{"id":216,"date":"2014-01-18T18:40:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-18T23:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/hawkins2\/?p=216"},"modified":"2014-02-22T12:35:54","modified_gmt":"2014-02-22T17:35:54","slug":"county-history-to-1887","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/hawkins\/county-history-to-1887\/","title":{"rendered":"County History to 1887"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sketch of First Community Leaders to the Period of 1887 as related in Old Volume.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Transcribed from an undated clipping from the Rogersville Review<\/em> newspaper.\u00a0 A significant portion of this text was published in Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee<\/em> in 1887.\u00a0 The individual biographies of Hawkins County residents from Goodspeed’s were not published in the newspaper article.
\nBoth the history and the biographies from the Goodspeed volume can be found elsewhere on this site.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Hawkins County Tennessee, as verified by a rare old volume available to the publishers of the Review<\/em>, offers one of the most commendable presentations of history wherein the pioneers met difficulties with success in the entire country.<\/p>\n

Such display of physical and spiritual stamina in the face of terrific hardships as recorded in the book published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company of Nashville and Chicago forms the front line ancestry that is the proud heritage of many of the families who have carried on in the region through successive generations.<\/p>\n

The work covers the events and individual achievements from the earliest period to the year 1887.\u00a0 The material facts will be of utmost interest to students and all those desiring the knowledge so interestingly portrayed.<\/p>\n

Hawkins county lies in upper East Tennessee, and extends somewhat in the shape of a\u00a0 parallelogram from the Virginia line to the northern boundaries of Grainger and Hamblen counties.\u00a0 It is divided into two almost equal parts by the Holston River, which traverses its entire length.\u00a0 It is one of the largest counties in the State, having an area of 570 square miles.\u00a0 The surface is much of it broken, but the uplands are more fertile than in many counties.\u00a0 Iron ore is found in some localities, but is not now worked.\u00a0 In marble Hawkins county surpasses any other county in the South.\u00a0 It is found in all tints from a pale pink to a dark, richly variegated chocolate color, and in inexhaustible quantities.<\/p>\n

The first permanent settlers within the limits of Hawkins county were made in 1772, very soon after the settlements on the Watauga were begun.\u00a0 They were made in Carter’s Valley, a short distance west of New Canton.\u00a0 Among these pioneers were Mr. Kincaid<\/strong>, Mr. Love<\/strong>, Mr. Long<\/strong> and Rev. Mr. Mulkey<\/strong>.\u00a0 At about the same time Messrs. Carter<\/strong> and Parker<\/strong> established a store in the neighborhood.\u00a0 Soon after this store was robbed by a party of Cherokees, and when Henderson<\/strong> and company’s treaty was held with the Indians the proprietors of the store demanded as compensation all the lands in Carter’s Valley, extending from Cloud Creek to Chimney Top Mountain of Beech Creek.<\/p>\n

This was granted upon the payment of a small amount advanced by Robert Lucas<\/strong>, who then became a partner of Messrs. Parker<\/strong> & Carter<\/strong>.\u00a0 The firm leased their lands to the settlers much after the manner of the Patrons, in the early history of New York.\u00a0 This continued for a time but when it became known that the lands lay in North Carolina instead of Virginia, the settlers refused to recognize the ownership of the firm, and the right and title to the territory acquired was denied by the former state.\u00a0 They were afterward included with the members of the Henderson<\/strong> company, to whom a grant of 200,000 acres was given by the government of North Carolina as a compensation for the trouble they had been to in obtaining these lands.<\/p>\n

The deeds obtained by Henderson<\/strong> & Company from the Cherokees is recorded in the register’s office of Hawkins county.\u00a0 It was given by Oconistoto<\/strong>, the chief warrior and representative of the Cherokee Nation, and Attakullakulla<\/strong> and Savanooka<\/strong>, otherwise Coronoh<\/strong>, appointed by the warriors and other head men to convey for the whole nation, to Richard Henderson<\/strong>, Thomas and Nathaniel Hart<\/strong>, John Williams<\/strong>, John Luttrell<\/strong>, William Johnston<\/strong>, James Hogg<\/strong>, David Hart<\/strong> and Thomas H. Bullock<\/strong>.\u00a0 The compensation for the immense tracts conveyed by these deeds is expressed at \u00a3100,000.<\/p>\n

The settlement in Hawkins county was confined chiefly to Carter’s Valley until about 1780.\u00a0 Several stations or forts were built, and it is said that a Presbyterian church was organized.<\/p>\n

At about the same time a fort was built at Big Creek.\u00a0 Not far from this fort, about three and one-half miles above Rogersville, Thos. Amis<\/strong> in 1780 or 1781 erected a stone house, around which he built a palisade for protection against the Indians.\u00a0 The next year he opened a store, and erected a blacksmith shop and distillery. Very soon after he also put into operation a saw and grist mill, and from the first he kept a house of entertainment.<\/p>\n

A Baptist church was organized, and a school established very soon after the settlement was made. The church was probably organized by Thomas Murrell<\/strong>, who located on the farm now owned by John A. Chesnut<\/strong> on the Holston River, some time prior to 1782.\u00a0 Among the school masters, who taught in the school at this place were John Long<\/strong> in 1783; William Evans <\/strong>1784; James King<\/strong>, 1786; Robert Johnston<\/strong>, and Samuel B. Hawkins<\/strong>, 1796.<\/p>\n

Thomas Amis<\/strong> was twice married and was the father of 14 children.\u00a0 The stone house, in which he lived, is now occupied by his grandson, Thomas Amis<\/strong>, and is in a remarkably good state of preservation.\u00a0 In 1789 he represented Hawkins county in the legislature of North Carolina, and took an active part in restoring Gen. Sevier<\/strong> to the rights of citizenship.\u00a0 He owned two or three large tract. of land, one of which included the site of Rogersville; he died in 1798.<\/p>\n

In 1784 Rodgers<\/strong>, an Irishman, arrived at Amis<\/strong>‘ and for a short time was engaged in keeping store, but in 1785 or 1786, probably the latter year, he married Mary Amis<\/strong>. Mr. Amis<\/strong> then gave to the newly married pair a tract of land upon which, in 1787, was established the seat of justice for Hawkins county.\u00a0 There they continued to reside until their deaths in November, 1833.<\/p>\n

Rachel, another daughter of Thos. Amis<\/strong>, married James Hagan<\/strong>, a countryman of Rodgers<\/strong>, with whom he was in partnership in merchandising for a time.\u00a0 He afterward removed to a farm above town.<\/p>\n

Of other early settlers of the county, only a few of the most prominent will be located.\u00a0 Perhaps no Tennessean of his time ranked higher than William Cocke<\/strong>, who settled at what was known as Mulberry Grove about 1780.\u00a0 He was a lawyer by profession, and his name appears upon the records of all the older counties of East Tennessee as a practicing attorney, but during the greater portion of his life was engaged in filling some official position.\u00a0 In 1783 he was elected attorney-general for Greene County, and the next year was sent to the convention which met at Jonesboro.\u00a0 In 1785 he was made a member of the Council of State of the Franklin government, was chosen brigadier-general of militia, and was sent as a delegate to the United States congress.\u00a0 In 1786 he represented Spencer county in the Franklin Assembly.\u00a0 From the fall of the State of Franklin until 1794 he was actively engaged in his profession.\u00a0 In that year he was chosen a member of the Territorial Assembly, and in 1796 was a member of the Constitutional Convention.\u00a0 The first legislature elected him as one of the members of the United States Senate, where he remained for 12 years.\u00a0 In 1810 he was elected Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, but after serving one year he was impeached.\u00a0 Stung by the ingratitude of his countrymen, whom he had served so long and faithfully, he at once left for Mississippi, where he remained until his death.<\/p>\n

Joseph McMinn<\/strong> located in the extreme upper end of Hawkins county about 1787, and soon took an active interest in the affairs of the county.\u00a0 In 1794 he was elected with William Cocke<\/strong>, to represent it in the Territorial Assembly, and two years later was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.\u00a0 In 1815 he was elected governor of the state, a position he continued to hold until 1821.\u00a0 Soon after he was appointed Indian Agent at Calhoun, now in Bradley county, and was filling that position at the time of his death.\u00a0 The above named men were the most illustrious of the first settlers of the county.<\/p>\n

Capt. Thomas Caldwell<\/strong> lived ten miles above Rogersville on the north side of (the river. James Saunders<\/strong> lived on the river opposite Kenner<\/strong>‘s. William Cox, Sr.<\/strong>, Charles and<\/strong> William Payne<\/strong>, Obadiah and Elijah Chissom<\/strong> also lived south of the Holston, and the last named kept a ferry across that stream.\u00a0 Thomas Lee<\/strong>, Cornelius and John Carmack<\/strong> and Thomas Gibbons<\/strong> lived in Carter’s Valley.\u00a0 William Armstrong<\/strong> settled at Stoney Point.\u00a0 Among others who had located in the county prior to 1783, may be mentioned John Cox<\/strong>, Col. John Smith<\/strong>, William McGehee<\/strong>, Peter Harris<\/strong>, Jas. McCarty<\/strong>, Hutson Johnston<\/strong>, John Evans<\/strong>, George Ridley<\/strong>, James Blair<\/strong>, Thomas Brooks<\/strong>, Elisha Walling<\/strong>, Wm. W. Brown<\/strong>, Capt. Thomas Hutchings<\/strong>, James Short<\/strong>, Abraham Rice<\/strong>, William Ingram<\/strong>, William Lauson<\/strong> [Lawson], Reece Jones<\/strong>, Capt. Thomas English<\/strong>, James Berry<\/strong>, Benjamin Murrell<\/strong>, George and Littleton Brooks<\/strong>, Thomas Henderson<\/strong>, Thos. Caldwell<\/strong>, Robert King<\/strong> and Martin Shaner<\/strong>.\u00a0 Among those who came in during the next two or three years were Robert Gray<\/strong>, Richard<\/strong> Mitchell<\/strong>, Samuel Wilson<\/strong>, William Bell<\/strong>, John Horton<\/strong>, Robert<\/strong> Stephenson<\/strong> and John Gordon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some time about 1795 one of the most extensive iron works of those days was erected near the present town of Rotherwood, by Daniel Ross<\/strong> & Co., and a considerable business was done there for a number of years.\u00a0 Hawkins county suffered much less from Indian depredations than some other sections of the state.\u00a0 A few instances of massacres and robberies are mentioned by Haywood<\/strong>, but the most of these occurred in what is now Hancock County.\u00a0 The comparative immunity of this section from Indian attacks was due partly to the position of the county and partly to the vigilance of the settlers, who had taken every precaution for the protection of themselves and families.<\/p>\n

The Indians made several incursions into Carter’s Valley, but finding the people in the forts had prepared for them they retreated without doing serious damage.\u00a0 On one occasion the families that had gathered into the fort at Big Creek, became greatIy in need of salt, and a young man, Joab Mitchell<\/strong>, volunteered to go out and procure a supply.\u00a0\u00a0 While upon his return he was attacked by a party of Cherokees and mortally wounded.\u00a0 He succeeded, however, in reaching the fort, and his
\nremains were interred in that depression which has since borne the name of Mitchell’s Hollow.<\/p>\n

In December, 1787, William English<\/strong> was killed by the Indians, and two of his children carried into captivity.\u00a0 The county court records of 1790 contained the following entry:\u00a0 “Whereas it has been represented to the court by Thomas King<\/strong>, that Matthew English<\/strong> and Elizabeth English<\/strong>, orphan children of William English<\/strong>, who was taken and killed by the Indians in December, 1787, at which time the aforesaid children were carried into captivity by the Indians, supposed to be of the Wyandotte Nation, and are yet in captivity.\u00a0 Thos. King<\/strong> therefore represents that the said orphans might be recovered if there was property sufficient for that purpose.\u00a0 Ordered by the court that James Blair<\/strong> and William Patterson<\/strong> do receive from the said Thos. King<\/strong> or from any other person the property belonging to the estate of the said William English<\/strong>, and the same apply as they shall think best for the redemption of the said orphans, and Thomas King<\/strong> was discharged thereupon of said property.”<\/p>\n

It is related that a boy, on one occasion, came suddenly upon a party of Indians not far from one of the forts.\u00a0 He turned and fled, with the savages in close pursuit.\u00a0 Before reaching the fort he was compelled to cross a small stream, and just as he reached the bank the foremost Indian caught
\nhim by the back of his loose hunting shirt.\u00a0 But the lad was not a captive.\u00a0 Straightening out his arms behind him he sped on to the fort in safety, leaving his pursuer holding the shirt.<\/p>\n

In 1785 the State of Franklin organized Spencer county, including, besides other: territory, the present Hawkins county.\u00a0 Thomas Henderson<\/strong> was chosen county court clerk and colonel of militia, and William Cocke<\/strong> and Thomas King<\/strong> representatives t the Assembly.\u00a0 The remaining officers are unknown.<\/p>\n

In November 1786, the legislature of North Carolina passed an act creating Hawkins county.\u00a0 It included within its limits all the territory between Bays Mountain and the Holston and the Tennessee River on the east to the Cumberland mountains on the west.\u00a0 The county court was organized at the house of Thomas Gibbons<\/strong>, but as the early records were all destroyed during the late Civil war nothing is known of its transactions.<\/p>\n

The circuit court for Hawkins county was organized on the first Monday in October, 1810, by William Cocke<\/strong>, judge of the First Judicial Circuit, who appointed Thomas Cocke<\/strong>, clerk.\u00a0 The first grand jury empaneled was as follows:\u00a0 Joseph McMinn<\/strong>, foreman; John Johnston<\/strong>, Hezekiah Hamblen<\/strong>, George Hale<\/strong>, John Critz<\/strong>, John Hamblen<\/strong>, Robert McMinn<\/strong>, John Remes<\/strong>, Jacob Miller<\/strong>, James Haygood<\/strong>, Joel Gillenwater<\/strong>, Gabriel McCraw<\/strong>, Samuel Smith<\/strong>, Rodham Kenner<\/strong> and David Bagler<\/strong>. Michael Rork<\/strong>, constable, was appointed to wait upon them.<\/p>\n

The first criminal case tried at this term was that of the state vs. Obediah Gents<\/strong> for horse stealing.\u00a0 A change of venue was applied for, but denied.\u00a0 He was found guilty and sentenced to receive 30 lashes, to stand in the pillory two hours per day for three successive days, to be branded upon the right hand with the letter H and on the left hand with the letter T, and to be imprisoned in the county jail for six months.<\/p>\n

During the first years of the court few criminal cases of importance were tried.\u00a0 A vigorously\u00a0 contested case, and one which created a general interest throughout this section of the state was begun in 1820.\u00a0 It was the trial upon a change of venue from Campbell county, of Robert Delap<\/strong>, indicted with being accessory to the murder of Eve Martin<\/strong>.\u00a0 The principal, Mitchell Marcum<\/strong>, alias Marcom<\/strong>, was not tried in Hawkins county.\u00a0 Delap<\/strong> was convicted.\u00a0 He appealed to the supreme court
\nand the case was remanded for a second hearing.\u00a0 This was held in April, 1822, after an application for another change of venue had been denied.\u00a0 The defendant was again found guilty, and again took an appeal to the supreme court.\u00a0 The decision of the lower court was affirmed, and Delap<\/strong> was executed.<\/p>\n

Another case which caused intense excitement was tried in May, 1861.\u00a0 Two slaves, John<\/strong> and Neb<\/strong>, the property of a Mr. Haynes<\/strong>, on the night of May 1, brutally murdered George R. Kite<\/strong>, Richard Kite<\/strong>, Mary Haynes<\/strong>, and Louisa Haynes<\/strong>, and set fire to the house.\u00a0 When the deed was discovered excitement ran very high, as a general insurrection of the slaves was feared, and the lynching of the murderers was prevented with difficulty.\u00a0 A special term of the circuit court was called to meet on May 9, 1861, at which time Judge D. T. Patterson<\/strong>, presided.\u00a0 They were promptly convicted, and were hanged on the 12th of June following.<\/p>\n

Since the close of the war two executions have taken place.\u00a0 The first was that of W. N. Berry<\/strong>, hanged in August, 1875, for the murder of his wife.\u00a0 The second that of Joseph Harris<\/strong>, of Hancock county, executed in November, 1881.\u00a0 He was convicted of the murder of two men in Rogersville for the purpose of robbery.<\/p>\n

The first chancery courts were held in 1825.\u00a0 The division consisted of Sullivan, Hawkins, Grainger and Claiborne counties.\u00a0 The judges of the supreme court after presiding over the chancery court from that time until several years later.<\/p>\n

The first lawyer of prominence in Hawkins county was William Cocke<\/strong>, who is mentioned elsewhere.\u00a0 He had two or three sons who also became lawyers.\u00a0 One of them, John Cocke<\/strong>, located in Grainger county; another, Sterling Cocke<\/strong>, remained in Hawkins county.\u00a0 He was admitted to practice in 1812, and six years later was made attorney-general, in which position he continued for many years.\u00a0 He was not looked upon as a lawyer of great ability, but was a man of strict integrity and of pleasing manners.<\/p>\n

Peter Parsons<\/strong>, a somewhat prominent lawyer of his time, was a resident of Rogersville for a few years, but subsequently went to Alabama.\u00a0 Orville Bradley<\/strong>, who was licensed to practice in 1817, was a bachelor of large wealth, and never gave that close attention to his profession necessary to
\nsecure success.<\/p>\n

One of the ablest of the early members of the Rogersville bar was John A. McKinney<\/strong>, uncle of the late Judge Robert J. McKinney<\/strong>, and father of Judge John E. McKinney<\/strong>.\u00a0 He was appointed United States district attorney by John Quincy Adams<\/strong>, and was chosen to represent the county in the Constitutional Convention of 1834.\u00a0 He died in 1845.\u00a0 His great success was due to his thorough knowIedge of the law, his untiring perseverance and his incorruptible integrity.\u00a0 He was associated during the latter years of his life with his son-in-law, John Netherland<\/strong>, who had formerly resided in Sullivan county.<\/p>\n

Two other men of eminence in the profession, in the early history of the state, resided in the county.\u00a0 They were Pleasant M. Miller<\/strong> and Judge Samuel Powell<\/strong>.\u00a0 The latter resided on a large farm near Rogersville.\u00a0 He began the practice of law in Tennessee early in the century, and soon became favorably known for his ability and legal attainments.\u00a0 In 1807 he was elected a judge of the superior court, and so continued until that court was abolished.\u00a0 In 1814 he was chosen to represent his district in the XIV congress, and while in that position he was tendered a seat upon the supreme bench, which he refused.\u00a0 In 1821 he was elected judge of the First Judicial Circuit, and from that time was upon the bench for 20 consecutive years.\u00a0 He was the preceptor of several men who afterward obtained eminence, among whom were Robert L. and Abraham Caruthers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Among other resident attorneys of the county prior to 1860 were Michael McCann<\/strong>, admitted to practice in 1823; Dicks Alexander<\/strong>, for many years clerk of the chancery court; William O. Winston<\/strong> and Geo. R. Powell<\/strong>.\u00a0 The present members of the Rogersville bar are F. M. Fulkerson<\/strong>, A. D. Huffmaster<\/strong>, Hugh G. Kyle<\/strong>, Thos. McDennott<\/strong>, W. P. Gillenwaters<\/strong>, W. N. Clarkston<\/strong>, T. C. Sensabaugh<\/strong>, H. C. Jarvis<\/strong> and Ellis Cocke<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rogersville was founded by Joseph Rogers<\/strong>, who settled upon the site in 1784.\u00a0 At the June term of the county court in 1787 the commissioners appointed “for fixing on a place for building the courthouse, prison and stocks” reported “that it be fixed at Joseph Rogers<\/strong>‘ on Crockett Creek.”\u00a0 Joseph Rogers<\/strong> then relinquished the right and title of two acres of land for use of the public buildings, and Thos. Hutchings<\/strong>, Hutson Johnston<\/strong>, Francis Doherty<\/strong>, Joseph Cloud<\/strong> and Thomas Gibbons<\/strong> were appointed commissioners to lay off the town, which was done on June 15, 1788.\u00a0 At about this time, or very soon after, Mr. Rogers<\/strong> entered into a partnership with his brother-
\nin-law, James Hagan<\/strong>, and in 1789 they applied to the Legislature to establish a town at Hawkins courthouse, where a number of lots had already been laid off.\u00a0 It was accordingly enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, on December 22, 1789, “that Thomas King<\/strong>, Thomas Hutchings<\/strong>, Joseph McCulloch<\/strong>, Thomas Jackson<\/strong> and Elijah Chisson<\/strong> be, and they are appointed, commissioners and trustees for designing, building and carrying on a town at Hawkins courthouse by the name of Rogersville, and they, or a majority of them, are hereby empowered and required to lay off 30 acres of land, including the public buildings at the said courthouse, in half-acre lots, with convenient streets and alleys.”<\/p>\n

Previous to this time a store had been opened by Rogers<\/strong> & Hagan<\/strong>, and a courthouse and jail had been erected.\u00a0 The character of these county buildings is not known, but they were probably very temporary structures, since in 1794 the Territorial Assembly granted the county permission to levy a
\ntax for a jail and courthouse.\u00a0 The oldest courthouse now remembered was a one-story hewed-log building, weather-boarded.\u00a0 It stood in front of the bank building, with its side to Market street, now the main street of the town.\u00a0 It was occupied until 1836 or 1837, when the present substantial brick building was erected.\u00a0 In 1807 the old jail and lot were sold, and a new brick jail erected upon the site of the present one, which was built a short time prior to the war.<\/p>\n

As before stated, the first store was opened by Rogers<\/strong> & Hagan<\/strong>.\u00a0 Among the other firms in business from 1790 to 1800 were Joseph Parks<\/strong>, Hugh<\/strong> & Campbell<\/strong>, North<\/strong> & Nelson<\/strong>, and
\n Sherman<\/strong> & King<\/strong>.\u00a0 They were succeeded early in the present century by Samuel Neill<\/strong> and William Simpson<\/strong>, who did business in a small frame house immediately opposite where the hotel now is; Francis Dalzell<\/strong>, whose store was on the adjoining lot west, and Nicholas Fain<\/strong>, who was located where the postoffice now is.\u00a0 The first hotel was kept by Joseph Rogers<\/strong>, who continued in the business until his death.<\/p>\n

In 1817 a branch of the old State Bank was incorporated under the title of the Rogersville Tennessee bank.\u00a0 Its capital stock was $4,000.\u00a0 The directors were Richard Mitchell<\/strong>, John A. Rogers<\/strong>, Francis Dalzell<\/strong>, William Hord<\/strong>, Jacob Miller<\/strong>, Dr. Joseph W. Carden<\/strong>, Hugh G. Moore<\/strong>, William Lyons<\/strong>, William Simpson<\/strong> and Nicholas Fain<\/strong>.\u00a0 This institution did business in the house now occupied by Mr. Caldwell<\/strong>, situated a short distance west of the public square.\u00a0 About 1828 this bank
\nbegan to wind up its affairs.\u00a0 Ten years later the last Bank of Tennessee was incorporated, and one of the two branches allotted to East Tennessee was located at Rogersville, thereby causing great indignation among the citizens of Knoxville and Jonesboro.\u00a0 The new bank was organized with C.<\/strong>
\n H. Coffin<\/strong> as president, and S. D. Mitchell<\/strong>, cashier.\u00a0 For the first two or three years it occupied the building formerly used by the old bank.\u00a0 The large and imposing brick building, which is still standing, was then erected.\u00a0 This bank continued in business until the war, but with a frequent change of officers.<\/p>\n

The business of Rogersville in 1835 was conducted by the following individuals and firms:\u00a0 Charles H. Coffin<\/strong> and John A. McKinney<\/strong>, James K. Neill<\/strong>, and P. S. Hale<\/strong>, Nicholas Fain<\/strong> & Son, R. G. Fain<\/strong>, Neill<\/strong> & Simpson<\/strong>, and Armstrong<\/strong> & De Wol<\/strong> merchants; Jacob Wax<\/strong>, coppersmith and tinner; F. B. Evans<\/strong> and George C. Speck<\/strong>, tailors; Joseph Huffmaster<\/strong>, carpenter; John Aston<\/strong>, cabinet-maker; George C. Bradley<\/strong>, hatter; Michael Baugh<\/strong>, silversmith and Robert Carden<\/strong>, blacksmith. Richard Humphreys<\/strong> kept the present Hale Springs hotel, which was built by John A. McKlnney<\/strong>.\u00a0 Richard Smith<\/strong> also had a hotel where the postoffice is.<\/p>\n

Among the business men of the fifties were Sevier<\/strong> & Simpson<\/strong>, McKinney<\/strong> & Rogan<\/strong>, Mitchell<\/strong>, Caldwell<\/strong> & Co., James K. Neill<\/strong>, M. S. & R. D. Wells<\/strong>, Johnston<\/strong> & Thompson<\/strong>, William White<\/strong> and
\n Mitchell<\/strong> & Kyle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To Rogersville belongs the honor of being the place at which was issued the first newspaper published in Tennessee.\u00a0 It was known as the Knoxville Gazette<\/em>, and the first number appeared
\non November 5, 1791, bearing the names of G. Roulstone<\/strong> and R. Ferguson<\/strong> as publishers.\u00a0 Where the building stood in which the paper was printed in not known, but as the lot on the northeast corner of the public square was purchased by Mr. Roulstone<\/strong> it is probable that that was the site of his printing office.\u00a0 The publication was continued at Rogersville for about one year, when he removed to Knoxville, which had been established during that year.<\/p>\n

The next paper established in the town was the Rogersville Gazette<\/em>, the first number of which was issued in July, 1814, by Carey<\/strong> and Early<\/strong>.\u00a0 It was a five column folio, with the couplet, “The Star Spangled Banner,” etc., as its motto.\u00a0 A few years later the Western Pilot<\/em> was established by John<\/strong>
\n B. Hood<\/strong>, who afterward removed to Rhea county, and there published the first paper in East Tennessee below Knoxville.<\/p>\n

In 1827 Rev. James Gallaher<\/strong>, F. A. Ross<\/strong> and David Nelson<\/strong> established the Calvinistic Magazine<\/em>, devoted mainly to the theological discussions of the times.\u00a0 It was published for about five years.\u00a0 On July 4, 1831, the first number of the Railroad Advocate<\/em> was issued by an association of gentlemen,
\nfor the purpose of encouraging and advocating the building of railroads in Tennessee.\u00a0 It continued for a little less than a year, and was probably the first journal of the kind ever published.<\/p>\n

In August, 1838, a prospectus was issued stating that a number of gentlemen had formed an association for the publication of a Whig paper to be known as the Holston Watchman<\/em>, the first number of which was to appear about November 1.\u00a0 For some cause the publication did not begin
\nuntil the following March, and then it was known as the East Tennessean<\/em>.\u00a0 The editor was William Wales<\/strong>.\u00a0 It had but a brief existence, and the other paper was established until 1850, when the Rogersville Times<\/em> appeared, bearing the name of L. L. Poats<\/strong> as editor, and LaFayette Jones<\/strong> as publisher.\u00a0 It continued for six or eight years, and was then succeeded by the Independent, under the editorial management of Rev. M. H. B. Burkett<\/strong>.\u00a0 In 1860 the State Sentinel was published by Capt.
\n R. D. Powell<\/strong>.\u00a0 The papers established since the close of the war have been mainly published for campaign purposes, and have been short lived.\u00a0 Among them have been the Spectator<\/em> and the Telephone<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In 1885 Will T. Robertson<\/strong> established the Holston Review<\/em>, a well edited and newsy democratic paper.\u00a0 The Rogersville Herald<\/em>, a republican paper, was established in 1886.<\/p>\n

The first schools in Rogersville, are said to have been taught in a small house, which stood near Union Spring.\u00a0 In 1806 trustees were appointed for McMinn Academy as follows:\u00a0 George Maxwell<\/strong>, William Armstrong<\/strong>, Richard Mitchell<\/strong>, Andrew Galbraith<\/strong> and Thomas Jackson<\/strong>, to whom were added in 1817, Peter Parsons<\/strong>, Orville Bradley<\/strong> and S. D. Mitchell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In 1813 or 1814 a brick building was erected, by money obtained, as was common in those days, from a lottery.\u00a0 The institution was also aided by a bequest from Gen. McMinn<\/strong>.\u00a0 Among the first teachers were John Scruggs<\/strong> and Rufus Kennedy<\/strong>.\u00a0 A few years prior to the war the present brick building was erected upon the site of the old one.<\/p>\n

In July, 1849, the Odd Fellows laid the cornerstone of a large brick building in which, in September, 1850, was opened the Rogersville Female Institute.\u00a0 Since that time the school has undergone various changes, and has been under the control of many different organizations.\u00a0 Finally the property and franchise of the institution were purchased by Joseph R. Anderson<\/strong> and Samuel N. Fain<\/strong> and transferred by them to the Synod of Tennessee.\u00a0 Since then it has been under the care of C. C. Ross<\/strong> and now ranks as one of the best Female Colleges in Tennessee.<\/p>\n

The early religious history of Rogersville is not well known.\u00a0 It is probable that religious services were held there from the establishments of the town.\u00a0 The first regular preaching was said to have been done by Rev. Charles Coffin<\/strong>, who, for a while previous to 1815, had given the people of Rogersville
\none-sixth of his time.\u00a0 In 1815 Rev. James Gallaher<\/strong> located at Rogersville and began preaching in the academy building, where the next year a Presbyterian church was organized.\u00a0 The elders chosen were George Mooney<\/strong>, Edward Mooney<\/strong>, Samuel Neill<\/strong>, William Alexander<\/strong>, William Armstrong<\/strong> and John Armstrong<\/strong>.\u00a0 Mr. Gallaher<\/strong> continued to preach to this congregation until 1830.<\/p>\n

In 1833 Rev. Phillip Wood<\/strong> assumed pastoral charge, and continued until about the time the schism in the Presbyterian church occurred.\u00a0 The congregation then divided.\u00a0 The property was sold at auction, and was purchased by the old school party, of which James A. Lyons<\/strong> become\u00a0 pastor.\u00a0 He continued for some time.\u00a0 Among his successors were Revs. Carter<\/strong>, McBride<\/strong>, Park<\/strong>, Jones<\/strong>, Page<\/strong> and Campbell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The retiring division chose James McLim<\/strong> as its first pastor, and soon erected the Second Presbyterian church.\u00a0 Among the ministers who served this church from that time until the war
\nwere John McCampbell<\/strong>, Rev. Mr. Mathes S. Sawyers<\/strong>, J. M. Huffmaster<\/strong> and J. W. Elliott<\/strong>.\u00a0 Since the close of the war the two congregations have again united and attached themselves to the Southern General Assembly of the Presbyterian church.<\/p>\n

A Methodist church was organized early in the history of the town and the congregation erected a house of worship at about the same time as the Presbyterians.\u00a0 The Baptists had no house of worship until about 1850, when, in connection with the Masonic Fraternity, they erected a two-story frame building, and occupied the lower story.\u00a0 The building was destroyed during the war, and they have since had no church in the town.\u00a0 The member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, however,
\nformed an organization, and have erected a neat house.<\/p>\n

One of the first Masonic lodges in Tennessee was organized in Rogersville under a dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee on December 14, 1805.\u00a0 It was known as the Overton Lodge.\u00a0 The officers were Samuel Powell<\/strong>, Worshipful Master; Jonathan Spryker<\/strong>, Senior Warden, and John Johnston<\/strong>, Junior Warden.\u00a0 In 1820 a new charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, designating this lodge as Overton Lodge No. 5.\u00a0 Among the members at this time were Jacob Peck<\/strong>, R. L. Caruthers<\/strong>, Absolom Looney<\/strong>, S. J. W. Lucky<\/strong>, S. M. Howry<\/strong>, Orville Rice<\/strong>, Peter Parsons<\/strong>, H. Rutledge<\/strong>, Dr. P. McCarty<\/strong>, William Young<\/strong>, and John A. Rogers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rogersville at the present time contains a population of about 1,000.\u00a0 It is one of the handsomest towns in the state, and has a large trade.\u00a0 During the construction of the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad a branch to Rogersville was begun, and in 1860 it had been completed from Bulls Gap to
\nthe Holston River.\u00a0 After the close of the war it was purchased by H. M. Aiken<\/strong>, and was completed to Rogersville.<\/p>\n

The business interest of the town are represented as the following:\u00a0 A. D. Simpson<\/strong> & Co., Hale<\/strong> & Rogan<\/strong>, H. C. Shanks<\/strong>, C. S. Mitchell<\/strong>, and Smith<\/strong> & Fudge<\/strong>, general merchandise; H. J. Nelson<\/strong> & Co., and J. M. Pierce<\/strong>, drugs; A. B. Rogan<\/strong> & Co., groceries and hardware; Hale<\/strong> & Riley<\/strong>, agriculture implements; Joseph Wright<\/strong> & Co., boots, shoes, saddles, etc.; and V. Bagler<\/strong>, clothing.\u00a0 There are also three banking institutions as follows:\u00a0 Rogersville Bank, S. Neill<\/strong>, President, and W. D. Reener<\/strong>,
\ncashier; Citizens Bank of Rogersville, J. C. Stamps<\/strong>, President, G. A. Smith<\/strong>, vice president, and J. M. Gray<\/strong>, cashier; and the Exchange and Deposit Bank, H. M. Aiken<\/strong>, president, James Cooper<\/strong>, cashier.<\/p>\n

The principal villages of Hawkins county are Mooresburg, Bulls Gap, or Rogersville Junction, Surgoinsville, Rotherwood, New Canton, Stoney Point, War Gap, Austin’s Mills and Persia, some of which are quite old.<\/p>\n

<h4>Historical Highlights<\/h4><\/p>\n