USA > Tennessee > Bedford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
USA > Tennessee > Marshall County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
USA > Tennessee > Wilson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
USA > Tennessee > Maury County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
USA > Tennessee > Williamson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
USA > Tennessee > Rutherford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 22
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On the outbreak of the first Seminole war in 1817, Capt. John Gordon raised a spy company which he commanded in that war. It is well known in this war the climate and hardships were far more destructive than the bullet and tomahawk of the Indians. The last survivors of that war were T. S. Pickard and David Hamilton. Soon after the massa- cre of Maj. Dade and his men in the Wahoo Swamp, and the killing of Gen. Thompson on December 28, 1835, Gov. Cannon called for volunteers. Two companies were raised in Maury County; one commanded by William J. Frierson was raised in the vicinity of Tien and Bigbyville, and the other was commanded by Capt. John B. Hamilton and later by George Lipscomb. This company was recruited mainly in the neighborhood of Cathey Creek. These companies were attached to the First Regiment, of which A. F. Bedford was chosen colonel; T. H. Cahal, lieutenant-colonel: Powhattan Gordon, major First Battalion, and A. C. Goff, major of Second Battalion; W. G. Dickinson, surgeon and A. H. Brown, assistant surgeon. The company commanded by Capt. Frierson consisted of 101 or 102 men and Capt. Hamilton's company contained 105 men. The only loss sustained by these companies was one man who died of measles and a negro belonging to J. M. S. Mayes, who was killed by accident. Mr. Mayes is believed to be the only survivor of that war now in the county. The powder-horn carried by him is now in possession of the His- torical Society. A full report of this campaign is given elsewhere.
In the war with Mexico in 1816-17, the call for troops was so quickly filled that but a small portion of those volunteering were accepted. Several companies were tendered the State, but one only, Capt. AAlbert G. Cooper's company, was accepted. This was a cavalry company and was attached to the regiment of which J. E. Thomas was colonel, Richard
785
MAURY COUNTY.
Allison, lieutenant colonel, and Richard Waterhouse, major. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, of Manry County, commanded a brigade in that war. He was at Matamoras, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, where he was wounded; also in the battles near the City of Mexico. In that war as given under that head. he made a national reputation for skill and gallantry.
In the war between the States Manry was slow to sever the ties, but when in her whole force was thrown on the side of the South. On May 6, 1861, the county court ap- propriated $1,000 for the benefit of the families of soldiers who were then in the service. This was to be distributed by the justices in their respective districts. By the report of October ? it is shown that $1.349.02 had been thus expended. This sum was dis. tributed in the various districts in sums varying from $1 to $539.29. A tax of 10 cents on each $100 was levied for the purpose of keeping up this aid. In the call for 55,000 men, 2,500 of whom were for active service, the county promptly furnished her quota. Home guard companies in each of the twenty-five districts were quickly enrolled and or- ganized by the selection of their officers. Space prevents our giving these officers and men. On May 20, 1861, the court decided that the home guards should serve without pay as it was the duty of "all good citizens to serve in times of peril free of charge."
The first regular troops for the service from this county were Company B, of the See- ond Confederate. This regiment was organized May 5, 1861, at Nashville, by electing W. B. Bate. colonel; D. L. Goodall, lieutenant-colonel; William Doak, major: William Driver, adjutant; M. W. Clusky, assistant quartermaster; J. A. Moore, assistant commissary-ser- geant; Dr. T. J. Kennedy, surgeon and Rev. D. Joseph Cross, chaplain. The regiment was moved to Lynchburg. Va., where it was soon after mustered into the Confederate serv- ice by Gen. E. Kirby Smith. Company B was made up at Columbia and joined the reg- iment at Nashville. The captains of Company B were John G. Anderson, John A. Mackey and Edmund O'Neil. The roll of honor of Company B is J. M. Cathron, died at Fredricksburg, July 16. 1861; John E. Sharber, died at Stafford Court House; John W. Gee, killed at Richmond, Ky., August 30, 1862: William Edwards died at Columbus, Miss. 'A full sketch of this regiment is given elsewhere. .
The Third Tennessee Infantry contained three companies from Maury County, viz .: Conpanies C, E and F. Company C contained an aggregate of 119 men. The following were its commissioned officers: Captains, D. F. Wade and R. T. Cooper; first lieutenant, J. D. Moss; second lieutenant, Johnson Long; junior second lieutenant, W. S. Jennings. Company E, from both Maury and Williamson, contained 100 men; captains, N. F. Cheairs and H. P. Pointer: first lieutenant, Campbell Brown; second lieutenant, Thomas Tucker; junior second lieutenant, J. T. S. Thompson. Company F contained ninety-eight men. The officers were G. W. Jones, captain; J. B. Murphy, first lieutenant: B. G. Dar- den, second lieutenant: John T. Williamson, junior second lieutenant. John C. Brown was elected colonel of the regiment; Thomas MI. Gordon, lieutenant-colonel; N. F. Cheairs, major, and T. M. Tucker, adjutant. The roll of honor of Company C was thirty- six men; of Company E eight men, and of Company F was sixteen men. This is not a true index of the losses of each, but is given as the only available record. A complete history of this entire regiment is found elsewhere.
The Forty-eighth Tennessee Infantry was made up largely from Maury County, six companies in all. The regiment arrived at Camp Maury, near Nashville, December 12, 1361. It was soon divided into detachments and sent to guard the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers and railroad bridges in the vicinity of and leading to Forts Henry and Donelson. Upon the approach of the Federals the regiment was concentrated at Fort Henry. In the retreat upon Fort Donelson the regiment lost its clothing and baggage. A detail was sent from each company to collect supplies. In the surrender of Donelson the regiment lost 360 men. The field officers were sent to Fort Warren, Massachusetts; the line officers to Camp Chase, Ohio, but on the 1st of May were sent to Johnson's Island, Lake Erie; the enlisted men were sent to Camp Douglas, Illinois, but in August they were sent to Vicksburg and exchanged. The sick, those on furlough, and those on detached duty were not captured, but were consolidated into a new organization. T; these were at-
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
tached a few new companies, and the whole took the name of Nixon's Forty-eighth, or the little Forty-eighth. This body was attached to Geu. E. Kirby Smith's corps, and took part in the whole of the Kentucky campaign, taking a prominent part in the battle of Rich- mond, Ky. It was with the Army of Tennessee at Perryville, on October 8, and at Mur- freesboro, Tenn., at the close of the year. Its conduet was such as to receive special men- tion by its brigade and division commanders.
After the exchange of those captured the regiment was reorganized at Jackson, Miss. An election of officers resulted in the re-election of W. M. Voorhees, colonel; A. S. Godum, lieutenant-colonel; A. J. Campbell, major. Field officers, line officers and non-commis- sioned officers were sent home to recruit. Capts. Howard and Love's companies had been attached to the Third Tennessee, and were encamped at Holly Springs. These were or- dered to Port Hudson in October, and December 27 they were joined by their old com- rades, who had been exchanged, and many recruits. They were now reunited. The reg- iment formed a part of Gen. S. B. Maxey's brigade. The regiment was at the bombard- ment of Port Hudson on the nights of the 13th and 14th of March. by Farragut's fleet. The regiment left Port Hudson May 3, 1863, to assist in the campaign against Grant around Vicksburg. On the fall of Vicksburg the regiment was sent to the Gulf Depart- ment, where it did guard duty from Mobile to Pascagoula. The regiment was sent to Dalton, Ga., in November, and again sent to Mobile, in which department it remained till ordered to join the Army of Tennessee. It united with that army May 27, at New Hope Church, near Marietta, Ga. Before being sent to this department Gen. Maxey had been transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department, and the brigade placed under Gen. Quarles. In the meantime Maj. A. J. Campbell had died, and Capt. J. D. Howard had bren promoted to major. The regiment took part in the battles of New Hope Church. Lost Mountain, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek and around Atlanta. The regiment was a part of Loring's division of Polk's corps. After the death of Polk it was in the division of Walthall of Stewart's corps. The regiment met with frightful losses on the 28th, los- ing more than half its men. The regiment was soon detached to protect the railroad, which was threatened by the Federal cavalry. The regiment was under the command of Lieut .- Col. A. S. Godum. There was some severe fighting around Lovejoy Station and Jonesboro, in which the regiment met with loss, but inflicted severe punishment upon the enemy. The regiment was with Hood's advance into Tennessee, and on its arrival in Maury County the men were allowed a three days' leave of absence, in consequence of which the regiment escaped the battle of Franklin and doubtless many escaped death there. Capts. Love and Tomlinson have furnished the following account of the action of the regiment at Nashville, for Dr. Lindsley's work: "Early in the morning of Decem- ber 15 Capt. Love was put in command of a force to complete a fort on Hood's left, on the Granny White Pike. About noon he was ordered to report to his regiment near by, and a detail from Quarles' brigade, under Maj. T. E. Jamison, was sent to occupy the work. Scarcely had the brigade moved away before a strong cavalry force attacked the fort, but was driven away with great loss. Shortly they were attacked by infantry. Our men stood heroically; many of them were barefooted in the snow, and when overpowered, fought with clubbed muskets. Sergt. William Trousdale, Charley Jones and Lieut. Maclin cut their way out and joined their commands that night; Maj. Jamison was severely wound- ed in the thigh and captured and sent as a prisoner to Fort Delaware, where he was kept till August. 1865. Our brigade took position behind a stone wall; soon the enemy cap- tured another fort in our front and turned our guns upon us, and a brigade of the enemy was rapidly moving on our flank. We fell back in good order through a recently plowed field. Here Capt. J. P. Churd had his leg sho: off. The next day we occupied an ex- posed space to the right of Finley's brigade, with no protection. The Federal line was within seventy yards of us and we were compelled to lie down, as the least exposure was sure to result in death. All day long we could see the Federals encircling us. We saw our line give way on the hill above us. Soon the Federals had full possession of the fort; then our whole line gave way." The regiment formed a part of the rear guard, under
.
787
WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
Forrest. in Hood's retreat. It took part in the severe skirmish near Pulaski, where a Fed- eral battery was captured. The regiment joined Bragg's forces at Kingston, N. C .: a de- tachment under Capt. Love took part in an engagement there. The regiment then went to Goldsboro, thence to Bentonville, where it fought its last engagement. It surrendered March 19, 1865.
For the Ninth Battalion Maury County furnished Companies A, B and E. This body was organized in December at a camp nea: Nashville. The officers of Company A were J. N. Walker, captain; E. N. H. Foster, first lieutenant: Frank J. McLean, second lieu- tenant; Joe A. Irvine, junior second lieutenant. The officers of Company B were R. N. Moore, captain: T. L. Porter, first lieutenant; J. B. Galloway, second lieutenant; W. H. McFalls, junior second lieutenant. The officers of Company E. were J. H. Akin, captain: A. B. Biffle, first lieutenant; A. A. Kennedy, second lieutenant; A. J. Pugh, junior second lieutenant. The field and staff officers were George Gantt, lieutenant-colonel; B. W. Por- ter, major; Hunter Nicholson, adjutant. On the reorganization in September, 1862, George Gantt was re-elected lieutenant-colonel; J. H. Akin, major; W. V. Thompson, adjutant. The Ninth lost by sickness and by bullets of the enemy 380 men. For a full account of the Ninth Battalion see elsewhere. Two batteries of artillery and some detached com- panies make up the men furnished by Maury County, in all twenty-one companies.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
T THE surface of the county in the Basin is generally undulating, rising in some places into high bluffs or knobs several hundred feet in height. The water-shed is from southeast to northwest. One range of hills or elevated lands rises in Rutherford County. near Stewart's Creek, and extends southwesterly, but gradually sinks into a level a short distance from Franklin. The waters from the northern slope of this range flow into Mill Creek. so named from its early and numerous mills thereon. This drainage extends over the fertile lands of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Districts. The higher lands afford ex- cellent timber of cedar and other valuable timbers. Separating the Thirteenth and Twenty-first from the Twelfth and Twenty-second Districts is Duck River Ridge, which is the water-shed between the waters of Big Harpeth and the head waters of Rutherford and Flat Creeks. The principal drainage of the county, however, is by the Harpeth and its branches. This embraces a very large portion of the county. The Big Harpeth enters the county at College Grove, near the southeastern part of the county, and leaves it near the northwestern part. Not far from Mount Carmel rises West Harpeth, a stream which flows almost parallel with Big Harpeth, but unites with it a short distance northwest of Franklin. Each of these streams receives small tributaries, the largest and best known being Leiper's Creek, which enters West Harpeth not far from Hillsboro. Within the val- ley of these small rivers is seen some very fine country. It is even questioned if it can be surpassed anywhere. Formerly it was densely covered with heavy forest trees or a rank growth of cane. A short distance beneath the surface is a bed of limestone, but the soil along the river is a rich, black loam, capable of supporting a luxuriant growth of all the cereals known to the temperate climate, as well as other vegetable products, nor has the cultivation of these been wanting, for the late statistics show Williamson to afford the larg- est yield of wheat of any county in the State.
Little Harpeth, which flows near the well known Hollow Tree Gap, drains a much smaller amount of land than the other Harpeth, but none the less rich. South Harpeth cuts its way through the Rim or highlands in the extreme western part of the county.
-
788
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
This is bordered by high hills and precipitous rocks, with an ever-changing bed. This feature of these rivers is noticeable within the recollections of men: they are much wider than formerly and not so deep; their rise is much higher and quicker than formerly, and their subsidence is much more rapid. The name Harpeth is said to have originated from two noted outlaws, who had their headquarters on Big Harpeth. Their names were Harp. and from their size were designated Big and Little Harp. After bidding defiance to the law and force for many years they were at last brought to punishment. The country lying along the South Harpeth is quite broken and is sparsely settled. Covering a large portion of districts- first, second, third and sixth-is a heavy growth of timber almost in its primitive luxuriance. In some portions of the county there is a sandy soil, from which there is a heavy growth of cedar, and in other parts there is a fine growth of white oak. Fine springs abound in almost every part of the county; these, with the fine grasses grown. make this an excellent stock-raising county, to which attention has been largely attracted since 1871. Besides the numerous other springs the county abounds in various medical springs. These are known as Smith's Springs, Cayce's Spring, and the best known of these now is the Fernvale Spring, owned by J. B. McEwen. Analyses of the water of the last-named spring have been made by several eminent chemists. These all show the water to possess high medical properties.
A comparison of the amount of cereals grown in Williamson County in 1870 and in 1885 will show the rapid increase in these products, and also the amount of these products grown in the county. The product of corn in bushels in 1870 was 1,010, 443; of wheat, 227,294; of rye, 4,662; of oats, 99.933; of barley, 10,536. The corresponding cereals in 1855 were as follows: Indian corn, in busheis, 1,489,445; wheat, 315, 966; rye, 2,265; oats, 585,522; barley, 499. The number of domestic animals for the same years were as follows: The number of horses and mules for 1870 were 10,314: cattle, 6,988; sheep, 15,226; hogs, 41,703. The same animals in 1885 were as follows: Horses and mules, 11.412; cattle, 12,906; sheep, 15,809: hogs, 43,132.
In regard to the first settlers of Williamson County, there is an interesting tradition; in fact it must be traditional in part, at least, as Haywood, Ramsey and Putnam do not give it. It is to the effect that in 1797 three men, named, respectively, Graham, Brown and Tindel, accompanied by a negro and a dog, went out on an exploring expedition to the vicinity about Franklin. The men were absent some time, and did not return, neither any tidings of them. A party was sent in search of the men but no trace of them was found until their arrival at Hollow Tree Gap, where the party met the dog in a half starved condition. True to the instincts of bis nature the dog led the party to where lay the remains of his masters. It seems the party had found traces of a bear, which they had followed some distance from their course before they came up with the animal. The bear was killed and the party had encamped on the spot. Attracted by the firing upon the bear or by the camp fire, a party of Indians found the lonely party and surrounded the camp and killed the entire number. Fate was generous enough to make these men fight desperately and slay several times their number of Indians. The faithful dog had kept vigil over his dead companions until driven away by hunger.
The Indian titles being extinguished north of Duck River very carly settlers began to enter the territory of Williamson before 1800. David McEwen, of Statesville, N. C., with several families, moved to Nashville in 1796, but owing to the disturbances by the In- dians, did not proceed on their journey till 1798. In that year Mr. McEwen passed through Hollow Tree Gap and on to Roper's Knob, where he settled. Mr. McEwen was the father of a large and influential family that has been prominent in Williamson County since its inception. William Demnmhane, son of Capt. Demumhane, the pioneer settler of Nash- ville, was born at the mouth of Mill Creek, on the Cumberland. Leaving his parents when quite young he passed through the wilderness of woods and cancbrakes and settled near College Grove, where he became a wealthy planter.
Mr. Sledge, who came to the county about the time of De Munbreun, brought only his wife and a few household utensils on a pack-horse, and settled near Peytonsville. Here he
789
WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
lived several years under a temporary shelter. Samuel Crockett, John Wilson and David McEwen, mentioned above, had cach settled and built a cotton-gin before 1804. as appears from Dr. Ramsey. In 1798 Andrew Goff. William McEwen. George Necley and a number of others settled on Spence's Creek. Thomas H. Perkins and Mr. McConnico settled at the fork of the West and Big Harpeth Rivers about 1810. AAbout the same time came Matthew Johnson and William Edmondson. Thomas Spence, Daniel McMahan and Thomas Williamson each settled on the creek bearing the name of the former in 1800. Ewen Cameron is said to have built a house in Franklin in 1797. Abram Maury, upon whose land the city of Franklin was built. and Thomas McKay, at whose house the first court was held, were both residents before 1800. Byrd Hamlet, who settled near Nolensville, has the credit of having raised the first hogshead of tobacco in Middle Tennessee. The following persons had made settlements previous to 1800, the most of whom were con- nected with the county officially: James Buford. James Scurlock, Nicholas Perkins. Ed- mond Wall, Chapman White, Solomon Brent, Stephen Childress, William Hulme. William Smith, Sion Hunt. Robert Caruthers, R. P. Currin, Richard Hightower, James Neeley, John Harness and many others. Joel Parish was one of the first to erect a mill on Har- peth; he was also prominently connected with other business interests of the county. The increase of population of the county for the first decade is remarkable, the popula- tion in 1810 amuonting to over 13,000, while in 1800 it was numbered by the hundreds. The county in 1810. however, embraced a much larger area than now.
The act establishing Williamson County passed the General Assembly October 26, 1799. The territory was cut off from Davidson County, and embraced the following boundaries. "Beginning at a point forty poles due north of the dwelling house of David McClory on the waters of Little Harpeth, running thence east two miles and one hundred and four poles; thence south seventy degrees, east sixteen miles and two hundred and seventy poles; thence due south to the Indian boundary line; thence with said line west- erly to the Robertson County line; thence north with said line to a point due west of the mouth of Little Harpeth; thence in a direct line to the mouth of the Little Harpeth; thence along said river to the place of beginning. to be known as Williamson County." The county was named in honor of Gen. Williamson, of North Carolina. John John- son, Sr., Daniel Perkins, James Buford, William Edmonson and Capt. James Scurlock were appointed commissioners to select a site for the county seat and to erect a court house, jail and stocks. Henry Rutherford and John Davis were appointed to run the boundary line where not sufficiently designated by nature.
By the same act of the General Assembly establishing Williamson County and ap- pointing the commissioners for the town of Franklin, the commissioners were empowered with authority to reserve two acres of ground for a Square, on which they were to erect a court house. This building was erected some time between the erection of the county and establishing the seat of justice for the same and the year 1801. The order for its erec- tion, the size, dimensions, cost or contractors are not matters of record; however, the county court met in regular session November 3, 1800, in the "new court house." This house was a square brick building, and stood in the center of the Public Square. This building was a very substantial structure and served for a court house until 1857. The first steps taken for the erection of the new building was April 1, 1855, by the appointment of John S. Claybrook, John B. McEwen, Samuel Farmer and C. W. Davis as a committee to investigate the needs of the county. This committee made its report, and a new com- mittee, with full power to contract for and let the new court house, was appointed. This committee consisted of John W. Miller, T. F. Atkinson, John S. Claybrook, Park Street and B. B. Irvin. July 1, the lot on the southeast corner of the Square was purchased of Ferdinand Stitt for $1,000; the court at the same time appropriated $3,000 to commence work on the house. Other appropriations followed from time to time as the work pro- ceeded. The present house is a plain brick structure with stone basement. The portico is supported by long, heavy iron columns. The offices are supplied with substantial fire- proof vaults for the records. The work on the court house not being entirely completed
1
790
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
when the war broke out and the neglect during that period required the expenditure of $3,000 in repairs in 1867. This was done through a committee of R. S. Ballow, J. B. Mc- Ewen and S. S. House. Prison bounds for insolvent debtors were established in 1803. The bounds were described as "Beginning at the the 'race path,' thence up Main Street and running so as to include John White's Mill; thence to include the court house, jail and down Main Street, and back to the place of beginning."
The first jail was a rude structure, and stood on the Square near the market house. This was a very insecure jail, as prisoners were frequently taken elsewhere for safe keep- ing. Steps were taken October 8, 1816, for the creation of a new jail, and a committee of Robert P. Currin, Charles McIntyre, H. Petway, Stephen Childress and W. T. Perkins was appointed, whose duty it was to sell the old jail and market house, and to purchase a more desirable lot within the corporate limits. To aid in the erection a jail tax equal to the State tax was levied. A new jail was accordingly erected, which was composed of wood and brick. near where the present one stands. In November, 1828, a committee of HI. L. White, E. T. Collins and William Johnston made the following report: "We find that William Clark, jailer, and his family have conducted themselves so ridiculous and have also become a nuisance to their neighbors, and on his family's account we have thought proper to remove the said Clark and substitute Joel Childress in his place." The committee found that the jail was considerably out of repair, that the family part of said jail was open and torn to pieces, and the "whole requires considerable work and consid- erable improvement, which we believe to be of considerable importance to the county."
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