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Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee

Biographies of Weakley County

Biographies – B

Joseph W. BANDY, M. D., is the son of Woodford and Martha (Busby) Bandy, and was born in Sumner County, Tenn., November 2, 1833.   He was educated in Beech Grove Academy and after attaining his nineteenth year taught school two years.    In 1856 he began the study of medicine under Dr. T. J. Walton, near Gallatin, and in 1858 entered the medical department of the University of Nashville, and graduated in March of the following year. He immediately began practicing his profession at Gleason and there remained to the present time.   February 29, 1860, he married Eliza J., daughter of Silas and Frances Dunlap, and by her is the father of two children: Dr. Robert W., a practicing physician, of Gleason, and Mattio F., now at home.    Mrs. Bandy is a native of Henry County, born in 1843.   The Doctor owns a farm of 60 acres near the village.   He is a Democrat and Mason, and he and Mrs. Bandy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.   His father was born in 1810, received a limited education in his youth, and followed farming throughout life.  He held several offices, such as constable, magistrate and tax collector in Sumner County.  He has been married four times, his first wife being a Miss Austin, who died about twelve months after marriage.  In July, 1832, he married Martha Busby, who died August, 1857, leaving five children. January, 1859, witnessed the celebration of his nuptials with Mrs. Catherine Bragg, widow of John Bragg.    She died in 1870, and in 1871 he married Charity Witt, who is still living.    In 1856 Mr. Bandy moved from Sumner to Weakley County, where he purchased 90 acres of land and resided until his death in November, 1874. W. G. BARGER is a Weakley County Tennessean, whose birth occurred May 3, 1840. He is one of seven children of Daniel and Betsey Barger, who were born in the Keystone and Blue-grass States respectively.  The father came to Tennessee when quite young, and was a millwright by trade and followed that business for many years.  He died in 1841, and his wife March 21, 1878.  Our subject’s youthful days were spent with his mother.  November 18, 1873, he lead to the hymeneal altar Miss Sophronia E. Carlin, daughter of Rev. John H. D. Carlin, a well known citizen and formerly a resident of Weakley County.  Mrs. Barger was born in Graves County, Ky., February 25, 1851, and is the mother of the following children: William B., Laura, Fannie, Thomas, Joseph H., John C. and Vera R.   After marriage Mr. Barger located in the Third District and began farming. He owns 150 acres of very fine land, located two miles west of Gardner.   He has always been industrious, and consequently has been quite successful.    In politics he is a Democrat. A. J. BISHOP, a prominent farmer of the Fourteenth District, was born in Bibb County, Ala., in 1843. and is a son of Joseph and Missouri Bishop. His father was born in South Carolina in 1816, was an overseer on a cotton plantation, and died in IM. His mother was also born in South Carolina, in 1811, and died in 1878. Mr. Bishop was reared at home and attended the public schools of Marion County, Ala., where he acquired his education. He was married in October, 1866, to Ursley M., daughter of William and Elizabeth Pannell.   He was born in Mississippi, in January, 1850.  To this union eight children have been born as follows: George E., William J., Mary E., Elizabeth, Lelia, Carl, James F. and Lee E. Mr. Bishop came to Tennessee in 1866, and settled in Obion County, where he remained for three years, and then removed to Weakley County, where he now resides.   In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Regiment of Alabama Cavalry, and participated in numerous engagements.  Mr. Bishop is an enterprising citizen, and is universally esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances.   He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. W. B. BLAKEMORE, liveryman of Martin, Tenn., was born in Dresden, Weakley County, in 1849, and is one of eleven children, live of whom are living, born to W. B. and C. V. Blakemore.   The father was born in North Carolina in 1802, and when a child removed with his parents to Tennessee, and located in Davidson County, where he remained until 1828, and the following two years was a resident of Gibson County.    From that time until his death, in 1875, he farmed in Weakley County.    The mother w as born in North Carolina in 1812, and departed this life in 1872.   Our subject was educated at Dresden Academy, and 1877 witnessed the celebration of his marriage with Rebecca Scott, daughter  of W. S. and Sarah Scott.    Mrs. Blakemore was born in Weakley County in 1852, and died in 1880, leaving her husband and one daughter, Pearl, to mourn her loss.   Mr. Blakemore was a tanner up to 1877, and from that date up to 1880 tilled the soil.   He then moved to Martin, and in 1883 engaged in his present business, in partnership with W. J. Burchard.   The latter retired from the business after  a short time and our subject has since continued alone.   He has a large, commodious barn, a fine and complete stock of buggies, and a good lot of horses.   Florence Pierce, of Columbus, Ky., became his wife in 1883.  She was born in 1862, a daughter of Dr. Pierce.  Mr. Blakemore, in connection with his stable, looks after the interest of his farm, which is located near Martin.  He is Democrat and belongs to the Masonic Order. A. V. BODEN was born in Paris, Henry Co., Tenn., August 5, IM, and is the son of Bloomfield and Sarah (Kimbrough) Boden.   The father was born in New York City in 1816, and followed cabinet-making until within the last few years.   In youth he came to Henry County.   He married in 1838 and became the father of fifteen children, of whom eight are now living: A. V.; James, who lives in Henry County; Sarah, wife of J. 0. Gorman, a printer of Washington, D. C.; Bettie, wife of John Bruce, who resides in Henry County; Robert, who resides in this county; Omar, who lives in this county; Edward, who lives with his father, and two others.   In 1869 Mr. Boden moved to Weakley County, bought 150 acres where he settled and has since resided.    The mother, who was of Germanic descent, was born in Richmond, Va., in 1821.    Her father, John P. Kimbrough, was a very early settler of Henry County.    He owned the land where the town of Paris now stands.   The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents and educated in Paris.   In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifth Regiment Tennessee Confederate Infantry.   He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Atlanta, Lookout Mountain, besides numerous skirmishes.   In 1864 he was captured near Jonesboro, and was held a prisoner of war seven months.   He came home in 1864 and worked in his father’s shop.   December 1, 1869, he married Miss Josephine Revis, daughter of Calvin Revis. She was born in 1846,  in this county.   They have three children: Pearl, Romie and Bonnie.   In 1869 Mr. Boden became a resident of Dresden.    Since 1878 he has conducted an undertaking business.   He keeps on hand a fine stock of goods.   He is a Democrat, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Methodist Church.   His wife belongs to the Christian Church. Benjamin T. BONDURANT, M. D., is a son of C. P. and Mary E. (Etheridge) Bondurant, and was born in Weakley County, Tennessee, in November, 1846.   The father was of French ancestry, born in Kentucky in 1822, his grandfather, Darby Bondurant, being a native of France.  The father of  C. P., Benjamin Bondurant, came to Weakley County, Tenn., when he was quite small.  Our subject’s father was married in December, 1845, and tilled a farm near Dresden until his death in 1852.  His wife was born in North Carolina, in 1826 and died in 1858.  After her husband’s death she and her family made their home with her father, Thomas Eskridge.  Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Tennessee Cavalry.   He was promoted to the office of sergeant in the spring of 1864, and held this position until the final surrender.   He surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., in May, 1865, and soon after, returned home.    He then worked on a farm two years and then began the study of medicine, under Dr. H. J. Shannon, of Sharon, and in 1867 entered the medical department of the Nashville University and graduated in 1869.   After living about two years in Mt. Pelia, he moved to Sharon, and after a two year residence in that place moved to Greenfield.   He was chosen trustee of Weakley County; was re-elected, but declined a second re-election.   In 1882 he purchased 800 acres of land near Sharon, where he has since resided.   In February, 1871, he married Mary, daughter of Edward A. and Caroline Tansil, and by her is the father of four children: Mary, Fannie, Eddie and Bennie.   Mrs. Bondurant is a Weakley County Tennessean, born in 1848.   Dr. Bondurant is a successful practitioner, a Democrat, and belongs  to the Masonic fraternity.   He and wife are members of the Christian Church. R. F. BOSTICK, was born in Halifax County, Va., in 1832, son of Francis M. and Lucy W. (Palmer) Bostick, both of whom were born in the same county and State as our subject, the former in 1802 and the latter in 1805.   The father was a farmer,and in  1833 took a trip to western Tennessee and Kentucky, being near Boydsville on the ever memorable night of the shower of meteors.   He returned home and in 1847 left the Old Dominion with his family and moved to Graves County, Ky., where he died in December, 1851.   The mother died April 9, 1865, on the day Gen. Lee surrendered.   Of their ten children nine lived to be grown and live are now living:  Samuel E., R. F., L. William, Sarah E. (Mrs. James C. Hopkins), and Lucy C. (Mrs. J. F. Richmond).   Our subject was educated in his native State and made his home with parents until twenty-three years old.   In 1856 he made a trip to the “Golden Gate” via Cuba, Isthmus of Panama and up the Pacific Coast, making the voyage in thirty-three days.   He remained nearly two years working in the gold mines and then returned home in January, 1858.   April 24, 1861, he wedded Sarah J. Riggs, daughter of  Col. B. A. and Mary (Palmer) Riggs.  Mrs. Bostick was born July 26, 1844, and is the mother of ten children: Mary, Lucy (Mrs. John Honey), Commodore F., Eddie C., Riggs, Oliver P., Samuel Tilden, Jones, Charley E. and Emma R.   The year Mr. Bostick married he was clerking in the dry goods store of W. I. Powell, at Como, Henry County, with whom he remained one year.   In 1862 he located, with his  father-in-law, B. A. Riggs, near Palmersville, where he has since resided.   He owns 216 acres of land, and in  politics is a Democrat.    Since 1870 he has served as magistrate of the Fifth District. He is a Mason and  a member  of the I. O.O. F.   His wife and daughter Mary are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.   His daughter, Lucy, is a member of the Christian Church. G. E. BOWDEN, proprietor of Bowden House at Martin, Tenn., was born on he 18th of December, 1855, and is one of ten children of M. T. and Amanda E. Bowden, born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, in 1831.   The father departed this life April 17, 1880, and the mother October 22, 1878.   The father was brought to Tennessee at the age of two years, and followed farming and merchandising through life.    Our subject was educated in the Mt. Pelia Academy.  In September, 1879, he entered into partnership with his brother, W. B., in the mercantile business at   Martin, the firm being known as Martin Bros. for about one year.  J. B. Shipp then purchased W. E. Bowden’s interest and he and our subject were partners for nearly five years.   May 25, 1882, Mr. Bowden married Ora G. Weigart, daughter of 0. P. Weigart.   Mrs. Bowden was born in Sharon, Tenn., December 25, 1860, and died January 25, 1884.   May 6, 1885, Mr. Bowden wedded Claire Clemons, who was born in Weakley County, Tenn., October 3, 1865, daughter of A. M. Clemons.   October 1, 1883, our subject began keeping hotel at Martin and continues to follow that business with fair success.   He is a Democrat. George S. BOYD, farmer, of the Seventh District of Weakley County, Tenn., was born November 26, 1857, and is a son of George P. and Parilee (Scott) Boyd. The father was of Irish descent, a Tennessean, and was born in 1836.   His father, Abner Boyd, was one of the pioneer settlers of Weakley County, and Boydsville was named in his honor.    George P. was married February 1, 1857, and followed the life of a farmer.    He died June 20, 1857, in the prime of life.   The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, born June 14,1838, the daughter of W. S. and Sarah  (Jones) Scott; she died June 27, 1860.   Our subject was left an orphan at an early age, and after the death of his mother made his home with his grandfather, Scott, until the latter’s death, which occurred when our subject was fifteen years of age.    George S. was educated in the common schools and McKenzie College, attending the latter school five months.  His grandfather died about this time, and he returned home and attended school in Dresden three years, and in 1876 returned to McKenzie and remained one year.   In 1876 he and S. P. Scott formed a partnership in a combined flouring and saw-will and woolen factory, but in 1877 our subject,  not being satisfied with his education, entered the De-LaSalle Institute, at Toronto, Canada, and, remained five months.   In 1880 he and Mr. Scott took in as partners C. W. Cottrell and B. D. Irvine, and erected a large brick flouring-mill in Dresden, at a cost of $20,000.   They, at the same time, established a merchandise store, Mr. Cottrell overseeing it.   In 1883 Mr. Boyd sold his interest, and began tilling his farm of 100 acres, which he purchased in 1869, and there has since resided.    He now owns 500 acres, 310 being under cultivation.   September 5, 1878, he married Mattie Rogers, daughter of P. M. and Martha (Blakemore) Rogers.    Mrs. Boyd was born January 9, 1859.   They have one child, Eugene. Mr. Boyd is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Hancock. W. V. BRANN, a farmer and tobacco dealer, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., August 3, 1829, one of seven surviving members of a family of nine children of James and Rebecca Braun.   James Brann was born in North Carolina, in 1789, was married in his native State, and came to Tennessee about 1826, being among the early settlers of Weakley County.   He was a farmer, and died in 1863.   His wife was a North Carolinian, born in 1803, and is now residing with her youngest child, A. C.    W. V. Brann resided on a farm, and was educated in the common schools.    In 1859 he married Eliza J. Webb.  Mrs. Brann was born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1838, and is the mother of eight children: Lillian (Mrs. G. S. Knox), J. C., Charley, Horton P., Jennie, Fannie, Flossie and Willie.   Mr. Brann is extensively engaged in growing tobacco.  For about two years he was salesman in a mercantile house in Farmersville, and resided at that place ten years.   After a six years’ residence in Obion County, he moved to Gardner’s Station, and in 1878 moved to his farm of 545 acres, which he had previously purchased.   He later sold a portion of his farm and now owns 400 acres.   He is engaged in the warehouse tobacco business, in Mayfield, Ky., and is a man of industrious habits, and good business qualifications.   He has given his children the advantages of acquiring good education, and is a man widely known and well respected.   He is conservative in his political views, and is a member of the Masonic and K. of H. fraternities. J. C. BRASFIELD, grocer, liveryman and farmer, was born in Dresden, Tenn., on the 12th of October, 1863.   His father, A. Coke Brasfield, was born in North Carolina in 1820, and was a farmer and trader by occupation.    He came to Tennessee in his youth, with his father, Caleb Brasfield, and after his marriage with Ruth A. Bondurant, he located in Dresden.   He was constable of the Seventh District for six or seven years, and made an efficient officer.    His wife was of German descent, born in Dresden in 1839, and died in 1874.    Our subject is the youngest and the only living one of their five children. He attended school at Dresden, and at the age of sixteen, hired out as a clerk in a dry goods and grocery store of J. W. Moran, and remained with him about two years.    He then clerked for A. P. White eight or nine months, and afterward worked for R. N. Irvine two months.   In 1882 he and Mr. Irvine established a livery and feed stable, and for one year the firm was known as Irvine & Brasfield.    In 1883 Mr.V. G. Brasfield bought Mr. Irvine’s interest and the most of the time until nearly up to 1885, the firm was Brasfield & Brasfield.   Our subject then purchased his grocery store and has been successfully engaged in that business.   In August, 1885, he and Dr. B. D. Blakemore established a livery and feed stable and are doing well financially.   He owns 685 acres of land and some town property.   August 19, 1882, he and Valeria C. Brazelton were united in marriage.  They have one child – Allen H.   Mrs. Brasfield was born in Dresden, in May, 1866, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.    Mr. Brasfield is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland.   He belongs to the 1. 0. 0. F. George R. BRASFIELD (deceased), was born in Granville County, N. C., February 19, 1823; son of Caleb and Kate (Jeter) Brasfield.   About 1833 Caleb Brasfield came to Weakley County, Tenn., and located in the southern part of the county.   He also followed merchandising, in Dresden, a few years.    George R. was educated in the common schools  of Weakley County, and in October, 1868, married Miss Sallie E. Moore, who was born in  Obion County, Tenn., and daughter of James and Jane Moore.  Her father died when she vas quite small, and after his death her mother moved to Rutherford County, where she died soon after.    To Mr. and Mrs. Brasfield were born four children: George M., Maggie, Jodie and John C.   In 1869 Mr. Brasfield bought 217 acres of land near Dresden, and in 1870 erected a fine brick dwelling-house, but was not permitted to enjoy his home long.    He died in 1881.   He commenced life without fortune or family influence but secured and maintained a high social position and a comfortable competency.   His whole career has been worthy the admiration of all, and his memory will be held in affectionate remembrance. He was a Mason. J. W. BRADLEY, cabinet-maker, undertaker and house carpenter, of Palmersville, Tenn., was born in 1838, in Henry County; son of Robert and Mary (Stewart) Bradley.  The former was born in North Carolina in 1810, and was a farmer by occupation.   In 1828 he left, his native State and came to Tennessee, purchasing 160 acres of land in Henry County.  He is yet living and is one of the pioneer settlers of the county.  The mother died in 1854.  Mr. Bradley has been married three times and became the father of six children by his first wife, only two of whom are now living: James D., who resides in Henry County, and J. W. Bradley, our subject, who resided with his parents as long as he remained single.    In April, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, and took an active part in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh, and numerous minor engagements.    He returned home in May, 1863, and in 1864 married Miss Mary Martin, who was born in Henry County in 1836.   They have two children: Domar N. (Mrs. Dr. R. T. Matheny), and Flora.   In 1865 Mr. Bradley came to Weakley County and began his career as a farmer and in 1869 began carpentering.   Since 1877 be has been a resident of Palmersville and worked at his trade until 1884, when he engaged in the cabinet-maker’s and undertaker’s business. He is a skillful worker and a good citizen and in politics has been a life-long Democrat.   He is a Mason and a member of the I.O.O.F., and himself, wife and daughter Domar, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. W. J. BURCHARD, a prosperous merchant of Martin, Tenn., was born in 1843,  the eldest of four children of A. 0. and Sarah Burchard.    The father was born in North Carolina in 1819, and in his days of childhood was brought to Hickman County, Tenn.   He was a farmer and stock dealer, and was married in 1842.   He is now connected with the First National Bank, at Centreville. His wife was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1817, and her demise occurred in 1877.  Our  subject joined the army May 10,1861, enlisting in Company B, Eleventh Tennessee Infantry.   In December, 1861, he was appointed by Col. James E. Raines as provost-marshal and served in that capacity six months.   At the end of the year he re-enlisted and was then made orderly sergeant of the company.    He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge.   After this he joined Forrest’s cavalry, and was with him in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, besides many other engagements.   He returned home in the spring of 1865.   The next year he entered Cumberland University and completed his education at that place in 1867.   Maggie Montgomery became his wife in 1871.   Her father, John Montgomery, was a lawyer of considerable distinction at Centreville, Tenn.  He died in 1878.   His wife, Jane Montgomery, is residing with her daughter, Mrs. Burchard.  Mr. and Mrs. Burchard are the parents of five children: Farrar, A. C., Field M., Charley and Sally.   Soon after his marriage Mr. Burchard purchased 100 acres of timber land, which he cleared and improved, and on which he lived until 1882.   He then moved to Martin and entered into partnership with W. B. Blakemore.   They built a large livery barn and continued in the business two years, when our subject sold his interest and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business with J. B. Ragsdale.   The firm is known as Ragsdale & Burchard and their stock amounts to $7,000.   Their sales amount to about $25,000 per year.   In August, 1882, he was elected magistrate, a position he held two years.   He is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley.   He and Mrs. Burchard are members of the Christian Church. W. J. BURNETT, farmer and tobacco dealer of Palmersville, Tenn., was born in the Old Dominion in 1850, and is a son of William and Ruth H. (Giles) Burnett, both born in the same county as our subject, the former in 1829 and the latter in 1832.  The father was a farmer and was married in l849.   He died in 1850, and in 1860 his widow married E.P. Hodges, and came with him to Weakley County, Tenn., in 1866.  Our subject came with them and immediately on his arrival began fighting the battle of life alone.  He worked as a day laborer on a farm for two years, and in 1869 he and G. L. Brooks formed a partnership in the grocery business in Palmersville and continued the same until 1872, when they added dry goods to their stock.   In 1877 Mr. Brooks died and Mr. Burnett sold his interest.   Two years later he resumed the dry goods business, his partners being C. 0. Gaitwood and T. J. Collier.   Three years later our subject sold his interest, and in 1881 purchased 305 acres of land near Palmersville, where he located and has since resided.    In December, 1870, he married M. C. Ridegway, who was born where she now resides in 1851.  They have six children: Effie Almo, Bolivar Bates, Birch C., Severe Bell, Blanche and Brooks. Mr. Burnett gives considerable attention to stock raising, and since 1883 he and F. G. Eanes have been partners in the tobacco business, carrying on the same on an extensive scale.  Mr. Burnett is a man of good business ability.  He owns 640 acres of land, the best farm in northern Weakley County.  He is a Democrat and served as magistrate of his district four years.   He is a Mason and member of the I. O. O. F.

 

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Biographies of Weakley County INDEX

Submitted by Jane Powell – Thank you, Jane! – edited by MaryCarol

Click on a Letter below

A	B	C	D	E
F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	O	P
R	S	T	W

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Bailey – Harrison Family

Albert Newton BABB

&

Mary Penelope Catherine (Katie) ADAMS

This is the family of Albert Newton Babb and Mary Penelope Catharine “Katie”

Adams, great grandparents of Patty Higgs Mann. This picture was made 1917/18 (based on appeared age of my father and the fact that Katie died in 1918), probably in the Ralston Community. Lula & Beaulah were twins. Another set of twins was born to this family but died in infancy. Charlie Babb fathered two  sets of twins.

Children Front, Left to Right:  Lillian Stafford (Buchannan); Willard Stafford; Katie Bell Stafford ;Ruby Higgs (Hodges): 01/03/1913 – 08/16/1994; William Leon “Bill” Higgs: 02/02/1914 – 11/13/1971 (My father)

Seated, Left to Right Will D. Stafford; Lula Babb (Stafford): 08/26/1891- 07/19/1926; Albert Newton Babb: 10/06/1869 – 03/12/1938; Mary Penelope Catharine “Katie” Adams (Babb): 02/04/1869 – 09/26/1918; Beaulah Babb (Higgs): 08/26/1891 – 09/20/1974;

Standing: William Raymond Babb: 04/18/1894 – 09/0?/1951; Charles Sebathin “Charlie” Babb: 02/03/1899 – 30/09/1987; Herbert Newton Babb: 01/26/1896 – 11/04/1968; Lamon Babb (Phillips, Klingman): 08/13/1907 (Living in 1999); Eunice Lavern Babb (Davis): 08/18/1901 – 09/05/1977; Birdie Mai Babb (Phillips): 05/27/1905 – 09/15/1995.

A number of the descendants of Albert and Katie continue to reside in Weakley Count.

Submitted by Patty Higgs Mann 
                                             

Shades Bridge Baptizing

In the South Fork of the Obion River – Southeast of Greenfield

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Old Churches of Weakley County, Tennessee

Our Lady of Perpetual Help …..and we need genealogy help!

PHOTO – 1926 Baptising in the Obion River at Shades Bridge

Methodist Churches

United Methodist Church – Greenfield

Bethany Methodist Church – South of Martin

Brock’s Chapel Methodist Church – Greenfield, off Kimery Road

Mt Herman United Methodist Church and Cemetery – photos

Mt Morriah Methodist Episcopal Church – South

Baptist Churches

Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church – Northern Weakley County

Central Baptist – Martin – 3 photos of Sunday School Classes 1922

Corinth Baptist Church and Cemetery

Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church – Martin – 2 photos

Moore’s Chapel Baptist Church – Meridian Rd east of Greenfield

Mount Pelia Baptist Church

Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church – History & photos

Thompson Creek Baptist Church – Northern Weakley

Presbyterian Churches

First Presbyterian Church – Greenfield

Meridian Cumberland Presbyterian Church – Greenfield

New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Pilgrims Rest Presbyterian Church

Other Churches

Lebanon Church of Christ

Liberty Church History

Plesant Hill Church – Dedication – History

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Pleasant Hill Baseball Team, Fancy, Tennessee

OLD DAYS IN FANCY TOWN

by Regena Stafford, Dresden High School, American History, Mrs. Moubray

The following was a school paper given to Ann Westbrook Radcliff by Sue  McGehee, a cousin.  I believe it was writtin in the 60’s…..Ann

Dresden Enterprise, date unkown

BIBLIOGRAPHY:  
Ione Smith Kennedy,  Sharon  Vita Fowler Carney,  Gleason  Herman Westbrook, Dresden  Mrs. Pete Killebrew, Latham  Sue Grubb McGehee,  Dresden  
Thelma Smith Lovelace, Dresden

Fancy is a community north of Dresden on the Boydsville Road.  It was not a very large community but contained qualities that are only memories of today.  Fancy was named when the post office was established.  The mail was carried to Fancy by Tom CAMPBELL  He delivered the mail in a mail hack drawn by a gray horse.  The mail was left at the Fancy store and as he left it, he called out ‘Fancy Town.’  People came to the store to pick up their mail.  The mail was placed in boxes made of wood with letters of the alphabet on them to receive the mail.  These boxes were in the two story on the east side of the road. 

The first store of Fancy was a two story building that was built before 1910.  It was first owned by Bob FOWLER  This store contained a line of groceries, such as:  coffee and sugar sold by the pound, crackers in a barrel and vinegar in a barrel, and kerosene sold by jugs.  It also contained a line of hardware such as: nails and steeples sold by the pound, horse collars, trace chains, plow points, well buckets, well ropes, wash tubs, wash boards, oil lamps, wicks and chimneys.  The store was built by Irby FOWLER, Bob Fowler�s brother.  Irby sold it to Bob in 1889.  On the second floor of the building was a Woodmen of the World.  ‘Odd Fellow’ was the men�s association, and the ‘Rebecca Lodge’  was the women�s.  The store was handed down through many owners.  Later, in 1914-1915, Bob FOWLER sold the store to Eurah KING and he went bankrupt.  Then the store was bought by Ellen FOWLER in 1916.  She contained hats and dry goods from her store on the west side.  She died in 1935.  Silas GRUBB then bought the stock from her store.  Walter LOVELACE then turned the store into a stock barn after Ellen FOWLER�s death. 

Although the two store building was considered the first store, the first store was really on the west side of the road built by Sam PERRY.  This was a one story building that had been used for a subscription schoolhouse taught by Ellen FOWLER.  Later, this was converted into a store.  The first merchandise was hats for ladies.  Each hat was individually designed for each lady with the trim selected.  Ladies came from far and near to buy these hats.  They would even travel from Dresden just to buy hats at Fancy.  These hats were stored in enclosed glass show cases that had a drop door with a mirror for convenience to see how the hat looked.  Later, Ellen added dry goods such as: percale, domestic, flannel material, pillow ticking, lace, buttons, snaps, elastic, underwear, hose and shoes.  The had rolls or ribbon in glass showcases on display.  This one story building also had many owners.  The owners after Ellen FOWLER were:  Chester EAVES from 1918-1919, Bennie WESTBROOK, Will MORROW, LASATER, GRUBB from 1956-1969, IONE from 1969-1970, James WILSON in 1970, and STACKS.  The stock that had been in Ellen FOWLER�s store had been transferred into the two story building and groceries replaced the one story building.

The two stores were not the only buildings in Fancy.  There was also a blacksmith shop by Reese GATEWOOD about 1908 or 1909.  This was the first blacksmith shop.  It was later taken over by Walter LOVELACE after Reese GATEWOOD died in 1912.  Walter LOVELACE then had a blacksmith shop and a grist mill near the store.  The blacksmith shop was important at this time for the only transportation was on horseback.  The grist mill was used to turn wheat into flour. 

The children of the community attended Morgan School until 1921, when land was given by Walter SMITH to build a school in Fancy in 1921.  The school considted on one side for the girls and the other for boys.  It was heated with a wood stove and a tile well was used for water.  The teachers at the Fancy school were: Lois ATKINS GREEN, Opal WHITE WILSON, Kathleen JACKSON SHUFF, Ruby JETT JOLLEY, Thelma Rae RIGGINS JACKSON, Lola Arnn SIMMONS, Mary WARD BRANN and Mary STUBBEFIELD THEDFORD.

The family life of fancy was almost self-supporting.  They had a garden which was relied on for food and goods were stored during the winter when the people were banned to their homes.  They had cows for milk and churned the milk into butter.  The eggs and meat came from chickens and meat also came from the hogs and the meat was salt cured for ham.  The people relied on these sources of food all year round.  Ice boxes were used to store ice.  An ice truck ran from Martin and delivered ice twice a week.  When electricity was brought to Fancy, this made life easier.  The first telephone was brought to Fancy by the Cumberland telephone company from Dresden.  These inventions helped to expand Fancy.

The agricultural status of Fancy was centered around everyone working together.  When people built barns, all the men worked together.  Crops grown, such as: tobacco, corn, wheat and others kept everyone busy working in the fields.  The women worked together making quilts and they usually finished two or three quilts in one day.  The women also made soap using ashes and grease and lye.  Everyone seemed to stay together until all work was done.  The roads of Fancy were made by horse-drawn graders or drags pulled by about six horses.

There were other important people of Fancy.  The doctor of Fancy was Dr. FIELDS.  He made house calls on horseback and in a buggy when it rained or when the weather was bad.  He was a very friendly person who had a smile and blinked his eves often.  Another important person was little Johnny MATHENY who made pictures and developed them in the Fancy store.  These people helped Fancy to stay a moving little community. 

The memories of Fancy still exists in the minds of many people who still remember it.  Today, Fancy is no more than a place where people live between Dresden and Palmersville on the Boydsville Road.  The two-story building that was the store, now stands in the ownership of someone using it as a garage.  One old house still stands on the west side but is being town down.  What used to be a booming community is now a memory at heart.

Submitted by Ann Westbrook Radcliff

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Epidemics in America 1657 to 1918

If you ever wondered why a large number of your ancestors seemed to disappear during a certain period in history, it may have been due to an epidemic. Epidemics have always had a great influence on people and therefore the genealogists trying to trace them. Many cases of people disappearing from records can be attributed to people dying during an epidemic or moving away from the affected area. Some of the major epidemics in the United States are listed below – those that could have effected Weakley County in red. Submitted by MaryCarol 1657 Boston: Measles 1687 Boston: Measles 1690 New York: Yellow Fever 1713 Boston: Measles 1729 Boston: Measles 1732-33 Worldwide: Influenza 1738 South Carolina: Smallpox 1739-40 Boston: Measles 1747 Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania & South Carolina: Measles 1759 North America (areas inhabited by white people): Measles 1761-61 North America & West Indies: Influenza 1772 North America: Measles 1775 North America (especially hard in New England): Epidemic (unknown) 1775-76 Worldwide: Influenza 1781-82 Worldwide: Influenza (one of worst flu epidemics) 1788 Philadelphia & New York: Measles 1793 Vermont: Influenza and a “putrid fever” 1793 Virginia: Influenza (kills 500 people in 5 counties in 4 weeks) 1793 Philadelphia: Yellow fever (one of worst) 1783 Delaware (Dover): “extremely fatal” bilious disorder 1793 Pennsylvania (Harrisburg & Middletown): many unexplained deaths 1794 Philadelphia: Yellow fever 1796-97 Philadelphia: Yellow Fever 1798 Philadelphia: Yellow Fever (one of worst) 1803 New York: Yellow Fever 1820-23 Nationwide: “fever” (starts on Schuylkill River, PA & spreads 1831-32 Nationwide: Asiatic Cholera (brought by English emigrants) 1832 New York & other major cities: Cholera 1837 Philadelphia: Typhus 1841 Nationwide: Yellow Fever (especially severe in South) 1847 New Orleans: Yellow Fever 1847-48 Worldwide: Influenza 1848-49 North America: Cholera 1850 Nationwide: Yellow Fever 1850-51 North America: Influenza 1852 Nationwide: Yellow Fever (New Orleans: 8,000 die in summer) 1855 Nationwide (many parts): Yellow Fever 1857-59 Worldwide: Influenza (one of disease’s greatest epidemics) 1860-61 Pennsylvania: Smallpox 1865-73 Philadelphia, New York, Boston, New Orleans, Baltimore, Memphis, & Washington D.C.: a series of recurring epidemics of Smallpox, Cholera, Typhus, Typhoid, Scarlet Fever & Yellow Fever 1873-75 North America & Europe: Influenza 1878 New Orleans: Yellow Fever (last great epidemic of disease) 1885 Plymouth, PA: Typhoid 1886: Jacksonville, Fl: Yellow Fever 1918 Worldwide: Influenza (high point year) More people hospitalized in World War I more died from Influenza than wounds. US Army training camps became death camps –with 80 percent death rate in some camps —————- Finally, these specific instances of cholera were mentioned: 1833 Columbus, Ohio 1834 New York City 1849 New York 1851 Coles Co., Illinois 1851 The Great Plains 1851 Missouri Other epidemics in the US – mostly in “big” east coast cities: 1813: “spotted fever” which we know as cerebral spinal meningitis–6,000 died. 1813 to ?: tuberculosis also called “consumption” was on the rise. 1842-3: erysipelas [strep infection of skin and mucous membranes

 

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Disease Names of the past & what they meant

Might be helpful when reading Old Death Certificates

Ablepsy –      Blindness 
Ague –      Malarial Fever 
American plague –    Yellow fever 
Anasarca —  Generalized massive edema 
Aphonia —   Laryngitis 
Aphtha —   The infant disease “thrush” 
Apoplexy —  Paralysis due to stroke 
Asphycsia/Asphicsia —  Cyanotic and lack of oxyge 
Atrophy —  Wasting away or diminishing in size.
 

Bad Blood —  Syphilis 
Bilious fever — Typhoid, malaria, hepatitis or elevated temperature and bile  emesi 
Biliousness —  Jaundice associated with liver disease 
Black plague or death —  Bubonic plague 
Black fever — Acute infection with high temperature and dark red skin lesions and high mortality rate. 
Black pox — Black Small pox 
Black vomit —  Vomiting old black blood due to ulcers or yellow fever 
Blackwater fever — Dark urine associated with high temperature 
Bladder in throat —  Diphtheria (Seen on death certificates) 
Blood poisoning —  Bacterial infection; septicemia 
Bloody flux — Bloody stools 
Bloody sweat –– Sweating sicknes 
Bone shave —  Sciatica 
Brain fever —  Meningitis 
Breakbone –– Dengue feve
Bright’s disease — Chronic inflammatory disease of kidneys 
Bronze John —  Yellow fever 
Bule — Boil, tumor or swelling
 

Cachexy — Malnutrition 
Cacogastric –Upset stomach 
Cacospysy —  Irregular puls 
Caduceus —  Subject to falling sickness or epilepsy 
Camp fever — Typhus; aka Camp diarrhea 
Canine madness —  Rabies, hydrophobia 
Canker ––  Ulceration of mouth or lips or herpes simplex 
Catalepsy —  Seizures / trances 
Catarrhal —  Nose and throat discharge from cold or allergy 
Cerebritis —  Inflammation of cerebrum or lead poisoning 
Chilblain — Swelling of extremities caused by exposure to cold 
Child bed fever —  Infection following birth of a child 
Chin cough — Whooping cough 
Chlorosis –Iron deficiency anemia 
Cholera  — Acute severe contagious diarrhea with intestinal lining sloughing
Cholera morbus — Characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, elevated temperature, etc. Could be appendicitis. 
Cholecystitus — Inflammation of the gall bladder 
Cholelithiasis –  Gall stones
Chorea — Disease characterized by convulsions, contortions and dancing
Cold plague —  Disease characterized by convulsions, contortions and dancing 
Colic — An abdominal pain and cramping
Congestive chills —  Malaria 
Congestion —  Any collection of fluid in an organ, like the lungs 
Congestive chills —   Malaria with diarrhea 
Congestive fever —    Malaria 
Consumption=Tuberculosis or T.B.
Corruption —   Infection
Coryza —  A cold 
Costiveness — Constipation 
Cramp colic —  Appendicitis 
Crop sickness —  Overextended stomach
Croup –—  Laryngitis, diphtheria, or strep throat 
Cyanosis —  Dark skin color from lack of oxygen in blood 
Cynanche —   Diseases of throat 
Cystitis — Inflammation of the bladder
 

Day fever —   Fever lasting one day; sweating sickness 
Debility — Lack of movement or staying in bed 
Decrepitude — Feebleness due to old age 
Delirium tremens — Hallucinations due to alcoholism 
Dengue —  Infectious fever endemic to East Africa
Dentition ––  Cutting of teeth 
Deplumation — Tumor of the eyelids which causes hair loss
Diary fever — A fever that lasts one day 
Diptheria — Contagious disease of the throat 
Distemper —  Usually animal disease with malaise, discharge from nose and throat, anorexi
Dock fever — Yellow fever
Dropsy — Edema (swelling), often caused by kidney or heart disease
Dropsy of the Brain — Encephalitis
Dry Bellyache –—   Lead poisoning
Dyscrasy —   An abnormal body condition
Dysentery — Inflammation of colon with frequent passage of mucous and blood
Dysorexy –  Reduced appetite 
Dyspepsia — Indigestion and heartburn. Heart attack symptoms 
Dysury —  Difficulty in urination
 

Eclampsy — Symptoms of epilepsy, convulsions during labo 
Ecstasy — A form of catalepsy characterized by loss of reason 
Edema —  Nephrosis; swelling of tissues
Edema of lungs –Congestive heart failure, a form of dropsy 
Eel thing —   Erysipelas
Elephantiasis —   A form of leprosy
Encephalitis —  Swelling of brain; aka sleeping sickness
Enteric fever —  Typhoid fever
Enterocolitis —  Inflammation of the intestines
Enteritis —  Inflation of the bowels
Epitaxis —  Nose bleed
Erysipelas — Contagious skin disease, due to Streptococci with vesicular and  bulbous lesion
Extravasted blood —  Rupture of a blood vessel
 

Falling sickness — Epileps
Fatty Liver –    Cirrhosis of liver
Fits —  Sudden attack or seizure of muscle activity
Flux — An excessive flow or discharge of fluid like hemorrhage or diarrhea
Flux of humour — Circulation
French pox –   Syphilis
 

Gathering —   A collection of pu
Glandular fever – Mononucleosis
Great pox —     Syphilis
Green fever / sickness —  Anemia
Grippe/grip —  Influenza like symptoms
Grocer’s itch –Skin disease caused by mites in sugar or flour
 

Heart sickness —  Condition caused by loss of salt from bod
Heat stroke — Body temperature elevates because of surrounding environment emperature and body does not perspire to reduce temperature. Coma and death result if not reversed.
Hectical complaint — Recurrent fever
Hematemesis — Vomiting blood 
Hematuria —  Bloody urine
Hemiplegy ––   Paralysis of one side of body
Hip gout ––  Osteomylitis
Horrors —   Delirium tremens
Hydrocephalus–  Enlarged head, water on the brain
Hydropericardium — Heart dropsy
Hydrophobia — Rabies
Hydrothroax —  Dropsy in chest
Hypertrophic — Enlargement of organ, like the heart
 

Impetigo – Contagious skin disease characterized by pustules
Inanition —   Physical condition resulting from lack of food 
Infantile paralysis — Polio
Intestinal colic —  Abdominal pain due to improper diet
 

Jail fever —   Typhus
Jaundice —  Condition caused by blockage of intestines
 

King’s evil –berculosis of neck and lymph glands
Kruchhusten —  Whooping cough

Lagrippe —   Influenza 
Lockjaw –Tetanus or infectious disease affecting the muscles of the neck and jaw. Untreated, it is fatal in 8 days 
Long sickness –Tuberculosis
Lues disease —   Syphilis
Lues venera – —  Venereal diseas
Lumbago —  Back pain
Lung fever –— Pneumonia
Lung sickness — Tuberculosis
Lying in — Time of delivery of infant
 

Malignant sore throat —     Diphtheria
Mania —  Insanity
Marasmus —   Progressive wasting away of body, like malnutrition
Membranous Croup — Diphtheria
Meningitis —   Inflation of brain or spinal cord 
Metritis — Inflammation of uterus or purulent vaginal discharge
Miasma —  Poisonous vapors thought to infect the air
Milk fever —  Disease from drinking contaminated milk, like undulant fever or  brucellosis
Milk leg —   Post partum thrombophlebitis
Milk sickness —  Disease from milk of cattle which had eaten poisonous weeds
Mormal —  Gangrene
Morphew —  Scurvy blisters on the body
Mortification —  Gangrene of necrotic tissue
Myelitis —    Inflammation of the spine
Myocarditis — Inflammation of heart muscles
 

Necrosis —  Mortification of bones or tissue
Nephrosis —   Kidney degeneration 
Nepritis —   Inflammation of kidneys 
Nervous prostration —  Extreme exhaustion from inability to control physical and  mental activities 
Neuralgia —  Described as discomfort, such as “Headache” was neuralgia in  head 
Nostalgia —   Homesickness

Palsy —  Paralysis or uncontrolled movement of controlled muscles. It was listed as “Cause of death”. 
Paroxysm—  Convulsion 
Pemphigus— Skin disease of watery blisters 
Pericarditis —  Inflammation of heart 
Peripneumonia —   Inflammation of lungs 
Peritonotis —   Inflammation of abdominal area 
Petechial Fever —   Fever characterized by skin spotting 
Puerperal exhaustion —    Death due to child birth 
Phthiriasis — Lice infestation 
Phthisis —   Chronic wasting away or a name for tuberculosis 
Plague —  An acute febrile highly infectious disease with a high fatality rate 
Pleurisy –  Any pain in the chest area with each breath 
Podagra —    Gout 
Poliomyelitis —   PolioPotter’s asthma – Fibroid pthisis 
Pott’s disease —   Tuberculosis of spine 
Puerperal exhaustion —   Death due to childbirth 
Puerperal fever —  Elevated temperature after giving birth to an infant 
Puking fever –      Milk sickness 
Putrid fever —-     Diphtheria.
 

Quinsy –    Tonsillitis.
 

Remitting fever —     Malaria 
Rheumatism —  Any disorder associated with pain in joints 
Rickets –   Disease of skeletal system 
Rose cold —    Hay fever or nasal symptoms of an allergy
Rotanny fever —     (Child’s disease) ???
Rubeola —     German measles 
 

Sanguineous crust — Scab 
Scarlatina —  Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever-–   A disease characterized by red rash 
Scarlet rash ––    Roseola 
Sciatica —   Rheumatism in the hips 
Scirrhus —    Cancerous tumors 
Scotomy —     Dizziness, nausea and dimness of sight 
Scrivener’s palsy —      Writer’s cramp 
Screws —    Rheumatism 
Scrofula —   Tuberculosis of neck lymph glands. Progresses slowly with  abscesses and pistulas develop. Young person’s disease. 
Scrumpox —     Skin disease, impetigo 
Scurvy —  Lack of vitamin C. Symptoms of weakness, spongy gums and hemorrhages under skin 
Septicemia —    Blood poisoning 
Shakes —   Delirium tremens
Shaking —  chills, ague 
Shingles —   Viral disease with skin blisters and nerve pain 
Ship fever —  Typhus
Siriasis– –    Inflammation of the brain due to sun exposure 
Sloes —-   Milk sickness 
Small pox —    Contagious disease with fever and blisters 
Softening of brain-    Result of stroke or hemorrhage in the brain, with an end result of the tissue softening in that area. 
Sore throat distemper— Diphtheria or quinsy 
Spanish influenza —    Epidemic influenza 
Spasms –  Sudden involuntary contraction of muscle or group of muscles,  like a convulsion 
Spina bifida—    Deformity of spine 
Spotted fever —   Either typhus or meningitis 
Sprue —  Tropical disease characterized by intestinal disorders and sore  throat 
St. Anthony’s — Also erysipelas, but named so because of affected skin areas  are bright red in appearance 
St. Vitas dance —Ceaseless occurrence of rapid complex jerking movements  performed involuntary. 
Stomatitis —     Inflammation of the mouth 
Stranger’s fever —      Yellow fever
Strangery —     Rupture 
Sudor anglicus —    Sweating sickness 
Summer complaint —Diarrhea, usually in infants caused by spoiled milk 
Sunstroke —   Uncontrolled elevation of body temperature due to environment heat. Lack of sodium in the body is a predisposing cause 
Swamp sickness —     Could be malaria, typhoid or encephalitis 
Sweating sickness — Infectious and fatal disease common to UK in 15th century 
 

Tetanus —   Infectious fever characterized by high fever, headache and  dizziness 
Thrombosis — Blood clot inside blood vessel 
Thrush –Childhood disease characterized by spots on mouth, lips and throat 
Tick fever —    Rocky mountain spotted fever 
Toxemia of pregnancy –    Eclampsia 
Trench mouth —  Painful ulcers found along gum line, Caused by poor nutrition and poor hygiene 
Tussis convulsiva —     Whooping cough
Typhus —  Infectious fever characterized high fever, headache, and dizziness 

Variola —  Smallpox 
Venesection —   Bleeding 
Viper’s dance —   St. Vitus Dance
 

Water on brain —      Enlarged head 
White swelling —   Tuberculosis of the bone 
Winter fever —    Pneumonia 
Womb fever —     Infection of the uterus. 
Worm fit-    Convulsions associated with teething, worms, elevated temperature or diarrhea

Yellowjacket—  Yellow fever. 
 

Submitted by Jeannie Travis

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Post Offices of Weakley County

Post Office Index

Submitted by Joe Stout

 

ALMA Postmaster   Effective Date Alexander Ralston 1/23/1855 Discontinued   1/20/1860 BEAR CREEK  Postmaster   Effective Date Hiram F. Bobo   3/26/1875 Discontinued   5/15/1879 BLACK OAK  Postmaster  Effective Date  Debaron B. Grubbs  10/17/1855  Discontinued    9/22/1866 BOWER’S Postmaster   Effective Date Wyatt McBride    4/27/1830 William G. Bowers  1/5/1833 Discontinued   5/14/1834 BOYDSVILLE Postmaster    Effective Date  Name changed from Marion Abner Boyd   11/1/1837 Rufus P. Dodds   5/11/1842 William D. Cook   12/30/1845  Edward R. Cook   2/10/1853  To Graves County Kentucky CASHON Postmaster   Effective Date William L. Dunn    4/19/1880 James M. Lockridge  3/28/1881 Discontinued moved to Latham 12/29/1884 CEDAR HILL Postmaster    Effective Date Pleasant F. Huddleston  5/21/1857  James T. Stratton   7/17/1858  Discontinued   10/6/1867 COLLIERS Postmaster   Effective Date Sidney D. Collier   4/16/1901 Discontinued   7/31/1903 CULLEN Postmaster   Effective Date James Thomas   3/26/1827 Samuel Morgan   8/21/1829 Benjamin M. McFarland  11/24/1831 Changed to Irvine�s Store  2/13/1838 DEDHAM  Postmaster   Effective Date Nelson A. Underwood 1/15/1852  Discontinued   7/25/1866 DRESDEN (C. H.) Postmaster   Effective Date John Terrill   7/3/1824 Jeotha Garden   2/15/1827 Ephraim D. Dickson  9/13/1833 R. C. Williams   9/5/1836 David P. Caldwell  6/29/1838 Pulaski B. Bell   10/30/1841 William W. Gleeson  3/15/1844 William W. Knox   12/3/1845 John McNeely   1/19/1849 Aaron W. King   9/5/1849 Isaac Winston   9/25/1850 William Hubbard   12/14/1852 Alexander G. Holden  6/21/1854 Samuel Q, Anderson  2/1/1855 William D. Cardwell  10/30/1856 John R. Moore   1/17/1857 Abner M. Fackler  2/23/1857 Joseph A. Travis   8/3/1859 William F. Hampton   1/10/1861 James A.  Prestwood  7/8/1865 John T. Jackson   10/17/1865 Thomas J. Latham  1/11/1866 John A. Gilcrist    9/14/1866 William Landrum    5/17/1867 William T. Wilson   4/15/1869 James A. Prestwood     11/28/1870 Isaac C. Reavis   11/3/1873 Mary A. Reavis   9/9/1876 John M. Glass   1/24/1887 Mary Drewry   6/18/1889 Edwinna Rogers   5/18/1893 John G. Parker   5/1/1897 Charles R. Eskrid  9/10/1901 John P. Gibbs    1/17/1907 R. E. L. Brasfield  1/18/1913 Charles A. Ogan   6/2/1922 Sam A. Winstead   9/30/1926  William H. Pritchett  9/1/1935 Carmen C. Bowlin  6/30/1958 Charlie L. Taylor   3/20/1971 Richard Gentry (OIC)  1/5/1984 Daniel D. Williams  4/14/1984 DUKEDOM  Postmaster   Effective Date Duke A. Beadles   7/30/1833 William Taylor    3/6/1846  To Graves County Kentucky From Graves County Kentucky Patrick H. Hughes  2/19/1852 Preston Wright   2/10/1853 James I. Gray 9/15/1857 Thomas J. Little 4/16/1866 William P. Taylor  12/4/1868 James A. Welch   6/13/1871 Alexander M. Clemens  5/10/1872 James A. Dobson  11/3/1873 Patrick H. Hughes  11/29/1873 H. H. Hopkins   5/5/1875 James H. Collier   5/5/1875 A. J. Wilkinson   9/25/1877 E. M. Taylor   1/4/1878 William T. Lovelace  3/19/1878 Curt H. Lovelace   8/16/1888 Alfred L. McCall   2/24/2892 Jacob W. Cole   6/30/1893 William S. Cavender  2/29/1896 Charlie H. Ross   12/22/1897 Alfred L. McCall   6/23/1904 John W. Welch   4/16/1914 Peter Cashon   2/1/1924 George T. Cunningham  5/22/1933 Albert A. McGuire  6/30/1952 James F. Darnell   4/30/1953 Richard W. Rose   11/2/1964 Louise B. Westbrook  7/2/1965  Howard K. Harris  10/17/1967 ELM TREE Postmaster   Effective Date Neander Y. Cavitt    8/8/1885 John F. Cavitt   6/11/1855 Neander Y. Cavitt  8/8/1855 James T. R. Legate   10/9/1866 Gilbert W. Hendrix  12/15/1870 Andrew Williams   12/9/1874 Amplome Williams  9/9/1899 Will Williams   3/23/1904 Sidney J. Roberts  3/31/1905 Discontinued   8/31/1905 Moved to Palmersville FANCY Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas J. Fowler  11/13/1902 William R. Fowler  1/17/1905 Discontinued    5/31/1907 Moved to Dresden FLEMING’S Postmaster   Effective Date  William Fleming    12/12/1827 Robert R. Gilbert  10/5/1836  Discontinued    10/6/1859 GARDNER Postmaster       Effective Date Name changed from Gardners Station William L. Ayers   29 Nov. 1882 David P. Caldwell  15 Jan. 1883 Willis Chambers   19 Nov. 1885 E. M. Carnell (hold)  20 Sep. 1889 William A. Mathews  25 Mar. 1892 Forrest L. Peeples  2 May, 1892 Lizzie Jackson   30 Jul. 1905 Druie P. Smith   4 Dec. 1906 James O. Rast   15 Jul. 1907 Forrest L. Peeples  2 Sep. 1920 Juliette M. Peeples  30 Jan. 1931 John A. Gardner   15 Jan. 1934 Discontinued   31 Jan. 1949 Moved to Martin GARDNERS STATION Postmaster  Effective Date George W. Bowden  4 Jun.1867 James P. Meadows  25 Sep. 1867 R. A. Jones   17 Jan. 1870 William W. Meadows  14 Jun. 1871 William L. Ayers   23 Jan. 1873 Name changed to Gardner  29 Nov. 1882 GARDNERSVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date  Richard M. Gardner  8 Jan. 1830 John A. Gardner   8 Sep. 1843 Discontinued    29 Dec. 1845  GLEASON Postmaster Effective Date  Name changed from Gleeson Station Samuel P. Cox   17 Jun. 1907 George P. Brummitt  11 Sep. 1914 John V. Allmon   8 Jun. 1922 Thomas E. Bell   31 Dec. 1934 George P. Brummitt  2 Jun. 1936 Willie L. Newberry  31 Dec 1951 Thomas E. Bell    31 Dec. 1952 Mrs. Ira K. Billington  31 Aug. 1953 Willie L. Newberry  27 Jul. 1956 Reuben P. Taylor  30 Nov. 1958 Robert L. Terrell   10 Feb. 1961 Bob S. Wray   14 Sep. 1962 GLEESON STATION Postmaster Effective Date Andrew J. Swain   6 Apr. 1867 J. P. Alexander    3 Apr. 1868 Hartwell J. Smellage  28 Sep. 1868 G. T. Blackwell   27 Apr. 1871 Elias D. Lasater    31 May 1871 William A. Swain  24 Apr. 1884 Henry D. Parker   10 Oct. 1884 Rebecca McGlothlin  5 May 1885  John J. Campbell   30 Mar. 1893 Henry L. Crowell  9 Apr. 1897 Henry M. Lawrence  4 May 1897 Wade H. Parks   27 Apr. 1905 Name changed to Gleason   GREENFIELD Postmaster  Effective Date Henry J. Pittman   12 Jan. 1874 Alvin E. Fisher   2 Jul. 1874 James A. Allen   18 Jan. 1875 James K. Polk   6 Dec. 1875 John W. Ward   26 July 1876 George R. Ward   20 Dec. 1877 B. T. Allen   2 Jun. 1879 Isaac H. Ward    11 Jun. 1879 R. W. Burton   23 Oct. 1882 Newton J. Holt    23 Jun. 1884 J. M. Davidson   3 Aug. 1885 Nannie W. Barton  30 Jan. 1889 William F. McKelvy  5 Apr. 1889 John L. Roark   6 Apr. 1893 Henry C. Neely   21 Apr. 1897 Stephen Farmer   27 Jun. 1902 M. G. Cox   21 Apr. 1910 Philip D. Harris   2 May 1914 Alvin M. Stout   16 Jan. 1923 William E. McAdams  6 Sep. 1935 George A. McAdams  1 Dec/ 1939 William J. Coats   16 Jun. 1959 Forrest Ferguson   28 Feb. 1961 Kenneth E. Stafford  20 Mar. 1971 HARMONY Postmaster  Effective Date Edmund P. Latham  1 May 1834 Discontinued   29 Dec. 1845 HYNDSVER Postmaster   Effective Date Arthur L. Hynds   17 Nov. 1898 Thomas F. Highfill  15 Mar. 1899 W. W. House   19 Dec. 1900 Andrew C. Davis   26 Jul. 1910 Discontinued   29 Apr. 1911 Moved to Martin IRVINE’S STORE Posmaster   Effective Date Name changed from Cullen Samuel Irvine    2/13/1838  Discontinued    9/22/1866 JEWELL  Postmaster   Effective Date William A. Fowler      19 May, 1900 Discontinued  31 Aug. 1905 Moved to Palmerville JONESVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date John E. Halford   16 Mar. 1854 Discontinuted   20 May, 1856 KIMERY Postmaster   Effective Date William Kimery  24 Feb. 1894 Walter A. Capps  2 Nov. 1900 Discontinued           31 Jul. 1903 Moved to Greenfield LATHAM Postmaster    Effective Date James H.D. Parrish     4 Sep. 1884 Emerson E. Carney      15 Jan. 1887 Richard W. Eskridge     3 Apr. 1888 Discontinued      1 Jul. 1895 Moved to Dresden John P. Allen    2 Nov. 1895 Charles H. Ross   10 Sep. 1897 John Green Autry  29 Jan. 1898 Albert J. Winsteadd  30 Apr. 1898 Discontinued    30 Apr. 1907 Moved to Dresden LATHAM’S MILL Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas J. Latham    2 Dec. 1855 Edward P. Latham    3 Jul. 1856 Discontinued     17 Mar. 1857 LIMBS Postmaster    Effective Date William E. Norman   3 Aug. 1887 Lafayette Harrison  22 Oct. 1890 Hiram E. Trout     20 Feb. 1891 Willie Wilson      13 Dec. 1894 Benjamin R. Simmons   10 Feb. 1896 Hettie L. Crook  14 Dec. 1896 William O. Waggener    5 Jan. 1898 Robert W. Simmons   4 Mar. 1903 Discontinued    31 Jul. 1903    M. to Sharon LOCUST GROVE Postmaster      Effective Date Samuel A. Warner   11 Apr. 1832 Edward Mosley    1 Apr. 1837 James Hornbeak    2 Jan. 1839 Nathaniel K. Jones   7 Jun. 1843 Enock Brock    11 Jul. 1845 Discontinued      22 Sep. 1866 Benjamin F. Brock    9 Nov. 1866 Discontinued    12 Oct. 1868 Benjamin F. Brock    29 Jan. 1872 James G. Allen   29 Jan. 1872 Samuel Baker   22 Jan. 1874 Discontinued     10 Apr. 1874

LOGAN Postmaster   Effective Date Ella Cantrell   26 May, 1900 Henry C. Pittman    8 Oct. 1904 Discontinued    15 July. 1905 Moved to Greenfield MARION Postmaster   Effective Date Name changed to Boyds Store, Kentucky Benjamin Blythe15 Feb. 1834 Name changed to Boydsville  1 Nov. 1837 MARTIN Postmaster   Effective Date Alexander M. Clemons     15 Dec. 1873 George C. Thomas  13 Nov. 1885 Neill B. Lovelace  25 July 1889 W. B. Gibbs   10 Oct. 1893 George W. Farmer  9 Jun. 1891 John S. Hornsby   30 Oct. 1901 W. H. Wilson   28 Apr. 1908 Vincent A. Biggs 16 Nov. 1912 C. B. Bowden   18 Jun. 1913 Matthew D. Duke  22 Jun. 1922 Malcolm D. Biggs   3 Jul. 1926 Paul H. Scates   18 Jun. 1934 James H. Smith   1 Oct. 1939 Fred D. Vowell   1 Apr. 1949 James H. Smith    31 Jan. 1950 Thomas C. Tucker   31 Oct. 1950 J. Howard Smith    2 Nov. 1962 Ralph N. Rogers  31 Jan. 1964 Donald D. Harton (OIC)   24 Feb. 1978 Norman E. Barnes (OIC)   19 Oct. 1978 Thomas L. Erwin   13 Jan. 1979 MEDA Postmaster     Effective Date Williamson F. Ellis     13 Nov. 1896 James H. Ellis  1 Mar. 1900 Discontinued  31 Aug. 1905 M. to Martin MERIDIAN Postmaster     Effective Date James B. Brasfind  16 Mar. 1895 Edwin E. Spears   28 Sep. 1896 William J. Jeter  29 Jan. 1901 Discontinued    31 Jul. 1903   M. to Greenfield MORENA  Postmaster    Effective Date Benjamin R. Simmons   9 Aug. 1887 John A. Brooks    17 Feb. 1890 Benjamin R. Simmons  5 Jun. 1894 Discontinued  12 July 1894   M. to Limbs MOUNT PELIA Postmaster   Effective Date Robert H. Waddy  14 Jul. 1851 Bradford Edwards  21 Jun. 1853 James Myer   13 Apr. 1854 Ephraim P. Knox   2 Nov. 1854 William Maxwell   7 Mar. 1860 Discontinued    8 Jul. 1867 Francis M. Tansil   18 Jun. 1877 George E. Bowden  11 Jul. 1879 Emerson C. Jackson   1 Sep. 1879 Alfred C. Miller    3 Mar. 1880 Albert J. Hall    6 Jun. 1881 Oscar T. Bullion   20 Jun. 1882 John S. Harrison   31 Dec. 1883 George W. Caudle  28 Oct. 1882 Sallie E. Stalls   20 Jul. 1885 Addie F. Young   25 Feb. 1891 Laura M. Carter   27 Mar. 1893 Name changed to Mountpelia   24 Feb. 1896 MOUNTPELIA Postmaster   Effective Date Name changed from Mount Pelia James Avery   24 Feb. 1894 James E. White   2 Mar. 1900 Stephen S. Pierce  29 Oct. 1901 Moses N. Covington  28 Oct. 1902 Discontinued   15 Jul. 1905   M. to Martin MOUNT WARREN Postmaster   Effective Date William Jones   24 Oct. 1849 Abner P. Cantrell   19 Dec. 1849 Discontinued   13 Dec. 1851 OAKWOOD Postmaster   Effective Date Joshua Hamilton   24 Feb. 1852 Alpheus King   1 Mar. 1854 Thomas H. Ray  23 Feb. 1855 Discontinued     7 Dec. 1855 OLD HICKORY Postmaster   Effective Date Abner Boyd   2 Nov. 1846 D. P. Caldwell   15 Feb. 1849 Discontinued   20 Jun. 1867 ORE SPRINGS Postmaster   Effective Date Eustace P. Baughman   9 Dec. 1892 E. A. Tatum    8 Sep. 1900 Ira J. Tatum   12 Nov. 1900 Discontinued   15 Jul. 1907       M. to Gleeson Station PALMER’S STORE Postmaster   Effective Date John W. Palmer   24 July 1850 James A. Palmer   15 Oct. 1851 Discontinued    3 Jan. 1855 PALMERSVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date Joseph W. Wescoat   8 Jul. 1874 Ella Dilts    5 Dec. 1877 Joseph W. Wescoat  23 Dec. 1878 John W. Bradley   28 Jan. 1879 William J. Burnett  16 Sept. 1882 Thomas M. Biggs  9 Feb. 1883 John W. Bradley   19 Jul. 1886 Mary F. Drake    4 Aug. 1888 John C. Hart   16 Dec. 1905 Chester H. Rawls  23 Mar. 1910 John M. Buckley   20 Jan. 1914 Charles H. Biggs   7 Nov. 1928 Hasel H. Davidson  31 Aug. 1955 Louis V. McAlpin   1 Aug. 1956 Karen L. Melton (OIC)   3 Apr. 1981 Hugh E. Brann   17 Oct. 1981 PALMERVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date John D. Palmer   20 Sep. 1847 Discontinued   16 Aug. 1849 PASCHELL’S Postmaster   Effective Date Jesse M. Paschell   5 Jan. 1833 Discontinued   14 Nov. 1835 PECK Postmaster   Effective Date Joseph F. Peck   11 May, 1891 William M. Smithson  29 Nov. 1892 Frances C.J. Cochran  27 Jan. 1893 Amanda Cochran   9 Jul. 1900 Francis C.J. Frfank  29 Apr. 1901 Discontinued   15 Jul. 1905     M. to Greenfield PHILLIPSVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas H. Phillips  16 Sep. 1850 Name changed to Oakwood   24 Feb. 1852 PIERCE’S STATION Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas M. Pierce  30 Apr. 1854 PILLOWVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date Robert Ury   1 Jul., 1846 W. L. McCutchen  4 Oct. 1850 Elijah W. Johnson  16 Feb. 1851 Isaac E. Scates   22 May, 1852 Robert G. Ezell   10 Feb. 1853 Isaac E. Scates   27 Dec. 1854 Andrew J. Swain   14 Mar. 1860 Discontinued   22 Sep. 1866 William P. Hill   4 Apr. 1888 H. J. Scates   20 Jun. 1894 John  P.M. Deck   17 Aug. 1894 Allen M. Dunlap   22 Apr. 1895 Discontinued   29 Feb. 1904    M. to McKenzie ROLAND SPRINGS Postmaster   Effective Date Alenxander H. Scates  19 Dec. 1855 James M. Drewry  9 Mar. 1858 Discontinued   30 Oct. 1860 James M. Drewry  12 Feb. 1861 Discontinued   12 Oct. 1868 POPLAR GROVE Postmaster   Effective Date Alexander Matson  19 Feb. 1833 Discontinued   9 Mar. 1833 RALSTON Postmaster   Effective Date Name changed from Ralston’s Station J. Green Hawks   1 Feb. 1949 Inez L. Hawks   1 May 1949 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1960    M. to Martin RALSTON’S STATION Postmaster   Effective Date Alexander R. House  22 Apr. 1861 Discontinued   22 Sep. 1866 Alexander R. House  15 Feb. 1867 Harvey Carmichael  26 Mar. 1867 A.E. Scott   24 Feb. 1871 Henry C. Draughan  17 Mar. 1873 R. H. Beard   20 Feb. 1874 William A. Roberts  10 Dec. 1874 Benjamin E. Dodd  16 Mar. 1881 Calvin W. Hawks  2 Oct. 1889 Benjamin E. Dodd   3 Mar. 1890 Zachariah D. Childress   27 Dec. 1893 Charles C., Templeto  21 Mar. 1903 Ernest L. Hardeman   23 Nov. 1904 Elisha L. Freeman   9 Mara. 1905 Sidney R. Ellis   27 Dec. 1912 J. Green Hawks   1 Jan. 1935 Name changed to Ralston   1 Feb. 1949 RINDA Postmaster   Effective Date Charles White   16 Nov. 1897 Edward H. Spann  23 Feb. 1899 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1903   M. to Greenfield RUTHVILLE Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas E. Morris  20 Feb. 1895 Theophilus N. Rawls   6 Jun. 1895 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1903     M. to Martin SHAFTER Postmaster   Effective Date George A. Hornbeak  21 Jul. 1898 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1903    M. to Greenfield SHARON Postmaster   Effective Date Charles W. Moore  26 Jan. 1874 Benjamin P. Moore   3 Feb. 1880 Charles W. Moore   3 Jan. 1882 Thomas A. McElrath  23 Jan. 1883 S.A. Smith    5 Sep. 1884 John w. Overton   6 Oct. 1884 Howson C. Bailey  14 May, 1886 George M. Terry   2 Oct. 1886 Benjamin T. Bondurant   1 May 1897 John A. Wilson   16 Jun. 1909 R.D. Hunt   18 Jun. 1913 John A. Wilson   24 Mar. 1922 Laura Wilson    5 Aug. 1926 Robert W. Simmons, Sr.   3 May 1927 James A. Horn   11 Jun. 1932 Robert W. Simmons, Sr.   1 Jul 1936 Robert W. Simmons, Jr.   1 Jun 1943 James Hamblen (OIC)  12 Feb. 1975 James M. Hamblen  26 Apr. 1975 SHIELDSBORG Postmaster   Effective Date Rowlan H. Galey   21 Feb. 1848 Discontinued   20 Sep. 1848 SIDONIA Postmaster   Effective Date William Wilson   14 Sep. 1900 Alonzo W. Harkey   5 Nov. 1902 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1903 Henry Atkins Hawkins   3 Nov. 1934 Julia S.  Tole   31 Dec. 1954 Discontinued   30 Jun. 1955   M. to Sharon TERRELL Postmaster   Effective Date James W. Terrell   16 Aug. 1889 Samuel E. Westcoat   2 Oct. 1893 Cora L. Westcoat  5 Jan. 1900 David A. Brewer   26 Mar. 1902 John S. Hazelwood  21 Mar. 1911 David A. Brewer   14 Apr. 1913 James W. Barnes   2 Dec. 1919 Gladys M. Shumate  17 Apr. 1922 Clara Callison   22 Oct. 1924 Annie E. Parrish   10 May 1935 Ada W. Gassaway  15 Oct. 1935 Mary D. Covington  31 Oct. 1950 Discontinued   31 Oct. 1953   M. to Martin TUMBLING Postmaster   Effective Date Thomas J. Bell   13 Jan. 1898 Discontinued   15 Mar. 1905    M. to McKenzie UBA Postmaster   Effective Date Arter L. Adams   14 Jun. 1894 John L. James   14 Feb. 1896 George Vowell    8 Jan. 1897 John L. James   26 May 1897 Discontinued   31 Jul. 1903    M. to Martin UNITY Postmaster   Effective Date Albert M. McGuire  26 Nov. 1889 Aaron W. Duke   22 Nov. 1893 David A. Frields   26 Mar. 1902 Discontinued   21 May, 1905    M. to Dukedom WILLINGHAM Postmaster   Eff. Date Isaac Willingham   22 May 1828 Joseph Wilson   27 Jan. 1829 Discontinued   20 Feb. 1830 WINSTON Postmaster   Effective Date David Winston   19 May 1836 Alpheus King   21 Sep. 1848 Phillip W. White   10 Sep. 1850 Samuel W. Overton  11 May, 1853 William V. Simms   9 Oct. 1860 Discontinued   20 Feb. 1867 John Jeeter   27 Feb. 1872 B.F. Parks    9 Jul. 1872 Discontinued   17 Sep. 1872

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History of the Greenfield United Methodist Church

 ORGANIZATION 

According to reference sources, Reuben EDMONSON, one of the first pioneers of Weakley County, believed the first organized church society in Weakley County was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church at his father’s house, on the North Fork of the Obion River, in 1823. 

In 1844, Bishop James ANDREW of Georgia, had inherited slaves from his first wife’s estate.  General Conference Delegates declared that he free the slaves.  Conference also stated that no Methodist could own slaves.  At this time, Georgia and most of the Southern states had a law stating that no slave could be freed.  Therefore the church split into the Methodist Episcopal Church, North and South. 

The Greenfield Methodist Episcopal Church, South was organized in 1887, possibly before the town was incorporated. The Greenfield Methodist Church, South began very much like the first American Methodist Societies.  History tells us that members of Mr. Wesley’s societies came to America and banded together in Methodist Societies because they felt the need of that organization, which meant so much to them in old England. 

As the little community of Greenfield grew, she brought together a group of people who dearly loved the Methodist Church.  For several years, this little band of Methodists were most anxious to have a church organized in Greenfield.  J. R. JONES, his family, relatives and friends were finally able, under the leadership of Rev. Finaly Bynum, to organize the church in June, 1887 with eleven members.

Those charter members were; J. R.JONES, Mrs. Fannie JONES, Mary Lou Jones, Toler JONES, J. R. HEATH, Mrs. M. J. HEATH, Roger BRASFIELD, L. Coke BRASFIELd, Mrs. Mary CARTER, Mrs. Lena BOWDEN, and William CARTER, who joined on profession of faith. 

Soon seven more members joined the church. They were; W. E. KIRBy, Sally KIRBY, Mrs. B. A. HUMMEL, I. S. SIMPSON, Mrs. B. A. SIMPSON, J. W. PERKINS and H. W. PERKINS. 

GROWTH 

A real growth took place in 1889.  Thirty-two members were added to the church roll and the first church was built. 

The present church lot was bought from R. W. (Bob) BARTON for $18.00 on July 9, 1889, with Roger B. BRASFIELD acting as the purchasing agent.  the first trustees were J. R. JONES, R. E. KIRKSEY, W. E. KIRBY, J. R. HEATH, W. R. HAWKS, W. B. WHITE and Roger B. BRASFIELD. The Building Committee for this first church was J. R. JONES, Roger BRASFIELD and J. R. HEATH.  Ben F. BROCK and his sons, of Brock’s Chapel, helped in the erecting of the Greenfield Church.  Many people who were not members of the church, donated money, labor and materials toward the erection of the straight, rectangular building. 

In the fall of 1889, the Annual Conference sent to Greenfield Bro. R. E. BRASFIELd, better known as “Bro. Bob”.  Bro. Bob was a brother to Roger BRASFIELD. During his three year ministry, forty-six members were added to the roll, bringing the membership to ninty-eight for the six year old church. 

The young church continued to show a remarkable growth.  During the ministry of Bro. Job R. BELL in 1893, one of the greatest revivals in the history of the church was held by Bro. Snell.  It was said that all of the cider in town was emptied out and that very little whiskey was found to be destroyed.  There were forty-one additions to the church and the effect of the revival must have continued, for in the year of 1894, Bro. J. T. C. COLLINS received thirty- seven into the membership of the church. 

Greenfield became a station in 1894 with the salary for the pastor set at $250.00 and $15.00 for the Presiding Elder. (This Presiding Elder is what we now call the District Superintendent).  It was said that this small salary was supplemented through the Benevolent offerings of the church. Bro. COLLINS was a scholar and brought to the Greenfield Church a new vigor and power.  An Epworth league was formed with about fifty members.  A new library was bought for the Epworth League and Sunday School, along with a new supply of hymn books.  This library consisted of over one hundred books.  Several volumes, of which, are today standards in Methodism.  It was at this time that they changed from choir singing to congregation singing. 

Bro. J. B. PEARSON came to the church in late fall, 1895.  He had the church roll corrected in December and found through death, transfer, etc., the church had lost sixty-five of the 185 members.  In 1896, Bro. PEARSON received forty-nine into the church. 

In 1897, Greenfield was an active and growing town.  There was a large number of people who were not members of any local church.  Bro. Henry C. JOHNSON received fifty-five into the church that year. 

Bro. Julian J. THOMAS was sent to Greenfield in 1898.  During his ministry of four years, eighty-nine members were added to the church membership. At this time, Greenfield M.E.C. was connected, not only with Brock’s Chapel, but also with Mt. Herman.  This arrangement lasted a few years.  This circuit had 279 members and paid the pastor $575.00 and the Presiding Elder $45.00.

Bro. Wellborn MOONEY came to the Greenfield Church in 1902, followed by Bro. E. B. GRAHAM in 1903.  Graham added several to the church roll. 

Bro. Julian J. THOMAS returned to the Charge in 1904.  Several meetings of the Board of Stewards were held that year to deal with the small church attendance.  It was decided therefore, to “Go and ask others to go with us”.  In 1904, the salary for the pastor was set at $700.00 and $55.00 for the Presiding Elder.  The church not only paid the amount of $172.00 asked for Benevolences, but overpaid it by $18.00. $200.00 was asked and paid for Benevolences in 1905.  Bro. THOMAS stated that only 116 of the members had paid on missions. 

REMODELING 

In these eighteen years, the Greenfield Church had grown from a small church of eleven members to one of over 200.  It had outgrown the first house of worship. For several years, the members had been discussing what should be done to the building.  Having decided that they could not afford a new building, they decided to remodel.  Rev. J. H. EVANS was sent to the Charge in 1906.  Under his leadership, action was soon taken toward remodeling. On Feb. 6, 1906, Thomas ALLEN, E. W. JETER and Roger BRASFIELD were appointed to raise the necessary funds for remodeling.  The building was changed to include two wings that were used for Sunday School rooms.  The building, including the old part, was painted and covered with a new roof. New pulpit furniture, windows, pers and carpets were bought.  The Ladies Aid Society paid $164.56 for the carpets.  All the expenses of remodeling were paid during 1906.  The total expenses were $1487.54.  Bro. W. W. Armstrong came to

During the first year of Bro. ARMSTRONG�s ministry, there was one of the greatest revivals in the history of the church.  In the middle of October, Bro. Gus KLEIN held a revival which resulted in many being saved and some joining the other local churches.  On Oct. 20, fifty-two joined the Methodist Church and the following Sunday, thirty more joined.   One hundred fourteen joined the church during Bro. ARMSTRONG�s first twelve months.  The average Sunday School attendance, for 1908, was 125.  The pastor was paid $1000.00 and the Presiding Elder, $100.00.  Bro. ARMSTRONG also organized two Epworth Leagues, as there had been one for almost five years. 

PARSONAGE 

About 1896, the ladies organized a Ladies Aid Society.  As has been the case not only in Greenfield, but with most churches, the ladies took the lead in having a parsonage built and furnishing it.  It is believed that Bro. J.B. PEARSON was the first pastor to live in the Greenfield parsonage. This white frame house met the needs of the pastors and their families until it was destroyed by fire in 1908.  The pastors then had to live around in different houses that were rented most of the time by the church.  Although, sometimes the pastors had to pay rent themselves. 

In 1915, the house, was bought from Harry Ward for $1500.00.  This place was later sold at a profit and a house was bought from Mrs. D.E. Brock, in 1924, for $2200.00.  This building housed the pastors and their families until 1956 when, weary with age, it had to be replaced.  A three bedroom brick was built at this time. 

FIRE AND REBUILDING 

On Monday afternoon, Oct. 26, 1908, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam BAKER burned, causing the next house, that of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin COATS to catch fire.  From that, the Methodist Church and parsonage caught.  The pews, pulpit furniture and other furnishings were saved from the church.  A good part of the parsonage furniture was also saved.  The insurance on both buildings was $2200.00.  This was used in the rebuilding of the church. 

On the Sunday after the fire, the congregation met for services in the old Opera House which was above what was once Radford’s Grocery, then Bland’s Grocery.  This building, located at Front and East Main St., has since been torn down.  The meeting of the congregation and the sermon by Bro. ARMSTRONG was long to be remembered.  At this time a large sum of money was raised for the rebuilding of the church. Later, until the new church was completed, the congregation worshiped in the Coats building, now occupied by the City Florist. 

The Building Committee for the new church consisted of the pastor, W.W. Armstrong, Chariman, D.E. Brock, Secretary and Treasurer, Thomas Allen, E.W. Jeter, J.R. Fawlkes and Roger Brasfield.  Ruben A. Heavner, of Jackson, was employed to draw plans for the new church.  He did so, building the church on a smaller, but similar plan to that of the Union City Methodist Church. 

The church was finished in plenty of time to entertain the Annual conference of 1909…..   The church was dedicated at the Conference of 1909 by Bishop E.R. Hendrix. When the church parsonage burned, many of the members felt greatly discouraged, but it is doubtful that the membership could, at any time have built as easy as it did in 1909.  The church had never been stronger than it was then. 

CONTINUED LIFE AND GROWTH 

From the years 1887 to 1909, there was a great deal of fine timber to be had around Greenfield and the sawmills and the Box Factory, employed many men and bought and sold a lot of timber. For the next ten years, we find a somewhat different story.  The timber business had slackened and the Box Factory was changing hands and going out of business. 

The difficulties of the church for the next ten years was a reflection of the conditions that every business and person in Greenfield was experiencing.  Many of the best members of the church had to leave Greenfield to find jobs. 

The Conference, which Greenfield had so royally entertained in 1909, moved Bro. ARMSTRONG and sent Bro. J.W. WATERS, who labored faithfully for one year and received sixteen members into the church. 

In the late fall of 1910, Bro. C.H. HILLIARD was sent to Greenfield.  He received thirteen members into the church.  Only $750.00 was paid to the pastor that year.  The Epworth Leagues were discontinued and Sunday School attendance fell off. 

The Conference, of 1911, sent Bro. E. H. STEWARD as the pastor.  Progress was made toward paying off the church debt.  A revival was held, which resulted in thirty conversions, though only fifteen joined the church during the year…. 

During the ministry of Bro. R. B. FREEMAN, a decided improvement was made in the church.  The Epworth league was reorganized, and in 1914, a great revival was held at Brock’s Chapel which resulted in fifty-six joining the church.  The matter of a parsonage was beginning to take form and the collection for the Benevolent Interests of the church was greatly improved.  Rev. S.M. GRIFFIN was appointed to the Charge for the years 1915 and 1916.  It was at this time that the parsonage was bought and almost paid for.  The church debt was also paid.  Bro. GRIFFIN worked faithfully with the young people as well as the adults to bring the church up to what it should be.  For the next two years, Bro. Ben T. FUZZELL was the pastor.  The church seemed to be in a more stable condition than at any time since 1910. 

In 1919, Bro. W.G. NALL was sent to Greenfield and Brock’s for two years….. 

BETTER DAYS 

With the coming of Bro. J. W. CARNELL to the Charge, in the fall of 1920, a new life, joy and power was found in the whole church.  The Epworth League was again organized and good crowds were in constant attendance for the services of the church.  On one Sunday, 170 people attended Sunday School.  During the first year, Bro. CARNELL received eighty-two into the membership of Greenfield and Brock’s Chapel.    Bro. Carnell also had a boy scout troupe of fifty members.  He gave a lot of attention to the children and young people. 

Bro. O.C. WRATHER served the Charge during 1924.  As was always the case with Bro. WRATHER, he did his work in a quiet but efficient manner. 

The Conference of 1924 sent to Greenfielcl Bra. E.P. McDaniel who had a most successful year. The Church was greatly disappointed when Bro. McDaniel moved at the end of his first year. 

Bro. T.C. MCKELY was the next pastor sent to the Greenfield Charge in 1925. At the close of his first year, Greenfield had a membership of 176 and Brook’s Chapel had 91. The Woman’s Missionary Society was extremely active under the leadership of Mrs. MCKELVY. 

The Annual Conference of 1926 sent Bro. A.G. MELTON to the Greenfield Charge. He was to stay for the full four years.  Bro. Melton re-organized the Epworth League which had not been functioning for several years. 

The Conference of 1930, sent Bro. K.G. DUNN for two years. Bro. DUNN was known all over the Conference as one of the strongest preachers they had. It was in these years of 1931-32 that the Depression was at its hardest. If the financial condition had not been as it was, most likely his ministry would have been one of the best in the history of the Church. He received twenty-four members into the Church. 

Both banks in town had to close or re-organize and the people were very discouraged. Because of the awful financial conditions, the leaders of the Church thought it best to form double station with either Sharon or  Bradford. This attempt at a double station was not sucessful. Others realized conditions of 1932 would not last long. 

In the fall of 1932 Bro. Wayne A. LAMB and his wife came to minister to the needs of the Church. He would be the third pastor to serve the Greenfield Methodist Church for the full four years.  Bro. LAMB received 113 members into the Church during his four years. Every department of the Church received renewed strength as a result of Bro. LAMB’s dedication and hard work. 

Practically no repairs had been done to the Church building since it was built. During Bro. LAMB’s ministry, a furnace was installed, a new roof covered the church and the interior redecorated.

Bro. B.J. RUSSELL was sent to Greenfield in the fall of 1936. While here, their son died. Because of the severe weather during the winter, they were not able to do the work they would have liked. Bro. RUSSELL retired after serving Greenfield for one year. 

The Conference, of 1937, appointed Rev. James T. WALKER to Greenfield. The Epworth League was again organized, Sunday School and church attendance was up. The financial situation was in good condition and over twenty-five people joined the church during Bro. WALKER’s ministry. 

No reason was given for not having a fiftieth anniversary celebration, but a fifty-first was held Oct. 30, 1938. According to an old bulletin, this celebration was attended by many people. One being former pastor, W.W. ARMSTRONG, who gave the morning sermon. Former pastor, C.D. HILLIARD, sent his best wishes for the celebration. 

A musical program, held that night, listed many singers. among those listed was a quartet of LAMBUTH COLLEGE STUDENTS. Duets were sung by may HOLLADAY and Barney HUMMEL; Earl J. SULLIVAN and G. W.  TUCKER; Mary Alice RACHEL and George HARRIS. Vocal solos were sung by Rev. W.T. BARNES and Bob FERGUSON. Although no names were given as to who they were, the “Greenfield Quartet” was also listed. Mrs. Mamrnon DESHONG was the pianist. 
 
 

CHANGED NAME 

In 1939, the Methodist Protestant Church, along with the Methodist Episcopal Church, merged with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South to become The Methodist Church. The war between the North and South, in the Methodist Church at least, had at last been forgotten. 

The Annual Conference, of 1939, sent to Greenfield one of the most loved ministers to ever serve the Charge. Bro. W.T. BARNES and his wife Frances did their utmost for the spiritual life of the church. They worked faithfully with the young people of the Epworth League. Bro. Barnes served the Charge longer than any pastor in the history of the church. 

No records exists as to the next four pastors, except to say who they were and the years served. These were, T.S. RIDDICK, 1946-47; W.C. MOORE, 1947-48; E.C. MCCASHIN, 1948-49; Vernon C. BANKS, 1949-50.

In 1948, Mrs. Lyndell HARRIS presented an electric Hammond Organ to the church in memory of her father, G,J. BRASFIELD, one of the forefathers of our church, and her son George D. HARRIS.  Bro. T.C. Brown came to Greenfield in June, 1950. There was no carpet in the sanctuary at this time, only runners. A carpet was laid in 1951…….. 
 
 

TRAGEDY and BLESSINGS 

Christmas Day night, 1977, proved to be both a tragedy and, in a way, a blessing for the members of the Greenfield Church. A tragedy that the sixty-eight year old church burned to the ground and a blessing that it pulled the members together in a way they had never been before…… 

The fixtures, such as pews, windows, pulpit, pianos, alters, etc., have been donated by the members. Some of these were donated in memory or in honor of members of their family……… 

During the two and one-half years they were without a church home, the members met and worshipped at the Greenfield High School……

The Consecration Services were held May 18, 1980, at 11100 A.M. Bishop Earl G. HUNT, Jr. and District Superintendent, Dr. Frank BULLE attended and helped Bro. CARPENTER in conducting the services. 

Note: The above are extracts from the original document….MaryCarol 2002

REFERENCES 

Life and Times of Greenfield 
The Story of American Methodism 
Souvenir Booklet and Bulletin of 5l st Anniversary of the Greenfield Methodist Church 
Bulletin of May 18, 1980 Dedication Services of the Greenfield Methodist Church 
 

 

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1860 Weakley County Map

Civil Districts 1-18

This is the 1860 map with District 2 added – District 2 went to Obion County in 1870. Each Civil District has been colored to see it better. Submitted by Phillip Lee Sanders.

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1836 Map of Weakley County, Tennessee

We thank the Isaac Dawson Chapter NSDAC for their work in preparing this map for their book, Neighbors in Weakley County, Tennessee – Land Ownership Map 1827-1833 and for permission to post it on our Weakley website.

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Civil Districts 1-25

Weakley County, Tennessee

U.S. Census years 1920-1930

Garry Brown found a Map in the State Archives with the Civil Districts of Weakley County, Tennessee for the year 1950. It looks like it would be the same for U.S. Census years 1920 & 1930, and maybe 1910 also. Many thanks to Gary for sharing. I have played with it, adding District numbers, so you can see a little better and also added the towns of Greenfield, Sharon, Martin and Dresden.

You can compare it to our Maps of 1870 and 1880 which had 18 Civil Districts to see where districts 19 thru 25 were made. There is no District 21.

This map has the District lines plus major roads & railroads. The North Fork of the Obion River is still the Southern border line for Districts 17, 13, and 1. It the Northern border for districts 3, 2, 20, 4, 25, and 5. The Middle Fork of the Obion River is bordered on the North by districts 19, 8, 7, 24, and 6. It is bordered on the South side of River by districts 22, 9, 10, 23, and 11. The South Fork of the Obion River is really off the map but is bordered on the North side of river by districts 22, 9, 15, and 16.

I hope this helps you see in what part of Weakley County your kinfolk lived…..MaryCarol

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