COUNTY COURT MINUTES
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, TENNESSEE
BOOK A
1858-1874
ABSTRACTS
January Term, 1858
Page 1
The County Court of Sequatchie County met at the new meeting house near William RANKIN's to organize and transact such other business as may come before it, according to an Act passed by the Legislature of Tennessee on the 9th day of December, 1857.
Justices present: G. W. CAIN, F. DEAKINS, Byrom HEARD, Aaron SMITH, and Thompson HICKS.
The Court organized by electing G. W. CAIN, Chairman, F. DEAKINS, and Byrom HEARD associate Justices.
The County Court then proceeded to appoint William RANKIN, Sheriff and S.C. STONE, County Court Clerk Protem.
A. B. EWTON, William BARKER, J. L. STONE, A. R. THURMAN, and William D. STEWART appointed to layt off and district the County...designate places of holding elections.
George ROGERS elected Coroner, term 2 years..............Burgess TAYLOT elected Surveyor, term 4 years
Francis McDONOUGH elected Ranger, term 2 years
E. T. SAWYERS elected Entry Taker, term 4 years
Pages 2 and 3
Howell BARKER elected Tax Collector, term 1 year
Ordered that a notice be served by the Sheriff upon commissioners to meet at Wm. RANKIN's on the 25th
Commissioners appointed to laying off of the County town: Samuel W. ROBERSON, William D. STEWART, J. M. ANDERSON, Jesse PICKETT, and William BARKER
Madison DEAKINS appointed guardian for Elizabeth McLAIN, minor heir of Daniel McLAIN, Dec'd
Report of Commissioners as to districts of the County, with boundaries
In 1st district, elections to be held at residence of John WELCH; 2nd, Susan SMITH; 3rd, James RICHARDS; 4th, Wm. RANKIN; 5th, Claborn GOTT; 6th, the old MEDLEY place; 7th, the old BUNCH place; 8th, at the meeting house known by the name of Mt. Pleasant
Page 4 Tuesday, January 5, 1858
The following gave bonds and took oath: S. C. STONE, William RANKIN, George ROGERS, Burgess TAYLOR, Francis McDONOUGH, E. T. SAWYERS
B. B. CANNON appointed Register Protem for Sequatchie County
Byrom HEARD, Thompson HICKS, and Franklin DEAKINS , appointed as committee to assess taxes.
Committee reported: 40 cents on every hundred dollars worth of real estate and personal property
$1.25 on each and every poll
Olly HATFIELD appointed guardian for Franklin HARVEY, minor heir of William HARVEY, dec'd
Page 5
Following Revenue Commissioners appointed to take in the taxable property and free white polls for the year 1858:
Dist. 1 Aaron SMITH Dist. 5. John G. BARKER
Dist. 2 Byram HEARD Dist. 6 Thompson HICKS
Dist. 3 S. D. THURMAN Dist. 7 Edwin NEWBY
Dist. 4 A. B. EWTON Dist. 8 Newton CLARK
Following appointed venire for Circuit Court for May, 1858:
Dist. 1 Ephraim WELCH, S. W. ROBERSON, A. R. THURMAN, Aaron SMITH
Dist. 2 Jonathan POPE, Thos. MINTON, Phillip HOOTS, Byram HEARD
Dist. 3 S. D. THURMAN, Wm. D. STEWART, John CANNON, Josiah ROGERS
Dist. 4 A. B. EWTON, Wm. HEARD, M. M. PHELPS, Madison DEAKINS
Dist. 5 Wm. BARKER, B. L. BENNETT, Joshua EASTERLY, Henry GRAYSON
Dist. 6 J. L. STONE, Jesse PICKETT, Austin HACKWORTH
Dist. 7 John LEWIS
Dist. 8 James LOCKHART
Page 6
Jeremiah H. HATFIELD to wait upon the Circuit Court
Scholastic districts to be composed of same bounds as Civil Districts, and numbered same
Public roads alid off in sections on west side ot the Sequatchie River:
1. From Sequatchie-Bledsoe County line to center of Big Brush Creek...James EWTON, overseer
2. From center of Big Brush Creek to center of Coops Creek...James CLEMONS, overseer
3. From Coops Creek to Stones Creek...M. M. PHELPS, overseer
4. From Stones Creek to Thurmans Creek...William DEAKINS, overseer
5. From Thurmans Creek to southern County line...Harvey HENDRIX overseer on east side of Sequatchie
River
6. From northern Countyline to Hudson Creek...Miligan CORDELL, overseer
7. From the new Liberty meeting house to ThurmansBranch...David BROWN, overseer
7. continued From S. D. THURMAN's branch to top of hill above B. L. BENNETT's...Joseph
EASTERLY, overseer
From BENNETT's to road that leads to the river...B. L. BENNETT, overseer
From lane at the cross road to south line of Sequatchie County...John PICKETT, overseer
From P. T. RANKIN's to Anderson Mill...James BARKER, overseer
Ordered that County Officers' bonds be spread of record
Madison DEAKINS gave his bond as guardian of Elizabeth McLAIN...took oath
Olly HATFIELD gave bond as guardian for Franklin HARVEY
Page 8
Ordered that Aaron SMITH be attached to the mountain district...7th
S. W. ROBERSON appointed overseer of the cross road from Thurmans bridge to the Valley Road on the east side of Sequatchie River...also where the cross road intersects with Valley Road to top of the mountain at Alex Gap
A. R. THURMAN appointed overseer of road leading from Thurmans bridge to Valley Road on west side of Sequatchie River
John HEARD, Jr., overseer of road beginning at HEARD's old ford on Brush Creek to main Valley Road on east side of river
G. W. CAIN, Jr. appointed overseer of road at Davis' ford to the big road at Wm. RANKIN's...then to road fork leading to McMinnville
Page 9
James LOCKHART appointed overseer of road where Wm. HEARD's road intersects the old Hill turnpike road to the Sequatchie-Grundy County line
Marion JONES appointed overseer of road from J. L. CAIN's farm to the Valley road near the new Liberty meeting house to foot of Waldens Ridge
J. L. STONE appointed overseer of road from Ephraim THURMAN's to Sequatchie River
Joseph GOLESON appointed overseer of road form near Widow HICKS' place on valley road to Thurman's turnpike road near Widow HICKS place on Cumberland Mountain
Jury of View for 3rd class road from Alex Gap to the old turnpike road: Aaron SMITH, John LEWIS, Washington PORTER, Wm. D. STEWART, Jason HARVEY
Page 10
Jury of view for 3rd class road from Alex Gap to Jones Gap: Aaron SMITH, Wm. D. STEWART, Jason HARVEY, Washington PORTER, John LEWIS
Jury of View for 2nd class road from the Spencer Road to the old Hill turnpike: E. S. OWINGS, Newton CLARK, James BLAIR, James LOCKHART, John RUSSELL
Following appointed to hold election on the first Saturday in March, 1858 for purpose of electing County and district officers:
JUDGES
Dist. 1 Joel WHEELER, Ephraim WELCH, A. R. THURMAN
Dist. 2 Jonathan POPE, Elij. AUSTIN, Phil HOOTS
Dist. 3 Geo. STEWART, Wm. BROWN, Saml. SPARGEN
Dist. 4 A. B. EWTON, Wm. PHELPS, Madison DEAKINS
Dist. 5 Wm. BARKER, W. E. KELL, T. J. HOODENPYLE
Dist. 6 J. L. STONE, E. THURMAN, John BENNETT
Dist.7 Jno. LEWIS, Wash PORTER, John KELL, Sen
Dist. 8 John RUSSELL, Wm. WILLIAMS, John PERRY
CLERKS
Dist. 1 J. L. HOGE, John WELCH
Dist. 2 Jas. BILLINGSLEY, Thos. AUSTIN
Dist. 3 Wm. D. STEWART, Jas. RICHARDS
Dist. 4 John PHELPS, Wash CAIN
Dist. 5 B. L. BENNETT, George EASTERLY
Dist. 6 Oliver THURMAN, Wm. BENNETT
Dist. 7 Burgess TAYLOR, Jason HARVEY
Dist. 8 E. S. OWINGS, Newton CLARK
William D. STEWART, A. SMITH, and John LEWIS appt to lay off 7th Civil District into 3 school districts
B. B. CANNON, County Register protem gave bond
Page 11
John H. ROGERS and William D. STEWART appt commissioners on Poe turnpike road
Joshua EASTERLY and Wm. BARKER appt commissioners on Anderson turnpike road
Madison DEAKINS and Joseph GOLESON appt commissioners on Thurman turnpike road
James W. HATFIELD appt overseer from east side of river by Hatfield's bridge to west side of Sequatchie River
Charter for a toll bridge granted to James W. HATFIELD...across Sequatchie River
Ordered that notice be served on commissioners appt to lay off the county town to appear next term and give bond
Page 12
George K. LARRIMORE attached to 4th District
Jury of View to change road...John CANNON, Wm.D. STEWART, Wm. ROGERS, Joseph DAVIS, and James JONES...Petition of B. B. CANNON
James W. HATFIELD gave bond...as keeper of toll bridge
Notice to Revenue Commissioners...to receive instructions
February 1, 1858
Report of Commissioners appt to lay off 7h Scholastic District...will let old lines stand
Page 13
Report of Jury of View
Milligan CORDELL appt overseer of road from center of Hudson's Creek to Widow HIXON's
Page 14
Aaron SMITH, overseer of road from Bledsoe Co line to Widow HIXON's
All persons South of Woodcock's Creek to the BENNETT place, attached to the 6th District
John DILL attached to the 2nd District
Ake CRAIG appt overseer of road from Jesse PICKETT's shop to the old Langley ford
John HEARD, Jr. appt overseer of road from HEARD's old ford to the intersection of the main Stage road and Savage road
Mill road changed leading to Hatfield's Mill
George ROGERS, coroner, presented resignation...accepted...Jonathan HATFIELD appt coroner
Page 15
Ordered that appointment of commissioners to supervise town of Dunlap illegal...others appointed
(NOTE: new commissioners not named)
Thomas DAVIS appt overseer of road from Alex Gap to the Hamilton County line
Jason HARVEY appointed overseer of road from Alex Gap to Board Camp Creek
John LEWIS appt overseer of road from Board Camp Creek to Poe turnpike
Wm. D. STEWART appt commissioner to examine and license teachers for the free schools of Sequatchie County
Page 16
Report of Commissioners appt to locate County site for Sequatchie Co...determined upon the centre of the County...voted to locate it upon the farm of Wm. RANKIN and have proceeded to purchase forty acres
Following Commissioners appt to superintend the laying off of the town of Dunlap: Saml. W. ROBERSON, S. C. STONE, William PHELPS, Edwin NEWBY, and William RANKIN
James I. ROGERS appt overseer of a road from the end of GOTT's and ANDERSON's lane to Anderson's mill. James I. ROGERS appt overseer of road from Clabe GOTT's to ANDERSON's shop
Page 17
Jonathan HATFIELD, coroner, gave bond
Jury of View to change public road from Coops Creek so as to run with the main street of Dunlap
James BLAIR appt overseer of road from County line of Sequatchie-Van Buren to County line of Grundy
Notice to go to Commissioners appt to layoff town of Dunlap, to give bond
Court adjourned for 1 1/2 hours...Commissioners appt to lay off town of Dunlap gave bond
Page 18
Byram HEARD, Chariman of Board of Commissioners appt to locate Co site, made a transfer upon bond of William RANKIN for title to land
April 5, 1858
Page 18
Former order attaching Aaron SMITH to the 7th dist rescinded
Patrolls appt in 3rd Civil Dist: William ROGERS, Capt.; J. M. RICHARDS, and Malcom JOHNSON
Page 19
Patrolls appt:
1st Dist: Aaron SMITH, Miligan CORDELL, and J. L. HOGE
4th Dist: Capt, of Patroll Co, Alfred KING and M. M. PHELPS, and Bird HARMON
5th Dist: P. F. RANKIN, Capt; George EASTERLY, manzer ELLIS
6th Dist. Thomas PANKEY, Capt; jesse PICKETT, James HICKS
George WALKER appt Administrator of estate of Philip A. WALKER, dec'd
Joseph DAVIS appt Guardian for minor heirs of his wife, betsy Ann DAVIS, formerly Betsy Ann HEARD, heir of John HEARD, Sen,dec'd
Following commissioners appt to lay off to the widow of Philip A. WALKER her portion of estate: A. B. EWTON, Wm. B. ELLIOTT, and John TEATERS
Ordered that the 9th Civil Dist be formed...on top of Cumberland Mtn...hold elections at A. J. TATE's
Ordered that sheriff hold election in all civil districts on 17 Apr 1858...for purpose of electing Justices of the Peace and constables
Page 20
Judges to hold election in 9th: Jesse SAVAGE, A. J. TATE, and James B. SMITH
Revenue Commissioners to meet at William RANKIN's on last Saturday in April to equalize tax lists
John C. RICKETT appt revenue commissioner for the 9th
Place of holding election in 8th changed from Mount Pleasant to the WOODLEY place
William SMITH appt overseer of the road...from the old Marion Co line to Peyton CHRISTIAN's
William O'NEAL appt overseer of road from Peyton CHRISTIAN to Warren Co line
Jury of View for road near E. S. OWINGS to Van Buren Co line: James BLAIR, Newton CLARK, E. S. OWINGS
Trustee of Sequatchie Co appt: George WALKER, protem...gave bonds
Page 21
Howell BARKER, Tax Collector...gave bond
Same venire for Circuit Court for May, appt for June
Judges and Clerks appt for election in May, 1858, appt for election on 17 Apr 1858
Report of Jury of View: first class road marked from Coops Creek, so as to intersect the main street of Dunlap
Ordered that Granville HATFIELD have the children of Martha HATFIELD bound tohim, to-wit: Martha Patience, AGE ABOUT 8 OR 9 YEARS; James, about 5; and John HATFIELD, about 3 or 4...to send them to free schools...boys at age 21 to have horse, bridle, s addle, and blanket worth $75.00 and 2 suits of clothes...girls the same at age 18
Page 22
Ordered that the Order made yesterday establishing Patrolls...be rescinded
Ordered that County tax upon Stud horses and Jacks be the Season price of same
Court appt George WALKER as Administrator of the estate of P. A. WALKER, dec'd, rescinded
May 3, 1858
Page 22
7th Scholastic Distict ordered formed out of all the territory on Waldens Ridge that formerly belonged to the 1st District of Marion County
10th Scholastic Dist ordered formed out allthe territory on Waldens Ridge that formerly belonged to the 10th Dist of Bledsoe County
Page 23
11th Scholastic Dist ordered formed out of all territory on Waldens Ridge that formerly belonged to the 2nd Civil Dist of Marion County
Jesse SAVAGE appt overseer of 3rd class road from A. J. TATE's to Grundy County line
June 7, 1858
Olley HATFIELD appt guardian for Franklin HARVEY, heir of William HARVEY, dec'd...to collect any debts owing to said HARVEY, dec'd
S. W. ROBERSON and Ephraim WELCH appt Commissioners to assess value of John McWILLIAMS' real estate in 1st District
It appearing John T. KENNON has died intestate in Sequatchie County, Wm. B. ELLIOTT and Jeremiah WALKER appt Administrators
July 5, 1858
Page 24
Justices elected on 17 Apr 1858, except S.D. THURMAN, Edwin NEWBY, and John ODUM, took oath:
G. W. NICHOLS, Joel B. AUSTIN, M. B. NARRIMORE, Wm. B. ELLIOTT, John C. LOCKHART, Wm. E. KELL, J. M. MORRISON, I. C. RICKETTS, A. H. LOCKHART, E. S. OWINGS, and I. N. CLARK...All gave bond under small offence law, except G. W. NICHOLS, THURMAN, NEWBY, ODUM, and THURMAN.
Court proceeded to lay a county tax upon privaliges (sic):
Merchant License, 25 centson the hundred dollars; Deeds at registration, 15 cents on hundred dollard;
Grocery privaliges (sic), 35 cents on the hundred dollars; Circus shows $50.00 each day and night;
Concerts $5.00 each day and hight; Hawking and peddling vehicle, $30.00; horse, $20.00; footman, $10.
Allowance to William RANKIN for $84.25 for books furnished County, and a County Seal
Page 25
Ordered that minutes of this Court be transcribed by S. S. STONE into the new minute book marked letter A
B. B. CANNON, Register, requested to transcribe the deeds into the new book marked letter A
Allowance of $4.00 for each Revenue Commissioner
Wm. WILLIAMS appt overseer of the old Savage Road to about one-half mile beyond Mount Pleasant meeting house...said portion of road to which Aaron SMITH was appt overseer, attached to Miligan CORDELL
Ordered that hands on jesse PICKETT's homeplace work on the cross road
Page 26
Commissioners assessed valuation of John McWILLIAMS' real estate $5750....ordered taxed only to said amount
Elias CLEMONS produced in open court....scalp of one wolf, over 4 mos old...Treasurer to pay said STEWART $6.00
Trustees of Rankin Academy appot by Court: Jonathan POPE, George W. CAIN, William RANKIN, M. B. NARRIMORE, and William B. ELLIOTT
In hands of M. C. BORWN, former Trustee of Marion County, about $140.00, belonging to the old common school districts now included within bounds of Sequatchie County...ordered to be paid to George WALKER, Trustee of Sequatchie County
Page 27
Wm. B. ELLIOTT and jeremiah WALKER, admrs of estate of John F. KENNON, dec'd returned in open court inventory and account of sales...ordered recorded
Report of Commissioners on erection of a Courthouse and jail...designates Lot No. 62 for jail...Lot No. 58 forthe Presbyterian Methodist denomination...Lot No. 49 for the Baptist
William RANKIN donates lot near the town for purpose of erecting an Academy
Confirmation of sale of lots on 26 Apr 1858 to:
Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 William RANKIN $435.50
6 Saml. W. ROBERSON 200.00
7 B. B. CANNON 126.00
8 J. M. RICHARDS 95.00
9 & 10 Edwin NEWBY 190.00
11 & 12 William HATFIELD 131.00
14 J. H. HATFIELD 52.00
15 S. H. COLMS 64.00
16 F. DEAKINS 50.00
17 Geo. W. CAIN 40.00
18 J. HIXON 30.00
20, 21, & 55 J. F. KENNON 217.00
30 Jonathan HATFIELD 130.00
50 James MANSFIELD 83.00
51 J. H. HATFIELD 83.00
54 M. B. NARRIMORE 100.00
34 & 35 W. D. DORRIS 314.00
36 J. J. POPE 100.00
37 J. W. SIMPSON 105.00
38 Geo. W. CAIN 149.50
_______
$2862.00
Commissioners ordered to let out contract for erection of Courthouse on the public square and jail, Lot 62
Page 29
Following to serve as Grand Jury of Inquest, August Term, 1858:
Dist. 1 Saml. W. ROBERSON, Ephraim WELCH, Aaron SMITH
Dist. 2 Byram HEARD, Thomas MINTON, Jonathan POPE
Dist. 3 Wm. D. STEWART, John H. ROGERS, B. B. CANNON
Dist. 4 A. B. EWTON, Madison DEAKINS, Marlin M. PHELPS
Dist. 5 B. L. BENNETT, Henry GRAYSON, joshua EASTERLY
Dist. 6 John L. STONE, Isaac HICKS, Ephraim THURMAN
Dist. 7 Edwin NEWBY, Burgess TAYLOR
Dist. 8 Peyton CHRISTAIN, E. S. OWINGS, I. N. CLARK
Dist. 9 Andrew J. TATEm William CARLTON
George W. HEARD, constable at said Court
July 6, 1858
Page 30
John ODUM...took oath as Justice of Peace, 7th Civil District
George ROGERS departed this life intestate in Sequatchie Co...James W. HATFIELD appt Admr, gave bond... Jonathan HATFIELD, George STEWART, F. J. JOHNSON appt Commissioners to lay off one years provision for Susan ROGERS, widow
Sheriff to hold elections in 1st and 8th Civil Districts for purpose of electing one constable in each
Page 31
Levi HACKWORTH appt overseer in place of Harvey HENDRIX
Aaron SMITH elected Chairman protem
S. D. THURMAN, JP, 3rd dist...gave bond, took oath
Commissioners appt to lay off provisions for Susan ROGERS gave report
Page 32
Cornet HATFIELD produced in Court scalp of one wild cat
Coroner presented verdict of jury of inquest held upon body of Philip A. WALKER...suicide, on 27 Feb 1858, by shooting himself with a rifle gun...signed by jurors
Page 33
Edwin NEWBY, JP, 7th Dist and B. J. BAILEY, JP, 5th Dist.....gave bond...took oath
In hands of Trustee of Grundy County, $74.93...common schools monies due 7th Scholastic dist, formerly of Grundy County...ordered tobe paid to George WALKER, Trustee of Sequatchie County
William B. ELLIOTT appt to make a book case for Clerk of Co court, also a temporary jury room in the house where Courts are now held
J. W. TATE, constable of 9th gave bond...took oath
September 6, 1858
Page 34
Appears common school monies belonging to County ofSequatchie in hands of Trustee of Bledsoe Co...
ordered to pay said part belonging to Sequatchie...same order as to Marion County
Bird CLARK, constable of 9th....gave bond, took oath
James W. HATFIELD gave inventory ofpersonal property of George ROGERS, dec'd
Edward PICKETT appt overseer...1st class road from Thurman Creek to southern county line, west side of river
Page 35
Commissioners Peyton CHRISTIAN, John RUSSELL, and James BLAIR to locate site for school house in 8th School District
George W. HEARD, constable 4th dist, resigns...order to Sheriff to hold election to fill vacancy
October 4, 1858
I. N. CLARK appt to take charge of John CAGLE, a pauper...Court voted $2.90 to said CLARK for said CAGLE
Allowance of $68.50 to S. C. STONE, Clerk of County Court, for services rendered
Allowance of $15.66 for making a jury room and clerk desk, to Wm. B. ELLIOTT
Court reduced taxes ofSequatchie Co 13 1/16 percent on personal and real property and 50 cents on poll
Following appointed Jury of Inquest for Dec. term, 1858:
Dist. 1 A. L. GILBREATH, A. R. THURMAN, Miligan CORDELL
Dist. 2 James D. BILLINGSLEY, C. P. EWTON
Dist. 3 William STEWART, M. B. NARRIMORE, S. D. THURMAN
Dist. 4 Wm. HEARD, Wm. M. JONES, Wm. JOHNSON
Dist. 5 John FARMER, Jones MABRY, J. C. LOCKHART
Dist. 6 Thos. HICKS, O. M. THURMAN, Wm. M. BENNETT
Dist. 7 Jason HARVEY, John ODOM, Simson BROCK
dist. 8 Thomas KING, William McGLOTHLIN
Dist 9 John C. RICKETT, A. H. LOCKHART, John CLEMONS
Constables to wait on Court: Pleasant JOHNSON, M. M. PHELPS
B. B. CANNON, Register...presented Register Book marked letter A, without charge
Wm. WILLIAMS overseer on the old Savage turnpike...allowed to purchase necessary tools
Benj. BAILEY, constable of 5th, resigned
Ordered that old Savage road be changed as to cross Brush Creek at a better ford
M. M. PHELPS appt to fill vacancy of G. W. HEARD...gave bond, took oath
Re: John CAGLE, pauper...ordered that I. N. CLARK take charge
J. C. LOCKHART appt overseer of Anderson turnpike in place of Wm. BARKER
Page 38
Elias McCARVER, under age for a poll tax, released of paying
John G. BARKER, Henry BARKER, Howell BARKER, and Moses E. BARKER, Exec of will of William BARKER, dec'd, presented will...entered into bond, took oath
November 1, 1858
G. W. CAIN absent from Court...Aaron SMITH, protem, in his stead
Isaac JOHNSON appt overseer in place of D. C. BROWN
Page 39
Execs of William BARKER, dec'd returned inventory
December 6, 1858
Ordered by the Court that the Trustee pay Jonathan HATFIELD, Coroner, $5.00 for holding inquest upon body of Philip A. WALKER, late of Sequatchie County
Continue to Sequatchie County Court Minutes, 1859