Jonesborough

Sonya A. Haskins

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2005
• ISBN:
  9781439612958
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Jonesborough, as the oldest town in Tennessee, was once the capital of their own state, Franklin. Although that did not last, the history of this town was impactful in many of the important events of the young country.

Originally established in 1779 as the seat of Washington County, North Carolina, Jonesborough is the oldest incorporated town in Tennessee. Early pioneers were given land grants to settle west of the mountains, but by 1784, they no longer trusted their political leaders in North Carolina. They created their own local government and established the state of Franklin, naming Jonesborough the original capital of the "lost" 14th state. Never recognized by Congress, Franklin eventually fizzled out and Tennessee was formed. Although Tennessee was a slave-holding state prior to the Civil War, Jonesborough produced the earliest regularly published periodical devoted to abolishing slavery. Today, Jonesborough is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with many buildings fully restored. In this volume, readers will see the Christopher Taylor House, which was built about 1778, and the Chester Inn, which hosted many famous guests in its original days, including Presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk.

Three

FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND FAMILIES

Members of the Campbell family pictured here, from left to right, are (front row) Albert Campbell, unidentified, Mayme Campbell on lap of Allie Campbell, David Peter Campbell, Blanch Campbell, and Pearl Campbell being held by Georgia Anna Campbell; (back row) Lottie McPherson and George McPherson. (Courtesy of George R. Campbell.)

Members of the Dulaney family shown here, from left to right, are John Wesley Dulaney, Nora Dulaney Miller (standing), Frances Walters Dulaney, and Daisy Dulaney. Frances was born in 1874 and Daisy in 1885. Daisy was never married, though she was reportedly engaged at one time and decided she couldn’t leave her home. (Courtesy of Ruth May Robinson.)

James Walter Greenlee Sr. was known to the community as “Doc.” After working at a barber shop, Greenlee worked at Appalachian Hospital, where he gained his nickname and when he began doing private nursing, similar to home health nurses today. Greenlee also served as superintendent for the Jonesborough Water Department. He lived from December 25, 1885, until December 24, 1945. (Courtesy of Alfred and Gwendolyn Greenlee.)

Selma Cloyd Landreth and John Boring Landreth lived on what is now Forrest View Drive. John worked in the post office at the Mountain Home while Selma cared for their two children. John died in 1947 at the age of 69 and Selma died in 1972 at the age of 87. (Courtesy of Barbara G. Smith.)

Clyde E. Miller lost his left hand and leg in a horse-and-wagon accident on his farm off Highway 11E. He continued to farm and work in his garden with a wooden leg and one hand. (Courtesy of Clarence and Linda Bailey.)

Pictured here c. 1910 are Sarah Scott Fine, Absalom Lowery Scott, and Maranda Scott Fine. The three are siblings whose parents were David Scott and Nancy Lowery. The Scott family originally came to Washington County from Scotland in the late 1700s. (Courtesy of Barbara S. Hilton.)

The similarity of facial features in these ladies is clear—pictured are four generations gathered in front of the Dulaney homestead, located past Buzzard’s Roost between Eden Church and downtown Jonesborough. From left to right are Pearl Miller May, Ruth May, Nora Dulaney Miller, and Frances Walters Dulaney. (Courtesy of Ruth M. Robinson.)

At the time of the 1860 census, Caroline Wilds was seven years old. She is pictured here a few years earlier with her mother, Catherine. At the time of the census, others listed in the household were father David, age 35; sisters Mary, age 9, and Laura, age 7 months; and brother John, age 3. David’s stated profession was “merchant.” Laura’s was “domestic.” (Courtesy of Caroline M. May.)

Jacob Fine is shown here with his dog in the late 1800s. Jacob lived from March 14, 1827, until November 25, 1897. He married Sarah Scott, shown on page 30, on October 10, 1850. (Courtesy of Barbara S. Hilton.)

Moses Miller died on January 11, 1925, at the age of 32. The average life span in 1900 was only 45 years, but today, it is closer to 80 years. This is largely due to the development of antibiotics, the purification of drinking water, and the fact that we have vaccinations available for infectious diseases. (Courtesy of Barbara S. Hilton.)

Sarah Priscilla May grew up off Greenwood Drive, which extends from Johnson City into the Lamar community of Jonesborough. Sarah was born on Independence Day in 1847 and married farmer Absalom Huffine on December 5, 1867, when she was 20 years old. Her father was Jacob May. Sarah died on M...