Goodspeed Biography of Nicholas Q. Allen

Posted on October 31, 2011 by

Nicholas Q. Allen, a lawyer of Rhea County, and a resident of Darwin, was born in Rhea County April 17, 1830, son of Valentine and Ann (Frazier) Allen. For further particulars of parents see sketch of V.C. Allen. Our subject is one of a large family of children. He received his primary education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Academy at Decatur, Meigs County. He first. followed agricultural pursuits on his father’s plantation, and afterward selected the law for his profession. In the fall of 1872, he entered the law department of the Cumberland University at Lebanon, but on account of failing health was obliged to retire from the class before graduation. He afterward completed his studies in the office of an elder brother, V. C. Allen, of Dayton, Tenn. In June, l878, he obtained license to practice and since that date has followed his profession in Tennessee.

September 2, 1875, he married Miss Susan C. Paine, daughter of Orville Paine, who at one time was an influential citizen of Rhea County. He was of Irish extraction. The result of our subject’s marriage was the birth of two daughters: Kittie M., born July 9. 1876. and Helen B., born November 1,1882.  Mr. Allen is a decided Democrat, and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, having served the church as steward for the last six years, and has been sent as a delegate to several annual conferences. Mrs. Allen is a member of the same church.

In 1885-86 our subject was chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of the Third Congressional District. In 1884 he was commissioned special chancellor by Gov. Bate, to hold the chancery court of Bledsoe and Sequatchie Counties. He is a man of commanding appearance, being six feet and three inches in height. He is a stanch Prohibitionist, and is doing much to aid the cause. In May, 1893, he located at Darwin, having commenced the practice of law at Washington ten years previous.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887

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Goodspeed Biography of Valentine Allen

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

Hon. Valentine C. Allen. an eminent lawyer of Dayton, is a native of Mississippi, born in Tippah County September 2, 1842. His parents, Valentine and Ann (Frazier) Allen, were both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was a native of Kentucky, born July 13, 1809; is still living. The mother was born in Knox County. Tenn.. in 1814. and is still living. They were married in Rhea County, Tenn., January 19, 1836, and with the exception of the four years that they lived in Alabama, soon after marriage, and one year in Mississippi, have made Rhea County their home ever since.

The father was a farmer and a decided Democrat in his political views, casting his first vote for James K. Polk for Congress. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject is one of eight children, seven of whom are still living. He assisted on the farm and secured a liberal education in Rhea County.

In April, 1862, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company D. Fifth Tennessee Cavalry: J. G. M. Montgomery being captain of the company, and G. W. McKenzie, colonel of the regiment. In the following June, on account of ill health, he returned home and remained two months. In September following he joined the Third Tennessee Infantry, Col. N. J. Lillard. served with Company I the remainder of the war, and surrendered at Washington, Ga.. May 9. 1805. In the fall of the same year he commenced the study of law under Judge Frank Locke, of Rhea County, and in November, 1866, he obtained license to practice. and since that time to the present his name has been on the roll of Tennessee attorneys.

February 13, 1866, he wedded Miss Emma King,a t native of Meigs County. born February 13, 1845. She is the daughter of Dr. Aaron and Jane (Lillard) King. The fruits of this union are five children, all living – one son and four daughters.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887

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Goodspeed Biography of William G. Allen

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

Maj. William G. Allen, a stirring citizen of Rhea County. and a resident of Dayton, is a native of Alabama, born in that State October 21, 1836. He is the son of Valentine and Ann (Frazier) Allen, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father’s ancestors were early settlers of South Carolina, but he was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 19, 1809, is still living, and is a resident of Dayton. He is seventy-eight years of age. The mother was born in Rhea County Tenn.. in September, 1815, and is still living in Dayton. They were married in Rhea County, in December, 1835, at the home of the bride’s father, Beriah Frazier, and soon after moved to Alabama, and settled at Larkinsyille, Jackson County, where they resided until the year 1840.

The father at this time took part in the Seminole war. In 1840 they immigrated to Mississippi, and settled in Tishomingo County, and two years later, on account of the feeble health of the wife, they returned to Rhea County, where they made a permanent settlement. The father has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been rather successful. In his political views he is a Democrat, and served over two years in the Confederate States service, during the late civil war. He was captured in Rhea County, and spent two months in the Nashville penitentiary and two months in the Louisville penitentiary. The remainder of the two years he passed in Camp Chase, Ohio. He, with his wife and all the children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Our subject is the eldest of eight children, of whom there were seven sons and one daughter. Our subject secured a good academic education in his youth. and farming has been his chief occupation in life. He began life for himself as a farm hand, and in 1855 settled on a farm, as a renter, in the Seventh Civil District, it being four years before he was able to own & small farm. In 1859 he purchased a farm of 100 acres at a cost of $1,500, and here began a singularly prosperous life. In December of the same year he married Miss Mary E. Thomison, a native of Roanoke County. Va., born July 20, 1837. and the daughter of William P. and Nancy J. Thomison, who immigrated to Rhea County in 1843. The marriage of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of four children, two sons and two daughters: John G., born March 3, 1866, Edward M., born March 3, 1869 (both born the same month and same day); Mary E., born December 10, 1875, and Winnie G., born December 16, 1878.

In the spring of 1861 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Company D, Fifth Tennessee Regiment. Col. J. G. M. Montgomery being captain of the company, and G. W. McKenzie, colonel. He enlisted as a private, and was made adjutant of the Fifth Regiment in 1862. He received seven wounds during the war, the first at Richmond. Ky.. the second at Bardstown. Ky.. and three at Chickamauga Creek. one through the left breast, one through the left arm and one through the right leg. He was also wounded at Buckhorn Bridge, below Atlanta. Ga., and at Bentonville, N. C. He returned home to Rhea County in May, 1865, after an absence of over four years, and resumed his agricultural pursuits.

In 1860 he was duly elected trustee of Rhea County, and was also made a deputy register, filling both offices until he resigned to enlist in the war, where for gallant conduct during the battle of Chickamauga be was made major.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887

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Goodspeed Biography of J.C. Abernathy

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

 J. C. Abernathy, a prominent, practicing physician, of Rhea Springs, was born March 30, 1824 at Morganton, Blount Co., Tenn. He is the eldest living of six children of Rev. Berry and Myra (Cobb) Abernathy. At the time of the religious persecution in Scotland three Abernathy brothers came to Virginia and located in the Jamestown Settlement. Rev. Berry Abernathy is a direct descendant of one of the brothers. He was born on the Catawba River, North Carolina. He moved to Blount County, Tenn., when about twenty-five years of age. Shortly afterward he was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church South by Bishop Asbury. He was a man of fair education for his day, and taught school in connection with his ministerial duties. He was one of the most popular and influential ministers of his day. He died November 6, 1870 on his eighty-sixth birthday.

The mother, who is still living, is daughter of Archibald Cobb. She was married in 1817, at the age of thirteen.

Four sons and four daughters were born to this union. Our subject remained with his father until he attained his majority. During his boyhood he attended school at Morganton, and afterward at Maryville College. He studied medicine under Dr. E. Collins. of Pinbook Landing, Meigs County. He graduated in the medical department of the University of Nashville. With the exception of some months during the Rebellion, he has practiced at his present location. 

In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service, In the Sixty- second Tennessee Infantry, as surgeon. He remained on active duty as long as his health would permit. He returned home and took the oath of allegiance. 

He Is a member of the Baptist Church, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Democrat. He is a firm supporter of all laudably enterprises, and is a worthy citizen. January 30, 1845 he married Nancy A., daughter of Young L. and Barbara M. Bicknell. She was born August 15, 1829. at Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn. Their union resulted in the birth of nine children. of whom but two are living: Young L. and John A. Mrs. Abernathy is a lady possessing a very good English education, and although not connected with any denomination, is a believer in the Presbyterian doctrine.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887

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Rhea County, TN Officers and Regulators

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

FORT HIWASSEE ROSTER
Captain Thomas J VanDyke – 1809

Officers, Sergeants, Corporals and Others

William McClellan – 1st Lieutenant Jeffrey Robinson – 2nd Lieutenant
David McClellan – Ensign Richard Allison – Sergeant
Daniel Garrison – Sergeant William Taylor – Sergeant
Walker Morgan – Sergeant Robert Tapley – Corporal
James Thomas – Corporal WillIam Cornish – Corporal
J L Beverley – Corporal Alexander Montgomery – Drummer
John Mifford – Piper  

 

Roster of Regulars

Thomas Aggin Washington Aggin Thomas Arthur William Ashby
Elyste S Brewer John Britton William Childers Thomas Church
Isom Cisko Isiah Clark William Conner James Consalian
Thomas Cornish William Cornish Jr. John T Cunningham Alexander Curry
Edward Darwin Peter Davis John Dillion Robert Donham
Caleb Dowd Mahaleleah Drain Micajah Edmonds William Ellis
James Grant John Grantham Henry Hackworth Henry Hampton
James Hankins Tapley Haywood Jepsom Holly William Holt
James Hood William Hood Charles Janeway William Karnes
Joseph Lee Patrick McCan Robert Man John Mann
John Mims Jacob Massey Royal Matlock Joel Merrit
Isom Moore John D Moore John Morris Robert Morris
Britton Newsome Timothy Niblick Robert Palmer John Parker
Frederick Rector James Steeley Abram Smith Claude Smith
William Smith Abraham Wheeler William Wilford –
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Rhea County, TN 1808 Tax List

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

JONATHAN FINE’S LIST

A list of taxable property of the families between Piney River and Roane County. 

Barey, Jesse   Higgons, Joel   Morris, Richard   Steaar, Henry
Bavins, Elijah   Long, William   Noblett, William   Strasner, Mikel
Dinsmore, James   McElwee, John   Rector, Morgan   Swagerty, Thomas
Fine, Jonathan   McKalib, William   Rector, Morgan   Trimble, Richard
Gouge, John   Manifee, John   Sherrill, William   Waters, John
Hackworth, Nichodemus   Mites, John   Sims, Little Page   Waters, John A.
Higgons, Burrel   Moore, Agnes   Snelson, James   Waters, Samuel

 

JAMES CAMPBELL’S LIST 

Caldwell, David Kelly, Thomas Ray, Joseph Rhea, Jesse
Campbell, James Locke, John Reed, Hamilton Seemore, Henery
Gayle, Caleb Merriott, John Reed, Robert Seemore, William
Gibson, Jacob Price, William Rhea, Hugh Smith, William
Hamilton, James     Tobat, George

 

JOSEPH BROOK’S LIST
A list of taxables below main Richland Creek. 

Able, Cain Cowan, John Leach, George Patterson, Robert
Able, John Cowan, Joseph Lemmons, Jacob Riddle, James
Brooks, Joseph Galbreath, James Lutrell, Mason Russell, John
Buis, William Gamble, Charles Magill, William Seres, Bennet
Clark, Thomas Gamble, Robert Martin, John  
Cowan, James Johnson, John Means, Robert  

 

JOHN HENRY’S LIST
A list of taxables between Richland Creek and Clear Creek. 

Airhart, Henry Dunham, Joseph, Jr. Henry, Ezekiel Phillips, Benonley
Alexander, Joseph Dunham, Joseph, Sr. Howard, Abraham Powell, James
Brown, John Edwards, Walter Howard John Robertson, John
Brown, Thomas Francis, Joseph Howerton, Jackson Robinson, Tirey
Cooke, Jacob Francis, Miller Jenkins, William Robinson, Miles
Cotton, Robert Gouge, James, Sr. Kennedy, Daniel Rawlings, Daniel
David, Azariah Gouge, James Kennedy, Jacob Sparlen, John
David, Jenkin Gouge, Josiah Lauderdale, James Strain, John
David, Owen Gouge, Martain Lindsey, John Tramble, David
Davis, Samuel Harvey, James Love, Robt Williams, George
      Worley, George

 

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Rhea County, TN Private Acts: 1828-1829

Posted on October 29, 2011 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

Compiled by the County Technical Assistance Service

NOTE: The CTAS compilation includes many acts which are not necessarily of interest to the family history researcher. Therefore, this page will list only those acts which involve county boundaries, boundary changes and acts which pertain to individuals.

ACTS OF 1828-1829

Chapter 114, Page 90, released Sally Mapes, of Rhea County, from the payment of any sum due and owing to the State on the southwest quarter of Section 22 in fractional township #2, and the register of the Hiwassie District shall issue to her a grant for the quarter section mentioned.

Chapter 159, Page 127, declared that it had been represented to the General Assembly that a certain parcel of land in Rhea County in the Hiwassie District was unappropriated, and there was no known provision where the said land might be entered, or disposed of. This Act made it the duty of the Surveyor of Rhea county to ascertain by actual survey the quantity of the land involved, and to divide the same into two equal portions between the occupants, Jesse Matthews, and Ezekiel Bates, so as to include the separate improvements on the lot of each one, and they would each pay the regular rates for entering upon land of this sort.

Chapter 277, Page 250, was the authority for the Treasurer of East Tennessee to employ Hugh L. White to attend to and prosecute a lawsuit instituted by sundry citizens of Rhea County against an Indian Reserve for the recovery and possession of the 16th Section of land in the Hiwassee District which was located in Rhea County and which was surveyed and designated as a school section. White was to be given full power to prosecute and manage the suit.

Chapter 6, Page 6, Section 4, named George Dawson of Bledsoe County, and James Preston, of Rhea County, as the commissioners for a turn-pike road which would be built and maintained by Randolph Ross and Reuben Ross, with George Gordon.

Chapter 40, Page 38, named William T Gillingwater, of Rhea County, as an additional Commissioner on the turnpike road leading from the foot of Walden’s Ridge in Bledsoe County to the foot of the said Ridge in Rhea County, commonly called Beattie’s Turnpike.

Chapter 209, Page 170, appointed John Ayers and Herman Collins, of Bledsoe County, as Commissioners for the Turnpike Road running from Acquilla Johnson’s and running thence near Sam Cathey’s mill, Bledsoe County, crossing Walden’s Ridge in the most direct line to Washington in Rhea County, at or near Orvill Paine’s.

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Rhea County, TN Private Acts: 1822, 1825, 1826

Posted on October 29, 2011 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

Compiled by the County Technical Assistance Service

NOTE: The CTAS compilation includes many acts which are not necessarily of interest to the family history researcher. Therefore, this page will list only those acts which involve county boundaries, boundary changes and acts which pertain to individuals.

ACTS OF 1822

Chapter 101, Page 105, established and authorized two warehouses for the inspection of tobacco on the south side of the Tennessee River in Rhea County, one to be located opposite Thomas Kelly’s ferry and one opposite Thomas Price’s ferry which inspections shall be conducted under the same rules and requirements as others.

Chapter 146, Page 222, appointed Thomas Price, Richard G. Waterhouse, William S. Leuty, John Locke, Miles Vernon, William Smith and Robert Bell, as Commissioners with the power and authority to contract with suitable workmen to build a new jail in Rhea County on the public square or at some other suitable place in Washington. The Quarterly Court may levy a tax over the next three years to finance the cost of construction. The said tax would be collected by the sheriff, paid to the Trustee and used for no other purpose. The Commissioners will report to the Court when the new jail is completed and then the old jail will be either sold or torn down.

ACTS OF 1825

Chapter 190, Page 166, appointed Benjamin Jones and Phillip Abel of Rhea County, as Commissioners for a turnpike road, running through Rhea, Hamilton, and Bledsoe Counties. The act further provided that all people of these three counties who have assisted in the opening of this road, who have worked upon it before the passage of this Act, and all persons going to and from mills, musters, church, or blacksmith shops, are exempt from paying toll on this road

ACTS OF 1826

Chapter 187, Page 161, declared it to be lawful for Jesse Matthews, of Rhea County, to have surveyed by the surveyor of the Hiwassie District the vacant fraction of land on which he now lives, adjoining the lands of Lewis Ross, in Rhea County, under the very same rules and regulations which apply elsewhere.

Chapter 162, Page 188, was the authority for the volunteer Rifle Company in the County of Rhea and the town of Washington, called the Washington Guards, to dissolve their association and unite themselves into a company of calvary, and thus be entitled to receive all the benefits granted to other calvary companies.

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Rhea County, TN Private Acts: 1822

Posted on October 29, 2011 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

Compiled by the County Technical Assistance Service

NOTE: The CTAS compilation includes many acts which are not necessarily of interest to the family history researcher. Therefore, this page will list only those acts which involve county boundaries, boundary changes and acts which pertain to individuals.

ACTS OF 1822

Chapter 86, Page 75, was the authority for Daniel Rawlings, the Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in Rhea County, to keep the Clerk’s office for the said county at his own home where he now lives adjoining the town of Washington.

Chapter 104, Page 94, named Benjamin C. Stout, James Berry, John Day, Edmund Bean, Carson Caldwell, John Parker, and David S. Williams as Commissioners for the town of Washington in Rhea County with full power to pass all laws to preserve the health, prevent and remove nuisances, provide for the licensing and regulation of auctions, taxing, theatrical productions and other public amusements. Proper warrants for the violation of any of the above may issue from Justices of the Peace.

Chapter 86, Section 2, Page 75, was the authority for John Locke, the Circuit Court Clerk of Rhea County to keep the Clerk’s office for the said county at his own residence which adjoins the town of Washington.

Chapter 139, Page 115, provided that the proceeds arising from the rental of school lands in Rhea County shall be appropriated to support of Tennessee Academy in the said county for a term of ten years beginning on next January 1. These lands shall be under the direction and control of the Trustees of the Academy.

Chapter 155, Page 126, stated that all that part of Rhea County which lies on the south of the Tennessee River shall be and compose a separate battalion of militia which shall be known as the Third Battalion and commanded by the second Major of the Regiment.

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Rhea County, TN Private Acts: 1820 & 1821

Posted on October 29, 2011 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

Compiled by the County Technical Assistance Service

NOTE: The CTAS compilation includes many acts which are not necessarily of interest to the family history researcher. Therefore, this page will list only those acts which involve county boundaries, boundary changes and acts which pertain to individuals.

ACTS OF 1820

Chapter 106, Page 95, recited that Roswell Hall, of Rhea County, had obtained a license to hawk and peddle his goods and wares at retail for one year in Rhea County but he moved to Marion County before being able to use the license very much. This Act permits Hall to sell his goods in Marion County for the remainder of the period covered by the license without having to obtain another one.

ACTS OF 1821

Chapter 73, Section 1. That the line dividing Bledsoe and Rhea counties shall be as follows, (to wit); beginning in a point on the northern boundary line of Hamilton county, near where the road from Keedy’s Gap to Washington crosses the head of Sale Creek; running thence up the general course of Walden’s ridge of Cumberland mountain, so as to cross Richland Creek at the bridge on the Kincah turnpike road; thence to cross Loony’s turnpike road so as to include the former residence of Richard Walker on said road in the county of Bledsoe; thence a direct line to the old Cumberland turnpike road, to T. Bound’s turnpike gate, and that all persons residing near to, and south of Morgan, and west of said line shall belong to the county of Bledsoe.

Section. That said line shall be run and marked at the mutual expense of Bledsoe and Rhea Counties.

Passed: September 28, 1821.

Chapter 169. Section 1. That the line running between the counties of Rhea and Hamilton, shall commence at a point one half mile below Blythe’s Ferry, and run across the Valley to the Mountain, so as to run between the lands of Benjamin Jones and John Russell, thence up the foot of the said mountain to the line of said counties as now run and marked.

Passed: November 19, 1821

Chapter 73, stated that the line dividing Bledsoe and Rhea counties shall be as follows, (to wit); beginning in a point on the northern boundary line of Hamilton county, near where the road from Keedy’s Gap to Washington crosses the head of Sale Creek; running thence up the general course of Walden’s ridge of Cumberland mountain, so as to cross Richland Creek at the bridge on the Kincah turnpike road; thence to cross Looney’s turnpike road so as to include the former residence of Richard Walker on said road in the county of Bledsoe; thence a direct line to the old Cumberland turnpike road, to T. Bound’s gate, and that all persons residing near to, and south of Morgan, and west of said line shall belong to the county of Bledsoe.

Chapter 169, provided that the line running between the counties of Rhea and Hamilton,shall commence at a point one half mile below Blythe’s ferry, and Benjamin Jones and John Russell, thence up the foot of the said mountain to the line of said counties as now run and marked.

Chapter 6, Page 10, required the County Courts of all the counties in Tennessee to index and classify the roads in their counties into three classes, determined primarily by the width, use, and surfacing material of the road.

Roads of the first class had to be maintained to a higher degree than the others. There were penalties in this Act for obstructing the roads and for failing to comply with the terms of this Act.

Chapter 184, Page 175, stated that the militia of Rhea County which is the 30th Regiment of the State of Tennessee shall hold a regimental muster on the fourth Tuesday in September.

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