Delana Lowe and others vs. Gideon A. Lowe and others.

 Metropolitan Government Archives of Nashville and Davidson Co., TN

Davidson County Chancery Court Loose Records

Rule # 1638

Delana Lowe and others vs. Gideon A. Lowe and others.

 

Petioners - bill for partition and distribution of the estate of Gideon H. Lowe, deceased, late of Davidson Co., TN, filed May 10, 1856.

Delana [Delany] Lowe, widow of Gideon H. Lowe.

Richard Redding and Catherine B. his wife,  citizens of Cheatham Co., TN.

Thomas R. Shearon and Mary J. his wife, citizens of  Dyer Co., TN.

Joseph Willis and Tennessee his wife, citizens of Alexandria, Dekalb Co., TN.

Ezekial S. Gleaves and Elizabeth A. his wife, citizens of Dixon [sic] Co., TN.

Leonard J. Lowe of Gainsboro, Jackson Co., TN.

                Against

Gideon H. Lowe

Sarah D. Lowe

Letitia A. Lowe

Anna M. Lowe

And Toney N. Lowe or  Neri T. Lowe

All of whom are citizens of Cheatham Co., TN and under age of twenty-one years, and Alexander Lowe of Robertson Co., TN.

 

Complainant Delana Lowe is the widow of Gideon H. Lowe, deceased, late of Davidson Co., TN and the complainants Catherine B. Redding, Mary J. Shearon, Tennessee Willis, Elizabeth A. Gleaves, Leonard J. Lowe and Louisa E. Lowe; and the defendants Gideon H. Lowe, Sarah D. Lowe, Letitia A. Lowe, Anna M. Lowe and Toney N. Lowe are the children and heirs at law of the aforesaid Gideon H. Lowe, who died intestate at his residence, in the month of September 1853, said residence then being in Davidson Co., but now in Cheatham Co., TN

 

At his death Lowe owned; one tract on the north side of the Cumberland, near the mouth of Marrowbone creek, also one half of another tract called the meeting house tract, containing in all 570 acres.  Another tract owned in common with Alexander Lowe of between 90 and 100 acres in Robertson Co., now occupied by Richard Redding and his wife, on the road that runs from Nashville by Sycamore Mills to Clarksville, about one and a half miles from Sycamore Mills. 

 

List of slaves named in file -

Allen; Clary; Andrew; Peter; Blackstone; Marinda; Green; Daniel; Clayton; Levi; Harriet; Richard; Shepherd; Edney; John; James [Jim]

A good life

I am not formally educated beyond high school, but I have received instruction from some of the best minds of the Nashville history elite. I have been so fortunate to have John Egerton and Paul Clements as trusted mentors and friends. Many people in the local history scene have been friends and advisors. George Zepp, Ann Roberts, Robbie Jones, Tara Mitchell Mielnik, Tim Walker, David Ewing, Pat Nolan, Bobby Lovett, Linda Center, and Ridley Wills are among many who have helped and advised me along the way.

I held a position for about 15 years at Metro Nashville Archives as an archives assistant. For 10 years prior, I had been a volunteer at the archives. Davidson County Historian John Connelly was a wonderful friend during those years. I worked with patrons who became friends. Others were found to be relatives sharing one family line or another. Visitors at the archives came in to discover the family history. Some were researching for their master's thesis or a doctoral dissertation. Some wanted to know more about a house's history or how a street was named. Working with authors who were researching material for a book was special. Dr, Mary Francis Berry was so impressive, and it was an honor to receive a credit mention in one of her books. I had an opportunity to work with researchers from the Kennedy Center Honors program by contributing photographs of a young Oprah from the Metro Archives collection.

Every day I learned something new. I also learned to let go of long-held beliefs when facts proved they were not true. One of the hardest to let go of was Fort Nashborough. It did not exist. Though the settlement was called Nashborough in the beginning, the Fort was named the Bluff Station. When Paul Clements first told me this, I did not believe him. But after several years of research, I had to finally accept that he was right.

My proudest accomplishments are in being married to Jimmy for over 53 years. Our daughters are wonderfully talented people, and our two grandchildren are hard-working and caring. Both worked in grocery and retail operations all through the pandemic. We never know how long how time on earth will be. I am hoping for ours to last for many more years. I have so much more to learn and memories to share. The journey has been a good one so far.

 

P.S. Our granddaughter is now engaged and will be married in 2023, Hope we can stay around long enough to witness the next chapter. 

Debie and Jimmy Cox 2016

A Saturday Morning Memory from Meridian Street

Debie Oeser Cox

  

This memory is from the early summer of 1964 when I was twelve, living at 1017 Meridian Street.  I had awakened before the sun came up, which was unusual for a night owl like me.  Our house was usually full of people. Mama was one of 12 children and Daddy one of ten children, so there always a cousin spending the night, and at times, one or more of Mama's siblings living with us.  

On that morning, all was quiet, just Mama, Daddy, and me at home.  I went out to sit on the front porch steps as the sun came up in the sky.  We had a high, wrap-around porch on our late Queen Ann-style house.  It was suddenly fully daylight, a cloudless blue sky.  The weather was pleasant, not humid, and probably about 70 degrees.   

The street sweeper was coming down the hill from Vaughn towards our house. The huge truck had rotating brushes that swept the street and a water spray to wash the debris into the storm sewer.  The Purity Milk truck pulled up in front of Mrs. White's house, and the milkman hopped out and ran up to her porch to leave her order of milk and juice. There was a bird of some sort high up in hackberry singing a sweet song. I looked up and down the street at all the houses with neat yards and freshly cut grass, which I could smell in the air. Someone was cooking bacon, and it made me hungry.  Across the street, Mrs. Newby came out to sweep her porch.  Next door, my sweet friend, Ophelia Primm, who to a twelve-year-old was ancient, but was probably no more than 70, opened the door to let her little pomeranian out.  

No one seemed to notice me sitting there. I decided that I would always remember that morning. I would keep that memory of that view of my little world forever in my heart.  It is such a quiet, simple moment that it probably doesn't seem memorable, but it a piece of Meridian Street that I always have with me.  I can call up the scene in my mind's eye, and Meridian Street is transformed to 1964.

 

1017 Meridian ca 1970

Shelby Park Memories

We rode through Shelby Park yesterday. It was such a welcome sight after being cooped up all winter because of the weather and the Covid19 pandemic. A beautiful reminder that life is renewed every spring. Blooming trees, flowers, and seven baby ducks following their mother across the lake. Jimmy and I both laughed out loud when we saw them. As we passed the baseball diamond they were filled with people doing what they have done every spring for over 100 years. 

Shelby Park was privately owned from 1892 until 1905. It was an amusement park with a bandstand and a dance pavilion, a flying Jenny, swings, a bowling alley, and more. The owners went bankrupt and the was in limbo until the city purchased it a few years later. Shelby was opened as a city park in 1912.

 

                                       Click to read about The First Shelby Park

Almost every person who lived near the park in the old days spent a lot of time there. Before air conditioning was common in homes, seeking out a cooler environment was a necessity. From my mother I have stories of my great grandfather going to movies in the park, accompanied by a female friend. They courted but he remained a widower. Mama and her siblings grew up there. Running up and down hills and fishing in the lake. The boys would recover golf balls and sell them to golfers. When they were older they would caddie and even later played golf there. 

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Golf Course
House is still standing in East Nashville

The girls went to social gatherings at Sycamore Lodge and spent time at the Mission House being taught crafts by local volunteers.

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Sycamore Lodge

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Mission House

On hot summer days, they would help their mother prepare and pack up supper. Their Dad would meet his family in the park. Blankets were spread on the ground and they would gather under giant trees in the shade for their meal. 

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives

After eating the children would run to the playground. Some would climb the steps to the windmill. The others would go over to the boathouse where they could go up the stairs and look out over the lake. Their parents would nap under the trees and enjoy a peaceful time. 

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Monkey Bars

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Windmill

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Boathouse

As they watched the sunset they would walk home together. My grandparents moved often but they were always in East Nashville and within walking distance of Shelby Park.

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives- Spring Cave

Metro Nashville Archives- Creighton Collection- Railroad Bridge at Shelby Park

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives Typical Shelter

Parks and Recreation- Shelby Park- Metro Nashville Archives - Shops and Barns

Metro Nashville Archives- Walter Williams Collection- Shelby Park

Metro Nashville Archives- Shelby Park

Metro Nashville Archives- Shelby Park

Metro Nashville Archives- Shelby Park

Metro Nashville Archives- Shelby Park

Metro Nashville Archives- Shelby Park

Remembering

I can close my eyes and drift back home for a few minutes. Many people talk about how much they miss this place or that: one business or another. I miss my Mama and Daddy. My brother and my grandparents. My sister when she was a teen. I miss walking along Meridian Street. I miss walking down the alley to my grandparent's house. It was the kind of place where everyone knew each other. Mothers were always home and watched out for all the kids. At lunchtime, we often ate over at someone's house and then right out to play again. The afternoons were hot, and everyone was outside looking for a cool breeze. It was an inner-city neighborhood that had brick sidewalks and a corner store. 

I miss the front porch swing and hearing Mama sing, You Are My Sunshine. I miss the warmth of the people that I loved and that loved me. I miss the babies, my niece, and nephews, now adults with grown children and grandchildren. I miss my cousins and catching lightning bugs in a jar and playing freeze tag and baseball. 

I miss our neighbors in the 1000 block of Meridian and those behind us in the 1000 block of Pennock. Wilson and Ladye Hurt were next door at 1015 Meridian. Hattie and Robert White lived at 1013. The Newby, Tunstall, Williams, Morrissey, Raymer, Banniza, and many other families lived up and down the block. Living across the alley, on Pennock was my Oeser grandparents, known as Mama and Papa Oeser, to every kid in the neighborhood. Other people on that block were Conquest, Charleton, Bishop, Carey, Crouch, Allen, Birdwell, Denson, and Hackett. 

There are so many things left only to memory. All of the buildings could remain, which would not remove the longing for just a few minutes back with all my people from the past.

From the Bible of Harriet Olivia Rieves Oeser.

From the Bible of Harriet Olivia Rieves Oeser.

This is a scan of a page from the Bible of Harriet Olivia Rieves Oeser. The page was given to me by Christene Oeser, wife of John Paul "Peanut" Oeser. 

Births

Ernest L. Oeser was born Oct. 30th 1848.

Harriet O. Oeser was born Sept. 23rd 1857.

Louie F. Oeser was born Aug. 31st 1878.

Edward H. Oeser was born Nov. 3rd 1879.

Maud M. Oeser was born May 9th 1881.

Charlie F. Oeser was born May 2nd 1882.

Clevie Oeser was born Nov. 10th 1884.

Minnie L. Oeser was born Jan. 20th 1886.

Ada E. Oeser was born Nov. 24th 1887

Owen R. Oeser was born Feb. 22nd 1890. 

Percy C. Oeser was born Sept. 21st 1891.

Ernest G. Oeser was born Nov. 26th 1892.

Hattie R. Oeser was born July 28th 1895.

Rena L. Whittemore born Jan. 10th 1904.

(Rena was the daughter of Minnie L. Oeser and her first husband Searcy Whittemore.)

Davidson County Chancery Ct Rule # 5058 Pinkney Gibson vs Zachary Gibson & others

Chancery Ct Rule # 5058  Pinkney Gibson vs Zachary Gibson & others

Complainant is Pinkney Gibson father of Zachary T. aged 18 yrs and Andrew C. Gibson aged 16 yrs.  The sons reside with him in Edgefield. He was appointed guardian for the deft in county court of Davidson in 1860.  Their mother was Sarah Nicholson, and the plaintiff holds a small fund in the amt. of $519, in the estate of the mother’s father William Nicholson.  The defendants also represent their mother in the estate of their grandfather Andrew Castleman, decd. in a tract of land on Hillsboro Pk. adjoining the land of Felix Compton, where Andrew Castleman died.  The interest of their mother is one eighth and the same has been partitioned to them, about 7 acres and 144 poles. Land has no improvement and yields no income. Complainant has purchased a lot on Fatherland and Church St., Edgefield and has built a small house on it.  Complaint filed April 20, 1867.

Davidson County Chancery Court Chancery Ct Rule # 5405 W. W. Pugh vs W. A. Saunders

Chancery Ct Rule # 5405 W. W. Pugh vs W. A. Saunders

Complaints are W. W. Pugh and wife Margaret, A. B. Grubbs and wife Sarah, Josiah Castleman, Letitia Grubbs, and Houston L. Castleman and George Jenkins and wife Elizabeth all residents of Davidson Co. TN and W. W. Castleman a resident of Rutherford Co. vs W. A. Saunders and wife Cynthia A. residents of Arkansas, John Boner and wife Isophinia, residents of Illinois, Rachel Castleman widow of Burrill Castleman deceased, Rebecca Castleman  and Henry Castleman children of Burrill and Rachel and C. W. Cook guardian to the minors all of Wilson Co., TN.

Henry Castleman died in 18^th March 1849 in the county of Davidson leaving a last will and testament & Burrill P. Castleman and Houston L. Castleman were named executors and qualified as such.  Henry left a widow Elizabeth who died in November 1867.  And left as his heirs at law and next of kin. Margaret wife of A. B. Grubbs, W. W. Castleman, Isaiah Castleman, Cynthia wife of W. A. Saunders, Elizabeth wife of George Jenkins, Latitia (who intermarried with a man named Griffin who has since died leaving her a widow), Isophinia (spelled this way twice) wife of John H. Bone of the state of Illinois, Houston L. Castleman and Burrill P. Castleman who intermarried with deft Rachel and by her had to children Rebecca and Henry, minors with C. W. Cook as their guardian all of Wilson Co.  Complainants state that the widow of Henry is dead and ask that the land be divided.  200 acres bound by on East Wiley, on SW w. W. Pugh, Frank Baker on the North.  

Burrell Castleman died 1861

Manlove and Hyde Davidson County, Tennessee

B. W. Hyde

Davidson Co. will book 21:148 Inventory and sale of B. W. Hyde, R. H. Manlove Administrator

Davidson Co. will book 21:711 Administrators settlement for B. W. Hyde, R. H. Manlove Adm.

Davidson Co. deed book 38:726  Deed of gift “for love and affection” .  B. W. Hyde to Robert H. Manlove 72 acres on Whites Creek to take effect after the deaths of Benjamin W. Hyde and his wife Nellie W. Hyde.   Written 3 Apr 1866 Recorded Dec. 28, 1867.

1850 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 762

323/340Benj. W. Hyde 64 born in NC, Emily 56, Benj. H. 24, Lediville 22, Franklin 18, Jane 15, Robt. H. 8 (this is probably Robert H. Manlove, see 1860 census for B. W. Hyde).

1850 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 760

306/322 Joseph E. Manlove 43 born in VA, Caroline 32, Patrick H. 12, Henrietta 11, Benj. F. 9, Rebecca S. 7, Mary A. A 5, Josephine 4, Lucy J. 1.

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 304

916/872 B. W. Hyde 74, Mrs. N. 66, F. H. 26, Alice 23, R. H. Manlove 18, O. Hyde 50.

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 305

934/890 Dr. J. E. Manlove 54, Mrs. C. 43, Benj. 20, Rebecca 16, Aralade 14, Jo. 12, Lucy 10, Willie, 8, Caroline 6, Milard 4, Minisota 1.

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 306

Tas Hyde, 27, Mrs. E. 19

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 306

Will Hyde 30, Mrs. S 28, Mary 9, Edwin 5

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 307

C. H. Manlove 40, 

1860 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co., Dist 23, page 305

1870 Tennessee Census, Davidson Co. page D445

Joseph Manlove 63 born in VA, Caroline 52, Lucy 20, Wm. 17, Carolin 15, John 12, Minney 10.

Davidson County marriage records Joseph E. Manlove to Caroline L. Hyde Dec. 22, 1836

Joseph E. Manlove will book 21:534 names wife Caroline, Sons Patrick H. & B. F. Manlove, my little boy John Morgan Manlove, daughters Rebeca and Josephine, daughters Susan and Henrietta (decd).  Son Willie E. Manlove.  My minor children (not named)  Ext. B. F. Manlove

Will book 21 page 345-348 Executors settlement filed Feb 26 1873.  on page 348 mentions “Oct. 20, 1871 Frwd to Dr. R. C. Manlove (Texas) in part due to him as exct of C. Manlove

Some records from Davidson County, Tenn WB 9

Will book 9 page 465 

Recorded Feb 4, 1831

Page 465 Peter Bass decd copy of letters of Admin.  State of Missouri, County of Boon, Monroe Woodard clerk of the county…Peter Bass died intestate and John M Bass and Eli E Bass given letters of admin, given on 27^th June, 1829

Page 466 Recorded Feb 17, 1831  Will of Henry Quisenberry decd  Wife Polly, chidren sons Jefferson and John, Elmira, Lucinda, Louisa, Mary Ann.  Mentions land in Davidson Co acreage not given and in Henry Co. TN 520 acres, William Wendel and Samuel H Whitsett with my wife Polly as executors, written march 26, 1829. H. Petway, G. G. Washington and A. R. Wilson witnesses.

Page 466 recorded Feb 17, 1831 Margaret McCutchen widows support Pursuant to order of the Oct. court of pleas and quarter sessions 1830, we John Hodges, Samuel Northern, & John F. O.Neil commissions, lay off to Margaret mcCutchen widow of John McCutchen decd one years sustenance for her and family.  On Nov. 5, 1830, 45 barrels of corn, 1200 ___ pork, 65 dozen oats, 5 ___of fodder, 25 lbs coffee, 2 lbs tean, 50 lbs sugar, 400 lbs of flour, one barrel of salt, 2 lbs of pepper, 2 lbs of spice, one loaf of sugar, 2 ounces of nutmeg, 2 ounces of cinnamon, one pound of ginger, cotton 65 pounds, 15 pounds of wool, 100 lbs of soap, 12 pounds of tallow, 4 fgallons vinegar, and all the poultry that belongs to the farm and one cow and young calf.

Page 467 rec. feb 17, 1831 William W Key decd settlement Commissioners Th Claiborne, and Will Little settle with John Alford, executor of the last will and testament of William W. Key sum of 2592.89 ½ cents. Credit of 94.06 ¼  for Martin Key son of testator 2498.03 ¼ cents divided into six parts the number of legatees, will give to each legatee the sum of 416.47, vouchers from 5 of the legatees. Lee Alford, John A. Key, E. W. Vaughn in right of his wife, Martin Key and Nancy Walker formerly Nancy Key piad in full and Tandy Key has received 271.58 leaving a balance due him of 144.89.  

Page 468 rec feb 18, 1831 Samuel McCutchen decd Inventory, 

Will Book 9 page 622

William Homes Dec Settlement recorded Sept 3, 1832

D. B. Love and Sarah Homes administrators, large inventory sold, listing only the slaves.

D. B. Love – Negro Jack - $263

D. B. Love – Mary & child – 300

S. Homes – Tempy - 250

D. B. Love – Ellen - 243

J. Merryman – Adeline – 244.50

D. B. Love – Rosanna – 159.50

Page 619

Francis Davis decd inventory  recorded Sept 5, 1832

Property sold by Pressly Dodson and William Dodson adm on Feb 20 1832

Lucy & 2 children Jack and Anthony to Wm Dodson - 517

Marsha a yellow girl to Pressly Dodson – 265.__

Jack & wife to Wm Phillips - 150

Boy Henry to Wm Phillips – 170.75

Doctor yellow boy to Eli Dodson – 186

Page 618

Medicus R Turner decd Division Recorded 1^st 1832

Davidson county Nov 1^st 1831 division of Negroes between Minerva Turner widow and his infant heirs

One Negro man Willie aged 28 years valued at $500

One Negro woman Fereby aged 25 years valued at $350

One boy named John aged 4 years valued at $175

One boy named Washington aged 2 years valued at $125

One girl child named Fanny aged 7 months valued at $75

Page 611-614 recorded March 31 1832

Peter Byson decd sale of property

Negroes and property in possession 

Boy Crawford aged 23 years

Boy Moses aged 19 years

Boy Benjamin aged 14 years

Woman Chana aged 28 years

Girl Lucinda aged 10 years

Girl child Amy aged 6 years

Page 597

Will of Willis Swan Rec July 9 1832

I lend to my daughter Jane a Negro girl named Louisa

I lend to my daughter Anne a Negro girl by the name of Lavenia