USA > Tennessee > Hickman County > A history of Hickman County, Tennessee > Part 3
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SOME PIONEER HISTORY.
Edwin Hickman was born in North Carolina in 1760. Ile served in the Revolutionary War as a sol- dier in a North Carolina regiment. After the close of hostilities, lie 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- inan. 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. Robert 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 Orthopolitan. This version of the affair is regarded by Capt. John P. Hickman as being authen- tic. Both Haywood and Ramsay state that Hickman Was 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 Ifickman, claimed to be true.
In June, 1791, three travelers were found dead on the Chickasaw Trace, near Duck River. There were eight in the party, and only two arrived at Nashville, leaving the fate of the other three unknown.
On April 20, 1793, Richard Shaffer, who was with Ifickman at the time of the latter's death, was killed
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN.
by Indians. On July 19 of this year Smith was also killed by the Indians.
On May 12, 1793, Captains Rains and Gordon, with a cavalry detachment of one hundred men, were or- dered out on a scouting tour to Duck River 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 Rains' 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 River below the mouth of the Elk, they having stopped for dinner. Rains' men ad- vanced on the right of the Indians, Gordon's on the left. 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. Rains' men killed five and captured a boy. As to whether Captain Rains 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 Rains and Gordon headed a pursuing party, which came upon them after they had passed Duck River seven miles, and killed several of them.
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HICKMAN COUNTY.
CHAPTER III.
HICKMAN COUNTY.
W ASHINGTON COUNTY, North Carolina, 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 River to its mouth was the southern boundary. It was bounded on the west by the Tennessee River. In 1788 Tennes- see County, embracing within its limits Hickman County north of Duck River, was formed from the
western portion of Davidson County. When Ten- nessee became a State in 1796, Tennessee County was divided into Montgomery and Robertson 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 line which now marks the eastern boundary of Hickman County. In 1803 Stewart County,
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN 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 eastern boundary was a north and south line running thirteen miles west of Clarksville. Stewart County, as then established, 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 Williamson, on the south by Alabama, and on the west by Stewart County. Therefore, 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 County 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 1807), on the south by Alabama, and on the west by Stewart County. This placed within the original limits of Hickman County a small portion of Humphreys and Perry and the larger portion of Lewis, Lawrence, and Wayne. The 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
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45
HICKMAN COUNTY.
present limits. In the establishment of the counties of Williamson, Stewart, and Dickson, Tennessee ig- nored the chains of the Indians, but the early settler could not so easily ignore the savage himself. There- forc 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 United States in 1805 and 1806, and that portion of Ifickman 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 organized as counties as soon as they were settled; and while they were created in 1817, they were not organ- ized and settled until after 1818.
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN.
CHAPTER IV.
THE FIRST DISTRICT.
T HE 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 river'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, Mayberry'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 Four- teenth and Second Districts; south, by the Eleventhi 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 the 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
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FIRST DISTRICT.
the hill instead of in the level country of Shipp's Bend. This bend was first settled 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 Cothams. 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 bend in after years. After many years of hunting, fishing, working, and horse racing, Shipp divided the larger portion of his property
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN.
among his children and removed to Mississippi, leav- ing behind him evidences that a man of spirit 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, born 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 born in 1823. Josiah H. Shipp was born on April 18, 1827. The daughters of Will- iam Shipp were Emeline, Martha, and Tera Aun. . The last-named is yet living, near Little 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, daughter of Robert Griner, Sr. IIe removed with his father to Mississippi, where he died. " Zid " Shipp, unlike his brother William,
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FIRST DISTRICT.
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 portion 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
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN 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. Lewis, who was a Vir- ginian, was one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clarke expedition 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 Governor 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 Perney. 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 the door, beg- ging for water. He lived until noon of the following day, and was buried near by, where a monument to
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FIRST DISTRICT.
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 born 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," as they called it, was so great that they would allow themselves 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 Albert, 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 county. 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-
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HISTORY OF 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 Etna Furnace. Robert Wright was the father of Levin D., John, Robert, and Thomas Wright, the former being the only one who married. The 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 the place where Da- vid Huddleston now lives. He 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 the first merchant of Vernon. He at one time possessed considerable property and was one of the moneyed men of the county. He was the owner of several slaves, but became involved in trouble. He was charged with the killing of John Gainer, which caused the sacrifice of most of his property. He afterwards engaged in school-teaching. Gainer was
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FIRST DISTRICT.
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 compro- 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 by a shot fired through a window. The house where Gainer was killed was the most noted in the bend, as it had been the blockhouse, or fort, of the settlement. Its location was well adapted to the 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 the west and north into the bend, 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. The Bear Creek country can be seen from this eminence, and a view may be had of Centerville, five miles away. 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 hunters 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 always welcome visitors, they bringing venison
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN.
and turkeys with them. Here they deposited their furs before starting with packs to the general mar- kets. These parties patrolled Duck River from Shipp's Bend to the blockhouse at the mouth of King's Branch in Brown'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 Methodists 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 Moore sing a song in which were these lines:
" I think I've heard some children say : ' I never heard my parents pray.' "
In 1830 William 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.
In 1825 John W. Huddleston lived in the lower end of Shipp's Bend. He was the father of Benjamin Iluddleston, 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
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FIRST DISTRICT.
lands near the bridge at present known as the Huddle- ston 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 down Duck River on both sides, including the W. P. Whitson land, on the south of the river, and that 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. Council's Bend con- tains about 1,000 acres of good farming lands, and a portion was once occupied by George Whitfield, a brother of Gen. Jeff. Whitfield, Gen. John W. Whit- field, and Monroe Whitfield. Whitfield sold to Abra- ham Dansby, 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, was for many years the property and home of Capt. Rob- ert Whitson. It is now the property of John M. Gra- ham. G. Fowlkes, referred to above, overcame many early 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 War. He became a soldier in the Confederate Army, and as such was faithful.
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HISTORY OF HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN.
He was for several years a justice of the peace of this district, and was chairman of the County Court at the time of his death.
A history of that portion of the district lying soutlı- 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 McClanalian, Albert Wilson, 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 was the mother of Dr. T. W. Cash. Her daughter, Mary, married Howell Shouse, who was an extensive live-stock dealer and raiser. He was at one time a deputy sheriff. Another daughter, Emma, married Frank Hornbeak; and another, Jennie, married Jacob Shouse and then Hon. N. R. Sugg, who at one time represented Dickson County in the Legislature. Mrs. Cash 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, deposed in 1071 by his conqueror, William I.
One of the bloody tragedies of the Civil War was the death of William 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 by order of Col. Alonzo Napier at the stillhouse of Martin Gray, in Perry County, upon the charge of taking without orders a pistol and
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FIRST DISTRICT.
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 General Forrest at Columbia. After crossing Duck River at Huddleston's Ford, Carlisle and his guards had 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 River in Hickman County. Near this bridge, on the south side of the river, are the lands of Robert and Newton McClanahan, sons of Absalom McClanahan, whose father, William McClanahan, came from North Carolina to Davidson County and from there to Council's Bend about 1835. Newton McClanahan was born in Davidson County on August €, 1833. These facts are given in connection with the fact that the McClanahans have had much to do with 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 away. The committee, whose duty it was to arrange for the delivery of the material for the bridge, em- ployed Robert and Newton McClanahan and John T.
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