JAMES VANNATTA was born February 9, 1811, in Williamson County, Tenn., and was reared and educated in the country. January 12, 1831, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Watson, and by her became the father of three children: Samuel, Hibernah K. and John S., only one of whom is living. Mrs. Vannatta died in 1839, and for his second wife Mr. Vannatta took Mrs. Jerusha (Clardy) Nash, and to them were born the following children: Delphia A., Joseph R., George W., Charity A., Eliza F., Christopher C. and Nannie D.
In 1850 Mr. Vannatta moved to Bedford County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Vannatta’s parents were C. C. and Nancy (Louder) Vannatta, born in North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. T he father came to Tennessee at an early day, locating in Williamson County, near Triune. To him and wife were born the following children: Maria, James and Katie; only one, James, is now living. The father was in the war of 1812, and was with Jackson at New Orleans. He died on his way home from that place. His widow died in 1839. Both were earnest workers in the Methodist. Episcopal Church South.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.