Maury County, Tennessee, Genealogy & History

African American History Driving Tour

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:25:28 +0000

The MTSU Center for Historic Preservation and the African-American Heritage Society of Maury County to produce a new driving tour guide that documents locations around the county relevant for African-American history.

Learn more about the guide from a recent article in MTSU News!

Click on the picture below for the PDF version of the guide.

MORROW, Ella Hill (d. 1907)

Sun, 09 Feb 2014 06:06:36 +0000

Columbia Notes — A very sad death was that of Mrs. Ella Hill MORROW, which occurred at the residence of her father, Mr. Rutledge HILL, January 2. A large number of friends and relatives attended the funeral at Salem Presbyterian Church, of which she was a consistent member. Services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. MACKLIN, assisted by Revs. Mr. C. NORMAN and T.W. HAMPTON, of the A.M.E. Church. Rev. P.E. GREGGS eulogized her life beautifully as a teacher.

She taught in Maury and adjoining counties. Mrs. MORROW was a woman of splendid traits of character; admired and loved by all who knew her, and that was tested by the long line of carriages that followed her remains to beautiful Salem Cemetery, eight miles from here, where flowers were spread over her last resting place.

[additional note]

Mr. Ed HILL, of New York, who was at the bedside of his sister, Mrs. MORROW, when she died, will return in a few weeks.

The Nashville globe. (Nashville, Tenn.), 11 Jan. 1907. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86064259/1907-01-11/ed-1/seq-4/>

MORGAN, Sam (d. 1866)

Wed, 06 Nov 2013 04:04:43 +0000

Last night, about 11 o’clock, Mr. Wood MACKEY, son of our esteemed fellow citizen, Alex MACKEY, Esq., who lives about three miles East of Columbia, detected a negro man named Sam MORGAN, stealing corn from his crib, and attempted to arrest him, the negro made an effort to escape, and Mr. MACKEY shot and killed him. Sam formerly belonged to Mr. John F. MORGAN, of this city, and was cultivating a portion of the Annie BOOKER farm, near Mr. MACKEY’s.

Source: Columbia Herald, 12 May 1866

ASHTON, Thomas B. (d. 1869)

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:04:41 +0000

Death of a Bright Boy. – Thomas B. ASHTON, son of the late James H. ASHTON, died at the residence of his mother, Maury county, Tennessee, July 12th, 1869, aged about 18 years. He was a young man of extraordinary promise. His mind was of the very first order. His moral character unexceptionable. He was, in all respects, one of the most admirable young men whose death we have been called to mourn. He had been a professor of religion and member of the M.E. Church South, for two years. He met death calmly and triumphantly, and without a cloud or fear sweetly “fell asleep in Jesus.” We expect to meet him in the bright world above. – R.G. Irvine, July 20, 1869.

Source: Columbia Herald, 23 July 1869

Tableaux Vivant At Ashwood Hall (1869)

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 04:05:02 +0000

The beautiful and picturesque church of St. Johns, about seven miles from Columbia, on the Mt. Pleasant pike, was much injured during the war, and has remained out of repair ever since. And the grounds, which contain the remains of a number of gallant Confederate soldiers and distinguished generals, as well as many of Maury’s favored children are also out of repair. It is proposed to have a series of Tableaux at Ashwood on the 23d inst., for the purpose of raising money to repair the church and grounds. The Tableaux promise to be highly entertaining, as some of the fairest and most accomplished ladies and gallant gentleman of Columbua and Maury Co. will take part in it. The object is worthy of praise, the Hall is magnificent, the tableaux will be enchanting, and the accomplished managers, R.K. and Maj. Will POLK, will make everybody comfortable. Tickets $1, to be had at all the drugstores.

The Columbia herald. (Columbia, Tenn.), 13 Aug. 1869. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85033386/1869-08-13/ed-1/seq-3/>

Colored School Exhibition (1869)

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 03:58:21 +0000

Thursday night of last week Rev. Mr. BROOKS’s colored school had an Exhibition at the close of the session, in the Hamner Hall. It was had thus publicly for the benefit of the New Methodist Church, now being built. The speeches and the songs were all good, and fifty dollars was raised.

Members of the United States Colored Troops to be Commemorated in Dedication Ceremony

Fri, 18 Oct 2013 22:11:54 +0000

The African American Heritage Society of Maury County announced that a dedication ceremony to commemorate the placement of the names of 54 members of the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) from Maury County and 4 white Maury Countians who fought and died for the union in the Civil War will be conducted on Oct 19^th, 2013 at 10 AM at the Maury County War Memorial Monument located outside the Maury County Court House.

The program includes an honor guard from the black Civil War re-enactors of the 13^th U.S.C. T. Regiment who will present and post arms to honor these men, as their names are read into Maury County’s place of history.

The Key Note speakers include, Mr. Patrick McIntyre, Director of the Tennessee Historical commission; Mr. John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Foundation, and Dr. Bobby Lovett. Ms. Dorothy Oliver will sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and Oh Freedom, followed by a prayer and taps to honor these brave men.

A luncheon will be served following the ceremony at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall at St. Peters Episcopal Church on 7^th St. Dr. Bobby Lovett of TSU will speak. Luncheon reservations are available until October 10, at $25 per person.

The history of the 13^th U.S.C.T. where most of these Maury County men served can be found at www.13thusct.com. The regiment was formed on Sept. 24, 1863 at Murfreesboro, Tn. The 13^th USCT Regiment was presented with its Regimental flag by the colored ladies ofMurfreesboro, TN on Nov. 19, 1863. The 13^th USCT was initially stationed in defense of Nashville and railroad facilities in Middle Tennessee. The unit repelled the forces of General Nathan Bedford Forrest on several occasions and was engaged in battles at Johnsonville and Nashville. In Dec. 1864 the 13th USCT Regiment was consolidated with the 12^th USCT and 100^th USCT under Colonel Thompson into the 2^nd Brigade. The Second Brigade, including the 13^th USCT participated in the fierce assault on the right wing of General Hoods Army of Tennessee in the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 15- 16^th,1864 at Overton Hill (Peach Orchard Hill). The battle site can be seen today just west of I-65 at the Harding Place exit, where a historical marker has been placed. The 13^th USCT was mustered out of service on July 7^th, 1865 in St. Louis.

For further information on the event or luncheon call : Jo Ann McClellan – 931-682-3755 or 931-698-4765

BAIRD, John (d. 1871)

Fri, 10 May 2013 06:49:44 +0000

Whig and Tribune
August 8, 1871

Obituary for John BAIRD

Source: Whig and tribune. (Jackson, Tenn.), 05 Aug. 1871. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85033435/1871-08-05/ed-1/seq-2/>

Biography: ABERNATHY, Marcus

tngenwebproject@gmail.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:04:28 +0000

MARCUS L. ABERNATHY, clerk of Barry County, Mo., was born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1830, and is the son of John Y. and Matilda (ALEXANDER) Abernathy. John Y. Abernathy was born in North Carolina in 1806, of Scotch parentage. When a small boy he was taken by his father, David Abernathy, to Maury County, Tenn. It was here that he grew to manhood and married. He chose farming for his life vocation and soon after his marriage he removed to Giles County, Tenn., where he resided until his death in 1849. He served in the Seminole war. His wife was born in Maury County, Tenn., and died in 1854. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. They are Ann (wife of Jacob YOKLEY, who resided on the old Abernathy homestead in Giles County), Marcus L., Miles T. (a real estate agent, of Barnum, Texas), Louise J., (wife of John W. STORY, of Williamson County, Tenn,.) Sarah C., (Mrs. G. DUPREE) and Milton S. (a saddler of Rocky Comfort, Mo.) Marcus L. was educated in a pioneer log schoolhouse in Tennessee. He grew to manhood on a farm, making his home with his parents until he was past twenty-one years of age. In 1851 he left his native state for Greene County, Mo., where he purchased land and resumed farming. In 1854 he married Nancy J. SIMS, a native of Greene County, Mo., born in 1836. She became the mother of eight children, viz: Mary, wife of Archibald HESSEE, a hardware merchant of Cassville,) Ophelia M., (deceased wife of W. T. MCCLURE), William A., (a farmer), Ida (wife of J. B. HESSEE, a farmer), Fannie, Frank, Minnie and Walter. In August, 1861, Mr. Abernathy enlisted in the Confederate army, joining Company A, Third Regiment of Missouri Cavalry. During the battle of Pea Ridge on March 7, 1862, he was severely wounded by the bursting of a shell. It was necessary on account of the wound to amputate his left leg near the hip. After the war he clerked in a store at Ebenezer, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to Cassville. Soon after he became deputy clerk of Barry county and in 1874 was elected clerk. He has served his constituents so faithfully and well that he has been re-elected at each succeeding election, being the present encumbent. He is a man of the people, universally respected by all parties, and is an adherent to Democratic principles. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is a member of I.O.O.F., and A. F. & A. M. His wife died in 1879. (Excerpted by Giles County, TNGenWeb Researcher Abbie Thompson from The History Of Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties, Missouri, Barry County, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1888)

WHITSON, Annie (1827)

tngenwebproject@gmail.com — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:51:57 +0000

THE WILL OF ANNE WHITSONMaury County, Tennessee

Recorded Sept. 3 1827

In the name of God Amen. I, Anne Whitson of the State of Tennessee and Maury County being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God, I do make and Publish this my last will and Testament in the manner and form as following Viz.

First, I devise and dispose of my worldly Estate in the Following manner, I allow my just debts to be adjusted and ____ agreeable to ____. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my son, John Whitson, one dollar out of my Estate, he has received ____ house and other Property to the amount of what he was to have had out of his fathers Estate. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my son, Thomas Whitson, one dollar out of my Estate, he has Received his share in lands and other property in full out of his Fathers Estate. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my son, Joseph Whitson, one dollar out of my Estate, he has received the amount of his Part in money and other Property out of the Estate of his Father. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my son, James Whitson, one dollar our of my Estate, he has received to the amount of his part in money, lands and a negro boy of the Estate of his Father. My son, George Whitson, deceased, did and has in his life time received to the full amount of his full share and part in money lands and Negroes and other Property out of the Estate of his Father. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my son, William Whitson, one dollar out of my Estate, he has received to the full amount of his share, in money and property out of his Father’s Estate. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Hardin, one Negro boy named Alfred, and my will is that my son, Samuel Whitson, pay in a reasonable time two hundred dollars on my account to my daughter Mary. I also give my daughter, Mary, one bay mare called the post bay mare and one feather bed and bed clothes. It is my will and I give and bequeath unto my son, Samuel Whitson, my land and plantation where I now live including all lying South of a line to be extended to my East and West boundary lines which line in its intention is to be _______ and now the course of a new fence lately made between Edmund L .Williams and myself and one Negro man named Daniel and on negro woman named Hannah Daniels wife also one little negro boy named Sam also a negro child named Lucina Hannah’s children. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sally Witherspoon one negro girl named Sarah also one named Mary also the one half of my household and kitchen furniture the cupboard excepted which I allow for my daughter Rebecca. I give by daughter Sally the one half o my beds and bedding except the bed and clothing as above named given to my daughter Mary. My will is and I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Williams the land and plantation whereon she now lives including what lye north of a new fence lately made between myself and Edmund L. Williams the line is to be extended the course of the said fence to my East and West boundaries the said land is to lye North of the course of the said fence ___ the ___ more or less. Also one negro girl named Matilda. Also a negro girl named Patsy. Also the one half of my house hold and kitchen furniture also I give my daughter Rebecca my cupboard also the one half o my beds and bedding the one bed and bed clothes as before excepted which I have given my daughter Mary. After this distribution of the above items leaving some negroes not disposed of, it is my will and I give and bequeath my son, Thomas Whitson a negro boy named Stan and it is my will and I give my son, James Whitson, a negro boy named David also one other one named Dave. It is my will also and I give my son, Samuel Whitson, all my silver table and tea spoons. It is my will and I give and bequeath one negro girl named Margaret Jane to my daughters, Sally Witherspoon and Rebecca Williams with an Equal interest in the said negro girl. It is my will that the balance of my Estate not ____ or given away to be equally divided on disposed of between the following of my children (to wit) my son, James; my daughter, Mary; my son, Samuel; my daughters Sally and Rebecca. I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons James Whitson, Samuel Whitson and Edmond L. Williams my executors to carry this my will unto hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness to this, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 24th day of April in the Year of our Lord 1827.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Anne Whitson to be her last will and testament in the presence of Elijah Hanks Matthew Harkins J. Williams Asa Dodson William Whitson (Husband of Anne McDowell Whitson) Know all men by t_______ ____ents that I, Wm. Whitson of_________ county being in my ________do make and consti________ last Will and Testam_______ __ner and form follo_____ is to say first I m____ appoint my wife Ann my whole and _______ and guardian of my children except she should marry again or be insane or by any other misfortune be rendered incapable of fulfilling said appointment and ___ _____ allow my estate to be equally divided among my children except my three eldest sons, John, Thomas, and Joseph Whitson who have already received their share of my Estate and as I have sold my Lands in the County except one tract on Trecy? and one other on Rosses Creek of 100 Acres which I allow her to sell and make conveyances for the same and the money arising from such sales with the price of my other land I allow her my s’d wife to purchase land with for the use of my children except what she shall think will be necessary for purchasing Negroes for her use an other purposes which will be of use in educating my children or any other purpose for the benefit of them which she shall think necessary but in case should mary or any of the above misfortunes should happen I allow my estate after debts are paid real and personal to be divided as above ______ but if she should marry again I give ____ th to her one thousand Dollars of my ________ tow Negroes will all my household _______ and three hundred Dollars worth _____ck of horses, but if she should not ____ and become disabled by age or ________ I allow her to have as much of my property laid off by two good sufficient freeholders as shall maintain her in a decent and comfortable manner during her lifetime bit if she should not marry or become unable to do the business of Executrix or Guardian I allow her to hole as much of my estate in her hands as will maintain her during her life in a manner she shall think convenient and right and to dispose of my estate to my children in a manner she s____ think equitable and right between them. revoking every other will or wills by me heretofore make ratifying and confirming this as my last will and testament and in testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of November 1806. (signed) Wm Whitson seal witnesses Wm. Smith William Young Interlined before signed by Wm. Whitson of 100 Acres & (with all my household furniture and three hundred dollars worth of my stock of horses) The above words enclosed within parenthesis were inter___d in the above will. Note: one corner of the original will book page is torn and represents the _____ in the above will.