CANNON COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - R.A. Dennis Manuscripts, Part 8 --------------¤¤¤¤¤¤-------------- She married Monroe Hancock, her second cousin. Richard Ramsey Hancock was born August 2, 1840 married Sue Lester September 27, 1871. Williams Charles Hancock was born 1845 and died July 14, 1864. LARKIN KEATON The farm of Larkin Keaton comes next. It is really an excellent farm. It had a rather rough front but the hollows open like fans back next to the ridge. Larkin was born 1797 and died July 9, 1874. His wife was Mary Willard. They had four sons and five daughters. William Keaton married Lize Fuson. {William Keaton married Elizabeth Fuson, March 20, 1855 in Cannon County, TN} Keen and the other two died single. Sally Keaton married Abe King. Melissa Keaton married Tom Hale. Geneva Keaton married Sam Keaton. Caroline Keaton married Eugene Fuson. Barbara Keaton never married. William Keaton and Lize Fuson Keaton had the following children: Alice, who married Frank Bogle. Anthem married Will Bogle. Nancy married Will O'Neal, who died and she married Rans Milligan. Hatty died at the age of twelve or thirteen years. Billy Keaton married Fannie Rigsby. Lonnie married a Miss Dobbs. Peter Keaton, a brother to Larkin Keaton, was born November 5, 1810 and died Page 51 July 20, 1892. He located on the extreme head of Sycamore. A tenant or two and his sons Gabriel and James lived on above him. Peter's wife was Jennie Keaton, a daughter of Zack Keaton. She was a sister of Neil Keaton. They raised four sons and four daughters: Gabriel married Mary "Pop" King. Hayman married a Miss Davis. Bill married a daughter of Bill Ready. Jim married Jenny McGee. J. B. Collins married Mary Keaton. Parker Tedder married Sarah Keaton. Lyda Keaton married a Hammonds and Martha Keaton never married. ? C. Keaton's farm was up in the left hand hollow above Peter A. Keaton's home. Bly and Charles Sliger own the farm at the present time. CONFEDERATE OR SOUTHERN SOLDIERS THAT LIVED ON THE CREEK The soldiers that were raised on Sycamore and those that lived on the creek after the War closed were George W. Grizzle, Polk Grizzle, J. C. Spurlock, Ike Campbell, John Campbell, Jordan King, James King, Alex King, Bob King, Tip King, Jarrett Warren, Horace Knight, Francis M. Barrett, Joe Hawkins, Monroe Hancock, Elcana Hancock, J. M. Hollandsworth, Gale Hollandsworth, Henry Dennis, Jerry Mullinax, William Keaton, Gabriel Keaton, Hamen Keaton, Will H. Young, Andy Bryson, Lish Mahaffa, Keen Keaton, Dock Murphy, Taylor King, Matthew Dennis and Spunk Dennis. UNION SOLDIERS THAT LIVED ON THE CREEK The Union soldier that lived on the Creek were, Sam Keaton, Sr., James Keaton, Jr., Oba rich, Billy Rich, James Woodside, Monroe King, R. N. Mathis, Henry Mathis, and George Mathis. The old land holders all died or moved away, and from 1878 to 1900 such men as W. J. King, Henry Powell, Thomas Hale, J. E. Spurlock, Horace Mathis, R. T. Hancock, Dr. Arnette, J. C. Spurlock, H. B. Edward, Bob Motley, J. J. Summar, James Haley, Ely Vickers, John T. Hancock, A. M. Hancock, H. L. W. Dodd, Joe Dodd, Rufe George, Monroe King, A. J. Smithson, J. B. Smithson, Bill Grizzle, Sam Warren, James Jennings, C. B. Summar, John Scurlock, J. B. Collins, Jim Keaton, Oba Rich, B. A. Williams, J. M. Barrett, Joe Hearndon, T. B. Walker, J. L. Hale, William Vickers, ?. B. Reedy, John Keaton, M. B. Milligan, A. J. Hancock, A. L. Odom, ?. F. Odom, Tom Groom, J. P. Byrn, Josiah Bogle, John Sadler, Salmern Mullinax, Andy Vickers, Joe Bryson, Tom Vance, Dave Travis, Jim ÒRedÓ Keaton, Dock Odom, John Rich, Henry Dennis, R. A. Dennis, R. R. Milligan and Frank Bogle lived on the farms on the creek and of course many more whose names I do not recall. FREE MASONS WHO LIVED ON SYCAMORE Free Masons living on Sycamore were G. W. Grizzle, J. C. Spurlock, C. H. Dodd, Claud Spurlock, E. T. Haley, J. J. Summar, L. E. Barger, C. C. Summar, A. C. Summar, Jarrett Warren, J. O. Rich, John Spurlock, J. P. Bogle, Lawrence Keaton, N. H. Smith, Joe Herndon, John Keaton, J. B. Collins, ?. M. Bogle, Charley Crisps, C. C. Hancock, R. A. Hancock, J. P. Byrn, ?. B. Sellers, H. G. Hale, R. A. Dennis, Cuba Jennings, Joe Brown, and James King, Jr. DWELLING HOUSES 100 YEARS OLD AND OVER ON SYCAMORE When I was a young man there were many century old houses on the Creek. Twenty or more there were of them. The. H. B. Edward house is over on hundred years old. This is the James Blair home. The Bobby King house now occupied by Bill Goyrd Grizzle, was built in 1812. Page 52 One room of the C. C. Hancock house was put up in 1835 by Richard Hancock for his son Cooper. This is the Grady Smithson home. Richard Hancock built the lower room of his house in 1812, I have been told. This is the Mary Dodd place. The Lewis Hancock house is somewhat over a century old. The Larkin Keaton house was erected about 1817. Sam Jones owns it now. The Samp Keaton kitchen house was erected by Mrs. Hammond over 100 years ago. SCHOOL MATES School mates among the boys on Sycamore long ago were James, John and Nathan Sellers, Lee King, Lee Tedder, Charlie Mullinax, Walter Hancock, Hardy Hancock, Quint Hancock, Bud Petty, H. M. Bogle, Jay King, Reece King, Terrance Keaton, Jim ÒRedÓ Keaton, G. C. Summar, P. A. {Pleasant Albert} and H. L. Young {Henry Lester}, Henry Keaton, John King, Bill King, Gus Raikes, C. A. Summar, Monroe Knight, Joe Knight, R. T. Hancock, A. M. Hancock, John M. Haley, Lester King, and Billy Keaton. The girls were Alice Anthem, Nancy Ann and Hattie Keaton, Molly and Lou Sellers, Ocie and Alta Mullinax, Ada Hancock, Kitty Hancock, Louisa Ann Bogle, Thankful Young Samantha King, Amanda King, Matilda King, Melissa Summar, Darthula Raikes, Ada Petty, Fannie and Lou Knight, Ida Hale, Polly Hale, Florence King, Clemmie Floyd and Cynthia Keaton. SCHOOL HOUSES There were many school houses on Sycamore. I am of the opinion that the school house that was built over in A. L. Hancocks lot in front of the John Haley home, or residence, was the first one. If not, probably school was first taught in the Nauvoo Baptist church house, later know as the C. B. Summar black smith shop. How long the school house over in A. L. Hancocks lot was used I do not know. School was once taught somewhere on the King Branch on the Bobby King farm. It has been over 100 years ago since school was taught at either of those places. Lewis Hancock built a good log school house on the hillside just below the big cave. In the latter part of the sixties the school interest boomed up and a good frame house was built out on the hill side from the Haley home and above where the church house now stands. School was kept there for years but it is now consolidated with the Gassaway school. When the Nauvoo Church went defunct the community go busy and built a good house on the Lick Branch, usually called Spout Spring Branch. It was used for both church and school. The Methodists preached there until about 1882. A school was set up in 1903 just above Joe BrysonÕs house. It was of short duration and was known as Upper Sycamore. Spout Spring school and upper Sycamore consolidated about 1912. Sycamore people built an excellent school building midway between the A. L. Odom and the A. J. Hancock home. When I was a small lad school was taught in a little log house on the creek. Elvira Gassaway taught near the Jerry Mullinax residence in 1874, and in 1876 she taught in the John Sadler house. It belonged to R. A. Hancock. During 1880 a Miss Byrn taught in a log cabin near the Larkin Keaton cave just above the Sellers location. Page 52 LAND HOLDERS ON SYCAMORE AT THE PRESENT TIME Land holders on Sycamore at the present time are, Claud Spurlock, Nancy Hancock, John George, Hall Edward, Tom Haley, Fate Vickers, Jenny Vickers, Shelia Jetton, Joe Dodd, Tom Hancock, Rufe George, Mr. Jones, Bill Gourd Grizzle, Grady Smithson, Bill "Black" Grizzle, Sylvanus George, Will Walker, Mary Dodd, Tom Spurlock, Selmer Mullinax, Andy Vickers, Joe Bryson, Molly Keaton, Sam Jones, Herschel Grizzle, Bob Gassaway, Hill Patrick, Penny Dodd, Charlie Slyger, John Trail, A. J. Smithson and George Vandygriff. AGED PEOPLE OF SYCAMORE AT PRESENT TIME In this year of 1940 there are living on Sycamore the following aged people: H. B. Edward, 74; Jennie Vickers, 82; Joe J. Dodd, 83; Bill "Goyrd" Grizzle, 83; Lydia Grizzle, up in the sixties; Bill "Black" Grizzle, 82; and his wife 77; Mary Dodd, 66; J. D. King 70; and wife 67; Lee Keaton, 70; J. R. Bryson, 73; Mollie Keaton, 74; Rufe George up in the sixties, his wife 61; Nancy Hancock, 68; Lou Dodd 69; Selmer Mullinax 64 and Blyther 56. NAUVOO AND SYCAMORE Nauvoo was a little village in old Virginia, or a public place of some note. There was a small creek in Virginia in the Hancock neighborhood called Sycamore Creek. When the Hancock brothers came to this country and settled on a little creek they named it Sycamore. They, and the other settlers, on the creek, built a large log house known as the C. B. Summar black smith shop. Then it was a Baptist Church house and they called it Nauvoo. Nauvoo became a noted place for religious worship back in those far distant days. No doubt there are sainted spirits today, singing praises to the Master, who worshipped at Nauvoo back in those days. No doubt Uncle Richard Hancock sat in his chair looking at the clear sparkling water from the cave spring of his brother Lewis, as the waters went tinkling downward over the graveled bed of the creek and at the same time his mind concentrated on the little Sycamore Creek in old Virginia where he spent his youthful boyhood days. This, you see, is the origin of Nauvoo Church and Sycamore Creek. B. L. GRIZZLE, J. P. I wish to record here, and say something about the honorable Buck Grizzle as we were accustomed to calling him. He was tall, slim, spare of build, had blue eyes and fair complexion. He had small hands and feet, and stood straight as an arrow 6 feet 1 inch high. He was free spoken and easy to approach, being naturally sociable. He was well informed on all points of interest and law. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Church, a staunch Democrat, and a bitter enemy of all immoral things, especially the whiskey business. his home was on Blair Branch and he was magistrate 10th civil dist. of Cannon county over 40 years. Gov. W. G. Brownlow issued to him his first papers commissioning him to serve as magistrate of the 10th district. He tried hundreds of cases and just two were appealed to court and he was sustained in his decision which he rendered on those. I do not know his birth date nor when he died but he was 87 years of age when he passed away. His first wife was a Miss Melton. To this union 3 sons and 3 daughters were born. Polk, the oldest son, married John Mathis daughter. John R., his next son, married a Miss Spurlock, Bill "Black" Grizzle, the third son, married Delia Markum. A daughter, Lucinda, died unmarried. Dock Hubbard married a daughter and Parry Patterson married the other daughter. His first wife died and he later married the widow Campbell. Page 54 Before her first marriage she was Dovie Young. They had no children. His third wife was a Miss Foster. They had one daughter, Bertha who married Ike McKnight. The family is dead with the exception of Bill and Bertha. Mr. B. L. Grizzle was tax assessor of the 10th civil district of Cannon County the year 1902. He was school commissioner, road commissioner, and held other positions of trust along with his J. P. office. PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF SYCAMORE CREEK I have never heard anyone say just who the first officers were on the creek. When Warren Cummings was sheriff of Cannon County c. C. Hancock was deputy sheriff. Joab Markum was constable in his young days. Larkin Keaton and A. E. Hancock were deputies of Sheriff Vinson in the seventies. Dock Hubbard was constable in 79 and 80. Jim Motley, T. B. Walker, A. C. and C. C. Summar were deputy sheriffs and constables also. L. W. Barger was constable. R. A. Hancock was both J. P. and state representative. L. E. Barger, C. C. Summar, and S. V. George were magistrates. B. L Grizzle served as J. P. 42 years and as district tax assessor one term. SWEET SINGERS OF SYCAMORE CREEK The person who has never been charmed and made happy by the silver toned voices of sweet singers has missed on side of life. Today my mind reverts back some 50 years ago when I was a gay, flect-footed young may enjoying life in the home of my father and mother. The loving, happy girls and boys with who I once associated, and to whose musical voices I once listened to, are nearly all passed away. Their forms are now dust and their chanting will never again be heard in the land. Their memory will live for ever in the hearts of surviving friends. The charming, devout love implanted and instilled deep down in the heart and soul can never be eradicated. It is embedded there for ever more. We would not sell the sweet memories of long ago for rubies nor pearly, no, not for anything. We treasure them in our heart as a perpetual memorial for them. The sweet singers were such young girls as these: Alta Mullinax, Susan Milligan, Kitty Hancock, Fanny Cothren, Fannie Knight, Lou Knight, Thankful Young, Fannie Hancock, Samantha King and Louisa Bogle. The above named could surely charm the hearts of those who were accorded the privilege of hearing them. They could sing sacred songs to a perfection. Nancy Rich, Mary and Alice Rich were the best singers of love songs I ever listened to. All these girls were sociable and very kind to whomever they met. A list a few of the songs the girls sang: Bury me Not On the Long Prairie or Nelly Gray-My Broken, Loving Heart-My Parents Raised Me Tenderly-My dear Colonial Home-My Kind People I'm Going to Leave You, Take me Not Over The Hill to the Poor House-If You Would Just Put Your Lily White Hand on Mine-The Orphan Child-The Time Draws Near When You and I Must Part-Love Lies In A Heart Just Like Yours-Just One Year Ago Tonight, Love-Know You'll Be True to Me, Robin-The Empty Grave Is Waiting for Me. ORIGAN OF SYCAMORE CREEK AND NAUVOO CHURCH Back in Patrick Co.,Va is a small creek called Sycamore. Also a school house or probably a church house, known as Nauvoo. When Richard Hancock and his brothers came here in 1809 and located on the creek thet called it Sycamore. When the old log church house was erected-later becoming the C.B. Summar shop- it was named for the house in Va, Nauvoo. Nauvoo was once a Baptist Church and noted as a place to gather and conduct old fashioned revivals and foot washings, the latter custom being practiced regularly here. The old Nauvoo church is never thought of now. No one on the Creek even knows Page 55 [back of 54] there was once a devoted Baptost Church where the old shop of C.B. Summar once stood. (Hand written on my copy) Last Page of Dennis Record. Dennis Record Kept by and older genration of Adams & Kings who gave imformation to Ardella King Dennis & son. Rufus A. Dennis gaave records to Sampson J. King and his son G.F. King who gave the information to our generation. Sampson J. King was a son of Jordon King & Martha Haley King. This family marriages has made Sampson J. King & Sampson A. Haley double cousins. I have found only two mistakes in this record - it was a labor of love that these records are intak and to us who live in this area & have scatterred across the world "you have a great Heritage if any Family Record Are in here. If you already have a Copy Pass it on to someone who will share. The 1st Spurlock to marry in Adam, King, Keaton, line was Mary Vandergriff to Joe Miley Spurlock. she was a grandau of Robert & Lydia Keaton. Still Searchin (name was not readable on my copy) The End ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Spradley patspradley@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________