History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 123

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 123

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Of his two sons, they at the same time captured the elder, John ; the younger, Joshua, made good his escape, and reappeared on the scene of action next morning barely in time to save his brother from death on the gallows. The gallows was utilized by hanging thereon those by whom it was constructed. The two brothers served throughout the

Digitized by Google

462

HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Revolutionary war, during which cach was severely wounded, one at Brandywine, and the other at Germantown.

The elder, John, married Margaret Livingston, of which marriage the only issue was a son, John Livingston Hadley. In due time he was entered as student at the University of North Carolina. On completing the curriculum of that in- stitution he studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Pennsylvania. On receiving the de- gree of M.D. in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania he was at the instance of Dr. Rush ap- pointed surgeon in the navy, but declined the appointment. A few months subsequently war was declared with England (1812), and he was tendered, and accepted, the post of surgeon in the army, in which capacity he served until the conclusion of peace.

The war being ended, he resigned his position, and, moving to Tennessee, married Amelia, daughter of Joshua Hadley, of Sumner County. He immediately entered into business with characteristic energy and industry, with the intelligent view that the interest of the individual went hand and hand and was inseparably connected with the welfare of the commonwealth.

He at first (1815) gave his attention exclusively to the practice of his profession. Subsequently he engaged ex- tensively in agricultural pursuits ; was ever a zealous advo- cate of the cause of education, being one of the few mem- bers of the board of trustees of Nashville University who were prompt and active attendants of its meetings.

In all the vicissitudes of an extended life, his conduct was a correct exponent of the view that the present state of existence is but probational,-the mere prelude of another.

F. R. RAINS.

To those familiar with the annals of our State, the name of Ruins suggests the staunch protector of her capital in its earliest infancy. But, aside from any historical association, no name is more worthy of praiseful mention than that of F. R. Rains, for in his character we find many of the crown jewels necessary to every successful life.

. A man of rare judgment, of irrepressible energy, he has " hewed to the line" of an unshaken purpose, and takes his rightful place now among those worthy to adorn the pages of our country's history.

Newton, when the world was bending before him in amazed acknowledgment of his wonderful discoveries, said, " If I am anything, which I much doubt, I made myself such by hard work." So all the world over, in every age, in all science and art and literature, it is not so much what the world calls genius, but energy, which makes a man rise above the common level. More and more, as we take a nearer view of the life before us, we find that success is owing to the energy of the man,-that ingredient in the human composition without which life remains an unful- filled promise.

But before going farther with this personal history we turn back a century to where the name of Rains first appears in connection with that of Tennessee.

In June, 1769, a party from North Carolina and Virginia

was formed for the purpose of hunting over the western part of this State. In this company was John Rains, of Virginia, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. West- ward they traveled, reaching Cumberland River at that point which was afterwards the crossing-place leading to Kentucky. They continued their course until they came to a place since called Price's Meadow, in Wayne County. This, being in an open country and near a fine spring, seemed a desirable place for a camp, and they concluded to return here at the end of every five weeks and deposit their game and skins. They separated, taking different courses, all, however, tending to the southwest. The hunt was con- tinued eight or nine months, over trackless miles of luxu- riant grasses, with no signs of human existence except an occasional attack from the skulking red man.

In October, 1779, Mr. John Rains left New River, Vir- ginia, for Kentucky, where he intended settling, but before going very far he met Capt. James Robertson, who per- suaded him to go to Cumberland with him. Others in small parties, some of them the hunters of 1769, were moving to the same place. In January, 1780, they came opposite the bluff where Nashville now stands. The winter of 1779-80 is alluded to as the cold winter. Snow bad fallen, and the Cumberland was frozen over for many weeks. Mr. Rains, with his family and all his stock, crossed the river on the ice, leaving the remainder of the party on the opposite shore. His children never forgot this occasion, but delighted, in after-years, the ears of his children and children's children with the wonderful story of having been drawn across the river on bears' skins used as sleds. Some of the emigrants settled on the north side of the river, but the greater number came over to the Nash- ville side and built block-houses and stockades. Mr. Rains on the same day of his crossing settled the lands known as Deadericks' Plantations. Here he remained three months, when, a hunter being killed by the Indians, he removed to the Bluff for greater safety, living there four years before making his permanent home on his lands. Many were the depredations of the Indians, who sought every opportunity to prove to the whites their undying hostility, frequently waylaying and killing them in their fields. Mr. Rains' daughter Patsey, riding on horseback, with Miss Betsey Williams behind, was fired upon by the Indians; the latter was killed, while the former escaped only by desperate riding. Some time later, when the number of the little party had been greatly increased by the arrival of other settlers and a company of troops sent for their protection, Col. Robertson was enabled to send out a patrol, whose duty it was to ex- amine the woods and the crossings of rivers for the trails of savages lurking in the neighborhood. At this time canes and weeds grew so thickly that anything passing through left a trail which a practiced eye easily detected and fol- lowed. One of the men forming this patrol was Capt. John Rains, " selected by Col. Robertson," says a contem- porary, " because of the entire confidence he had learned to place in his diligence and prowess " Subsequently, "Capt. Rains raised a force of sixty men, marched southwardis. crossing Duck River and Swan Creek, and, turning south- east, came upon an Indian trail freshly made. Following is for some distance, he overtook aud attacked a party of five

Digitized by Google

---

Digitized by Google

462

HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

1 .. ...... . wie which cach was severely wounded, two Weekswas Based on her ar Germantown

The 'hr down, married Mehmet Livingston, of which .... only issue was a son, J din Livingstou Hadley.

sar enet di py student at the University of

ing stop the medium of that in-

to serving the de-

most of the Cuivrey

5. Dr. Bach ap.

ntment.

ed with England

i. the post at

: served until the

I. Rion, and,

y diately entered into

industry, with f . h. Jividna wout

coat sted with the

can exclusively to the

ently he engaged ex- , fallen, and the Cumberland was then over 'a a zeal et - advo-

of the view that the p bal, -- the mere probo i f at the

F. R. RAINS.

To the Cafar with the annals of car State, the par ..

my name is the wo ty t' postul matin era that at F R. Rob Ba in las character we find ma ; on tin crown y sala necessary to every succession life.

A man of rare judgment . f ! he Pas

s his

F : pages

Maling thing him in

ho's w mierful discoveries said, 1 mm. I doubt I made myself Ala wartheway, in every are, e are, it : not so much what r . werk makes a man rise

Moc nid more. as we take a

more as, we mind that concass is { the man, -that ingredient in the I ust wee sinon without which ble remains an unful-

But before going fare for a's the gate and history we then back a contary to thes . A. Han 4 Ramos first appears to tortion with that of That.

in June, 1700, a party from North Carolina and Virginia

was formed for the purpose of hunting part of this State. In this company w .. .. Virginia grandfather of the subject of !! wod they naveed reaching Cand are a joint which was herkanis the crown: 1 . Kentucky. They continued that were . to a place since called Prie . Mealw. ... . This being in an open chaudry and to. : seen da dehaber ; ve for a map. : return hete at the end of ererv t . / As game and ..... They s meti tio all, however, maling to the serwet T. t Sand eight of nine months, over takes , riant graves, with no signs of ham on ex :- t. occasional attack fr teknik .. r & man

In October. 1779. Mr. Joan Ran. I. S goma, for Kentucky, where he bound for ... going very for he met Ait James Ron ;- saded him to go to Cumberland with the. sell parties, some of them the home> moving to the same place In julen uporite the but they. Vehvil . 1 " af 1750:50 is alluded to a. d ....

w. A. Mr. Rains, . with his Song cried the river on the ice. Laving ( i) party on the opposite share. His ct ... this ocusim, hat delight. I. in after .. children and children's flokken with t' . of having been driva across to mor oni. as sieds. Some of the emigrants send d on the the river, but the greater number came . vier t. ville side and built Back-houses and - sales. Me on the same day of his crossing se und ther on - ky Dendericks' Plantations. Here he ren frei .i . .. when, a hunter being killed by the indians. h .. . the Bluft for greater safety, living cher ; !. urking his permanent home on bis lands M . depredativas of the In lians, who w.m .!. to prove to the whites their undying be still waslaying and killing them in their f.': daughter Patsey, riding on horseback. vi Wimni ums behind, was fired upon by the ! ... was kiin J. while the former escaped only by Some time later, when the number of the lach proatly mereasel by the arrival of otin . company of troops sent for their protection . was arrived to send out a patrol, whose at amine the woods and the crossings of viver. . savages barking in the neighborhood. At :.. and I grew so thickly that anything . int a trail which a practiced ege essig ! lowed. One of the men forming this ; .. . John Rams, Aselected by Col. Robertson." porary, . bweems of the entire costdonce 1. place in his die tre and prowess " Sute Res deed a force of sixty men, marche, crossing Duck River and Swan I'ne &, at . east, came upon an Indian trail freshily med for some distance, he overtook and atta ki .

Digitized by

Google

Phate dy Armstrong

Digitized by Google

Google

Digitized by

Digitized by Google

Frans langhin -

Digitized by Google

463

BIOGRAPHIES.

s. all of whom were killed my opt . d. and to whomn was given the

`y which he was ever afterwards

on a bote 1 for nis \ iyilance and courage, * triedtiny att following the trails of the woon entire command of the troo; :. : what times. - " times which tried men's ! however, to be of short duration, and fol. and party and prosperity. ", about the summe purchased a seting of with of Naches in, and lived che quier W Had necessary areen, he doubtless would I all the enstage, during, and high sol- whi h characterized the father , but he lived I times, and his etin- were directed into other with his fixedness of purpose and decisive come a most successful farmer, achieving vieta- odber tarde believing and semena aring that " Pove bor sa tories no less renowned than those of war." : The Lesson Bains, subject of this memoir, was the ·had partern children, and was born March 11, 1810, .. : . Ratch Civil District of Davidson County. Elaca- . ! ad turages in those days were limited to the winter wool f a few months in each year, but these few months' may be improved to the best vavantage. He had titre For the simplest brauches. A fifteen days course in a!exotic was followed by an examination which would do Je in these days to a long acquar .. per with mathe- the. Because of these disadvantages be was pot fired : r a professional career, but his atter pte, so eren ded wat antes cares shows that he must have inncoved the oppor- cities he did have, and stored away a good deal in a very is time. il ving never studied it, grammar, to! mreally "ng, remained to hip an unexplored mystery ; but a " wake mind and a keen appreciation of " the eternal . « of things ' have gained for hit. much which comes wars only by labest ia study. If toked ret int. the : by leng e. ough to get the exact location of all the waj the , ourses of all the rivers fixed in bis mind, . hite be has known the social, political, and finan- : he was taking and where it would lead, and into .win he has broy 's the elements of manly · with dignity and exakt anderever path in life ... se. Living

Par fema the manding crowd - ignoble strife, !! < oder wishes i wor bra. i Ito stray ; .. .. the cool, segue -tered vale of the in ko, t the even teror ar he say."

! with his father until he was twenty one Heving carly developed a capacity for busi- imbr i with mutsy positions of trust by his

, tus ing active life of willingly-accepted t 4 that much of the grandfather's ' scented to the third generation. of this character before us, the 1:, -- well-direct. d, steady, porse-

Felix Robertson Raus, for more than five years was sheriff of his county, was for a long time director of the Bank of Tennessee and a prominent member of the agri- cultural association, and was axatdod a one bandred dollar pitcher by the State bureau for meritorious services in the case of agriculture.

Two attacks of paralysis have sadly inquired his oure rigorous frame. For fifteen years he has been a constant enff-rer, but no weight of :DF tion has diernstod the steady balance of his mind. Day after day he is seen driving ag where everywhere over has well ordered piace, directing and planning each day sand . kings. Attbeach the phys- ical man has been so fusbe yer every branch of his haven business fry been unit ing direct supervision. He is a living illustration of what can be we gelinned by an va- swerving determination, despite die broads of disease.

About a mite from Nasty ille, pon a beautiful eminence, his house stands, almost in sight of the location of Ridns' Station. Death has often broken into has hans held band, and one son has gone out fre under the , dereal tout to nohe a home for a wife and children of his own. We leave the subject of our sketch here. A groen over be well-kent place shows the agreement of it with the character of the man whose motto is hogy is first law -onder. Nor are

his labors confined to his own homes, for many, elsewhere. rise up an I call him bi ased for his ready assistance in time of med. Lo the companion ship of his ahie dasantes, and sou he is spending the remaining years of a lot, and useful lith, and in the fartful ministrations of bis fami he Gods the crowning comfort of his declining yours.

There is an inspiration to others in the history of every s Nf-made man ; so we gri - up these fo ments from the lift. of F. R Rains and lay them with honored record among the names of these worthy to seexpy a place in our country's history With the near view of las character, its uptight principles, its thorough lo mety . its inflexible justice, and its untarnished moral parity. west. .. Who does the best. his circumstances all of doas well,- acts nelly , none others cin . . more."

Hiram Vaughan is too representative of car of the un- portant pioneer families of Poidson County. His father. David Vaughn, came trem North Choijos when a young man and settled on a small farm, where Michal Vaughn cow lives. Here Hiratt w . born Nov. 27, 1827. David Vaughn was a man of energy and perseverare ; from this small bezinning he added other lan is, until bis farm on braced some two thousand acres of choice land wido a good state of cultivation. He died in 1-7%, at sixty four years of age, leaving a w low and six children, for sous and two daughters, -the oldest of when was enl, thirteen years of age. The responsibility of the family and the man- agement of the large farm fed upon the mother, whe provedl to be equal to the occasion, conducting hay from ~ atlais successfully. and bringing up the children with ph. statt care and giving them all a like al chu de a She was the daughter of Joshu T'romas, a farmer of Davidson Comp y. who was killed at the battle of " Sohajack."

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

463

BIOGRAPHIES.

grown savages and one boy, all of whom were killed except the boy, who was captured, and to whom was given the name of John Rains, by which he was ever afterwards called."

Capt. Rains became noted for his vigilance and courage, and for his skill in detecting and following the trails of the savages, and was given entire command of the troops.

These were turbulent times,-" times which tried men's souls,"-destined, however, to be of short duration, and fol- lowed by peace and plenty and prosperity.

John Rains, Jr., about this time purchased a section of land eight miles south of Nashville, and lived the quiet life of the farmer. Had necessity arisen, he doubtless would have manifested all the courage, daring, and high sol- dierly qualities which characterized his father ; but he lived in peaceful times, and his efforts were directed into other channels, and with his fixedness of purpose and decisive energy he became a most successful farmer, achieving victo- ries in other fields, believing and demonstrating that " Peace hath her victories no less renowned than those of war."

Felix Robertson Rains, subject of this memoir, was the sixth of thirteen children, and was born March 11, 1810, in the Eighth Civil District of Davidson County. Educa- tional advantages in those days were limited to the winter school of a few months in each year, but these few months' training he improved to the best advantage. He had time only for the simplest branches. A fifteen days' course in arithmetic was followed by an examination which would do credit in these days to a long acquaintance with mathe- matics. Because of these disadvantages he was not fitted for a professional career, but his after-life, so crowded with business cares, shows that he must have improved the oppor- tunities he did have, and stored away a good deal in a very short time. Having never studied it, grammar, technically speaking, remained to him an unexplored mystery; but a wide-awake mind and a keen appreciation of " the eternal fitness of things" have gained for him much which comes to others only by laborious study. He looked not into the geography long enough to get the exact location of all the cities and the courses of all the rivers fixed in his mind, but all his life he has known the social, political, and finan- cial route he was taking and where it would lead, and into his avocation he has brought those elements of manly character which dignify and exalt whatsoever path in life man may choose. Living

" Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, His sober wishes never learned to stray ; Along the cool, sequestered vale of life He kept the even tenor of his way."

He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. Having early developed a capacity for busi- ness, he was honored with many positions of trust by his appreciative fellow-citizens.

In looking over his long, active life of willingly-accepted responsibilities, we feel that much of the grandfather's dauntless energy has descended to the third generation. Energy is the corner-stone of this character before us, the secret of this successful life,-well-directed, steady, perse- vering energy.

Felix Robertson Rains, for more than five years, was sheriff of his county, was for a long time director of the Bank of Tennessee and a prominent member of the agri- cultural association, and was awarded a one-hundred-dollar pitcher by the State bureau for meritorious services in the cause of agriculture.

Two attacks of paralysis have sadly impaired his once vigorons frame. For fifteen years he has been a constant sufferer, but no weight of affliction has disturbed the steady balance of his mind. Day after day he is seen driving anywhere, everywhere, over his well-ordered place, directing and planning each day's undertakings. Although the phys- ical man has been so feeble, yet every branch of his largo business has been under his direct supervision. He is a living illustration of what can be accomplished by an un- swerving determination, despite the inroads of disease.

About a mile from Nashville, upon a beautiful eminence, his house stands, almost in sight of the location of Rains' Station. Death has often broken into his household band, and one son has gone out from under the paternal roof to make a home for a wife and children of his own. We leave the subject of our sketch here. A glance over his well-kept place shows the agreement of it with the character of the man whose motto is heaven's first law,-order. Nor are his labors confined to his own home, for many, elsewhere, rise up and call him blessed for his ready assistance in time of need. In the companionship of his wife, daughter, and son he is spending the remaining years of a long and useful life, and in the faithful ministrations of his family he finds the crowning comfort of his declining years.

There is an inspiration to others in the history of every self-made man ; so we gather up these fragments from the life of F. R. Rains and lay them with honored record among the names of those worthy to occupy a place in our country's history. With this near view of his character, its upright principles, its thorough honesty, its inflexible justice, and its uutarnished moral purity, we say, " Who does the best his circumstances allow does well,-acts nobly; none others can do more."

HIRAM VAUGHN.

Hiram Vaughn is the representative of one of the im- portant pioneer families of Davidson County. His father, David Vaughn, came from North Carolina when a young man and settled on a small farm, where Michael Vaughn now lives. Here Hiram was born Nov. 27, 1827. David Vaughn was a man of energy and perseverance; from this small beginning he added other lands, until his farm em- braced some two thousand acres of choice land under a good state of cultivation. He died in 1836, at sixty-four years of age, leaving a widow and six children,-four sous and two daughters,-the eldest of whom was only thirteen years of age. The responsibility of the family and the man- agement of the large farm fell upon the mother, who proved to be equal to the occasion, conducting ber business affairs successfully, and bringing up the children with the strictest care and giving them all a liberal education. She was the daughter of Joshua Thomas, a farmer of Davidson County, who was killed at the battle of " Nickajack."

Digitized by Google

464

HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Hiram Vaughn was educated at the Nashville University, where he graduated in 1847. He chose the vocation of agriculture ; settled upon a portion of the old farm, where he has since resided.

Mr. Vaughn has also been interested in the growth and prosperity of Nashville, and a successful operator in real estate and stocks in that city. Politically, Mr. Vaughn was formerly a Whig, but not a politician. He was a member of the Tennessee Legislature in 1871. Has been twice mar- ried; his first wife was Catherine A. Hobbs; she died April 14, 1853. He was again married, May 13, 1858, to Mar- tha Ann Johnson, daughter of James Johnson. They have five children,-four sons and one daughter.

DR. JAMES DACE PLUNKET.

Dr. James Dace Plunket is of Irish parentage, and is de- scended on the paternal side from an ancestry many of whom have been distinguished in the service of State or Church. Among the former may be mentioned Lord Plunket, who was queen's counsel in the famous trial of Robert Emmett in 1803, and among the latter might be enumerated many who have been priests and bishops in the Catholic Church in Ireland. His maternal ancestors were Scotch-Irish, from the North of Ireland, and were chiefly Protestants, being Covenanters, Seceders, or, in modern parlance, Presby- terians, many of them eminent divines in that church, to the memory of one of whom was erected and endowed by his mother the Magee College, located at Derry, Ireland.

Rev. Thomas Smyth, D.D., an uncle of Dr. Plunket, and graduate of Princeton University, was for a period of forty years pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Charles- ton, S. C., and was a prolific author both of religious and scientific literature. He was noted for crudition and elo- quence. They were a hardy, ingenuous, intelligent people, characterized by great energy and will-power, frank and bold in their expression, and strongly religious.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 123

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013