CHEEK (Chick, Cheke, Cheeke) FAMILY

1 Hugh Cheke b. unknown d. about 1250, m. Unknown

Child of Hugh Cheeke and Unknown is: i. Richard2 Cheke, born 1548; died Unknown

2 Richard Cheke b. Unknown, d. Unknown. m. Unknown Children Richard Cheke and unknown are: i Edward3 Cheke b. Unknown, d. unknown

3 Edward Cheke b. Unknown, d. Unknown. m. Unknown.

Children of Edward Cheke and unknown are: i. John4 Cheke b. Unknown, d. unknown

(John Cheke b. Unknown, d. Unknown. m. Unknown.

Children of John Cheke and unknown are: i. John5 Cheke (II) b. Unknown, d. unknown

John5 Cheke (II) b. unknown, d. Unknown. m. Unk Glamorgan, She b. unknown, d. Unknown

Children of John Cheke and Unk Glamorgan are: i. Peter6 Cheke, born 1548; died Unknown. ii. David Cheeke, born unknown, died Unknown.

Peter6 Cheke b. Unknown, d. Unknown. m. Agnes Dufford. She b. unknown, d Unknown.

Children of Peter Cheke and Agnes Dufford are: i. John (Sir)7 Cheke, born June 16, 1514 in Cambridge, England; died September 13, 1557 in London,England ii. Anne Cheke, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iii. Alice Cheke, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iv. Elizabeth Cheke, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. v. William Cheke, born 1520; b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vi. Magdalen Cheke, b. Unknown d. Unknown..

John (Sir)7 Cheke b. June 16, 1514 in Cambridge, England, d. September 13, 1557 in London, England. m. Mary Hill. She b. 1532, d. 1616. Children of John Cheke and Mary Hill are: i. Henry8 Cheeke, born 1548; died Unknown. ii. John Cheeke, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iii. Edward Cheeke, b. Unknown d. Unknown..

Henry8 Cheeke b. 1548, d. Unknown. m. Francis Radcliff, daughter of Humphrey Radcliffe and Isabel Harvey. She b. Unknown d. Unknown. Children of Henry Cheeke and Francis Radcliff are: + i. Thomas (Sir)9 Cheek, born 1590 in England; died March 22, 1658/59 in London, England. ii. Elizabeth Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown. iii. Hatton (Sir) Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iv. Henry Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. v. Frances Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vi. Anne Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vii. Isabel Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown..

Thomas (Sir)9 Cheek born 1590 in England, d. March 22, 1658/59 in London, England. m. (1) Essex

(Warwick) Rich. She d. Unknown. m. (2) Anne Osborne in St Albans. She b. about 1600, d. Unknown. Page 1

Children of Thomas Cheek and Essex Rich are: i. Thomas10 Cheek, died 1688. ii. Charles Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iii. Robert Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iv. Anthony Cheek, born about 1624; died 1670 in Virginia. v. Isabel Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vi. Essex Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vii. Anne Cheek, died Unknown.

Anthony10 Cheek born about. 1624, and died 1670 in Virginia1.

Children of Anthony Cheek is: i John Cheek, born Abt. 1650; died 1720

.John11 Cheek b. about 1650, d. 1720, m. Sinor Dyer. She died Unknown. Children of John Cheek and Sinor Dyer are: i. Richard Cheek born 1695 in St Georges Parrish, Spotsylvanie Co. Va. died Sept 29, 1743 in Beauford Co. NC. Ii John Cheek II born 1699. Died unknown.

Richard12 Cheek b. in St Georges Parrish, Spotsylvania Co, VA, d. September 29, 1743 in Beaufort CO., NC. m. Jane Randolph 1720 in Spotsylvania Co., VA. She b. February 21, 1693/94 in Hinton Waldrist, Berkshire, England, d. April 30, 1745 in Beaufort CO., NC.

Children of Richard Cheek and Jane Randolph are: i. John Burney13 Cheek, born 1720; died 1783 in Anson NC. ii. James Cheek, born 1730; died Unknown.

John Burney13 Cheek b. before 1720, d. 1783 in Anson Co., NC. m. Sarah T Harp. d. Unknown.

(Note 1. John Burney Cheek children listed below: This is not the proven father of Jeremiah and Jesse. DNA testing shows a close relationship between these families and it is thought that perhaps John of Anson CO is

the father, therefore genealogy prior to Jesse14 Cheek listed here may or may not be correct.) (Note 2. See footnote at bottom of this document pertaining to Jeremiah Cheek’s son Elisha (Eli).

Children of John Cheek and Sarah Harp are: i. John14 Cheek, born 1740; died Unknown. ii. Randolph Cheek, born 1741; died Unknown. iii. Jesse Cheek, born Bef. 1775 in Orange Co., NC; died 1829 in Maury Co., TN. iv Jeremiah Cheek, born 1775 in Orange Co., NC; died Aft. July 04, 1823 in Bedford (Marshall) Co. (3G Grandfather) Jesse14 Cheek b. before 1775 in Orange Co., NC, d. 1829 in Maury Co., TN. m. (1) Unknown Bef. 1801. She d. Unknown. m. (2) Suzannah Prangle March 09, 1810 in Jefferson Co., TN. She b. in Jefferson City, Jefferson Co., TN, d. Unknown. m. (3) Polly Unknown after 1814. She d. Unknown.

Children of Jesse Cheek and Unknown are: i. John Lillie "Jackie"15 Cheek, born October 01, 1801 in N C; died October 02, 1873 in . Cheek Bend, Maury Co. TN ii. Elias Cheek, born 1804; died Unknown.

(Great Great Grandfather) John Lillie "Jackie"15 Cheek b. October 01, 1801 in N C, d. October 02, 1873 in Cheek Bend, Maury Co., TN. m. Elizabeth Rhyne September 26, 1830 in Maury Co., TN. She b. March 29, 1816, d. May 22, 1905 in Cheek Bend, Maury Co., TN.

Children of John Cheek and Elizabeth Rhyne are: + i. Oran Pearson16 Cheek, born May 27, 1831 in Maury Co., TN; died March 25, 1902. ii. Jesse D Cheek, born December 12, 1832; died June 24, 1921. 28 iii. Polk Cheek, born 1834; died 1864. (iii and vi seem to have been called same name but different dates of birth, information, etc.) Page 2

More About Polk Cheek: Military service: CSA Note: Died in Civil War at the Battle of Franklin, TN

iv. Eli A Cheek, born 1836; died 1864. v. John Cheek, born 1840; died Unknown (supposedly in the Civil War) vi. Calvin Modrell Cheek, born 1842; died May 16, 1864 in Resaca, GA.

Notes for Calvin Modrell "Polk" Cheek: "On May 15th on the picket line at Resaca, Ga. occurred an incident that it seems strange, was not ofuncommon occurrance during the Civil War. Calvin M Cheek spied the Federal picket a short distance off, and took a shot at him, which was also returned in due time by the Federal. These two soldiers kept this up until about 20 shots where exchange, neither takin two shots to the other's one, or as the soldiers called it, 'they took shot about'. This duel did not end with the usual saluation, 'Goodbye, Yank' and 'Goodbye, Reb', for the Yank had the last shot, which struck young Cheek in the bowel, from which he died the next day. Cheek had just attained manhood, and was a great favorite with the whole regiment as well as with the Duck River Riflemen." (Frank Smith, THE CIVIL WAR IN MAURY CO., TENNESSEE, p 90)

More About Calvin Modrell "Polk" Cheek: Military service: Sgt Co G, 24th Tenn Inf. Better known as the "Duck River Riflemen" CSA Note: Died in Civil War at Resaca, GA

+ vii. America Parthena "Merrika" Cheek, born 1844; died March 25, 1892. viii. Martha Elizabeth Cheek, born February 20, 1848; died March 28, 1904. ix. Isabell Cheek, born 1850; died 1850. x. Van Daley (Della) Cheek, born October 10, 1852; died December 28, 1885. She married Thomas Jefferson Tindell November 07, 1867; born May 02, 1845; died April 16, 1932. Marriage: November 07, 1867 + xi. Nimrod "Nim" Porter Cheek, born April 20, 1857; died March 18, 1959. + xii. Lillian Hiles Cheek, born July 18, 1859; died May 11, 1962.

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Children of John Lillie “Jackie” Cheek and Elizabeth “Betsy” Rhyne: (Those who produced no children are not included, see above for information)

Oran Pearson Cheek b. May 27, 1831 in Maury Co., TN, d. March 25, 1902. m. Susan I Huey August 17, 1854. She b: Feb 17, 1868 d: Jan 6 1908.

Children of Oran Cheek and Susan Huey are: + i. Eliza Jane17 Cheek, born 1855; died 1904. + ii. Susan Elizabeth Cheek, born June 23, 1857 in Maury Co., TN; died May 22, 1921 in Maury Co., TN. + iii. William Lillie "Buck" Cheek, born April 09, 1859; died January 04, 1944. iv. Calvin Brown Cheek, born September 23, 1865; died March 07, 1931. + v. James Milton Cheek, born April 14, 1868; died May 07, 1946. + vi. Ida Lee Cheek, born October 07, 1870; died June 16, 1953. + vii. John Pearson "Porter" Cheek, born December 09, 1873; died June 27, 1945. + viii. Joseph E Johnson Cheek, born February 23, 1875; died November 20, 1941. ix. Lennis Estelle Cheek, born July 17, 1879; died June 02, 1952.

Jesse D. Cheek b. December 12, 1832, d. June 24, 1921. m. (1) Mary Ann Hardison May 05, 1859, daughter of Charles Hardison and Hannel Daniel. She b. July 07, 1834, d. June 14, 1874. m. (2) Rebecca E Manire July 23, 1874. She b: 1 Oct 1 1834 d: 18 Feb 1880 m. (3) Mary Wilson ca. 1880/81. She b: 12 Oct 1844 d: 16 Oct 1882 m. (4) Cordelia C Watson January 13, 1881. She b: 30 Jan 1844 d: 25 Nov 1911

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More About Jesse D Cheek: Military service: Bet. 1861 - 1865, Company B, 48th Tenn Inf. CSA

Children of Jesse Cheek and Mary Hardison are: + i. Alice I17 Cheek, born August 07, 1860; died September 10, 1956 ii. Charles L Cheek, born 1866; died May 18, 1962. iii. Jesse Oslin "Dock" Cheek, born March 11, 1870; died September 23, 1960. iv. John Calvin Cheek, born April 05, 1873; died April 23, 1956.

Eli (Elisha?) A. Cheek b. 1836, d. 1864 in Civil War. m. unknown

Child of Eli A Cheek is: + i. Leanah17 Cheek, b. Unknown d. Unknown..

America Parthena "Merrika"16 Cheek b. 1844, d. March 25, 1892. m. Charles "Ruff" Rhyne December 27, 1863. He b: 1843 d: Unknown.

Children of America Cheek and Charles Rhyne are: 17 i. Andrew Rhyne, born 1866; died Unknown. ii. Jesse Rhyne, born 1868; died Unknown. iii. Lillie Rhyne, born 1873; died Unknown. iv. Della Rhyne, born 1875; died Unknown. v. John Rhyne, born 1881; died Unknown.

Martha Elizabeth “Betty” Cheek b. February 20, 1848, d. March 28, 1904. m. Hampton Jeremiah Hardison August 10, 1865. He b.:3 Apr 1848 d: 15 Aug 1932.

Child of Martha Cheek and Hampton Hardison is: i. Gertie17 Hardison, born May 02, 1894; died July 18, 1933.

Nimrod "Nim" Porter Cheek b. April 20, 1857, d. March 18, 1959. m. (1) Cornelia C Gilliam November 15, 1876. She b: 19 Jun 1861 d: 28 Dec 1897. m. (2) Effie Jane Morton September 15, 1890. She b: 6 Jan 1869 d: 7 Jan 1948.

Children of Nimrod Cheek and Cornelia Gilliam are: i. John William Harrison17 Cheek, born April 28, 1877; died December 19, 1900. ii. Houston Nimrod Cheek, born August 06, 1880; died November 19, 1967. iii. Corda Lee Cheek, born September 07, 1884; died January 14, 1948. ii. Arthur Bruce Cheek, born August 11, 1885; died March 09, 1940.

Children of Nimrod Cheek and Effie Morton are: i. Hettie Ann17 Cheek, born May 09, 1892; died Unknown. She married Clarence B Hardison; b. Unknown d. Unknown.. ii. Ruby America Cheek, born November 22, 1893; died Unknown. iii. Maggie Chesney Cheek, born July 06, 1895; died May 27, 1896. iii. Mary Cornelia Cheek, born December 05, 1897; died August 28, 1988. She married Fred Allen Green; b. Unknown d. Unknown..

Lillian Hiles Cheek b. July 18, 1859, d. May 11, 1962. m. James Hardin "Grit" Hardison between September 07, 1875 - 1876. b: 12 Jun 1859 d: 13 Aug 1907.

Children of Lillian Cheek and James Hardison are: 7 i. Nim Porter Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. ii. Ophelia Vanatti Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iii. Robert Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. iv. Houston Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. v. Unknown Dgtr Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. She married Unknown Hardison; b. Unknown d. Unknown.. vi. Unknown Dgtr Hardison, b. Unknown d. Unknown.. She married F A Green; b. Unknown d. Unknown..

(Great Grandmother) Page 4

Van Daley (Della?) “Vannie” Cheek b: 10 Oct 1852 d: 28 Dec 1935 m. Thomas Jefferson Tindell November 07, 1867

Children of Van Daley Cheek and Thomas Jefferson Tindell are: 3 George Washington Tindell b: 4 May 1869 D: 30 Apr 1933. + Lula Wilcox Liggett b: 25 Dec 1873 d: 28 Mar 1948. Both are buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 4 Fannie Mai Tindell b: 20 Aug 1893 d: 4 Apr 1991. + George Leonard Rummage b: 24 Mar 1890 d: 25 Feb 1973. Both are buried Morton Cemetery. 5 Thomas Tindell Rummage b: 19 Jan 1915 d: 18 Jul 2000. + Mary Louise Cheek b: 10 Dec 1915 d: 10 Nov 2005. Both are buried Morton Cemetery. 6 Valton Wade Rummage b: 15 May 1936 + Nellie Weaver b: 13 May 1938 7 Freda Joy Rummage b: 23 Mar 1957 + Wayne Dean b: NFI 7 Ronnie Wade Rummage b: 9 Mar 1959 + Pamela C. Flowers b: NFI 7 Mary Ann Rummage B: 22 Dec 1960 + James T. Scroggins b: NFI + Hall Pressnell b: NFI 6 Landon Cheek Rummage b: 25 Apr 1940 + Barbara Foster b: NFI 7 Timothy Landon Rummage b: 9 May 1961 + Carrie Lee Lovett b: NFI 4 Vannie King Tindell b: 25 Mar 1899 d: 10 Aug 1974. + Oslin Gurley Cheek b: 26 Aug 1895 d: 10 Nov 1967. Both are buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 5 Martha Virginia Cheek b: 26 Nov 1920 + Clyde Hunter Cathey b: 22 Feb 1918 d: 4 Dec 1984. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 6 Carol Ann Cathey b: 18 Sept 1940 + John William Talley b: NFI 7 Cathey Denise Talley b: 24 Nov 1959 +Bradford Leon Clark b: 3 Feb 1961 + Ken Sweeney b: NFI + Jerry Knox Murdock b: 14 Oct 1940 7 Mark Jason Murdock b: 29 Mar 1974 + Cecilia Omdal b: 15 Oct ?? (will be 36) 8 Sonia Omdal Murdock b: 17 May 2010 6 Jackie Cheek Cathey b: 28 Oct 1942 + Earline McKinney b: 4 Nov 1944 7 Lisa Carol Cathey b: 17 Apr 1966 + Tim Edward Harber b: 18 Dec 1965 8 Nathan Hunter Harber b: 19 Dec 1991 + Hugh Smith b: 3 Oct ?? 8 Grace Cathey Smith b: 9 Feb 2000 8 Macy Elizabeth Smith b: 9 Feb 2000 7 Julie Lynn Cathey b: 13 Jun 1969 + Dwight Briggs b: 21 Apr 1968 8 Matthew Dwight Briggs b: 13 May 1991 8 Benjamin Tyler Briggs b: 28 Apr 1994

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+ William Allen Hallenberg b: NFI 8 Allie Carolyn Hallenberg b: 17 Apr 2010 7 Jennifer Beth Cathey b: 4 Oct 1977 + Wesley Heath Giles b: NFI 8 Carter Heath Giles b: 12 Dec 2004 8 Elise Cathey Giles b: 2 Apr 2009 5 Vannie Tindell Cheek b: 8 May 1930 + Richard Edward Street b: 21 Nov 1924 d: 2 Nov 2006 6 Edward Keith Street b: 18 Nov 1953 + Deborah Ann Lane b: 22 Sep 1954 7 Bryan Lane Street b: 12 Jul 1975 + Amanda Davidson b: 26 Jul 1976 8 Ty Davidson Street b: 10 Feb 2005 8 Taylor Lane Street b: 15 Aug 2008 + Cathy Santana b: NFI 7 Amanda Leigh Street b: 5 Mar 1981 7 Jeremy Keith Street b: 18 Mar 1985 + Sherry McClain b: 5 Oct 1952 d: 15 Nov 2007 6 David Lyle Street b: 21 Sep 1957 + Mitzi Santana b: NFI 7 David Andrew Street b: 8 Mar 1983 + NFI 8 Madison Rose Street b: 26 July 2003 + Virginia Young b: 16 Mar 1955 6 Steven Ray Street b: 19 Mar 1960 + Shari Moss b: NFI 7 Jason Ray Street b: 12 Jun 1981 d: 16 Jun 1999 7 Stephen Drew Street b: 15 Jun 1985

3 Lillie L. Tindell b: 16 Nov 1871 d: 10 Oct 1903. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. Died from child birth complications in Jacksonville Fla.. + Samuel Benjiman Franklin Hardison b: c1868 d: after 1898 in Texas NFI Seperated from Lillie. She to Florida, he to Texas. Texas location, date of death and burial location NFI. Son of Ira (b. 5/12/1806) and Mary Gullet Hardison (b. 10/15/1842) Siblings: Mildred Ann (Hardison) b. 1863, Robert Ira Hardison b. 1866, Mary Ida (Baxter) b 1871, Mort b. 1874, Ella May (Frank) b. 1879, Emily Jane b. NFI,. 4 Ida Mai Hardison b: 17 May 1891 d: 10 Apr 1923. + John Henry Gillespie II b: 27 Mar 1876 d: 19 May 1950. Both Buried Bethlehem Cemetery 5 Frances Gillespie b: NFI d: NFI + Bill Orr b: NFI d: NFI 6 Janice Orr b: NFI 6 Mai Orr b: NFI 6 Ann Orr b: NFI 7 Kate Orr b: NFI 5 Hardin Thomas Gillespie b: 28 Oct 1914 d: 17 Oct 2002 + Dorothy W. ????? b: 14 Mar 1919 d: 16 May 1975 Both Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. Page 6

6 Akin Gillespie b: NFI 6 Betty Gillespie b: NFI 5 John Henry Gillespie III b: 12 Sep 1912 d: 28 Oct 1952. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. + Katherine Sharp b: 23 Jun 1920 d: Aug 1 2010. Buried Lone Oak Cemetery. 6 John Henry Gillespie IV b: 10 Oct 1938 d: 2010 Buried Bowden Cemetery. (A Memorial Marker is established at Bethlehem Cemetery.) + Sandra Bowden b: NFI d: NFI. Buried at Bowden Cemetery. 7 John Henry (Jack) Gillespie V b: 7 Aug 1961 d: 10 Aug 1987. Buried Bowden Cemetery. (A Memorial Marker is established at Bethlehem Cemetery.) 5 Harvey Gillespie b: NFI + Donna ????? b: NFI 6 Ginger Gillespie b: NFI + Scott Tepedino b: NFI 7 Bella Tepedino b: NFI 6 Barbara Gillespie b: b: NFI + Brad Medley b: NFI 7 Mary Medley b: NFI 7 Grace Medley b: 18 Aug 1992 7 Will Medley b: NFI 6 Jill Gillespie b: NFI + Shaun Whaley b: NFI 7 Jack Whaley b: NFI +John Karby b: NFI 4 Benjamin Thomas Hardison b: 6 Mar 1894 d: 15 Dec 1946. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. + Never Married 4 Ethel Hardsion b: 16 Mar 1896 d: 28 Nov 1986. Buried Lone Oak Cemetery. + James Hensley Cheek b: 23 Apr 1890 d: 25 Jan 1975. Buried Lone Oak Cemetery. 5 Jamie Pallen Cheek b: NFI d: NFI + Ira Harrison b: NFI d: NFI 6 NFI 4 Alma Hardison b: 25 Aug 1898 d: 12 Mar 1976. Buried Rose Hill Cemetery. + Ernest Edwin Wright b: 3 Sep 1897 d: 31 May 1981. Buried Rose Hill Cemetery. 5 Hiram Ernest (Pete) Wright b: NFI + Ida Mai (Kit) ????? b: NFI 4 Walter Hardison b: 30 Jul 1903 d: 23 Jan 1941. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. + Lillie (Last name unknown) b: NFI d: NFI 5 No Children

3 Jackson Thomas Tindell b: 3 Sep 1874 d: 15 Sep 1876. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery.

3 Wilburn Thomas Tindell, Sr. b: 17 Apr 1878 d: 16 Mar 1955. + Annie Mai Hendrix b: 23 Oct 1982 d: 16 Jun 1923, Died from complications of child birth. Page 7

Both are buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 4 Mildred Belle Tindell b: 29 Sep 1908 d: 4 May 1996. + Eugene Alexander Sharp b: 14 Sep 1907 d: 12 Aug 1984. Both Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 5 Wayne Sharp b: 24 Mar 1941 + Linda Carol Davis b: 1 Apr 1944 d: 16 Jun 1989 m. May 25, 1968. Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 6 Karen Michelle Sharp b: 17 May 1973 + Joe Ed Swinney, Jr. b: NFI 7 Joe Ed (Trey) Swinney III b: 8 Jan 1993 + Hannah Clair Cross b. April 2, 1994 m. May 27, 2017 + James Lee Stiteler b: 29 May 1969 7 Shelby Lee Stiteler b: 8 Mar 1999 5 Betty Jean Sharp b: 11 May 1943 + James Harold Thomason b: Dec 1932, d: 14 Feb 2008. Buried Lone Oak Cemetery. 4 Wilburn Thomas Tindell, Jr. b: 6 Jun 1923 d: Aug 19, 1975. + Mary Frances Mash b: 21 Jun 1930 d. Apr 19, 2017 m. Apr 4, 1956 Trustee of Bethlehem Cemetery Assoc 41+ years, Both Buried Bethlehem Cemetery. 5 Thomas Henry Tindell b: 25 Jun 1956 + Ida Margaret Barron b: .24 Apr 1961 m. Jan 1989 6 Caitlin Elizabeth Tindell b: 14 Mar 1990 + Codi Rex Messick b. Dec 28 Dec 1988 m. May 30, 2015 6 Thomas Barron Tindell b: 9 Aug 1993 5 Mary Susan Tindell b: 23 Sept 1964 + Charles I. (Chuck) Terry, Jr. b: 15 Jul 1962 6 Jacob Andrew Terry b: 2 Apr 1993 6 Jessica Leah Terry b: 17 Mar 1995 + Jeffrey Jacob Harber b. 26 Feb 1990 m. May 21 2016 6 Jonathan Matthew Terry b: 23 Oct 1996 6 Joshua Stephen Terry b: 5 Jan 2000

3 Henry Madison Tindell b: 24 Oct 1881 d: 6 Oct 1945 + Maple Dean Watson b: 1888 d: 1964. Both Buried Rose Hill Cemetery. 4 No Children

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======Note on Elisha Cheek ELISHA "ELI" CHEEK, Son of Jeremiah Cheek and Tabitha Houston Doyle was born January 23, 1795 in NC, and died January 06, 1858 in Dallas, Missouri. He married Susannah Bills, daughter of Gersham Bills and Mary Polly Hutchins.

In 1799 Elisha Cheek, with whom is connected one of a most interesting incidents in county history, settled on Red River, near the Sumner County Tennessee line.

Cheek, though an octoroon, had a white wife,( The term octoroon referred to a person with one-eighth African/Aboriginal ancestry; that is, someone with family heritage of one biracial grandparent; in other words, one African great-grandparent and seven European great-grandparents.) and brought several slaves with him from Virginia. He purchased about 400 acres of land, upon which he built a mill and distillery, and living upon the road leading from Louisville to Nashville, he kept a hotel known as "Cheek's Stand." Many traders, laden with the proceeds of their sales in the shape of Spanish milled- dollars, returned from New Orleans by the overland route. The trip was a perilous one, as the country was infested with highwaymen. On Cheek's land was a cavern, said to be unfathomable, descending perpendicularly from the surface into the bluff.

On a certain night the dogs of the neighborhood set up a terrific barking and howling, and in the morning they were found around the cavern. Attempts to drive them away only increased their excitement. They would occasionally go home for food, but would immediately return. Among them was a strange dog that never left the spot. On the twelfth day the commotion ceased, and the dogs returned to their homes. Upon examination the strange dog was found to be dead. It was believed by many that a trader had been murdered by Cheek, and that his body had been thrown into the cave to conceal the crime, as a man riding a horse with a dog following had been seen near Cheek's place on the night when the disturbance began. A superstitious dread of the cave existed from that time forth, and it was asserted that the ghost of the murdered man had been repeatedly seen in that vicinity, and that Cheek, for several years before his death, never ventured from his house after dark.

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