Contributed by: Renea Burkholder
Copyright: Renea Burkholder.
Much of this information was obtained from Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee and also Tennessee State Gazetteer and Business Directory (1860-1861) by John L. Mitchell. The wording is mine and is protected by copyright . Please feel free to use any information for your own research. However, use of my information for commercial projects is expressly forbidden.
Early History:
Perry County was created by an act of the General Assembly of the state of Tennessee which was passed in November, 1819. This act provided for a new county to be established north of Wayne County, west of Hickman County, and south of Humphreys County. Perry County was named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry (1785 – 1819 ), a War of 1812 naval officer instrumental in forcing the surrender of the British fleet. This original territory included almost all of what became Decatur County in addition to what is still Perry County today.
The Buffalo River flowing from the south end of the county to the north, divides the county in such a way as to leave 1/3 of the area to the east of this river and 2/3’s to the west. A number of creeks flow from the western side of the Buffalo River towards the Tennessee River. Beginning at the north these creeks are: Crooked, Roan, Tom, Deer, Lick, Spring, Cypress, Marsh, Cedar, Bee, and White Oak. On the east side of the Buffalo River the creeks beginning from the north are: Lost, Russell, Lagoon, Cane, Brush, Coon, Short, Hurricane, Rockhouse, and Sinking.
Early Settlers:
Tom Creek – It is thought that Robert Patterson settled this area before 1818 as his son William was born on Tom Creek in 1818. Rev. William Hodge, Rev. Samuel Atkins, John Stanley, William O. Britt, Enoch Hooper, and John Young all settled on Tom Creek in 1818. In 1820, Ferney Stanley arrived. He taught the first school in the county.
Cane Creek – Some of the first settlers on Cane Creek were the Whitwells; Thomas, John, Samuel, and James Lomax; Horner Cude; James Salmon; John Anderson; Rev. Joseph Kelley; and Jesse Depriest. Jacob Huffstedler who was born on board ship while enroute from Germany to America in 1775, settled on Cane Creek with his family in 1821.
(Note – According to Marlene Bates Johnson, this information concerning Jacob Huffstedler from Goodspeed’s is not correct. Please contact her for more information.)
Buffalo River – About 1824, John Horner, Elbert Matthews, Jerry Holligan, and James Wilkins and their families settled on the Buffalo River near what was to become Beardstown. Isaac W. Stanley , who was surveyor of Perry County, also settled on the Buffalo River.
Linden – Joseph Tucker came from North Carolina to settle in the area that is now Linden.
Lick Creek – As early as 1818, James Dixon, James Yates, Wiley Tanner, and John and Jesse Newton settled on Lick Creek.
Marsh Creek – Some of the first settlers on Marsh Creek were Joseph Brown, William and Nathan Ward, and Nathaniel Dabbs.
Cedar Creek – About 1818, Samuel Denton, John Tracey, and Jesse Childress settled this area.
White Oak Creek – The first settlers for this area were Joshua Briley, Thomas Evans, Nicholas Welch, and James Scott.
Sinking Creek – About 1818 or 1820, Jacob Fraley, George Hollabough, and John Webb settled this area.
Rockhouse Creek – David Hogan, Hodge Adams, and Nancy Randal settled this area about 1818 or 1820.
Hurricane Creek – Allen Barber and the Jarmons settled early on this creek.
Brush Creek – Early settlers on this creek were John Siser, John Turner, Elijah Duncan, and the Cobles.
Coon Creek – Thomas Dowdy, Joshua Cotes, and Abraham Barber settled early this area.
Other – William Holmes, John L. Houston, Oswald Griffin, John Wims, Green B. Newsom, West Wood, John A. Rains, Aaron Lewis, Jacob Harmon, Mark Murphey, and Joseph Dixon were other early settlers to Perry County.
Early Industry:
Iron Furnace – Iron was found in large quantities along Marsh, Cedar, and Sinking Creeks. About 1834, Wallace Dixon erected the Cedar Grove Iron Furnace on Cedar Creek. Its operation was suspended in 1862.
Mills – The first horse-mill, on Lick Creek, was erected in 1820 by James Dixon. John Tracey erected the first water-mill on Cedar Creek in 1821. Between 1866 and 1880, Thomas Whitwell operated a wool-carding mill on Rockhouse Creek. During the 1870’s, Josiah Bastian operated a woolen-mill on Cane Creek.
Merchants – James Yates was the first merchant. About 1819, he began his business on Tom Creek.
Cotton – Samuel Denton erected the first cotton-gin on Cedar Creek in 1821. This, however, was not a prominent industry.
Tanneries – Charles Gotthardt, a German, established the first tannery about 1843. It was located at a place on the Tennessee River called Rat Tail. Robert Houssels established a tannery in 1868 and James B. Sutton also had a tannery.
Early Organization:
The first magistrates were James Dixon, Joseph Brown, William O. Britt, William Holmes, John L. Houston, Oswald Griffin, Enoch Hooper, Mr. Nunn, and Green B. Newsom.
The act which established Perry County, provided for the quarter sessions and circuit court to be held at the house of James Yates. The first magistrates selected the house of James Dixon on Lick Creek as the place for holding their first session. At this session in January, 1820, Perry County was organized. The magistrates elected Joseph Brown as chairman of the court of quarter sessions. William Jarmon was elected as clerk, West Wood as sheriff, John A. Rains as register, Aaron Lewis as trustee, Jacob Harmon as ranger, Mark Murphey as coroner, and Joseph Dixon as constable.
In 1845, an act of the General Assembly divided the county of Perry and established Decatur County with the Tennessee River as the boundary between the two. Perry County courts were then moved to Harrisburg where they remained for 2 years while a new county seat was being selected. By election, Linden was chosen over Harrisburg by a majority of 6 votes. David R. Harris donated 40 acres to the county to be used as the site of Linden. The town was surveyed, town lots sold, and the county was divided into 11 civil districts.
County Court Records:
The first courts were held at the house of James Dixon and then moved to that of Mr. Barry on Tom Creek. In 1821, the county seat was established at Perryville on the west bank of the Tennessee River. The first courthouse in Linden was made of logs. It was replaced in 1849-1850 with a frame building. This building was burned along with its records during the Civil War. Only the records housed in offices not at the courthouse were saved.
Available today are: Chancery Court beginning 1854, Circuit Court Minutes beginning in 1834, County Court Minutes beginning in 1865, Deeds beginning in 1844, Marriage Records beginning in 1865, and Probate Records beginning in 1847.
County Court Officials:
County Court Clerks Since the War
Jesse Taylor 1865 – 1867
John Taylor 1867 – 1868
R. A. Guthrie 1868 – 1870
T. J. Lewis 1870 – 1874
P. P. Pickard 1874 – 1882
C. L. Pearson 1882 – 1886
Registers Since 1840
J. A. Rains 1841 – 1846
Thomas Lomax 1846 – 1882
R. A. Kimbel 1882 – 1886
* Since J. A. Rains was the first register according to available records, it is very possible that he actually served beginning 1820.
Sheriffs
West Wood 1820 – 1828
John Easley 1828 – 1832
Larkin Baker 1832 – 1834
Madison Harris 1834 – 1836
William Welch 1836 – 1842
Abner Coleman 1842 – 1843
Hugh B. Hand 1843 – 1846
Thomas Simmons 1846 – 1847
John L. Webb 1847 – 1848
James Kelley 1848 – 1852
Moses Bates 1852 – 1856
James H. Brown 1856 – 1858
Moses Bates 1858 – 1862 ??????
James M. Dodson 1866 – 1868
Henry H. Long 1868 – 1870
John L. Webb 1870 – 1874
William J. Flowers 1874 – 1876
Edward W. Easley 1876 – 1878
A. D. Craig 1878 – 1882
J. M. Hunt 1882 – 1886
Chancery Court Clerks and Masters
James H. Kinzer 1854 – 1858
I. N. Hulme 1858 – 1860
R. M. Thomas 1860
T. M. Brashear 1865 – 1868
H. J. Young 1868 – 1871
T. W. Edwards 1871 – 1877
W. A. Edwards 1877 – 1883
W. C. Webb 1883 – 1886
Circuit Court Clerks Since 1846
F. H. Kimble 1846 – 1850
T. W. Edwards 1850 – 1858
B. G. Rickman 1858 – to war
J. P. Ledbetter 1865 – 1870
Lewis C. Waggoner 1870 – 1874
T. J. Evans 1874 – 1878
James E. Dodson 1878 – 1882
J. W. Lewis 1882 – 1886
Legislative Representatives
H. M. Brown
Robert Crudup
Charles Graham
Thomas M. Brashear
Hartwell Barham
F. H. Kimble
William S. Maxwell
William N. Baker
Jesse Taylor
C. B. Dodson
J. B. Daniel
State Senate
H. H. Brown
Thomas M. Brashear
Warren Smith
Settlements:
Beardstown – Beardstown was established in 1830 and named after George Beard its first merchant. It is located on the west side of the Buffalo River about 8 miles below Linden.
Britt’s Landing – On the east bank of the Tennessee River, Britt’s Landing was established in 1839. As early as 1844 it was of considerable commercial importance. The post office was established in 1850. Cotton and peanuts were primary exports. William O. Britt and Son were the proprietors of the landing and also a large general store and warehouse.
Cedar Creek Landing – This landing had a post office, a store, and a warehouse.
Cedar Grove Furnace – A post office in Perry County in 1860.
Denson’s Landing – This landing had a post office, a store, and a warehouse.
Farmer’s Valley – Located on the Buffalo River 10 miles above Linden, this town had a post office, 2 stores and a warehouse.
Linden – The site of Linden consisted of 40 acres. It was donated to the county by David R. Harris. He reserved a few lots and named the town Linden. The town was surveyed into lots, including a public square. The lots were sold and the money from the sales was used to help with the expense of erecting public buildings. The first houses in Linden were built in 1847 by Jesse Taylor and Miles Prince. The first hotel was opened in 1849 by John L. Webb. The first store was opened by Dr. William C. Moore who was also the first physician and postmaster. In 1860 the town had a courthouse, public offices, an academy, and several stores.
Lobelsville – Lobelsville is a post-village on the west side of the Buffalo River about 5 miles below Beardstown. It was established in 1854 and named after Henry de Lobel, a French immigrant. There were 3 stores and a combined church and schoolhouse.
Mouse Tail Landing – On the east bank of the Tennessee River, this landing was established between 1840 and 1845. Homer and Blackburn had a grocery store for a number of years. Tan bark is the major export.
New Era – This landing had a post office, a store, and a warehouse.
Patriot – A post village in 1860.
Peter’s Landing – This landing had a post office, a store, and a warehouse.
Theodore – This was a post-hamlet on Hurricane Creek with a wool-carding mill, grist mill, and a saw mill.
Webb’s – This landing had a post office and a warehouse.
Woods – A post office was located here in 1860.
Schools:
The first school in the county was taught by Ferry Stanley on Tom Creek in 1820. The first school in Linden was taught by Edwin H. Eldridge about 1848.
Churches:
John Craig, of the Methodist Church was the first minister preaching in the county. He began preaching ca 1818 or 1819. A log building was erected on Lick Creek in 1825 by the Primitive Baptists. William Hodge and Samuel Akin/Atkin were the first ministers. The Baptists built the first church building in Linden in 1849 and Greenberry Mitchell was the first minister. The first camp-meeting was established on Lick Creek in 1826. Afterward another was established on White Oak Creek and another near Linden.
Poor Farm:
In December, 1880, the county purchased a farm of 277 acres with its buildings from W. C. and J. L. Webb. This farm was located on the east side of the Buffalo River, about a mile from Linden. This farm was to serve as a home for the paupers of the county. According to Goodspeed, it housed on an average, 8 paupers per year.
If you have a transcription of a record about Perry County history that you would like to share, (where the person was born from 1930 or before), please contact Jerry L Butler, your Perry County TNGenWeb coordinator.