NASHVILLE DAILY AMERICAN, 1876, A GENEALOGICAL SCRAPBOOK
Researched and Compiled by Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2003

 

 

NASHVILLE DAILY AMERICAN

 

 

 

 

June 1, 1876

 

Colonel Robert H. Ramsey, an aide-de-camp on the staff of General George Thomas, federal army, and proprietor of the MINERS JOURNAL, Pottsville, Pa., died in Nashville, May 31, 1876 aged 38 years and 2 days old. Buried in Pottsville.

 

(Page 45)

 

John Cyrus Hale, son-in-law of former governor, William Gannaway Brownlow, was shot and killed in Hot Springs, Ark., May 26, 1876; surviving were his widow, Callie Brownlow Hale and an infant son, seven months old. He was born in Hot Springs, May 25, 1853; son of Cyrus Hale and grandson of John C. Hale, for whom he had been named. Hale was shot and killed by William Walsh with whom he had a disagreement over some local real estate.

 

June 2, 1876

 

Edward Kerr, formerly an operator at the Southeastern depot and son-in-law of George Waterman, Nashville, died in Henderson, Ky., June 1, 1876.

 

Ernest Thurm, aged 55 years, died in New Orleans, May 28, 1876; native of Saxony, Germany.

 

Johnnie Hanson Rose, son of R. H. Rose and wife, Nashville, died June 1, 1876 aged 6 months; funeral today.

 

June 3, 1876

 

Marriage licenses issued to black persons, Davidson County, Tenn., this past week. [Davidson County Marriage Book, 1875-1876 lists their marriage dates and pages on which they were recorded]

Isaac Curry and Mattie Coldwell [May 28, page 527];

S. P. Earley and Frances Jones [June l, page 534];

Henry Greenfield and Mary Jordan [May 30, page 540];

Robert Henson and Mary Hopkins [June 1, page 541];

John Norman and Mary Ann Harper [June l, page 558];

Henry Clay Johnson and Hattie Williams [May 31, page 548].

 

June 4, 1876

 

Company D, 16th U. S. Infantry, about fifty soldiers commanded by Captain H. A. Theaker, arrived at Ash Barracks, Nashville, from Humboldt, Tenn., yesterday; this post had been disbanded and the barracks there were ordered sold.

 

Thomas Edwards, aged 50 years, black, was found dead, June 3, 1876 in his dwelling on Cedar Street, Nashville; inquest verdict: heart disease caused his death.

 

The cornerstone of the new Cumberland Presbyterian Church was laid, in a public ceremony, Franklin, Tenn., June 3, 1876. Reverend Dr. Blake was principal speaker for the occasion.

 

June 5, 1876

 

The issue for this date is missing. Doubtless it would have carried notice of the death of Marion M. Brown, daughter of Trimble Brown, whose tombstone in lot 3, section 2, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, reads: Marion M. Brown Born Feb. 11, 1874  Died June 5, 1876.

 

June 6, 1876

 

Mary Pearl Watkins wife of Henry Watkins died in Louisville, Ky., May 4, 1876.

 

Page 3: The New County Democratic Executive Committee

NASHVILLE, June 5, l876 --- The following Democratic Executive Committee for Davidson county is hereby appointed in pursuance of a resolution passed by the County Convention, which assembled in Nashville on the 27^th of May, 1876:

Hugh McGavock, Chairman,

Walter L. Bransford,                             Thos. J. Winfry,

S. A. Duling,                              Joe. D. Houston,

M. W. Fitzpatrick,                        James W. Thomas,

W. D. Robertson,                        Pleas. A. Smith,

J. Trim. Brown,                          Alex. McQueen,

Wm. Connell,                                      B. Gray,

F. P. McWirter,                           E. M. Fuqua,

Wm. C. Dibrell,                          Jno. M. Thompson,

James A. Chilton,                       James T. Patterson,

Thos. W. Wrenne,                      Lew. Whirley,

Tim. Kelley,                               H. W. Hall,

Charles Rich                               Pat Byrne,

J. L. Weakley.

          The Committee will please meet in the County Court room Saturday June 10, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of transacting such business as may come before it.

                                                                   Samuel Donelson, Chm’n.

 

(Page 46)

 

June 7, 1876

 

The “colored,” i.e. black, teachers of Rutherford Co., Tenn. would hold an institute tomorrow through Saturday, under the management of Professor A. K. Spence of Fisk University.

 

When the boiler in D. P. Shoffner’s sawmill at Obion station, Obion Co., Tenn., along the Paducah and Miss. Railroad, exploded May 31, 1876 two black workers, Clem Davis and Nep Crittenden, were killed.

 

June 8, 1876

 

John Orr Hume, son of William and Mary L. Hume, died Beech Grove, Coffee Co., Tenn., June 7, 1876 aged 9 months.

 

Ellen Kelly, daughter of Tim and Margaret Kelly, aged 6 months, died in Nashville [ostensibly

June 7, 1876].

 

Felicia Zollicoffer, daughter of Felix Zollicoffer and wife (he being deceased) married J. M. Metcalf, in Columbia, Tenn., June 6, 1876.

 

June 9, 1876

 

Lucinda Lane, wife of Captain W. W. Fitzpatrick, died Nashville, June 8, 1876; funeral today.

 

Decoration of Confederate graves at Mt. Olivet Cemetery was held June 8, 1876 with appropriate ceremonies; the 16th Infantry Band played several “airs,” closing with “Dixie.”

 

June 10, 1876

 

Samuel M. King, formerly a deputy U. S. marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee, had taken money fraudulently from a man indicted for violation of the revenue law; appearing in the criminal courtroom, Nashville, June 9, 1876, King shot himself twice rapidly in the chest, a mortal wound from which he died almost instantly. It was noted, “He always went elegantly dressed.” [June 11, 1876 issue, page 4, noted that Kate Mortimer appeared at the King funeral, cried over the corpse all night, cut a lock of his hair and said he and she had been intimates for five years. His body was sent for burial to Dayton, Ohio.]

 

June 11, 1876

 

Henderson Horton, formerly of Davidson Co., Tenn., died in Toledo, Ohio, June l, 1876; an uncle of Governor James D. Porter of Tennessee.

 

George Nichols Searight, son of George N. and Bessie McCrea Searight, aged 8 months and 24 days old, died in Nashville, June 10, 1876; funeral today.

 

Page 3:   GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON

A letter Written by the Pioneer Settler of the Cumberland Valley --- Glimpses of Old Time Life in Tennessee

          Mr. R. W. Jennings, of this city, kindly permits us to publish the following letter, of which he has the original, written by Gen. James Robertson, the pioneer settler of this section of Tennessee.  Gen. Robertson was born in Brunswick county, Va., June 28, 1742, and died at the Chickasaw Agency (in what is now known as West Tennessee) Sept. 1, 1814. In 1825 his remains were reinterred in the Nashville cemetery, with marked honor by the citizens, and an appropriate eulogy by Judge Haywood, the earliest historian of the State.  In his “History of Tennessee, or the Life and Times of Gen. James Robertson,” the late A. W. Putnam relates with great minuteness of detail the scenes, incidents and struggles connected with the early occupation of this region by the whites, under the leadership of that famous pioneer.  The letter was written to Dr. Felix Robertson, the first white child born in the Cumberland Valley, and for half a century a leading physician of Nashville:

   CHICKASAW AGENCY, March 11, 1813 –

Dear son: This comes hoping you, your mother and all our connections well, which blessing I at present am enjoying. Jacob is well and satisfied. He wishes to be remembered to his father and mother and other friends. He is a very good boy and attends strictly to his business. We shall begin plowing our corn ground to-morrow, and I expect to plant my corn next week. My oats are up. The peach trees are in full bloom. Grass is plenty. The Chickasaws

 

(Page 47)

 

have declared war against all passing parties of Creeks, and that they are now ready to join the United States against the Creek Nation, as they can no longer say it is those young wild people that commit depredations on the whites, as they know that the party which did the murder near the mouth of the Ohio, was led by a man that has been a principal chief for twenty years, and they consider the war between the United States and the Creeks as they say that they, the Chickasaws, do not believe the Creeks will give up the party that have done [sic] this mischief to the United States, and hope that nothing less will satisfy our government. They say they believe the Creeks have been deceiving the Chickasaw, the whites and Cal Hawkins and as they have so long played that game they think the United States will be no longer deceived by the friendly professions.

   If there be any good people among them let them speak and stand on one side that the war party ought to be reduced and brought to the terms of the whites, that is, completely in the power of the United States. The Chickasaws have petitioned the general government likewise Governor Blount to give them two companies of horsemen to protect them until an army is ready to march.  If it should be granted and the men volunteers, raised from West Tennessee, could you not get an appointment? I purpose one station will be at this place. Consult Mr. Grundy on the business, and if Governor Blount is at Nashville speak to him. If he is not, speak to Secretary Blount. I do hope that no further credit may be given to the Creeks’ professions of peace. They could now so completely be conquered and that in a very short time. I expect Mr. Pritchlynn here to-morrow. He is the Choctaw interpreter. I shall be able to give Governor Blount information whether the Choctaws will not join to reduce the Creeks, and I believe they will. It might be done, and now is the time. I did not believe Col. Cannon was so vain as to oppose Mr. Grundy, who does the honor to the State. You ought to go to Harpeth and bring these people out, and do away with the prejudice that prevails against lawyers. Convince them that it is a necessary qualification for a member of Congress. Tell Dr. Jonathan and all our friends to do their duty for the credit of the State. I expect to be in by the first of June. Mr. Beck informs me that you and McNairy are very industrious. O, how glad I was to hear from Susannah. I hope to see all my blessed little grand-children soon. I want Dr. Felix Robertson to apply to Mr. William O. Winston to get sixteen dollars, which I have said by my stating in a letter that I would see the expense paid, and the negro was sent on that account.  This I did at his request. Col. Anderson perhaps can put you in the way to get it if Mr. Winston is not in Nashville. I shall be in at the Federal Court. My best wishes for the welfare of you all, while I am your most affectionate father,

                                                                             Jas. Robertson,

Dr. Felix Robertson, Nashville, Tenn.

 

June 12, 1876

 

Missing issue

 

June 13, 1876

 

A poem in memory of Robert Gwyne Wilson, aged 6 months, son of Robert H. and Fannie Wilson,

who died June 9,1876.

 

Nellie Grady, daughter of John and Honorie Grady, died Nashville, June 12, 1876; funeral today

 

George Morgan Walsh, son of W. J. and Lottie Walsh, died Nashville, June 12, 1876; funeral today.

 

Clotilde Bertheol, widow of Prof. J. S. Bertheol, Nashville died [ostensibly June 12, 1876]; she was 77 years old.

 

A. A .Freeman, an old furniture merchant, died in Nashville, June 11, 1876.

 

A. P. Owens, Jesse Owens, John Murphey, Arch Randolph, Henry Davidson, white; Ike Doss, black, had been cutting wheat and stepped under a tree when it began to rain, near Springfield, Tennessee, and all were killed when lightning struck the tree, recently.

 

June 14, 1876

 

Maggie Lena Dickens, youngest daughter of S. M. and M. Dickens, Nashville, died June 13, 1876; aged 21 months; funeral today.

 

(Page 48)

 

Henry W. Forde and Alice Hayes were married in her father, Henry M. Hayes’ residence, Nashville, June 13, 1876.

 

June 15, 1876

 

Page 1:

UNOWNED MILLIONS

An Effort to Secure the Immense Chadwick Estate – A Long Chancery Suit.

New York Sun

  In the reign of Queen Anne of England, Andrew Chadwick was taken out of the ranks of common soldiers and made a knight, because he had saved her Majesty’s life.  Her horses had run away with her, and he had stopped them, suffering severe injury by the exploit.  Soon after his social elevation he married Margaret Humphreys, a Kent county lady, and throughout the rest of his life accumulated property rapidly.  He died in 1768, at the age of ninety-eight years, and was buried in Marylebone churchyard.  He owned about a thousand houses in London, and had investments in various projects.  He appointed Alexander Scott and tow others executors, but they neglected to sign the will, and the document was declared void.  Scott attempted, notwithstanding, to get control of the property, and the record of the Court of Chancery shows that a lawsuit upon that point was decided against him in 1769.  The Chancellor decided, “The court is still open for the heir at law to prosecute the claim to the property.”  Lady Chadwick died in 1781, and the estate was left in such confusion that, in 1784, two men conceived the project of forging a will to get possession of it.  They were hanged at Newgate.  The property has never been settled, although there is an undecided chancery suit 104 years long, and £10,000 in Government bonds, with the accrued interest, and a chest of plate, are still in the Bank of England awaiting an owner who can make good his claim.

   These facts are not new to the public in England; but they are made freshly interesting here by the fact that claimants in this country are moving to get possession of the estates, now worth many millions of dollars.  Samuel and Thomas Chadwick came across the Atlantic half a century ago, leaving their elder sister to present her claim as the heir.  She died recently, leaving Samuel as the claimant; and, still later, he died in Wilmington, Del.  Thomas survives, is sixty-eight years old, and lives in West Philadelphia.  Many documents, accumulated in England by the sister, have arrived, and a son of Thomas Chadwick, aided by interested relatives, is pushing the movement as rapidly as possible.  Proofs of real estate purchases by Sir Andrew Chadwick, a copy of his will now in the Tower of London, and transcripts of parish records showing the line of descent, are among the documents.  The Chadwicks are numerous in this city, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, and have organized to get the rich prize.

 

Page 4:

A Veteran’s Return

   One of the old ante-bellum “characters” who used to circulate about Nashville – Antonio Acus – yesterday put in an appearance after an absence of many years, and was well received by old acquaintances.  There are very few of the older residents who do not remember him.  The old man is now over eighty years of age.  When he first came to Tennessee he lived at the Hermitage with the family of Andrew Jackson.  Antonio is a Spaniard by birth, and was at the siege of Saragossa.  He was captured by the French in that heroic struggle, and was taken to France, and learned to speak French almost as fluently as his native tongue.  When he came to this country he landed at Pensacola, lived a while in Alabama, and subsequently came to Middle Tennessee, where he has resided for near half a century.  The old veteran is supplied with credentials from some of the best families of the counties of Maury and Williamson, with whom he resided at different times, and by whom he was occasionally employed.  The following letter of recommendation, which he carries, is from a prominent citizen of an adjacent county.

   Franklin, June 25, 1875 – I have been acquainted with the bearer of this, Antonio Acus, for over a half century.  When I first knew him he lived in the family of Gen. Andrew Jackson.  He after this lived in my father’s family.  A more honest, industrious, charitable and Christian man I never knew.  I infer from his recollection of events that occurred during the Napoleonic war that he must be near to or quite ninety years of age.  Antony deserves and needs and I have no doubt will meet with the kindest charity from all the people of the county, now that he is leaning far over the brim of the grave, and helpless.

                                                                                      Jno. McGavock

 

June 16, 1876

 

Julia Weakley, wife of W. J. Weakley, died Edgefield, Tenn., June 15, 1876; funeral today.

 

(Page 49)

 

June 17, 1876

 

On June 16, 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated as the presidential candidate for the Republican Party, in the November election; at Cincinnati, William A. Wheeler was nominated as vice-presidential candidate on this ticket.

 

June 18, 1876

 

Major Arthur Middleton Rutledge, a grandson of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and brother-in-law of Francis B. Fogg, Nashville, died at Sewanee, Tenn., June 17, 1876. He was a graduate of West Point Military Academy and had been a captain of the First Tennessee Artillery, CSA. [Buried in old city cemetery, Nashville, June 20, 1876.]

 

June 19, 1876

 

Missing issue

 

June 20, 1876

 

William Joseph Griffin, son of Pat M. Griffin and wife, Nashville, died June 19, 1876; funeral today.

 

June 21, 1876

 

Edward C. Armes died Nashville, June 20, 1876 aged 19 years, 4 months and 6 days old  [Feb. 4, 1867]; funeral today.

 

A memorial window in honor of F. C. Dunnington, dec., is St. Peter's Church, Columbia, Tenn., was recently installed.

 

June 22, 1876

 

Masonic funeral for Howell H. Huddleston to be held by fellow members of the Cumberland Masonic Lodge #8. Nashville, this evening. He was thrown from his horse on Monday and died from the injuries sustained June 21, 1876; formerly he was a merchant in Hickman Co., Tenn. but had lived in retirement on his farm on the Harding Pike a few miles from Nashville.

 

Sarah M. Turner, wife of M. C. McDonell, died Edgefield, June 21, 1876; funeral today.

 

Mary Nolan, wife of J. H. Nolan, died June 21, 1876 in the 40th year of her age; funeral today.

 

Caroline Johnston widow of John Johnston, died Columbia, Tenn., June 20, 1876; burial in

Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.

 

James Rossie McCauley, son of Littleton and Clara McCauley, black, died June 21, 1876 aged 2 years; funeral today.

 

June 23, 1876

 

Lillie Harrison, daughter of Rev. William P. Harrison, formerly pastor of St. Luke's Methodist Church, Nashville, now of First Methodist Church, Atlanta, committed suicide by jumping into the Chattahoochee River at Columbus, Georgia a few days ago.

 

Oscar F. A. Dickens, son of A. H. and M. Dickens, died June 22, 1876 aged 11 months; funeral today.

 

Julian Peyton, grandson of Balie Peyton and Governor Trousdale was buried in Gallatin, Tenn., June 22, 1876.

 

The oldest postmaster in the United States, Daniel Curtis, died a few days ago at his home in North Dorset, Vermont, aged 87 years; he had been appointed to the position by President Andrew Jackson. [The historian's office, U. S. Postal Service, informed the compiler that Curtis was appointed postmaster at No. Dorset, April 2, 1845 and that he served into June of 1876.]

 

June 24, 1876

 

The remains of Charles Plummer will be removed from the vault and buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery tomorrow.

 

(Page 50)

 

 Robert Howell McBride, son of W. H. and Sallie E. McBride, Nashville, died June 23, 1876, aged

10 months, 17 days.

 

June 25, 1876

 

A fire in Jackson, Tennessee, June 24, 1876, destroyed a block of buildings on Lafayette Street, bounded by College Street, Center Alley and Market Street [later Highland Ave.]. The total amount of property destroyed was valued at $105, 500. The account of this fire, as reported in THE JACKSON SUN, June 30, 1876, page 3:

 

The Fire at Jackson.

“Memphis June 24 ---A fire last Wednesday at Jackson, Tennessee, destroyed a block of buildings on Lafayette Street, bounded by College Street, Center alley, and market street. The principal sufferers are Gaff & May, Riveries’s stove and tinware store,  the Dispatch printing office,  Smith A Caldwell's grocery store,  and T. J.  Frie’s dry goods store.  Loss, $105,000, Insurance $81,000.”

The above is a special dispatch from Memphis to the courier-Journal. Scarcely any of our citizens would recognize all the individuals mentioned, and the statement is so different from the truth that the sender must have been entirely ignorant of every thing except the locality of the fire. The Courier-Journal might have ascertained the truth about the fire quite as early as the date of the dispatch by reference to the SUN, and certainly in time for Mondays paper in which the dispatch appeared.  Smith & Caldwell were not burned out, Goff & May were not among the heaviest losers, there is no such man here as Riveri, and while the total property involved was estimated at $105,000, that destroyed did not reach over $80,000 or $90,000, and the amount of insurance was $39,000.  That there was a fire in Jackson is correct, and that is about all that is correct in the whole dispatch.  We would like to know what kind of a man he is who sent this telegram.

 

June 26, 1876

 

Missing issue

 

June 27, 1876

 

John Shane, esquire, born May 22, 1789; died June 25, 1876; married Nancy, daughter of Thomas Drennon, Wilson Co., Tenn., August 15, 1819; ten children, of whom, Judge William Shane, St. Paul, Minn., survived him. One son, John Shane, Jr. died as a Confederate soldier in the fighting around Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. His father, Maurice Shane, settled on Stone River, Civil District 4, Davidson Co. and there John Shane enlisted under General Andrew Jackson's command during the War of 1812; moved to Lauderdale Co., Ala. in 1819 but moved to Wilson Co., Tenn. about 1842 and in 1846 settled on a farm where he died in Davidson County.

 

Jennie A. Stoney, only daughter of George J. Stoney, U. S. Army, died Nashville, June 26, 1876 aged 5 years, 10 month; funeral today.

 

June 28, 1876

 

Edith Rust, daughter of E. B. and Mollie H. Rust, Nashville, died June 27, 1876, aged 7 months, 10 days.

 

June 29, 1876

 

Samuel J. Tilden, governor of New York, was nominated as the presidential candidate for the November election, at the Democratic convention in St. Louis, MO, June 28, 1876. [Thomas A. Hendricks was nominated as vice-presidential candidate on this ticket, June 29, 1876.]

 

Adele Latimer, wife of J. H. Latimer, Nashville, died June 28, 1876, aged 32 years; funeral today.

 

(Page 51)

 

James Woods, Jr. and Ann, daughter of Isaac H.  Erwin, dec., Nashville married June 27, 1876. 

 

June 30, 1876

 

Fannie Cauvin, youngest daughter of S. Cauvin, Nashville, died June 29, 1876; funeral today.  [A long tribute to her memory, by a schoolmate, appeared in July 1, 1876 issue, page 4, in which her age was given as 15 years.]

 

Jane Gray, wife of Arthur Gray, Edgefield, Tenn., died June 29, 1876 aged 34 years.  She was a native of Norfolk, England and had lived in the U.S. about 4 years. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville. 

 

July 1, 1876

 

A little son, aged about ten/twelve years, of Mrs. Wadsworth, a widow living on Dr. Ben Scone's farm on Elk River, in western Lincoln Co., Tenn. was drowned June 25, 1876 while swimming in the river. 

 

Emily Buchi, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Buchi, died June 30, 1876 in the 17th year of her age; funeral from the Vaulx place on Franklin Pike, 3.5 miles from Nashville. 

 

James L. Wells died at home in Nashville, July 1, 1876 in the 21^st year of his age. [A tribute to his memory, by his fellow Pale Faces, July 4, 1876 issue, page 4]

 

The Tennessee Dental Association met in Nashville, June 30, 1876. Officers elected were: H. E.  Beach, Clarksville, president; W. L. Dismukes, Nashville, first vice-president; J.  Y. Crawford, McKenzie, Tenn. second vice-president; E.  S. Chisholm, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Recording secretary; W.  H.  Morgan, Nashville, treasurer. 

 

July 2, 1876

 

Dr. T. S.  Malone, Athens, Alabama, died June 30, 1876; father of Mrs. George Hobson and Mrs. Joseph Wheless of Edgefield, Tenn. 

 

July 3.  1876

 

Missing issue

 

July 4, 1876

 

Dr. J. Ragland died in Nashville, July 3, 1876; funeral today. 

 

Patrick Sullivan, about 11 years old, was drowned while swimming in the Cumberland River, Nashville, July 2, 1876. 

 

July 5, 1876

 

Mary Ann Quinn, daughter of John and Winnie Quinn, Nashville, died July 4, 1876, aged 22 years; funeral today. 

 

July 6.  1876

 

Burial of Fannie Gertrude Butler, daughter of R. G. and Maggie Butler, today. 

 

Henry Eebeck, infant son of Frank C. and Maggie Davis Eebert, Nashville, died July 5, 1876; funeral today. 

 

Maria Barkley Barnes, aged 1 year, daughter of Melville Marshall and Jane Douglas Rosser

Barnes, died July 5, 1876; funeral today. 

 

Burial of Richard Wooten, son of B. P. and E. Wooten, today. 

 

Frank M. Nevins and Anna W. Mayson married July 1, 1876. 

 

A map of Nashville, drawn in 1804, was presented by J. A. Wigfall, a black teacher in Edgefield, to the Tennessee Historical Society on July 4, 1876. 

 

Dr. A. S. Brown, Shelbyville, Tenn., died July 3, 1876.