From Goodspeed's History of Gibson County, Tennessee 1887 " John R.A. Blackburn was born in North Carolina on the 22nd of May, 1826, son of John and Martha (Harrison) Blackburn, who were also North Carolinians. John R.A. was brought to Tennessee when about nine years of age, and settled in Gibson County near where he now resides.(in 1887) In 1848 he engaged in the mercantile business at Trenton, and remained there one year, when he sold out and began trading on the Mississippi Rover ...until 1855, at which date he returned to gibson county and has since been a tiller of the soil... November 30, 1854, married Martha P. Gibbs, daughter of Turner r. and Harriet E.(Smith) Gibbs of Gibson County. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn became the parents of eleven children, seven daughters and four sons: Turner J., Harriet E., Samantha M., Frances V., Elvira B., Martha A., Charley M., Francis P. (deceased before 1887) Louisa Samuel R. Willie E. (deceased) " Hope this is helpful to someone. Miriam B.