USA > Tennessee > Sullivan County > Historic Sullivan; a history of Sullivan County, Tennessee, with brief biographies of the makers of history > Part 8
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
3Much of the data concerning Sullivan was secured from addresses delivered at the dedication of Sullivan's monument at Durham, Mass., September 27, 1894.
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MAP OF SULLIVAN COUNTY (1836)
CHAPTER XVI.
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
Sullivan County was erected in 1779. Previous to this date it was supposed to be in Virginia, and up to 1769 was a part of Augusta county, when it became Botertout county until 1772; then, that portion of her population dwelling upon the Mississippi river being too far away to reach the court house conveniently each month, the county was again divided and this portion became Fincastle county with the court house near Wytheville. The population on the extreme border were exempt from taxation and from work in keeping up the roads.
It remained Fincastle until 1776, when Washington county was erected.
In the year 1779 William Cocke, a versatile and variable genius, who afterwards became one of Tennessee's first United States Senators, refused to pay his taxes to the Virginia collector, claiming he did not live in Virginia, but in North Carolina.
This refusal and his manner of doing it highly incensed the members of the county court of Washington county, Virginia, and they-in session October 20th, 1779,- entered the following order:
On Complaint of the Sheriff against William Cocke for insulting and obstructing Alexander Donaldson [Donelson] Deputy Sheriff when collecting the Public Tax about the Thirtieth of September last and being Examined saith that being at a fourt on the North Side cf Holston River in Carter's Valley collecting the Public Tax the said William Cocke as he came to the door of the House in which said Sheriff was doing Business he said that there was the Sheriff of Virginia col- lecting the Tax and asked him what Right he had to collect Taxes there as it was in Carolina and never was in Virginia that he said the People were fools if they did pay him Public dues and that he dared him to serve any process whatever that the said Cocke undertook
90
HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
for the People upon which sundry people refused to pay their Tax and some that had paid wanted their Money Back again. Ordered that the Conduct of William Cocke Respecting his Obstructing Insult- ing and threatening the Sheriff in Execution of his office be represented to the Executive of Virginia.
Ordered that William Cocke be found in this county that he be taken into Custody and caused to appear before the Justices at next Court to answer for his conduct for obstructing the sheriff in execution of his office.
Court adjourned until Court in course.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL.
The next meeting of the court did not try William Cocke or at least no further record is found and it is doubtful if he was ever arrested. His act of revolt hastened a test survey-the Legislature of Virginia, the year previous, 1778, enacting a law providing for the extension of the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina; the Legislature of the latter state con- curring in a similar act a year later-which resulted in a victory for William Cocke and in placing us in North Carolina.1
It was with no little pride this same man sought further vindication when he boldly entered the presence of the court that had outlawed him and there caused to be entered the following order:
JUNE 20th, 1780.
On motion William Cocke Gent. a citizen of the state of North Carolina it is ordered that his character be certified to the examiners that he is a person of Probity and Good Demeanor.
The organization and naming of the new county now began.2
If by the varied conveyances Sullivan County was tossed aside as a castaway, unclaimed, it has rebuked
1The Frye and Jefferson line ended at Steep Rock, in Johnson county. The line run in 1779 is known as the Henderson line.
2While it is often difficult to arrive at the origin of names, there is much to cause me to believe that the Rutledges had a large share in naming Sullivan County. Rutledge of South Carolina, a lineal relative of the family in this county, was a political ally of Gen. Sullivan's in the Continental Congress. This, added to the general's recent military service, placed him in line for name commemoration.
91
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
the poor fostering care of an uncertain parentage by spreading before the eyes of the world as glorious a page of achievement and valor, of statesmanship and man- hood and womanhood as can be found in any nation of any time.
In the brief period of twenty-six years it arose from a rugged frontier colony to the dignity of a state.
The original boundary of the county began at Steep Rock; thence along the dividing ridge that separates the waters of the Great Kanawha and Tennessee, to the head of Indian Creek; thence along the ridge that divides the waters of the Holston and Watauga; thence a direct line to the highest point of Chimney top mountain, at the Indian boundary.3
Spencer county, or what was afterwards called and is still known as Hawkins, was cut off from Sullivan.
The official organization of Sullivan County took place at the house of Moses Looney, February 7, 1780. The justices of the peace present were Issac Shelby, David Looney, Gilbert Christian, John Duncan, William Wallace, Samuel Smith, Henry Clark, Anthony Bledsoe, George Maxwell, John Anderson and Joseph Martin.4
John Rhea was appointed clerk and Nathan Clark, sheriff.
Issac Shelby exhibited a commission from Gov. Caswell, of North Carolina, dated November 19, 1779, appointing him Colonel-Commandant of the county. Other com- missions appointed Henry Clark, Lieutenant-Colonel, David Looney, first Major and John Shelby, second Major.
3Excepting a small portion, Sullivan County was not taken from Washington county, Tennessee, as is generally supposed. The former was a county long before the latter, but being regarded as a part of Virginia, had to take second place in the date of erection. So far as Tennessee is concerned, "Washington District," in 1777, bears the distinction of having first used the name of Washington in naming a county.,newsWeek .. ..
FF}" 4Ramsey's list differs some from the above, yet I am inclined to accept this because it is taken from a complete copy of the court records I found at Madison, Wisconsin.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
In February, the following year, "Joseph Martin and Gilbert Christian are spoken of as majors."
"William Cocke was admitted to practise law in February, 1782-the first we have any record of in the county."
"At the same time Anthony Bledsoe was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel [inserted note says 'must have been Kentucky'] in 1780."5
For six years the county seat was in the neighborhood of Eaton's Station, or what we now call Eden's ridge.
When Hawkins county was erected in 1786 it was found necessary to build a court-house at a more central location in the county, and a commission composed of Joseph Martin, James McNeil, John Duncan, Evan Shelby, Samuel Smith, William King and John Scott were named to select a site for the court house.
Up to 1792, this commission had not reported, but in that year a tract of thirty acres, on the present site of Blountville, was conveyed to John Anderson, George Maxwell and Richard Gammon whereon was to be erected the county buildings. It took another set of commissioners, however, before the work was completed and in 1795 the following appear to have been selected : George Rutledge, James Gaines, John Shelby, Jr., John Anderson, Jr., David Terry and Joseph Wallace.
The first court-house was built of logs and was, of it's kind, a massive structure. It was built on the south side of Main street nearly opposite to the present one (1909). The jail was placed in the rear of the court-house.
It was in the same year, 1795, Blountville became the county seat. About thirty years after the first court house was built in the town a brick one replaced it which served until 1853, when the present building was erected. The building, with its contents, was de- stroyed by fire during the battle in September, 1863- the walls remained intact, however, and are still in
5From Draper MSS. notes.
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SULLIVAN COUNTY.
use. Three jails have been built to accompany the court-house-the first immediately in the rear of the building, the second on a lot adjoining, also in the rear and the third between the sites of the first and the second.
The county records, for eighty years, from 1780 to 1860, were destroyed during the war between the states.6
After the burning of the court-house the next meeting of the court, in October, was held at the "Female Insti- tute." The records make this undisturbed announcement of the most destructive fire that ever visited the county seat:
State of Tennesse, Monday morning, the 5th day of Oct. 1863. Sullivan County Court ..
Court met pursuant to adjournment (at the Female Institute within the corporation of said town of Blountville, the court house having been burned down by the Federals on the 22d day of September last, pending a battle fought over said town by the Federal and Con- federate forces.) Present, Henry W. Ewing, George Foust, James H. Gallaway, John G. King, G. W. Morton and R. P. Rhea, Esquires."
The reorganization of this court took place in January, 1866, when all offices were declared vacant by reason of the occupants' sympathy with the Southern cause, and representatives of the Union sentiment were chosen to fill them.
Considering the restoration of the court-house the following was enacted :
"On motion of Wm. D. Blevins: "It is ordered by the court that there be Three Commissioners appointed to make Contracts with
6Some of the county records were destroyed previous to 1787, during the troubles of the Franklin movement, as were also those of Washington county. Sometimes the North Carolina party would be in possession of them and then again the "Franks" would secure them, and this alternating ownership resulted in their loss or perhaps destruction.
The records of the land transfers remain intact, Frederick Sturm, then county registrar, for convenience, kept them at his home at the old Sturm hotel, and in this way the valuable documents were preserved.
Our county records have always been carelessly kept. This is not due to the negligence of county officials so much as indifference on the part of county courts. No appropriation could be more judiciously made than one for the better security of our records Next to Washington county's, ours are the oldest in the state and their destruction would entail endless litigation.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
Brick Masons and House Joiners to make window and door frames and steps and cover the walls of the court house so as to secure the walls from the weather, and cover the building with shingles, and thereupon the court appointed W. W. James, Wm. Gammon and F. L. Baumgardner, Commissioners to contract for and superintend said work, and make their report to the January term of this court, sixteen Justices on the bench voting in the affirmative."
James Hunt and John Lyle were the building con- tractors while Robert, Jacob and William Smith were the brick masons.
The only court's organization that has been preserved complete is that of the Chancery and is given as follows:
ORGANIZATION OF CHANCERY COURT.7
MAY TERM, 1852.
At a court of Chancery begun and held at the court house in Blount- ville, first Thursday after third Monday, May, 1852, it being the 20th day of the month for the Chancery district, composed of the County of Sullivan there was present the Hon. Thos. L. Williams, Chancellor, etc.
The following commission was produced to wit:
WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.
To all who shall see these presents.
Greeting.
Know ye that whereas Thos. L. Williams was on the 4th day of Nov., 1851, elected by the joint vote of both houses of the General Assembly of said state, a Chancellor for the Eastern division in the said state, for the term of 8 years from the first day of March, 1852.
Now therefore I, Wm. B. Campbell, Governor, as aforsaid by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do hereby commission the said Thomas L. Williams, a Chancellor, as aforsaid for the term aforsaid, hereby conferring on him all the powers, priviledges and emoluments to said office appertaining.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the state to be affixed at the City of Nashville, the 15th day of December, 1851.
By the Gov. WM. B. CAMPBELL.
W. B. A. RAMSEY, Secretary of State.
7These records were perhaps kept outside of the court house, hence they were not destroyed in the burning of the building.
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SULLIVAN COUNTY.
State of Tennessee, McMinn County.
Be it remembered that on the 18th day of Feby. 1852.
7 !! The Hon. Thos. L. Williams, the person named in the within commission, Chancellor of Eastern Division and in due form of law took the oath prescribed by law, more effectually to prohibit dueling, an oath to support the constitution of the United States, an oath to support the constitution of the State of Tennessee and the oath of office as Chancellor.
In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the date above written.
CHAS. F. KEITH,
Judge of the 3rd Judicial District.
George F. Gammon was thereupon appointed Clerk and M., 20th May, 1852, with the following bondmen, who bound themselves to the sum of $10,000, for his faithful discharge of office.
Geo. F. Gammon, B. L. Dulaney, A. L. Gammon, John Flemming, James Gregg, M. Massengill, Robt. P. Rhea.
The same bondmen also bound themselves for the following:
$10,000 for honorably keeping the records and discharging the duties of said office.
$500 that he (Gammon) shall well and truly collect and pay over into the public treasury all such taxes in law suits as may arise in said court.
$1,000 to collect and pay into the public treasury all such fines and forfeitures as may arise.
$10,000 to faithfullly account for and turn over all such sums of money as may come into his hand as special commissioner to sell property under decree of court.
RE-DISTRICTING THE COUNTY.
In 1835 the legislature, by an act, authorized the re-districting of the county. Prior to this time the dis- tricts were in military divisions with a justice of the peace in each division.
In 1836 four commissioners were appointed to re-district the county: John R. Delaney, Thomas White, Daniel Branstutter and Nathan Bachman. There were fifteen districts while at present (1909) there are twenty-two.
Prior to and for sometime after the Civil War the dis- tricts were known as precincts and took the name of the
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
neighborhood or justice of the peace as follows: first district was Carmack's precinct; second, Paperville; third, Crumley's; fourth, Rhea's; fifth, Blountville; sixth, White's; seventh, Roller's; eighth, Spurgeon's; ninth, Fork's; tenth, Foust's; eleventh, Gott's; twelfth, Kingsport; thirteenth, Easley's; fourteenth, Bran- stutter's; fifteenth, Peoples'; sixteenth, Bluff City; sev- enteenth, Bristol; eighteenth, Yoakley's.
REGULATES PRICES.
At one time the county court undertook to regulate the prices of commodities. In this way we are privileged to make comparisons with the prevailing prices of to-day as well as to compare the prices that governed the fluctuat- ing money market that existed before, during and after the revolutionary period.
These prices extended to beverages, staple goods and apparel.
During 1777 the price of beverages was as follows:
Ordered that Liquor be rated in this county for the ensuing year as followeth: Rum at 16 shillings and one pence per gallon. Rye Liquor, 8 shillings and one pence per gallon. Corn Liquor, 4 shillings and one pence per gallon. Quart Bowl of Rum Toddy made with Loafe Sugar, 2 shillings and one pence, with Brown, one shilling, six pence and so in proportion for a greater or lesser Quantity
During 1780 quite a change in values took place and it marks not only a rise in the price of food stuffs, but a decline in the value of Continental currency.
APRIL, 1780.
Ordered the Rates of Ordinaries be as follows (vis.): Wine, Nine Pounds the Quart. West Indian Rum, fifteen Pounds by the quart, Good Whiskey, seven Pounds four shillings. Rum Tody, by the quart, three Pounds, twelve shillings. good Beer, by the Quart, one Pound, sixteen shillings and so in proportion for a greater or lesser Quantity.
Diets, warm Dinner, six pounds. cold, do, four pounds ten shil- lings. Warm Breakfast, four pounds, ten shillings. Cold, do, three pounds. Supper the same as breakfast. Lodging in clean Sheets,
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SULLIVAN COUNTY.
one pound, sixteen shillings. Provender Corn, by the gallon, six Pounds. Oats, four pounds, ten shillings. Good pasturage, one pound, sixteen shillings.8
When the excitement and disturbance incident to the Revolution became settled and we had a monetary system of our own, rates were more regular and the fol- lowing prices have a more familiar appearance .:
Ordered that the following and no other shall be tavern rates in Sullivan County for the year 1795:9
Doll.
Cent.
For Breakfast
0
16
For Dinner
0
16
Wine or Rum for half pint.
0 16
Cyder or Rum per quart.
0 6%
Horse at hay or good fodder per night .
0
124
Corn or Oats per Gall
0
8
For lodging good bed &c per night
0
8
Brandy per half pint.
0
8
Whiskey for half pint
0
83
Supper.
0
16
8"Not worth a Continental dam" had its origin about this time. It is not a profane expression. A "dam" is an Indian coin of less value than one cent and a Continental one cent was next to worthless when it took six pounds, or about thirty dollars to buy a "warm dinner."
9A violation of this order meant a fine and the court records enumerate in- stances where violators were tried, especially for over-charging in the sale of intox- icants.
JOHN ADAIR.
A BIOGRAPHY.
For several generations posterity has passed by the grave of John Adair and left it unremembered and un- marked. But for the annalist he might in a few more generations be forgotten.
He was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country, settling in North Carolina. Afterward he removed to Sullivan County, then North Carolina where he became entry taker in 1779. He was one of Isaac Shel- by's associates and rendered that officer valuable aid in planning the King's Mountain expedition. It is described elsewhere how he gave the funds of the county to aid Shelby and Sevier in the execution of their project.
In 1788 he was commissioner for furnishing supplies to the Cumberland Guard.
In 1794, after Blount College had been established, he was chosen one of the trustees; he was a member of the constitutional convention in 1796, and was Presiden- tial elector for Hamilton district in 1796 and 1799.1
He was one of the commissioners of Knoxville, 1797.
The Cumberland Guard, for which he furnished supplies, acted as escort for travellers through the wilderness, to the Cumberland Plateau.
In 1788 he located in the vicinity of what is now Knox- ville-North Carolina having, in recognition of his services, granted him a tract of six hundred and forty acres. This tract is about four and a half miles north of Knoxville, and there he erected a log house which was built after the manner of a block-house. It was known as Adair's
1Tennessee at first was divided into three districts: Washington, Hamilton and Mero.
1
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JOHN ADAIR.
Station, and the stream running through it is still known as Adair's Creek. Adair and Gen. James White were contemporaries and friends. The latter founded Knox- ville in 1792.
So far as known John Adair had one child-a daughter, Mary, who married Robert Christian, son of Gilbert Chris- tian of Sullivan County. This marriage no doubt took place at Christiansville or what is now Kingsport as the Christians were living there then. Maria, a daughter of this couple, lived with her grandparents at Adair's Station and there married John Smith, whose descendants live there to-day. This land still remains in the same family after having come direct from the State.
John Adair died in 1827 and, with his wife, is buried on a knoll on the old tract-the exact location of the graves, however, is in doubt.2
2I am indebted to C. M. McClung, Esq., and Judge E. T. Sanford, of Knoxville, for a great deal of the data concerning John Adair.
CHAPTER XVII.
KING'S MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN.
Between the years 1774 and 1780 there were restless times in the Holston settlements. These "over the moun- tain men" as the Eastern Carolina folk designated the inhabitants in the "back parts" of the state, or "back- woodsmen" as their enemies sneeringly called them, were following one campaign with another. These campaigns, however, were for the most part directed against their Indian foes, but the incursion of 1779, into the very heart of the Cherokee country, had par- tially silenced opposition.
Up to 1780 these people had paid little attention to the struggle for independence.
This year they were called upon a broader field of warfare.
In order to best describe the King's Mountain cam- paign it will be necessary to recite some of the events that led up to it.
King's Mountain is about sixteen miles long, running through portions of North and South Carolina. That part where the battle took place is in South Carolina, about one and a half miles from the North Carolina line.
The year 1780 was a dark one for the cause of liberty; Charleston and Savannah had fallen, Georgia was subdued save a few bands of invincible patriots who were ready to fall in with anybody and fight to the death.
So sure was Sir Henry Clinton that the whole southern territory would soon fall into the hands of the British that he left the management of the campaign to Lord Corn- wallis and returned to New York.
Battle of Kings. Mountain
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KING'S MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN.
FERGUSON AND TARLETON.
With Cornwallis were two brilliant officers, Ferguson and Tarleton-the former in his mode of warfare, much like our Mosby or Morgan or perhaps Forrest. Tarleton while a dashing cavalryman was also a very brutal officer-his men were plunderers, outraged women, hung all prisoners whom they suspected of being deserters and rarely offered any quarter to a foe, as in the case of Capt. Buford's command, which he routed and massacred. It was on this account "Buford" was first the password and later the slogan of the Americans at the battle of King's Mountain.
Ferguson, at this time thirty-six years of age, was de- scribed as a man of medium height, slender build and very affable in his manner, more inclined to be courteous to a conquered foe than were most of his associate officers. He was a soldier without fear and was counted the best marksman, with pistol and rifle, in the British army.
Such a nature easily filled up his ranks from the tory1 element with which North Carolina was overrun.
These two officers were ordered out through the interior to subdue what was left of the patriots.
Seeing North Carolina threatened, Gen. Rutherford sent a requisition to Shelby and Sevier for one hundred men each to help defend the state from invasion.
They were then the county lieutenants of Sullivan and Washington counties, respectively, and while the Watauga commonwealth lived under laws of its own, generally, it recognized any special order from the state to which it acknowledged allegiance. This was par- ticularly so in a military way as the officers received appointments and pay from that source. Sevier soon
1It is hard for us, in this day, to realize the opprobrium attached to the word "tory" as applied to those who, during the Revolution, sympathised with the British side. The epithets "rebel" and "yankee" never reached the depths of derision of this word. It is of ignominious origin to begin with. Although, applied in England, to the court of James II, it was, even thena nickname or term of reproach being from the Irish robber word TOREE, meaning, give me, i. e. your money.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
got his men together, but, instead of one hundred, collected two hundred. Shelby was absent at the time survey- ing lands in Kentucky, but as soon as the message reached him its import whetted him and he hastened home, appealed to the chivalry of the pioneers and was soon on his way, crossing the rugged trail at the head of two hundred mounted riflemen. It was decided best, in view of a possible Indian invasion, for Sevier to remain to patrol the borders and watch the Cherokees.2
Shelby proceeded to the camp of Col. McDowell, who had succeeded Gen. Rutherford. Here he was shortly detached, with additional militiamen and officers, and marched against a British fort held by Col. Patrick Moore.
A peremptory demand for the surrender of the fort was refused, Moore declaring he would hold it to the last. A second demand accompanied by a threat from Shelby that he would turn his cannon (a thing he did not have) on the fort caused the garrison to surrender.
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