Biographies from “Who’s Who in Tennessee” (1911)

The following biographical sketches were published in the book “Who’s Who In Tennessee – A Biographical Reference Of Notable Tennesseans Of Today” in 1911. The sketches appear on page 568 and 589.


BOYD, Frank, lawyer, born Vesuvius Furnace, O. July 30, 1859; Scotch-Irish and German descent; son of G. W. and Ann E. (Songer) Boyd; father, manufacturer of pig iron; educated at Mars Hill College near Florence, Ala, graduated from law department Cumberland University Lebanon, Tenn. B. L. degree 1881; worked on farm in early life, married Laura E. Hassell, May 29, 1883; member W.O.W. and K. of P., Democrat; presidential elector for the 7th Congressional district on Cleveland and Hendrix ticket, 1892; delegate to National Democratic convention at Chicago, 1896; member of Christian church; superintendent of public instruction for Wayne County, Tenn. 1885; organized first institute ever held in county for both white and colored schools; elected attorney general of 11th judicial circuit of Tenn. in 1894, served eight years; elected State Senator from counties of Giles, Lawrence and Wayne, Nov 8, 1910; original charter member of first telephone company organized in county and of first turnpike company, organized since 1860; one of original promoters of Bank of Waynesboro, Tenn., the first bank established in the town and the only one; member of firm of Boyd & Morrison, lawyers since 1901.

CATON, Daniel Spencer, farmer, born Davie Co., N.C., July 23, 1849; Scotch-Irish descent; son of Drury and Emily (Woods) Caton; received common school education; entered farming in early life; married Mary Ann Phillips, Dec. 23, 1869; member of Wayne Co. Farmer’s Union and president of same; Democrat (Regular); served as magistrate of Wayne Co. Tenn, 1886-92; and was a member of Tenn. Legislature 1897 and 1898; member of M. E. church, South. P.O. Address, Waynesboro, Tenn., R. F. D. No. 5

COLE, Jasper E., public official; born Wayne Co., Tenn., Jan. 17, 1863; Scotch-Irish descent; son of John H. and Nancy A. (Linn) Cole; educated at Waynesboro, Tenn.; in April, 1881, he made a trip to Texas, returning home Nov. 1886, and became clerk in store of Turman, Helton & Co., Jan 1 to Jul 1, 1887, and returned to Texas, same year; in year 1888 he made a trip to Arkansas; returned from Arkansas to Tenn. same year; then removed to Texas in 1894 again and engaged in farming, returned to Waynesboro, Tenn., in 1899; married Sallie B. Taylor, July 12, 1890; member F. & A. M., No. 127, I. O. O. F. No. 36, W. O. W. No. 238, sheriff of Wayne Co., Tenn. by appointment of court Oct. 1893 to Sep. 1894; chairman of County Court, 1901-02-03-04-05; justice of the peace since 1900; 1905 was selected one of Five Commissioners to build new courthouse and served as secretary of board; elected Trustee of Wayne Co. Aug 1910.

COPELAND, William Brownlow, farmer, born Martins Mills, Tenn., May 16, 1867, Scotch-Irish descent; son of James D. and Caroline (Williams) Copeland; father was a farmer; paternal grandparents James and Katie (Gillis) Copeland; maternal grandparents Jack and Rebecca (Williams) Williams; received common school education; entered farming in early life; married Janie Lawson, Sept. 15, 1887; member Masons, I.O.O.F, W.O.W., and M. W. of A. Republican; former Trustee for Wayne Co. Tenn., two terms; member M. E. church.

DAVIS, Joseph N., farmer; born Lawrence Co., Tenn., March 6, 1845; English descent; son of David H. and Matilda (Wakefield) Davis; father minister of the gospel; paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Matison) Davis; maternal grandparents, Abel and Katie (Stuckey) Wakefield; educated Hardin Co., Tenn.; entered farming in early life, served in U.S.A. 1863 – 65, also in Spanish-American war, 1898; married Nancy Copeland, Jan. 16, 1867; member of Farmers’ Educational and Co-operative Union of America; member of Missionary Baptist church; engaged in farming and mercantile business at Waynesboro, Tenn.

GALLIEN, John W., teacher; born Wayne Co., Tenn., Sept. 17, 1869; son of Greene and Mary E. (Murphy) Gallien; father’s occupation farmer; paternal grandparents, Abner and Kate (Westmoreland) Gallien; maternal grandparents, Colvin and Sarah (Linnville) Murphy; educated in country schools and commercial department of Ky. University; began career as a farmer; married Maude House, Dec. 26, 1900; Republican; justice of the peace, 1906-1909; member of County Board of Education of Wayne Co., Tenn., 1907-1909; at present he is superintendent of public instruction for said county.

Meetings Of The Alabama and Tennessee River Tanners Association Waynesboro, Tennessee

TANNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Transcribed from the Florence Gazette Wednesday, 12 December 1860
Transcribed and submitted by Lee Freeman


 

Our readers, generally, and those who deal in Leather Merchandise, particularly, are requested to read the proceedings of the “Alabama and Tennessee River Tanners’ Association,” to be found in the Gazette, this morning. The first meeting of the Association was held at the town of Waynesboro, Tenn., on the 28[t]h of August, 1860, at which meeting the necessary preliminary arrangements were made for a more perfect, and permanent, organization of the same. The object of the founders of this Association, was to place its members in a position to guard against impositions which it seems can be, and are, practiced upon the Tanner—as a safeguard, in many respects, to the Leather-maker and consumer.

It will be seen, by the report, that the workings of the Association are already proving beneficial, notwithstanding there have been but two meetings. Butchers will be considerably interested in the intentions of this Association, for, as will be seen, one of the members, Mr. George Philler, of Memphis, is offering premiums for the hides that are taken off in the most workmanlike manner; that is, without holes, scarred places, fleshy lumps, bruised spots, and, occasionally, a few pounds of dirt clinging to the inner side, &c.

We hope this enterprise may grow in importance and interest, and that the ends aimed at by its founders may be more than realized, and that at no very distant day, its members may, in connection with their “Tanning Association,” be able to inaugurate a “Manufacturing Association,” and then they can manufacture their own stock, and thereby save a profit that has heretofore been made off of the southern [sic] consumer, by the Massachussetts manufacturers, on stock tanned by our friends and neighbors.

Their next meeting comes off on the 20th of December, at which time they would be pleased to see all those of the craft, who take an interest in their enterprise.


 

Second Meeting Of The Alabama and Tennessee River
Tanners Association
Waynesboro, Tennessee
25 November 1860

Transcribed from Florence Gazette Wednesday, 19 December 1860
Transcribed and submitted by Lee Freeman


 

PROCEEDINGS

    Of the Second Meeting of the “Alabama and Tennessee River Tanners’ Association,” held at Waynesboro, Tennessee, on the 25th of November, 1860. Waynesboro, Tenn., Nov. 25, 1860.
The “Alabama and Tennessee Tanners Association” met persuant to adjourment, at Waynesboro, Tennessee, on Tuesday, the 13th day of November, 1860; James Sparkman, President, in the Chair. The Association was called together by the President, and after the reading of the Minutes of the last meeting, the order of business, be ng [sic] the reception of Reports. Mr. Sparkman, West, Horton & Co., Horton & Hassell, and Wm. F. Turnley, submitted reports, showing gains of 20 to 30 percent, on various lots of hides, both dry and green, in four months.
Reports of this character will receive particular attention at the future meeting of this Association.
Reports also exhibit the fact that by comparing weights here, with Invoice weights, as per purchase bill, the hides bought of George Philler of Memphis, Tennessee, give more satisfactory results in weight; and condition, than those purchased by any member of the Association from other houses.
The Association are also pleased to learn that Mr. Philler is offering premiums to the butchers for the best skinned hides, which cannot fail to produce the most satisfactory results, to both hide dealer and Tanner.
The Association, also, received some interesting communications, from hide dealers in St. Louis, Mo., and several communications from steamboat agents covering the subject of freights.
A Committee will appointed at the next meeting, to confer more fully with those agents upon this subject.
A resolution, offered by Wm. West, Esq., and seconded by Wm. F. Turnley, was unanimously adopted, recommending the members of the Association to compare weights of each lot of hides when received at Warehouses’ [sic], with weights, as per Invoice of purchase bill, and to report the loss or gain, together with the order and condition of the same, and the name of the house from whom purchased, and the per cent. gained in Tanning.
The Association will hold its next meeting in Waynesboro, Tennessee, on Thursday the 20th day of December, 1860.

JAMES SPARKMAN, President.
J T Hassell, Secretary.

Clifton and Wayne County Newspapers

The Clifton Mirror Newspaper
Clifton, Tennessee – Friday, Dec. 9, 1904 – Vol. 24, No. 9, Page 1


The newspaper history of Wayne County dates from before the civil war. Just antecedent to this great conflict Wm. Morris published the Gazette at Waynesboro. Our informant could not tell us much about the Gazette. It was a 6 column folio all home print, as there were no patents in those days, and also, of course, was printed on a Washington hand press. It went down during the storm period of ’61-4.

    In 1867, however, twelve ambitious capitalists of Wayne county contributed $100 each and a stock company was organized for the purpose of publishing a larger and more pretentious paper than had hitherto been attempted in this section. An outfit was purchased at Columbia and the Waynesboro Gazette was launched under flattering auspices, the capital of the county, as before, being selected as the seat of publication. The incorporators were C.C. StriblingD.S. SkillernJohn JacksonG.A. TalleyP.H. CraigWm. BurnsJohn G. BerryW.J. SimsJohn H. ColeR.P. CypertA.T. Hassell and Matthew Collier. The last mentioned six of this notable band of twelve have passed over the river. The other six, with the exception of Wm. Burns, still reside in Wayne County and are prosperous and highly respected citizens of the communities in which they live.

    The Gazette outfit consisted of a fair assortment of body and display type and the inevitable Washington hand press. C.C. Stribling was made business manager of the concern. Tom Malone and Hiram, his brother, were editor and foreman respectively at a joint salary of $150 a month. Will BerryElihu Grimes and Will Boswell were type setters. The subscription price of the Gazette was $2 a year. The advertising rates were $100 a column per year. The paper was a seven column folio, and at that time was the most pretentious sheet published between Columbia on the north and Jackson on the east (west). In fact, it was the only paper published within these bounds, with the exception of a small affair at Lawrenceburg.

    In those halcyon newspaper days the art preservative had not been cheapened by the introduction of a flood of low-grade and low-price so-called family storypapers, and the local newspapers occupied a position of commanding influence. Taken as a whole the subscription price of the Gazette, and its advertising and job rates were about twice what the country paper of today can command. As a matter of business logic the subscription price of the country newspaper of today should be $2 a year. The smallest, measliest country weekly in the world is worth that much to the community in which it is published. The city weeklies are a rehash of the daily editions. They have the whole country to draw on and reach out for enormous circulations in order to reap a golden harvest of advertising. They are at no extra cost for typesetting for the weekly, as the matter is simply transferred from the daily. They figure on putting their weekly at a price that will just about cover the cost of press work and white paper, relying on their adverting for the profit.

    It is largely the same with the cheap monthlies and family story papers. They get immense circulatious through offering their publications at about the actual cost of production and reap their profits from their advertising, which they draw from all sections of the country.

    The case is different with the country weekly. It operates essentially in a limited local field. Very few country newspapers have a circulation of over one thousand copies. Because of their local circulation they can get but a small amount of foreign advertising. They must depend almost entirely on the business enterprise and patriotism of the home community, and if that fails them they are indeed in sore straits.

    So it will be seen that it is obviously unfair to attempt to establish the same standard for the metropolitan and country weekly, and when we hear a man deriding his local paper because it is not up to the standard of the New York Bazoo in quality and price, or complain that he can get the Woman’s Home Story Teller for 25 cents a year whereas he has to pay one dollar for his home paper, which hasn’t got half as much reading matter in it, we feel like summonsing our Fool-killer and giving him the command to slay and spare not. But to return to our mutton.

    The Waynesboro Gazette ran only one year. At the end of that period it was discovered that the receipts and expenditures just about balanced, and the plant was sold to some Savannah parties, who moved it to that town and started the “Tennessee River News. The News was edited by Thomas H. Payne, a gentleman of considerable note. At various times Mr. Payne held the position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Comptroller. He died about a year ago.

    In 1872 C.C. StriblingThomas Warren and Robt. T. Cypert made another venture on the tempestuous sea of newspaperdom. They purchased the old Henry Watterson outfit at Columbia and started the Wayne County Citizen at Waynesboro. In about a year the paper was moved to Clifton. At that time Clifton was a town of about 300 people, but was fast coming into prominence as a trading point. In 1875 the paper was sold toDr. Henry Blakemore. Subsequently it changed hands several times. Finally Messrs.. Tom S. HughesC.C. Stribling and T.S. Hassell bought the plant and Mr. Joe W. Cooper was placed in charge of it. Mr. Cooper ran it until 1897, when he went to Savannah, and Messrs. Sam J. Stockard, Jr. and J.B. Ozment took charge of the Citizen. They ran it about a year and were succeeded by Otis PettusStockard is now on the Cairo Daily Bulletin and Ozment is with the Centerville News.

    In September 1898 a destructive fire visited Clifton and among the building burned was the newspaper office. In a short time the Clifton Herald was established by Messrs. Jim and Frank Stockard, but in about a year fire again wiped the newspaper out of existence. In 1901 Rev. J.S. McCluney brought an outfit from Savannah and started the News. He ran it about six months and then accepted a call to preach in Illinois. Joe W. Cooper then took charge of the paper and ran it until the spring of 1903, when he suspended the paper to accept the position of mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2 leading out of Clifton. On October 14, 1904, the Mirror was started under the present management, acquiring the Fews (News) outfit and adding materially to it, thus being equipped with the most modern outfit in this section of the state.

    It will be seen from this hasty review that Clifton has experienced many newspaper changes. Yet amid all the vicissitudes of fickle fortune the one idea has been kept steadily in view that no matter what comes or goes the town must have a newspaper to reflect its social, moral and business life. The Mirror is published on a more extensive scale than any of it predecessors. This is but natural, as we are living in a world of growth. While this is an age of keen competition and close prices we reason that the best in any line is what the people demand, and it is the ambition of the Mirror management to merit the support of the public by publishing a clean, wholesome, bright paper, doing artistic job work and generally conducting our publishing business along modern, enterprising business lines.

Some Early Settlers of Wayne County

By Charles M. THOMPSON. Reprinted from “The Clifton Mirror”, Clifton, Tennessee, “Anniversary Edition” of 20 October 1905.


“Some time ago the editors of the “Mirror” made a request of Mr. C. M. THOMPSON of Houston to furnish us with her early reminiscences of the early history of Wayne County. Mr. THOMPSON replied with an installment which we published several weeks ago when we published his life sketch. In this second [editor’s note: actually first installment] installment he deals with the early settlers. All Wayne County people in particular will find this article exceedingly interesting. The contribution follows:

Editor’s Mirror,

By your request I will give you now some of the early settlers of Rain’s Creek (now known as Indian Creek).

My father, Zachariah THOMPSON, Jesse CYPERT, and John CYPERT came to Wayne County in the year 1818 together with Francis CYPERT, their father and also the grandfather of the undersigned. Robert CYPERT, a brother of Francis, and a soldier in the war of 1776, came with the above and all settled on Indian Creek.

My father settled the place where Joseph SIMS (the son-in-law of J. N. DAVIS) now lives. This farm has never passed from the connection. Robt. CYPERT, the old soldier, built the first mill on Indian Creek. It was built on the George WHITE farm, a few hundred yards southwest of the corner of J. N. DAVIS’ land and was a failure. The old man then moved up the Creek about seven or eight miles and built a mill on what is known as Johnson’s Fork of Indian Creek, near the place where the Martins Mills now stands. This mill went into the hands of Willoughby PUGH, from PUGH to Samuel COOPER, from COOPER to Archibald WALKER, from WALKER to the CROMWELLS, from the CROMWELLS to the MARTINS, the present owners.

Soon after the CYPERTs came to Indian Creek, Isaac HORTON, an old soldier of the war of 1776, and his three sons, Isaac, Nathaniel and William came to Indian Creek and settled just below the old mill. It might be of interest to record the sons of Jesse, Baker and John CYPERT.

Jesse CYPERT had seven sons. John L. was a Baptist minister (correction: preacher) and was one of the organizers of the Indian Creek Association. Zachariah, William C., James, Thomas P., Robert Jasper and Jesse N. CYPERT. The latter is the only member of the family now living. He resides in Searcy, White County, Arkansas. He served one term as judge of his county. Baker CYPERT had only one son. His name was Samuel and he now resides in the State of Oregon. John CYPERT had six sons, Jesse, Robert, Anderson, Thomas J., John W., and James W. CYPERT. Thomas J. CYPERT was captain of a company in the Federal Army, served in the Legislature of Tennessee two terms as Senator, was assessor of Internal Revenue for the sixth collection district of Tennessee and was a preacher for several years before his death. His brother John was a Captain in the Confederate Army in Arkansas. The members of this family have all passed over the river.

Henry RAYBURN came to the county a little later than the CYPERTs and settled near the mouth of Rayburn Creek, where it empties into Indian creek thence its name.”

C. M. THOMPSON, Martins Mills, Tennessee.


 

Second Installment, published in “The Clifton Mirror”, 10 November 1905, page 8.

“Inasmuch as my last article missed the waste basket, I will come again. In my former contribution I mentioned Henry RAYBOURNE as being one of the early settlers of this county. It might be well enough to give a short sketch of him and his family.

“Squire RAYBOURNE served for years as justice of the peace for his civil district. He had four sons and three daughters. His oldest son, Gen. John RAYBOURNE was a very prominent man in the county. He was sheriff for a number of terms, surveyor and a state senator. The names of the other three sons were Samuel, Davidson, and Elihu. The latter died young and never married. Squire RAYBOURNE was the grandfather of John A. SMITH and his sister Tennie, who live near Old Town in Hardin County; he was the grandfather of Charley SMITH of Cerro Gordo and of Mrs. Joseph HARRISON living near Saltillo. The two old people, son, daughter and infant are buried in the old apple orchard near the old home.

“Thos. BROOKS settled at an early day and the farm remained in the family for several years. It then passed to Wm. PARKER, father of John Y. PARKER and an uncle of your townsman, C. C. STRIBLING. John Y. PARKER now owns and lives on this farm.

“About a mile above the creek Andrew DOWNING settled. He came with three son: John, William and Jonathan to Indian Creek about the same time BROOKS did. John DOWNING settled across the creek at the place N. W. BRATCHER now lives. Wm. DOWNING, I think, went further down the creek, perhaps in Hardin County. Jonathan remained on the old homestead until about 1860-61 and moved to West Tennessee. After the war, R. J. CYPERT bought him out, the farm having been divided and changed hands several times. John W. MIDDLETON now lives on the Old DOWNING homestead and in the house that DOWNING built.

“The next farm on the creek above was settled by David SHULL. This farm changed hands several times. After SHULL came J. R. HUGHLING, then Col. Jacob BIFFLE (BIFFLE lived on it when the war came up) then Luther FARRIS, an uncle to Dr. Will FARRIS of your town. After FARRIS, A. F. HASSELL, after HASSELL, Daniel EATON, after EATON, James RIGHT and after RIGHT, the present owner Dr. E. R. YEISER.

“The next farm of note that I will mention is that of J. N. DAVIS. It was settled at an early date by David GALLAHER who remained on it for several years. It passed from GALLAHER to Wm. PARKER and from him to his son Frank. From Frank PARKER to Capt. David I. DICKERSON from DICKERSON to the present owner, J. N. DAVIS.

“I will now cross the creek opposite to place of the writer’s birth to the David TACKETT farm. MR. TACKETT was a large land owner. His farm has been divided and sub-divided. The names of the parties occupying the lands formerly owned by TACKETT are Samuel DAVIS, Bart LAY, Will and Marion LINDSEY, Joe ROBERSON, John ROBERSON, Thos. MARTIN, Wm. NOWLIN and Wm. SCOTT.

“This brings me to the Wm. YOUNGBLOOD farm. Mr. YOUNGBLOOD came to Indian Creek at an early date and settled the farm where his grandson Zachariah HORTON now lives. Mr. YOUNGBLOOD raised three children: Josiah, Lidda, the mother of Zachariah HORTON, and John William, the father of Joe and Mat YOUNGBLOOD.”

C. M. THOMPSON, Martins Mills, Tennessee


 

Third Installment, published in “The Clifton Mirror”, 24 November 1905, page 1

“Here I came again. As I started out to give a short sketch of the early settlers of this section of Wayne County, I will resume by dropped down from upper Indian to what we call lower Indian.

“Squire A. B. GANTT came to Indian creek at a very early date from Bedford County, Tenn. and bought an improvement from an old gentleman by the name of Jesse O’STEEN and settled what is now known as the GANTT farm – I think the second best farm in the county.

“Squire GANTT served several terms as justice of the peace but never held any other county office. He had three sons, L. B., W. M. and A. B. GANTT and several daughters. They have all passed away except three daughters who now reside in Texas. The farm is divided and is now owned by J. Y. PARKER and W. W. JOHNSON.

“I now cross the creek to the farm where Daniel EATON lives. It was settled at an early date by Phillip CANARD who did not live but a few years. His widow remained on the farm until her death. After that it passed to Mr. HERNDON. From HERNDON to J. and E. B. MARTIN, and from MARTIN to the present owner, Daniel EATON.

“I will now cross the creek to the farm settled by George HAWK. It passed from HAWK to David COOK, a great-uncle to your townsman, Dr. COOK. After COOK it passed to Wm. J. STRAYHORN (Mr. STRAYHORN was a very prominent and influential man in this neighborhood). After STRAYHORN to Ledford NEIGHBORS and thence to the present owner, Samuel H. SINCLAIR.

“I see in the last issue an extract from a letter written by Dr. Wm. T. CHILDRESS of Terrel, Texas. He resided just across the creek south of the S. H. SINCLAIR farm and practiced medicine for ten or twelve years. Dr. CHILDRESS is well known in this neighborhood and a man who stood high in his profession.

“I will not give a short sketch of John COOK. He came to Indian Creek at an early date and settled on the farm adjoining Daniel EATON on the West side and lying in the fork of Indian and Weatherford Creeks. Mr. COOK had four sons: David, Martin, Christian and John COOK. The latter is said to have obtained the first marriage license issued in Wayne County. His bride was a Miss MARTIN, a sister of the late John A. MARTIN of Martin’s Mills. Mr. COOK was a German by birth and a hatter by trade. He was the great-grandfather of your townsman, Dr. COOK, and the grandfather of H. C. GREESON. Mr. COOK also had three sons by his second wife: Austin, Henry, and Frederick. The latter lives just across the line in Hardin County, on a portion of the land formerly owned by Hugh McCARN.

C. M. THOMPSON, Martins Mills, Tennessee


 

Fourth Installment, published in “The Clifton Mirror” 22 December 1905.

Mr. C. M. THOMPSON of Martin’s Mills who has been contributing a series of articles to the Mirror on the early settlers of Wayne County continues his histories sketch with the following communication:

“Editors Mirror

“Since my last article found a place on your front page, it is a pleasant inducement for me to write again.

“Continuing a sketch of the early settlers of Indian Creek, I wish to say that Messrs. Frederick ROSE, William BECKHAM and Green BECKHAM came to Indian Creek with or about the time John COOK did. Rose settled the farm across the creek north of the Daniel EATON farm. He had four sons, William, Phillips, Eli and Eanis. All settled in the same neighborhood together with William and Green BECKHAM. The former was the father of Zachariah BECKHAM, who raised twenty-one children to be men and women – fifteen sons and six daughters and all had families. Mr. BECKHAM was married three times.

“I will now pass up Weatherford Fork of Indian Creek, to the farm now known as the John SINCLAIR farm. It was settled by Stephen STUBBLEFIELD about the year 1819 or 20 and passed from STUBBLEFIELD to John SINCLAIR, (father of S. H. SINCLAIR of your town) about the year 1830, and has remained in the family to the present time.

“The above farm adjoining the latter on the south was settled by James SMITH at an early date. It passed from SMITH to William SINCLAIR, a brother of John, and remaind in the family until two or three years ago when it passed to the present owner, Jack BREWER.

“Douglass GILLIS, a Methodist preacher, settled the farm just across the creek, west from the latter and built the first camp ground that was built in this section of the county. Mr. GILLIS sold out to the SINCLAIR’s and mvoed to Horse in Hardin County, where he remained until his death.

“Jas. COPELAND, a brother-in-law of Mr. GILLIS, came to Weatherford’s Fork about the same time GILLIS did and settled the farm adjoining the above. COPELAND had five sons and one daughter. The names of the sons are Thomas S., Daniel G., James D., William and Joseph M. COPELAND. The latter is the grandfather of your townsman, Elihu DAVIS. The COPELAND farm is now owned by J. B. COPELAND, a grandson of the old man, having never massed out of the family.

“I now come to the Pinhook farm as it was known. This farm was settled by William Weatherford (thus the name of the creek) about the year 1818-1819 and was the first settled on the creek. Weatherford was part Indian and claimed to be related to Old Chief WEATHERFORD. He had four sons, Joel, Hill, John and William. The latter died young and never married. The farm passed to the Rev. W. P. KINDRICK.

“Mr. KINDRICK possessed considerable wealth and was above the average ability. He was a fine pulpit and stump orator and was a candidate for Congress at one time being defeated by the Hon. Barkley MARTIN. KINDRICK had three sons, W. P., James, and Clay. The latter died in the Confederate Army and was never married. The first son, W. P. Jr. was a very prominent man and served one term as State Senator and ranked high as an orator. He ran for Congress and was defeated by the Hon. John V. WRIGHT. Mr. KINDRICK was captured while organizing a regiment for the Federal Army and was sent to Libby Prison, and was one of the men who escaped through a tunnel and returned to Clifton. He died soon afterward and was buried in his own garden in Waynesboro, now owned by John F. MORRISON, attorney-at-law.

“James KINDRICK made his home at Florence, Alabama, and represented his county in the state legislature. Rev. Wm. P. KINDRICK was the grandfather of Dr. James BARLOW of Savannah. His wife was a sister of Judge CLAY of Alabama and also a cousin of the great statesman, orator, and politician Henry CLAY of Kentucky. The KINDRICK family have all passed away.

“I will in the near future have something more to say about the early settlers of the Pinhook neighborhood provided it is agreeable with the editor.”

Mirror Editor’s note: “Come ahead, Uncle Charlie, our space is at your disposal. Your article this week is exceedingly interesting and we are sure our Wayne County readers in particular will enjoy it. Ed.”


 

Fifth Installment, published in “The Clifton Mirror”, 12 January 1906, page 1.

“As I stated in my last communication that I would have something to say concerning a few more of the old settlers in the Pinhook Community and having been granted the permission of the editor to continue this series of articles, I will do so by stating that Gregory SINCLAIR, a brother to John and William SINCLAIR, bought land from Pryor YATES and settled the Pinhook farm, SINCLAIR living on this farm for several years and accumulating considerable property, both real and personal, but concluded that he could do better out west, so he sold to his nephew, William SINCLAIR, a son of John SINCLAIR, who remained on the farm until his death. His widow still occupies the old homestead.

“William SINCLAIR, Jr., was a very prominent man in his neighborhood and was a man of more than the ordinary talent. He served as Justice of the Peace for several years and ranked high as a gentleman, socially, religiously, and masonically.

“The farm adjoining the latter on the south was owned by Richard MOORE (Uncle Dickey), the father of Mastin MOORE of Hardin County and Thos. MOORE of Hardin’s Creek, the father of Richard and Ed MOORE and also the uncle of Dr. K. L. COOK of Clifton.

“The SINCLAIR family, John, William and Gregory, together with their father and two sisters came from Ireland to N.C., thence to Wayne County, Tennessee. John was a horse doctor, William a blacksmith, and Gregory, a weaver.

“The farm adjoining the Pinhook on the East at the mouth of Bear Creek was owned for several years by Benjamin WATKINS, but was sold to Wm. SINCLAIR, Sr. and remained in the family until the old man’s death. Since that time it has changed hands several time. The present owners are John HOUSE and the widow of John D. STRICKLIN.

“The farm adjoining the latter was owned at an early date by Rev. Wm. BAKER, the grandfather of Thos. J. GILLIS, living just across the line in Hardin County. BAKER sold to James A. LAWSON. The farm on the east of this was owned at a very early date by Robert SIMS, the grandfather of Robt. M. SIMS, attorney-at-law, Clifton, and also the grandfather of Thetis SIMS of Linden, the present member of Congress from the 8th district. Mr. SIMS had four sons, M. J., Robert, G. W. (father of Thetis), and A. M. (father of your townsman). SIMS sold to James A. LAWSON.

“The farm adjoining the latter on the east was settled by Nathaniel MARIN [editor’s note – surname probably MARTIN), and passed to Wm. SINCLAIR, Sr., and after him to James A. LAWSON.

“Next comes the farm settled by A. J. MARTIN, which remained in the family until about a year ago when it passed to James M. LAWSON, a grandson of James A. LAWSON.

“The next farm was settled by John N. GILLIS and passed to James A. LAWSON. LAWSON was a large land owner. He had four sons, Samuel, G. W., Thos. J., and John M. LAWSON. They are all living but the latter, and occupy the farms purchased by their father. These farms are all on Bear Creek of Weatherford’s Fork.

“If this misses the waste basket, I will come again. Wishing the editor a happy and prosperous New Year, I am, Yours truly, C. M. THOMPSON, Martin’s Mills.”


 

Sixth Installment, published in “The Clifton Mirror” 16 February 1906.

“Having been some time since writing you last, I have concluded to write another short sketch of the first settlers of Wayne County.

“Mr. Ben HARDIN, a land speculator, came to the county about 1817 and settled the form now known as the Gallaher farm on Factor’s Fork of Shoal Creek where the old Notchey Trace cross’d said creek (This trace was the road Gen. JACKSON cut on his march from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, the latter part of the year 1814, just before he fought the battle that is known in history as the battle of New Orleans which occurred on the 8th day, Sunday, January 1815.) The farm is still owned by the GALLAHER heirs having never passed out of the family.

“The farm lying east and adjoining the William YOUNGBLOOD farm, spoken of in an earlier article, was settled by a Mr. James GIPSON in the year 1819 or 1820, passing from him to Elijah HARBOUR. Mr. HARBOUR had three sons, Samuel, Elisha, and Elijah, and two daughters. The two first named settled in Hardin County, Sam settled on Turkey Creek about three miles above Old Town.

“Mr. HARBOUR’s farm was divided and subdivided and finally passed out of the family. Elisha settled on Indian Creek some two miles below the line. The farm settled by HARBOUR is one of the best farms on Indian Creek, this said farm never having passed out of the family. The present owner is the great-grandfather (Ed. – he means great-granddaughter) of the original settler. She is Mrs. Minnie MARTIN and is the daughter of your townsman, Mr. S. H. SINCLAIR.

“Elijah fell heir to his father’s farm and sold it to A. B. GANT and went to Mississippi. Before being divided, this was the best farm in the neighborhood. Mr. GANT divided it between his two sons, L. B. and W. M. GANT. The latter sold his to James HORTON and S. A. KING, while L. B. GANT sold his a few years fore the war between the states to Henry L. BURKETT and went to Texas. When the war came, MR. BURKETT took his family and went South, his oldest son going into the Confederate Army.

“After the war closed they settled in Mississippi and a few years later Frank BURKETT was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of the State of Mississippi. Henry BURKETT came back to this state and sold his land to R. C. MARTIN and Mr. MARTIN’s daughter, Mrs. Charles BOYD, is the present owner.

“The farm adjoining the Elisha HARBOUR farm on the east in Hardin County was settled by Kenneth MURCHISON, the great-grandfather of your townsman, Dr. K. L. COOK (this is his name) Said farm passed to Hugh McCARN, who accumulated considerable wealth both real and personal. He had four sons and two daughters by his first marriage and two daughters by his last marriage. The four sons were named Neal, Daniel D., John and William. The latter married but did not live but a year or two. Neal and John emigrated to Arkansas before the war. Daniel G. still remains in this county and is the only member of the family now living so far as the writer knows.

“Mr. McCARN owned a large farm at one time, but it is all owned by other people with the exception of what is owned by Daniel G. and Thomas J. GILLIS, who is a nephew to the old man.

“I guess I had better ring out before my contribution falls into the waste basket.”


 

Editor’s note: The Sixth Installment was the last article of the series found. If there were other articles contributed by Charles M. THOMPSON, the issues of the newspapers have not survived and therefore the articles are lost.

 

Goodspeed’s History of Wayne County, Tennessee

Transcribed by Fred Mutishaw

[Note: This history was published in 1886 and was compiled from a number of different sources which were not listed or cited. Please use information in this history with caution. And always verify the information given]

WAYNE COUNTY is on the extreme western side of the Highland Rim, with its northwestern corner extending into the valley of the Tennessee. The county presents a generally broken surface, with parallel and transverse ridges and intervening hollows, the ridges usually radiating from the center in all directions, except to the east, the general surface of the county being a plateau of about 800 feet elevation.

The principal streams are Indian Creek, Hardin Creek, Shoal Creek, Buffalo River, Bush Creek and Second Creek. Mill Creek is a tributary of Hardin Creek. Butler Creek, Big, Middle and Little Cypress and Factor Fork are all tributaries of Shoal Creek. Forty-eight Creek, Moccasin, Rock House, Mill, Opossum, Chapel Creeks and Green River are all tributaries of Buffalo River. Wayne has lands particularly suited for farming and grazing, and the remainder for minerals. Of the 700 square miles in the county, about 200 square miles of it are mineral lands of iron ore. This seems to lie in inexhaustible beds of fine quality, the yield at the furnace being forty-four per cent. For working this ore the Wayne Furnace was built about 1835, and in 1868 the Gaylord Iron & Pipe bought the old Wayne Furnace and 21,000 acres of land for $40,000. They increased the capacity of the furnace to twenty-four tons per day. The agricultural land in found in the river and creek bottoms, and covers about ninety square miles of fine lands. These lands yield heavy crops of all the cereals, cotton, peanuts, and the other lands are suited for grazing. From the extensive ranges, stock raising can be carried on at immense profit. Wayne County affords an immense growth of valuable timber. In the southern portion of the county are immense growths of yellow pine. The ridges furnish oak, chestnut and poplar, and the glades furnish cedar. large quantities of the chestnut oak bark is used in the various tanneries in the county. Great quantities of timber are used at the furnaces for wood and charcoal smelting.

The first settlers of Wayne County were mainly from the older counties of Middle Tennessee and from North and South Carolina. The early settlements were made on North Carolina military grants, occupants’ claims and warrants. The first settlement was made by Frederick Meredith, Mark F. Edwards, William Henton, Lovick Rasbury, Richard Churchwell and Craig W. Pope, on Buffalo River in 1815. On Hardin Creek were Isaac G. Grimes, Henry Grimes, Peter Renfrow and John Johnson, in 1816. Thomas G. Harvey, Charles Burns, James Reeves, Samuel Loggans and William Scott settled on Green River in 1816 and 1817. On Indian Creek Henry and John Rayburn, Jesse and Baker Cypert, Benjamin and David Schull settled in 1818. James Surrett settled on the east fork of Hardin Creek in 1819. David Gallaher and John Dixon settled on Shoal Creek in 1818. William B. Payne, William B. Walker, Joseph Staggs, Nathan Biffle and Isaac Robertson settled on Forty-eight Mile Creek in 1818. Other settlers in different parts of the county before 1820 were Jacob Biffle in the Eight District, where land was entered in 1812; David Carter, assignee of Elizabeth Walker, also in the Eighth District; also William B. Ross, Joseph Denton, Wiley Harrington, Thomas Reeves, J. W. Nunley, T. Gambel, Daniel Cherry, Jacob Fraley, J. R. Russell, John Gibson and J. P. Walker. John Watson settled on Hardin Creek in 1820, and Lewis Johnson and Henry Colston on Beech Creek about the same time. The following entered lands before 1820: Michael Robertson, Henson Grove, Mark F. Edwards, Isaac Rice, William Williams, Thomas G. Harvey, James H. Gambel, Alexander Steele, James R. Russell, Daniel Voorhees, Samuel Mayfield, John Meredith, John Duke, R. P. Scoot, John McCulley, David Carter, John Welch, Allen Brown, James Davis, James Collins, John Mitchell, G. H. Garrett, R. C. Harris. John Akin, S. Read, J. L. Smith, James Davis, James Elliot, John Brown, James Staggs, W. B. and James P. Walker, Jesse Thompson and the Morris family. The first water and tub-mills in county were build on Moccasin Creek, in 1818, by John Meredith; the first horse-mill was built by John O. Roberts, on Beech Creek, in 1820. The first cotton-gin was built near where old Carrollville stood, by William B. Ross, in 1819. The first ferry across the Tennessee River, within the limits of the county, was established in 1818 at Carrollville, but the owner of the ferry is unknown.

The first church erected in the county was built on Green River, just east of the site of Waynesboro, at the grave-yard in 1820, by the Methodists. The Rev. James English was the first preacher. At the mouth of Forty-eight Mile Creek the Primitive Baptists also built a church in 1820, the Rev. Willis Dodson was the first pastor of it. The first merchants in the county were Malachi Wimberly and Anderson Stoneball, near Ashland, in 1819. A Mill was built on Buffalo, near Ashland, by John Biffle, about 1830. The first tan-yard was built on Eagle Creek, by James Elliott, in 1819.

The first boat up the Tennessee for business was a keel boat owned by Samuel Cade. This was loaded with salt and other supplies. Wesley Warrington kept the first wood-yard for steam boats, about 1823-25. The first camp-meeting was held on Eagle Creek about 1823.

Near Ashland may be seen many relics of the Mound-Builders. These mounds are the usual shape, but arranged in a somewhat circular outline, with the larger mounds in the center. The whole cluster numbers perhaps forty or fifty. Surrounding these is an old earth-work of very distinct outline, having a moat and embankment of considerable height. In the hollow below is an old Indian burying-ground, where numerous skeletons have been found, some in very perfect state of preservation. The graves are marked by stones above ground, with the graves walled and covered by the same material. In all or nearly all are found charcoal or charred remains. This burying-ground was discovered by Prof. Smith, of the Columbia Atheneum, in 1877, where may be seen excellent specimen remains. On a tributary of Forty-eight Creek, called Court House Creek, are fine natural bridges. Passing beneath the first sharp angle in the little stream there appears an open court which rivals almost any of the natural curiosities of the world. Here, according to tradition, the dusky savage once held his council fires. A little further down the stream the water passes under the second archway and dome of splendid beauty and symmetry.

Wayne County was created by a act of the Legislature in 1817, but on failure to have it engrossed it had to be repassed in 1819. It was named in honor of Gen. Wayne, “Mad Anthony,” of Revolutionary fame, and embraces an area of 338,291 acres. The court for organization met at Factor Fork, where the old Natchez trace crosses that stream. The next meeting was held at William Barnett’s, on old Town Branch, where it continued to meet till 1822. The following justices were present, holding commissions from the governor: Benjamin Hardin, Henry Rayburn, Jesse Cypert, Wm. Burns, C. A. Pope, Wm. Walker, John Meredith,Reuben Kyle, Wm. B. Curtis, Wm. B. Ross, S. Perley and David N. Gallaher. The officers chosen were Wm. Barnett, clerk; Benjamin Hardin, sheriff; J. M. Barnett, circuit clerk; John McClure, register; John Meredith, trustee; John Hill, ranger; and Wm. B. Payne, coroner.

The first court house was built, it is supposed, by Wm. Barnett in 1819 or 1820. This was a small log house with a dirt floor, board roof, and large openings in the side for windows. This house was in use about two years. On the location of Waynesboro as the county seat in 1822, a new log court house was erected the same year. This house was built at a cost of $800 on the Square, and differed not greatly in size or construction. The third house was built in 1827, and was a frame building. This building was two stories high, and was about 24X30 feet. The upper floor was used as the court room, with the offices below, and had two entrances as the present house.

The present court house was built by Nathaniel Thomas. It was begun in 1843 and completed in 1844. It is a good brick building, in excellent state of preservation, and is two stories in height. The upper floor is used as the court-room, while the offices are below. The building is about 35X40 feet, and was erected at a cost of about $4,000.

The first jail was built at Old Town, and was a very rude structure. It was in use only about two years. The second jail was built of round logs at Waynesboro in 1822. The third jail was built of hewn logs. It stood till some time between 1830 and 1840, when it was replaced by a brick jail. This jail stood just north of the Eureka Building, and was erected at a cost of about $700. The elements, time and war unfitted this as safety. In 1873 J. G. Berry, A. T. Hassell, M. Collier, G. W. Boyd and J. R. Hughes were appointed committee for the construction of a new jail. The material of the old was sold to the Methodists, Masons and others, and a new lot purchased east of the Square. The contract was let to Wm. A. Fowler. The new jail was built at a cost of $1,664.25, less $148.93 realized on the old jail.

The poor at first were farmed out to the lowest bidder. The first farm was on Green River, two and three-fourths miles below Waynesboro. This was a small place, and little improvements were made upon it. In 1849 a farm was purchased by Washington Carter, D. J Jones and Jonathan Morris for $400. In 1866 the present farm was purchased of J. L. Fowler by A. Montague, G. W. Barker and J. A. Grimes, as poor-house commissioners, for $700. The county now owns about 145 acres of good land and maintains its paupers at a small cost.

Although Wayne has neither turnpike nor railroad, the Columbia Central Turnpike formerly passed through the county from Columbia to Clifton. This road was completed about 1844, but has suffered to fall into disuse since the war. In 1880 the charter of the Nashville & Tennessee River Railroad was spread upon record. This road is intended to connect the Nashville & Tallapossa Road with the Memphis & Knoxville Road, at or near Clifton.

The meeting of the first county court is elsewhere stated, both as to place and members. The first circuit court was held at the log court house on old Town Branch, north of Waynesboro, in the spring of 1820, with J. M. Barnett as circuit clerk, Benjamin Hardin as sheriff and Wm. F. Doherty as solicitor-general. A loss of all county records to 1848, the circuit court records to 1851, and those in the chancery court to 1861, renders it impossible to follow the courts fully. One of the longest cases ever tried in Wayne County was the case of Meredith against Renfro, which vexed the courts for sixteen years. The first murder case believed to be the case wherein Haggard killed Busby. The case grew out of a quarrel between two little boys, sons of the two men. The case was tried in Dixon County on change of venue, and Haggard was acquitted. Another case was the “State vs. Choat,” for the killing of Mosby. This case resulted in acquittal, on the plea of self-defense. In 1828, Wm. Venable and James McDool, the former a gray-bearded old man and the latter a boy of sixteen, were convicted of passing counterfeit money. They received for punishment on the bare back, twenty-five lashes. About this time the officers of the law were compelled to contend with a gang of counterfeiters, horse-thieves and murderers, under John A. Murrell, whose life and adventures were written many years ago. and whose exploits extended over a large portion of the State. About 1830, occurred several damage suits, one, “Miller vs. Robertson,” for false imprisonment, in which the plaintiff got judgement for $10,000. Another was case of Chas. Teas against W. B. Ross, for swearing to a lie. This suit resulted in a verdict for $10,000 for the plaintiff, but was afterward compromised for $900. Charles Reeves brought a suit for slander against John O. Roberts, for saying that Reeves “stole horses, cattle and hogs.” The plaintiff was awarded damage to the amount of $2.50. All cases previous to the passage of the “penitentiary law,” in 1832, were punished by imprisonment, fines, whipping, standing in the stocks, branding — any or all of these. The first person sent to the State’s prison was Mathew Murphy, who was sentenced on March 23, 1839, for a term of three years and the second case was David Staggs, who was sentenced for one year from October, 1842. The offense in neither case is given, but it is presumed it was larceny. The first divorce suit was the wife of Henry Mahon against her husband. The suit was brought in 1829, on the plea of inhuman treatment, and granted. The first of the circuit court records began with May 26, 1851. The usual number of cases of gaming, peace warrants, wearing bowie knives, larceny, vi et armis, and other minor misdemeanors occur. In 1852, Moses Page, “without the fear of God before his eyes, and being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil,” assaulted Thomas H. Short and killed him with a gun. Page was tried , convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of three years. One of the heaviest suits for damage, in former years, was the suit of Sanders and Martin against Gallaher, King, McDougal and East, in which the plaintiffs got judgment for $1,126.05. This case was decided at the March term, 1840.The case of the State against Daniel G. McCarn, on a change of venue from Hardin County, came up for trial in Wayne County Circuit Court. He was tried for being accessory before the fact for an assault and Battery with intent to commit murder. The trial was begun in 1850, and ended October 9, 1852, in conviction and sentence to the penitentiary for seven years. An appeal to the supreme court was taken, and the case reversed and ordered begun de novo. The case was tried again with the singular result of conviction and sentence for twelve years instead of seven. A very hotly contested suit was the case of Dr. Wm. G. Childress against John Morrow, for slander. The case was begun in 1857, and ended in February, 1860 in judgement for $5,000 for plaintiff. Dr. Childress had treated a son of Morrow, who died. The latter accused the former of malpractice, hence the suit. The jury in the case were Andrew Jackson, W. T. Bryant, J. M. Moore, Little Choat, J. I. Biffle, John Stockard, J. W. Howard, Jasper Davis, J. L. Kyle, J. Scott, J. N. Hollis, and J. C. Whitton. Judgement was rendered, and it was ordered that execution issue, when the plaintiff in open court remitted all the fine except one cent. A very hotly contested case was begun January 3, 1876, entitled State vs. John W. Bundrant and Peter Bundrant. They were tried for the murder of S. R. Dicus. The case was continued from January 3, 1876, till November, 1879, and ended in the conviction of John Budrant and sentence to the penitentiary for five years,

Another case of note was the case of the State against T. G. Brown, D. E. Holt, Wallace Hays, Austin Hays, Wm. A. Fowler and Jesse Atkisson. They were tried for the murder of Wm. H. Hays in October, 1878. Atkisson died before trial. The suit ended August 20, 1879, in a sentence of Thomas G. Brown and D. E. Holt for a term of several years in the penitentiary; Wm. Holt, Austin Hays and Wallace Hays to six months in the county jail. The circuit courts were closed from January 29, 1862, to September 23, 1865. The last jury before the war consisted of L. M. Morgan, Little Choat, S. R. Denny, J. H. McClure, Wm. Eads, A. G. Clay, Wm. Pollard, J. H. Rutledge, Jas. Durham, J. C. Walker, Wm. Sinclair, J. J. Porter, J. N. Hollis, J. A. Gibbs, John L. Smith, Isaac Robinson and F. Churchwell. Many very bitter suits grew out of offenses committed during the war. On January 23, 1874, was spread upon the minutes a tribute of respect to the memory of Judge Elijah Walker, of Savannah, who died December 31, 1873. Judge Walker was doubtless the ablest judge ever upon the Wayne County bench. The chancery court for the district of Wayne, Hardin, Lewis and Lawrence was established by the Legislature February 5, 1847, with Jerry H. Cahal as chancellor, who served till 1852, when J. L. Brine was chosen to fill his place. Judge Brine was succeeded by C. Pavatt in 1855, who in turn was succeeded by R. H. Rose on February 28, 1866. Judge J. W. Doherty served from 1868 to 1870, when he was succeeded by Hon. Geo. H. Nixon, who served till 1886. The clerks and masters have been Col. McLean, A. T. Hassell, J. W. Helton and Capt. P. H. Craig since 1873. One of the longest and most peculiar cases ever tried in the chancery court was the case of Sarah C. Smotherman against James Smotherman, for divorce and alleging as a plea, brutal and inhuman treatment. The case was in the courts for about sixteen years. A judgement rendered by Judge Hughes in favor of the plaintiff in April, 1868, and the same confirmed by Judge Nixon in September, 1871. The divorce, custody of their child and alimony in lands were granted to plaintiff. The case was taken to the supreme court on a writ of error by the defendant. Whereupon said court found error, not only in the point at issue, but the whole proceedings. The whole case was accordingly referred. Pending this decision the defendant had married a second time and the plaintiff had been confirmed in possession of her lands. The curious case was then presented, of two legal owners of the same property and a man having two legal wives.

In 1861 the case of Mary J. Ricketts, administratrix, vs. C. B. McCulley et al., involving the right of title, was begun. McCulley was the legal owner of two tracts of land. On March 2, 1861, he conveyed to his wife and children one of his tracts of land. He was owing Ricketts $1,260. Although it was proved McCulley was owner of other real estate valued at $1,500 and personal property to the amount of $1,000, he subsequently failed. S. S. Ricketts died in 1863, intestate, and the plaintiff, as administratrix, revived the debt in her own name, and got judgement against the land conveyed, and had it sold on execution. The case was take to the supreme court in 1865, and the conveyance made by McCully was confirmed from that fact that at the time of the conveyance he had ample property to pay his debts and the conveyance at the time indicated no fraud. The case of Carr vs. Grimes, executor, in 1877, involved the mental capacity of the decedent to make a will. In this suit about $10,000 worth of property was involved. The supreme court confirmed the action of the defendant. W. P. Kendrick and Rob A. Hill were, doubtless, the resident lawyers of the Wayne County bar. The latter in now United States district judge, with headquarters at Oxford, Miss. The present bar is represented by Robert Cypert, Boyd & Haggard and John F. Montague.

Waynesboro was founded in 1821, on the lands owned by Wm. Burns. A deed was made for 40 acres to James Hollis, John Hill, Nathan Biffle and Chas. Burns for $300. These men were the commissioners appointed by the General Assembly to establish a county seat for Wayne County. The transfer was made March 1, 1823. The commissioners were empowered to sell lots, and with the proceeds to build a courthouse, jail, stocks, ect. Among the first purchasers of lots were James Blair, Chas. Burns, Wm. Barnett, Wm. Copeland, Wm. Burns, Willis Copeland, H. W. Mahon, Willey Simmons, J. W. Lemaster, Jordan Morris, John Hill, Obedience Hill, James Anderson. The first dwelling-house was erected by Wm. Burns in 1821. Wm. Meredith began merchandising in 1821; and Wm. Barnett opened the first hotel in the place, also in 1821. A postoffice was established in 1821, with Wm. Barnett as postmaster.The first practicing physician was Martin Mahon, who began practice in 1822-23. The first local attorney was Thomas F. Edwards, who began practice about the time of Dr. Mahon. The first school was opened in the town in 1821-22. The first church was built at the grave-yard just east of town, across Green River, with the Rev. James English as pastor. The house of Burns, above mentioned, stood some distance from town near where Mr. Whitby now lives. Wm. Barnett’s stood where Mr. Hassell’s house now stands; John Hill’s was near. These were the first houses in Waynesboro proper, and were small round-log houses.

The business of Waynesboro was about such as is seen in a small inland town till about 1844-45, at the completion of the old Central Turnpike, when business gradually increased, reaching its maximum activity about 1855, but remained good until the war. Since that period the place has suffered some loss of trade from the sale of goods at many country stores throughout the county. The principal business for one or two decades before the war was done by A. T. Hassell, James Anderson, and Wm. West & Co. The former of these has done an extensive business since 1844. The present firms are A. T. Hassell, M. J. Sims, Bromley & Martin, Huckaba Bro. & Co., Turman Helton & Co., drug stores, G. W. Boyd & Co., A. T. Collier; hotel, Thomas Young.

Waynesboro was incorporated in 1852, with the usual powers of such corporations. The following constituted the first board: Cyrus Tyree, I. Warner, S. R. Laird, J. C. Bridges, G. W. House, J. Morris and N. C. David. Of these Tyree became mayor; David, recorder, and Bridges, treasure. The charter was allowed to lapse in 1860, but was renewed again in 1870, with Matthew Collier, mayor, and C. C. Stribling, recorder.

The first newspaper in Waynesboro was The Family Visitor, edited by W. L. Morris. This was in the early part of 1850. This was followed by Waynesboro Times, under B. A. Murtishaw, in 1856. Then came the period of the war, and no more paper till 1872, when the Review was started by the Malone Bros. This was followed by the Wayne County Citizen, on February 19, 1874, by Stribling & Warren as proprietors, with Robert Cypert as editor till December 24, 1874. On November 24, 1875, the paper was first issued at Clifton, where it has since remained.

Waynesboro Lodge, No. 127, was organized February 13, 1851, with the following officers: Jas. Anderson, W. M.; Chas. Cox, S. W.; N. F. Biffle, J. W.; D. K. Hood, Treas.; John McDougal, Sec.; A. P. Cook, S. D.; S. R. Laird, J. D.; J. C. Bridges, S. and T. Visiting members, P. Whitehead and S. D. Whitley, both Master Mason. The first members added were W. R. Kindle and J. M. Jones. The membership now numbers thirty-seven. A chapter was instituted November 1, 1879, with J. J. Comes as High Priest; C. Buchanan, King, and J. Jackson, Scribe. A Grand Army Post was organized in 1884 by Capt. Jones, of Nashville. It is known as the Wm. P. Kendrick Post, No. 5. It enrolls from fifty to sixty members.

About two miles below where Clifton now stands, formerly stood Carrollsville, named in honor of Gov. Carroll. This place was founded in 1818 on the lands of Thomas Reeves. The sale of lots began in 1821. At the time Reeves sold his interest to Johnson & Blackburn. Henry Mahon, John Blackburn, Matthew Grimes, Henry Rayburn, Stephen Stubblefield, Jacob Spencer, Malachi Wimberly, Chas. Harrington and John Elliott were principal property owners of the place. The business men were Hugh Simpson, Chas. Teas, Hine & Ross, and R. A. McCullough. It is claimed that Carrollsville came within one vote of being made capital of the State. On the completion of the Central Turnpike to its terminus on the river, at Clifton, Carrollsville began rapidly to decline, so that now noting remains to mark the site of the old town. This place witnessed one of the first tragedies in the county, the killing of Dr. Green by Edward Sanford. A quarrel arose over the sale of some liquors, and Green assaulted Sanford with a gun, and was himself killed by a stone in the hands of Sanford. Clifton, it may be said, grew from the ruins of Carrollsville; it was founded in 1840, and was named from the high cliff upon which it stands. It is situated sixteen miles west of Waynesboro, on the Tennessee River, at the terminus of the old Central Turnpike. The lands were purchased of Stephen Roach by Evan Young, Granville A. Pillow, W. J. Polk and James Helton, of the Turnpike Company. The first owners of lots were R. C. Hemphill, A. T. Hassell, James Walker, John O. Roberts, Edward Spears, J. Wright, R. H. Cooper and S. S. Ricketts. The first business men were James Walker (who managed the old “Marine Furnace),” A. T. Hassell & Co., Cooper & Hemphill. Clifton has always been an excellent business point, by far the best in the country. It now has the following dry goods and general stores: Hughes & Grimes, Thompson & Cook, J. J. Nichols, T. N. Copeland. Drug and grocery stores: T. R. Ricketts & Co., Stribling & Hassell, Hardin & Duncan. Groceries: Charles Ricketts.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was built in 1859, on a lot deeded to them by H. W. Hunter. The Methodist Church was built much later. Masonic lodge, No. 173, called Clifton Lodge by last report, has a membership of forty-five. Clifton also has a chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., and a council, No.37, R. & S. M. Clifton was incorporated by an act of Legislature in 1854, but allowed its charter to lapse during the war; however, it has since revived. The first number of the Wayne County Citizen was issued on November 25, 1875, by C. C. Stribling and Warren. The paper, however, had been published at Waynesboro by the same firm since 1874. On December 21, 1876, Mr. T. F. Warren severed his connection with the paper. Since that time it has been owned by C. C. Stribling. It is no more than justice to say that the Wayne County Citizen is a paper of uncommon merit. Politically it is Independent.

Ashland is situated eleven miles northeast of Waynesboro, and was established in 1830 by Ephraim Dixon and Samuel Mitchell. The postoffice at that place is called Forty-Eight; formerly it was called Pleasant Hill. Malachi Wimberly and Anderson Stoneball sold goods near where Ashland now is in 1819. The first settlers around Ashland were Lovick Rasberry, Nathan Biffle, James Russell, Wm. Walker and Wm. Burns. Following Dixon & Mitchell, above mentioned, Buckner & Dickson were the next business firm. Ashland has usually had from one to two general stores. The principal business of the place in now done by A. H. Cunningham.The Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Masonic lodge room, on Buffalo, was built in 1878. The trustees of the church were G. T. Walker, A. B. Wisdom, R. A. Shaw, W. F. Edwards and James Durham, and the Buffalo Lodge, No. 329, were T. S. Evans, W. M.; Theodore Clendenen, S. W.; P. H. Craig, J. W., and others.

Flatwood is a small neighborhood village, about fourteen miles north-west of Waynesboro, founded about 1850. It is the seat of two stores, a postoffice and a school. The business firms are Harris & Hurt and Burns & Graves.

Old Town was the former seat of justice for the county. It was situated on Old Town Branch, a small tributary of Green River, about five miles from Waynesboro. The only residents of the place were Wm. Barnett and John Hill. Nothing now remains to mark the former site of Old Town, so called in distinction from Waynesboro, or the new town.

Though hardly a part of military history, it may be stated that Wayne County was, like all other counties, divided into districts embracing all subject to military duty. The first divisions for the county were Beech Creek, Eagle Creek, Hardin Creek, Indian Creek, Cypress Creek, Buffalo River, Forty-eight Creek and Rich Creek. In these were the companies of Capts. William Gambrell, G. H. Tucker, Isaac Robertson, H. J. Ray, A. Morris, Thomas Reeves, John Rayburn, Frank Mayberry, Sherrell, Thompson and Aydlotte. These increased in number as the population grew. No regular organized body of men went from this county to either the Seminole or Mexican war. The only representatives of either of those wars is the Rev. George E. Huckaba, who commanded Company H. of the Second Tennessee (Federal) Mounted Infantry in the late war. The county was almost unanimous for the Union till hostilities began, when there was a division. The southern part of the county remained firm for the Union during the whole struggle, while the northern portion was almost unanimous in favor of the Confederacy. The first troops raised for the Confederate Government were for the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry. These troops were mainly recruited about Waynesboro and in the vicinity of Ashland and Flatwood. The first company was A. The officers of this company were J. T. Biffle, captain; J. M. Benham, first lieutenant; P. H. Craig, second lieutenant; G. P. Wells, third lieutenant. The second company had for its officers James M. Reynolds, captain; Reiley Littleton, first lieutenant; John Littleton, second lieutenant. The third company of this regiment was commanded by Capt. John A. Johnson, with B. S. Hardin, first lieutenant, and A. H. Ross, second lieutenant.

The Ninth was mustered into service in August, 1862, at Waynesboro. The operations of the regiment were confined to the surrounding counties, in guarding railroads, bridges, rivers, ect. Later the regiment was ordered to Murfreesboro with Forrest, where it joined in an attack and capture of the same, also in the raid through West Tennessee in December, and upon Franklin and Spring Hill. In 1863, the regiment was in pursuit and capture of Col. Streight, of the Fifty-first Indiana, in his raid through Georgia. The regiment was engaged at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and at Knoxville in the siege of Burnside’s army. In December, 1863, P. H. Craig raised Company B, consisting of about seventy-fife men, and was attached to the Twentieth Regiment. Their operations were confined mainly to Alabama and Mississippi till the fall and winter of 1864, when the entire army invaded Tennessee in the advance upon Nashville. A very brilliant dash was made upon Johnsonville and the Federal supplies at that place captured and burned, amounting to more than a million dollars. The troops then advanced upon Nashville, by way of Florence, Wayland Springs, Lawrenceville, Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin. In that engagement the Twentieth was on the right, under Forrest. After the retreat to the Federals from Franklin the Twentieth joined in the pursuit, and struck the Federals at Hollow Tree gap and drove in the pickets at Nashville. Forrest, with a large portion of his cavalry, was sent to assist in the operations against Murfreesboro. After the defeat of Hood at Nashville these forces were hastened to Franklin to cover the retreat from Tennessee. Those that escaped the disaster were collected at Tupelo, Miss., and soon afterward sent East to engage in the final struggle in that section. For the ninth Battalion there recruited Company F from Wayne County. This was commanded by T. D. Whitehead as captain; William M. Biffle, first lieutenant; Dr. R. W. Couch, second lieutenant; S. W. Burns, third lieutenant. These men were mustered into the service in 1861, at Camp Anderson, near Nashville. After the defeat and capture at Fort Donelson, the men captured were held till the last of August, 1862, when they were exchanged and were soon after reorganized. At the reorganization, W. L. Bromley was chosen captain; Joseph Clendenen, first lieutenant; James E. Grimes, second lieutenant; J. T. Cotton, third lieutenant. J. H. Akin was in command of the battalion, the history of which is found elsewhere. Several companies went out in Deering’s Fifty-fourth, but after the stampede and disorganization of the regiment the men were assigned to Dixon’s Forty-eighth. The companies were three in number. The officers of the first were T. R. Hughes, captain; William L. Montague, first lieutenant; Jasper Benham, second lieutenant; A. K. Hardin, third lieutenant. Of the second, D. S. Skillern, was captain; D. H. Jones, first lieutenant; J. H. Shields, second lieutenant; J. B. Huckaba, third lieutenant. Of the third company, James M. Reynolds, was captain; J. N. Hollis, first lieutenant. (See history of Dixon’s Forty-eighth for a history of this regiment.)

The first company for Federal service was Company A. of the Tenth Tennessee (three years). Officers: Captain, Ed B. Bladen; Henry N. Lee, first lieutenant; John J. Brewer, second lieutenant. Mustered into service April 26, at Nashville. Henry N. Lee was afterward chosen captain. The men were mainly from south part of the county. Number of men, 92. Services were mainly garrison and guard duty. Second Mounted Infantry (one year), regimental officers: John Murphy, colonel; Owen Haney, lieutenant-colonel, J. M. Dickerson, major; Nat Brown, adjutant. Organized at Nashville in 1864. Services were mainly at Clifton and other parts of Wayne and other counties. Company A — T. J. Cypert, captain; Jas. Moore, first lieutenant; C. C. Stribling, second lieutenant. Company B — W. A. Harrison, captian (afterward Sam H. Martin); E. D. McGlamery, first lieutenant; Elias Thrasher, second lieutenant. Company C — A. J. Roberts, captain; Wm. Barnett, first lieutenant; Alfred Cottham, second lieutenant. Company D — C. W. Shipman, captain; Phillip Howard, first lieutenant; Asberry Thompson, second lieutenant. Company E — Henry D. Hamm, captain; J. J. Bromley, first lieutenant; G. H. Brewer, second lieutenant. Company H — Geo. E. Huckaba, captain; John Judd, first lieutenant; Wm A. Skillern, second lieutenant. Company I or K — A. Garner, captain; Mr. Barnett, first lieutenant; Mr. Glasgow, second lieutenant. These were all in the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry.

Sixth Tennessee Cavalry was composed of the companies of Capt. G. Berry and Capt. D. I. Dickerson. The Eigth Mounted Infantry consisted of the company of Capt. C. W. Shipman, formerly of the Second Tennessee, as above, with E. V. Truman as first lieutenant. Eldridge’s artillery consisted of Lieut. Wright and a few men from different parts of the county.

The schools of Wayne County were entirely isolated in their character till 1843, when Ashland Academy was built. This was built under the old seminary law. This building stood a short distance southwest of the Public Square of Waynesboro. The first trusttees were John McDougal, Nathan Biffle, J. L. Ross, Abraham Montague, D. L. Jones, R. W. Kendel, S. D. Mack and T. M. East. In 1849 the funds had so accumulated that an additional academy was erected. This was called the Female Academy, and stood on Lot 31, where the college building now stands. The building was under the same board of management as the other. These served the public until the reorganization of the schools since the war. In 1885 was erected in Waynesboro the new school building known as the Waynesboro College. This was built by a joint stock company of leading citizens of the place and vicinity. This is an excellent building and is managed as a consolidated school. The schools of the county were organized under the present system in 1873, by James Anderson, county superintendent. A comparison of superintendent’s reports for 1880 and 1885, the only ones available, will show the increase in attendance and number of the public schools. In 1880 the number of scholastic population was white, 3733, colored, 334; total, 4,076. Number of teachers in the county: White, 56, colored, 5: total, 61. The enrollment during the year was 2,577, white and 127 colored. The average attendance was 2.003 white, and 98 colored. The county then had 1 brick, 12 frame and 20 log schoolhouses, and expended for schools $2,109.95. The scholastic population for 1885 was 4,180 white and 392 colored; total, 4,572. The pupils enrolled were 3,042 white and 297 colored; total, 3,339. The average daily attendance was 1,861 white and 200 colored, or 2,061 in all. The number of schoolhouses was 19 frame and 26 log houses, the whole number being 45. The whole number of schools in the county, however, including females’ schools, was 75, 67 of which were white and 8 colored. The total amount expended for that year was $6,546.62.

The first Methodist Church erected in the county was built just east of Waynesboro, at the grave-yard, about 1820. This was a small log building, and served as a place of worship till 1840. In That year the lot opposite Capt. P. H. Cray’s residence was deeded by Thomas Boshers to D. J. Jones, John McDougal, Thomas Boshers and Thomas East, as trustees of the church. This was a frame building and stood till the war. In 1878 one wall of the Cumberland Church fell, and was repaired by the Methodists and Masons. The Methodists were allowed an interest in that building. The Methodists also have churches at Indian Creek and a camp-ground was also established there in 1859; the trustees having been A. G. McDougal, J. B. Biffle, W. T. Childress, A. P. Denning, J. J. Denning and W. Roachwell; one at Culp’s Chapel, built in 1877, Eagle Tannery, Clifton, Ashland, Flatwood, Furnace Branch, El Bethel and Beech Creek.

The first Primitive Baptist Church was built near the mouth of Forty-Eight about 1820. To this belonged the Russells, Biffles, Walkers and Thompsons. This church is still sustained with a good membership. The church on Hardin Creek is half a century old: also the one at Goshen, in the Sixth District, is nearly as old. There is also a church of this denomination on Upper Indian Creek. Churches of more recent datestand in the First and Ninth Districts. The founders of these older churches have long since been “gathered to their fathers.”

By far the most numerous branch of the Baptist family is the branch known as the Missionary Baptists. The oldest organizations of this church are at Indian Creek and Philadelphia, each of which dates back more than a half a century. Besides the two mentioned, there are churches at Green River, Zion, Friendship, Bethlehem, Union, or Beech Creek, Holly Creek, Chestnut Creek, Oak Grove, Macedonia, Rayburn Creek, Pleasant Valley and Leatherwood. The aggregate in membership amounting to about 700. Besides these, there are a number of Free-Will Baptists in the county, there being a church of this denomination at the head of Factor Fork and at Oak Grove; also a number of others.

The first Cumberland Presbyterian Church erected in this county was perhaps, the church at Waynesboro. This was erected about 1830 by the Presbyterians and Masons. The church at Clifton was built in 1859; they are both substantial brick buildings. This denomination has churches at Shady Grove, Ashland, New Providence and Mount Olive.