Five generations of Delzells lived in Franklin County beginning with John Delzell (1808-1870), who migrated from Blount County, TN. about 1828. John, his young wife Louisa, her father and uncle settled at the foot of the mountain between Greenhaw and Cowan.
John Delzell and Louisa B. Anderson were married on February 12, 1858 in Blount County, TN. by Dr. Issac Anderson, Pastor of the New Providence Presbyterian Church. They must have left soon for Middle Tennessee. In 1830 he is shown on the Franklin County, TN. census.

Census records prior to 1850 were concerned only with numbers; consequently, the only name to appear was the head of the household. John Delzell was listed as head of household in both the 1830 and 1840 census of Franklin County with a wife and children of appropriate ages. In 1850 the names of the family are shown for the first time. John Delzell (42) farmer, born TN., Louisa Delzell (42) keeping house, born VA., children Elizabeth (21), William (20), Lucy Ann (17), Martha (15), Nathaniel (13), Margaret (12). All children born in Tennessee.

At the October term of County Court in 1850, we find the following on page 130 of the report.

“Ordered that John Delzell appointed overseer of and that he proceeded to cut out a road recently viewed and layed off by jury on petition of Chapman McDaniel. The following hands… F.M. Darwin, Berry Bennett (one of Anderson Matthew’s hands), James M. Morris, John P. Kennerly, Elijah Sanders, William Barns, Davis Barns and James Bratton.”

The last record of John Delzell in Franklin County was a $2.00 Poll Tax he paid in 1852 and 1853. We cannot be sure if he died in Franklin County or moved away. No record of death or a will has been found.

Since my primary study has been on John’s son William, I will include only his immediate descendants.

The 1860 census of Franklin Co., TN lists William Delzell (30) farmer and wife Nancy C. (25) living with children, Louisa F. (5), Mary E. (3), and John (1). Also living with them was William’s youngest sister Margaret (18) domestic and John Tol Guess (16) farm hand. All born in TN.

Minutes of the Franklin County Court for October 8, 1861 shows William Delzell was appointed administrator of the estate of Frances McKelvey. His bond was signed by, William G. McKelvey, Samuel McKelvey and Noah McKelvey. This shows the honored position that William had attained in the family. But, before the estate could be settled William left to join the Confederate Army.

William Delzell joined Company D 44th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry on March 20, 1862. He was inducted in at Corinth, MS. for 12 months service. William’s name appears on a list of “Killed, Wounded or Missing in Action”. He had been wounded December 31, 1862 in the Battle of Murfreesboro, TN. Muster Roll for March – June, 1863 show him absent with the remark, “Detailed to work on railroad, April 8, 1863 by order of General Bragg.” On the July – August roll he is again absent with this remark, “Sent to Hospital August 24, 1863 at Louden, TN. by order of Surgeon Jackson.” He returned to active duty at the end of 1863. Muster rolls for January – December, 1864 show him present. He was captured on April 2, 1865 at Petersburg, VA. William Delzell is shown on the roll of prisoners received at Fort Delaware, State of Delaware, from City Point, VA. on April 4, 1865. He was described as, “brown complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes and 6 ft. height.” His residence was given as Franklin, TN. He was released June 10, 1865.

After his return from the Civil War, William returned to Franklin County and his devastated farm. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the 10th Civil District in 1868, a position he held until his death The Justices of the Peace, when meeting, formed the County Court which governed the County. In January 1879 he bought a 275 acre tract (which later figured closer to 290 acres), for $1300., paid in two annual payments of $650 plus 6% interest. The property was on the Decherd-Greenhaw Road (known presently as Blue Springs Road), bordering Wagner’s Creek and the McKelvey farm; there he built a two story log house where four generations of Delzells would reside. He deeded land for the Greenhaw School and Greenhaw Baptist Church.
The children of William Delzell b: 1830 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: 1898 Franklin County, Tennessee, and Nancy Catherine McKelvey b: 1835 Franklin County, Tennessee:

1. Louise Frances Delzell b: 1854 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: 1880 Franklin County, Tennessee. Married James Thomas Minton b: 1855 Franklin County, Tennessee d: 1930 Franklin County, Tennessee.
2. Mary E. Delzell b: June 20, 1856 Franklin County, Tennessee d: January 03, 1934 Franklin County, Tennessee. Married Joseph S. Berryhill b: December 18, 1846 Franklin County, Tennessee d: December 24, 1914 Franklin County, Tennessee.
3. John Delzell b: May 30, 1859 Decherd, Tennessee, d: February 12, 1938 Decherd, Tennessee. Married Sarah Ann Spencer b: October 31, 1858 Lincoln County, Tennessee d: January 11, 1944 Decherd, Tennessee.
4. Joseph Delzell b: October 05, 1860 Franklin County, Tennessee d: August 15, 1923 Franklin County, Tennessee. Married Sarah A. McKelvey b: June 26, 1859 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: January 08, 1933 Franklin County, Tennessee.
5. Temperance Delzell b: October 11, 1863 Decherd, Tennessee, d: January 25, 1908 Franklin County, Tennessee. Married Samuel T. Knott b: March 24, 1863 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: December 13, 1926 Franklin County, Tennessee.
6. Robert Lee Delzell b: August 23, 1867 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: August 27, 1940 Franklin County, Tennessee. Married Ammah Fields b: August 07, 1866 Decherd, Tennessee, d: February 02, 1940 Franklin County, Tennessee.
7. William McKelvey Delzell b: January 21, 1877 Franklin County, Tennessee, d: September 05, 1956 Chattanooga, Tennessee. Married Louie Ellen West b. June 13, 1895 in Franklin County, Tennessee, d: October 09, 1947 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The Delzell descendants have a long and proud history of public service. Upon the death of his father, William Delzell, John became the owner of the family farm and was elected to fill his father’s term as Justice of the Peace. A post he held uncontested for the next 34 years. In his later years he served as Superintendent of the Franklin County Farm.

John’s son Hugh started teaching in small rural schools in Franklin County in 1909. While teaching he completed the requirements for a two-year Teaching Diploma in 1917 and in 1926 received his B.S. Degree from Middle Tennessee State Teachers College at Murfreesboro. In 1929 he received his M.A. Degree from George Peabody College in Nashville, TN. He was Principal and taught at Southside School 1917-22, Normandy School 1922-24, Lavernge School 1924-27, Christiana 1927-33, Lynnville 1934-39, all in Middle Tennessee. In 1939 he became Assistant County Agent of Perry County, TN. and later County Agent of Perry. In 1955 he received the Distinguished Service Award (the highest award presented to County Agents), from the National County Agents Association at the convention in Lansing, Michigan. He retired December 31, 1957 and moved to Nashville, TN. Where he lived until his death.

Another son Robert Spencer served in World War I with the AEF in France, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. After the war he became a Barber and continued in this trade until his death. He was elected and served as Justice of the Peace in 1936. Spencer and his wife, Jennie Ruth Williams, were instrumental in founding, and were active in, the Nazarene Church in Decherd, TN.

Another son JohnRoy served during World War II with A.E.F. in France, in Company H, 322nd Infantry, 81st Division. After the War he returned to Franklin County, TN. and lived in and around Decherd, working in Retail Stores. From 1950 to 1969, he owned and operated the Delzell Furniture Company, which was located on the southside of the Square in Winchester, TN. He also served as Mayor of Decherd. He and his family moved to Nashville where he eventually became Secretary of the Brotherhood of the Southern Baptist Convention, and was a well known and sought after speaker.
Another of John’s sons, Ernest, was for several years an Insurance and Automobile Salesman. From about 1942 he was Circulation Manager of the Baptist Reflector of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Later he was Executive Secretary of the Tennessee Baptist Brotherhood. From 1957 to 1968 he was an Examiner of Small Loans with the Tennessee Insurance and Banking Commission.

The youngest son, Raymond Earl, bought the family farm near Greenhaw, in 1932, at which time his father John retired and moved into Decherd.

Two of William’s sons, Joseph and William M. were Baptist preachers, pastoring numerous churches in Tennessee and Alabama. After moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1908, the brothers founded the Sherman Hill Baptist Church which both pastored at different times.

One of William M.’s sons, Joseph was also a Baptist preacher and pastored the Sherman Hill Church.

This information is respectfully submitted by Billy G. Denham, son of Mary Louise Delzell, Rev. William M. Delzell’s youngest daughter. Rev. Billy Denham has also served as a Baptist pastor and evangelist for the past 32 years.