Bledsoe County TNGenWeb

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Category: Historic Sites Page 1 of 3

Petition for a Grist Mill, 1807

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On January 12, 2022

In Historic Sites, Individuals & Families, Legislative Petitions & Acts, Local History & Information

Petition to the Tennessee General Assembly — Ordered

State of Tennessee Roane County 1807

To the honorable Court of Roane County — we your Petitioners humbly Sheweth that a grist mill in Sequacha Valley, Where the old Kiuka Trace of Lower Trace Crosses the Mountain From Tennessee Valley will be of publix utility. We Therefor pray your Worships to grand an order in favor of George Skillern Erecting a mill on Sd. place.

Jesse McKinny
John McKnight
John Anderson
Wm. Christian
Jos. Hoge(?)
Jno. Brown
Jessee Tyree
Jas. Ridle
Elisha Rogers
Jos. Rogers
Gerge Sharpe(?)
Thos. Riddle
Volentine Spring
John Spring
John roberson
Isaac Stephens
George Hatfield
Thomas Yount
Thos Yount
Joseph Myes(?)
Michael Foster(?)
Sam Cowen
Thomas Brown(?)
Ezekiel McCoy
Smith Dunken(?)
James Hail
Thomas Masterson
Thomas Vernon
Elijah Hicks(?)
John Hankins
William Wilson
(Torn)
James Direr(?)
Peter Looney
Daniel Thorp
Martin Laurence
David Oatt
Samuel Lusk
Samuel Simpson
John Portmorn
James Breden
William Roberson
David Rainey
James Moore
Jn(?) Coulter
Stephan Thurman
James Jons
John Shumak
Eli Thurman
Nicholas Spring
Alexr. Coulter
William Long
Robert Gambel
Alexr. Ferguson
John Rusell
James R. Rogers
Joseph _____

Bledsoe County Place Names

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On January 11, 2022

In Historic Sites, Local History & Information, Maps & Gazetteers

This list is not exhaustive.  Its source is unknown; it was on the pre-2015 Bledsoe County TNGenWeb site.

Bellview

Brayton

Brockdell

Cold Spring

Cooper Mill

Dill

Emery Mill

Friendship

Gerren Heights

Glade Creek*

Grapevine

Griffith

Hart

Hendon

Herbert Domain

Hickory Grove

Hitchcock

Lee’s Station

Litton

Luminary

Lusk

Melvine

Milo

Mount Crest

New Harmony

Nine Mile

Old Cumberland

Pailo

Pearson*

Pikeville

Rainey*

Sampson

Saratoga Springs

Schoolfield*

Seals*

Sequatchie College

Skiles*

Smithton

Summer City

Tanbark*

Tiptop

West End

Winesap

* places of historical interest

Bledsoe County’s Beginnings

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On January 11, 2022

In About Bledsoe County, Geography & Topography, Historic Sites, Individuals & Families, Local History & Information

from Elizabeth Robnett, Bledsoe County Historian

The first settlers moved into the Sequatchie Valley around 1805, soon after the first treaty was signed with the native people. The valley was, at that time, mostly part of Roane County.  Some of the early settlers bore the surnames Wilson, Oxsheer, Tollett, Standefer, Griffith, and Anderson. Louise Maxwell Anderson is believed to be the first white child born in Sequatchie Valley in September, 1806.

The oldest county in the Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe was named for a member of the prominent Bledsoe family of Sumner County. The most likely candidate for this honor is Anthony Bledsoe, a practical surveyor and Revolutionary war patriot.

Bledsoe became a county in 1807, during James Sevier’s last term as Governor. James Standefer and John Tollett were appointed in 1811 to select a place for the county seat. Alexander Coulter donated forty acres “to erect the town of Madison.”

Much of the land acquired by early settlers was a result of laws passed by the Tennessee State Legislature 1806-1809, which allowed a settler to claim the land he was living on as well as other unclaimed lands. Some of these early claimants in Bledsoe County were John Billingsley, John Hankins, and John Narramore.

Sometime between 1816 and 1818, the county seat was moved to Pikeville.

Bledsoe County was and is comprised of many small communities often bearing the name of a church, store, or post office. These are very often family names.

In 1832, Matthew Rhea listed four place names on his map: Pikeville, Big Springs, Madison and Rainey.

In 1836, by an act of the Tennessee State Assembly, Bledsoe County was divided into 10 Civil Districts. The gentlemen responsible for the districting were Isaac Stephens, Samuel McReynolds and Samuel L. Story.

In 1856, the northern part of Bledsoe County became part of Cumberland County; in 1858, portions of southern Bledsoe County were given up to form Sequatchie County.

Bledsoe County in the Civil War

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On January 11, 2022

In About Bledsoe County, Civil War History, Historic Sites, Local History & Information

from Elizabeth Robnett, Bledsoe County Historian

This time period created much confusion and dissension among the citizens. Bledsoe County voted against withdrawal from the Union and while the state itself voted for secession, much of the eastern part of Tennessee remained loyal to the Union.

Despite the fact that Bledsoe voted against secession, several Confederate companies were organized. The Tulloss Rangers were organized by John Bridgeman in July 1861 and named to honor James A. Tulloss of Pikeville for his contributions to the company. In August, 1861, Weatherston S. Greer also organized a company with men from Bledsoe, Rhea and Roane Counties. Other Confederate units were organized by William J. Hill, Alexander H. Roberson and Oliver P. Schoolfield.

Most of the Bledsoe men who joined the Union forces enlisted in upper east Tennessee, Huntsville, Athens and at Camp Dick Robinson in Kentucky.

During the Civil War the men of Bledsoe County were found fighting for both Confederate and Union units. While no complete list of participants exists, a partial list of Civil War soldiers from Bledsoe county is included here. You can also view the 1890 Veteran’s and Widow’s Census of Bledsoe County, which happily includes some Confederate entries.

Click here to visit the TNGenWeb special project, Tennessee and the Civil War.

Early History of Pikeville

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On January 11, 2022

In About Bledsoe County, Historic Sites, Local History & Information

from Elizabeth Robnett, Bledsoe County Historian

Pikeville had its beginning as a small frontier village that grew up around a large spring. It was known as Thurmans and, although Madison was the county seat at that time, court was held at Thurmans. In 1816, Charles Love of Virginia sold 30 acres of land on Sequatchie — or Crow — Creek for the town of Pikeville.

There are two stories about the naming of Pikeville, one is that it was named for General Zebulon Pike, an American soldier and explorer. The other is that it was named by John Bridgeman who came from North Carolina, naming the settlement Pikeville, in honor of his native home: Pike, NC.

Sometime between 1816 and 1818 the county seat was moved from Madison to Pikeville. Its central location and access to the stage stop on the route from Knoxville to Huntsville, Alabama probably contributed to the growth of the village. Pikeville was incorporated as a town in 1830 and remains the only incorporated are in Bledsoe County. By 1860 Pikeville boasted a population of 200 folks.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

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On January 11, 2022

In Events of Interest, Geography & Topography, Historic Sites, Local History & Information

Fall Creek Falls is located in Van Buren County, but it is a great place for visitors to the Bledsoe County area to find lodging and soak in the flavor of the region.

In addition to natural beauty, watefalls, and hiking, the park is the site of several annual events.

Click here to visit the Tennessee State Parks Web site for Fall Creek Falls.

R. E. Winsett Historical Marker in Pikeville

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On January 11, 2022

In Biographies, Historic Sites, Individuals & Families, Local History & Information

The historical marker of R.E. Winsett, gospel music producer and hymnodist, is part of the Tennessee Music Pathways.

Winsett composed many sacred songs, including his most well-known, Jesus Is Coming Soon, which was recorded by several artists, including the Oak Ridge Boys. Born in 1876, Winsett began writing hymns when he was only seven years old. His 1908 collection of hymns, Songs of Pentecostal Power, became his first widely-distributed hymnal. His songs became one of the cornerstones of Southern sacred music. His Best of All hymnal is considered one of the top-selling hymnals of all time.

The marker is located at 3095 Main St, Pikeville, TN 37367.

Source: https://www.tnvacation.com/point-of-interest/re-winsett-pathway-marker

Pikeville During the Civil War

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On January 11, 2022

In About Bledsoe County, Civil War History, Historic Sites

The Bledsoe County Courthouse stands on the site of the first courthouse, which was completed by 1821.

During the Civil War, in August 1862, Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg led his Army of Tennessee north from Chattanooga to invade Kentucky. A Confederate veteran later stated that “General Bragg and his army used the … courthouse as a hospital” in August and September.

The John Bridgman House, located adjacent to the courthouse, was the home of a civic and business leader who constructed the Federal-style dwelling about 1830. In 1861, his son, John M. Bridgman, organized a company of Confederate infantry in Bledsoe County called the Tulloss Rangers. Federal troops occupied the house in 1863.

Source: https://www.tnvacation.com/civil-war/place/4556/pikeville-during-the-civil-war-history-around-you/

Experience Pikeville — Tennessee Tourism

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On January 11, 2022

In Events of Interest, Historic Sites, Local History & Information

Pikeville is known as the “Pumpkin Capital.”  Tennessee’s state tourism agency provides links to several businesses and places of interest in and around Pikeville.  Click here to view the links.

Please note TNGenWeb does not endorse off-site links.  They are provided for information only.

Pikeville Local Information

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On January 11, 2022

In Events of Interest, Historic Sites, Local History & Information

The information below is presented in a frame.  Use the scroll bars to navigate.

Please note this is a commercial site, and the company is not specifically endorsed by TNGenWeb.

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