GREENE COUNTY, TN - MISC - Letter from J. Herman Morelock to Roy F. Morelock, 5 Oct 1930 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dan Morelock drkg1@gte.net ==================================================================== THE MORELOCK HISTORY BY J. HERMAN MORELOCK The following is a typed copy of the hand written letter from J. Herman Morelock to Roy F. Morelock, dated October 5, 1930. Roy is one of Samuel Barnett Morelock's sons. I believe J. Herman Morelock is John Herman Morelock the son of William B. Morelock and Sarah (Maggie) (Williams) Morelock, Elizabeth Harriet (Williams) Morelock's sister. The spelling and punctuation are near the same as written in the original letter. The original handwritten copy was found in my grandmother's estate, Ila (Bettis) Morelock wife of Roy Farmer Morelock. Bulls Gap, Tennessee Sunday Oct 5th 30 R.F. Dear Roy, At last I shall attempt to give you the family record I have collected. Of course there is quiet a little that Aunt Mattie could not remember or did not know. But what I have, I am sure is correct. Especially the direct chain of kinship, father to son, down to our generation. I have been to see her three times since we were there that eve. Have gone over the records each time to see if the names were recorded right, or alike, each time and never made but two changes. They (the changes) were not in the direct chain of kinship. I think her memory is remarkable good. Altho she says it is failing her. She says the original name, Morelock was Moloch. But does not know at what generation the change was made. But more than likely was made when they first came over. According to Aunt Mattie's figuring or recaling the original family came over, not much if any, later than 1765. And could possibly have been ten or fifteen years, or a little more, prior to this date. The given name of the original Morelock is unknown to us. He and his family came over on the same ship with a family by the name of Baughman (pronounced Baufman) and settled in upper E. Tenn. then N.C. Jacob Morelock, the child of the original Morelock who came over, is all of that gereration that we have any record of. Betsy Baughman, the daughter of the Baughman's, who came over, with them is also all we have any record of, in that family. But Jacob and Betsy were too young to remember the voyage. But their parents settled near each other in the same territory. And when Jacob and Betsy grew up, they married. They were Germans. So their children were full blooded Germans also. Jacob was a Baptist preacher, and sold whiskey as a side line I reckon however he was considered a good man in his day. I might add here, that they used whiskey, back then like we use vinegar today, for making sauce and preserving, etc. I may also add that the house Jacob Morelock built and raised his family in, is still standing near Walkertown, Tenn. And one of Aunt Matties cousins who came to see her a few days before I last visited her: told her the house is still standing but unoccupied. To the union of Jacob and Betsy were born nine children, six boys and three girls. - Jonathan, Enoch, James, George, David, Nathan, Sally, Polly and Anna. David is our great grandfather. George is the one Aunt Mattie told us about, the evening we were over there. I can't give the details as vivid and colorful as she did, but anyway, George was a particular about the appearance of his horse almost, as he was of himself. George owned a fine saddle horse: and kept him groomed until one could almost see their self reflect in his coat when they looked at him. He had all the paraphernalia of his day, that could be included in the equipment for horseback riding; fancy bridle and bits, saddle, spurs, reins, etc. George was a fine looking man and a fine singer. When he started to leave home, going west, his mother and sisters weeping around him, he did not cry: he did not look back. He mounted his horse, and without waving a goodbye, he rode away singing- "There is a land of pleasure, Where streams of joy forever roll . Its' there I have my treasure, Its there I hope to rest my soul Long darkness dwelt around me. With scarcely once, a cheering ray. But since my Savior found me A light has shone along my way." I believe she said he never did write or come back home. Nothing is known, here, of his wife and family, if married. Jonathan Morelock, son of Jacob, had nine boys. Jackson, the oldest, and James are all we have any record of. Their mother is unknown. Enoch Morelock's family, if married are unknown. Enoch was a Teamster, Had fine horses, harnesses with bells. He had custom hauling (no R.R.s then) Hauled drygoods and salt. Saltvill Va. was where they obtained their salt then. James Morelock's trade and family record, if married, unknown. Sallie Morelock, daughter of Jacob Morelock, married Jim Morrison. - their children Jesse, Tom, Huts, Billie, Sam. - Pollie. rest of family unknown. Anne Morelock married Solomon Good. Their children Jake, Joe and Mollie rest, if any unknown. Pollie Morelock married a Bernard. Their children Colonel Bernard, and Jim, there were two girls but their names are unknown to us. Nathan Morelock was married twice. He has a son George and a son Mike by his first wife. George lives S. E. of Greeneville if alive. Nathan's first wife is unknown to us. His second wife was a Pratt. Nothing more of his last wife & family. David Morelock, our great grandfather, was a shoemaker by trade. He married Juda Stacy. Juda's mother was a Yancy, also from Germany. Juda and her father were tanners by trade. They could tan any kind of skin or hide with or without fur on. The Stacy's were concidered wealthy. Henry Stacy, Juda's brother, weighed five hundred pounds, and ran foot races. He would put a fence rail on his shoulder and run a five hundred yard foot race. It is said he never lost a race or bet. Later in life he weighed seven hundred and fifty pounds. They had to tear one side of the door away to get his casket in and out of the house. Lawrence Morelock, the son of our Great uncle Henry Morelock told me this, about the size of the casket etc. To the union of David Morelock and Juda Stacy were born four boys; Thomas, Samuel, Billy, and Henry Five girls- Sallie, Pattie, Tilda, Betsy and Anna. Thomas Morelock was a blacksmith by trade. He was noted far and wide as a fine workman and his ability for tempering steel and iron. Mr. Ed Doud remarked a few days ago about the difference between my grandfather and the blacksmiths of today. He said that grandfather very seldom ever failed to get the temper right; while the blacksmiths of today very seldom ever get the temper right. He was also known for his ability in using the devining rod. An instrument used in locating underground streams of water or mineral. He could tell within a foot where and how deep to dig for water. This information was valuable in the days of hand dug wells. He located several lead and zinc mines in other counties of this state by the use of the devining rod. Testimonials of his clients attest his ability with the rod. And a clipping from the New York World fifty odd years ago remarked about the man who claimed to have the ability to use the devining rod by reason of the supernatual amount of electricity in his body. My father has told me several times that grandfather could stand more voltage of electricity than any other person he ever saw. Twenty five years ago I could stand about two hundred volts. My father could stand almost twice that much. Grandfather could handle more than Five hundred volts, ordinarily, is concidered injurious to human life: Well I'm degressing... Thomas Morelock married Rebecca Beales, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Beales. Their children- Sarah, Juda, Hanna, John, Mary, Henry, William, Mattie, Hattie and Twins. The twins died without a name and buried in same casket. Sarah married Alfred Murr. Their children - Tommy and Henry. Sarah next married John Rector . No children to this union. Juda and Hanna died while young. John died while serving in the Civil War, was buried in semetery at Annapolis M.D. Mary married a Bullington. Their children - Martin and Lou. Henry married Sadie Rades No children to this union. William married Maggie Williams. Their children - Herman, Byron, Roscoe, Carrie, Mary Rebecca and Ernest. Mattie, married John R. Moore. One child born dead. Hattie, married John Riggs to this union were born eight children: Loula, Mattie, Mollie, Nellie, Gertrude, Hattie, Grover and Charlie. Samuel Morelock, second son of David Morelock, was a farmer by trade. He married Debbie McCurry. To that union were born three children. Sarah, Henderson and Anna. I haven't any further record of these children. For some reason they parted when Anna was 8 mos old. It was said she (his wife) wanted to go West, and he did not. Any way they parted, and he kept the children. He next married Peggie Babb Grey, (a widow with one son, Ike Grey). The boy (Ike) lived near Walker town, Tenn.) To this union were born five children, Abner, David, Samuel, Rebecca and Alex. Abner married Mary Ramsey. Their children Elbert, (Eb) Jim, Sam, and Margaret. David married Nannie Barlow. Their children - John and Charlie. Samuel (Bud) married Harriet Williams. Their children - Fred, Roy, Ethel, Alpha, Elmer, Grace, Obie, Wilbur & Mary. Rebecca was drowned in Gap Creek while young. Alex married Thompson their children - Lula and Tony. His next married Tilda Babb. Their children - Merrel and Grady. Billie Morelock 3rd son of David brother of Samuel and Thomas, was a farmer by trade, was a good teamster. He made whiskey and sold it. He married Betsy Martin; she was a booze fighter too. Then they made more whiskey. They kept up this practice until Thomas and Samuel, (our grandfathers) went to Billie and told him he must stop it. That he and Betsy were getting to be a disgrace to the neighborhood. They slackened down fore a while then began again. So they ebbed and flowed until our grandfathers made the third or fourth trip when they told Billie that this foolishness had gone far enough; and it was going to stop; and to put it in our everyday slang; they didn't mean "Maybe." So Billie begged for mercy, said Betsy had such a thirst for whiskey that he could not deprive her all at once. So our grandfathers agreed for him to keep back a little for her to quit on. So they demolished the still and outfit. So after they left, Billie looked around to put the little bit they left for Betsy to taper off on, and the little bit they failed to find in the raid, that was hidden out. He wanted it all in one container so he could put it up out of Betsy's reach. He found a barrel or hoghead. So he took what little they left for Betsy and what little they failed to find; and filled up the little container, He had a place fixed in the gable of his smokehouse under the rafters to put the barrel in So he and his hired men put the booze up out of Betsy's reach. Betsy had become a real toper, layed drunk about half the time; and of course it was time for something to be done to stop it. Now Betsy was heavy built, clumsy and could not climb like a squirrel. So she had to take her booze according to directions. Billie gave her some every day and would drink a little himself but would not get drunk or give her enough to get drunk. As time rolled on Betsy would threaten to kill herself if she couldn't have enough whiskey to get an old fashion "bender". So one day while Billie was out in the field he heard the little rifle fire. He knew what it meant. He knew Betsy had perhaps commit ted suicide, had killed herself in her mad passionate thirst for whiskey. So like a man who had awakened to the realization of an awful deed he had committed; had seen, for the first time, the awfulness of his handiwork. He tried to gasp and moan; but was struck speechless by the realization of his having been the cause of her death, of having deprived her of the thing that was life to her. Not scarcely knowing how, he finally reached the house. But there was no Betsy there. He went to where he kept the rifle but the rack was empty. As he passed out the kitchen door he heard a strange gurgling sound around the corner. He felt somehow that she was still alive; and hoped against hope that the wound was not serious. And in very truth it wasn't. For as he passed around the kitchen, there flat down on the smoke house floor sat Betsy, his own Betsy, very much alive with teacup in her hand and a smile that is evidenced in the first stages of intoxication. Betsy was getting on an old time "bender". The gurgling sound was the contents ("little bit") of the hoghead pouring thru a bullet hole into a tub (half barrel) eight or ten feet below, on the floor, placed there by Betsy for that purpose. To the union of Billie and Betsy were born six children - Alexander, Martha, William, Mary, Nathaniel (Nat) and Nathan. Nathan was killed by a hog while young. Nat died 6-2-28. We do not know their record any farther. Henry Morelock, fourth son of David Morelock, was a carpenter by trade. Was a fine workman in his day. Some of the houses he built are still standing. Henry's first wife was Polly Ann Wells. She only lived a few months after marriage. His second wife was Polly Ann Babb, (almost same name af first wife). To this union were born four children: Nathan, Mayberry (Mabe), Columbus, (Lum) and Matilda. Nathan died in his infancy. Mabe and Lum are out west somewhere. Their family record unknown. Matilda married L. Kite. They had one child, a girl, she married Bob Fink. She died shortly after their marriage. Matilda and Kite are both dead. Henry's third wife was Lou Jeffers. To this union were born four children: Carrie - Married a Dearstone. Children, if any, unknown. Albert - Married Jeffers. Children unknown. Lawrence Married Kate Pattison Two girls, Beulah and Francis. Lucy Married Bob Fink. Children, if any, unknown. Sallie Morelock first daughter of David Morelock married John M. Carter. To this union were born nine children - Mary Ann, Manervy, Anderson, Madison, Henry, Newton, Nancy, Juda, and Kate. I do not know the records of any of the above except Manervy. She married Billy Harmon, to this union were born six children Johnnie (dead) married Lula West - three girls, Elsie, Addie and Ruby. Peter, married Della Myers - four children - Crawford, Glennie, Selmalee and Ruth.. Curtis (dead) married an Everheart - No children to this union. Mollie married Jim Thomas, two girls- Ruby, -- Ida first married Mike Self, two children Dayton and Kate. Nola married Josh Pattison, Ileen, Georgice, Joe, one dead. Pattie Morelock, second daughter of David Morelock, married John Ball. To this union five children- Marrion, Narsisses, Wesly, Bell ? and Billie. Marion, Narsisses and Billie died unmarried. Wesley married a Bullington. Bell ?(not sure about the name) married a Lucas. This is as far as Pattie's record is known. Anna Morelock, third daughter of David Morelock married Carter Babb. To this union were born six children, Mary Ann, Julia, Alice, Juda, Tilda, and James. Mary Ann married Orvill Bailey, Three children Riley, Tom & Effie. Riley's wife unknown, - One girl (dead), two boys (Riley is dead) Tom married Linda White, children, iif any, unknown. Effie married Bob Dyer, children unknown. Julia married a Bussell, their family, if any, unknown. Alice married Canaro Webster family, if any, unknown. Juda is single, still living. (This Feb. 16 31) Tilda married Alex Morelock as recorded before. James died while young. Tilda Morelock fourth daughter of David Morelock, married Thomas Everheart. She was the mother of eighteen children. She raised six, four girls, and two boys. The youngest child is all we have record of. His name is Thomas Coleman E. He married an Archer and moved to Okla. They had two girls their names, and family record unknown. Betsie Morelock fifth daughter of David Morelock married George Wittenbarger. They left for MO. shortly after they were married and never returned. Their children; if any, or family record is unknown. This is as far as our present knowledge of the Morelock generations, reaches.