Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-04
EARLY TIMES IN DAVIDSON
COUNTY.
Interesting "reminiscences and
Incidents.

tories of Davidson county and Nash
vile that have been written. Having
been a resident of the county since
my early youth, | became acquainted
with many of the early settlers, whose
names are not recorded in history,
although they took an active part In
laying the foundation of that elevated
society we, their children and grand
children, now enjoy. Their names
and deeds should not be forgotten.
DR.. John Shelby built the first
steam saw mill that was built in Da-
wilson county. 1t stood on the north
side of the Cumberland river, where
the Edgefeld & Nashville Manufac-
turing Company now stand. The
gearing was made o wood. This mill
was Of great advantage to Nashville.
DR.. Minnick and DR.. Newman were
the first physicians to locate in Nash
vile. They came from North Caro-
lima about the year 1894. They were
of great eminence in the medical pro-
fession, and lived to a great old age.
My uncle, James Metcalfe, built
the first brick chimney that was built
in Nashville. He took an active part
in developing the resources of our be-
loved Tennessee aud lived to the adj
vanced age of lis years. His remains
now lie buried in Robertson county.
Stephen Childress was the first to
build a frame house in the county.
He was, truly, a patriot, and did much
toward giving our county and city the
prominence they now enjoy. He lived
to a great age and died respected by
all who knew him.
The first surveyors to settle in
Davidson county were Robert and
Samuel Weakley. The latter had no
superior as a surveyor anywhere. VIZ
are indebted to Robert Weakley for
the boundary lines Of our county. He
was one of the trainers of our State
constitution of 1884. He was several
times a member Of the State Legisla-
ture. No mar ever took a deeper in
terest in the welfare of our State. He
was a Christian, and possessed those
virtues that make man truly great.
Both of these men lived TO a great
age and died respected and beloved.
Thomas McCrory, who is still alive,
took an active part in the early settle
ment Of our State, county and city.
He is very feeble, but it will do any
mar good to sit down and hear him
tell of the dangers and privations
dared by the early settlers; of the
block houses in which our forefathers
lived, and Of their daring deeds. He
is a Christian, and will soon be at rest.
Mr.. Il. j.. Claiborne has handed me
a note containing mention of a number
of old settlers with whom | was not
acquainted except his father. | knew
him we'll.
| could tell of a great many more
whose names should be handed down
to posterity, had / the time and the
American the space to publish them.
But there are number of incidents
connected with our city that should
not be forgotten. About the year 1878,
a large number Of honey bees found
cavities in the bluffs of the river near
the point where Avery's sawmill used
to stand, near the upper wharf. There
were millions Of the bees, and they
made a large amount of honey. Aman,
whose name | do not remember, uD-
dertook to take honey from the rocks,
and the bees stung him to death.
Millions Of these bees found hives in
the cavities and under the iutting
rocks of Campbell's hill (now Capitol
hill). In the year 1920 bee moths got
among them and complely destroyed
them.
About 1894, or 1895, old Colonel
johnson, the father of our beloved
Colonel Anthony johnson, now in his
85th year, while digging for salt water,
near the sulphur spring, dug up a
stone jug, 68 feet below the surface Of
the earth. The jug is still in existence
and is in a museum in Philadelphia.
1t rightfully belongs to our State aud
it seems to me hat our Governor
ought to demand it and have it brought
back to our State. Large quantities
of salt we're made from the water this
well afforded, which was a graf relief
to the people. SAMUEL p. AMENT.
Colonel Claiborne's note, to which
Mr.. Ament refers, is as follows:
Joel Lewis settled in Davidson
county in 1890, and died in18l6 in this
county.
VIM. Terrell Lewis settled in this
county at the same time, and died in
1903. His daughter Eliza married
Governor w. @. @. Claiborne.
Sarah NJ, the oldest daughter Of
Joel Lewis, married James King, a
noted merchant. lie had a number Of
stores. Her second husband was
Major Thomas Claiborne, who settled
in Nashville in 1906. lie represented
this district in Congress in 1918 10
He died at the age Of 70, and his wife
at the age Of 81. They have three
surviving children out Of a larg,
family, namely Mary c.. wife O.
John Ramage, Henry L. and Thomas
all of whom reside at or near Nash
vile. / wrote Mr.. Ament's will, and
know that in it he has set apart S100l
for the poor Of Nashville. OF thu
other requests in his will l have nj
right to speak except by his consent o
request ii. i. CLAIBORNE.
Remember all diseases Of the stom
ach and intestines, urinary and digest