USA > Tennessee > McNairy County > Reminiscences of the early settlement and early settlers of McNairy County, Tennessee > Part 3
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My late, short acquaintance with Dr. Crump and his family was a most agreeable closing up of the last chapter of my experience in McNairy county before committing myself on ship board to the then greatly swollen waters (58 feet above low water mark) of the Tennessee river, bearing me back towards the home of my childhood, where the snow drifts of winter and the green hills and mountains of summer are marked, and to me attractive characteristics !
These reminiscences may pot interest others as they do me, being so far away in the past and so imperfectly sketched. With a better memory and plenty of time something better might have been done. What I have written is written, and is at the service of one who, I am sure, will use it wisely.
Very truly yours,
. R. D. MILLER.
P. S .- I was occasionally in S. D Face's tailoring shop, and remember him a a very social man and a very strong Freemason. He once said to me, in substance, that he wanted no better religious faith and practice than to be a good Freemason, and his personal acquaintance with that onder should have made him a more correct judge of its excellencies than one outside like me. I was in the family one evening, when John, then clerk in Wisdom's store, boarding at home, going out after supper, put a large sweet potato in his pocket to roast in the stove for lunch later in the evening. He was a young mas, who did not seem likely to worry himself into the grave -- a good enter, probably, and therefore strong for work.
Calvin Shall-whose father want to West Tennessee in search of health, and died there some years before-I recall as a gentlemanly candil young business man, likely to take a leading place, if bodily health might be his, among his fellowe. I recollect his speaking to me sometimes of the fact that a Louisville phrenologis:, who was lecturing in Purdy, had given the signal of his being a member of the order of the Sons of Temperance contrary to the rules of the order as an evidence of dishonesty. I presume Calvin's widowed mother always felt that she could safely rely upon her son's integrity.
You are aware that I was generally about my own business in Purdy ; and I therefore failed to become much acquainted with more than a few of the people. which fact makes me deficient on reminiscentes. I have sketched the inclosed hastily, and commit it to your hands for correction, contraction, emendation, &c.
Wishing you the best success in this and all other good works.
Very truly. yours, again,
R D. MILLER.
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The following letter was also written by Rev. R. D. Miller, of West Hart- ford, Vermont.
After an absence of more than thirty years, my recollections of Purdy and its people are many of them clear, and nearly all pleasant. Mr. Warren, this representative in the State Legislature, was the first man with whom I counselle I as to my teaching in the male department of the Academy. His boys were among my pupils. The brick hotel, on the corner west of the court-house, was my well - conducted boarding place. Jack Kincaid cannot have been forgotten by a great many in West Tennessee, as one of the most kind hearted, enterprising, public- spirited men of MeNairy county. His bartender, (without anything intoxicating) Col. Swan, how quickly, with his sharp ere, smiling face and gentle voice, he made a'l new comers feel at home: Uncle Jimmie Reed -- what a sunbeam he was by bis genial sociability and practical wisdom, in that house! He was a Northern man originally, and a national min politically, when he mole his home farther South ; though a strong Whig and an ardent admirer of Tom Corvin, of Ohio, his native State.
I would like to know all about the Wisdoms, the Crosses, the Paces. the Connors, &c. Mr. Connor was precentor at all meetings, realing two lines of a hymn at a time, and then "leallog off." The only familiar name of anyoze, now a resident of Purdy, that I notice in your paper, is that of lawyer MeAM- ney. He was a young man when I was there, (if he is the one I knew) promis- ing to become, with good habits and hard work, a prominent man in his protes- sion. His brother-the Doctor-a man, as I recall him, stelly, quiet, relat", ever aiming to do the best possible for his patrons, is perhaps, still practising the healing art with increasing success. I would be glad, at least, to be assured of this.
Had I been made with my nephew's poetic talent, I might, perhaps, give you an interesting sketch of my experience and observations since I was graduated at Amherst College, Mass., in the summer of 1818, and turned my way that fall towards your State in search of a brother still living there ; but, as it is, I forbear.
Respectfully,
R. D. MILLER.
W. HARTFORD, Vr., March 1st, 18$1.
WM. T. ANDERSON.
Wm. Taylor Anderson, one of the early settlers of MeNairy county, Tens., was born in Sullivan county, T no., May 24th, 1801. While a boy his father, Thomas Anderson, moved to Bedford county, Tenn., ani settled on Duck River, near Wartrace.
He had a large family and was very poor. At the age of 18 years, Wm. Taylor Anderson left his father's roof ani crossed the Cumberland Mountains on foot in search ofa new home in therich and vil I valley of the Mississippi. This he found at his uncle's, Samnel Anderson, who lit settled near oid Mount Pinson, in Madison county. Here he lived for nearly twelve months. working hard in clearing up the forest at the rate of $50 per year. In the later part of the year 1822 he moved up in MeNairy county, and worked with Jax. Wisdom, who hai made a settlement on Tar Creek, 11 miles north of where Party is com situated. While living here he married Miss Manala Wisdom and formel a
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partnership with her brother, Wm. S. Wisdom, in the distillery business on a small scale, as neither of them had any capital except their energy and labor; out of this they made some money. A short time after his marriage with Mi-s Wisdom they moved one mile dearer Purdy, on the Parly and Mifiin road, to the new old homestead of Win. T. Anderson, and lived here in a tent until he was able to erect a small cabin or hut. Here he began opening a farm and building, and accumulated enough to be able to go back for his aged father and mother whom he had left behind in Bedford county, and moved them to bis humble home in West Tenn. He was an uneducated man, having attended school only six weeks in his life but by studying at night after his hard day's work was over, soon learned to cipher, read, and write, and afterwards made a useful constable in that district, and was for years a valorbl- member of the County Court of McNairy county after the county was organized.
By hard work and rigid economy he accumulated a considerable estate, being worth at the beginning of the war forty or fifty thousand dollars, consisting of a îne dwelling house, lands, negroes, stocks, etc. He was a good farmer and always had plenty of everything aroun !. For a number of years in the early settlement of MeNairy, he ran successfully a small store on his farne, and his place became a postofice and voting precinct of the 8th Civil District, known as Anderson's store.
In politics, he took an active part, being an oIl line Whiz, and a great friend of internal improvements in Tennessee. He was a strong advocate of education, having sorely felt the neel of it luring all of his life.
Bang almost broken up by the war, he moved to Jackson, Tena., in 1983. where he died of pneumonia April Sth, 187). agel 63 years.
His widow, one of the most faithful aad in lustrious of women. still lives in Jackson, Tenn., at the advanced age of 76 years, being the only surviving member of her father's family .
Of the six sous of W'm. F. Anderson four are now living. Jas. W., the oldest, for a number of years a successful merchant and banker and a valuable citizen of Madison county, Med June 17th, 1874. Geo. S., killed at the battle of Mar- freesburo, while fighting for the Confederacy. Thos. B. and Neil P. are useful business men and c tizens in Fort Worth, Texas. John, a farmer, lives at Henderson, Tenn. Hugh C., the youngest son is a practicing attorney-at-law in Jackson, and was a member of the ilst and 421 General Assemblies of Tennessee, from Madison county.
The five daughtere married, raised large families, and became useful members of the Church and society.
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CHAPTER VI.
The Sixth Tennessee ( Federal) Cavalry-Confederate Troops-Sketches of the families. of McCann, Judge James F. Me Firmy. Rer. Francis Beard, Aler. MeCuller, Sr., Lewis B. Carter, John and Jonathan Walsh, Robert G. Simonton, Duke, Price, Turner.
Major Stanford L. Warren furnishes the following interesting particulars in regard to the 6th Tennessee (Federal) Cavalry :
After the battle of Shiloh and the retreat of the Confederate Army south, Fielding Hurst, of MeNairy county, was commissioned by Andrew Johnson, Governor of Tennessee, to recruit and organize this regiment. By the Ist of October, 1562, he bad succeed in recruiting and organizing companies A, B, C, D and G.
W. K. M. Pre-keuridge, of Perry county, had also been recruiting for a regiment on the east side of the Tennessee river, in the counties of Hardin, Wayne and Perry, and had organized companies E. F and H.
Thomas H. Boswell, of Weakly county, had also been recruiting, and organized companies F, K, L, M.
These companies being cons indatel, completed the organization of the 8th Tennessee cavalry, with the following named officers :
Fielding Hurst
Colonel.
W. K. M. Breckenridge Lient-nant-Colo el .. Major.
Eldridge S. Tidwell.
R. M. Thompson
Thomas Williams
Joseph E Morvin
W. J Smith
Thomas M. Clayton
James J. Smith
Surgeon. Assistant-Surgeon. Peg. Q .- Master. Reg Com. Chaplain. 1 1j.
S. L. Warren
Ben. S. Walker. Sergeant Major.
John F. Tilwell. Han. Stewart. John R. Ray .. R. Q.M. Sergeant. R. Com. Sergt.
John A. Lokey
This organisation was changed materially during the war by death, resige- ation and otherwise, so that at the close of the war the organization was as follows: W. J Smith Colonel.
O. H Scheorer Lieutenant - Colonel.
Mack. J. Liening.
Major.
Stanford L. Warren
L. O. Summers Assistant-Surgeon.
John I Teoringten Adjudant.
Richard W. Exkrelge R (. Sergeant. Reg Quart. Master.
William A. Newson
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Company A.
Had during the war the following officers :
A M. Thompson
Captain.
B. J. Pigs
Samuel Lewie.
Jamca J. Smith
1st Lieutenant.
C. H. Deford
Ist
Thomas Craugh
21
-
Wm. H. Swaim
21
Company B.
Harry Hodges ... Captain.
Elijah J. Hodges.
Ist Lieutenant.
Samnel D. Hanca
21
Wm. W. Kirby.
John Hudelleston
",
Company C.
Nathan M. D. Kemp
Captain.
Wm. T. Smith 1su Lieutenant.
Thomas Craugle
James M. Sandes
Company D.
Leoi Hurst Captain.
James L. W. Boatman
Zachariah Norcott Ist Lieutenant.
James R. Norcott Ist
John P. Gibbs
James L. Hardwich
11
Company E.
John D. Poston Captain.
Francis A. Smith
William Cleary 21 Lieutenant.
Company F.
David J. Dickenson Captain.
Edward L. Hardia Ist Lieutenant.
R. O. F. P.osweil. 1st
John W. Youngblood 2.1
Company G.
Elijah Roberts Wm. Chandler
Captain ..
Wm. C. Webb.
Francis M. Tucker
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J. L. W. Boatman lat Lieutenant. Wm. F. Balright 2d
Isaac J. Shull.
Company H.
Joseph G. Berry Captain.
Risden D. Deford
Calvin Hanna.
1st Lieutenant.
Nicholas Pitts.
WVm. A. Newsour 211
Company I.
Orlando H. Schere:
Captain.
Stanford L. Warren
William J. Campbell 1st Lieutenant. 24
Miles Wool
Company K.
Themas H. Boswell
Captain.
Albert Cook
John W. Barham Ist Lieutenant. James F. MeNair .211 ...
Company L.
John W. Moore.
Captain.
John H. Edwards
Thomas B. Waggoner 1st Lieutenant.
George T. Wau 1.st
James N. Julin 2d
Conpany M.
William C. Hc't
Captain.
Thad. C. Mc Mahon
Hagh L. Neely 1st Lieutenant.
James A. Mangun 2d
CONFEDERATE TROOPS.
Every effort has been made to obtain lists of Confederate organizations from this county. but without success.
It is thought that the various companies and battalions organized in this county for Confederate service would reach something like two regiments.
Alphonso Cross and Dew M. Wisdom each raised and commanded companies of inhaotry ; the former in t'e 154th Tennessee regiment, the latter in the 13th Tennessee.
Col. A N. Wilson commanded a battalion of cavalry from McNairy.
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The MCCANN FAMILY
were early settlers of the county west of Fordy. Joseph McCann, who resided for want gens it Porig. when le Med was a well known business man, and was very popular. He was a wran of very Waited education, Lut gord business qualities, as i was noted for his kindness of heart.
TUDGE JAS. F MCKINNEY
was bran in Fayetteville, Lincoln county. Tenn., on the first day of September, 1822 His father, the late Dr. Chas. Mckinney, was a native of Wayne county, Ky. He studied las und fession at Danville. Ky .. and at the age of twenty years was worked in marriage with Mary A Rupell, and in 1812 with an enterprise clara turist of the old pioneer settlers, he and his young wife emigrated to Fayetteville. where he practised his profession for 40 years, and reared a fully of seven cli. Iren. four sons and three daughters.
Hier, de Hon. I. F. Su Kinner, r reivel his education at the Fagene- ville Male Academy, read law with Col. Fas. Fulton for whom he was now-d) three years and then opglied for and received his license, and in company with Welcher Ir Sn D. M. Kiedy, repu ted in 1846 to Parly, Tena., to engage in the practice of his profession, where he remained until his death, which occartel on the 2ist thy of Mas, 1950.
In the meath of January, 1-48, he was married to J. A. A. Adamus, a daughter of B. B. Adams, Leg, an . I and esteemed citizen of MeNairy county. In avery few plus hvor de entr & the practi ; He was recognized as a lawyer :: markel all'ler, and more than ordinary artainments, and a man of sterling worth. ar. l ttezrity
Todo: Mckinney had some taste for Heratime, hat the study and practice of bis paveseka was hes iebest ambition, which le mie. EnCOR>> Though not an orator he had by latur and study become learned in the law, and was over considered a wise and safe counsell. r. As an attorney in prepa one in cases, he dil t with the view of having they stand the postani critica : We Superior Come with when he enjoyed the reputation of being learn-llawyer an lecurte ous gat eman.
Very soon after the war he was commissioned Judge of the Centre Court of his district. ant afterwards he received the commission of chancellor which responsible position be filled with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of the Bar and parties litigant. At the expiration of his term of offce he agin resume! the practice, and entered with zeal and energy invo all the andnow ller Dasequent to a faithful discharge of professional duties. His practice, which ba : for years L-en lucrative now became so onerous that he was under the necessity of giving up his business, except in his own and adjacent cr untles.
Judge Mckinney, as a jurist, made himself telt all over the State area attorney le possessed the unlimited contid are of all who knew him, but ture especially of the sithtens of his own country, who knew him best and whena most sidig feel in ins death their irreparable lo ...
As remarked of Him by M. H. Meek., E.q., in his address to the Cou.r. As nearly as could be said about a mortal, Judge Mckinney lived, me and, With being in the world for the old years, and Mind without an enemy. He sto : .
1692175
35
the stormy sea of professional life for a quarter of a century, and lail his armor down, with a character for integrity and honesty, as pure and spotless as an up- clou low sky. He was as kini, as spropathetic, as inoffensive and harmless as a tender hearted woman. He was a mean of strong, comprehensive, original and native brain. He was a good judge of law, and when consulled for advice always told the truth. He was a liberal man in his views, and proscribed no man on account of bis belief and convictions on any subject. He was a man cf rare pretentions, but when you needed a friend. vou invariably found one in Jaige McKinnay. He gave more a Irice and did more autnai service in his profession free of charge than any inan of his ability-he was the people's friend. And to honesty and integrity of purpose in all Lis business relations he added the quality of an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent father and a good neighbor."
FRANCIS BEARD.
Francis Brard was born in South Carolina about the year 1795, came to . Giles county, Tenn., in early manhood and married a Miss Margaret Brown. He came to Me Nairy county in the year 152", where Ve raised a family often chilisa. Ecar boys and six girls, as follows :
George. William Allen
married Isabel O'Nait.
Horriatt Onder.
Rebecca Maxwell.
S. J. Dann. Jol.n.
It is to be regretted that we can not give the names of his daughters, nor who they married.
He was a member of the Primative Baptist Church, and commenced preach- ing about the time he came to thequery. He All thatpa ordinary ability, until about the year 1850, when he joined the F. nl.A. Mascus, for which he was excluded from bis church. He still . ring . Ito preach to linge congregations, so long as he lived, and died about the year 1 . lamented by al who knew him. He had served as Justice of the Deve int the county for eighteen years, was Collector of the State and county revenue for two years, superintended the Standard of Weights and Measures for two or three yes:s, and was in every sense of the word a good man.
JAMES WARREN.
The MOOULLER FAMILY.
Alexander McCuller, Sr., and his wife, were natives of friand. He came to this country before the Declaration of Independence i fate net k_ wil lochrel in the Georg a colony, was a soldier of the Revolutionary Wal, rucola tamir o. eight children- five sons and three daughters :
John
..
David
ITALIEN. Box.
Alexander
Isaac.
William
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Daughters-
Peggy married Alexander McCuller (a cousin.)
Polly
Mathew Marshall.
Jennie.
John Woods.
They all came to MeNairy county about the year 1826, located west of Purdy. Their offsprings are numerous, and many of them are yet in the county in the third and fourth generation . Alexander, Jr., is the only one of the old stock now living in the county, and is more than eighty years old. In the main they were famed for good morals and industry. They were all farmers with abundant success and prosperity. Their religious creed was Presbyterians. Their political creed was of the Henry Clay kind ; their opinions once formed were sure and steadfast.
LEWIS B. CARTER
was born in South Carolina in the year 1803, married Lucinda Anderson in 1825, came to MeNairy county in 1328, located 1} miles southwest from Purdy, where they raised a family of six children- four sons and two daughters.
Sons-
William
married Clementine Graham.
John
Laura Janes.
L. B., Jr
Edaline Janes.
Marshall N.
Francis Simpson.
Daughters-
Nancy
R. J. Walker.
Sabiah.
Stanford Sanders, Jr.
Their offsprings are but few.
Their occupation, farming, with reasonable success, always prompt to meet obligations. Politically they were Whigs. L. B., Sr., now in his 79th year, is living five miles south of Purdy, and able to look after some business.
JOHN AND JONATHAN WALSH
were brothers and natives of Wilks county, N. C. They married in that State John's wife was Elizabeth Allen ; Jonathan's wife was Winaford Kirby (date of birth and marriage not known.) They came to Me Vairy in the year 1827, located in the north part of the county when a wilderness. Lands in that day were entered and held by occupancy. They were men of industry and energy, and soon opened good farms and had abundant success in raising their families and educating them the best that could be done at that early day. The old men lived to a ripe old age, died, and were buried in this county.
Their children were generally successful in their vocations, some farmers, some merchants, &c. Many of them are dead, others scattered in different States. The only one now in the county is Mrs. W. D. Jopling.
John's family consisted of seven children-six sons and a daughter, as follows
Sons-
William C. John died in early manhood.
married Harriett Spencer.
Madison " Martha Johnson.
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Thomas married Katharine Kirby. Jefferson never married.
Jesse.
Jennie Ingraham. This family were in religious pesetasion Methodists, and in politica! opinions divided.
Daughter-
Nancy
mirried A. M. Barton.
Jonathan's family consisted of ten children, six sons and four daughters, as follows :
Sons-
Henderson married Evaline Harrison.
William K
Telitha Anderson.
T. W. never married.
John L
Martha Marchison.
J. F.
Elmira Rogers.
E. T.
Virginia Kincaid.
Daughters-
Elvire
Spencer Holbert.
Strah
Conneil Mayo.
Julia ..
-
W. D. Jopling.
Mary
R. G. Raney.
This family.in the main were Presbyterians, and, as the others, in politics. they were divide.1. J. W.
ROBERT GHARTON SIMONTON
moved from Overtou county to Jackson, Tenn, in 1821 or 1825. In the latter year he married Mary R., the effect Longueer of Maine Charles Serier. Alter Lis marriage he moved to Purdy. They hal eight children, six of whom lived to maturity, and of whom three are now living, to-wit, Mrs. Margaret A. Hammond, of Jackson, Tenn. Adam and James Sibonton.
In 1813, Mr. enmonton remove : 45 I-Serra Chy, Mio., where he remained until 1851, when he went to California with his two el dest sons, Robert and Adam. Mr. Simonton diel at Placerville, Call, in 1:31, aged 64 years. His wife died at Jefferson City, in 1852. The ol 1-t ist 1, Mrs. Keziah Farmer, died in California in 1888, Robert was drowned in 1953, Adam and James still live in California.
M. A. H.
DUKE-PRICE-TURNER.
Mrs. Judith N. Duke, with Her son, Fountain P. Duke, an l sons.in-law, Col. M. A. Trice. R. C. Turner, They D. Duke, and Win A. Price, moved from Louis county, Va., to MeNairy county in the fall of 1564, and settled on Rosa Creek, m the western portion of the county. The entire family remaine I to the county up to 1800, Col. Trice being the pratt remove. He ( Trice) was twice elected to the Legislature upon the oil Whig T: ker, ar tia 1550 removed to Hfardeman county. and from thence to Arkansas, where he died, leaving Mrs E. H. Ince his w. low and eight children. R. C. further was elected one of the magistrates of the county shortly after moving to the county, and hell that position up to his death, 1859.
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leaving his wilow, Mrs Laura Turner, and quite a large family of chillren, most of whom still live in the county. Thomas D. Duke was a mechanic, and followed his trade up to date of his death. In 1856 his wife, M.s. Elvira Duke died very shortly after coming to the county, leaving four children-three sons and one daughter-all of whom re dead bet John II. Dike, wbo now resides in Jackson, Tenn. W. A. Price, after remaining in the county as one of its most prosperous farmers up to 1850, reciovel to the State of Arkanawa, where he died, leaving Mrs. Sarah Price and four children -- three sons and one doughter -- all ofwhom are living but the daughter. The Price boys are doing a very large and lucrative business at Mount Alams, on White River. We now come to speak of Fountain P Duke, the only son of Mrs. Judith N. Duke, who, as before mentioned, moved from Virginia with his mother in 1834. He was married in 1:38 to Miss Kitty Price, and embarked in the mercantile business at Camden, or Rose Creak, in McNairy, and at same time kept up his farming interest. He conringel up to 1861 at the above named rlace ant had accumulated quite a nice little fortune . He removed with his own family and his mother to Arkansas in the spring of 1961, and settlel on White River. His mother died in October, 1500, at the advanced age of 73 years, anl Fountain P. Duke diel while on a trip to Louis- ville, Ky., to purchase a stock of merchandise in the fall of 1870. Mrs. Kitty Dake and children are living at the place acculed by theat on White River, at which place they are engaged in ; lanting. T. H. D.
CHAPTER VIL.
History of the Beslut cion Church af Bihal-Natales of the F.min. of Jean
John L. War . Theguys Prather, Sorell, John Rer Ar Somi. D HIV, St. James M Hughes, John Hurt, A. Houston, Sand Combare
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHEL.
Berkel Church, started in McNairy county, Tenn., was organized by Rev. John Gillespie, on the 7th. day of September, 1828.
Is consisted of 11 metubers, as follows : Alexander Mc Callar. G-orge Kidd. Wm B. Wilson,
Jane MeCallar, Ann Kidi, Lydia Wilson, Rosanna Gilliam, Nancy Brown,
Alex M. Brown,
Mary Houdon.
Alexander McCullar, Geo. Kidd, W. B. Wilson, John Gilliam, and A. ME. Brown were electr land ordained ruling elders.
Mr. comesple preached a portion of La rime to the infantahur D. With what legree of success his ministry was attended there is no record, But there were adlitions to the church at various times, and it seemed to do well and promised to prosper for a few years. But a proselyting spirit from another branch of the church broke in open it, and well nich swallowved it up.
After the Rev. Mr. Gillespie ceased his labors among them, the Rev. Joca L. Sloan ministered to them for two or three years. His services were discontinued in 1838. The Clinrsb was then vacant, wich only an occasional supply , cotilthe spring of 1 : 10. At that time Roy H. M. Kerr commenced preac. ing to them regularly.
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