Goodspeed's History of
Claiborne County
Claiborne County lies in the northern portion of East
Tennessee, and borders both the States of Kentucky and
Virginia; the famous Cumberland Gap being situated near the
middle of its northern line. The principal stream in the
county is Powell River. The Clinch River forms a portion of
its southern boundary. These streams receive a large number
of tributaries, which furnish the best of water power. The
surface presents a great variety of hills, mountains, and
valleys. For the most part the soil is good, but some of the
ridges are poor and sandy. Its mineral resources consist of
coal, iron, and manganese, all of which it possesses in
abundance, and when sufficient transportation facilities
have been procured, the county will become one of the
wealthiest in East Tennessee.
The first settlements in Claiborne County were made in
Powell's Valley and along Clinch River. In 1783 Henderson
& Co. mentioned in the sketch of Hawkins County and in
other chapters of this work, received a grant from North
Carolina of 200,000 acres of land to be laid off in one
survey, and in accordance with the following restrictions:
Beginning at the Old Indian Town, in Powell's Valley,
running down Powell River not less than four miles on one or
both sides thereof, to the junction of Powell and Clinch
Rivers; then down Clinch River on one or both sides, not
less than twelve miles in width, for the complement of
200,000 acres. The survey, as made, was approximately as
follows: Beginning at what is now known as Old Town, running
along the base of the mountain to a point near Caryville,
Campbell County; thence in a southerly course to a point on
the opposite side of the Clinch River; thence in a line
parallel with the first to a point south of Powell River
opposite the beginning; thence in a direct course to the
beginning. This grant was subsequently divided among Mr.
Henderson and his associates or their heirs, and it was
doubtless due to their influence that many of the first
settlers located in this valley of Powell River. During the
Indian troubles these pioneers suffered much from savage
depredations, and several forts were built at various points
along the valley. One of the best known of the stations was
built by George Yoakum, upon land still owned by his
descendants. Another was situated just across the line into
Virginia. Among the firs settlers in the valley may be
mentioned Elijah Chisum, who had formerly lived in Hawkins
County, James Gibson, John Vanbibber, Spencer Graham, James
Carson, Elisha Walling (Also spelled Wallen and Walden),
Thomas McBride and Archibald McKinney. Roddy & Lee kept
a store at the ferry on Powell River, where the Cumberland
Gap road crosses it. The gap was settled by William Doherty
and Peter Huffaker, located near by.
Settlements were also made at an early date on Sycamore
Creek, and a station known as Fort Butler was built about
three miles west of Tazewell. By whom it was built is not
known, but James Chisum and Isaac Lane were among the first
to locate in that vacinity. Among those who located near the
road leading from Fort Butler to Mulberry Gap were the
Estes, Gibbons, Sims, Condrey, Henry Griffin, George and
Henry Sumter,John Baker and Daniel Fleming.
The act to erect a new county from portions of Hawkins and
Grainger was passed October 29, 1801. It was name Claiborne
in honor of William Charles Cole Claiborne, one of the first
judges of the superior court, and the first representative
in Congress from Tennessee. The court of pleas and quarter
sessions was organized at the house of John Owens December
7, 1801, at which time the following magistrates were
present: Isaac Lane, Joseph Webster, William Trent, James
Chisum, Abraham Lenham, John Wallen, Matthew Sims, John
Vanbibber, William Rogers, George Read, C. Newport, John
Casey, Joseph Nations, and James Renfro. The oath of office
was administered by Andrew Evans and Joseph Cobb, magistrate
of Grainger County. Isaac Lane was chosen chairman; Walter
Evans, clerk; Nathaniel Austin, ranger; Joseph Nations,
corner; Ezekiel Croft, register; Luke Bowyer,
attorney-general, and David Rogers, sheriff. The last named
was unable to give bond, and John Hunt, Sr., was elected to
fill the vacancy. The next term of the court was held at the
house of John Hunt, who lived on the site of Tazewell. The
grand jury empanelled was composed of the following men;
John Hunt, William Grisum, Nathaniel Austin, Samuel Tate,
Jacob Dobins, William Bowman, William Stroud, John Webster,
Nimrod Dodson, Peter Neal, Thomas Gibbons, Peter Huffacker,
William Rush, Thomas Jeffers, Hezekiah Jordan, Elisha
Walling, Archibald McKinney and George Snuffer. The third
term of the court was held at the house of Elisha Walling,
and it was not until 1804 that a small frame courthouse was
erected. It stood near the site of the present one. The jail
was completed at about the same time as the courthouse. It
was used until 819, when Josiah C. Ramsey, John Evans,
William Graham, William Renfro, Robert Crockett, David
Rogers and Reuben Rogers were appointed commissioners to
erect a new jail. It was built with a double wall, the
outside being rock and the inside frame.
The circuit court for Claiborne County was organized on the
third Monday in April, 1810, by William Cocke, at which time
David Yearsley appeared as solicitor-general, and Edward
Howell was appointed clerk. The attorneys admitted to
practice were Samuel Powell, William R. Cole and C. C. Clay.
The early transactions of the court present little of
interest. One or two cases only will be mentioned. At the
April term, 1823, James C. Martin was convicted of grand
larceny, and being brought to the bar to receive sentence he
stated that he wished to make application for a new trial.
Judge Scott was upon the bench, and in order to allow the
prisoner's counsel to prepare a statement of the ground upon
which the application was based "withdrew for a few
minutes". The Judge's fondness for the "flowing bowl" is
well known, and such opportunities of fortifying himself
against the tedium of the court were not to be neglected. It
is not surprising, therefore, if his absence extended to
several minutes. Upon his return to the bench he proceeded
to pass judgement upon the prisoner's application when to
his astonishment now one was to be seen. The sheriff then
took occasion to inform him that during his honor's absence
the prisoner had escaped and distanced all pursuit.
In October, 1822, Thomas Jones, who had been twice convicted
of manslaughter, was sentenced to be branded upon the brawn
of the left thumb with the letter "M". He secured a stay of
execution, and at the October term of the next year
presented a pardon from Gov. Carroll.
The first resident attorney in the county was doubtless Luke
Bowyer. At what time he came to the county is not known, but
he served as a magistrate for a year or two about 1815. He
was then an old man, one of the first settlers on the
Watauga, and from that time until shortly before his death
was one of the most active practitioners in the State. It is
to be regretted that so little is known of his life. In 1833
the lawyers of Tazewell mentioned in the Tennessee Gazatteer
were John M. Brobson, James B. Robinson and Gray Garrett. Of
these men Garrett was the most prominent. He had formerly
been located at Newport, and subsequently served a term as
attorney-general. The attorneys of a little later date were
Walter R. Evans, Lewis A. Garrett, Theodore Regan and Thomas
L.W. Sawyers. The present bar is composed of the following
member: P.G. Fulkerson, E.A. Hurst, G.W. Montgomery, C.H.
Rogers, J.P.Davis, T.W. Stone and W.S. Carr.
The commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice
and lay off a town to be known by the name of Tazewell were
George Reed, John Vanbibber, Matthew Sims, Abe Lenham,
Joseph Webster, John Bullard and Silas Williams. The site
chosen was upon land occupied by John Hunt, Sr., and
doubtless owned by him. The first house is said to have been
erected in 1803. The first merchant was William Graham, a
native of Ireland, and a gentleman of high reputation, both
as a business man and a citizen. He owned a large body of
land below town, and about 1814 completed the fine stone
residence now occupied by Mr. Fulkerson. After conducting
his mercantile business for a few years he was joined by
William Houston and Hugh Graham. This partnership, under the
name of Hugh Graham & Co., lasted for several years, and
after its dissolution Hugh Graham and William Houston
conducted separate establishments. The building occupied by
William Graham stood upon the corner where William Eppes
& Son's store now is. Among the later merchants were
James Dickinson, Cloud & Shackleford, Benjamin Seawell
& Son, William Seawell, Chrisman & Hunt and G. W.
Rose. The first physician of the town now remembered was Dr.
Thomas Walker, who was succeeded by Alfred Noel, Gabriel
Shackleford and James Evans. Dr's M. and J. Carriger and
Samuel Brown were also located in the town prior to the
civil war. Of the other early residents of the town may be
mentioned John Bristoe, who was licensed to keep an ordinary
in 1806; Reuben Rose, who opened the first tavern or hotel
of importance; Elijah Evans a hatter, whose shop now forms a
part of Cottrell's hotel, and G. W. Posey, a farmer, who
lived in the upper end of town. Among the oldest residents
of the town now living are William Eppes, formerly a tailor,
but now one of the leading merchants, and G. W. Rose, who
resides upon a farm east of town. The first church building
in the town was erected by William Graham, and stood a short
distance below his residence. It is said to have been built
about 1815, and was doubtless used by all sects, although
Mr. Graham was a Presbyterian. At what date a congregation
of Presbyterians was organized is not definitely known, but
a history of Union Presbytery places it at 1829 or 1830, and
states that it was made by Rev. Stephen Foster. It would
see, however, that some kind of organization must have been
effected before that time. Among the first members were
William Graham and wife, Francis Patterson and wife, Willis
Harper, Hugh Graham, James Patterson and Wife, William
Houston and wife and James Weir and wife. The old church
served as a place of worship until about 1845, when a new
one was erected.
The Methodists early made Tazewell a preaching place. Bishop
Asbury in his journal speaks of preaching "at Hunt's at
Claiborne Courthouse" on October 14, 1802. At what time the
congregation was organized is uncertain, but no house of
worship was erected until about 1844. The Baptists organized
a church, and also completed a building at about the same
time.
During the early years of the town it was supplied with the
schools common to such communities at that day. About 1835 a
frame academy was built near the town spring. This then
became the educational institution for the town.
In 1854 Tazewell Female Academy was incorporated under the
auspices of the Sons of Temperance and the Masonic
Fraternity. Two years later Tazewell Academy was raised to
the rank of a college, and given all the privileges of such
an institution. It has since undergone no change, and has
long enjoyed an enviable reputation.
On November 11, 1862, upon the evacuation of Tazewell by
some Confederate troops who had been stationed there, a fire
broke out which destroyed the greater portion of the town.
About twenty buildings were burned, including the
courthouse, a large brick hotel and several brick
storehouses. From this sever loss the town has never fully
recovered, but it is still one of the most flourishing and
enterprising inland towns to be found in Tennessee. The
business interests of the present time are represented by
the following firms: R. J. & J. C. Carr, William Eppes
& Sons, J. K. Robinson, T. Evans and B. F. Schultz,
general merchandise; White & Stone, groceries, boots and
shoes and hardware, and T. E. White, manufacturer and dealer
in saddlery and harness. The last named is probably the
largest retail establishment of the kind in East
Tennessee.
The following is the list of officials of Claiborne County
since its organization:
Clerks of county court - Walter Evans, 1801-16; Benjamin
Cloud, 1816-36; John Hunt, 1836-37; William Neil, 1837-40;
Wiley Huffaker, 1840-44; Thomas J. Johnson, 1844-58; William
Neil, 1858-62; P. L. Langham, 1862-63; David Cardwell,
1863-70; Eli Goin, 1870-78; H. Ritchie, 1878-86; A.J.
Francisco, 1886.
Clerks of the circuit court - Edward Howell, 1810-14; Arthur
L. Campbell, 1814-15; Jermiah Cloud, 1815-26; Gray Garrett,
1826-27; Fidele S. Hunt, 1827-36; B. F. Cloud, 1836-44; N.
A. Evans, 1844-52; C.Y. Rice, 1852-64; Z. Hodges, 1865-66;
J. N. Treece, 1866-74; T. W. Stone, 1874-78; W. H. Cawood,
1878-80; R. F. Carr, 1880-82; G. W. Montgomery, 1882-86; D.
T. Hodges, 1886.
Sheriffs - John Hunt, 1801-04; George Snuffer, 1804-10;
Dennis Condry, 1810-20; John Hunt, 1820-36; Isaac C. Lane,
1836-42; William W. Greer, 1842-47; James B. Smith, 1847-50;
A. J. Brock, 1850-54; W.W. Greer, 1854-60; Thomas Henderson,
1860-64; E. D. Willis, 1865-68; J. Y. Chadwick, 1868-74;
Elbert Overton, 1874-76; James D. Mayes, 1876-80; A. C.
Hughes, 1880-84; A. M. Clapp, 1884-86; J. F. Longmire,
1886.
Trustees - Isaac Lane, 1801-10; Abe Lenham, 1810-114; Henry
Baker, 1814-18; Eilas Harrison, 1818-34; John Mason,
1834-38; William Whitted, 1838-50; John Mason, 850-54; Wiley
Sanders, 1854-56; Jesse Rogers, 1856-60; Henry Hipsher,
1860-62; Reuben Peterson, 1862-65; John W. Buford, 1865-66;
F. S. McVay, 1866-68; Eli Goin, 1868-70; Johnson Mayes,
1870-72; Jesse C. Rogers, 1872-74; Samuel Cottrell, 1874-76;
William H. Cawood, 1876-78; W. B. Carr, 1878-80; C. B.
White, 1880-82; E. C. Bayler, 1882-84; E. F. Yoakum,
1884.
Registers - Ezekiel Craft, 1801-08; William _______,
1808-36; Walter Evans, 1836-37; Hiram Hurst, 1837-42; Peter
Marcum, 1842-46; David Cardwell; 1846-62; M. M. Fulps,
1862-65; J. I. Hollingsworth, 1865-66; H. H. Friar, 1866-70;
A. C. Hayes, 1870-74; William T. Thackery, 874-78; B.F.
Campbell, 1878-82; William Guy, 1882-86; Jefferson Lambert,
1886.
|
Comments or suggestions? Email me, Sue Seibert, at 
Visit
us at