| Stand where history happened! |
OUR HISTORY
From the Civil War to ..................
HISTORY OF HUMPHREYS COUNTY TENNESSEE
Humphreys County was originally a
part of the great Tennessee County of
North Carolina, formed in 1788, with
Clarksville as the County Seat. In 1796,
the year that Tennessee became a
state, Tennessee County was divided
into Robertson and Montgomery
Counties and gave its name to the
state. A further division of Montgomery
County in 1801 created Stewart County
from which Humphreys County was
created in 1809. Reynoldsville was the
first county seat. Waverly became the
county seat when Benton County was
erected, largely from territory that was
previously included in Humphreys
County.
part of the great Tennessee County of
North Carolina, formed in 1788, with
Clarksville as the County Seat. In 1796,
the year that Tennessee became a
state, Tennessee County was divided
into Robertson and Montgomery
Counties and gave its name to the
state. A further division of Montgomery
County in 1801 created Stewart County
from which Humphreys County was
created in 1809. Reynoldsville was the
first county seat. Waverly became the
county seat when Benton County was
erected, largely from territory that was
previously included in Humphreys
County.
WAVERLY
On the earliest maps of the county,the present site of Waverly is marked Pavatts. It was
possibly a stage stop on the old stage road. The town was named Waverly by Steven C.
Pavatt, who named it Waverly as he was a great admirer of the Waverly novels by Sir
Walter Scott.
Waverly was incorporated in 1838.Commissioners were appointed to reserve an area in
the center of town for a courthouse. A courthouse was built on this spot in 1836. A
second and larger courthouse was built on this spot at a later date and stood for forty
years until November 1876 when it was destroyed by fire during the setting of the Circuit
Court. As the fire occurred during the daytime the records were saved. A third
courthouse was built on the same spot and it to was destroyed by fire on June 10, 1898.
The fire burned all record books and files of papers except the land deed records which
were in a fireproof vault. The fourth courthouse was built in 1899 and demolished in
1951 and 1952 to make way for the fifth and present courthouse. One other important
event in the history of Waverly was a fire in 1911 when the main downtown buildings
burned.
Located south of Waverly is a small area of beautiful homes and a mill known as
Hurricane Mills. Hurricane Mills is dominated by an old mill and dam that stretched
across Hurricane Creek. The mill and dam were constructed sometime around 1895 by
James T Anderson. A carding factory was in the area 30 years ago and made
old-fashioned jeans.
On the earliest maps of the county,the present site of Waverly is marked Pavatts. It was
possibly a stage stop on the old stage road. The town was named Waverly by Steven C.
Pavatt, who named it Waverly as he was a great admirer of the Waverly novels by Sir
Walter Scott.
Waverly was incorporated in 1838.Commissioners were appointed to reserve an area in
the center of town for a courthouse. A courthouse was built on this spot in 1836. A
second and larger courthouse was built on this spot at a later date and stood for forty
years until November 1876 when it was destroyed by fire during the setting of the Circuit
Court. As the fire occurred during the daytime the records were saved. A third
courthouse was built on the same spot and it to was destroyed by fire on June 10, 1898.
The fire burned all record books and files of papers except the land deed records which
were in a fireproof vault. The fourth courthouse was built in 1899 and demolished in
1951 and 1952 to make way for the fifth and present courthouse. One other important
event in the history of Waverly was a fire in 1911 when the main downtown buildings
burned.
Located south of Waverly is a small area of beautiful homes and a mill known as
Hurricane Mills. Hurricane Mills is dominated by an old mill and dam that stretched
across Hurricane Creek. The mill and dam were constructed sometime around 1895 by
James T Anderson. A carding factory was in the area 30 years ago and made
old-fashioned jeans.
CIVIL WAR IN HUMPHREYS COUNTY
On June 8,1861 Humphreys County voted 1,042-0 for secession. Federal troops were in the
county to build the railroad from White Bluff to Johnsonville between October 22,1863 and May
10,1864. These troops consisted of the 12th and 13th U.S.Infantry. A fort was built on the court
square and was later moved to a position on Fort Hill. This was manned by the 1st Kansas Battery
and the 8th Iowa Calvary whose sole purpose was to guard the railroad. This area was described
as having a high amount of guerrilla warfare. One Major of a Federal Patrol from Clarksville is
quoted as having said "Waverly is a cesspool of guerrilla warfare and should be wiped off the face
of the earth."
At around the same time in the vicinity of Hurricane Mills the Federal troops had built a stockade.
In July of 1863 there was an attack on this stockade which resulted in several deaths.
The main action of the county occurred in Johnsonville. Johnsonville was being used as a
storage area for Federal Supplies left there by Federal boats to be loaded on the train and taken to
Nashville. A Confederate Infantry and gun battery led by N.B.Forrest attacked the troops guarding
these supplies. They destroyed 95,000 tons of supplies, 4 gunboats, 14 steamboats, 17 barges,
and killed many men and captured 150. Forrest lost two men and had 9 wounded before
marching away as Federal reinforcements arrived. Johnsonville was rebuilt but never became
important again during the war.
On June 8,1861 Humphreys County voted 1,042-0 for secession. Federal troops were in the
county to build the railroad from White Bluff to Johnsonville between October 22,1863 and May
10,1864. These troops consisted of the 12th and 13th U.S.Infantry. A fort was built on the court
square and was later moved to a position on Fort Hill. This was manned by the 1st Kansas Battery
and the 8th Iowa Calvary whose sole purpose was to guard the railroad. This area was described
as having a high amount of guerrilla warfare. One Major of a Federal Patrol from Clarksville is
quoted as having said "Waverly is a cesspool of guerrilla warfare and should be wiped off the face
of the earth."
At around the same time in the vicinity of Hurricane Mills the Federal troops had built a stockade.
In July of 1863 there was an attack on this stockade which resulted in several deaths.
The main action of the county occurred in Johnsonville. Johnsonville was being used as a
storage area for Federal Supplies left there by Federal boats to be loaded on the train and taken to
Nashville. A Confederate Infantry and gun battery led by N.B.Forrest attacked the troops guarding
these supplies. They destroyed 95,000 tons of supplies, 4 gunboats, 14 steamboats, 17 barges,
and killed many men and captured 150. Forrest lost two men and had 9 wounded before
marching away as Federal reinforcements arrived. Johnsonville was rebuilt but never became
important again during the war.
REYNOLDSBURG
Reynoldsburg,a small town once located four miles northwest of here where Dry Creek enters the Tennessee River, was first
settled in 1800-1805. By an act of the Legislature on October 25, 1811, provisions were made for a permanent seat of justice
for Humphreys County.
The site of Reynoldsburg was chosen for the county seat because the Nashville and Memphis stage ran through it and
crossed the Tennessee River at this point. Reynoldsburg grew to importance as a town along the river. It became the trading
center and shipping point for the rich river bottom plantation lands. At its peak, Reynoldsburg missed being chosen capital city
of Tennessee by only three general assembly votes. The County Seat was moved to Waverly in 1835 and Reynoldsburg's
business died. Soon after it fell completely when travel and railroad routes switched locations.
Reynoldsburg,a small town once located four miles northwest of here where Dry Creek enters the Tennessee River, was first
settled in 1800-1805. By an act of the Legislature on October 25, 1811, provisions were made for a permanent seat of justice
for Humphreys County.
The site of Reynoldsburg was chosen for the county seat because the Nashville and Memphis stage ran through it and
crossed the Tennessee River at this point. Reynoldsburg grew to importance as a town along the river. It became the trading
center and shipping point for the rich river bottom plantation lands. At its peak, Reynoldsburg missed being chosen capital city
of Tennessee by only three general assembly votes. The County Seat was moved to Waverly in 1835 and Reynoldsburg's
business died. Soon after it fell completely when travel and railroad routes switched locations.
NEW JOHNSONVILLE
New Johnsonville is the product of an older town once in this area. This town was Johnsonville. It was located about 11
miles west of this road sign on the Tennessee River. Johnsonville was laid out and plotted in 1864. The town was named for
Andrew Johnson after he rode from Nashville to the river on the first passenger train in the area. Andrew Johnson was then
military governor of Tennessee. It is known the town became important during the Civil War only to decline after the war.
Johnsonville was a constant struggle with nature as it was frequently flooded by the river. The record height of these floods
was recorded in the spring of 1897 when the river reached 48.1 feet of water which was eighteen feet above flood stage. The
town of Johnsonville was permanently covered with water when a dam was built across the river at Gilbertville, Kentucky in the
mid-forties. The present site of New Johnsonville then sprung up on higher land near the railroad.
New Johnsonville is the product of an older town once in this area. This town was Johnsonville. It was located about 11
miles west of this road sign on the Tennessee River. Johnsonville was laid out and plotted in 1864. The town was named for
Andrew Johnson after he rode from Nashville to the river on the first passenger train in the area. Andrew Johnson was then
military governor of Tennessee. It is known the town became important during the Civil War only to decline after the war.
Johnsonville was a constant struggle with nature as it was frequently flooded by the river. The record height of these floods
was recorded in the spring of 1897 when the river reached 48.1 feet of water which was eighteen feet above flood stage. The
town of Johnsonville was permanently covered with water when a dam was built across the river at Gilbertville, Kentucky in the
mid-forties. The present site of New Johnsonville then sprung up on higher land near the railroad.
JESSE JAMES
Jesse James, or Mr. John D. Howard as he was known locally, lived in this area for about two
years. He rented a farm from W.H.Link in 1877. He was considered to be a good farmer by local
people. None of the local people had any idea of his shocking past. Besides a good farmer he
was also a horse racer. His horse was named Red Fox and was entered in local races which
he always won.
The original house of Jesse James is long since gone but two small graves can be seen in
what was then the backyard. The grave stones are believed to have been carved by him and
have been identified as the final resting places for his twins who were believed to have been
about a week old when they passed away.
Jesse James, or Mr. John D. Howard as he was known locally, lived in this area for about two
years. He rented a farm from W.H.Link in 1877. He was considered to be a good farmer by local
people. None of the local people had any idea of his shocking past. Besides a good farmer he
was also a horse racer. His horse was named Red Fox and was entered in local races which
he always won.
The original house of Jesse James is long since gone but two small graves can be seen in
what was then the backyard. The grave stones are believed to have been carved by him and
have been identified as the final resting places for his twins who were believed to have been
about a week old when they passed away.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
McEwen
McEwen, the second largest city in Humphreys County,
was incorporated in 1907. In 1869 John McAdoo
platted and laid out McEwen originally in 80 plats.
McEwen's name came from one of the civil engineers
for the railroad company. The building and growth of
McEwen was interrupted by the Civil War. As early as
1812 there was a stage coach line about 1/2 mile
north of the present day McEwen. This was the main
line between New Orleans and Washington. Spencer
T. Hunt operated a stage inn about 1 1/2 miles north of
McEwen on this line. The inn was a famous stopping
and resting place for travelers since the stages
changed horses there.
McEwen is well known for the annual Irish Picnic held
on the last Saturday in July. 2009 brings the 154th
annual Irish Picnic.
McEwen, the second largest city in Humphreys County,
was incorporated in 1907. In 1869 John McAdoo
platted and laid out McEwen originally in 80 plats.
McEwen's name came from one of the civil engineers
for the railroad company. The building and growth of
McEwen was interrupted by the Civil War. As early as
1812 there was a stage coach line about 1/2 mile
north of the present day McEwen. This was the main
line between New Orleans and Washington. Spencer
T. Hunt operated a stage inn about 1 1/2 miles north of
McEwen on this line. The inn was a famous stopping
and resting place for travelers since the stages
changed horses there.
McEwen is well known for the annual Irish Picnic held
on the last Saturday in July. 2009 brings the 154th
annual Irish Picnic.
McEwen City Hall
Photo courtesy of Jan Crowell
Photo courtesy of Jan Crowell
Photo courtesy of Jan Crowell