beale's company during the Civil War, he was so seriously wounded at Shiloh that h© Ayas discharged. After his discharge he lived on Eobertson's Creek above where he now lives. His father lived where Clifford Smith now lives. In th© autumn of 1863 a detachment of Michigan mounted infantry eame from Centerville and met John Anderson near Willey's stillhouse, on Swan Creek, five miles from Centerville, and took from him some private papers and money to th© amount of $1,500. He protested against this, as h© had before this taken the oath of allegiance. Among his papers there was no copy of the oath he had taken, but two of the Federals were detailed to go with him to his home in order to see if his claim was true. When he reached heme he readily pro duced the paper, which should have given him the pro tection of Federal troops. This the Federals took also, and, adding a fine horse to their booty, they started on their return to the command. Eichard AI. Anderson, learning that his aged father had been robbed, went in pursuit of the two robbers. His father was with him. They cam© up \rith th© two Federals at AVilleys stillhous© and tri©d to persuade them to retum the stolen property. Arguments finally led to anger, and one of the Federals arrested Eichard AI. Anderson, who was unarmed. The Federals and their prisoner proceeded dovm the hollow to the spring opposite the house at which Cravrford lived. Fifteenth District. 365 Here one of them dismounted and lay doAvn to drink at th© spring. In an instant Eichard Anderson was on his back, striking him heavy blows with his fist. Although taken at a disadvantage, th© Federal re gained his feet, and a stmggle for the possession of the gun ensued. The other soldier advanced with his gun presented, seeking an opportunity for shooting .A.nderson vrithout at the same time shooting his com rade. However, at this juncture the aged John An derson, from behind a near-by tree, commenced to hurl stones at this Federal Arith so much force and accuracy that he mounted his horse and retreated hastily. In th© meantime Eichard Anderson had forced his an- t8.gonist backward into a hogpen, and there gav© him such a pommeling that, deserted by his comrade, he speedily surrendered. From this Federal, who was paroled, they recovered the stolen horse and $900 of the stolen money. With the remaining $600 the other Federal escaped, and in this he did well, as Eichard .Anderson, armed vrith his prisoner's gun, was now ready for a more deadly affray. The paroled Federal went on his way on foot, inquiring as to the route to Columbia, stating, however, that he did not want to go by way of Anderson's Bend. John Gill Anderson Avas a lieutenant in Beale's company of th© Twenty- fourth Infantry. The pioneer, James Anderson, brother of Darid, Eobert, and Eichard ("Kettle Dick"), settled on Swan Creek. H© was the father of James Anderson, Jr., Avho was the father of Esau Anderson, who is at 366 History of Hickman County, Tenn. present a member of the Hickman County Court So it Arill be seen that from the four pioneer brothers — David, Eobert, Eichard, and James Anderson — ^there has sprung a numerous, prominent, and progressive posterity. The Fifteenth Distrid, unlike almost every other district of the county, consists almost entirely of level, tillable lands. Within its boundaries are only a few small branches. Boat Branch was so called for two reasons: At its mouth flatboats from up the river frequently " tied up " and remained overnight ; in addition to this, at the mouth of this branch numer ous flatboats wer© built The fine poplars of this and the Third District were much in demand by the build ers of flatboats farther down th© river and by local builders. Flatboats built here wer© floated doAvn the river to the Metal Landing for xEtna Furnace, oppo site Shipp's Bend; to the Oakland Landing, at the lower end of the Young Mayberry farm; and fre quently to Lee & Gould's landing, at the mouth of Sugar Creek, in the Eighth District In addition to this, com was shipped in these flatboats from Ander son's Bend to New Orleans. The boatmen, when they reached New Orleans, either retumed home on foot or retumed to NashviUe by steamboat and walked from Nashville. Skilled pilots in the old flatboat- ing days were Joseph Anderson, James Grimes, and Daniel Smith. Although several attempts at opening Duck Eiver for navigation by steamboats have been made, none of them hav© been attended with more Fifteenth District. 367 than temporary success. Several smaU steamers have from time to tim© raitered Duck Eiver and plowed its AA'aters near its mouth, and several have come up the river into Hickman County. One in recent years was the Mary Glees, which in 1878 came as high up as CenterviUe, In the foUovring year the James K. Shields also came to CenterviUe. Later the J. H. Eussell, built by Joseph H. EusseU above Center viUe, went down the river, but never attempted a re turn trip. In 1820 Eobert Anderson built a min on the slough near the Joseph Anderson place. Before he could reach this slough he was compeUed to cut his "way through the dense canebrake. On th© branch near his house he had a miU, probably before 1820. This branch is from this fact caUed " MiU Brandi." Buck Branch, the line between the Third and Fif- teentli Districts, derives its name from the f aefc that doAvn this branch the hunted deer would run to Duck Eiver. Deer, when weary from a chase, vriU always seek water, and there are certain routes which they f oUow. AVhen they reach a stream like Duck Eiver, they quench their thirst, and tlien, swimming into deeper water, catise the dogs to become confused in their attempt to f oUow them. Many large bucks have been kiUed on Buck Branch in their attempts to reaxjh Duck Eiver. On this branch B. B. Bates was found dead a few years ago. He was ploAring, and it is sup posed he f eU dead from his plow. As he Uved alone, someriimes spending the night at home and sometimes 368 History of Hickman County, Tenn. with his sons, his absence was not noted for sev©ral days. H©n Island, in Duck Eiver at the mouth of Buck Branch, is so named on account of a boat loaded vrith chickens haA'ing mn aground here. AVhile th© boat Avas aground the chickens were turned out of their coops on the island. In the upper portion of th© Fifteenth District lived the Binghams, Eays, Grimeses, and some others al ready mentioned in the sketch of the Third District xit the Eobert Anderson place Capt " Lam " Kelley Avould in the days before th© war often drill his com pany. Kelley afterwards stabbed and killed Tom OUison on Love's Branch, in Alaury County. He then left Hickman County and never retumed. In the lower end of Anderson's Bend, just above the high bluff which giA'cs to th© post office the name "' Bluff Point," is th© mouth of a small creek, or branch, knoAvn in the pioneer days as " Eobertson's Creek." At the spring on the west side of this creek, about two hundred yards from Polk McCaleb's resi dence, is wher© Alark Eobertson, a brother of Gen. James Eobertson, was killed in 1787. This was near the Line of 1784, and Alark Eobertson was probably at this time locating land here. Th© commissioners who laid off General Greene's land in what is now Alaury County passed through this distriot as they went several miles farther to the north to run, fifty- five miles from the southern boundary of th© State, the Commission©rs' Lin© of 1783. After the laying Fifteenth District. 369 off of Greene's land, the members of the party, the names of a number of whom are given in preceding pages, made numerous entries for themselves, rela tives, and friends, throughout th© surrounding coun try. A larg© number of these entries call for certain points in th© boundaries of General Greene's land — for Greene's Lick, for Greene's Lick Creek (Lick Creek of Hickman County being known as " Lick Creek of Duck Eiver "), and other points made noto rious by this survey. The larger portion of thes© en tries Avere within the present limits of Alaury County. Others called for points no longer points of notoriety and which cannot now be easily identified. Several, hoAvever, were Arithin the present limits of Hiokman County. In these entries the Bigby Creeks, of Maury County, are called by a variety of names, some of which are : " Tombigbee Ci-eek," " Big Tombigby," "Big Tom Bigby's Creek," "Don Bigby Creek," and " Dun Bigby's Creek." One of the entries made at this time (1783) was as follows: "John Provine, Thomas Elliott, and Samuel Hensley — In Greene County on the north side of Duck Eiver at the mouth of No Bare Creek." This was th© pioneer name of Leatherwood Creek, and this entry was made while the commissioners and guards wer© going north from Greene's land. Another entry was as follows : "An thony Bledsoe — In Greene County on the south side of Duck Eiver, beginning on th© bank of th© riv©r a small distance below the mouth of No Bear Creek and above the mouth of Lick Creek, both of which empties -24- 370 History of Hickman County, Tenn. [otc] in on the north side, and running down the river to indude a bottom vievred by Col. James Eobertson and said Bledsoe the second day after they left Gen eral Greene's land." Another entry is as foUoAvs: "Joseph Shinn — On the south side of Duck Eiver to begin on bank of river one-quarter of a mil© below th© place wher© a southern comer from the lower lick intersects th© same." Probably it Ayas whUe survey ing these and other entries made in this section in 1783 and 1784 that Mark Eobertson, in 1787, lost his life. Another entry -made at this time was as follows : "James AVhite — In Greene Cotmty on Duck Eiver, beginning about th© mouth of Lick Creek and running up both sides of the creek, including two large licks up said creek." Another was : " Thomas Hardin Perkins — In Green© County on a creek of Duck Eiver, beginning about fifty yards or more from a larg© lick formerly called ' LcAris' Lick,' but of late it is called ' Duck Eiver Lick.' " Farther dovm. the river this entry was made: "John Gray Blount — In Greene County, beginning four miles above the mouth of Pine Eiver at the mouth of a big branch." An entry in the name of Nicholas Eochester called for Duck Eiver and both sides of Beaverdam Creek. As stated elsewher©, the location of the Commissioners' Lin© of 1783 cannot now be discovered, as the report of the commissioners running it was not accepted by the North Carolina Legislature, and it, therefore, never had any legal existence. However, the party running it passed through Hickman County. This Fifteenth District. 371 was but three years after th© commencement of the settlement at "Th© Bluffs" on the Cumberland Eiver, and these men were beyond doubt the first explorers of what is now Hickman County. They named No B'^ar Creek, Pine Eiver, and other streams of the county. Lick Creek was probably named by Eobort- son's party in 1780, and possibly received its nam© as early as did Duck Eiver. At th© h©ad of Eobertson's Creek, wher© Orten and Pmett now live, a woman named Sallie Brady was buried in 1833. The first person buried here was the grandfather of John H. Anderson, in 1830. Zebulon Tarkington was one of the first settiers on this creek; and where Eichard M. Anderson now lives, one-half mile from the spring at which Eob ertson was killed, Joshua Tarking-ton lived in 1825. He lived on the Polk entry. The Polk entry, which included several hundred acres, joined th© lands of " -Kettle Dick " Anderson at the lower end of Andei^ son's Bend and included much of the land on Eobert son's Creek. John Willey, th© father-in-law of Craig Anderson, liA'ed on Eobertson's Creek in 1830, and on this account it came to be knoAvn as " Willey's Branch." In 1862, back of Anderson's Bend and opposite the mouth of Short Creek, which runsi into Duck Eiver between the mouths of Leatherwood and Lick Creeks, Caleb AIcGraw was drowned by unknown parties. He was a Federal sympathizer, and, it being alleged that he had reported to the Federals th© presence of 372 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Confederate soldiers at hom© on furloughs, he was taken to the riv©r and told to choose between drown ing and taking the oath of allegiance to the Confed erate States of America. He refused to take the oath, a rock was tied around his neck, and he was carried in a canoe to the middle of the river. He was again told to choose. He replied : "' DroAvn and b© damned ! " He was droAvned. In Anderson's Bend, years before the Ciril War, Clark D. Fowler and Lawson H. Nunnelly had a " rough - and - tumble, old - fashio.ned fight " of sudi fierc©ness that the occurrence is yet readily recalled by old citizens. Nunnelly did not swim the river in order to reach Fowler, but deliberately crossed it in a canoe, he haring made an engagement with Fowler to med him for th© purpos© of fighting him. Odium did not then attach to affairs of this kind. This was the manner in which pioneer gentiemen settled minor differences. Our Legislators. 373 CHAPTER XIX. OUR Ii'E'GISIiATORS. IN the Sixth General Assembly, which met at Knox- vUle in 1805 and again in 1806, Duncan Stewart represented, in the Senate, Montgomery, Eobertson, Dickson, and StcAvart Counties.; and Dickson and Eobertson Counties were represented in the House of Eepresentatives by Anderson Cheatham, of Eobert son County. On September 3, 1806, Senator Samp son Williams introduced a bill granting to John Gor don preemption rights in 640 acres of land on Duck EiA'er, the bill, which became a law, reciting that Gor don, " under the sanction of the United States, did make an establishment at the crossing of Duck Eiver for th© purpose of affording necessary oonvenienc© to trav©lers on th© route from NashviUe to Natehez." Gordon had, prior to 1795, been engaged in furnishing supplies to the soldiers of the government on duty in Tennessee, he furnishing supplies 'to th© party, under Captain Butler and Lieutenant Gaines, engaged in opening the Natchez Trace. After this party had completed their work, Gordon, with the consent of the goA'emment, opened, a trading post at the place where the trace crossed Duck Eiver. Her© h© had a ferry and stand — that is, an inn. He Arisely selected as his partner the Chickasaw chief, Gen. William Colbert. 374 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Colbert, in retum for his friendly attitude toward the whites, bore a major g©n©ral's commission. Th© con tract betAveen Gordon and Colbert was made on Feb ruary 14, 1804, and was vritnessed by James Eobert son, Andrew Jackson, John McNairy, and William T. Lewis. Colbert agreed to place in the possession of Gordon all of the property left at this point by the United States troops and to protect all property brought from Nashrille by Gordon, Gordon was given the privilege of clearing and cultivating as much land as he thought necessary, and this privilege was to be his during his lifetime, and was to descend to his son, John, who was to continue th© partnership vrith Colbert's son, Jamison. In retum for these conces sions, Gordon was to furnish all necessary supplies and was to employ a bookke©p©r and manager. The net profits were to be equally divided. This con- tiact was read to Colbert by an interpreter. Gor don's bookkeepers and managers, under this contract, were: Smith Ogilve©, from February 15 to Jun© 16, 1804; • Dromgoole, from June 17 to December 1, 1804; and Thomas H. Benton (" Old Bullion"), from December 1, 1804, to Alay 20, 1805. In 1806, as above stated, Gordon was granted preemption rights in the lands around Gordon's Ferry. At this time, in each county the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sesr- sions, composed of the justices of th© peac© of the county, had criminal and civil jurisdictio.n to about the extent of the Circuit Courts and Chancery Courts of the present day. In addition to this, the Court of Our Legislators. 375 Pleas and Quarter Sessions had about the sam© func tions as th© County Court of to-day. Appeals from this court wer© taken to the Superior Court of Law and Equity for the district, this court differing from the Supreme Court of to-day to the extent that trials were had by judge and jury. Th© jurors for this court wore selected by the courts of the several coun ties composing the district In 1806 the counties of Stewart, Dickson, Eobertson, and Montgomery were formed into the Eobertson District, th© court for which was held at Clarksville. At Clarksvill© was erected the jail for the district. The Seventh G©n©ral Assembly met at Knoxville in 1807. Parry W. LIumphreys was Senator from the counties of Eobertson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Stewart ; and Anderson Cheatham was^ again in the House of Eepresentatives. On Wednesday, Novem ber 11, 1807, there was presented " the petition of a number of citizens' of Duck Eiver praying to have a neAV county laid off." This petition was referred to the " Committee on Propositions and Grievances." Senator Nicholas T. Perkins, of Williamson County, chairman of this committee, reported on Saturday, November 14, that " the petition of sundry inhabitr ants of Duck Eiver to the south part of Dickson, praying to have a new county laid off, is reasonable." This report was read, concurred in, and sent to the House. On Monday, November 23, Senator Hum phreys introduced a bill, entitled "An Act to reduce the present limits of Dickson County, and to form a 376 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. • ncAV county to the south of th© same." This bill was on this da,te read the first time, passed, and sent to th© House. On Wednesday, November 25, it was rec/eived from th© Hous©, read, and, on motion of Senator Eobert- Weakley, of Davidson County, Arith- draAvn by him for amendment. On the foUovring day it was retumed with amendments and was read, pass©d as am©nded, and sent to the House. On Mon day, November 30, it was again received from the House, read the third time, passed, and retumed to the House. On Thursday, December 3, 1807, it was reported as being correctly engrossed by Hugh Law- son White, chairman of th© " Committee on Engrossed Bills." On this day Senator Humphreys "was elected by the Legislature as one of the judges of the Superior Court. The Ad creating Hickman County, after giving its boundaries, provided that the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions should meet on the first Mon days of January, April, July, and October, at th© hous© of William Joslin, on Pin© Eiv©r. The jus tices of th© peace for Hickman County, they to com pos© this court, wer© appointed by the Legislature, and were: Thomas Pdty, AVilliam AVilson, James Miller, Eobert Dunning, and Alexander Gray. This court at its first session elected William Wilson chair man. AVilson was th© fath©r of the first white child bom within the limits of what is now Hickman County. This was Jane Wilson (bom on Decem ber 27, 1806). This court elected WiUiam PhiUips sheriff ; John Easley, trustee ; Bartholomew G. SteA\^ Our Legislators. 377 art, register; Joseph Lynn, ranger; and WilUam Stone, clerk of the court. The lands upon which Jackson, West Tennessee, noAv stands were originally OAvned by B. G. Stewart and Joseph Lynn. It was provided in the Ad that the elections for Govemor, members of Congress, members of th© Legislature, and presidential electors should be held at the place for holding court, and that the sheriff of Hickman County should on the foUoAring day me©t th© sh©riff of Dickson County at Charlotte and canvass th© re turns with him. The vote for Eepresentative was to be added to the vote of the counties of Eobertson and Dickson. Hickman County was made a part of the Eobertson District, and was entitied to send two jurors to th© Sup©rior Court, held at Clarksville. B©fore the adjournment of the Legislature the time for hold ing courts in Hickman County was changed from the first Alondays to the third Mondays of January, April, July, and October. It was also prorided that there should be held in Hickman County, in the foUoAring Alay, an election for regimental officers, th© county being ©ntitied to one regiment of militia with one colo nel and two majors. At this election John Holland. was elected lieutenant colonel; Joseph Wilson and Joseph, Inman, majors. Hickman County was made a part of the Fifth Electoral District Th© Eighth G©neral Assembly met at Knoxville in 1809. John Shelby, of Alontgomery County, was Senator for the district composed of th© counties of Stewart, Dickson, Hickman, Eobertson, and Mont^ 378 History of Hickman County, Tenn. gomery. John Coloman, of Dickson County, repre sented in the Hous© of Eepresentatives th© counties of Eobertson, Dickson, and Hickman. Thomas H. Ben ton was chairman of th© Senate " Committee of En grossed Bills." The place for holding r©gim©ntal musters in Hickman County was fixed at the place for holding court. By this Legislatur©, Circuit Courts wer© established, and th© State was divided into five judicial drouits, the counties of Montgomery, Dick son, Hickman, Humphreys, Stewart, and Eobertson composing the Fifth District For this circuit Parry AV. Humphreys was elected judge by the Legislature, and George W. L. Marr was elected solicitor general. A Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals was created, and this system took the place of that which had hither to existed. On October 5, 1809, Senator Shelby pre sented the tax aggregate of Hiokman County for 1808. This statement, made and signed by " William Stone, Clerk Hickman County Court," was as follows : "An Aggregate Amount of th© Taxable Property of Hick man County, 1808—36,807 acres of Land, 71 doUs. ; 167 white polls, 20 doUs. and 87 ds. and 5 mills; 72 black polls, 18 dolls. ; 7 stud horses, 18 do'lls. ; 1 tavern license, 5 dolls. ; 1 laAvsuit, 67 cts. and 5 mills; Tax on Eegistratio.n of 3,665 acres, of Land, 3 dolls, and 36 cts. and 5 mills." The lawsuit wasi the case of Compton vs. Peery, referred to in preceding pages. On October 18 a bill establishing a permanent seat of justice for Hickman County was reported as correctiy engrossed. Th© tovm selected as the seat of justice Our Legislators. 379 Avas to bear the name " Vemon." The Act provided that an election should be held in the county of Hick man on the first Monday of March, 1810, for the pur pos© of naming fiv© commissioners who AVer© to fix th© location of th© county s©at A record of this elec tion is not now in existence, but th© commissioners were chosen and they selected the present site of A^ernon. On November 22 a county academy for Hickman County was established, Arith the foUoAring trustees: James Barr, Hugh Eoss, William WUson, John Holland, John AlcCaleb, Alexander Gray, and AVilliam Ward. This Avas Johnson Academy. The teacher was John Y. Peyton, Vernon's first school teacher. For a seat in the Senate of this Legis lature, the veteran Sampson Williams was defeated by Thomas K. Harris, from the counties of Smith, Jackson, Overton, White, Warren, and Franklin. Williams contested and many depositions were filed, but Harris was given the seat. Th© first session of the Ninth General Assembly met at I^noxville in 1811. Eobertson, Montgomery, Stewart, Dickson, Hickman, and Humphreys Co.un- ties Avere represented in the Senate by James B. Eeynolds, of Clarksville; and th© county seat of Humphreys County, established during this session, was named " Eeynoldsburg " in his honor. Eob ertson, Dickson, and Hickman Counties were repre sented in the House by Sterling Brewer, of Dickson. In the Senate were NeAvton Cannon and Eobort 0. Foster ; also Sampson Williams, who had been vindi- 380 History of Hickman County, Tenn. cated by an appeal to the people. Land warrants were ordered issued to John Eains., Thomas Brandon, and the heirs of Eichard Shaffer. Eains had been a hunter; Shaffer, a chain carrier; and Brandon, a guard, in mnning the Continental Line of 1784. While these men Avere vrith one of the parties run ning this line, it is not knoAvn whether they wer© with th© party that w©nt west from Alount Pisgah and through Hickman County, or with the party that went east from that point. Shaffer was one of the men with Hickman at th© time of the latter's death, and was himself later slain by Indians. Eains was the celebrated Capt. John Eains, grandfather of J. H. Eains, of the Eighth Distrid of Hickman County. The second session of this Assembly met at Nashville on September 7, 1812, this being th© first session to meet at Nashville. By a communication from the clerk of the Hickman County Court, giving the num ber of captain's companies in the county, the atten tion of the Legislature was directed to th© fad that Hickman County had not its quota of justices of the peace. The Legislature, therefore, appointed two ad ditional magistrates — Thomas Porter and Jess© G. Christian. Sine© 1803 the State had been diA'ided into three congressional districts. One of these, the Mero District — ^a perpetuation of the old name " Miro " — included Dickson County, and later Hickman County. It had been represented by AVilliam Dickson (two terms), Jesse Wharton, Eobert Weakley, and Felix Grundy. Th© State by this Legislatur© was divided Our Legislators. 381 into six congressional districts, the Sixth District being composed of the countias of Eobertson, Alont gomery, Dickson, Humphreys, Hickman, StcAvart, Alaury, and Giles. Its first representative in Con gress was Judge Pan-y W. Humphreys, of Montgom ery County. The Tenth General Assembly met at Nashville on September 21, 1813. No journals of this General Assembly can b© found in th© archives of the State, and it is, therefore, impossible to give the names of Hickman County's Senator and E©pr©sentative. Prior to this time the voting place for the county had been at the house of Eobert Joslin, near the present site of Pinewood, and later at Vemon. By this Legis lature a second voting place was established " at the house of Zebulon Hassell on Lick Ci-eek of Duck Eiver." Th© penalty for voting at both places during the same election was a fine of ten dollars. Alexander Gray and Garrett Lane, of Hickman County; and Eobert Llill, WiUiam Cathey, and William Stockard, of Alaury County, were mad© a commission to open Duck Eivor for navigation from Gordon's Forry to the mouth. They wer© to receive as funds for the carrying on of this work $1,050 from th© commission ers of the toAvn of Columbia. This was to be supple mented by the County Court of Hickman County raising by taxation $110 during the years 1814 and 1815. The time for holding court in Hickman County was changed to the seoond Mondays of February, May, August, and November. 382 History of Hickman County, Tenn. The Eleventh General Assembly met at NashviUe on September 18, 1815. The Senator for Eobertson, Hickman, and Dickson Counties was Eobert West; the Eepresentative from Dickson and Hickman Coun ties, William Easley. Easley was the first Hickman Countian to hold a seat in th© State Legislatur©. In the Senate was Adam Huntsman, of Overton County, who emigrated to West Tennessee in after years and defeated David Crockett in a race for Congress. An other voting place was established in Hickman County at the house of CraAvford GoodArin, on Tumbling Creek. This territory was then a part of Hickman County, and here lived B. G. Stewart, Hickman County's first register. Several of th© ©arly magis trates of the county wore also from this section. A^otcrs v^ho presented thems©ly©s at th© hous© of Goodwin were to swear that they had not alrea.dy' voted at either of the other voting places. Failing to SAvear this, they wer© not to b© permitted to vote. This law also governed the election at th© other two places. David EoUing, of Humphreys Cotmty, who, while going up the Tennessee Eiver in a boat in 1808, had been shot by Indians " through both thighs and in the left knee, through both arms and in several places in th© body, hitting him with eleven bullets, som© of which remain," was allowed to conduct " an ordinary or house of entertainment " in Humphreys County Arithout paying license therefor. He was also allowed to " hawk and peddle spirituous Uquors " in the counties of Humphreys, Stewart, and Hickman, Our Legislators. 383 PubUc inspections of tobacco, hemp, flour, lard, bu1> ter, and other articles intended for exportation were established for Hickman County. The AVarehouses at which they were to be deposited to be examined by the inspector were authorized estabUshed " at or near the mouth of Lick Creek" and "at Joseph Ship's [Josiah Shipp's] in Ship's Bend." Here in 1811 th© pio- neer, Josiah Shipp, had erected the first cotton gin in the county. Th© militia of Hickman County was constituted the Thirty-sixth Eegiment and attached to th© Sixth Brigade. Th© Tvrolfth General Assembly met at Knoxrille on September 15, 1817. Senator Sterling Brewer, of Dickson County, represented Eobertson, Dickson, and Hickman Counties. In the House was WiUiam Ea.sley, who represented the counties of Dickson and Hickman. In the Senate were John Bell and Hugh LaAvson AVhite. Ten solicitorial districts were estab lished, the Ninth Distrid being composed of Giles, Alaury, LaAvrenc©, and Hickman Counties. For this district Eobert L. Cobbs was elected solicitor-general. LaAvrence and Wayne Counties wer© established, they being composed, in part, of territory taken from Hick- . man County. The Supreme Court for the Fifth Cir cuit was removed from Olarksrille to Charlotte. The commissioners already appointed by the Circuit Court of Hickman County to divide the "lands in this county of Asa Shute, deceased, were empowered to diride all of his lands in the State. The ranger of Hickman County was authorized to pubUsh notices of estrays in 384 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ncAvspapers of either Columbia or Nashrille. It was made lawful for the justices of Hickman County, if a majority so desired, to levy a tax to provide for additional cO'inpensation of jurors. This compensa tion, hoAvever, was not to exceed fifty cents per day. The time for holding the Circuit Court of Hickman County was fixed as follows : First Mondays in March and September. The County Court was required to meet on the second Alondays in January, April, July, and October, and to remain in session for one week. An election pla,ce was established " at David WUl- iams' on Beaver Dam Creek." . Eobert Murray and John BroAvn were appointed notaries public for Hick man County. The Thirteenth General .Assembly convened at Mur freesboro on September 20, 1819. The senatorial dis trict, composed of Eobertson, Dickson, and Hickman Counties, was represented by Sterling Brevrer, who resigned and was succeeded by James E. AIcAIeans. AIcMeans was a lavpyer who lived at Axemen, and later at Centendlle. He married the widow of Captain Porter, of Vernon. He removed from Centerrille to Paris, West Tennessee. Airs. Porter was the sister of th© wife of John G. Easley, who for several years conducted a hotel at Centerville. She was the mother of Mrs. Paralee Haskell, AA^'ho from 1871 to 1881 was State Librarian. Dickson and Hickman Counties Avere represented in the House of E©pr©sentatiyes by Eobert E. C. Dougherty. Eobert W©akl©y was sp©aker of the Senate; and James K. Polk, clerk. Our Legislators. 385 Felix Grundy represented Davidson County in th© Hous©. An Act was passed for the relief of Eobert Murray, who had obtained retail merchants' Ucense in WiUiamson County and had removed to Vemon before the expiration of .the license. He was aUoAved to continue seUing in Hickman County under his WiU iamson County Ucense. Perry County was estah- lished at this session. David Lowe, Joel Walker, John T. Primm, and Joseph Lynn were appointed commissioners to have run and marked the lines of the county of Hickman for the purpose of reducing it to its constitutional limits of 625 square mU©s. After haAdng had the line run as prescribed in the Act of 1807, they were to ascertain the center of th© county, and, if the place proved to be a suitable location, they wer© to buy not less than fifty acres for the purpose of laying out a toAvn thereon, this to b© th© s©at of justice for the county. If the exad center proved to b© an unsuitable location, they were to select a suitable location near the center. It was provided that noth ing in th© Act should be construed as preventing the commissioners from selecting Vemon as the seat of justice, if, in their opinion, it was th© n©arest and" most convenient place to the center. Th© compon- sation of the commissioners was to b© fi:xed by the Coimty Court. The compensation of the surveyor was fixed by the Act at two dollars and fifty cents per day. It was further enacted that the Une between Hickman and Dickson Coimties, run by WilUam B. Eoss, remain unchanged. The town directed to be -25- 386 History of Hickman County, Tenn. laid off was to be named " Canton." Provisions were made for the removal of records and public business from Vernon to Canton whenever the completion of the public buildings in th© latter toAvn were certified to by th© commissioners. In the event that th© com missioners could not agree as to th© location of the seat of justice. Col. Eobert Weakl©y, of DaAddson County; Maj. James Fentress, of Montgomery Coun ty ; and Col. Archer Cheatham, of Eobertson County, Avere appointed as umpires. An Act was passed for the relief of Amos Johnston, who had laid his land warrant on both sides of Duck Eiver at th© mouth of Pin© Eiver, a portion of this land being Arithin the Indian boundary. Eli B. Hombeak and Garrett Lane were appointed notaries public for Hickman County. The time for holding the courts of Hickman County Avas fixed as follows: Circuit Court — Second Mon days in March and September; County Court — Third Alondays iji January, April, July, and October. On November 25, 1819, Eobert E. C. Dougherty was elected surveyor general of the Twelfth Surv©yor's District, and on the foUovring day he resigned his seat in th© Legislature. His bondsmen wer© Hugh Hill, W. Malugin, James Hicks, John Stodcard, John K. Campbell, Felix Grundy, and George Kinzer. The second session of this General .Assembly convened on May 15, 1820, Arith William Easley as the successor of Eobert E. C. Dougherty. Eepresentative Easley introduced a bill to divorce John Hulett and vrife, and to divorce Sarah Capps from her husband. At Our Legislators. 387 that time the Legislature alone had th© powor to grant divorces. The Fourteenth General Assembly convened at Murfreesboro on September 17, 1821. James K. Polk AVas again clerk of the Senate. Llickman, La,w- rence, AVayne, and Hardin Counties were represented in the Senate by Dr. Joel Walker. In the House of E©pr©sentatiyes, Hiclanan and LaAvrence Counties Avere represented by David Crockett, the famous bear hunter and pioneer politician, who afterwards lost his life at the Alamo. It is related that during this ses sion Crockett engaged in a heated debate vrith a col league. He was being worsted in th© war of Avords, when he rushed at his antagonist. He grasped his collar, when the entire false front of his shirt, came loose. Crockett then seemed satisfied, and carried this token of victory back with him to his seat. Will iam Hall, Aaron V. BroAvn, and Felix Gnindy Avere ni©mb©rs of this Assembly. It appearing that Eich ard Campbell, of Hiokman County, had exhausted his funds in the building of a gristmill, and was, there fore, unabl© to buy the land upon Avhich it was erected, it AA'as made unlaAvful for any person, save Campbell, to enter or obtain a title to the fifty acres of land, having the mill for a center, for one year. Henry Hardin, Edward Nunnellee, David Curry, and James AIcNeilly were appointed commissioners for the pur pose of running the county lines of Hickman County, finding th© center of the county, ete., having pra,c- tically the same duties to perform and the sam© powers 388 History of Hickman County, Tenn. as the commissioners appointed at the previous session of th© Legislature. The town which they were to lay out AVas, however, given the name " CenterviUe." Provisions were made for the removal of th© public business, records, etc., to Centerville. William Eas ley, William Phillips, and Charles Bowen, of Hick man County, were appointed umpires to aid in the selection of a location for the seat of justice for Perry County. The musty records of the second session of this General Assembly, which met in 1822, convey a faint idea of the bitter fight which was then bdng waged in Hi don an County over the removal of the county seat. The commissioners appointed at the previous session, or a part of them, had sdeoted the present site of Centerville as the place for the perma nent seat of justice for th© county, and the toAvn was already being built on th© forty-six acres donated by John 0. McLemore and the fifteen acres donated by Charles Stewart The Centerville faction of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions h©ld court at Centerrille on the second Monday in July, 1822; while the Vemon faction held court at Vemon on the sam© day. On July 31 Eepresentative Darid Crockett presented a petition to th© Legislature from members of the Hickman County Court praying that the seat of justice remain at Vernon. This was sup plemented by " a petition from citizens liring north of the Hickman County Une asking to be annexed to said County." This was an attempt to throw the cen- t©r of the county farther north ; but this was countei^ Our Legislators. 389 acted by a like petition from dtizens living south of th.© line, presented on August 5 by Senator Walk©r. One Aveek later Eepresentative Crockett presented a " petition of sundry citizens of Vemon asking that said town may continue the seat of justice." On August 17 an Act was passed to th© effect that " aU the tract of countiy lying north of th© foUovring described bounds shall remain a part of Hickman County: Beginning on th© southeast comer of the Hickman Countj' line on the old Natchez Eoad, run ning with this road to Griner's Old Stand, thence eastwardly on top of ridge between head waters of Swan and Buffalo, extending on Arith said ridge be tween th© head waters of Cane Creek and Trace Creek (of Lawrence County), so as to include Eaccoon Creek in Hickman County, to the east boundary line of Perry County, thenc© north Arith Perry County line to the northwest comer of Hickman County." This fixed beyond controversy the true boundaries of the county, and James Young and WUliam Carothers, Sr. (uncle of WiUiam H. Carothers), wer© added to tlie commission, appointed at the previous session, to determine the center of th© county and establish a per manent seat of justice. It was provided that, in the event of a tie vote, the County Court was to elect another member to give the casting vote. The loss of county records by fire during the Civil War leaves no records showing whether the commission agreed, or whether the battle was finished at a s©ssion of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. Vernon, how- 390 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. ever, gained a temporary A'ictory by th© Act of August 22, which, while it legalized the acts of both the court held at Centerville during July and that held at Ver non, provided that processes from the court, at Center ville should be returnable to Vemon, which was to remain the county seat pending the action of th© com missioners. Senator Walker presented the petition of James Peery. It stated that he had placed his warrant on lands already entered, and at the end of a long laAvsuit had lost them too late to make applica tion to the commissioners of AV^est Tennessee for an other location. He asked that provision be made for him to have other lands. . Hickman, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Montgomery, and Eobertson Coun ties were constituted the Eighth Congressional Dis^ trict. In the Fifteenth General Assembly, which convened at Murfreesboro on September 15, 1823, Hickman County was represented in the Senate by Thomas Williamson, this county then being in a senatorial district with LaAVrence, Wayne, Hardin, Aladison, and Shelby Counties. In the House of Eepresentatives it was represented by William Crisp, of LaAvrence County. William B. Carter, Aaron A''. BroAvn, Will iam HaU, Felix Grundy, and James K. Polk were members of this General Assembly, as was also Darid Crockett, who at this time represented Humphreys, Perry, and eight West Tennessee counties. Eobert Weakley, who was with Edwin Llickman at th© time of th© latter's death near Centerville, was speaker of Our Legislators. 391 th© Senate. Eobert L. Caruthers, who in 1863 was elected Governor of Tennessee, was clerk of the Hous© of Eepres©nta.t.ives'. Andrew Jackson was elected United States Senator. Th© counties of Alontgomery, Eobertson, Stewart, Dickson, Hum phreys, and Hickman wer© formed into the Tenth El©ctoral District Eichard (" Kctti© Dick.") An derson was authorized to build a fish dam and trap across Duck Eiver. The commissioners for establish ing a seat of justice for th© county of Hickman were authorized to sell the jail and courthouse at Vemon to the highest bidder, on a credit of twelve months. Edward Nunnelle©, James Young, Jonathan J. Stan fiU, Eobert Anderson, and Eli Hombeak were ap pointed p©rman©iit commisisioners of th© town of C©n- terville, and were authorized to sell the unsold lots of the town, the proceeds of these sales to be used in pay ing for the building of a courthouse, prison, and stocks. In the deed made by AIcLemore and Stewart to the commissioners of the town of Centervill© the name of Hornbeak does not appear, and th© following are added to this list : Henry Hardin, Benjamin Coleman, William Carothers, and Joel Smith. They were fur ther authorized to let contracts for the building of a courtiiouse, prison, and stocks, and to superintend the erection thereof. Should the sales of th© lots not produce an amount suffid©nt for their erection, the County Court was authorized to raise the remain der by taxation. It was further enacted that the County Court and Circuit Court, of Hiokman County 392 History of Hickman County, Tenn. be in the future held at CenterviUe. All Acts incor porating th© toAvn of Vemon were repealed, and it was provided that thereafter owners of lots in Vemon should " pay tax©s as for othor lands, and not as for toAvn lots." Centerville had won ! Dr. Samuel Se bastian, who had sucoe^ed William Stone as clerk of the County Court, came to Centervill© and was its first physician. Canty Nixon was Centerrille^s first school-teacher, he teaching here in 1824. Dr. Joel Walker was the first postmaster. By this Legislature Eobert Sheegog was made entry taker for Hickman County; and James Weatherspoon, surveyor. Law rence County was authorized to pay George Peeiy for surveying that county. A bill to incorporate Center viUe was laid on the table. Eobert E. C. Dougherty was appointed one of the commissioners of the tovm of Ohristmasrille, which was to be laid off on th© bank of th© Tennessee Eiver opposite Perryville. The sec^ ond session of this General Assembly met in 1824. Montgomery, Eobertson, Stewart, Dickson, Hum- phr©ys, and Hickman Counties were constituted the Tenth Electoral Distrid, and the returning officers of this district were required to meet at Charlotte to can vass the vote for President and Vice President Per mission was given for an independent mUitia company to be raised at Cent©rvill©. This company was the C©nterrille Domestic Blues, and its first officers Avere: Llenry Nixon, captain ; Samuel D. McLaughlin, Ueu- tenant; and Daris H. Morgan, ensign. Th© sheriff and ranger of Hickman County were required to pub- Our Legislators. 393 lish their official notices in some Columbia new&papcr. At this session the bill to incorporate Centervill© be came a law. J. D. Easley was Centerville's first mayor. The Sixteenth G©n©ral Ass©mbly met at Murfrees boro on September 19, 1825. The second session met at Nashville on October 16, 1826, Hickman, Law rence, AVayne, Hardin, McNairy, Hardeman, Fay- ©tt©, Shelby, Dyer, Tipton, Haywood, and Madison Counties were represented in the Senate by Dr. Joel Walker. Dr. Walker had been an ardent worker for the removal of the county seat to Centerrille, and was., therefore, opposed by Eobert Alurray, of Vemon, who was a candidate for Senator. Murray was' probably assisted in his race by David Crockett, who now lived in West Tennessee, and who had opposed Walker in til© county-seatrremoval fight. Alurray was an Irish man, and was a merchant and the postmaster at Ver non at the time of the removal of tiie county seat. His brother, Francis P. Murray, also lived at Vemon ; and a brother-in-law, AKred Eutherford, was buried in 1819 on the farm ovmed by th© late W. F. Mays. So close was the race between Walker and Murray and so large the districti — extending to Alabama and Alississippi on th© south, and to the Mississippi Eiver on the west — ^that it was many weeks after th© ©l©otion before the final result was loioAvn. Eetums from one West Tennessee county would place Murray in the lead; returns from another would give th© l©ad to Walker. Dr. Walker won, and learned of his ©lee- 394 History of Hickman County, Tenn. tion just in time to take his seat In the House of Eepresentatives, Hickman and Lawrence Counties were represented by William M. Crisp, of the latter county. On October 26, 1825, "th© resigna.tion of James AVeatherspoon, county surveyor of Hickman County, was road and accepted, and on Octobor 28 G©orge Peery was elected to succeed him. The report of Samuel Sebastian, clerk of the Hickman County Court, for the years 1821, 1822, 1823, and 1825, was presented. The third Saturday in September was fixed as the muster day for th© Hiokman County miU- tia — Thirty-sixth Eegiment Eli Hornbeak, Samuel Sebastian, James Scott, Henry Nixon, and Alex ander Gray wer© appointed trustees of CenterriUe Academy. The second session of this General Assem bly met in 1826. A fifty-acre tract of land entered by Horatio Clagett and donated to the Methodist Church, induding " Mount Pleasant church house," was exempted from taxation. William Phillips, late sheriff of the county, was allowed the further time of two years to collect arrearages of taxes du© him. Acts Avere passed providing for the adjudication of land claims of Eobert E. 0. Dougherty, Eeuben AlcClaren, Daniel AlcClaren, and Joseph Port,er. William On- stot was " allowed to make void an entry for twenty acres lying on Blew Buck Creek in Hickman County," and to reenter sam© on any vacant land in surv©yor's district. In th© proc©©dings of the Senate for No vember 22, 1826, is th© following entry: " E©c©ived from the House of Eepresentatives: A Bill to. ascer- Our Legislators. 395 tain at what age a man becomes a bachelor and to in crease the revenue of th© State. Mr. Walker moved to lay said bill on the table for the same number of years that a man must liv© to b© denominated a bache lor under the provisions of the biU — to-wit, thirty years. And th© qu©stion thereon was taken and de termined in th© affirmative unanimously. And so said bill was ordered .to lie on th© tabl© for thirty years." In 1826 Jess© Sparks, elected by th© Hick man County Court, was commissioned as coroner for Hickman County. The Seventeenth General Assembly met at Nash ville on September 17, 1827. WilUam Hall, who be fore the expiration of his tenn became Govemor by the resignation of Gov. Samuel Houston, was speaker of the Senate, of which Dr. Joel Walker, of Hickman County, was again a member. The record does not con tain the name of Hickman County's Eepresentative. Hugh Lawson-White was reelected United States Sen ator. Bedford, Maury, and Hickman Counties were constituted the Ninth Electoral District. The sheriff of Hickman County was authorized to advertise sales in newspapers published either in NashviUe or Co ltunbia It appearing that Sheriff Gabriel Faulx (Fowlkes) had advertised a tax sale on Sunday, and was thereby prevented from eoUecting delinquent taxes for the years 1824 and 1825, he was authorized to readvertise. Spencer Tinsley was given the right of occupancy where he liyed and where he had built a mUl " in Hickman County on Indian Creek." He 396 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. was to continue in possession of not mor© than 160 acres until these lands were finally disposed of by the United States. William Beakley, who had established a tannery (location not given), and Eobert Wright, who had built a mill " on Cane Oreek," were given the same privileges. Eobert E. C. Dougherty, of CarroU County, was allowed to lay off a tOAvn on his lands. This toAvn was to be named " OarroUton." Dough erty, after his election as surveyor general, had re moved from Lick Croek to West Tennessee. Th© Eighteenth General Assembly met at Nash viUe on September 21, 1829. Dr. Joel Walker, Sen ator from the counties of Hickman, LaAvrence, Wayne, Hardin, and Perry, was elected speaker of the Senate without a dissenting vote. This was just five months after Hall, by virtue of his ho.lding this office, had become Governor, and th© fact that they might be selecting a Govemor of Tennessee was plainly before the Senators when they voted unanimously for Hick man County's distinguished dtizen. Son of the pio neer, Allan Walker, Joel Walker was th© first and only Llickman Countian who was ever speaker of the Senate. A brother. Pleasant Walk©r, was for four years the sheriff of Hickman County, and relinquished this office for that of Eepresentativ©, which h© fiUed for five consecutiy© terms, he being the only man whom Hickman Countians ever so honored. Another brother was that legal giant — a great laAvyer among great laAvyers — Elijah Walker, who was for fifteen years a cireuit judge. In the House of Eepreseinta- Our Legislators. 397 fives of this General Assembly was Boiling Gordon, representing Hickman and Dickson Counties, This Assembly passed an Ad providing for the estabUsh- ment of a penitentiary, and another providing for the establishment of a uniform system of public schools. Articles of impeachment were presented against Judge Joshua Haskell. One of the charges was that during the trial of Georg© W. Garrett at CenterviU© in Sep tember, 1828, Judge Haskell was " sometimes out of the courthouse, out of sight and out of hearing of the same." The Nineteenth General Assembly met at Nadiville on September 19, 1831. WUliam Daris represented in the Senate the counties' of Hiokman, Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, and McNairy. In the Hous© of Eepresentatives was Boiling Gordon, who represented Hickman and Dickson Counties. Aaron V. BroAvn represented Giles County in the House. Judge Joshua Haskell, against whom articles of impeachment had been presented in 1829, was tried during the session of this Assembly. Dr. Samuel Sebastian, Sheriff Gabriel Fowlkes, Henry Nixon, Dr. Joel Walker, and Eobert E. C. Dougherty were vritnesses. Nixon testi fied that during the Cirouit Court of Hardin County, while the case of Thompson vs. Sloan was being tried, the Judge left the courthouse while the first witness was being examined and remained away until the argument of counsel had closed. Eetuming at this time, he was informed by Nixon that they wore ready for the charge. He stood at the end of the bar and 398 History of Hickman County, Tenn. gave a very good charge, considering that he had not heard the testimony. Nixon's client, Thompson, won ; but after the departure of Nixon a new trial was granted, and at a subsequent tenn Nixon's diont lost th© suit During th© trial a question aro.se as to, the admissibility of testimony. The Judge being absent, Aus.tin Aliller, a disinterested attorney who was pres ent, decided the question and the trial proceeded. Dr. Sebastian testified that in the trial of Garrett, at CenterviUe, the Judge remained until th© jury was impaneled; then he absented himself and remained aAvay much during the trial. Henry Nixon Avas so licitor-general, and Avas compelled to send for the Judge to hear a part of his argument addressed to the court. At one time a, dispute arose between counsel, but the matter was finally satisfactorily arranged by them without their having to interrupt th© Judge, Avho, according to Fo.Avlkes, Avas either eating a water^ melon in the courtyard or was at a show near by. According to the testimony of Nixon, the Judge Avas at that time at the tavern, seventy yards away, engaged in conversation AA'ith Judge Na,than Green. Finally, in despair, Nixon announced that they could proceed no further on account of the continued absence of the Judge, whereupon Congressman Cave Johnson, Avho was present, remarked that they could do as AA''ell vrith out th© .Judge as with him. Nicholas T. Perkins, Avho defended Garrett, testified that the prosecution of his client was so manifestly frivolous that the Judge did no wrong in ignoring the entire proceedings. This Our Legislators. 399 was only a small portion of the evidence against Judge Haskell, but he was acquitted. John E. Charter was released from the judgment against him in th© Circuit Court of Hickman County. H© was on th© app©ai^ ance bond of Franklin and Addiso.n Weaver, who failed to appear foi* trial at th© September (1830) term of the court.. An Ad was passed for the re lief of Gabriel Fowlkes, who had made incorreotiy a land ©ntiy. Eobortson, Mon.tgomery, Stewart, Hum phreys, Hickman, and Dickson Counties wer© consti tuted th© El©yenth Congressional Distrid. In the Twentieth General Assembly, which met on September 16, 1833, the senatorial district of which Hickman County formed a part was- represented by John Eaybum. In the Hous© of E©pr©senta.tiyesi, Dickson and Hickman Counties were again repre sented by Boiling Gordon. John Netherland, Spen cer Jamagin, Joseph 0. Guild, Eobert C. Foster, and A. O. P. Nicholson were members of this Assembly. Stephen C. Pavatt represented Humphreys County. .An Act was passed calling a constitutional conven tion to meet at NashviUe in the following May. The counties of Hickman, Lawrence, and Wayne were to compos© one district, Avhich Avould be entitled to two delegates to this convention, the returning officers to meet at Catron's iron works, in Lawrence County. An election was held in March, 1834, and Boiling Gordon and Henry Sharp were seleded as delegates from this distrid. Another Act passed provided for the removal of the Supreme Court of the Fifth Judi- 400 History op Hiokman County, Tenn. rial Circuit from Eeynoldsburg, Humphreys County, to Centerville. Of this court Stephen C. Pavatt had been the clerk sine© 1832. One of his bondsmrai was Henry Nixon. It was further provided that all ap pealed cases from the counties of LaAvrence, Wayne, Hardin, Humphreys, Hickman, and Perry should be tried in the Supreme Court at CenterviUe. The Con stitution of 1834 prorided that th© Supr©m© Court should be held " at one place, and at one place only, in ©ach of the three grand divisions of th© State." Nashville was selected as the place for Middle Ten nessee, and, therefore, but few sessions of th© court w©r© held at Centerville. There is no record of the Supreme Court ever having been held here, but, ac cording to that old and well-informed dtizen, Horatio Clagett, the court met at Centerrille several timea Persons desiring to build mills in Hickman and other counties named in th© Ad were granted any quantity of acres, not exce©ding tw©nty-fiv©, for this purpose. Eobert Charter, Henry Nixon, Eobert She©^)g, Eli B. Hombeak, John Phillips, and Millington Easley wer© appointed to solicit subscriptions for th© purpose of establishing the Planters' Bank of Teaineese©, to be located at NashviU©. The State AVas redistrictcd this year, but Hickman County remained vrith the coun ties that it was then Arith. Th© returning officers of the senatorial distrid were to meet at Waynesboro; of the " representative distiid," at " the house of the late Thomas Petty on Piney." The Twenty-first General Assembly met at Nash- Our Legislators. 401 ville on October 5, 1835. Senator Boiling Gordon represented the counties of LaAvrence, Wayne, and Hickman. In the Hous© of E©presentativ©s was Ga briel FoAvlkes, of Hickman County, who had relin quished th© office of sheriff to accept this position. Prominent members of this General Assembly wer© : William Trousdal©, AndrcAA' Johnson, Hopkins L. Tumey, Eobert L. Caruthers, Joe C. Guild, A. O. P. Nicholson, and Meredith P. Gentry. The first- named was in the Senate ; the others, in the House. The State was divided into three chancery divisions and eleven judicial circuits. Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys, Stewart, Montgomery, and Eobertson constituted the Seventh. The Middle and East Ten nessee Eailroad Company was incorporated, and books for subscription of stock were opened at Centerville. These books were placed in the hands of John G. Easley, E. B. Hombeak, and Samuel H. Williams. Tumbling Creek and that portion of the present county of Humphreys which had previous to this been a portion of Hickman County were annexed to Hum phreys County. The TAventy-second General .Assembly met on Oc tober 2, 1837. LaAATcnce, Wayne, and Hickman Counties Avere represented in the Senate by Dennis G. Jones, of Hickman County. Hickman County's member of the Hous© of Eepresentatives was Pleasant Walker. Joseph C. Guild, Meredith P. Gentry, and A. O. P. Nicholson Avere members of this .Assembly, the two latter being members of th© House. Hick- -26- 402 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. man County was added to the Eighth Judicial Circuity and tiie time for holding courts at CenterviU© fixed as follows : On the second Mondays of Mareh, July, and November. A " chancery district," composed of th© counties of Dickson, Humphreys, Hickman, Stew art, Alontgomery, and Cumberland (afterwards organ ized under the nam© " Cheatham "), was established, the court for th© sam© to b© held at Charlotte on the fourth Mondays of Alarch and September. James D. Freeland, of Maury County, was granted the priri- lege of navigating Duck Eiver Arith steamboats from Columbia to the mouth. An Act was passed incorpo rating the Penitentiary Turnpike Company, which Avas to mak© a turnpike from the city limits of Nash ville to a point beyond John Harding's, by the way of the penitentiary and Cockrill's Sprina:. They w©re further authorized to make it, if they desired, five miles farther in the direction of CenterviUe, Hiok man County. This was the first step toward the making of what is now knoAvn as th© " Harding turn pike," which has been used as a thoroughfar© by thou sands of Hickman Countians. Th© V©mon Academy was incorporated, Eobert Sheegog, William N. Holt> Millington Easley, Thomas W. Easley, WilUam H. Carothers, Basil B. Satterfield, and Jacob Humble being named as trustees. Th© Centerville Academy was also incorporated, with tJie foUovring trustees: William Bird, Samuel AVhitson, David B. Warren, James D. Easley, John G. Easley, and Samuel Sebasr tian. The time fixed for the county drill for Hick- Our Legislators. 403 man County, Seventeenth Brigade, was th© first Fri day and Saturday in September; the time for the regimental muster, th© first Friday and Saturday in October. P. AI. Hombeak was allowed " thirty dol lars for fitting up the hall at the commencement of the session." The line between Alaury and llickman Counties was changed so as to place in Hickman County the territory embraced in the triangle formed by Duck Eiver, Fall Branch, and th© Natchez Trace. Vemon was again incorporated. Eobert Sheegog, BasU B. Satterfield, Dr. W. B. Douglass, G. Lane, and Howell Huddleston were appointed commission ers to lay off and establish the corporate limits. Pro visions were made for the election of five aldermen by the voters of th© town. Th© aldermen, when elected, were to eled one of their number mayor. Pleasant M. Hornbeak was allowed $480 for services as assist ant doorkeeper of the House of Eepresentatives. Both Jones and Walker were reelected and were members of the Twenty-third General Assembly, which convened on October 7, 1839. Andrew John son and James 0. Jones were members of the House of Eepresentatives, A joint resolution was adopted on November 14, 1839, instructing the Senators from Tennessee, Hugh Lawso.n White and Ephraim H. Foster, to vot© against chart©ring national banks by Congress, in favor of the subtreasury bill, and against a bill to prevent th© interference of Federal officers in elections. Whit© and Foster, feeling that they could not conscientiously carry out these instructions. 404 History of Hickmajt County, Tenn. resigned, and Alex. Anderson and A. 0. P. Nichol son were named as their successors by Govemor Can non. Felix Grundy had been elected by the Legisla ture to succeed Foster, but h© died on December 19, 1840. During this session of th© Assembly, WiU iamsport Academy was incorporated, Arith the follow ing trustees : Gerard T. Greenfield, William W. Cole man, John 0. Cook, Boiling Gordon, Troy S. Broome, Thomas P. Johnson, and John B. Hamilton. The militia regiments of Hickman County Avere made No. 97 and No. 98, and were attached to the Seventeenth Brigade, composed of the militia of Hickman, Har din, Wayne, and LaAvrence Counties. The time for holding regimental musters in Hickman County was fixed as follows: First Friday and Saturday in Octo ber. The Duck Eiver Steam Navigation Company was incorporated, and the foUoAving were appointed to open books for subscriptions to' the stock at Center^ vill©: Boiling Gordon, Samuel B. Moore, David B. AVarren, Edwin AI. Baird, and John Studdart. The Centerville Academy was designated as the county academy of Hickman County, and the Act of 1838, constituting William Bird and others a body corpo rate under the style of the " Centerville Academy," was repealed. Pleasant Walker was again elected a member of the House of Eepresentatives and represented Hick man County in the TAventy-fourth General Assembly. Thomas J. Alatthews represented th© s©natorial dis trict of Avhich Hickman County was a part The Our Legislators. 405 appointments of Nicholson and Anderson as United Stat^ Senators having expired upon the day the Leg islature convened — October 4, 1841 — it devolved upon this Assembly to name their successors. It was found that in a joint ballot the Whigs would have a majority and elect the Senators. In the Senate, however, the Democrats had a majority, and this majority refused to allow the Senate to meet the House for the purpose of eleding a United States Senator. These Demo crats were called the " Immortal Thirteen." Andrew Johnson was the leader of the Democrats, and one of th© thirteen was Thomas J. Matthews. Govemor Jones did not make any appointments, and Tennessee Avas without a United States Senator until 1843. An Act Avas passed fixing the time for holding Circuit Court, at Centerville as follows : " The third Alon day in August, December, and April." Pleasant M. Hombeak was allowed $508 for services as assistant doorkeeper of the House. The Penitentiary Turn pike Company was again incorporated for the purpose of making a turnpike from Nashville in the direction of Centerville. The length of this turnpike was to be fifteen miles, and John DaA'is was appointed one of the commissioners to locate it. In the Twenty-fifth General Assembly, which con- A'ened on October 2, 1843, the senatorial district com posed of the counties of Hickman, LaAvrence, Wayne, and Hardin was represented by Boiling Gordon, of Hickman County. Th© veteran Legislator, Pleasant AValker, again represented Hickman County in the 406 History of Hickman County, Tenn. House of Eepresentatives. A. O. P. Nicholson, the ex-United States Senator, represented Maury and Giles Counties in the Senate. Powhattan Gordon, a brother of Boiling Gordon, was one of the Eepresenta tives from Maury County; and Dr. Joel Walker, a brother of Pleasant Walker, was one of the Eepre sentatives from Williamson County, he having re moved from Hickman County to. Williamson County. Spencer Jamagin and Ephraim H. Foster (whose res- ig-nation has been previously referred to) wer© elected United States Senators. Foster served two years, Avhen he again resigned, this time to make the race for Governor against Aaron V. Brovm. Lewis County, named in honor of AleriAvether Le"wis, was estab lished, taking a portion of the territory of Hickman County. Samuel B. Moore, Eobert Sheegog, and Boiling Gordon were appointed commissioners to open books at Centerville to receive subscriptions to stock of Duck Eiver Steam Navigation Company. The cor porate limits of Centerville were so changed as to in clude the residence of Samuel H. Williams and the Centervillb Academy. P. M. Hombeak was allowed $488 for services as assistant doorkeeper of the House of Eepresentatives. In the Twenty-sixth General Assembly, which met on October 6, 1845, Pleasant Walker represented Hickman Oounty in the House of Eepresentatives for the fifth and last time. Arehibald G. McDougal represented the senatorial distrid of which Hick man County formed a part. Harvey M. Watterson Our Legislators. 407 (father of Henry Watterson, of the Louisville Cou rier-Journal) was speaker of the Senate. Landon C. Haynes, Joseph 0. Guild, and Emerson Etheridge Avere members of this Assembly. The Democrats now had a majority and hoped to elect a Democratic successor to Foster. A. 0. P. Nicholson was nomi nated by a Democratic caucus. Hopkins L. Tumey, father of ex-Gov. Peter Tumey, secured th© support of the AVhigs, who, with the assistance of six Democrats., elected him. The fourth Mondays of March, July, and November were fixed as the times for holding the Circuit Courts of Llickman County. Dr. Samuel B. Moore, William G. Clagett, A. M. Williams, William H. Foster, and John B. Gray were appointed trustees of th© Cemterville Female Academy. Friday and Saturday after the first Alonday in October were designated as th© time for holding the regimental musters of Hickman County. The Duck Eiver Slack- water Narigation Company was incorporated and was granted the exclusive right to navigate Duck Eiver, from Columbia to the mouth, Arith steamboats, barges, and keels for a period of fifty years. This company was to erect a series of locks and dams, and was given the right to fix the tolls. Eafts and flat- boats were, however, to be allowed to descend free when the water was such that they could have de scended without the aid of th© locks and dams. The incorporators were: Eobert Campbell, Jr., Christo pher Todd, E. B. Mayes, James Smizer, Gideon J. Pillow, George W. Gordon, Eobert T, Webster, Will- 408 History' of HicKitAN County, Tenn. iam F. Eankin, Meredith Helm, Abraham Church, Edwin Baird, AI. C. Napier, John Alontgomery, Den nis G. Jones, John B. Gray, Joseph Blackwell, and Henry G. Cummins. This scheme for the naviga tion of Duck Eiver failed to materialize. The settle ments on Brush Cr©©k and Eaccoon Oreek were an nexed to Perry County. In the TAventy-seventh General Assembly, which met on Odober 4, 1847, the Senator from Wavne, Hardin, Hickman, and Lawrence Counties was Will iam P. Eowles. Hickman County's member of the House of Eepresentatives was Dr. Samuel Bowen Aioore. Landon C. Haynes, Eetum J. Meigs, Isham G. Harris, and John Bell were members of this As sembly. Bell was elected United States Senator to succeed Jamagin. An Act was passed providing for the appointment of three Commissioners of the Poor by the County Court of Hickman County, the appoint ment to be made at the term next preceding January 1. These commissioners were to serve for three years. They were to appoint a superintendent, to serve until his successor was appointed. The Tennessee Central Eailroad Company Avas incorporated, and the subscription books for Hickman County were placed in the hands of th© f oUoAring commissioners : AV^illiam Bird, A. M. Williams, Horatio Clagett, James D. Easley, and David B. Warren. The tim© for hold ing Cireuit Courts in Hickman County was fixed as follows : The third Mondays in April, August, and December. Th© Third Civil District of Hickman Our Legislators. 409 County Avas divided, Avith Duck Eiver the line, there by forming the Thirteenth District. The hous© of John Bibb was made " the election ground." Pro vision Avas made for the appointment of a Hickman County director of th© Bank of Tennessee. P. M. Hombeak was appointed as an additional commis sioner to solicit subscriptions to stock of Duck Eiver Slack-water Navigation Company. In the T'Aventy-eighth General Assembly, John W. AA'hitfield, of Hickman County, was in the Senate, he being elected as a rcAvard for his services in the Alexi can War, which had just closed. Samuel B. Aioore was again in the House of Eepresentatives, of which Landon C. Llaynes Avas speaker. In this .\ssembly, Avhich convened on October 1, 1849, Sumner County was represented by AA''illiam B. Bate. Although a half century has intervened. Senator Bate yet remem bers Dr. Aioore, of Hickman County, as a genial, in telligent gentleman, who was much more than the ordinary Eepresentative. Other members were : Fe lix K. ZoUicoffer, George H. Nixon, and J. D. C. Atkins, a brother-in-law of Dennis G. Jones, and aftenvards Congressman from the Eighth District. The time for holding the Circuit Courts of Llickman County was fixed as foUoAvs: Third Alondays in March, July, and November. Hickman County was attached to the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, and Eli jah AValker Avas elected judge by the Legislature. It was provided that the attorney-general for the Eighth Circuit should continue to attend the court at Center- 410 History of Hickman County, Tenn. ville. The CenterviUe Alale Academy was divided into two branches — one for the education of boys, the other for the education of girls. A. M. WUUams, Samuel B. Moore, 0. Johnson, E. E. Griner, and P. Walker were appointed additional trustees for this academy. Boiling Gordon was made one of the tius- tees of LaAvrence College. Th© Twenty-ninth General Assembly met on Odo ber 6, 1851, with Whitfield again in the Sonata He Avas this year appointed major general of the Third Division of the State militia In the House of Eepre sentatives was WiUiam Phillips, of Hickman Cotmty. The following were members of this Assembly : Fran cis B. Fogg, Joseph C. Stark, J. D. C. Atkins, David Campbell, Gustavus A. Henry, Stephen 0. Pavatt, and John Netherland. Sine© 1843 Hickman County had been in the Sixth Congressional Distiict, with Hardin, Maury, Giles, LaAvrence, and Wayne Coun ties. These counties, vrith the exception of Maury County, were now, Arith McNairy, Perry, Decatur, Benton, Humphreys, and Levris Counties, formed iato the Seventh Congressional District. James C. Jones was elected United States Senator to succeed Hopkins L. Tumey. Hickman County was mad© exempt from the general law imposing the duties of entry taker upon the registers of the several counties. An Act was passed establishing Taylor County, which was to be composed of portions of Hardin and Wayne Coun ties. The county seat was to be AVhitfield, named in honor of Gen. John W. AVhitfield. This cotmty was Our Legislators. 411 never organized. The line between Hickman and Perry Counties was again changed. The time for holding Chancery Court at Centerrille was fixed as follows : First Alondays in March and September. The .Duck Eiver Slack-water Navigation Company was empowered to transfer or donate its stock to any company that Avould run a railroad through William son and Maury Counties, or from Columbia to the Ala bama line or the Tennessee Eiver. Hickman County stockholders were made exempt and not liable for any stock subscribed. The Thirtieth General Assembly — the first held in the present State Capitol — met on October 3, 1853. The Senator from the counties of Maury, Lewis, Hick man, and Dickson was Dr. Samuel B. AIo.o.re. The Eepresentative from Hickman County was William Phillips. In this General Assembly were Georg© H. Nixon and .John F. House. An Act incorporating Centerville was passed. The Sixth Chancery Di vision was established. It was composed of the coun ties of Carroll, Benton, Humphreys, Dickson, Hick man, Perry, Decatur, -Henderson, AIcNairy, Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence. Prerious to this time judges and attorneys-general had been elected by the Legis lature. In this year an amendment to the Constitu tion was adopted providing for the election of these officials by the people. The first chancellor of the Sixth Division was Stephen C. Pavatt, of Humphreys County, a brother-in-laAV of Henry Nixon. The farm and residence of Philip Hoover, of Maury County, 412 History of Hickman County, Tenn. were annexed to Hickman County, and the line be tween Hickman and Perry Counties was so changed that AVilliam Wafsou, Abisha Curl, Owen Morgan, John Sutherland, and David Carrys became citizens of the latter county. James D. Easley, Troy S. Broome, S. H. Williams, Charles Johnston, and W. G. Clagett were appointed trustees of the Centerville Alale and Female .Academy. Th© W©stem Central Tumpike Company was authorized to extend its turn pike to Centei-ville and a branch to. Vemon. WiUiam (.llagett. Levin Goodrich, and S. H. Williams were appointed commissioners of this company. The Thirty-first General Assembly met on Octo ber 1, 1855. Edward S. Chea,tham, of Eobertson County, AA'as speaker of the Senate, and Neil S. Btoavu Avas speaker of the House. The senatorial district composed of the counties of Alaury, LcAris, Hickman, and Dickson was represented by W. C. Whitthome. Hickman County was represented in the House of Eepresentatives by Eobertson Whiteside. J. D. C. .Atkins, F. C. Dunnington, George H. Nixon, and Eobert Hatton were members of this Assembly. The lands of Jesse G. Thompson, of Hickman Oounty, AA^ere annexed to Lewis County. The time for hold ing the Chancery Court of Hickman County was fixed as foUovra: Second Alondays in March and September. The Hickman County Iron Company was incorporated, the incorporators being : Aaron V. BroAvn, Anthony AV. Vanleer, Samuel B. Moore, B. L. Goodrich, and Bellfield S. Carter. They Avere Our Legislators. 41 3 authorized to engage in the mining of ore, th© manu facture of iron, and to build a turnpike from C©nter^ A'ille to the Tennessee Eiver. The office of entry taker for Hickman County was abolished and the du ties of this office made a part of the duties of the county surveyor. The Comptroller of the State was authorized to issue a warrant to John W. Lane, jailer of Hickman County, for the board of a prisoner sent from Perry County to the jail at Centerville. The toAvn of Centerville was constituted the forty-fifth school district of Hickman County. The Thirty-second General Assembly met on Octo ber 5, 1857, with W. C. Whitthome again in the Sen ate. John J. Williams represented Hickman County in the House of Eepresentatives, and C. W. Beale rep resented AVilliamson County. The lands of Philip Hoover lying in Maury County were annexed to Hick man County. The Fourteenth District of Hickman County AA'as created. The filing of bills for or against citizens of Lewis County in the Chancery Court at Centervill© was made laAvful. Th© first session of the Thirty-third General Assem bly met on October 3, 1859. Th© senatorial district of Avhich Hickman Cotmty formed a part was repre sented by Thomas McNeilly, of Dickson County. John J. ("Jack") AVilliams was again in the House of Eepresentatives. W. C. Whitthome, who now rep resented Alaury, Lewis, and Williamson Counties in the House, was made speaker of that branch. The citizens of Eussell's Creek were annexed to Perry 414 History of Hickman County, Tenn. County, and a slight change was mad© in th© Une between Lewis and Hickman Counties. Pleasant AValker, Horatio Clagett, P. M. Hombeak, George W. StanfiU, T. P. Bateman, WiUiam Grigsby, H. A. Shouse, J. P. Baird, S. J. George, James D. Easley, Stephen Worley, George Kennedy, together Avith such other parties as they in their o"wn judgment might select, were authorized to solicit subscriptions to the stock of th© Centerville and Columbia tum pike. It was provided that this turnpike should run from Centerville to som© convenient point on the Columbia and Hampshire turnpike, Th© Fifteenth District of Hickman County was established. Pro visions wer© made for selling any unnecessary streets in the town of Centerville and using the proceeds ia the erection of a bridge across Duck Eiver at Center viUe. The Columbia, Centerville, and Pine Eiver Eailroad Company was incorporated. The proposed rout© of this railroad was from Columbia, Alount Pleasant, or some point betAveen these places, by the way of Centerville, to the Northwestern Eailroad. Th© incorporators Aver©: G©o. Lipscomb, Geo. Web ster, Ben. Harlan, Jas. H. Webster, Henry C. Sowell, A. M. WUUams, William Bifile, L. D. Alyers, B. Gor don, Theodric ErArin, William Walker, G. W. Stan fiU, S. B. Moore, AV. G. Clagett, P. Walker, W. H. Carothers, L. H. Nunnelly, P. N. Meroney, W. B. Easley, J. Graham, Eobt McNeilly, J. W. Huddle ston, J. D. Easley, and John W. Walker. The Nash viUe and Centerville Tumpike Company was incorpo- Our Legislators. 415 rated, the incorporators being : W. G. Clagett, S. J. Georg©, G. W. StanfiU, J. E. Eason, L. P. Totty, J. M. Baird, Z. Hassell, G. W. Bratton, N. C. Weems, Wm. Walker, B. Gordon, V. F. Bibb, J. G. Tarking ton, John Eeeves, and G. Mayberry. The proposed route of this tumpike was as follows : To cross Duck Eiver along the most suitable route so as to strike Lick Creek at or below E. Killough's, thence up to William Hicks', thenc© the most suitable route to in tersect the Nashville and Hillsboro tumpike. The coihpletion of this and other enterprises of this and preceding years was retarded by the presidential elec tion of 1860, full, as it was, of alarming possibilities, and was entirely prevented by the stirring events of 1861 and by the Civil War which followed. This General Assembly was called upon to deal with ques tions of more importance than th© granting of char ters. Th© election of Lincoln was th© culmination of the series of CA^ents, extending over a period of years, which caused the Civil War. The attempt upon the part of the Southern States to take advantage of their constitutional right to withdraw poaccfuUy from the Union was not successful. Coercion was th© unfortu nate plan of procedure adopted by the general gov ernment Tennessee, loyal as long as th© honor of her citizens permitted it, was forced out of the Union. An invasion of this, a sovereign State, was made necessary by th© secession of other Southern States, fmd Tennessee preferred that, when this invasion came, she should be a part of the Confederacy, and 416 History of Hickman County, Tenn. not a part of the United States. And Tenness©© be came a " Avreck in the warpath of might." Gov. Isham G. Harris called a special session of the Legis lature, which met on -January 7, 1861. A resolution providing for the holding of a convention which should determine Tennessee's attitude toward the Union was overwhelmingly defeated. A bill was passed submitting this question to a vot© of th© peo ple at an ©lection to be held on February 9, 1861. At this election the people decided by a large majority against the holding of a convention for this purpose. A bill providing for the reorganization of the militia, Avhich for four years had been out of existence, became a law. After the adjournment of this session came the attack on Fort Sumter, and the Tennessee troops Avere soon after mobilized at NashyiU© and Memphis. Another session of the Legislature was called, and met at Nashville on April 25. The action of the Gov ernor in refusing to furnish troops to the Union was approved, commissioners Aver© appointed to meet a representative of the Confederate Government, and numerous other significant and necessary steps were taken. One of these was the incorporation of the Hickman County Saltpeter Company. On Alay 7 an ordinance of secession was passed, subject to the ap proval of the people. Senator AIcNeilly voted for this ; and although Eepresentative Williams was ab sent when the vote was talien, he showed his approval by raising, a few months later, a company for the TAventy-fourth Infantry, of which he later became a Our Legislators. 417 major. The action of th© Legislature was approved by th© people in an election held on Jun© 8. The vote of Hickman County was : For, 1,400 ; against, 3. One of those voting against secession was Andrew Peery, the h©rmit of Ugly Creek; another was Caleb Mo- Graw; the third was his son-in-law, John Baker, who, after the Civil War, was sheriff of Hickman County. At this critical time the people of Hickman County called upon that oft-tried and faithful public servant, James D. Easley, who represented Hickman County in the House of Eepresentatives of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, which met on October 7, 1861. In the Senate was Thomas McNeilly, representing the counties of Maury, LcAris, Hickman, and Dickson. John M. Fleming and Thomas H. Paine, each of whom afterwards became State Superintendent of Public Instruction, were members of this Assembly. Hickman County was placed in the Eighth Congres sional Distrid, which, during the life of the Confed eracy, was represented in the Confederate Congress by Dr. Thomas Menees, of Eobertson County. A bill providing for the holding of Cireuit Courts but tvrice a year became a law, and the tim© for holding this court in Hickman County was fixed as follows: Sec ond Mondays of April and October. Th© second ses sion of this Assembly met at Memphis on February 20, 1862, and on March 20 it adjourned sine die. Eight days before this Andrew Johnson, military Govemor, had assumed charge of State affairs, and from that time imtil 1869 a majority of the white citi- -27- 418 History of Hickman County, Tenn. zens of Hickman County had but littie to do Arith the management of State affairs through their duly elected representatives. The " Brovralow Legislature," which has no num ber in the series of the State's Assemblies, met at Nashville on April 3, 1865. Joshua B. Frierson, of Maury County, and J. N. Puckett represented Hickman County in the Senate and House of Eep resentatives, respectively. They were appointed by Governor Brownlow, or else elected in elections held outside of the counties which they were supposed to represent Frierson was made speaker of the Senate. One of the Eepresentatives auuointed by BroAvnlow was Elder Absalom D. Nicks, of Dickson Oounty. Elder Nicks did not approve of the bitterly partisan acts of his Eadical Eepublican associates, and re signed before the expiration of his term. One of the Acts passed by this Legislature was "to limit the elec toral franchise to unconditional Union men and sol diers of tiie Union .'^rmy." Therefore, Hickman County was again represented by Frierson and Puckett, who were members of the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, which met on Octo ber 7, 1867. By the preceding Legislature the .^Etna Iron, Manufacturing, and Oil Company had been in corporated, Avith Daniel Hillman, Levin S. Goodrich, and Georg© AA'^. Goodrich as directors. The Act in corporating this company was now so amended as to make the name of the company " The Mtna Branch of the Northwestern Eailroad Company." The names Our Legislators. 4 19 of Hillman and Goodrich were stricken out and the names of S. L. Graham, W. G. Clagett, Wm. Max- AA'ell, L. S. Goodrich, and A. Hicks inserted therefor. This was a step toward the erection of a railroad from A'ltxi.a. to the Northwestern Eailroad. Th© Thirty-sixth General Assembly met on Octo ber 4, 1869. De Witt C. Senter, Conservative Ee publican, had become Govemor by virtu© of his being speaker of the Senate at the time of the election of Governor BroAvnlow to the United States Senate. He became a candidate for Govemor, and, by virtue of the position to which he had succeeded, he had, under the BroAvnlow lavre, complete control of the election machinery. A large number of Hickman County's citizens, who preferred Senter to his opponent, Stokes, Eadical Eepublican, were permitted to vote by Sen- ter's election officers. The result was that for the first time since the Civil War they sent to the Legis lature representatives of their own choosing. These representatives were Jesse E. Eason in the Senate, and W. B. Eussell in th© Hous© of Eepresenta tives. Dorsey B. Thomas, of Humphreys County, was speaker of the Senate. Balie Peyton, Emerson Ethridge, B. A. Enloe, and John M. Fleming were members of this Assembly. The citizens of Dickson County were also alloAvod to send a Eepresentative of their OAvn choosing, and they, remembering the fidelity of A. D. Nicks in 1865, sent him to the Legis lature. An Ad was passed providing for th© assem bling of the constitutional convention of the foUovring 420 History of Hickman County, Tenn. year. Lewis County was reestablished by the repeal ing of a bill which had been passed by the preceding Legislature. The line between Perry and Hickman Counties was changed for perhaps the one thousand and first time, this being a matter which has often engaged th© minds of Tennessee Legislators. The Centerville Female Academy was incorporated, the incorporators being S. H. Williams, O. A. Nixon, W. AI. Johnson, H. Clagett, and Leonidas Walker. The second session of this Assembly met after the ratifica tion of the new Constitution and enaded numerous necessary laws. Hickman County was placed in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, with Hardin, Wayne, De catur, Lewis, Perry, Henderson, and AIcNairy Coun ties. It was placed in the Ninth Chancery Division. In the House of Eepresentatives of the Thirty- seventh General Assembly, which met on October 1, 1871, was Col. Levi AlcCoUum, of Hickman Oounty. The Senator for the distrid of which Hickman County formed a part was Albert G. Cooper, of Maury County. James D. Eichardson was speaker of the House. B. A. Enloe, Jacob Leech, Thomas H. Paine, and J. A. Trousdale were members of this Assembly. The State was redistricted. Hickman, Perry, and LcAris Counties were constituted a Eepre sentative District ; and Hickman, Perry, Humphreys, Dickson, Cheatham, and Houston Counties were con stituted the Sixteenth Senatorial Distiict Airs. Para lee Haskell, who was bom in Hickman County, was made State Librarian. Our Legislators. 421 In the Thirty-eighth General Assembly, which m©t in January, 1873, the senatorial district of which Hickman County formed a part was represented by W. A. AEoody, of Humphreys County. Colonel Mc CoUum was again in the House. James D. Eich ardson, J. A. Trousdal©, L. C. Honk, Jacob Leech, H. M. AIcAdoo, and John E. Bond wer© members of this Assembly. The present public school system was established. The counties of Wayne, Lawrence, Giles, LoAvis, Alaury, Hickman, and Williamson were constituted tho Seventh Congressional District. In the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, which met in January, 1875, Alitehell Trotter, of Humphreys County, represented th© s©natorial district of which Hickman County formed a part. In the House of Eepresentatives was Leon. Walk©r, of Hickman County, h© representing two other counties — Perry and Lewis. Thomas H. Paine was speaker of the Senate. The venerable president of the Tennessee Historical Society, Judg© John M. Lea, was a mem ber of this Assembly, as was also Tennessee's present Govemor, Hon. Benton McMillin, No Act of a local nature, affecting Hickman County, was passed by this Assembly. The Fortieth General Assembly met in January, 1877. Hugh Alontgomery AIcAdoo, of Humphreys County, Senator for the counties of Hickman, Perry, Humphreys, Dickson, Cheatham, and Houston, was made speaker of the Senate. 0. B. Dotson repre sented in the House the counties of Hickman, Perry, 422 History of Hickman County, Tenit. and Lewis. Joseph E. Washington, S. F. Wilson, and John H. Savage were members of this Assembly. This Assembly passed the Act known as th© " four- mile law," and as a result numerous schools were in corporated in Hickman County and throughout the State. Eesolutions of regret at the death of Judge Alfrod Osbome Pope Nicholson were adopted by this Assembly. The Forty-first General Assembly met in January, 1879. In the Senate the counties of Hickman, Hum phreys, Perry, Dickson, Houston, and Cheatham were represented by Col. V. F. Bibb. In the House, repre senting the counties of Hickman, Perry, and Lewis, was the late Orville A. Nixon, a courteous gentleman and a lawyer of ability, who as a Legislator was much more than the ordinary. Hon. Henry P. Fowlkes, of Williamson County, a descendant of two prominent pioneer families of Llickman County — the Fowlkes and Alayberry families — was speaker of th© House, h© being the only native of Hickman County who was ever speaker of the House of Eepresentatives. John E. Neal, John H. Savag©, S. F. Wilson, and Darid L. Snodgrass w©r© m©mbers of this .Assembly. An Act was passed " to settle the debt of the State at ' 50-4,' and to submit said settiement to the people," It was enacted "that the State revenues collected and to be collected in the county of Hickman for the years 1878 and 1879 be, and the sam© ar© h©r©by, r©mitt©d to the people of that county, for the purpos© of en- abUng them to complete the Nashville and Tuscaloosa Our Legislators. 423 Eailroad to Centerville." This railroad was incor porated on June 6, 1877. In ths Forty-second General Assembly, which met in 1881, Colonel Bibb Avas again in th© Senate. In the House the counties of Hickman, Perry, and LeAris were represented by the late Dr. H. K. Plummer. The Act incorporating CenterviUe, passed on Octo ber 14, 1824, was repealed. Hickman, Humphreys, Dickson, and Houston Counties wer© constituted the Twenty-second Senatorial District, and in this redis- trieting Ad Hickman County was dedared entitled to one Eepresentative. The counties of AVilliamson, Alaury, Giles, Lawrence, Wayne, LeAris, Hickman, and Dickson Avere constituted the Seventh Congres sional District. The settlement of the State debt was the all-absorbing question, and three extraordinary sessions of this Assembly were called by Govemor Hawkins. In the Forty-third General Assembly, which met on January 1, 1883, Col. Vemon F. Bibb was again in the Senate; in the House was Orvill© A. Nixon. E. D. Patt©rson, Dorsey B. Thomas, and James M. Head were m©mb©rs of this Assombly. Two impor tant Acts passed were " to settle the State debt in con formity with the platform on which Govemor Bate Avas elected, called th© ' fifty^and-three ' settlement," and one providing for a railroad commission. The line between Maury and Hickman Counties near Gor don's Ferry was changed, as was also the line between Dickson and Hickman Counties on Plunder's Creek. 424 History of Hickman County, Tenn. In the Forty-fourth General Assembly, which con vened in January, 1885, the counties of Hickman, Humphreys, Dickson, and Houston were represented in the Senate by Dorsey B. Thomas, of Humphreys County. In the House, representing Hickman Coun ty, was the veteran Joseph AVeems. C. E. Berry, of Williamson County, was speaker of the Senate. N. B. Sugg, of Dickson County, was a member of the House. E. W. Carmack, of Maury County, was a member of this Assembly. The Act creating a rail road commission, passed in 1883, was repealed. In the Forty-fifth General Assembly, which met in January, 1887, Hickman, Humphreys, Dickson, and Houston Counties were represented in th© S©nate by the late Jacob Leech, of Dickson County, an able laAvyer. His nephew, Hardin- Leech, of Dickson County, was a member of th© House. Colonel Bibb represented Hickman County in the House. John P. Buchanan was a member of this Assembly. The late Dr. .A. B. BroAvn, a physician well knoAvn in Hick man County, represented Humphreys County in the House. In the Forty-sixth General Assembly, which md in January, 1889, J. D. Sensing, of Dickson County, represented the senatorial district of which Hickman County formed a partj- In th© House was th© late Dr. A. J. Low©. Eesigning on account of ill health, he was succeeded by Dr. E. G. Thompson. The late Samuel G. Jones, son of Col. Donnis G. Jones, repre sented Humphreys County in the Hous& The ven- Our Legislators. 425 erablo Judge J. J. Williams, who in his younger days had represented Hickman County in legislative halls and on the field of battle, was a member of this Assem bly, he representing Franklin County. In the Forty-seventh General Assembly, Hickman County was represented in the Senate by George M. Ttibb, of Humphreys County, and in the House by W. J. D. Spence. E. C. Gordon, of Maury County, and E. J. Work, of Dickson County, former citizens of Hickman County, wer© members of the House. Maj. J. H. Aiken, of Williamson County, who com manded the fighting Ninth Battalion during a por tion of the Civil War, was a member of the House. Georg© Hash, of Warr©n County, fathor of Vidor Hash, who married Miss Weems, of Bon Aqua, was a member of the House. Eesolutions concerning the death of Judge J. J. Williams wer© adopted. The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Hickman, Williamson, Dickson, and Cheatham, was established. Govemor Buchanan appointed as judge of this circuit William Lafayette Grigsby, of Dickson County, a son of the late Col. Thomas K. Grigsby, of Charlotte, and a nephew of William H. Grigsby, of Centerrille. At the next general eledion Judge -Grigsby was a candidate for this position, being opposed by a native of Hickman County, at present a prominent citizen of Williamson County — Hon. Henry P. Fowlkes. Judge Grigsby was elected and held this position until th© abolishment of this circuit by the Legislature in 1899. He was recently 426 History of Hickman County, Tenn. appointed a Special Judge of the Supreme Court by Govemor AIcAlillin. After the establishment of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, John L. Jones continued as attorney-general until 1894, when W. Blake Leech, of Dickson County, was ©l©ct©d to fill this position, which he held until 1899, when the drcuit was abol ished. In the Forty-eighth General Assembly, which met at NashviU© in January, 1893, Hickman County was represented in the House by E. L. Peery. The coun ties of Williamson and Hickman were represented in the Senate by Park Marshall, of AVilliamson County. AV. Blake Leech represented Dickson County in th© Hous©. B. E. Thomas, a son of the late Dorsey B. Thomas, of Humphreys County, was a member of the House. Hardin Leech, of Dickson County, was a member of the Senate. AU laws declaring Duck Eiver navigable aboA'^e Paint Eock, in Humphreys County, were repealed. Permission was given, by resolution, for the removal to the Capitol grounds of tiie remains of Pr©sident James K. Polk and his wife, Sarah Childress Polk. In the Forty-ninth General Assembly, which con vened in January, 1895, Hickman County was repre sented in the House by W. V. Flowers, and the coun ties of AVilliamson and Hickman were represented in the Senate by J. A. Bates, of Hickman County. E; H. Gordon, of Davidson County, and E. C. Gordon, of Alaury County, descendants of the pioneer, John Gordon, were members of the House, as was also the Our Legislators. 427 yeteran Maj. J. H. Aiken. Duncan B. Cooper, Maj. AV. J. AVhitthome, and J. E. Winboum (who at one time conducted Bon Aqua Springs) were members of the Senate. Hon. Peter Tumey was declared Gov emor instead of H. Clay Evans, who was elected on the face of the returns, Senator Bates and Eepresenta tive Flowers being among those who opposed this action. In the Fiftieth General Ass©mbly, which m©t at NashviU© in January, 1897, Hickman County was represented in the House by Dr. W. L. Walker ; and Hickman and AVilliamson Counties, in the Senate, by Samuel B. Lee, Jr., of Williamson County, a &o.n of Samuel B. Lee, Sr., who was one of the operators of Lee &; Gould's Furnace on Sugar Creek. In the House, representing Dickson Cotmty, was W. L. Cook, a grandsoiu of Nathaniel AA^eems. John Thompson, of Davidson County, Avas eleded speaker of the Sen ate ; and Morgan C. Fitzpatrick, of Trousdale County, was made speaker of the House, th© la.tter being the youngest man ever eleded to this position by a Ten nessee Legislature. The line between the counties of LeAvis and Hickman Avas changed by this Legislature. In the Fifty-first General Assembly, which met at Nashville in 1899, the counties of Hickman and AVilliamson were represent;ed in the Senate by John M. Graham, of Hickman County. In the House, Hickman County was represented by Y. F. Llar- vill. Joseph W. Byms, of Davidson County, was elected speaker of the House. J. C. Hobbs, of Hous- 428 History of HiCKiLiN County, Tenn. ton County, a grandson of Col. Alfred Darden ; and M. H. Aleeks, of Davidson County, who married Aliss Annie NunneUy, of A^emon, wer© members of the Senate. A member of the House was J. Grady Jones, of Humphreys County, a grandscJIn of Col. Dennis G. Jones. Alaj. J. H. Aiken, of WiUiamson County, was a member of the House. The Nine teenth Judicial Circuit was abolished and Hickman County was attached to the Seventh Judicial Circuit By an Ad which is to take effect on August 1, 1902, Hickman County is to be a part of th© Eleventh Ju dicial Circuit, composed of th© counties of Maury, Giles, Lawrence, AVayne, LeAris., Perry, and Hick man. The sixth Chancery Division is to be com posed of the counties of Wilson, Sumner, Eobert^n, Montgomery, Cheatham, Stewart, Houston, Dickson, Humphreys, and Hickman. Congressmen. — Jesse Wharton (1807-09), Eobert Weakley (1809-11), Felix Grundy (1811-13), Par ry W. Humphreys (1813-15), James B. Eeynolds (1815-17), Geo. W. L. Marr (1817-19), Henry H. Bryan (1819-23), James T. Sanford (1823-25), John H. Marrabl© (1825-29), Cav© Johnson (1829-43), Aaron V. Brown (1843-45), Barclay Martin (1845- 47), James H. Thomas (1847-51), WiUiam H. Polk 1851-53), E. M. Bugg (1853-55), John V. Wright (1855-57), G. W. Jones (1857-59), James H. Thomas (1859-61), John F. Hous© (m©mb©r of Provisional Conf ©derate Congress), Thomas Menees (member of First and Second Permanent Confederate Congress), Our Legislators. 429 Dorsey B. Thomas (elected in 1865, but " counted out"), S. AL AmeU (1867-71 — Confederate sympa thizers disfranchised), Washington 0. Whitthome (1871-83), John G. Ballentine (1883-87), W. C. Whitthome (1887-91), N. N. Cox (1891—). Elections. — The earliest records now in existence of an election held in Hickman Co.unty ar© of the elec^ tion held on August 7 and 8, 1817. Sheriff WUliam Phillips certified that Joseph McAIinn, candidate for Govemor, received 527 votes; and his opoonent, E. C. Foster, 174. In Hickman County, in 1832, An drew Jackson received 764 votes; Henry Clay, 1. In 1836 Boiling Gordon, eledor for Van Buren, re ceived 621 votes; the Hugh L. White elector, 149. In 1840 Gordon, who was again elector for Van Bu ren, received 952 votes; the Harrison elector, Gus tavus A. Henry, 293. In 1844 James K. Polk re ceived 1,034 votes in Hickman County ; Henry Clay, 255. In 1848 Solon E. Eos©, the Taylor elector, received 301 votes; the Cass ©l©ctor, 988. In 1852 E. E. Osbome, the Scott elector, received 241 votes ; the Pierce elector, 839. In 1856 Thomas J. BroAvn, the Buchanan elector, received 1,086 votes; the Fill- m.ore elector received 238. Tennessee went Demo cratic in this presidential election for the first time since the election of Jackson in 1832, but during all of thes© years Llickman County remained a Demo cratic county. In 1860 the A'ote of the county was as follows: Breckinridge, 1,067; Bell, 273; Douglas, 16. John C. Bro"wn was eledor for John Bell in the 430 History of Hickman County, Tenn. district of which Hickman County formed a part. In 1868, despite th© election laws of Govemor BroAvn- low, Hickman County remained Democratic, Sey mour receiving 104 votes; Grant, 97. In 1872 Col. N. N. Cox, the Greeley elector, received 891 votes; Joshua B. Frierson, the Grant elector, 235. In 1876 Col. John H. ("Jack") Aioore, of Hickman Coun ty, the Tilden elector, received 1,273 votes; A. M. Hughes, the Hayes elector, 179. In 1880 E. T. TaliafeiTO, the Hancock elector, received 1,157 votes; T. J. Cypert, the Garfield elector, 392 ; the Weaver elector, 62. In 1884 L. P. Padgett, the Cleveland elector, received 1,135 votes; T. J. Cypert, the Blaine elector, 709. In 1888 Flournoy Elvers, th© Cleve land elector, received 1,509 votes; J. ,H. Morris, the Harrison elector, 1,137. In 1892 Frank Boyd, the Cleveland elector, received 1,179 votes ; H. S. Thomp son, the Harrison elector, 963. In 1896 E. E. Eslick, the Bryan elector, received 1,523 votes; T. F. Me- Creary, th© McKinley elector, 988 ; W. B. AlcClana han, the Bryan and AVatson elector, 30 ; the Prohibi tion elector, 13 ; and J. A. Cunningham, the Palmer and .Buckner ©l©ctor, 12. Population of Hickman County. — Census of 1810, 2,583; 1820, 6,080; 1830; 8,119; 1840, 8,618; 1850, 9,397; 1860, 9,312; 1870, 9,856; 1880, 12,095; 1890, 14,476. Hickman County AIagistrates. 431 CHAPTER XX. HICKMAN COUNTY MAGISTRATES. T^ EOAI 1808 to 1834 tiie justices of the peace -*- wer© selected by th© Legislature of th© Stat©. They formed the Court of Pleas and Quarter Ses sions, and elected all of the county officers. In tha following list the date preceding the names is the year in which commissions were issued. 1808 : Thomas Petty, William Wilson, James Aliller, Eobert Dunning, Alexander Gray. 1809 : Hugh Eoss, Eobert. Dean, Ezekiel Thomas, William Curl, Josiah McConnell, William Higgin- botham, Eobert Anderson, James Peery, James Mor rison, Isaac ShuU. 1811 : Jonas Messer, James Wilson, Eobert Bowen, Jr., George Eeeves, Samuel Spencer. 1812: Thomas Porter, Jesse Christian. 1813 : John Hewlett, William Higginbotham, Mor gan Gess, Anderson Nunnelly, William Charter, Da vid Kilough. 1815 : CraAvford Goodwin, Edward Stringer, Ben jamin Holland, Jacob Dansby, Jess© Sparks, Daniel Smith, Gabriel Fowlkes. 1817: William Flemmings, Joseph Lynn, James Laxon, Eichard Lowe, William Cash, Hugh Hill, Eob ert E. 0. Dougherty, Carter Eason, Edward Nunnel lee, James Young, Zedediah Aydelott, Abraham Lann. 432 History of Hickman County, Tenn. 1819: jAndrew Stewart, Henry Muirhead, Sr., Nimrod Murphree, David Curry, Eobert Anderson, Eeuben Elliott, Thomas Jones. 1820 : Benjamin Coleman, Eobert Murray, Charles Bowen, John Hayes, Jeremiah Harlan. 1821: EUB. Hombeak. 1822 : Joseph Halbrooks, Josiai Thornton, James Ehodes, Eobert Thompson (commissioned on Febru-> ary 25), William Lancaster, Alexander Gray, George H. ErAvin, Joel Smith, Archibald Eay. 1823 : Joseph Jones, Edv/ard Sharp, Eobert Shee gog, Jacob Humble, Culton Pace, John Hewlett. 1824: Thompson Wood, John Gr^ory. 1825 : Hugh B. Venable, George Peery, Darid Duncan, Silas Thompson (or Silas Tompkins), WUl iam B. Crais;, Samuel C. Aydelott, Elias Deaton. 1826 : TiU. McCaleb, GranviUe M. Johnson, Ed ward Stringer, Daniel Shouse, William DonneUy, John C. Lewis, Hiram Campbell. 1827: Samuel A. Baker, Aaron B. Wilson, John H. Christian, Joseph Halbrooks, Clement Wilkins, Joseph Blackwell, Ephraim McCaleb, John Scott, Garrett Lane, Thompson Wright. 1829 : George Hicks, Josiah Thornton, Henry Go- lightly. 1831: John Depriest, Isaac Lowe, James Ehodes, Eobert AVade, Thomas Shepherd, David S. Hobbs, Comelius D. White, Jacob Peeler, George Sheegog, Hardy Sparks. 1833: Alexander Goodman, William H. Foster, Hickman County AIagistrates. 433 Jared Curl, Willis Weatherspoon, William I. Na- ely(?). The Constitution of 1834 provided for the estab lishment of civil districts and the eledion of justices of the peace by the voters of the several districts. The sheriff, tmstee, and register Avere after this elected by the people. 1836: EU B. Hombeak, John McGill, Samuel AVhitson, WiUiam D. WiUey, ZiU AlcCaleb, Samuel A. Baker, Granville AI. Johnson, Jacob Peeler, John T. Primm, James AI. Ponder, Moses Thornton, Jacob Humble, Eli White, Garrett Lane, Jared Curl, Am sel Epperson, AVillis AA^'eatherspoon, Joseph Blackwell, Joseph Halbrooks, John Depriest, William B. Cook, Thomas Shepherd, Eobert AVade, James Ehodes, AViU iam Duncan. 1837: AViUiam Bird, Samuel B. Lee. 1839: Elijah Alurphree, Jno. B. Gray, Eobert Totty. 1840 : Eli Dyer, John Christian, Eobinson (Buck) Coleman. 1841 : Jacob Bylor. 1842 : AVilliam Bird, John B. Gray, John McGiU, Eobert Totty, WiUiam D. Willey, G. M. Johnson, S. A. Baker, E. Alurphy, D. K. AlcCord, Aloses Thorn ton, John H. Christian, II. Dudley, Jared Curl, A. AValker, A. Epperson, E. Coleman, D. G. Jones, G. Pickard, WiUiam B. Cook, Eobert Wade, Nathan W. Springer, A. B. Edwards, AViUiam Duncan, John G. Nixon, Jacob Bylor. -28- 434 History of Hickman County, Tenn. 1844: Eichard H. CampbeU. 1845 : Jacob Humble. 1846 : E. Warren, Ezekiel W. Hassell, Felix Bad- g©r, James N. Bingham, John M. Anderson. 1848 : WiUiam G. Clagett, AViUiam Wilson, Plea^ ant Walker, Jared Curl, Benjamin Grimmitt, Allen C. Deshazo, George W. Alartin, Jr., Eobinson Cole man, Nathaniel Young, Amsel Epperson, James N. Bingham, Dennis G. Jones, Young J. HarriU, Green Pickard, Christopher C. Hudson, John P. A. Parks, Granville M. Johnson, EU Dyer, John T. Primm, Ja cob Bylor, Noah H. Eandall, Thomas Warren, John P. Beasley, Alexander Peery, John L. Grifiin, Jere miah Harlan, Jacob Hiunble (all on Alarch 30), Isaac Depriest (June 5), P. A. Dudley (August 7). 1 849 : Isaac Lancaster. 1850 : Miles Patton, Francis M. Easley. 1851 : Joseph Eeeves, John Eeeves, WiUiam Gra vitt, James AlcCoUum, F. D. Leathers, Walter W. BroAAm. 1852 : John AlcNeiley, Eobertson Whiteside, B. F. Brown, Eobert Totty. 1853 : Isaac AI. Goin, Ewel 0. Warren, WiUiam BroAvn. 1854: Pleasant Walker, WilUam G. Clagett, Ben jamin Grimmitt, Troy S. Broom©, Eobert Totty, James H. Alartin, Young J. Harvill, William T. Lci])or, John Eeeves, Isaac Goin, Jesse K. McMinn, John P. Beasley, William Wilson, Elijah W. Chris tian, AA''illiam Gravitt, Jared Curl, Eobinson Cole- Hickman Couxty AIagistrates. 435 man, WiUiam H. BroAvn, James McCoEum, Cyrus AV. EusseU, WiOiam AVhitweU, Isaac Depriest, Ewel C. Warren, Eobertson Whiteside, WiUiam Duncan, Vemon F. Bibb, Joseph A. Eeeves (aU on March 20), .A. J. Peeler (April 12). 1855 : W. W. W. FowUves. 1856 : AValter W. Brown, Thomas Henry. 1857 : Johnson H. Totty. .A. J. Nixon. 1858: J. C. Golden, Arthur J. Nixon, WUliam Wheat, James G. Bri^s, George W. Tatum. 1859: John C. Graeey. 1860: WilHam G. Clagett, Troy S. Broome, S. J. Geoige, J. H. Alartin, Y. J. HarviU, G. T. Overbey, John D. Cooper, WiUiam Allen, WiUiam Wilson, Hardy Petty, L. D. AVright, WiUiam Graritt, Calvin Weatherspoon, AL Forrester, C. W. EusseU, Luke Bates, J. E. Sutton, G. W. Tatum, E. C. Warren, E. AVhiteside, S.^muel Bartley, E. C. Gordon, J. C. Gra eey, E. AL Anderson, WiUiam Anderson (aU on March 19), W. Overbey (April 2), D. D. Smith (May 30). 1562 : Thomas T. Henry. 1865 : The foUowing were appointed by Govemor Brownlow: J. K Puckett, J. P. Beasley, D. Cald- welL FoUo"wiiig their names is this memorandum: " Blanks to Dr. Puckett for justices." The names of the foUowing justices are to be found in another com mission book, under date of January 1, 1S65 : James N. Puckett, Sr., chairman; Wm. M. C. Thompson, James H. Hinds, Henry G. Nichols, Myatt Mobley, David A. Caldwell, Levi TidweU, Jno. P. Beasley, 436 History of Hickman County, Teitn. AVm. T. .AUen, Hardy Petty, Wm. Martin, Wm. Dod son, P. N. Alaroney, Eobt S. Bingham, Stephen Eeaves, Josiah Cotham, Jas. H. Fowlkes, Walter W. BroAvn, Thomas Bastian. On May 3, 1865, commis sions were issued to the following : AVm. AI. C. Thomp son, Geo. AV. Gray, Jas. D. Easley, Edmond W. Nun nellee, Chas. Capps, James Alartin, H. G. Nichols, AI. Alobley, D. A. CaldweU, Levi J. Tidwell, Wm. T. Allen, John Pitts Beasley, Hardy Petty, E. Y. An drews, W. C. Dodson, So.lomon George, Stephen For rester, AV. IL Brown, Jas. Fowlkes, John A. Jones, AValter W. BroAvn, Thos. W. Bastian, Jno. F. Atkin son, Jno. W. AI. Fain, Alarcenus G. Peery, Pinkney Prince, M. P. Puckett, J. A. Eeeves, Alton McCaleb, AA''m. Wheat, G. W. Young, William .Anderson. On July 1 — Ben. A. Huddleston, Stephen F. Halbrooks, John C. Graeey, Jesse Briggs. 1869 : W. F. Aleacham, E. S. Johnson, J. B. Dean. 1870: On AprU 7 — J. E. Sutton, Jas. Eogers, E. Coleman, L. D. Wright, H. Petty, E. Y. Andrews, Joseph Weems, T. S. Broome, Jno. W. Hombeak. On September 1 — Geo. W. Gray, Stephen G. Warren, Jas. II. Alartin, Sr., Ephraim A. Dean, H. G. Nichols, Wm. B. Erwin, LL G. Primm, J. P. Beasley, W. B. Eussell, Jesse James, Wm. H. BroAvn, J. A. Jones, Samuel Chesser, LcAvis Bates, Joel P. Alorrison, E. C. AA^'arren, Geo. G. Tatum, Wm. Harder, Jr., M. P. Puckett, E. A. Smith, Wm. AVheat, Joseph M. Bond, Geo. W. Young, William Anderson. 1871: Walter W. Brown. Hickman County Magistrates. 437 1872 : J. P. Clark, James D. Easley, J. W. Dun can, Jno. H. Hines, E. AI. Anderson. 1873: Daniel Dean, M. M. Petty, O. B. Tumer (vice R. J. AVork, resigned). 1874: S. T. Broome, Luther AVhiteside, W. G. Clagett, AV. H. Dean. 1875 : J. T. Jones. 1876 : W. G. Clagett, Thos. S. Easley, Thompson Fleming, G. W. Gray, J. H. Alartin, Archie Young, AI. II. Puckett, W. B. Erwin, Alilton Haskins, H. Primm, Wm. Donegan, Taylor Jones, W. B. Eussell, W. H. Beasley, Jesse James, Jared Curl, W. H. Brown, O. B. Tumer, J. A. Jones, D. N. Walker, A. B. Edwards, E. C. Murray, J. G. Anderson, E. Breece, Luther Whiteside, J. M. Harder, M. P. Puck ett, B. C. Charter, Chas. AVheat, Alton McCaleb, Will iam Anderson, E. AI. Anderson. 1877: T. P. Litton. 1878 : AV. S. Beasley, Thos. Cagle, J. A. Jones, Jr., V. B. Shouse, E. 0. AVarren, E. A. Smith. 1879: T. L. Grimes. 1880 : L. J. Tidwell, Ford George, J. W. Taylor. 1882 : G. AV. Gray, V. B. Shouse, J. A. Bates, Jno. AV. Cummins, James Harrington, AV. J. Thornton, T. L. Grimes, L. J. Tidwell, J. AI. Fly, J. O. Eice, T. S. Bartlett, Hardy Petty, W. H. Beasley, Jesse James, Josiah Bastian, W. H. BroAvn, W. H. Baker, Thomas Cagle, Samuel Chesser, E. C. Murray, A. B. Edwards, E. C. Warren, John 0. Peeler, Pinkney Prince, W. D. Aydelott, J. W. Taylor, M. P. Puckett, Charles 438 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Wheat, J. P. Grimes, William Anderson, E. M. An derson. 1883: Eichard A. Smitii, G. W. Mathis, C. C. Cany, L. B. Beasley, Henry Gray. 1884: W. J. Thomton. 1885 : J. AI. Grimniitt, MarshaU Sanders, John A. .1 ones. 1886: W. J. Brown, E. W. Easley 1887 : E. M. Hinson, G. D. Johnson, J. T. Jones, AV. A. J. McDonough, J. E. Still. 1888 : W. G. Clagett, G. Fowlkes, Joseph Adair, John Cummins, James Martin, T. L. Grimes, S. AI. Cummins, E. K. Cooper, H. G. Primm, Thomas Pat ton, J. T; Jones, W. A. J. AIcDonough, W. B. EusseU, W. 0. Thompson, E. W. Easley, W. H. Baker, W. M. Sanders, Thomas Cagle, W. K. Chandler, E. C. Mur ray, E. AI. Hinson, S, C. Heath, Joel P. Morrison, E. D. Clark, Esau .Anderson, G. D. Johnson, E. A. Smith, J. M. Bond, J. N. Smith, S. Anderson, F. P. AlcCaleb. 1890 : J. E. StiU, J. J. Sparks, J. J. AIcGill, P. E. Lovelace. 1891 : A. B. Georg©. 1892 : G. AV. H©dg©. 1893 : G. AL Ferguson, W. P. EusseU. 1894: G. Fowlkes, Jno. B. Gardner, E. A. Dean, Y. F. Harvill, W. M. Hunter, S. M. Cummins, J. AI. Thomton, Johnson TidAvell, E. A. Smith, J. T. Jones, L. E. Cochran, J. A''. McDonough, W. G. Brown, E. W. Easley, J. T. Webb, J. J. Sparks, E. Hickman C^ounty Magistrates. 439 S. Potter, W. L. Walker, S. G. Carothers, E. C. Beas ley, A. J. Depriest, P. E. Lovelace, J. C. Peeler, W. D. Aydelott, Esau Anderson, E. A. Smith, G. D. Johnson, A. B. George, James AlcCaleb, J. E. Grimes, T. J. AVaUser. 1895: S.E.Bond. 1896 : T. H. Duncan. 1898 : A. J. Pope. 1899 : Thomas Cagl©, J. H. C. Tarkington. 440 History of Hickjian County, Tenn. CHAPTER XXI. MIIiITIA OFFICERS. 1\ /f USTEE days Avere red-letter days in the calen- -'-?-'- dar of the ante-bellum citizen of the county. Attendance upon musters was made compulsory by law, and all citizens of the State between th© regula tion ages were members of the Stat© militia. The militia of Hickman County constituted the Thirty- sixth Eegiment Militia officers Avere elected by the militia of the county, and the men who held those offices were men of local prominence. They were commissioned by the Governor, and from records in the Secretary of State's office the following names and dates Avere obtained. The date preceding the names is the year in which commissions were issued : 1808: Lieutenant colonel — John Holland. Ma jors — Joseph Wilson and Joseph Inman. 1809 : Captains — James Alston, Jones (or Jonas) Alesser, William Carretiiers (Carothers), William Phillips, WiUiam Haley, Jr., Samuel Snoddy, Charles B. Harvey, Ephraim AlcCaleb. Lieutenants — John Mitchell, William AI"ynett, John Owens, John Cope- land, Aaron Parker, Frederick Alayberry, John Peery, Samuel Faught. Ensigns — Jacob Humble, _Silver- ney (probably Sylvanus) Hassell, Benjamin HaAV- kins, John Harris, John Walker, Joab Haile. 1810: Captain — Pleasant Easley. Lieutenant — AInjTiA Officers. 441 George Eead. Ensigns — John Lomaks, John Hart In a caA-alry regiment: Captain — Millington Easley. Lieutenant — Tristram Thomas. Comet — WUUam Stewart. 1811: Lieutenant colonel — ^William PhiUips. Ma jor — ^WiUiam Carrethers. Captains — George Eeid, Peter Searcy, Daniel Obar (or Daniel O. Barr), Sam uel i[. Carrethers, Pleasant Easley. Lieutenants — Henry M. Truett, James Clark, William Briggs, .Aaron Eaynor, Josiah Hanna, Jacob Humble. En signs — Silvanus HasseU, AVilliam HoUand, William Muirhead, Obadiah LcAvis, Henry Mayberry, Chas. Spencer, Jr. 1812 : Captains — Nathaniel Simpson, Ephraim McCaleb, James .\lston, Harvey Jones. Lieutenants — Thomas Gatlin, Edmond Gee, John Scott, Eliot Homback (Hombeak), Tristram B. Thomas. En signs — ^AViUiam Eice, John Gregory, Edmund Gee, Elisha Walker, Warham Easley. Drury Easley, John Flinn. 1813: Captains — Alexander W. Swinney, Alexan der Higginbotham. Lieutenants — Eichard Walker, Eobert G. Bowen, Bernard Totty. Ensigns — Ste phen Easley, Eipley Copeland. 1814: Captain — Thomas Gatiin. Lieutenants — - Henry Lieuten (Luten), Jonathan Shelton, WiUiam Eeeves, , James Bailey, Elisha Walker. Ensigns — - Isaiah Gates, George GoodAvin, Warren Mason, James Wilkins. 1815: Major — ^John NunneUy. Captains — Jona- 442 History of Hickman County, Tenn. than Shelton, Barney A. Flinn, Andrew Jones. Lieu tenant. — Jacob Deen (or Dun). Ensigns — William Wright, James Mullen, William Fisher. 1816: Lieutenant colonel— B. G. Stewart Major — Joseph Lynn. Captains — John B. Willey, Samuel Han-ison, Eeal Williams. Lieutenants — Jordan An derson, AVillis Davis, William Thompson, Joshua Lewis, Abraham Land, Eeal WiUiams. Ensigns — Miles GoodAvin, AVilliam Tubbs, William Gordon. Comet in cavalry — Joseph Hanna. 1 817 : Captains — Hardy Sparks, George Grant (or Gannt), .Alexander Anguish ( ? ), Younger McCaslin, AVilliam L. Carter, Thomas Dean, Elias E. Walker, Kinchen Pace. Lieutenants — Elijah Dansby, Charles Aluirhead, Jesse Hanna, James AlcClanahan, Archi bald Ponder. Ensigns — Labomen Kelly, rick D. Lafferty. Ensigns — Jonathan Eeeves, .John Christian, Isha C. Kelly, Edmond Jones. 1825 : Captain— David B. Wairen. 1826 : Lieutenant colonel — Samuel D. AIcLaugh lin. Major — Basil B. Satterfield. Captains — John H. Gatlm, John T. Primm, John L. Anderson, James Capoor (or James K. Poor), Henry Ammons, John Campbell, Jacob Eiley, Charles Warren. Lieuten ants — James AlcCaleb, Alfred Sanders, John Dun can, Ambrose Blackbum, Thomas Grantham, Daniel Shouse, Martin Seawell, David Lancaster, Dennis Jones. Ensigns — ^Andy Fergusson, Willis Lowe. 1827: Captain — Alillington Easley. Lieutenants — Henrv' E. Fowlkes, John AIcGiU, Cornelius Mat thcAvs. Ensign — Thomas Cannon. Officers of the "Houston Guards" commissioned were: David B. 444 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Warren, first lieutenant; Davis H. Alorgan, second lieutenant ; Jacob Shouse, ensign. At another time during this year the following Avere commissioned in this company: Pleasant M. Hornbeak, captain; Jas. D. Easley, lieutenant. 1828: (36th Eegiment) Colonel— B. B. Satter field. Captain — John McCaleb. Lieutenants — Eob ert Harrington, Henry Golden. Ensign — Dempsey Harrington. (106th Eegiment) Colonel — James Bai ley. Lieutenant colonel — Jacob Eiley. Alajors — Jess© LoAvc, LcAvis Denning. Captains — Willia,m Sutton, Elias Eogers. Lieutenants — LeAris Eogers, AViUiam Burchard, Eichard BroAvn, William Phil lips, Samuel Scott, Abner Coleman, Andrew Walker. Ensigns — AVilUam B. Murphree, Jesse Lowe. 1829: (3Gth) Major — Alfred Darden. Captains — Eobert. Charter (Houston Guards) , Lewis P. Totty, John Harrison, NcAvton Forrester, Benjamin B. Wil son. Lieutenants — James PreAvett (or Trewitt), AA''illiam F. TAvilla, OAven EdAvards, Joseph Patterson, James M. Ponder. Ensigns — James Baird, John AL Fielder, Abraham Stillts, Alitehell Anderson. do 6th) Alajor — WiUiam Sutton. Captains — James AlcCoUum, John Smith, William Whitwell. Lieu tenants — Dniry Brock, Terrell Goodman, Jackson Patton, Paschal Lancaster, William Tatum, James Laxson. Ensigns — Simpson Depriest, Patton Mc CoUum, AA^^illiam Miiiray, James Jones. 1830: (36th) Captain— John AIcGUl. Lieuten ants — Newell K. Poore (Houston Guards), William AIilitla Officers. 445 LeAris, James Spraddlin, SterUng Carroll, Benjamin Adair, William Poore, Abel Overton, AUen D. Mont gomery, Jacob Jenkins. Ensigns — Josiah Eeed, AA^Uliam Dickey, Joseph Willey, Levi G. Murphree. (106th) Captain — Samuel Scott Lieutenant — ^Eob ert Haila Ensigns — Thomas Price, John Scott 1 831 : (36th) Colonel — Eobert Charter. Captains — Edward Cames, .John Burcham, Eichard H. Alli son. Lieutenants — Benjamin Adair, .Asa Pipkin, James AL Baird, John Gray, William Smith. En signs — Harbert Totty, AViliam H. WiUey. 18.32: (36th) Major — Pleasant M. Hombeak. Captains — Solomon Tucker, Eeuben F. AVhite, Thos. Dotson. (106th) Majors — James E. Sheegog, AViU iam AVhitweU. Captain — Joel C. Hobbs. Lieuten ants — Thomas P. Kimbro, Nudam Briant, Benjamin AA'ells, Jefferson Daniel. Ensigns — John W. Petty, LaAvson Smith. 1833: (36th) Captain — ^Eeuben I. AVhite. Lieu tenant — James H. Giles. (106th) Major — ^Dennis G Jones. Captains — AA'illiam Wilson, James Moore, Terence Bates, Eobert Easley, James Jones, Isham AVest Lieutenants — Jackson Deaton, Viach Light, J. Eeeves. Ensigns — Henry Milam, Isaac Sparks. 1834: (36th) Colonel— .-Alfred Darden. Lieuten ant colonel — LeAvis P. Totty. Majors — James D. Easley, NcAvton M. Nicks. Captains — ^Eobert E. Griner, Wiliam AVheat, Benjamin Adair, James M. Ponder, Bailey G. Wilson, Henry G. Nichols. Lieu tenants — Neverson Perritt, Jesse Temple, John Grif- 446 History of Hickman County, Tenn. fin, Christopher Nichols, Green Eegions, Alfred A. Lanly. Ensigns — Silas AVheat, John Griffin, Ed ward 0. Totty, Asa. Savage. (106tii) Captains^ — An derson Tate, D. A. Walker. Lieutenants^A. Bruce, W. Grant, A. Barr, E. Anderson. Ensigns — ^Will iam Harmon, William Milam. 1835: (106th) Colonel— Dennis G. Jones. [The Legislature of 1835, following the constitutional con vention of 1834, reorganized the militia of th© State, the two Hickman County regiments being numbered Ninety-seven and Ninety-eight. J 1836: (97th) Colonel— LcAvis P. Totty. Lieuten ant colonel — Neverson Perritt Alajors — Thomas Dodson, Edward Cavenor. Captains — Benjamin Grimmitt, Jacob Jenkins, William Hicks, Lemuel P. Kelley, William Adair, George McCrary, John Parker, Jeremiah Harder. (98th) Colonel — ^Den nis G. Jones. Lieutenant colonel — William Wilson. Jlajors — Joel C. Hobbs, David A. Walker. Cap tains — Patrick Coleman, LeAris D. Lowe, Jacob By lor, Nicholas Davis, Thomton Scott, Eeuben Thom ton. 1837: (97th) Captains — John Oliver, Albert S. Griner. (98th) Major — Samuel Scott. 1838 : (97th) Major— John AVhitfield. Captains — Charles Dougherty, Alinor B. Hanes., Miles Har rington. Lieutenants — Andrew Morgan, John Lit ton, William Thornton, Joseph Alexander, Thomas Eogers. Ensigns — John L. Tarkington, George Ad- cock, Calvin Harrington. Militia Officers. 447 1839 : (97th) Lieutenant colonel— Albert S. Gri ner, John A. Oliver. (98th) Lieutenant .colonel — Thornton Scott 1840: (97th) Colonel— Albert S. Griner. (98th) Lieutenant colonel — Thomton Scott 18-41: (97th) Alajor— William NeaL (98th) Cap tains — S. LeAris, I. Lancaster. Lieutenants — W. Quillen, Jno. AIcNeilly, B. BroAvn (or Breece), M. Eeeves, Wm. BroAvn (or Breece). Ensigns — Daniel BroAvn (or Breece) , Daniel Winters. 1842: (98tii) Colonel— W. A. Calvert Captain — B. F. BroAvn. Lieutenant — ^AA^. BroAvn. Ensign —J. Petty. 1843: (97th) Major — Nathaniel Le Duff(?). (98tii) Colonel— David AVaUier. 1844: (97th) Captains— M. G. Peery, Jno. Baker, W. C. Barnes, AV. L. Bateman, J. C. Bradley. Lieu tenants — Hiram Baird, G. AV. Fowlkes, E. C. WiUey, ^¦.L W. Davidson, .Alpheus Truett Ensigns — Calvin Shouse, Darid Darden, James W. McMinn. Benj. HasseU. (98th) Colonel — D. A. Walker. Captains — AV. Gravett, G. W. Car( ? ). Lieutenants — J. Par ham, AV. Breece (or BroAvn), J. ( ? ), W. Quil len, J. C. Cavendor, T. AV. Easley. Ensigns — ^W. Holt, J. H. ( ? )j J- Barber, Lewis Bates. 1845 : Brigadier general (Seventeenth Brigade) — Thos. J. Wliitfield. (97th) Colonel— J. A. Oliver. Alajor — A. A. Alexander. Captains — Jesse Briggs, Noah K. Eandall, AVm. H. Miller, Jno. Young, Jno. P. Beasley, Henry C. CampbeU. Lieutenants — ^B. 448 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Liggins, Francis AI. Totty (or Tolly), James H. De vore, Henry E. Eaymond, H. Church, John Worley, James GavIu, Josiah Jones, Pinkney Prince, P. Sav age, Horatio Clagett. Ensigns — Nathan Hickman, AndrcAv Clymer, Eufus Coleman. (98th) Lieuten ant Colonel — T. Thompson. Alajor — Jno. Shepard. 1848: (97th) Colonel— Andrew M. Adair. Ma jors — Thomas Brooks, Jas. Devore. Captains — '.rhos. O. Smith, Wm. II. Bratton, Jno. C. .Anderson, Eobt. NeAvsora, A. AV. AA'^eatherly, Stephen Eeeves, Ira H. Barnhill, AA'm. P. Kelly. Lieutenants — Thomas Afassey, Jesse C. Hicks, J. AV. McMinn, Jno. G. Turman, Henry Lyle, Jesse P. Bates, Jno. W. Jones, Ste]")hen S. Eogers, Jno. AVorley, Jno. Nicks, AA'^m. Cockmm. Ensigns — Jno. A. Eandall, Chas. A. Nash, Sir Winfred Cotton, Henry Darden, Jno. L. Clymer, Jonathan HardAvick. 1849: (97th) Captains— Jno Haile, Turner Ty ler, Whitman W. AV. FoAvlkes. Lieutenants — Chas. AV. Graeey, M. L. GUes, Jno. WiUiams, Wm. T. Hagins, AVilson Overbey. Ensign — Abram Groves. 1850: (98th) Captains— E. AA'. Christian, B. M. Harris, AVm. Collier. Lieutenants — James Black burn, Z. AI. Gamer, Wm. Phillips, J. G. Anderson, Wm. Foster, James B. AA^'right. Ensigns — A. J. Bates, AA'^m. Leathers. 1851: (97th) Lieutenant colonel — Edward A. FoAvlkes. (98th) Co.lonel — Aden Lowe. Majors-^ Alfred Forrester, James AI. Davidson. 1853: (97th) Colonel— Jno. A. E. Fogge. Lieu- AIiLiTiA Officers. 449 tenant colonel — ^Patrick Smith. Major — James Mil ler. 1861 : On May 1, under the Ad reestabUshing the State militia, the foUoAving were commissioned: (97th) Colonel — Edward A. Fowlkes. Lieutenant colonel — ^E. W. NunneUee. Majors — HoweU A. Shouse, Jesse K. McMinn. Captains — James D. Easley, H. 0. Campbell, WUliam Anderson, Wilson Overbey, A. J. LoveU, G. H. AndrcAvs, J. A. Nunnel lee, Wm. H. Brown, Jno. A. Jones, Marshall Twomey. (98th) Colonel — John Alorris ( ? ). Lieutenant colo nel — S. J. Easley. Majors — ^D. J. Easley, D. L. Bastian. A few weeks later the enlistment of men for the Confederate Army commenced in Hickman County. ¦29- 450 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XXII. COUNTT AND COURT OFFICIALS. THE destruction of records by the fire which de stroyed the Hickman County courthouse during the latter days of the Civil War caused the task of compiling lists of county and court officials to be a difficult one. Some of the foUoAring lists are com plete and accurate; while others are only partially so, despite strenuous efforts to make them both com plete and accurate : Judges of Circuit Court. — Parry W. Humphreys (1809-13), Bennet Searcy (1813-18), Parry W. Hum phreys (1818-36) [Judge Joshua Haskell presided at Centerville by interchange with him in 1828], Alortimer A. Martin (1836-38), Edmond DiUahunty (1838-49), Elijah AValker (1849-61), Fidding Hurst (1865), Hilary Ward (1865-67), A. AL Hughes (1867-70), Elijah AValker (1870-73), Thomas P. Bateman (1873-86), E. D. Patterson (1886-91), W. L. Grigsby (1891-99), .John W. ChUdress (1899—). Solicitors-general— G. W. L. Alarr (1809-13), Bennet Searcy (1813 — in June of Avhich year he be came judge), E. T. Paine (1813 — June to Novem ber), Henry Minor (1813-14), James L. BroAvn (1814-15), Samuel Chapman (1815-17), Eobert L. Cobb (1817-19), James E. AIcMeans (1819-21), James Scott (1821-26), Henry Nixon (1826-31), County and Court Officials. 451 Alex. M. Hardin (1831-36). Attorneys-general. — William K. Tumer (1836-39), Willie B. Johnson (1839-41), Nathaniel Baxter (1841-47), . . . John AL Taylor (1870-78), M. H. Meeks (1878-86), John L. Jones (1886-94), W. Blake L©ech (1894-99), H. Clay Carter (1899—). Circuit Court Clerhs.—Rohert Estes (1809—?), Millington Easley (made bond on March 14, 1820), David B. AVarren (1836-48), Samuel AAHiitson (1848- 50), A. Z. Deshazo (1850-54), Eobt C. Huddleston (1854-59), E. W. Easley (1859-60), John L. Grif fin (1860-63), Frank Puckett (1865— appointed by Brownlow),Wm. G. Clagett (1865-74), E. G. Thomp son (187-4-82), J. D. Flowers (1882-86), J. W. Atkin son (1886-94), WiUiam A. Adair (1894—). Sheriifs.— William PhiUips (1808-24), Gabriel Fowlkes (1824-32), Pleasant Walker (1832-36), AViUiam H. Carothers (1836-42), Eeeves A. Huddle ston (1842-43— died), WiUiam PhiUips (1843-48), John AV. Huddleston (1848-54), Solomon J. Georgd (1854-60), Levi AlcCoUum (1860-62), Daniel D. Smith (1862-65), Joseph Beasley (1865-67), John Baker (1867-72), E. A. Dean (1872-78), Horatio 0. Hunter (1878-80), J. A. HarviU (1880-84), W. H. Phillips (1884-90), J. A. HarviU (1890-92), W. J. AIcEAven (1892-96), John V. Stephenson (1896-98), J. C. Yates (1898-). Chancellors. — Stephen C. Pavatt (1854-61), . . . J. C. AVaUter (1868-70), George H. NLxon (1870-86), A. J. Abemathy (1886 — ) . Prior to 1854 Chancery 452 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Courts for Hickman County were held at Charlotte. Some of the Chancellors who presided there were: William E. Anderson, Nathan Green, Wm. A. Cork, Lunsford M. Bramlett, Andrew McCampbell, Terre H. Cabal, A. O. P. Nicholson, John S. Brien, and Samuel D. Frierson. Clerks and Masters (at CenterviUe). — S. H. Will iams (1854-56), Orville A. NLxon (1856-61), Pleas ant AL Hombeak (1865-67 — died and was succeeded for a short tim© by his son, F. B. Hornbeak), W. M. Johnson (1867-83), O. A. Nixon (1883-90— died), E. G. Thompson (1890-93), Samuel T. Broome (1893—). County Court Clerks. — WiUiam Stone (1808-18), Samuel Sebastian (1818-1835), James D. Easley (1835-58), J. W. Hornbeak (1858-61), AL H. Puck ett (1865-70 — appointed by BroAvnlow), J. D. Mur phree (1870-73), J. D. Easley (1873-74), A. M. Eeaves (1874-82), W. P. Coleman (1882-90), A. J. AlcClaren (1890-97— died), Eobert Brown (1897- 98), J. W. EusseU (1898—). Tax Collectors.— James H. Fowlkes (1847-48), Green Pickard (1849-50), D. McCord (1851), J. A. Bizwell (1852), Isaac Lancaster (1853), E. Coleman (1854), Geo. W. Martin (1855), Gyms W. Eussell (1856), A. J. Nixon (1857), Wm. F. Shipp (1858), J. K. AIcMinn (1859), Z. F. Beasley (1860), J. N. Puckett, Jr. (1865-70 — appointed by BroAvnlow), Eobt F. Green (1870-72), H. C. CampbeU (1872- 74), J. C. Frazier (1874-76). County and Court Officials. 453 Trustees.— S. McE. Wilson (1876-82), A. W. War ren (1882-88), .L N. Pace (1888-92), J. H. Brown (1892-96), AV. AL Baxter (1896—). County Surveyors. — James Weatherspoon (1824- 25), Georg© Peery (1825-51), Samuel C. Aydelott (1851-65). Sine© the Civil War th© following have held this office : Andrew J. Stanfield, W. H. Burchard, AV. P. Coleman, John M. Anderson, and Isaac A, Hunter. Registers. — Bartholomew Gra,yson Stewart (1808 to as late as 1817, and probably later), Eli B. Horn beak (1822 — terminal dates not known),. Samuel B. Moore (filled out Hornbeak's unexpired term). Pleas ant Hornbeak, N. T. Fowlkes (1851 — terminal dates not knoAvn), John C. Graeey (1854 — terminal dates not known), Grimes, of Beaverdam Creek (1854- 58), E. W. Lawson (1858 to CivU War), J. H. Hines (appointed by GoA'emor BroAvnlow), E. W. Law- son (1870-74), Thos. J. Walker (1874-82), W. D. Thompson (1882-90), J. D. Flowers (1890-98), W. D. Warren (1898—). County Superintendents of Public Instmction. — A. J. Stanfield (1867-69— office abolished), Orville A. Nixon (1872 to September 4, 1874 — resigned), J. A. Cunningham (September 4, 1874, to January 1, 1876), S. H. Holmes (January 1 to October 1, 1876 —resigned), W. P. Clarke (October 1, 1876 to 1886), I. A. Hunter (1886-90), E. E. Amall (1890— re signed), W. V. Jarrett (1890-91), I. A. Hunter (1891-96), E. S. Ballow (1896—). 454 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XXIII. hickman county soldiers. revolutionary war. ALL of that portion of Hickman County north of the Continental Line of 1784 (knoAvn locally as the " Alilitary Line ") was embraced in th© terri tory given to her soldiers in the Eevolutionary War by North Carolina; therefore, th© larger portion of this territory was granted to holders of North Caro lina military warrants. Many of these warrants were bought from the soldiers by land speculators; some became the property of soldiers' heirs. Several old soldiers came here in person, laid their land warrants here, and spent their last days in Hickman County. Som© of those were : Josiah Davidson, Hardin, Abner Ponder, and James Peery. On June 1, 1840, there were living within the limits of Hickman County the foUoAring old Eevolutionary soldiers: Elijah May- field, Josiah Grimmitt, Jordan Alilam, John Tucker, Eichard Campbell, and Eichard Nolls. WAR OF 1812. In the War of 1812 Hickman County fumished a number of soldiers. Some of them wer© : Capt. Porter, Capt. John Gordon, William Shipp, John Gainer, Alatthew Totty, William Totty, Drury Har rington, Dempsey Harrington, Eobert Harrington, Hickman County Soldiers. 455 William Harrington, Epps Bishop, James Birden, Jared Curl, Thomas Uslam, John Eichardson, Dr. Schmittou, William Bird, AVilliam Carter (or derly sergeant in 1814), Allan P. Kelley, Eobert Peery (wounded at New Orleans on Januaiy 8, 1815), Alexander Peery, William Peery, and George Peery. first SEMINOLE WAR. Of the Hickman County participants in the First Seminole War, only the names of William Bird and William Carter have been preserved. With a well- organized militia in the county and with the military spirit of the people alive, Hickman County doubtless furnished more soldiers in the War of 1812 and in the two Seminole AVars than are here named, and it is to be regretted that the absence of records prevents the naming of all those who participated in these wars. SECOND SEMINOLE WAR. The foUoAving names of Hickman Countians Avho participated in the Second Seminole War have been preserved: Maj. Powhattan Gordon, William Mc Cutcheon, Zach. Totty (wounded), and Barnett Totty. Felix K. ZoUicoffer, son-in-laAv of Capt John Gordon and brother-in-law of Alaj. Powhattan Gordon, was in this war. MEXICAN WAR. When Gov. Aaron V. BroAvh made the call for A'ohmteers in 1846, John W. A^Tiitfield's company, " Hickory Guards," was one of th© first to respond. 456 History of Hickman County, Tenn. It became Company A of the First Tennessee Eegi ment, commanded by Col. William Bowen Camp bell, who afterwards became Govemor of Tennessee. Colonel Campbell was a relative of Dr. Samuel BoAven "Aioore, Dr. J. C. Ward, and other dtizens of Hick man County. This regiment, after its baptism of blood at Alonterey, was known as "The Bloody First." The deeds of this regiment have gone into the bright est pages of Tennessee history ; but the tattered and faded diary of Dr. William D. Dorris, who succeeded Dr. McPhail as surgeon of th© regiment, tells of the hardships encountered by this regiment — the stem r©alities which wer© associated with th© glamour of glory. Th© regiment was organized at the race course below NashviU© on June 3, 1846, and spent this and the succeeding day in drilling. On Jun© 5 it started on its long journey by water to New Orleans. One of the steamboats was tiie Tallerand, on board of which a Bible class was organized on June 7. This class had about 150 members, but th© list of their namos was lost bef or© Alexico was reach©d. Dr. Do'i^ ris, in his diary, says: "June 13 and 15, inclusive, we landed at New Orl©ans and encamped in the lower part of the city, at Williams' Mills, a most filthy place." On the night of June 17 the regiment em barked on three sailing vessels for Brazos Santiago, an island about nine miles from the mouth of the Eio Grande. Two companies wer© placed on the schooner Orleans, and five companies on the ship Charleston, of Boston. Five companies were placed on the third Hickman County Soldiers. 457 vessel, although the captain had contracted for but four. Dr. Dorris says : " We suffered like African slaves from the jam being so great as to cause difficult breathing, sickness, ete. We anchored off the island on the fifth moming, and som© five companies were taken off five or six days after, and the balance, vrith our poor bruised horses, were taken off after weather ing out a storm of forty hours at anchor. We were miserably neglected by Major Thomas at Point Isa bel." They were " then placed in a miserable flat, where we had to sink barrels to get the natural red soda water, Avhich, vrith the malaria, has given the surgeons mor© than they Avere able to do." Captains Whitfield and Walton (the latter of whom is still living) erected the first two hospital tents. Dr. Dor ris says : " The first report I made of bowel complaints was 230 cases. One case died, belonging to Captain Whitfield's company, since w© landed here." This was Nimrod Hartzogg. Dr. Dorris expresses sui^ prise that there were no more deaths. From the sick roll of Whitfield's company, kept by Dr. Dorris, it seems that nearly every man in the company was seri ously ill before they reached Monterey: Two entries on the sick roll are as follows : " George W. Banks, mosquito bite; Owen EdAvards, homesick." In this season of distress the Bible class was reorganized on July 4, 1846. The following names are signed on the roll of this class: Joseph Weems, E. H. Smith, James E. Burchard, AViUiam E. Whitson, William Walker, Henry G. Darden, Eobert Harrington, LeAris 458 History of Hiciqian County, Tenn. P. Totty, Joseph S. .\nderson, Owen Edwards, John C. Lewis, John Duncan, George AV. Banks, Ira H. Barnhill, E. -J. Newsom, Samuel Weatherly, James B. Harder, Edmond Harder, Abner Weatherly; "J. W. Whitfield, Capt. H. Guards." This memoran dum Avas made on this roll : " Our Bible class has generally been neglected more on account of sickness than anything else, and dividing our regiment into detachments in transporting us from place to place on steamboats. This the 13th Sept., 1846. (Signed) Joseph Weems, Sec." Under date of "July 5 & 6, 1846," is this entry in Dr. Dorris' diary: "Camp. Brazos Santiago — a fiat, Ioav, nasty place." Con- ceming the illness of Dr. AlcPhail, the surgeon of the regiment, Dr. Dorris says : " Dr. Stames Avent with him, the doctor's boy, and Joseph AVeems to nurse him. George Martin nursed him on the beach at Brazos Santiago. Both good nurses." Dr. McPhail died on July 12, 1846, and was buried on the follow ing day Avith military honors. He was a brother-in- law of Captain AVhitfield, and was a physician in the Third District before the breaking out of th© Mexican AA^ar. On July 8 the regiment marched from the island of Brazos Santiago tp the mouth of the Eio Grande. This march of nine miles consumed three hours. For one-fourth of a mile they marched across a bar which Avas covered by water from the gulf. The average depth of the AA'ater was two feet. They were transported by steamboats fifteen miles up the Eio Grande. " The water of th© Eio Grand©, the only Hickman County Soldiers. 459 kind we uoav use, is rather muddier than the Missis sippi, but easily settles and has a good taste ; and is far better than any which we have had since we left New Orleans," says Dr. Dorris. Dr. Dorris, Lieutenant LeAris P. Totty, and eighteen others were sent to Gen eral Taylor to warn him of a contemplated attack on his wagon train, Avhich had with it $200,000. By July 23 the regiment had reached Camargo, farther up the Eio Grande, at the mouth of one of its tribu- tries. Here a number of Whitfield's company Avere discharged on account of sickness and sent home. When a call eame, on August 29, for men to move up this tributary of the Eio Grande to attack Monterey, less than half the regiment responded. Th© march to Alonterey commenced on September 7, and they came in sight of th© city on September 19. Under date of September 13, 1846, is this entry in the diary of Dr. Dorris : " The sickness that has prevailed in tills regiment has never been excelled by any I ever heard of or read of in my campaigns. (Signed) AVilliam D. Dorris, M.D., Surgeon First Tennessee. By Joseph AVeems, secretary." Dr. Dorris had gone through the Second Seminole War as a surgeon. Company A was, on account of orders, not under di rect fire during the attack on Monterey on September 21. Dr. Dorris says : " Tennesseans made the best charge ever made by Americans against fortress and batteries. The flag that Avas presented by the ladies of the NashviU© Academy was the first placed on the walls of Monterey." Along with th© Tennesseans in 460 History of Hickman County, Tenn. this charge was th© First Alississippi Eifles, com manded by Jefferson Davis. At Camp Allen, near Alonterey, on October 25, 1846, Whitfield's com pany had but thirty-nine privates and nine officers. Nin© had died and the remainder had been discharged on account of sickness. On the sick roll is this entry : " Z. Hassell has not done duty for more than fifteen days since we left New Orleans, two of which were in battle in Monterey." In Dr. Dorris' diary is a roll of Whitfield's company, which bears the following in dorsements : " I do hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the names of the officers and privates of Capt. Jno. W. Whitfield's company. (Signed) Wm. E. AVhitson." " I do hereby certify that the above is a correct list of th© Hickory Guards. (Signed) Jno. W. Whitfield, Capt H. G. of Hickman Cty." The roll is as f oUoavs : Jno. W. AVhitfield, captain ; James D. Easley, first lieutenant; Lewis P. Totty, second lieutenant; Abraham C. Dansby, first sergeant; Thomas E. .Dansby, second sergeant; Albert Griner, third sergeant; Edward W. Nunnelle©, fourth ser geant; (Dr.) Francis M. Easley, first corporal; Al fred Darden, second corporal (promoted to b© third lieutenant) ; Eichard H. Smith, third corporal ; Will iam D. Willey, fourth corporal ; Joseph S. Anderson, John S. BroAvning, James E. Burchard, Alexander Barnhill, Ira IL Ba.mhill, Joshpa Bumham, George AV. Banks, Joseph B. Campbell, Henry C. Campbell, John L. Clymer, Eansom Dean (color bearer), Adley Davidson, Henry G. Darden, Benjamin G. Darden, Hickman County Soldiers. 461 George A. Duncan, James Devore, Elisha Dotson, John H. Davidson, James AI. Davidson, John 0. Dun can, Joseph Ellis, William Easley, Owen Edwards, AVilliam H. Easley, William A. Farlow, Edward A. Fowlkes, W^iUis Fergusson, George C. Gordon, Zacha riah Hubbs, ALEXANDEE HAEATELL (died of measles, on September 7, 1846, at camp below Ca margo, Alexico), Zebulon Hassell, Eobert Harrington, Edmond Harder, James Llarder, Beverly E. Holt, Eben House, NIMEOD HAETZOGG (died on June 23, 1846, at Brazos Santiago), Benson M. Harris, Jo siah Jones, Joshua Jones, WiUiam Jones, John C. LeAris, WiUiam Lewis, Isaac Ledbetter, Melford M. Leonard, Socrates Martin, (Dr. ) William Montgom ery, AViUiam AlcClanahan, Eeuben McClaren, Joel P. Mon-ison, Allies MUam, Dudley Alilam, GEOEGE W. AIAETIN (died on June 5, 1847), Ebenezer Alor rison, Eobert Newsom, Hezekiah Eagsdale, Thomas E. Eagsdale, JAMES P. SHOUSE (died at camp above Camargo, Alexico, on September 17, 1846), Andrew J. Sullivan, Leroy Stuart, Eichard Smith, Green W. Sullivan, Barnett Totty, John L. Temple (fifer), James Tmett (drummer), ANDEEW J. TOTTY (died on August 19, 1846, of dysentery and fever), PEAIBEETON TOTTY (died on Au.gust 24, 1846, of dysentery), Francis M. Totty, Zachariah Totty, (Dr.) John C. Ward, Samuel W. Weatherly, Abner Weatherly, Wiley A. A\^eat, WiUiam B. Watts, Joseph Weems, William E. AVhitson, Eobert M. AVhit son, Thomas S. Warren, James Walker, Ephraim N. 462 History of LIiciaiAN County, Tenn. AVilley, .Albert Wray, and William Walker. From this roll is omitted th© name of William Holt, who in an official report is marked " recruit." The follow ing names, not included in this roll, have been fur nished by stm'ivors of Whitfield's company: Camp bell Baird, David Duncan, Georg© W. Gordon, John Jones, Wash. Martin, G. W. Nunnelly, Asa Totty, Thom'as Campbell (name by which H. C. Camp bell was known), Thomas Fielder, Mitchell Leonard, .Armistead Alartin, EdAvard OAvens (probably trans position of name " Oavcu Edwards "), and Jack Totty (probably Zach. Totty). Some of these names are evidently repetitions; but this is preferred by the authors, rather than omissions. The First Tennessee Eegiment later joined General Scott's army and par ticipated in th© capture of Vera Cmz and in the engagements at Afadeline Bridge and Cerro Gordo. The latter affair Avas on April 18, 1847, the tAventy- second birthday of the late John L. Temple, who, as a member of Whitfield's company, participated in this battle. The First Tennessee then went to Jalapa, from AA'hich place it was ordered to return to Vera Cruz. Llere it embarked for New Orleans, where it Avas mustered out of service. At Pueblo, General Scott awaited reinforcementSw When a second call was made for troops, Hickman County again furnished a company, composed in part of discharged soldiers of AA'hitfield's first com pany. It became Company K of th© Third Tennes see Eegiment, commanded by Col. B. F. Cheatham. HiciOLAN County Soldiers. 463 This regiment was mustered into service on October 8, 1847. They went to New Orleans by boat, and from that point sailed to Vera Cruz. Although never en gaged in battle, this regiment was well drilled and saAV much hard service in an unhealthy climate. The regiment did not reach the City of Alexico until after the fall of that city. At the close of the Avar it was mustered out of service at Memphis. Through the kindness of Mrs. John L. Temple, the following copy of the official roll of Company K has been secured: John W. Whitfield, captain; Dennis G. Jones, first lieutenant (promoted to be captain) ; John L. Tem ple, seeond lieutenant; John C. Duncan, third lieu tenant ; Edward (Ned) Fowlkes, promoted to be first lieutenant; John P. Nixon, first sergeant; John N. NunneUy, second sergeant ; Wm. E. HogAvood, third sergeant; John Crudup, fourth sergeant; Elias Dot- son, first corporal ; James E. Burchard, second corpo ral ; Thos. E. Eagsdale, third corporal ; Henry Skaggs (or Staggs), fifer; John Hardin, drummer; Eichard Al. Anderson, Aaron P. Baird, G. F. P. Baird, AViU iam .1. Baird, Thomas P. Bateman, Thomas L. Berry, HUMPHEEY BIBB (died in the service), John H. Blackburn, AVillis Booker, Jefferson C. Bradley, AVill iam L. BroAvn, AViUiam Bugg ( ? ), Eobert C. Chester, David C. Coble, H. Chambers, Anderson (or Hen derson) Chappdl, George C. Coble, ANDEESON CEAIG (died in the service), Frederick Davis, James Deviney, BAENET B. DEPEIEST (died in the service), Morgan Dorton, James C. DoAvney, Alorgan 464 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Elmore, David C. Fielder, John W. Forehand, G. W. Garrett, Anderson Gray, Zach. Green, James P. Green, James B. Guinn, H. P. Haley, Thos. Harbi son, JAMES M. HAEA^SON (died in the service), Thomas Harvill, JOHN HASELETT (died in the service), Benj. (or Een) Hassell, Thomas L. Holt, William J. Hendricks, Jacob W. Haggins, W. Hogan, Jas. AI. Horton, AViley Horton, THOS. HUTSON (died in the service), John J. Johnson, John W. Jones, John W. Land, Isaac Lancaster, James H. Ledbetter, John C. Ledbetter, William A. Ledbetter, James A. Lovell, John Moore, Daniel B. Alurphree, James A. C. AIcFaU, WUliam E. Alays, Levi Mc^ Comb, Hiram McComb, Jordan Alilam, Elisha AIc- Cann, Jesse K. AIcAIinn, Joseph Monis, Franklin Morrison, Timothy J. Nunnelly, David C. Nichols, AVilliam C. Nichols, John H. Nichols, Patterson Nor ris, John Pickard, Geo. W. Patton, S. EEEVES (died in the service), Hiram G. Eossin, James Eob erts, Jas. G. W. Eogers, Peter Sanders, L. P. Shep herd, John S. Smith, Patrick S. Smith, Samuel Skaggs, AViUiam H. Turman, George AV. Tidwell, Samuel AV. Thompson, Johnson S. Vaughn, W. A. A^NYAED (died in the service), SAMUEL D. A. WADKINS (died in the service), E. S. WHITE (died in the service), 'JOHN B. WILSON (died in the service), -James AI. AVoolard, Willis H. Whitwell, Ephraim N. Willey, James B. Wright, Eichard T. Winn, AViUiam N. AVorley, and WiUiam H. WiUis (orAVills). Hickman County Soldiers. 465 federal soldiers. The following is a partial list of Hickman Coun tians Avho, during the Ciril War, served in th© Fed eral Army: Capt A. J. Sullivan (killed at Little Lot), James .A. Sullivan, Frank Lewis (died in the service), Wid Duncan (died in the service), John McCalpin (died in the service), Isaac Eagan (died in the service), Henry Golden (died in the serrice), James Dunn, J. D. Harbin, W. B. Hendricks, Wm. Cochran, Edward Fowlkes, Wm. T. Easley, A. J. AIcDonough, J. W. McDonough, Jas. A. McDon ough, James Puckett, David Puckett, Alex. Puckett, Johnson Totty, John A. Totty, Eichard Totty, John Thomas, Thomas Ferguson, Philip Gland, James Ste- phenson. ^^^ ^^^g_ Hickman County closed the century, as she began it, vrith gallant soldiers in th© service of the general government The following Hickman County boys were members of the First Tennessee Eegiment, U. S. v., lately retumed from th© Philippine Islands: Crocia Anderson, Jno. Darden (discharged at San Francisco), Jno. F. Dean, Wm. Fly, Ed. Green, Thos. Green, Benj. Haskins, Eobt. McCord (reenlisted), Eobt. McDonald (reenlisted), Ed. Milam, W. L. Mor rison (discharged at San Francisco), Thos. Nixon (discharged at San Francisco), Nathan Parish (dis charged at San Frandsco), Pleasant Eussell (reen listed), F. Vickers (reenlisted), Alex. Warren, Wm. WiUiams, Thos. WUson, J. W. Woods, and Claude Woolard. -30- 466 History of Hickman County, Tenn. CHAPTER XXIV. HICKMAN COUNTY CONFEDERATES. " The foeman need not froAvn, They are all poAverless now — We g-ather them here, and we lay them down, And tears and prayers are the only crown We bring to Avreathe each brow." company JJ, ELEA'ENTH TENNESSEE. '''T^ HE foUoAring circular, immediately after its -^ issuance, was circulated throughout Hickman County by Thos. P. Bateman, a veteran of the Mexi can War, at that time a laAvyer of Centerville : To AuMs! We are now in a state of revolution, and Southern soil must be defended, and we should not stop to. ask, Who brought about the War? or, Who is in fault? but let us go and do battle for our native, or adopted soil, and then set tle the question as to who is to blame. I have the acceptance of a company to go to the South and fight for Tennessee and the South, provided it can be mustered into service bet.w^een the 1st and 10th of May next. Gome forward and enroll yourselves immediately at my office in the town of Centerville. April 2,Sd, 1861. T. P. BATEMAN. One of th© original circulars, noatiy framed, now hangs in the office of the Centerville Hotel. In this frame is a card on which are these words : " Alany of the braves who answered my roll call hav© answered , Hickman County Ooneederates. 467 th© last call, and I will soon be vrith them over there. E. A. Dean, Sergeant, Co. H, 11th Tenn. Inf." In his office Bateman had th© foUovring, to which numerous signatures were placed : " We, the under signed, agree to volunteer for the term of twelve months to serve in the military service of the State of Tennessee, subject to the order of I. G. Harris, Gov emor of the State of Tennessee, to serve in any part of the South that we may be needed, or on the bor ders thereof to defend the State of Tennessee and the rights of the South. April 23d, 1861." The organization of Bateman's company was com pleted at Centervill© on May 1, 1861, and it then commenced the march to NashAdlle, the fifer playing, as the company left CenterviU©, " The Girl I Left Behind Me." On May 14 the company was mustered into the service of the Conf©d©rate States of America and became Company H of the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry. This regiment partidpated in the follow ing battles: Wild Cat (or Eock Castle Eiver), Ky. ; Walden's Eidge, Murfreesboro, Chiekamauga, Mis sionary Eidge, Eocky Face Eidge, Eesaca, Calhoun, New Hop© Church, Kcnnesaw Mountain, Peachti-ee Creek, Sugar Creek (east of Atianta), Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, and Bentonville, N. C. It was surrendered with General Johnston's army at Greens boro, N. C, on AprU 26, 1865. Th© battl© flag of the regiment was, however, brought away in safety from the place of surrend©r. Th© foUowing is th© roll of Company H: T. P. Batoman, captain (elected lieu- 468 History or Hiokman County, Tenn. tenant colonel at organization; resigned on April 1, 1862) ; P. V. H. WEEMS, first lieutenant (elected captain to succeed Bateman ; promoted to b© major ; killed at Atianta on July 22, 1864) ; E. C. Gor don, second lieutenant; ALEX. H. VAUGHN, third lieutenant (killed at TazeweU, East Tennessee, by drunken soldiers of Brazzleton's Conf©d©rate Caval- ly) ; W. 0. Jonos, first sergeant (subsequently lieu tenant, then captain; wounded) ; E. A. Dean, second sergeant (subsequently first sergeant; first lieutenant at reorganization ; wounded at Murfreesboro) ; Thoa D. Thompson, third sergeant (subsequently aid-de camp to Gen. James E. Eaines) ; W. J. D. Spence, fourth sergeant (later a captain in Napier's Battalion of cavalry) ; James A. Brown, first corporal ; W. H. White, second corporal; J. H. (" Tack") Carothers, third corporal (later wagon master) ; W. G. Frazier, fourth corporal (afterwards a lieutenant in the Tenth T©nnessee Cavalry) ; James H. Anderson (of David son County), WILLIAM ALLEN (died on October 16, 1861), W. A. Baker (wounded), Wm. Burchard, S. H. BALLAED (killed in battle at Jonesboro, Ga), J'. O. Bradley, W. S. Brown, W. M. Baxter, Thos. Burch (frequentiy regimental color b©ar©r) , E. Bibb, Jam©s Barr (wounded at Murfreesboro), Jno. H. Barr (wounded at Peachtre© Creek) , A. V. Burchard, A. N. CHAMBEELAIN (died at Camp Cheatham on May 20, 1861), JAMES CHANDLEE (died at Camp Cheatham on July 1, 1861), JOHN CHAN DLEE (killed in batti© at Murfreesboro) , Jesse Co- Hiokman County CoijEEbEi^ATEs. 469 ble, Charles Cagl©, Samuel Cochran, Jno. T. Cochran., Jones CoUins, JOSEPH CHANDLEE (killed in battie at Jonesboro, Ga.), Henry G. Darden, J. G. Da,rd©n, Alfred B. Darden, H. A. DUDLEY (died at Camp Cheatham on June 4, 1861), W. D. EASLEY (died at B©an's Station, East Tennessee), John A. Easl©y, Gabri©! Fowlkes (corporal; commissary ser^ geant), HAEEIS FLOYD (kiUed on skirmish line near Jonesboro, Ga.), J. PoUc Fielder, SAMUEL W. GAENEE (killed by Federals in Humphreys County), J. M. GODWIN (killed in battle at Nash viUe), G. W. F. Gamer, Thos. Grimes (transferred to regimental band), SAMUEL B. GEAY (killed in battle at Missionary Eidge), L. P. GEINEE (died at Bean's Station), ANDEEW GEAVITT (died, at Camp Cheatham in Jun©, 1862), J. CALVIN GOS SETT (died at Bean's Station on Jun© 28, 1862), A. W. GEENILL (died on July 14, 1862), Joseph Gray (of Peiry County), Wash. Gill, James George, EICHAED GEEEE (died atNcAvnan, Ga, in 1863), H.AEEY GOEDON (transferred from Eighth Texas Cavalry; killed on skirmish line n©ar New Hope Church), Arten Has3©ll, Brit. HasseU, F. B. Hom beak (transferred), Wm. Hooper, James H. Hud dleston, Z©bulon Hassell, S. M. Hombeak (trans ferred), E. A. Hombeak (transferred), W. H. Hud dleston, Andrew Hunt (transferred to regimental band), J. M. Harbison, Thos. Henley, Samuel G. Jones (wounded at Alurfreesboro), GEANVILLE M. JOHNSON (killed in battie of Chiekamauga), 470 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Harris Jones, JACOB H. JOHNSON (seoond lieu tenant at reorganization; promoted to be captain; killed in battie at Atianta on July 22, 1864), Fred. Jones, John Kemp, James Lunsford, Jno. H. Leeper, J. S. J. LANOASTEE (kiUed in battle of Chieka mauga), G. W. Lancaster, Dr. A. J. Lowe (assistant surgeon), N. H. LEEK (died on AprU 13, 1863), WILLIAM E. LOAIAX (di©d in 1862), HENEY LOWE (di©d at Camp Ch©atham on July 10, 1861), Thomas Loftin, Alfrod Leek, David D. Alurphree, J. S. MAETIN (died on AprU 2, 1863), AEMISTEAD MAETIN (kiUed in batti© at Atianta on July 20, 1864), M. B. AlcClanahan, L. B. McClanahan, H. H. Mumford, W. G. Alalugin, B. B. Mobley, W. H. Ma- roney, DANIEL MONTGOMEEY (killed in battie at Jonesboro, Ga.), George W. Martin, Albert Morri son, Luther Miller, " Tip " Mumford, Griff. Nichols, John Plunkett, Jno. M. Poore, THOS. BENTON PETTY (kiUed in battle at Atianta on July 22, 1864), D. M. Parker, JOSEPH PATTEESON (killed in battl© at Murfreesboro), David A. Eandall (said to have deserted), T. J. Eochell (transferred), W. N. EatUff, JASPEE EOCHELL (killed on skir mish line near New Hope Church)., Oephus Eeeves, William Eeeves, F. J. Eeeves, James Ehodes, G. M. Ehodes, Wilbum Eagsdale, J. SHIPP (killed near Dalton, Ga), Nat. Suggs, Patrick S. Smith, Thos^. S. Smith', JAMES SHIPP (joined Tenth Tennessee Cavalry; killed in battie at Nashville), John S. Sat terfield, Wm. B. Sutherland, Jno. P. Sutherland, J. Hiokman County Confederates. 471 W. Shouse (sergeant), David Moore Spenc© (hos pital steward), WHITE TUCKEE (died on July 8, 1861), J. H. C. Tarkington, STEWAET THOMP SON (mortally wounded in batti© of Missionary Eidg©), WILLIAAI C. WEBB (killed in battie at Murfreesboro), E. J. Work (third lieutenant at re organization; wounded at Murfreesboro), M. M. WEIGHT (killed in batti© at Murfreesboro), James Yates. twenty-fourth infantry. Hickman County fumished two companies to the Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, which was organ ized at Camp Anderson, thre© miles south of Mur- , freesboro., on August 6, 1861. This regiment first encountered the enemy at Camp Jo© Underwood (Kentucky) on the night of October 22, 1861, when six companies of the regiment, together with Captain LeAris' cavalry company, surprised and captured this Federal camp of instmction. This regiment took part in the bloody battles of Shiloh, Perryvill© (Ky.), Alurfreesboro, and Franklin; and th© d©ath rolls of the two Hickman County companies show only too well the gallantry of their members.. The foUowing roll of Company H, Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, is a copy of that sent by Capt. J. A. Holmes to W. C. Whitthome, adjutant general, Stat© of Tonnessee, on May 14, 1863. Entries on this roll concerning events of dates subsequent to this are based on information obtained from survivors of this company : CHAELES WESLEY BEALE, cap- 472 History of Hickman County, Tenn. tain (died at Bowling Green, Ky., on December 7, 1861) ; J. G. Anderson, first lieutenant; (Dr.) E. K. Dawson, second lieutenant ; G. W. Young, brevet sec ond (third) lieutenant ; H. C. Campbell, first ser geant (promoted to captain on December 10, 1861; wounded at Shiloh on April 6, 1862) ; E. F. Bratton, second sergeant; W. C. McCord, third sergeant; J. N. Anderson, fourth sergeant (promoted to second lieutenant on November 2, 1861) ; J. W. Tyler, first corporal ; W. D. BAKEE, second corporal (kiUed at Shiloh on April 6, 1862) ; L. E. Eeeves, third corpot- ral; W. H. H. Hunter, fourth corporal; Allan Ad- cock, E. M. Anderson (woimded at Shiloh), D. 0. Anderson (wounded at Shiloh) , Alexander, W. S. Anderson, F. M. Anglin, W. D. Amold, N. J. Anglin (wounded at Franklin; leg amputated), M. M. Bradley, F. M. Ballard (promoted to lieutenant in December, 1861), B. Bates, J. A. Brickie (third corporal), E. E. BEASLEY (kiUed at Shiloh on April 6, 1862), W. 0. Beard, W. B. Beard, W. C. Baird, A. G. BAIED (died on March 8, 1862), E. H. BATES (died in November, 1862), B. B. Bates, Thos. Cunningham (wounded at Shiloh), G. B. Cav- endo.r, W. W. Campbell, J. H. Clark (wounded at Perryville), J. D. Clymer (fourth corpo.ral), G. W. COOPEE (died at Tupelo, Miss., on June 30, 1862), W. M. Deal, E. A. Dean (wounded at Murfreesboro; right arm amputated; mentioned in official EoU of Honor for gallantry in this battie) , Patrick Dvyer, James Dunlap, L. H. Dawson, FEANK EMLEE Hiokman County Confederates. 473 (died at Shelbyville on April 20, 1863), Henderson Emler, J M. Fly, Frank Fergusson, W. C. J. Giles (wounded at Shiloh), J. E. Coins, J. H. Greer (pro moted to s©co.nd lieutenant on April 14, 1863), J. T. Gan-ett, G. W. Groves, HENEY GEOVES (died at Bowling Green, Ky., in January, 1862), J. B. Hooten (Avounded at Shiloh), W. W. Harrington, S. G. Hen dricks, F. M. Hassell, J. D. Hensley, James Hooper (second sergeant), J. A. Holmes (promoted to cap tain on August 26, 1862), Thos. Holmes (promoted to second lieutenant on April 14, 1863), J. H. Hutchi son, J. H. Harris., J. T. Kennedy, J. G. Killoughj Elias Lane, J. H. McCord (wounded at PerryvUle, Ky.), W. C. McCord, N. F. Moss, Eobt McCoy, F. P. AlcCaleb, T. F. Moss (wounded at PerryvUle), J. P. Morrison, G. W. Alalugin (fourth sergeant), Eobt. McClanahan, E. G. Moor©, Chas. Milam, E. C. Nutte, Alexander Overbey (wounded at Franklin), Wilso.n Overbey, W. E. OliA-er, S. P. Parker, W. A. PAE- KEE (killed in battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862), J. .A. Pickard, Alex. Plunkett, Samuel Pace, JAAIES PINKEETON (died at Camp Trousdale in August, 1861), B. H. PENDEEGEASS (died at Frank lin on September 25, 1861), M. P. Poplin, G. H. PEITCH.AED (killed at Shiloh on AprU 6, 1862), H. G. Primm, J. P. Eagsdale, A. Eogers, W. N. EAGSDALE (killed at PerryviUe on October 8, 1862), S. J. Eeeves (Avounded at Shiloh), J. J. Eeeves, Wiley Eichardson, David Eeeves, J. A. Eob erts, Zach. Simms, AL M. Shaw, Albert Stephens, 474 History of Hickman County, Tenn. Chas. Stephens, J. K. Stephens, J. P. Stephens, A. J. Slayden, J. N. Smith, Walter Smith, W. G. Smith, AL W. ToUey, Kearney Turman (wounded at Perry viUe), B. b'. Turman^ THOS. TUEAIAN (died at Bowling Green, Ky., in November, 1861), James Tmett, J. H. Tucker, D. M. UnderhiU, E. J. Warren, W. 0. Warren, Ealph AVarren (wounded at Murfrees boro), Elijah Warren, W. T. Warff, B. L. Warff, E. D. WAEFF (died at Tullahoma on November 24, 1862), N. Young (promoted to first lieutenant in De cember, 1861). In addition to these, th© following names ar© fumished by survivors of this company: Wiley Eiclonan, T. S. J. Scruggs, Daniel UnderhiU, G. W. Cavenor, A. D. Easley, W. A. Neely, and W. Pinkerton. On what purports to he a death roU of this company are the following additional names : W. D. Parker (kiUed at Shiloh), A. T. Bird (died on Alarch 7, 1862), B. S. ComweU (killed at Shiloh), Alex. P. Cleveland (died on April 26, 1862), Wm. E. Beasley (killed at Shiloh), Dixon Dyer (killed at Shiloh), Eufus Davis (killed on March 10, 1862), P. W. LaAvrenc© (died on March 24, 1862), Benj. Alatthews (died on April 4, 1862), Thos. M. Haynie (kiUed at ShUoh), W. LI. Pate (died on April 6, 1862), Jesse PoweU (killed at Shiloh), John Payn© (di©d on April 24, 1862), Jo.hn D. Ta,ylor (killed at ShUoh), Henderson AV. Winkler (killed at ShUoh). The follo.wing roll of Company I is a copy of that sent by Captain Holmes along with th© roll of Com pany II. Thes© companies wer© 'consolidated, and Hickman County Confederates. 475 Captain Holmes, therefore, reported conceming the tAVO original companies: J. J. WiUiams, captain (pro^ moted to major; elected lieutenant colonel, but de clined ; wounded at Shiloh) ; Edward W. Easley, first lieutenant (promoted to captain; wounded at Shi loh) ; P. S. Mayberry, second lieutenant ; T. S. Beaty, third lieutenant; Samuel Dunbar, first sergeant; J. G. PEELEE, second sergeant (promoted to third lieutenant on August 26, 1862; died on Febmary 26, 1863); Henry Alayberry, third sergeant; E. F. Green, fourth sergeant (wounded at Shiloh; arm amputated) ; D. E. Elvers, first corporal ; W. Z. Curl, second corporal; Willis Tumer, third corporal (wounded at Perryville, Ky) ; F. C. CH.APPEL, fourth corporal (joined Tenth Tennessee Cavalry; kUled in battie of NashviUe); A. I. Whit©, fif©r; Thomas Alexander, N. W. Armstrong, B. F. Arnold, Alonzo Askins, MOSES BATES (died at NashviUe on September 17, 1861), W. A. Barber, DENNIS BATES (died at Bowling Green on November 11, 1861), EUjah Baker, ADOLPHUS BATES (died at NashviUe in September, 1861), AEilo Baker, ELIAS BUCHANAN (died at Camp Trousdale on Septem ber 10, 1861), IL Beatty, S. C. Brown, J. F. M. CampbeU, D. AI'CLUEE COOPEE (died at Nash viUe on September 20, 1861), W. D. CampbeU, W. J. Campbell (wounded at Shiloh), William Cook, John Cox, AV. S. Gotham, Ha,rv©y Cross, William Cash, J. AL DUKE (killed at Shiloh on AprU 6, 1862), A. J. Depriest, FE.ANK DEPETEST (died at Nash- 476 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. ville on January 19, 1863), A. D. Easley (wounded at Perryvill©), FEANK EMEESON (died at Co lumbia on January 4, 1862), T. S. Easley (promoted to second lieutenant in December, 1861 ; wounded at Shiloh; subsequently captain in Tenth Tennessee Cavalry), JAMES FENTEESS (killed at Perry-" vill© on October 8, 1862), W. C. GAENEE (wounded at Shiloh: died in prison), T. J. Groves, E. H. GAE- EETT (died at Columbia on January 10, 1862), L. J. Griffin, A. S. GAEEETT (killed at Shiloh on AprU 6, 1862), Samud Gentry, W. 0. GEIFFIN (killed at Shiloh on AprU 6, 1862), PEEEY GUN- TEE (kiUed at Shiloh on AprU 6, 1862), N.ATHAN GEIFFIN (died at NashviUe on September 17, 1861), E. C. Halbrooks, W. F. Hale, B. F. Harris, J. M. Hamock, T. B. Henry (promoted to first lieu tenant on August 26, 1862), F. M. Hutehison, J. C. Hutehison, Elijah Hutchison (transferred from Forty-second Eegiment), James Hutchison, WilHam Jenkins (wounded at Shiloh), J. A. Kunkl©, W. J. Lancaster, J. 0. LAWSON (mortally wounded at Perryville, Ky.), S. S. Lawson, William Lovelace, J. S. Alayberry, Eobert Malugin, Adolphus AlcClaren, EOBEET M'CLAEEN (died at Bowling Green on November 11, 1861), B.. M. Milam, G. W. Milam, W. N. AIILAAI (transferred from Forty-second Eegi ment; mortally wounded at Shiloh), J. (or A.) N. AlcClanahan, J. L. McClanahan, J. D. L. Nunnd- lee (promoted to first lieutenant), J. A. Nimnellee, JAAIES PAEKEE-(died at home in September, Hiokman CouNtY Confederates. 477 1862), P. G. Pace, WILSON PAGE (killed at Shi loh on April 6, 1862), Ethelbert Parker, John Pick ard, WiUiam Pinkerton, W. T. Peeler, ANDEEW P.4EKEE (died at Camp Trousdal© on September 15, 1861), William Pinkerton, Jr. (wounded at Shi loh), DAVID O. PINKEETON (died at Bowling Green on November 30, 1861), D. E. Elvers, Joel Elvers, J. M. EEECE (killed at ShUoh on April 6, 1862), M. M. Elvers, J. AL Elvers, W. M. Sanders, (wounded at Shiloh), John Sisco, John E. Sisco, F. H. SISCO (died on July 8, 1862, at Tupelo, Miss.), W. H. Stoops, Wiley Stuart (wounded at Shiloh), S. A. Tatum, W. A. Tibbs, Elias Tumer, W. B. Thom ton, A. J. Tumer, E. P. Twilley, J. T. WAEEEN (died in the service), George Wright, F. B. Wright, Eobert Wright, W. P. Wofford (Avounded at Shiloh), T. J. Walker (wounded at Shiloh and at Alurfrees boro), Eichard Wilkins. The foUoAring additional names are given by surviA'-ors of this company : Jack Wright, James Jenkins, " Babe " Sisco (wounded at Shiloh), WiUiam Curi, THOMAS CUEL (killed at Shiloh), WiUiam H. Thornton, Abe Bentley, George Groves, Jack Sims, John W. NunneUee, John Olimer, Charles MUam. On the death roU of this company are found these additional names: J. B. WOOTEN (or HOOTEN), died in the seivice on Febmary 27, 1864; J. A. TUENBOW, died in the service on March 5, 1863. 478 History of Hiokman CouHty, Tenn. forty-second TENNESSEE INFANTRY. Th© Forty-second Tennessee Infantry was organ ized about October 1, 1861, it responding to the s©cond call for troops. Hickman C'ounty fumis.hed two com panies to this regiment. This regiment participated in th© engagements at Fort Dondson and was sur rendered at this place on February 16, 1862. The officers were carried as prisoners to Johnson's Island ; the privates', to Camp Douglas, 111. At the lat ter place many Hickman County soldiers died, far from home and unattended by sorrowful and sym pathizing relatives. The officers vrere ©xchanged in Virginia ; and tiie privates wer© ©xchanged at Vicks burg, Miss., on September 17, 1862. The regiment was reorganized at Clinton, Miss., on September 27, 1862. At Port Hudson, La., the regiment was ex posed to a heavy fire on March 14, 1863, when Oom- modor© Farragut passed up th© Mississippi Eiver. Th© Forty-second was on its way to the relief of General Pemberton when Vicksburg fell. It then re treated to Jackson, Aliss., where it was engaged, hold ing the enemy in check. Transferred to the Army of Tennessee, it participated in the battles of New Hope Church, Pin© Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Smyrna Depot, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Lick-skillet Eoad, Jonesboro, Big Shanty, the seoond battle at Dalton; the bloodiest of them all — Franklin, and Nashville. The following roll of Company B, Forty-second Tennessee Infantry, is based upon information fur- Hiokman County Confederates. 479 nished by survivors of this company and the death roU of til© regiment: Josiah E. Hubbard, captain (promoted to major in March, 1863) ; John Nunnel lee, first lieutenant ; GEOEGE A. LOWE,* second lieutenant (mortally wounded at Atlanta ; died at Forsyth, Ga. ) ; William Carothers, third lieutenant (wounded at New Hope Church and at Franklin) ; William W. Lyell, first sergeant (escaped from Fort Donelson, and joined Morgan's Cavalry) ; Eichard Wills, second sergeant; Jack Christian, third ser geant; William Clark, first corporal; Samuel M. Carothers, second corporal (elected second lieuten ant at reorganization; wounded at Kennesaw Moun tain and at Franklin) ; W. W. ASKINS (died in prison at Camp Douglas, 111., on Febmary 9, 1863), Thomas Armstrong, Samuel Armstrong, Nathaniel Armstrong, Eiley Beasley, James Barnhill, Eobert Booker, James Burch (wounded), WESLEY BOYD (died on February 9, 1863), James Booker, Alexan der BamhiU, John Briggs, James Bryant, Hugh E. Carothers (wounded at Franklin), Stephen E. Ca rothers (wounded at Kennes.aw Mountain — eye shot out), James T. Carter, James Chappell, Wyatt J. ChappeU, Jack ChappeU, Hosea ChappeU, DAVID CUFF (died in the service), FEANK CAETEE (kiUed at Perryville, Ky.), Van Dougherty, Thomas *Lowe, at the time he received his death- wound (July 28, 1864), was captain of his company, and was exposed to the enemy's fire while remonstrating with a private for exposing himself unnecessarily. 480 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Duncan, Dennis J. Easley (sharpshooter; quarterr master), GEOEGE FOX (died on October 27, 1863), T. Fergusson, Tillman Gray (wounded at Franklin), James Gossett, J. K. P. Graritt, WEB- STEE GILBEET (died in prison at Camp Douglas, 111.), Spivey Gossett, Hiram W. Hassell (wounded at Perryville, Ky., and at Franklin), James Hubbs (wounded at New Hope Church), J. B. Hassell, Gus tavus Hamer, James Hutson, THOAIAS J. HAS SELL (died at Columbus, Miss.), Carroll Hubbs, GEOEGE W. HOWELL (died in prison), John Hudgens, William Hudgens, Dennis Jones, CAE TEE JEANES (died in prison), David Lowe, Will iam Luther, William Lynn (wounded at Kennesaw Alountain) , Eobert Lyell, John Lewis, James Levris, John W. Martin, E. Morrison, Olivor McAIinn, Cal vin AlcCord, Daniel K. McCord, OLIVEE P. MIL- BUEN (died in prison), B. Moore, John Aioore, William Moore, AlarshaU Nicks, Douglass Nicks, FEANK OWENS (kiUed at Fort Donelson), Sam uel Owens, Georg© Petty, Tim. Petty, David Potter, Eichard Phillips, Eobert E«id©n, James Eichardson, JOHN G. W. EOCHELL (di©d in Alarch, 1862), Eobert Eeeves, Newton Eeeves, John L. Temple (fifer), David Thomton (at on© time first sergeant), Asa Totty, Zachariah Totty (veteran of both Semi nole Wars and M©xioan War), Benjamin. Thornton, Thomas Vinyard, Eeuben Wills, Epps Wills, James W. Warren, Neal Warren, C. Warren, FEANCIS M. WOODS (died in the service), MA JOE J. YATES Hiokman County Confederates. 481 (died on Alay 6, 1863), James Yates, John Yates., Thomas Abates.' This roll, as wdl as all other rolls where the information has been obtained almost solely from the survivors, is necess.arily»>incomplete and may contain enors. While errors and omissions are re gretted, thej^ are unavoidable. After the lapse of over one-third of a century, it ia impossible to obtain all of the names and to secure th© correct initials. The difficulty of this task shows its importance. Had it been left undone for another third of a century, many gallant soldiors whos© names ar© h©r© recorded Avould have been by that time forgotten. The following comparatively correct roll of Com pany F, Forty-second Tennessee Infantry, was fur nished by Lieut. J. E. Brovrai : Levi McCoUum, cap tain (elected major; promoted to lieutenant colonel) ; John W. Walker (elected captain at organization) ; LeAvis Bates, first lieutenant ; John H. Coleman, sec ond li©utenant (wounded) ; Stephen Forrester, third lieutenant; BENJAMIN F. COLEAIAN, first ser geant (elected captain at reorganization at Clinton, Aliss., on September 27, 1862 ; kiUed at New Hope Church on Alay 27, 1864^— struck by a grapeshot) ; T. J. LANDEES, second sergeant (died in prison at Camp Douglas, 111.) ; J. S. Forrester, third ser geant; .A. C. Dunagan, fourth sergeant (third lieu tenant at reorganiza.tion; woimded at Franklin) ; WiUiam Peeler, first corporal; OSCAE M. SUT TON, second corporal (died in prison at Camp Doug las, 111., on April_ 4, 1862) ; L. L. Bingham, third -31- 482 History of Hickman County, Tenn. corporal; JAAIES CAGLE, fourth corporal (killed in battie of Franklin) ; Gideon Amold, David .\mold, LEWIS ASKINS (died at Trenton, Miss., on Octo ber 7, 1862), J. J.%AKEE (second sergeant at re organization; died at Mobile, Ala.), J. E. BroAvn (seco.nd lieutenant at reorganization; wounded at Atlanta on June 28, 1864), W. O. Bates (promoted to lieutenant), SEABOENE BLACKWELL (kUl©d at NashviU© on March 10, 1864), H. E. BamhiU, W. H. BASTIAN (died in prison at Camp Douglas on June 12, 1862), D. L. BASTIAN (died in prison at Camp Douglas on Alarch 23, 1862), W. C. BAS TIAN (died on June 12, 1862), James BlackweU (wounded at Atlanta on June 28, 1864), WILL IAM BLACKWELL (died on November 12, 1861), Thomas Bates, GEOEGE W. BAKEE (died on April 14, 1862), EICHAED CUDE (kiUed at At lanta on June 28, 1864), Duncan Campbell, Jesse Chesser, JOHN CUNNINGHAM (died in 1863), James Claiborne, Frank Claiborne, Benjamin Chan dler (third sergeant at reorganization), J. N. CHAN DLEE (died in prison at Camp Douglas on March 9, 1862), J. M. CHANDLEE (died in prison at Ca,mp Douglas on March 17, 1862), J. G. CHAN DLEE (died in prison at Camp Douglas on April 12, 1862), ADAAI CAGLE (died on April 7, 1863), S. AL CUNNINGHAM (died on June 14, 1863), L. C. Dunaway, S. W. Dunaway, F. M. Forrester, J. F. GEAY (first lieutenant at reorganization ; died at St. Louis, Mo., in 1864), DAVID GEOA^ES- (died Hickman County Confederates. 483 on October 22, 1863), WILLIAM A. HUGHES (died on September 13, 1863), J. M. HUTCHISON (died in prison at Camp Douglas on August 25, 1862), E. Hutehison, JACK HINSON (killed in Hickman County), William Hinson, (Eev.) James Johnson, H. W. Jones, JOHN JONES (died at Camp Cheatham on November 18, 1861), THOMAS JOHNSON (died in Georgia), Anon Low©, OYEUS LOWE (died in prison at Camp Douglas on Jun© 30, 1862), Thomas Lucas, James Lancaster, AIILTON LANOASTEE (died at Atianta on Jun© 28, 1864), George Alorrison, T. B. MOEEISON (died in prison at Camp Douglas on August 17, 1862), A. J. AIOE- EISON (died in prisom at Camp Douglas on Alay 15, 1862), Joseph Morrison, William AlcClanahan,, James D. Murphree (fourth sergeant at reorganizai- tion; wounded at Atlanta on Jun© 28, 1864; leg amputated), AMSEL MUEPHEEE (died at Camp Cheatham on Novemher 3, 1861), Jess© Matthews, WILLIAM MITCHELL. (died on May 15, 1862), J. E. McCoUum, J. C. POOEE (first ^rgeant at re organization ; died at hom©), Samuel Poore, ASA PELL (kUled at Atianta in July, 1864), D. S. Potr ter (wounded at Fort Donelson), D. T. Pinkerton (wounded at PerryviUe, Ky.), EUFUS EICHAED- SON (died in Odober, 1862), JAMES SAWYEES (died at Port Hudson, La, on March 14, 1862), James Singleton, Frank Shipp, G. C. Sibley, JESSE SPAEKS (died at St. Louis, Mo.,.on March 1, 1862), T. G. SANDEES (died on May 11, 1862), WiUis 484 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Turner ('wounded at Fort Donelson), JAMES VEE- NON (died in som© Northern prison), J. D. VEE- NON (died in prison at Camp Douglas on April 11, 1862), THOMAS VICK (died in prison at Camp Douglas on June 2, 1862), J. T. Woolard, W. F. Woolard, James Wh©rry (sha,rpshoot©r; wounded twice at Atianta), JAMES S. WALKEE (died in Alabama in 1865), Pleasant Walker (wounded at Franklin on November 30, 1864), William Womack, JOHN WILKINS (wounded at Atianta ; killed on NoA-ember 30, 1864), E. C. WUkins, Alark WiUiams, Nathan L. Williams, Albert Weatherspoon. forty-eighth TENNESSEE INFANTRY. Th© Forty-oighth Tenn©ss©© Infantry was organ ized about December 15, 1861, on© mil© from Nash ville on the Gallatin turnpike. Milton Vooi-hees, of Alaury County, was elected colonel. This regiment was first engaged Arith the eij.emy at Fort Henry. From this place it retreated to Fort Donelson, losing most of its baggage on the retreat. This caused a larg© number to be detailed to retum hom© and collect clothing. Then th© measles and mumps broke out and a large number were sent to the hospitals. So, as a result, when Fort Donelson fell, less than half the regiment was captured. The captured field offi cers were sent to Fort Warren, Mass. ; th© Un© officers, to Camp Chase, O., from which place they were trans ferred on May 1, 1862, to Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie; and the privates were sent to Camp Douglas, Hiokman County Confederates. 485 111. While the official death roll of this regiment (which is the mo.st incomplete and unintelligible of those ©xamin©d in connection with the writing of this history) is silent as to this point, the dates indicate that many Hickman Countians, members of this regi ment, died in Northern prisons. Th© uncaptured portion of the regiment mad© its way south, and, uniting vrith similar fragments from the Third and Forty-second, which had ©scaped capture at Fort Donelson, organized the new Forty-eighth Tennes see Infantry. Of this regiment th© la,te Chancellor Georg© H. Nixon was ©lected colonel. About August 1 5, 1862, the privates of the original Forty-eighth in prison were sent to Vicksburg, Aliss., and exchanged. The officers were exchanged at Akin's Landing, on the James Eiver, in Virginia. The regiment was re organized at Jackson, Miss., Milton Voorhees being again elected colonel. Members of Nixon's Forty- eighth, then at Shelbyville, nearly all retumed to their original regiments. The existence of two Forty- eighth Eegiments, one of them composed of fragments of several regiments, in addition to the obstacles al ready mentioned, makes the task of compiling a roll of the Hickman County companies in the Forty- eighth Eegiment on© of particular difficulty. In the compilation of th© foUowing roUs the source of in formation was almost solely th© survivors of the companies; and although they readily gave whatever assistance in their poAver, the foUovring roUs are, however much it "may b© regretted, incomplete, and 486 History of Hickman County, Tenn. probably in some respects inaccurate. It is, how ever, believed that they are as nearly accurate as they cari now be made. After the reorganization this regi ment was exposed to a heavy fire at Port Hudson, La., oil March 14, 1863 ; was in the engagements around Jackson, Miss., from July 10 to July 16, 1863 ; and, then being transferred to the Army of Tennessee, was iri the batties of New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Lick- skillet Eoad, Lovejoy's Station, NashviUe, Anthony's Hill (near Pulaski, Tenn.) ; Kingston, N. C, and Bentonville, N. C. It surrendered on March 19, 1865. Company D: Solomon J. George, captain; Elijah Cantrell, first lieutenant (elected captain at reor ganization at Jaclfson, Miss., in 1862) ; John L. Griffin, second lieutenant (promoted to captain) ; Van Buren Shouse, third lieutenant; Eichard Kendrick, first sergeant; Z. J. Waters, corporal (elected first lieutenant at reorganization) ; Armistead Allison, WiUiam Anderson, Washington Andorson, Ed. An derson, Josoph Anderson, John Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Newton Anderson, Elijah Amold, M. P. Aydelott, SAMUEL D. AYDELOTT (died in the service), William Bartley, Eobert Bayles, William Baynes, WILLIAAI BUECHAM (died on April 8, 1862), GEEEN BUECHAAI (died in th© service), William Biddle, Joseph M. Bond (promoted to lieu tenant), C. C. BAENES (died on August 1, 1862), E. Barnes, Wesley Burcham, M. Briggs, John Briggs, Hickman County Confederates. 487 " Shanghai " Bates, Alvin Breece, Samuel Canada, Jesse Coble, AVilliam Cash, B. Co.oper, Joseph Cooper, Alexander Coates', Griffin Coates, Green Clayton, HENEY DENTON (died-on Febmary 20, 1862), GEOEGE W. EASLEY (died in the service), Jo. Easley, Thomas ("Green Tom") Easley, Thomas Easley, J. T. EASLEY (killed at Eichmond, Ky.), Ford George (elected second lieutenant afr reo.rgani- zation), John V. Gray, John F. Gray, Pleasant Grif fin, Sevier Griffin, T. J. GILL (died on May 14, 1862), CarroU Hubbs, Wiley Harper, WUey Hop per, PLEASANT HAEDEE (died in the service), William Johnson, Samuel Johnson, James Johnson, James King, Bliss Levris, James Lewis, Pleasant Lewis, Eichard Love (first sergeant), 0. Meece, Mark Matthews, M. AI' CALEB (died on February 20, 1862), D. M. AI'COLLUAI (killed at PerryviUe, 'Kj,), 0. A. Nixon, Felix Nicks, John Oakley, Luther Peery, Henry Porter, Cave J. Peery, J. W. PEEEY (died on February 2, 1862), Henry Pell, WiUiam Pell, Allan Plunkett, S. A. Plunkett, Isaac Prince, J. S. Prince, JAMES PEINCE (died in the service), Joseph Pmett, Tapley EocheU, "Tobe" Eodgers, Jack Eodgers, JOHN E.ATLIFF (corporal; died on July 1, 1862), J. H. Shipp, John Sharp, Claren don Shouse, Marion Sullivan, Green Sharp, George Sharp, Henry Simmons, Levi Simmons, John Smith- son, F. 0. SHOUSE (died on Jun© 16, 1862), WiU iam Short (elected third lieutenant at reorganiza tion), Asa Totty, WiUiam Totty, WiUiam Thomtop, 488 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. G. M. TATUM (died on Febmary 4, 1862), " Sub." Tatum, John Thompson, William Thompson, Luther Whiteside, Lafayette Whiteside, Joseph Wheat, Eli jah Watts, Eobert Wright, John Warren, John WiUis. Company 0: J. A. OLIVEE, captain (died at St. Lotus, AIo, on Febmary 25, 1862) ; S. J. Easley, first lieutenant; Wilson Overbey, second lieutenant; J. Wilson Pritehard, first sergeant; John A. Petty, second sergeant; Elijah Eushton, third sergeant; FEANCIS PETTY, fourth sergeant (died at Port Hudson, La., in 1863) ; Charles Allen, W. C. Anglin, SAAIUEL BEOWN (died at St. Louis on Febmary 25, 1862), J. E. Brown (corporal), T. J. Brown, George Beale, John Beale, James Birch, Betty, CALVIN BALLAED (killed at Lovejoy Station, Ga., on August 19, 1864), "Bale" Cooper, Frank Carter, Wesley Carter, Newton Carter, " General " Claiborne, EDWAED CAMPBELL (kiUed at Eidi- mond, Ky.), B. E. Cooper, William Duke, (Dr.) J. G. Dinwiddle, Gabriel Davidson, John Dougherty, Wiley ErAvin, Lytle Erwin, George Erwin, W. B. W. Easley (elected third lieutenant at reorganization at Jackson, Miss., in 1862), " Top " Easley, James, Eas ley, J. C. Frazier (first lieutenant at reorganization) , AIALFOED ("BEIGHT") FOEEESTEE (died in prison at Camp Douglas, 111., in 1862), James Aladison Forrester, WILLIAAI FEIZZELL (died on January 31, 1862), G. W. FINCH (died on May 13, 1862), "Bud" Forrester, WiUiam Forrester, Hickman County Confederates. 489 Eichard Forrester, S. F. FOEEESTEE (died on May 14, 1862), John Coins, J. G. Coins., W. Gossett, Lafayette Goesett, W. E. GEIAIES (died in the service), L. C. GEIMES (died in the service), Polk Gravitt, S. George, Johnson HoweU (wounded in Georgia in 1863), JOSEPH HEENDON (died in the seivice), A. J. HALE (died on April 24, 1862), JOHN T. HENDEESON (killed at Eichmond,. Ky), Hiram HasseU, J. D. Hicks, T. J. HASSELL (died on July 13, 1862), A. J. HALL (died on AprU 12, 1862), M. M. Harbinson (second lieutenant at re organization ; wounded on August 19, 1S64), Thomas M. Hogan (first sergeant at reorganization), J. C. JENKINS (died on February 14, 1862), A. Jen kins, J. M. Jenkins, William Lambert, George Lyell, John Lyell, Fielding D. Leathers, JOHN LINTZ (died on January 30, 1862), John McCoy (wounded in Georgia in 1863), J. J. AlcCoy, Calvin McCord, CALVIN AIOEEIS (died on March 5, 1862), N. McCord, Benjamin Alartin, Jo.hn Martin, Andrew Martin, N. J. Alartin, T. G. N. McCord, Alexander Nash, 0. A. Nash, DEUEY OVEEBEY (died on Febmary 5, 1862), Edmond Overbey, G. T. Overbey, Clagett Primm, Columbus Potter, William Pmdt, WiUiam PhiUips, T. B. PEITCHAED (died on May 20, 1862), G. W. POPE (died on May 29, 1862), John Porter, B. PUand, Eobert. Eeeves, H. Eeeves, N. Eeeves, B. Eeeves, George Eial, John Eial A. J. Eodgers, John Eainey, Eobert Steele (ser geant; wounded in Georgia in 1864), Dorey Smith, 490 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. LEWIS SMITH (died in prison at Camp Douglas m 1862), T. B. Smith, W. T. STEELE (died on January 8, 1862), Mark A. Spence, Jack Thomton, Jonathan Tatum, A. J. TurbeviUe, ANDEEW J. THOMPSON (died in the service), W. C. Thomp son, JASPEE TUENEE (died on May 17, 1862), ABNEE TUENEE (died on May 30, 1862), J. W. A. Vaughn, Alonroe Worley, M. J. Worley, (Eev.) H. Eutherford Walker (captain at reorganization), ENOCH WAEEEN (died on February 20, 1862), John ("Bull") Warren, B. F. WYNN (died on Feb ruary 6, 1862), "Dock" Wynn, T. J. WOOD (died on January 25, 1862), M. Woods, G. Washington Walker. One of th© original companies of th© Forty- eighth Eegiment was commanded by Capt. Joel P. Morrison. Numerous attempts to obtain a roll of this company have been fruitless. MISCELLANEOUS John H. Moore, a cadet at West Point at the break ing out of the Civil War, was commissioned as third li©ut©nant in Company B, Seventh Tennessee In fantry, and was promoted to second lieutenant. He served in the Virginia campaigns vrith distindion. Capt. John W. Gates, now of Obion County, was a gallant soldier in the Twentieth Tennessee Infantry. The following names appear upon the death roll of Company G (Shy's company). Twentieth T'ennessee Infantry : J. M. Dean, William Eial, Green Woods, H. N. Lancaster, John Eossen, William H, Harris, Hiokman County Confederates. 491 John W. Cuff, John C. Bates, John Cook, DaUas Da vidson, John Carothers, J. B. Forrest, James- Gray, George Murray, and Dani©l Murphree. The foUovring names appear upon the roll of Com pany H, Third Tennessee Infantry: O. T. Plum mer (first lieutenant), Eobert. T. Coopor (second lieu tenant; promoted to captain; killed), W. J. Harder (promoted to first lieutenant; promoted to ca.ptain), E. M. Plummer (promoted to second lieutenant), James A. Doyel (third lieutenant), Th© foUovring names appear upon the death roll of this company: T. M. Cooper, A. D. Cooper, C. H. Goodman, J. 0. Griner, E. B. Hensley, D. E. Pope, Alexander Pope, J. F. Sharp, W. F. Sims, George Sims, Samuel Lang ford, Samuel G. Cooper, and Samuel Tumer. E. Kelley, of the Twelfth District, was a member of a Maury County company ; W. G. W. Eochell, of this distiid, a member of Company C, Thirty-second Tennessee Infantry. FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY. A condensed account of the services of a Confed erate cavalry command is ahnost impossible. Con trolled by circumstances, rather than by strict orders from superiors, their movements were not outlined by a clear-cut plan, as wer© the movements of in fantry. Alaking long and seemingly almost impossi ble marches, engaging in fighting at dose quarters with th© enemy, some of their most serious engage ments were often affairs which, as they did not mate- 492 History of Hicicman County, Tenn. rially affect the general trend of events, are hardly dignified in histories of the Civil War by the titl© of " battle." That the First Tennessee Cavalry fought the invaders of Southern soil over all the territory embraced in the Southern Confederacy east of the Alississippi Eiver is almost literally trua In May, 1861, the Second Battalion was mustered into service, the First Battalion having been mustered in on© day earlier. A company for the Second Battalion, com posed of citizens of Peny County and Cane Creek of Hickman County, Avas raised by N. N. Cox, who had married Aliss Slayden, of Can© C'reek. At the or ganization Captain Cox was eleded major, Lieut. James H. Lewis, a grandson of the pioneer, John C. Lewis, and a relative of General Forrest, succeeding him as captain. In October, 1861, in an engagement with th© enemy near Hopkinsrille, Ky., George W. Barham, of Lewis' co.mpany, was killed, he being the first soldier killed in th© anny later commanded by Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. During the Arinter of 1861-62 the Second Battalion rep©atedly engaged th© enemy in Southern Kentucky, withdraAring, by way of Fort Donelson, NashviUe, and Columbia, to Ala bama. It partidpated in the ba.ttl© of Shiloh, re maining on the field for thre© days after th© battie, at which tim© it voluntarily withdrew. At Corinth, Miss., it consolidated with th© Eleventh Tennessee Battalion, forming the First Tennessee Cavalry. Here Alajor Cox resigned and proceeded to raise a battalion, which consolidated with Napier's battalion. Hiokman County Confederates. 493 forming the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry. In July, 1862, at the reorganization at Tupelo, Aliss., Capt. James H. Lewis was elected lieutenant colonel. The First Cavalry was in the battle at luka. Miss., and in the stubbornly contested affair at Corinth on October 5 and 6, 1862. The regiment, which was with General Van Dom's forces, retreated in front of General Grant. In the engagement at Holly Springs in December, 1862, Colonel Wheeler was wounded, and Lieutenant Colonel Lewis assumed command of the regiment. Connected Arith th© command of Gen eral Forrest, it participated in th© engagements at Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, in and around Franklin, and at Brentwood. It then drove in every picket around NashviUe, between the Franklin turn pike and the Cumberland Eiver. It then crossed the Cumberland Mountains, and, after much service here, took part in the battle of Chiekamauga. After pur^ suing a large detachment of Federal cavalry as far north as Philadelphia, in Ehea County, it went Arith the raid around AIcMinnviUe, Murfreesboro, and Wartrace. Eetuming by way of Decatur, Ala., it rejoined the a,rmy in time to take part in the ba,ttle of Alissionary Eidge. It participated in the battles of Eesaca, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenne saw Mountain, and the batties around Atianta At New Hope Church this regiment and the Ninth Bat talion opposed successfully for over an hour a much larger fore© of th© enemy. These commands served as cavalry, and, in addition to this^ repeatedly dis- 494 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. mounted and fought as infantry. Lieutenant Colo nel Lewis is authority for this statement : " We inva riably whipped the enemy's cavalry, and then engaged their infantry." Near NcAvnan, Ga., on© hundred and sixty men from Lewis' regiment and Major Aiken's Ninth Battalion held in check AlcCook's ©n- tir© force, estimated at 4,500 men, until th© arrival of reinforcements. Then, sometimes with Wheeler, sometimes with Forrest, sometimes with Wad© Hamp ton, the First Eegiment marched and fought through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. ' After th© battie of Fayetteville, N. C, the command of the cavalry bri gade, of which the First Cavalry was a part, devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Lewis. This brigade took part in the battie of B©ntonvill©, N. C, on March 19 and 20, 1865, and later in the affair near Chapel HiU, N. C. It then " quit fighting." The First Tennes see Cavalry was paroled on May 3, .1865. On the following day, however, a detachment from this regi ment, returning from Tennessee vrith recruits, en countered a brigade of Federal cavalry at Henry Courthouse, Va. Neither party knew of the surren der. In this affair Private Samuel Walk©r ("Cap.") Edwards, of Barham's company (formerly Cox's, then Lewis', company), was killed. " So that the singular drcums.tanc© occurs that this company lost the first and last man killed in th© Army of Tennes see — Georg© W. Barham, near Hopkinsrille, Ky., early in Octobor, 1861; and Edwards, at Henry Hiokman County Confederates. 495 Courthouse, Va, on May 4, 1865." Lieutenant Colonel Lewis is authority for this statement, which is taken from Lindsley's " Military Annals of Ten nessee." In th© following incomplete roll of Company I, First Tennessee Cavalry, thos© names known to be of Perry County soldiers are marked (*): N. N. Cox,* captain (elected major); JOHN 0. SLAYDEN, lieutenant (killed in a personal encounter in Perry County on October 25, 1863) ; James H. Lewis, lieu tenant (captain ; lieutenant colonel ; commanded regi ment and later a brigade) ; John Aschcraft,* Henry Ashraft,* Hartwell F. Barham (promoted to cap tain; wounded), GEOEGE W. BAEHAM* (killed near Hopkinsville, Ky., in Odober, 1861), John Bar ham,* W. L. BLAOKBUEN (kiUed at Shiloh), James S. Bates, W. C. Bates, T. B. Ba.tes, Moses Bal- cum,* JAMES COTHAM (killed on Cane Creek by Perry County jayhawkers), Cotham, Commo- dor© Cotham, C. CHAUNCEY* (kUlod at Corinth, Aliss.), John Cook, Eobert Cowan,* Frank Craig (first sergeant), James Craig,* Joshua Gates,* WiU iam Gates,* Monroe Campbell, John Dikas,* L. Dikas,* Polk Dikas,* Herod Dean,* Lucius Dean* (promoted to second lieutenant), Andrew Downing, John Edwards, SAMUEL WALKEE ("CAP.") EDWAEDS (killed at Henry Courthouse, Va., on May 4, 1865), Thomas Edwards, JOHN FEIEL (killed at Thompson's Station), James Forrest, John Forrest, John Field, John Flowers, William Greene,* 496 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. GEANVILLE GOODAIAN (killed at Brentwood), Hugh Guthrie,* Nathaniel Goodman,* William Hum phreys,* James A. Hughes, William Hilbum,* Al bert Irwin, Alark Jones, WiUiam Johnson,* Abram Kelley, D.\NIEL KELLEY (killed on Cane Creek by Peny County jayhawkers), Thomas Kelley, Hi ram Kelley, Benjamin Kitrell, Eufus Kitrell (third lieutenant), Eobert Kitrell, Patrick Kelley,* Nick Kirk, Jack Lewis,* W. H. Levris,* Thomas Levris,* John Murray, William Marcum,* POWDEE (kiUed), Thomas QuaUs,* G. W. STALLINGS* (Ueutenant; killed at New Hope Churoh), NEHE- AIIAH SHAEP (kiUed at Aiken, S. G), FOUN TAIN P. SHAEP (kiUed), C. C. Sutton, Thomas Sutton, MIKE SIBLAY (kiUed), Abner Shdton,* G. W. Shelton,* Joseph M. Sutton, Sidney Stephens, William Stephens,, James Stephens, Samuel Scott,* E. A. Twomey, Thomas Twomey, BENTON WHIT WELL (killed at Triune), JACK WHITWELL (kiUed at Columbia, S. C), Allan Whitwell, Pleasant Whitwell, J. N. Wall (promo.ted to first lieutenant), Eichard Wall, Clement WaU, Bart. Walker, John Wall, Wesley Welch. tenth TENNESSEE CAVALRY. In the summer of 1862, Alonzo Napier, of Hum phreys County, raised the company Avhich, as Com pany G, became a part of the Tenth Tennessee Cav alry. The original officers were: Alonzo Napier, captain; W. J. D. Spenc©, first lieutenant; Leroy Hiokman County Confederates. 497 Traylor, second lieutenant; William Davidson, third lieutenant. This company, to.gether with four others, iu tho autumn of 1862, organized near Eoss' Land ing, above Johnsonrille, the battalion which came to be known as " Na.pier's Battalion." Captain Napier was elected lieutenant colonel, Avhieh was th© rank of the commanding officer of a ba,ttalio.n. At this time th© following officers of Napier's company vrere elected : W. J. D. Spence, captain ; Thomas S. Eas ley, first lieutenant; William D. King, second lieu tenant; William Wyatt., third lieutenant. Previous to this the men of Napier's command had been several times under fire in their operations t,hrou"-h Hick man, Humphreys, Perry, Maury, Wayne, and Dick son Counties. The battalion now cro=P,ad the Ten nessee Eiver and joined General Forrest's command. At the battl© of Parker's Cross Eoads, which occurred soon after, Colonol Napier was killed while leading his men in a charge. The battalio.n was now sent on a raid along th© Cumb©rland Eiver. It was later joined by the entire commands of Generals Wheeler and Ft)rrest, and participated in th© a.ttack mad© on Fort Donelson. Eetuming to Columbia, Napier's Battalion was consolida.ted with Cox's Ba,ttalion, com manded by Col. N. N. Cox, forming the Tenth Ten nessee Cavalry. Napier's original company became Company I of this regiment. Thos. S. Easley was eleded captain, and commanded it until the close of the war. The foUowing ar© some of th© engagements in Avhich the regiment participa,ted : Thompson's Sta- .32- 498 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. tion, Brentwood, Tullahoma, Chiekamauga, Philadel phia, Maryville, Knoxville, Mossy Oreek, Dalton, Eesaca, New Hope Church, around .\tlanta, Frank lin, and Nashville. This bar© enumeration of battles conveys no idea of th© marches of hundreds of miles it made through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Of this and its accompaniment, fighting, th© Tenth Ten nessee Cavalry did perhaps as much as any Tennessee regiment, save, possibly, the First Tennessee Cavalry and the Ninth Battalion. The foUowing roll of Company I, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, is compiled from information fumished by survivors. Alany names found in the foUoAring roll are of soldiers from other counties. In many cases they are so designated. All names her© found, how ever, are names of men who belonged to this company at some time during its existence: ALONZO' NA- PIEE, of Humphreys County, captain (elected lieu tenant colonel; killed at Parker's Cross Eoads on December 9, 1862) j W. J. D. Spence, first lieutenant (elected captain to succeed Napier) ; Leroy Traylor, of Humphreys County, second lieutenant; William Davidson, of Benton County, third lieutenant ; Thos. S. Easley (eleded first lieutenant to succeed Spence; elected captain at organization of Tenth Tennessee Cavalry ; served until close of war) ; Thomas Alexan der, Daniel Atkinson, Georg© W. Ashley (of Hum phreys County), Nod Amold, Thomas Amold, A. V. Burchard, Monroe Bateman, J. A. Bates, Francis M. Hiokman County Confederates. 499 BaUard, Henry Box (of Humphreys County), John Bates, Jacob Beasley, John Beasley, Stephen E. Ca rothers, William Cash, F. C. CHAPPELL (mortally wounded in batti© at Nashville)j Joseph Coleman, JAMES COTHAM (kiUed on Cane Creek by Perry Oounty jayhawkers). Commodore Cotham, Wesley Oaughron, Joseph W. Cooper, Samuel Conn, J. F. Crowe, F. E. Cummins, M.' L. Dean, William D©an, Andrew Depriest, James Darden, Henry Dozier, N. J. Donegan, Dillon, John F. Eason, John A. Easloy, Eobert AI. Easley, Stephen Easley, James' D. Easley, Jr. (adjutant), J. H. Easley (third sergeant), W. G. Frazier (elected lieutenant at organization of regiment; horse killed in battle at Nashville), Alston Fowlkes, G. W. Florence, Fullerton, William Fullerton, Lewis George, John B. Gray, Jack George, James George, J. D. Gamer, B. Gamer, W. H. Hud dleston, Eeeves Huddleston, James Hall (elected sec ond lieutenant at organization of regiment), William Hicks, William Humphreys, William Hurt, David Hicks, Thomas Hartley, WiUiam Hilham, Horatio Hunter, W. S. Helms, J. C. Heel (of Humphreys Oounty), WiUiam Hutehison, Thomas Jones, W. D. King (elected s©cond lieutenant at organization of battalion), D. E. King, Andrew Lowe, David Lowe, W. H. Lancaster, A. L. Lowe, "Doc" Leiper, D. M. McClanahan, James E. McCoUum. Andrew Mc- Clerkin, II. AlcClerkin, M. AlcClanahan, Joel G. Mc Claren, H. D. McClanahan, John Alayberry, George Maybe'rry, Owens Morgan,- Eichard MUam, G. W. 500 History of Hickman County, Tenn. AI'CAULAY (first Ueutenant; kUled at Seviervill©, East Tennessee), J. A. M'CAULAY (killed in bat tie of Blanch HiU on January 27, 1864), W. W. May berry, W. H. McClanahan, George MUam, Curtis Oakley, WiUiam Oakley, Jasper N. Peeler, JAMES PEELEE (kiUed on Can© Creek by Perry County jayhawkers), James Porch, John Pickard, Isaac Pickard, William Pinkerton, Priestly (first sergeant), John Priest, Henry Eichie (serg©ant), NeAvton Eickman (commissary), William Eosson, J. L. Eeagan, J. L. Einehart, John S. Satterfield, JAMES SLIIPP (Ueutenant; killed in battle), Van Buren Shouse (orderly sergeant), Frank Shipp, Spi vey Stanfield, " Pap " Stewart, William Spencer (of Humphreys County) , William Shaw, Jaines Stewart, James J. Sparks, James Shirley, G. D. Stokey, W. A. Stewart, Jo.hn Stewart, Joseph Shipp, Ira Shipn, (Dr.) T. D. Thompson (sergeant major), G. W. Tarkington, Felix L. Totty, Jack Thomton, 0. B. Tumer, J. H. C. Tarkington, William Thomton, Eichard Tatum, A, J. Tumer, Samuel Tubbs, Polk Wea,the,rspoon, (Dr.) L. D. Wright, (Dr.) A. C. Wilkins, (Dr.) W. L. Walker, E. C. Wilkins, Will iam Wyatt (of Humphreys Co.unty; elected third lieutenant at organization of battalion), Harris Wi ley (of Humphreys County; killed), James- Watts (of Humphreys County), F. B. Wright, Coleman Williams, Thomas Warren, Eichard Weatherspoon, J. E. Weatherspoon, J. M. Weatherspoon, W. C. Hickman County OoNifEDEKATBs. 501 Wherry, Irring Wherry, Frank Wherry, Benjamin WiUs, Nathaniel A^oung, G. W. Young. One of the companies of the Tenth Cavalry — Company C — was commanded by Capt. W. H. Whit well, of Cane Creek. It was composed principally of Perry Countians. Only the foUovring names of members of this company could b© obtained : AVillis H. Whitwell, captain (wounded; leg amput,a,ted) ; Thomas Whitwell, second lieutenant; W. W. LAIN (died on Mareh 12, 1863), THOAIAS N. BAE HAM (died on March 29, 1863), JESSE GOOD MAN (died on Alarch 2, 1863), DAVID MOEEI SON (died on March 27, 1863). It is probable that a number of those who were originally members of this company are named in th© roll of Company G. NINTH battalion. The Ninth Ba,ttalio.n, Tennessee Cavaliy, was or ganized near NashviU© in December, 1861. Two of its six companies were from Hickman County. Its first service was around Fort Henry, from which place it retreated to Fort Donelson. Here, under Forrest, it took a prominent part in the defens© until th© surr©nd©r on February 16, 1862. The field offi cers were sent to Fort Warren, Alass. ; th© line officers, to Camp Chase, O., from which point they wer© re moved to Johnson's Island; the privates, to Camp Alorton. They wer© exchanged, along with other Southern troops, at Vicksburg, and the battalion was reorganized at Jackson, Aliss. Until Mardi, 1864, 502 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. the Ninth Battalion opera.ted throughout Mississippi and Louisiana, and was under fire upon numerous occasions. At this time it was transferred to the command of General Wheeler. After th© Confod- erat© retreat coinm©nc©d from Dalton, Ga, this bai> talion was engag©d almost daily, and acquitted itself so well upon all occasions that it was uniformly praised. Its conduct at New Hope Church and Ncav- nan Station, Ga., has alrea,dy been referred to. At the latter place less than two hundred Confederates captured four hundred and fifty Federals, and killed thirt.y-seyen, all without loss to themselves. Coining into Tennessee, the Ninth Battalion had a sharp en gagement with Federals at Tracy City. Prevented from rejoining General Wheeler, the battalion be came a part of General Forrest's command, and was with him in one raid into T'ennesse«^. Eejoining General Wheeler, the battalion was engaged ahnost continuously with som© portion of Sherman's army during th© " march to th© sea." At all times encoun tering overwhelming odds, it was th© unceasing an noyance which General Wheeler gav© the Federals, without serious loss to himself, that marked him as a great general. Following Sherman into North Caro lina, the " Old Ninth Battalion " took part in the battie of Bentonville. A portion of this battalion was with General Hood when he marched into Ten nessee, and, going north, with a like detachment from th© First Tennessee Cavalry, was in the engagement at Henry Courthouse, Va. No attempt has here been Hickman County C<)nfederates. 503 made to enumerate all of th© battles in which this battalion was engaged. During its service under General Van Dom in Alississippi, and under General Wheeler during the retreat through Georria, and during Sherman's "march to the sea." 1'^-^. with its members was one long, hot fight with Federals.. Ee- fusing to consolidate with any othor battalion and form a regiment, it was organized, fought long and well, and finally surrendered because its members, though not conquered, wer© tired of fighting, under the name " Ninth Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry." During the most eventful part of its career it was commanded by Maj. James H. Aiken, who siucceeded Lieut. Col. George Gaunt, who was wounded during the spring of 1863. Gannt was a descendant of th© Gannt family that cam© from Maryland to Hickman County ©arly in the present century. The following partial roll of Company C, Ninth Battalion, is compiled from information given by sur vivors of th© company: Vemon F. Bibb, captain; W. B. Erwin, first lieutenant (wounded near New- nan, Ga., in 1864) ; G. L. Grimes, second lieutenant; T. H. Church, third lieutenant; DAVID C. AN DEESON (killed during the raid into Tennessee in September, 1862), Thomas Alderson, Marion Bryant (elected second lieutenant at reorganization at Jack son, Miss., in September, 1862), J. K. P. Baker, S. II. Bratton (promoted to second lieutenant in Com pany G; wounded at Bentonrille- in 1865), Jack Bratton, V. F. Bibb, Jr., E. Bibb, LEONIDAS 504 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. BIBB (died at Camp Alaury on January 17, 1862), William Beard, T. S. BEYAN (died in prison at Terre Haute, Ind., on lyiarch 10, 1862), WILLIAM F. BINGHAAI' (died on Febmary 24, 1863), Joshua W. Bumham, John Clendenning, John Cummins, Samuel Cummins, J. L. Chamb©rlain, B. F. Cham berlain, D. P. Chamberlain, William Charter, Benja min Charter, Cave Charter, Eichard Grimes (pro moted to third lieutenant), Nathan Greer, William Greer, Lee Greer, Milton Greer, W. L. Graeey, J. S. Graeey, E. Graeey, Francis Llouser, Felix G. Ha,rri- son. Green Harrison, Joseph Hoover "" C. Hanes, E. Head (third corporal), Frands Ingram, A. AI. Jonas, G. D. Johnson, D. S. Johnson (third lieuten ant at reorganization ; promoted to first lieutenant of Company G), Joseph Kelly, Arch. Lipscomb (seoond lieutenant), J. G. Loftin (first corporal). Alike Luck- ett, George W. Alayberry (commissary at organiza tion ; captain at reorganiza,tion ; wounded at Fort Donelson in Febmary, 1862), E. F. Aioore, Eobert Aioore, WILLIAAI E. MOOEE (died at Oxford, Aliss., on November 20, 1862), Joseph Aleadors (first sergeant), George Meadors, Thomas Aleadors, Alorti mer Alumford, Frank Meacham, Eobert Nichols, Nichols, Nichols, T. S. Newcombe, E. P. 0a.kl6y, E. C. Puckett, Joseph Puckett, John Puckett, James PoUard (second corporal), William Eichards, Ira Eicha,rds, Henry Eagsdale, JOHN SHELBY (killed on the raid into Tennessee in September, 1862), Frank Sims, WUliam Tyler, Eichard Wray, Hiokman County Confederates. 505 Hal Wray (promoted to. second lieutenant), C. S. Webb, W. T. WEBB (died at Camp Alaury on Janu ary 13, 1862), S. T. Woody. The foUovring roll of Company D, Ninth Battalion, has been compiled from information fumished by survivors of the company : Eobert AI. Whitson, ca.p tain ; Eli A. Hornbeak, first lieutenant (promoted to captain; wounded at Kennesaw Mountain); L. "B. McClanahan, second lieutenant; Alton AlcCaleb, third lieutenant; J. S. Wheat, first sergeant; D. L. Brown, sergeant; Wiley Bastian, sergeant; John .\nglin, E. C. Anderson, John P. Broome (on staff of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston), George Broome (third lieutenant at reorganization), WILLIAM BECOME (killed at Fa,yetteville, N. C), William Briggs, Jesse F. Briggs (wounded at Waynesboro, Ga. ; leg ampu tated), James Brown, JOSEPH BAENHILL (died at Vicksburg, Miss.), 0. AI. Bass, Beverley Beasley, L. Bass, George W. Cude, Cave Charter, Sir Winfred Cotton, DAVID EASLEY (died at Vicksburg, Miss., on September 14, 1862), William Easley, Mar shall Foster (of Humphreys County ; elected second lieutenant at reorganization at Jackson, Miss., in 1862; wounded at Clinton, La.), Brovra FoAvlkes, Eobert E. Griner (promoted to lieutenant), WiUiam Gibbons, AV. P. Gentry, Wiley Gentry, W. T. GIL- AIOEE (died at Vicksburg, Miss., on September 15, 1862), JEEEMIAH GEEENE (elected captain at reoro-anization ; killed at Atlanta, Ga., on July 26, 1864), James (" Big Shiny ") George, J. P. George, 506 History of Hickman County, Tenn. W. E. GILL (died in prison at Indianapolis, Ind., on June 20, 1862), James Gill, SAMUEL GAENEE (killed on July 2, 1863), W. P. ("Wid") Griner, Polk Griner, (EEV.) B. F. HUMPHREYS (died at Jackson, Miss.), John L. Huddleston, PLEAS ANT M. HOENBEAK (died on March 19, 1863), Samuel Hombeak, Frank Hornbeak, Amos Jenkins, G. D. Johnson, JAMES ("STONEWALL") JACK SON (killed near Tunnel Hill, Ga,), Joseph Jag- gers, Simpson Kelley, John Kelley, Adam KiUick, ALLxAN KELLEY (died in prison at Camp Moi- ton, 0.), JOHN KNIGHT (di©d at Jackson, Miss., on September 18, 1862), John F. Lavreon (wounded at Waynesboro, Ga.), J. C. LAWSON (kiUed, whUe in the infantry', at PerryviUe, Ky.), JOHN LANE (killed at Bentonville, N. C. ; volunteered to do serv ice instead of his brother, Avho had received the or ders ; while performing this service, he lost his life) , Pink Lane, EUjah Lankford, William T. Mayberry, Llenry Alayberry, James P. McCaleb, Francis MUler, Jam6s Miller, JOHN M'CLANAHAN (first corpc^ ral ; killed by Federal guards while a prisoner at Eock Island), W. T. AlcClanahan, W. W, McClanahan (third corporal), Eichard AEcClanahan, James Mead ors, Joseph Aleadors, Thomas Nicks, John Nicks, Samuel Pmett, W. E. Pace (lieutenant), B. F. Parker, Samuel Porter, Pleasant Eeeves (sergeant), William Eoberts (fourth co.rporal), James Eoberts, John Eatliff, William Eatiiff, Samuel Skipper, JO SEPH SAIITHSON (died at Jackson, Mis&), Hickman County Confederates. 507 H.AEDIN SMITH (died on January 20, 1862), .ANDEEW SMITH (died on January 25, 1862), James Starnes (second corporal), Henderson Smith, William Sisco, Allan Smithson, Benjamin Turbe- vUle, Aloses Twomey, John Totty, W. H. Totty, J. W. Totty, B. F. Tanner, E. IL Tanner, Marion Under hiU, Valentin© Wiss (bugler), John Woods., Eeuben White, Andrew Wiley, William Wiley, Eobert Watts, John Ware (sergeant). This company was raised in 1863 by Capt. John Nicks and Lieut. David Moor© Sp©nc©, regularly com missioned officers of the Confederate States. It was composed of members of different commands at home on furloughs and discharged on account of disabili ties, tog©th©r vrith a few recruits. Had it been suc cessful in its attempts to get through the Federal lines to the Southern Army, it would have been attached to the regiment being raised by th© gallant and gifted Col. William S. Hawkins. Lieutenant Spence was captured during a fight on the Northwestern Eail road, but escaped from the Federals at Nashville. Th© company, in September, 1863, engaged in the disastrous affair at Centerville, and was, vrith the ex ception of Benjamin Turbeville (who cut his way through the Federal forces) and a few others, cap tured and sent to Northern prisons. Th© following roll was fumished by a survivor of this unfortunate command: (Elder) John Nicks, captain; David M, 508 History of Hiokman County, Tenn. Spence, first lieutenant ; John H. Coleman (wounded whil© a prisoner by Federals), S. B. (Dock) Easley, WILLIAAI EASON (died a prisoner at Eock Island, IU.), BENJAMIN FEW (died at Eock Island, III), GEOEGE FEW (killed in Kentucky), Jack George, HENEY GUNN (died at Eock Island, IU.), SAM UEL GAENEE (kUled in an attack on a Federal stockade on Hunicane Creek, in Humphreys Coun ty), George Hale (of Cheatham County), General Lewis, John F. Lawson, JOHN APOLANAHAN (killed by guards at Eock Island, 111.), William Mc Clanahan, E. L. AI'CLAN.AHAN (died at Eock Island, 111.), JOHN NASH (killed on South Har- pdh), W. L. NUNNELLEE (killed on South Har- pdh), John Plunkett, ALLAN PLUNKETT (died at Eock Island, 111.), Nat. Sugg, JOHN SUGG (died at Eock Island, IU.), JOHN SHAEP (killed at CenterAdlle), Benjamin F. Turbeville, Lafayette Turbeville, David Thomas (a Primitive Baptist preacher), John Ware, John Willis (wounded at Centerville). ROLL OF cross' COMPANY. Albert. Henon Cross., of Davidson County, cap tain; (Dr.) James W. McLaughlin, of Maryland, first lieutenant; BroAvnlee Cross, second lieutenant (wounded near CenterviUe), Duval McNairy, of Nashville, third lieutenant, John Beasley (killed on Tumbling Creek), James Bird, Thomas Oa,t©s, E. C. Gates, James Dinwiddle, Stewart Dort.'^-i Alfonso. Hunt, John Hammonds, Green Hammonds, General Hiokman County Confederates. 509 Lewis, William Murp.hre©, John J. Priest, David Potter, John Eiggs, James Eiggs, Jo.na,than LL Eains, William Eice, Bartlett Eice, Thomas O. Smith, John S. Satterfield, James Smith (of Hump.hr©ys County), Howell Smith (of Hump.hr©ys County), B. F. Tur ner, Lafayett© Turbeville, Benjamin F. Turbeville, John B. Thompson, John Wright. HAja'' '^vi ^ \h )'!$ ..i-mJS. I m