Person:Franklin Dowell (1)

Lived in Smith and DeKalb Cos. TN. From Dr. J.W. Bowen's History of Smith Co., TN, 1887, Chapter XXI: " . . . in the same section not far apart, lived four brothers, Dowell. They were sons of Nehemiah Dowell, one of the earliest settlers on the upper waters of Mulherrin Creek. The oldest of these, Elisha Dowell, moved many years ago to the state of Missouri. Willis married a daughter of Stewart Doss, one of the best known as he was of the earliest settlers of that region. His brother, Franklin Robert Dowell, married a daughter of Major James Goodner. The Goodners were among the very earliest settlers in Smith Co., North of the Cumberland River. Willis and Robert Dowell both died of smallpox in 1850, which loathesome disease was epidemic that year on Brush Creek, and adjacent regions. Its origin remains a mystery to the present time. The belief of its victims and their friends was that it was brought there, and disseminated in some unaccountable way by a quack German doctor. So well satisfied was the public mind of the truth of the charge that he was forced to leaved the community." From Smith Co. TN Wills, 1803-1896: Will Book 7, pg. 123. “If I should die this time with the small pox, I want my wife to have one-third of all my estate. I wish my land sold and my negroes hired out until my children come of age or marry, then, I want them to have their share of my estate-my stock of every description sold on a credit of twelve months. I want all of my just debts paid off and the rest of my money loaned out in good hands at interest until distributed to the children Martha Elizabeth and Amanda Jane and should there be another one it is to have an equal share with the ohter two, Martha and Manda. I would make this request of my wife Louisa D. Dowell, that I love my two little girls Martha and Manda, better than I love myself, never to mistreat them or have it done.Robert Dowell. Witnesses: John S. Reece, Francis Dowell, Jesse T. Hollis. Probate 6 May 1850.