(from the archived Roots of Roane County, TN, by Snyder E. Roberts)

Prior to 1800, the unreliable U.S. Mail service was mainly centered in the northeastern part of the country with only a few routes extending into the south. By 1800, cross routes from east to west were coming into being, such as, the route from Knoxville to Nashville to Natchez. In 1792, Captain John Chisholm advertised in the Knoxville Gazette that he was starting mail routes from Knoxville to Jonesboro, and Knoxville to Abingdon, VA. However, there are indications that the route to Abingdon did not fully materialize until 1794. Both Territorial Governor William Blount and Governor John Sevier complained about the unreliable mail service between Knoxville and Nashville, and made use of special couriers to carry official papers. Prior to 1800, Fort South West Point received mail by courier, and in at least one case, a courier was badly wounded by Indians west of Crab Orchard, but he was able to make his way to Fort South West Point and safety.

According to Marilyn McCluen‘s records, a regular Post Office was established at South West Point on December 6, 1800 with Thomas N. Clark as Postmaster. The appointment is recorded on page 190 of Volume K of the copies of the outgoing letters of the Postmaster General.

Parenthetically, it should be remembered that Fort South West Point was first established in 1792 for use by the territorial militia, and that U.S. Army regular troops were posted there from 1794 until 1807. From late 1800, Col. Return J. Meigs, Indian Agent, made his headquarters at South West Point until 1807. The lots for Kingston were laid off in late 1799. The Army troops and the Indian Agency were moved to a site further down the TN River in 1807. Return J. Meigs, Jr. took office as U. S. Postmaster General on March 17, 1814, and served until 1823.

The name of the Post Office changed from “South West Point” to Kingston in 1807. List of Postmasters and dates of appointments:

2. Samuel Martin was appointed Postmaster of Kingston Post Office April 1, 1807. He was born about 1775 in Ireland and died in Knox County 1855. He married Julia Reese of Jefferson County. Their children were: James, Eliza, William P., Nancy, Joseph, Mary, Samuel, Jr., Hugh, Margaret. Samuel Martin was an entrepreneur of considerable ability. He owned much land, many slaves, 10 town lots, a tavern and store. Evidently, the Post Office was in his store. In 1824, he bought Campbell’s Station from Col. David Campbell and was soon engaged in various businesses, collected an extensive library, and was buddy-buddy with Andrew Jackson in horse racing. His son, Hugh Martin, later lived in Kingston.

3. William D. Neilson was appointed Postmaster at Kingston July 1, 1808. Little is known about him. In records, the name is royally confused with “Nelson“. He served as a Captain in the War of 1812 under Gen. John Brown. In 1815, he owned 6 acres adjoining Kingston, 12 town lots, and apparently, 300-acres on Town Creek.

4. John McEwen received his appointment as Postmaster December 30, 1811. He was the son of Alexander and Margaret (Houston) McEwen. John married Elizabeth Stevenson, and they had the following children: William S., John C., Robert Neilson, Matthew, Elizabeth, Margaret. John owned land on the TN River, slaves, and a store which evidently housed the Post Office.

5. Richard Richards was appointed December 15, 1821. He was the son of Gabriel Richards who lived on the present site of the Breeder Reactor Plant in a bend in Clinch River. Richard was reported to be a Doctor of Medicine and Divinity.

6. William S. McEwen was appointed October 8, 1829. William S. was the son of John McEwen, above. He married Matilda Clark, daughter of Thomas N. Clark.

7. Henry I. Welcker was appointed December 24. 1841.

8. Thomas A. Brown (1810) was appointed April 19, 1845. He was a Kingston merchant.

9. Robert D. Duncan (1808) was appointed July 12, 1847. Kingston merchant.

10. Eldridge A. Yost (1824) was appointed November 11, 1851. Kingston merchant.

11. Robert D. Duncan‘s second appointment April 5, 1853.

Update December, 2025:  D. R. Frazier’s 1984 book, Tennessee Postoffices and Postmaster Appointments 1789-1984, is the definitive source for lists of community names and postmasters.  Click here to view the transcribed volume.  Note it is alphabetical by post office, but not browsable by county.