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 25
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 25
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 25
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 25
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 25
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 25
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The first house is said to have been built in Franklin in 1797 by Ewen Cameron. The court house, as stated elsewhere, was built in the spring and summer of 1800. Thomas McKay, at whose house the first court met, was a resident at that time. Other settlers followed in rapid succession. Benjamin White built an ordinary on the lot adjoining. where Mr. Gault now lives, in 1803. This old building still stands though in a very dilapida- ted condition. He with his sons became the owners of a tavern, wagon yard, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, butcher shop and gunsmith shop. Alexander Myers and Phillip Many obtained tavern license in 1803. Ordinaries or taverns were supposed to afford food, feed and drinks. The following were the rates established by the county courts: breakfast, dinner and supper, each 25 cents; one-half pint of whisky, 12} cents; one-half pint of peach or apple brandy. 12} cents: one-half pint of rum or gin, 372 cents; one horse feed, 12} cents. Other tavern keepers during the first decade were Henry Lyon and Stephen Bar- field. The bridge across the Harpeth was sold by N. Scales, Thomas Edmundson, S. Green, R. Puckett, D. McEwen, James Boyd, S. Buford and George Hulme to W. Witherspoon, Jacob Gantt, John Witherspoon, Benjamin Nolen, Thomas Mckinney and John Black- man on April 8, 1805. In 1820 the contract for paving the Public Square was let to Stephen Childress, John Watson and Hinchey Petway for $1.600. The money was raised by a levy on the county for $1,200, and on the town for $400 additional.
The act of incorporation passed the General Assembly October 9, 1815. The act reads as follows: "That the town of Franklin, in the county of Williamson, and the inhabi- tants thereof are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the mayor and aldermen of the town of Franklin, and shall have perpetual succession, and by their corporate name may sue and be sued, * * and may use a town seal." It was given power to employ night watches, establish streets, restrain gambling, regulate amusements, establish and regulate markets, fire companies, and other measures for the benefit of the town. The act provided for the election of mayor and aldermen and other town officers. The following are given as the limits as included in the char- ter: "Beginning in the center of the old Natchez road where a small branch crosses the
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
same, about 150 yards from the margin of said town: thence in a direct line to Big Har- peth River, so as to include the house where Nicholas Perkins, Jr., now lives; thence down the middle of said river with its meanders to the month of Sharp's branch; thence up said branch until it receives another small stream on the east side; thence up that small branch to the beginning; provided that no land or lots of ground included within the above described bounds shall be subject to pay a greater tax to said corporation. etc., etc." Amendments were made to the charter in 1833, in 1836, in 1837 and in 1852. The by-laws of Franklin were passed in 1828 while Nicholas Perkins was mayor and Thomas B. White was recorder. Many of these have since become inoperative, and many have been repealed. Among the many laws passed was one requiring every owner of a private house, store- room or office to procure a leather bucket sufficient to hold two gallons of water; the same was to have the owner's name placed thereon, and to be hung in a convenient place for use in case of fire. All free male inhabitants in the city under the age of fifty-five were organized into a fire company. under the command of a captain and four masters.
From a copy of the Western Weekly Review, published in 1831, the following business cards are found. G. W. Neeley had a cabinet shop at the north end of Main cross street near Perkin's tan-yard. James C. Karr also had a cabinet shop two doors above the Franklin Inn. This inn was what is now the Elliott House: this was kept by T. L. Robinson. A boot and shoe store was kept by A. C. C. Carter, father of Moscow Carter. Hugh Duff was a painter and glazier; he was noted for his wit, and " was a fellow of infinite jest." William Cayce kept a jewelry store on Main Street. John E. Gadsey and Phillip _1. Yancey each were carpenters and joiners. The female school was taught by Mrs. Moore. The corporation school and Harpeth Academy were managed by Rev. J. H. Otey and .I. A. M. E. Stuart. Tailor shops were managed by William Anderson and Peter W. Crouch. Porter & Haffey. Samuel L. Graham and John S. Allen. A book store was kept by J. H. McMahan and J. Hogan, Jr. The Franklin Hotel was kept by Mrs. Smith, and the "Old Bell Tavern" by Thomas Miller & Co. General stores were kept by HI. P. Bostick, McComico & Hamner, Joseph W. Baughn & Co .. B. S. & E. S. Tappan and C. G. Olm -. sted. A music store was kept by John 'D. McAllister, a tin and coppersmith shop by S. N. Sharp, and a grocery store by M. C. Cayce. Perkin & White kept hardware and cutlery. The leading blacksmiths were S. Vaughn and G. W. Lane. The fire company was under command of Thomas Park. An ordinance was passed excusing firemen from militia duty. The Independent Blues was a militia company of Franklin for many years of which com- pany E. S. Tappan was captain and James Park orderly sergeant. This company took part in the reception given to Gen. Lafayette on his visit to Nashville. Before this time there had been a blue dye factory owned by Alexander McCowen. The name of this has been perpetuated in Indigo Street. There had also been a nail factory, but this closed operations about 1820, and a brewery kept by the Daws Bros. The following attor- neys were living in Franklin at this time: G. W. & R. C. Foster. John Marshall, P. N. & N. E. Smith, G. W. Campbell, John Bell, J. S. Jones, N. P. Perkins, J. Swanson. C. A. Harney and W. H. Wharton. It is shown by record that in 1835 Franklin con- tained a population of 1,500; academies, 2 female and 3 male; 4 churches; 3 clergymen; 8 physicians; 7 lawyers: 4 taverns; 5 blacksmith shops; 6 bricklayers; 10 carpenters; 1 cab- inet workman; 1 gunsmith; 2 hatters; 3 saddlers: 4 shoe-makers; 3 silversmiths; 3 tailors; 2 tanners; 1 tinner; 2 wagoners and 13 merchants. On January 1, 1815, a contract was entered into between John Sample, Robert P. Currin and Hinchey Petway, by which they purchased of Henry Cook twelve acres of land on the east side of Big Harpeth, upon which they erected a factory for the manufacture of cotton-bagging, etc.
By an act of Legislature, October 21, 1831, a lottery was chartered at Franklin for the purpose of buying a town block. There were 2,024 tickets, which were to be sold at $5, making a total sum of $10,120. The capital prize was $2,000. The committee on management was composed of R. P. Currin, Thomas Hardeman, C. G. Olmsted and E. Breathitt. The tickets were put on sale at Hogan & McMahon's book store. The fond hopes of the citizens were never realized. as the lottery did not prove a success. Races
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WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
at the Fairview Course, owned by John Sweeny, in 1831, drew out the following horses on the first day: Mr. Meek's Dart, Mr. Pankey's Division, Mr. Rice's filley Conqueror; the second day there were Pankey's Nelly-hoe; Peeple's Graytail. Sneed's Rappahannock and Thweatt's gelding. The sweepstakes premiun was $200. There was also a sweepstakes premium for two-year olds of twenty barrels of corn. On July 4, 1831, there was a celebration at Reader's Spring. The committee of arrangements was composed of J. Park, W. H. Crouch. B. R. White, P. Perkins J. Moore and A. McGan. Among the prominent men living in Franklin at that time were Newton Cannon, W. G. Childress, Thomas Hardeman, Nicholas Perkins, Abram Maury, William Martin, Christopher Mc- Ewen and John L. McEwen.
The principal business men between 1840-50 were: Dry goods stores-J. W. Baughn, J. H. Otey, George Seabright and A. & W. Park. Drugs-McPhailt & English. Boot and shoe store-Brown & Littleton. Carriages-H. Eelbeck and R. G. Richardson. Blacksmiths -Brock & Cody. Physicians-Drs. S. S. and A. J. Mayfield, R. Glass, Reid & Perkins and Dr. Crockett. Business men from 1850 to 1860: Dry goods-Horten & Carl, J. R. Hunter, L. F. Beech, House & Bro., Snyder & Frizzell, Shanner, Broham & Co. Drug store-F. S. Wooldridge. Merchant tailors-Cummings & Byers, A. W. Moss, Hyerone- mus & Craig. Livery stables-J. K. & C. R. Richardson, Necly & Haynes. Grocery stores -- S. H. Bailey, J. M. Casey. Carriage shop-W. G. D. Boelims. Furniture-R. H. Teal'& Toon. Iron works-John Pugh, T. P. Pugh & C. B. Beech. Produce dealers- Beale & Toon, Spencer, McCoy & Co. and M. S. Royce. Book store-Thomas Parkes. Cabinet shop-Courtney & Karr. Business men immediately following the war: Dry goods-Joe Frankland & Co., M. Kaufman, J. MI. Graverly, J. G. Bhss, T. L. Owen and J. & M. House. Drug Stores-W. G. Clouster, Crutcher & Handy. Groceries, harness, etc., etc .- A. C. Vaughn, J. L. Parkes, Bostick, Moreley & Rozell. Groceries-J. J. Pur- year & R. R. Hightower, Cook & Westerfiel. Tinware-James Merrill. Furniture-J. C. Karr.
The present business is as follows: Dry goods and general stores-Smithson, Kennedy Haynes & Co., Theo. Owen, Neely & Campbell, Joseph Frankland, Frank Adle, A. Thor- ner and Julius Dietrich. Groceries-Reynolds & Wilson, J. W. Bennett, Will Cody, F. Eel- beck, Newton Cannon, John Atwood, Hearn & Haynes. Ed Haynes and Mrs. John Mor- ton. Drug Stores-Beech & Son. Thomas Burus and - White. Agricultural implements- C. V. Holdeman & Co. and W. A. Johnson & Co. Harness, Saddlery, etc .- A. J. Dennis & Co. and James Russell. Book store-Emma Eddy. Livery stables-Vaughn & Son, John Blackburn and Charles Moss. Hotels-Parrish House and Elliott House. Flour- ing.mills -- The mill owned by J. B. Lillie, built in 1870 at the head of Main Street, was built at a cost of about $50,000, and has a capacity of about 300 barrels per day; the Atlas Mills were built in 1882 by Hamilton, Vaugh & Turley; the mill of Y. M. Rezer was built the same year.
A branch of the Union Bank of Tennessee was established in Franklin in 1832. The stock allowed for the bank was $200,000. To give an estimate of the amount of business done by this bank in its early history it is shown that March 4, 1835, there were discount- ed $26,000, and more that $80,000 were offered. This bank continued in operation till it was closed by the operations of the war. The First National Bank of Franklin, the only banking concern in the place, is on a good financial basis and is well managed.
Hiram Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., was originally Lodge No. 55, and was instituted under the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Authority was granted by Robert Williams, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee of Ancient York Ma- sons. The delegates to the Grand Lodge, which met at Knoxville December 2, 1811, were Archibald Potter, Stephen Booker and John A. Rodgers. At this meeting a Grand Lodge for the State of Tennessee was organized, and Hiram Lodge, No. 55, now became Hiram Lodge, No. 7, of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. The present lodge building was erected some time between 1818 and 1825. The commandery at Franklin is called DePayen. No. 11, and consists of thirteen members. Its officers are J. L. Parkes, E. C .; Altha Thomas,
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
G .: T. F. Perkins, C. G .; J. P. Hannes. P .; Burke Bond, S. W .; J. P. Hamilton, J. W., D. B. Cliffe. Treas. : T. A. Pope, R .; J. H. Rolffs, S. B .; W. Jones, Sword B .; A. Truett.' Warden; E. T. Wells, Sentinel: Altha Thomas, J. P. Hanner and J. L. Parkes, Past Com- manders.
The date of the foundation of a paper in Franklin is a matter of some uncertainty. It was some time near 1820, but neither the exact date nor its founder is known. In 1831 the paper was called the Western Hackly Recinto and was owned by J. H. McMahan and J. Hogan, Jr. and was edited by Thomas Hoge, of East Tennessee. Soon after the now venerable Don Cameron became editor. In 1552 the name of the paper became The Re- cice and Journal. Don Cameron sold the paper and N. J. Haynes and D. L. Balch with S. P. Hildreth, editor. In 1858 Edwin Paschall became editor for a very short time and was succeeded by Hildreth again. Judge W. S. McLemore was editor a short time in 1860 and to June 13, 1861, when Mr. Haynes became editor and proprietor. In 1865 it was owned by N. J. Haynes & Son and in 1870 by Haynes & Bro., with Burk Bond as editor. In a short time T. E. Haynes alone became editor and proprietor. In 1873 Haynes, Andrew & Co. became owners, with T. Dick Bullock as editor. Mr. Bullock was out for a time but returned again in 1876 when Haynes & Andrews became editors and proprietors. On accepting the postmastership under the present administration, Mr. T. E. Haynes retired from the paper and Mr. M. L. Andrews became sole manager. The Review and Journal is one of the oldest, if not the oldest paper in the State with an unbroken management. It has always been a clean, high-toned, consistent paper. It is well edited and is good authority on Democratic doctrines. 1
Thompson Station is located about seven miles south of Franklin, in District No. 4. It is the principal shipping point for that section of the county over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The place contains from 100 to 200 inhabitants. The station contains several stores, a cotton-gin and other business houses; also a Methodist and a Christian Church. Historically this place is known by several very severe engagements fought near it in the late war. Brentwood is a station on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad near the line between Williamson and Davidson Counties. It is beautifully situated and con- tains several business houses, a postoffice, shops and a Methodist Church. A severe skir- mish was fought here in Hood's retreat from Nashville. Nolensville is situated on the head waters of Mill Creek in District No. 17. It was named in honor of one of the oldest families in the county. It is surrounded by an excellent farming country. Nolensville dates back in the thirties. The pike leading to Nashville from Nolensville was built in the latter part of the thirties and the beginning of the forties. Nolensville has a large number of business houses for a place of its size. It also has a graded school of three de- partments and a postoffice. There is an I. O. O. F. Lodge also a Masonic Lodge -a Blue Lodge and Chapter. Triune is the name of a neighboring postoffice in District No. 18. It is on the pike leading from Nolensville to College Grove. This is the seat of a church and has a consolidated school and a cotton gin near by. This place is situated near the head waters of Wilson's Creek, a tributary of the Big Harpeth. Near the corners of Dis- tricts Nos. 14, 1S and 20, is a postoffice called Arrington. On Big Harpeth, near the county line is situated College Grove. This has long been a pleasant neighborhood and the seat of an excellent school. It now contains a school of three departments, a Presby- terian and a Methodist Church. "On Grove Creek in the same district is Jordan Store post- office. In the southeast corner of the county, in District No. 22, is Reed's Store postoffice. Bethesda postoffice is situated near the center of District No. 12 in a thickly settled neigh- borhood. There has been a church at the place since 1839. There is also an academy and one or two business houses.
It is a matter of record that in 1836 Peytonsville was called Snatchett. or as the public now have it-Snatch. Its name originated in the fact, it is said, that one individual owed another $10, and the creditor being unable to collect the debt seized the opportune mo- ment and snatched the money from the unsuspecting debtor. One of the first settlers at this place was Andrew Campbell. Peytonsville now contains one store, a postoffice and a
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WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
blacksmith shop. It also contains a Methodist Church built in 1857, and a Christian Church of recent construction. There is also a Masonic hall, Lodge No. 337, F. & AA. M .: other neighborhoods, points and postoffices are Williamsburg in the Fourth District: Bos- ton postoffice, White Oak postoffice in the Second, and Leiper's Fork or Hillsboro post - office in the Third. Hillsboro, or Hillsborough as formerly spelled, is an old settlement; James Adams was an early resident at that place. In the First are Christiana postoffice, Basin Springs postoffice and Smith's Springs; in the Fourth is West Harpeth and in the Seventh is Beechville.
Harpeth Academy was authorized by the General Assembly in 1807, under the laws passed for encouraging popular education. The trustees appointed for Harpeth were Abram Maury, Daniel Perkins, Nicholas T. Perkins, G. MeComico, Albert Russell, Ste- phen Childress, William Neeley, Charles Bayles, Robert P. Currin and John Hardeman. The first steps toward building were taken in February, 1810, when the above trustees purchased eighty square poles from William McRay. This land lay between one and two miles from Franklin near the Ball estate. From its vicinity to Harpeth River it was called the Harpeth Academy. On November 4, 1817, an act was passed making not less than five trustees a quorum, and added to the number of trustees William Smith, Andrew Campbell, John Watson, John Bell and John White. The growth of Franklin brought about the necessity of greater facilities for schools and a desire to have the school nearer town. Ac- cordingly Harpeth Academy was sold to Randel McGavack in 1823, and a new site pur- chased on Main Street consisting of ten acres of ground.
This building stood till it was destroyed by the soldiers during the war. Perhaps the most noted teacher in the early history of Harpeth was the Rev. Gideon Blackburn. Many distinguished educators taught in Harpeth; also many very distinguished sons of William- . son County were educated there.
Harpeth Union Female Academy was established in 1828. In that year a deed to the grounds was made by Newton Cannon to Samuel Perkins, W. S. Webb, T. D. Porter, John Bostick and Newton Cannon as trustees for the academy. This school was managed with success many years. In February, 1837, Lot No. 134 in Franklin was purchased and the foundation laid for the Franklin Female Academy.
The Franklin Female Institute was founded in -, and was successfully managed till broken up by the war. This institution was founded as a stock concern and was managed by a board of trustees. It was mainly under the control of the Presbyterians. On the organization of the public schools under the present system the institute building became to be used as the public school building. These schools are under the management of Superintendent Wallace, who has brought them to a high state of proficiency. The aver- age length of terms is ten months. A regular course is maintained and the graduates are well qualified for the various duties of life.
: In 1848 Moses Cates sold a quantity of land to John Matheral, Joseph Daus, J. W. Allen and James Hardgrave for a house for a school and religious worship. This was on the Big Harpeth near William Armstrong's. A church and school was built on Murfree's Fork of Anderson's Big Spring at about the same time. This was built on the lands of John Pope and Samuel Akin. John Moore and James Patten were made trustees.
The first trustees of Owen Hill Female Academy were appointed November 22, 1850. They were William Burner, W. M. M. Huley, J. P. Allison, E. L. Jordan, J. B. Wilson, J. Jordan and G. C. Kinman. A public school was built on the lands of Thomas Bu- chanan, in 1848. The trustees were S. S. Bradley, F. W. Jordan and Robert Carothers, A schoolhouse was built on Nelson Creek in 1837. The first trustees appointed were Nelson Fields, G. Vernon, David Hampton, William Fields, Henry Jenkins and A. Carmichael.
College Grove was founded in 1861. It is still a very flourishing school. Its first trustees were W. Jordan, W. W. Healey, A. G. Scales, J. L. Casey and J. P. Allison.
The public school system as organized under the new constitution was put into oper- ation in 1872. It was several years before their efficiency became very marked owing to a lack of schoolhouses and funds for paying teachers. Aside from private schools or
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
schools disconnected with the public school system the schools of Williamson are divided into graded schools, consolidated schools and ungraded common schools. The graded school as here used means schools in which the teacher has succeeded in arranging pupils in classes with regard to their advancement and kinds of text-books without reference to the number of rooms in the building in which schools are taught. The ungraded schools are those in which the teacher has not succeeded in eliminating text-books of different kinds from the school, in consequence of which pupils pursue the same studies of the same advancement, but having different textbooks require different classes. The consol- idated schools are those in which the expenses of management are met by the public funds and by private subscription. The benefit derived from consolidated schools is that the school terms are made much longer. The most of the consolidated schools are incorpor- ated under the "four mile law;" the result of which is that whisky is driven from the county except in incorporated towns. In the following schools three teachers are em- ployed: Trinity, Nolensville, Owen's Station and College Grove. The following schools are consolidated schools: Trinity, Nolensville, College Grove, Owen's Station, Triune. Forest Hill, Hillsboro, Douglas Church, Mount Carmel, Perkins' School and Boyd's Mill School. From the superintendent's report for both 1884 and 1885 it is learned that the scholastic population in 1885 was male, white, 2,880; colored. 2,154; female, white, 2,764: colored, 2,076. Total scholastic population for 1884, 9,874. The same for 1885 shows males, white. 2.997: female, 2,790; colored, male. 2,245, female, 2,168. Total of both. 10,200. As a comparison the scholastic population for 1839, which of course did not include colored, was only 4,456. Out of the above enumeration the total enrollment of whites and colored foi 1684 was 5,529, and the daily attendance was 3.376. The same item for 1885 shows an enrollment of 5,204, and a daily attendance of 3,444. The total number of white schools for 1884 were 51; colored, 20. The number for 1885 was 54 and 28, respectively. The total length of schools in days in 1884 was 108, and in 1885, as per report, 104. The total amount of funds expended for 1884 was $17, 764.90; for 1885 it was $20,683.21. Of these amounts there was expended for teachers' salaries for 1884 $11,610.75, and in 1885 $13,557.35. The schools of Williamson County are growing in efficiency and favor.
The Tennessee Female College of Franklin was founded in 1856. One of the princi- pal men engaged in establishing this school was John Marshall. A magnificent building was erected and able instructors were employed. The school soon took a high rank among the educational institutions of the land. The school has had a continuous and prosperous course except for a brief period. The school finally fell into the hands of Bis- hop Hargrove, of the Methodist Church. The buildings were recently purchased by Prof. Edgerton, who has been conducting a successful school in all the departments for the last year. In March, 1886, the beautiful buildings were consumed by fire, to the great mis- fortune of Prof. Edgerton and the community. The school was transferred to a large private house, where the school year was finished. The school for 1886 closed with the "Thirty-sixth Annual Commencement," at which nine young ladies were graduated. It is a pleasing fact to know that the arrangements have been consummated for the rebuild- ing of this institute, and it will again open for work in September, 1886.
The Baptist Church is believed to have been the first church organized in the county, as a record of Harpeth Baptist Church is found in 1803. It is claimed it was built in 1800. It is known to the public as Old Harpeth Church. Among the first members of this church were Andrew Goff and wife. This old church stood about four miles from Franklin. Liberty is the name of another Baptist Church in the county. This also was standing as early as 1803, and how much earlier is unknown. Owing to a division this very popular branch has been greatly weakened in this county. The division on the question of mis- sions led to the two branches known as Old or Primitive Baptists and the Missionary Baptists. There was formerly a Baptist Church in the Perkins' neighborhood, but it no longer stands. The Baptist Church in Franklin was organized in 1839, and an excellent brick church erected in 1849. From lack of numbers preaching is not maintained regu- Barly by this denomination.
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WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
The Presbyterian Church at Franklin was organized January 8, 1811. by Rev. Gideon Blackburn. The elders chosen at this time were Alexander White, Samuel Moore. E. Hamilton and Robert Harris. There were at that time forty-six lay members and an addition of seventeen was made the same year and thirty-seven in 1812. Dr. Blackburn remained in charge of the church except the interval of 1817 till 1824. In 1817 Rev. David Wise was called to the charge. The first report to Presbytery in 1813 showed a member- ship of ninety-three. Dr. Blackburn only gave from one-fourth to one-half his time to the church at Franklin. In 1818 Dr. Blackburn and Rev. J. T. Hamilton both worked on the charge. On the resignation of Dr. Blackburn his son, Rev. J. N. Blackburn, had charge of the church a number of years. In 1826 Rev. Rob Henderson was employed. who gave three-fourths of his time to the church at Franklin. In 1832 Rev. R. H. Lilly was employed: about this time there were twenty-six additions to the church. Rev. M. M. Marshall took charge in 1834 and remained till 1837, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. II. Desheil, who remained till 1840. In 1840 R. A. Garrison became pastor and served till 1843. The church at that time numbered 132 communicants. The following were the elders who for their long service are mentioned: A. Park, T. F. Adkison, William O'N. Perkins and Don Cameron. In 1843 Rev. A. N. Cunningham became pastor and served till 1858, when he was succeeded by Rev. Ira Morey, who resigned and died in 1864. Among the pastors Rev. Gideon Blackburn is. perhaps, best known. Many distinguished men as lay mem- bers here belonged to this church. Gilbert Marshall served as clerk of the session from 1824 to 1852. This church suffered the misfortunes of the war, and after the battle of Franklin this house was taken as a hospital by the Federals, during which time it was greatly damaged. The first pastor after the war was the Rev. W. L. Rosser. The first church built in the place was built by the Presbyterians, around which many historic events cluster. The present church edifice at "Five Points " was erected in 1842.
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