Contributed by Leota Bennett

John SEHORN, Jr., died in Overton County, TN, 1809. Son, William Graham SEHORN, returned to his grandfathers home in the French Broad Settlement by about 1811. One of William Graham SEHORN’s sons returned to Overton County.

The descendants of John SEHORN live in Overton County, TN today. Some migrated to Missouri, Carroll County, AR, and one son returned to his grandfather’s home. His son moved back to Overton County, and his descendants still live there.

George GRAHAM and his wife, Elizabeth TURNLEY married September 01, 1783 at Botetourt County, VA. They with two or three children, including Mary “Polly” GRAHAM, migrated with a group of other families to the French Broad settlement about 1785. This area was Washington County, NC then Washington County, TN, then Greene County, TN now Jefferson County, TN, and Caswell County, State of Franklin. George is found on a militia record for Greene County 1875.

George and Elizabeth GRAHAM lived in the Oak Grove Community, Greene/Jefferson county, TN, on the north side of the French Broad River. They formed the Graham Chapel and are buried in the Graham Chapel Cemetery. They had 10 children. This couple visited in Overton County, TN. It is possible their youngest child was born there.

Mary “Polly” GRAHAM married John SEHORN, Jr., in 1899 or 1801 depending on which marriage record is used. She was married at “Mount Pleasant” in the Oak Grove Community at Greene/Jefferson County, TN. Mount Pleasant was the home of her mother’s parents, John and Mary Handy TURNLEY. John SEHORN, JR was the son of John SEHORN, SR who operated the Sehorn Ferry across the French Broad River at the Oak Grove Community. Polly and John SEHORN moved to Standing Stone, Smith/White/Overton/Putnam County by 1801 Tax roll for Smith County and a milita list in 1801.

John SEHORN died in 1809. He was survived by his wife and five children.

Mary “Polly” Graham SEHORN married Benjamin WALKER, Jr., and they had seven children. Some of their descendants moved to Missouri and Arkansas. One of Mary “Polly”‘s nephews is found on Overton County Census records living in her household. This may be a son of her brother, James GRAHAM.

In 1812, John C. TURNLEY joined Capt. Kennedy’s unit. After his service was over he returned to the French Broad Settlement.

John Cunningham TURNLEY operated a carpenter shop in the Willow section of present -day Overton County, TN, for a brief time before the War of 1812. He joined Capt. Kennedy’s unit and went to Nashville to join up with General Jackson’s advance to the south.

After his service time was up, John returned home stopping at the home of his aunt, Arabella Cunningham WINTON, and her husband, the Rev. John WINTON at Roane County, TN. While there, he completed their home.

He continued to his the home of his parents, George and Charlotte Cunningham TURNLEY at the Oak Grove Community in the French Broad Settlement at presentday Jefferson County, TN. John C. TURNLEY married Mahala TAYLOR in Jefferson County and continued his families successful businesses and became an elected offical. His son, Parmenus Taylor TURNLEY graduated from the U.S. Millitary Academy at West Point, NY, and later became a Judge in Chicago, Ill.

Other relatives of John C. TURNLEY who lived in Overton County were:

Mary Polly Graham Sehorn WALKER and her descendants – Her mother was a sister to John C. TURNLEY’s father, George TURNLEY.

The WINTONs of Overton County who were from the French Broad Settlement.