The following newspaper article gives a brief account of the Unionist Convention which was held at Clifton on the 1st of April 1861. The article was transcribed and submitted by Bill Page
“The Union men of Wayne assembled at Clifton on the 1st. On motion of Judge Morris, Col. C.B. McLean was called to the Chair and John Fuson and T.J. Cypert were chosen Secretaries. Ordered that the Chair appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, whereupon he appointed Esquires T.H. Gibbs, Wm. Montague and John J. Porter. Said Committee having retired in a short time returned and reported strong Union resolutions, which were adopted. The following was also adopted.
“Resolved, That the Hon. Andrew Johnson is justly entitled to and will receive the warmest thanks and gratitude of every patriot of the land for his noble, gallant and patriotic defence of the Constitution and the Union.
“The following list of delegates were appointed, to wit:
“Thompson Morgan, King Preter, A.H. Montague, J.C. Sparman, Wm. R. Bell, J.R. Smith, Johnathan Morris, N.W. Poque, Wm. Montague, Isaac Griggs, J.J. Biffle, Peyton Craig, E.B. Martin, C.M. Thompson, J.L. Cypert, Martin Sims, Jas. Hinton, Thos. Adams, Jessee Davis, Johnathan Whitton, P.W. Hensley, Sam’l Bromley, Joseph Gallaher, Henry McGee, D.W. Carroll, Henry Culp, David C. Whitton, W.H. Brown, John Montague, T.H. Gibbs, J.A. Lawson, Wm. Cromwell, Jas. N. Staggs and Jas. North.
“Resolved, That in the absence of any of the regular appointed delegates, any good Union man from Wayne is requested to participate in said Convention as our delegate.
“Resolved, That the Chairman and Secretaries be added to the list of delegates.
C.B. McClean, Chairman
John Fuson, T.J. Cypert, Secretaries”
Nashville Republican Banner, 7 April 1861, p.2