S02V Number 30 1999 /■ ' i ' '; ■ Williamson County Historical Society Number 30 1999 Williamson County Historical Society Executive Committee President Andrew B. Miller Vice President Bob Canaday Secretary Marjorie Hales Treasurer Jane Trabue County Historian la McDaniel Bowman Historical Markers Chairman Ridley Wills II Publications Chairman Richard Warwick The Williamson County Historical Society Journal is published annually by the Williamson County Historical Society, P.O. Box 71, Franklin, TN 37065. Copyright ©1999 by WilUamson County Historical Society. Permission to reproduce portions of this publication is granted providek attribution is given. Annual membership in the Williamson County Historical Society is $12.00 for indivi'duals; $15.00 for families. From the President V Editor's Note vu John B. McEwen j by Lula Fain Moran Major| Williamson Coimty Honor|RoU Series The Review Appeal, March 15,1998 | Virginia Carson Jefferson (1894-1993) i Virginia Carson, by Horace German; | 15 The Night Watch; The Review Appeal, September 27,1934 The Confederate Monument I 20 The Williamson County News, 1899 Two Centuries at Meeting of the Waters 28 by Ridley WiUs 11 The Capture of Aaron Burr by Nicholas Perkins 38 by Hugh Walker I The Nashville Tennessean Magazine, November 10,1963 Abram Maury, The Founder of Franklin 44 by Louise Davis i The Nashville Tennessean Magazine, October 3,1948 The Carl Family of Williamson Coimty, Termessee 48 by A1 Mayfield | 111 iv Williamson County Historical Society Journal The Carothers Family 55 by Davis Carothers Hill A Large and Respectable Family: William Thomas and His Kin 72 by Philip jFarrington Thomas Williamson Courity Fairs 81 by Rick Warwick Williamson Courity during the Civil War 91 by Rick Warwick Second Hour of Glory 95 compiled!by Marshall Morgan Index All to often our "fast food" culturei under centurions foij historical preservation. We are values the importance of history. In many charged with three crucial duties: 1) uncover and ways, we are lucky to live in a county that interpret our jjast, 2) preserve and promote our draws so much of its identity from its rich heritage. findings, and{ 3) make records of today for Even as our conummity accelerates down the road tomorrow. ■ of development and progress, there exists in The WCHS jshould continue to lead the way in Williamson County an appreciation and affection local historical research. For example Rick Warwick for its historical connections. This affinity for things has recently completed an indepth research into the of old is evident in our schools, churches, civic African American history of Williamson County orgairizations, government bodies, and in the lives and has completed a manuscript on the subject of many citizens. j titled "Williamson County: In Black and White." As Franklin and Williamson County c|elebrate Likewise, through the generous support of the their two centuries of achievement and sirnultane- many WCHS members, there are presently 168 ously prepare to enter the next millennium there historic markers throughout Williamson Coimty will be numerous celebrations and ceremonies to which identify areas and events of historical sigirif- mark the day and highlight the achieveihents of icance. This feill a new book sponsored by the our forerunners. Historically speaking, there is WCHS will bej published by Hillsboro Press that much to be proud of in Williamson County. includes the marker text and historic photographs However, I would like to offer this word of of the county along with a driving tour of the caution. Be certain, only being mindful of one's markers. history is not enough. If we are merely content to The active cjollection and donation of new mate standby and simply admire our community's past rials for the Vj^CHS archives gives historians of we will, over time, loose our perspective! for the futrure generations the data in which to make accu present and our vision for the future.! To the rate interpretation. contrary, we should be earnest in the piirsuit of Our historical society has accomplished much historical study fervent in its support, and active in of which we can be proud. Let us be sure that we its promotion. ; continue the essential work of examination, preser As lovers of history and members j of the vation, and documentation. Williamson County Historical Society, we hold a ' Andrew B. Miller special position. It is our duty to lead the i fight as June 1999 V n October 26,1999 Williamson County will In previous years, the Journal has been dedi jbegin its bicentermial. With this issue, the cated,from time to time,to individuals who deserve Society has recorded segments ] of the special recognition. In this our bicentennial year, it county's history in thirty volumes. The first issue would seem appropriate to look back two centuries appeared in 1970 with Mary Sneedi Jones, and recognize two citizens, one each century, for Publication Chairman, and George Watson, their outstanding and overall contributions to President of the Society. In revisiting back issues, it Williamson County. As the first two articles will is remarkable how many interesting, informative hopefully justify, John B. McEwen of the nineteenth articles there are and somewhat saddening to century and Virginia Carson Jefferson of the twen realize how many contributors of those early arti tieth century m'erit these laurels. As models for the cles are no longer physically with us. j present and future generations of Williamson During the last thirty years, Williamson I Coimty Coimty,few could serve as better examples. has experienced imbelievable growth,from a popu Subsequent articles include a newspaper lation in 1970 of 34,000 to over 100,000 at present. We description of the dedication of the Confederate have witnessed in three decades the destruction of Monument one hundred years ago this I many historical sites, the disappearance of the rural November 30th, the histories of four pioneer countryside, and the general lessening of the quality families-Carl, Carothers, Perkins and Thomas, of life enjoyed by previous generations. Our county county fairs, local government during the Civil has been transformed from an agricultural! society War, Marshall Morgan's description of the filming that produced food to a suburban one that primarily of the "Second. Battle of Franklin" and Louise provides houses for people. With the steadfastness Davis's article ■ on Abram Maury, FrankUn's first of the httle Dutch boy holding back the water, the developer. The Journal strives to provide a Society has quietly compiled three volumes which variety of subject matter and it would appear document the over 800 county cemeteries, co- diversity has been achieved. published a book on National Register properties, reprinted the 1878 Beers map, and, since 1991, i Good Reading. erected over eighty historical markers. I Rick Warwick, Editor vu McEwen by Liila Fain Moran Major Williamson County Honor Roll Series I ^ The Review-Appeal | I March 15,1998 I John B. McEwen was a lawyer, an agriculturist, When he was in his twenty-first year, he came to an astute businessman, and mayor of Franklin Franklin where, on March 4, 1841, he began the for the four war years, 1861-1865. He served one study of law under the distinguished lawyer, John two-year term, 1873-1875, as superintendent of Marshall. Before studying law, John B. McEwen public instruction for Williamson County without worked on his father's farm and attended his compensation. He was owner and developer of the father's mill, j Fernvale Springs Resort and developed, or laid out, Upon comp)leting his studies, he secured his a subdivision known as McEwen's Addition. When license to practice law from Nathaniel Green, McEwen died Jan. 14, 1903, a friend wrote that Thomas Turjey and William B. Reese. Thomas he deserved the name of "useful citizen" of Logan -vyas his first law partner in 1841-42, the community. but in the latter year he and David John Brown McEwen, second son Campbell formed a partnership. Later, of Christopher Ervin and Rebecca the law firm became Campbell, Brown McEwen who married in McEwen, and Bullock. They prac- 1815, was bom on Spencer's Creek jticed in Hickman, Cheatham and about two and one-half miles 1 ! Williamson coimties. northeast of Franklin on October On the first Monday in April 12, 1820. When he was born, his 1855, the Quarterly Court of father had not yet built the brick Williamson County appointed house now known as Aspen Grove. John S. Claybrooke, John B. His father (1790-1868) was born McEwen, near Danville, Ky, and came to the John B. McEwen Beverly B. Franklin area in 1798 with his parents, j Toon, Lemuel David and Margaret Ervin McEwen. Farmer and Constant W. Davis as Christopher E. McEwen served with ! commissioners. Their duty was to select a Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Rebecca site for aj new county courthouse, adopt a Brown McEwen (1799-1827) was a sister bf Gov. plan for the budding, and determine the probable Aaron V. Brown. I cost of its erection. They were to report to the next John B. McEwen's early education was in a log Quarterly Court. This is the courthouse that stands schoolhouse on the farm of his rmcle, John Lapsley today. McEwen. This was near his home and may have In 1876, Mr. McEwen retired from his law prac been the school referred to as Old Beech Grove tice because of failing health. In the sources Academy where,it was written, he studied under an consulted, it is not clear whether he was attorney able educator, Eben L. Crocker, and with teachers, for the L & N Railroad and for the National Bank of Joseph McMahon Woodard and Jefferson Walker.