Chase (James Madison) Cemetery
2015
Washington County, Tennessee Tombstone Inscriptions by Charles M. Bennett and the Watauga Association of Genealogists. Information used with the permission of Lorraine Bennett Rae.
From volume 3, page 296 – entry 3-134
“The gravestone on the old Chase place was broken and the top part was missing. The footstone had the initials J.M.C.”
This information was provided to Mr. Bennett by Sharon Campbell.
LOCATION – 522 Providence Road, Limestone, Tennessee on Washington County tax parcel 049-042.00
GPS Location: +36° 18.460, -82° 35.850
DEEDS – James Madison “Matt” Chase acquired two parcels to make up his farm. Deed Book 82, Page 444 (20 December 1883) from S. D. Bowman and Deed Book 83, Page 89 (2 October 1896) from William M. Allen. Both these deeds were not recorded until 2 October 1902. The 9 June 1900 census enumerated Matt’s wife, Mary Catherine Thompson Chase as a widow. The exact date of Matt’s death has not been proven, but it seems that he would have died between 2 October 1896 and 9 June 1900.
Mary C. Chase sold this farm to Ike Dickerson (Deed Book 140, Page 514) on 23 October 1919, who in turn immediately sold to James R. Deakins (Deed Book 140, Page 506) on 28 October 1919. Both of those deeds were recorded on 23 January 1920.
Deed Book 138, Page 463 (7 Nov 1919) James R. Deakins conveyed back to Mary C. Chase “…..the plot of ground known as the burying place of Matt Chase, deceased…..containing 484 square feet.”
Deed Book 168, Page 135 (1925) and Deed Book 170, Page 393 (1926) – Deakins to W. D. Arnold. The latter deed was a deed of correction following a new survey. Both quiet on the grave.
Deed Book 179, Page 223 (1928) and Deed Book 333, Page 28 (1960) – Arnold to Frank & Nola Campbell and then to Bobby Jack Walker. The latter deed mentions “…..subject to a certain cemetery which it appears was located on said property consisting of two or three graves, near the lane…..”
The final deed that was reviewed is Roll 490, Image 2400 (2006) – Walker to John Hathaway, who is current owner. This deed includes a new survey, with map, showing the grave location, which was excepted from conveyance.
BURIALS – James Madison “Matt” Chase.
Based upon census records (1860, 1870, and 1880), Matt was born early in 1855. A sight visit in October 2015 found the base of a marker planted by a depression. No foot marker was found. The area is current horse pasture and appears not to have been tilled in the area of said grave. There does not appear to be any indication of other burials. The reference to “two or three” graves in the later deeds cannot be substantiated, although it may be possible.
Surveyed, transcribed and donated to the Washington County TNGen Web October 2015 by Gordon M. Edwards, member of the Cemetery Survey Team of Northeast Tennessee.
Copyrighted 2015 by the Cemetery Survey Team of Northeast Tennessee. No part of this work may be copied without written permission from the Cemetery Survey Team.