Old Grissum Homeplace
The Grissum Cemetery is located at Rome. Turn at Rome bridge on Whitefield
Road approx one-half mile to Jenkins farm. Cemetery is 250 yards from the
old Grissum home.
The following appears in the SMITH COUNTY HISTORY:
".........three Confederate soldiers were killed by a small squad of
Smith Co. "Yankees". Captain Marcellus Grissum, his brother Tom, and a
cousin, Wilson G. Hankins, had spent the night at the parents of the
Grissum boys. The traitors, dressed in Confedrate uniforms, rode up near
the gate of the Grissum home and shouted that the Yanks were in Rome.
As the three soldiers ran outside they were shot by the squad " right
there before the door of their father and mother."
This happened on Sept 3 1864 and their father and mother were James W. & Elizabeth Grissum.
Old Grissum Smokehouse
The three Confederate soldiers were shot in front of the smokehouse which stills shows the bullet holes.
Grissum Cemetery - March 2000
This cemetery has been completely restored by Ben Eatherly as a Eagle Scout project.
Over 600 hours went into this work. See 2008 photos below used with permission.
Grissum, James Goodner, Sr. 1848 -- 1924
Grissum, Mattie Calhoun 1865 -- 1939
Grissum, Juliette 3 May 1893 - 14 Nov 1895 Daughter of J.G. & Mattie
Grissum, James W. 13 Apr 1811 - 2 Nov 1881
Grissum, Elizabeth C. 20 May 1820 -- 27 Dec 1910
Grissum, Katie L. 4 Mar 1856 -- 1 Aug 1883 Wife of J.G.
Grissum, Carrie A. 21 Oct 1859 -- 2 Jan 1876 Daughter of J.W. & E.C.
Sayles, Martha E. Grissum 11 Apr. 1842 -- 27 June 1861 Wife of James Sayles
Grissum,Percy C. 9 Jan 1897 -- 18 Oct 1898
Grissum, John Marcellus 19 Mar 1838 -- 3 Sep 1864 Confederate Soldier
Grissum, Thomas 28 July 1846 -- 3 Sep 1864 Confederate Recruit
Hankins, Wilson G. 30 Dec 1846 -- 3 Sep 1864 Confederate Recruit
( Names and dates from Smith County Cemeteries South of the Cumberland
River)
Restoration Photos from 2008
Completely Restored Grissum Cemetery