NOLENSVILLE 1797-1987:
REFLECTIONS OF A TENNESSEE TOWN

COMPILED BY PEGGY STEPHENSON WILSON
PRODUCED BY NOLENSVILLE RECREATION CENTER, INC., NOLENSVILLE, TENNESSEE

The following quotation taken from Nolensville 1797-1987: Reflections of a Tennessee Town compiled by Peggy Stephenson Wilson.

NOLENSVILLE

	"Nolensville was named for William Nolen, who with his wife Sarah and their five children, were passing through Tennessee in 1797, when forced to stop because of a broken wagon wheel in the area that is now Nolensville.  The rich soil and good hunting changed his mind about moving on to other parts when the wagon wheel was repaired.  He built the first log cabin which is now a part of the Newt McCord home. His peach orchard was the site of the present town.
	William Nolen was born in Albemarle County, Virginia around 1760. He was in North Carolina during the Revolution. He received a land grant for 100 acres on the waters of Mill Creek, August  20, 1804, in consideration of military service performed in the Revolutionary War.
	Eleven more children were born to William and Sarah Cantrell Nolen in Tennessee making them a total of sixteen children: 1. General Lee born 1785 married Mary Turner, 2. Sally born 1767 married a Cantrell and had two children - one son was named William, 3. Stephen born 1790 married Michael [Michel[ Nolen, 4. William Jr., born 1793 married Peggy McCarroll, 5. Delia C. born 1795 married Thomas S. King, 6. Frances born 1802 married James H. Johnson, 7. Nancy born 1802 married a Stanley, 8. John born 1803 married Mary Newsom, 9. Anna S. born 1806 married Littleberry Johnson, 10. Green born 1808 married Frances Morton, 11. Caroline born 1810 married Anderson Johnson, 12. Belinda born 1812 married William Nevins, 13. Emily born 1815 married Baalem Barnes, 14. Zebulon, and 15. Auslem were twins born in 1817, 16. Sarah born 1818 married Godfrey Newsom. 
	It is said that while the parents worked, cow bells were tied around the children's necks to protect them from the Indians and from getting lost in a nearby cave.
	He was a juror in 1812 in the famous trial of the Magness brothers charged in the murder of Andrew Jackson's friend, Patton Anderson. William Nolen served on the third trial and like the first two, it lasted one week and ended with a verdict of not guilty. But the Magness brothers still had to serve time because they could not come up with the money for court costs.
	The earliest record of town lots being sold was in 1829. One lot conveyed from William Nolen to George Barnes, one half acre lot for the sum of fifty-five dollars. In 1822, William Nolen was granted a license to keep an Ordinary at his residence.
	William Nolen served in the Revolutionary War and was granted land in the new territory for his services to the military. He continued to serve in the militia in Tennessee. We have record of four land grants which were either registered to William Nolen or bought by him, as follows:
	
	1. Grant #1066 to William Nolen in the amount of 100 acres was surveyed in December 1808. This was a grant purchased from Major Rupell, 	#94, dated August 20, 1804 and entered on September 5, 1807.
	2. Grant #97 purchased from Pvt. William Gooch, no amount of land given.
	3. Grant #957  purchased from Pvt. William Gooch, no amount of land given.
	4 A grant dated April 1798 purchased from Jason Thompson, no amount of land given, This was entered May 22, 1798.
	
	There are possibly others but we have no listing at this time. In addition to the purchase of land grants from other military personnel. William Nolen was quite active in the trading of real estate. In 1800, the property tax list indicates that William Nolen owned 120 acres on Mill Creek.
	Much speculation has persisted over the years as to just where William Nolen, Sr., lived in what is now Nolensville. According to Rosa Lane Williams, a great-great granddaughter of John Nolen, brother to William, under date of 1975, she states: "He (William Nolen Sr.,) built the first log cabin in Nolensville which is now a part of the Newt McCord home." There is no concrete proof that this is the first cabin William Nolen built but boundaries indicate that William was living at what is now the McCord home at the time of his death in 1850. We also know that he owned land on both sides of the Nashville-Nolensville Turnpike. We also have proof that he did own most of the land where the town of Nolensville proper is situated.  
	  We know that William Nolen ran a tavern. Webster gives us one definition of an "ordinary" as being a tavern or eating place, especially one that serves meals on a regular basis. The exact location of this tavern is not known. We find in a write-up of Annie Nolen Johnson where she states that her father kept an inn and she enjoyed seeing the many different people who passed through the town. This was about 1822.
	In 1818, William Nolen set up a plan for the town of Nolensville and marked his land off in lots of from one quarter acre to three acres. Lots in this plan numbered one through twenty-four. No record has been uncovered where this was filed with the clerk's office, however, when the court house was remodeled during Tom Tansil's term as clerk, a plat was discovered, but its whereabouts is still unknown. Tom Tansil was County Clerk during the late 1930's.
	William and Sarah (Cantrell) had a large family of children being sixteen in total. One record indicates that they came to this area with seven children but according to their birthdates if William was in this area prior to or by 1797, he only had five. He did, in fact, have sixteen children but Bible and death records indicate that eleven of those were born after 1796.
	   William Nolen, Sr., died in 1850. Another point of speculation and argument by many is: "Just where is William Nolen, Sr., buried?" Here again we refer to a written history of the Nolen family by Rosa Lane Williams and Ellen Kane where it is written: "Rosa says that William and John Nolen are buried on the old William Nolen farm where Newt McCord lives on the creek." They also state that through the years the water has washed away many graves. It is also possible that he and part of his family could have been buried in the cemetery set aside in 1847 by James Green
atop the hill just south of Nolensville on property now owned by Peggy and Frank Wilson. This cemetery was sometimes referred to as the "Mt. Oliviet Cemetery" since it was behind where the Methodist Church once stood.
	The will of William Nolen, Sr., can be found in the County Court in Will Book 9, page 497, and is dated May 2, 1848. It was proven at the June 1850 term of court. He names his son, Stephen, and son-in-law, James Johnson as executors of his will, asking that they see that no one takes advantage of his wife and they are to assist her in taking care of the property willed to her.
	Item 1: William Nolen asks that his just debts be paid. Item 2: he gives to his son John, the storehouse that John built on William's land. (This is the property that is now owned by Alice Burkett) as well as a farm on the east side of the turnpike with all improvements therein. Item 3: "I wish my beloved wife Sarah Nolen to have and retain during her natural life or widowhood the following property: the tract of land on which I now live with all the appurtenances thereto belonging, also two negro men, Harry and the other of her own selection out of the balance of the negro men, two negro women, Cinda and Cintha, three horses of her own selection, three cows and calves, one yoke of oxen and ox cart, a sufficiency of stock hogs or what  pork or fat hogs will be full sufficient for one year's support, all my stock of sheep and fowls of every kind, also, as much corn fodder and oats as will be sufficient to support said family and stock for one year. The above property only given to my wife during her natural life or widowhood and at her  death or remarriage, I wish my executor to sell all said property willed as before to my wife on credit of twelve months and the money arising from the sale of the same I wish equally divided between all my children that I will hereinafter name, and in the way that I will state except $100.00 which I wish paid to my wife, Sarah, provided she marries. Item 4: I wish all the other property and effects of every kind that I may own at my death not willed away to be sold on credit of twelve months and the money arising from said sale of the same to be equally divided among all my children that are living at my death and if dead among their lawful heirs namely: G. L. Nolen, Stephen Nolen, Auslem Nolen, the bodily heirs of Sarah Cantrell to receive her portion, Delia C. King, Frances Johnson, Nancy Stanley, John Nolen, Anna Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Green Nolen, Belinda Nevins, Emily Barnes, Zebulon Nolen, and Sarah Newsom, share and share alike, and as it is my wish and desire that what property I have to give my children that they derive the full benefits of the same. I wish my Executors and I do hereby instruct them not to pay over the amount due to my daughters to any person unless it is a trustee who shall or may be appointed for each one of my daughters and the amount to receive to be paid
out to them as trustee may think necessary whose duty it shall be to take receipt for the amount paid said daughter or daughters and in case of the death of any one of said daughters then said amount shall be paid to the lawful heirs of said daughter, this has reference to all property that said  daughters leave any interest in belonging to my estate. My object is that my children and the heirs of their body enjoy the benefits of my property, share and share alike, to be my wish and desire.
	In the final settlement of this will of William Nolen's in 1852, we find the following thirteen heirs. Mention is made also in the settlement that there were originally fifteen shares. William Nolen Jr., died in 1842 and, therefore, was not one of the original heirs, Folowing is a list of the recipients and amounts they received from the settlement:
	Delia King, $550.00
	John Nolen $550.00
	Nancy Stanley $550.00
	Green Nolen $550.00
	Frances Johnson $557.62
	Sarah W. Newsom $550.00
	Stephen Nolen $550.00
	Anna Johnson $550.00
	Zebulon C. Nolen $554.09
	Belinda Nevins $559.47
	Emily Barnes $550.00
	Caroline Johnson $550.00
	William H. Cantrell, $275.00, one of the many heirs of Sarah Cantrell who died leaving two children.
	This settlement was recorded in Book 10, page 345, under date of 1853. There are several interesting points I would like to mention. First, there is no record of William Nolen's wife having received the $100.00 he directed to be paid to her in case she remarrried. Further, the land was sold and reported in an inventory of William Nolen at the January 1851 term of court, stating that these items were sold in June 1850. Is it possible that Sarah Nolen could have died in 1850 instead of 1858?
	There were two children, other than William Jr., who did not share in the will of William Nolen. They were Auslem and General Lee. Auslem and his family were in Wayne County, Tennessee in 1840. General Lee died in 1851. G. L. Nolen had several children and it is strange why his children did not receive a settlement from William Nolen's estate.
	The Nolen family was large during these years and many lived in or near Nolensville. The past one hundred years has taken its toll of Nolen descendants in Nolensville. However, James Thomas Byrd and Polly Page Brittain are sixth generation descendants of William Nolen. And Janice Page Green is a seventh generation descendant. There may be others but it has not come to the attention of your compiler.    
	Three of William Nolen's daughters married into the Allen Johnson family, uniting two large and prominent families. They were: Frances who was married to James H. Johnson, Annie Simmons who married Littleberry Johnson, and Caroline who married Anderson Johnson. Several of William Nolen's children migrated further south and west into new territory.
	John Nolen, son of William, was appointed postmaster at Nolensville on August 12, 1839 and served until September 20, 1848. He was again appointed postmaster on March 19, 1849 and served until April 30, 1853. This was during the time when the postmaster position changed with the administration.
	William Nolen was born about 1760 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died June 1850 in Williamson County, Tennessee. It is believed that he is buried on the farm owned by Newt McCord. He was married in 1783 to Sarah Cantrell, a daughter of Zebulon and Mary (Montgomery) Cantrell. Sarah Cantrell was born about 1765 in North Carolina. She is reported to have died in 1858 and is assumed to be buried near her husband.
	William and Sarah Nolen became parents of sixteen children. Reports say they came to the new territory of Tennessee, about 1797, and if so, brought with them five children and eleven more were born in Tennessee. They are as follows:
		1. General Lee Nolen born 1783 in Virginia and died 1851 in Williamson County, Tennessee. He was marrried on April 24, 1810 to 			Mary (Polly) Turner. Their children were:
			A. James T. Nolen
			B. John B. Nolen
			C. Eliza R. Nolen, married to Thomas J. Whitfield
			D. Patrick H. R. Nolen, married Elizabeth Hughes
			E. Catherine Nolen             
  			F. Stephen C. Nolen
			G. Adelia C. Nolen, married William B. Johnson
			H. William W. M. Nolen, married Martha J. Webb
			I. Hardeman H. Nolen, married Hector Glass
			J. Frances T. Nolen, married Joseph Waddell
  		2. Sally Nolen born 1787 in Virginia was dead by 1848 when her father made his will. She married a Cantrell and had two children. One 		of the children was named William and shared in the settlement of his grandfather's estate in 1852. (Note: Marie Batey has located 		where a Sally Nolen married Ota Canzrellin in Sumner County, Tennessee on February 14, 1810. This could well be this Sally as she 		would have been twenty-three years of age.)
		3. Stephen Nolen born January 31, 1840 in Virginia and died May 26, 1851 in Williamson County, Tennessee, married on July 23, 			1816 to Michal Nolen (born-May 30, 1798-died-1848). Michal was the daughter of Littleberry Nolen, and  a grand daughter of John 		Nolen, brother of his father, William. Children of Stephen and Michal:
			A. Sarah D. Nolen married July 27, 1848 to Beverly B. Toon. Beverly B. Toon represented Williamson and Maury Counties in 			the 39th General Assembly, 1875-1877. B. B. Toon was born in 1816 and died 1897.
    				1. Margaret Michal Toon
				2. Fanny Dorcas Toon
				3. James Nolen Toon
				4. Florence Milton Toon
				5. William B. Toom
				6. Rufus Clarence Toon
				7. Vera Pearl Toon
			B. M. B. Nolen
			C. William M. Nolen, died 1897 in Davidson County, Tennessee, married Sarah Ann Crump on November 25, 1840.
				1. Edward Langley Nolen, born 1856
					A. Porter E. Nolen, born 1888
					B. Kate Nolen Shockley
		4. William Nolen Jr., born 1793 in Virginia and died 1842 in Williamson County, Tennessee. (Reference is made in some papers that 		William Jr., was married to Peggy McCarroll. However, in his will made on December 25, 1838, he does not acknowledge this. He 			does provide for her children namely: Sarah Ann McDonal, Emily, William C., Francis, and Delilah McCarroll. He also states that he 		desires Peggy McCarroll, mother of said children, to administer these provisions. I have not found a recording of the marriage of 			William Nolen Jr., and Peggy McCarroll.)       		
		5. Delia C. Nolen was born October 13, 1795 and died June 1858. She was married August 17, 1817 to Thomas Seawell King, born 		June 29, 1786 and died February 6, 1851. She was the second wife of T. S. King, no children.
  
In view of the date reported that the Nolen's came to Tennessee, the following children were born in Tennessee.
		
	6. Frances M. Nolen, born January 8, 1799, died June 29, 1878 in Williamson County, Tennessee. She was married on April 11, 1820 		to James H. Johnson, a son of Allen and Mary Hutcheson Johnson. For a list of their children see Allen Johnson #2, James H. 			Johnson.
	7. Nancy Nolen born March 9, 1802, died June 29, 1872, married August 1, 1820 to Wiley Jones and on December 17, 1829 to John Stanley. 	No record of any children. 
   	8. John Nolen born February 18, 1803, died 1857 in Williamson County, Tennessee was married on January 22, 1834 to Mary Newsom. John 	and Mary Newsom had several children.
	9. Anne Simmons Nolen born February 18, 1806 died November 20, 1901 was married on September 18, 1827 to Littleberry Johnson. (See: 	Allen Johmson #6, Anderson Johnson.)
	10. Green Nolen born March 2, 1808 was married September 28, 1832 to Frances M. Morton.
	11.Caroline Nolen born August 25, 1810 died May 26, 1892 in Williamson County, Tennessee was married to Anderson Johnson. (See: Allen 	Johnson #6, Anderson Johnson.) Caroline was totally blind for a number of years and lived near the place of her birth until a few months 	before her death which took place at the home of her son-in-law, Charles Sanders Johnson in the Cane Ridge Community of Davidson 	County. 
	12. Belinda Nolen born September 11, 1812, died October 22, 1875, married February 13, 1832 to William Nevins born September 16, 1809, 	died July 19, 1883. Their children are:
		A. Emily Manderville Nevins, born March 20, 1833, died February 13, 1913.
		B. Sarah Ann Nevins, born October 10, 1804, died November 23, 1835.
		C. Mary Delia born April 7, 1836.
		D. James Green Nevins, born March 2, 1838, died September 19, 1863 in Civil War.
		E. William Richard Nevins, born February 18, 1840, served four years in Civil War and lost a leg.
		F. Luisa Frances Nevins, born January 20, 1841, died February 5, 1842.
		G. Elizabeth Caroline born December 22, 1842.
		H. Martha Jane Nevins born September 16, 1844, died June 7, 1911, married November 8, 1865 to Sylvester Jones Williams.
			1. James Williams born May 11, 1867.
			2. Charles A. Williams born July 15, 1869, married Belle Handerson.
			3. Virginia Williams born August 15, 1871, married Ob Yates.
			4. John Henry Williams born August 20, 1873.
			5. Belinda Gertrude Williams, born December 18, 1875, married Thomas Beasley.
			6. Berry Lemuel Williams born February 10, 1874, married 1. Janie Morgan, and 2. Bell Pig.
			7. Atha Thomas Williams born April 1, 1881, died February 26, 1906, age 45 years, married Flora Dunn.
			8. Sylvester Williams born November 12, 1883 married Callie Goodrich.
			9. Laura Tennessee Williams born February 7, 1886, married Lee Wilkerson.
			10. Beatrice Williams born September 11, 1889, died April 26, 1977, married October 2, 1912 to Joseph Greer Sr., born July 			30, 1884, died November 25, 1966. Their children are:
				A. Lucy Clare Greer born January 20, 1915.
				B. Joseph Abram Greer Jr., born July 1, 1917, married September 27, 1947 to Charlene Price.
					1. Linda Jo Greer born August 18, 1949, married Jerry Ray Wilkerson.
						A. Nicole Rae Wilkerson born January 20, 1972.
						B. Lauren Grace Wilkerson born March 4, 1986.
					2. Jerry Randall Greer born November 22, 1952, married April 19, 1974 to Martha Higgins.
						A. Jeremy Daniel Greer born October 15, 1976.
						B. Kevin Michael Greer born July 18, 1979.
						C. Patrick Scott Greer born May 7, 1980.
				C. Martha Christine Greer born August 1, 1919, married November 30, 1944 to James B. Chadwell.
					1. Martha Jeanett Chadwell born May 17, 1946.
						A. Christopher Scott born April 19, 1966.
					2. James Kenwith Chadwell born August 16, 1951.
					3. Larry Keith Chadwell born August 24, 1956.
		I. Susan Paralee Nevins born July 27, 1846, died September 7, 1846.
		J. Virginia Mandana Nevins born August 27, 1847.
		K. Laura Tennessee Nevins born March 9, 1850.
		L. Sarah Lee Nevins born January 4, 1852, died August 1, 1858.
		M. Nancy Ann Nevins born November 2, 1855, died June 25,1857.
  	13. Emily Nolen born February 15, 1815 married Baalem C. Barnes. They had several children.
`	14. Zebulon Nolen born June 14, 1817.
	15. Auslem Nolen born June 14, 1817 married Angeline Pickens, was in Wayne County, Tennessee in 1840.
	16. Sarah W. Nolen born June 1818 was married January 19, 1837 to Godfrey P. Newsom.

Compiled by Mary Batey from data from Kate Nolen Shockley given to Peggy Wilson; information on the William Nolen and John Nolen Families, 1975 by Rosa Lane Williams and Ellen M. Lane; report from Terri Parker; miscellaneous newspaper articles and other data researched by Marie Batey; old Bible records from J. T. Byrd. Additional information given to Peggy Wilson and Billie Ann White by Lucy Greer, James A. Greer, Jr., and Martha Greer Chadwell from Belinda Nolen Nevins and Martha Jane Nevins Williams family Bibles."