Hickman, Old and New - Hickman County, TN

In looking over the history of our country for the past thirty years, making the outgrowth of various counties inpoints of agriculture, literature, morality and public improvements, there is not a county in our good State of Tennessee that will compare with your county of Hickman. When first visited by your correspondent thirty years ago it was dull, monotonous place, nothing to excite the people to action, save an insatiable appetite, and a few "duels" to keep out the cold, chilly winds of winter. Its inhabitants were the most contented people we ever saw, or at least it was the case in that portion of the county we first saw, which was the country of Lick, Hassel's and Mill creeks, with the adjacent barrens. Here we met the Gossetts, Mosses, Coopers, and others, all from Bedford county, who had left the limestone rocks and cedar bushes, for the beautiful , clear streams that were marking off the Hickman "land of promise." There were but few of the farmers in this region that made more than enough to last through April, especially those who lived on the upland, those on the little creeks fared better; and from that time on there was a continual going to Egypt. Egypt was not as of old, in the day that Joseph's father was a little hard up for bread, but was generally found at Col. Darden's, Zib Hassel's. or Uncle Gabriel Mayberry's on Lick creek. Corn was low, and the people honest, and consequently no one had to suffer, but all were well supplied with bread, whether they had a little "cash" to take along or not.

It was about this time that the culture of sorghum was first introduced here, and you may rest assured that the urchins had a sweet time. Cast mills were unknown, and it was ground on wooden mills which made more noise than juice, and boiled in the common kettles of the country. It generally took three or four weeks to make enough syrup for one family. But oh, it was a glorious time while it lasted. Children would boil their bread in it, sweeten their coffee and "sassafack" tea with it, and one old lady said it was not bad on turnip salad and hogs jowl.

Schools were of the olden type. The teacher got from $15 to $20 per month and taught from sun up to sun down, only what time he was asleep, using the spelling book for all sizes and grades, with Pike's arithmetic, and Kirkham's grammar. We have heard the children laugh and tell how they would pile "haw seed" on the teacher's head while he was asleep and see him nod and shake them off.

They were a happy people and lived in great peace. There was but one drawback to society and that was religion. There were the Primitive Baptists with old Uncle Billie Gossett and Uncle Tommie Rascoe to head them, followed by an uncompromising class of old women, who would rub out the tracks of a Methodist who might chance to pass the road. The Methodists had an organization on Hassel's creek and one at Little Lot, to the great annoyance of the Baptist sisters. G. W. Brown was the circuit preacher at this time and was beloved by many good people. Here at a meeting held in 1858, if I am not mistaken, the Rev. Tip Hunter and Rev. Wills Harrington of your county joined the church. The Hunters, Fowlkes and other leading families were Methodist. There was a slight sprinkle of what has been known as Campbellism through the country, caused by the works of Nicks, Sullivan and Johns Totty, but they were so much in the minority that they had but little to say. Many good old citizens whose places we fear will be hard to fill, were living then, such as Joel Cooper, Andy Fielder, Harvy Giles and others, who have left their offspring behind them, many of whom are living lives of integrity, showing the effect of good example set by pious fathers.

We have already wrote too much for one time, but expect to visit you often through the columns of the Pioneer, and after those general views, may particularize a little more in the future, but for the present will bid the gentle people of dear old Hickman "goodbye".

I. X. L.

(The Hickman Pioneer, Friday, September 17, 1886)

Thirty years ago, in that part of Hickman lying on the waters of Lick creek, Ferd Russell, Abe Groves and the Deans were our enterprising men. Ferd settled on a little branch of Lick creek, dug out a place large enough and built the Little Rock mills, down between two hills where there is scarcely room to turn a wagon. Water was scant, especially through the summer season, but he saved it by the drops, and after much labor and spending quite a little sum of money, put in operation a mill that has been a blessing to all the country around. He combined a saw mill, wool cards, etc., all to run by a thirty feet overshot wheel, which did good services. Ferd was a man of daring nerve, a venturesome general leading any of his hands into the dangerous places. Poor fellow, it was in one of those daring moves that came very nearly depriving himself of his life, and caused him to grope his way through darkness the rest of his days. There was a rock in the mill yard which was very much in the way, and he wanted to blast it away, but the fuse he was using was not good and the blast failed to go off several times. He put a double fuse into one, and in firing it lit one and was down blowing the other, when the first one fired the blast full in his face. Your correspondent was looking on and heard Jerome Reaves tell him "he had better get away," but he heeded it not until too late. When picked up his chance for life looked slim, but his nerve was sufficient, and he came through but much disabled for life.

Abe Groves was our commercial man, and that meant a great deal in the days of which we write. He did not run a ten thousand dollar stock, but kept sugar, coffee, domestics, prints, ribbons, beads, etc., all of which he hauled from Nashville on his wagon, making a trip once each month. Butter, eggs, ginseng, rags and like barter is about all he got for goods, but by the way, he made some money.

The Deans on Dog (now Cedar) creek were running a little tannery and manufacturing tobacco. They furnished the country with leather for all the shoes they wore, except a few pairs of store shoes that some of the girls and young bucks would get from Groves. Tobacco was not raised much. A few planted a little just for home use, and that which was manufactured was generally hauled off and peddled out. In those days the government was not so hard for a little cash and did not have to put a tax on everything the people had to sell.

The culture of peanuts was not occupying much of the peoples' time. Old Uncle Tommy Lawson raised a few for table use and for the boys to get when they went out hunting at night. They gave the old man a great deal of trouble about his peas.

Old Uncle John Hassell was one of our old farmers who made plenty of corn and beat everybody on sweet potatoes. He was blessed with an excellent woman for his partner through life and raised a family of boys and girls of the most healthy and perfect constitutions of any family we ever met. His boys while young were rough and hardy, could stand anything without complaining; but took readily to an education and some of them are today filling the highest callings. We cannot pass another family who lived in this neighborhood. It was Mon Worley and his wife Lucy. His children all called them Mon and Lucy, and that is what convinces me that it was their name. A better family we have never met. Generous and social among all their neighbors, they were held in high respect by all who knew them. They were ever present when the neighborhood needed their assistance, with kind words and a helping hand to make life's way as smooth as possible to the unfortunate. Old Uncle Billy Lambert was also a fine old citizen from Bedford. He was not quite as old then as he is now, I reckon, but has been a man that came as near attending to his own business and letting the business of others alone as any man that ever lived in Hickman. Has raised a family of hearty, intelligent children, who promise well in life.

There was a school house on Hassell's creek called "Shady Grove," where all those old settlers sent their children to school. Silas and Newt Fielder were employed for several years to teach an old fashioned school for them. In 1857 a man by the name of Deason came from Bedford and taught three sessions at Shady Grove. He was shrewd, well educated and made quite a success as a teacher, giving the children a good start in the way of a classical education. Here is where the Revs. Tip Hunter and Wils Harrington, together with the two Hassell preachers, got their start. Deason was a man of good morals, but unfortunately a Methodist, which rendered him very unpopular with many of the people, who were of a different persuasion. But he went ahead with his Sunday school and class meetings, aided by Wash Walker and others, until he made a fine impression on the whole country. As he figured here for several years we will speak of him again.

I. X. L.

(The Hickman Pioneer, Friday, September 24, 1886)

At the time of which we write, Sam and Dick Graham had in operation on Piney River, their spinning factory, mills, etc., which was the most enterprising place in the county. Dick was an old bachelor, while Sam had taken a different course, and provided himself with another heart to bear life's burden with him. Our information is to the effect that they started out in the world, as poor men, working at the tailors trade, and little by little they laid their hard earnings by until they were immensely rich for our poor country. Dick soon retired from the firm and left Sam to shoulder the whole affair. It was their good fortune to meet with, and get into their employ, while he was yet young, the noble J. M. Meacham, who has proved faithful, honest and trustworthy to them ever since. No doubt the success that has attended the efforts at Pinewood in a great degree due the untiring energies of Mr. Meacham. Some of the best citizens of your county were found on this little river. Hardy Petty, with Phillips, Brown, Andrews and others, were models of perfect manhood, so far as the imperfections of human nature would permit.

Old Vernon was dead, its streets and houses to a great extent given to bats and birds. Several empty store houses and dwellings, with no one to occupy them. Old Uncle Garrett Lane was the principal occupant of the place. Those who remember him know that he was one of the most successful business men that Hickman ever had. He lived with his son Elliott, who had a noble woman for his wife, but no children. Uncle Garrett had a negro boy, Jim, a big, black mare, and a famous dog that he called "Andrew Johnson". This was about all he pretended to call his own. He was constantly in the saddle, today at Centreville, tomorrow as far the other way. He was administrator of nearly every one's estate who was unfortunate enough to die, and had a part in nearly all other grades of business to be done in his county. He was a great friend to the laboring man, but hard down on the slothful. In 1863 he closed his earthly career at the age of 87, if I mistake not, at the house of his son's in old Vernon, and by his friends was laid away to rest.

In this same little village was the family of Dr. W. A. Hunt, a man that was known far and wide on account of his skill as a physician. He was one of those men who ever tried to make his home a happy place. No pains or money were spared to give his children excellent accomplishments. He was an excellent musician, and taught it to all his offspring, and art which most of them have cultivated, until they stand now among the leading musicians of the day. In 1862 he died in the bosom of his family, with consumption, and left them to make their way through the world as best they could.

Uncle Asa and Aunt Polly Thompson lived near by, and when we look for that part of the human family that forms the bone and _____ of society, we find it located among such people as these. They raised a large family of boys, whose aspirations ran high, having imbibed it from their parents, they set their marks above the degrading habits of life, and so far as I know, have made rapid strides to its accomplishment. Your county can boast of no better citizens, no more intelligent, no more useful and reliable men than those from the bosom of this noble family.

John Hassell, two miles below old Vernon, was another staunch old citizen, who lived well at home. He was one of the best farmers in the country, kind and courteous to all he met, and made the guest at his house feel at perfect ease when paying him a visit. He raised a family of boys who followed in the old man's footsteps, and are today among Hickman's best citizens. Hardiman, Joe and Hiram are the respected sons of this good man, all of whom have endeared themselves to their neighbors.

I. X. L.

ERRATA -- In my first communication the printer made me say that the people of the region of Lick and Hassell's creek had a few "duels" to keep them warm. It should have said "duds". They were too kind and peaceable to even think of such a thing as a duel.

More anon.

I. X. L.

(The Hickman Pioneer, Friday, October 8, 1886)