Early Wilson County TN Settlers; Robert Powell Carver's Genealogy Records Collection - rpc1.html

Notes from
The Genealogy Records Collection of

ROBERT POWELL CARVER
rpc1.html

Early Wilson County TN Settlers
Email: [email protected]




X-Message: #1
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: TNWILSON-List
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Early Wilson County TN Settlers

Since many are interested, the following is copied from Goodspeed's History of Wilson Co., TN, p. 840ff: [In the first two paragraphs I have omitted the number of acres listed]

"The following years between 1780 and 1790: William Ray, Isadore Skerett, James Kennedy, Cornelius Dabney, John Burton (Barton?), John Williams, John Conroe (?), Hardy Murfree, Nicholas Conroe (?), Thomas Evans, John Davidson, Stephen Merritt, James C. Mountflorence, John Kain, Walter Allen, Redmond T. Barry, William Hogan, Andrew Bostane.

"Between 1790 and 1800P: Robert Stewart, Jonathan Green, John Boyd, Philip Shankler, John Haywood, William Lytle, Alexander Mebane, Jeremiah Hendricks, James Rogers, John Brown, William Fleming, Bennett Searcy, Ambrose Jones, Edward Harris, Henry Barnes, George Kennedy, Jacob Patton, Reeves Porter, James Menees, Thomas Evans, Gideon Pillow, Delilah Roberts, David DOuglas, Johnson Hadley, Joseph Cloyd, Daniel Wilbourn, James Barron, Vachel Clark, Jesse Cobb, Samuel Churchhill, Boyd Castleman, Ephraim Peyton, Alexander Denny, William Hogan, Willie Cherry, Archibald Lytle, Lazarus James, John Wright, Henry Ross, John Dabney, William Martin, David Gibson, Thedford and George Brewer, John Boyd, Jr., Samuel Barton and Absolum Tatum.

"Many of the above never became settlers of the county, and numbers of the pioneers of Wilson County purchased of them the lands on which they settled. The first settlement of Wilson County was made in the year 1797 at Drake's Lick, near the mouth of Spencer Lick Creek on Cumberland River which was afterward the northeast corner of Davidson County, by WILLIAM McCLAIN and JOHN FOSTER.

Two years later, JOHN FOSTER, WILLIAM DONNELL and ALEXANDER BARKLEY made a settlement on Spring Creek, seven miles southeast of the present town of Lebanon. During the same year settlements were made on Hickory Ridge, five miles west of Lebanon, by JOHN K. WYNN(E) and CHARLES KAVANAUGH, both of whom came from North Carolina, and on the waters of Round Lick Creek by WILLIAM HARRIS and WILLIAM McSPADDEN, of North Carolina, and JAMES WRATHER and SAMUEL KING of Virginia, and also on the waters of Spring Crek about eight miles south of Lebanon by JOHN DOAK, JOHN FOSTER, DAVID MAGATHEY, ALEXANDER BRADEN, the DONNELLS, and probably others....

"From 1799 the settlement of the county was rapid. The lands lying on the waters of the various creeks being the richer and easier of cultivation were naturally the first setled, and hence in giving the following list of names on the early settlers they have been grouped into creek neighborhoods.

"On Barton's Creek: Charles Blaylock, ELijah Trewitt, Levi Holloway, Henry Shannon, Snowden Hickman, William Eddings, THomas Moss, Eleazer Provine, John Lane, Byrd Wall, William Thomas, Samuel Wilson, George Swingler (note, name is actually Swingley), John Goldston, Benjamin Eskew, Jeremiah Still, Thomas Sypert, George Wynn(e), Benjamin WIneford (note, actually Winford), William Peace, James Mayes, John Cage, Alexander Chance, Jacob Martin, Henry Reed, William Elkins, James Menees, John Allcorn, Thomas Congers, and probably others.

"On Spring Creek: James Cannon, Solomon Marshall, James Chappell, Walter Carrouth, Martin Talley, George Alexander, Joseph Moxley, Hugh Morris, Bartlett Graves. Spencer Talley, John Forbes, William Bartlett, William Sherrill, John Stembridge, Josiah Smith, Alligood Wallard (note, actually Woollard), Thomas Williams, Purnell Hearn, John Jones, John Walsh, Samuel Elliott, Benajmin Mottley, Richard Hawkins, Gregory Johnson, William Steele, Henry Chandler, Arthur Dew, Daniel Cherry, Adam Harpole and others.

"On Cedar Creek: Hugh Roane, John Provine, Alex Aston, Samuel Calhoun, Perry Taylor, John L. Davis, Mathew FIgures, David Billings, Irwin Tomlinson, Joseph Trout, Hooker Reeves, Nathan Cartwright, Lewis Chambers, Andrew Swan, William Harris, William Wilson and Joseph Weir.

"On Spencer Creek: John Walker, William White, Brittain Drake, Lewis Kirby, William Gray, Joel Echols, Robert Mitchell, Philip Koonce, James McFarland, Moore Stevenson, Jere Hendricks and Richard Drake.

"On Cedar Lick Creek: Theophilus Bass, Clement Jennings, John Everett, John Gleaves, Reuben Searcy, Joshua Kelley, James Everett, James H. Davis, Thomas Davis, Howell Wren, William Rose, Edmund Vaughn. George SMith, Harmon Hays and Daniel Spicer."

* * * *

If this is of interest, I shall be happy to post the listings for Cumberland RIver, Stoner Lick Creek, Suggs Creek, Sinking Creek, Pond Lick Creek, Creek, Call Creek, Smith Fork, Round Lick Creek.

Bob ye olde prof


X-Message: #2
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Early Wilson County Settlers

Donna, your family may have lived in that part of Sumner Co. which became Wilson.

The will of NANCY BOWERS, dated April 19, 1815, probated August 18, 1815 [W&I, 1814-1819, p. 39] mentions son, RIGHT J. BOWERS, daughter, ELIZABETH BOWERS, daughter, RACHEL BOWERS, son, IRA E. EASON, executor. Witnesses to the will were ELI E. EASON and PHEBE EASON

I have abstracts of the estate of GILES BOWERS and JESSE BOWERS.

I have abstracts of the estate of ALEXANDER EASON, ELI E. EASON, IRA E. EASON, JAMES EASON, JAMES E. EASON,JESSE EASON, MARTHA EASON, REDDICK EASON and ROBERT EASON.

Bob ye olde professor


X-Message: #4
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Granville County, NC > Wilson County TN>Morgan/Madison Co. AL

Nell,
There were MERRITT families in Wilson County, TN, who were among the first settlers. MERRITT families came from Franklin Co., NC. I have estate records for JOHN MERRITT (d. 1825) and THOMAS J. MERRITT (d. 1839), both Wilson Co.
Also info from Franklin Co., NC.

Bob


X-Message: #8
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Granville County, NC > Wilson County TN>Morgan/Madison Co. AL

David,

MERRITT CARAWAY aptd guardian of MARY WILSON HENRY, a minor child of LEWIS W. HENRY, decd, with securities JOHN R. BILLINGSLEY and B. T. SULLIVAN. Bond $300. [QCR, 1848-1852, March 3, 18515, p. 327.]

MERRITT CARAWAY, guardian of MARY WILSON HENRY, a minor heir of LEWIS W. HENRY, decd, resigned. FINIS E. SHANNON aptd new guardian with securities MERRITT CARAWAY and bond $200. [QCR, 1852-1856, January 3, 1854, p. 224]

FINIS E. SHANNON, guardian of MARY W. HENRY - Petition for sale of land warrant
It appearing that MARY W. HENRY is the only minor heir of LEWIS W. HENRY, decd. That guardian has in his possession a land warrant #35963 for 80 acres; said minor resides in this county with her mother. Sale ordered. QCR,
1852-1856, January 3, 1854, p. 225]

Bob


X-Message: #15
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] WILSON COUNTY, TN Early Settlers

[Continuation of Early Settlers from Goodspeed's]

On Cumberland River: Edward Mitchell, Elijah Moore, William Sanders, Caleb Taylor, Bartholomew Brett, William Johnson, Josiah Woods, W. T. Cole, Joseph Kirkpatrick, Henry Davis, James Tipton, Thomas Ray, Reuben Slaughter, Daniel Glenn, James Hunter, Ransom King, Henry Locke, Ephraim Beasley, Sterling Tarpley and William Petway.

On Stoner Lick Creek: Blake Rutland, Zebulon Baird, John Graves, Benjamin Graves, Thomas Watson, John Wilson, John Williamson, Henry Thompson, THomas Gleaves, Ezekiel Cloyd, Anderson Tate, Jacob Woodrum, Ezekiel Clampet, Andrew Wilson, James Cathorn and James Kendall.

On Sugg's Creek: Benjamin Hooker, Aquilla Suggs, William Warnick, William Rice, Benjamin Dobson, Hugh Gwynn, Jenkin Sullivan, John Roach, James Hannah, Hugh Telford, Green Barr, Peter Devault, John Curry, Thomas Drennan, Joseph Hamilton and Joseph Castleman.

On Pond Lick Creek: Robin Shannon, John Ozment, Lee (i.e., Lea) Harralson (i.e., Haralson), John Spinks, and John RIce.

On Sinking Creek: Thompson Clemmons, William Bacchus, David Fields, Lewis Merritt, Frank Ricketts, Fletcher Sullivan, James Richmond, Robert Jarmon, John Winsett, Jesse Sullivan, William Palsley, John Billingsley, Seldon Baird, Dawson Hancock and Jonathan Ozment.

On Hurricane Creek: William Teague, John Gibson, WIlliam Hudson, Nicholas Quesenberry, Charles Warren, James Bennett, Elisha Bond, Robert Edwards, John Edwards, Bradford Howard, George Cummings, John Merritt, Joseph Stacey, Frank Young, Henry Mosier (i.e., Moser), Charles Cummings, John Woolen, Absalom Knight, Thomas Miles, Peter Leath, and Gideon Harrison.

On Fall Creek: William Warren, Samuel Copeland, Joseph Williams, Jacob Jennings, William Allison, Hardy Penuel, Joseph Sharp, Sampson Smith, Frank Puckett, James Quarles, Roger Quarles, Matthew Sims, Shadrack Smith, James Smith, Charles Smith, Aaron Edwards, Hugh Cummings, Isaac Winston, William WOrtham, Burrell Patterson, Absalom Lasater, John Alsup, Lard Sellars, Joseph Carson, Charles Gillem (i.e., Gilliam), Arthur Harris, Walter Clopton, William Smith, John Donnell, Adney Donnell, and William Lester.

On Smith's Fork: Dennis Kelley, David Ireland, John Adams, David Wasson, John Armstrong, Isaac Witherspoon, John Allen, Richard Braddock, Edward Pickett, Elisha Hodge, THomas Flood, James McAdoo, Samuel McAdoo, Abner Bone, Thomas Bone, William Richards, George L. SMith, Samuel Stewart, William Beagle, James Johnson, John Knox, William Knox, John Ward, Solomon George, Ransom Byrn, James GOdfrey, Henry Payne, James Thompson, James Thomas, Thomas Word, James Ayers, William Jennings, Charles Rich, Abner Alexander, William Oakley and James Williams.

On Round Lick Creek including Jennings Fork: John W. Peyton, Arthur Hankins, James Wrather, Samuel King, William Haines, John Bradley, William McSpeddin, William Coe, Abner Spring, William Harris, Jophn Phillips, Benjamin Phillips, Edward G. Jacobs, John Green, Samuel Barton, Alexander Beard, Jordan Bass, Solomon Bass, John Lawrence, Evans Tracy, Joseph Barbee, Shelah Waters, George Clarke, James Shelton, William Neal, Joshua Taylor, Isaac Grandstaff, Daniel Smith, Jacob Vantrease, Duncan Johnson, Joseph Foust, James Hill, Joseph Carlin, George Hearn, John Patton, John Bradley, William New, Robert Branch, James Edwards, William Howard, Edmund Jennings, John White, John Swan, Thomas Byles, William Palmer, Park Goodall, Jerre Brown, Thomas B. Reece, James Scoby, James Hobbs, James Newbey (i.e., Newby) and John Caplinger.

This completes the list found in Goodspeed.

Bob


X-Message: #14
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Early Wilson County Settlers
Donna,
From the Bradley abstracted wills of Franklin Co., NC.

WB A - p. 6 - JESSE BOWERS was one of the persons mentioned in the inventory of the estate of JOHN SMITH, decd. September Court, 1788.

WB A - p. 14 - JESSE BOWERS was a buyer at the estate sale of WILLIAM DENSON, decd. December 26, 1781. March Court, 1791. [note the year difference]

WB A - p. 87: Inventory of the estate of GILES BOWERS, JR., decd. Included was one negro girl Lilley, held by YOUNG McLEMORE. WILLIAM BOWERS mentioned. August 29,1791. Recorded September Court, 1791.

WB A - p. 148 - Will of GILES BOWERS, SR. September 7, 1796: To son, JAMES BOWERS all land and plantation 'I hold thereunto by Patent and Deed,' 442 acres; negro man Cuffee; hogs, cattle 'and the still thereon' on the plantation. To my daughters FRANKY McLEMORE, BETSY POPE, POLLY GOODLOE, equal share in the three negroes Ned, Bob, Lilly. To daughter FRANKY McLEMORE 1 horse or mare worth 10 pounds. To daughter POLLY GOODLOE 1 horse or mare worth 10 pounds. To daughter POLLY GOODLOE 1 bed and furniture and all household furniture not left to son JAMES. To daughter SARAH BEAL 5 shillings.
To son JESSE BOWERS 5 shillings. To son WILLIAM BOWERS 5 shillings. To daughter PATSY STROTHER 5 shillings. To son BENJAMIN BOWERS 5 shillings. To son PHILEMON BOWERS 5 shillings. Executors: son WILLIAM BOWERS, JAMES BOWERS.

His mark. Witnessed: JAMES GLENN, ??? GLENN, SIMON JEFFREYS
March Court, 1800.

WB A - p. 171 - Inventory of estate of PHILEMON BOWERS, decd. March 7, 1796. Among the items were 1 negro woman Annaky, 1 negro girl Cresey, 1 negro boy Anderson, 1 negro girl Eady, a negro Jimmy. Persons mentioned: HARVEY, JAMES STROTHER, WILLIAM BROWN, KANNON COOPER, HENRY PARRISH, JACOB FOX, WILLIAM STONE, SOLOMON BIBBY, BENJAMIN RICHRDS, CHARLES RICHARDS, GEORGE RAILEIGH, JOHN RIMES.

WB A - p. 189 - WILLIAM CHRISTMAS relinquishes guardianship for orphans of PHILEMON BOWERS. December 13, 1799. Had been aptd guardian at December Court, 1798. Reports accounts and estate in good order, but 'I may go to the Tenesee (sic) State this winter.' Requests aptd of another guardian. December 13, 1799.

WB Q - p. 193 - Report of the commissioners to divide the property of PHILEMON} BOWERS, decd. Legatee mentioned was FULLER HUCKABY, bounds described of the land in question and one negro boy Anderson. Commissioners were WILLIAM JONES, JOHN PERRY, JOEL SLEDGE, REUBEN RANSOM, ABRAHAM McLE- MORE. Negro Easly mentioned but not given to FULLER HUCKABY. Undated.

WB A - p. 205 - Inventory of estate of GILES BOWERS, SR, decd. Among items were negroes Ned, Cloe, Bob, Cuffey, Lilly: 'said to have been the property of the estate of GILES BOWERS, JR., deceased.' Signed by WILLIAM BOWERS, JAMES BOWERS. Undated.

WB A - p. 196 - Sale of estate of BRITTAIN DUKE, decd - Buyers were PHILEMON HAWKINS, WILLIAM JONES, ROBERT L. DUKE, BENJAMIN HAWKINS (I omiited several names)JAMES BOWERS (ditto)DAVIS BOWERS(ditto)

WB A - p. 197 - Inventory of estate of WILLIAM HORN, decd. SALLY HORN, admrx. Persons mentioned: JOHN THOMPSON, JAMES BOWERS, EDMOND JORDAN, HENRY GOODLOE.
Undated.

WB A - p. 198 - Sale of estate of WILLIAM HORN, decd. Among the buyers listed was GARRETT GOODLOE.  

WB A - p. 203 - in the Will of BRITTAIN DUKE, he mentions his daughter, HENRIETT (no final "a") BOWERS, 120 dollars. She was also to receive an equal share of the personal estate.

WB B - p. 102 - Sale of Estate of FULLER HUCKABY, decd. December 29, 1800.
Buyers were ADKIN NICHOLSON, JOHN HOGG, ROBERT DUKE, DAVID BOWERS, REUBIN RANSOM, FRANCIS BHUCKABY, LEWIS WILLIAMS, VOLLINTINE (sic) LOYD, NATHANIEL PERRY, JOHN WORMOTH, FRANCIS TAYLOR, SANDY ELLIOTT, JOHN PULLOME, WILLIAM BOWERS, IGNATIUS GOLDBERRY, EDMUND HOUSE, GREEN HOUSE, JOHN BOWERS. SIgned R. RANSOM.

WB B - p. 154 - Division of estate of PHILEMON BOWERS, decd, and allotment to DAVID & JOHN BOWERS. Among other items, JOHN BOWERS received negro Annaca. Other negroes mentioned, but not clear who received them, were Cresey, Edy.
DAVID and JOHN were children of PHILEMON BOWERS. February 28, 1804./ Again on March 4, 1804, the land (130 1/2 acres) was allotted. Cmsrs on both occasions were FRANCIS TAYLOR, WILLIAM JONES, BENJAMIN SHERROD, and REUBIN RANSOM.

WB C - p. 37 - Will of BARBARAH BOWERS - To son, ROBERT BELL BOWERS, a negro man Dornack; to daughter, MARY GREY JEFFREYS BOWERS, [negroes} Husky and Agga; to son JILES HICKS BOWERS [the negro] Grenock; to son DAVID OSBORN BOWERS [negro[ Anarchy --and their increase to each. If negro Dornack does not wish to belong to son ROBERT B. BOWERS or to remain in the family, then husband WILLIAM BOWERS may sell him and use the money for himself, provided that he give by deed of gift son ROBERT B. BOWERS, a negro boy Arthur, the title recorded before he sells Dornack. The negroes to remain in possession of husband WILLIAM BOWERS until the children come of age or marry. Executors: MOSES NEAL, RICHARD FENNER. Octobe 26, 1805. Signed by her. Witnesses: JOHN HETTON and JOHN CURETON.

WB C - p. 127 - Division of the estate of PHILL BOWERS, decd. Land divided among NANCY BOWERS, JAMES BOWERS, WILLIAM BOWERS, YOUNG BOWERS. Commissioners were ABRAHAM McLEMORE, FRANCIS TAYLOR, WILLIE JONES, BENJAMIN SHERROD, SIMON GREEN. December Court, 1808.

WB C - p. 165 - Guardian account for WILLIAM G. BOWERS, orphan of PHILEMON BOWERS, decd. by DAVID BOWERS, guardian. Covers 1800-1809. EWxamined March 12, 1811, and recorded March Court, 1810 [note different dates]

Hope this helps and gets you going....

Bob


X-Message: #16
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Granville County, NC > Wilson County TN>Morgan/Madison Co. AL

Telette,

Do you have the will of JOHN MERRITT in the Will Books of Franklin County?

Bob


X-Message: #17
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TNWILSON-L] Early Wilson County Settlers

According to Partlow's Deed Book abstracts, DB E, p. 193 - JONAS BRADLEY sold JOSEPH TROUT 136 acres in Wilson County. February 18, 1813.

ADAM TROUT sold JAMES RATHER 100 acres on Barton's Creek. February 20, 1811. DB D, p. 363.

ADAM TROUT sold JAMES STONE 100 acres on Barton' s Creek. Witnesses were JOHN IMPSON and BENJAMIN TROUT. February 7, 1812. DB D, p. 504.

ADAM TROUT of Stewart County, Tennessee to PURNELL WALL, 46 acres on Barton's Creek. November 5, 1819. DB H, p. 137.

DANIEL CHERRY of Haywood County, Tennessee to ADAM TROUT 40 acres in Wilson County. December 11, 1828. DB M, p. 335.

Hope this helps.

Bob



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This page published for Bob Carver ([email protected]) on December 3, 1998 by Nancy P. Goodman.  All rights reserved.
last updated on Dec 04, 1998, 1:08 pm



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