History of

wBenton County, TN

New 40-Page Booklet

Early days in Benton County in Tennessee are recalled in this spiral bound booklet compiled from excerpts from: History of Tennessee, originally published in 1886 by Goodspeed Publishing Co., and Counties of Tennessee by Austin P. Foster (1923), and Tennessee, a Guide to the State, a 1939 Federal Writer's Project of the WPA. The new 40-page booklet is printed on 60# paper with the print enlarged for easier reading. A vinyl sheet has been added to protect the front cover.

Among the subjects included are: Physical features and location; Early settlers -- Rushing, Brewer, Pierce, Arnold, Benton, Wheatley, Mason and many others; Mills; Tranquility post office; Early commissioners, magistrates, etc.; Organization of the county and county buildings; County and circuit court clerks, sheriffs, trustees, surveyors, and other officials; Early businesses, doctors, newspapers; Camden lodges; Camden, South Camden, West Danville, and Big Sandy; S.C. Pavatt and other lawyers; Civil War period with brief histories of various units involving Benton County men; Early schools and teachers; Churches; and other items of interest.

Besides the names mentioned in the first part of the booklet, there are a number of biographies. Most are fairly lengthy, and often include ancestors, previous residences, children, in-laws, affiliations, war records, and business activities. In the course of this they often shed light on the early businesses, professions and institutions in the county. The biographies include: Aaron Arnold, J.A. Barnes, Silas W. Bullock, William Caraway, Travis Davidson, John H. Farmer, A.J. Farmer, Green B. Greer, Dr. Adam M. Hawley, J.M. Holladay, Dr. William T. Hubbs, J.H. Hudson, Jo. G. Hudson, Dr. F.G. Hudson, Joseph E. Jones, John B. Lindsey, Samuel Lockhart, John C. McDaniel, Archibald G. McDaniel, Gilbert McKenzie,William P. Morris, Dr. James M. Moses, Alexander C. McRae, H.R. Pierce, Uriah A. Potts, H. Rushing, W. C. Rushing, Dr. Alexander H. Smith, James M. Spencer, Jeremiah Thompson, Dr. Robert B. Travis, Christopher K. Wyly, and Dr. J.R. Young.

The WPA section has an interesting description of sorghum manufacturing in the Camden area, and a brief item on Nathan Bedford Forrest Park.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?