A HISTORY OF TENNESSEE COLONY, TEXAS *************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Scott Fitzgerald - scottfitzgerald@tyler.net East Texas Genealogical Society, President 8 November 2005 *************************************************************************** Originally published in The Tracings, Volume 3, No. 2, Fall 1984, Pages 63- 75 by the Anderson County Genealogical Society, copyright assigned to the East Texas Genealogical Society. A HISTORY OF TENNESSEE COLONY, TEXAS Located twelve miles northwest of Palestine, Tennessee Colony is one of the oldest, most historic communities in Anderson County. The land in the area was an original Spanish land grant to Manuel Riondo through the governor of Coahuila, Mexico in 1833. Many of the early settlers bought land from James Zacherie and William Moore, agents for Manuel Riondo. When the settlers first came, the Spaniards and Indians (Blackfoot, Kickapoo and Cherokee tribes) were skirmishing over the land drained by Beaver, Catfish, and Keechi Creeks to the Trinity River. The Indians had used this territory as seasonal hunting and fishing grounds and protested the Spanish soldiers' rights. The Spaniards maintained a fort on the Trinity River below Long Lake, probably near Magnolia Ferry. The settlers bargained with the Spaniards to help drive away the Indians. Later, they played these two factions against each other to gain supremacy for themselves. Although some historians give 1838 as the date of the first settlers, later researchers believe 1845 is correct. A wagon train of brave pioneers left Tennessee in search of more fertile farm land at lower prices and a new life in what would soon be the newest state in the Union. Some of the other early settlers were from Alabama and other southern states. The original settlers named their new community Tennessee Colony in honor of their home state. They arrived after a three month trip plagued by difficult travel and many other hazards. Their covered wagons were drawn by mules, horses, and oxen; many settlers brought their slaves with them. Among the original settlers were Reverend Thomas Hanks and other family members. He had made a trip to Texas in 1829, and returned to San Augustine in 1836, so in a sense, he paved the way for the other settlers, many of whom were his relatives. His sister, Anna Jane and her husband, John Woolverton, Sr., came with six grown children, their spouses, and children. This included George and Gideon Shelton who were married to two Woolverton sisters. Mason S. Avant, Dr. W. C. Kenney, John Kendrick, the Scarbroughs, Seaglers, Faires, and Hudsons were also among the early settlers. Dr. Kenney was one of the community's earliest settlers and owned the first cook stove and sewing machine in this part of East Texas. Soon a thriving little community was established, with a general store owned by James S. Hanks, a blacksmith shop and furniture shop. The homes were built of logs and hand-planed lumber. The surrounding rich farm lands produced corn, sugar cane, and "king cotton" was the chief crop. The cotton was shipped by boat down the Trinity River to the Gulf of Mexico from Wildcat Ferry and at a later ferry at Green's Bluff. As a result, Tennessee Colony became a trade center for the surrounding areas as far away as Dallas. The raw materials and farm products were gathered here for shipping, and manufactured articles were brought back in exchange. One of the first tasks for the settlers was to erect a building for church and school use. It was a log building with hand-planed floors and furniture and was located about one mile from the present community. A few years later a two-story building was erected near the present church site. This school was under the auspices of the Tyre Masonic Lodge #198 which was organized in 1856. The school attracted men and young women from other counties who were interested in obtaining higher education. A Professor Hooker, the first to teach in this building, taught Addison and Randolph, who were founders of Add-Ran College, later becoming TCU. Other teachers were Mr. Averett, Mr. Clay, Mr. James L. McMeans, his son, and Mr. Sidney Newsome. Mr. McMeans who taught at Tennessee Colony in 1869-72 was considered the best educated Greek and Latin teacher in the county. Some students who attended school here, later to become prominent Palestine citizens were Dr. A. L. Hathcock, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hodges, Mrs. George Broyles, Mr. L. J. Berrman, Don and Will Barrett, Walter Kendrick, Homer Murray, Willie Grigsby, and Susan McDonald. John Warren Kay, a teacher around the turn of the century there, married Lila Bel Woolverton. Mr. Kay's sister, Nina, later married Thomas P. Gore who was known as the blind Senator from Oklahoma. The Gores are the grandparents of well-known writer and personality, Gore Vidal. The next school building was a wooden two-story frame structure that was built in 1910. In 1923, this building was torn down and a modern cement block building was erected. When this building was destroyed by fire in 1929, another cement block building was built, which stands today. In 1935, a community and school workshop, agriculture room, and laboratory were built, and in 1943 a bus garage was added. The school library had approximately 1,000 volumes. In the late 1930s the high school closed and students began attending Palestine High School. In 1954, due to the dwindling number of school-age children in the area, Tennessee Colony School consolidated with W. B. S. (Ward, Blackfoot, and Springfield). This school was located on U.S. Highway 287 about three miles north of Tennessee Colony. It was named Stafford Springs in honor of the Stafford family who donated the land. Still later, Stafford Springs consolidated with Cayuga School District, with most community students now attending Cayuga schools. During its history, Tennessee Colony had some of the best teachers in Anderson County. The present church building was erected in 1927 and serves the Christian, Baptist, and Methodist denominations in harmony. Since 1961, the church has had resident ministers. The late J. M. P. Morrow, a Baptist minister, preached his first sermon there in 1880 and returned 60 years later, in 1940 to preach his 60th anniversary sermon. Over the years, many improvements have been added to the church, including a modern brick parsonage. In 1967, trustees and board members included T. A. "Lonnie" Carroll, Hoy Owen, Charles Carroll, Claude Woolverton, A. B. Carroll, Frank Carroll, Edd Massey, Mason Avant, Alton Woolverton, Lod Hudson, Hollis Hudson, Raymond Graham, and Willard Neal. Reverend Thomas Hanks was among the first ministers here, and is considered the first Protestant minister west of the San Augustine River. Other early preachers were the circuit riders who brought religious services to many of the early communities and rural areas. The Masonic Lodge has always been an important part of the community's existence. Some of the early settlers were members of Magnolia Lodge #113. This lodge was quite inconvenient for them to reach and it eventually was discontinued. On March 3, 1856, a small group of the settlers who were dedicated Masons met at Hanks store at Tennessee Colony and adopted a resolution to apply for a charter for a Lodge chapter at Tennessee Colony. The original application was signed by W. C. Kenney, A. L. Porter, D. M. Waits, John M. Burns, John Vannoy, Lodowick Hudson, and D. C. Cogburn. This Lodge became Tyre Lodge #198. Officers installed for the first year were A. L. Porter, John Nelson Woolverton, W. C. Kenney, John Vannoy, J. M. Burns, Thomas Hudson, James B. Hanks, J. R. Fulton, C. D. Holliman, and A. M. Anderson. The two-story structure built in 1861 served as the Masonic Lodge building until 1949 when the present structure was erected on land donated by M. E. Avant. This Lodge is now the third oldest chapter in the state in continuous operation. Virtually all the men from the old families were members, as their descendants have continued to be until present day. In 1857, Mrs. Arabella Hanks, wife of member Joshua Brown Hanks, presented the Lodge with a Bible to use for their services. This Bible was used until 1982, which was their 125th anniversary. At that time, a new Bible was presented by Louise (Collins) Carroll Massey, great granddaughter of Mrs. Hanks. The old Bible is now kept in a special glass case. Another interesting object in their possession is a rare and unusual Masonic apron which was presented to early member William Scarbrough for special Masonic service before his death in 1864. The apron was donated to the Lodge by William Scarbrough's grandson, Sam F. Scarbrough, who served the chapter as Secretary from 1925 to 1957, a record in the state of Texas for the Masonic Lodge. On June 21, 1902, a group of Masons, their wives and daughters met for the purpose of forming a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Among the 24 charter members were the following officers for its first year: Miss Bula Graham, W. N. Montgomery, Mrs. Mamie DuPuy, Miss Fannie Holt, Jesse Graham, Miss Missie Swayze, Mrs. Maud Montgomery, Miss Carrie Carroll, Mrs. Annie Calcote, Miss Vera Vannoy, Miss Mattie Woolverton, and W. A. Calcote. As with the Masonic Lodge, most of the descendants of the old families have been and continue to be members of this outstanding well-known chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The only cemetery in the community is the Tennessee Colony Cemetery located one-half mile east of the community on Farm Road 321. The earliest marked grave there is 1862. The cemetery has been continuously used since that time. More than 600 marked graves are there along with many unmarked ones. For many years, the local residents maintained the cemetery. Several years ago, a caretaker was hired and the cemetery now has a perpetual care fund and a board of directors. On Memorial Day, 1984, a memorial service was held to honor all known military veterans buried there. Those honored included soldiers who have fought in every war in which the United States has been engaged from the Civil War to the Vietnam Conflict. On March 24, 1852, a Post Office was established for the community with John Woolverton, Jr., serving as its first postmaster. Although the post office was discontinued twice briefly, it has been in continuous operation since 1875. Other past postmasters include Zebulon King, G. W. Hefley, John Walker, Mason S. Avant, Marcus E. Avant, Mrs. Jesse (Ruby) Carroll, Mr. Henry Collins, Mrs. Henry (Ara Shelton) Collins, J. B. Minton, Mrs. J. B. (Marie Weems) Minton, and Jesse Carroll. In 1979, after 22 years as postmaster, Mrs. Winnie Frank Woolverton retired. Her late husband, B. G. Woolverton, Jr., was a great grandson of the first postmaster. On June 15, 1952, Tennessee Colony held its centennial celebration of the Post Office. This was the biggest and most exciting occasion ever held at the community. More than 1,000 people attended the all-day affair, with many coming home from other states. Virtually all local residents attended, as well as many, many former residents being there. Judge R. L. Seagler of Houston (and native son) gave a history of the community. A picnic lunch was served on the grounds of the church and community center, and much visiting and reminiscing was done by former residents. By 1860, the following men and families were here: Mynatt Chapman Jackson Sanders Tucker King Butts Hefley Kinney Pugh Faires Scarbrough Holliman Shelton Morris Foster Hudson Hendrix Hanks Avant Brown Kendrick Seagler Harris Pitts Goad Guinn Porter Cone Dagg Gatewood Kelly Alverson Woolverton Jemison Eubanks Anderson Bowen Moody Nix Williams Porter Graham Barnett During the War Between the States, Tennessee Colony sent many men to fight for the Confederacy. Many first joined State Militia units and later mustered out. They then joined units that were attached to the Confederate States Army. Several served in Hood's Texas Brigade and other units. At least two were captured by the Union: Mason S. Avant was captured in Little Rock after the Union won the Battle of Elkhorn. He escaped from his captors and later made his way back to Tennessee Colony. John Nelson Woolverton was captured in April 1863 after the Battle of Fort Bisland near Franklin, Louisiana. He was paroled a month later at Port Hudson, Louisiana. Many lost their lives and others later died from disease or injury contracted during their service. The luckier ones returned to their families and continued their lives. The first Baseball Club in the county was organized at Tennessee Colony in 1869 by Mr. P. H. Hughes, later a prominent citizen who started the telephone company in Palestine. In the summer, tournaments would be held with dances at night highlighting the festivities. Although Tennessee Colony was the first place in the county to sell whiskey, it was also the first to outlaw its sale. In 1859, Mason S. Avant established a progressive mercantile establishment in the community, which he reopened after his return from the War. His wife, Narcissa (Shelton), fondly called "Aunt Sis" is well-remembered in the community and lived until 1935. She could recall the trip by wagon train to Texas when she was a child. Avant bought cotton and produce from his customers and carried a general line of dry goods and other necessities. Another early settler, John R. Kendrick, was overseer for the plantation owned by Frederick S. Jackson. This was one of the largest plantations in the county. Jackson brought 118 slaves with him from Virginia. He also brought the first silverware to the area. Mr. Jackson's property was divided in 1883. His daughter, Ella, married Mr. Jimerson and 1,500 acres known as the Jimerson Quarter is now part of Coffield Unit of Texas Department of Corrections. Several prominent Palestine families came from the Jackson family of Tennessee Colony. His children included Mrs. Margaret Jackson Hodges, Mrs. Lizzie Jackson Davenport, wives of prominent Palestine men. By 1870, the following families had settled at Tennessee Colony: Robinson Hoyle Holder Reeder Dr. Brown Goad McKenzie Rogers Kersey Hodges G. W. Hudson, son of early settler Thomas Hudson, was very prominent in the county. The Hudson family had come from Jefferson County, Alabama and the land they owned is now part of present downtown Birmingham. G. W. Hudson was a County Judge, County School Superintendent, Justice of the Peace, teacher, farmer, and served as Worshipful Master of the Tennessee Colony Lodge 18 times. In addition to serving as the first postmaster, John Woolverton, Jr., also served the community as Justice of the Peace and engaged in extensive land and business dealings, often in partnership with his relatives. For a few years a hotel and tavern were operated by the Williams family. There were shoemakers, merchants, blacksmiths, doctors, carriage makers, mechanics, and teachers and wagoneers living there, although the majority were farmers as they had been prior to coming to Texas. Over the years, farming methods were improved and modernized from the primitive ways used by the first settlers. For a time, there were numerous dairy farms in the community. A great deal of improvement was brought about through the efforts of native son, Hamlett DuPuy, who was the County Soil Conservationist. As the older generations passed on, land was divided up, and the country became more modern, fewer farms were used for agricultural purposes. Today, there are few working farms or ranches there. By 1880, a few more families had settled in the community: Campbells, more Woolvertons, and Collins, and two families of Carrolls and Richeys. The first soldier killed in World War II from Anderson County was Lt. Shelton Avant of Tennessee Colony. He lost his life December 8, 1941 on the Philippine Islands. Also killed in this war were Pfc. Bill Collins, Pfc. Charlie Weems, Pvt. John L. Carroll, and Pvt. Johnnie Ezell, Jr., In the summer of 1949, the Continental Oil Company (Conoco) drilled an exploratory oil well at Tennessee Colony and made the first Rhodessa and Petit Lime discoveries in this area. Since then many wells have been drilled there with the peak drilling resulting in an oil boom in the early 1950s. As virtually all the land owners were local and had retained mineral rights, the oil discovery contributed significantly to the local economy and the local residents. In 1956, U. S. Highway 287 underwent a major transformation resulting in the highway being rerouted away from the community. It lies about 1-1/2 miles northeast of the center of the community and is located at the junction of Farm Roads 321, 645 and Spur 324. As Highway 287 runs through many states, a nationwide contest was sponsored to adopt a slogan for the newly improved highway. A student from Tennessee Colony, Margie Chaffin, won the contest with her slogan "Through the Heart of America - Travel Highway 287." In 1954, the Tennessee Colony Improvement Association was formed for the purpose of bettering the community. Over the years, many improvements have been made to the old school building which serves as the Community Center. It is used for meetings of the Association, other meetings, family reunions, elections, and other community affairs. The Association has won numerous awards for the community with its active, involved membership. Three times the community reached the finals in the state Rural Neighborhood Progress Contest. All the hard work and effort paid off in 1961 when Tennessee Colony won state-wide attention as first place winner in the above-mentioned contest. This was quite an accomplishment for a community organization only 7 years old. In 1957, largely through the efforts of T. A. "Lonnie" Carroll, the community finally obtained telephone service. Mr. Carroll was always one of the community's most civic-minded citizens. He served for many years as Administrator of Palestine Memorial Hospital and before that as the rural mail carrier for the community. By 1900, more families had chosen Tennessee Colony as their home: Wagnon Owens Calcote Steel Montgomery Hilton Swayze Coon Hughes Bryan Colwell DuPuy Kay Crocker Barton Gore Shortly after 1900, the Weems, Holmes and Masseys came from Alabama. Two black communities, Yard and Massey Lake, are home to the area blacks, many of whom are descendants of slaves brought by the original settlers. The first soldier from Anderson County killed in Vietnam was James Brown, son of O. C. Brown of Yard. The blacks and whites have always peacefully coexisted in the community. In addition to those previously mentioned in this article, other prominent citizens from Tennessee Colony have made their mark in county and area life: Richard L. Seagler, former representative and Judge; N. C. "Cam" Woolverton, Sr., long-time President and Chairman of the Board of the East Texas National Bank; Emmett H. Shelton, County Judge, and T. A. Carroll. Tennessee Colony has always been extremely civic-minded and an exceptional community. Many of the old families were inter-related even before the move to Texas, and they have continued to this day. There are still many descendants of the original settlers both in the community, county, and elsewhere. They have been concerned with its schools, church, Lodge, Eastern Star and other facets of life in their community. They've always been quick to help their neighbors and do anything necessary for the good of the community. In 1965 construction was begun on what would eventually become the largest prison unit in the Texas Department of Corrections, Coffield Unit. Although local citizens were told Coffield would be a minimum security unit, this has not been the case, unfortunately. Two more units have been constructed south of Tennessee Colony, Beto I and II. This has resulted in many, many people moving to the community and to the units for employment with TDC; virtually no local residents have ever been employed there. With this influx of new people and with the natural process of losing many of the older residents, Tennessee Colony has changed considerably over the past several years. However, to those of us who grew up there, "the Colony" will always be remembered as it was in our childhood: a unique, warm and close- knit community of inter-related people, working and living in close contact and harmony, rearing their families and involved with the families and life of their home community. Submitted by Bonnie Woolverton Bibliography: Personal knowledge and research of old families "History of Tennessee Colony," Marie (Weems) Minton "History of Tennessee colony," Freddie (Montgomery) Owen Research, Jeanne (Calcote) Helms, Houston, Texas "The Lone Star State," 1893 "Centennial History of Anderson County," Pauline Buck Hohes "Bicentennial Scrapbook," Palestine Herald-Press, 1976 Various Anderson County records (census, probate, etc.) "History of Tyre Lodge #198," Masonic Lodge records Various interviews, personal recollections and miscellaneous other sources