Category: Individuals &amp; Families Page 6 of 7

submitted by S. Smith (before 2015)

Bedford B. Smith was the son of Thomas and Mildred (Atkins) SMITH. They had 12 children. Bedford was born 8/19/1808 in NC and died 9/9/1873 in Franklin Co., IL. He lived in Bledsoe Co. until about 1860. Information from Noel Smith states that Bedford B. Smith received Tenessee Land Grant No. 2249, 100 acres, on 18 September 1828. It was on Cumberland Mountain and on the headwaters of Daddy’s Creek. Daddy’s Creek is a branch of Emery’s River in the north part of Bledsoe County.

This Bible was handed down through a granddaughter of Bedford B. Smith, and daughter of Daniel Smith, Mrs. Hazel (Smith) McKenny, to her grandson Baxter B. Fite III, 2130 N. North Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604. Baxter has provided a photocopy of those pages containing family data. Sheila Smith Cadwalader, a great-great granddaughter of Jasper Smith, son of Bedford B. Smith, provided the typed transcription as shown below; that typed version includes the grammar and spelling as shown in the Bible. The layout as shown in this appendix varies in places from the original for purpose of display and conserving space.

Family Record

MARRIAGES

B B Smith & Elizabeth Teeter was married July the 23rd 1829-

James Smith & Sarah Ann Glenn was married Oct. the 29th 1851-

Addaline Smith & Wm Whittenburg was married July the 29th 1852-

Mary Smith & Peter Whittenburg was married Jan. the 27th 1853-

Thomas Smith & Martha Whittenburg was married July the 12th 1854-

William Smith & Marian Callahan was married March the 27th 1859-

Eliza Smith & Wm M Simmons was married April the 20th 1862-

Jasper Smith & Elender Haris was married November the 6th 1865-

Samuel Smith & Marthy J Ward was married the 1st of Aprile 1870-

Jacob Smith & Sarah E. Canada was married July the 29th 1864-

Daniel Smith & Parthny Love was married Dec the 28th 1871-

Bedford Smith & Carmelia Hargrove was married May the 7th 1874-

BIRTHS

Thomas Smith was Father of B. B. Smith was born Aprile the 25th 1779-

Mildred Smith Mother of B. B. Smith was born January the 23rd 1788-

B. B. Smith was born August the 19th 1808-

Elizabeth Smith was born Nov the 8th 1807-

Addaline Smith was born July the 7th 1830-

James Smith was born Sept the 22nd 1831-

Mary Smith was born May the 18th 1833-

Thomas Smith was born Oct. the 8th 1834-

William Smith was born July the 29th 1836-

Eliza Smith was born March 26th 1838-

John Smith was born Jan the 31st 1840-

Samuel Smith was born Sept the 17th 1841-

Marion Smith was born Dec the 13th 1843-

Jasper Smith was born April the 25th 1846-

Jacob Smith was born June the 5th 1849-

Bedford Smith was born Aprile the 13th 1851-

Daniel Smith was born Nov the 16th 1853-

DEATHS

John Smith Decd Aug. the 27th 1840

Mary Whittenburg Decd Aprile the 3rd 1858–

Marion Smith Decd Sept the 28th 1864

B. B. Smith died Sept the 9th 1873

Elizabeth Smith Decd Feb the 17th 1874

Samuel Smith Deceased January 25 1874

Thomas Smith was decd Jan 1st 1873

Eliza Simmons died Mar (?)

Thomas Smith Father of B. B. Smith Decd Nov the 5th 1850

Mildred Smith Mother of B. B. Decd August the 4th 1869

Parthina Smith Died June 5th 1890

Jasper Smith died June 2 1900

Jacob Smith died June the 3 1901

Ema Sumerss died June 8-1925

Dan Smith died Feb 16- 1931 ,p. Bedford Smith

Daniel Smith was Born Nov the 16 1853

Parthina Smith was born May 23 1853

Orphus T. Smith was born Sept 25 1872

Isabel Smith was bory July 1st 1875

Myrtle E. Smith was born Dec. 12 1877

J. M. Smith was Born June 5 1881

Wm B Smith was born Feb 26 1884

Daniel Smith was Born Nov the 16 1853

Parthina Smith was born May 23 1853

Orphus T. Smith was born Sept 25 1872

Isabel Smith was born July 1st 1875

Myrtle E. Smith was born Dec. 12 1877

Vick Family

Submitted by Bob [surname unidentified] (before 2015)

My g-g-grandfather, Elijah Vick came to Bledsoe County, Tn. in 1815. He and his wife Lucy Gay Vick were from Edgecombe County, NC. Elijah is mistakenly listed on the 1815 Tax List of Bledsoe as Elijah Wick. He is also listed in the 1830 census of Bledsoe County. In 1816 Lucy Gay Vick inherited some land in NC. from her father, Henry Gay, and Elijah and Lucy returned to Edgecombe County, NC., sold Lucy’s land to her sister and brother-in-law, the Mercers, and returned to Bledsoe. They lived somewhere near Robeson’s Crossroads between Pikeville and Dunlap on what is now U. S. highway 127.

Elijah and Lucy had five children, 1 boy and two girls were born in Bledsoe and 1 boy and 1 girl was born in NC. The only name of any of these children I have been able to find is that of my g-grandfather, Robert Vick [ 6 ]. He was born in NC, in 1810 but, after 1815 he lived the rest of his life in Bledsoe and Knox County, Tn. He married Minerva Nelson, I believe in Bledsoe, He is listed in all the censuses of Bledsoe from 1840 through 1870. In the 1860 census he is listed as mulatto. I don’t know whether this means he was part Indian or black. I know his grand father, Robert [ 4 ] of Greene County, NC. owned slaves and property in Edgecombe, Pitt and Glasgow Counties in NC.

Robert [ 6] had twelve children in Bledsoe:

Martha, b. ca. 1835, d. before 1850, I assume she is buried in Bledsoe but I have not been able to confirm any to the Vick deaths in Bledsoe.

Emeline, b 1837, she was living in Bledsoe in 1870, but I have some information she died and was buried in South Pittsburg, Tn.

John, b. 1839 in Bledsoe, d. before 1860 in Bledsoe,

James, b. April 1841, married Sarah Hickey in Knox County on April 5, 1865 when he returned from the Civil War. He fought on the Union side.

Edley, b. 1843, d. as a Union soldier in Flat Lick, Ky. hospital on April 23, 1862, he did not die of combat wounds, he died of measles,

Mary, b. 1846 in Bledsoe, d. after 1870, she never married, I assume she died and was buried in Bledsoe,

Rufus, my grandfather, b. 1848, he died on August 6, 1920 in Nashville, he married Susan Willis of Jackson County, Ala. on June 5, 1873, she died in Nashville on March 27, 1934, Ashley, b. ca. 1849, I have some information that he died in Jackson County, Ala. but I have not been able to confirm this or the date, I have some data that he was a blacksmith.

Virginia, b. ca. 1849-50, she was living in 1898, but I do not have any record of her marriage or death,

Robert Emmitt, b. July 26, 1858 in Bledsoe, married Elizabeth Childress of Washington County, Tn. on December 19, 1888, they lived in Tn., Tx., Ala, and they lived and died in Knox County, Tn.

Alex, b. 1858 in Bledsoe died in childhood, I assume in Bledsoe,

Asbury, b. August 1860, married Sarah ?, d. I believe in Birmingham, Ala., but I have not been able to confirm this, he was also a blacksmith.

Emmitt worked for the old Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad in South Pittsburg. He was a member and an officer of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in Knox County. Rufus worked for the old Nashville Tellico and Charleston Railroad shop in Nashville as a carpenter. He owned property in Nashville. James was what I would consider a hero in the Civil War. He fought in several battles the Battle of Rogersville, Tn.

Haskew, Gourley, Roberson, Hutcheson, Sartain, Fuqua Families

Submitted by Jodie H. Benson (before 2015)

William B. Haskew, b: May 12,1812 Knox County Tennessee, died: March 07,1882 Pikeville, Bledsoe County, Tenn. Married: June 17,1831 Blount County,Tennessee.Telithia Gourley, b: November 25, 1809, Buncambe County, North Carolina. died: January, 1895 Pikeville, Bledsoe County, Tenn. 9 Children born to William B. and Telithia Haskew.

Joseph Birdwell Haskew b.March 26,1831 Pikeville, Bledsoe County Tenn. died: June 14, 1864, Florida, In the Civil War. Married: Febuary 23, 1854

Mary Rebecca Roberson b: April 24,1834 Pikeville, Bledsoe County, Tenn. died: January 31,1903 Dickens County, Texas

Daughter of James Roberson b: November 11,1784 Virginia died: July 31, 1852, Bledsoe County, Tenn. He had married: July 12, 1828 Sarah Hutcheson b: July 09, 1803 at Grainger County Tenn. Died: August 24, 1876 Bledsoe County, Tenn.

She was daughter of Oliver Perry Hutcheson.

James Roberson son of William Roberson b: November 07, 1759 Belford County, Virginia. Died: January 20,1816, Bledsoe County, Tenn. Married: in Virginia to Rhoda Sartain b: 1766 Virginia, Died:1837 Bledsoe County, Tenn.

William Roberson was the son of

James Roberson b: 1737, Virginia , Died: January 03, 1828, Bledsoe County Tenn. Married: 1756, Mary Fuqua b: 1740 Virginia, died: Bledsoe County, Tenn.

Her parents were Ralph and Prisculla Owens Fuqua of Henrico County, Virginia

Photo Album: Families and Individuals

In Individuals & Families, Photo Albums

Whittenburg Family

Image 1 of 4

This photo is of Peter and Launa Whittenburg and some of their children. They had eleven. The two sons in this photo are Bascom and Frank, the youngest girl is Rosa, not sure which daughter the other is. // Submitted by Mary Jo Parker

2002 Multi-Family Reunion in Grandview Community

The notice below announces a 2002 reunion of multiple families at the “Old Grandview School.” Surnames included the following:

Smith – James – Dinkens – Jolly – Garrison – Reed – Ford – Loden – Brewer – Edwards – Monday – Morris

“and any family that is related to any of these names.”

Bledsoe County’s Beginnings

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.

R. E. Winsett Historical Marker in Pikeville

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

First Families of Bledsoe County Project

On January 10, 2022

Begun in 1996 to celebrate Tennessee’s Bicentennial, the First Families of Bledsoe County Project was so successful the Bledsoe County Historical & Genealogical Society decided to continue the project indefinitely.

Those submitting applications by the December 31, 1996, deadline are considered charter members. County Historian Miss Elizabeth Robnett published a book on the First Families Project. Click here for catalogue information.

First Families of Bledsoe County membership is open to anyone who can prove descent from a man or woman living in Bledsoe County at the time it became a county in 1807. Proof submitted will be placed in the Bledsoe County Public Library and will become a legacy for future generations and researchers.

Click here to contact the Bledsoe County Library for more information.

Biography of Thomas J. Austin

On January 9, 2022

In Biographies

(original source unidentified)

Thomas J. Austin, and industrious and thrifty farmer residing in the Ninth district of Bledsoe Count, is a native of Tennessee, born in Sequatchie County August 4, 1849, and is a son of Elijah F. and Phoebe (Minton) Austin. The father was born in Powell Valley, Claibourne County, TN, in 1818, and was a son of Jonathan Austin, who was very likely a Virginian by birth. Our subject’s great-grandfather was an Englishman, who came to America and joined Washington’s army, serving through the Revolutionary war, after which he located in Virginia and there spent the remainder of his life. Elijah F. Austin was the owner of a fine farm in the Ninth District of Bledsoe County, just above Mt. Airy, and was a most successful farmer and stock raiser. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat in political sentiment, and both he and his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Primitive Baptist church. She was born about the same year in which her husband’s birth occurred, and is still living.

(listed on the 1880 Bledsoe County Census as: Elijah Austin 64, farmer; Phebe 60, Joseph B 36, James H. 25, John B 22, Joel B. 21, John L. 18)

In their family were nine children, namely: Joseph B., a farmer living in the upper part of Sequatchie County; Rebecca, wife of Henry Cagle, of the Ninth district of Bledsoe County;

(listed on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County: Henry Cagle 39, Rebecca A 38, Phebe E. 18, William J. 14, Lenora J. 11, Elijah A. 8, Henry L. 3)

William T., of the upper part of Sequatchie County; Thomas J., of this review; John B., James H. and Joel B., all farmers of the Ninth district of Bledsoe County; and J.L., who was born in 1861, and died at the age of twenty-nine years.

Reared upon the home farm, Thomas J. Austin received his education in schools of the neighborhood, and early in life became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On the 22nd of July, 1869, at the age of twenty years he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hale, who was born near Pikeville, in Bledsoe County, October 17, 1849, and is a daughter of Reverend James Hale. Of the ten children that blessed this union, eight are still living. They are as follows: J.L., a successful teacher of Johnson County, Texas; E.F., a merchant and barber of the same county; Frances A, wife of J.t. Southerland, a farmer of the first district of Bledsoe County; O.S., who died at the age of fourteen years; Leona E., Walter Cleveland, Melvine, Mabel and Monroe; all at home; and Joseph, who died in Childhood.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Austin commenced farming upon his father’s place, and in 1885 removed to his present farm, where he has two hundred acres of valuable and well-tilled land, under a hight state of cultivation and improved with an elegant residence and substantial out buildings. By his Ballot he always supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his district. His estimable wife holds membership in the Missionary Baptism Church.

Listed as follows on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County:
Thomas J. Austin, 30 farmer; Sarah E. 30, James L. 9, Elijah F. 7, Frances A. 5, Opha S. 3

Biography of Leander T. Billingsley