Notes |
- "Westward the course of empire takes its way"
The first settlers of this county were emigrants chiefly from North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and East Tennessee, with a few from Georgia, Maryland and perhaps other States. For much of our information in the respect, we are indebted to a number of the old citizens, surviving children of pioneers, and to whom we hereby make our acknowledgments. Among these are Levi Holloway, James Clemmons, Mrs. Martha Ozment, Mrs. Byrd Smith, Joseph Williams, Edward G. Jacobs, Turner Waters, John T. Goodall, John Palmer, John Perkins, Paulding Anderson, Mrs. Edward Freeman, Tom Alexander, Stephen Woodrum, Lindsay Martin, and John F. Doak, a staunch old Democrat, whose regard for fine horses is only excelled by his admiration for President Jackson, Polk and Johnson, and whose great ambition is to die as he has lived sober and solvent!
Pioneer Settlers
The next settlement, it is thought, was made on the waters of Spring creek, about eight miles south from the site of Lebanon, about the year 1796, by John Foster, John Doak, David McGathey, Alexander Braden, and the Donnell families. It was known as the "Donnell Settlement," they having numerical ascendency.
First Mills, School, Church, Cotton Gin, Etc.
The first horse mill in the county was built in "the Donnell Settlement," eight miles south of the site of Lebanon, near Doak's Cross Roads about the year 1798. The miller was a stout youth by the name of Robert Donnell; since well known to the public as Rev. Robert Donnell, a prominent minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Organization of the County
The following named gentlemen were commissioned magistrates,
to-wit: Charles Kavanaugh, John Alcorn, John Lancaster, Elmore Douglas, John Doak, Matthew Figures, Henry Ross, William Gray, Andrew Donelson and William McClain. Charles Kavanaugh was elected chairman; Robert Foster, clerk; Samuel
Roseborough, Sheriff; John Alcorn, register; John W. Peyton, trustee; William Gray, ranger; Henry Ross, coroner; and William Quesenberry, surveyor. Benjamin Seawell, Esq., was elected the county solicitor.
County Seat
Lebanon, the county seat, was founded in 1802. It is situated on the east branch of Barton's creek, six miles south from Cumberland river, about six miles north of the present geographical center of the county, and thirty miles east from Nashville, with which it is connected by the Tennessee & Pacific railroad.
The commissioners - Christopher Cooper, Alanson Trigg, Matthew Figures, John Harpole and John Doak - assisted by William Quesenbury, the county surveyor, sought to locate the town near the center of the county, but after examining
several localities decided to locate it where they did on account of the big spring.
Residence 1879 Wilson County, Tennessee
The oldest house in the county, so that we have been able to learn, was built by Samuel Wilson Sherrill, on Barton's Creek, near where the Lebanon and Tucker's Gap crosses that stream, two and a half miles south of west from Lebanon. It was built in 1797-98, of hewn cedar logs, the door shutters being made of split boards, and smoothed with the drawing knife, and nailed together with wrought nails made by hands. It is still in use, the door shutters being now eight-two years old, and strong and serviceable if not handsome. The next oldest is one of the buildings occupied by John F. Doak, built by his paternal grandfather [William]in 1800. It is of hewn yellow poplar logs, and is now in an excellent state of preservation. Its present occupant has had it weatherboarded, and otherwise renovated, to make it harmonize with more recent improvements. It is said by some that the old McClain house is the oldest in the county; but I do not know with certainty
A Historical Sketch of Wilson County, Tennessee
From Its First Settlement to the Present Time
by J. V. Drake
Published for the Author by Tavel, Eastman & Howell 1879, Nashville
http://wild-type.com/tng/tngtest/getperson.php?personID=I416&tree=doak [1]
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