Transcribed by Janette West Grimes
August 12, 1954
* CAL’S COLUMN *
Box 55
Venedocia, Ohio
July 26, 1954
Cal's Column
MACON COUNTY TIMES
Lafayette, Tenn.
My Dear Editor:
A friend once said:
"Genealogy either sets you on fire, or leaves you cold." Although
some people may not appreciate your contribution to posterity, those who have
searched long and hard will bless your name.
An acquaintance sent me a
copy containing your Column. Have you ever published any PEPPLE-PEPPEL data? In
my effort of seven years of continuous searching to find some trace of my great
great grandfather, Thomas Pepple, born about 1785 and, according to family
traditions "killed by Indians, going to or coming from Virginia in
1818." I have become national historian for all Pepple-Peppel branches.
Thomas Pepple-Peppel married
"Polly" Mary Chew, daughter of Coleby and Rebecca Rees Chew of near
Winchester, Virginia. Mary was a granddaughter of Major James Chew and Mary
(Caldwell) Chew.
Thomas was probably a son of one
of the five 1790 Taneytown, Maryland Pepples. He and Mary married before 1810.
( I will pay the first person sending marriage record.), and then had (at
least): John William Pepple born 1810; Morris Rees Pepple born 1815; Coleby
Pepple, Rebecca Pepple born 1818. Polly remarried, perhaps even before the last
Pepple child, Emily, was born, to Andrew Davis (d) sson ( I will pay the first
person sending marriage record.)
Since Polly's maternal aunts,
the Rees's, came up through Tennessee, I am hoping some Pepple records are
there. I am enclosing a dollar to pay for any postage, etc.
Hopefully,
Mrs. Beryl Pepple
Monroe
P. S. I have my Chew line completed. Major James was a brother of the
1st Colby Chew, who was with Dr. [Thomas] Walker when they discovered
Cumberland Gap. How could Thomas Pepple marry into such a prominent family and
stay so completely lost?
Editor’s reply: I am publishing the above letter in full in the
hope that some reader of the Times can furnish some ingormation to Mrs. Monroe.
I am sending her the paper for four months for the dollar she sent me for
postage, as I make no charge for research work postage.
In looking over my old records,
I find not a single member of the Pepple family. I fing the following
concerning the Pepples family: Mattie E.
M. Batey, born July 23, 1873; married to I. R. Pebbles, April 12, 1899.
Children born: Wm. B. Peebles, born Feb. 10, 1901; Sarah A. Peebles, born Sept.
13, 1902, died Dec. 3, 1902; Melvin Peebles, born Dec. 13, 1903; Jennie M.
Peebles, born Sept. 30, 1905; Mollie W. Peebles, born Jan. 5, 1907; Precious
Tabbie Peebles, born Nov. 30, 1909; Isham R. Peebles, born Nov. 25, 1913.
Wm. W. Hart married Laura
Peebles. No date given.
Paul DeWitt married Jennie
Harrison Peebles Nov. 18, 1909. No place or location given.
Wm. Hill, son of Rev. Green
Hill was born Jan. 24, 1792, and married Nancy Peebles. Their son, Richard
Hill, was a Methodist minister and formerly belonged to the Memphis Conference.
Nancy Evelyn Batey, born Apr.
12, 1861, married David Mitchell Peebles.
Matthew Taylor married Rachel
Peeples.
J. H. Peebles born June 1,
1868, died July 9, 1918 and is buried in the Harding lot of the Spring Hill
Cemetery near Nashville, Tennessee.
In the old Municipal Cemetery
at Franklin, Tenn. are buried: Peebles infant and Mary C. Peebles.
The following is from J. H.
Peebles in 1909: "Sacred to the memory of Israel P. Davis of Waxhaw,
Mecklemburg County, North Carolina, who on returning home from visiting the
western district of Tennessee, departed this life Nov. 5, 1826; age 45
years." The above is a copy of the inscription on one of the early tombs
in the Matthews Cemetery, near Columbia, Tenn., near the present home of T. H.
Neeley. This was originally the home of Esq. John Matthews who gave the
cemetery grounds and whose descendants have composed some of the best
citizenship of Maury County.
"The traveling companion
of Mr. Davis was my father Richard Pebbles, of Mecklenburg County, N. C. The
two friends had traveled through the mountains of Western North Carolina and
West Tennessee as far as the Chickasaw Bluffs, the site of the present city of
Memphis. On their return home, they stopped on a Saturday night at the home of
their mutual friend and former neighbor, John Matthews, to rest, and to resume
their journey on Monday morning.
Here, far from home and
family, Mr. Davis was taken seriously ill; and, after some days in spite of the
tender care of friends, tried and true, he died and his remains were laid to
rest in the cemetery nearby, there to rest until the resurrection. With
feelings of sadness and lonliness that can easily be imagined, but cannot be
expressed, my father resumed the homeward journey alone, taking with him the
horse and saddle and saddle-bags and other valuables of his deceased friend to
break the sad news to his family.
Some years afterwards the
family removed to Maury County, Tenn. and settled near Bigbyville, became
identified with the Associate Reformed Church at Hopewell, filling useful and
honored placed in church and state. Among these many will remember the late
James Davis, whose home was the present farm of Jonas T. Amis. He was long a
ruling elder in Hopewell church, and a highly esteemed citizen of the county.
He, with his two wives and several sons and daughters, lie in God's Acre near
the spot where his father, Israel Davis, was laid 83 years ago. Quite a number
of other relatives and descendants sleep near his grave.
"Oftimes in my boyhood
days here, I hear my father tell of the incidents of that trip, of the sickness
and death and burial of his traveling companion, Mr. Israel Davis and of his
sad and lonely journey homeward, all of which occurred eight years before my
birth and 83 years ago. November 1909. John Peebles." This account of the
Matthews Cemetery was furnished by Mrs. Oscar Noel and copy of record was made
by Mrs. J. F. Draughon, members of Cumberland Chapter, D. A. R., Nashville,
Tenn.
Now we do not know that the
names Pepple or Peebles were once one and the same, and we may have no
information on the above that will help Mrs. Monroe, but we give the above in
the hope that some information may be helpful.
On the Rees family, we have
next to nothing. However, if the family is the same as the Reese and Reece
family, we have a lot of information. We give now what we have on the Rees
family. On Dec. 23, 1852, in Richmond, Va., Rev. R. B. C. Howell, a Baptist
Minister, performed the marriage of Austin Gibbons and Miss Mary Rees. The same
minister performed the marriage of David Rees and Miss Virginia Chilton in
Nashville, Tenn. on Oct 28, 1859. Henry Hart Cartwright and America Forester
Rees were married on Dec. 8, 1915 at eight P. M. in the Presbyterian Church,
Winchester, Ky. by the pastor, Rev. Cummins. Thus our record of the Rees
family, with that particular spelling ends. We wish we had more, but this is
all we have.
In 1775, according to the Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, David
Reece signed the Mecklenburg Resolutions, declaring the indipendence of our
American people. Other signers were: Hezekah Alexander, Adam Alexander, Charles
Alexander, Ezra Alexander, Waightstill Avery, Ephraim Brevard, Hezekiah Jones
Balch, Richard Barry, Henry Downs, John Davidson, William Davidson, John
Flenniken, John Ford, William Graham, James Harris, Richard Harris, Senr.,
Robert Irwin, William Kennon, Neill Morrison, Matthew McClure, Samuel Martin,
John Phifer, Ezekiel Polk, Benjamin Patton, Duncan Ocheltree, John Queary,
William Wilson, and Zaccheus Wilson, Sr.
James Reese voted for the
information of the State of Franklin in 1784, according to Ramsey's Annals of
Tennessee, page 288. This James Reese was from Greene County in East Tennessee.
This same James Reese was a member of the Legislature of the new state of
Franklin. He was considered a great patriot in his day and time, a man of
piety, ability and the highest character. He was admitted to the Knox County,
Tenn. Court on June 16, 1792. When and where he died, we do not know.
William B. Reese was another
early prominent Tennessean. In the 1850's, he was president of the East
Tennessee Historical and Antiquarian.
The only Reese living in
Smith Co., Tenn. in the 1820 census was Jeremiah. He had two males under ten,
two from 10 to 16 years old, one male from 18 to 26, and himself, above 45
years old. Females were: One from 10 to 16, three from 16 to 26, and his wife,
above 45. He owned at that time, one slave.
In the census for Smith
County for 1830, I find one William B. Reese, living, we would judge from his
neighbors, on Dixon's Creek, not far from Dixon Springs, Tenn. His neighbors
were Cyrus W. Brevard, Herod Hargis, Coleby Stapp, James Parker, Thomas
Wilburn, William Payne, Jeremiah Gammon, James D. Hammock and Robert Wilburn.
He had in his family in that year, 124 years ago: One male from 10 to 15, one
from 15 to 20, and one from 40 to 50, himself, no doubt. His females were: One
female from 15 to 20, one from 20 to 30, and one from 40 to 50, Mrs. Reese, we
presume.
In the Smith County census
for 1850, we find the following heads of Reece families: Hubbard W. Reece, John
Reece, Randolph Reece, Tilman Reece, James T. Reece, Josiah Reece, Williamson
Reece, and Wm. Reece.
Judging from the neighbors of
these various Reece families, we would say that all of them except Wm. Reece
were living 104 years ago on the present Defeated Creek. Wm. is referred to
above as probably living on Dixon's Creek, and the census of 1850 confirms us
in that view.
Josiah Reece in 1850 was 42
years of age and was born in N. Carolina. His wife was Elizabeth P. Reece, aged
33 years. Their children were: William H., ten; Martha J., 8; John O., 7;
Miles, 5; David C. L., 3.
Hubbard W. Reece was born in
Tennessee in 1817. His wife was Matilda, born in 1824; in Tenn. Their children:
Mary J., 7; John M., 5; Amanda E., 2; and Elizabeth, eight months old.
John Reece was born in North
Carolina in 1767. In his family were: Tempy, 35; Wade H., 13; Leroy, 10; Wm.
R., 8; Caleb, 12; Emily J., 5; and Tabby, 1.
Randolph Reece was born in
North Carolina in 1804. His wife, Mary, was born in Tenn. in 1815. Their
children were: Henry, 11; Sarah J., 8; Eliza M., 4; Rhoda Harper, 18; and
Emeline, 16. All the children were born in Tennessee.
John Reece was born in North
Carolina in 1803. His wife, Sally, was born in the same state ten years later.
Their children were: William, 16; Elias S., 14; Lurana, 12; Abraham, 9; Luther,
8; Rough and Ready, two months old. This is exactly as the census records of
1850 for Smith County, Tenn. have the name of the youngest child of John and Sally
Reece.
Tilman Reece, born in North
Carolina in 1798; wife, Sallie Reece, born in North Carolina in 1800. Children:
Lavinia, 21; Martha, 18; Elizabeth, 13; Jerry, 11; Andrew Reece, 8; and
Parthenia, 7.
Martha Reece, born in North
Carolina, in 1764. Living in her home were the following: Tempy Hewitt, born in
North Carolina, in 1797; Elias Reece, born in N. Carolina, 1815; Jane Reece,
39, born in Tennessee. Judy Reece, born in Tenn. in 1831; Moses Givens, born in
Tenn. in 1832; Champion Dial, 7; and James Dial, 5.
James T. Reece, born in N.
Carolina in 1814. Wife, Elizabeth born in Tenn. in 1820; and their child,
Bransford Reece, aged four years. In the same family lived Wesley Searcy, 22,
and born in Tennessee and Barbara Searcy, two years younger.
Williamson Reece was born in
North Carolina in 1803. His wife, Mary was born in North Carolina in 1812.
Children: John, 17; Merlin, 14; Jefferson, 11; Penelope, 10; Ozias, 7; Paul, 5;
and Manda, 14.
The last Reece I find in the
census records of Smith County for 1850 was William Reece, bur we doubt if he
was related to the North Carolina group which has just been given. Wm. Reece
was born in Virginia in 1820. His wife, Celia, was born in Tennessee in 1819.
Their children: Eliza, 9; Tabitha, 8; William A. Reece, 7; Samuel, 5; Byrd, 3;
and Richard, one year old.
Now I do not know that the
name Reese or Reece is the family alluded to in the heading of this article.
Mrs. Monroe can let us know if the names are the same. If they are, we have
much additional information as to the family under the spelling Reece or Reese.
______________________________
This Article
Appeared In The Times
But Was Not
Actually In Cal’s Column
________
Rev. Calvin Gregory
Macon County
Lafayette, Tennessee
Dear Rev. Gregory:
First, may we send you a
belated, but Sincere Hearty Congratulations on your birthday which, we noted in
our last issue of your interesting paper, was on July 8th? We note that we have
but one and one half more years on this "terrestrial ball" as we will
be 65 on November 12th. It really doesn's seem so long, can well remember when
I thought that 40 was getting old and that everyone who was 60 was really an
old timer. In spite of several heart attacks, and forced retirement in April
1947, I still don't think of myself as too old a man.
Also noted that you had
received a nice letter from your brother. What a blessing to have a member of
your family still alive. At 37, I was the last of my immediate family. It is
almost hard not to envy those who have some of their family still around. How
fortunate you are. Again, Congratulations.
There was one item that we
mentioned in our above letter in which we are still interested, the book,
ROSSIANNA. We have been told that this book has some data on our Reed ancestors
that we are lacking, and would like so much to get. Here is the data on the
book: ROSSIANA: Written and published by Major Harmon Pumpelly Read.
Printed by the Argus Company of Albany, New York in 1908. 300 copies were printed and it shouldn't be too hard
to find back in the middle west and east.
Rev. Gregory, we were wondering if you have seen, or have access to, ROSSIANA. We would like to borrow it and would be glad to put up a normal deposit to guarantee its return. Or, if it has data on my John Reed born April 6, 1764 in or near Philadelphia, we would be glad to purchase a copy at a fair price.
We thank you for any
suggestions or help in finding this ROSSIANA.
Very
sincerely,
T. Howard Groves
[ Editor's note. We thank Mr.
Groves for his nice letter. We appreciate his good wishes on our attaining our
63rd milestone in life. As to the book, we have never seen it. We will keep an
eye open for it. As to his John Reed, we may be able to find something soon. If
so, we shall be glad to pass it along to Prof. Groves. Thanks again for the
nice letter.]
__________________________
This Article
Appeared In The Times
But Was Not
Actually In Cal’s Column
Ringgold, Ga.,
August 2, 1954
Elder Calvin Gregory,
Dear Sir:
I notice my paper is out,
and, as I can't read much, I will ask you to cancel it. I read all of it and
have enjoyed it more than any other paper, as Cousin Alex Jenkins sent me the
history of the Hargis family. From the paper I have learned all my kinfolks,
mostly distant cousins.
My mother was Vesta Hargis,
daughter of Washington Hargis. I had a letter from Felix not long ago. He is
the only living uncle I have. I am 73 years old. Wishing you and yours the best
of everything, I will close.
Bertha Jones
[ Editor's note. We are sorry
to lose Mrs. Jones from our list of subscribers; but, as she is not able to see
to read very much, we give her up. We hope that she may write to us again.
Felix Hargis is the uncle to whom she referred.]