Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Continued from yesterday. September 9 : *For sale, the 250 acre tract where Dr. Mark B. Sappington now lives at the mouth of White Creek.  Roger B. Sappington. *Edward Swanson gives public notice that Absalom Tatum is his agent in securing witnesses concerning the pre-emption of his land in Williamson County. *Died at Wilkinsonville on Thursday the 20th, Col. David Strong of the 2nd United States Regiment. October 28: *The banns of matrimony were published for Jacob Black and Sally White. *Wanted, a miller.  James Winchester. November 11: *On the 8th of January, 1802, there will be a public sale in Robertson County of the 640 acres on Buzzard Creek belonging to John Ellis. The property was taken at the influence of George Gordon.  Jas. Menees, S.R.C. December 2: *A brown horse was stolen from Jesse Hudson on Dry Creek, Davidson County.  There is a generous reward upon its return. *Henry Beeler was convicted of horse stealing in the Superior Court of...

Continued from yesterday.... April 1: At the beginning of every month, the newspaper listed letters remaining at the Nashville Post Office.  The list was longer than usual in April, which makes me wonder if the winter had kept people at home. *Lost on March 14, a black leather pocket book, on the road leading from Nashville to Capt. Jostlins.  John Pierce. *Charles Robinson has opened a tavern on the Big Harpeth, twelve miles from Nashville on the road leading from there to Natchez. *On Saturday last while trying to turn a boat, a man by the name of Weiser was killed in an accident at Neely's Bend. May 6: *John Collins informs the public he can cure the rupture in persons aged 1 to 45 years.  No cure, no pay. *$10 if found in Tennessee, $25 if found in another state.  Two mares stolen in Williamson County near Franklin. Jesse Tarkinton. June 3:* Reward of $15 for mare strayed from Jeseph Tarkington on Otter Creek, Davidson County. *A general assortmen...

I love reading old newspapers and imagining 'the rest of the story.' Recently, I found a book at the Florence/Lauderdale Public Library compiled by Sherida K. Eddlemon that had articles from various newspapers between 1791-1808. The author hoped that Genealogical Abstracts from Tennessee Newspapers would be used to find relatives that might not be listed anywhere else. The following excerpts are from 1801, when there was no telephones, no telegraphs, no televisions, no cars, and not many roads. I'm trying to refrain from commenting on every item; you can do that for yourself, but I have to wonder about some of these. The times, they have changed!  January 14: *Charles Robinson has opened a tavern on Big Harpeth twelve miles from Nashville.  *Joseph Lack, tailor, has commenced business in the log house next to MESSRS. TWIG and STOTHART.  *Richard Cross has opened a house of private entertainment. February 11: * I am empowered to sell for John G. Blou...