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 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
1
S51
UNION COUNTY.
Hickle, Robert Dyer, Charles Skaggs, David Miller, Isaac Stooksberry, Isaac Sharp and William Bayless. The citizens of the county bave ever been peaceable and law-abiding, and comparatively little litigation has ever taken place. The courts continued to be held in the meeting-house until 1858, when a brick courthouse was erected. The jail was built about & year previous.
The site of Maynardsville was formerly the property of Marcus Monroe, who donated to the county the lots north of Main Street, reserving the proceeds of the sale of the remainder for his own use. The first house erected was a stone building, erected in 1856 by A. L. Leinert, who still occupies it. Among the other merchants and profes- sional men of the town prior to the war were Leinert, Huddleston & Co., D. F. Huddles- ton, merchants; Nicholas Ailor, attorney; J. W. Thornburgh, Monroe Harbison and R. J. Carr, physicians.
In 1858 Liberty Academy was built, and the institution incorporated with the follow- ing trustees: C. Monroe, W. P. Owens, J. M. Dinwiddie, A. L. Leinert and Harding Scaggs. It has since been well supported, and ranks among schools of its class.
Maynardsville is pleasantly situated, and has a population of about 200. The mer- chants at the present time are A. L. Leinert and J. W. Branson A. W. Carr is engaged in the drug business, and also keeps the hotel.
The attorneys resident in the county are Coram Acuff, the present representative to the Legislature from Union and Campbell Counties; John P. Rogers, attorney-general of the Second Circuit; J. L. Ledgerwood, D. W. Gentry, J. S. Groves and John Williams.
The leading religious denomination in this county is the Baptist. It is doubtful indeed if in any other section of the State one denomination so far predominates as do the Baptists here. This being so brief a sketch of the two associations, which center in Union County, will not be out of place.
On the third Saturday in October, 1818, delegations from twelve churches, mainly from the Tennessee Association, met at Cedar Fork Church in Claiborne County, and organized Powell Valley Association. The churches and delegates were as follows: Hinds Creek (Union County), John Warwick, James Ishams, John Goss and Richard Newport; Gap Creek (Claiborne County), William Jones, Thomas Murray, Aaron Davis and Jacob Lowder; Cedar Fork (Claiborne County), Samuel Pitman and Absolom Hurst; Buffalo Creek (Grainger County), Josiah C. Bunch, John Ferguson, James Dyer and David Watson; Davis Creek (Claiborne County), John Sharp and Fred Bolinger: Glade Spring (Campbell County), Joshua Inglish; Powell River (Campbell County), Thomas Boydston; Big Barren (Claiborne County), William Cook and Samuel McBee; Head of Rich- land (Grainger County), John Kidwell and C. Rucker; Big Spring (Claiborne County), Richard Harper, Joab Hill and Hiram Hurst: Coal Creek (Anderson County), and War Creek. Thompson's settlement in Virginia was also represented. Other churches were organized and added to the association as follows: Puncheon Camp (Grainger County), 1821; Rocky Spring, now Fall Creek, 1822: Mount Hebron (Union County), 1824; Black- well Branch (Hancock County), 1525: Old Town Creek (Claiborne County), 1825; Clear Creek (Anderson County), 1826; Mouth of Barren, 1832; Blackwater, 1834; Mount Pleasant, 1834; Blue Spring (Union County), 1834; Powder Spring Gap (Grainger County), 1835; Lost Creek (Union County), 1835. In 1835 seven churches were dismissed to form Mul- berry Association to include the territory previously covered by the eastern portion of Powell Valley Association. During the next year Mountain Creek (Claiborne County) and Zion were added to the latter association. At about this tinie the schism in the church in reference to missionary work and to " joining the societies of the day," began to widen, and in 1839 five churches holding to the missionary doctrines withdrew to form a new association. Other churches were divided, the weaker faction usually withdrawing to organize a new congregation. The association as a whole, however, remained "anti- mission, " and received accessions from some of the adjoining associations which had joined the opposite faction. Among the new churches received after that time were Cane Creek (Anderson County), 1852; Hickory Creek (Campbell County), Salem :Grain- ger County), 1864; Pleasant Point (Claiborne County), 1865; Mossy Spring .Union
852
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
County), abont 1965; Bean Creek (Grainger County), about 1870. and Concord (Grainger County), 1877. The association now numbers seventeen churches with a total member- ship of 585.
The five churches which withdrew from Powell Valley Association assembled at Glade Spring Meeting-house, in Campbell County, on November 29, 1839, and organized the "Northern Association of United Baptists." The churches and delegates were as fol- lows: Puncheon Camp Creek, John Clark. Anderson Acuff and William H. Odlie; Powder Spring Gap, Marcus Monroe, William fluff, J. Beelor and William Peters; Blue Springs, George Sharp and Daniel H. Wright; Mount Pleasant, Jacob Whitman and Nathaniel Gray, and Clear Branch. C. H. Boatright and Joseph Kenney. The new association was prosperous, and its growth remarkably rapid. At the second meeting five churches, Zion Hill, Glade Spring, Cedar Ford, New Salem and Beech Fork were admitted, making the number of churches ten, and the total membership 579. Other churches were admitted as follows: Bethel, Powell's River, Shady Grove and Clinton, 1841; Liberty and Jacks- boro, 1842; Locust Grove, 1843; Milan and Hickory Valley, 1845; Zion, Chalybeate Spring and Poplar Creek, 1816; Indian Creek, Sulphur Spring, Macedonia and Union, 1847; Elm Spring, 1848; Big Valley, Beech Grove and Alder Spring, 1849; Head of Barren, 1550: Blowing Spring, 1551, In 1853 Clinton Association was formed of several churches in Anderson and Campbell Counties, having sixteen churches in the Northern Association. Since that time the churches admitted have been Providence and Cedar Grove, 1856; New Hope, 1857, Little Barren and Shady Grove, 1859; Nave Hill, 1867; Liberty, 1868; War- wick Chapel, Rock Castle, Gravestown, Cedar Creek, New Hope and Bethany, 1869; Chestnut Grove, 1870; Dutch Valley, Sugar Hollow, Gap Creek, 1871; Cedar Spring and Pleasant Point, 1872; Haynes' Fiat, Texas Valley and Carr's Branch, 1873; Cedar Spring and Zion, 1877; Union, 1878; Crooked Creek. 1881; Spring Dale and New Prospect, 1882. The total number of churches in the association is now thirty-two, of which seventeen are in Union County. The aggregate membership is 2,960.
The following have been the officers of Union County since its organization:
Sheriffs --- E. West, 1854-56; Jesse G. Palmer, 1856-60; A. J. Brock, 1860-62; Calvin Moore, 1862; James L. Ledgerwood, 1865-68; Christian Ousley, 1868-72; John Sharp, 1872-74; J. L. Ledgerwood, 1874-76; James M. Wilson, 1876-78; W. G. Monroe, 1878-50; William Oaks, 1880-84; William C. Sharp, 1884-86; F. M. Miller, 1886.
Clerks of the county court-William T. Carden, 1854-58; L. Huddleston, 1858-64; William Colvin, 1865-72; J. W. Turner, 1872-74; Coram Acuff, 1874-86; W. B. Morton, 1886.
Clerks of the circuit court-Allen Hurst, 1856-60; R. J. Carr, 1860; L. R. Carden, 1865-70; A. A. Snoderly, 1870-74; M. D. L. Kincaid, 1874-78; J. F. Huddleston.
Clerks and masters-O. W. Huddleston, A. McPheeters and J. W. Branson. Registers-William P. Owens, -Thomas D. Harding, - - -James W. Turner,
-Isaac Snoderly, 1860-66; George Johnston, 1866-74; D. S. Turner, 1874-78. William Weaver, 1878-80; E. B. Morton, 1880-86; J. R. Snoderly, 1886.
553
GRAINGER COUNTY.
GRAINGER COUNTY.
G RAINGER COUNTY occupies a position between the Clinch and Holston Rivers. and embraces an area of a little more than 800 square miles. The surface is made up of a series of parallel ridges and narrow valleys running from northeast to south- west. Clinch Mountain, near the middle of the county, presents the highest elevation. The soil is generally very fertile especially in the valleys. Much of the land on the ridges is untillable, and a large part of it is still covered with the original forest. The county contains some minerals, but owing to the lack of transportation facilities, they have never been developed. Mineral springs abound, and some of the most famous sum- mer resorts in the South are located in this county.
The settlement of what is now Grainger County was begun about 1:85, along the val- ley south of Clinch Mountain, and at the head of Flat Creek. Among the first settlers were some who had resided a few years in what is still Hawkins County. One of the most prominent of the pioneers was Col. James Ore, who located at the place afterward known as Oresville, about one mile east of Bean Station, near the close of the last century. Pre- vious to his location there, he had carried on a store at Knoxville for a short time. He was the commander of an expedition against the Lower Cherokees in 1194, and effectually put an end to aggressions from those savages. Bean's Station, located at the crossing of the great thoroughfares leading from Kentucky to the south, and from Virginia and North Carolina to the west, was one of the best known places in Tennessee, for more than half a century prior to the advent of railroads. It was settled by George Bean, Sr., who, as early as 1793, advertised in the Knoxville Gazette, that he had opened a goldsmiths and jeweler's shop at that place, and that he was also prepared to make and repair guns. He had two sons, George and Jesse. In 1800 Robert Gordon was licensed to keep an ordinary at Bean's Station, as was also James Byrne in 1804. The hotel, however, which became an institution of the place, and gave it much of its celebrity, was established in 1513 by Thomas Whiteside. It became a famous stopping place for travelers and for drovers taking their stock from Kentucky to the Southern markets. A race course was subse- quently laid out in the vicinity, and the village became a business point of considerable importance. Among the merchants who did business there were John Shields, Knight & Shields, Samuel & Milton Shields and Lofferty & Whiteside. Of the other early settlers in this portion of the county may be mentioned the Senters, Hendersons, Crabtrees. Tay -- lors and Johnstons. Farther down the valley toward Rutledge were the Bassetts, Lebons and Moores; Ethelred Williams, the father of William Williams and James Will- iams, the latter of whom became minister from the United States to Turkey, settled at Rocky Springs and started a store there. Robert Long located on the Holston River. where his grandson now lives. -Bowen and Abraham McConnell, the father of Hon. Thomas McConnell, of Chattanooga, settled about five miles east of Rutledge. Below Rutledge were Thomas McBrown, Frederick Mayers, John Bunch and David Tate. Still lower down in the county were Abner Lowe, Jerry Jarnagin and William Clay. On Flat Creek may be mentioned Samuel Dodson, John Aker, David Watson, Martin Cleve- land and the Dyers. Settlements were early made in the vicinity of Blair's Cross Roads, and a station known as Haley's Station was built three miles from that place on Rich land Creek.
The first church in the county was established by the Baptists, at the mouth of Rich- land, in 1788. The names of the first members could not be ascertained. but the delegates to the. association in 1194 were James Randolph, George Holmark and Garrett Winabas. The first Methodist Church organized was doubtless County Line Church, so called from
854
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
its situation on the line between Hawkins and Grainger Counties. Among its earliest members were Martin Stubblefield, John Mcnally, Rice Moore, Amasa Howell, Henry Brown, Edward Rice, Charles McAnally and Basil Guess, some of whom lived in Haw- kins County. The church was organized about 1794, and was frequently visited by Bishop Asbury. The Presbyterians were never very strong in this county, and no con- gregations were formed at a very early date.
The act creating Grainger County was passed on April 22. 1796. The boundaries fixed were as follows: "Beginning on the main road leading from Bull's Gap to Hayne's Iron Works, on Mosey Creek, at the house of 'Felps' Read; running a direct course to the Kentucky road on the north side of Holston River; thence north fifty degrees west to the Virginia line; thence west with said line to a point northwest of the end of Clinch Mountain; thence in a direct course to the end of Clinch Mountain; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of Richland and Flat Creeks to Holston River at the upper end of the first bluff above Boyles' old place; thence up the meander of the river to the mouth of Panther Creek; thence up said creek to the head spring thereof near the house of John Evans; thence along the main wagon road to its beginning." By reference to a map it is seen that the county embraced the greater portion of its present territory, and also considerable portions of Claiborne, Campbell, Union and Hawkins Counties. The county court was organized on June 13, 1796, at the house of Benjamin McCarty, who lived about two miles below Rutledge. The magistrates present were Thomas Hender- son, Elijah Chisum, James Blair, John Estes, Phelps Read, Benjamin McCarty, Jaines Moore, John Bowen, John Kidwell, John Sims, William Thompson and Maj. Lea, who, after presenting their commissions from Gov. Sevier and taking the oath of office, elected the following officers: Ambrose Yancey, clerk of the court; Martin Ashburn, sheriff; Phelps Read, register; John Estes, ranger, and James Moore, coroner. The constables appointed were Reuben White, William Smith, Samuel Cox, John Russell. John Rhea. Elias Davis and John Hibbert. At this term permission was given to erect the following grist and saw mills: To Nichols T. Perkins, on Chamberlain, now known as Stilfey Creek; William Thompson, on Buffalo Creek, and William Stone near the mouth of Richland Creek. The first grand jury was empaneled at the next term of the court, which was held at John Bunch's, and was composed of the following men: William Stone, foreman; John Bunch, William Russell, John Gilmore, Jeremiah Chamberlain, John Horner, James Short, John Bristoe, David Hailey, Henry Howell, Alexander Blair, Isaiah Medkiff and George Smith.
The location of the seat of justice caused considerable difficulty, and was not per- manently settled until 1801. The first commissioners appointed to fix upon a site were David Hailey, Maj. Lea, Benjamin McCarty, Bartley Marshall and James Blair, Jr. who failed to agree upon a point. A second commission was appointed, with a like result. Meanwhile the court was held at various places: John Bunch's, Martin Asburns', Mitchell's Spring, and occasionally at some place on the north side of Clinch Mountain. On the third Monday in August in 1798, the court adjourned for five hours to meet at the house of Mrs. Jacob Cobb, opposite to John Bullard, on the south bank of the Clinch, where they met at the appointed time, but immediately adjourned to Joshua Wombles. The court continued its itinerancy until 1801, when, a portion of the county having been stricken off to form Claiborne County, a site was at last decided upon. The com- missioners who located it were William Noll, Robert Patterson, William Clay. Phelps Read, William Hawkins, John Evans (of Panther Creek) and Ethan Davis. The town as first laid off consisted of twenty-two and three-fourth acres of land purchased of Thomas McBroom and Daniel Clayton. It was named Rutledge in honor of Gen. George Rut- ledge, of Sullivan County, the successor of John Sevier as brigadier-general.
The first courthouse in the town was completed in 1801. It stood just in front of the present building, and was erected by Francis Mayberry. It was occupied until 18 -- , when it was purchased by members of the Presbyterian Church. It is still standing, and is used by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church as a house of worship. The first jail was built by Jonathan Williams, and stood immediately in the rear of the court-
855
GRAINGER COUNTY.
house. In 1822 Benjamin Craighead, Thomas McBroom and Jacob Kline were appointed to superintend the building of a new jail. The present county buildings were erected in the forties. The commissioners to superintend the erection of the jail were Thomas McBroom, Joseph Clark, Samuel Bunch and William E. Cocke appointed in 1845. Those for the courthouse were Parrott Godwin, B. F. McFarland and James S. Talbot, appointed in January, 1846. The latter building was not completed, however, uutil about two years later.
The circuit court for Grainger County was organized on April 10, 1810, by William Cocke, judge of the First Judicial Circuit. The first attorneys admitted to practice in this court were Samuel Powell and W. R. Cole. The chancery court was organized by judge Thomas L. Williams on June 19, 1848.
One of the first resident attorneys was Gen. Johu Cocke, the son of Gen. William Cocke of Hawkins County. He was a successful advocate, and one suited to the time in which helived. For many years he had an office in Rutledge; it stood on the main street of the town, just east of Brewer's hotel, and was but recently removed. Gen. Cocke was distinguished during his life both in military and civil affairs, and proved himself the worthy son of a worthy sire. He was a member of the first General Assembly, and con- tinued to serve in one or the other houses of that body at nearly every session until he entered Congress in 1819. There he remained for eight successive years. After retiring from that body. he once more entered the Legislature, and to his influence and prompt action, while a member of the State Senate in 1843-44. was due the establishment of the Deaf and Dumb school at Knoxville. His military services are mentioned in another chapter of this work. Sterling Cocke, the brother of Gen. Cocke, was a resident of Hawkins County, and served for many years as attorney-general. He was the father of William MI. Cocke, at one time a prominent citizen of Rutledge. The latter entered the legal profession, and soon distinguished himself as an cloquent speaker. In 1815 he was chosen to represent his district in the XXX Congress, and two years later was re-elected. Among other attorneys of prominence who have resided in the county was judge T. W. Turley, who died recently at Franklin, Tenn. He began practice some time in the forties, and in 1836 was elected a judge of the circuit court to succeed Robert H. Hynds. Of the present bar James T. Shields is the oldest member, having been engaged in active practice for over forty years. The remaining attorneys of the county at the present time are John K. Shields, G. McHenderson, J. N. Goldman, A. S. Tate, R. C. Sampson and I. L. Moore.
Rutledge, as before stated, was established in 1801, five years after the organization of the county. Its population has never been large, and in this respect, perhaps, no other village in the State has remained so nearly stationary for so long a time. In 1830 the pop- ulation was given as 150, and in 1880 it was 126. At the former date the place is described as having one school, one church, three stores, two taverns, two hatters, twoblacksmiths. one saddler and two tanners. The first merchants were doubtless Carrick, Montgomery & Co .. who were licensed to sell goods there in 1803. The first house of entertainment licensed was that of Michael Coons or Countz, who was also a blacksmith. In 1806 Frederick Mayers opened a tavern in the house now occupied by Maj. Sawyers, and at about the same time Joshua Hickey erected a building on the southwest corner of the public square, where he also kept a public house for several years. Among the first hatters were Daniel Card- well and Hugh Jones. Subsequent merchants were John Brown, Benjamin Craighead. later Craighead & Massingale, Hugh Houston. Rice & McFarland, A. P. & D. Green. William T. Tate & Co .. Warham, Easley & Co. and Jarnagin & Bros. The above firms were all engaged in business prior to the war. Those of the present time are J. M. Lowe, J. G. Brown and John Clark. Among the early physicians were Dr. William E. Cocke, John W. Lyde, and later, J. C. Legg. Those of the present are Joseph Huffmaster and J. H. Campbell.
But two journalistic enterprises have ever been attempted in Rutledge. In 1893 the Enterprise was established by J. N. Hodge. but it proved of short duration, and in April, 1897, the East Tennessee Eagle, an excellent Republican paper, was started by G. M. Williams and G. T. Norris.
856
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
The date of the organization of the Methodist Church in Rutledge could not be ascer- tained, but it was probably early in the history of the town. The Presbyterian Church was organized about 1832, but the congregation was without a house of worship until 1846, when the old courthouse was purchased for that purpose. Since the war a com- fortable frame house has been erected.
The county academy, known as Madison Academy, was put into operation about 1842. The first building, which was burned two or three years ago. stood on a bluff south of the town. In 1885 a uew two-story frame building was erected upon a lot just east of town.
The following have been the officers of Grainger County since its organization:
County court clerks-Ambrose Yancey, 1796-1808; John F. Jack, 1805-10: Sterling Cocke, 1810-13; John Cocke, 1813-36; Edward Tate, 1836-52; James C. Clark, 1852-56; J. K. McAnally, 1856-60: Robert P. Moore, 1860 -; M. Goldman, 1865-72; P. M. Senter, 1872-78; J. S. Doral, 1582; J. N. Goldman, 1882-86; D. T. Dodson, 1856.
Clerks of the circuit court-John F. Jack, 1810-24; William E. Cocke, 1824-40; Will- iam M. Cocke, 1810-15; W. L. Lathim, 1545-54; P. M. Senter, 1851-58; W. L. Lathim, 1858-76; Allen S. Tate, 1876-18; George M. Greenlee, 1878-86; W. H. Cadle, 1886.
Clerks aud masters -- C. C. Smith, 1818-77; G. H. Grove, 1877 -.
Sheriffs-Martin Ashburn, 1796-1800; Robert Young, 1800-04; John Lea, 1804-06: James Conn, 1806-12; Charles McAnally, 1812-21; Samuel Bunch, 1821-36; Robert Lloyd, 1836-38; Elisha Thomason, 1928-42; Robert Lloyd, 1842-14: A. P. Green, 1844-46; Elisha Thom- ason, 1846-18; L. M. Ellis, 1848-54; John Kinder, 1854-56; Anderson Donaldson, 1856-55: John F. Noe, 1958-68; Chesley Morgan, 1868-72; C. J. Morgan, 1979-74; S. J. Jones, 1874-76; C. J. Morgan, 1576-78; A. L. Mauly, 1878-80; Jerry Jarnagin, 1880-84; S. P. Greenlee, 1954 ---.
Trustees-Ambrose Young, 1796-98; Thomas Henderson, 1798-1804; Noah Jarnagin, 1801-06; Charles McAnally, 1906-12; George Moody, 1812-20; Noah Jarnagin, 1820-22; Jobn Harri-, 1822-28; James Kennon, 1828-32; D. C. Carmichael, 1832-34; James Lacey, 1834-10; Isaac Daniel, 1840-41; Henry M. Moody, 1844-18; James G. Walker, 1848-54; Samuel Layne, 1854-56; James H. Peck, 1856-58; Jarvis James, 1858-62; J. G. Walker, 1862-66; Henry Kitts, 1866-70; J. B. Jones, 1870-72; James Bunch, 1872-74; J. A. Cun- ningham, 1874-76; George M. Greenlee, 1876-78; J. J. Alexander, 1878-84; J. T. Justus, 1884-
Registers-Phelps Read, 1796-1806; Samuel Perry, 1806-12: Joshua Hickey, 1812-33; William M. Moody, 1833-44; Henry M. Moody, 1844-52; Isaac M. Lowe, 1852-56; Samuel R. Culver, 1856 -; Henry Shepard, 1865-74; J. S. Doyal, 1974-78; John G. Walker, 1878-82; J. C. Clark, 1882-86; G. T. Norris, 1886.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
J EFFERSON COUNTY lies mainly between the French Broad and Holston Rivers. About one-fourth of the entire area being south of the former streams. It at first extended far beyond its present limit, covering the territory now embraced in Cocke, Sevier and a part of Hamblen Counties. It now has an area of about 350 square miles. Bay's Mountains traverse it from east to west but the greater part of the county is either rolling or level. The soil along the French Broad River and the smaller streams is exceedingly fertile and yields large crops No county in Tennessee has a more honor- able record or a more interesting history. Her early settlers were many of them men of intelligence and education, patriotic and worthy citizens, the impress of whose char- acter is still visible upon the third and fourth generations. The county received its first
857
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
settlers in 1783. These were Robert McFarland, Alexander Outlaw, Thomas Jarnagin, James Hill, Wesley White, James Randolph, Joseph Copeland. Robert Gentry and James Hubbard. The first two located in what is now Hamblen County, and the last named, in Sevier County. Capt. Jarnagin settled on the north side of "Chucky," about four miles above its mouth. The next year he erected the first mill in the county, on Long Creek. James Hill lived about a mile below Capt. Jarnagin, and Wesley White immediately oppo- site Taylor's bend. Robert Gentry located four miles above Dandridge, and Joseph Cope- land seven miles above on the South side of the French Broad. From this time the settie- ments increased rapidly. On Long Creek and its waters located Ninian Chamberlain, Thomas Snoddy, Matthew Wallace; on Dumpliu, Richard Rankin, Frederick Fulkerson and many others. On the north bank of the French Broad above Dandridge were Ben- jamin McFarland, Hugh Kelso, Rev. Robert Henderson, Parmenas Taylor, William Moore, George Willcoxon and William Goforth. The first settlement on Mossy Creek was made by Adam Peck in 1788. His house stood just below where the town now is. The first settlement on Beaver Creek in Quaker Valley was made about 1786 by Adam Meek. He then had no neighbor west of him and so sparse were the settlements, on the east that he obtained his meal from the neighborhood of Greeneville. Soon after, however, a man by the name of Hazelitt built a mill on Beaver Creek. In 1793 it was replaced by one erected by James Walker. Alexander McMillin settled in Strawberry Plains in 1737, but soon after removed to Knox County. Later a fort or station was established there for the protection of the settlers during the Indian trouble 1790-95. William Cox lived between New Market and Strawberry Plains, and to the north of him on the Holston River was Samuel Cox. A few years later a colony of Quakers located in the neighborhood of what is now known as Friend's Station, where many of their descendants still reside.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.