HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
This County belongs to the western division of the State. It extends
fifty miles along the west bank of the Tennessee River and is bounded on
the north by Henry County, on the west by Henry and Carroll Counties and
on the south by Decatur and the "Panhandle" of Carroll County. Including
one half of the Tennessee River along its border, it has an area of about
400 square miles, lying partly in the Western Valley and partly in the
plateau of West Tennessee. It has an average elevation of about 370 feet.
The character of the surface is extremely varied Near the center of the
county, in the vicinity of Camden, it is gently undulating while along the
margin of the river valley are found many steep bluffs and spurs. The
valley has an average width of about two miles and contains the most
productive land in the county. Along the creeks which thread the county,
are usually found flats or bottoms, averaging about one-half mile in width
and fringed by low, but distinctly marked ridges. Along the ridges,
especially in the southern part of the county, limestone is found at
various depths and in the Third Civil District on Birdsong Creek, there is
found a variegated marble of handsome appearance, and capable of taking a
fine finish. Some iron is also found along the Tennessee River but no
effort has ever been made toward developing it. A marble quarry was opened
and worked for some time, near Rockport, but was abandoned several years
ago. The soil on the bills is mainly argillacious while that of the
bottoms is sandy and black loam. The county is exceedingly well watered
possessing innumerable small streams fed by springs of pure water. The
creeks emptying immediately into the Tennessee River are Eagle, Birdsong,
Harmony, Sulphur, Crooked Lick and Cypress. The Sandy River forms the
dividing line between Benton and Henry Counties.
Its Principal Tributaries:
from the former are Rushing Creek, Ramble Creek and Sugar Creek. Cane
Greek and Beaver Dam Creek are tributary to Cypress Creek. Sycamore Creek,
Wolf Creek and Seventeen-mile Creek empty their waters into Birdsong
Creek. The beds of the creeks flowing into the Tennessee River, with the
exception of Cypress Creek, are covered with flinty rock. The timber
supply of the county is good. The most abundant variety is oak, but
distributed over nearly the whole are found some poplar, while in the
southern district chestnut abounds. Hickory, gum, beech, cypress and other
varieties are found in greater or less abundance. The principal
agricultural products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, peanuts, tobacco, Irish
potatoes, sweet potatoes, rye and cotton in small quantities.
The first settlement in Benton County, was made by Willis and Dennis
Rushing, on Rushing Creek, six miles north of Camden, about 1819. A year
later Nicholas and Lewis Brewer settled in Rumble Creek, twelve miles
north of Camden, and at the same time M. Mimms located on Birdsong Creek.
During the next four or five years the settlement went on quite rapidly,
many coming from Hickman, Stewart and other counties lying on the east
side of the Tennessee River.
Among those who located along the Big Sandy
River were David Watson, John and Wm. Pierce, Lewis Graham, Wm.
Cottingham, George McDaniel and James Craig.
The Arnolds (Wyatt, James and Wyly) settled on Beaver Dam
while in the neighborhood of Cowell Chapel
were Joseph Cowell, Charles Benjamin, and Matthew Williams, Zachary
Barker, Thomas Jones, Wm. Thompson, Benjamin Holland and James Lee.
The last two named were the first to locate.
Ephraim Perkins, Dorsey P. Hudson and William Woods settled about two miles
north of where Camden now is.
On Eagle Creek were;
William Hubbs,
John Lomaner,
Michael Frey,
<---
John Barnett, [sic John SARRETT]
"Cos" Matlock and
David Lewis.
Among the first settlers on Harman Creek were
George W. Farmer,
David and Samuel Benton,
William Wheatley,
Joseph Melton,
Si Melton,
John Phifer,
Daniel Mason a "store keeper", and
an old man from whom the creek took its name;
Charles and Thomas Wheatley and
Simon Nobles, located on Sulphur Creek;
John Anderson, near Chalk Level;
James Wyly, below Birdsong Creek;
John Jackson,
<---
Charles Burratt [sic Charles SARRETT] and
John B. Carnes, near the present site of Camden.
During the first few years, the settlers depended for a subsistence upon
deer, turkey and other wild game, which was very plentiful, and upon bread
made from meal ground either in hand-mills or horse-mills. The first
water-mill in the county was built by Matthew Williams, on Cypress Creek
in 1824. Another was erected at about the same time on the banks of the
Big Sandy, by a man by the name of King. About 183Z a mill was built by
James Hogg, on Birdsong Creek, not far from Chaseville. It was afterward
owned and operated by Green Flowers. The mill on the same creek, now owned
by John Allen, was built by Pleasant Mullinix, early in the thirties. The
first cotton-gin in the county was built by Dorsey P. Hudson, on his farm
northeast of Camden, in 1828. William Thompson also built one at very
nearly the same time. The mills mentioned above were all grist mills at
first, but later saw-mills were attached to them. Several other mills have
been built on the various creeks of the county, but they have been most
numerous along the Big Sandy. No other manufactories with the exception of
a tobacco factory at Camden, have ever been established.
Previous to the year 1836, the greater portion of what is now Benton
County, constituted a part of Humphreys County. The remainder, including
about one civil district, was taken from Henry County. The county was
established by an act of the General Assembly, passed November 24, 1835. A
postoffice named Tranquility had been established on the great stage route
from Memphis to Nashville, about one mile west of the present town of
Camden, and there at the house of Samuel H. Burton, contracted from Samuel
Haliburton, on February 7, 1886, the county was organized by the commissioners,
Green Flowers,
Ephraim Perkins,
Lewis Brewer,
John F. Johnson and
George Camp.
The magistrates constituting the first county court were:
George W. Farmer, chairman;
John D. Rushing,
Hezekiah Greer,
William Barnes,
John Pope, John H. Williams, Charles W. Wheatley, John
Anderson, William Hubbs, Lewis Brewer, Pleasant Mullinix, Jesse D. Hall,
William Wright, Burrell Beard, David Benton, Edward W. Lynch, Robert H.
Hawthorne, John Kilbreath, and Mansfield Barnett. The first term of the
circuit court was held at the same place on April 11, 1836, J. W. Cook,
judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit presiding. Dorsey P. Hudson, qualified
as clerk, giving the following persons as sureties: Dennis, Robert, Able
and Willis Rushing, Lewis Brewer, G. W. L. Hudson, Ephraim Perkins, Robert
Holmes, and Hosea D. Browning. James B. McMurray was the attorney-general.
The grand jury empaneled was Robert Rushing, foreman, Matthew Presson,
Robert Holmes, Samuel Presson, Willis, Dennis and Abel Rushing, John
Presson, C. C. Poe, John Merritt, Hosea D. Browning, Wilson M. Surratt and
John Jackson. The house in which court was held during the first year, was
a one-story log structure with one door and with big cracks for windows.
The next year a two story brick building thirty by thirty-six feet was
erected on the public square. It was well arranged for the times, having a
court-room above and offices below. This house was occupied until the
latter part of 1853, when it was torn down, and a new building similar in
size and arrangement was completed about January 1, 1855. Meanwhile court
was held in the Baptist Church. This building in 1877 was found to be
unsafe, and was torn down to make room for the present fine brick, which
was erected at a cost of about $9,000.
The first jail was a log building erected in 1837 on the lot where the
present jail stands. It was about twenty feet square with double walls
eight inches apart, the space between being filled with upright poles. It
was built by Irwin B. Carnes. About 1840 a brick jail was erected upon the
same lot. It was used until about 1866, when it was burned by the
prisoners confined within it, with the expectation of making their escape.
In this they were disappointed, and it was with the greatest difficulty
that they were rescued. Immediately afterward a second brick jail, similar
to the one burned was erected. This was used until 1883, when the present
excellent brick building was completed at a cost of about $8,000.00.
At the organization of the county it was divided into nine civil
districts, and so continued until 1850, when the Tenth District was formed
from a portion of the Fifth. to the remainder of which was added a part of
the Fourth and Sixth Districts. In 1860 the Eleventh District was formed
from fractions of the First and Third, and in 1872 portions of the Fourth
and Sixth were constituted the Twelfth District. In 1883 two additional
districts, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth, were formed. The former was
composed of a fraction taken from Decatur County, added to a portion of
the First District; the latter was constituted from part of the Second,
Third and Fourth Districts.
The commissioners appointed to organize the county and fix the county seat
located it upon forty acres of land occupied by John Jackson who had no
title to the land other than occupancy. He was allowed however a few
choice lots for his own use as compensation for the land appropriated. The
survey was made by John Doherty and Burrell Beard in December, 1836, and a
public sale of the lots took place during the following month. The first
dwelling in the town was erected by Irwin B. Carnes, a carpenter. At about
the same time Thomas H. Burton built a small log store house on the
northeast corner of the square which for a short time was occupied by
Burrell Beard. Anderson Lashlee also erected a log store and
dwelling-house combined on the southeast corner of the square. Edward and
James Haywood opened a store on the south side of the square. In 1838 C.
K. Wyly began selling goods in the house formerly occupied by Beard; just
previous to that time Samuel H. Burton had built a brick hotel on the
adjoining lot, the site now occupied by the Stigall House. The first
physician to locate in the town was J. L. Williams, who was among the
earliest residents During the decade from 1840-50 the town continued to
improve though somewhat slowly. Among the principal merchants of that
period were C. K. and T. B. Wyly, Crawford and Alfred Rushing, Anderson
Lashlee, John H. and Cave Farmer and John Phifer. In 1843 three or four
young men of more than ordinary ability were added to the population of
the town. Alvin Hawkins, afterward judge of the supreme court and governor
of Tennessee, came as a young attorney just admitted to the bar. W. P.
Morris came to take charge of the office of clerk of the county court, and
M. L. Travis, for thirty years the leading physician of the county, came
to engage in the practice of his profession. D. F. McElyea, afterward
register of the county, also located during the same year.
The next decade, although a fairly prosperous period, witnessed no
material increase in the population of the town. In 1850 the firm of
Pickett & Morris engaged in the mercantile business, and since that time
the latter has been one of the most successful men of the county.
C.K.Wyly, as he has done since that time continued to be a leading
merchant. Others engaged in the mercantile business during the fifties
were T. K. Wyly, Hall & Sharp and Lewis Lashlee, who succeeded Anderson
Lashlee. From 1855 to 1860 a tobacco factory producing chewing tobacco in
considerable quantities was operated by William Pickett & J. C. McDaniel.
Besides those already mentioned the principal physicians were B. B.
Travis, James Moses and Thomas Douglass.
Since the war the business interests of the town have continued the same
as before. Several firms and individuals have been engaged in
merchandising for short periods, but with the exception of C. K. Wyly and
W. P. Morris, none has remained for many years. In 1872 the People's
Company was incorporated with forty members, mostly farmers; two years
later it had 175 members with a cash capital of $6,000.00 divided into
shares of $25 each. At the present time it has about eighty members. It is
reorganized every five years.
The present business interests of Camden are represented by the following
individuals and firms: C. K. Wyly, W. P. Morris, Joseph G. Hudson, W.
T. Hubbs, Bateman & Herrin, and a stock company, general merchandise:
George Shelton, and James Jeffrey, family groceries; J. E. Totty, drugs
and groceries; Revins & McAuley and R. M. Hawley, groceries and liquors:
T. B. Totty, drugs; Aaron Arnold, saloon and hotel; Henry G. Stigall,
hotel and livery stable; A. G. McDaniel & Bro., livery stable; F. G. & F.
A. McElyea, blacksmiths; E. M. Cornell and John Arnold. shoe-makers; Mrs.
L. E. Davis, millinery; Daniel Markham, jeweler; E. M. McAuley and J. W.
Drain, dentists; W. T. Hubbs, R.B. Travis, F. C. Whitfield and W. R.
Haman, physicians; C.N. Travis, Camden Herald.
Camden Lodge, No. 179, A.F. & A. M. was organized about 1845. Between 1850
and 1855, in company with the Baptist Church and the sons of Temperance, a
building was erected west of the public square. This hall was used by the
lodge until 1876 when it was destroyed by fire. In 1878 a new hall was
erected upon the same lot. The present membership of the lodge is about
sixty. The I.O.O.F. organized a lodge in 1880, but on account of a lack in
interest it was suspended after a few months.
Camden Lodge, No. 416, K. of H., was organized December 23, 1876, with the
following charter members: I.C. Yarbrough, past dictator; R.P. Haley,
dictator; William Stanford, assistant dictator; R.M. Hawley,
Vice-dictator; N.T. Strickland, guardian; Wayne Rye, reporter; L. H.
Presson, financial reporter; F. C. Whitfield, treasurer, and E.M. Cornell
Chaplain; A.J. Morris, J.D. McAuley and A.P. Lashlee. The lodge now has
but twelve members.
In the spring of 1886 the Benton County Temperance Alliance was organized
with a membership of about fifty.
The first newspaper in the county was the Central Democrat, established by
William F. Doherty in 1852 and continued for two years. After its
suspension the county was without a newspaper until June 1875, when the
Benton Banner was established. The first few numbers were printed in
Huntingdon, and published from Camden by T. H. Baker.The venture proving
successful an office was opened in Camden and its publication continued by
W. F. Moiden & Co. It changed hands frequently, being published
successively by Travis & Crockett, Travis & McGee, R. B. Travis and H. K.
Springer. It was a seven column folio, and was a credit to the county, but
the patronage was not sufficient to retain it, and in the fall of 1879 is
was suspended. The office was purchased by John C. Brown and J.L. S.
Travis, and removed to Dresden. In 1881 the Camden Herald, a six column
folio, was established by E.M. and C. N. Travis. It also changed
proprietors several times until 1883, when C. N. Travis became the editor
and sole proprietor. During 1884 it was changed To a five column quarto,
and January 1, 1886, to a five column folio. Mr. Travis is an experience
printer, and is managing the paper successfully. He recently added a job
press to the office, and is building up a good business in that line.
Since the completion of the railroad a little village known as SOUTH
CAMDEN has sprung up around the depot, about one half-mile south of the
town. Its business men at present are I.C. Yarbrough, N.E. Finley, J.F.
Presson and A.J. __ general merchandise; Lindsey McElyea, groceries; P.W.
McDade, produce; A.J. Hudson, saw and grist-mill.
BIG SANDY is a thriving village on the Memphis division of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad, about fourteen miles north of Camden. It is
located on land formerly owned by J. B. Lindsey in 1871. He also built the
first store, about two years later, which was occupied by G. T. Morris and
William Caraway. The first dwelling was built by A.C. McRae and J. B.
Lindsey.
The business of the town at present is conducted by the following
individuals and firms: William Caraway, G. T. Morris, J. F. Dowdey, Graham
& Grainger, and Hudson & Son, general merchandise; Bullock & Cantrell,
drugs; state factory, Hudson & Son; saw-mill, William Caraway;
blacksmiths, A. Bell, John DeBruce and J. E. Wilson & Son.
Big Sandy Lodge, No. 290, A.F. & A.M. was organized as Pleasant Ridge
Lodge, No. 190, at Pleasant Ridge Church in January, 1861, under a
dispensation from the grand lodge, with the following officers: A.W.
Russell, W.M.; L. Childress, S.W., W. R. Pierce, J.W.; J.B. Lindsey, S.D.;
W. Warmack, J.D, J.P. Byrn, Sec.; J. Askew, Treas.; T.J. Warmack, Tyler.
Owing to the general suspension of lodges during the war no charter was
obtained until December 6, 1866. From that time until 1879, meetings were
held at Pleasant Ridge. At the latter date the lodge was removed to Big
Sandy when, in partnership with the Odd Fellows, a hall was erected about
two years later, and in 1883 the name was changed to compare with that of
the town.
Big Sandy Lodge, No. 185, I.O.O.F. was organized at Pleasant Ridge Church
about 1876, and was removed to Big Sandy three years afterward. The first
officers were E.N. Williams, N.G.; William Caraway, V.G.; G. T. Moses,
Sec.; and P.M. Melton, Treas. The present membership of the lodge is about
twenty.
West Danville is a station on the Memphis Division of the Louisville &
Nashville Railroad on the west bank of the Tennessee River. It was
established in 1860 on land owned by Calvin Bomar. Point Mason, Thompson
Point, and Rockport are all steamboat landings on the Tennessee River.
Coxbury and Chaseville, twelve miles southeast and fourteen miles south of
Camden, respectively, are small hamlets, each having a post office and
store. Mt. Carmel, situated in a fine agricultural section fifteen miles
south from Camden, and Williamsburg in a broken but productive district
six miles Northwest, as well as Sawyer's Mill, six miles west, are small
hamlets of more or less local importance.
The small amount of legal business in Benton County has precluded the
possibility of its having a bar of great experience or large numbers. As
has been stated, the first resident attorney was Alvin Hawkins who located
at Camden in 1843. As a young man, he displayed unusual ability and soon
became desirous of a broader field in which to exercise his talents.
Accordingly, after two years, he removed to Huntingdon. He was succeeded
by Col. W.F. Doherty, who had been attorney-general of his judicial
circuit. He continued a member of the Camden bar until his death in 1881.
He possessed a fine vein of humor and was a good speaker. In 1870 he was
chosen a member of the convention which framed the new State constitution.
John W. Davidson, while clerk of the circuit court, took up the study of
law, and afterward was engaged in its practice for some time.
About 1846 S.C. Pavatt removed from Huntingdon to Camden, where he
remained until the Civil war. He was a man of great dignity of bearing and
possessed unusual talents. He was at one time chancellor of his district.
T.A. Henry located at Camden about 1866, and remained until 1882 when he
removed to Texas. While not a superior advocate, he was an excellent
office lawyer, and never failed to present his cases properly. He always
preferred the chancery practice and obtained the greater part of the
business in the county coming under the branch of his profession. The
present bar is composed mainly of young men of good ability, who, in a
great measure, have their legal reputation to make. W.F. Moiden and A.J.
Farmer are the two eldest Members, both having been licensed to practice
about eight years ago. The former prepared himself for his profession in
the the office of T. A. Henry. He is a good lawyer before a jury and has a
fair practice.
Joseph E. Jones, the present attorney-general of the Twelfth Judicial
Circuit, was admitted to the bar at Camden, in December, 1878. He
immediately took high rank among the members of his profession in this
section of the State, and in 1884 was elected to the responsible position
he now holds. He is well grounded in the law, and is an advocate of no
ordinary ability.
T. C. Rye began the study of law with Mr. Jones and since his admission to
the bas has given but little attention to the practice of his profession,
having been employed as private secretary to Congressman J.M. Taylor and
clerk of the congressional Committee on Naval affairs.
Travis Davidson, who has recently completed a term as register of Benton
County, is a man of unquestioned integrity, and possesses good legal
ability. He has recently engaged in the practice of his profession. J. G.
Presson and ___ Brandon, are also licensed attorneys.
During the first three or four years after the organization of the circuit
court, it was presided over alternately by Judges J. C. Cook, William R.
Harris, Benjamin C. Totten, Mortimer A. Martin and William C. Dunlap.
Afterward, until 1845, Judge Totten occupied the bench. His residence was
at Huntingdon. He was one of the ablest judges ever upon the bench in this
judicial circuit, although in private life he was recognized as a genial
gentleman, while in this discharge of his official duties he was
exceedingly dignified and reserved, and maintained excellent order in the
court room. he was succeeded by William Fitzgerald, who continued upon the
bench until the suspension of the courts in May, 1862. He was the able
jurist, and socially was very popular throughout the circuit. In 1865,
L.L. Hawkins, of Huntingdon, was commissioned judge of the circuit court
by Gov. Brownlow. He continued to preside until 1870, when he was
succeeded by James D. Porter, of Paris, who four years later was elected
governor of Tennessee. The remaining four years of the term were filled by
Jo. R. Hawkins, of Huntingdon. At the election of 1878, Samuel B. Ayres,
of Dresden, was elected judge of the judicial circuit, but died in less
than a year after entering upon the office. Clinton Aden, of Paris,
completed the unexpired term, and in 1886, W. H. Swiggart, of Union City,
was elected to the office of the succeeding eight years.
Benton County has never been deficient in patriotism nor military spirit.
Promptly upon the breaking out of the Mexican war, a large company of
volunteers was formed and organized, with Alvin Hawkins as captain; O.B.
Caldwell, first lieutenant, and W. P. Morris, second lieutenant. They at
once reported to the governor, but the quota of the county was filled and
they were never called into service.
The first company organized in the county for the late civil was was
Company C. of the fifth Tennessee Regiment, Volunteer Infantry. It was
recruited in April and the early part of May, 1861.
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