Franklin County TN Archives History - Schools .....History Of The Wilder's Chapel Elementary School September 19, 2012 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Donald Hill hilldonl@bellsouth.net September 19, 2012, 2:05 pm A History of the Wilder’s Chapel Elementary School By Donald L. Hill, 4133 Greenside Ct., Birmingham, AL 35226-6210; e-mail: hilldonl@bellsouth.net With contributions by John W. Hill, Rickey Hill, and Jerry Limbaugh This document appeared in 2012 as an article in volume 44, number 1, of Historical Tidings, published by the Franklin County Historical Society, P.O. Box 130, Winchester, Tennessee 37398-0130; Phone: 931-962-1476 This article contains a map of the Wilder’s Chapel area, a drawing of the school, a photo of the class of 1905, and a portrait of John Wilder. These could not be included in the present document. The Wilder’s Chapel community, situated in the Elk River valley, is in the northeast corner of Franklin County. The principal stream flowing through this area, Elk River, forms the border between Wilder’s Chapel and Rutledge Hill in Coffee County. Streams connecting to Elk River include Yellow Branch, which flows through Wilder’s Chapel. The waters of Woods Reservoir, formed by the Arnold Engineering Development Center dam, back up the Elk River through the northern part of Wilder’s Chapel as far as the mouth of Yellow Branch. This community is part of the old Ninth Civil District, which also included Alto, Gum Creek, Roark’s Cove, and Oak Grove. In Wilder’s Chapel, which for much of the twentieth century was known by some as “Shakerag,” the major roads are Rutledge Ford Road, on the east; Wilder’s Chapel Road, which runs east-west through the center of the community; and Yellow Branch Road, which runs about two miles southward from Wilder’s Chapel Road, crossing Dabbs Road. To the south of Wilder’s Chapel is Alto; to the southwest is Oak Grove, and to the west is Gum Creek. Information about schools that may have existed for white children in this area prior to 1901 has not been found. Some children from Wilder’s Chapel rode mules or walked about two miles to the school in Alto. A few students attended a two-year high school in Alto about 1910. A school for colored children, existing from about 1875 to about 1900, was located on a small stream leading to Yellow Branch, at topographical coordinates 35.2916°N 85.9570°W. As of 1990, the old well was still visible. The Wilder’s Chapel Elementary School had its beginning with the Wilder’s Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, which was started in 1898 by a missionary, a Mr. Hartgraves, who came from Texas. On June 22, 1901, John Wilder and his second wife, Fannie Bowens, gave a half-acre of land for construction of a building that was to be used for a church and a school: Know all men by these presents that for the love and affection that we entertain for Congregational Methodist Church and for school purposes we John Wilder and wife Fanny Wilder do hereby give transfer and convey to C. M. Church and for school purposes only and to be controlled by a board of trustees appointed by the church do convey to them forever or as long as used for church and school purposes only a certain piece or parcel of land containing one half acre more or less Situated in Franklin County State of Tennessee and District No. 9 and known and described as follows to-wit beginning on an over cup bush in Ratichal branch running with said branch 90 yds to a rock in said branch thence east 90 yds to a rock in Johnson Hill west boundary line thence with said Hills line 80 yds to the beginning together with all the appurtenances estate title and interest we have in and to said land and I covenant with the said church and school to warrant and forever defend the title to the said land and every part thereof to them against any claim to be made by me or any other person claiming through or under me but not otherwise In witness whereof I herewith affix my or our signature this the 22 day of June 1901 Witness G. W. Wagner J.P. John Wilder E. L. Wilder Fanny Wilder State of Tennessee ) Franklin County ) Personally appeared before me Warner Black notary Public of Franklin County regularly appointed commissioned and qualified the within named bargainer John Wilder with whom I am personally acquainted and acknowledged that he executed the within instrument for the purposes therein expressed and Fanny Wilder wife of said john wilder having appeared before me privately and apart from her said husband the said Fanny Wilder acknowledged the execution of said deed to have been done by her freely voluntarily and understandingly without compulsion or constraint from her said husband and for the purposes therein expressed. Witness my hand and seal at office this 28 day of June 1901 Warner Black, Notary Public The following board of Trustees appointed by the C. M. C. M. (sic) Church June 22 1901 L. M. Partin, William Hill, Charley Stephens, John Wilder and W. J. Lindsey…. (Recorded in Franklin County, Tennessee, Deed Book 24, page 342.) (See portrait of John Wilder below.) In 1902, the following petition or “Notice” asking for the establishment of a new school district was presented to the County Court: (From Project Preservation File “Schools, 1900-1916” kept in their Special Collections. Annotations added in brackets for clarity.) NOTICE State of Tennessee) Franklin County ) This the 5th day of April 1902 to the worshipful County Court of said county, your petitioner respectfull represents to your worshipfuls that the Sitisions [citizens] and patron of Wilders School House ask your Honers to grant to the under Sign Sitisions a School Dist Bound as follows, to wit, begining at John JACKSON South East corner on Mud Crick runing with said Jackson south bountrey line to W.R. RICHARD[SO]N south boundry line and west line to Bill HILL on Mrs. Margret HILL south boundrey line to the Mrs. Martha CASADY Heares [Heirs] south boundrey line to their South West corner North of col[ored] School lot thence South to a stake in the KELLEY old Field East of John BRANNAN so as to run a strait line with RICHES and RUTLEDG[E] line to the farm of H.W. PARTINS Heaires [Heirs] to Dabbs ford Road with said Road to JONES corner and with said Jones east bondrey line to Will WILLCOX West line to James PARTIN West line to Elk River up said river to the mouth of Mud Creek up Said Creek to the bigining and all Person Near the lines of said Dist. go where they pleas by Drawing thire porait [pro rata] and paying the same. [signed by] G.W. WAGNER, W.M. HILL, Tom PERRY, H.M. HILL, Johnson HILL, John WILDER, W.J. LINDSEY, L.M. PARTIN, J.C. BRANNAN, W.H. OWENS [?], J.H. LITTLE, Emour PARTIN, Mancel COKER, J.C. COKER, C.H. STEPHENS, J.W. STEPHENS, W. IKIRD [?], P.A. FRIZZELL, J.F. RICH, John BRANNAN, A.R. OLIVER, J.A. OLIVER, Bill HILL Sr., C.H. WARREN, Willie RICHARDSON, John HILL, A.M. YARBROUGH, W.R. RICHARDSON, James BRINKLEY, A.J. HENLEY (See Table 1 for identification of the people listed in this petition). On July 8, 1902, the County Court established a new school district as requested. (Franklin County, Tennessee, County Court Minute Book O, page 157) The initial Wilder’s Chapel School, a one-room log building, was located at 35.2935°N 85.9606°W, facing Yellow Branch Road on the east and bordered by Yellow Branch on the south. Located a few yards southeast of the present church building, it was constructed shortly after the land was given and served as a church and a school for white children. On April 26, 1910, the School Directors obtained a lot from Johnson Hill and his wife Ellen for the purposes of moving the school to a new building: (Franklin County, Tennessee, Deed Book 102, page 13. Curiously, this deed was not registered until May 12, 1962.) WARRANTY DEED For an in consideration of the sum of ($15.00) Fifteen Dollars, to us in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, we, JOHNSON HILL, and wife, ELLEN HILL, do hereby transfer unto the school directors or advisory board of the 9th Civil District, of Franklin County and their successors in office (S. S. Swann, J. H. Clark and J. B. Gipson the present board)…a certain tract or parcel of land in the 9th dis’t of Franklin County, State of Tennessee, as follows: Beginning on a stone in the east boundry line of H. M. HILL’s land thence north 70 yards to a stone, thence west 70 yards to a stone, thence north 70 yards to a stone, thence east 70 yards to the beginning and containing one acre more or less…And, we do convent with the said S. S. Swann, J. H. Clark and J. B. Gipson and their successors in office that we are lawfully seized and possessed of said land in fee simple, have good right to convey it and the same is unencumbered. And we do further covenant and bind ourselves, heirs, and representatives, to warrant and forever defend the title to said land to the said school directors, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsovever. Witness our hands this 26th day of April 1910. his Johnson X Hill mark her Witness: Wm. Hill Ellen X Hill Mark About 1915, a white frame school building was erected across the road and to the north of the church building. When the “colored” school was closed, the bell from that building was transferred to the newly constructed Wilder’s Chapel School. On June 14, 1962, on a motion by Walter McDaniel, seconded by Howard Garner, the Franklin County School Board unanimously agreed to close the school “upon recommendation of the State Department of Education.” The school land was later sold to the Wilders Chapel Congregational Methodist Church: (Minutes of the Franklin County Board of Education, Regular Meeting, June 14, 1962, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Microfilm Roll A6826; copy in the Franklin County Library Local History Collection). KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, That the Board of Education for Franklin County, Tennessee, by and through Thomas A. Faris, Chairman of said Board of Education for Franklin County, Tennessee, and H. Louis Scott, Superintendent of Education for Franklin County, Tennessee, they being authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Education for Franklin County, Tennessee, for a full and valuable consideration, cash in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, does hereby demise, release and forever quitclaim unto Dick Gipson, J. M. Hill, and Coleman Perry, Trustees of Wilders Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, their successors and assigns forever, all of its right, title, interest, and estate, legal and equitable, in and to the following described real estate situate and lying in the Ninth Civil District of Franklin County, Tennessee, and more particularly described, as follows, to- wit: Beginning in the East boundary line of W. (sic) M. Hill’s land; thence North 70 yards to a stone; thence West 70 yards to a stone; thence South 70 yards to a stone; thence East 70 yards to the beginning; containing one acre, more or less. And this is the same property conveyed to S. S. Swann, J. H. Clark, and J. B. Gipson as School Directors or Advisory Board of the 9th Civil District of Franklin County, Tennessee, by deed of Johnson Hill and wife, Ellen Hill, dated April 26, 1910, recorded in Deed Book 102, page 13, Register’s Office of Franklin County, Tennessee. WITNESS my hand and official seal at office this 19th day of September, 1962. Mrs. G. C. Womack Notary Public I, or we, hereby swear or affirm that the actual consideration for this transfer or value of the property transferred, whichever is greater, is $40.00, which amount is equal to or greater than the amount which the property transferred would command at a fair and voluntary sale J. M. Hill, Agent Affiant Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of Aug, 1970. My Term or Commission Expires 8-31-70 Roy Tipps Register or Notary Public During the first half of the Twentieth Century, the school term started in July, when crops were “laid by,” but there was a two-week break in late August to allow the students to help with cotton picking. To arrive at the school from the south or west, students had to wade through Yellow Branch or cross footlogs placed across the creek. Brave students would walk upright on the logs, but timid ones crossed on all fours, an activity known as “cooning the log.” After a large rain, when the creek was overflowing its banks, students who lived across the creek could not attend. And, if heavy rain started during the day, they would be allowed to go home before the water blocked them. After World War II, bridges were constructed over the creek on Yellow Branch Road and on Wilder’s Chapel Road. Until 1942, the school had two classrooms, the “Little Room” for grades 1-4 and the “Big Room” for grades 5-8. For several years after 1942, all the classes met in one room with one teacher for all eight grades. There might not be students in some of the grades. (There were rumors that teachers would fail a marginal student if he or she was the only one in a class so there would be one less grade to teach). The other room served as a kitchen and dining room. In the 1950’s, the classes were again divided into two rooms. About 1940, outside toilets were constructed. The boys’ toilet was located about 40 yards north of the “Little Room,” and the girls’ about 50 yards northwest of the “Big Room,” near the creek. Holes, six feet deep, were dug by a black man hired by the principal, Jackson Hill. One-seater structures were built over these holes. The boy’s toilet also had a wooden trough for a urinal. An old Sears and Roebuck catalog usually provided toilet paper. In the 1950’s a “coal shed” was constructed to the east of the “Little Room.” Immediately to the west of the school was a playground, where games of “red rover,” tag, hop scotch, hide-and-seek, marbles, mumbley-peg, skip-the-rope, and softball were played. The most dangerous game was “whipcracker.” From six to a dozen children, boys and girls, would line up, holding hands, with the larger ones on one end and smaller, naive ones at the other. The line would then race across the playground until the larger ones would stop suddenly and swing the smaller ones around. Typically, the small child on the far end would fly through the air and crash down with his wind knocked out and knees bleeding. Another hazardous activity involved throwing firecrackers at each other. Often, the one throwing the explosive would hold it too long and find himself with a stinging thumb and forefinger and ringing ears. Unless someone was deliberately hurt, the teachers did not intervene with these games. When the weather was cold or rainy, most students remained inside to play tic-tac- toe. Water was provided by a well situated in front of the “Little Room.” In the 1940’s, the nozzle on the pump was attached to a section of inner tube, and this was connected to a twelve-foot pipe with holes drilled in the top. Although, at one time, a cap had been placed on the end of the pipe so that pumped water would squirt up through the holes, the cap had long disappeared, requiring one to place a hand over the end of the pipe in order to get a drink. One could only hope that the hand was semi-clean. In winter, the school bought a rick of wood from a local wood cutter or a load of coal from a Grundy County independent coal miner. Heat was provided by centrally located stoves that required kindling, gathered by the students, to start a fire, and either wood or coal to keep rooms warm, at least in a radius of ten feet. The teacher was diligent to keep a bucket of water on top of the stove to provide some humidity. Once a year, to control dust, the wooden floor was mopped with used motor oil, which stained the bare feet of the students. Before the kitchen became operative, children brought their lunches from home. Common foods were biscuits containing scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage and crackers topped with chocolate syrup. In the fall, lunches were supplemented by the huckleberries that grew near the boys’ toilet. These bushes were so large that small children had to climb to reach the berries. On occasion, a foray into the woods would allow boys to fill their pockets with muscadines. After the kitchen was established, hot food was provided. Beans, potatoes, and cornbread were generally served. After World War II, a half pint of milk was provided for each student. Powdered milk, dried figs, and raisins, all surplus commodities provided by the government, were brought to the school in large boxes. On the west side of the building, near the front, was the entrance to a cellar, where potatoes and, occasionally, apples and surplus foods were stored. Cooks at the school included Bertha Mooney Hill (b. 1905, d. 1950) and Odell McGriff Hill (b. 1912, d. 1998). Although four or eight grades were present in the “Big Room,” individual classes were conducted by the teacher calling the grade and the subject. The students quickly moved to the stage, seated themselves on a bench, and responded to questions. If the one on the far left did not know the answer and the next student in line did, the second “trapped” the first, moving to the far left. And so on down the line. If a student remained at the far left throughout the class, he/she moved to the far right at the beginning of the next class. Then the process began again. Teachers often resorted to paddling. A typical offense was chewing tobacco or gum. Chewing gum, usually called “chewing wax,” was obtained from a large gum tree that grew on the bank of the creek. A few students were sometimes able to buy chewing gum at the store, referred to by the rest as “store-bought wax.” It was acceptable to chew gum outside but not in the schoolroom. Some boys, to avoid punishment, would swallow gum, or even tobacco, as the teacher approached. For punishment, guilty parties were called to the front of the “Big Room” and instructed to bend over and catch the edge of the stage, presenting an easy target. Many boys found it difficult to sit for a day or two. In December, before the holidays, the children practiced for a Christmas presentation. The smaller ones were generally called upon to recite a short poem and the larger ones to participate in a play. After a few days of preparation, the show would be presented to an audience of parents and relatives. Presents, placed under a large Christmas tree, were exchanged between the children, who had drawn names from a hat. For several years after the war, an ice cream supper would be held at the school in the fall. This gave children and adults the opportunity to enjoy ice cream, which was not commonly available, along with hamburgers and “cold drinks.” At these events, the teenage girls prepared boxes of food that would be auctioned off to the highest bidders. The proceeds of these events were used to buy supplies for the school. A list of the teachers that have been identified is given in Table 2. Nannie Partin taught there, although not continually, over a period of 35 years. Jackson Hill was a teacher for 12 years. The teachers are identified in Table 3. The school ceased operation in 1962, and the students were transferred to Decherd. The document above shows that the land was transferred to the church for a price of $40.00. The building served as a community center for several years before it was torn down about 1970. Today, no trace of it can be found. NOTE BY THE EDITOR Should you have further information on schools in the Wilder’s Chapel community, photographs or otherwise like to like to contribute to this ongoing history project contact one of the following: Donald L. Hill, 4133 Greenside Ct., Birmingham, AL 35226-6210 or at e-mail hilldonl@bellsouth.net; Rickey Hill, 358 Hill Ln., Decherd, TN 37324-4476 or at e-mail rhill7462@bellsouth.net; Jerry Limbaugh, 4623 Lynchburg Rd., Winchester, TN 37398-3648 or at e-mail jtlimbaugh@usa.net Table 1. Identification of persons listed in the 1902 petition. (s/o = son of, d/o = daughter of, m = married) Brannan, J.C. James C. Brannan, b. 1849, m. Orlina Gilliam, 1882 Brannan, John b. 1847, d. 1920, m. Sarah Jane Hill, 1876 Brinkley, James b. 1847, d. 1909, m. Susan Hill, 1872 Casady, Mrs. Martha Probably Martha Gipson, b. 1850, m. Thomas Cassidy, 1894 Coker, J.C. James Campbell Coker, b. 1836, d. 1915, m. Mary Adaline Richardson, 1866 Coker, Mancel s/o James Campbell Coker, b. 1868, d. 1950, m. Sarah Ann Thomas, 1889 Frizzell, P.A. Payton Lewis Frizzell, b. 1869, d. 1950, m. Rhoda Jane Rich, ca 1890 Henley, A.J. Andrew Jackson Henley, b. 1875, d. 1923, m. Mary Tennessee Hill, 1901 Hill, Bill William P. Hill, Jr. b. 1872 Hill, Bill, Sr. William P. Hill, b. 1845, d. 1908, m. Nancy Jane Wagner, 1866 Hill, H.M. Hugh Martin Hill, s/o Johnson Hill, b. 1873, d. 1929, m. Rhoda Adams, 1893 Hill, John s/o Johnson Hill, b. 1877, d. 1947, m. Elender Taylor, 1901 Hill, Johnson b. 1844, d. 1923, m. Ellen Coker Hayes, 1865 Hill, Mrs. Margaret Margaret Gipson, b. 1838, d. 1927, m. Andrew Jackson Hill, 1857 Hill, W.M. William Mansel Hill, s/o Johnson Hill, b. 1868, d. 1948, m. Sarah Tennessee Wilder, 1888 Ikird?, W. Possibly William Guinn Ikard, b. 1857, d. 1944, m. Eliza Ellen Bell, 1880 Jackson, John Possibly b. 1862, m. Martha Champion, 1880 Jones Probably W. H. Jones, b. 1838, FL, d. 1923, m. Eliza Rainey, ca. 1875 Kelley Unknown Lindsey, W.J. William J. (Nick) Lindsey, b. 1855, d. 1939, m. Rebecca Oliver, 1886 Little, J.H. Joseph Holland Little, b. 1854, d. 1928, m. Margaret Partin, 1875 Oliver, A.R. Armistead Rogers Oliver, b. 1831, d. ca 1915, m. Delitha Partin, 1857 Oliver, J.A. James Armistead Oliver, b. 1874, d. 1964, m. Ida Dossett, 1895 Owens, W.H. b. 1849, d. 1945, m. Mary L. Roberts, 1875 Partin , L.M. Louis Marcus Partin, b. 1858, d. 1937, m. Louisa Wagner, 1897 Partin, Emour Emma Baker, b. 1862, m. Henry Warren Partin, ca. 1890 Partin, H.W. Henry Warren (Hack) Partin, b. 1831, d. 1899, married four times. Partin, James s/o Henry Warren Partin, b. 1884, d. 1963, m. Nancy J. Wagner, 1901 Perry, Tom Thomas J. Perry, b. 1848, m. Sarah Coker, 1865 Rich, J.F. (Riches) John Franklin Rich, b. 1871, d. 1951, m. Mary Ellen Pickett, 1897 Richardson, W.R. William Riley Richardson, b. 1839, d. 1907, m. Martha Gipson, 1860 Richardson, Willie b. 1881, d. 1949, m. Florence Turner, 1901 Rutledge Unidentified Stephens, C.H. Charles H. Stephens, b. 1867, d. 1926, m. Josephine ?, 1897 Stephens, J.W. Probably John Maldon Stephens, b. 1856, d. 1943, m. Malinda Meeks, 1879 Wagner, G.W. George Washington Wagner, b. 1853, d. 1924, m. Martha Partin, 1873 Warren, C.H. Calvin H. Warren, b. 1864, d, 1924, m. Minerva Hill, 1883 Wilder, John b. 1830, d. 1906, m. Malinda Partin, 1852, m. Fannie Bowens, 1897 Willcox, Will James Campbell (Will) Wilcox, b. 1868, d. 1931, m. Kate Partin, 1891 Yarbrough, A.M. American Mariel Goodlow Yarbrough, b. 1855, d. ca 1910, m. Mary Elizabeth Partin, 1881 Table 2. Teachers at Wilder’s Chapel Elementary School Information from the Board of Education (BoE) minutes and from newspapers was obtained by Jerry Limbaugh. Other teachers were identified by John W. Hill (JWH), Donald L. Hill (DLH), and Rickey Hill (RH) or from the journal of Henry Little. 1907 - Miss Ethel Hampton (BoE Minutes, 19 Jul 1907) 1907 - Mary Grigsby (BoE Minutes, 7 Aug 1907) 1908 - Etta Reid (BoE Minutes, 4 Apr 1908) 1909 - ? 1910 - Miss Cassie Duncan (BoE Minutes, 2 May 1910) 1911 - J. H. Jackson (BoE Minutes, 1 Apr 1911) 1912 -1914 - Lillian Wagner? (journal of Henry Little) 1915 - Lou Partin (journal of Henry Little) 1916 - Lou Partin (journal of Henry Little) 1917 - Lou Partin (journal of Henry Little) 1917 - 1920 ? 1921 - Miss Wilma Starnes, principal, and Miss Rachel Sherrill, assistant (BoE Minutes, 12 Jul 1921) 1922 - J. H. Jackson, Miss Wilma Starnes (Truth & Herald, 15 Jun 1922) 1923 - ? 1924 - ? 1925 - Nannie Partin, principal, and Mrs. J. L. Byrom, assistant (Truth & Herald, 27 Aug 1925) 1926 - Nannie Partin, Esther Hill (Truth & Herald, 10 Jun 1926) 1927 - ? 1928 - Nannie Partin, Esther Hill (BoE Minutes, 24 Apr 1928) 1929 - Nannie Partin, Esther Hill (Winchester Chronicle, 20 Jun 1929) 1930 - ? 1931 - ? 1932 - Miss Nannie Partin, principal, and Miss Laura Rieben, assistant (BoE Minutes, 11 Jun 1932) 1933 - Jackson Hill, assistant (BoE Minutes for 13 Jul 1933) 1934 - Jackson Hill, Bessie Keller (BoE Minutes for 8 May 1934) 1935 - Jackson Hill, Miss Thelma Partin (Winchester Chronicle, 16 May 1935) 1936 - Jackson Hill, principal, Miss Thelma Partin (Winchester Chronicle, 4 June 1936) 1937 - Miss Nannie Partin, Lula Mae Jackson (Winchester Chronicle, 29 Apr 1937) 1938 - J. L. Ray, principal, and Miss Nannie Partin (Winchester Chronicle, 23 Jun 1938)* 1939 - Jackson Hill and J. L. Ray (JWH) 1940 - Jackson Hill, principal, and J. L. Ray (Winchester Chronicle, 2 May 1940) 1941 - Jackson Hill, J. L. Ray (Winchester Chronicle 2 May 1940), and Velma Goodman (JWH)** 1942 – Jackson Hill, Esther Hill Starnes (DLH) 1943 – Jackson Hill (DLH) 1944 – Jackson Hill (DLH) 1945 – Jackson Hill (DLH) 1946 – Jackson Hill (DLH) 1947 – Rita Hayes (DLH) 1948 – Nannie Partin (DLH) 1949 – Miss Nannie Partin, principal (BoE Minutes, 6 Aug 1949) 1950 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1951 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1952 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1953 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1954 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1955 - Frank Cowan, principal/Nannie Partin (RH) 1956 - Frank Cowan, principal/Nannie Partin (RH) 1958 - Nannie Partin / Jean Raulston (RH) 1959 - Nannie Partin / Mrs. Eliza White (RH) 1960 - Nannie Partin / Edith Partin (RH) 1961 - Nannie Partin (RH) 1962 - School closed (BoE Minutes, 14 Jun 1962) * J. L. Ray was listed as R. L. Ray ** Velma Goodman was a teacher in 1941. Although appointed, J. L. Ray apparently did not serve. Perhaps he was drafted into the Army. ***Jessie Mae Oliver was a substitute teacher during the last few years of the school. Table 3. Identification of teachers at Wilder’s Chapel. (s/o = son of, d/o = daughter of, m = married) Byrom, J. L., Mrs. Probably Mrs. James Laster Byrom (Ethel V. Cobb), b. 11/13/1896, d. 1/4/1960 Cowan, Frank b. 11/15/1924, d. 2/29/2000, s/o Floyd Lee Cowan and Nina Jane Bruner Duncan, Cassie Cassie Mayberry Duncan, d/o Thomas F. Duncan and Millie Ann Bennett, b. 7/14/1888, d. 11/9/1974, m. Abner Partin 4/14/1912 Goodman, Velma Velma Mae Gipson, d/o Jesse J. Gipson and Mary E. Long, b. 2/14/1912, d. 6/10/1986, m. Jamie H. Goodman 6/20/1942 Grigsby, Mary Possibly d/o R. S. Grigsby and Katie ?, b. 8/1877 Hampton, Ethel Probably Ethel L. Hampton, d/o ? Hampton and Eddie ?, b. 8/1886 Hayes, Rita Rita Dorris Hayes, d/o Albert L. Hayes and Edith Morris, b. 4/29/1928, d. 5/1986, m. Bill May 9/3/1949 Hill, Esther d/o Andrew Jackson Hill and Nancy Ardena Sherrill, b. 1905, d. 1990, m. Ernest Starnes 6/16/1929 Hill, Jackson s/o Andrew Jackson Hill and Nancy Ardena Sherrill, b. 3/1/1909, d. 12/19/1998, m. Zula Mae Garner 12/25/1936 Jackson, J. H. James Harris Jackson, s/o James C. Jackson and Sarah E. Gilliam, b. 8/5/1876, d. 8/1/1959 Jackson, Lula Mae d/o John W. Jackson and Mattie L. Brakefield, b. 1916, d. ? Keller, Bessie d/o Joseph S. Keller and Bonnie Allen, b. 1914, d. ?, m. Amos Piper 1/26/1935 Oliver, Jessie Mae Jessie Mae Brassfield, d/o Luther W. Brassfield and Vennie M. Myers, b. 2/29/1916, d. 2/27/1997 Partin, Edith Edith Frances Starnes, d/o William W. Starnes and Virginia A. Duncan, b. 6/17/1913, d. 5/15/2006, m. Beelus Partin 12/30/1931 Partin, Nannie d/o Louis M. Partin and Louisa Wagner, b. 9/2/1898, d. 2/8/1984 Partin, Thelma d/o Benjamin F. Partin and Ella P. Jones, b. 10/10/1909, d. 10/4/2007, m. Adolph Schmid 12/1940 Raulston, Jean Jean Carter, b. 9/28/1930. d/o Charles Keen Carter and Kate Daves. m. Hugh Raulston. Ray, J. L. James L. Ray, s/o Roy R. Ray and Lillian Wagner, b. 3/13/1916, d. 3/24/1984, m. Orene (Happy) Starnes 3/21/1941 Reid, Etta Etta Katherine Reid, b. 5/25/1889, d. 3/1972, m. Thomas Limbaugh Rieben, Laura Laura Magdalene Rieben, d/o Charley Rieben and Della B. Bucher, b. 11/29/1908, d. 12/14/2001, m. Jesse Lee Powers 4/14/1933 Sherrill, Rachel Possibly d/o Sam Sherrill and Maggie ?, b. 1904 Starnes, Wilma d/o William W. Starnes and Virginia A. Duncan, b. 1/9/1902, d. 9/26/1987, m. Edward W. Partin 12/11/1927 Wagner, Lillian d/o James Wileman Wagner and Martha A. Floyd, b. 4/4/1892, d. 11/27/1917, m. Roy R. Ray, 4/4/1915. White, Eliza Eliza Talitha Byrd, b. 8/14/1904, d. 6/1985, d/o George Washington Byrd and Margaret Jackson, m. Horace C. White 6/29/1929 John Henry Wilder Namesake of Wilder’s Chapel Submitted by Jerry T. Limbaugh; e-mail: jtlimbaugh@usa.net With contributions by Don Hill and Judy Henley Phillips (Many more details can be found in the Wilder-Richardson family vertical file in the Local History Room, Franklin County Library, Winchester, Franklin County, Tennessee; this file was compiled by Judy Henley Phillips.) John Wilder was born May 8, 1830, in Franklin County, Tennessee; he was a son of Nathaniel Wilder, Senior, and his third wife Margaret. (Sources vary when giving the dates for John Wilder’s birth and death. For example, the “Wilder-Hampton” article in the Franklin County, Tennessee, Family Histories, 1807-1996 gives his birth as being in 1832 and death in 1905. Don Hill has a death date of August 11, 1906. The dates for John Wilder given here are from his tombstone in the Baker Cemetery.) On March 12, 1852, John married first Malinda May Partin (1832-1897), a daughter of John Partin and his wife Anny Gilliam; their children were: -William Henry Wilder (1854-1934); married first Nancy Eleanor Goolsby and second Nancy Richardson -Francis Marion Wilder (1856-1935); married Laura Josephine Swann -Jesse Nathaniel Wilder (1860-1942); married Sarah F. Baker (Both Jesse Nathaniel Wilder and his wife died in Rusk County, Texas. Jesse died May 16, 1942 and Sarah died July 8, 1941 according to their death certificates.) -John David Wilder (1863-1943); married Virginia C. Patterson -Malissa Ellen Wilder (1867-1898); married first James B. Ross and second, Elmer Basim -Sarah Tennessee Wilder (1871-1953); William Mansel Hill John Wilder married a second time to Mrs. Fannie Sue Shavers (1855-1906); Fannie was a daughter of John and Nancy Bowen. John died February 10, 1906. 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