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 49
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Campbell County was created by an act of the General Assembly, passed September 11, 1806. The county court was organized at the house of Richard Linville, on the first Monday in December following, but as the records of this court have been destroverl uething of its transactions can be given. In 1808 or 1809, Jacksboro was laid out, and! : stone jail and courthouse erected. The former was occupied until about 1855, when a new building was erected upon the present courthouse lot. It was destroyed by fire in December, 1984, and was succeeded by the present handsome and substantial brick brill- ing. The first courthouse is still standing, and is now occupied by J. M. Bibee, as a store house. The first jail stood upon the lot now occupied by Dr. Russell, and was used until the war. The present jail was built about 1868.
*See sketches of Claiborne and Hawkins Counties.
J.D. Lindsay
CAMPBELL COUNTY. 845
The circuit court for Campbell County was organized in 1810 by Judge Cocke. It remained in the first circuit until 1817, when it was attached to the second. In 1837 it became a part of the Twelfth Circuit, which was formed in that year. It thus remained until the reorganization of the courts after the war, when it again became a part of the Second Circuit. In 1873 the Seventeenth Circuit was established, and Campbell remained one of the counties forming it until 1886. It is now once more in the Second Circuit. The chancery court was organized on June 27, 18449, by Judge Thomas L. Williams, who appointed John Barton the first clerk and master.
The first lawyer resident in the county was David Richardson, who was admitted to practice about 1825. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and of good ability, but he never sought a large practice. John E. Wheeler entered the profession about two years later. Among the other attorneys previous to 1800 were John Barton and William HI. Malone., About 1867 H. R. Gibson, the able chancellor of the Second Division located at Jacksboro, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for several years. J. H. Agee and James N. Ray have also been members of the bar. The resident practi- tioners at the present time are J. E. Johnston, J. H. Reed, R. D. Perkins, E. H. Powers, A. J. and J. W. Agee and John Jennings. The commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice and lay off the town were Sampson David, John English, John Yount. Sr., and John Newman. The site chosen consisted of a tract donated by Hugh Montgomery. The first merchant of the town was Sampson David, who was also engaged in the prac- tice of medicine. He died about 1824 and was succeeded by W. H. Smith. Chiefly among the other merchants from that time until the war were Thomas Weir, Robert Morrow, James Williams, William Carey and William Richardson. The early tavern keepers were William Carey, John Izley and John Phillips. The first regular medical practitioner was Dr. Thatcher. The principal part of the county's business for several years was done by Joseph Hart, clerk of the circuit court, deputy register and county court clerk.
Until 1832 the youth of the village were educated at a school taught in a small log house which stood near the present residence of John Hollingsworth. Among the teachers at that place were Dr. Hickox, a Mr. Mitchell, Oatey H. Ward and Lewis David. January 1, 1831, the trustees of Franklin Academy met and decided to erect a building and put the school into operation. The board consisted of Abraham Hayter, John E. Wheeler, John Phillips, William Richardson, David Richardson, Joseph Peterson and Joseph Hart. John Phillips was elected chairman; Joseph Hart, secretary, and William Richardson, treasurer. It was at first proposed to erect the building on the hill east of town upon a lot donated by John Phillips, but upon the withdrawal of the donation the present site, Lot No. 28, was chosen. A small frame house was erected by John Queener for $399.80. It was completed in April, 1832, and the academy was soon after opened under the supervision of John C. Ewing. Among the succeeding teachers were Robert G. Kimbrough, elected in 1842; Peter J. O'Fallon, 1843; R. L. Kirkpatrick, 1844: Thomas Scruggs, 1846; R. M. Moore, 1847; Charles Kirkpatrick, 1848; W. F. Carley, 1849; William H. Smith, 1850; James O. Patton, 1851; Franklin Richardson, 1852, and Miss Kate Edmunds, 1855. In 1954 it was resolved by the board, "that we build a brick academy." Accordingly the next year the contract was let to T. W. Page. The building, however, was not entirely complete until 1860, although it was occupied before that time. During the war the school was suspended, and the building was frequently occupied by troops. In August, 1865, James Cooper, Alvis Kincaid and J. S. Lindsay, the remaining old trustees, and W. C. Hall, John Myers and George Delap, newly appointed members of the board, met and provided for the repair of the house. About a year later the school was reopened, and has since been maintained.
In the early history of the town religious services were held in the courthouse, later the academy was used. and early in the fifties a Methodist Church was erected. Since the war a new Methodist Church and a Baptist Church have been built.
The population of the town now numbers about 400. Its business interests are repre. sented by Nichols & Polly, Robert Hutsell, Silas Taylor and J. M. Bibee, general stores,
53
846
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Dr. W. B. Russell, drug store; Spencer Dabney, harness shop, and I. Wilson, distillery. The Valley Sentinel, an enterprising weekly paper, is edited and published by Robert Hut- sell. It was established at Sweet Water, Tenn., as the Youth's Sentinel in April, 1990. Two years later it was removed to Fincastle, and in 1884 brought to its present location. The only other papers ever published at Jacksboro were the News, about 1871, by Z. Tur- lock, and the Silver Dollar, in 1884, by Dr. Frank Lindsay.
Of the remaining villages in the county, Caryville, Newcomb, Jellico and Fincastie, the last named is the oldest. It is a little hamlet that sprang up in the vicinity of Glade Spring Church. The first store was opened by John Cooper some forty or fifty years ago. He was succeeded by John Kincaid. Caryville was formerly known as Wheeler's Gap, and for several years was the terminus of the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad. It was begun upon land owned by R. D. Wheeler, a son of Benjamin Wheeler, about 1868. The first merchants were Dr. David Hart, M. D. Wheeler and Frank Kincaid. At about that time three or four coal mines were opened, the first by James Kennedy and William Morrow. For the year 1873 the total product of the mines at this place was 363,325 bushels. After operating there for a few years a dip in the rock presented a barrier to the further work- ing of the mines, and they have all been abandoned.
Jellico has grown up since the extension of the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad. It is situated in the extreme northern part of the county near the Kentucky line. The site was formerly owned by Richard Perkins, and Thomas Smith conducted a store in the neighborhood. A coal mine has recently been opened by the East Tennessee Coal Com- pany, and is now extensively worked. Among the merchants of the town are William Province, Peter Perkins and L. J. Stanfill. Newcomb is a station on the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad, about three miles south of Jellico.
The following persons have filled the most important offices in Campbell County since its organization:
Sheriffs-Michael Huffaker, 1806-07; Thomas Mead, 1807-10; Richard Linville, 1810-16; David Richardson, 1816-22; Charles Maysey, 1822-25, Joseph Peterson, 1825-26; Joseph Carlock, 1826-28; Moses H. Swan, 1828-33; A. D. Smith, 1833-39; Jacob Queener, 1889-43; Russell Miller, 1843-46; John Phillips, 1846-50: John L. Keeney, 1850-36; William Warner, 1856-58; S. D. Queener*, 1858; John Phillips, 1858-60; James Archer, 1860-62; H. L. Wheeler, 1862-65; John Meader, 1865-66; John Hunley, 1866-68; William Madden, 1868-10; G. W. Graham, 1870-76; G. M. Taylor, 1876-79; R. D. Wheeler, 1879-82; John L. Smith, 1882-84; J. P. Hollingsworth, 1884.
Registers-Daniel White, 1806-15; Benjamin Wheeler, 1815-21; Charles Maysey, 1821-22; Silas Williams, 1822-30; J. E. Wheeler, 1830-36; M. H. Swan, 1836-10: Caswell Cross, 1840-41; William D. Sharp, 1841-42; S. D. Cole, 1842-46; John Grimes, 1846-54; George W. Smith, 1554-58; John Ryan, 1858- ; D. P. Montgomery, 1964-68; John Heatherly, 1808-14; J. J. Large, 1874-76: D. C. McAmis, 1876; J. H. Curnutt, 1876-78; George Brown, 1878-82; Lewis Wilson, 1882.
Clerks of the county court-James Grant, 1806-10; David T. Strong, 1810-20; Joseph Hart, 1820-32; William Carey, 1832-56; John Peterson, 1856-68; John Jones, 1868-78; S. C. Baird, 1878.
Clerks of the circuit court-Joseph Hart, 1810-20; Benjamin Wheeler, 1820-26; Joseph Peterson, 1826-10; Robert Morrow, 1840-48; G. M. Kern, 1848-58; George W. Smith, 1858-64; T. J. Rogers, 1864-68: William Allen, 1868.
Trustees- : Joseph Thomas, 1836-38; John Izeley, 1838-46; Thomas Weir, 1816- ; Reuben Rogers, 1862-66; Edmund Gray, 1866-68; Samuel C. Baird. 1868-72; J. P. Hollingsworth. 1872-14: George Heatherly, 1874-76; F. P. McNew, 1876-78; J. L. Lewis, 1878-82; Silas Hatmaker, 1852-86; Lewis Brown, 1386.
Clerks and masters-John Barton, 1842-IS; Robert Morrow, 1848-54: F. H. Bratcher, 1854-66; David Hart, 1866-70; J. S. Lindsay, 1ST0-82; Fr. De Tavernier, 1882-83; J. H. Agee, 1883 --.
*Killed in August, 1858.
847
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
C LAIBORNE COUNTY lies in the northern portion of East Tennessee, and borders both the States of Kentucky and Virginia; the famous Cumberland Gap being situ- ated near the middle of its northern line. The principal stream in the county is Powell River. The Clinch River forins a portion of its southern boundary. These streams receive a large number of tributaries, which furnish the best of water power. The surface presents a great variety of hills, mountains, and valleys. For the most part the soil is good, but some of the ridges are poor and sandy. Its mineral resources consist of coal, iron, and manganese, all of which it possesses in abundance, and when sufficient transportation facilities have been procured, the county will become one of the wealthiest in East Tennessee.
The first settlements in Claiborne County were made in Powell's Valley and along Clinch River. In 1783 Henderson & Co., mentioned in the sketch of Hawkins County and in other chapters of this work, received a grant from North Caro- lina of 200,000 acres of land to be laid off in one survey, and in accordance with the following restrictions: Beginning at the Old Indian Town, in Powell's Valley, running down Powell River not less than four miles on one or both sides thereof, to the junction of Powell and Clinch Rivers; then down Clinch River on one or both sides, not less than twelve miles in width, for the complement of 200,000 acres. The survey, as made, was approximately as follows: Beginning at what is now known as Old Town, running along the base of the mountain to a point near Caryville, Campbell County: thence in a southerly course to a point on the opposite side of the Clinch River; thence in a line parallel with the first to a point south of Powell River opposite the beginning; thence in a direct course to the beginning. This grant was subsequently divided among Mr. Henderson and his associates or their heirs, and it was doubtless due to their influence that many of the first settlers located in this valley of Powell River. During the Indian troubles these pioneers suffered much from savage depredations, and several forts were built at various points along the valley. One of the best known of the stations was built by George Yoakum, upon land still owned by his descendants. Another was situated just across the line into Virginia. Among the first settlers in this valley may be mentioned Elijah Chisum, who had formerly lived in Hawkins County, James Gibson, John Vanbibber, Spencer Graham, James Carson, Elisha Walling,* Thomas McBride and Archibald Mckinney. Roddy & Lee kept a store at the ferry on Powell River, where the Cumberland Gap road crosses it. The gap was settled by William Doherty and Peter Huffaker, located near by.
Settlements were also made at an early date on Sycamore Creek, and a station known as Fort Butler was built about three miles west of Tazewell. By whom it was built is not known, but James Chisum and Isaac Lane were among the first to locate in that vicinity. Among those who located near the road leading from Fort Butler to Mul- berry Gap were the Estes, Gibbons, Sims, Condrey, Henry Griffin, George and Henry Sumter, John Baker and Daniel Fleming.
The act to erect a new county from portions of Hawkins and Grainger was passed October 29, 1801. It was named Claiborne in honor of William Charles Cole Claiborne, one of the first judges of the superior court, and the first representative in Congress from Tennessee. The court of pleas and quarter sessions was organized at the house of John Owens December 7, 1801. at which time the following magistrates were present: Isaac
*Also spelled Wallen and Walden.
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848
BISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Lane, Joseph Webster William Trent, James Chisum, Abraham Lenham, John Wallen, Matthew Sims, John Vanbibber, William Rogers, George Read, C. Newport, John Casey, Joseph Nations and James Renfro. The oath of office was administered by Andrew Evans and Joseph Cobb, magistrate of Grainger County. Isaac Lane was chosen chair- man; Walter Evans, clerk; Nathaniel Austin, ranger; Joseph Nations, coroner; Ezekiel Croft, register; Luke Bowyer, attorney-general, and David Rogers, sheriff. The last named was unable to give bond, and John Hunt, Sr., was elected to fill the vacancy. The next term of the court was held at the house of John Hunt, who lived on the site of Tazewell. The grand jury empaneled was composed of the following men: John Hunt, William Grisum, Nathaniel Austin, Samuel Tate, Jacob Dobbins, William Bowman, Will- iam Stroud, John Webster, Nimrod Dodson, Peter Neal, Thomas Gibbons, Peter Huffaker, William Rush. Thomas Jeffers, Hezekiah Jordan, Elisha Walling, Archibald Mckinney and George Snuffer. The third term of the court was held at the house of Elisha Walling, and it was not until 1904 that a small frame courthouse was erected. It stood near the site of the present one. The jail was completed at about the same time as the courthouse. It was used until 1819, when Josiah C. Ramsey, John Evans, William Graham, William Renfro, Robert Crockett, David Rogers and Reuben Rogers were appointed commissioners to erect a new jail. It was built with a double wall, the outside being rock and the inside frame.
The circuit court for Claiborne County was organized on the third Monday in April, 1810, by William Cocke, at which time David Yearsley appeared' as solicitor-general, and Edward Howell was appointed clerk. The attorneys admitted to practice were Samuel Powell, William R. Cole and C. C. Clay. The early transactions of this court present little of interest. One or two cases only will be mentioned. At the April term, 1823, James C. Martin was convicted of grand larceny, and being brought to the bar to receive sentence he stated that he wished to make application for a new trial. Judge Scott was upon the bench, and in order to allow the prisoner's counsel to prepare a statement of the ground upon which the application was based "withdrew for a few minutes". The Judge's fondness for the "flowing bowl" is well known, and such opportunities of forti- fying himself against the tedium of the court were not to be neglected. It is not surpris- ing, therefore, if his absence extended to several minutes. Upon his return to the bench be proceeded to pass judgment upon the prisoner's application when to his astonishment no one was to be seen. The sheriff then took occasion to inform him that during his honor's absence the prisoner had escaped and distanced all pursuit.
In October, 1922, Thomas Jones, who had been twice convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to be branded upon the brawn of the left thumb with the letter "M." He secured a stay of execution, and at the October term of the next year presented a pardon from Gov. Carroll.
The first resident attorney in the county was doubtless Luke Bowyer. At what time he came to the county is not known, but he served as a magistrate for a year or two about 1815. He was then an old man, one of the first settlers on the Watauga, and from that time until shortly before his death was one of the most active practitioners in the State. It is to be regretted that so little is known of his life. In 1833 the lawyers of Tazewell mentioned in the Tennessee Gazetteer were John M. Brobson, James B. Robinson and Gray Garrett. Of these men Garrett was the most prominent. He had formerly been located at Newport, and subsequently served a term as attorney-general. The attorney's of a little later date were Walter R. Evans, Lewis A. Garrett, Theodore Regan and Thomas L. W. Sawyers. The present bar is composed of the following members: P. G. Fulkerson, E. A. Hurst, G. W. Montgomery, C. H. Rogers, J. P. Davis, T. W. Stone and W. S. Carr.
The commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice and lay off a town to be known by the name of Tazewell were George Reed. John Vanbibber. Matthew Sims, Abe Lenham, Joseph Webster, John Bullard and Silas Williams, The site chosen was upon land occupied by John Hunt, Sr., and doubtless owned by him. The first house is said to have been erected in 1803. The first merchant was William Graham, a native of Ireland, and a gentleman of high reputation both as a business man and a citizen. He
849
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
owned a large body of land below town, and about 1814 completed the fine stone residence now occupied by Mr. Fulkerson. After conducting his mercantile business for a few years he was joined by William Houston and Hugh Graham. This partnership, under the name of Hugh Graham & Co., lasted for several years, and after its dissolution Hugh Graham and William Houston conducted separate establishments. The building occupied by William Graham stood upon the corner where William Eppes & Son's store now is. Among the later merchants were James Dickinson, Cloud & Shackleford, Benjamin Seawell & Son, William Scawell, Chrisman & Hunt and G. W. Rose. The first physician of " the town now remembered was Dr. Thomas Walker, who was succeeded by Alfred Noel, Gabriel Shackleford and James Evans. Drs. M. and J. Carriger and Samuel Brown were also located in the town prior to the civil war. Of the other carly residents of the town may be mentioned John Bristoe, who was licensed to keep an ordinary in 1806; Reuben Rose, who opened the first tavern or hotel of importance: Elijah Evans, a hatter, whose shop now forms a part of Cottrell's hotel, and G. W. Posey, a farmer, who lived in the upper end of town. Among the oldest residents of the town now living are William Eppes, formerly a tailor, but now one of the leading merchants, and G. W. Rose, who resides upon a farm east of town. The first church building in the town was erected by William Graham, and stood a short distance below his residence. It is said to have been built about 1815, and was doubtless used br all sects, although Mr. Graham was a Pres- byterian. At what date a congregation of Presbyterians was organized is not definitely known, but a history of Union Presbytery places it at 1829 or 1830, and states that it was made by Rev. Stephen Foster. It would seem, however, that some kind of organization must have been effected before that time. Among the first members were William Gra- ham and wife, Francis Patterson and wife, Willis Harper, Hugh Graham, James Patterson and wife, William Houston and wife and James Wier and wife. The old church served as a place of worship until about 1815, when a new one was erected.
The Methodists early made Tazewell a preaching place. Bishop Asbury in his jour- nal speaks of preaching "at Hunt's at Claiborne Courthouse" on October 14, 1802. At what time the congregation was organized is uncertain, but no house of worship was erected until about 1841. The Baptists organized a church, and also completed a building at about the same time.
During the early years of the town it was supplied with the schools common to such communities at that day. About 1835 a frame academy was built near the town spring. This then became the educational institution for the town.
In 1854 Tazewell Female Academy was incorporated under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance and the Masonic fraternity. Two years later Tazewell Academy was raised to the rank of a college, and given all the privileges of such an institution. It has since undergone no change, and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation.
On November 11, 1862, upon the evacuation of Tazewell by some Confederate troops who had been stationed there, a fire broke out which destroyed the greater portion of the town. About twenty buildings were burned, including the courthouse, a large brick hotel and several brick storehouses. From this severe loss the town has never fully recovered. but it is still one of the most flourishing and enterprising inland towns to be found in Ten- nessee. The business interests of the present time are represented by the following firms: R. J. & J. C. Carr, William Eppes & Son, J. K. Robinson, T. Evans and B. F. Schultz, general merchandise; White & Stone, groceries, boots and shoes and hardware, and T. E. White, manufacturer and dealer in saddlery and harness. The last named is probably the largest retail establishment of the kind in East Tennessee.
The following is the list of officials of Claiborne County since its organization:
Clerks of the county court-Walter Evans, 1801-16; Benjamin Cloud, 1816-36: John Hunt, 1836-37: William Neil, 1837-40; Wiley Huffaker, 1840-44; Thomas J. Johnson, 1844-58; William Neil, 1858-62; P. L. Langham, 1862-63; David Cardweil, 1863-70; Eli Goin, 1870-78; H. Ritchie, 1978 -- 86; A. J. Francisco, 1836.
Clerks of the circuit court-Edward Howell, 1810-14: Arthur L. Campbell, 1814-15: Jeremiah Cloud, 1815-26; Gray Garrett, 1826-27: Fidele S. Hunt, 1827-36; B. F. Cloud,
850
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
1886-44; N. A. Evans, 1841-52; C. Y. Rice, 1852-64; Z. Hodges, 1865-66; J. N. Treece, 1866-74; T. W. Stone, 1874-78; W. H. Cawood, 1878-80; R. F. Carr, 1880-82; G. W. Mont- gomery, 1882-86; D. T. Hodges, 1866.
Sheriffs -- John Hunt, 1801-01; George Snuffer, 1804-10; Dennis Condry, 1810-20: John Hunt, 1820-36; Isaac C. Lane, 1836-12; William W. Greer, 1842-17; James B. Smith, 1847-50; A. J. Brock, 1850-54; W. W. Greer, 1854-60; Thomas Henderson, 1860-64; E. D. Willis, 1805-68; J. Y. Chadwick, 1868-74; Elbert Overton, 1871-76; James D. Mayes, 1870-80; A. C. Hughes, 1880 -- 84; A. M. Clapp, 1884-86; J. F. Longmire, 1886.
Trustees-Isaac Lane, 1801-10; Abe Lenham, 1810-14; Henry Baker, 1814-18: Elias Harrison, 1818-34: John Mason, 1831-38; William Whitted, 1838-50; John Mason, 1550-54; Wiley Sanders, 1854-56; Jesse Rogers, 1856-60; Henry Hipsher, 1800-62; Reuben Peter- son, 1802-65; John W. Buford, 1865-66; F. S. Mc Vay, 1866-68; Eli Goin, 1868-70; John- son Mayes, 1870-72. Jesse C. Rogers, 1872-74; Samuel Cottrell, 1814-76; William H. Cawood, 1876-78; W. B. Carr, 1878-80; C. B. White, 1860-82; E. C. Bayler, 1882-844; E. F. Yoakum, 1884.
Registers-Ezekiel Craft. 1801-08; William ---- , 1808-36; Walter Evans, 1836-87; Hiram Hurst, 1837-42; Peter Marcum, 1842-46; David Cardwell, 1846-62; M. M. Fulps, 1862-65; J. I. Hollingsworth, 1865-66; H. H. Friar, 1866-70; A. C. Hayes, 1870-74; Will- iam T. Thackery, 1874-78; B. F. Campbell, 1878-82; William Guy, 1882-86; Jefferson Lambert, 1886.
UNION COUNTY.
U NION COUNTY lies immediately north of Knox County, and is divided into two very nearly equal parts by the Clinch River. Powell River forms a part of its northern boundary. These streams, with their tributaries, afford an abundance of water and water ยท power. The area of the county is about 220 square miles. The surface is generally broken, but there is a very large number of valleys, furnishing excellent soil. The county contains much valuable timber, but its greatest wealth lies in its mineral resources, which are varied and abundant. It contains rich deposits of iron ore, which as yet have been worked to a very limited extent; vast beds of the finest marble; silver-bearing lead ore and zinc. The last named is abundant, and is worked quite extensively by the Edes, Mixter & Heald Zinc Company. The first act providing for the erection of the county was passed on January 3, 1850, but not meeting with the requirements of the constitution it became necessary to amend it. This was done November 21, 1858. It provided for the formation of the new county from fractions of Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne and Grainger Counties, and appointed James W. Turner, William Needham, C. B. Howard and Allen Hurst, commissioners to hold the elections and organize the county. The elections were accordingly held and resulted in a vote of 368 to 100 in favor of organiza- tion. The county court was organized on February 6. 1854, at Liberty Meeting-house, in what is now Maynardsville. The magistrates present were Elijah Evans, John Lowry, William Colvin, Goldman B. Carden, William Needham, Jesse G. Palmer, Jacob Turner, Calvin B. Howard and Enoch Branson. Soon after a bill was filed, enjoining further pro- ceedings by the officers of Union County, and pending the decision of the courts, a period of nearly two years, no business was transacted. The bill was finally dismissed, and the complete organization of the county effected in 1856. The counsel on behalf of the county in the cause mentioned above was Horace Maynard, and in gratitude for the serv- ice rendered by him, the seat of justice was named in his honor. The first circuit court for Union County was begun and held at Liberty Meeting-house by Judge Robert H. Hynds. The grand jury empaneled at that term was as follows: Coleman Walton, Eli Ausley, Jacob Stooksberry, John Monroe, Jonathan Alexander, George Turner, William
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