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Notes http://www.tngenweb.org/dekalb/ledger2.htm DeKalb Co, TN GenWeb ELI VICK'S STORE July 17th, 1845 -- December 15th, 1845 Ledger Entries M-Z Francis Turner, George Turner (Francis son), George Turner (John's son), John Turner, Johnathan Turner, Isaac Turney, Joseph Turney, Esg. Joseph Turney, Katherine Turney, William Turney SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH LIBERTY, DEKALB COUNTY, TENNESSEE Page 2 "Salem Baptist Church Minutes 1809-1908, Membership List" 1833 Francis Turner, Elizabeth Turner History of Dekalb Co, TN http://www.tngenweb.org/dekalb/Title.htm 5 May 2008 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY TENNESSEE __________ By WILL T. HALE __________ Author of "A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans," "The Indians and Tennessee Pioneers," "True Stories of Jamestown, Virginia," and Other Books ________ NASHVILLE, TENN. PAUL HUNTER, PUBLISHER 1915 References to Francis Turner p. 13- The leading crops are corn, wheat, rye, and oats, though the first settlers grew flax, cotton, and tobacco. Some of the finest mules driven South before and after the War between the States were raised on DeKalb County farms. In 1840 Tennessee was the greatest hog and corn State in the Union, and this county produced its share. Small fortunes have been made in hog-trading. Early traders were Francis Turner, William B. Stokes, Matthew Sellars, Edward Robinson, Robin Forrester, William G. Stokes, and others. p. 28- As early as 1832-33 the neighborhood around the village must have been thickly populated or many patrons of the stores came from the Smithville and Woodbury communities. Some of the names on Dr. Wright's daybook are: J. G. Roulstone, S. J. Garrison, David L. Ray, W. C. Garrison, Lemuel H. Bethel, David Fite, Reuben Evans, Eli A. Fisher, M. A. Fricks, German Gossett, Francis Turner, G. Shehane, Henry Fite, Charles Jenkins, James Stanford, George L. Givan, John Floyd, Zach Williamson, Brackett Estes, John L. Strong, Joel N. West, John Stark, Peter Hays, Joshua Bratten, B. F. Wood, T. W. Duncan, James Wilder, Moses Fite, Joseph Cameron, Louis Y. Davis, ... p. 46- DeKalb County had its share of the 1,274 "stills." Perhaps the first was put up about 1801 by Jesse Allen on Eagle Creek. The writer's maternal grandfather, Abraham Overall, was a distiller, and from his old account book we get an idea of the cheapness of ardent spirits and realize how the best people kept a supply. Among his customers were Thomas Richardson, Moses Allen, Dr. Flowers, Dr. Jefferson Sneed, William Goggin, Josiah Fuson, Samson Braswell, John Allen, Josiah Hale, Matthew Sellars, Samuel Barger, William Pistole, Joseph Hays, James Stark, Hiram Morris, Joseph Turney, Daniel Ford, Francis Turner, Isaac Turney, Jacob Adams, Henry Powell, Goolsberry Blades, 'Bias Wilson, and Peter Clark. p. 51- Isaac Whaley once gave this pointer to the writer: "Our people generally wore homespun clothes- the women cotton dresses striped with indigo and turkey red, though some had silk. The men's clothing was usually made by tailors, our first tailor at Liberty being Bill Cochran; the second, Joe Perryman. The best of our early hatters was Mathias West, who made considerable money. Wool and fur hats were made. Mr. West could make as fine a 'stovepipe' as you will see. The price was $7 or $8, and when the fur was worn off the hat was brought back and made as good as new. The wealthiest people, like Francis Turner, Ned Robinson, and Abraham Overall, had fine broadcloth suits made by the tailors." p. 99- Slaves were numerous in the county. Scores of citizens owned from two to a dozen, while a few held a much larger number. The original stock in most instances was brought from the older States by the pioneers. There was not very much trafficking in this species of property in DeKalb County. Of the slave owners adjacent to Liberty, these are recalled with little effort: James Allen, John Stark, W. G. Bratten, Reuben Evans, Francis Turner, Isaac Turney, Abraham Overall, Ezekiel Bass, Edward Robinson, Henry Frazier, Dr. G. C. Flowers, Daniel Smith, Nicholas Smith, Horace Overall, W. B. Stokes, James Tubb, Isaac Turney, Thomas Stokes, John Bethel, Eli Vick, James Fuston, Joseph Clarke, William Vick, William Sellars, Jasper Ruyle, William Avant, Sampson Williams, Thomas Givan, Peter and Jacob Adams, Leonard Lamberson, the Brazwells, Hayses, Groomses, Roys, and Bates. p. 128- DeKalb County has been noted for its large and strong men. Commercial travelers and others have remarked upon the fact. It is safe to say that no countyof the same population can show a larger number. "Big" Bill Evans, once county trustee, weighed in his prime about two hundred and seventy-five pounds. Mrs. Matilda Huggins, his sister, weighed probably more. William B. Preston was about the size of Evans, and his mother weighed about three hundred pounds. Fox Frazier (hog trader), his brother Henry, John Parker (of Dismal Creek), Col. James Tubb, James Fuston (tavern keeper), Presley Adamson, Henry L. Turner, Francis Turner, James Stark, Landon Richardson, Bill Garrison, Aaron Frazier, Sr., William Estes, Moses and John Spencer, Jim Willis, Thomas Roe, George and Thomas E. Bratten, Bart Pack, George Givan, Sr., William G. Bratten, Jack Tubb, Rev. Natty Hayes, Gips West-such men, weighing from two hundred and twenty-five pounds up, could be named in scores. laverne523 Suwanee, Georgia, USA Ancestry.com According to research of Frieda & William Reddell, Francis was the son of James Turner/Ann Reeves from Patrick Co. VA. and was brought to Wilson Co. TN by his parents about 1815 (his father is identified in 1815 VA deed as being 'of Wilson Co. TN) Francis was apparently still in his father's household at the time of the 1820 census The 1820 Wilson co. TN census shows that James was over 45 with sons: 18-26 - this would have been John, b. 1802 16-18 - this would have been Francis b. 1804 10-16 - this would have been James Jr. b. 1808 Their brother Jeremiah was listed as head of his own household in age group 16-26 Females listed were: Anna 2 16-26 - Elizabeth b. 1797 & Lucinda b. 1805 2 und. 10 - Anna b. 1811 and Susannah b. 1816 The estate sale of James is recorded 20 Oct 1825 in Wilson Co. TN. Although he did not leave a will, his family was reconstructed from the estate sale records. Buyers at sale of estate included John, FRANCIS, James, Jerry, Ann Turner and George Phillips. Record was sworn to in open court by Jerimiah Turner. George Phillips had married James & Anne's daughter Lucinda in 1822. Ann Turner was the buyer of household goods and the family bible. There is Wilson Co. marriage 6 Jan 1837 of Anna Turner to Nicholas Loyd, but no proof this was widow. 1847 Aug. term, Cannon Co. estate records, Francis Turner admin of estate of George W. Reeves. Land transaction discussed and among names mentioned for insolvency of this transaction, Jeremiah T.Reeves, Elijah Higgins among others.... Francis is listed in the Smith Co. census 1830 (pg 71) Francis 20-30 (b 1800-1810) male und 5 (b 1825-1830) male und 5 (b 1825-1830) Female 20-30 (was this Elizabeth - or a first wife?? If Elizabeth,obviously she is not listed in her mother's household - see notes onCatherine Turney) 1 female und 5 (b 1825-1830) 1840 Census pg 140 (Turneys and Francis' brother John Turner are onpg. 237/238) Male 30-40 male 15-20 (b 1820-1825) male 15-20 (b. 1820-1825) male 10-15 (b 1825-1830) - Isaac b. 1828 male und 5 (b 1835-1840) - John b. 1836 male und 5 (b 1835-1840) - Francis b. 1839 Female 30-40 female 15-20 (b 1820-1825) female 10-15 (b 1825-1830) female 5-10 (b 1830-1835) female 5-10 (b 1830-1835) - Sarah b. 1834 There is difference in age groups between 1830 and 1840 census --either age groups were incorrect in one of the census reports, or more probably, the children listed in 1840 census as born 1820-1825 do not belong to Francis/Elizabeth. Two of the 3 children in 1830 census are accounted for on 1840 census in correct age group (missing is one male- possibly deceased by 1840?) It seems unlikely that Francis (who was only 21 by 1825) would have had 3 children born before he turned 21 - especially considering they were not listed in his 1830 census household. There is a Francis Turner age 66 living alone in Cannon County 1870 census. According to Reddell, son Isaac was also in the 1870 Cannon Co. census, but he returned to DeKalb Co. by 1880. It would appear that the Civil War had a devastating effect on many of the well-to-do DeKalb Co. families and many seem to have scattered including the Turner, Turney, Ashworth and Tubb families. Francis & Elizabeth's son, Francis Jr. had married Mary Ashworth - by 1870, they were in Wilson County, Alexandria Post Office in Census. Francis and family appear in the records of the Baptist church in Cannon County. Mary's parents, Thomas & Julia Ashworth remained in DeKalb Co. for the 1870 census, but shortly afterwards, moved to Kaufman Co. TX where 3 oftheir sons had moved before the Civil War. Apparently, many probate records for DeKalb Co. are missing for the years when Francis Sr. probably died and no estate records have been found for him. Nor has a grave site for either Francis or his wife Elizabeth been found. HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY TENNESSEE By WILL T. HALE NASHVILLE, TENN. PAUL HUNTER, PUBLISHER 1915 page 12: ..... The leading crops are corn, wheat, rye, and oats, though the first settlers grew flax, cotton, and tobacco. Some of the finest mules driven South before and after the War between the States were raised on DeKalb County farms. In 1840 Tennessee was the greatest hog and corn State in the Union, and this county produced its share. Small fortunes have been made in hog-trading. Early traders were FRANCIS TURNER , William B. Stokes, Matthew Sellars, Edward Robinson, Robin Forrester, William G. Stokes, and others. The last named, a son of Thomas Stokes, of Temperance Hall, disappeared before the war on a trip South and was never heard of again. Buyers after the war were C.W. L. Hale, W. G. Evans, Gips West, Fox Frazier, and others. Hogs handled by the earlier dealers were from two to three years old when fattened. They were driven across country south, mainly to Georgia. Ten drivers could manage one thousand hogs, and one route was through Liberty, up Clear Fork, by McMinnville, over Walden's Ridge, across the Tennessee River, and on to Marietta, Milledgeville, Macon, and various Southern towns. Thirty-five days were allowed to go from Liberty to Georgia. The animals traveled from two and a half to ten miles a day. Dr. Foster imparts the interesting fact that in the "flatwoods" years ago there were many wild or feral hogs, belonging to no one but claimed by many. Descended from domesticated stock, "they developed immense tusks and long, heavy coats of hair." --- page 46 ... DeKalb County had its share of the 1,274 "stills." Perhaps the first was put up about 1801 by Jesse Allen on Eagle Creek. The writer's maternal grandfather, Abraham Overall, was a distiller, and from his old account book we get an idea of the cheapness of ardent spirits and realize how the best people kept a supply. Among his customers were Thomas Richardson, Moses Allen, Dr. Flowers, Dr.Jefferson Sneed, William Goggin, Josiah Fuson, Samson Braswell, John Allen, Josiah Hale, Matthew Sellars, Samuel Barger, William Pistole,Joseph Hays, James Stark, Hiram Morris, Joseph Turney, Daniel Ford,Francis Turner, Isaac Turney, Jacob Adams, Henry Powell, Goolsberry Blades, 'Bias Wilson, and Peter Clark. Polly Stanly and Polly Huchens purchased largely, perhaps to sell. The latter on July 17, 1841, was charged $3 for six gallons. Under the same date is this entry: "Three gallons whisky in evening of the election, $1.50." Here are the purchases of one farmer for about seven months of 1844. The buyer's name is withheld, although on the book: April 12, one gallon of brandy, .62½ ; April 17, one gallon of whisky (order), .37½; April 27,one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May 1, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May9, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May 23, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ;May 29, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; June 18, one gallon of whisky,.37½ ; June 27, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; July 12, one gallon ofwhisky, .37½ ; July 17, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; August 24, onegallon of whisky, .37½ ; November 6, one gallon of brandy, .40. " --- page 51 .... By 1830, however, stocks of goods were no doubt enlarged, and Alexandria may have made the innovation. Dr. Foster writes that "the people of that town were always more dressy than in other parts of the county"; while the writer remembers the remark frequently made by Squire Len F. Woodside just after the War between the States: "Yes,sir, the Petersons don't send to Paris, but to Alexandria, for the latest fashions with which to illustrate their magazine." But Dr. Wright's daybook indicates that his stock was full enough for a village store. It also indicates that his patrons bought on time; moreover, there is not an item charged at five cents. Joshua Brattenis charged twenty-five cents for half a pound of powder; Col. Abe Overall, $2 for eight pounds of coffee and 12 cents a pound for sugar; Hariette C. Roulstone, 43 cents for two yards of "apron checks"; Thomas Cameron, 75 cents for three yards of domestic; David L. Ray, $1.50 for three yards of calico; Leonard Lamberson, 62 ½ cents for afourth of a pound of tea; John R. Dougherty, 62 ½ cents for a pound of raisins; E. Wright, 12 cents for two dozen eggs; John M. Leake, $1 for a bandanna handkerchief; Irving Gray (hatter), $2.50 for six yards of calico; Jacob Overall, 12 cents for two gimlets; Littleberry Vick,$5.75 for twenty-three yards of homespun; Louis Y. Davis, 25 cents for two pounds of "homemade" (maple) sugar; Col. Abe Overall, $7.50 for a mill saw (probably the straight sort); Elizabeth Overall, $2.25 for a cotton umbrella, "to be paid for in brown jeans"; Liberty Lodge, No.77, "to cash to pay postage, 6 ½ cents"; William Blair, two reap hooks, $1.50; Asia Cooper, one dozen button molds, 6 ½ cents, and onepaper of tacks, 18 ½ cents; W. B. Stokes, four pounds of nails, 50cents; W. G. Stokes, one drab hat, $8.50, one cravat stiffening, 12 ½cents, and one vial oil of cinnamon, 25 cents; Bartimeus Pack, onehymn book, 75 cents; Richard Arnold, one fur hat, $6. Calico was worth50 cents the yard; nutmegs, 6 ¼ cents each. A lady is charged 87 ½cents for three and a half yards of domestic and 60 cents for a pairof cotton hose. T. W. Duncan buys a dozen gun flints for 6 ½ cents, and John Canler a paper of ink powder for 18 ¾cents. James B. Pistole is charged $8 for "one Tom and Jerry hat";William C. Garrison, $3 "for Webster's speeches"; William B. Stokes,62 ½ cents for "one piano song"; L. H. Bethel, 37 ½ cents to paypostage; Thomas E. Bratten, 75 cents for a gallon of molasses. Thereis a charge of $1.20 for four pounds of loaf sugar. Loaf sugar was inconical packages and came ready wrapped in dark-blue paper. Somewhatpathetic is this charge of eighty-two years ago, "Two boys' balls, 6 ½cents," for one cannot help wondering what came of the boy or boys. Afarmer is credited $2 for twenty-four and a half pounds of butter andanother $2.16 ½ for six and a half pounds of wool. The leghorn hat was fashionable then and later. Was it also called a"poke" bonnet? A writer in the Liberty Herald in 1892 stated that the"leghorn bonnets were a foot and a half long, more or less, withoutany artificials, simply a plain ribbon drawn across the top and tiedunder the chin." The Dunstable bonnet was much in vogue. One is charged in thefollowing bill to Miss Elizabeth O. Hall: "One Dunstable bonnet andtrimmings, $6; six yards blk. silk, $6; seven yards calico, $3.50;pair side combs, 12 ½ cents; one best fancy handkerchief, $2; twelvestrands beads, 87 ½ cents; one black bobbinet veil, $2.50; one blackbandanna handkerchief, $1; two and a half yards bobbinet lace, $1.56 ½." Among the products of the farm in 1832-33 were cheese and flax seed.David Griffith's account was credited with 62 ½ cents for one and aquarter pounds flax seed; and at the time Jordan Sellars was charged$9 for "one fine fur hat," he was credited with 85 cents for eight anda half pounds of cheese. Since Isaac Whaley's reference to the clothing worn by the foreparentshas been introduced in this chapter, it will be only a seconddigression to quote the words of an old DeKalb Countian who wrote fromMissouri to the Liberty Herald April 6, 1892, of before-the-war days: For Sunday many of the well-to-do men wore a blue or black broadclothcoat which cost from four to ten dollars a yard. They were usually cutwith a frock or "claw-hammer" tail and rolling collar. The black andwhite satin vest, double-breasted, was worn by the fashionable. Pantswere made very loose and had wide or narrow flaps before, invariably.A black silk cravat, doubled crosswise, was worn around a collar ofuncertain dimensions. The dress described was worn by the fashionable,such as Eli Vick, Jasper Ruyle, Pete Adams, Len Walker, Joseph Clarke,Peter Clark, and others on Sunday. Later Dr. Horace Sneed, Dr. J. S.Harrison, the Hayes boys, the Turners, and the Turneys were theleaders in fashion. Many women sometimes wore silk dresses - notgaudy-colored, but plain black silk. A calico dress was seldom seen.Nearly all dresses were made with two widths of cloth and a gore oneach side. Hoop skirts were as rare among women as drawers among men.All young women wore their dresses fastened behind. No suchinstitution as a corset was thought of. The hair was usually parted inthe middle, a strip bent around each ear, and wound up with a largehorn comb at the back of the head." --- page 99 Slaves were numerous in the county. Scores of citizens owned from two to a dozen, while a few held a much larger number. The original stock in most instances was brought from the older States by the pioneers.There was not very much trafficking in this species of property in DeKalb County. Of the slave owners adjacent to Liberty, these are recalled with little effort: James Allen, John Stark, W. G. Bratten, Reuben Evans, Francis Turner , Isaac Turney, Abraham Overall, Ezekiel Bass, Edward Robinson, Henry Frazier, Dr. G. C. Flowers, Daniel Smith, Nicholas Smith, Horace Overall, W. B. Stokes, James Tubb, Isaac Turney, Thomas Stokes, John Bethel, Eli Vick, James Fuston, Joseph Clarke, William Vick, William Sellars, Jasper Ruyle, William Avant, Sampson Williams, Thomas Givan, Peter and Jacob Adams, Leonard Lamberson, the Brazwells, Hayses, Groomses, Roys, and Bates. --- page 128 IN a history of Kentucky by Prof. N. S. Shaler, who for more than aquarter of a century filled the chair of Agassiz at Harvard University, it is shown that by actual measurement the Tennessee and Kentucky soldiers in the War between the States were the largest in the army and in the world. DeKalb County has been noted for its large and strong men. Commercial travelers and others have remarked upon the fact. It is safe to say that no county of the same population can show a larger number. "Big" Bill Evans, once county trustee, weighed in his prime about two hundred and seventy-five pounds. Mrs. Matilda Huggins, his sister, weighed probably more. William B. Preston was about the size of Evans,and his mother weighed about three hundred pounds. Fox Frazier (hog trader), his brother Henry, John Parker (of Dismal Creek), Col. James Tubb, James Fuston (tavern keeper), Presley Adamson, Henry L. Turner, Francis Turner , James Stark, Landon Richardson, Bill Garrison, AaronFrazier, Sr., William Estes, Moses and John Spencer, Jim Willis,Thomas Roe, George and Thomas E. Bratten, Bart Pack, George Givan,Sr., William G. Bratten, Jack Tubb, Rev. Natty Hayes, Gips West-suchmen, weighing from two hundred and twenty-five pounds up, could benamed in scores http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/6960696/person/-971452293/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum According to research of Frieda & William Reddell, Francis was the son of James Turner/Ann Reeves from Patrick Co. VA. and was brought to Wilson Co. TN by his parents about 1815 (his father is identified in 1815 VA deed as being 'of Wilson Co. TN) Francis was apparently still in his father's household at the time of the 1820 censusThe 1820 Wilson co. TN census shows that James was over 45 with sons:18-26 - this would have been John, b. 180216-18 - this would have been Francis b. 180410-16 - this would have been James Jr. b. 1808Their brother Jeremiah was listed as head of his own household in age group 16-26Females listed were:Anna2 16-26 - Elizabeth b. 1797 & Lucinda b. 18052 und. 10 - Anna b. 1811 and Susannah b. 1816----The estate sale of James is recorded 20 Oct 1825 in Wilson Co. TN. Although he did not leave a will, his family was reconstructed from the estate sale records. Buyers at sale of estate included John, FRANCIS, James, Jerry, Ann Turner and George Phillips. Record was sworn to in open court by Jerimiah Turner. George Phillips had married James & Anne's daughter Lucinda in 1822. Ann Turner was the buyer of household goods and the family bible. There is Wilson Co. marriage 6 Jan 1837 of Anna Turner to Nicholas Loyd, but no proof this was widow.----1847 Aug. term, Cannon Co. estate records, Francis Turner admin of estate of George W. Reeves. Land transaction discussed and among names mentioned for insolvency of this transaction, Jeremiah T.Reeves, Elijah Higgins among others....----Francis is listed in the Smith Co. census 1830 (pg 71)Francis 20-30 (b 1800-1810)male und 5 (b 1825-1830)male und 5 (b 1825-1830)Female 20-30 (was this Elizabeth - or a first wife?? If Elizabeth,obviously she is not listed in her mother's household - see notes onCatherine Turney)1 female und 5 (b 1825-1830)-------------1840 Census pg 140 (Turneys and Francis' brother John Turner are onpg. 237/238)Male 30-40male 15-20 (b 1820-1825)male 15-20 (b. 1820-1825)male 10-15 (b 1825-1830) - Isaac b. 1828male und 5 (b 1835-1840) - John b. 1836male und 5 (b 1835-1840) - Francis b. 1839Female 30-40female 15-20 (b 1820-1825)female 10-15 (b 1825-1830)female 5-10 (b 1830-1835)female 5-10 (b 1830-1835) - Sarah b. 1834There is difference in age groups between 1830 and 1840 census --either age groups were incorrect in one of the census reports, or more probably, the children listed in 1840 census as born 1820-1825 do not belong to Francis/Elizabeth. Two of the 3 children in 1830 census are accounted for on 1840 census in correct age group (missing is one male- possibly deceased by 1840?) It seems unlikely that Francis (who was only 21 by 1825) would have had 3 children born before he turned 21 - especially considering they were not listed in his 1830 census household.----There is a Francis Turner age 66 living alone in Cannon County 1870 census. According to Reddell, son Isaac was also in the 1870 Cannon Co. census, but he returned to DeKalb Co. by 1880. It would appear that the Civil War had a devastating effect on many of the well-to-do DeKalb Co. families and many seem to have scattered including the Turner, Turney, Ashworth and Tubb families. Francis & Elizabeth's son, Francis Jr. had married Mary Ashworth - by 1870, they were in Wilson County, Alexandria Post Office in Census. Francis and family appear in the records of the Baptist church in Cannon County. Mary's parents, Thomas & Julia Ashworth remained in DeKalb Co. for the 1870 census, but shortly afterwards, moved to Kaufman Co. TX where 3 oftheir sons had moved before the Civil War.----Apparently, many probate records for DeKalb Co. are missing for the years when Francis Sr. probably died and no estate records have been found for him. Nor has a grave site for either Francis or his wife Elizabeth been found.HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY TENNESSEE By WILL T. HALENASHVILLE, TENN. PAUL HUNTER, PUBLISHER 1915page 12:..... The leading crops are corn, wheat, rye, and oats, though the first settlers grew flax, cotton, and tobacco. Some of the finest mules driven South before and after the War between the States were raised on DeKalb County farms. In 1840 Tennessee was the greatest hog and corn State in the Union, and this county produced its share. Small fortunes have been made in hog-trading. Early traders were FRANCIS TURNER , William B. Stokes, Matthew Sellars, Edward Robinson, Robin Forrester, William G. Stokes, and others. The last named, a son of Thomas Stokes, of Temperance Hall, disappeared before the war on a trip South and was never heard of again. Buyers after the war were C.W. L. Hale, W. G. Evans, Gips West, Fox Frazier, and others. Hogs handled by the earlier dealers were from two to three years old when fattened. They were driven across country south, mainly to Georgia. Ten drivers could manage one thousand hogs, and one route was through Liberty, up Clear Fork, by McMinnville, over Walden's Ridge, across the Tennessee River, and on to Marietta, Milledgeville, Macon, and various Southern towns. Thirty-five days were allowed to go from Liberty to Georgia. The animals traveled from two and a half to ten miles a day. Dr. Foster imparts the interesting fact that in the "flatwoods" years ago there were many wild or feral hogs, belonging to no one but claimed by many. Descended from domesticated stock, "they developed immense tusks and long, heavy coats of hair."---page 46... DeKalb County had its share of the 1,274 "stills." Perhaps the first was put up about 1801 by Jesse Allen on Eagle Creek. The writer's maternal grandfather, Abraham Overall, was a distiller, and from his old account book we get an idea of the cheapness of ardent spirits and realize how the best people kept a supply. Among his customers were Thomas Richardson, Moses Allen, Dr. Flowers, Dr.Jefferson Sneed, William Goggin, Josiah Fuson, Samson Braswell, John Allen, Josiah Hale, Matthew Sellars, Samuel Barger, William Pistole,Joseph Hays, James Stark, Hiram Morris, Joseph Turney, Daniel Ford,Francis Turner, Isaac Turney, Jacob Adams, Henry Powell, Goolsberry Blades, 'Bias Wilson, and Peter Clark. Polly Stanly and Polly Huchens purchased largely, perhaps to sell. The latter on July 17, 1841, was charged $3 for six gallons. Under the same date is this entry: "Three gallons whisky in evening of the election, $1.50." Here are the purchases of one farmer for about seven months of 1844. The buyer's name is withheld, although on the book: April 12, one gallon of brandy, .62½ ; April 17, one gallon of whisky (order), .37½; April 27,one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May 1, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May9, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; May 23, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ;May 29, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; June 18, one gallon of whisky,.37½ ; June 27, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; July 12, one gallon ofwhisky, .37½ ; July 17, one gallon of whisky, .37½ ; August 24, onegallon of whisky, .37½ ; November 6, one gallon of brandy, .40. "---page 51 .... By 1830, however, stocks of goods were no doubt enlarged, and Alexandria may have made the innovation. Dr. Foster writes that "the people of that town were always more dressy than in other parts of the county"; while the writer remembers the remark frequently made by Squire Len F. Woodside just after the War between the States: "Yes,sir, the Petersons don't send to Paris, but to Alexandria, for the latest fashions with which to illustrate their magazine."But Dr. Wright's daybook indicates that his stock was full enough for a village store. It also indicates that his patrons bought on time; moreover, there is not an item charged at five cents. Joshua Brattenis charged twenty-five cents for half a pound of powder; Col. Abe Overall, $2 for eight pounds of coffee and 12 cents a pound for sugar; Hariette C. Roulstone, 43 cents for two yards of "apron checks"; Thomas Cameron, 75 cents for three yards of domestic; David L. Ray, $1.50 for three yards of calico; Leonard Lamberson, 62 ½ cents for afourth of a pound of tea; John R. Dougherty, 62 ½ cents for a pound of raisins; E. Wright, 12 cents for two dozen eggs; John M. Leake, $1 for a bandanna handkerchief; Irving Gray (hatter), $2.50 for six yards of calico; Jacob Overall, 12 cents for two gimlets; Littleberry Vick,$5.75 for twenty-three yards of homespun; Louis Y. Davis, 25 cents for two pounds of "homemade" (maple) sugar; Col. Abe Overall, $7.50 for a mill saw (probably the straight sort); Elizabeth Overall, $2.25 for a cotton umbrella, "to be paid for in brown jeans"; Liberty Lodge, No.77, "to cash to pay postage, 6 ½ cents"; William Blair, two reap hooks, $1.50; Asia Cooper, one dozen button molds, 6 ½ cents, and onepaper of tacks, 18 ½ cents; W. B. Stokes, four pounds of nails, 50cents; W. G. Stokes, one drab hat, $8.50, one cravat stiffening, 12 ½cents, and one vial oil of cinnamon, 25 cents; Bartimeus Pack, onehymn book, 75 cents; Richard Arnold, one fur hat, $6. Calico was worth50 cents the yard; nutmegs, 6 ¼ cents each. A lady is charged 87 ½cents for three and a half yards of domestic and 60 cents for a pairof cotton hose. T. W. Duncan buys a dozen gunflints for 6 ½ cents, and John Canler a paper of ink powder for 18 ¾cents. James B. Pistole is charged $8 for "one Tom and Jerry hat";William C. Garrison, $3 "for Webster's speeches"; William B. Stokes,62 ½ cents for "one piano song"; L. H. Bethel, 37 ½ cents to paypostage; Thomas E. Bratten, 75 cents for a gallon of molasses. Thereis a charge of $1.20 for four pounds of loaf sugar. Loaf sugar was inconical packages and came ready wrapped in dark-blue paper. Somewhatpathetic is this charge of eighty-two years ago, "Two boys' balls, 6 ½cents," for one cannot help wondering what came of the boy or boys. Afarmer is credited $2 for twenty-four and a half pounds of butter andanother $2.16 ½ for six and a half pounds of wool.The leghorn hat was fashionable then and later. Was it also called a"poke" bonnet? A writer in the Liberty Herald in 1892 stated that the"leghorn bonnets were a foot and a half long, more or less, withoutany artificials, simply a plain ribbon drawn across the top and tiedunder the chin."The Dunstable bonnet was much in vogue. One is charged in thefollowing bill to Miss Elizabeth O. Hall: "One Dunstable bonnet andtrimmings, $6; six yards blk. silk, $6; seven yards calico, $3.50;pair side combs, 12 ½ cents; one best fancy handkerchief, $2; twelvestrands beads, 87 ½ cents; one black bobbinet veil, $2.50; one blackbandanna handkerchief, $1; two and a half yards bobbinet lace, $1.56 ½."Among the products of the farm in 1832-33 were cheese and flax seed.David Griffith's account was credited with 62 ½ cents for one and aquarter pounds flax seed; and at the time Jordan Sellars was charged$9 for "one fine fur hat," he was credited with 85 cents for eight anda half pounds of cheese.Since Isaac Whaley's reference to the clothing worn by the foreparentshas been introduced in this chapter, it will be only a seconddigression to quote the words of an old DeKalb Countian who wrote fromMissouri to the Liberty Herald April 6, 1892, of before-the-war days:For Sunday many of the well-to-do men wore a blue or black broadclothcoat which cost from four to ten dollars a yard. They were usually cutwith a frock or "claw-hammer" tail and rolling collar. The black andwhite satin vest, double-breasted, was worn by the fashionable. Pantswere made very loose and had wide or narrow flaps before, invariably.A black silk cravat, doubled crosswise, was worn around a collar ofuncertain dimensions. The dress described was worn by the fashionable,such as Eli Vick, Jasper Ruyle, Pete Adams, Len Walker, Joseph Clarke,Peter Clark, and others on Sunday. Later Dr. Horace Sneed, Dr. J. S.Harrison, the Hayes boys, the Turners, and the Turneys were theleaders in fashion. Many women sometimes wore silk dresses - notgaudy-colored, but plain black silk. A calico dress was seldom seen.Nearly all dresses were made with two widths of cloth and a gore oneach side. Hoop skirts were as rare among women as drawers among men.All young women wore their dresses fastened behind. No suchinstitution as a corset was thought of. The hair was usually parted inthe middle, a strip bent around each ear, and wound up with a largehorn comb at the back of the head."---page 99Slaves were numerous in the county. Scores of citizens owned from two to a dozen, while a few held a much larger number. The original stock in most instances was brought from the older States by the pioneers.There was not very much trafficking in this species of property in DeKalb County. Of the slave owners adjacent to Liberty, these are recalled with little effort: James Allen, John Stark, W. G. Bratten, Reuben Evans, Francis Turner , Isaac Turney, Abraham Overall, Ezekiel Bass, Edward Robinson, Henry Frazier, Dr. G. C. Flowers, Daniel Smith, Nicholas Smith, Horace Overall, W. B. Stokes, James Tubb, Isaac Turney, Thomas Stokes, John Bethel, Eli Vick, James Fuston, Joseph Clarke, William Vick, William Sellars, Jasper Ruyle, William Avant, Sampson Williams, Thomas Givan, Peter and Jacob Adams, Leonard Lamberson, the Brazwells, Hayses, Groomses, Roys, and Bates.---page 128IN a history of Kentucky by Prof. N. S. Shaler, who for more than aquarter of a century filled the chair of Agassiz at Harvard University, it is shown that by actual measurement the Tennessee and Kentucky soldiers in the War between the States were the largest in the army and in the world.DeKalb County has been noted for its large and strong men. Commercial travelers and others have remarked upon the fact. It is safe to say that no county of the same population can show a larger number."Big" Bill Evans, once county trustee, weighed in his prime about two hundred and seventy-five pounds. Mrs. Matilda Huggins, his sister, weighed probably more. William B. Preston was about the size of Evans,and his mother weighed about three hundred pounds. Fox Frazier (hog trader), his brother Henry, John Parker (of Dismal Creek), Col. James Tubb, James Fuston (tavern keeper), Presley Adamson, Henry L. Turner, Francis Turner , James Stark, Landon Richardson, Bill Garrison, AaronFrazier, Sr., William Estes, Moses and John Spencer, Jim Willis,Thomas Roe, George and Thomas E. Bratten, Bart Pack, George Givan,Sr., William G. Bratten, Jack Tubb, Rev. Natty Hayes, Gips West-suchmen, weighing from two hundred and twenty-five pounds up, could benamed in scores _COLOR: 1 References
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