written by; Mary Ellen Martin Walker May 1996
"Springhill Cemetery was established in 1785 by the people of the Cumberland Settlement. In 1785, the people realizing the need of a minister of the Gospel called Rev. Thomas Craighead and established the first Presbyterian Church in middle Tennessee and called Springhill Meeting House. Thomas Craighead gave 10 acres of land for a grave yard. In 1813, the grave yard was conveyed to a board of Commissioners appointed by Craighead:
JOHN GOODRICKWILLIAM MAXEY
WILLIAM NEELY JR. B. 1766
JOSEPH PHILLIPS
ROBERT WEAKLEY It was protected by a Trust Fund which has steadily grown since the cemetery was incorporated in 1882.
VII Samuel Neely b. May 30, 1769 in South Carolina. m. Mary Polly Watkins Samuel was present at the killing of his mother and killed the head Indian, who was very large measuring some three feet from shoulder to shoulder. He died on the old homestead in NeeWs Bend in [)avidson County Tennessee. He built the cedar log cabin at Neely’s Bend that was dismantled and moved to Hachland Hill, Clarksville in Montgomery County Tennessee around 1968.
"Neely’s Grave Yard, Far View Farm of Dr. W. E. Reynolds, Neely’s Bend Road has not been in use for more than 100 years. There are tbree or more graves which are unmarked. Those living on the place do not know the names, ages or dates of death, but think they may have been the Neely Family as this was once known as the Neely property."
Mary (Polly) Watkins Neely, wife of Samuel Neely of Neely’s Bend was the daughter of Jacob and Sally Williams Lloyd Watkins.
"About 1806, Jacob left Campbell County Virginia with his wife and children for the long over land journey to Nashville, Davidson County" Jacob and Sally Watkins had eight children:Samuel, b. 1794; d. 1880; Jacob, Isaac, Patsy, Sallie, Polly, James, and Margaret.
After Jacob and Sally arrived in Nashville they died with typhoid fever leaving young Samuel and the other children homeless and penniless. The children were paroled out to different families.
The Davidson County Court placed Samuel in the care of J. Robertson, a son of James Robertson. He later served in the U. S. Army.
In Clarksville, he learned the brick laying business and also how to make them. In 1827, he was in business for himself in Nashville and making bricks for some of the finest buildings going up in the city.
He lost a fortune during the Civil War but made another there after.
Though he never had a day of formal education in his life, he was determined that no other adult in Nashville need live his years in ignorance even if he was born poor and tied to a job all day long.
In 1876, Watkins in his will provided for a free night school for adults, with classes to be held day or night for the youth of Nashville to acquire information upon such useful subjects as "Will be beneficial in the business of life" located at 6th and church.His gift to the city was Watkins Park a nine acre plot over to the city and it became the first in the city’s system.He gave to the State of Tennessee in trust $100,000.00 in cash and the lot at 6th and Church for a school building to be built.That’s the monument Watkins wanted; he said, "The diffusion of knowledge among people."He died 1880 and was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Nancy (Neely) Frey, niece of Samuel Watkins, received an inheritance from Samuel Watkins.
VIII. Margaret Neely b. December 20, 1772 in South Carolina
IX. John Neely b. May 16, 1774 in South Carolina
X. Jane (Jenny) Neely b. December 3 1st., 1776 m. Thomas Buchanan and joined the Shakers with her husband and moved to their settlement at South Union near Bowling Green, Kentucky.The four foundation principals of the Shaker religion werecelibacy, confession of sins, communal ownership of property, and withdrawal from the world.
In 1813, Thomas Buchanan became very unhappy with the Shakers and took his sons Isaac, William, and John away, but failed when he attempted to take his daughter Patsy (alias) Malinda. She was alive and with the Shakers in 1879 at which time she was over 80 years old. South Union village began in 1807 and September 26, 1922 was the date of the Shakertown sale. The Shaker enterprise at South Union had come to an end.
Shaker Festivals are held there each year; a living museum.
DAVIDSON COUNTY COURT RECORDS
Inventory of William Neely Estate:
Vol. 1. pg. 166; pg. 230-1790 D. C. W. B.
Appraisal of William Neely Estate- 1791 Divided among legatees: William Neely, Samuel Neely,
Margaret Neely, Samuel Williams, and William Edmondson. pg. 231: appraisment of William Neely’s Estate:
Isaac, son
Jane Caldwell, daughter
Elizabeth Spears, daughter
On December 11, 1797 William Neely bought the following Negro slaves: Charlotte and Andrew, and Davey and her two children- -Sam, Phoebe, and Hanner paid $417.00.
Pg 297
Letters of Adm.: On motion that William Neely have letters of Adm. on William Neely, Dec’d having given bond of one thousand pounds with Samuel Buchanan and John Edmondson, Security, and took the Oath of an Administrator.
April12,1790
Pg.. 350(423) Guardians-Jenny Neely personally came into court and chused William Neely, her guardian, who entered into bond of five hundred pounds with Robert Edmondson and Henry Coffy, his securities, for his Faithful Guardianship.
Guardians-John Neely personally came into court and chused Samuel Neely his guardian, who entered into bond of 500 pounds with Donaldson and Robert Edmondson, his Securities for his FaithfulGuardianship.April 14, 1791
Appraisers appointed to divide Neely’s Estate-ordered that Samuel Buchanan, Robert Edmondson, John Walker, William Donaldson, and Alexander Campbell; or any three of them, be appointed to appraise such part of the Estate of William Neely, Dec’d as is reserved by law to be kept for the use of the orphans and to make a just and equal division of such property amongst the orphans of said, William Neely, dec’d and report such appraisement and division to our ensuing court.
Will Bk. 1
(166) an Inv. of the Estate of William Neely, Davidson Co., North Carolina July 1790
William Neely, Adm., returned into court July term 1790 To Wit: farm and carpenter tools, books, household goods, carpenter tools, 1 7# of wool, 1 00# of bacon, 60 bushels of Indian Corn, spinning wheel and cards, some clothing, L8 currancy, a note for 6-3/4 hard dollars, 1 covenant from James Robertson and William
Neely for clearing out 1230 acres of land. Sworn to: William Neely, Adm.
Pg. 84
(230) An inventory and appraisement of sale of the Estate of William Neely, Dec’d. Davidson County, Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio William Neely, Adm., and the Commissioners appointed by Court to appraise and divide same amongst the legatees-account of sales, August 10, 1790: Divinity books, kitchen and household goods, farm and carpenter tools, livestock, bacon, clothing, and spinning wheel-sold to Samuel Neely, Margaret Neely, Capt. Sampson Williams. Appraisers were: Robert Edmondson, John Walker, and Alexander Campbell.
Davidson Co. Wills Book No. 1 Film 2618, Pt. 1, page 233
The appraisment and division of Estate of William Neely, Sr. this 8th day of
July, 1791.
Appraisment and sales to $1,389 2/3 to 9 legatees each proportion amount to $155.00.
Viz: Jane Caidwell, Elizabeth Spears, isaac Neely, Mary Spears, William Neely, Samuel
Neely, Peggy Neely, John Neely, and Jenny Neely. Dated: 7/8/1791
Film No. 26818, Pt. 1
William Neely Inventory of Estate in Davidson County. Pgs., 166, 212, 230, 232, 247, and 272. An inventory of the Estate of William Neely returned into court July term, 1791 by Win. Neely, Adm. of the Intestate.
To Wit:
One Plow, Four Knives, One pair of chains, One pair of log chain, Two iron wedges, One
mattock, One handsaw
Four augers, Three small planes-Jack plane, One iron square, Four Sermon books, Four
files, one set of shoemakers tools One hammer, Two branding irons, Two smoothing irons
Books set forth by Anthony Bringus, William Laws, Grays, Works, and Joseph Smith,
Psalm book, One Title lost Two feather beds and furniture One iron kettle One 6 gallon
pot, 1 large dutch oven, I small, one 3 gallon pot One brass kettle of 10 gallon, 6 cups,
6 knives, 1 7# of wool, 100 pounds of bacon, 14 table forks, I glass bottle, 2 pair wool
cards, one candlestick, one candlestick, one hump, hatchet, 5 brass hatchets, 1 spinning
wheel, one big wheel and pair of tongs, 3 bagga, 1 ladies gown and cotton gown, 3 short
gowns, 4 petticoats, 8# currency
One note for $600.75 (which is at this time lost) and covenant from James Robertson to Win. Neely for clearing 1,230 acres of land.
The above was sworn to be a true inventory of the Estate of Win. Neely Dec.’d.. except such part as is reserved by Act. of Assembly to remain for use of the orphans until they come of age.
Sworn to by William Neely, Adm.
Film 26818, Pt. 1., Page 247
William Neely, Jr. was paid $65.00 for handling the Estate. April 10, 1792
Samuel Neely’s Court Records
D. C. Deed Book No. 10-Film 332672-Pg. 548
Indenture made the 7th day of January, 1848, between Geo. Neely, Martin Frey, and Nancy his wife, Rachel Neely, Sarah Neely, and Martha Neely. -land on Neely’s Bend.
Attest: Joshua Neely- Signed: Geo. Neely
Jacob Neely Martin Frey
Nancy Frey
Filim 332673, pg. 24 D. C. Deeds, Bk. 13.
Register’s Office, December 28, 1844
Know all men by these presents that we Rachel Neely, and Martha Neely of Davidson County, and Sarah Neely of Dyer County have nominated and approved and do appoint our brother, George Neely, our Agent infact---one tract of land in D. C. on North Side of Cumberland River in Neely’s Bend containing 136 acres and being only land owned by us.
Witness our hands this day, November 6, 1849.
Attest: Jacob Neely Signed: Sarah Neely
Joseph Neely
Rachel Neely
Martha Neely
D. C. Deed Book No. 13, pg. 213
Know all men by these presents that we, Rachel Neely and Martha Neely of Davidson County, and Silas Ferrell, his wife, formerly Sarah Neely, of Dyer County, appointed brother, George Neely as agent. Febmary 21, 1850
CHILDREN OF
SAMUEL b. 1769 AND MARY (POLLY) WATKINS NEELYI. Isaac Neely b. October25, 1801
II. Jacob Neely b. November 25, 1802 m. Penelope Sandy
ch. 1. William m.
Naomi__
ch. Cora and Ned
When Elizabeth Neely Fumbanks was eight years old, Jacob Neely and family moved by covered wagon to Dyer County in West Tennessee. Jacob Neely and his wife lived in Dyer County until their death. Mrs. Richard Leow, Dyersburg Tennessee tells many interesting things of her great grandmother Elizabeth (Betty) Neely Fumbanks.2. Samuel m. Elizabeth Cobb
ch. Annie, Charlie, & Walker3. Robert m. Betty____
ch. Emma, Lister, Hogie, & Richard4. Martha m. Williard Wells ch. Alice, Lura, Annie, Betty, & Ernest
5. Margaret m. Whitson
ch. Callie, Charlie, Vance, Bennie, & Louis6. Charlie m. Tennie O’Conner
ch. Clarence, Mornie, Maude, Nellie, & Grace
7. Elizabeth b. June 24, 1844 d. July31, 1930
m. Andrew L. Fumbanks b. August 29, 1837d. September 24, 1921ch. Watkins, Guy, Clifford, Penelope, and
Ben Clifford Fumbanks m. Kitty Fowler
ch. Emma, Ethel, and Ruth
Ruth m. Franklin Lotta (Ruth Leow’s Mother); Hazel, W. H.,
Clifford Fowler, Lewis Clifford. Penelope Fumbanks m. John Tarrant
ch. 1. John Edward; Louisville, Kentucky
2. Louis lived in Dyersburg
A BEAUTIFUL COVERLET
A beautiful coverlet she wove on her loom. She grew and spun the flax wheel that they still have; raised and sheared the sheep and spun the wool after dying it with berries. My memories of her in the late 1920’s were weaving on her loom. She also grew straw and made it into hats and brooms. I have one of the hats she made for her husband. They were very thrifty people and when they died left considerable land to their children.
There are many Neely descendants that are still living in Dyer County. Some moved on to Texas.
III. Jane Neely b. December 13, 1804 m. Morton (Mansor) White
They lived on a tract of land owned by Samuel Neely in the Western District of Tennessee.
IV. Margaret Neely b. 1806 m. Sherrod Seagraves; lived near Nearborn, Tennessee
V.William Neely b. 1808
VI.Samuel Neely b. September 11, 1810 m. Martha Sandy
VII.Polly Neely b. February 28, 1812
VIII. Elizabeth Neely b. August 26, 1813 m. Littleberry Hinton Grizzard of Goodlettsville S/O William and Mary Grizzard. Their son, Robert William Grizzard, Sr., was born in 1847. He married Anne Goodlett; daughter of Dr. Adam Goodlett. Robert became a physician.NEWSPAPER DEATH NOTICE
"Brief illness ends in death;succumbs to attack of appendicitis Dr. Robert William Grizzard, Sr. one of the largest landowners in the county and one of the most prominent physicians in Goodlettsville died this morning at a local infirmary after an illness lasting three days. Dr. Grizzard spent much of his time in Nashville and was well known and highly esteemed..
At the time of his death he was 60 years of age.
Dr. R. W. Grizzard, Jr. his son, one of the best known young doctors in Nashville, was married only afew days ago to Miss Gertrude Whitworth; a member of one of the oldest families in Tennessee, and was absent on his wedding trip when the news of his fathers serious illness reached him. He reached Nashville yesterday morning with Mrs. Grizzard.
Dr. Grizzard, Sr. is survived by his wife and six children. Dr. R. W Grizzard, Jr. of Nashville, Mr. Earle Grizzard of New York, Dr. Allen Grizzard of Nashville, Ewing Grizzard of Goodlettsville, Mrs. H. C. Cotton of Birmingham, and Miss Mabel Grizzard of Nashville.
Funeral services will be held from the Grizzard county home between Edgefield Junction and Goodlettsville tomorrow afternoon at 2 0 ‘clock."
IX Rachel Neely b. February 28, 1815 d. November 7, 1894
m; William Montgomery Grizzard b.1810
d.September 5, 1858
After manying, they moved to Woodville, Haywood County, West Tennessee. Rachel rode
horse-back. They had wagons for the household goods and provisions.
Rachel and William Montgomery Grizzard had two children:Samuel b. January 27, 1853; d.
October 19, 1896 and Mary Eugenia b. February 17, 1856; d. December 15, 1943.
Rachel Neely Grizzard continued to live at their home near Woodville, until some time between 1882-1884, when she and her daughter, Mary Eugenia and her daughters husband, Henderson Marion Hardy, bought and moved to the Thelbert Wells farm in the Forked Deer Community, Haywood County Tennessee. She was buried in Eureka Methodist Church Cemetery, Forked Deer Tennessee.
Mary Eugenia Grizzard
b. February 17, 1856; d. December 15, 1943
m. Henderson Marion Hardy 1872
ch.
Mattie Eugenia b. 1874
Henry Samuel b. 1877
Penelope Ann b. 1879
Alvin Henderson b. 1882
Rosa Marion b. 1884 Louisb. 1886
**Ollie Elizabeth b. 1888
Lee, Lawson, and Laura b. 1891
StellaVirginiab. 1894
William Montelle b. 1896
Ollie Elizabeth Hardy b. 1888 m. John Hunt
ch. Robert Henderson, Eugenia, Ruth, Winston,
Lewis Hardy, John
Edward, and Henry Warren
Stella Virginia Hardy b. 1894 m. Lewis Carroll Pace
ch. Rosa Mary, Virginia L, and Marion Carroll
X Sally Neely b. December 6, 1816 m. Silas Ferrell, Dyer County, Tennessee
XI. Thomas Neely b. September 15, 1818
XII. George Neely b. November 26, 1819 He never married; spent most of his time with
his sister, Rachel
Neely Grizzard, who was a widow and lived on her farm near
Woodville, Tennessee.
XlI. Martha Neely m. William Dozier
XLV. Nancy Neely b. December 8, 1825 m. Martin Peter Frey b. October 15, 1828
S/O Johann Petrue (John Peter) Frey b. November 15, 1778 Bethania, North Carolina, and
Sara Binckley
John Peter Frey, a North Carolinian by birth and of German linage, came to Tennessee
about 1800 and lived in several counties.
His son, Martin Peter Frey, was living in Montgomery County, Tennessee at the time of his
marriage to Nancy Neely on August 5, 1847. He settled in Pleasant View, Cheatham County,
Tennessee.
ch. 1. Dr. Samuel Watkins Frey b. July 23, 1848
m.1 .wife; Nancy
Frances York
m.2. wife; Mary
Elizabeth York
ch. Mattie Ella "Lesa" Frey b. April 25, 1881 m.Henry Draughon ch. Frey,
Lucile, Harry
ch. 2. Mary Beatrice Mamie Frey b.September 1, 1885
m. Marvin Martin ch. A. 1 Mary Ellen Martin
B. 1. Mary Ann Riggins
C.1. Steven Suell
D.1. David Suell
MEMORANDA FOUND IN S. W. FREY’S BIBLE
Dr. Samuel Watkins Frey began life as a farmer after marriage in 1869, house kept in August same year in cabin on my father’s place worked rented land for two years in Cheatham County. very poor-made my own furniture, bedsteads, tables, bread tray jcIn fall of 1871 moved to a tract of land on J. L. York placebegan in the woods built every thing anew and farmed until end of 1876Nancy died of consumption after 3 years sickness. Had never paid but $65.00 (dollars) on land gave it up; sold out and paid all debts except $32.00 (dollars) medical bill to Dr. Glover 1 St. day march "76 consulted Dr. Glover about study of medicine and decided to read. Began in that day receiving all my help from Dr. Glover-money, teaching books, influence, and evy necessary to put me into practice of medicine Taken 1st course lecture at Nashville & Vanderbilt in winter of 1876-77 Came back married 2nd. time kept house and began practice returning to lectures October 1877-keeping house on Foster, St. North Edgefield graduated and was back here 1st day of March 1878 just two years to a day with my diploma from time I began study gave 2 horses for 1 pawn and began topracticepursued up to this time February 19th, 1888 The memory of my beloved preceptor, Dr. Glover ever dear to myself and it is my wish that my children and children ‘s children shall ever remember and respect him- him also for his great kindness to me He leaving loaned me as much as $4.50 (four dollars & fifty cents) or $5.00 (five dollars) with out security It has all been returned with 6% interest long ago He my greatest benefactor B ought the Davy Nave farm for $800.00 (eight hundred dollars) in 200.00 (two hundred dollar) payments and five years time in July 1876 of Dr. Glover and my mother (Nancy Neely Frey) received an installment of her heritage from Uncle Sam Watkins Estate of $2,600 (twenty six hundred dollars) out of which she paid off my land debt of about $1,000. (one thousand dollars) interest and principal I went to Chicago in July 6, 1884 and returned in a weeks time & again taken a trip to Bonhan, Texas in June 1885 to visit as sick Bro. H. J. Frey- remained with him 10 days when he died- Starting with his remains home was compelled to stop off at Little Rock, Arkansas; and inter the body due to defective casket the R. R.
refused to carrying itfurther went again in March 1886 to Little Rock and brought his remains on home without further trouble In 1883 was engaged in an out break of Smallpox at Robt. Heads- treated 26 (twenty six) cases received for it of the County Court of Robertson County $175. 1/00.
DEATH NOTICE
"At the home of Mr. George Basford, Aunt Nancye (Neely) Frey died Sunday at
7’O' clock p. m. of pneumonia. She was sick only afew days and suffered intensely.
She was buried in Pleasant View Cemetery Monday afternoon at 3o ‘clock.
Her relatives have the deep sympathy of their host of friends."
m. John Bradley ch. Russell, Mary Frances, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Lois, and John
2. Beatrice Basford m. Aldridge Dowlen ch. Harry (Sonkey) Dowlen
3. Beatrice Frey m. Blount Hyde
WILL OF SAMUEL NEELY
Recorded:May 7, 1845
Film No. 26818, Pt. 5, pg. 193
D.C. Probate Records
November 28, 1844: Knowing that all men are mortal and being at this time both old and feeble, but in sound mind, I make and establish this my Last Will and Testament. My children are equally dear to me and I wish my property under all the circumstances to be equally divided amongst them. I have before this given my son, Jacob Neely, his entire portion of land and stock, being all that I desire him to have. I have also done the same with my sons, Samuel and William. I do not wish them to have any more of myproperty. I have a tract of land in the Western District of Tennessee on which Morton (Mansor) White lives who married my daughter Jane. I will and devise this land to be secured to my said daughter, Jane, and her off spring forever—the use to be in the daughter, but the right in the children; which is all I give her. I Will that my son, George and four daughters, Rachel, Sarah, Martha, and Nancy, enjoy the following property in common: All that portion of my land that lies between the Neely ‘s Bend Road and river and the land of Col. Overton and the heirs of Benjamin Beshaw, also a Negro boy, Major, also my wagon and team, all the household and kitchen furniture with an equal proportion of my other stock of every description. I will that the balance of my land be especially divided between my remaining children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Joshua; When as division make take place between my son, George, and the above named sisters, I desire George to have the dwelling and other out houses allowed to him. I Will and Devise the balance of all my Estate to be divided amongst my children equally.
(His Mark) Signed: Samuel "X" Neely
Witnessed: Joshua I Gee Benjamin F. Foster
Admitted to court and approved January 1845
SOURCE OF MATERIAL CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA DEEDS
G. R. McGEE, HISTORY OF TENNESSEE 1663-1900
JOHN CARR, EARLY TIMES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE 1857
J. G. M. RAMSEY, ANNALS OF TENNESSEE HARRIET SIMPSON ARNOW, SEED TIME ON THE CUMBERLAND 1960
SPEARS SAGA CARL SANDBURG, ABRAHAM LINCOLN
THE PRAIRIE YEARS GEORGE C. GRISE, TENNESSEE HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY, SAMUEL WATKINS VOLUME 6; 1947
LIBRARY AT WESTERN, BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
DAVIDSON COUNTY COURT RECORDS
DAVIDSON COUNTY WILL BOOKS
SAMUEL NEELY’S WILL
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY, KENTUCKY
NEWSPAPER DEATH NOTICE
S. W. FREY’S FAMILY BIBLE
This site was last updated 10/31/00
This page was created 06-07-1998
