Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-12-09
The Country We Live In.
AesSrs. Editors:

In my last promised to give the
names of some of the early settlers
in Madison county; but in looking
over my notes 1 find it will take up
more space in your paper than you
would be willing to spare.
In your last paper 1 see call on
the old Pioneers to meet at Jackson
on the 10th inst, to form a Histori-
cal Society, which meets my hearty
approval, as much valuable infor-
nation can thus be collected from
the old settlers, each one giving in
detail what passed in his own neigh
borhood in the first settlement of
this country.
Madison was the frat county Or
ganized West of Tennessee river
1t was organized in pursuance of an
act passed by the Legislature in ses-
sion at Murfreesborough, in 1921,
providing for the establishment of
new counties West of Tennessee
river.
The following persons, viz: b. c..
Stewart, David Jarrett, VIM. Atchi-
son, Robt. II. Dyer, John Thomas,
Adam r. Alexander, Duncan Nc
liver, Jos. Lynn, Jas. Trousdale,
Herndon Hartston, VIM. Braden,
SamI. Taylor, w. w. Voolfolk,
gentlemen, Justices of the Peace, by
virtue of commissions from VIM.
Carroll, then Governor of Tennes-
see, appeared at Alexsnder's Land
Office, about one and half miles
Northwest of the present site of
the city of Jackson, in this county,
as directed by the act already reci-
ted, and were sworn in by Allen
Hill, an acting Justice of the Peace
for Williamson county; whereupon,
at the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions, begun and held for the
county of Madison, on Monday,
Dec. 18th, 1921, and in the 10th year
of American independence, it was
ordered that Robert Hughes be ap-
pointed Clerk, pro tempore. The
Court then proceeded to ballot for
a clerk, when Roderick McIver was
elected; Thomas Shannon was elect
ed Shift; HerndOn Hartston, Chair
man of the County Court; James
Brown, Ranger; William Atchison,
Trustee; VIM. Griffith, Coroner;
Jno. T. Porter, Register, and Benz.
Blythe, Geo. Whyte, Jno. Fair, Eli
jah Jones, VIM. H. DOke were cleo
ted COnstables. Alex. B. Bradford
produced his commission as Solicit
tor General of the 14th Senatorial
district, and was qualified as direct
ed by law; and commissioners were
appointed to select county site,
and the present city of Jackson was
selected. At a subsequent Court
commissioners were appointed to
run and make the county lines be-
tween Madison and Gibson, and al
so between Hardeman, McNairy and
Madison. The West boundary line
of Madison, was the third range
line in the 10th Surveyors district,
the East boundary line was the sec
ond range line in the 9Th Surveyors
district, and did not need marking.
The county now being organized
as the law directed, the Town of
Jackson was laid of into lots, the
sale ofwhich was made by the COM
missioners appointed for that pur-
pose, in August 1922, and the pur-
chasers commenced at once to erect
buildings on these lots. Having
now got out of the woods, the citi-
zens applied for a charter to incor-
porate the town, which was grant
ed in 1928. Just imagine to your
self town in a forest fifty years
ago, and now behold flourishing
city! What will it be in fifty years
to come, having so many en-
terprising men located in its midst, !
who will push forward its improve
ments? Jackson has many advan-
tages over other neighboring towns,
which advantages speak for them
selves. Being surrounded by a rich
and productive soil, settled by good
and substantial farmers. In our
are located pleasant
and prosperous villages, good Chur-
ches and schools, convenient Grist
and Saw Mills. The society in Mad
ison county is not surpassed by any
county in the State; and those who
desire good homes would do we'll to
come and settle among us. Land is
and can be had on easy
terms. Ou7 county is very healthy,
water abundant and good, and the
county is already well supplied with
and the prospect good for
.vo or three more.
hope to meet goodIy number
IF my old friends in Jackson, Oh the
18th inst, when we will have an old
fashioned talk.
E. b. MASON.
Mason's Grove, Dec. 4, 1871.