Knox County TN Archives History - Books .....Life Of The People  - Chapter VIII 1900
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Book Title: Standard History Of Knoxville

CHAPTER VIII.

LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.

Population—Interest in Education—Early Teachers—Samuel Cornik— His School—Blount

College—Presbyterian Church Organized— Printing Press—Literary

Effort—Books—Physicians—Amusements —Darker Phases—Strong Elements of Character.



THE early history of Knoxville is, for the most part, the history of Indian

hostilities and governmental beginnings. Having followed as minutely as the

sources permit its military and political history, it remains to look at that

side of the people's life which indicates most accurately the present status and

determines most largely the future. This involves their interest in education,

religion and literature, their social intercourse and their mode of life.

  One has but to note the constituent elements of a population to determine its

interest in matters of education. Knox county, like the remainder of East

Tennessee, having been settled largely by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who

fostered education along with religion, the school house sprang up by the side

of the house of worship, and the rudiments of knowledge were, inculcated with

the principles of religion. At the outset the interests of education suffered

materially from the fact that communities were sparsely settled, from the

dangers of Indian attacks, from the necessities imposed by pioneer life when the

boys had to hew down the forests and till the soil, and the girls attend to the

spinning wheel, loom and other domestic duties. "Go to school half the year and

work the other half," was the rule governing school attendance. The character of

instruction was as a rule quite indifferent. Some of the teachers were of the

itinerant class with no thought of permanency, some intemperate and ill-humored,

who chastised unmercifully and injudiciously, while others were devoted to their

work and spent their lives in the cause. Governor John Reynolds of Illinois, who

spent his early childhood in the vicinity of Knoxville prior to the removal of

his family to that state, has left this testimony to the types of teachers and

methods of instruction then employed: "I was sent to school at a tender age. My

first teacher was a cross, ill-natured Irishman, as unsuitable a character as

can be well imagined to have the charge of a young and diffident child. I was

often severely chastised, though I had not intentionally committed any fault.

The scholars soon learned to detest him and learned little else. The unjust

severity with which I was treated made the very name of school odious to me. My

next teacher was a just and kind-hearted man, who was much esteemed by his

pupils. Under his tuition I became fond of going to school, and improved

rapidly. I attended these schools in 1794-95."*



   *Life and Times of Governor John Reynolds, 12, 13. Governor Reynolds returned

in 1810 to Knox county to pursue his studies under the Rev. Isaac Anderson at

old Union academy, on the present Washington pike, where he was a schoolmate of

Sam Houston.



  As far as the record goes, the two earliest known instructors in or around

Knoxville were the Rev. Samuel Carrick and Governor Archibald Roane, and the

first pupil Hugh Lawson White, distinguished names in the annals of the state +

The Memoir states that when young White was fifteen years of age, in 1788, he

was studying the ancient languages under the tutorage of these teachers, Samuel

Carrick being a young Presbyterian minister and Archibald Roane a young

barrister. The pioneer teacher of Knoxville then was the Rev. Samuel Carrick,

who settled in the vicinity of the place in 1791. Mr. Carrick had visited this

portion of the country in 1787, and it is maintained by some that he became a

resident within the present limits of Knox county the next year. However, his

dismissal from Hanover to Abingdon Presbytery, and his resignation of the

trusteeship of Liberty Hall academy in 1791 fix this year as that of the

removal.# He took charge of Leb-





anon church in the Fork and taught in connection with his pastorate. His home

was fixed on a farm four miles northeast of Knoxville, at the west end of the

present county bridge over Holston river. Here, in December, 1792, he planned an

institution of large scope and pretensions. It was to be opened on January 1,

1793, at his "seat" and under his direction, wherein should be given a

"competent introduction to Latin and Greek languages, attention being

particularly given to grammatical construction, pronunciation, the design and

connection of each author; the English language grammatically, applying the

rules in reading, parsing, correcting and composing; the liberal arts and

sciences, viz., geography, logic, natural and moral philosophy, astronomy and

rhetoric. The seminary will open two sessions in the year, continuing five

months each. The terms will be $7.00 per scholar for each session, paid at

entering. Beginners in Latin will be admitted at the beginning of the session

only, which will be the first of January and the first of July annually." *



+   Nancy Scott. Memoir of Hugh Lawson White. 9.



#   Dr. James Park, Address upon the Centennial Anniversary, of the First

Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, 12; General Catalogue of Washington and Lee

University, 37.



*   Knoxville Gazette, December 1, 1792.



  The next and the most important and far-reaching step in the educational

beginnings of Knoxville was the already mentioned establishment of Blount

college, now University of Tennessee. * The first president was the Rev. Samuel

Carrick.



*   For full particulars of the history of this institution see Moses White.

Early History of the University of Tennessee; T. C. Karns. History of the

University of Tennessee in Merriam's Higher Education in Tennessee: Edward T.

Sanford, Blount College and the University of Tennessee.



  The first and only church organization prior to 1796 was the First

Presbyterian church, organized in or before 1793. The Rev. Samuel Carrick, as

mentioned, in February, 1794, delivered before the territorial legislature a

discourse which was subsequently published and advertised as preached by the

"pastor of the church in Knoxville."* The congregation worshiped either in the

court house or in the barracks, as they continued to do for some years. The

original bench of elders was composed of James White, John Adair and George

McNutt. + The foundation of this congregation, built upon a quickened conscience

and an unswerving faith, has left its enduring impress upon the community.



*   Gazette, April 10. 1794.

+   Dr. James Park. Centennial Address. 17. 



  The presence of the printing press encouraged immediately literary effort and

production. Published discourses by the Revs. Samuel Carrick and Hezekiah Balch

were announced for sale in the columns of the Gazette. The controversial spirit,

so characteristic of the people at a later stage of their history when political

and religious divisions arose, manifested itself at the outset. Correspondents

signing their names "Trenck," "The Reviewers" and "Amicus," fulminated their

views through Roulstone's bi-monthly organ and sparred at each other with

incisive pen. The first effort or attempt at anything of a permanent nature and

value was put forth by William Tatham, who first appears upon the stage of

Tennessee history as one of the commissioners of the Watauga Association and the

clerk of the court or committee of five. Later he was associated with Spruce

McCay and William R. Davie, Esquires, in the land warrant business. He is best

known by his famous "Fiat justitia" promulgation—a protest against the selfish

policy of Joseph Hamilton, James Reese, Archibald Roane, Hopkins Lacy and S.

Mitchell, lawyers constituting the Knoxville bar, who advertise that they will

enter into no suit unless paid therefor in advance.* Influenced by his interest

in the welfare of the southwestern country whose cause he had early espoused.

anxious to remove all impressions prejudicial to the truthful history and real

status thereof, and wishing to introduce strangers to a knowledge or better

conception through maps and correct accounts, he proposed to write the history

of its rise and progress from the first settlement or lease from the Indians and

to illustrate it by maps. Making Knoxville his headquarters, he eagerly sought

all data in the way of history and geography. + The arrival of Col. Tatham was

heralded by Roulstone with his accustomed enterprise and enthusiasm. The editor

said: "Col. Tatham, we are happy to say, has arrived with a large amount of

geographical materials and fixed his office in this town. This gentleman has

been at considerable pains and expense to perfect a map of the southern states,

which is now far advanced, and will be shortly completed. This work is fully

descriptive of the country, and very neatly executed. Col. Tatham has also

engaged, under the patronage of his excellency Governor Blount, to bring forward

a map of the rising territory, for which purpose he is about surveying the

rivers, roads, etc.



*   Gazette. March 23, 1793. 

+   Gazette, November 3, 1793.



  "We need not inform our fellow-citizens how much their prosperity will be

enhanced by this careful work. It is therefore hoped that those who possess

partial surveys or drawings of any part of the country will furnish them for the

use of this undertaking, and that the respective surveyors and others, who

possess personal information, will cheerfully contribute their aid."* If

anything ever came of this highly commended venture, the muse of history has

thrown the mantle of oblivion over it.



*   Gazette. March 23. 1793.



  The tastes of the reading public are best indicated by the advertisements

appearing from time to time in the Gazette. Samuel and Nathaniel Cowan offer for

sale the following: Hervey's Meditations, Wilson's works, Marshall's works.

Bibles, Testaments, spelling books, hymn books, primers. Philadelphia Harmony,

Buchan's Family Physician, Titus Ogden advertised at his store on State street

copies of Iredell's Revisal of the Laws of North Carolina and Martin's Justice.

Roulstone & Co. offer for sale Toplady's Translation of Zanchi on Predestination.



  No community is complete in equipment that does not have its physicians for

the body as well as for the soul. Dr. James Cozby was the pioneer doctor of the

vicinity of Knoxville, administering antidotes against disease and performing

operations of surgery. About the middle of May, 1794, Dr. Thomas McCombs tenders

his professional services to the people of Knoxville, bespeaking a share of

their patronage and basing his claims upon the long studies and careful training

he had enjoyed in the Atlantic states under eminent practitioners, and upon

fidelity to his profession. He proposes to keep on hand a large assortment and

supply of genuine medicine, as if there were adulterated medicines in those good

old days.* In the summer of the same year Dr. Robert Johnston advertises, and

only a few months afterwards calls for a settlement of bills and accounts.



*   Knoxville Gazette. May 8. 1794.



  With the seriousness and earnestness crowded into their lives, the first

settlers were not without the means and occasions of amusement. Corn huskings,

house raisings, log rollings, quiltings and dances made up largely the sports of

the country people, while balls, receptions,. Fourth of July celebrations and

school exhibitions furnished those of the town. Mary Grainger Blount, the

accomplished wife of the governor, was in all these the center of attraction,

and her entertainments were the models after which others were patterned. The

gay uniforms of young officers, the rich silks of young maidens, the flare of

multitudinous lights from candelabra, and the soul-stirring music of fife,

bugle, drum and violin throw a glamour of romance over the scene.



  An account of the Fourth of July celebration in 1793 has been left, which

offers a pleasing view of the festivities indulged in on that occasion. At two

o'clock in the afternoon the federal troops under the command of Capt. Rickard

paraded before the public and fired the federal salute. The handsome appearance

of the company and the thorough execution of the evolutions made a great

impression. At four o'clock the citizens of the town partook of an elegant

banquet, after which toasts were drunk as follows :



  1. The day. 2. The illustrious chief magistrate of the United States. 3. The

Honorable Secretary of State. 4. The Honorable Secretary of War. 5. The

Honorable Secretary of the Treasury. 6. The Honorable Judges of the Supreme

Court of the United States. 7. His Excellency William Blount. 8. The Honorable

Secretary Smith. 9. The Honorable Judges of the Southwest Territory. 10. The

Ministers of Spain and America, who have opened up the navigation of the

Mississippi. 11. Gen. Wayne awd his Army. 12. Piamingo and the Chickasaw Nation.

13. May the wisdom and humanity of the General Government soon put an end to the

distresses of our fellow-citizens of the frontier. 14. The virtuous but

unfortunate LaFayette, may he be restored to freedom and America, 15. The

friends of freedom, who are this day assembled to celebrate the glorious epoch

of our liberty. "In the evening Mr. Rickard's company were under arms; they were

drawn up in a grove near the encampment, where they fired a feu de joie, which,

from the darkness of the evening and the judicious manner in which the company

was disposed, produced a most pleasing effect; after which there was a display

of fireworks, from an elegant colonnade in front of Mr. Rickard's marque."*



*Knoxville Gazette. July 13, 1793.



  Another favorite source of amusement was the exhibition given by the students,

boys and girls, of Blount college. It must be recalled that this was long before

the era of stump speaking and political campaigning, so that every gathering of

the kind was a strong social bond and provided an excellent opportunity for

social intercourse. An open space, in the rear of the barracks and included in

its grounds, was the scene of festivities. From a platform, whose sounding board

was one side of the building, the youthful declaimers, orators and composers,

presented in formal phrase to the audience by Mr. Carrick, poured forth upon

waiting ears rhythmic melodies, stirring eloquence, descriptive effusions and

moral essays. The interspersing of booming cannon and martial music added to the

enthusiasm of the occasion. + To appear creditably before his hearers was the

crowning ambition of the young participant, while their applause and

commendation made him the hero of the hour, the pride of his home, and the joy

of his master.



+   Dr. Humes. Semi-Centennial Address. 60.



  It would be misleading to leave the impression that there were no darker sides

or pictures to this pioneer life. That there were miscreants and stirrers-up of

strife, brawls and dissensions goes without sayving. Some of these were

inexcusable, some ludicrous. Like John Overton, founder of Memphis, James White

was troubled with depredations upon his timber lands, and repeatedly warned the

culprits with threats of prosecution. The following incident shows that

advantage was taken sometimes when least expected, and that the dissentients

aired their grievances through the public print. Capt. Parmenas Taylor, one of

the legislative council, returning from a campaign with John Sevier, left his

horse, suffering from foot evil, at the home of his friend, Capt. A. Bird. There

the animal was left from October, 1793, to April following, when a board bill

was presented to Taylor for $80, though the horse was valued at $100. Upon

protest Bird abated $50. whereupon Taylor "submitted a statement to the candid

public to judge of the righteousness of the charge."*



*Gazette. May 8, 1794.



  The murderous career of the Harpes, who plied their bloody vocation towards

the end of the period under survey, forms as dark a picture as the annals of

demoniacal fury and bloodthirsty malice unfold.



  Glancing back over the trend of events from the beginnings of Knoxville to the

time of Tennessee's admission to the Union, its growth and development, it will

be seen, depended upon those factors which lie at the basis of national wealth

and prosperity—a sturdy manhood and a courageous womanhood, flinching not in the

presence of dangers and obstacles, but keeping in view one undeviating purpose,

the redemption of the soil from barbarism and the dedication of effort to the

upbuilding of a strong and enduring social fabric.





Additional Comments:
From:



STANDARD HISTORY

OF

KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE



WITH FULL OUTLINE OF THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES, EARLY SETTLEMENT, TERRITORIAL

GOVERNMENT, INDIAN TROUBLES, AND GENERAL AND PARTICULAR HISTORY OF THE CITY DOWN

TO THE PRESENT TIME



EDITED BY

WILLIAM RULE

GEORGE F. MELLEN, PH. D., AND J. WOOLDRIDGE COLLABORATORS



PUBLISHED BY

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY

CHICAGO 1900



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