TERRY FAMILY HISTORIAN
VOLUME
04
SEPTEMBER
1985
NUMBER 03
Covering the Terry-Tory..................................... Page 103 Terry Family Record J. C. Terry............................. Page 104
J. C. Terry of Chattanooga, TN.............................. Page 105
Obituary of J. C. Terry..................................... Page 106
Obituary of James Earl (Jack) Terry......................... Page 107
Obituary of Temple F. Terry................................. Page 107
Obituary of Isaac Terry..................................... Page 108
Exchange Advertising........................................ Page 108
1860 Scott County TN Census................................. Page 109
The Terrys of Scott County TN by George A. Terry............ Page 110
1985 Members and Fiends of the TFH.......................... Page 138
Queries..................................................... Page 144
Terry Line of Robert L. Stockton............................ Page 145
Terry Line of Dennis R. Terry............................... Page 145
Terry Line of Daniel E. Terry............................... Page 148
Terry Line of Margie (Stewart) George....................... Page 149
Terry Line of Arnold Clifford Funderburk.................... Page 151
Terry Line of Louise (Pullen) Niedermaier................... Page 152
COVERING THE TERRY-TORY
by Robert W. Terry 4900 Springfield Rd Cincinnati, OH 45247
Although I am a Hoosier (Indiana native) by birth and previous residence, I have become quite fond of my present Buckeye State and in recent years have become fascinated by our neighbor to the south -- Kentucky.
In chasing my ancestors, I learned that they were among the early settlers of the Bluegrass State and have made a few jaunts to the general area in which they located. Had I known more about the ancestors, I could have done research when one of my daughters spent four years at Morehead State Univer- sity, a couple of counties away from ancestor's location.
Last year, I located the Kentucky historical marker for Strode's Station, just outside Winchester, Ky. Records say that a brother of my great, great grandfather was at the station during an Indian attack in 1781, and that instead of hunting and trapping game for food, he traded for them by fashioning household utensils of wood, such as trays, trenchers, bowls.
Winchester, Ky. hosts the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival each year on the Labor Day weekend and their tourists' brochure lists many attractions in Clark County, of which Winchester is the county seat. (The brochure doesn't tell that it was chosen county seat over Strode's Station -- by a SINGLE VOTE).
The brochure lists an old stone church between Winchester and Boonesborough State Park and says that Daniel Boone and his family once worshiped there.
I figured that if Daniel and his family attended that church, riding or walking six miles or more, perhaps my ancestors in or near Strode's Station walked about the same distance to the church.
So, my wife and I drove to Winchester in July and looked up the old church, located on Old Stone Church Road, about six or seven miles south of Winchester off Kentucky 627. It is nearly equidistant from Boonesborough and Winchester.
After some incorrect directions, we found the church, down an isolated road, narrowing to one lane as we descended a steep hill. I was prepared for ruins similar to those of Rome and Athens but found the basic building strong and sturdy, with a new front door, concrete block addition, and installation of sewerage facilities in progress. I learned
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later that it serves a black congregation today and silently commended them for preserving the house of worship.
A few gravestones noticeable in the weeds were of people who lived in this century, not 200 years ago. I didn't risk a closer inspection, for I can get chiggers by walking across anything green, even a pool table.
We didn't learn whether early Terrys worshiped at the old stone church, so the possibility still exists.
We were told later that there is a beautiful waterfall just a short distance below the church. Had we known, we might have looked for it. Instead, we started back up the one-lane hill, only to meet a pickup truck coming the other way.
I haven't backed a car for a quarter-mile since the days of the Model T Ford, when backing up a hill was standard procedure, if the hill was steep. Aware of the absence of guard rail, I hugged the hill side of the road and finally found a place to back off and allow the pickup to get by. The driver waved and grinned, and I could imagine his comments about flatland tourists.
The trip was not a triumph in family tree searching, but the lack of success insures a return trip to Kentucky, maybe many more.
* * * * *
These [following articles] were sent to me by a relative. As it turns out, these people mentioned here are not related to us --but I hate to throw the info out. Perhaps you have some readers who would find this interesting. Susan T. Blevins, 510 Woodview Dr., Exton PA 19341.
TERRY FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS YEAR
[1] TERRY, J. C. May 11, 1836 [2] CASSADY, Mollie Feb 7, 1851 [3] TERRY, BERTIE Oct 8, 1872 [4] TERRY, JAMES Mar 2, 1874 [5] TERRY, ESSIE Jan 9, 1876 [6] TERRY, JOHN Sep 23, 1877 [7] TERRY, CHARLES Nov 4, 1879 [8] TERRY, OLONZO Dec 10, 1883 [9] TERRY, MATTIE Oct 25, 1885 [10] TERRY, ELEMIEL Nov 22, 1887 [11] TERRY, ERNEST Apr 7, 1890 [12] TERRY, NORA Oct 3, 1892
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[13] TERRY, ARTHUR Feb 1, 1895 [14] TERRY, MAUD Jul 26, 1898 [15] TERRY, ETTA Nov 4, 1879
J. C. Terry of North Carolina and Mary J. Cassady were married December 17, 1871 by Rev. J. W. Cole.
Mrs. J. C. Terry died June 24, 1931.
Mr. J. C. Terry died 1935.
* * * * Notes:
[The line numbers were added by the editor for clarity.] These notes were scribbled in pencil and the rest were typed. After line 15--"Etta was between John & Charles." Beside line 1 and 2--"Grate Grate Grandparents" Beside line 4--"Dales' Gratte Grand Father" Above J. C. line 1--"Jack" Above May 11, 1836 line 1--"on Tombstone 1840"
* * * *
VETERAN, 97, DELIVERED PRODUCTS FROM RIVER BOATS 70 YEARS AGO
J. C. Terry, 97, who lives at 1301 Fagan street, remembers driving a six-horse wagon from the Tennessee river wharf back and forth to Georgia towns distributing goods from river boats more than seventy years ago.
Mr. Terry has been a resident of Chattanooga for the past two years, coming from Sweetwater, Tenn.
Mr. Terry's recollections of Chattanooga date back as early as 1855, when he lived in Sweetwater on a farm owned and operated by his father. He was employed to drive a wagon drawn by six horses and he delivered foodstuffs shipped into Chattanooga by water which was dispensed in Georgia. The produce business was operated by a man named Brooks.
There were no streets to speak of when Mr. Terry first began his work in Chattanooga, which he continued for three years. What is now Market street was but a series of mud holes and one crossed from one side to the other on stepping stones. There was a small group of houses in the section near the river and only a short distance away farm houses were seen in all directions. Mr. Terry particularly recalls a large spring on what is now Ninth street, near where the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railway station is now located, and a pond near where the Southern railway building now stands.
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Mr. Terry was a farmer in the Sweetwater section until four years ago, when he retired. He lives with three of his children, Charles, Essie and Nora Terry, who are part of the family of thirteen children. Mrs. Terry died two years ago.
The parents of Mr. Terry were originally from North Carolina, where he was born. His grandparents on both his mother's and father's sides were born in Scotland and came to the United States in 1772. School facilities were almost nonexistent in Mr. Terry's boyhood and what education he received he has gotten alone, except for a short time in North Carolina where he walked five miles to reach a teacher. His parents removed to Tennessee in 1866.
Mr. Terry is a veteran of the War Between the States. He was captain of a wagon train from Feb. 9, 1861 to June, 1864, when the outfit was disbanded. Most of his war service was in the east. In July, 1864 he volunteered as a private at Raleigh, N. C., and later did provost duty in Richmond, Va., under Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Mr. Terry is well and strong, apparently, and his mind is alert and keen to matters of the day. Although he speaks of his lack of educational facilities, this deficiency, if it be a deficiency, is not noticeable in that his courteous and kindly manner and his bearing give him the indelible stamp of a southern gentleman.
Source: Chattanooga Times. Date @1933 as wife died 1931.
* * * * *
J. C. TERRY DIES IN CHATANOOGA
J. C. Terry, 99, of Sweetwater, a Confederate veteran died Saturday morning at a Chattanooga hospital.
A former Chattanoogan, Mr. Terry was there visiting his sons and daughters when stricken.
During the war he was a captain of a wagon train from Feb 9, 1861, to June, 1864, when the outfit was disbanded. In July, 1864, he enlisted as a private at Raleigh, N.C. and later did provost duty at Richmond, Va., under Gen. Robert E. Lee.
He was a farmer in Sweetwater section until about seven years ago.
He is survived by six daughters, Mrs. C. A. Turner of Harriman; Mrs. U. S. Beard, of Sweetwater; Mrs. Arthur Gould, of Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Fred Bright, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Mrs.
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C. C. Thompson and Mrs. William Lemons of Chattanooga; seven sons, C. L. of Chattanooga; J. B. and Arthur, of Sweetwater; A. C. of Rockymonut, Va; E. B. of Washington, D. C.; John of Omaha, Neb. and L. C. of Knoxville.
Mr. Terry had for the past thirty years been a member of Sweetwater, Methodist Episcopal church, south, where funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon the Rev. J. L. Chaney and the Rev. Mr. Bales officiating. Interment was in Fender's cemetery.
Pall bearers were Clifford Turner, Deloy Turner, Jesse Terry, Homer Hartsell, Earl Hartsell and Paul Lemons.
Source: Chattanooga News-Sentinel? July 3, 1935. Note: Handwriting has Jesse Terry underlined and "This was his Grand Son."
* * * * *
James Earl (Jack) Terry
Funeral for James Earl (Jack) Terry, 66, of Jacksonville will be at 2 p. m. Thursday in Renfro Memorial Chapel with Rev. Edwin Crank officiating.
Burial will be in Concord Cemetery under direction of direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home.
Mr. Terry died Tuesday in a Waco hospital after an extended illness. He had lived in Jacksonville all of his life, was a retired service station owner, was a Baptist, and a veteran of World War II. He is survived by a son, James Earl Terry Jr. of Abbieville, La.; three sisters, Jessie Lee Crider of Jacksonville, and Louise Yancey and Willie Mae McGee, both of New Summerfield; one grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Terry Ray Yancey, Wilmer Byers, R. B. Robertson, Robert Ivy, R. T. Stewart and Jack Barnard. Source: Jacksonville (TX) Daily Progress 5-22-85. Submitted by Marleta Childs, Box 93125, Lubbock TX 79493.
* * * * *
Temple F. Terry
Temple F. Terry Survived by wife, Mandy Terry, sons, Gene Paul Terry, Ray Don Matthews, Billy W. Matthews, 8 grandchildren, one great grandchild. Services, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, LAUREL LAND MEMORIAL CHAPEL, Dr. Steve Leatherwood officiating. Interment, Laurel Land Memorial Park. Deacons and members of the Cockrell Hill Baptist Church will be pallbearers. He was a retired employee of Dallas Power &
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Light Co. "Dallas Morning News", 15 Jan 1985. Submitted by Marleta Childs, Box 93125, Lubbock TX 79493.
* * * * *
Isaac Terry
TERRY, ISAAC -- age 78, of Kingston died Saturday, June 1, 1985. Member of Union Lodge No. 38 F&AM. Retired from Long Island Railroad after 33 years as an engineman. Working out of Port Jefferson Station, Long Island, N.Y. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Lillian Terry; sons, Robert Terry, Minneapolis, Mn., David Terry, Vandalia, Ohio; brother, Fred Terry, New York; sister, Nan Carnes, Kingston; three grandchildren. The body is at Kyker Funeral Home, Kingston, where the family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday. Masonic Memorial service 8:30 p.m. Sunday Kyker Chapel. Funeral Service 3:30 p.m. Monday Kyker Chapel, Rev. Prince Harmon officiating. Submitted by Gene Fricks, 26 Windmill dr., Clementon NJ 08021. * * * * *
EXCHANGE ADVERTISING
SHERBONDY FAMILY ASSOCIATION-- 8328 KESSLER ST., OVERLAND PARK, KS 66212. NO PRICE NOTED. EDITED BY JEFFREY D. SHERBONDY. * * * * *
HILL REUNION -- August 3, 1985. Kiwanis Pavilion, Noccalulu Park, Gadsen, Alabama. Bring a covered dish and eating utensils. [Zion Hill's wife was Mary, dau. of Bolling Wright Fairfield Co. SC.] Submitted by J. D. & Blanche Hill, Rt. 6, Box 740, Guthrie OK 73044.
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1860 SCOTT COUNTY TENNESSEE CENSUS
Submitted by Gene & Dottie Fricks
26 Windmill Drive, Clementon NJ 08021
TERRY, EDMOND 30 M TN FARMER $200 $200 BETTY A. 24 F TN EMELY 05 F TN WILLIAM E. 03 M TN ROSANIA 02 F TN RACHEAL M. 4/12 F TN Ref: 189/166
TERRY, ELIGAH 69 M TN FARMER $500 $510 SARRAH 46 F TN HELEN 24 F TN NAOMAH 23 F TN EMELY J. 21 F TN EASTER 19 F TN SEREPTA 15 F TN TERRY, MARION 13 F TN Ref: 8th Dist. 268/246
TERRY, CALVIN 24 M TN FARMER --- $100 RUTH 22 F KY EMELY 03 F TN CRABTREE, ELISHA 10 M TN Ref: 269/247
TERRY, ELIGAH 20 M TN FARMER --- $200 FLORINDA 22 F TN HELEN E. 4/12 F TN Ref: 270/247
TERRY, JAMES 40 M TN FARMER $200 $550 POLLY 37 F TN MARTAIN 18 M TN LOUCINDA 12 F TN JOHN 10 M TN NANCY 08 F TN NIRENA 05 F TN MARY E. 6/12 F TN Ref: 315/290
TERRY, MARTAIN 37 M TN FARMER 0 #345 NANCY 38 F TN HARMON 14 M TN MILES 11 M TN JASPER 09 M TN ELIZABETH 06 F TN Ref: 316/291
TERRY, JOSIAH 85 M VA FARMER $1000 $510
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NANCY 50 F NC SMITH, JACKSON 24 M TN FARMER LABOR $4350 $2580 MALINDA 20 F TN Ref: 346/321
TERRY, JOSIAH JR. 28 M TN FARMER 0 $100 JOANOR 20 F TN ELIAS 01 M -- Ref: 347/322
TERRY, MILTON 25 M TN FARMER $150 $200 JANE 29 F TN MANDA 05 F TN REBECCA 04 F TN SILYMY 01 F TN (SALOME?) Ref: 357/332
* * * * *
THE TERRYS OF SCOTT COUNTY, TENNESSEE
Written in the Year 1984 By
George Alvin Terry (b. 12/19/1926) 304 Highland Heights Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072
My first interest in Terry family history came while as a young boy. I listened intently to my grandfather, Alvin C. Terry, affectionately called Pop Terry by the family, tell the story of how Josiah Terry first settled the areas now know as Oneida.
Pop and his brother, Uncle John Terry, were both interested in family history and wrote articles on family and area history. Uncle John wrote a very interesting and complete family history, and I used this work as my starting point in research of my ancestors.
I look upon this paper as only a continuation of the work done by Pop and Uncle John, and I expect more to be learned and written in the future.
Special recognition should be given to many people who have spent many hours in research of the Terry family. A few of the people who have helped me are Mrs. Frances Terry Ingmire, St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Lula Terry Elliott, Clayton, New Mexico; Woodford Terry, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Mrs. Raymond Wray, Longview, Texas; James E. Terry, Frankfort, Kentucky; Clyde Reed, New River, Tennessee; Caldwell Terry and his daughter Sharon Scott of Oneida; the late Clay Smith of Oneida; my niece, Gail Hemphill of Williamsburg, Virginia; Ms. Pat Sherwood of Indianapolis;
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Mrs. Dorothy Gable of Nashville; and my dear wife Sarah, who has traveled with me in Utah, Virginia, Indiana, and Tennessee as we searched old records and cemeteries for Terry history.
A few years ago, a widely circulated history of Scott County was published. The genealogy of the Terry family given in this history is not correct, and I determined at that time that I would try to leave a true and factual record of the Terry family for my children and their heirs.
According to the books published by Mrs. Ingmire and Mrs. Elliott, William Terry was the first authenticated Terry of this line. He was born about 1724 and died 1803 in Botetourt County, Virginia. The city of Roanoke is now in the area where William Terry and his family lived.
William Terry married Rachel Marson, Botetourt County, Virginia, on February 3, 1759. This marriage is found in a "Meeting of Friend's, Pennsylvania Marriages", New Jersey license. They had the following children:
I. William Terry, Jr., married Patience ______
II. John, b. 1760, married Esther Brown February 2, 1781, in Botetourt County, Virginia (Book 2, page 15). He came to Tennessee, and we believe he is the father of Josiah.
III. Miles married Hannah Horton January 30, 1782, in Botetourt County, Virginia (Book 2, page 18).
IV. Susannah married Thomas Brown January 21, 1783, in Botetourt County, Virginia (Book 2, page 20). Later in a deed, Thomas Brown stated that William Terry had eight (8) children.
V. Mercy married Jonathan Harrison.
VI. Jasper married Ruth _____ (Second marriage to Margaret Snidow)
VII. Rachel married John Martin.
VIII. Jemima married Ezekiel Boucher June 30, 1796, in Montgomery County, Virginia (Book A, page 64). Father William Terry gave consent.
We are of the John Terry line. Esther Brown, his wife, is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Terry Brown. They were married February 2, 1781. Soon after they married, they moved to Tennessee, then Wayne County, Kentucky, and finally Perry County, Indiana. John died December 7, 1842, and is buried in Perry County, Indiana. The last record of Esther Terry is on
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a deed in 1847. We presume she died soon after this date. John Terry was living in Anderson County, Tennessee, in 1803, and this fact is recorded in Botetourt County, Virginia Court records. There was a John Terry in Hawkins County, Tennessee Court records in 1789, 1793, 1800, and 1801. There was a John Terry in Grainger County, Tennessee, in 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. Hawkins and Grainger Counties are in Eastern Tennessee and would be on the way from Virginia to Anderson County, Tennessee. I have found the following record of John Terry in Anderson County, Tennessee.
REFERENCES TO JOHN TERRY IN ANDERSON COUNTY COURT MINUTES
Jarrott Harbin appointed to Captain Terry's Company as Constable in Burville Wed., June 15, 1803 A.C.C.M. 1801- 1809, pg. 82
Served Jury duty Tuesday, September 13, 1803, in Anderson County. A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 90
Same as above, p. 91. Note: Jury consisted of William Brazle, Layton Smith, Henry Norman, David Hale, Joseph Jaffrey, Aguilla Johnson, Reuben Roberts, John Terry, Page Portwood, Reuben Stanley, Joseph Hogg, and Enoch Foster.
"Ordered by the Court that John Terry be overseer of the Grantsbourough Road leading Powell's Valley from the North bank of Powell's River to the top of the dividing ridge to where Reuben Morse ends." A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 139
"A Bill of Sale from Robert Armstrong to John Terry was acknowledged in open court and ordered to be registered." Sept. 11, 1804 A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 146
"A deed from John Stone to John Terry for 200 acres of land was acknowledged in open court and ordered to be registered." Confusion on dates: Fri., Sept. 4, 1804 - probably March 11, 1805. A.C.C.M. 1801-9, Pg. 159
"A deed from Charles Fenell to John Terry for six acres of land was proved in open court by John Brown and ordered to be registered." June 10, 1805 A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 176
John Terry vs. John Boyd: Jury found for the defendant (no hint of what the case was about) June 13, 1805 A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 190
"Ordered by the Court the hands in the following b... (torn page)... served by Isaac Freels overseer of the road (to wit) Beginning at the mouth of Johnsons Mill Creek thence...Chestnut Ridge thence up the valley including John Terry and...thence along the valley to the Road leading to Scarbros Ferry thence along said road to Reeds branch thence down said branch to the mouth thence up the river to the
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beginning." Sept. 11, 1805 A.C.C.M. 1801-9, pg. 202
Appointed to jury duty for December session 1805. A.C.C.M., pg. 206
Served December 1805. A.C.C.M., pg. 210
"A deed from John Terry to William Cooper for 200 acres of land was proved in open court by Jeremiah Cloud and ordered to be registered." March 10, 1806 A.C.C.M., pg. 230
Appointed for jury duty in December 1807 term. A.C.C.M., pg. 259
Appointed traverse juror. December 14, 1807 A.C.C.M., pg. 264
"Ordered by the Court that John Terry have his mark recorded which is a cross off each ear and a slit in the right." December 15, 1807 A.C.C.M., pg. 267
Appointed for jury duty September 1808 term. June 16, 1808 A.C.C.M., pg. 340
It is interesting that our first reference to Josiah Terry is in the Anderson County tax list of 1805. John Terry and his family moved to Wayne County, Kentucky, in about 1807. He and Josiah Terry are on the Wayne County tax list of 1808, and both are listed as living on the South Fork of Cumberland River. The 1809 Wayne County tax list consists of Josiah, Haden, and George Frteton Terry; 1810 John and Will Terry; 1811 John and Josiah Terry; 1812 John, Sr., and Jonah Terry; 1813 John and Elijah Terry. There are no Terrys in Wayne County records after 1813. The 1810 Wayne County census, as listed by the Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfurt, Kentucky, page 362 lists both John and Josiah Terry.
John Terry's family is listed as follows:
One (1) male, 45 and over - This would be John Three (3) males, under 10 - This would be Elisha, Elias, and Miles One (1) male, 10-16 - Probably John, Jr. One (1) male, 16-26 - Probably Will or Elijah One (1) female, 26-45 - His wife Esther One (1) female, 10-16 - His daughter Esther
Josiah Terry is listed in the 1810 census with his first wife Nancy Thomas and their two sons, Joseph and William. Josiah separated from Nancy Thomas in about 1814 and came to what is now Scott County, Tennessee. James E. Terry of Frankfurt, Kentucky, is a descendant of Joseph Terry and has a good record of Joseph and William.
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According to the book by Mrs. Elliott, John Terry and his wife Esther had fourteen children. He moved with his wife and six children to Perry County, Indiana, in about 1815. We have the following knowledge on the fourteen children:
I. Josiah, born about 1780 in Virginia. He lived in Scott County, Tennessee. I have a complete record on his family that follows this history.
II. Haden, born before 1788. He is listed on the 1809 Wayne County, Kentucky, tax list as over 21. I have no information on him or his family.
III. George Frteton, born before 1788. He is listed on the 1809 Wayne County tax list as over 21. I have no information on him or his family.
IV. William, born 1785 in Hawkins County, Tennessee, died May 15, 1869, in Green County, Missouri. Mrs. Raymond Wray of Longview, Texas, is a descendant of his family. Mrs. Wray has several letters that William wrote to his son John. One, dated April 7, 1852, has this interesting statement: "We had a letter from brother Josiah in Tennessee last fall and they were doing well when he wrote, but that country had been very sickly last season". In another letter, William told of the death of his brother John and his wife in 1848 in Arkansas. Mrs. Wray has a letter dated July 11, 1857, in which William tells us of a visit in Arkansas with "some of my cousins of the old stock of the Martins". This is of interest to us because in the family of William Terry of Botetourt County, Virginia, father of our John Terry, there is a daughter Rachel who married John Martin. This is added proof that John Terry is indeed the father of our Josiah.
V. John, Jr., born about 1790 in Tennessee and died in 1848 in Arkansas. Mrs. Wray has some information on his family. He had a son named Thomas that said he was born in Tennessee. John was on the Campbell County, Tennessee, tax list of 1818 along with Josiah, Elijah, and Daniel Terry. Scott County was created in 1849, and the territory comprising the northern section where Oneida is located was taken from Campbell County.
VI. Elijah, born about 1791 in Tennessee. He lived in Scott County. I have some records on his family that follow in this history.
VII. Daniel - He is listed on the Campbell County tax list of 1818 with Josiah, Elijah, and John. I have
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no information on him or his family.
VIII. Jasper - Mrs. Wray has some family notes that list him as a possible brother. I have no information on him or his family.
IX. Esther, born 1798, married John White June 11, 1818. She is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
X. Elisha, born 1800, married Sally Small January 7, 1816. He is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
XI. Rachel, born 1804, died 1867. She married Thomas Sandage April 15, 1821. She is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
XII. Elias, born September 15, 1807, married Eleanor Sandage September 28, 1826. He is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
XIII. Miles, born March 11, 1809, married Nancy A. Baswell. He is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
XIV. Thomas, born 1814, died 1853, married Polly Bradshaw. He is listed in Mrs. Elliott's book.
Josiah and Elijah Terry left Wayne County in about 1815 and came to what is now Scott County, Tennessee. This is the same time that John Terry moved to Perry County, Indiana.
Josiah and Elijah moved to Scott County at the time they were having trouble in their personal lives. Josiah separated from his wife Nancy Thomas and left her and the two boys, Joseph and William. We know very little about Nancy and what happened to her. We do have a copy of a Madison County, Kentucky, Court record in 1821 at Richmond, Kentucky, Order Book E, page 122, where an indenture was made to bind out Joseph and William, the children of Nancy Terry, to William Bentley to learn the tanning business. We presume Nancy had moved to the vicinity of Richmond, Kentucky.
According to divorce papers of Wayne County, Kentucky, dated in 1828, Elijah Terry left Wayne County in about 1815 at night with one Sally Rice Foster, wife of Charles Foster, and came to Tennessee and lived with her as his wife. In the Campbell County census of 1830, the family of Elijah is listed as follows:
One (1) man, 25-30 years old One (1) boy, 1-15 years old One (1) woman, 30-35 years old One (1) girl, 10-15 years old One (1) girl, 5-10 years old
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The 1850 census of Scott County lists the Elijah Terry family as follows:
Elijah, age 59 Sary, age 39 Calvin, age 16 Helen, age 15 Naomy, age 14 Emily, age 13 Elijah, Jr. age 13 Easter, age 7 Serepta, age 6
The history of Uncle John Terry states that Elijah had three sons, Elijah, Jr., Marion, and Calvin. Calvin was an early Baptist preacher in Scott County, and his family lived near O'Possum Rock School on the Big South Fork River. According to the history of Uncle John, "Elijah Terry took up land that included part of the town of Oneida known as Stumptown, and his residence was near the present John Carson, Jr., residence." According to the records of Clay Smith, Elijah first lived about the present John Lee West house and then moved to about where the Burchfield School is located. Clay Smith also states that his land covered all the part of Oneida west of Highway 27 to the Burchfield School.
There are many descendants of Elijah Terry living in Scott County, and I am sure some may have a family history; or I trust that someone will take this information and complete the family history of Elijah Terry.
Clay Smith states that the early settlers called the community "Pine Creek". He said that Josiah Terry staked out three hundred acres of land that started near Tunnell Hill, extended northward through the town of Oneida to a point beyond the present Oneida Housing Project. He said the south line ran near where the Scott County Hospital is now located. The north line covered much of all of north Oneida up to and including the Jeffers Cemetery. This line extended to the top of Dick Smith Hill and back to the starting line near where Jim Carson lives in south Oneida. The northeast line ran with the Chitwood lands near the present Scott County Funeral Home to the Jeffers Cemetery. Uncle John described Josiah's land as a large tract of land that extended northwardly from a point near the residence of James Carson through the town of Oneida to a point on the top of a hill southwest of the Shepherd residence eastwardly so as to include the lands of J. M. Terry, A. C. Terry, Claude Terry, Letcher Stanfill, N. E. Stanley, Joe Chambers, John Carson, Jr., and James Terry. Josiah built his house near the present North Star Drive-In on Highway 27 North on the four lane. I have copies of two Kentucky land grants which cover most of this land.
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The oldest written record of Scott County that I have knowledge of is that of the Bethlehem Church of Oneida. The church was organized in 1834, and they have written records dating from the first Saturday in June, 1842. Josiah Terry was a prominent member of the church and is mentioned in several entries. The church split in 1842, and Josiah Terry was elected acting moderator to take the vote. Fifteen of the thirty-one members were dismissed. Josiah was with the majority. It is in these church records that we learn of Josiah's death in 1868.
All the early census records show that Josiah was born in Virginia. Pop and Uncle John said that they understood that Josiah was born in Wytheville, Virginia. During my research, I have learned that neither Wytheville or Wythe County existed at the time of Josiah's birth. It is possible that Josiah was born before John and Esther Terry left Virginia, or that he was born near what is now Wytheville on their way to Tennessee. I understand that all the Terrys of Scott County are descendants of either Josiah or Elijah.
The Family of Josiah Terry
Josiah Terry was the father of thirteen known children. We list his wives and children with the information we have on each family.
Josiah Terry b. about 1780 in Virginia d. 1868 (Bethlehem Baptist Church Record). He is buried at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Wayne County, Kentucky. m. Nancy Thomas (first wife). We do not have a date of this marriage or any information on the family of Nancy Thomas, but we presume due to birth date of their son Joseph, that they were in Anderson County, Tennessee. They had two children.
I. Joseph b. 3/7/1806, d. 9/17/1863 Married October 11, 1832, Minerva Stephenson b. 7/11/1811, d. 6/10/1894 They had six children:
(1) Joseph (2) John (3) Jim (4) Edna (5) Jane (6) Louise
II. William b. 10/20/1808, d. _____ Married Ithema Payton on December 24, 1831. They had four children:
(1) Josiah (2) William (3) Nancy J. (4) Mildred A.
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Anyone wishing more information on Joseph or William should contact Mr. James E. Terry, 142 Lyons Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.
Josiah Terry m. Nancy Stevens (second wife), b. 1800 in Tennessee. She is the sister of Edmond Stevens. According to Clay Smith, her mother was a Richardson, and she was from Greeneville, Tennessee. Her father is Edmund Stevens, who was married to Rachel Litton, mother of James Litton. We have done some research, and Edmund Stevens was in Greene County, Tennessee, before he came to Scott County. Nancy is buried at the old Reed Place on the Buffalo Road in south Oneida. Josiah and Nancy Stevens had eleven children.
I. Martin b. 1820, d. _____ Married Nancy Thompson They had two sons:
(1) Jasper m. Mary Jane Ellis. They had two sons, Maynard and George. I understand that Preacher Roy Blevins of Oneida is a descendant of Maynard.
(2) Miles b. 12/1/1848, d. 7/10/1929 married Artie Coyal b. 7/25/1843, d. 11/22/1911. They are buried at the Black Oak Cemetery. They had the following children:
1. Elijah 2. Elishia 3. Lissie 4. Electia 5. Cal 6. Daniel 7. Arbania 8. Birdine 9. Ransy or Loranzy Dow
I know that Charlie Terry and Mrs. Zelta Terry Smith of Oneida are descendants of this family.
Martin Terry's second wife was Sarah Davis, and their children were:
(1) Henderson (2) Sherman (3) Phillip
I know that Ms. Pat Sherwood of Indianapolis is a descendant of Henderson. Martin had land grant property registered at Frankfort, Kentucky, and I believe it was on the Big South Fork River.
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II. Rachel b. 5/3/1821, d. 2/5/1890. Married Richard Smith b. 11/9/1818, d. 1/2/1902. They were married by H. Pennington, Justice of the Peace, on 1/16/1839. They were members of the Bethelehem Baptist Church,and their names appear in the early church records. Uncle John's history states that Josiah gave them a place on the Old Montgomery Road near the present Pentacost Church. It is my understanding that Dick Smith Hill is named for Richard Smith. It was at Rachel's home that Josiah's wife Nancy Stevens died and is buried. Rachel Terry and Richard Smith are buried at the Marcum Cemetery in Oneida. They had seventeen children:
(1) Martin b. 2/23/1840
(2) Nancy b. 3/8/1841
(3) Charity b. 10/21/1842
(4) Esther b. 8/2/1844
(5) Sarah b. 10/25/1845
(6) John b. 10/17/1846
(7) Joe b. 4/25/1848
(8) Elizabeth b. 4/25/1848 {Twin}
(9) Emily b. 4/12/1850
(10) Martha b. 2/8/1852
(11) Calvin b. 9/10/1854
(12) William b. 4/13/1856
(13) Savannah b. 1/28/1857
(14) Shelvey b. 7/15/1859
(15) Lydia b. 9/23/1860
(16) Josh or Ewell b. 6/30/1863
(17) James Harvey b. 1/8/1866
III. James Terry b. about 1823, d. ______ Married Tilda (Polly or Pop) Smith, daughter of Isaac Smith and Matilda Elliott. Tilda is a sister to Richard Smith, husband of Rachel Terry. Uncle John's history states that Josiah gave James land north of the tunnel on the Tennessee Railroad about one mile south of Oneida. I know that Clay Smith was a descendant of James through Clay's mother's side of the family. Uncle John said that James Terry had the following children:
(1) Martin (2) John (3) Leonard (4) Lindsay (5) Bart (6) A daughter who married Jack Carson (7) A daughter who married Johnnie Carson (8) A daughter who married Wilburn Richardson
IV. Esther b. about 1825, d. _____ Married Thomas L. Phillips. This marriage is in the Campbell County records as license issued March 17, 1844. They were married by Allen McDonald, Justice of the Peace.
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Uncle John states that Josiah gave Esther and Thomas Phillips land about the present Oneida High School. I have been told that the old swimming hole behind the school called the "Tommie Hole" is named for Thomas Phillips. I do not know the names of the children of Esther and Thomas Phillips, but I believe that attorney General Paul Phillips and his family are descendants of Esther and Thomas.
V. Alsie b. about 1827 Married Jonathan (Bud) Phillips b. 2/17/1827, d. 7/14/1871. Uncle John's history says that Josiah gave them land where the W. J. Jeffers family now lives. Children of Alsie Terry and Jonathan (Bud) Phillips were:
(1) John married Bonnie _____ (2) Elizabeth married Nathaniel Stidum (3) Sarah (4) Rorie married William McBride. He was killed by a train. (5) Emily
Jonathan's second wife was Jane Trammel. Their children were: (1) Richard (2) Sherman married Linda Coffey (3) Mary married John Huskins (4) Martha married Nick Stanley
This information was furnished by Lula Cecil of Oneida, daughter of Sherman Phillips. Jonathan (Bud) Phillips and Jane Trammel are buried at the Phillips Cemetery, now known as the Jeffers Cemetery, in Oneida. There is an unmarked grave next to theirs that is probably the grave of Alsie Terry.
VI. Edmund b. about 1830, d. _____ Married Bettie Hicks. I understand he was also called Eddie Terry. Uncle John's history states that Josiah gave him land at the old John Carson, Jr., place. The Terrys that now live near Winfield are descendants of Edmond Terry and Bettie Hicks. Uncle John said that they had four or five daughters and three sons:
(1) William (2) Milton (3) James
VII. Milton b. 7/17/1834, d. 12/29/1904 Married Jane Thomas b. 10/31/1830, d. 3/21/1908. They were married 7/15/1854. I am a descendant of Milton Terry. I will give more detail on his family later. They had the following children:
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(1) Amanda b. 4/12/1855, died at young age (2) Rebecca b. 10/18/1856, d. 4/13/1949 (3) Salina b. 12/5/1858, d. 6/30/1943 (4) Joseph b. 9/9/1860, d. 7/25/1861 (5) Jane b. 5/20/1862, d. 5/18/1950 (6) Nancy Ann b. 6/16/1864, d. 10/10/1951 (7) Alvin C. b. 6/23/1866, d. 6/18/1957 (8) John Marion b. 10/25/1868, d. 5/25/1952 (9) Milton Emsly b. 1/3/1871, d. 11/22/1938 (10) William Abner b. 5/8/1873, d. 2/27/1967
VIII. Nancy b. about 1836, d. _____ Married Ely Roysden. I have no records on this family.
IX. Themie (Ithema) b. about 1838, d. _____ Married Jessie Roysden. I have no records on this family, but I understand that the Roysdens on the Big South Fork River are descendants of Themie or Nancy.
X. Malinda b. 8/22/1839, d. 8/4/1909. Married Jackson Smith b. 2/26/1836, d. 12/3/1905. They are buried at the Marcum Cemetery in Oneida. Jackson Smith was the son of Kisia (Kit) Smith. Josiah Terry was visiting Malinda when he died, so I presume they lived in Wayne County, Kentucky. I have been told that this property is located in what is now the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Malinda and Jackson were the parents of Henry Smith, father of Clay Smith. I do not have a record of any other children.
XI. Josiah Terry, Jr., b. 1842, d. 10/31/1911. Married Johanna Roysden b. 1839, d. 1925. They had the following children:
(1) Elias (2) John (3) Ozias (4) Johnson (5) Alvin (6) Evelin (7) Vernie (8) Rachel (9) Luverna.
This information was given me by Caldwell Terry. He received it from John M. Terry of Jamestown, Tennessee, in October, 1975. I understand that Josiah Terry, Jr., lived on the Big South Fork River and that several of his descendants are in Fentress County.
The Milton Terry Family
Milton Terry b. 7/17/1834, d. 12/19/1904, was the
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seventh child of Josiah Terry and Nancy Stevens. He married Jane Thomas b. 10/21/1830, d. 3/21/1908, on July 15, 1854. They were married by David Acres, Justice of the Peace, at the home of Abner Thomas. Jane Thomas was the daughter of Abner Thomas and Rebecca Brown. Uncle John said that Abner Thomas came from Powell's Valley and settled on Paint Rock Creek at the old Ellis Place above the Ewell Duncan farm. Pop Terry said that he understood that Abner Thomas came from North Carolina. I have often wondered if there is a connection between Abner Thomas and Nancy Thomas, first wife of Josiah Terry, or Rebecca Brown and Esther Brown, wife of John Terry. Abner Thomas and Rebecca Brown had eleven children:
I. John emigrated to Bartholomew County, Indiana II. William emigrated to Dodd City, Arkansas III. Wiley lived in Scott County IV. Poley married Moses Lay V. Drucila married Samuel Cecil VI. Rutha married Henry Duncan VII. Martha married Joshua Duncan VIII. Jane (Jennie) married Milton Terry IX. Rebecca married Elijah Spradlin X. Sallie married Alfred Laxton XI. Nancy married Hamilton Brown
Josiah Terry gave Milton the land that is now on Highway 27 North on the four lane where Claude Terry, Jr., and Ralph Hoffman now live. I understand that the Milton Terry house was where the home of Jane and Ralph Hoffman now stands.
Milton Terry served as Sheriff of Scott County, a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, clerk of the church, and Moderator Pro Tem in 1896 and 1897.
Milton served in the Union Army as a member of the Home Guard. He was a private in Company C, 1st Reg. Tennessee National Guard. He was enrolled at Chitwood, Tennessee (now Winfield) September 15, 1863, and was honorably discharged at Clinton, Tennessee, on December 20, 1863. I have copies of papers where Milton applied for a pension because of the loss of his right eye due to rheumatism. This application was made May 28, 1892.
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His wife also applied after his death. I have no record that either ever received a pension.
Milton Terry and his wife Jane Thomas are buried at the Thomas Cemetery in Oneida.
The children of Milton Terry and Jane Thomas:
I. Amanda Terry b. 4/12/1855. She died young and is buried at the Thomas Cemetery.
II. Rebecca Terry b. 10/18/1856 d. 4/13/1949. Married Riley Jeffers b. 6/18/1859 d. 2/13/1931. They are buried at the Thomas Cemetery in Oneida. Their children were:
(1) Nancy Jane (2) Alvin (3) Salina (4) Cora
When I remember Aunt Becky, she lived with her daughter, Cora, in Oneida about where the Scott County Florist is now located. She was a very interesting person to talk with. She could remember the Civil War and told about visiting a Union Army camp in Oneida. She also said she hoed corn on the hills above the home of Claude Terry, Jr., and that there was a clay mine in the same hills where people got their clay to make their pipes.
III. Salina Terry b. 12/5/1859, d. 6/30/1943. She never married and is buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. When I remember Aunt Lina, she lived with Aunt Nancy Ann and Uncle Will Litton. I remember she was a favorite of my father, Claude Terry, Sr., and that she had a large skin cancer growth on her face.
IV. Joseph Terry b. 9/9/1860, d. 7/25/1861. He is buried at the Thomas Cemetery in Oneida.
V. Jane Terry b. 5/20/1862, d. 5/18/1950. Married Ewell Duncan b. 11/1857, d. 7/15/1942. They are buried in the Duncan Family Cemetery on the Paint Rock Road in Scott County, Tennessee. Their children:
(1) Florence (2) John (3) William E. (4) Della (5) Elmer (6) Sylvester
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(7) Lonnie
Harold Duncan of Oneida has some history on this family. Lonnie and Elmer still live near Oneida. They have been close to my family through the years, and I have always known that I could depend upon them and their families.
VI. Nancy Ann Terry b. 6/16/1864, d. 10/10/1951. Married William Charles Litton b. 1/26/1870, d. 8/29/1943. They are buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Their children:
(1) Hurstel (died at age 12) (2) Stella (3) Cordie (4) Oscar (5) Claude (6) Lottie (7) Herman
Their family history is recorded in the Litton Family History Book. I remember visiting Uncle Will and Aunt Nancy Ann at their home on Highway 27 in the Oak Grove section of Oneida. I remember Aunt Nancy Ann stood tall and straight, and that Uncle Will could tell good stories of days gone by.
VII. Alvin C. Terry b. 6/23/1866, d. 6/18/1957. He is my grandfather, and I will cover his family later in a separate article.
VIII. John Marion Terry b. 10/25/1868, d. 5/25/1952. Married Elizzie Brown b. 4/13/1868, d. 7/10/1942. They are buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Their children:
(1) Darcius Sebastion (2) Edna Mabel (3) Jennie Edith Dorothy Victory (4) Maude Esther (5) Benton Delin (6) Lela Agnes (7) Ruth Avo (8) John Milton (9) Caldwell Brown (10) William Howard
Sharon Scott of Oneida has a good record on this family. I know that Uncle John was well educated. He and Pop were very close as brothers. They attended the schools of Scott County, then went to Livingston and Friendsville to further their education. Uncle John brought the first surveying books to Scott County and taught many to survey. He served one term as State Representative in the 1920's. His interest in
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family history and his insight to write and record many facts have been of great help to me in our family research.
I remember going to Uncle John's with Pop on our Sunday afternoon walks. We would often stop at Uncle John's for a drink of cold water. Uncle John lived where the present Oneida Housing Project is located. He was an honest, thrifty, hard-working farmer. His son, Calwell, worked the same farm for many years. Caldwell is one of my favorite cousins, and we have enjoyed many hours together trying to research our family history.
IX. Milton Emsly Terry b. 1/3/1871, d. 11/22/1938. Married Sarinda Litton b. 1/3/1863, d. 8/12/1895. They are buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Their chldren:
(1) Ethel (2) Ernal.
Milton Emsly's second wife was Emma Taylor. She is buried in Oklahoma. Their Children:
(1) Thurlow (2) Ella (3) Ada (4) Vinlo (5) Milo (6) Alla (7) Othnel (8) Earl (9) Oakley (10) Lucille
Milton Emsly's Third wife was Anna Adkinson b. 9/23/1893, d. 6/15/1972. She is buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Their children:
(1) Irene (2) Lorren (3) Oren (4) June (5) Wilda
I remember that Uncle Milt had a Log Cabin Cafe in the Oak Grove section of Oneida on Highway 27 where Perry's Store is now located. When I was with Pop, we would always stop to see Uncle Milt and buy some chewing gum.
X. William Abner Terry b. 5/8/1873, d. 2/27/1967. Married Rosetta Litton b. 11/20/1872, d. 10/27/1965. They are buried at the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Their children:
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(1) E. Chester (2) Evelyn (3) Edgar (4) Elso (5) Estella (6) Elbert (7) Jenny
Uncle Will lived where the new Bethlehem Baptist Church is now located. His daughter, Evelyn Cross, operated a store that was the favorite hangout for most of the boys of Oak Grove. Uncle Will served as County Court Clerk and County Judge of Scott County. He was active in politics; and he and his son Chester, who served as president of the First National Bank of Oneida for several years, were of great help to me when I was elected to the State Legislature.
The Alvin Terry Family
My grandfather, Alvin Terry b. 6/23/1866, d. 6/18/1957, was the seventh child of Milton Terry and Jane Thomas. His first marriage was to Nancy Jane Davis b. 10/28/1869, d. 10/7/1913. They were married September 23, 1892.
What I know about the Davis family was given to me by my cousin Nell D. Robinson of Knoxville, Tennessee. I want to do more research on the Davis and Young families.
[The part about Davis family is excluded in the TFH for brevity--Editor.]
Alvin Terry and Nancy Jane Davis had the following children:
I. William Claude b. 8/25/1893 d. 11/4/1954. He is my father, and I will cover our family in a separate article.
II. They adopted Mabel Blevins Terry b. 8/22/1897, d. 11/16/1975. She married Leland Carson, and they had one child, Helen Carson. Aunt Mabel and Uncle Leland are buried in the Carson Family Cemetery in Oneida. Daddy and Aunt Mabel were very close as brother and sister and truly loved each other. Helen told me that Aunt Mabel was one of the first legally adopted children in Tennessee. I cannot remember the first time Aunt Mabel and Uncle Leland visited in our home or that we visited in their home, but our families were very close, and we loved and respected each other very much. I know that Uncle Leland was a veteran of World War One, first mayor of the Town of Oneida, an early employee of Jellico Grocery Company, and Chevrolet dealer in Harriman, Tennessee. Aunt Mabel loved
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good music and was very talented. She attended Nashville Bible School, now David Lipscomb College.
Daddy spoke with deep respect and affection for mother. It is my understanding that she was very strict but kind. She was an excellent homemaker and had a great influence on Pop and Daddy. She is buried in the Litton Cemetery in Oneida. Pop was of the Baptist faith and Grandmother a Methodist. As Pop told me, they heard G. C. Brewer preach in a tent meeting in Oneida in about 1907. They agreed that they could unite in the Lord, obeyed the gospel, and became charter members of the Oneida Church of Christ. Brother Brewer preached Grandmother's funeral, and I have a copy of her obituary which tells of the early history of the Oneida Church of Christ.
Pop and Grandmother Terry lived in several places. They lived on what is now Lafayette Street near the old Raynor place when Daddy was born. They lived in McCreary County, Kentucky, in coal mining camps while Pop was in the coal business. They lived in Oakdale in Morgan County, Tennessee, where Pop had a general store. The store was destroyed by a flood, and they returned to Oneida. They lived on Main Street in a house next door to the house that Pop lived in when I was a child. When I first remember, the Dibrell family lived in the house that Pop and Grandmother Terry lived in. Pop was well educated. He attended the schools of Scott County, then went to Livingston and Friendsville to further his education. He was well read and could discuss college subjects in depth at the time I attended the university. Pop taught school in Scott County when he was a young man, and I remember his telling the story of being dismissed as a teacher because he was teaching the students silent reading. He said the parents complained that he did not know whether the students were reading if he did not have them read out loud. Pop, Uncle John, and Uncle Milt had the contract to build the road north of New River on what is now U.S. Highway 27.
Pop married Nellie Smith, b. 3/22/1886, December 9, 1914. They had one son, Luke Edward Terry b. 8/22/1916. Mom Terry still lives in Oneida. She is very active until a broken hip after major surgery forced her to live at the Scott County Nursing Home. Her memory is very good, and she gave me the following information on her family.
[The part about Smith family is excluded in the TFH for brevity--Editor.]
Alvin Terry and Nellie Smith Terry had one son, Luke Edward Terry. Luke married Elizabeth Johnson of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Luke and Lib live in Martinsburg, and they have the following children:
(1) Eddie
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(2) Kay (3) Mary Ann (4) Rebecca
Pop was a progressive, honest, successful businessman. He had a serious heart condition, and his doctor told him to sell his business and retire when he was about fifty years old. He remained active his entire life after retirement. He was a leader in the Oneida Church of Christ, served as treasurer, and taught the adult Sunday School class. Mom Terry prepared the communion bread each Sunday. Pop was a member of the Board of Directors of the First Trust and Savings Bank. He retired from the board after my father's death with the understanding that I would be elected to replace him on the board. It is my understanding that his home had the first indoor plumbing in the town of Oneida. He served on the Oneida Independent School Board, and some early records show that he also served on the Oneida City Board as alderman. He owned one of the first automobiles in Scott County, and I have heard him and Mom Terry tell of a trip they made to Florida when Luke was a small child. He was an active member of the Republican Party and was well informed on local, state, and national affairs. He was a good gardener, and he and Mom Terry always had the cellar under their house full of canned goods. I can remember they were very generous and kind and shared their food with their neighbors. Pop was active in the Scott County Fair and won several ribbons each year with his produce.
Some of my best memories are of the days I spent with Pop and Mom Terry. I remember their dog, Ranger; their workhorse, Dan; the grape harbor at the back of their house; Mom Terry's chickens; their milk cows; and large garden. Pop and I worked the garden. I really don't think I did much work, but he made me think I was the best gardener in town. We would go in for a good lunch at noon prepared by Mom Terry; then after lunch rest on his bed for about an hour. I can remember placing newspapers on the bed so our shoes would not get the bed dirty. I remember Mom Terry as an excellent cook. I still think her pickled beets are the best. As long as Mom was active in her kitchen, she would give me pickled beets each year.
Pop signed his name A. C. Terry. I can remember asking him what the initial "C" stood for. He told me he had no middle name, and that when he was grown he wanted to sign his name with two initials, so he selected the letter "C". He used the signature, A. C. Terry, his entire life.
I caught my first fish sitting in the lap of Pop Terry. He gave me my first chew of Beech Nut chewing tobacco. I can still remember the taste, and I never had a desire to chew tobacco since that day. Pop believed in walking, and nearly every Sunday afternoon we would take a walk. Several children
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and dogs in the neighborhood would join us on our walks. I remember walking to the grape rough and finding Indian flints, picking huckleberries, going to Brown Pond fishing, eating my first persimmon in the old Jim Stanley fields, and going to the Litton and Thomas Cemeteries to the family graves.
When I left school for the Army, I would always make a visit to Pop and Mom Terry's on the first days of my return home. I remember how brave they were when Luke was a prisoner of war during World War Two. I can remember the morning I had to go to Pop's house to tell him of the sudden death of my father. He was so brave, and he encouraged me with his Christian attitude toward death. He and Mom accepted my wife Sarah, and loved her and our children.
I was with Pop at the time of his death. I remember he remained conscious until Luke arrived from West Virginia. In the last week of his life, he told me he wanted to be buried at Litton Cemetery next to my father. He died a Christian, looking forward to a home in heaven. Now that I am a grandfather, I pray that I might have the same love and respect from my grandson that I have for my grandfather. I have never known a better man.
The William Claude Terry, Sr., Family
My father, Claude Terry, Sr., b. 8/25/1893, d. 11/4/1054 married my mother, Paralee Long Cowan, b. 5/28/1895, d. 2/10/1976, in Chattanooga Tennessee, on November 16, 1920. They are buried in the Litton Cemetery in Oneida.
I have a limited knowledge of my mother's family, and I would like to do more research on her family in the future.
[The parts about the Cowan, Wilson, Caperton families are excluded in the TFH for brevity--Editor.]
Mother and Daddy were well educated. Due to the Civil War, the state of Alabama did not have a public school system. Mother first attended a private school in Stevenson, The William and Emma Austin School. She enrolled in the Nashville Bible School, now David Lipscomb College, in 1909. She graduated in 1914. She attended George Peabody College of Nashville in 1915. She taught school in Nashville Bible School and the Hamilton County, Tennessee, school system.
Daddy attended school in Oneida, Huntsville, and Morgan County. He attended Georgetown University of Kentucky in 1909 and 1910. He then enrolled in the Nashville Bible School and graduated in 1914. He attended East Tennessee Teachers Normal, now East Tennessee State University, in 1915.
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Mother and Daddy are listed in the Nashville Bible School Catalogue of 1916-17 as members of the faculty.
Mother and Daddy were leaders in school. I am enclosing the statement that is printed with their pictures in the "Zenith", the yearbook of 1914 for the Nashville Bible School:
+ + +
PARALEE COWAN, Stevenson, Ala. Kappa Nu; Fifth Year.
From the sovereign State of Alabama, five years ago, Paralee Cowan made her first hegira to the Nashville Bible School, and the aforesaid wandering to the north has been regularly and annually repeated since then. She has stayed with us through bright and cloudy weather,and some one said she has become a fixture of the school. Not so--but this is not the place for prophecy, though it might be said that sometimes "coming events cast their shadows before." Miss Cowan is of a conversational turn of mind--womanlike in that--and she has been known to reason with the highest dignitaries if she thought her point well taken. She has also been a leader among her girl associates. Industrious, energetic, amiable, she possesses such independence and originality of character, crowned with sincerity and true womanliness, that it may be well said of her: "Here is a woman." Her consistent work, faithfulness, and general excellence will be in part rewarded when on Commencement Day she delivers the Valedictory. Hasten the day; we will be glad to see her do it.
+ + +
W. C. Terry, Oneida, Tenn.
Calliopean; Third Year; Intersociety Debater.
Claude is from the mountains--East Tennessee, they say-- where the sun peeps out now and then. He came to school, a lad hardly grown, and has been a factor in the life of the institution ever since. Not such a power at first, maybe, for growth is the law; and this man has grown, until now Terry is one of the powers of the student body. His is a freely endowed nature, yet kind and true, though not known as such to all, for Claude has not been overzealous in cultivating the friendships of the many. It is a way of his, this apparent coldness; but there was never a warmer friend. He is capable of sympathy worthy of a man. Claude is independent, capable, logical, at the same time kindhearted and courageous. He is one of those whom the world needs. Claude, let your powers be used to the glory of the greatest things in the world. We know thee. Thou canst do none else
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and prove true thyself as revealed to those who have been with thee through thick and through thin, in strife and in peace. We honor thee as our efficient president and a true Senior. Thou hast our love.
+ + +
Mother was the first president of the Kappa Nu Society at the Nashville Bible School. Before this time, all girls belonged to the Sigma Rho Society, and when the school administration decided to have two societies for the girls, Mother was selected to choose for the Kappa Nu Society. Mother loved tennis and was considered one of the better players in the school.
Daddy was a good baseball player. He played for the Calliopean Society team in school and later for the Oneida Independent team.
Mother and Daddy loved the Nashville Bible School, and our family grew up listening to many stories of their friends and happy times at the school.
Daddy served in the Navy during World War One at Pensacola, Florida.
When Mother and Daddy married, they lived in Oneida at the corner of Fourth and Carson Streets. The house then faced Carson Street. We lived in this house until the fall of 1939 when we moved to the new brick house on Highway 27. Mrs. Bea Huff now lives in the Highway 27 house.
Mother was an active citizen, belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, Parent Teacher Association, and taught a Sunday School class at the Oneida Church of Christ. Mother's first call and duty was to her family. I can never remember when I could not turn to my mother for strength and support. She said she was a "Jeffersonian Democrat", but in later years when I was active in politics, she worked the polls for me and voted in the Republican Primary.
Daddy was a Mason, member of the American Legion, Kiwanis Club, and served three terms as Mayor of the Town of Oneida in the early 1920's. During his term as mayor, a new brick railroad depot was built, a city water and sewage system was constructed,and the first concrete streets were paved. The streets were paid for by a special property tax, and Daddy said that several people were against him because of this tax. Daddy was a successful businessman. He was in the store and coal business until 1925, when he opened Terry Motor Company as a Chevrolet dealership in Oneida. He was an original stockholder of the First Trust and Savings Bank of Oneida, served as the Vice President for several years, and was President of the bank at his death. Daddy worked hard and
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long hours. I know now that he was under great pressure from the Depression, but he and Mother never discussed before the family any serious trouble.
Daddy was not active in the Church when we were young, and I can remember Mother walking us to Sunday School while Daddy stayed home and read the paper. Mother said that I said that I would be glad when I was grown and a daddy and could stay home and read the funnies. In later years, Daddy became very active in the Church and taught a Sunday School class and served as an Elder of the Oneida Church of Christ.
Mother and Daddy had three children:
I. Jane Terry b. 9/24/1921 married Ralph Edward Hoffman, b. 4/6/1921, on 3/28/1948, at the Claude Terry home in Oneida. She and Ralph adopted two children:
(1) George William Hoffman b. 8/2/1959 married Valerie Inez Terry 1/27/1984.
(2) Margaret Colleen Hoffman b. 2/10/1961, married DeWayne Anthony (Tony) Shannon 3/23/1984.
Jane attended Oneida Public Schools, graduated from David Lipscomb High School of Nashville, graduated from David Lipscomb College of Nashville, then a junior college, and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B. S. in Home Economics. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She taught school at Mountain City, Tennessee; Oneida, Tennessee; and Hancock, Maryland. She and Ralph moved to Oneida and purchased the Western Auto Store. They built the store into one of Oneida's largest and most successful retail establishments.
I will forever be grateful to Jane for the care she gave Mother, and the care she continues to give Mom Terry.
II. George Alvin Terry, b. 12/19/1926, married Sarah Ellen Winn, b. 3/5/1929, on 6/9/1950. I will cover my family in the next chapter.
III. William Claude Terry, Jr., b. 2/4/1929, married Fayrene Sexton, b. 5/21/1933. They have four children:
(1) Gail Sue Terry, b. 7/30/1956 married John Hemphill on 4/18/1981.
(2) Patricia Lou Terry, b. 10/15/1959.
(3) Wilda Jane Terry b. 6/18/1963.
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(4) William Claude Terry, III, b. 1/7/1968.
As long as I can remember, Claude Terry, Jr. has been called "Jumby". Mother said that this was because when he was small he pronounced Junior as Jumby, and when asked his name, he would say William Claude Terry, Jumby, Jumby, Jumby. He attended the Oneida Public Schools, graduated from Columbia Military Academy, Columbia, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He played football at Oneida High School and Columbia Military Academy. He was a Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps during the Korean War. He served one term as a member of the Oneida School Board.
Jumby and I played together growing up, and we have remained very close all our lives. We have been associated together in business at the Ben Franklin Store and Terry Motor Company.
The Sextons were early settlers in Scott County, and Fayrene has a good family record.
The George Alvin Terry Family
George Alvin Terry, b. 12/19/1926, married Sarah Ellen Winn, b. 3/5/1929, on 6/9/1950 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the home of her parents.
Sarah has an excellent history of her family,and she is an active member of the D.A.R. She attended Jere Baxter Elementary School in Nashville, and graduated from Isaac Litton High School of Nashville. She attended George Peabody College of Nashville for one year, worked at the National Life Insurance Company for one year, attended Watkins Institute of Nashville at night for one year, then attended the University of Tennessee for one year before we married. She was a pledge of Phi Mu Sorority at the University. She
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has been a homemaker for our family our entire marriage. She is an active member and Sunday School teacher of the Church of Christ, has been a member several school organizations where our children attended school, and has supported me with her love and loyalty every day of our marriage.
I attended the public schools of Oneida and graduated from Columbia Military Academy of Columbia, Tennessee. I played basketball and football at Oneida High School. I played football at Columbia Military Academy until I was injured my junior year. I served as manager of the football team my senior year, 1944. I was a member of the band at Oneida and Columbia, playing a clarinet.
After I graduated in June, 1944, I joined the Army Reserve and attended the University of Alabama and Auburn University as a member of the Army Specialized Training Program. Upon reaching my eighteenth birthday in December, 1944, I reported for active duty in the Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. I took my basic training at Fort Knox, attended Officers Candidate School, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Armored Force. I was sent to Germany in December of 1945 and spent the year in 1946 in Germany as a member of the Occupation Forces. I remember I spent my nineteenth birthday on a troop t