I have updated the Decatur county TNGenWeb site, added new surnames, a letter, additional info, corrected old addresses, etc. Check to see that your email address, if on the site, is the current one you are using. Thanks Renea Burkholder [email protected] TNGenWeb Decatur Co., TN http://www.netease.net/decatur/ TNGenWeb Perry Co., TN http://www.netease.net/perry/

I have the below marriage listed for both THOS. HAY & THOMAS HAY, presiding official of the marriage. I thought I would go ahead and post. It will be a couple of days before I can get back to Mormon Family History Library in Orange, CA, to verify which is correct. If you know the religion/church of the bride/groom and/or town, would you please POST TO THIS MAIL LIST. I really appreciate your help. Linda 13 Nov 1880 Ref: pg 59 D. W. McCall (Groom) License Obtained 11-13-1880 M.A. Brashear (Bride) Marriage Performed 11-13-1880 Source: "Early Marriage Records (1869-1921) of Decatur County" by Fred and Margie Alexander.

If you recognize any of the names below, can you identify the church/religion of the bride/groom or the location (town, etc.) of the marriage? WOULD YOU PLEASE POST TO THIS MAIL LIST. Thank you for your help. Linda, CA THOMAS HAY Minister of the Gospel is Presiding Official G = Groom B = Bride Ref. pg refers to book "Early Marriage Records (1869-1921) of Decatur County" by Fred and Margie Alexander. 25 Sep 1870 Alvin H. Murphy (G) Rebecca Ann Norkett (B) Ref. pg 67 30 Oct 1874 Joseph H. Helmer (G) Rebecca Morgan (B). Ref. pg 41 8 May 1877 John Hardcasel (G) Charity E. Brasher (B) Ref. pg 40 10 Jan 1877 F. D. Myrse (G) Rilda A. Bledsoe (B) Ref. pg 68 7 Sep 1880 John H. Jackson (G) G. A. Hill (B) Ref. pg 46

If you recognize any of the names below, can you identify the church/religion of the bride/groom or the location (town, etc.) of the marriage? WOULD YOU PLEASE POST TO THIS MAIL LIST. Thank you for your help. Linda, CA THOS. HAY Minister of the Gospel is the Presiding Official. G = Groom B = Bride Ref. pg # refers to book "Early Marriage Records (1869-1921) of Decatur County" by Fred and Margie Alexander. 9 Feb 1879 Samuel H. Hopper (G) Ciatha Wetherford (B) Ref. pg 44 22 Jan 1880 Isaac McMillan (G) Ellen White (B) Ref: pg 59 4 Feb 1883 A.M. Butler (G) M.A. Ivy (B) Ref. pg 14 8 Oct 1885 J. Allen Jones (G) Mahalie Barber (B) Ref. 47 8 Nov 1885 W. N. Walker (G) T. E. Miller (B) Ref. pg 95 23 July 1887 James F. Brown (G) Amanda J. Hart (B) Ref. pg 13

Hoping that someone will recognize this road. "8 miles from Decaturville on the big road." Where is the "big road?" Would it be Hwy 100? Could it be toward Parsons? Is Beech River 8 miles from Decaturville? Granny wrote this about the location of one of her family's homes in Decaturville area. Her memory was relating to the time period of 1890's thru early 1900's. She didn't write east or west from Decaturville. I appreciate your help. Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA

Is there a sporting goods store in Decaturville, TN? I believe it was there during 1960's? Thank you. Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA

Wanted to see how the floppy was and did anyone have any good luck finding there family. Good lucky Elizabeth Ramey

Can anyone help with the following family in Decatur Co.? 1. James Pinkney Haggard b. 1830's m. unknown 2. Rebecca Haggard b.October 17, 1862 m. George Alston Tolley 2. S. Haggard b.1868 m. Nancy D. Bench on September 14, 1872 2. Pinkney Marion Haggard b.January 19, 1877 Pinkney Marion Haggard is my great grandfather. I would like to know more info. on James Pinkney Haggard, his first wife and their children. Also, who his parents and his wives parents were. Thanks, Mary Haggard Curtis [email protected] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

I am looking for info. on the following people. I haven't sent a posting for several months, so maybe someone new has info: Joseph H. Wyatt -- had children William Wyatt, Millard Fillmore Wyatt, and Savana Anahine Wyatt. Children were born in the 1850's. Need info. on Joseph's first wife. He later married Clarissa Fox in Shelby County. He died during the Civil War, and she and their son Joseph are buried in Shelby County. Emily Belle Taylor Wyatt--wife of Millard Fillmore. I believe she was the daughter of Ben Taylor and Frances Caudle Taylor of Decatur County, but need proof. She is buried at the Mt. Zion (2) cemetery in Decatur County along with a family named Rone. Thomas E. Moore and Mary Jane Ellett Moore. Thomas was born in 1836. He later married Elizabeth Lynch whose children were Mittie, Mattie, and Jack. Mary Jane is a brick wall. I have no birth or death dates or other info. about her. Any help is greatly appreciated. Pat Faulkner [email protected]

FYI, for those of you outside the immediate area, the First United Methodist Church of Lexington, TN, has a website. I accidentally discovered it today. There is a place on website to email them, too. Someone responded to my email and said she would check church records to see if she has anything about my Granny and her family. Website is: http://www.netease.net/fumc/ Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA

Does anyone know the name of the town for Culp Grocery Store or Culp store? The time period would be around 1900's, maybe a little earlier or later. Thank you. Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA

Does anyone have information on Pony Mayo, blacksmith The above name may be phonetically spelled. The time period would be after 1880, but before 1894? He probably was a blacksmith in Decaturville, Parsons, or another close by area. I don't know where Bath Springs is located, but a possibility? The above name is spelled as my grandmother spelled it. She wrote this name in letter to her sister Gladys Rae Dunkle Vaule of Rhode Island. My grandmother is giving family history to his sister. Gladys Rae Dunkle Vaule was born 6 April 1902 in Decatur County. My Grandmother was Mallie Dunkle Fuller. She was born in Decatur County 14 May 1882 at the home of her Grandfather Hay. Mallie's Grandfather Hay was from Ireland. Mallie's father married the youngest daughter of Tommy Hay. Mallie's mother was Margery Caroline HAY, although census records list her as Margaret. One of Mallie's brothers died tragically in a fire, 1960's? The event is well remembered by people I spoke to during my visit to Decaturville this past June. Mention Dunkle and the word fire is associated immediately. In addition to HAY, this Dunkle line connects to Capt. John McMillan C.S.A. (2nd sheriff of Decatur Co.), GRAVES, and HOUSTON in Decatur County. Your help is greatly appreciated. Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA

Correction www.tngennet.org/maps/tngrand3.htm

I previous post related to the Tennessee Grand Division had a comma rather than a period in the link, and wouldn't work. The corrected link is: http://www.tngennet.org/maps/tngrand3.htm

When I clicked on, the 3 grand divisions does not boot up. It comes up when I type it in. Hope it works for you.

Click on www.tngennet,org/maps/tngrand3.htm This will explain the three grand divisions of Tn. I wonder how many people in Perry County thought they were in West Tn until 1991?

I feel the statement regarding <<It was interesting to learn that the 3 grand divisions are only recognized as West, Middle, and East depending upon who is the current Governor.>> probably referred to the fact that we used to have signs on our borders that said: "Welcome to the 3 great states of Tennessee" or something to that effect. I don't remember which governor it was but one of the governors ordered the signs removed when he became governor. He felt it would solve the division problems and restore unity to the state. There was a big uproar around here at the time because we were proud of being from WEST Tennessee. Leslie Moore [email protected] Lake County, TN CC http://www.ecsis.net/lakecounty/history/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "East Tennessee Historical Society" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 9:17 AM Subject: Re: TN-3 Grand Divisions > Hello, > > I missed the original posting, but saw this summary and felt a need to make > a correction. > > Linda Long said: <<It was interesting to learn that the 3 grand divisions > are only recognized as West, Middle, and East depending upon who is the > current Governor.>> > > I am not sure where you got this information, but it is slightly incorrect. > Allow me to explain. > > The Grand Divisions of Tennessee can be defined culturally, geographically, > and politically. While cultural and geographical definitions may vary among > the residents of Tennessee, the political boundaries of the Grand Divisions > are established by state law. > > > The governor and other branches of the state government must recognize those > boundaries. Keep in mind that these political boundaries do not always agree > with historic, cultural, or geographic boundaries established in the minds > of the inhabitants. The political boundaries take culture and geography into > account, but must also sometimes take population figures into account. Thus, > a traditional East Tennessee county may find itself in the Middle Tennessee > political district (or vice versa) to satisfy a need to provide equal > representation to all divisions. Not to be overlooked is the ease of > transportation and direct lines of communication. An Middle Tennessee border > county may find it has a better infrastructure connection (interstate > connections, etc.) to the West Tennessee district than to its Middle > Tennessee neighbors. All of these factors are taken into account when the > state legislature takes up the issue of "defining" the Grand Divisions. > > For example, Fentress County straddles the Cumberland Plateau and the > Cumberland Mountains. Geographically it could be considered in either Middle > or East Tennessee (Middle Tennessee begins at the plateau, East Tennessee > encompasses the Cumberland and Appalachian Mountain ranges and the Tennessee > Valley in between). Culturally it also carries traits of both divisions. > Thus, one citizen of the county may consider himself an East Tennessean > while his next door neighbor might consider himself a Middle Tennessean. > State law, I believe, considers Fentress County as part of Middle Tennessee, > while the East Tennessee Historical Society includes Fentress County in its > cultural definition of East Tennessee. > > Similar situations exist for other "border" counties on the East/Middle > border and the Middle/West border. > > The key point, however, is that the governor cannot ignore the grand > divisions at his pleasure. On the contrary, most of the state's governing > boards and committees, including the state Supreme Court, have requirements > for representation from each of the Grand Divisions. A governor who chose to > not recognize the political boundaries of the Grand Divisions would find > himself on the wrong side of the law more often than not. > > As I said, I suspect the confusion and the misleading statement about the > governor's ability to recognize the divisions comes from the fact that the > political boundaries do not always mesh with the cultural boundaries the > residents carry in their heads and hearts. > > I hope this information was helpful. > > Sincerely, > > Shane Rhyne, Public Relations Director > East Tennessee Historical Society > Knoxville, Tennessee > www.east-tennessee-history.org > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 11:37 AM > Subject: TN-3 Grand Divisions > > > > I want to thank all of you who emailed answers to my questions > > about the 3 grand divisions of Tennessee (West, Middle, East). > > > > It was interesting to learn that the 3 grand divisions > > are only recognized as West, Middle, and East > > depending upon who is the current Governor. > > > > To the person who asked his friend or > > family member who is a TN history teacher > > to email me, would thank him for me. > > I believe he emailed his answers, too, > > but didn't identify himself as a history teacher. > > > > Thanks again. > > > > Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA (but formerly from West TN) > > > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >

I totally agree with you and I'm from WEST Tennessee. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 2:48 AM Subject: "Hillbilly Country" > Perhaps it is OK to call Middle Tennessee "Hillbilly Country" for the sake of > tourism, but the people whom I have met while visiting in the area could not > be more removed from "Hillbillies." From the motel maids to the town mayors, > all have been well spoken and gentile. So far I have not met anyone who met > the stereotype of a Hillbilly. > For those of you who are doing research electronically, etc., please do > not make the mistake of believing that the people of this area are the > uneducated backwoodsmen so often portrayed on the screen as Hillbillies. > I am very proud that one/half of my roots are from Middle Tennessee. > There may be a hillbilly there somewhere, but I think we must have buried him > long, long ago! LOL! > Missy [looking for Bates, Taylor, Wood, Curry and > Conover (SP?)] Email - [email protected] > > > ============================== > Add as many as 10 Good Years To Your Life > If you know how to reduce these risks. > http://www.thirdage.com/health/wecare/hearthealth/index.html >

Hello, I missed the original posting, but saw this summary and felt a need to make a correction. Linda Long said: <<It was interesting to learn that the 3 grand divisions are only recognized as West, Middle, and East depending upon who is the current Governor.>> I am not sure where you got this information, but it is slightly incorrect. Allow me to explain. The Grand Divisions of Tennessee can be defined culturally, geographically, and politically. While cultural and geographical definitions may vary among the residents of Tennessee, the political boundaries of the Grand Divisions are established by state law. The governor and other branches of the state government must recognize those boundaries. Keep in mind that these political boundaries do not always agree with historic, cultural, or geographic boundaries established in the minds of the inhabitants. The political boundaries take culture and geography into account, but must also sometimes take population figures into account. Thus, a traditional East Tennessee county may find itself in the Middle Tennessee political district (or vice versa) to satisfy a need to provide equal representation to all divisions. Not to be overlooked is the ease of transportation and direct lines of communication. An Middle Tennessee border county may find it has a better infrastructure connection (interstate connections, etc.) to the West Tennessee district than to its Middle Tennessee neighbors. All of these factors are taken into account when the state legislature takes up the issue of "defining" the Grand Divisions. For example, Fentress County straddles the Cumberland Plateau and the Cumberland Mountains. Geographically it could be considered in either Middle or East Tennessee (Middle Tennessee begins at the plateau, East Tennessee encompasses the Cumberland and Appalachian Mountain ranges and the Tennessee Valley in between). Culturally it also carries traits of both divisions. Thus, one citizen of the county may consider himself an East Tennessean while his next door neighbor might consider himself a Middle Tennessean. State law, I believe, considers Fentress County as part of Middle Tennessee, while the East Tennessee Historical Society includes Fentress County in its cultural definition of East Tennessee. Similar situations exist for other "border" counties on the East/Middle border and the Middle/West border. The key point, however, is that the governor cannot ignore the grand divisions at his pleasure. On the contrary, most of the state's governing boards and committees, including the state Supreme Court, have requirements for representation from each of the Grand Divisions. A governor who chose to not recognize the political boundaries of the Grand Divisions would find himself on the wrong side of the law more often than not. As I said, I suspect the confusion and the misleading statement about the governor's ability to recognize the divisions comes from the fact that the political boundaries do not always mesh with the cultural boundaries the residents carry in their heads and hearts. I hope this information was helpful. Sincerely, Shane Rhyne, Public Relations Director East Tennessee Historical Society Knoxville, Tennessee www.east-tennessee-history.org ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 11:37 AM Subject: TN-3 Grand Divisions > I want to thank all of you who emailed answers to my questions > about the 3 grand divisions of Tennessee (West, Middle, East). > > It was interesting to learn that the 3 grand divisions > are only recognized as West, Middle, and East > depending upon who is the current Governor. > > To the person who asked his friend or > family member who is a TN history teacher > to email me, would thank him for me. > I believe he emailed his answers, too, > but didn't identify himself as a history teacher. > > Thanks again. > > Linda Fuller Long, Yorba Linda, CA (but formerly from West TN) >

Missy, I must have missed the mail concerning a "Hillbilly" reference. Since I didn't see it, I may be over reacting! I was raised in Perry County, and, though I've lived in a large city all my adult life, I relish my "Country Girl" roots. I proudly answer to that title! I had and have much Family still living there and in other rural areas. Yes, there are those who fit the stereotypes, but there are others who definitely don't. That's the problem with stereotyping people. Diversity is a wonderful thing! I'm not conveying my thoughts well, but I hope people think before they label a whole area or group of people by what they've heard, surmised, or seen in the movies. I love Middle Tennessee, and its people. It's scenically a beautiful place, and I encourage anyone to visit. Carolyn