Maury County, Tennessee
History

Maury County was formed in 1807 from Williamson County and Indian lands. The Cherokee Indian title was bought at Washington, D.C., on January 7, 1806, for $10,000 and $100 per year annuity paid to "Old Black Fox," who surrendered all claims to lands stretching from Duck River to Alabama. (What is now Maury had been part of that Middle Basin land that the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and sometimes Shawnees and Northern tribes, claimed as their own preserve, defended against trespass by all others).

On November 24, 1807, an Act passed at Knoxville created Maury County from Williamson. Maury originally comprised all of Giles, most of Lewis and Marshall, and portions of Bedford, Hickman and Lawrence Counties. Maury County was named in honor of Maj. Abram P. Maury of Williamson County, who was a member of the Tennessee legislature and an officer under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Maj. Maury was the uncle of Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury.

The first court of Maury County convened in Columbia on December 21, 1807, at the house of Col. Joseph Brown. The first permanent courthouse was a two-story brick structure built in 1809-10 at a cost of $6,990. The second courthouse, a three-story brick, was completed in late 1847. After 56 years in use, the second structure was torn down. and the present stone courthouse was begun in 1904 at a cost of around $100,000.

In addition to the county seat of Columbia, some other important towns and communities in Maury County include: Mt. Pleasant, settled before 1810 by John Hunter; Ashwood, first settled by William Dever in 1807; Culleoka, settled before 1820 and platted in 1857; Campbell's Station, settled 1806-10; Carter's Creek, where an original land grant of 5,000 acres was made to Revolutionary soldier, Gen. Daniel F. Carter; Bigbyville, settled as early as 1804; McCain's, settled in 1809; Glendale, settled by the pioneer Thomas family; Spring Hill, settled by William Bond on Maj. George Doherty's Revolutionary grant, in 1808; Santa Fe (pronounced locally Santa "Fee"), settled 1806-10; Hampshire, settled about 1808; Cross Bridges; Sawdust, settled about 1811; Williamsport, settled before 1814; Water Valley; Neapolis; Kedron; and Lanton.

About 20 Confederate companies were enlisted from Maury County during the War Between the States, the county voting for secession on the second vote taken June 8, 1861 (the first vote taken in January 1861 was in favor of staying with the Union, but some Confederate companies were already enlisted by April and May). Columbia was under Federal occupation three times, the final lasting from December 20, 1864 until the end of the war. There were no major battles fought in Maury County, but there were numerous skirmishes, especially in the aftermath of the Battle of Nashville.

Maury County, Tennessee
Chronology

Chronology of Early Maury County, 1807 - 1850

1807	November 24, Maury County formed from Williamson County. Numerous Maury County families already present
1808	County seat of Columbia established January, First of Zion Church families arrive August 1, First lots sold in Columbia September, First marriage in Columbia: Samuel Srygley to Rachel McClus
1809	Giles County formed from Maury October 11, Meriwether Lewis found dead at Grinder's Stand (now in Lewis County) November, Circuit Court established November, Woodward Academy plans established
1810	First brick courthouse built First newspaper published, The Western Chronicle Native Americans continue to trade in Columbia November, First Circuit Court held in Columbia
1811	December 16, New Madrid earthquake began and continued until February 1812 chimneys crumbled, glass panes broke and cracks formed in buildings in Maury County
1813	Maury County companies go to Alabama to fight Creek War Black Tongue epidemic killed several in Maury County
1814	James Johnson given permission to keep ferry across Duck River near Parsons Bend December, Capt. James McMahon of Maury killed at New Orleans
1815	Woodward Academy built, first school in Columbia January 8, James Moore and James Henry Smith of Maury killed at the Battle of New Orleans
1815	December, Andrew Jackson brought his men back from New Orleans over the Natchez Trace to Columbia for dismissal
1818	First naturalization in court records: Edmund Kelly of Ireland petitioned to become citizen
1819	National Depression seriously crippled Middle Tennessee and Maury County First bank established October, Columbia Steam Boat Co. incorporated; Duck River still believed to be navigable November, Williamsport incorporated November, General Assembly appointed commissioners to build a bridge at Columbia, with money from sale of lots to finance it
1820	Military Road completed, ran from Maury County to Columbus, MS to Madisonville, LA Population of Maury County: 22,089 June, James Knox Polk admitted to practice law in Maury County
1824	Mt. Pleasant incorporated Spring Hill established Andrew Johnson lived in Columbia for six months
1825	James K. Polk went to Congress April, French General Lafayette visited Nashville; many Maurians attended
1826	First mules seen in Columbia
1828	Columbia College opened
1830	Maury County Post Offices listed as: Williamsport, Isom's Store, Mooresville, Pleasant Grove, Spring Hill, Cedar Springs, McMurray's Store/Bigby, Hurt's Cross Roads, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia
1834	Maury was divided into civil districts for the first time and Justices of the Peace elected Cholera epidemic occurred southeast of Columbia Fire destroyed buildings on public square of Columbia and plans for a fire department were made
1835	Degraffenreid storm hits western Maury County; victims were Mrs. Sarah Degraffenreid, five of her children and members of a Lusk family (Degraffenreids are buried in Zion Church Cemetery)
1836	Population of Columbia was 1500 Native Americans on Trail of Tears camped briefly on Lytle and Cathey's Creeks 4000 turn out for visit of Andrew Jackson
1837	James K. Polk elected Speaker of House Line changed between Maury and Hickman Counties; triangle from Duck River to Fall Branch to Natchez Trace given to Hickman County
1838	Spring classes began at Columbia Institute; school established by Bishops James H. Otey and Leonidas Polk
1839	Steamboat Madison plied up Duck River to Columbia; first steamer in county
1840	A.O.P. Nicholson appointed Senator by Gov. Polk
1842	Maury County placed in 6th Congressional District May 7, Former President Martin Van Buren visited Columbia
1843	March 16, 18-20 inches of snow covered Maury County and stayed for six weeks; all farmwork was suspended
1844	February and March, Black Tongue epidemic killed several in Columbia James K. Polk elected President
1845	Duck River Slackwater Navigation Co. incorporated to navigate Duck River, failed; Lily of the West last steamer to come up Duck River
1846	May 13, Mexican War declared; Tennessee's goal was 2400 men and 30,000 volunteered, earning the state the nickname of the Volunteer State
1847	Large part of downtown Columbia destroyed by fire December, Biggest flood since 1811/12 took out bridge at Columbia
1848	December, Last stagecoach robbery in Maury County
1849	First telegraph message received in Columbia for Frank G. Smith, head of Columbia Institute March, James K. Polk's term ended; he made his last visit to Maury County and died in 1850

Sources: Notes of Jill K. Garrett
Bi-Centennial Issue of "The Daily Herald," 4 July 1976
Maury County newspapers on microfilm, TSLA

Signers of Petition to Form Maury County, Presented to the General Assembly of Tennessee, August 1807

Maury County, Tennessee
Founding of Columbia, the County Seat

In 1798, Col. Nicholas Long (Revolutionary War) of Halifax County, NC, willed to his sons Nicholas and Lunsford equal shares in 5,000 acres of land on the "Western Waters." (The 5,000- acre tract adjoined on the west 25,000 acres granted to General Nathaniel Greene for his distinguished service in the war).

Nicholas, who settled in Sumner County, TN, owed Anthony Bledsoe for surveying when Bledsoe was killed by an Indian in 1788. To settle the debt, on July 26, 1807, the heirs of Nicholas Long conveyed to the heirs of Anthony Bledsoe their interest in the land. On March 7, 1808, the heirs of Bledsoe, or their successors, conveyed 843 acres to John White. White, on May 30, 1808, deeded 150 acres of this land for $500 to the Commissioners of Columbia for the laying out of the town.

By the same Act of the General Assembly that had established Maury County, Joshua Williams, William Frierson, Isaac Roberts, John Lindsey, and Joseph Brown were designated to select a county seat near the center of the county. This seat was to be known as Columbia.

Two or three other locations were considered, especially a site on the lands of General Isaac Roberts on Bear Creek, a few miles northeast of the present location. The boundaries of Columbia were set out as follows: "From Burns' spring by Ninth St. to Frierson; thence north to White's spring; east to Duck River, up the river to a point north of Burns' spring; thence south to the place of beginning." The metes and bounds of the 150 acres upon which Columbia was built can be found in the deed, as recorded in Book A, Volume 1, pg. 42 in the office of the Register at Maury County Courthouse.

The location of Columbia was, in 1808, forested in woods and overgrown with thickets, which had to be cleared. Two large ponds in the areas of present West 7th and Garden Streets had to drained and much cane removed.

The one-room log law office of James K. Polk and the home of Congressman Houston Thomas were built on a lot near the corner of Garden and West 7th. Jeremiah Cherry operated a large inn in Columbia as early as 1810. Also by 1810, Mrs. McCain operated the first store owned by a woman in Maury County. Social gatherings and tea parties were held there. A little later, Peter Cheatham built an inn, and others followed. The first store, built of logs, was probably constructed by John Hedge on the south side of the square. Peter Cohea's store attracted the trade of Indians, who came to exchange furs and other items for chinaware, trinkets and whiskey.

By an Act of the Legislature on November 17, 1817, the expanding "village" of Columbia was incorporated. By 1837, Columbia had a population of 1,500 and was considered by historians of that time as one of the most flourishing towns in Tennessee.

Source: History of Maury County, Tennessee, William Bruce Turner

Old and New Names of Columbia Streets

· First Street was extreme north.

· Second Street was formerly known as North Street.

· Third Street was called Roberts Street.

· Fourth Street was known as Church Street.

· Fifth Street was Division Street.

· Sixth Street was formerly Free Street.

· Seventh Street was known as Market Street.

· Eighth Street was Mechanic Street.

· Ninth Street was called Spring Street.

· Tenth Street was formerly Keesee Street.

· Eleventh Street was called Depot Street.

· Twelfth Street was formerly Hamilton Street.

· Thirteenth Street was known as College Street.

Source: Turner's History of Maury County, Tennessee

Maury County Topography and Migration

Maury County is part of about 600 square miles of Tennessee's Central Basin, which was once a prehistoric lake. The Highland Rim, reaching 1200-1500 ft. in altitude, formed the ridge around the ancient lake. Duck River, which flows through Maury County, provided a major drain for the bottom of the lake.

Lying within the protected valley formed when the great lake drained, Maury County has enjoyed reasonably mild weather, somewhat protected from wintry blizzards and tornadoes. Its sedimentary soil has always been lauded as rich and productive in limestone, gypsum, marble and phosphate, the mining of which became one of Maury's most important industries. The rich soil of Maury County has led to its citing as "the Garden Spot of the World," and the Central Basin has been referred to as "the Dimple of the Universe."

Besides Duck River, some other important but smaller waterways of Maury County, which provided transportation and early home and mill sites, are: Flat, Rutherford, Carter's, Cedar, Fountain, Bear, Bigby, Cathey's, Knob, Leiper's, Love's (Branch), Snow, and Turkey Creeks.

Several early North Carolina land grants were made on the waters of Flat and other creeks or along Duck River. An early popular migratory route into what is now Maury County was from North Carolina, through the Cumberland Gap to Kentucky, down the Cumberland River to the Harpeth river and into the granted land.

From the extensive area of gently-rolling hills which was made Maury County in 1807 were cut Giles, most of Lewis and Marshall, and parts of Bedford Counties.

Sources: Century Review of Maury County, Tennessee and History of Maury County, Tennessee, by Turner

Goodspeed’s History

Maury County, Tennessee

Maury County

As originally published in History of Tennessee

Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago Il.: 1886

A superficial view of the county would present the picture of a section of a River Valley, running almost due east and west, with the dip to the west, and fringed to the north and south by smaller valleys which furrow the sides of irregular ranges of knobs and hills which lie along the northern and southern boundaries. To the west these hills broaden out into the uplands known as the "Barrens," forming a part of the Highland Rim. The bed of this valley is occupied by Duck River, which flows through the whole extent of the county, dividing it almost equally. The river drains the entire county, as all of the other streams flow into it. The river is not navigable through the whole extent of the county. The river was much used formerly for flat-boats and barges. It is still much used in floating out rafts during high water. The great value of Duck River is in its excellent water-power, which draws the numerous grist and sawmills that line its bank is. The county is well drained. In several creeks in the western part of the county are some beautiful waterfalls. On the northwest and south the Rim which borders the county is slashed by narrow and beautiful valleys of extreme richness; the remaining portion of the county is of a gently rolling surface, stretching out toward the West and South of the river into almost a plain-like smoothness.

Except a small portion around the northern, western and southern edges, invaded by the Highland Rim, the entire county is of limestone formation. It is by no means of one uniform variety, nor is the soil the same over the county. The soil generally is dark and friable, and exceedingly rich. The subsoil is generally a stiff, dark-colored clay, which weathers rapidly into a rich soil. But the characteristic of the county is the cedar timber, which abounds in some places so thickly as to exclude all under-growth and to shut out every ray of the sun as effectually as the darkest clouds of winter. In "the cedars" the rock comes to the surface. The soil is admirably suited to wheat and grasses, and peach trees to finely in it.

The original settlers in the Zion Church neighborhood came from Williamsburg District, S.C. They came in a kind of colony, led by Squire John Dickey, to brought about twenty families with him. A portion of these arrived in 1807, and others in 1808. Five thousand acres of land were purchased of the Gen. Greene Survey, at $3 per acre. Around this has a nucleus clustered the little colony. Among the settlers were Squire Dickey, Moses Frierson, James Blakeley, William Frierson, Eli Frierson, James Armstrong, Thomas Stephenson, Nathaniel Stephenson, "Old Davy" Mathews, Samuel with her stated, John Stevenson, James Frierson, P. Fulton, Alexander Dobbins, Moses Freeman, the Flemings and Mayes. Mr. J. S. Mayes, who is four score and ten, and still vigorous, lives in the Mount Zion neighborhood, and was one of the original settlers, and has a very distinct recollection of the first settlement. Like the Pilgrim Fathers the first thing they did on their arrival was the erection of a church. A place was selected, as near as could be judged, in the center of the purchase for the church site, which proved almost the exact mathematical center. There was erected a rude log church sometime in 1807, which is supposed to have been the first church erected in Maury County. Near the church was laid out a graveyard in which the body of Robert Frierson was consigned in August, 1808, the first in that vicinity. In this rude church, in the midst of the cane breaks and shades of the forest, the little band of pioneers met regularly every week to hear sermons by the Rev. Samuel Frierson or William Frierson, who poured forth the truths of the gospel with apostolic zeal and simplicity. In a short time the Rev. James N. Stephenson, who had been pastor of the church in South Carolina, became the pastor at Mount Zion. The old log church stood till 1814 or 1815, and was replaced by a brick church of peculiar shape. It was arranged with the pulpit at the side of with the main part of the building arranged for the life is, and a kind of trend stepped at the end for the color people. The old accounts did tell 1831, when a small body of ground was purchased near the old house and in the building erected. This house still stands, although it has several times been repaired and improved. The people of the Zion neighborhood were largely members of the Mt. Zion church, and being an intelligent class of people have always maintained a talented ministry. After the retirement of Dr. Stephenson, before mentioned, the Rev. James M. Smell was called to the pulpit, who remained tale 1850; the next was the Rev. Daniel G. Doak, who remained tell 1853, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. A. Doak. Rev. Doak remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Hendrick, his death occurred in 1860. Rev. Hendricks was succeeded in 1860 by Dr. Mack, of Columbia, he served the church tell 1863, and then gave place to Rev. C. Foster Williams, who still preaches occasionally. The next pastor was Rev. S. W. Mitchell, who still serves the church.

Some Families Associated With Early Communities of Maury County

Notable Persons From Maury County

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