USA > Tennessee > McNairy County > Reminiscences of the early settlement and early settlers of McNairy County, Tennessee > Part 7
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DR. RICHARD W. CRUMP
was an Fiaigent physician of MeNatry county, saia man of extraordinary masatal powers. He xepled many years ago on the Team esse river, at Crump Landing, where he died. His w.dow, who still survive him, is a sister of Mrs, Celia shull Wisdom.
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John if Meeks
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CHAPTER VIX.
Sketch of General John H. Marks, and the Merks Fandy-Captain John Hen- derson -- The Homestegt. La adige ed by General Marks-John V Wp- Move Eleanor Ator3- The Adens Finaly, by T. L. A .- John G Fait and Fondly- The Chanen and Barbeed Banales- History of the Hill Favor. by Loja He HH-Wm HI Bergers; las Tury le Some-The Gos Family-V C. Rugga-Sketch of James Warren, by Mrs Jennie S. Parlais -- Sketches of Doctors Richard and C. C. Crump, bu Mrs. Jenme S. Paris- Elizabeth Wright, a & her Children-The Worthington and Pool Fand's- The Wisdom Fandy-John H. Charness-Sketch of Mrs. Jennie S. Park Altin Deny and Family-Sketch of W. S. Wasdone by Max. Jennie S. P.r. king -- Sketch of the Kogrand and Sawyers Family-Colonel Dou S. Wil "- The Lerance Family-John Bell-Jeremiah Cloud-T. F. Anderson- Mars- paper-Aden Weaver and Family-John S. Jopling and Family-June Brooks and Family- Jaran for.
The wood cut picture of General John H. Meeks will be recognized by all M.Nairy prople, old and young.
Gen. Merks' family was of English origin. The family in this country descended from two brothers, Littleton and Nacy, who settled in South Carolina. Both of them were Baptist preachers, and were regarded as very able, as well as pious and good men. General John H. Meeks is the grandson o. the eldest of these brothers, Littleton Meeks, and the son of the eldest child of his grandfather. His father moved at an carly day to Georgia, and there married the eldest dough- ter of Capt. John Henderson an oficer in the Revolutionary army. The subject of tris sketch was named John Henderson in honor of his grandfather, by whom he was taken fion infancy and brought ap, his mother having died soon after his birth. There were two other brothers, Thomas Harvey and Felix Grundy Meeks, both of whom died in Lincoln county, Tenn., to which county the family had moved in 1811. Gen. Merky' father married a second time, by which marriaze there were several children, among wi oma was Col. Orville S. Meeks, so well- known and highly respected in Me Nairy county. The eller Meeks moved to McNairy county in the fall of 1844, and died in March, 1877, being about ninety years of age at the time of his death. He was a man who had the voicereal conSience and respect of his neighbors and acquaintances, his whole life being one of good example, and strict adherence to principle. He was for fifty years a metaber of the old Baptist Church.
Gen. Meeks was born in Lincoln county, Teon., on the 27th day of Septin- ber, 1814, and, as before stated, was brought up by his grandfather, Cart. John Henderson, who moved to Alabama in February, 1820, from whence he moved to MeNairy county in 1830, settling on Oxfords Creek, where his young grad- son, with the aid of some negroes, clear i ur some land and made a crop of corn. The old Captain remained at his Oxford Creek home until February 20, : - 4), when he died, making John the executor of his will.
In 1836 and soon after the adoption of the Constitution of 1:34, Mr Meeks Was elected major of the Second Battalion of the 108:h Regiment Tennessee Militia, an office in those days of great honor, but no pecuniary profit. Two years subsequently he was elected colonel of the regiment, and was afterwards elected brigadier-general. In 1840 he was appointed Deputy United States Mas. shall tor Mc Nairy county, and had charge of the census taken that year.
In 1843 Col. Meeks was the Democratic candidate for representative in the General Assembly from McNairy county, but was defeated by Mait. A. Trice, the
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Whig candidate, by a strict party vote, the majority of the successful candidate being 14 votes.
In 1845 he was again the candidate of his party for the same position, and was defeated vy his warm personal friend, James Warren, by 50 votes. He was in 1849 for the third time renominated by the Democrats, and elected by 133 votes, and re-elected in 1851 by 116 votes.
In the canvass of 1519 Col. Meeks took ground in favor of the Homestead law, and was probably the first man in the State who ever publicly advocated that just and popular measure. In 1853 the nomination was again tendered him, but he derlined, and John V. Wright was nominated, and defeated by one vote -- that vote being cast by his opponent. The Democrats of the senatorial district, composed of the counties of Hardeman, Hardin and MeNairy, this year nominated Gen. Meeks for the State Senate but he declined the nomination.
Gen. Meeks passed his time quietly at home up to the beginning of the war. Two of his sons entered the Confederate army, and his residence being in the neighborhood of Shiloh Church after the great battle fought there in April, 1862, he was subjected to many annoyances and losses, ind would have lost his life but for the interference of Gen. Grant.
In December, 1869, he again entered public life, this time being elected by an overwhelming majority as delegate from his county to the Constitutional Con- vention. Since then he has devoted himself to home affairs, withdrawing en- tirely from political or public life. Gen. Meeks' wife was Miss Eleanor Atkins whom he trirmed in left by whora he has a large family of children, all of whom are promising and highly respected, and some of whom occupy important places of trust. One of His sons, George E. Meeks, who married Mary McKinney, and died a few years since, was Clerk of the Circuit Court of M: Nairy county, and Marcus H. Meeks is the present Attorney General of the Judicial District, in which MeNairy county is situated, and is a man of marked ability.
The ADAMS FAMILY. BY T. L. A.
Jeremiah Alanis was born in Dinwiddie county, Va., in 1776; moved from there to Bedford county, Va., where he was married to Elizabeth Grigg, who was born in Bedford county October 14. 1776; married in 1799. They remainel in that county. where they had eleven children born to them, eight sons and three daughters, who grew up to be grown except two. One son named Richard die at the age of about 18 ; a daughter named Martha age about 15. Seven sons and two daughters grew up to be grown in Virginia, four of whom were married in that State, to-wit: Three sons, B. B. A., G. G. A., Greif A .; one daughter, Eliza. She married a Mr. Joe Wright; remained in Virginia up to this date, raising a large and respectable family. Her brother, Greif Adams, remained up to his death, and raised quite a large and self-sustaining family. He died about 1378
Burwell B., the oldest son, was born October 8, 1800; remained in Virginia up to November 2, 1826, when he married a Miss Amanda M. F. Harwell, who was born in Dinwiddie county, Va., on April 25. 1807. After marriage they moved immediately to McNairy county Tenn , soon after Purdy, the county site, was established, where he lived. He was clerk in the first store, which was opened by J. T. Burtwell. Soon afterwar is he was made deputy surveyor anist Maj. B. Wright, and they surveyed the lin is of the county, and part of Norta Mississippi they helped acetionize; afterwards became merchant and hotel keeper
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B. B. Adams.
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he then was elected entrytaker, which office he filled eight years; afterwards appointed census taker. He was one of the first founders of Methodism in the county. His house was the home of the church and prodigal wanderer ; & man beloved by all who knew him He lived ir Pordy up to the year 1557, where all his children were born, five sons and three daughters, named T. L. A., Cincinatus C. A., Herbert I. A., John R A. and Marcus M. A .; daughters-Elizabeth V. A., Julia A. A. A , and Amanda F. A , all now living except Elizabeth V., C. C., and M. M A. He moved to Chewalla, Tenn., in the year 1856 ; was depot agent and in the mercantile business for several years ; then moved from there to Corinth Miss., where he died November 26, 1871 being about 71 years old. Next, G. G A., the second son of Jeremiah A , came out. to Purdy, Tenn., in the year 1827 being married in Virginia to Miss Priscilla Combs about two years before he moved. He brought his father and mother-in-law with him, two very intelligent and pious old people, the parents of Tom, Gilbert and Jack Combs, all good citi- zens, who moved out soon afterwards. There were also two daughters who came out, Mr. Farmer Pearson and Mrs. Betsey Stanley, both estimable ladies. Mrs. Stanley still living in MeNairy Mrs. Pearson dead. The old man Combs lived to the age of seventy-six and a half : old lady eighty- eight, then died. G G A. was a man of excellent morale and good business qualities. They lived in and around Purdy un'it all of their children were born-eleven in number; forr died at an early age; seven were raised to womanhood and manhood, five sons and two daughters all who grew up to be men and women of good stand- ing. G. G. A. left Purdy in 1852; moved to Bolivar: in 1888 to Grand Juns- tion, Tenn .. Let luka, Miss All the time in good active busines: He was noted for ins morality. I have heard him say he never swore an oath, ellewed o: smoked tobacco, drank a dram, or loved but one woman. He lived at Iuks, Miss, up to his death, June 6, 1868. He was born November 28, 1:01, in Bed- ford county, Va After Barwell B. A and C. C. A. moved out to Purdy, Tran, their father, Jeremiah, followed them in about the year 1834, bringing with him four sons and one daughter, all of whom were single-J. M. A., Robert A .. J. E. A., and P. P. A. sons ; daughter, Susan, and be settled in about one and a half miles southwest of Purdy on a good farm, which was worked with a fine number of good and faithful negroes. Hr was a great sportsman, and the hills and hollows was made to echo with the sound of his horn and hounds, and his house was the great rendezvous of his many friends who participated with him in l is sports and hospitality. He was a man of great piety and morality. Ilis wife died March 31, 1849 They both lived to about the age of 73 years They had the pleasure of seeing all of their children married. The first after they moved out was J. M. A. to Miss Ann Hamilton They remained in the neighborhood of Purdy until their children became grown which were seven sons and two daughters, all noted for their fine and manly appearance, and their self-sustaining qualifications. He died about the spring of 1879 his widow moving to Humboldt, Tenn., where she now lives with her son.
Susan the daughter of Jerry A., was married to I. P. Young in the year 1856, a man of Sne intellect and business qualifications. He moved from Pardy in about the year 1842 to Farmington, Miss, where he merchandised until the M & C. Railroad was built and Corinth, Miss., was established, moving to that place as one of its first merchants. He and his wife both died there. He lived to the age of 80 years; bis wife about 67. They raised Sve children, three
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daughters and two sons, all of whom were married in Corinth, Miss. They died very devotat Christians. James E. A lived with his father un to his marrags. He was united to a Miss Arilla Dickens, He bad but two children, son and daugh- ter; moved out to Texas in about 1851. His son is aneminent doctor. J. F. A. is living now in Anderson county, Texas Col. Robert A. served the county of McNairy as their county clerk: also a prominent merchant. Was married to Miss Sarah Young, a sister of I. P. Young, about the year 1889; had two chil- dren, son and daughter. He died in 1813. His widow and two children st.il live in Purdy. The daughter, Mary D., was married to Mr. John Harris, a mer- cl.wat, and one of the most prominent citizens of the county. The son, John P. A., was married to Miss Mary Dilahunty. Dr. P. P. Adam, moved from Puriy, Tenn , to Farmington, Miss., in 1840: mala considerable distinction as a prac- titioner ; was married in the neighborhood to a Miss Mary Chambers; they then moved out to Texas with his brother J. E. A. He there represented the people in Congress. He died in lois, being married to his second wife, Miss Laly Servar, near Corinth. Misa, leaving his widow and three sons in Texas, two of them prominent lawyers, the other not growa
I will note, Alamsville, MeNairy county, was named for G. G. Adams, che o: ber best and mnost thriving towns. The drst rat that was ever seen in :le :ounty was in Purdy in the moving of a pole-cabin built by Maj. B. Wrig :, lo: a.el in the nc: thern part of the town, moved for the purpose of putting up a frame building. When the pioneer rat, dispossessed of his home and killed, their was a number of grown persone there that had never seen one before, and cause i as much excitement as if a lion had been slain.
T. L. ADAM3.
JOHN G. RANDOLPH.
John G. Randolph was born in North Carolina 1795; when quite young moved to Wilson county, Tenn ; his mother died when he was quite a child ; his father enlisted in the war of 1812 with bi- two sons, Greef and Paton ; the form :- was captured and carried to Quebec by the British ; when this intelligence reached him he immediately went to war, but was too young to carry his musars in marching or drilling ; served through the war; then served five years longe: as a regular .; his father died and was buried during the war at Pensacole; he return-d to his horse in Wilson county ; remained there a few years; thes was married near Jackson, Tenn., to Miss N. Gayle Wynne; they remained in Whos county till 1833, when he went to MeViry count; : angagal in the agricultural pursuits; was a man of great energy and perseverance, consequently accumulated vast amounts of lands, and was an extensive slave owner ; his house was the preacher's home: whenever called on for contribution to export muy chant educational enterprise he responded freely and liveralle : gave $100 yearly > foreign missions; gave 500 at one time to the missionary cause ; was a miemrer of the Methodist Church ; politically was a Damn erst; had ten emilir- a -six girls and four boys; all lived to be grown except one, who died at 7 years Sarah marriel Win Murchison ; Lizzie, Dr. J. Mckinney ; John, Ruth Baskw ..! Sam died a prisoner in the Inte war ar Camp Douglas; Marha, T. L. Al ... ; Mary died at the age of 16; Capt. G. W., Lula Moore, who died; then be mis-
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Uno. G. Randolph
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ried Lela Coleman. Polk, Betti- Duke (daughter of Fountain P. Duke.) Lavinia died at 7 years : Alle, Dr. Larwill. His wife died in 137% at the age of 73. was & lady of remarkable pietr. Soon after her death he left Montezuma, his old home to spend the remainder of his days with his daughter. Mrs. T. L. Adams, in Corinth, Miss., where he lived only a few months; returned to his old home on business, and while there died. MATT. ADAMS.
CHANEY-BURTWELL.
Jacob Chaney and wife were both born in New London, Conn., about Novem - ber, 1783, being about the same age.
The Burtwell family, of which Mrs. Chaney w is a member, moved from New London to Ohio. The family consisted of Capt. Thomas Burtwell and bis wife Col. John T. Burtwell, James, George and Mary. The elder Bartwell died in Ohio. Jacob Chaney and Mary Burtwell were married in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1819. They removed from there to Purdy at an early date Col. John T. Burt- well commence l the business of a merchant in Purdy, and soon afterwards mar ried M:s: Cornelia B-Jford, of Florence, Ala. He subsequently moved to Florence, and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Chaney had four children-Charles, the eldest who died without marrying. Samuel who married Miss Mary Furdy, of Henderson, county, daughter of Culonel John Purdy ; Rebecca, who married Robert Purdy. brother of Samu-l's wife, and Elizabeth, who first married Frank Bell, who died a few years after their marriage, and che subsequently married Mr. Wuitesoles.
Dietor Samuel Chaney died at Guntown, Miss., in 1875, leaving two toye, who now live in Text. Mes. Whitesides has a daughter by her first marriage.
Mrs. Purdy ( Rebecca) resides at Henderson Station, Tenn, and has five sons and two daughters.
THE HISTORY OF THE HILL'S AND THEIR EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN McNAIRY.
There are many things to admire and imitate in the character of the Hill people. In the history of the whole gener ation, not one ever gazel through a prison bar or brought disgrace in any manner upon the name. They are generally happy and contented; with a determination to win. Their education. gen-rally. is upon an average, good though it has been much neglected. Their chief occupa- tion is farming and act many have ever left it to follow any other. Their hone 1; socciderei their place of retreat ; an i preferring the warmth of their firesides to she pl-asures of the ont.bl- world, they are never happier than when surroun led by tl .. .. whom they love. being of English and Irish descent, they are all well developed men and women. They are notel for their longevity. Their average duration of life is 65 years Many hive I:ved far beyondit-not many beneath it.
Tony have been citizens of MeNatry ever since the first settlements they having moved to this county in the year 1>2s. They came from Jefferson county, East Tennessee, and settled three only north of Purdy, on Cypress Creek Them W .Naley presentei a wild anl desolate appearance Wolves hovled in the wilderness, panthers sere.uned in the jungle ; large herda of deer grazed undis- farb .I on the sanly hits: while smaller game, such as squirrels and rabbits, played ' bast ' along the aussy stream .. There was nothing of a civilized nature to be seen Pourly, tak, only contained a few bute, and a rude log court bol 23.
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There were no churches, no mills, and in fact, nothing that denoted an upward .
tendency ; but, however, they found such land as best suited them, and, as wad the custom then, they were contented, notwithstanding the deficiencies to wear patched clothes, and to hope for a better future.
The first mill that was erected in the settlement was built by Anthony Street on Cypress, on what is now known as the McCallum place. The first church and school house was built near Cypress, at what is now known as Plunk's mill3, 15 1830. The first school was taught by Daniel Griffin. It was composed of students from all the surrounding setdementa within ten miles. Then it was not considered a hardship to go ten miles to school ; but now it is rather a difficulty for the boyz to go one-fourth of a mile. Some of the leading men in McNairy to-day were educated at this school. In the same year, and at the same place, a church was organized under the management of the Primitive Baptists, Franklin Beard act- ing as pastor. . This settlement, known to lay as the Hill settlement, was among the largest then in the county. It was composed of old man Daniel Hill, S ... . and his eight sons and families, together with his sons in-law, Isaich Codmian Thomas Gritan, and their families ; and old Ben Walker, William Beatty, Samuel Houston, the Wilson and Rankin families
The old generation has passed away, leaving their work in the hands of their children, which number seventy-five, now living in McNairy. Great changes have taken place since then. Instead of carrying our cotton to Memphis, as was the custom then, we find a market at home. The new age has brought many revolutions. The old one was buried in the " sweer long ago." The future ofess ber fields for improvement. LAFAYETTE HILL.
WM. H. BEAVERS.
In 1835 Wm. H. Beavers removed froma Giles county, Tenn., all settled a: what was known as the Oxford place, seven miles south of Purdy.
He was elected a representative to the General Assembly in 1837, ani during his term an act was passed chartering a turnpike road from Purdy to Chambers. leading evath a distance of fifteen miles. The act provided that the stock at the rate of fifteen thousand dollars per miles should be taken half by a stock com- pany and the other half by the State
On adjournment of the General Assembly Beivers returned home, and or- ganized a company among his friends, who subscribed for half the stock, as ! elected directors, officers, &c.
The proper certificate was made out, signed and sent to the Governor, and he appointed an equal number of directors. They met and borrowed the money, paid up subscriptions for stock and put the whole road under contract to Beavers They drew the State's half of the subscription out of the treasury, and repaid the men from whom they hal borrowed. On a further certificate to the Governor that the individual stock had been pail up, State bonds to the amount of seventy five hundred dollars were issued to Beavers, which he invested in Nashville :s 3 stock of goods, and brought them to Purly and commenced business on a large and very liberal scale. The turn pike was never built, and Brivers, after dis- posing of bis goodls, moved to Texas.
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AlRiggs
Respectfully
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The GOOCH FAMILY.
Thomas Gooch married Annie Gillentine in North Carolina. Came to Me. Hairy county in 1827. Had four sons, viz : J. G. Gooch, Jessie Gooch, Nicholas Gooch and William Gooch, and two daughters, Margaret Gooch and Mary Gooch.
John G. Gooch married Lavina Brumlow in 1830, by whom he had nine chil- dren, three girls and six boys. In 1844 his wife died. He was married again in May, 1815, to Nancy A. Rains, by whom he bad thirteen children, five boys and eight girls-in all eleven sons and eleven daughters. He was elected a justice of the peace in MeNairy county in 1836, and has held that position ever since, and baa been Chairman of the County Court a great number of years
Jessie Gooch married Loucinda Rains in 1836, by whom he had six sons and six daughters.
Niebo las Goo married Marry Ann Rains in 1836, by whom he bad thres sons and three daughters.
William Gocch married Sarah MeNalt, by whom he had four sons and four daughters.
Margaret Gooch married Ezekiel Dunawaytin 1828, by whom she had two son and one daughter.
Miry Gooch married Wiley B. Terry, by whom she had one son and five daugh ters.
The occupation of the Gooch family in the main was farming. In religious principles they were old Primitive Baptists. Politically they were old Lias Henry Clay Whigs.
The children and grand-children of the old stock, which ruo up into the hundreds, are mostly citizens of Mc Nairy county at present, and have ever been peaceable law abiding citizens, and have contributed as much to the development of the resources of the county as any family in the county.
NELSON CARRINGTON RIGGS.
Nelson Carrington Riggs was born in Orange county, North Carolina, Decem. ber 17, 1 10. His father, John Rings, married a Miss Carrington. John Piggs was a farmer and shoemaker. He was a man at that time like most North Carolin. ians who came to this county-of small means. Nelson C. was the oldest child His parents moved to Henderson county, Tenn , when he was 10 years old. He live ! with his parents, together with six brothers and sisters, in Henderson county cotil he was in bis majority, when he moved to MeNairy county, and engaged. On October 7, 1333, he married a Miss Blakely, and. lived with her happily in their humble home for several years, when she died. There was born unto them Marone L. Riggs, who reached manhood, and Ihiring the war was a Confederate sollier in the 154th Tennessee Regiment ; was kille l in line at Franklin, Tenn. He was a; that time the only grown son of Nelson C., and was an exceedingly popular and brilliant moun. His loss was keeoly felt by his father. After the death of bis first wife he married Emily Blackshire on March 21. 1x14, with whom he lived and had born to them three cluldren, the only one now surviving being P. B Riggs, a young man now married and living in Pardy. His second wife felic 1853, and he married Miss Angie MeLaughhin, with whom he lived in Puriy so - til her death, in 1:79. In February, 1978, he again married, Miss Maggie L. Pharr, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred very suddenly on the
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morning of May 22, 1980. At the age of 30 he joinel the Methodist Episcopal Church (South.) He was a devoted Christian and Sunday-se oul worker. Was superintendent of the Purdy Sunday school at the time of his death. He be- leved in heartfelt religion, and was prominent as a public worker in all revivals. He bell the offte of Sheriff for many years in the county. Was Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court after the war. He was an old Lin+ Whig, with strong feelings in his political belief. During the war he was an inactive Unionist and after the war an independent voter. He had, by a peculiar liligence to the ques- tion of finance, accumulated quite a respectable fortune, and was actively en- gaged in making money at the time of his death. H+ had many warm friends drawn to hun by his force of character, his strict sense of honor and dary and many other noble qualities possessed by him in an eminent degree. Nelson C. Riggs was truly a self-made man, for he had few advantiges in early life but his example shows what a man can mike of himself, when he determines to make the best of the advantages God has given him. He was a man of fine intellect. and rare judgment. He never dil anything hastily or from impulse, but weighed every matter with careful consideration, azt seldom failed to meet with success. He was a kint ani son Merate hustin and father, ani was never happier than when in the sacred precincts of his home. His loss is greatly felt by many in. the county, for he was a staunch frien 1, and a friend in need to many. He les in the Pardy cemetery, where a white shaft marks his last resting place, and flowers strewn by loving hands bedeck the new made grave. His memory will remain long in the heart of many of the people of M Mary county.
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