Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-04-20
The Country we Live In.
MeSsrs. Editors:


BY the request of many friends
who have not seen some of my for
mer communication to your paper
and in answer to many inquiries
made of me relative to the settling
of "the country we live in" L viii
briefly reply.
First, this country, and moro par
ticularly the county of Madison, was
first settled in the years 1919 and
1920 by a few pioneers, near to
whore the flourishinS city or Jack
son now stands, as well as the neigh
borhoods of Cotton Grove, Spring
Greek, Denmark and Medon.
The first Land Office that was
opened in the country we live in,'
was opened in December 1920, by
Adam r. Alexander, one and one
half miles Northwest from where
the city of jackson now stands.
Madison county was the first
county established West of Tennes-
see River, and the first Court was
held at Alexander's office in Deem
Der 1921. The town lots in Jackson
were sold in August 1922. The
town of Jackson was incorporated
in 1923. The first Federal Court
West of Tennessee River was held
at Jackson. The first Supreme
Court was held at Jackson. The
first gospel sermon preached in
Madison county, was preached by
Rev. Mr.. Foster, of the Cumberland
Presbyterian denomination, was in
Jackson. The first Lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons was opened
in the year The first marriage
that took place West of Tennessee
River, under the act of the legisla-
ture of 1921, was Robert B. Jones
and Canada Curtis, in December
1921, in Madison county, and the GER
emony was pronounced by Adam
Il. Alexander. The first couple who
was married in Jackson, was our
old and venerable friends, Jesse
Russell and Nancy Sewer, daughter
of Maj. Charles Sewer, in 1928. The
first Camp Meeting held West of
Tennessee River was held on the
lands of Morgan Hewlett, in the
Northeast corner of Madison coun-
ty. The Cumberland Presbyterians
and Methodists united, and came
with their wagons and tent cloths,
and pitched their tents in the forest,
and worshipped the God who made
them, and rejoiced together as
brethren and sisters who loved the
Lord that had placed them in q new
and prosperous country, where milk
and honey flowed in abundance.
Madison County Circuit Court
convicted the first persons for muir
der, who were Jamison and a negro,
for the killing of Mr.. Sanders six
miles Northeast of jackson, in 1926.
They were executed in May 1927,
about three-fourths of a mile East
of jackson, near the Huntingdon
road.
Madison county sent the first con-
Wet to the penitentiary, who was
only confined one year, was then re-
leased, and for many years was en-
ployed as foreman in the tailoring
department of the prison.
Madison county formed the first
Pioneer Society, and for many years
It had its regular meetings, consist
ing of the first settlers in the 'fcoun-
try we live in" During the war,
and since it closed, many of its
members have died. In December
1871, the good people of Madison
county met in Pursuance of previ-
Gus notice, and formed a society of
"Old Settlers" who had been here,
as residents, for thirty years.
ON the ed of February, 1872, it
being the anniversary of the birth
of GEORGE WASHINGTON, said So
ciety met to commemorate the birth
of our noble Chieftain, who was the
''father of his country" and who
did not know any difference in his
country's interest, whether it was
North, East, Sonth or West. Said
Society then adopted its Constitu-
ton and Bylaws, after which there
were one or more persons appointed
by the Chairman in each civil dis
trict, to get up the history or chron-
cles in his district, as well as the
names of all those who wish become
of this ancient order, and
TO report to the next meeting of the
Society, which will be on the first
in May, 1872, at the Court
house in jackson, at which time
md place l hope to meet all the
odd settlers' in Madison county.
Respectfully,
L. u. MASON,
dason's Grove, Tenn. Apl15, 1872.
p. S.-Madison county furnished
he first member to Congress from
he country we live in" in the |
person of Adam II. Alexander. ESQ. |