Samuel L. Massey, recorder of Lewis County, Tenn., and merchant of Newburg, was born in Lawrence County October 12, 1845. His parents, Dr. Richard and Levisa Massey, were married in Lawrence County about 1832, and became the parents of five sons and four daughters: Newton A. Massey, Jasper D. Massey, Nancy A. Massey, Mary A. Massey, Richard A. Massey, Levisa Massey, William G. Massey, Aramatta L. Massey, and Samuel L Massey. Richard Massey, Sr. was a prominent physician for over sixty years in Lawrence County. He died September 25, 1884, and his wife August 22, 1880. Our subject attended the common schools of Lawrence County, and the greater part of his life was spent on a farm. In 1880 he came to Newburg and engaged in the grocery and general merchandise business, where he still remains. In 1882 he was elected county recorder of Lewis County. He has been a very successful business man, and is considered one of the first citizens of the county. He is a Democrat, and in 1867 was married to Emily F. Craig, a daughter of James and Malissa Craig, of Lawrence County. Mr. Massey and wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry Hickman and Lewis Counties; Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminiscences, Observations, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1886.