McNairy County Looking Back 2 (part 1 of 3)

Page 1 of 90

LOOKING BACK, II
IN MCNAIRY COUNTY, TENNESSEE

PROBABLY EARLY 1900
MAY BE IN THE ANDERSON FAMILY IN SELMER

COMPILED BY NANCY WARDLOW KENNEDY
JULY2004

1

Page 2 of 90

LOOKING BACK, II
IN MCNAIRY COUNTY, TENNESSEE

We are assembled here today,
The tribute of our love to pay
To those who are remembered last;
The uncrowned heroes of the past,
Whose deed will shine with brighter glow,
While generations come and go.

From McNairy Pioneers by Jennie S Perkins 1904

COMPILED BY NANCY WARDLOW KENNEDY

Information for LOOKING BACK is obtained from various sources and not always verified. All research, court cases and transcribing by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy, unless otherwise noted. Acknowledgment is given, when known, to the source or author. I am sorry for any errors - they are not intentional.

Looking Back is a random collection of McNairy County History. This is not an English essay so please expect misspelled words, typo’s and other errors. An index was made to help but it also may contain errors and omissions.

March 1, 2015: When I was diagnosed with a meningioma in December, I decided to put all my work on the McNairy County website, in hopes it would help someone else. Some of my work, such as this one, has not been proofed, so please overlook any errors. It is not indexed. Rather, it was indexed, but different programs and printers changed the page layout and the original index is not correct. Since time was my biggest obstacle, I did not go back and index. Please use your ‘Find’ key to search this document. Some of my work will overlap and be included in more than one document, but I thought it better to share than to be precise. My work as been important to me and important for it to be preserved. I love McNairy County History and I love those who love it with me.

2

Page 3 of 90

Table of Contents

Names in Genealogy 4
Reminiscences of Old Purdy 4
Bill Simpson’s Legal Experience 6
Homesick for Selmer in 1930 7
Buelah King vs A J King, petition for divorce 1884 9
Petition to Judge, from (ca 75) citizens of Adamsville 1938 10
A N Kirkman Settlement 1915 11
Ramer Girls Basketball Team 1927 11
McNairy County Sheriffs 12
Doctors in McNairy Count in 1850 and 1880 13
Letter from Bill Dugan, first airplane seen in Selmer 1924 14
J H Ferguson vs George Taylor, petition for road, 1907 14
Letter for a Civil War pension, T J Walker 14
William Ferguson vs L C Roten 15
Coke, Austin and allied families 16
Mrs. Ann Wesson, oldest citizen dead 1920 17
Saunders 18
Names of people living in and around Purdy 1859 19
Jacob Wolfe 23
Justices and Constables Elected 1906 23
Stantonville History 24
A. T. Springer 27
J R Davis Daybook, Iuka, Tishomingo Co, Miss. 1857- to ca 1865 27
Richard Rushing Bible Records 28
Thomas William Price Bible Records 28
State of Revenue Oct 1888 - Dec 1888 29
History Article by J C Taylor - Leapwood area - Wild Goose 32
Hill Family Bible Records 35
Smith and Wyatt Bible Records 35
William Hamm Bible Records 36
Huggins and Hamm Bible Records 38
Caroline Bowers Price Reynolds Hardin 40
Isham Forsythe 42
Frank & Jesse James 47
The Bridge 47
Aaron Springer 48
Henry Clay Farris 1850-1899 49
The Courtship 50
Saline Farris Chambers Caffey 51
James Haynes of Chewalla, Tn, pension appl and other articles 53

3

Page 4 of 90

Dr. Harris T. B. Speer 58
Hanceford Emmons 61
W C Moore vs Nancy Lockman 62
John M Harris vs E H Ferguson 63
W F Mozier vs Jasper N Sipes 64
Lee R Lockman vs Margaret Roberson 65
John G Gooch vs Jesse Gooch 66
Estate of William C Kindel, those that owed him in 1877 ca 67
McNairy County School June 1921 and enrollment 69
Henry the Slave 69
History of Ramer Baptist Church 73
J W Sutton 75
Letter from Herman Price to Thomas Price 1930 76
Board of Education 1921 77
Voting Precinct 1902 77
Selmer Town Election 1922 78
From 2nd District 78
Center Hill School, Walking Down Memory Lane 79
Margaret Moore 81
Folks Living in Bethel Springs in 1880 82
Old Huggins Cemetery 83
Peter Moore Graves 84
Two misc letters 84
Will of Reuben Atkins 1879 85
Interview with Robert Dickerson 87
Black Teachers in 1906 88

4

Page 5 of 90

tidd bitts ..............by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

NAMES IN GENEALOGY

When I first started genealogy, names bogged my mind. Every Wardlow family from here to the beginning of time had a John in it. James Wardlow had three sons and every one of them had a son named John, usually about the same age. It was devastating to try to figure out which one was mine. This naming pattern was used by our early European immigrants and it went something like this:

1st son after the father's father 1st daughter after the mother's mother
2nd son after the mother's father 2nd daughter after the father's mother
3rd son after the father 3rd daughter after the mother
4th son after father's eldest brother 4th daughter - mother's eldest sister
5th son after mother's eldest brother 5th daughter - father's eldest sister

This could go on forever. There were other brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents. It was very rare to name a child other than ancestral names. Sometimes the mother's maiden name was the first name of child, especially Quaker names. I found a Thompson had married a Thompson and a child was named Thompson Thompson. One of my ancestors was named Martin Martin. Many times the second name was the mother's maiden name. My Mary Pleasants Bolding began having children about 1791 and all had the middle name of Pleasants. The Quakers liked to use desirable character traits such as Charity, Patience, Prudence and Temperance. In the 1800's we notice a movement to name children, especially girls, after states. Tennessee was a very poplar name during this time. Down through the years this tradition was lost. How I wish that I had used family names, at least for my children's middle name. Well, I did have a cat name after my grandmother. We had four little kittens we named Any, Minny, Minny and Mo. We gave them all away but Minny, who soon came to be known as Minnie Mae Donia. It was a crude awakening when about six months later we found she was a boy.

REMINISCENCES OF OLD PURDY If Bill Sweat and Lawson Lockman could wake up and see the old Purdy bone-yard today, being desecrated by raising corn and cotton on it, they would be amazed and astonished to see the destiny of this once famous horse swapping ground. Immense crowds used to come from all over the county and adjoining counties, to this noted bone-yard, which was just south of the public square. Back in the days when saloons were in Purdy, the crowd would become quite hilarious along towards night and break up with a few fist fights and sometimes a right serious cutting scrape. Among the first beginning of the temperance movement in Tenn, was an organization called the Murphys. I remember they held Murphy meetings in the old Presbyterian Church at

5

Page 6 of 90

Purdy. Each member would pledge himself to abstain from all intoxicating liquors and wear a blue ribbon. Later the four mile law was enacted, 1887, I think, and no whiskey could be sold within four miles of a school or church. The method used to put saloons out was to surrender the charter of the town. I remember my father and J.R. Adams, John M. Harris and others were instrumental in putting inputting saloons out of Purdy. There still remained two places in the county that were not within 4 miles of a church of school house, Hendrix's saloon, 5 miles north of Purdy and John Hickey Swain's saloon, in the northeast part of the county. These places were for a time the Mecca for all the drunkards in McNairy county and the scenes of many shootings and cutting scrapes and murders. The first newspaper I remember being published in Purdy was the McNairy County Sun, published by Dr. Daniel Barry, in the old Kin Dodd house, north of the bone-yard. It was a three column folio, a very small sheet. I think this was published in the year 1877. It was said the office had but one lower case "J." A hobo printer went to a nearby saloon to get a drink and left it on the counter. A copy of this paper remained in the John Ingram Bivouac rooms in the Jackson Free Library for several years, but has now disappeared. This paper was printed on an army press. The following year Col J. W. Purviance established the McNairy County Independent, (1878) which was printed on a Washington hand press. Later this paper was leased by the late Prof. M. R. Abernathy. During his incumbency it went through a fire. The type was dumped into nail kegs and boxes, and Will and Terry Abernathy, Frank Barry, Sterling Barry and myself set up this "pi" and received as compensation, fifty cents per day. Dr. Barry about this time established the Democrat, a three column eight page paper, which was published in the old Dr. Duke office, on the north side of public square. Prof. Abernathy later published the Symposium, the last paper published in Purdy. Hobo printers were more plentiful in those days before the linotype machine made its advent, than they are now. One name, John Allen, took up his abode in Purdy and remained several years and kept up his Saturday night drunks as long as he remained. The late I.W. Nash was a piratical printer and published a paper in Purdy, I think prior to any of the above mentioned publications. Among the old-time school teachers of Purdy, one old lady teacher, Mrs. Dora Miller, will remain in my memory as one who could learn you the multiplication table. You had to learn it. There was no way out of it. She had the whole school to recite it the first thing every day in concert until it was drilled into us. The blue back speller was used as a text book in those days. She let the one who stood head, wear a blue ribbon. I had the honor of wearing this blue ribbon a long time. I thought I had it for keeps. But I had another think coming. Dora McCann, who after- wards married the late Quinn Ingram, stood second. "Tennis" was given out. I substituted an e for the i and lost my blue ribbon for the remainder of the term. Among the old time candidates in McNairy County, the most out-standing was the late W.D. Jopling, known as "Red Fox." It was said he knew every voter in the county personally and was sheriff of the county many years. I remember one race the old "Red Fox" was about to get beat. He had about given up the battle. Nearly all the returns were in. Lewis Jopling, the faithful old darky, had not given up. He encouraged "Red Fox" by saying "Mass Bill, don't give up yet, there is one more 'prestinct' to hear from." It turned out "Red Fox" was elected by a small majority. My father and I made a five gallon keg of cider about three days before. "Red Fox" 6

Page 7 of 90

ordered it brought down town. It was set up on the south courthouse steps and the crowd drank to their heart's content. W. E. McBee, Jackson, Tenn. (Taken from an old Independent Appeal)

Bill Simpson’s Legal Experience
INTERESTING HISTORY - OF MCNAIRY COUNTY
A story of early days, Snake, now McNairy County,
Taken from the Bolivar Bulletin Jan 19th, 1867:

Many years ago the legislature of Tennessee passed an act to organize the county of McNairy: alias Snake. At that time the county embraced in the limits of Snake was occupied by a steady sea of backwoods-men, totally unaccustomed with courts, jails, etc. The county assembled at the appointed site for the purpose of cutting logs, making boards, etc to build a courthouse and jail. The only theme of conversation, when the men were assembled was the court, etc. None of them had ever seen a court in session, as yet developed. Each one would give what his idea was of a court, etc. None, however, were entirely satisfactory until Bill Simpson was called on to give his idea, he said he knew all about court - he had a lawsuit in North Carolina. One of his neighbor's hogs kept coming when he fed his - until he got fat. (Note: There was no fence laws in those days - most people just let them animals roam.) One morning he got so mad he shot the hog. He thought it wouldn't do to throw it away so he cleaned and salted it. Shortly afterwards his neighbor and a man came to his house, examined the smoke house, took him to town and put him in a little office. About three months after that the man took him up to a large room. A large man sat upon a high desk. About a dozen fine dressed men sat in a place that was paled around. The man put him in a pen just behind them. He then called twelve men, they took seats in a box in front of the fine dressed man. The man who was writing gave the twelve men a book and something about Bill Simpson and State. Then one of the fine men read something about Bill Simpson and the hog, and he and another one of the fine dressed men had the biggest quarrel you ever heard. “I thought they would fight every minute, but they didn't.” It was Bill Simpson and the hog. The hog and Bill Simpson and some times Mr. Simpson, but seldom. After they quit quarreling, the big man talked awhile to the twelve men and they went out and stayed a short time, came back and said something to the man at the desk. Simpson said, "The man on the bench said something to the man who put me in the office and he took me out and tied me to a persimmon tree and commenced fighting me with a cowhide and it made me so d--- mad that I shook all the persimmons off the tree.”) Copied from the Independent Appeal March 3, 1944 issue)

7

Page 8 of 90

HOMESICK FOR SELMER
IN 1930
BY BERNICE BROOKS GOOCH

When I was about nine years old we had to go to Arizona to live, due to my brother's health. It was a long hard trip, by train, for my Mother and three small children. My sister was three years old and my brother was six. At first it was exiting and quite different, seeing new places and meeting new people, but soon I became tired and very homesick. I dreamed night and day of Selmer and the people that lived there. Every night, for two long years, I would lie in bed and think about my Daddy, family and friends I had left behind in Selmer. I would start at one end of the street and name all the houses and who lived in them. In my mind I could see them as vividly and clear as if I had just left them yesterday. Beginning at the lower end of Pharr Ave, up the right side was the John Wright Gooch house where Aunt Fannie Gooch lived and tried to keep all the kids from skating in front of their house. Sometimes she would throw pitchers of water on us and when I dreamed of home, she was always the first one in my dream and I wanted to go see her first. Next to Aunt Fannie's house, was the Joe Alexander house and the next house I can't remember who lived there. The next house was the Stanford Gooch house, then Gray, on to Hester, Hamilton and Province. I can't remember the next house, then a Hamilton boy, Forrest Hendrix, then Earl and John Hendrix who owned the Hendrix Soda Fountain on Main Street. The next house across 5th Street was the Professor Cox house, then Oma Moore on to Clara Robinson. There was a few vacant lots before you got to Henry Carmen's house. Coming back down Pharr on the other side was Whitehurst, Jopling, Green, Parker Woods, John Swaim, Georgia Anderson and McCorkle. The next house was the Brooks house, which was always foremost in my dreams. My house. It was where we left Daddy. I longed to see his face, play in the front yard and sleep in my own bed. Next door to us was the John Warren house. On the corner of Pharr & Third was Mama Jo and Dave Robinson's boarding house. She had a row of tourist cabins. I would spend the night sometimes with Nola Kay Robinson and Mama Jo would let us sleep in one of the cabins. The house across from the boarding house belonged to Bill Browder, who owned Browder's Drug Store. In between Browder's house and the next street was where the old supplies for R.B. Gooch Funeral Home were stored. On the corner was the Estes house and then the Basinger house faced the railroad. Starting at the railroad and coming up Court Avenue or Main Street as it was called at that time, was the business section of town. First was the depot, next was Selmer Service Station, City Cafe, Pat Baker's store, George and Martha McCullar Millinery, I.H. Brooks General Mdse(my father's store). Down Mdse, Jopling and Whittington, Anderson's cafe, Flake Humphery's grocery, Beulah Lock Millinery, Tedford Cafe, the old First National Bank, Hodges

8

Page 9 of 90

General Mdse, the Ten Cent Store and Weatherford's Hardware. That was on the left side of Main Street. Now we will start on the other side going back toward the railroad. Of course, the Courthouse was in the middle of the street. The first building was the old Movie Theatre owned by Irma and J. House Moore. They showed the Silent Pictures and Mrs. Irma played the piano during the 'picture show.' We read the script from the screen. I always wondered if Mrs. Irma could play the piano that long, until I realized it was a self player. Pat's Cafe now occupies that lot. I believe the next building was J.M. Smith Mdse, Robinson Mdse and the Selmer Bank and Trust. Across the alley was the John Gooch General Mdse, then the City Drug store and Soda Fountain, owned by Ralph Huggins and Earl Hendrix. Now we come to the Matthew Bigger General Mdse and Browder Brother's Drug Store. On the corner of Third and Main was a Meat Market, Hamilton's Cleaners and Barber Shop was next. Next was the Ford garage, which may have been Bolton Ford at that time. Then we had the Gooch Hotel. I can still see Mrs. Lizzie Ammons sitting out front on that brick walk in her rocking chair. On beyond the courthouse, on Main Street, were several homes on each side of the street. Some I recall were Shy Browder, the Abernathy house where Mary Bess still lives today. On the corner of Fifth and Main was the Presbyterian Church which is now the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Then Edgar Prather's house, Houston, Abernathy and the Dan Gooch house. The corner of Sixth and Court was the Methodist church. Next was the Slater Robinson house, the Baptist Church. The Gibson family lived in the house on the other side of the church. Then the black church called Roach's Chapel. Next was the Andrew Gooch home. Coming back down Main Street, I can't remember what was on the corner of 8th and Main. What I do remember is the Hamilton house, then Arthur Olive and my first grade teacher Mrs. Annie Rea. Across 7th Street was Orphis Abernathy, Dr Wallace, Maude Henneberry, Charlie Dunaway, J. M. Smith, Grady and Cora Abernathy and Jim Warren. Across 5th Street was Fred and Lily Emmons, Minnie and Arlie Prather and the Barksdales. Cypress Avenue, on the west side of Main Street, is not as clear to me since I lived on the other side "of town" and did not visit on those streets as often. As I remember from the railroad, coming up on the right side was Chambers Cotton Gin, M. E. Smith home, Old Dr Smith home, then Moore, Brown and Scott. Across 4th Street was the old Bell house and on 6th Street was the Baker house. The only other homes on that side of the street was Pat Baker and Whitaker. Coming down Cypress from 7th, toward the railroad, was the Gillespie home and on the corner of 6th was the house where Bill Browder later lived. Next was Floyd, then W. W. Thompson and Ralph and Lily Huggins, Bulah Locke, Millard Lee, and Alexander. W. K. Abernathy and Mrs. Lutie lived in a house that had been moved from Purdy about 1891, where Shackelford Funeral Home is now located. Then Louis Adams, Betty Smith and her sister Zulu Locke. Next the Oil Company. On some of the side streets, I can recall on 5th street the Troy Tedford place, Troy Brooks and Buford Hendrix, Roy Estes, Samuel Henry Perkins. On the corner of 8th and Pharr extended was C. L. Haynes and Wilkerson. The Christian Church was on the corner of Third and Warren. P.H. Thrasher gave the land for the Christian Church in Selmer as he did for the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. The school that served all of Selmer was on Fifth Street on the hill, where it remained until the newer schools were built about 1960's. 9

Page 10 of 90

The trading yard, where the men gathered to trade horses, livestock and other items was located to the west of Main Street near the railroad. On Houston Ave was a little cafe and Carmen's Blacksmith shop. South of the railroad was considered 'country.' A service station and several houses were beginning to line Poplar Ave Some houses have been torn down and replaced with new ones and vacant lots now have beautiful houses on them. I have lived in Selmer most of my life, but it has never looked as good as it did the day in May 1930, Daddy pulled into the driveway in our 1930 Chevrolet car. I stepped out of the car and looked up and down Pharr Avenue- I had come home!

******************************************************************
MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN CHANCERY COURT
BUELAH KING VS A J KING
PETITION FOR DIVORCE 1884, COURT DOCKET 600
DIVORCE GRANTED OCTOBER 18, 1884

Beulah King and A J King married Feb 9, 1882 and lived together until about Dec 20, 1882 and he abandoned her and her child only a few weeks old that died before she applied for divorce which was filed Sept 20, 1884. H C Carter and J C Millsaps testified in her defense, stating that he left and she and the baby went home to her mother. Mr. Carter stated “he plays the fiddle, hunts squirrels and goes to see other women is about all that I ever see or hear of him doing.” The court case plainly says A J King, but the Marriage Records documents by R Harold Cox say R L King and B B Millsaps married Feb 9, 1882, H Derryberry bondman and John W Walker, JP. Recorded book I pg 62.

McNairy County about 1870.... Bill Jopling was sheriff, Carroll Moore jailer. Merchants in Purdy: Alfred Moore, Jack Duke, Bell & Wisdom, Adam Hall, Stribling Bros, and Nelson Riggs. Dr Kendal, Dr Harris and Dr Barry were doctors. Cy Jeanes, Jack Ray, Dickey Browder, Sam Brooks, Dunkin Baker, Jake Wagoner, Dave Redding and Bogan Ray were farmers of the Oxford Creek area.

10

Page 11 of 90

To the Honorable Judge, R.B. Baptist Judge of the 16th Judicial Court Jackson, Tennessee We the undersigned business and professional men of the town of Adamsville, beg of the Honorable Judge, to remit the fine of (name withheld)---- of Adamsville, Tenn. --- was indicted by the grand jury in the May court of 1938 and was fined by your Honor the sum of $100.00 and cost. Mr. --- has paid the cost in this case and we beg of your Honor, to dismiss the fine in this case for the reasons, that this is the first offense of Mr. ---, of violating the Liquor Law, that he has three children, a wife and an afflicted brother whom is past forty years to support, he also with his brother has the upkeep of a widowed mother who is past 80 years of age, and if his Honor will dismiss the fine in this case it will be greatly appreciated by the following:

P.W.WILLES ? FARMER

11

Page 12 of 90

EARLY REMEDIES The word newspaper is not derived from the
Peach tree tea for the itch word news as most of us would like to think,
Cherry bark cough syrup for colds but it is taken from the four corner of the
Swamp root tea for kidney trouble world:.
Hot chicken blood for shingles North
Ear wax for fever blister East
Bessie Bug blood for ear ache
West
Baking soda for poison oak
Snuff for wasp sting South
Blackberry juice for upset stomach
Whiskey & peppermint candy for colds MEMORIES
Coal oil- sticking a nail in your foot God gave us our memories so that we might
have roses in December. (Barrie)

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN COUNTY COURT
A. N. KIRKMAN SETTLEMENTS 1915, DOCKET 491

A N Kirkman died in testate in McNairy County Nov 22, 1915 and left an estate of approximately $1,500.00. Albert Gillespie appointed administrator and J W Purviance, J L Hendrix and B L Browder signed his bond. Estate listed: cash in First National Bank, Selmer, Tenn 95.70. Notes on W E Kirkman $500.00, Zenia Sanders $17.50, J. T Robinson balance $460.00, L Y Woods $11.00, S E Woods balance $103.17, John Vires balance $68.20, J S Weeks $33.00, W R Weeks $11.25, Wm Lea balance $100.00, F M Kirkman $20.00. Total $1,419.82 After interest and notes collected and expenses paid the following heirs were paid: Mrs. Callie Maxedon, Mrs. Florence Smith, W E Kirkman, F M Kirkman, J A Kirkman each received 1/6 share of $270.56. Ira Jones, Marvin Lee Jones, Mattie McCullar, Pearlie Hines received their mother, Nanie Kirkman’s share of 67.61 each.

RAH RAH RAH FOR RAMER GIRLS The prospect for a splendid girls basketball team at Ramer seems to be very encouraging. The team has ordered new bloomers and are hoping to look their best at the first game. Although some of last year’s best players have left us, the team is doing excellent work. We are very proud of our sky-scraping center and our one hundred forty pound guard. The work of the second team is greatly appreciated - several may be interchanged with first team. New yells and songs have been learned by the school. Rose Raper is captain, Sadie Kirk assistant and Sadie Hamm business manager. The line- up is as follows: Forwards: Rachel McCullar, Opal Smith, Hazel Stanfield. Centers: Beatrice Wardlow, Sadie Kirk. Guards: Adelaid Fulton, Rose Raper. Subs: Irene Teague, Sadie Hamm - Coach: Miss Lorena Martin We are hoping to have the same co-operation of school and community that we have had in the past. (Source: PURPLE & GOLD, Ramer School newspaper, Oct 1927.)

12

Page 13 of 90

McNairy County Sheriffs
Henry S. Wilson 1824-28
Laney B. Moore 1828-32
Wiley B. Terry 1832-36
James Boyd 1836-38
James Warren 1838-44
N. C. Riggs 1844-50
Andrew McKee 1850-56
W. D. Jopling 1856-62
War - no offices 1862-65
Samuel Lewis 1865-68
killed in a riot, James H. Mitchell finished his term
James L. W. Boatman 1868-70
W. D. Jopling 1870-76
J. Randolph Stovall 1876-82
W. D. Jopling 1882-86
W. M. Brown 1886-90
W. J. Olive 1890-92
W. M. Brown 1892-96
W. D. Jopling 1896-98
R. M. Carroll 1898-1904
J. C. Leonard 1904-08
J. H. Gray 1912-18
J. R. Dillon 1918-24
Jim Dunaway 1924-28
J. B. Graham 1928-34
T. Newt Wright 1934-40
Hugh Kirkpatrick 1940-44
T. Newt Wright (resigned) 1944-45
Joe Freeman 1945-48
Hugh Kirkpatrick 1948-54
Billy Joe Kerby 1954-56
Clifford Coleman 1956-62
James Dickey (died in office) 1963-64
Ward Moore finished term
Buford Pusser 1964-70
Clifford Coleman 1970-74
James O. Gray 1974-82
Robert K. Lee 1982-94
Paul Ervin 1994-2002
Tommy Riley 2002 -2006
Rickey Roten 2006-

13

Page 14 of 90

DOCTORS IN MCNAIRY COUNTY, FROM THE 1850 CENSUS
Compiled by Ed Harrell

Doctors/Physicians - Listed in the 1880 Census
Complied by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

14

Page 15 of 90

LETTER FROM BILL DUGAN SELMER, TENN, SUNDAY DEC 14, 1924 Yesterday was a big day for Selmer. Roscoe Turner was advertised to fly over the city at 2 pm and was on time. Both Turner and his friends performed their stunts well. Thousands of old women stood and look straight up until the sun burned their tough old necks. Men run back a half a mile and pulled off their hats to see the man walk out on the wings and skin cats. Automobiles were run over like truck wagons. Children were knocked down. People were here from the four wings of the earth. Some came in cars, some horse back, some mule back, some a foot. Men here that had not washed their faces or combed their heads in seven years and old women that had not spit snuff out of their mouth in ten years. McNairy County is one great county. It is the home of many Corinthians. Namely, C.S. Graham, Sol Weeks, Rufe Smith, Guy Chambers, Mayor and Henry Sharp, P.J. Huggins, old John Redding and Sam Perkins. Thank the Lord, Filmore Baxter was born just over the Mississippi line. But Baxter is a good old soul and a blessing to any town for his feet are so big he tramps all the insects to death in the springs. (Weekly Corinthian, XXIX # 50, Dec 18, 1924.

MCNAIRY COUNTY COURT 1907 J H FERGUSON VS GEORGE TAYLOR (OUR CASE NO 177) PETITION FOR ROAD The petition of J H Ferguson and numerous others, having been presented to D F Steadman, Road Commissioner of the First District, asking for the opening of the road hereinafter described to be held on Feb 9, 1907. Description: Beginning at the end of the lane at George Taylor’s residence on the east and terminating at the road at Dock Ferguson, about 3/4 mile in length, and to be located in such a way as to run just inside the field of George Taylor to avoid the creek by getting away from the old road be in which the creek runs when a little flush. Where said road crosses Moss Creek, no bridge is needed or will be asked. Road granted and George given $10.00 for the damage to his field.

LETTER FOR CIVIL WAR PENSION

FOR THREE YEARS I WAS IN THE SERVICE OF THE CONFEDERACY, I ENTERED THE
ARMY AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN AND A HALF.

Bethel Springs, Tenn , Dec 2, 1916
To Gen John P. Hickman
Sec Board o Pension Examiners, Nashville

Dear Sir: On Sept 25, 1916, I wrote you in regard to being reinstated, or restored, to the pension roll of the state. You wrote me that my old application would do but to be reinstated I would have

15

Page 16 of 90

to file an affidavit stating when I left the state and when I returned and ask to be restored to the roll. Now all of this I did and your special examiner, Mr. Moses, instead of bread, handed me a stone. He says that under the law I will have to be an actual resident of the state three years before I can be restored to the roll. I will say that outside of nearly seven years I was in the state of Texas, I have been an actual resident of the State of Tenn over sixty nine years, with the exception of the three years I was in the service of the Confederacy. I entered the army at the age of fourteen and a half years, under Col Jeff Forrest. My Capt was J. B. Michie who was killed at Harrisburg. I was transferred to the Nineteenth Tenn, Col John Newsom. My Capt was Harris Simmons, Co E, as you will find by referring to the rolls at Washington. The Nineteenth Tenn was merged or consolidated with the Twenty First Tenn. Col. A. W. Wilson, commanding, with whom I served until the surrender in May 1865. I assisted Lieut. T. M. Bell in filling out the paroles, furnished us by Gen Cariby (?). I also surrendered the arms of our company. I was in the Battle of Okolona, Harrisburg, Brice’s Cross Roads on Tishomingo Creek, Fort Pillow, Memphis, Athens, Sulphur, Union City, Pulaski and others. I will say that in going to Texas it was not our intention whatever of making Texas my hone. I went to Saratogo, Tex and was clerk in the Post Office there for over a year. The office changed hands and I was out of a job and have been out since then. I have a sister living in Saratoga, Tex and I stayed with her while in Tex. I do not own one dollars worth of property in the world. I once owned a farm of 342 acres of land in this McNairy County, I lost my home through no want of consideration on my part but rather the result of circumstances beyond my control. The fact is disease and death entered my home and took from me, first my oldest son. Then after a lingering illness, my wife died. My mother had previously been stricken with paralysis and was for two years --- helpless and would allow no one to wait on her but myself I am now as I have been for several years, entirely dependent on friends and relatives. In regard to my character, would refer you to Judge James B. Jopling of Memphis, J. R. Stovall, President of the Bethel Springs Bank who was a member of the same company which I first belonged. John R. Adams, President of the McNairy County Bank who was a Lieut in Capt Michie’s Company. Judge A. W. Stovall of Jackson, Tenn, will say that I do not use liquor in any form. Now my dear sir, if after careful consideration of my case you are satisfied that I am worthy of a pension, help me to secure it and by so doing. Very much oblige, respectfully T. J. Walker. I have never applied elsewhere for a pension. (Courtesy of Milbourne Walker, Selmer, Tn)

MCNAIRY COUNTY, TN CHANCERY COURT 1885
WILLIAM FERGUSON, ETAL VS L. C. ROTEN, ETAL DOCKET 621
LAND DISPUTE, FILED IN THE CHANCERY COURT AT FALCON, TENNESSEE
THIS CASE HAS THE SAME INFORMATION AS CHANCERY CASE 629

A J Ferguson died in testate 186- leaving Mary A Ferguson, his widow and children: James H, Nancy Jane, Frederick S, Mary Ann, Eliza, Victoria, Ephraim, Louisa and William. Mary Ann was appointed executor of the estate. He died before Nov 1865 because a petition had been filed for dower and sale of the land by Mary Ann Ferguson before that date. At the 16

Page 17 of 90

December 1865 term of court, it was ordered that the land be sold to highest bidder January 13, 1866 and Mary A Ferguson bought the land in question for $30.00. Misc information discovered: Mary A Ferguson drew a $8.00 a month pension for herself and each minor child. Starting at least in 1872. She did not receive money on a child after they reached age 16. The youngest child was 16 on Dec 20, 1874. Victoria name was: Comfort Victoria Ferguson. Victoria could write.

My Generations
Coke, Autin and allied families

First Generation 1. Jack McWilliam Coke, Rev born 8 Jan 1920, McNairy County, Tn. Baptized July 1932 by Chewalla Baptist Church at Butler's Pool in McNairy County, Tn Second Generation 2. Rufus Neal Coke born 12 July, 1884 in Gift, Alcorn Co Ms, died 26 Jan 1962 in Memphis, Shelby Co, Tn, buried in Indian Creek Cem in Chewalla, McNairy 3. Mary Melissa Austin (Auston) born 25 Aug 1884 in McNairy Co, Tn, died 5 July, 1935, buried at Indian Creek Cemetery, Chewalla, Tn. Third Generation 4. Richard Franklin Coke born 15 Sept 1858, died 4 Mar, 1914 in Gift, Alcorn Co, Mississippi, buried Lebanon Cemetery, Gift, Mississippi 5. Fidelia Stephenson was born 9 Jan 1863, died 26 Apr 1885 in Gift, Alcorn Co Mississippi, buried Lebanon Cemetery, Gift, Mississippi 6. Louis Caste Austin (Auston) was born abt 1849 in Rome, Georgia, died abt 1885 in Chewalla, McNairy Co, Tennessee. Buried Indian Creek, Chewalla. 7. Sarah "Sallie" E. Mask (Mass) died abt April 1892 in Chewalla, McNairy County, Tennessee. Buried Oak Grove Cemetery. Fourth Generation 8. William J. Coke (Cocke) was born on 10 May 1833, died 8 Feb 1908 in Alcorn Co Mississippi, buried at Lebanon Cemetery, Gift, Mississippi 9 Naomi Brooks (Brucks) was born 22 Oct 1837, died 31 Aug 1907 in Gift, Alcorn Co, Mississippi, buried at Lebanon Cemetery, Gift, Mississippi 10. Obadiah N. J. Stephenson was born abt 1838 11. Eliza Jane Morrison (Morrisen) George was born 3 Apr 1836, died 28 Oct 1919 in Alcorn County, Mississippi 12. John Culpepper Austin (Auston) was born about 1813, died abt 1879 in McNairy County, Tennessee ( in Estate Inv. Bk E page 387 Jan 5, 1880) 13. Mary Ann Gurley was born about 1810 in NC. Pretty sure she died in McNairy County, Can't find grave, can't prove. 14. George W. Mask (Mass) 15. Nancy Pluckett (Plunket)

17

Page 18 of 90

Fifth Generation 16. Spillsby (Spillsbury) Coke (Cocke) was born abt 1803 in Tennessee. Lived at one time at Waverly, Humphreys Co, Tn. Died in Ark 17 17. Lemira (Mira, Myra) Bard was born about 1808 in South Carolina 18. Thompson Brooks (Brucks) was born about 1808 in Alabama ? 19. Rachel Blackwood was born about 1813 in Alabama 20. William M. Stephenson born 29 Nov 1794, died 18 Sept 1885, Alcorn, Co, Ms buried Farmington Cemetery, Alcorn co, Ms (am not sure this being mine) 21. Ruth born 1 Aug 1806, died 19 May 1847, buried Farmington Cemetery, Ms 22. Neal (Neil) Morrison (Sen) was born 5 Mar 1809, died 14 Nov 1803, Alcorn Co, Mississippi (Shot) Buried Antioch Cemetery, Alcorn Co. Mississippi 23. Sarah Rushing (Rushen) was born 6 Feb 1816, died 17 Mar 1890, Alcorn Mississippi. buried Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Alcorn, Ms 24. John Austin (Auston) was born in Georgia 25. ----------Bray Sixth Generation 26. Richard Coke (Cocke) was born about 1733 , lived in Waverly, Tenn 27. Elizabeth Tribble was born abt 1738 28. Joseph Morrison was born 30 Nov 1759 Martinsburg, Frederick, VA, died 23 Aug 1835 in Raccoon, Marion, Il, buried Mr. Moriah Cemetery 29. Elizabeth --------- died 11 Aug 1844, Raccoon, Marion, Il buried Mt. Moriah 30. William Rushing born abt 1780 NC, died 15 July 1853 in Ms, buried Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Alcorn Co, Miss 31. Jane Nicholls born abt 1785 NC, died 29 Feb 1860, Alcorn Co, Ms, buried Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, Alcorn, Ms Courtesy of: Barbara Coke Laffoon,

Oldest Citizen Dead.....Mrs. Ann Wesson, age 90 yrs, the oldest person in the county died last Fri at the home of her daughter Mrs. Tidwell near Adamsville. Buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Widow of Turner Wesson who died 23 yrs ago while living near Chewalla. For 85 yrs a member of the Methodist Church and a noble Christian woman. Independent Nov 5, 1920

"THE RATS AROUND MY PLACE WERE WISE," SAYS JOHN TUTHILL "Tried everything to kill them. Mixed poison with meal, meat, cheese, etc. Wouldn't touch it. Tried RAT-SNAP. Inside of ten days got rid of all rats." You don't have to mix RAT-SNAP with food. Saves fussing, bother. Break a cake of RAT-SNAP, lay it where rats scamper. You will see no more. Three sizes, 35¢, 65¢, $1.25. Sold and guaranteed by Huggins Drug Store Dr. Jno J. Abernathy, Acton J. R. Gooch, Selmer J. O. Ingram, Chambers Store Adamsville Drug Store A.. B. Hamm & Co, Ramer Sanders Drug Store Stantonville Houston Bros. & Hamm, Guys W. P. Hurley, Tulu Dee Russom & Sons, Roebuck (McNairy County Independent, Sept 30, 1930)

18

Page 19 of 90

SAUNDERS Lemuel Saunders, named after his paternal grandfather, was born June 9, 1798 in Lincoln Co, NC and died with typhoid fever November 26, 1849. He was the son of Edward And Elizabeth Goodson Saunders. He married Millia Duncan, daughter of John Duncan, on Sept 1, 1820 in Lincoln Co, NC. An early settler to McNairy County, they moved to the second district about 1825 where they bought 50 acres on the waters of Little Hatchie, near Camden, for $600 in 1834. The land included the "puddin orchard" which was possibly a plum thicket. John Duncan moved to Hardeman County about the same time. It was after they came to McNairy County the "U" was dropped from their name and became Sanders. Lemuel and Millia Saunders children were: 1. Drewry Dobbin b. ca 1821, Lincoln Co. NC, died McNairy County. 2. Mary "Polly" b. ca 1821, died Sept 10, 1878, McNairy Co, married George Reaves 3. William b. ca 1826, married Nancy? 4. Joseph H. b. Aug 27, 1827, McNairy Co. died July 30, 1892, McNairy Co. 5. Sarah E. b. Feb 24, 1832, McNairy Co. died June 8, 1898 Jasper Co. Mo. married (1) Guthrie (2) Jezekich Ingle 6. Alfred M. b. ca 1835, McNairy Co. 7. Lemuel b. ca 1837 McNairy Co. 8. Nancy J. b. Feb 14, 1840, McNairy Co, d. Mar 20, 1927, m. William Levi Sanders 9. Francis R. b. ca 1842 McNairy Co. 10. Pinkney Taylor b. Sept 1847, McNairy County.

Pinkney Sanders also lived in the 2nd district in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant and Camden. He married Margaret McIntyre Nov 14, 1867. Margaret was the daughter of Lawson McIntyre and Sarah Horn. Children of Pinkney and Margaret: 1. Nancy Isbell Sanders b. Sept 6, 1868. Called Nannie 2. Joseph Nelson Sanders b. ca 1871 d. 1933 3. Margaret Sanders b. ca 1876 d. June 1958 m. John Mayfield 4. Mollie Millie Sanders b. ca 1880 5. Hannah Sanders b. Feb 1883 m. Jobe Teague, son Of John Thomas & Nancy Jane Johnson Teague. Hannah was called "Doll" because she was such a beautiful baby. 6. Maud Theo Sanders b. Dec 1886 d. ca 1938 7. Benjamin Sanders b. Jan 1889 Courtesy of Bill Browder

Everybody wants to live a long time...
But no one wants to get old!

19

Page 20 of 90

NAMES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN AND AROUND PURDY The following is a list of citizen of Purdy in 1859-60, prepared by the late Col John H Duke:

MISS D ADAMS JNO C COVEY
HATTER ADAMS & FAMILY ALPHONSO CROSS
JNO R. ADAMS DICK CROSS
MRS SARAH ADAMS JNO R CROSS
J K ANDREWS MACLIN CROSS
ELIZABETH BALDRIDGE DR CHAS CRUMP
J P BALDRIDGE DICK CRUMP
BILL BARRY MARK CRUMP
DR DAN BARRY MARTHA DELLA CRUMP
MRS ELIZA BARRY MRS ELIZABETH CRUMP
MISS DANNIE BARRY GREEN CROWDER
FRANK BARRY JN0 B CULLEN
HENRY BARRY E T DODD
MRS UDERO BARRY JOHN W DODD
ANDY BEARD MONROE DODD
FIELDING BEARD MISS SALLIE DODD
JNO BEARD THOMAS J DOWLING
MRS JOHN BEARD JNO H DUKE
DR ASA BELL MRS SUE DUKE
BILLY BELL WILLIAM FORT
BOB BELL DAVE GILCHRIST
FRANK BELL GARDNER GILL
DR JOB BELL DR WEBB GILL
MRS JOB BELL MRS LEAN GILLESPIE
JNO BELL GREEN GULLETT
MRS JNO BELL MARGANY GULLETT
OPHELIA BELL PETER GULLETT
GEO W BRADEN MRS GULLETT
MRS SALLIE BRADEN A R HALL
MISS SALLIE BRADEN MRS POCA HALL
MIT BRADEN THOMAS HALL
P H BRADEN MISS R D HALPIN
MISS PUSS BRADEN H P HANDY
THOMAS BRADEN OPELIA HANDY
W H BRADEN DR B R HARRIS
J J BRADLEY MRS ELLEN HARRIS
BOB CATES JNO W M HARRIS
MRS HETTIE CATES MAY HARRIS
LUKE CATES WILL HARRIS
PLEA CATES BEN HARWELL
ELIZABETH CHANEY CATH HARWELL
MRS MARY CHANEY INDIANA HARWELL
REBECCA CHANEY JOSIE HARWELL
SAM CHANEY R S HARWELL

20

Page 21 of 90

TENNESSEE HARWELL MISS MAUDE KINDEL
HOLLOWAY HOLEMAN TOM KINDEL
MARK HOLEMAN MISS UDORA KINDEL
SHE HOLEMAN CHAS LEWTER
ARCH HOUSTON CHAS LEWTER, JR
DAVE HUDDLESTON MRS CHAS LEWTER
MRS DAVE HUDDLESTON MRS CHAS LEWTER
ELIZA HUDDLESTON JNO LEWTER
L F HUDDLESTON SAMUEL LEWIS
MRS MARY HUDDLESTON MRS SAMUEL LEWIS
FIELDING HURST NATHAN MCAGEE
CHAP HURST MISS COOK MCCANN
MRS MAG HURST JOE MCCANN
MISS NELLIE HURST MISS PUSS MCCANN
PROF A M JOHNSON BEN MCINTIRE
H T JOHNSON ANDY MCKEE
MISS JANE JOHNSON MRS AMERICA MCKINNIE
JESSIE JOHNSON JAMES F MCKINNIE
MRS JESSIE JOHNSON JANE MCKINNIE
JNO JOHNSON JOHN MCKINNIE
M H JOHNSON MISS MAT MCKINNIE
MISS MARY JOHNSON ROBERT E MCKINNIE
MRS MILTON JOHNSON DR WM MCKINNIE & FAMILY
MISS SAC JOHNSON GEO MEEKS
MRS VIRGINIA JOHNSON MISS MARY MEEKS
WILL JOHNSON HENRY MELUGIN
JULIUS A JONES LIZA MELUGIN
ANDY JOPLING THOMAS MELUGIN
HARRIET JOPLING HENRY MILLER
MRS JULIA JOPLING ALFRED MOORE
W D JOPLING B P MOORE
MISS JENNIE KERNODLE FOSS MOORE
MARY KERNODLE GEO MOORE
SIMPSON KERNODLE MRS LOUISE MOORE
MRS SIMPSON KERNODLE MOLLIE MOORE
THOMAS B KERNODLE OLLIE MOORE
YOUNG KERNDOLE SAM MOORE
A J KINCAID MINERVA MOORE
BILLY KINCAID WALTER MOORE
CLAY KINCAID ISSAC NASH
MRS MARIA KINCAID MRS SALLIE NASH
NIP KINCAID H W PINKSTON
REED KINCAID MRS JANE PINKSTON
TOM KINCAID JIM PINKSTON
BUD KINDEL BLISS POOL
OLD AUNT COM KINDEL MISS MOLLIE POOL
MISS JULIA KINDEL R W POOL
MRS MARTHA KINDEL MISS BETTIE PRICE

21

Page 22 of 90

BRYON PRICE MRS MARY STRIBLING
MAC PRICE SHELT STRIBLING
NAPOLEON PRICE ELSIE STRATTION
MRS SARAH PRICE NIP STREET
WILLIAM A PRICE JNO W STUMPH
M L RIDDLE BOOKER SWAN
MISS MARY ANN RIDDLE MRS MARTHA SWAN
BASCOM RIGGS ANDY THOMPSON
MARCUS RIGGS CHRISTINA THOMPSON
N C RIGGS BILL THOMPSON
MRS N C RIGGS MRS BOB THOMPSON
GEORGE RULEMAN R M THOMPSON
FANNIE RULEMAN E R TURNER
MOLLIE RULEMAN MRS MARTHA TURNER
MRS NANCY RULEMAN R B TURNER
NET RULEMAN WILLIAM F TURNER
AUNT TERRY RULEMAN LAFAYETTE VEAL
TOM RULEMAN BEN WALKER
WILLIAM RULEMAN JOSEPH WALKER
WILLIAM RULEMAN, JR MRS JOSEPH WALKER
REV A A SANDERS JEFF WALKER
MISS BECCA SANDERS ED WALSH
ED SANDERS JENNIE WALSH
MRS IBBY SANDERS MRS DELITHA WALSH
SARG SANDERS MISS NISHA WALSH
TODD SANDERS W K WALSH
C F SAWYERS HUGH WARREN
REESE SAWYERS COL JAMES WARREN
CALVIN SHULL MRS JAMES WARREN
MISS FLORA SHULL JNO T WARREN
JERRY SHULL STANDORD L WARREN
MRS MARY B SHULL JNO WHITTAKER
WILL SHULL MISS BETTY WILKINSON
A W STOVALL CUB WILKINSON
ALCY STOVALL GEO WILKINSON
CHARITY STOVALL JACK WILKINSON
DAVE STOVALL CRUMP WILSON
DILLIE STOVALL LAVENIA WILSON
ELIZABETH STOVALL COL R D WILSON
FOREST STOVALL MRS R D WILSON
JNO M STOVALL BEN WISDOM
MARY STOVALL HETTIE WISDOM
MRS NANCY E STOVALL PHILLIP WISDOM
MISSOURI STOVALL BILL TUGE WISDOM
O M STOVALL MRS CELIA SHULL WISDOM
O J STOVALL JIM WISDOM
BOB STRIBLING AUNT RITTA WISDOM
MRS FAY STRIBLING P B WISDOM

22

Page 23 of 90

D M WISDOM From the McNairy County Independent
LITTLE BILL WISDOM Dated November 24, 1938
AUNT ANNIE WISDOM Put in alphabetical order by the
BEN WISDOM Editor for convenience in reading.
HETTIE WISDOM
PHILLIP WISDOM
BILL TUGE WISDOM
MRS CELIA SHULL WISDOM Senior Class
JIM WISDOM Ramer High School 1927-28
AUNT RITTA WISDOM Treadwell Davis, President
P B WISDOM Emmett Taylor, V P;
D M WISDOM Blanche Jaggars, Sec/Treas;
LITTLE BILL WISDOM Colors - white/green;
Motto - "We build to rise."
JNO WISDOM
Advisor, Miss Grace Wood. Class Roll:
MARIAH WISDOM Lee Jaggars, Sadie Kirk, Lessie Ingle, Treadwell
W S WISDOM Davis, Johnson Gooch, Maurice Chandler, Lessie
CATH WISDOM Shelton, Sadie Hamm, Blanch Jaggars, Icy Ingle,
LORAINE WISDOM Arnold T Prather, Emmitt Taylor, Rose Raper
MR WOODARD
PUSS WOODARD We are proud of our Senior class as it is the largest
MRS WORTHINGTON senior class Ramer has ever had, and we think it is the
MACK WORTHINGTON best one.
SAMUEL WORTHINGTON
Purple and Gold Vol V No dated October 1927
MRS ELIZABETH WRIGHT
JNO V WRIGHT
MAJ BEN WRIGHT
MARCUS J WRIGHT
MRS MARTHA WRIGHT

TENNESSEE FACTS
Tennessee Capitols:
1. Knoxville 1796-1812 4. Knoxville 1817
2. Kingston 1 day in 1807 5. Murfreesboro 1818-1826
3. Nashville 1812-1817 6. Nashville 1826

More civil war battles were fought in Tennessee than any other state except Virginia:
Feb 1862 - Forts Henry and Donalson Dec 1862 - Stone River
Mar 1862 - Shiloh Nov 1864 - Franklin
Nov 1862 – Chattanooga Dec 1864 - Nashville

The name Tennessee was first used by Henry Timberlake who visited the Cherokee Tribe in
1761. Tannassie was the name of the chief village of the Cherokees.

23

Page 24 of 90

JACOB WOLFE

My 4th great grandfather Jacob Wolfe was born about 1775 in NC according to census records. His wife is still unknown at this time. By 1832 Jacob had moved to Hamburg, Tn in Hardin Co. and evidence of his 7 children are on the 1840 census of Hardin Co. His will of 1848 listed his children: John, Peter, G W, Jonathan, Jacob J, Jincy and William. His second child was Peter Wolfe of whom I am descended from. Peter was born about 1798 in NC and died about 1845 in Hardin Co, Tn. His wife was named Elizabeth. Their children were Nicholas H, Charles M, Jacob P, George W (killed in the civil war) and Richard. Charles M was born 1825 in Tn and died 16 June 1891. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Kirkman's Cemetery near Selmer, Tn. Charles married Savory Julian about 1851. She was the daughter of Urban and Nancy Herron Julian. Charles and Savory lived in the 6th district of McNairy Co from the 1850s till they died. They had eight children: John H, Nicholas H, George W, William P, Elizabeth, Savoy (Sadie), Erwin and Nancy. Nicholas H was born 1 Feb 1855 and died 11 Sept 1944. He married Callie Hammonds, (born 8 July 1862 and died 4 May 1943) in 1878. Both are buried at Bethesda Cemetery near Selmer. They had 7 children: Charles, Willie, John T, Mozell, Bessie, Lillian Earl, Ollie and Nickolas Jr. Charles Willie was born 16 July 1880 and died 9 May 1963 in the nursing home at Savannah, Tn. On 9 Dec 1903 he married Hester Phillips (born 1888, died 2 Mar 1924.) Both are buried in Mt Zion Cemetery between Selmer and Stantonville. She was the daughter of Frank and Leona Allison Phillips. Charles Willie and Hester had 8 children: Ollie Mae, Nicholas H, Mary L, Debs, Lillian Elar, Burle and twins born dead. Mary was born 16 Jan 1910 and is now living with me (the author.) She was married on Sept 1930 to Oscar Whitaker (born 8 July 1908, died 28 July 1983.) He was the son of Marshall and Alice Wardlow. Oscar and Mary had 3 children: James, Larry and Patsy. Mary had a son Carthel Hockaday by a first marriage. I was born 2 Apr 1942 east of Selmer on what is now Connie smith Rd. I married Charles Jones (son of Elihu and Lillian Michie Jones.) We have three children: Doug, David and Tommy, which are all married and we now live on old Stantonville Rd in Selmer. Courtesy of Pat Jones

JUSTICES AND CONSTABLES ELECTED
AUGUST 2, 1906
.

24

Page 25 of 90

Stantonville

tantonville is a small community located in McNairy county on what is now Tennessee

S Highway 142, about twelve miles east of Selmer. It is about five miles west of the famous Civil War Battlefield, now known as Shiloh National Park, which is located on the Tennessee River. Stantonville was named for Edwin Stanton, who was Secretary of War under President Lincoln. Benjamin Stanton, a nephew of Edwin, came this way as a scout for a wagon train on its way from North Carolina to Missouri. He fought for the Union during the Civil War and returned to England where he finished his education before coming back to the States. On this trip he met and married Martha White. They decided to homestead here, and he tried to start an iron factory, which was his family business in England. This effort failed. Their first child was born and died here. Benjamin soon moved to Pocahontas where he raised a family. Some of the early settlers were Green Lee Hendrix, a retired Confederate soldier who dealt in real estate; Bob and Ephraim Michie, farmers; and John Henderson Meeks and Nathaniel A. Erwin, landowners and farmers. The Meeks home was built in 1851, three miles south of Stantonville on what is now known as the Dee Erwin farm. This lovely home burned in 1946. Jeff Hurley opened a store in the early 1800's. Others were soon opened: Will Elam, John Hoover, John and Oscar Wyatt, A. B. Dancer, John Moffett, Loyd Carroll, John Cobb, Joe Pat Harkins and Robert Lee Houston. Joe Fulbright ran a hamburger joint and Will and Stella Quinn a café. On May 9, 1848, the first post office established in a small building on the hill across the branch northwest of town. It was on what is now the Stantonville-Gilchrist Road near where Lionell Raines lives. Thomas Beck was postmaster. People would go to the post office and pick up their mail, which was brought from Selmer once a week. Thomas M Pahmen served after Beck. This post office was discontinued for awhile and was established again in July 1874 with Mollie McConnell as postmaster. She served until January 24, 1890. Following is a list of others: Samuel C. Carroll, Mattie Flatt, Warner Wyatt, William C. Elam, George A. Hagy, Joseph

25

Page 26 of 90

Harkins, Cecil R. Hoover, John O. Hoover, Julia Sanders, Zaida I. Fullwood, Bessie Carroll, Janet Greene and Clara A. Mulder the present postmaster. The post office facilities were located in various stores until 1923 when it was moved to a building which Dr Gerry Sanders had erected as combination doctor's office and post office. This was near the present Methodist Church building. When this land was sold, Dr Sanders had the building moved to the west corner of his property in front of the old Ben Sweat Store building. The first flag was flown over the post office in 1947 on a homemade pole made by Jonah Tilman (now deceased.) The post office was advanced to third class the same year. In 1963 G. W. Carroll built a new store on the highway with a building adjoining it to house the post office. One of the early rural letter carriers was John Gibson, who killed a postal inspector and was sent to prison. Bascom Dancer finished his term and Earl Boatman followed. Substitutes were Gillis Smith, Charlie Raines and Sid Burks, all deceased. W. R. Phillips was rural letter carrier from 1920 to 1963. At present W. R. MacArthur is carrier with R. B. Dickey substitute. The post office now serves 31 post office boxes and one rural route. The population area is approximately 1200 and has 55 revenue units. A bank was built here in the early 1900's and was called "The People's Bank." In the late 1930's, when money was scarce, this bank merged with the Selmer Bank and Trust. Grover Surratt was cashier at the time. Will Elam bought the bank property and after tearing down the building he used the brick to build a house in which he lived until his death. It is now known as the Ellen Tanner house. In 1912, the Will Elam store burned and a large brick building was erected; the brick was fired on the site. Mrs. Orah Elam made and sold millinery in a section of this store. Dr. Gilbert Howell was an early doctor. He owned the land in back of where the Ellen Tanner house now stands. His son, Carl Howell, set up a barber shop in a small building on this property. He used an empty nail key turned upside down as a barber chair and charged ten cents for a haircut. Later he bought a second-hand barber chair. Other early doctors were J. C. McConnell, Henry Sanders and Gerry Sanders. Dr Gerry setup his first practice here and lived with his wife, Julia Williams Sanders, until his death in 1957. Rob Cooksey, John McClain and Marvin Matlock ran blacksmith shops and grist mills. After Mr. Matlock died, John Cain ran his shop. Alex Boshart ran the telephone exchange and Will Davis owned a cotton gin. Keg Melton was an early lawman and in the early 30's he was replace by Unkas Barnett, a very colorful character. The heart of any community is in it school and churches. The first school was in a one- room building located where the Ebb Wyatt house now stands. Later a large building was erected on the lot where the community center is located. As the enrollment grew, the need for a more modern school was seen and in 1927 a brick building with auditorium and classrooms was built there. Soon a school lunch program was initiated and lunches were prepared and served daily. In 1949 a large gym was built adjacent to the school building. Years before, in 1915, the first basketball team was organized here by Millard Smith (better known as Jack Smith) who later became President of Memphis State University. Smith and Custer Taylor were teaching here at the time. The ball players were Ealas McKenzie, Eber Pettigrew, Charlie Pounds, Syd Burks, Bascom Dancer, Loyd Carroll, Kenneth Elam and Eldridge Houston. Other early teachers were J. H. Beck, J. T. Murphy, A. L. Bishop and his wife, Lana Robinson, Coleman Smith, Charlie Hughes, Oma Wyatt, Zaida Fullwood, Burelle Gray and Clydus Cunningham, to name a few. 26

Page 27 of 90

The first school bus was a covered wagon, driven by Jim Glidewell. Late on, regular buses were used and the early drivers were Earret Burks and T. K. Sanders followed by Judge Surratt, Olus Smith and others. Grades one through ten were taught until 1956 or '57 when enrollment dropped and high students were bused to four-year high schools in Selmer and Adamsville. Finally, in 1966, the school was discontinued and the building began to show signs of neglect. The gym was torn town and finally the main school building also. The Church of Christ was organized February 15, 1840 and began meeting in a log building about one mile from Stantonville Community and was known as the Old Clear Creek Church. Some of the men who were active in the work of the church at that time were George Kendrick, Daniel Burns, J. W. Pettigrew, George Erwin, D. D. Michie, S. Dancer, Benton Kendrick, T. R. Beck, George Gibson, Thomas Dannell and D. M. McKenzie. D. D. Michie and D. M. McKenzie were appointed elders and J. W. Tanner, George Gibson and Thomas Donnell deacons. T. R. Beck was church clerk. On February 25, 1879, due to the death of D. M. McKenzie, the church appointed T. R. Beck elder and Benton Kendrick church clerk. There are records of two of the early minister - Arch Houston and Robert Michie. A large cemetery is still maintained at this location where a large number of the early members are buried. Among them is Robert Michie. They continued to meet there until 1910. At that time, with land donated by Will Elam and lumber donated by others, a building erected at the present site on Highway 142 just west of the present post office building. At first it was one large room. Later it as torn down and replaced with a larger room and two classrooms. This, too, was later replaced with an auditorium, complete with baptistery and several classrooms. At this date there is a regular attendance of 80- 90 with Dan Eubanks the minister. The Stantonville Methodist Church was organized as a mission in 1893. They met in a board arbor located about one mile from where the present building now stands at the junctions of Highway 142 and 224 South. Worship was held in this arbor, except in winter, when they met in the school building. Some of the early leaders were J. T. Templeton, E. W. Wyatt, Robert Fullwood, A. C. McKenzie, W. S. Burks, C. A. Melton, W. H. Garrison and L. McDaniel. Tom Maxedon was the first minister. In 1903, land was purchased from C. C. Steele and a building erected; labor and material were donated by the members. This church burned in 1937 and worship was held in the school building while a new church building was constructed. This is the building in use today. Stantonville was the first rural community to get electricity. It was incorporated in 1967 with a population of 304. In 1959 land was purchased and community cemetery was laid out. In 1976, U. S. Apparel, Inc. moved from the location in the "Old Fort Building" in Shiloh to a new building here. In 1979 a large community center was built on the old school location. The people in this area farm and raise hogs and cattle. They grow soybeans, milo and corn. Some work in factories and some at other jobs. There are also two beauty shops on the highway. This article is in part taken from one written by Larry Raines, Mayor of Stantonville. Taken from the book McNairy County and Her People by Lee Jaggars, published in 1987. Permission granted by Mrs. Lee Jaggars.

27

Page 28 of 90

A. T. SPRINGER DEATH

McNairy County Independent, Jan 25, 1918: A. T. Springer, the oldest and one of the most prosperous citizens of our community, died at the home of his son, J. W. Springer, January 14th, at the age of 87 years and 3 month. His remains were interred in the Gravel Hill cemetery the 15th, in the presence of a small crowd due to the severe weather. He was born in Giles County, Tennessee and moved to this county when small and has lived in this immediate community ever since. He served 1 year in the Confederate Army and was a Justice of the Peace of this county for a number of years. He joined the CP church at Mt Vernon just after the Civil War, where he was a consistent member till his death. His life and character need no eulogy, as it speaks for itself to those who knew him. He leaves one sister Mrs. Elizabeth Huggins, who is 84 years old, two sons and three daughters and a number of grandchildren to mourn his loss, his wife preceding him about 10 years ago.

J. R. DAVIS'S DAYBOOK - 1857 - IUKA, MISSISSIPPI

This Day Book was kept by John Richard Davis as a charge book for his store in Iuka, Tishomingo county, Mississippi. John R. had a store, with various partners. He went to the Civil War in 1862 and his wife managed the store. There is mentioned of sawmill hands but owner of the sawmill is known. Davis was probably a partner. In 1868, after losing everything in the Civil War, Louisa Davis does laundry and apparently she had a boarding house during part of this time. Louisa came to McNairy county before 1880. John R died in the civil war. Some of the names mentioned in the book are from McNairy County.

Names in Book:

Peter Hubbard

28

Page 29 of 90

BIBLE RECORDS OF RICHARD RUSHING’S FAMILY Richard Rushing was born December 3rd A. D. 1797 Anna Rushing was born May 26 A. D. 1807 Sarah Rushing was born March 14 A. D. 1826 Melinda Rushing was born August 18 A. D. 1827 Lucinda Rushing was born Jany 20 A. D. 1829 Siney Rushing was born March 1st A. d. 1830 Jane Rushing was born Feby 1st A. D. 1832 Wm R. Rushing was born Sept 14 A. D. 1833 Mary Rushing was born Jany 16th A D. 1835 Philip Rushing was born Sept 10 A. D. 1837 Jason Rushing was born April 29th A. D. 1839 Agness Rushing was born May 22nd A. D. 1841 Melisse Rushing was born March 10th A. D. 1843 Anna Rushing was born March 16th A. D. 1845 Richard Rushing was born Oct 5th A. D. 1848 This was taken from a photo copy of the Rushing Family Bible sent to me by Milree C. Powell, great grand daughter of Melinda Rushing Farris. Some records indicate a son John R born 1857 which is not included. Not sure if John was a son or grand-son of Richard Rushing.

THOMAS WILLIAM PRICE FAMILY
Thomas William Price & Donie Rushing were married Nov 29th 1892
Thomas W. Price was borned December the 29th 1863
Donie Price, wife of Thomas W. Price was borned Oct 21, 1872
Children
George Herman Price was borned September the 6th, 1893
Phillip Homer Price was borned Feb 22th, 1895
Mamie Bonetha Price was borned October the 25th 1898
Thomas Leo Price was borned July the 29th 1896
Robert Grady Price was borned January the 5th 1900
Mary Bell Price was borned November the 9th 1903
William Clarence Price was borned March 14, 1905
Caldonia Price (Donie) died January 17, 1908, Age: 35 years, 2 months and 27 days old
Thomas William Price died June 1, 1956, Age: 92 years, 5 months and 3 days old
McKinney Texas: Mr. Hermon Price and Miss Stella Oden were married Aug 26 - 1913
Stella Price was borned Mar 29-1894 Courtesy of Linda Burks

When the coffee is hot and the talk is good,
And the feeling is easy and the laughter is light,
And the memories are many but the time is too short
You know you are with a friend.

29

Page 30 of 90

STATEMENT OF COUNTY AND SCHOOL REVENUE
COLLECTED BY J. R. ADAMS AS COUNTY COURT CLERK OF MCNAIRY COUNTY
FROM 1ST OCTOBER, 1888 TO THE 1ST JANUARY 1889
OCTOBER 1888
Merchants:
E. F. Hendrix O. J. Stovall
Parrish/T. J. Atkins J. R. Stovall
J. P. Prince J. J. Prince
J W Prather/W. E. Tedford/J. W. Simpson J. P. Epps
W. W. Huggins/Robt Connor J. A. Parrish

Land Transfers:

Marriage Licenses: all $2.00

30

Page 31 of 90

NOVEMBER 1888
Merchants:
Warren & Littlefield D. J. Franklin W. P. Odom

Land Transfers:

Marriage Licenses: November - all $2.00

31

Page 32 of 90

DECEMBER 1888
Merchants

W. F. P. Browder 5.00

Small Offences: From H. C. Gooch, J. P State vs Mary Wade 2.00
From H. C. Gooch, J. P State vs J. F. Sanders 2.00

(How did they paid the ½ cents ?)

Marriage Licenses:
Dec 1 T. R. Hewitt to C. A. Huggins
Dec 3 B. F. Jobe to F. D. Leslie

32

Page 33 of 90

Historical Articles by J. C. Taylor - October 1, 1960

For several weeks now, we have been quoting from Marcus J. Wright’s history of McNairy County, and we have enough material from this book for several other articles, but this week, we are going to give some information that will be taken from another source. Our good friend, Johnny O’Neal has shown us a copy of a history that was written by Mary O’Neal Kent. This is a family history that traces the lineage of many of the citizens who have lived in McNairy and Chester counties. Everyone who is a descendant of the early pioneer families that are mentioned in this little book should feel glad that the Kents have taken so much time, trouble and expense to compile the date that it contains. It will not be our purpose to trace these family histories by copying the family trees, but we will mention the family names of some of the people that are mentioned. These are as follows: O’Neal, Bishop, Shelton, Sewell, Holly, Lindsey, Webb, Patterson, Box, Rogers, Pearson, Messer, Riggs, Canady, Weeks, Jamerson, Spencer, Brewer, Yancey, Lott, Kent, Hardin and some others. Any persons who are descendants of these pioneer families can trace their lineage by using this book. Additional copies of the book can probably be secured by contacting Merle O’Neal Kent. Mrs. Kent gives some history of our area that we shall quote: “Since these records date back to the early days in Tennessee, a brief review of the early

33

Page 34 of 90

history of this state does seem to be in order. In the early days before the coming of the white man a part of what is now Tennessee was occupied by Indian tribes. The most important of these were the Cherokees in the eastern section and the Chickasaws in the southwest. In 1541, DeSoto, the Spanish explorer, discovered the Mississippi river and he was probably the first white man to visit the area. His discovery took place in the vicinity of Memphis. LaSalle built a fort at this place in 1662. A grant by Charles II of England to the proprietors of North Carolina in 1665 included the territory now occupied by Tennessee. For this reason, Tennessee was for many years a part of North Carolina. The word, Tennessee, comes from an Indian name whose origin and meaning are unknown. Probably the river and the whole territory through which the river flows were named for the village of the Cherokees, called Tenassie, Tenasie. The name Tennessee was used originally by Henry Timberlake, a young British officer who visited the Cherokee tribe in 1761. In 1748, a party of Virginians discovered the Cumberland mountains and the Cumberland river, and eight years later, in 1756, the first English settlement was started. This was Fort Loudon, in the northern part of what is now Monroe County, Tennessee. The arrival of Capt. Wm. Bean at Wautaugo on Boone Creek in 1769 marked the beginning of the first permanent settlement in Tennessee. James Robertson came the following year and another settlement was founded near Rogersville in 1771. Soon afterwards Jacob Brown opened a store on the Nolichucky River. In 1777, the legislature of North Carolina organized the County of Washington, comprising the whole of what is now Tennessee. Two years later, Jonesboro was laid out and established as the seat of justice of Washington County. In the same year, a settlement was begun on the Cumberland River at or near the present site of Nashville. A convention was held at Jonesboro in 1784, which resulted in the organization of the state of Franklin. For several years, there was conflict between the new state of Franklin and that of North Carolina and in 1887 the whole region was ceded to the United States. It was then organized as a territory and Congress appointed Wm Blount as territorial governor. The population increased so rapidly that by 1796 the territory was admitted as the 16th state of the Union and John Sevier was the first governor. After the Revolutionary War treaties were made with the Indians and the area was opened for settlement. Settlers flocked by wagon loads over the mountain trails from all other states, but most were from the Carolinas and from Virginia. Most of them were Scots- Irish or English descent. The first United States census in 1790 showed that most of them settlers in Tennessee were of English stock and since then the make-up of the population has changed little. And this is where our story begins, for my earliest known ancestry were among those pioneers who came across the mountains into the newly organized state of Tennessee.

The Founding of Wild Goose – by Custer Taylor

The earliest records that we have of our ancestors go back to the very beginning of the little community known today as Enville, Tennessee. According to the best information that we have, a wagon train of settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains and entered the area in 1826. It must be remembered that Tennessee was a new state at this time and since most of the land was open for homesteading, settlers were pouring over the mountains by the thousands. We 34

Page 35 of 90

have been told that this particular group came from Sampson County, North Carolina, but we have no documentary proof of this fact. We do not know just how many families were in this group, but we do know that Frederick Sewell, his brother lived in what is now Enville and the log house that he built has been occupied continuously ever since. The well that he dug furnishes good water until this day. Bryce Findley lived in what is now the Mt. Zion Community. Joseph Findley, a son of Bryce Findley, was a lad of about 16 when they made the trip across the mountains and he enjoyed telling about it in later years. The land that these settlers found was beautiful, dense, green and with virgin forests. History tells us that the entire state of Tennessee was almost completely covered with these beautiful forests and that one could walk for miles and miles without once leaving the shade of these trees. The earth was several inches deep in good, rich, woodsy topsoil. These forest abounded in all sorts of game which explains why the Indians used it as a hunting ground. What wonderful hunting it must have been. The first job of the early settlers was to clear the forests in order to get logs with which to build their cabins and to have land which they could farm. The timber that they had would be of untold value to us today but there was no market for it then, and thousands of large, beautiful trees were deadened by girding, later cut down, trimmed and cut into lengths so that they could be rolled into piles and burned. Mrs. Kent goes on to tell how her grandfather, B. C. O'Neal had a water mill which furnished power for sawing logs into lumber. The lumber was then hauled by oxen to Coffee Landing where it was sent to market by boat. Her other grandfather, Dr. J. U. Kent, had enough lumber sawed at the old watermill to complete the building of his home in Enville. One of the early settlers in the area was Dick Hardin. He owned and operated a water- mill, also. The mill pond attracted large numbers of wild geese. Because of these geese, the little settlement acquired the name of Wild Goose and wore this name until about 60 years ago. Readers should remember that Wild Goose or Enville as it is called today was in McNairy County until about 1884 when that part of McNairy County was cut off to help form Chester county. (J. Custer Taylor was a native of the Adamsville area. Sometimes during 1959 he started to write a weekly article for the Tennessee Valley Appeal, published in Adamsville. The articles for an approximate two year period was compiled and reprinted as HISTORICAL ARTICLES BY J. C. TAYLOR, by Bill Wagoner, McNairy County Historian. (Used by permission.)

35

Page 36 of 90

HILL FAMILY BIBLE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
CHARLES HENRY HILL AND FRANCES ELIZABETH BURNS
WERE UNITED BY ME IN HOLY MATRIMONY
AT CHARLES AND ELIZABETH BURNS ON THE 11TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1861
IN THE PRESCENSE OF EPHROM AND ELIZA JANE THOMPSON
SIGNED BY JOHN M. HAMM

FAMILY RECORD

SUSAN CALDONY HILL WARREN DEPARTED THIS LIFE OCTOBER 7, 1898
CHARLES HENRY HILL DEPARTED THIS LIFE JULY 24, 1905
FRANCIS E. BURNS HILL DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEBRUARY 23,1922
MILDRED M. HILL SMITH DEPARTED THIS LIFE MARCH 7, 1938
MARY E. MCCORMACK DEPARTED THIS LIFE SEPT 24, 1940
JACKSON HORRY HILL DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEBR 18, 1941
HIRAM NEWTON HILL DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY 3, 1950
Courtesy of Nancy McClain

BIBLE RECORD OF SMITH & WYATT FAMILIES

Joel Smith was born in the year of our Lord 1807 - January 12th Sussanah Smith was born the year of our Lord 1810 - August 2th - died Aug 18, 1878 Rev Asa Wyatt was born in the year of our Lord 1812 - January the 31 Deliah Wyatt was born in the year of our Lord 1818 - March 26th Joel Smith was born in the year of our Lord 1847 - March 13 - Died Feb 28, 1931 Syrenthia Ellen Wyatt born in the year of our Lord 1848. born August the 3- Died Feb 19, 1917 W. J. Smith and Syntha Elin Wyatt was maird in the year of our Lord Junry the 30, 1868 Deliah Susannah Smith was born in the year of our Lord 1868 - Desember 12th William Asa Smith was born in the year of our Lord 1870 - August 28th Joel Delanie was born in the year of our Lord 1873 - Janry 29 Ella S Smith was born ed the year of our Lord 1874 - October 28th (died August 18, 1878) Thomas Mickens was born in the year of our Lord 1876 - Desember – John Burl Wyatt Smith was born in the year of our Lord 1879 - March the 14 Roxie Ann Smith was born in the year of our Lord Janury the 12, 1882 Mary Ester Smith was born in the year of our Lord Janury the 4, 1884

36

Page 37 of 90

E S Smith died August 18, 1878
The baby was born Feb the 17th 1880 and died on the same day.

William Joel (Jay) Smith and wife Ellen came to Tennessee from Alabama, near Birmingham, in 1870 in an oxen drawn covered wagon. They brought his parents with them. His father was blind. Because of being blind he was swindled out of some money he should have received from a railroad company that built a railroad across his land. William Joel (Jay) Smith and wife Ellen settled in McNairy County near Pleasant Site on the old Stump farm. Later they bought and moved to the McCrow farm. Then later they sold the farm to Jimmy and Deliah Jones who later sold the farm to Jim and Edith (Edie) Gardner. Orville and Lora Pearl Gardner now own it. (Note don’t know when this was written but the Gardner’s have both died.) The old house has rotted down but a large pecan tree is still standing and still bears pecans. Roxie Smith Littlejohn said, when she was quite small, she remembered her mother planting the seed. Later my grandfather (Jay Smith) bought a farm between the J. C. Gilbert farm and Rev. John Jones farm near Pleasant Grove Church now known as the Gilbert Farm.

WILLIAM HAMM BIBLE PAGE
(Bible published 1849)
copied by Sybil Hamm Taylor

The Bible is in the possession of Sybil Hamm Taylor, a direct of William Hamm.
It is believed that the person who wrote the old William Hamm bible was
Calvin or Emilla Hamm.. It was done all about the same time and I believe that
it was done right after 1866 and before the deaths of either William or Rachel Hamm.

BIRTHS
Wm. Ham son of Thos Hamm and Anna his wife was Borne October 20th 1799
Rachael Huggins daughter of Phillip and Jane his wife was Borne Sept15th 1798
James Jefferson Hamm son of Wm. and Rachael Hamm his wife was Borne Oct 6th 1818
Elizabeth Ann Hamm daughter of Wm. and Rachael Hamm was Borne Sept 10th 1819
Calvin Hamm son of Wm. and Rachael Hamm was Borne Nov 25th 1820
Phillip Hamm son of Wm. and Rachael Hamm was Borne Jan 24th 1822
Sarah Hamm daughter of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne April 7th 1823
Thomas Hamm son of Wm. & Rachael was Borne April 27th 1824
John Michale Hamm son of Wm. Hamm was Borne June the 14th 1825
Anna Hamm daughter of Wm. & Rachael was Borne Sept 24th 1826
Mary Hamm daughter of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne July 28th 1828
Minerva Hamm daughter of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne July 28th 1829
Wm. Jordan Hamm son of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne April 7th 1831
Jasper Sanders Hamm son of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne May 8th 1832
Carroll Anderson Hamm son of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne May 4th 1834
Rachael Hamm daughter of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne Nov 5th 1835
Joseph Berry Hamm son of Wm.& Rachael Hamm was Borne July the 1st 1837

37

Page 38 of 90

Ursley Jane Hamm Daughter of Wm. & Rachael Hamm was Borne Octob 5th 1838
Newton Luke Hamm Son of W. & Rachael Hamm was Borne June 24th 1840
Sarah Ann Elizabeth Hamm daughter of Thomas and Marthy J Hamm was Borne
Nov the 24th A D 1851

MARRIAGES
Wm. Hamm and Rachael Huggins was Married December 10th 1817
James J Hamm and Sylvana Smith was Married June the 14 1839
Elizabeth Ann Hamm and Hensley Smith was Married May the 12th 1839
Sarah Hamm and John Smith was Married
Calvin Hamm and Millian Springer was Married
Phillip Hamm and Caroline Farris was Married
Thomas Hamm and Polly Richards was Married
Thomas Hamm and Jane Adkins his 2nd wife was Married
Wm. J. Hamm and Sarah Burnes was married
Anna Hamm and Cisson McCormac was Married
Rachael Hamm & Harbert Frizzell was Married 1857
Ursley Jane Hamm and Albert B. Buchanon was Married December the 29th 1858
Newton L. Hamm and Annetta E. Frizzell was married 1864
Mary Hamm and Joseph Smith was married
Mary Hamm & Beramon Aron was married 1864
Anna McCormac and Thomas B. Goforth was Married January the 30th 1865

DEATHS John Michael Hamm Departed this life Nov 1825 Aged 5 Months Sylvana Hamm Departed this life July the 7th 1843 Mary Hamm wife of Thos Hamm Departed this Life August the 11th 1849 and her 3 children Jasper Sanders Hamm Departed this Life Sept the 18th 1849 Thos Hamm Departed this Life April 17th 1851 Phillip Hamm Departed this life May the 11th 1851 Manerva Hamm Departed this Life July 28th 1851 Carroll Anderson Hamm Departed this life 1852 James Jefferson Hamm Departed this Life December 1861 Wm. J. Hamm Departed this life Jan 1862 Joseph Berry Hamm Departed this life at Camp Morton Indiana in prison about Aug 1864 Sarah Smith departed this life 1863 Joseph Smith Departed this Life April 1863 Cizaro McCormac Departed this Life Oct the 1st 1863 Anna Goforth Departed this life February the 19th 1866 at 6 oc 35 min Pm Aged 39 yrs 5 month The last entry in this bible was in 1866 and most of it was done in a beautiful script. I assume that the person responsible for these entries died or moved at that time. I have always thought that Calvin Hamm b.1820 or his wife Millian (Milly Ann) Springer is the writer and I know they left Izard Co., Arkansas and returned to McNairy Co., Tenn. about that time.

38

Page 39 of 90

HUGGINS & HAMM FAMILY BIBLES

It was quite by accident that I found these Bibles. I found them in August 2000, in the home of an 88 year old cousin. They were big books, depth about three inches but the publication date could not be found. They had been stored in a shed and the woodworms had eaten the binding loose and damaged most of the pages. Thankfully, someone had put the Family Sheets in plastic sleeves which gave a little added protection. The pages were very dim and in a few years would have been useless. For years Huggins Cousins had searched for the matriarch of our line and now we can give Jane Morris our homage. Nancy Wardlow Kennedy

J. & ELLA HUGGINS FAMILY BIBLE

MARRIAGES
James M. Huggins and Elizabeth Robertson was married Jan 14, 1823
Philip Huggins and Jane Morris was married Dec the 8th, 1791
Joseph Robertson and Margaret Simpson was married July 26th, 1804
P. J. Huggins and Ella English were married Oct 11, 1885
Witness J. N. Hamm and J. W. McCoy

BIRTHS
James M. Huggins was bornd May the 27th AD 1801
Elizabeth Robertson was bornd June 20th AD 1807
Leroy M. Huggins was bornd Nov 27th 1823
Lucinda was bornd Aug 1st 1825
Joseph R. Huggins was bornd May 12th 1827
Roda Huggins was bornd May 7th 1830
J. S. Huggins was bornd Dec 31st 1832
James L. Huggins was bornd Aug 9th 1834
Levi H. Huggins was bornd Feb 2nd 1838
Philip Huggins was bornd Nov 14th 1839
Margaret Huggins was bornd May 20th 1841
Elizabeth Huggins was bornd Oct 16th 1845
Sarah J. Huggins was bornd Oct 26th 1848
Martha A. Huggins was bornd July 7, 1850
P. J. Huggins bornd Feb 14, 1864
Ella English bornd Nov 5, 1868
Edna N. Huggins bornd Aug 10, 1887
Lee Audry Huggins bornd May 24, 1893
Harlie Abbey Huggins borned May 31, 1895
Arthur Huggins bornd Nov 5, 1897
Edgar Judson Huggins bornd Sept 21, 1901
Joe R Huggins was born Mar 13, 1860

39

Page 40 of 90

DEATHS
Lucinda Huggins departed this life August 15th 1825
Rhoda Huggins departed this life Sept 29th 1831
Levi H Huggins departed this life Feb 19th 1840
Margaret Huggins departed this life Aug 5th 1841
Martha A Huggins departed this life Sept the 7th 1850
Joseph R. Huggins departed this life Aug 30th 1853
Elizabeth Huggins the wife of James M Huggins, Sen -Died May 1st 1882
James M. Huggins died Sept 3rd, 1892
J. S. Huggins departed this life Oct 27th, 1900
Joe R. Huggins died Nov 26th 1927
Thomas B. Huggins died Apr 9, 1928
Lee M. Huggins died Nov 31, 1936
Belle Latta Huggins died Nov 3, 1936
Izora Huggins wife of Lee Huggins died Sep 1, 1931
Martha Hamm wife of J. N. Hamm died Feb 2, 1940
Robert C. Huggins died July 11, 1953
James L. Huggins departed this life Feb 27, 1952

J. N & MARTHA HAMM FAMILY BIBLE

James J Hamm was borned Oct 6th 1818
Sylvania Hamm wife of James J. Hamm was borned Jany 1st 1824
Mary Ann Hamm daughter of Jas J & Sylvania Hamm was borned Nov 27th 1841
George Washington Hamm son of Jas J & Sylvania Hamm was borned July 2, 1842
Malinda Hamm wife of Jas J Hamm was borned November 29, 1816
Sylvania daughter of James J & Malinda Hamm was borned Dec 7th 1845
Nancy Elizabeth daughter of Jas J & Malinda Hamm was borned Apr 7th 1847
Hanna Quintina daughter of J. J. & Malinda Hamm was borned Apr 17th, 1849
Jasper Newton son of Jas J & Malinda Hamm was borned January 4th 1852
James B. Hamm son of Jas J & Malinda Hamm was borned June 8th 1856
William D Hamm the son of Jas J & Malinda Hamm was borned March 29, 1859
Thomas Jefferson son of Jas & Malinda Hamm was borned Nov 8th 1861
Troy R. Farris son of Elsie & Rufus Farris was born July 18, 1909
Ruby Willie Howell daughter of Alma May & Willie Howell born Nov 19, 1913
Mary Emma Howell daughter of Alma May & Willie Howell was born July 20, 1915

MARRIAGES
James J Hamm and Sylvania Smith were married June the 11, 1839
James J Hamm and Malinda Hogan were married February 18th 1845
Rufus Farris and Elsie Earl Hamm was married August 23, 1903
Alma May Hamm daughter of J. N. & Martha Hamm was married to
Willie Howell 1st Sunday in Nov 1941
40