A large portion of this information was obtained from The Goodspeed History of Tennessee <\/em>and History of Decatur County Tennessee <\/em>by Lillye Younger. Some information has come from various newspaper articles and the Tennessee Gazeteer and Business Directory <\/em>of various years.<\/span><\/p>\n Early History<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Courthouse<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Decatur County Officials<\/a> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Early Decatur County Settlements<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Landings along the Tennessee River<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1850 Census Occupations <\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Early Decatur County Churches<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Decatur County Schools<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n County Formation<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1845, citizens of the portion of Perry County<\/a> which lay on the west side of the Tennessee River petitioned for a new county. An act of the General Assembly in November, 1845, created Decatur County. It included all the parts of Perry County which were located on the west side of the Tennessee River. This new county was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur who had served in the United States Navy with distinction during the War of 1812. <\/span><\/p>\n Samuel McLead<\/strong>, Samuel Brasher<\/strong>, Balaam Jones<\/strong>, and David Funderburk<\/strong> were responsible for selecting the new county seat. They obtained 25 acres from John McMillan<\/strong> and 10 acres from Burrell Rushing<\/strong>.This land was located in the south central part of the county and they named the new county seat Decaturville. A cabin was used for a courthouse for a short while until a two-story frame courthouse could be built.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Migration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Most of the settlers in this county were from Middle and East Tennessee or North Carolina. They used overland routes as well as the Tennessee River, choosing sites near the river or along the smaller streams.<\/span><\/p>\n The first courthouse for Decatur County was a cabin on the west side of the square in Decaturville. Soon a new two story frame building was built. This building was burned on July 3, 1869. All records except those in the Register’s office and the Clerk and Master’s office were lost. This fire was thought to be the work of an arsonist whose purpose was to destroy the records.<\/span><\/p>\n On July 12, 1869, a committee consisting of J.W. Mayo<\/strong>, W.C.Fryar<\/strong>, D.M. Scott,<\/strong> and others was appointed to plan for a new courthouse. To replace the burned building, a new two story brick building was built. <\/span><\/p>\n In 1927, this building was also destroyed by the work of an arsonist for the purpose of destroying records. All records were destroyed except those in the County Clerk, Register’s and Clerk and Master’s Offices.<\/span><\/p>\n A new fireproof brick and concrete structure was completed in 12 months. This building received a “facelift” in 1975, but is still in use today.<\/span><\/p>\n Circuit Judge Chancery Court Circuit Court Clerk County Court Clerk Decatur County Trustees Decatur County Register Decatur County Judge Decatur County Tax Assessors Clerk and Master Sheriff Decatur Countians Serving in the Legislature Marvin J. Fisher – 34th Assembly John Stegal – Reconstruction George W. Walters – 37th Assembly Samuel W. Riggs – 38th Assembly G. W. Haynes – 40th Assembly H.B. Neely – 42nd Assembly James J. Warren- 44th Assembly John F. Akin – 47th Assembly This information is from a variety of sources : The Goodspeed History of<\/em> Tennessee, History of Decatur County, Tennessee<\/em> by Lillye Younger, and Tennessee Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860-1861<\/em> by John L. Mitchell.<\/span><\/p>\n Bath Springs Beacon Bible Hill Carrollville Cozette Decaturville<\/strong>
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\nEarly History<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Courthouse<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a><\/span>Decatur County Officials<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>The first Circuit Judge was Judge Joshua Haskell<\/strong> who served in 1821 while we were still a part of Perry County. Judge James Scott<\/strong> was the first Circuit Judge after the formation of Decatur County and Robert A. Hill<\/strong> was the Attorney General. Judge Scott was followed by Judge Elijah Walker<\/strong>. Both Scott and Walker were natives of Savannah. Walker served until the outbreak of the Civil War. After the reorganization of the county, Fielding Hurst <\/strong>of McNairy County was appointed Circuit Judge and served until 1867. He was succeeded by J.W. Doherty<\/strong> who served until 1869. Judge Elijah Walker <\/strong>was then re-elected and served until his death in 1873. He was succeeded by T.P. Bateman<\/strong> who served until 1886. Levi Woods<\/strong> then served from 1886 until 1908.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Chancery Court was established at Decaturville in 1854 with Stephen C. Pavatt<\/strong> as Chancellor. He served until the closing of the courts by the Civil War. R. H. Rose<\/strong> was Chancellor from 1866 until 1870 when George H. Nixon <\/strong>was elected. He served until 1886 when he was succeeded by A.J. Abernathy. Rose <\/strong>and Nixon <\/strong>were residents of Lawrenceburg and Abernathy<\/strong> was a resident of Pulaski. Abernathy <\/strong>served until 1903.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nD.B. Funderburk <\/strong>was the first Circuit Clerk serving until 1856 when he was succeeded by Hiram Lacy. Lacy <\/strong>held the office until 1860 when he was succeeded by Samuel Akin. Akin<\/strong> held the office until the outbreak of war. After the reorganization, C.S. Brandon<\/strong> and P.O.Roberts<\/strong> held office until 1870 when D. M. Scott <\/strong>was elected. In 1878, J.P. Rains<\/strong> was elected to the office. P. W. Miller <\/strong>served from 1890 until 1894. He was succeeded by Joe Jennings<\/strong> who served until 1898 when John McMillan<\/strong> was elected.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nSamuel Yarbro<\/strong> was elected in 1846 to serve as the first court clerk. He served until 1856 when he was succeeded by M.J. Fisher<\/strong> who served until 1860. J.R. Carmack<\/strong> was elected and served until the outbreak of war when courts were closed. When courts re-opened, he continued serving until 1866 when he was succeeded by J.C. Roberts<\/strong>. In 1868, John P. Rains<\/strong> took office and served until 1870. Rains <\/strong>was succeeded by John McMillan<\/strong> who served from 1870 until 1882 when J.E. Dees<\/strong> was elected. Dees<\/strong> served until 1902.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1869 – 1876 John Blount
\n<\/strong>1876 – 1878 W.P. Bray
\n<\/strong>1878 – 1884 John A. Long
\n<\/strong>1884 – 1890 W.P. Miller
\n<\/strong>1890 – 1896 J.T. Roberts
\n<\/strong>1896 – 1902 J.J. Austin<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1846 – 1848 John A. Rains
\n<\/strong>1848 – 1857 A.M. Yarbro
\n<\/strong>1857 – 1858 Samuel Brasher
\n<\/strong>1858 – 1863 William G. Bright
\n<\/strong>1863 – 1864 J.G.W. Christenberry
\n<\/strong>1864 – 1866 William H. Milam
\n<\/strong>1866 – 1870 John J. Lacy
\n<\/strong>1870 – 1882 William M. Pratt
\n<\/strong>1882 – 1886 T.R.Brasher
\n<\/strong>1886 – 1894 G.B.D.Rushing
\n<\/strong>1894 – 1897 Jesse P. Veal
\n<\/strong>1897 – 1898 J.W. Blount
\n<\/strong>1898 – 1906 R.W. Raney<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1870 – 1872 J.E. Brasher
\n1872 – 1882 Houston Roberts
\n1882 – 1886 C.A. Alston
\n1886 – 1890 J.C.P. Myracle
\n1890 – 1892 John W. Clift
\n1892 – 1900 J.C.P. Myracle<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1890 – 1892 J.T. McMurray
\n<\/strong>1892 – 1894 John Evans<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1845 – 1872 D.B. Funderburk
\n<\/strong>1872 – 1879 D.C. Kennedy
\n<\/strong>1879 – 1887 J.A. England
\n<\/strong>1887 – 1894 L.T. Smith
\n<\/strong>1894 – 1923 P.W. Miller<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>1846 – 1852 Hiram Lacy
\n<\/strong>1852 – 1858 John McMillan
\n<\/strong>1858 – 1862 G.W. Haynes
\n<\/strong>1862 – 1866 Benjamen Tuten
\n<\/strong>1866 – 1868 J.C. Barnett
\n<\/strong>1868 – 1870 J.C. Houston
\n<\/strong>1870 – 1872 D.C. Kennedy
\n<\/strong>1872 – 1874 Issiah McMillan
\n<\/strong>1874 – 1876 W.R. Tuten
\n<\/strong>1876 – 1882 Issiah McMillan
\n<\/strong>1882 – 1888 E.E. Arnold
\n<\/strong>1888 – 1890 G.W. Boggan
\n<\/strong>1890 – 1896 Joe Blount
\n<\/strong>1896 – 1898 Ben McMillan
\n<\/strong>1898 – 1900 J.M. Rains<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nT.C. Taylor – 32nd Assembly
\n<\/strong>Taylor represented both Decatur and Perry Counties from 1857 until 1859. Born in Williamson County in 1824, he and his wife had 5 children. He was a farmer at Swallow Bluff.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>He was the son of Jacob F. Fisher. He was the father of 3 children. He was killed in Decatur County in October, 1862 by Carroll Graves, reputedly over political differences.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>John Stegal was born in 1813 in North Carolina. He was married first to Elizabeth and later to Sarah E. He was the father of 10 children. John owned much land and many slaves.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>George served from 1871 to 1873, representing both Decatur and Perry Counties.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>He represented both Decatur and Hardin Counties from 1873 to 1875. Born in Alabama in 1838, he was a Republican. He was married twice. The first marriage produced 9 children . However, the second marriage to Mary J. Bryant produced no children.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>G.W. served from 1877 to 1879, representing both Decatur and Hardin Counties. He was born in Tennessee in 1822 and was a Democrat. He was married to a Susan.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A Republican, he served both Decatur and Hardin Counties from Jan 1881 until April 1881 when he was granted a leave of absence due to bad health and died before the next session. Neely was born in Carroll County in 1858, the son of Andrew Neely<\/strong>. He practiced law in Decaturville. On September 5, 1881, he died having never married.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Representing Decatur, Lewis, and Perry Counties, he served from 1885 until 1887. James was born in Humphreys County February 18, 1840 , the son of Albert and Elizabeth Warren both natives of Virginia. He married Heedy E. Reynolds<\/strong> November 2, 1873 and practiced medicine at Bath Springs.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>John represented Decatur , Perry, and Lewis Counties from 1891 to 1893. Born January 1, 1838, he was the son of W.V. Akin and Margaret Akin. He married Leantine L. Hancock<\/strong> and was the father of 3 children. He was a farmer and operated a grist mill and general store in Bath Springs. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Free Mason. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/span>Early Decatur County Settlements<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>This town located in the southern portion of Decatur county was named by Dr. William Hancock <\/strong>who settled here after discovering the sulphur water. He built a health resort for others so others could come and take advantage of the “cures” of the sulphur water. A post office was established in 1877 with Nathan C. Davis <\/strong>serving as first postmaster. Before the Civil War, a tanning factory operated in Bath Springs.
\nOne of the early families was William Kindale<\/strong> who fought in the Revolutionary War. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This town, according to Mrs. Younger, was first known as Moray. When the Tennessee Midland Railroad Company line came through Decatur county, the town’s name was changed. Early settlers included Chumneys, Wallaces, Longs, Hayes, McCormicks, Douglas, O’Guinns, Keens, and Myracles.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This community is located in the northern part of Decatur County. At one time there was a cotton gin, blacksmith shop, grist mill, stave mill, post office, churches, a school, a doctor’s office, and a mercantile store. The post office was established in 1876 and R.M. Brown<\/strong> was the first postmaster. Wid and Hood Long <\/strong>had a general store in which the post office was located. The Longs also operated a cotton gin. The Longs sold the store to Dr. Brown<\/strong> and his sons Milt and John operated it. The stave mill was run by Harve and Tom Lewis<\/strong>. Two churches were in this community, the Methodist Episcopal South Church and the Baptist Church. In the early 1930’s the Methodist Church closed its doors due to lack of interest. The Bible Hill Baptist Church is still in existence today. In 1952, a tornado hit Bible Hill destroying a large portion of it. The Baptist Church was blown down, but rebuilt. Ansi Delong’<\/strong>s grocery and home blew away. Jim Hampton’<\/strong>s house was destroyed, but rebuilt. The school building was destroyed and was not rebuilt.
\nEarly settlers were the Frizzell, Smith, Jennings, Box, Patrick, Baker, Fiddler, Gulledge, Long, Pettigrew, Hendrix, Tubbs, Hamilton, Haggard, Rains, McMurry, Taylor, Perry, Brown, Still, Duke, Arnold,<\/strong> and Dodson<\/strong> families.
\nThe Bible Hill Baptist Church Cemetery is located across the road from the church building.Not far away is the Long Cemetery, a family cemetery.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>On October 17, 1821, John Blackburn, John Johnson, Worley Warrington, J. W. Hunley, <\/strong>and William B. Ross<\/strong> were appointed by the legislature to “lay off” a town to be called Carrollville in honor of William Carroll <\/strong>of Reeves Ferry.
\nAt the time that a decision was being made concerning the permanent capitol for Tennessee, Carrollville was one of those chosen to “be in the running” for that honor.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Located north of Parsons, this community was first called Old Norford. There was a blacksmith shop and a grocery store before 1904. Lonnie Boyd <\/strong>ran the blacksmith shop and Bunch Miller<\/strong> ran the general store. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nOn May 7, 1847, twenty five acres was purchased from John McMillan<\/strong> and ten acres was purchased from Burrell Rushing<\/strong>. It was deeded to Samuel McLead<\/strong>, Samuel Brasher<\/strong>, Balsam