USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee from the earliest time to the present : together with an historical and a biographical sketch of from twenty-five to thirty counties of east Tennessee, V.2 > Part 47
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Maryville is equally as well supplied with churches as with schools. As is stated else- where, the Presbyterians had organized a church before the town was established. They held services in a log house until about 1812, when a substantial stone building was erected. It was occupied until about 1855. when the present brick church was built. A Methodist church was organized near the beginning of the present century, and for many years occupied a house situated just north of the town. The present building occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was built some time in the fifties. After the close of the war the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church erected a house of worship. and in 1872 the Friends completed a similar work. Recently the Baptists have also erected & church.
In --- the Knoxville & Augusta Railroad was completed to Maryville, which has since been its southern terminus. It has added greatly to the growth and importance of the town, which is now one of the most prosperous in the State. The manufacturing establishments consist of two woolen-mills, operated by W. T. Parham. Hannah & Son, respectively; grist-mills, by Elijah Walker. Hackney & Chapman and W. T. Parham: saw mills. by J. L. Hackney & Son and D. Jones; sash and blind factories by Boyd & Huff, Stetler and B. F. Willard, and a machine shop by Cowan & Summers. The mercantile interests are represented by the following firms. Conning & Jones, A. K. Harper, L. J. Magill and Cooper & Bittle. dry goods: William Newby, William Sharp. G. A. Toole, Watkins & Davis, G. B. Ross and V. Cummings & Bro., groceries; O. D. Lloyd. groceries and hardware: J. A. Greer & Co., hardware and implements; C. Pflanze and George A. Brown. furniture: Tedford & Lowe, drugs; W. A. Walker, books and stationery, and R. S. Cathcart, harness.
In 1882 the Farmer's Bank was incorporated with R. N. Hood as president, and
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BLOUNT COUNTY.
Joseph Burger as cashier. In 1885 it was succeeded by the Bank of Maryville, with a capital stock of 859,000. The officers are P. M. Bartlett, president; W. T. Parham, vice- president and Joseph Burger, cashier. Maryville was incorporated by an act of the Gen- eral Assemby, passed January 7, 1850. The first mayor was Samuel Pride, and the alder- men, J. C. Fagg. William McTeer, J. E. Toole, S. T. Bicknell, Andrew McClain and R. L. Cates. After the pa-sage of the "Four Mile" law the charter was surrendered, and the town is not incorporated.
The principal villages of the county are Friendsville, Louisville and Rockford. Friendsville, as its name indicates, is a village settled principally by the Friends. It is built upon land formerly owned by Thomas Hackney, and the first flouring-mill in the county is said to have been erected there by Thomas and John Hackney. It is still in operation, and owned by William R. and Elias Jones and James F. Beals. The first store was opened by David Morgan, who, in 1855, established the Friendsville Academy. This has been an educational institute of considerable note, and in 1880 it was incor- porated.
Louisville is situated on the Tennessee River, and in the palmiest days of steamboat navigation was a place of much importance. One of the first merchants, if not the first. was Nathaniel Cox, who was in business previous to 1822. Wilson & Saffle began selling goods at a little later date. The firms engaged in business in 1850 were Foster & Pearce. George S. Gilbert & Son, Cox & Bro., Steel, Eagleton & Co. and John Everett. L. C. Houk, the present congressman from the Second District, was also a resident of the town at that time. Although the town has lost much of its old-time importance since the introduction of railroad traffic, it is still a flourishing village.
Rockford is situated on the Knoxville & Augusta Railroad and on Little River. It is a small village which grew up around a cotton factory established there about 1810.
The following persons have filled official positions in Blount County :
Sheriffs-Littlepage Sims, 1795-96, Joseph Colville, 1796-1800; William Burk, 1800-02; Joseph Colville, 1502-04; William Lackey, 1804-06; Samuel Cowan, 1806-14; David Russell, 1814-16; Charles Donahoo, 1816-20; William Wallace, 1820-42; Calvin D. Ander- son, 18442-48; James M. Henry, 1848-54; Campbell Gillespie, 1854-58; W. L. Hutton, 1858-83; William H. Finley, 1562-64: Moses Gamble, 1864-66; M. L. McConnell, 1866-68; John D. Alexander, 1868-42; J. P. Edmondson, 1872-76; R. P. McReynolds, 1876-18; A. M. Rule, 1878-83; M. H. Edmondson, 1852.
Clerks of the county court-John McKee, 1795-96: James Houston, 1796-1818; Jacob F. Foute, 1818-33; Nathaniel Reagan, 1833-40; Jeremiah Kennon, 1840-44; William Lowry, 1844-18; Robert A. Tedford, 1848-53; Spencer Henry, 1853-54; J. C. McCoy, 185-1-62; W. L. Dearing, 1862-66; R. C. Tucker, 1866-71; T. D. Edington, 1871-12; J. A. Greer, 1872-79; Benjamin Cunningham, 18:9.
Clerks of the circuit court-Robert Houston, 1810-14; Jesse Beene, 1814-20; Azariah Shelton, 1820-22: D. D. Foute, 1822-36; A. Henry, 1836-40; D. D. Foute, 1840-48; William A. Walker, 1848-62; James A. Houston. 1862-64; Montgomery McTeer, 1864-68; Will .i. McTeer, 1868-8: W. C. Chumlea, 1878.
Registers-William Wallace, 1795-99; J. Wallace, 1799-1820; Andrew Thompson.
James M. Anderson, 1836-40; Andrew McClain; 1810 ---; Ralph E. Tedford, 1864-68; T. F. Wallace, 1868-14; J. C. Hutton. 1874-78: J. N. Badgett, 1878.
Trustees-John McKee, 1795-96; David Eagleton. 1796-1802; John Lowry (merchant), 1802-16; Samuel Love. 1816-20: Jesse Thompson, 1820-36; R. L. Cates, 1836-16; William McTeer. 1846-52; R. E. Telford, 1852-58; D. N. Broyles, 1858-62; F. M. Hood, 1862-66. Eli Nuna, 1866-72: Daniel Broyles, 1872-74; J. W. Eakin. 1874-78, J. A. Goddard, 1878-86; A. M. Rule, 1886.
ยท Clerks and masters-Samuel Pride, 1853-62; William A. Walker, 1862-64; William Pickens. 1864-67; Elias Goddard, 1867-83; J. A. Greer, 1883; J. T. Gamble, 1883-S5; J. A. Greer, 1585.
831
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
SEVIER COUNTY.
CYEVIER COUNTY lies east of Blount County, and adjoins North Carolina on the south. It is one of the largest counties in the State, having an area of about 660 square miles. A considerable part of the land is broken and untillable, but along the streams, and in the coves and valleys. it is exceedingly fertile. The French Broad River flows through the northern portion, and receives the waters of Little Pigeon River, forined by the junction of two forks which take their rise in the Great Smoky Mountains. Boyd Creek flows through the eastern portion of the county, and also empties its waters into the French Broadl.
The settlement of the territory now embraced in Sevier County was begun about 1783, although for several years previous it had been traversed by traders and military bodies operating against the Cherokees. In 1775 two traders from Virginia, Boyd and Dorgett. while returning from a trip into the Indian nation, were killed by a hand of savages, who threw their bodies into the stream which has since been known as Boyd Creek. In 1:80 one of the best fought of the carly Indian battles took place on this creek, near what is now known as Rocky Springs .*
In 1:83 a number of settlers, who had recently located in the vicinity, assembled at Maj. Henry's, near the mouth of Dumplin Creck, and there built a fort. At about the same time a friendly conference with the Indians was held at the house of a Mr. Gist. it was attended by Maj. James Hubbard, who had settled on the north bank of the French Broad River just above Bryant's Ferry, and who became notorious for his enmity toward the Indians. His father's family in Virginia had been cruelly murdered by the Shawnees, and he had sworn vengeance against the whole race. He spared no pains to create Indian disturbances in order to afford opportunity to gratify his revenge, and this occasion was no exception. He attempted to frighten the Cherokees in attend- ance upon the conference into some hasty action which might furnish a pretext for vio- lating the truce, but in this he was prevented by Capt. James White, and for a time peace was secured. After this the settlements south of the French Broad increased quite rapidly. In November, 1583, Thomas Stockton began the erection of the first grist mill in the county. It was located at Christian's Ford on the French Broad. During the following year the pioneers built their cabins and cleared fields along Little Pigeon River and Boyd Creek. Ou the latter stream two strong forts were erected; one was at Samuel Newell's, near the head of the crock. and the other at Samuel MeGaughey's lower down. In 1184 the State of Franklin was organized, and in March of the follow- ing year the first legislature of the new State met. Among the acts passed was one for the division of Greene County into three separate counties, one of which was named Sevier. It embraced the greater part of the territory south of the French Broad extend ing from Big Pigeon River to the ridge dividing the waters of Little River and Little Tennessee. The courts were held at Newell's Station, and Samuel Wear became clerk of the county court. At the next election Samuel Newell and John Clark were chosen to represent the county in the Legislature.
In 1255 a treaty was concluded with the Cherokees at Henry's Station. known as the treaty Dumplin, by the terms of which the Indians relinquished their right and title to the land embraced within Sevier County. After this treaty the occupation of the country south of the French Broad went on rapidly. Prominent among the early settlers besides those already mentioned were Iger Thomas, who lived on the west bank of the Pigeon opposite Sevierville; William Cannon located opposite Catlett-burg, where his grandson
*See pare S.).
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SEVIER COUNTY.
now lives; Jacob Huff lived on the site of Catlettsburg, where he built a mill. Samuel Blair also located in the same neighborhood, and Josiah Rogers still further down the river. North of the French Broad were Peter and Allen Bryant, Joshua Gist, the Chies and Underwoods. Eight miles below Sevierville was the residence of Thomas Bucking- ham. who, it is said, built the first brick house in the county. The Brobsons, Chandlers. Creswells and Capt. Nathaniel Evans located on Boyd Creek, and Thomas Sharp in the neighborhood of Trundle's Cross Roads. Randall Hill lived three miles east of Catletts- burg, and Thomas Evans, about five miles from the same place on the French Broad. Benjamin Atebley also located in the same neighborhood. In the upper end of the county in the vicinity of Bird's Cross Roads a colony of Germans from Virginia located; among them were Jacob Bird. Jacob Derick, Adam Fox and James Baker. Frederick Emert and Martin Shultz settled in Emert's Cove. Andrew Wells and John Baughman lived on Jones Cove. George Bush settled the place where Mrs. Hodsden now lives. William Henderson. John Jenkins and Robert Duggan also lived east of Sevierville. Among others of the early settlers were the Shields, Calverts, Richardsons, Creswells and Keelers.
In 1;88 the Franklin government came to an end, and the government of North Caro- lina, ignoring the acts of the former, among which was the treaty of Dumplin, still recog- nized the French Broad, Holston and Big Pigeon Rivers, as a part of the Indian boundary line, leaving the inhabitants to the south of these streams in the position of trespassers upon the Cherokee lands. Realizing their exposed condition, these people adopted arti- cles of association by which they proposed to be governed. The constitution and laws of North Carolina were adopted, and all civil and military officers of Sevier County, elected under the government of Franklin, were continued in office. For the general supervision of affairs a committee, composed of two members from each militia company, was pro- vided for. Who composed the committee is not known. but their place of meeting is supposed to have been Newell's Station. This remained practically the condition of
Sevier County until after the conclusion of the treaty of Holston in 1791, and the organi- zation of Jefferson County in July of the following year. The latter included the present Sevier County, and Samuel Wear was one of the representatives in the first territorial assembly. During the first session an act to divide Jefferson County into two distinct counties was passed, and Joseph Wilson, Robert Polk, Samuel McGaughey, Samuel New- ell and Thomas Buckingham were appointed to locate the seat of justice, the courts to be holden for the time at the house of Isaac Thomas. The first court met on November 8, 1794. Samuel Newell. Joseph Wilson, Joshua Gist, Peter Bryant, Joseph Vance and Andrew Evans were the magistrates present, while Mordecai Lewis and Robert Pol- lock were absent. Samuel Newell was chosen chairman: Samuel Wear, clerk; Jesse Byrd, register; Thomas Buckingham, sheriff: Mordecai Lewis, coroner, and Alexander Mont- gomery, surveyor. In October, 1795, Sevierville was laid off at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Little Pigeon River. Tradition has it that the first courts, after the town was established, were held in a building previously occupied as a stable. und that owing to the great number of fleas infesting it, the lawyers accomplished its destruc- tion through an Irishman and a bottle of whisky. A courthouse and jail, both probably built of logs, were then erected.
The first court for Sevier County, held under the State constitution, was begun and held on July 4. 1996. The justices present were Samuel Newell, Joshua Gist, Joseph Wil- son, Andrew Cowan, Joseph Vance, Robert Pollock, Peter Bryant, M. Lewis, John Clack, Robert Calvert, Adam Wilson, James Riggin, Alexander Montgomery, Jesse Griffin and Isom Green. The county officers, who had served under the territorial government, with the exception of the register and coroner. were retained. James McMahan was elected register and James D. Puckett, coroner.
At this time and for more than thirty years afterward, the people south ofthe French Broad, and Holston, who had occupied their lands under treaties made by the Franklin government, were harrassed by laws of both the United States and of the State attempt- ing to compel them to purchase their land at the rate of St per acre. The settlers denied the right and justice of these laws, and obstinately refused to comply with
836
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
them. An art was finally passed in 1829, allowing occupants to enter a tract of not more than 200 acres, including their improvements.
As has been stated Sevierville was laid out in 1795, but previous to that time, Septem- ber 20, 1789, a Baptist Church had been organized in the vicinity. Among the first set- tleis of the town were Alexander Preston and M. C. Rogers, merchants; Benjamin Cat- lett, tavern-keeper; Richard Catlett, hatter; John Catlett, carpenter; Spencer Clack, who had a mill on the right bank of the East Fork, just above town; James MeMaban. the county register. and Isaac Thomas, who lived on the left bank of Pigeon, and owned and operated a mill there. Hugh Blair was the first blacksmith, but resided below town.
Some time about 1520 a new courthouse and jail were built. The former was a frame structure and stood just north of the present building. The jail was substantially built of logs.
In 1806 James Reagan, Hopkins Lacey, Thomas Hill, Allen Bryant and Isaac Love were appointed trustees of Nancy Academy, to be established at Sevierville. Three years later four new trustees, James P. H. Porter, John Cannon. Spencer Clack and Alexander Preston were added. At what time the institution was put into operation is not known. but in 1813 an act of the Legislature was passed authorizing the drawing of a lottery for it, and the school was no doubt opened a short time after that. The first building was erected about one fourth of a mile south of town. It was succeeded by a brick structure, which was replaced by the present frame academy about 1849. The institution was named in honor of Nancy Rogers, the wife of James P. H. Porter, daughter of Josiah Rogers. She was the first white child born in the county. '
Among the first lawyers of Sevierville and Sevier County were James P. H. Porter and Lewis Reneau. The first named lived in the town until his death, about 1845. He was a good lawyer and somewhat prominent as a politician. On one occasion. as the Democratic candidate for the Legislature, he was defeated by a single vote. Reneau began practice about 1825. He resided eight miles north of town. He was an able man, and very popular with the people of the county. He served several terms in the Lower House of the General Assembly, and was once or twice elected to the Senate. About 1850 he removed to Georgia. About 1928 three young men, Ignatius Reagan, Isaac A. Miller and Felix Axley, began the practice of law at Sevierville. The first named remained until about 1836 or 1837, when he removed to Cleveland, Tenn. Miller represented the county in the Legislature from 1838 to 1842, and soon after the expiration of his second term removed to Texas. Axley removed to Murphy, N. C., about 1837. Early in the thirties Col. Wilson Duggan, one of the ablest and most popular men ever in the county. began the practice of law, which he continued until his death, a period of over forty years. He rep- resented the county in the Legislature for ten consecutive years, from 1842 to 1852, and was again elected for one term at the close of the war. He was the father of W. L. Dug- gan, who has served two terms in each branch of the General Assembly. Among the other attorneys prior to the war were Jolin Bell and W. W. Mullindore. The former came from Greenville in 1846, and died four years later. The latter was admitted to prac- tice in 1857, but after one year removed to Washington County, and remained until after the war. In 1869 G. W. Pickle, the present attorney-general of Tennessee, located in Sevierville, and continued to practice there until 1826, when he removed to Newport. The present bar is composed of W. W. Mullindore. William Fowler, B. M. McMahan. J. R. Penland and G. W. Zircle.
The principal merchants of Sevierville up to the war, besides those already mentioned, were Brobson & McCowa. W. C. Murphy, Miller & Swan, Agnew & Hill and S. B. Hen- derson. On March 26, 1856, the town was visited by a fire, which almost completely destroyed it. In 1850 the old frame courthouse had been replaced by a brick structure, and it. with all its contents, was consumed. The jail also burned. and one prisoner con- fined in it perished. During the next fall the present jail and courthouse were erected.
Since the close of the civil war Sevierville has somewhat increased in population. but its growth is greatly retarded by the absence of railroad facilities. The business interests of the town at present are as follows: John Murphy, Emert & Emert Bros., P. Maples
V.
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837
ANDERSON COUNTY.
and J. L. Spapp, dealers in general merchandise; Miller Lett and Hugh Murphy, grocer. ies: William Fowler, millinery and jewelry; John P. Wynn, hardware. and C. H. Stump, furniture. The manufactories consist of a saw mill, operated by the Sevierville Lumber Company, and a merchant mill owned by MeNabb & Bowers. The town is also supplied with two good hotels, conducted by J. H. Walker and E. S. Snapp respectively.
The following is as complete a list of the principal officers of Sevier County as could be obtained, the earliest records having been destroyed.
Clerks of the county court -- Samuel Wear. 1785 also 1794-96: Simeon Perry, 1817; George McCowan, 1827-36: Isaac A. Miller, 1836-37; O. H. P. Hill, 1837-41; P. HI. Toomey, 1841 -46; W. S. J. Ford. 1846-50; P. H. Toomey, 1850-54; J. P. H. Clack, 1854-55; B. M. Chandler, 1855-60: C. A. Clementson, 1860-61; M. A. Rawlings, 1801-66: N. H. H. Duggan, 1866-13. William Fowler, 1873-78; W. P. Mitchell, 1878-82; D. H. Emert, 1852-86; J. J. Ellis, 1586.
Clerks of the circuit court-Isaac Thomas, 1810: John W. Porter: P. M. Wear. 1928 -36: George MeCown, 1836-44: M. C. Rogers, 1844-48; MI. W. MeCown, 1848-65; W. M. Burnett, 1865-66: A. E. Murphy, 1866-70; M. W. McCown, 1870-78; W. C. Chandler, 1978 -- 86: P. A. Wear, 1886.
Clerks and masters-Wilson Duggan, 1810; W. S. J. Ford, 1840-46: C. T. Aikman, 1846-47; R. Launing, 1817-65; M. P. Thomas, 1865-21; D. P. Gass, 1871-76; E. M. Wynn. 1876: William Fowler
Registers-Jesse Bird, 1794-96; James McMahan, 1796; George Luck; Alexander Preston, 1831-44; Thomas Hill, 1844-45; M. W. McCown. 1845-48: James McNelly, 1818-64; Edmund Hodges, 1864-65; Thomas Tipton, 1865-66: W. H. Pickle, 1866-70; Jantes T. Randles. 1870-14: Gideon Hurst, 1874-78; William Loveday, 1878-82: Jerome Bowers, 1882-86; Miller Yett, 1886.
Sheriffs-Thomas Buckingham, 1794-96; William Mitchell. 1815-21; W. H. Rogers, George Rogers: C. Cowan, 1883-11; A. Lawson, 1841-42; John Howard, 1812 48: Asa Derick, 1848-50: B. J. Tipton. 1850-51; W. C Pickens, 1851-52; L. Duggan, 1852-58; Thomas Cate, 1858-60; L. Duggan, 1860-62; M. R. Butler, 1862; Thomas Cate, 1862-64; L. Duggan, 1864-66: James McCroskey, 1866-68; J. H. McNutt. 1868-70: R. R. Reagan. 1870-14; G. C. Shrader, 1874-80: Samuel Rolen, 1850-86: E. M. Wynn, 1886.
Trustees-George MeCown, 1821-27; Benjamin Holland, 1827-36; Eli Roberts, 1836-42; William H. Trotter, 1842-52; John Bird, 1852-54; P. M. Atchley, 1854-56; M. A. Rawlings, 1856-58; J. M. Wade, 1858-60; William M. Burnett, 1860-62; D. P. Gass, 1862-66; G. W. Caton, 1866-70; P. M. Atchley, 1870-14; W. M. Burnett, 1874-76: J. H. Walker, 1876-80.
ANDERSON COUNTY.
A
NDERSON COUNTY lies partly in the valley of East Tennessee. and partly on
the Cumberland Table-land, and embraces an area of 450 square miles. Its surface is very broken. Walden's Ridge running through the entire length of the county, parallel with the table-land which forms the watershed between the Cumber- land and Tennessee Rivers. Several creeks flowing northwesterly unite and form the South Fork of the Cumberland. while Coal Creek and Poplar Creek flow in an opposite direction and empty into the Clinch, which traverses the southeastern portion of the county. In minerals the county is one of the richest in the State. Coal and iron are abundant, and soft lead, zine, limestone and marble are found in considerable quantities
The settlement of the county was begun near the close of the last century. the eastern portion having been settled first. Among those who located near the Knox County line
838
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
in the vicinity of Bull Run were David Hall, Isaac Coward. John Chiles, Joseph Black, Joshua Frost and John Garner. The land now occupied by the site of Andersonville was entered by John Gibbs, who afterward transferred it to his son-in law, John Whitson.
The Weavers, Sharps, Clears and Rutherfords also settled in the neighborhood. Whitson & Gibbs subsequently engaged in running, a mill and distillery about three miles northwest of Andersonville. Whitson in partnership with Robert McKamy also estab- lished a store, which they continued until 1836 when they removed to Clinton. Peter Clear had a tannery. He was a very devout Methodist, and frequently made a place for holding religious services. Rossville about six and one-half miles north of Clinton was settled by Robert Ross, whose son, James Ross, did an extensive mercantile business there. The latter also represented the county in the Legislature two or three times. Aaron Slover settled about three miles from Rossville on the river. Robertsville was established by Collins Roberts, also a prominent merchant. Thomas and Joseph Hart had a saw and grist-mill on Hind Creek. A colony of Germans among whom were John Clodfelter, George Baumgartner and John Loinert settled about four miles west of Clinton. The land where Clinton now is was owned by John Leib who had a mill on the creek. In con- nection with John Mc Whirter, he also ran a ferry across Clinch River opposite the town. Another ferry about six miles below was kept by John Sutherland. Stephen Bradley and Joseph Black were his neighbors. William Tunnell who represented the county in the Legislature. once or twice located in the vicinity of Clinton. Richard Llewellyn and James and Robert Kirkpatrick lived two or three miles north of Clinton. William Hogs- head, who also lived above the town, was the first, and for some time the only lawyer in the county. Settlements were also made in Poplar Creek at an early date.
Anderson County was established by an act of the General Assembly passed on November 6, 1801. On December 15, following, the court of pleas and quarter sessions was organized at the house of Joseph Denham, Sr. The original justices were Hugh Montgomery. William Underwood, Frederick Miller, James Grant, John Kirby, William McKamy, Joseph Sinclair. James Butler William Standifer and Solomon Massingale. James Grant was appointed chairman; J. F. Jack, solicitor; Stephen Heard, clerk; Thomas Hill, trustee; Kinza Johnston, register; John McKamy, ranger; John Underwood, sheriff; Francis Vickery, entry-taker; Samuel Crawford, scriveuer, and Joseph Glasgow, coroner. at the June term. 1802, the court met at the house of John Leib, which stood near the spring in what is now Clinton, and continued to meet there until December, 1803. at which time the courthouse a log structure was completed and occupied. It stood a little to the east of the present site, and was occupied until 1821 or 1822. The present stone courthouse was then built under the superintendence of William McKamy, John McAdoo, John Gibbs. John Leib and Quin Morton. The first jail was also built of logs, and was completed in 1802. Thirty years later the present jail was built. but the first had not been occupied for several years previous, the prisoners having been taken to Knox County.
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