Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1856-12-03

AC0NOLp1EDy
Mr.. CrsiQhead arrived from Kentucky at the
settlements on the Cumberland early in the year
I7s5. and preached at Nashville and some OF the
"Stations or forts and neighborhcods. man
of his superior intelligence, popular manners and
ardent zeal, could not long remain without es-
TEEN. He became highly popular, and the citi-
gems were DESTROYS for his permanent residence
among them. He soon svowed his willingness to
do so. se
In 1875 he fixed his residence near Hsysoo-
rough or rather at "Spring Hill" eight miles east
of Nashville.
AS one among many evidences of his standing
and the part he was deemed qualified to take IN
the cause of education, we may mention that in
the Act passed by the Legislature of North Car
olina on the 29th December, 1873, establishing
Davidson Academy" the name OF Rev. Thos
B. Craighead is placed at the head Of nine trus,
tees named in the Act, and they were all men OF
worth and influence.
On the 25th of Septembe-. 1876, the Trustees
ordered that "Spring Hill Meeting House be the
place where the school be taught"
aspiring Hill Meeting House was q rough
Stone building, about twenty four by thirty feet
in dimensions
Atthe time of writing this memoir, in 1850, we
said, this venerable building is yet standing,
though in q dilspidsted condition. Long may it
| chrstianl It should be dear to the citizens of
| Davidson county and Middle Tennessee. 1t is a
spot where the spirits of the living may proftsbly
| commune with those of the dead. The christian,
the scholar snd the patriot may each find there
"reminiscences and subjects for meditation not to be
| found elsewhere. -..-.s.s
That old stone church is monument of early
| date the Oldest church and school house in Mid
die Tennessee; proof of iberality, monument
its hard benches and its awkward desk aud open
windows, with deep interest, and exclaim, this
was the house of worship and of educstionl-
here is the beginning of The Nashville University!
| Here the youth were taught during the week
parents, children and servants on the Lords day.
Every year adds interest to its venerable character
and to its claims to the regard of the living. Il
is well to have such spot, such an Object it j:
well to remind our fellow citizens and their chill
dren of it.
But on that spot are other monuments 7hert
are the graves of pioneers into the wilderness
there the unknown dust and the uncarved stones
which answer no questions there the remains o
the worthy teacher of the people and devoted
servant of God of whom we write; and there b.
bis side the wife whom be loved, who faithfully
moved with him through life and passed with hin
into another and better world. Not single let
ter is carved upon the broad slab which covers th'
remains OF THIS n0nOreQ ana worthy PAIR. W.
think it well it is go. We would not have tina
fair tablet marred by another touch of the chisse
and the hsmmer-they are entitled to fsr more
enduring record than in words engraved on bras
or marble.
And there, upon the opposite side of the road
(now McAdamized) and on a small but perfect,
rounded elevation, at the end of the beautiful
lawn, and amidst those ancient forest trees stands
another monument of the venerable Crsighead-
the brick dwelling with its lofty columns
structure of the present century, but the home
the residence OF "Psrson Craighead," as be We
familiarity called
And yet there is another monument far NOR,
ancient than any We have named. 1t was erecteC
long before the aged oaks were dropped as acorni
upon its top and sides or around its base, in the
mist of ages long prior to any tradition amen:
the heather who rosmed these solitudes, and caleC
them and the countless herds of buffalo their own
Long, long years ago, that tumulus was built, anC
underneath,