Lawrence County Heritage

The Journal of the Lawrence County

(Tennessee) Genealogical Society

Vol. 16 No. 2 Winter 2012

Table of Contents

compiled by Susan Beeler Anderson

From The Editor:

When space is available, we will include newspaper/magazine advertisements from yesteryear. These were collected by Kathy and Lawrence Niedergeses and they give insight the history of businesses in our county. In addition, we will also be publishing "Yesteryear Insights" – short stories found in past publications that give insight into everyday life in Lawrence County.

In Search of the Second Creek Church and School Land Records by Wallace Palmore

The author traces the history of the Second Creek Church and School Land using county records. A group photo taken in 1925 of students at this school is included. Some names mentioned in the article are: Robert Newton, William Barber, Carthol Williams, F. T. Cannon, J. H. Ezell, L. A. Newton, H. N. Mabe, M. L. Jenkins, Will Springer, Sammy Newton.

The County Poor Farm – Part XX (continued from Summer 2012) Compiled by Kathy & Lawrence Niedergeses

For information regarding this series, please refer to Vol. 7 Issue #1 Fall 2003. This article covers 1912 through 1923. The Archives needs help in searching minute books and newspapers for this series.

Special Note to Members: Kathy asks for members’ opinions regarding future content of this series on the County Farm. Please let her know if you want to series to continue and if so, do you want an abbreviated version that would only include inmates’ names.

Surnames in this article: McClanahan, Paris, Wall, Hannah, Boyet, Freemon, Porter, Womack, Stockard, Pierce, Hudson, Gilbreth, Dugger, Alexanderm, Clayton, Garrett, Smith, Keeton, Rhodes, Bassham, Stutts, Artman, Webb, Porter, Bailey, Dixon, Cunningham, Shaw, Speegle, Staggs, Hicks, Alexander, Beuimer, Gower, Chapman, Watkins, Wisdom, Kraus, Young, Webb, Springer, Crowder, Bryce, Taphorn, Taylor, Matheny, Prince, Richardson, Caperton, Yoast, Smith, Ables, Coffman, Hardy.

(To be continued in the Spring 2013 issue)

Lawrence County, Tennessee 1890 Tax List – Part V, Eighth Civil District (continued from Fall 2012) Wallace Palmore

The following surnames are listed as well as the acres, land value, total property value, poll tax, state tax, county tax, school tax, RR tax and Hwy Tax: McClain, McClanahan, Meredith, Mester, McDougal, Martin, Massey, Moorbrink, Messmer, Meelinger, Molton, Mahr, McKinn, Neely, Nixon, Neidergesses, Nesselbeck, Ovendmer, Ovelmier, Olive, Petrick, Peiter, Price, Parkes, Precious Blood Society, Parker, Plummer, Polk, Paisley, Rupprecht, Richardson.

(To be continued in the Spring 2013 issue)

The Buffalo Family of Appleton by LaShawn Howell Baxter

The author tells of the family of James and Mary Buffaloe who lived in Madison County, Alabama in 1880. They were married in Giles County, Tennessee in 1866. They were living in Giles County in 1900. The sons – Emmet Lamacky and Elvet married sisters Dee Ophelia and Mandy Green. By 1930, the family was living in Lawrence Co., Tennessee. E.L. Buffalo was a blacksmith and owned a store that was in part of his house. The story continues with the memories of Buffalo’s granddaughter Ann Delores Hendrix Perry. Family photos included.

Minutes to Lawrence County Genealogical Society Board Meeting, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 Doyce Shaddix

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lila Gobbell. The minutes were read and accepted. The financial report was given by Treasurer Ricky Fleeman. Election of new officers for next year was discussed. New programs were discussed but no action taken. The meeting was adjourned.

Yesteryear Insights

A humerous story about a local citizen trying to commit suicide is reprinted from The Lawrence Union, 12 September 1895.

Minutes to Lawrence County Genealogical Society Meeting, Saturday, September 15, 2012 Doyce Shaddix

The meeting was held at the Old Jail Museum and was called to order by President Wallace Palmore. The minutes were accepted. The financial report was given and accepted. No Old business. New Business: Wallace announced the four board members to rotate off this term: Wallace Palmore, Lila Gobbell, Ricky Fleeman and Kathy Niedergeses. A motion was made to re-elect these four. It was seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned. The guest speaker was Caneta Skelley Hankins, Assistance Director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee University and Director of the Tennessee Century Farms program. The meeting honored the Century Farmers of Lawrence County. Details were offered regarding the certification of qualified farms.

Lawrence County Birth Records 1902 – 1912 – Part XVII (continued from Fall 2012) Transcribed by Donna Niedergeses Davis

The following surnames are found in the original book of births and deaths in Lawrence County, Tennessee, 1908-1912 by Donna Niedergeses. Information includes: last name, first name, date of birth, sex, color, where born, physician’s name, date of ??, and page number in book. Surnames: Bloom, Stafford, Nunley, Henn, Smith, Baxter, Gilmore, Rohling, Rigsby, Parkes, dunn, Bethell, Harmon, Linam, Thomas, Davidson, Gibbs, Curtis, Brown, Ray, Davis, Hillhouse, Hardy, Melton, McCrory, Downing, Irvin, Sutton Brink, Gaither, Rhodes, Bird, Ratliff, Shindler, Fleeman, Durham, French, Hardiman, Hannah, Collins, Mannin, Cook, Martin, Clifton, Risner, Ussery, Risner, Nix, Langham, Spence, Faulkner, Speegle, Yount, Sheridan, Ledford, Ladwig, Crews, McDonald, Powell, Sowell, Wright, Buchanan, Kellogg, Foster, McMillion, Pickard, Gwin, Locke, Teegarden, Howard, McCollor, Crews, Robertson, Baily, Lehman, McAnally.

(To be continued in the Spring 2013 issue)

Daniel William May Compiled by Connie McLarry Ausec

The author tells the family history of Daniel William May, known as Captain Dan May, who was born in Lawrence County, TN in 1827 son of Daniel May born in VA and Elizabeth Puckett, daughter of David Puckett and Ann Dodson. Daniel William May had several children (names provided) by his first wife (name unknown) and his second wife, Elizabeth Puckett. Details of the life of Elizabeth after Daniel’s death- her marriage to Samuel H. Dotson, children by Dodson and her memories of surviving during the Civil War are included. In addition, the story concludes with the life of her son Dan May and his wife Martha and their 11 children. The family removed to Fannin County, Texas in 1874. Photos of Captain Daniel W. May and Elizabeth Puckett May Dotson included.

Migrations To And From Lawrence County, TN During The 1870s Through Early 1900s – Part IX (continued from Fall 2012) Researched and Compiled by Kathy & Lawrence Niedergeses

This information was found in newspapers from the1890s and early 1900. It includes names mentioned as migrating to or from Lawrence County, visitors, names registered in hotels, former residents subscribing to local newspapers. Copies of the actual newspaper pages are available from microfilm from the Archives. Please contact the Archives if you have migration information about your Lawrence County ancestors. Surnames: Burress, Hardy, Williams, Smith, Dillon, Griffin, Lackey, Spencer, Smith, Sandusky, Cannon, McClanahan, White, Watkins, Fuquoy, Hopwood, Richardson, Parham, Wackerman, Christian, Ewing, Christian, Harvey, Gunselman, Herrin, Crews, Price, Nasan, Dwiggins, Zwingle, Roy, Lumpkins, Walker, Looney, Bunch, Kennedy, Meredith, Lindsey, Willis, Obannon, Belew, Willis, Liles, Wilcoxson, Thigpen, Springer, Boyett, Kresler, Jackson, Flippo, Gilliam, Alexander, Stewart, Carrell, Irwin, Nicholas, Chadwick, Terry.

(To be continued in the Spring 2013 issue)

About Our Front Cover : The Hurst Family Home Researched and compiled by Kathy Niedergeses

The history of a surviving Lawrenceburg house thought to be over 150 years old is revealed through research of local sources including deed, marriage, census and other records. Personal interviews were conducted with local residents. Includes history of J. T. Hurst and family as it relates to the house. A detailed description of the structure, layout and design aspects of the house with before and after photos as well as a source list are included. Surnames of interest: Coggins, Hamilton, Carrell, Freeman, Pettus, Hurst, Jungblunt (Youngblood), Barlow, Helton, Cocke, Clark, Conner, Hickman, Davis, Killen, Taylor, Luffman, Coggin, Lumpkins, Grimes, Copeland.

Free Persons of Color in Lawrence County Submitted by LaShawn Baxter and Kathy Niedergeses

A general introduction about free persons of color is presented. The Minutes of the Lawrence County Court reveal that two men- Moses Weakfall and John Wesley Weakfall, "free men of color" received the "right of freedom" by petitioning the court in 1847. Transcripts of these petitions are included. The story of Sam and Charity Rose Robertson (photo included), emancipated slaves, includes family traditions, census, land, cemetery and other biographical details. Resource list included.

Mystery Families and Photographs

Four unidentified photos are shown. Contact the Archives if you recognize any person or place in the photos. 1) Young man in sweater with striped tie. 2) Two young boys in sailor-type suits, billed caps and long socks. 3) Family? Group taken in front of a house with a striped awning, - woman in long, printed dress, three young girls, a man sitting on steps, and large dog. 4) Two sailors in tropical location.

Yesteryear Insights

Reprinted from the Democrat-Union, 1 Mar 1946: report of the sale of a lot and house owned by Frank Busby in the Crowder Addition includes references to Ed Craig and Tom Chiles.

Last Updated January 5, 2013

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