FAMILY
REMINISCENCES

By

LeGRAND M. JONES

Of Trenton, Tenn.

St. Louis

1894

This book was transcribed by Phil Di Matteo.  Every effort was made to be accurate and true to the original. 

I am searching the BOYKIN, JONES, COBB and a second JONES families of Gibson County. 

Index of Surnames that appear in the book:

PREFACE

My son Silas some years ago requested me to write a sketch of our family, before the facts known to me should pass away with me and be forgotten.  I at first thought of confining myself almost exclusively to genealogy; but I have departed from that idea to some extent, as will be seen.  I have said little, if anything, of living, or of those facts known to my children, or as accessible to them as to me.  I have, since my health gave way, frequently regretted that I did not, during the lives of my mother and my maternal grandmother, write out and preserve the more prominent facts of our family history, especially those relating to our Huguenot ancestry.  I could forty years ago, no doubt, have carried the history of my wife’s family back a generation or two further.  I could probably have learned from Col. Woods when his great grandmother Woods came from Ireland to North Carolina; and from my wife’s maternal grandfather, when his ancestors came to this country.  But forty years ago I did not feel any particular interest in collecting and preserving these facts for my children.  My wife had the family Bible in which the record of her father’s family was kept.  When she got the Bible, after her father’s death, it had gone pretty much to pieces.  There is an impression in the family that, some years before her death, she took out the leaves containing this record, and gave them to her brother Levi for safe keeping.  Levi, I understand, is of the same impression; but, if the record was placed in his hands, he has mislaid it.  My sister gave our own family record, some years ago, to her brother Isaac, but he seems to have mislaid it.  This will account for the omission of some dates as to births and deaths, that would otherwise be expected. 

Most of the time I have been unable to write, and when able to do so, could write only a little at a time. 

Signed L. M. JONES

TRENTON, Tenn., 1891

Family Reminiscences

The writer of the following paper was born in Halifax County, Virginia, September 26^th, 1817.  My father’s name was James B. Jones, and my mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth G. Cardwell, who was the daughter of Jeffrey Palmer.  My maternal grandmother, Mary Palmer, first married Cardwell.  The offspring of this union were three daughters; Susan P., my mother, and Obedience T.  Susan P., the oldest of the daughters married Thomas O’Conner; and Obedience, the youngest married William Wilson.  After the death of Cardwell my grandmother married a man by the name of Wray.  Cardwell died before I was born.  I several time saw Wray when I was a boy.  He and grandmother Wray were once at my father’s.  I distinctly recollect that he was quite a fleshy man.  Moses and Labon P. Wray were the only children of this marriage.  After my grandmother married Wray they lived in North Carolina until the death of Mr. Wray.  I am under the impression that Mr. Wray was a citizen of North Carolina when he married grandmother.  After the death of Mr. Wray, his widow and two sons, Moses and Labon, moved back to Halifax County, Virginia, and lived with Uncle O’Conner.  As stated, her oldest daughter married Mr. O’Conner.  My understanding is that Mr. Wray was a widower when he married my grandmother, and had one or more children living by a former wife; one of whom, a daughter, married Mead Wilson, a brother of the Wilson that married my aunt, Obedience T.  My aunt was always called “Biddy” in the family. 

William Wilson moved from North Carolina to Henry County, Tennessee some years before my father left Virginia for Tennessee.  Some two or three years after my father settled in Carroll County, Wilson also moved to Carroll County. 

My great-grandfather, Jeffery Palmer lived near Hunting Creek Baptist Church, in Halifax County, Virginia.  He died after I was born, but I was too young to remember him.  He had five sons, Daniel, Jeffery, Moses, Labon and Henry Palmer.  Henry was the youngest of the sons.  I do not know that I am giving the names in order.  Henry had three daughters.  One married a man named Trainham; Mary, my grandmother first married Cardwell; and one married a man named Threat—I believe that was his name, though I am not positive.  They lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  I saw her but once.  I was quite a little boy.  Labon Palmer had but one child, a daughter, who married a Mr. Boyd.  I recollect to have seen Boyd and his wife when I was a boy fifteen or sixteen years of age.  They were at uncle O’conner’s who lived near Halifax court house.  I had gone there to attend a camp meeting, and seems that they were there for the same purpose.  Mrs. Boyd was a very handsome lady.  Boyd and wife paid a visit to this country some years before I was married.  They were at Aunt O’Conner’s and Mother’s, but I did not see them. 

I several times, when a boy, visited Halifax; and I knew all of my mother’s uncles, save Labon Palmer.  I don’t think I ever saw him.  I am under the impression that he lived in Pittsylvania County. 

Daniel Palmer was a man of whom my children have heard me speak as saying he “would never take another drink between Toot’s Branch and Bannister’s, unless he felt like it.”  Halifax courthouse is situated between Toot’s Branch and Bannister River.  Uncle Daniel and some of the neighbors, as I heard the story, had been to the Court House one day, and while there Uncle Daniel had taken a few drinks too many, and was several sheets to the wind.  Returning home, he got a dunking in Bannister River, and as he thought, he was in danger of being drowned.  As he got out of the river, on impulse of the moment, he exclaimed: “I will never take another drink between Toot’s Branch and Bannister’s!”  Getting over his fright, and finding his money safe, after a long pause, he added, “unless I feel like it.”  I expect he was always true to this promise. 

Jeffery Palmer, the grandfather of my mother, was a man of good property—might, I suppose, be said to have been wealthy. 

Henry, the youngest of the boys, married Hanna, a daughter of my great uncle, Elias Palmer.  After his death, which was eight or ten years after my father came to this section, his widow and some of her children moved to and settles in Dyer County, Tennessee.  Dr. Palmer was one of her children.  Her daughter Susan married A. H. Smith, of McLemoresville. 

A year or two after I was married, Aunt Hannah visited Mother.  She and Mother came to Huntingdon and stayed with us several days.  Aunt Hanna looked quite natural.  I could see no change in her, except that she looked slightly older.  Mr. Smith and Cousin Susan, returning from a visit to Dyer, after they were married, called and stayed all night with us.  I spent a delightful in talking to her about “Old Virginia,” and the persons we had known. 

Uncle Jeffery Palmer, my great-uncle, had a daughter named Susan.  She married a man named Coats.  He moved to Hardeman County shortly after my father came to Tennessee.  In passing, he called on us; but for a great many years I have not heard from him or his family. 

When Aunt Hannah moved to this county, she left a colored man behind.  The owner of his wife did not wish to part with her, and perhaps his wife preferred to remain.  After his death he came to this country, and stayed several weeks at Mother’s.  He had belonged to her grandfather, Jeffery Palmer.  Mother had been raised on the plantation with him.  She was glad to meet with him.  I went to see mother while he was there.  She had him called in after supper, gave him a seat, and we had a long talk with him about “old times,” and his old master, Jeffery Palmer, in particular. 

The Lights, of Dyer County, are related to the Palmers.  Their mother was a sister of Aunt Hannah Palmer and a daughter of old Uncle Elias Palmer. 

I know but little about the other descendants of great-grandfather Jeffery Palmer.  We kept up no correspondence with them after we came to Tennessee.  Indeed, I was thrown much with my mother’s relations.  When I was a boy my father lived in Charlette, and they in Halifax County.  I taken by my mother, when she visited them, and a few times visited Uncle O’Conner’s family. 

Jeffery Palmer, my great-grandfather, ante-dated the Revolutionary War.  I think he was not a soldier in the war, but hired a substitute. 

On the maternal side my ancestors were Huguenot descent.  During the persecution of the Huguenots under Louis XIV of France, many of them fled from that country to neighboring States.  This was especially the case after the repeal of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685.  Many of the Huguenots came to South Carolina, and some to other States, North Carolina and Virginia.  These kept up correspondence among themselves and relatives, and occasionally visited each other; so I learned from my mother.  My recollection is that it was my great-grandmother Palmer’s parents that were among the fugitives.*  (*Since this was written, I have received a letter from one of the family relatives, who states that my memory is correct as to fact.) 

I heard that my mother and grandmother Wray frequently speak about the Huguenots, their mode of dress, etc.  The older parties dressed pretty grandly, after the French style.  I have heard my mother speak of the fact that while in France there Huguenots ancestors had a Bible.  It was kept in a large, heavy chair, with a spring bottom, or with the bottom fastened down by a spring.  Flax threads were wound through all the leaves, passing over the back of the book, where fastened together, for its better preservation.  When the Bible was read they always kept some one on the watch, to prevent surprise.  After reading, it was carefully placed away in the chair, and the bottom fastened with the spring.  The chair was so constructed that you could handle it and never suspect that anything was in it, or that it was anything more than a large framed chair. 

My mother said that her grandmother Palmer was one of the most elegant and quiet ladies she ever knew.  She never saw her give way to ill-temper or anger in her life, or do anything unbecoming a lady.  Her grandfather was a most excellent man, honorable in all walks of life, but quick-tempered.  In this latter respect he and his wife differed. 

I have, since my health gave way, frequently regretted that I have not taken more interest in this part of the family history, and learned from my mother, Grandmother Ray and Aunt O’Conner, fuller particulars of our Huguenot progenitors.  They knew the Huguenot families that first came to this country, and could have given many interesting incidents connected with them.  As stated, it was my great grandmother Palmer’s grandparents that were among the fugitives.  My name, “LeGrand Michaux,” is French; and this is the way we have the family name.  I do not know from what country the Palmers emigrated. 

Uncle O’Conner died during the first year after my father came to Tennessee. 

In the fall of 1836 my father went back to Virginia to close up business, and Aunt O’Conner, her family, Grandmother Wray and her two sons, Moses and Labon, came back with him.  After grandmother Wray was married the second time, she and her husband went to North Carolina, taking with them her youngest daughter, Obedience.  My mother remained with her grandparents until she got married. 

Labon Wray, two or three years after coming to Tennessee, married a Miss Hill, niece of Rev. James and Robert Hurt.  Wray died a few days after my return from Mexico, in the spring of 1847. 

Moses Wray married a lady in Weakly County, and died a few years after his brother Labon. 

Grandmother Wray lived with Aunt O’Conner, and died at an advanced age.  She was over eighty years when she died.  I have remarked that Aunt Hannah Palmer married Henry Palmer, her cousin, son of Jeffery Palmer, the elder. 

Elias Palmer lived on the Coles’ Ferry Road, near where the Morton’s Ferry Road leaves that road.  When a boy, I went with my mother several times to visit her relatives in Halifax, and I was with her during those visits at his house.  He was quite an old man, and may have appeared older than he really was.  I understood that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  I have heard my mother speak of the fact that he said the sweetest bread he ever ate he made up in his handkerchief and baked in the ashes.  He and his command had been running from the British.  They at the time had nothing but a little corn-meal to eat.  Reaching a spring where a halt was ordered. They got water, and made up his ration of meal, baked and ate, as stated.  The old gentleman was always fond of taking his peach brandy and honey before breakfast.  This was a very common practice in his day. 

My mother had a great uncle named LeGrand, who was mortally wounded from a round shot or bomb in some battle in South Carolina.  She several times showed me a buckle he wore at the time.  It may have been a knee buckle. It has the appearance of having been battered in some way.  I suppose my sister Betty Ann has it yet.  Mother stated how it was brought from South Carolina to Halifax, but I have forgotten.  It was sent as a memento. 

On one of my mother’s visits to Halifax, she took Pleasant, a colored boy, with her as a nurse.  Pleasant and myself are about the same age.  When she got to Uncle O’Conner’s, Mother said to Pleasant, “If you go through that gate,” meaning the yard gate, “I will whip you.”  Uncle O’Conner was a wheelwright, and employed a good many hands in making wagons, etc.  She was afraid to have Pleasant take the child out to the shops, where the hands were engaged at work.  She had not been at Uncle O’Conner’s long before Pleasant and the child were missing.  Mother called him up, and was about to let in on him, saying “Didn’t I tell you that if you went through that gate I would whip you?”  He at once answered: “Lord Mistiss, I didn’t go through the gate; I got over the fence!”  This ended the matter.  I never heard a better piece of special pleading than this.  Pleasant is now living in Carroll County and doing well. 

William Jones was the name of my paternal grandfather. He also lived in Halifax County, not more than two miles from where old Uncle Elias Palmer lived.  I was frequently at his house, when a boy.  He died several years before my father came to Tennessee.  He was quite an old man at my earliest recollection.  For a year or two before he died he was somewhat paralyzed.  I recollect being at his house one time when he walked very badly, and had to hold something to enable him to walk or stand.  His wife was a Miss Brown.  She was called Patsy.  In my earlier years I understood that my Grandfather Jones served a short time in the Revolutionary War. 

Two or three years after my father left Virginia, Grandmother Jones and her family also came to Tennessee.  Her son, Uncle William Jones, and his family, R. Wyatt and family (Wyatt had married her daughter Sarah), her daughters Jane and Betsy, came with her.  These daughters were not married.  Aunt Jane became paralyzed, and died at my mother’s during the latter part of the war.  My Grandmother Jones lived to be very old, nearly one hundred years.  I do not recollect the year of her death.  After ninety years of age she was able to walk about the neighborhood.  Her memory had suffered but little from old age.  If she had a defective tooth in her head I do not know of it.  She was stoutly built, but not over medium height. 

My great Grandfather Jones’ name was Robert, as I learned.  I am not able to trace the paternal line beyond my grandfather, William Jones.  I do not know in what year his family came to this country.  I have always understood that they were Welch descent. 

My son Silas will recollect Cousin Ryal Bryant, who lived near Shady Grove, and who died a few years after the war. 

I have stated that in the maternal line our ancestry were French Huguenots, and that many Huguenots fled from France and settled in South Carolina during the reign of Louis XIV.  Soon after coming to Tennessee, my father and Mr. Bryant became acquainted.  Bryant had moved from South Carolina some years before my father came to this section, and was living in Shady Grove, in Gibson County.  After becoming acquainted it was ascertained that his wife and my mother were related.  Both families belonged to the old Huguenot stock.  My mother and his wife, so I learned, were able to trace the relationship.  It was remote, however; not nearer than third or fourth cousin; and hence, in speaking to or of each other, I always said “Cousin Ryal’” and he, “Cousin LeGrand.” 

Col. Jackson’s wife, Zack’s mother, was of the same stock, as I understand.  I rather think that she and Bryant’s wife were sisters; am not certain; but this can easily be ascertained.  I was frequently at Cousin Ryal Bryant’s house, but only slightly acquainted with Col. Jackson.  Zack Jackson was the only member of the family with whom I was much acquainted.  I am not certain but that my father and Cousin Ryal were remotely related. 

My father’s people were Baptist.  I do not know that my grandfather Palmer or his sons were church members, but I infer that they were Baptists in sentiment. When I was a boy there were few Methodists and no Cumberlands in the section of Virginia in which we lived.  The Baptist was the leading denomination, the Presbyterians next, and then the Episcopalian. 

My father moved from Halifax County to Charlotte County when I was in my second year; and lived as overseer on a plantation belonging to Letsy Carrington.  This plantation was situated on the Roanoke, a small stream, near where it flowed into Stanton River.  At this place my brother Silas was born.  Father lived here for two or three years, and then for six years lived as overseer on a plantation owned by Paul Carrington.  This plantation lay twelve or fifteen miles higher up Stanton River.  No white families lived on either place at the time, save my father’s.  It was while father lived at this place that Silas and I first went to school.  I was not more than seven years old, and Silas about eighteen months younger.  The school was in the Baptist church near Cole’s Ferry.  The house was a log building.  It was taken down a year or two after this, and a frame building put up in its place.  It was about four miles from where my father lived; a pretty long walk for two little boys.  In bad weather we were generally taken to school, and frequently someone would meet us in the evening.  Our teacher was a young man from the North.  His name was Hawley.  Under him I first studied grammar; Murray’s was the one used.  It was a large work and unsuited to beginners.  I committed the rules to memory, and could repeat them pretty well.  I will give for the benefit of my grandchildren the rules or definitions for the noun and verb;

“A substantive or noun is the name of anything that exists, or of which we have any notion, as London, man, virtue.” 

“A verb is a word which signifies to be, to do, or to suffer, as, I am, I rule, I ruled.”

I had no conception of the meaning of these rules at the time.  My teacher never explained them to me.  Had he done so I would readily understood their meaning.  I have never had much respect for his memory.  I have taught school myself and never had any trouble making children understand “noun,” “verb” and “adjective;” indeed, the leading parts of speech. 

My father next lived with Mrs. Carrington, the mother of Paul Carrington, for five years.  She and her family lived on a plantation lying on the Roanoke and Twitty’s Creek, three or four miles above the one first mentioned.  There were many such plantations in this part of Virginia at the time of which I speaking.  Many of the owners lived in baronial style. 

John Randolph’s residence was three miles up Stanton River from the Letsy Carrington place.  He owned several plantations in Charlotte County.  The wealth, culture, refinement and hospitality of Virginia were found in these homes.  When Randolph rode from home he went in his coach drawn by four horses, and attended by two servants.  He was a real aristocrat, and in many respects a remarkable man.  As an orator he was never excelled by any in his state, except Patrick Henry. 

There is now a railroad which runs down Twitty’s Creek and crosses Stanton River some short distance above where Roanoke empties into it. 

I have some slight recollection a few things that occurred while my father lived at that place first mentioned.  I remember some ladies visiting my mother at one time, and also pulling up or rolling up my pants and wading in a pond of water.  Of course I got a scolding for it.  I think an old mare or horse got after me one day and scared me pretty badly. 

My recollection is tolerably distinct after my father moved to the place belonging to Paul Carrington.  It was the first year that my father lived at this place that a mare kicked me and broke my leg.  I had seen my father and some of the Negro men milk her.  She may have lost her colt, as a reason for this.  My father and a Negro man were standing around her one day, and I thought I would milk her too.  She kicked me and broke my left leg between the hip joint and knee.  My father carried me into the house, laid me on a bed, and examined my leg to see if it was broken.  He sent for a doctor.  My leg was set and bandaged; A nice little box was made, a part of which ran under my left arm; my leg was placed and confined in it by passing cords over the box, and in this way I lay on my back for a number of weeks.  This same mare ran away with me a few years after this time.  My father, my mother had attended a Fourth of July celebration.  We crossed Stanton River at Cole’s Ferry; the celebration was just on the other side of the river from the Ferry.  My father was on horseback and I was on the grey mare.  Mother, the other children, and, I think, some ladies were in the carryall.  In returning, after crossing the river, (there were a number of persons in company), I was riding behind the carryall with my father and some others.  A light shower of rain came up; the mare became restless, and I became alarmed.  I was only about ten years old.  She dashed by the carryall and ran through some small timber.  I held my head down to keep from being knocked off by the limbs.  The mare put out for home as hard as she could clatter.  I knew that ahead of us there was a long hill to descend, and I was afraid that in going down this hill I would either fall off or thrown over her head and killed.  Just before reaching the hill, the road, as I knew, passed over a level piece of ground.  I made up my mind to jump off when I reached this place in the road.  I picked my place on reaching sandy part of the road, and threw myself off, trying to catch on my feet, but found myself on my back.  I knew Mother was alarmed, and that someone would follow on to see what became of me.  So I sprang upon my feet.  In a moment or two some one came in sight, and seeing me standing, turned back to let Mother know I was safe. 

In the fall of 1832 my father rented a place of a man named Barksdale, lying on Stanton River, six or seven miles west of Watkins’s Store, and lived there until 1833.  He then rented a plantation from Mrs. Read, lying on Twitty’s Creek, two or three miles east of Watkins’ Store. 

In the fall of 1833, while my father was living at the Barkesdale place, the wonderful meteoric show occurred, about which much has been written.  Brother Silas and I were sleeping up stairs.  About day, or perhaps a little before, Charles (a colored man) came running to the house, crying out in great alarm, “Master! Master! The stars are falling!”  This awoke Silas and myself, and we came down stairs.  The heavens were ablaze with what seemed to be falling stars.  It was a grand, a wonderful and an awful sight.  The explosive and whizzing sounds of the meteors were continually heard.  Long streams of fiery light remained in the track of many of them.  The meteoric shower continued until obscured by the morning light.  The whizzing sound of the meteors, though somewhat abated, could be heard for some time after it was too light to see them.  Father and Mother looked serious, but not alarmed, and hence I was not frightened.  Many thought that the last day had come, and hence were much alarmed.  Charles at this time was not a professor of religion.  

My father was a deacon of the Baptist Church from my earliest recollection.  His membership was first with a church not far from Coles’ Ferry; the same building at which the school taught, of which I have spoken.  When he moved to Mrs. Carrington’s he joined the Baptist Church near Watkins’ Store, called Mossingford.  His membership remained with this church until he left Virginia for Tennessee.  

Abner W. Clopton was the leading Baptist minister in that part of Virginia in which my father lived.  He was the first preacher of any denomination that I recollect having seen or heard.  He was an educated man—I think a graduate of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  He was greatly respected by all classes and denominations, and beloved by the members of his churches.  He was eminently useful.  He was conservative and liberal in his views, and preached Baptist doctrines in charity to all other denominations.  From my earliest recollection until his death, he was frequently at my father’s house, and I knew him better than any other minister of the Gospel.  His demeanor was marked by gravity, and, as I thought, shaded at times by an expression of sadness.  His churches all prospered under his ministry.  I have heard my father remark that he knew men who were more gifted in the pulpit, but as a pastor, and for influence the community, he knew no man who was quite his equal.  When I was a small boy he introduced Sabbath-school in his churches.  I think he was the first to introduce them in that part of the state.  In connection with Sunday-schools he organized Bible classes for the purpose of studying the Scriptures.  There was a class of this kind in the Baptist church near Coles’ Ferry.  A year or two after this class was organized, I heard my father speak of the fact that, with one or two exceptions, the young men who were members of the class had all professed religion.  He also at an early day introduced temperance societies in the community in which he lived.  I and my brother Silas, thought small boys, joined the society.  The members were pledged against the use of all intoxicating liquors, except when necessary as a medicine.  I have at all times kept pretty close to this pledge.  My father at first did not join.  He said he was getting old and did not expect it would be a benefit to him; but was heartily in favor of the young becoming members, to whom the pledge would most probably be beneficial.  But it was not long before he changed his mined and joined; giving as his reason that his example should be on the right side.  I can remember when my father was in the habit of taking his daily dram; but after he became a member of the society I never knew of his touching a drop, and he was ever afterwards a decided advocate of abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. 

Elder Clopton impressed upon the members of his churches, who were heads of families, the importance of holding family worship.  He attached great importance to the early and proper training of children.  He wished to see the family altar set up in every house.  It was under his influence that my father began having family prayers.  I remember the first night that Father held prayers in his family.  I suppose I was at the time about twelve years old.  The fifty-first division of Psalms was read upon that occasion.  After this my father kept up family worship during his life.  Elder Clopton conducted protracted meetings very much as my children have seen Brother Hillsman conduct such meetings.  The anxious were invited to the front seat, and the church would join with and for them in prayer.  He frequently, at the regular meetings, gave the invitation, if any present desired, and the church would join in prayer for them. 

It was during a protracted meeting at Mossingford that my brother Silas professed religion.  He was then about eleven years old.  He joined the church and was baptized by Brother Clopton, who had also baptized my mother. 

Elder Clopton was active in the cause of missions.  He taught the members of his church that it was a duty enjoined by Scriptures to aid in preaching the Gospel to every creature.  Some of those members have emigrated to the Tennessee country; and whenever you meet with one of them it is not difficult to get him to cast in his mite to help send the word of life to the heathen. 

He generally had one or more men with him whom he was training for the ministry.  I remember James McAlister and Isaac S. Tinsly.  McAlister, I think, was consumptive, and died young.  Tinsley’s name appears as a delegate to the convention, in 1841, that organized the Southern Baptist Convention. 

I have stated that Clopton preached the distinctive doctrines of the Baptist plainly and clearly, when he thought the occasion required; but he was careful to give no unnecessary offense to other denominations.  He had one Sabbath morning baptized a large number of persons at Mossingford, and before administering the ordinance gave the reason why Baptist practice immersion.  On returning to the church, Tinsly took as his text the 19^th and 20^th verses of the 28^th chapter of Matthew, and preached a sermon upon the subject of Baptism, antagonizing the practice of other denominations.  After we returned from church I heard Father and Mother conversing about the sermon Tinsly had preached.  Father said that after the congregation was dismissed Brother Clopton had a conversation with him, in which he said: “I thought I said all that was necessary on the subject at the water.  I did not know that Tinsly intended to preach such a sermon.  I thought his discussion was ill timed.”  He thought Tinsly should have advised with him before preaching such a sermon.  My father entirely agreed with him.  A good many Presbyterians attended the Baptist church that day; none of them were brought over to the Baptist views, and the Baptist were already strong enough in the faith. 

My brother Clopton, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Stone’s River, near Murfreesboro, was named for Elder Clopton. 

The Baptist house for worship at Mossingford was a large frame building, with a long wing at the left of the pulpit for colored people, separated by a low railing from that portion of the building occupied by the whites.  The church had a large colored membership.  Many of John Randolph’s negroes belonged to this church.  Randolph had a colored man named Phil.  Elder Clopton and my father had great respect for Phil, as a worthy, upright Christian.  When any of Randolph’s negroes proposed joining the church, my father always consulted with Phil as to their Christian character.  Phil’s opinion was generally, if not invariably, accepted and followed by the church. 

Services were held monthly on Saturday and Sunday; and many colored people were permitted to attend church on Saturday.  The Sacrament was administrated to the white and colored people at the same time, the colored members remaining in that portion of the building allotted to them.  On these occasions my father or some one of the deacons would hand the bread and wine to the colored deacons, and would pass them around them around to the colored members, while the white deacons waited on the white members.  I recollect on one occasion, when there was a large congregation in attendance, some white men, not knowing the rules of the church took seats in that portion of the church set apart for the colored people.  My father quietly stepped up to them and told them their mistake.  They understood, and in a very orderly manner left the seats they had taken. 

Daniel Witt.—I remember Witt very well.  He was frequently at my father’s house when I was a boy.  He was then a young man.  He was well set; a little below medium height.  There was a good deal of suavity in his composition. He was very agreeable and pleasant in the social circles, and attractive as a preacher.  His style was never studied, but easy and fluent; he never hesitated for a word.  At times he became animated, but never impassioned.  He never tired his congregation, but left his hearers feeling they wished he had preached a little longer.  This is the impression I have retained of him from my boyhood.  I do not remember him being at my father’s house, or seeing him, for several years before my father left Virginia.  I suppose he was occupying some other field of labor. 

J. B. Jeter.—I saw him several times at Mossingford.  I remember something of his personal appearance; he was tall and spare.  But I have retained no impression whatever of his style of preaching.  He was also a young man at the time; he had not been preaching long.  I had seen and heard Witt before I saw Jeter. 

Elder John Weatherford.—My father and mother both knew Elder Weatherford before they were married, and had frequently hear him preach.  I have heard my mother speak of his being at her grandfather Palmer’s when she was a girl. 

Weatherford, before the Revolutionary War, had been imprisoned in Chesterfield jail for preaching.  In my boyish days I thought it very strange that any one had ever been imprisoned, in this country, for preaching.  I desired very much to see a man who had been imprisoned for preaching.  While imprisoned, people frequently gathered around the jail, and Weatherford would preach to them from the jail window.  To prevent this, a wall or some obstruction was built in front of the window; but, not to be out-done, people would frequently gather around the wall, and upon some signal he would preach to them.  It was stated that, as a signal, a handkerchief would be hoisted upon a staff or pole. 

About 1830 or 1831, Elder Weatherford visited many of the churches he had preached in his earlier days.  While on this round, he came to Mossingford and was present on Saturday and Sunday, the regular days for worship.  He preached on Sunday.  He was then very old; I believe it was said he was something over ninety years at the time.  His appearance indicated great age.  His feeble condition was very apparent.  He was tall and inclined to be raw-boned.  He wore a knit woolen cap on his head all the time.  In later years, though I thought nothing of it at the time, I could look back and see that he was a man of marked character; that he was a man among men, cut out for a leader. 

There was a seat prepared for him in front of the pulpit.  My father took me and my next oldest brother, presented us to him, and took our hands in his.  All, all nearly all, the older people shook hands with him as they came to the church.  Some of them seemed very much affected at meeting with him.  To many of them he had some remark to make.  His text on Sunday was Luke ii:10-11 “Behold, I bring you good tidings,” etc.  Elder Clopton read the text at Weatherford’s request.  I think he could not see well enough to read; but could talk.  At times he became animated, and was highly interested in his subject.  Judging from what I recollect of his manner on the occasion, he must, when in the vigor of manhood, have preached with no ordinary power and effect.  As he closed his sermon, he remarked that the gospel he had that day attempted to preach was the same he had preached to listening crowds from the window of Chesterfield jail.  It was the only allusion he made to his imprisonment.  Before he closed his sermon, my father went up into the pulpit, stood by his side and held him up.  His wife, who was sitting near my father, requested him, as I afterwards learned, to go and stand by him, for fear of his falling.  At the conclusion of his sermon, Elder Clopton said to the congregation that the older citizens all knew the character and circumstances of the old brother.  If any of them wished to contribute anything to him and his wife, they could do so as they left the church.  It seemed to me that almost everybody wished to give them something.  Indeed, during his tour the people everywhere, as I learned, showed their regard for him by liberal contributions.  I think home at that time was Pittsylvania. 

This tour of elder Weatherford brought up the subject of his imprisonment and release, and I heard it talked of by my father and others.  It was the received opinion of that day that he was released through the instrumentality of Patrick Henry.  Just how this was effected I do not know.  Mr. Henry was regarded, in the part of Virginia in which my father lived, as the great pioneer of religious liberty.  In his speeches and public utterances upon this subject, tradition said he was bold and outspoken. 

My father and the men of his day were in their earlier years acquainted with many persons who attended the Revolutionary War, and who were contemporary with Mr. Henry and Elder Weatherford; and I do not well see how they could be mistaken as to these important facts.  The fact of Weatherford’s imprisonment would especially have attracted the attention of Baptists at the time.  It was a matter in which they were deeply interested.  They could but have felt they were persecuted in the person of their leader; and it would naturally have been a matter of frequent conversation when they met.  His release, and by whose instrumentality, would have been a matter of equal interest; and hence I cannot see how they could have been mistaken, or the traditions of the time erroneous.  Others may speak disparagingly of the part Mr. Henry took in the cause of religious liberty, and the protection he gave Baptists; but surely Baptists would never do this. 

That Mr. Henry looked to the entire separation of church and state, when he became the advocate of religious liberty, is more than I can say.  How this was I do not know.  But it is easy to see that, the first great step taken, the others would necessarily follow. 

The part borne by Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison and others in this cause, at a later day, was more a matter of record and of written history at the time, and hence, has been better preserved.  That borne by Mr. Henry was mainly in speeches and public utterances.  It was in this way that he gave impetus to the cause of religious liberty.  But these utterances not being reduced to writing at the time, his work soon became to rest mainly in tradition, liable to pass away and be forgotten. 

John Keer.—In the fall of 1833 I attended a meeting at Wynn’s Creek Camp Ground, Halifax County.  It was there that I saw and heard John Keer.  In person he was noble and commanding.  His voice was deep, full-toned and of great compass.  There was a large congregation in attendance.  The occasion was to animate him and call forth his powers.  His text was Ezekiel xxxiii:11.  I have never heard such a sermon, or heard such a public speaker.  I have seen no man in Church or State that possessed his power an orator.  He possessed great power.  Much of the sermon I remember to his day.  There were no mere flights of the imagination, no dealing in fancy work.  His language was plain and simple, and every word seemed to be used to carry conviction to the minds and hearts of the hearers.  With him words were things.  You saw things as he saw them; you felt as he felt; your mind followed his mind; his convictions became your convictions.  At one time he drew a picture of Satan with his black banner, his Satanic followers, and the dark and hideous crowd which followed that banner; and in immediate contrast he presented Christ with the banner of the Cross, all radiant with light and love and glory, and the happy and blessed throng of heaven and earth as his attendants.  The choice between the two was demanded.  The impulse seemed irresistible to burst away from Satan and his black and hideous followers, and to fly to the banner of Christ and the Cross. 

Elias Dodson, a name familiar to the Baptist of North Carolina and Virginia, was several times at my house some years after I came to Trenton.  On one of these occasions I mentioned having heard Keer, and the impression he made upon me.  Dodson had often heard him.  He fully concurred in the opinion I had formed.  As illustrative of his great power over hearers, Dodson related an incident that occurred in some public place where Keer was preaching.  The place I have forgotten: A young man was ridiculing to his companions the idea that one could not sit unmoved under Keer’s preaching.  He said it was all weakness, and would show them.  “I will go and hear him, and you shall see that I will behave myself and not give way to any such weakness.”  The young man went, full of self conceit, and took a prominent seat in front of the stand.  He was one of the first to surrender and cry out for mercy. 

REMOVAL TO TENNESSEE.—My father left Virginia for West Tennessee in October, 1835.  The weather was all that could be desired, and we gad a very pleasant time on the road.  Mother had been in bad health for some years, and it was thought she would have to stay in some house at night.  But she stayed in our tent every night while traveling.  Her health began to improve from the first, and continued to improve to the end of the journey.  We had been on the road but a day or two, when we fell in company with Elder Elisha Collins, the grandfather of E. A. Collins of Milan, Tenn.  The meeting, I think, was by previous arrangement.  Elder Collin was moving out some negroes to Henderson County.  His white family was not brought out until the next fall.  We traveled in company until we passed Columbia, when Elder Collins kept the road to Henderson County.  My father turned to the right, crossed the Tennessee River at Reynoldsburg, and came through Henry County to see Uncle Wilson’s family.  Elder Collins was a Baptist preacher.  He was a well-informed man, and decidedly more than average pulpit ability. 

My father had accumulated a right handsome property, for the times, before leaving Virginia.  His property consisted mainly in Negroes.  The first year after coming to Tennessee he rented a place from a man named David Marshall, lying about two miles south and west of McLemoresville.  That summer he bought the land on the Paris Road, north and west of McLemoresville, on which this family lived until Mr. Brower sold and moved to Trezevant, a few years ago. 

My father was a soldier in the war of 1812.  His command was in Washington soon after the British left the city.  He went as far as Ellicott’s Mills, in Maryland.  He was a man of unblemished Christian character, respected and beloved in every community in which he lived.  He was an active and leading member in his church.  I have thought he lived as near the golden rule, “As ye would that that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,” as by any man I ever saw. 

My father died on the 9^th of November, 1840.  He was about 55 years of age.  His end was entirely peaceful.  Old Brother Baylor Walker talked with him on the subject of his hope a few days before he died.  He had no fears of death.  He expressed himself with great satisfaction as to his hope.  I was present and heard the conversation.  A few days before he had this conversation with Brother Walker, he made some remark which led me to believe he thought he would get well.  I said to him, “I do not think you are going to leave us, Father; but if you should, I will do the best I can for Mother and the children.  These were the only words that ever passed between us on the subject.  I have ever remembered them, and feel that I have been faithful to what I then said to him. 

His estate was a good deal embarrassed when he died; and for several years the management of his affairs, in my efforts to save the property, cost me no little anxiety and many sleepless nights. 

My father and mother had the following children: The writer LeGrand Michaux, named for our Huguenot ancestors (I write the name in full for the benefit of my grandchildren); Silas P., born April 29^th, 1819; Paul S., Abraham C., Isaac W., James D., Bettie Anna, and a daughter named Mary, about a year old when we left Virginia.  This daughter died soon after we came to this country.  After coming to this country, Clopton and Doddridge were born; Clopton, the year after we came to Tennessee, while living on the Marshall olace; Doddridge, after Father bought and settled on the place I have referred to.  Bettie Ann was born on March 20^th, 1833.  She married Mr. Thomas K. Brower, Nov. 19^th, 1851. 

Clopton and Doddridge both enlisted in the Confederate service.  Doddridge was taken sick at Corinth, and carried to Memphis, where he waited on by Paul and James until he died.  James brought the body home in a metallic case.  It was buried in the family burying ground. 

Clopton was mortally wounded at the Battle of Stone’s River, near Murfreesboro.  He lingered several days, and died.  Mrs. Thomas Hutcherson, sister of John and Bennett Hillsman, saw him while in the hospital after he was wounded, and talked with him.  He sent word to Mother by Mrs. Hutcherson that he was not afraid to die.  He was well cared for in the hospital until his death.  Some of the children, after the war closed, wanted to bring the body home and bury it in the family grave-yard.  But Mother opposed it, saying she could not bear it.  Clopton and Doddridge were both professors of religion, and members of the church at McLemoresville. 

My daughter Clopton is named for her uncle Clopton, and my son Doddridge for his uncle Doddridge. 

MY MOTHER.—My mother lived a widow for about twenty-eight years.  She was born the 28^th of May, 1798, and died on the 30^th of February, 1869.  I received a dispatch about the middle of the day that she was seriously ill.  I left my office, went out home; and in short time was on my way to see her.  I got to her house a little after dark.  She lived five or six days after I reached the old homestead.  I remained her to the end, and saw her buried in the family burying-ground.  My father selected this place; and was the first to be buried in it.  While Mother was sick she saw all her children, save Abraham, who was in Arkansas.  Her end was entirely peaceful.  I talked with her on the subject.  She told me all was well with her.  There were no clouds between her and the better world. 

My mother was greatly above the average woman.  She possessed large common sense, strong will, decision of character; and was eminently fitted to govern a household.  She united in a high degree business qualities with refinement and delicacy of feeling.  Her strong will was tempered by good sense and a gentle and loving nature.  She was a fine housewife, an excellent economist, and was rarely, if ever, excelled in those qualities of heart and mind that make the model wife and mother. 

March, 1843, was a remarkable month.  It was the coldest month of the year.  I never before saw, nor since have seen, the weather in March anything like so cold.  There were several heavy snow storms during the time; and from early in the month up to about the 24^th the ponds and creeks were covered with ice four or five inches thick.  Fine ice was gathered on the creek at Huntingdon and put up during this time. 

The great comet of 1843 also made its appearance during this month.  It came from the west and passed around the sun, going so near the sun that its nucleus was not seen, at least not with the naked eye.  The tail was not seen until the comet had passed nearly around the sun and was leaving the earth.  When first seen, it appeared in all its beauty and splendor.  To the eye, the tail appeared to extend half way up the heavens.  The concurrence of the comet and the severe cold of March caused some to feel serious, imagining that the near proximity of the great comet was affecting our atmosphere. 

STUDY OF THE LAW.—About a year after my father’s death, I borrowed Blackstone’s Commentaries of G. H. Raulston, of Huntingdon; studied law at home awhile; Then went to Huntingdon and studied under Judge B. C. Totton.  He was an older brother of Judge A. O. W. Totton.  In April, 1843, I obtained license to practice law.  My license was signed by Judge Totton and by Judge Reed, of Jackson, Tenn.  I was then in my twenty-sixth year. 

TRIP TO MEXICO.--In June, 1846, I started as a member of a volunteer company for the Mexican War.  H. F. Murray was the Captain of this company.  We landed on what was called Brazos Island about the first of July.  After some delay at this place, we passed on up the Rio Grande, and made different encampments along the river.  We were not organized into a regiment until some little time after we left Brazos Island.  Four West Tennessee and four East Tennessee companies composed the regiment.  W. T. Haskell was elected our colonel, and he appointed me Sergeant Major.  After the organization of the regiment we moved up the river to Camargo, a town on a stream that flows into the Rio Grande.  Our camp was just above the town.  Here the army corps to which we belonged remained until late in the fall; when the march was taken up for Vera Cruz. 

While at Camargo a great many of the men had diarrhea and here we lost several of our company.  When the regiment left I had been down with diarrhea for several weeks, unable to travel, and was left in the hospital.  I remained at Camargo until the last days of December, when the sick, or many of them, were taken by boat to Matamoras.  We were going down the river on Christmas day.  It was a beautiful day, warm enough to go about without wearing a coat.  I remained in the hospital at Matamoras until early in February, when I obtained a furlough for the purpose of trying to get back home.  When I got back to Brazos Island, the place where we had debarked the year before, I called on General Scott.  When he saw my condition, he gave me a discharge, telling me to get home, that I would not be able to get back to Mexico.  While at Matamoras I was reduced almost to a skeleton.  There was one week of the time in which I do not think I ate as much as a slice of light bread or drink a cup of tea.  I had to use beef tea. 

N. B. Burrow, a brother of John J. Burrow, called on me just before he left Matamoras for Vera Cruz.  I am sure he had no thought of my getting up again when he left.  He seemed very reluctant to leave me. 

With the blessing of heaven, I reached New Orleans, and took a boat to Will’s Point, Benton County.  Brother Paul met me at this place with a horse, and so I got safely home.  It was a year or two after I returned before my health was fully restore. 

MARRAGES.—On the second of October, 1850, I married Miss Cassandra Woods, daughter of Levi S. and Aranthia J. Woods.  Rev. James M. Hurt performed the ceremony. 

MY WIFE’S MATERNAL ANCESTRY.—Mrs. Woods was the daughter of James Dinwiddie, of Henry County.  His father was also named James.  The older or last named Dinwiddie emigrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia at an early day, remained some years, and in the summer of 1787 moved to and settled in Fayette County, Kentucky; Whence; in the summer of 1792, he moved to Madison County, Kentucky.  Mr. James Dinwiddie, my wife’s grandfather, was born in Virginia, September 9^th, 1782, and died September 4^th, 1860.  He was twice married.  His first wife was Cassandra Harris.  She was born September 18^th, 1787, and they were married February 23^rd, 1804.  This marriage took place in Kentucky.  They had two children, James and Aranthea Jane, who married Levi S. Woods.  Mrs. Woods’ brother, named for his father, married and lived near Lavonia for a number of years.  He was a very intelligent man, of high moral worth.  I was acquainted with him.  He moved to Arkansas, and lived but a few years after he left Tennessee.  I tried to dissuade him from going to Arkansas.  He had been in poor health for many years. And thought the change would be beneficial to him. 

Grandfather Dinwiddie’s second wife was named Mary Carson.  She was born August 5^th, 1786, and died September 18^th, 1878.  This marriage took place in Virginia, December 29^th, 1814.  Mr. Dinwiddie, my wife’s grandfather, moved to Carroll County, Tennessee, in 1823; and in the fall of that year moved to Henry County, where he lived until his death. 

The children of Mr. Dinwiddie by his second wife were: Thomas H., Newton, William, Baker and Mary. 

James Dinwiddie, my wife’s great-grandfather, moved to Henry County in 1824, where he lived until his death.  His wife’s maiden name was Helm.  I have not been able to trace this branch of the family further back. 

The Dinwiddies were all Presbyterians, but after the great revival that broke out in Kentucky about 1800, and which extended into Tennessee, they united with the Cumberlands.  I have at different times heard old persons speak of this revival; have heard grandfather Dinwiddie speak of it.  This revival, in its character and circumstances, seems strange to us of the present day.  People were very eager to hear the Gospel; they would go many miles to attend these meetings.  At the meetings many would be prostrated; some would be found lying on the ground in the woods as if insensible, and would remain in this condition for hours; and when relieved from the conviction and burden of sin, would rise rejoicing, seemingly from an unconscious state. 

Mr. Dinwiddie was several times at my house after I married his grand-daughter.  I formed a very high opinion of him.  He was a man of vigorous common sense, of noble impulses, leader in his church and community, and one of the best citizens of Henry County.  I formed the opinion that in temper he was quick and impulsive, but incapable (difficult to read) of mediating or doing what he believed to be wrong.  He was a very successful farmer, and accumulated a handsome estate.  I learned from Cass that when he visited her mother he would, before leaving, always call the family together and pray with and for them. 

Mrs. Woods, my mother-in-law, died on the 28^th of March, 1853, aged forty-two years, five months, and two days; Col. Woods, on the 28^th of November, 1857.  Both were buried in the burying-ground at the Presbyterian Church, on the old stage road leading from Huntingdon, of which church they were members.  Col. And Mrs. Woods had the following children: Nancy, who married James M. Lanier, several years before I was married; Cassandra Charity Harris, my wife; William James; Mary; John (always called Jack); Andrew; Georgia and Levi, born Nov. 17^th, 1848.  They all survived their parents. 

My wife was named for her grandmother Dinwiddie and her grandmother Woods.  Her grandmother Woods’ maiden name was Charity Dyzart. 

After we went to housekeeping, my sister spent most of her time with us, until her mother’s death, and went to school in Huntingdon.  She was a handsome, fine looking girl.  I have no recollection of her being out of temper. 

James studied law with me.  Soon after his father’s death he married Susan Porter, a cousin.  She was a very lovely girl.  How I regretted to hear of her death. 

Levi S. Woods was the son of John Woods, and he the son of Samuel Woods.  Samuel Woods’ father came from Ireland to North Carolina.  Judge Gideon B. Black, now of Trenton, Tenn., a grandson of Samuel Woods, to whom I am indebted for facts relating to Samuel Woods and his children, is not certain whether Samuel was born before or after his father left Ireland.  I have not been able to learn the name of Samuel Woods’ father, or the date of his immigration to this country.  Samuel Woods moved from South Carolina to Kentucky.  The date of his removal I have not been able to fix with satisfaction to myself.  Judge Black thinks it was in 1773; but from historical facts in relation to the settlement of Kentucky, I think this date must be too early by several years.  I will make some further allusions to the time of his removal, when I have concluded what I have to say of his children.  He settled in what is now Madison County, Kentucky.  Samuel Woods had the following children: (1.) Oliver, the oldest, born 1764 or 1765.  He was killed by the Indians.  (2.) Martha, who married John Dyzart.  They had four children, two sons and two daughters, the oldest boy named John.  (3.) Jane, who married John Herron.  They had four children, one girl, who married her cousin John Dyzart, and John, William and Frank Herron.  With the sons I was acquainted.  (4.) Margaret, who married Thomas Black.  This marriage took place in Kentucky, August 20^th, 1793.  Of this marriage there were twelve children, among them Newton Black and Judge Gideon B. Black, who was the youngest, born Feb. 4^th, 1816.  (5.) John Woods was their next child.  He was born April 21^st, 1774, and died August 26^th, 1846.  These dates as to John Woods are taken from family records.  (6.) The next was Samuel, who married Ann Perviance.  (7.) His next child was David, who married a Miss McLary.  They had several sons, who moved to Arkansas.  (8.) His next, Daniel T. who married a Miss Reese.  They had several children, among them LeRoy, a distinguished Cumberland Presbyterian preacher.  (9.) His next son was called Oliver, after his brother who was killed by the Indians.  (10.) His last child, a daughter named Polly, married John Holmes.  They had several children, among them John, William and Samuel Holmes. 

Samuel Woods’ first wife was a Holmes.  He married in North Carolina.  Judge Black thinks this marriage took place about 1760; I should think a few years later.  After the death of his first wife, he married a second time, but had no children by his last wife. 

When Samuel Woods went to Kentucky, Judge Black says he carried all his family with him, except his then youngest child, Margaret, Black’s mother, who was about two years old; that he returned for her, and during his absence his son Oliver was killed by the Indians, as stated.  Some neighbor boys and his son Oliver were together; they heard what they took to be dogs barking, as if they had brought something to bay.  They went in the direction of the barking.  Indians, in ambush, fired upon them and killed Oliver; the others escaped.  I suppose the Indians were imitating the barking dogs to decoy the boys from the house. 

My reason for thinking Judge Black must be mistaken as to the date when his grandfather moved to Kentucky is, that it does not agree with the historic fact, as to the earliest settlement of Kentucky.  In the American edition of the Encyclopedia Britanica it is stated that the first permanent settlement in Kentucky was made at Harrosburg, in 1774.  (See Article “Kentucky”; also Edward S. Ellis’ life of Boone, page 53.)  The fort at Boonsboro was completed in the autumn of 1774.  (Same author, page 60).  On page 64, Boone is made to say that his wife and daughter were the first white women who ever “stood upon the banks of the wild and beautiful Kentucky River.”  Boone reached Boonsboro in the fall of 1774.  These authorities are in harmony with my former reading upon the subject, and lead me to conclude that Judge Black must be mistaken as to the date when his grandfather, Samuel Woods, moved with his family to Kentucky.  I incline to think the removal must have taken place at some time between the fall of 1775 and the year 1778.  I simply throw out these suggestions. Unless some written evidence can be had, the precise date of the removal will always be in doubt.  Judge Black is remarkable for his recollection of family names, facts and dates.  If he is in error as to the dates to which I referred, I should hardly think that the error began with him, but with his ancestors, from which he received his information. 

Samuel Woods lived in Kentucky until about 1800, when he moved to Williamson County, Tennessee, and settled on Harpeth Lick.  He afterwards moved to the house of his son Samuel, who lived near McLemoresville, Carroll County, Tennessee, where he died about 1825.  He was, as I understood, largely over eighty years of age when he died.  He was of Scotch-Irish decent, and a Presbyterian.  Judge Black tells me he was a member of the Paint Lick church in Kentucky, and that one David Rice preached at the church. 

MY WIFE”S PATERNAL ANCESTRY.—John Woods, son of Samuel Woods, my wife’s grandfather, was married three times.  His first wife was Charity Dyzart.  They were married Nov. 9^th, 1799.  She was born June 22^nd, 1788, and died Nov. 14^th, 1814.  His second wife, Margaret Dyzart, sister of his first wife was born Nov. 18^th, 1780; died Sept 25^th, 1825.  They were married Nov. 14^th, 1815.  His third wife was Mrs. Hester Ann Craven, born Oct. 15^th, 1788.  There were no children by this marriage. 

His children were: Levi S., born Sept. 1^st, 1801, died Nov. 1^st 1857.  Harvey, his second son, born February, 1804, died August 1864, in Mississippi; he was a Presbyterian preacher.  Dyzart, his third son, born Jan. 21^st, 1806, died Feb. 8^th, 1882, in Arkansas.  Margaret, his oldest daughter, was born in February, 1808, and died Nov. 11^th, 1865; she married Dr. Drake; she died at her home near Lavenia, Carroll County, Tennessee.  Nancy, his second daughter, was born June 9^th, 1810, and died Aug. 14^th, 1848; she married her cousin, John Herron—Heron lived near Spring Creek, Madison County, Tennessee, at the time of his death.  A daughter, Syrena, born May 3^rd, 1812, died July 16^th, 1824.  John Woods Jr. born Nov. 9^th, 1814, died April 19^th, 1841, in the neighborhood of Hickory Flat, Carroll County, Tennessee; he left a daughter, an only child, who was called Mat, and who was at our house several times after we married; she married Dr. Taliaferro, living in Paris, Tenn.; they went to Texas.  These were the children of John Woods, Sr., by his first wife. 

The children of his second wife were: Carey H. Woods, born Aug. 29^th, 1816, died July 17^th, 1885, in Middle Tennessee; Charity, who married Dr. Clark, born April 12^th, 1818, died Sept 1^st, 1843, in the neighborhood of Hickory Flat; David Woods, born Oct 28^th, 1822, died Dec. 13^th, 1874, in Tipton County, Tennessee; William H. Woods, born July 25^th, 1825, died January, 1850, in California.  For the dates of births and deaths of John Woods and his children I am indebted to Mary Woods, now of Texas, a daughter of Carey Woods and wife of Andrew Woods, a brother of my wife.  When she visited Middle Tennessee in the summer of 1891, she copied them from the family record of John Woods and sent them to me.  As stated in the preface to this little family sketch, I have left it to my children and the younger members of my wife’s family to collect and preserve the more recent facts of our families.  To have attempted more on my part would have imposed to great a tax upon me in my broken-down condition. 

John Woods moved to Carroll County in 1819.  He was one of the first settlers.  He first settled on what afterwards became the stage road leading from Huntingdon to Jackson, and about 12 miles from Huntingdon.  When I first knew the place, it was generally know as the “old Woods stand.”  He afterwards moved to the place near Hickory Flat, where he lived until his death.  His son, Carey H., lived on it after him, until he sold to James H. Lanier a few years after the war. 

I learned from Col. Woods that when his father moved to West Tennessee there were no grist mills in the county, and that they had to send to Trace Creek. Across Tennessee River, for meal or to have their corn ground.  The country was then full of game.  Deer, bears and wild turkeys were abundant.  There was no trouble about getting meat; the difficulty was to get bread.  Col. Woods was about eighteen years old when his father came to Carroll County: “Matthew Henry’s Commentaries,” that I now have, belonged to John Woods, and after his death to his son, Levi S.  The spectacles I gave Silas, to have refilled and mended, also belong to him.  I accidentally broke the glasses out of them a few years ago.  I never knew John Woods, though my father had been in the county more than ten years before his death.  Being an old Presbyterian, I am told he did not believe in shouting; but it was no uncommon thing for him to come home from church in a shouting frame of mind.  I learned from Cass that he was a very pious, godly, upright man. 

Samuel Woods and James Dinwiddie, my wife’s great-grandfather, became acquainted while they lived in Kentucky.  The older members of their families were also acquainted, and in this way Col. Woods was led to visit his future father-in-law’s house after they came to Tennessee, and became acquainted with his daughter and married her. 

After I was married I became acquainted with Mrs. Drake.  She was very sprightly, companionable lady, full of life.  She was a superior woman, full of energy, and possessed rare business qualities.  I was very favorably impressed with her. 

She died soon after the close of the war.  My wife went to see her after the war.  I did not see her for several years before her death. 

I first visited my future father-in-law’s house during Christmas week, 1849, in company with John Boyd.  Col. Woods was living on John Branch, First District of Carroll County.  He had an excellent home.  Cass was not at home; she was on a visit to her relatives in Henry County.  We stayed all night and left the next morning.  I liked the appearance of things.  As I was about leaving, I handed Col. Woods a book, and told him he might out it in his book-case and give it to his daughter when she returned.  My daughter Nannie now has the little book.  I at the time was attending to a law-suit for Col. Woods.  I had met his daughter Cass at Huntingdon, and slightly acquainted with her. 

Boyd and Col. Woods were Democrats, I a Whig.  Boyd was sheriff of Carroll County, and as he told me was in the habit of calling at the Woods’ when in that part of the county.  As we were riding off, I said, “John, I like the way things look at this place; you must come with me here again before a great while.”  Some time about the first of March we went a second time.  Cass was at home.  John left next morning on business—believe I stayed till evening.  Before leaving I said to Miss Woods: “I will be passing to Jackson early in April, and with your permission I will call.”  She consented, and I did so.  After this I made it convenient to have business in that part of the county quite often.  I had visited her but a few times before I proposed to her to become a member of the firm.  I told her, while talking on the subject, that I much of my time from home; that she would have to run the house, while I ran the law branch of the concern.  We agreed to unite our fortunes for life.  But a word passed between Col. Woods and myself upon the subject of my and his daughter’s marriage.  He gave his consent.  I told him I would like to see Mrs. Woods before leaving.  She came into the parlor.  I took my seat to the left and a little in front of her.  I recollect well how I was sitting.  I asked her consent to our marriage.  She was entirely self-possessed, but her countenance indicated seriousness when she entered the room.  Her conversation with me upon the subject was a very proper one for the occasion; a shade of seriousness coloring her remarks.  Towards its close she spoke of the risks girls took in marrying; saying that their happiness depended entirely upon the conduct of the husband.  She repeated and emphasized this idea.  Mrs. Woods had, I think, done all the talking up to this time.  I had been silent.  I then said to her: “Mrs. Woods, you don’t think the risk is all on the part of your daughter, do you?  Don’t you suppose there is some on my part also?  I propose making your daughter a good husband.  I think I know something of the duties the relation will impose on me.  If your daughter’s happiness will in great measurable in my hands, will not mine be equally so in her hands”? 

My remarks dispelled all her seriousness; her face brightened up; she smiled and became quite cheerful.  Indeed, I am not sure she did not laugh.  I have frequently thought of this little incident between my mother-in-law and myself and have always been inclined to smile at the manner in which the subject passed off. 

We were married, as I have already stated, on 2^nd of October, 1850.  In about two weeks after we were married, I said to Cass, “Would you not like to go and see your parents?”  She had not suggested it to me, but I knew she would like to see home.  So we went to see the family.  I said to Mrs. Woods while there, “I knew Cass would like to see you al, though she had not said so much to me.  She felt, I suppose, that such a suggestion might be a little hasty on her part.”  We spent a couple of days with the family.  On leaving I said to Mrs. Woods, “I cannot always command my time; my business takes me from home a great deal, as you know.  Cannot say when I will be here again; but Cass shall come and see you as often as she may wish.”&nb