Land Ownership Along Van Cleve Lane-A Cultural Landscape Project

Angela Smith
Richard White
Kristen Baldwin Deathridge
Executive Summary
Tennessee, forever was changed. The Battle of Stones River, where
there were nearly 23,517 Confederate and Unions casualties in
four days in one of the Civil War’s bloodiest clashes, would secure a
place for this small town in the collective history and institutional
memory of the nation. The dead were soon buried, however,
and the armies moved on, leaving a desolate battlefield on the
miles of large and small farm tracts where they had fought. By
1870, however, census records show that several different African
American families had settled in the area – in their eyes it was a
place of triumph because of the Union victory and the willingness
of the federal government to protect them – and they established
a community called Cemetery.
This study, a group project in Public History, examines land, tax,

and census records of one street in the Cemetery community,
Van Cleve Lane, to shed light on the residents of Cemetery and
their land ownership patterns. Drawing from census records, it is
clear that the community was predominantly African American
and grew until at least 1900, perhaps longer. The land would be
continually inhabited until the late 1920s and early 1930s when
the federal government began purchasing and condemning
land to create the Stones River National Battlefield Park. Until
recently the focus of the park dealt with the momentous events
surrounding the Civil War, but now the Park Service has begun a
project to reevaluate the historic significance of the landscape.
The project follows up on that initiative with research that can
add not only historical but also cultural dimension to the body of
knowledge about that landscape.
Van Cleve Lane, Stones River Battlefield Archive, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro, TN.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary… ………………………………………………1
Table of Contents… …………………………………………………2
Introduction and General Methodology… …………………………3
Findings… ……………………………………………………………7
Deeds…………………………………………………………7
Tax Records… …………………………………………… 14
Census Records… ………………………………………… 15
Court Records… ………………………………………… 18
Secondary Sources… …………………………………… 19
Archelogy… ……………………………………………… 20
Conclusions and Suggestions for Further Research……………… 23
Bibliography… …………………………………………………… 26
Appendix… ……………………………………………………… 27
A. Charts…………………………………………………… 28
B. Maps… ………………………………………………… 35
C. Data Sheets… ………………………………………… 42
D. Photos… ……………………………………………… 67
E. Court Record Copies… ………………………… attached
F. Deed Copies… ………………………………… attached
Introduction and General Methodology
When the smoke cleared on January 3, 1863, the landscape surrounding Murfreesboro,
Tennessee, forever was changed. The Battle of Stones River, where 23,517 Confederate and
Unions soldiers died in one of the Civil War’s bloodiest clashes, would secure a place for this
small town in the collective history and institutional memory of the nation. The dead were soon
buried, however, and the armies moved on, leaving the miles of large and small farm tracts
where they had fought a desolate battlefield and an unstable political climate as well. In her
dissertation, “The Politics of Memory: Remembering the Civil War in Rutherford County,
Tennessee,” Miranda Fraley discusses the difficult situation in which local African Americans
found themselves after the battle. If another battle broke out and the Union lost, they could lose
their newfound freedom or even their lives. Thus the safest strategy for the newly freed slaves
was to stay as close as possible to federal troops for protection. Given this dynamic, it is not
surprising that by 1870 an African American community called Cemetery developed near the
National Cemetery, which was controlled and maintained by the United States Government.1
Census records show that several different African American families had settled in the area – in
their eyes a place of triumph because of the Union victory – and established the small
community. Drawing again from census records, it is clear that the community grew until at least
1900, perhaps longer. The land would be continually inhabited until the late 1920s and early
1930s when the federal government began purchasing and condemning land to create the Stones
River National Battlefield Park.
1
Miranda L. Fraley, “The Politics of Memory: Remembering the Civil War in Rutherford
County, Tennessee,” PhD Dissertation, Indiana University, 2004, 23.
3
Until recently the focus of the park dealt with the momentous events surrounding the Civil
War, but now the National Park Service has begun a project to reevaluate the historic
significance of the landscape. It was not until 1988 that the agency formally identified cultural
landscapes as part of its mission and began recognizing and preserving these important
resources.2 The Park Service classified Stones River Battlefield as a historic site – “landscape
significant for its association with a historic event, activity, or person.”3 The historic Cemetery
community is certainly a historic vernacular landscape, that is, one whose “use, construction, or
physical layout reflects endemic traditions, customs, beliefs, or values; expresses cultural values,
social behavior, and individual actions over time.”4 The research undertaken here is a small
portion of the General Management Plan and Site Development that the Park Service plans to
pursue to reevaluate the landscape and add another layer of historic significance to the
battlefield. This research group, charged with tracing land ownership since the Civil War, found
the land along Van Cleve Lane changed hands frequently during the period in discussion. This
was surprising because we had assumed land ownership was fairly stable during this period.
People in general became more mobile, however, so that new transience might well have been
present around Cemetery, which could explain the unexpected property transfers. The land along
Van Cleve Lane appears, from preliminary research, to have been transferred occasionally from
Caucasians to African-Americans and vice-versa in the years following the Civil War until the
1930s.
2
Robert R. Page, Cathy A. Gilbert, and Susan A. Dolan, A Guide to Cultural Landscape
Reports: Contents, Process, and Techniques (Washington: US Department of the Interior, 1998),
7.
3
Ibid., 12.
4
Ibid.
4
Our group researched the parcels along Van Cleve Lane to determine the history of land
ownership since the Civil War. The lane, formerly called either Old Bowen Lane or McFadden
Lane, came to be called Van Cleve after the Civil War.5 It apparently was named for Union
Brigadier General Horatio Van Cleve.6 Van Cleve Lane was one of the main thoroughfares of the
so-called Cemetery community that sprang up on the Stones River Battlefield in the years after
the war. One goal was to examine the shift from Caucasian to African-American land ownership.
We also hoped to gain an understanding of when the community of Cemetery began. Also our
team was to write a plan for the archaeological investigation of the Cemetery community.
The group of MTSU graduate students in public history taking on this task included Richard
White, an MA student, and Angela Smith and Kristen Baldwin Deathridge, both in the PhD
program. White spent several days in the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the
Rutherford County Deeds Office researching the chain of deeds for the parcels along Van Cleve
Lane. Deathridge started with the same list of names and traced them through the tax records at
the Rutherford County Archives, as well as served as the group archeological expert. Smith
traced those names through U.S. Census records and court records; read the Center for Historic
Preservation’s files on the Cemetery community; conducted secondary resource research; and
created the digital images for this project. The three did a casual fieldwalk in the Van Cleve
vicinity at the national battlefield to get an idea of the parcel spacing and potential for
archaeological research. Each wrote up a section of this report on the line of inquiry we
completed. Smith compiled all of our data and organized it for submission. Deathridge composed
the archaeological plan for the Cemetery area. All group members worked on some of the other
5
Sean M. Styles, Stones River National Battlefield Historic Resource Study, ed. Mary O.
Ratcliffe and Robert W. Blythe (Atlanta, GA: National Park Service, 2004), 41.
6
Ibid.
5
sections of the report. We wrote the executive summary and conclusion together and each of us
reviewed this report for errors.
6
Findings
DEEDS
The following section contains a general summary of the deed trail on several properties
along Van Cleve Lane. While deeds exist to show how the government acquired several
properties around 1930, including the tracts of Ellis Anderson, William Waller, John Mason,
Giles S. Harding and Ed Orr, we were not able to uncover earlier property transfers of those
tracts.7 Partial deed traces have been undertaken on the tracts known as Sam Gresham, Dora
Bowen, Golena Anderson, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, J. A. Ransom and Overall, Working
People’s Labor and Aid Society, and G.H. Minter, and summaries are contained herein. The
Louis Hickman property is currently the only land that has been traced back to the time of the
Civil War. Research and information thus far gathered and undertaken has led to no discernible
pattern of land transfer. Both Caucasian and African-American inhabitants seem to have
transferred land rather freely and there does not seem to be a discernible pattern or period in time
for predictable land transfer. All dates referenced are the listed dates of registration with the
Rutherford County Deeds Office.
No Deeds Located Thus Far

Ellis Anderson, William Waller, John Mason, Giles S. Harding, and Ed Orr tracts
7
John Mason explained how he acquired the property in a deposition in 1932. See the Court
Records section of this report.
7
Partial Deed Traces
Golena Anderson:
Golena Anderson owned several properties in the Cemetery community, one bordering Van
Cleve Lane. Anderson sold the land to the government, United States of America being the
grantor, and registered into court June 5, 1929, for 2.3 acres.8 Anderson received the same tract
of land on December 13, 1898, from H.H. Kerr; the earlier deed registered the land as containing
2.5 acres bordering Van Cleve Lane.9 This is as far back as the deed has been traced. It is
interesting to note there are several court deeds that reference property Anderson conveyed. The
first appears as land conveyed to the United States through court action, the deed noting that this
property is the same conveyed by H.H. Kerr to William Waller in about 1881 and for which
there is no deed on record.10 The next court deed references a 1-acre plot Anderson conveyed to
the government and notes that this property is the same tract sold by E.P. Leach to I.W.
Anderson.11 The United States obtained another piece of property from Golena Anderson on July
7, 1934, noting it was the same tract owned by Margaret Lillard and mentioned in deed
conveying adjacent property from H.H. Kerr to Golena Anderson.12 Anderson appears to have
8
Golena Anderson, grantor to USA, grantee, June 5, 1929, Rutherford County Deed Book
75, pgs. 85-86.
H.H. Kerr, grantor to Golena Anderson, grantee, December 13, 1898, Rutherford Country
9
Deed Book 39, pgs. 397-398.

10
Golena Anderson, grantor to USA, grantee, July 7, 1933, Rutherford Country Deed Book
78, pgs. 252-253.
11
Golena Anderson, grantor to USA, grantee, July 7, 1933, Rutherford Country Deed Book
78, pgs. 254-255.
12
Golena Anderson, grantor to USA, grantee, April 28, 1934, Rutherford County Deed Book
79, pgs. 130-131.
8
owned or managed several properties in the surrounding area, but the court deeds need to be
examined further to identify the properties and their changes in ownership.
Gresham Property:
Sam Gresham conveyed his property to the United States Government on April 28, 1934.
Gresham’s relatives owned adjacent properties, some bordering Van Cleve Lane and others not,
and he seems to have divided his property among his heirs.13 Sallie Gresham Harlan conveyed
two tracts of land, both along Van Cleve Lane, one being 5.0 acres and the other 1.5 acres on
April 26, 1934, two days before Gresham’s transaction.14 These are the only references located
to date for tracts of land bordering Van Cleve Lane. The appendix contains references to other
Gresham properties adjacent to these, but not bordering on Van Cleve.15
The Working People’s Labor and Aid Society Property:
The Working People’s Labor and Aid Society conveyed its property, approximately 1.0
acres, to the government on April 26, 1934. The deed notes that this was same property
conveyed to the society by the Nashville, Murfreesboro and Shelbyville Turnpike Company,
13
Samuel Gresham, grantor to USA, grantee, April 28, 1934, Rutherford County Deed Book
79, pgs. 131-132.
Sallie Gresham Harlan, grantor to USA, grantee, April 26, 1934, Rutherford Country Deed
14
Book 79, pgs. 119-120.

15
A court action divided the Gresham estate among his children after Samuel Gresham died.
See the Court Record section of this report.
9
with no reference to the date of conveyance; the previous reference refers to Deed Book 47, and
either page 546 or 526, the number being indiscernible.16
G.H. Minter:
G.H. Minter 11-acre tract, one of the largest along Van Cleve Lane, was conveyed to the
United States on July 8, 1933. The deed notes that this property is tract Number 1 of the W.T.
Henderson, Division A plat referenced in Book 54, page 250.17 This property needs to be
addressed in greater detail as the Rutherford County Archives has a genealogical file on the
Minter family, and their son, Percy Minter, still resides in Murfreesboro and is the subject of one
of the oral history interviews.
Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church:
The Unites States obtained title to the property owned by Mount Olivet, January 20, 1931,
and the deed notes that this tract was the same land conveyed by H.H. Kerr.18 It is interesting to
note at this point that Kerr appears to have been a land speculator involved in land purchases and
sales throughout Rutherford County. An interesting note on the deed lists Alec Malone as being
the head deacon; John Hugle, deacon; Georgia B. Tillage, secretary; and Nora Clark, the Mother
of the Church. The Mount Olivet Trustees acquired this land from H.H. Kerr on July 23, 1884.
16
WPLAS, grantor to USA, grantee, April 26, 1934, Rutherford County Deed Book 79, p.
125.
17
Rowena Minter, grantor to USA, grantee, July 8, 1933, Rutherford County Deed Book 78,
pgs. 259-260.
Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, grantor to USA, grantee, January 20, 1931,
18
Rutherford County Deed Book 76, pgs. 62-63.
10
The property was deeded to numerous trustees of the Church, however, and further research is
required to discern who previously deeded the property.
J.A. Ransom and R.F. Overall Property:
This land was not included in the original boundaries of the national park and no reference
was made to the land being acquired by the federal government. The two men appear to be
partners, and there are several deed references contained on data sheets in the appendix; at least
part of the large tract is traced back to 1898. The deeds are not referenced here in detail because
the government land did not acquire the land to be included in the original park boundaries.
William Waller Estate:
While no deeds have yet been located for the property, the will of Golena Anderson
references the estate. Anderson apparently oversaw the estate as she makes reference to it,
leaving it to her two sons, Sam and J.D. Anderson, noting, “I have paid taxes on this land for
seventeen years.”19
Dora Tharp Bowen:
The Bowen property was conveyed to C.N. Haynes from Dora Tharp Bowen, October 11,
1929.20 It appears that Haynes then conveyed the property to the U.S. government. No deed has
been located thus far on this stage of the property conveyance, although there is a reference to
19
Golena Anderson, Will, January 13, 1930, Rutherford County Archive, Will Book 3, pg.
146.
Dora S. Bowen, grantor to C.N. Haynes, grantee, October 11, 1929, Rutherford County
20
Deed Book 74, pg. 501.
11
deed location.21 It is interesting to note the federal Land Acquisition Map references Bowen as
transferring land to the government. More research is needed to determine why Haynes was
actually the conveyor to the United States.
FULL DEED TRACE
Louis Hickman Property:
The Hickman property was the most logical tract to begin tracing back in the deed index, as it
is bordered by the railroad and the National Cemetery, making the borders easier to discern in
the deed references. The property was conveyed to the United States government from Louis H.
Hickman on April 3, 1930, referencing it as the same tract owned by Nathan Mason.22 The land
Hickman acquired came from an African-American named Nathan Mason. Mason acquired the
land from a Mrs. V.A. Henderson on February 8, 1911, she being the executrix of the last will
and testament of W.T. Henderson.23 The deed references W.T. Henderson as the Rutherford
County deputy surveyor, noteworthy only because Henderson is supposed to be dead at the time
of sale; there are no references to this being a son or other relative. Another interesting side note
is that the Hendersons appear numerous times in the deed indexes. It is worthy of note that the
deputy county surveyor would be involved in land speculation all over the county. Several more
references are made to W.T. Henderson in the appendix. On January 4, 1894, Henderson
received title from W.F. Cooper to a tract of land containing 192 acres and bordered by the
21
C.N. Haynes, grantor to USA, grantee, Rutherford County Deed Book 75, pgs. 330-332.
22
Louis H. Hickman, grantor to USA, grantee, April 3, 1930, Rutherford Country Deed Book
75, pg. 83.
V.A. Henderson, grantor to Nathan Mason, grantee, February 8, 1911, Rutherford Country
23
Deed Book 53, pg. 468.
12
railroad and the National Cemetery.24 The property conveyed at this point is much larger than the
tract acquired by the government; however, at least a portion is the same conveyed to establish
the park. The next reference has the aforementioned land being transferred by the sheriff, R.
Ransom. The property is the same in description and the previous deed made reference to this
deed. Further research is required to discern just how the sheriff ended up with the title; it was
possibly a legal matter that required the land to be turned over to the county. Sheriff Ransom
acquired the title from R.T. Tompkins, executor of the last will and testament of James M.
Tompkins, December 16, 1871 and the property borders the Nashville Turnpike, National
Cemetery and the railroad.25 James M. Tompkins obtained the property bordered by the railroad
and the National Cemetery from Edward L. Jordan, the Assigner of E.B. Hunt, bankrupt, on May
14, 1868.26 The deed makes reference to a court seizure of land because Hunt was bankrupt.27
The deed references the boundaries as the railroad, turnpike, National Cemetery, and an oak
tree.28 The deed books for the war years do not exist, and no references are made to E.B. Hunt in
previous indexes up to the war. The conclusion, therefore, is that E.B. Hunt owned the property
at the time of the Battle of Stones River. It makes sense that he was bankrupt, as most Southern
landowners had lost financial security by the close of hostilities. This completes the deed trail on
24
W.F. Cooper, grantor to W.T. Henderson, grantee, January 4, 1894, Rutherford County
25
R. Ransom, Sheriff, grantor to R.T. Tompkins, December 16, 1871, Rutherford County
26
Edward L. Jordan, Assigner of E.B. Hunt, Bankrupt to James M. Tompkins, May 14, 1868,
Rutherford County Deed Book 16, pgs. 137-138.
27
Ibid.
28
Ibid.
13
the Louis Hickman property with at least one confirmed African-American owner during the
period from 1865-1933.
TAX RECORDS
The tax record books for Rutherford County were reviewed, starting with the 1928 book for
taxes paid in 1929. The National Park Service acquired most of the land for the Stones River
Battlefield Park in 1929 and the years immediately following. In general, tax record books list
the name of the person who paid the taxes, acreage he or she paid for, and a listing of the
bordering properties to the north, south, east, and west. This can only be followed loosely as we
have not uncovered a record of how boundaries were recorded in the rolls. In a section following
the property tax listing, the books list those who paid the poll tax (usually – sometimes the poll
taxes of those who paid property tax are listed with the property, and sometimes Caucasian non-
landowning voters are listed among property taxpayers).
The names on the 1929 land acquisition map (see Appendix B) of the residents along Van
Cleve Lane provided the starting point for investigation. For the first few books, only properties
in District 9 were reviewed until it became clear that properties were being listed as borders to
those in the district but not included in it. Then searches of District 13 yielded results. One of the
most interesting is that Dora Tharp Bowen is never listed in the tax record books, but the
property listed for C. Bowen has the same boundaries. This, combined with the deed research on
the William Waller estate, indicates that someone often paid taxes on a property that continued to
be listed under a different name. Once our group understood that much of the property along Van
Cleve Lane had connections to H.H. Kerr, the Leach family, the Ransom family, and the Overall
family, notes were made of the acreage these people owned in many of the years from 1913
back.
14
The tax books do not go all the way back to the Civil War; the oldest is for 1877. That book
shows that Sam Gresham, listed as African-American, already was paying taxes on forty acres of
land within what became the Cemetery community. In addition, that book shows that Ellis
Anderson, John Mason, and Ed Orr registered to vote in 1885. That shows those four families to
be among the earliest African-American participants in voting and paying property tax in the
area of the Cemetery community. The books are inconsistent with labeling taxpayers as African-
American. On the table in Appendix A, a ‘c’ is listed by the names of taxpayers if it was so oted
even once in the books. This is based on the assumption that a Caucasian would rarely be
mistakenly identified as African-American. The continuity of family lines is significant for an
understanding of the character of the Cemetery community. As African-American property
taxpayers in the area increased, Caucasian ones decreased, but in 1929 it was not an exclusively
African-American community so far as land-ownership is concerned. However, one should
remember that land ownership and place of residence could be very different matters.29
CENSUS RECORDS
The federal censuses taken between 1870 and 1930 provided additional evidence regarding
the people who lived along Van Cleve Lane in the Cemetery community. It is not useful for this
study to go back before 1870 because African American names were not generally listed. Slaves
were noted only by age and number owned by the head of household. By beginning in 1930 and
working back, we found several families were living in District Nine when the 1870 census was
taken. These records do not note exactly where the families lived or if they owned their property,
but from them we know they were in the vicinity.
29
Rutherford County Tax Record Books 1877-1914, 1917-1928.
15
The Anderson, Orr, Mason, and Gresham families had a presence in the district in 1870.
Walter Anderson, the husband of Golena Anderson who owned Plot 26 on the War Department’s
1929 plat map, was then four years old. Samuel Gresham was listed as a three-year-old living in
the home of his father, Henry Gresham, a farm laborer. A father and son, both named Ed Orr,
appeared in the 1870 census. John and Nathan Mason were 14 and 17, respectively, in a large
family. Their father’s occupation was farm laborer.30
In the 1880 census, the same four families are present. Isaac W. (Walter) Anderson was listed
as 14 and mulatto. His father was a farm laborer, and he had one younger brother. At that time,
Ed Orr was married to Josephine and they had one son, Charley Orr. Samuel Gresham was a
blacksmith born about 1820 in Virginia, and married to M. Gresham, 39. They had eight children
at the time. John Mason, by 1880, was married and living with his in-laws. Nathan was not
present in the 1880 census, though he reappeared again in 1900.31
The next census was taken in 1900, and it is oddly silent about some of the families present
in previous records. There are notes on the margins indicating streets, Dixie Highway families
are present, but Van Cleve is peculiarly missing, as are listings of the families that have lived
there (although they will show up again in the 1910 census). That said, there are some families
that appear for the first time in this census as heads of their households, including the Mason
families – brothers John and Nathan – and the William Waller family. One could make an
30
United States of America, Bureau of the Census, “District 9, Tennessee,” in Ninth Census
of the United States, 1870 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration,
1870), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1870usfedcen&recid=36017127
(accessed December 6, 2007).
31
United States of America, Bureau of the Census, “District 9, Tennessee,” in Tenth Census
of the United States, 1880 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration,
1880), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1880usfedcen&recid=15864587
(accessed December 6, 2007).
16
educated guess that the Anderson, Gresham, and Orr families were still present because they
appear again in the 1910 census.32
The 1910 census revealed some significant change. By that time, Samuel Gresham, Ed Orr,
and Walter Anderson had died. John and Nathan Mason, Ellis Anderson, and Golena Anderson
were still present. The 1920 census listings are similar to those of 1910. Nathan Mason’s sale of
property to Louis Hickman is reflected in that sentence, Mason still lived in the district. Other
than that, the records mirror the same families. In 1930 the Minter family appears, while the
other families remain the same.33
It is important to note the white families that owned land along Van Cleve lane do not live in
District 9. They live in District 13 or in Murfreesboro, and the land they own in District 9 is
farmland. They are not listed in any of the District 9 census listings. See Appendix A for a chart
depicting the District 9 census findings.
32
United States of America, Bureau of the Census, “Civil District 9, Tennessee,” in Twelfth
Census of the United States, 1900 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records
Administration, 1900), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-
bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1900usfedcen&recid=66115402 (accessed December 6, 2007).
33
United States of America, Bureau of the Census, “Civil District 9, Tennessee,” in
Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records
Administration, 1900), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi bin/sse.dll?db=1910USCenIndex&indiv=
try&h=27432342 (accessed December 6, 2007); United States of America, Bureau of the Census,
“Civil District 9, Tennessee,” in Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920 (Washington, DC:
National Archives and Records Administration, 1900), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-
bin/sse.dll?db=1920USCenIndex&indiv=try&h=27432342 (accessed December 6, 2007); and
United States of America, Bureau of the Census, “Civil District 9, Tennessee,” in Fifteenth
Census of the United States, 1930 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records
Administration, 1900), http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1930USCenIndex&indiv
=try&h=27432342 (accessed December 6, 2007);
17
COURT RECORDS
Several court cases yielded useful information for this study. As the War Department was
acquiring land, several owners did not have suitable deeds for their property. To sell, they they
had to petition the court and provide evidence and testimony to support their ownership of the
land. These records are useful for researchers to determine how land was acquired when deed
evidence was missing.
There are three court cases that shed light on property owners along Van Cleve Lane, the
John Mason property, Samuel Gresham Estate, and the Working Peoples Labor and Aid Society
case. John Mason testified in 1932 that although he did not have a deed, he came into possession
of the land in March 1902 when Margaret Lillard passed the land off to him. He lived and
worked on the land until the government purchased it.34 The Samuel Gresham property was
divided among his children after his death in 1902, and it had to go through the court because he
did not have a will. This document notes that Sam Gresham bought the property from “Harry
Kerr a number of years ago.”35 Finally, the Working Peoples Labor and Aid Society did not have
a deed, court records indicate how the organization acquired the property. Alex Malone,
president of the organization, noted in a 1933 deposition that he obtained the property in 1908
from J. H. Reed of the Murfreesboro/Shelbyville Turnpike Company.36 See Appendix E for
partial copies of these court case records.
34
United States v. Golena Anderson, et al, 1932 in Free at Last exhibit files, Center for
Historic Preservation, Murfreesboro, TN, (2007).
35
John Gresham v. Lizzie Woodson, et al., judgement 3381-1/2, Rutherford County Archive,
(1908).
36
United States v. The Working Peoples Labor Aid Society, 1932 in Free at Last exhibit files,
Center for Historic Preservation, Murfreesboro, TN, (2007).
18
SECONDARY SOURCES
A small number of secondary sources were discovered in the process of researching this
project, the most useful being an 1989 MTSU honors thesis by Janet H. Goodrum, Profile of
Black Landownership in Rutherford County During Reconstruction. The thesis, supervised by
Dr. David Rowe, is a wealth of useful information. Goodrum examined data on African
American heads of households between the 1870 census. Using statistical methodology, she
found that 10 percent of African Americans listed as head of household were also landowners.
Of the 2804 total household heads, 140 owned property in 1870.37 Ninety percent of the black
landowners listed in the 1870 census lived in either the 9th, 13th, 18th, or 21st, civil districts.38 She
provides a picture of the racial makeup of the Rutherford County, reflecting the striking
difference to the place we know today. The county was equally divided ethnically between white
and black in 1870, with the number declining to 45 percent in 1880, 24 percent in 1930, and 10
percent in 1980.39
These statistics help create a picture of the county during the mid to late nineteenth century.
In 1850, Rutherford County had 11,978 slaves, and ranked sixth among Tennessee counties.
There were 16,476 blacks listed in the 1870 census. Of these households listed in the 1870
census, 90 percent were farmers or farm laborers. “Generally speaking, farmers owned property
and farm laborers did not,” she said. “Only 10 percent were employed outside the agricultural
sector, and 4% of these were blacksmiths.”40 She explains that blacksmith made up 9 percent of
37
Janet Hudson Goodrum, “Profile of Black Landownership in Rutherford County During
Reconstruction,” Honors Thesis, Middle Tennessee State University, 1989, 5.
38
Ibid., 14.
39
Ibid., 8-9.
40
Ibid., 9-10.
19
the black land-owning population, while they were just 4 percent of the population at large,
reflecting the value to African Americans of having a marketable trade during the period.41
Finally, her research revealed that the most common way African Americans purchased land was
to save money and buy with cash.42
ARCHAEOLOGY
Some archaeological investigations have been made in the Stones River Park and into
non-park owned contributing structures.43 Most of this investigation has been concerned with
structures used or noted during the actual battle. The purpose of future investigation should be to
help assess the use of land and memorialization done on the battle site before the park was
established.
The lands of the National Battlefield Park were expanded in the late 1980s and early
1990s.44 Part of this expansion includes the land to the east of Van Cleve Lane. When
fieldwalking that area, one can clearly see the land is literally littered with debris. It must have
been used as a local garbage dump. One toy found on the surface bears a date of 1967 (see
Appendix C, plate 8174). Reviewing the 1929 War Department plat map in combination with the
information that the landowners on that side of the lane were Caucasian, leads us to conclude
that this area is of little value for archaeological investigation. Should oral histories reveal that
sharecroppers who also lived on the land farmed this land as well, perhaps this conclusion would
be revisited. Separating the 1960s refuse from the 1920s and earlier Cemetery community
41
Ibid., 12.
42
Ibid.
43
Styles, Stones River National Battlefield Historic Resource Study, 17.
44
Page, Gilbert, and Dolan, A Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports, 17.
20
evidence might yield little information about the community that cannot be gleaned elsewhere.
Therefore it would hardly be worth the time such an effort would require to investigate most of
the lands east of Van Cleve Lane. However, there are a few exceptions to. The plot marked "11"
on the 1929 map was used by the Working People's Labor and Aid Society and has already been
excavated. The tollhouse for the Dixie Highway is also believed to be on this property and it
would prove interesting to learn more about the transition of the property from one use to
another. The Historic Resources Study references a report done on the tollhouse site, noting that
archaeologists identified it positively as the tollhouse and that it was destroyed in the battle by
artillery fire.45 Without looking at the report, there is no way to validate that conclusion or to
look at evidence for the Working People’s Labor and Aid Society structure. The property
belonging to Ellis Anderson, located between the railway and the Dixie Highway, should prove
worthy of investigation. Anderson was one of the earliest residents of the community, and
investigations of his property could yield information about prosperity of the residents as well as
to help resolve the question of how one family made use of their property. Did the five-acre plot
have a garden? Several home sites? Archaeology could answer those questions.
As for the properties to the west of Van Cleve Lane, many are worthy of investigation.
As one can see through a comparison of the 1938 aerial photograph and a more recent one from
GoogleEarth (Appendix B), the current park trail cuts through several of the properties. This
modern disturbance, although definitely impacting the information to be gleaned from
archaeological investigation, does not prevent meaningful evidence from being uncovered
archaeologically. The next steps in investigation would be to conduct a new survey of the land
acquired by the National Park Service in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and to establish a new
45
21
permanent datum from which to plot GPS points. Once the datum is established and the
outermost limits of the community plotted, or perhaps before, an archaeological survey should be
conducted, working westward from Van Cleve Lane at thirty-yard intervals, from the railway to
Manson Pike. Archaeologists should undertake shovel tests every thirty yards as well as
photographing and sketching any structural evidence. On the basis of shovel test results, areas
should be chosen for further excavation. It is my suggestion that, regardless of test results, two or
three entire plots should be excavated to learn more about land use in the community over time
as well as to uncover artifacts to describe family life. As mentioned above, the Ellis Anderson
plot would be a solid candidate for this. Other options are the Working People's Labor and Aid
Society, either of the church properties, one or more of the smaller properties lining the two
interior roads for the community, and/or the Golena Anderson and John Mason properties.
Further documentary investigation should be made into the Virginia H. Earthman Estate and the
Hickman and Henderson properties. There is limited evidence from tax and census records that
one or more of the people associated with these properties were doctors. Presuming these were
medical doctors, investigation of their properties could generate significant evidence of the
character of the Cemetery community.
With a goal to learn more about the establishment, character, and evolution of Cemetery
community, archaeological investigation of the site could prove invaluable. If the artifacts on the
surface prove representative of those below, much can be learned about the habits of the
members of the community (see Appendix D for photos of surface finds from our fieldwalk).
However, all archaeological investigation within the parkland must subscribe to the standards of
22
the Secretary of the Interior, as noted in the Park Management Plan.46 As a part of the National
Park Service’s goal to preserve the character of the battlefield for reflection and contemplation of
the actual Battle of Stones River, it is not suggested that any sort of reconstruction or restoration
of structures from the Cemetery community era of the parkland be undertaken.47 Perhaps the best
way to interpret any findings of archaeological investigation would be to integrate them into the
interpretation of the park by any or all of the following: placing a case with interpretive notes in
the visitor center; integrating more discussion of the Cemetery community into the tours led by
park rangers and the self guided audio tour; and/or placing interpretive displays with information
about the community around the battlefield, either integrated into the current tour stops or as a
separate tour.
46
Janney, Elstner Associates Wiss and John Milner Associates, Stones River Battlefield
Cultural Landscape Report (Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Interior, 2007), 151.
47
Ibid., 150.
23
Conclusions and Suggestions for Further Research
The land ownership research exposed rich information that had not been uncovered
previously. That said, however, there is not enough information to reach many definitive
conclusions. We know African Americans generally inhabited the land along Van Cleve Lane.
Dixie Highway near the Van Cleve area had many white inhabitants, as well as African
Americans. The Van Cleve Lane lands that whites owned did not have dwellings on them, but
were farmland. These landowners lived in other districts. Some of the African Americans who
became homeowners by the time the War Department purchased their property between 1929
and 1932 were present as early as 1870, while most of the others appeared in the area by the
1910 census.
Additional research could yield more definitive answers. Additional deed research is slow
and tedious; agricultural census research would also produce land use information. This might
begin a process of determining the physical location of dwellings along Van Cleve Lane, as well
as to determine land use patterns. Expanding Janet Goodrum’s thesis on patterns of black
landownership research in census records through 1930 would also produce some interesting
results.
With all of the information available in Rutherford County concerning the Cemetery
community, it would be an interesting place to start with a study of sharecropping patterns. The
majority of the Cemetery community residents did not live on enough acreage to do much more
than subsistence farming. It also seems from preliminary research that at least a couple of the
Caucasian landowners in the area also had houses in town. It would be useful to track the
Caucasian landowner names through the other districts in the county to determine their places of
residence. It may also prove helpful to return to the tax books with the information gathered from
24
deeds or later tax book information. For example, it was not known until near the end of our
period of research that the John Mason property was sometimes listed in the tax rolls under
Margaret Lillard. This could explain the gap for the John Mason property, but until either deeds
or tax listings are checked, this solution remains an educated guess rather than a confirmed fact.
Another question for future researchers would be to explore why the government purchased
all the land at roughly the same time? Land was acquired for other battlefield parks, notably
Gettysburg, as it became available, not all at one time. It would be interesting to determine why
the government felt compelled to acquire all the Stones River land essentially at once. Did it
have anything to do with bias based on the dominance of African-American landowners there at
the time, or was it simply the best way to quickly establish a park without waiting long periods to
obtain land parcels? The Historic Resources Study notes that a commission reviewing proposed
park purchases in the 1920s said all of the structures from the community should be removed.48
It was not deemed they had any relevance to commemoration of the battle.
Archaeological investigation may yield interesting information about the Cemetery
community. It could determine the roadbeds and historic fencerows for the community. There
would also be some evidence for structural footprints. The material culture uncovered with
archaeological investigation could shed light on the economic and cultural patterns of the
community.
From the research this group has completed to date, there appears to be no specific pattern
for the transference of landownership from Caucasian to African-American. Both owned land
near one another from the period just after the Civil War until the National Park Service
purchased the land. Whether or not they lived side by side remains to be discovered.
48
25
Bibliography
Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Ninth Census of
the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1870.
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census
of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910.
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth Census
Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth Census
Fraley, Miranda L. “The Politics of Memory: Remembering the Civil War in Rutherford County, Tennessee.”
PhD Dissertation, Indiana University, 2004.
“Free at Last” Exhibit Files, Center for Historic Preservation, Murfreesboro, TN.
Goodrum, Janet Hudson. “Profile of Black Landownership in Rutherford County During Reconstruction.”
Honors Thesis, Middle Tennessee State University, 1989.
Page, Robert R., Cathy A. Gilbert, and A. Susan Dolan. A Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports: Contents,
Process, and Techniques. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Interior, 1998.
Rutherford County Tax Record Books 1877-1914, 1917-1928.
Stones River Battlefield Archive, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro, TN.
Styles, Sean M. Stones River National Battlefield Historic Resource Study, ed. Mary O. Ratcliffe and Robert
W. Blythe. Atlanta, GA: National Park Service, 2004.
TSLA Map and Photo Collection, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, and John Milner Associates. Stones River Battlefield Cultural Landscape
Report. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Interior, 2007.
26
APPENDIX
28-Appendix CHARTS
CHARTS
29-Appendix CHARTS
Census data for residents along Van Cleve Lane

Present in District 9 in Census Year: 1930 1920 1910 1900 1880 1870
Anderson, Ellis
Anderson, Golena/Walter
Bowen, Dora Tharp
Grisham, Samuel
Harding, Giles S.
Hickman, Louis H
Mason, Nathan
Mason, John
Minter, G.H. /Rowena
Orr, Ed ,
Overall, R.F.
Ransom, J.A.
Waller, William
White
Black
1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1917 1913 1910 1905 1900 1887 1885 1878 1877
Anderson, Ballard 
Anderson, Bobby Lee 
Colored poll data for residents along Van Cleve Lane
Anderson, Burton 
Anderson, Ellis      
Anderson, Ellis, Jr.   
Anderson, Lena 
Anderson, Maggie 
Anderson, Sam       
Gresham, John 
Harding, Green  
Harding, George 
Harding, Sylvia 
Harding, Will  
Mason, Bus 
Mason, Dave 
Mason, Eugene  
Mason, Nathan  
Mason, John   
Mason, Alberta 
Minter, Henry 
Minter, Rowena  
Orr, Charlie  
Orr, Chas  
Orr, Ed     
Orr, Sol.     
Orr, Susie 
CHARTS
Ransom, Ed 
Ransom, Jack 
Ransom, John Henry 
Ransom, Sam  
Wallers, Edward & wife 
30-Appendix
31-Appendix CHARTS
Property tax data for residents along Van Cleve Lane, part 1
acres in name alter. & relatives w

district col. ?* 1928 same property 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 19
Anderson, Ellis 9 c 5 Elvis x x x x x x x x x x x x
Anderson, Golena 9 c 3 Galena, Lena, Goldina x x x x x x x x x x x x
Bowen, C** 13 42 Cephas x x x x x x x x x x x
Gresham, Sam 9 c 30 Grissom x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x--e x x
Harding, G.S. 13 Giles, Giles S, x x x x x x x
Harding, G.S. Jr. 13
Harding, Lou 9 c
Harding, Will 9 c x
Hickman, Louis 9 10 Luie, Lima x x x x x x x x x x
Hickman, Dr. J.P 9 c x x
Mason, John Margaret Lillard

9 c x x x x x x
(1908)
Mason, Nathan 9 c 10 x x x
Minter, G.H. 9 c 17 Rowena, Henry x--e x--e x--e x x x x x x x x
Orr, Ed 9 c Josephine, Josie x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x x
Overall 9, 13 AM, LC, KD, ND,RF,etc x x x x
Ransom WA, Sam, Jas H, GW
Ransom Bros 13 x x x
Ransom & Overall 9 100 x x x x x
Waller, William 9 3 x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x
e=estate
32-Appendix CHARTS

924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918
district 1917
col. ?* 1914
19281913 1910 1909 19081928
same property 19051927
19041926
19031925
19001924
18991923
18981922
18971921
18951920
18871919
1885191
18
x x x Anderson,
x x Ellis x x9 xc x 5 x x Elvisx x x x x x x x x x x x x
x x x Anderson,
x x Golena
x x9 xc 3 xGalena,
x Lena, Goldina x x x x x x x x x x x
x x x Bowen,
x C**
x x 13 x x 42 x xCephas
x x x x x x x x x x x
x--e x--e x Gresham,

x Sam x
x--e x9 c x--e30 x--e xGrissom
x x--e x--e
x--e x--e
x x--e
x x--e
x--e x--e
x x--e
x xx xx x--e
x xx x
x x Harding,
x xG.S. x x
13 x x Giles,
x Giles
x S, x x x--e x x xx xx xx x
Harding, G.S. Jr. 13 x
Harding, Lou 9 c x x x x
Harding, Will x 9 c x
x x x Hickman,
x xLouis x9 10 Luie, Lima x x x x x x x x x x
Hickman, Dr. J.Px x9 c x x
Margaret Lillard
x x Mason,
x John
x 9 c x x x x x x x
(1908)
Mason, Nathanx x9 xc 10 x x x x x x x x
x x x Minter,
x G.H.
x x x9 c 17 Rowena, Henry x--e x--e x--e x x x x x x x x
x--e x--e x--e Orr,

x--eEd x x x9 xc x x Josephine,
x xJosie x x--e
x x--e
x x--e
x x--e
x x--e
x x--e
x x--e x--e x x x
x x Overall
x x 9, 13 xAM, LC,
x KD, ND,RF,etc
x x x x x x
Ransom WA, Sam, Jas H, GW x x
Ransom Bros x x
13 x x x x x x x
x Ransom & Overall 9 100 x x x x x
x--e x Waller, William 9 3 x x x x--e

x x--e x--e
x x--e x--e
x x x
e=estate
33-Appendix CHARTS

1903 1900 1899 1898 1897 1895 district
1887 1885col. ?* 1884
19281878 1877
same property 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 191
Anderson, Ellis 9 c 5 Elvis x x x x x x x x x x x
Anderson, Golena 9 c 3 Galena, Lena, Goldina x x x x x x x x x x x
Bowen, C** 13 42 Cephas x x x x x x x x x x
x x--e x Gresham,
x xSam x x9 xc 30 Grissom x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x--e x x
x--e Harding, G.S. x x

13 x x x Giles,
x Giles S, x x x x x x
Harding, G.S. Jr. x 13
Harding, Lou 9 c
Harding, Will 9 c x

9 c x x x x x x
(1908)
x x x Mason,
x Nathan 9 c 10 x x
x x x Orr,xEd 9 c Josephine, Josie x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x
Overall 9, 13 AM, LC, KD, ND,RF,etc x x x x
Ransom x x WA, Sam, Jas H, GW
Ransom Bros 13 x x
x x Waller,
x William 9 3 x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x
e=estate
Property tax data for residents along Van Cleve Lane (full chart)

district col. ?* 1928 same property 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1914 1913 1910 1909 1908 1905 1904 1903 1900 1899 1898 1897 1895 1887 1885 1884 1878 1877
Anderson, Ellis 9 c 5 Elvis x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Anderson, Golena 9 c 3 Galena, Lena, Goldina x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Bowen, C** 13 42 Cephas x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Gresham, Sam 9 c 30 Grissom x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x--e x x x--e x--e x x x--e x--e x x x--e x x x x x x
Harding, G.S. 13 Giles, Giles S, x x x x x x x x x x x x x--e x x x x x x
Harding, G.S. Jr. 13 x
Harding, Lou 9 c x x x x
Harding, Will 9 c x
9 c x x x x x x x
(1908)
Mason, Nathan 9 c 10 x x x x x x x x x
Orr, Ed 9 c Josephine, Josie x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Overall 9, 13 AM, LC, KD, ND,RF,etc x x x x x x x x
Ransom WA, Sam, Jas H, GW x x
CHARTS
Ransom Bros 13 x x x x x x x
Waller, William 9 3 x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x x x x x x x x
34-Appendix
e=estate
35-Appendix MAPS
MAPS
36-Appendix MAPS
1878 Beers Map

37-Appendix MAPS
1938 aerial photo from Stones River Battlefield archives

38-Appendix MAPS
1929 War Department Platt Map

39-Appendix MAPS
1929 Digital Platt Map
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40-Appendix MAPS
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41-Appendix MAPS
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42-Appendix Data Sheets
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Census info Name: Virginia H. Earthman estate

Name: Vernon K Stephenson Earthman
Spouse: Virginia Henderson
Birth: 25 Feb 1872 - Attala, MS
Death: 8 Aug 1944 - Murfreesboro, Rutherford, TN
Marriage: 22 May 1892 - Rutherford, TN
1900 Census
Virginia Henderson
Home in 1900: Civil District 13, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 50; Estimated birth year: abt 1850; Birthplace:
Tennessee; Relationship to head-of-house: Head; Race: White
Household Members:
Virginia Henderson 50; Will Henderson 17; Harrold Henderson 15; Katurah Henderson 13; Matt Henderson 10
Virginia Earthman 22; Harrold Earthman 1.12; Ed Whitaker 37; Amanda Windrow 17; Malissa Oden 52; Pleasant
T Henderson 83
1910 census
Vernon is listed as a physician in 1910 census, living on Maple Street.
Virginia Earthman; Age in 1910: 31; Estimated birth year: abt 1879; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of
House: Wife; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Spouse's name: Vernon K; Home
in 1910: Murfreesboro Ward 4, Rutherford, Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Gender: Female
Household Members:
Ada B Hyde 53; Katie R Bell 49; Sarah G Bell 8; Vernon K Earthman 38; Virginia Earthman 31; Harold Earthman
10
1920
They are living in Dallas, Texas, Vernon is a major in the US army
Virginia M Earthman; Home in 1920: Justice Precinct 1, Dallas, Texas; Age: 40 years ; Estimated birth year: abt
1880; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Wife; Spouse's name: Vernon K; Father's Birth Place:
Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Sex: Female; Able to read:
Yes; Able to Write: Yes
Vernon K Earthman 47
Virginia M Earthman 40
Harold H Earthman 19
-------
Ancestry.com. U.S. Army Historical Register, 1789-1903, Vol. 2 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The
Generations Network, Inc., 1997. Original data: Heitman, Francis B.. Historical Register and Dictionary of the United
States Army, 1789-1903. Vol. 2. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1903.
pg. 208 *Earthman, Vernon K., 1 lt asst surg 4 Tenn inf.

--------
Vernon files for pension in 1928

noted on form: son, Harold registered while in college at Southern Methodist
1910 Census
Harold H. Henderson was 25 years old and a real estate agent in Jefferson Co. /Birmingham Alabama. He lived on
16th avenue with wife, Mattie, and William R. Major, 28.
1930 Cenus
He is still in Birmingham, now 45 and lives on Cliff Road.--now president realty and insurance company.
Harold M Henderson
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse's name: Mattie; Race: White; Harold M
Henderson 45; Mattie Henderson 42; Martha Henderson 19; Griffin Henderson 14
Census info Name: Ed Howard

1930 Census
1930 United States Federal Census; about Edd Howard; Name: Edd Howard; Home in 1930: District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee; Age: 65; Estimated birth year: abt 1865; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House:
Father-in-law; Race: Negro (Black); Bracy Tillage 36; Bertha Tillage 38; Sammie Tillage 16; Preston Tillage 10;
Edd Howard 65; ; View; Original; Record;
Census info Name: Evelyn H. Jordan

Social Security Death Index
about Evelyn H. Jordan
Name: Evelyn H. Jordan
SSN: 408-16-9075
Born: 4 Dec 1912
Died: 15 Feb 1990
State (Year) SSN issued: Tennessee (Before 1951 )
Note: Not sure if Mamie Jordan is related to Evelyn Jordan. Mamie lives on Lebanon Road in District 9. In 1910
census she is listed as childless.
1920 United States Federal Census; about Mamie Jordan; Name: Mamie Jordan; Home in 1920: Civil District 9,
Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 51 years ; Estimated birth year: abt 1869; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of
House: Wife; Spouse's name: Rufus; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Marital
Status: Married; Race: White; Sex: Female; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Image: 111; Neighbors: View
others on page; Household Members: ; Name Age; Rufus Jordan 60; Mamie Jordan 51
1910 United States Federal Census; about Rufus L Jordan; Name: Rufus L Jordan; Age in 1910: 50; Estimated
birth year: abt 1860; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Father's Birth Place: Virginia;
Mother's name: Locky; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Spouse's name: Mamie C; Home in 1910: Civil District 9,
Rutherford, Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Gender: Male; Neighbors: View others on page;
Household Members: ; Name Age; Rufus L Jordan 50; Mamie C Jordan 41; Locky Jordan 79
Census info Name: Nannie Bell Black

1880 Census Information
Nannie L. Black; Home in 1880: District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 6M; Estimated birth year: abt 1879;
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to head-of-household: Daughter; Father's name: W. N.; Father's birthplace:
Tennessee; Mother's name: Rosy R.; Mother's birthplace: Tennessee; Neighbors: View others on page; Marital
Status: Single; Race: White; Gender: Female; ; W. N. Black 33; Rosy R. Black 24; Wm. I. Black 1; Nannie L.
Black 6M;
1900 Census Information

V Nannie Black; Home in 1900: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 20; Estimated birth year: abt 1880;
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter; Father's name: N William; Mother's name: J
Rossie; Race: White; ; N William Black 53; J Rossie Black 43; J William Black 21; V Nannie Black 20; L Lucy
Black 16; E Evie Black 12; A Lockie Black 6
father is a farmer.
Not sure if these are the same folks--could Nannie Bell Black be white?
Census info Name: Eliza Avent

1880 Census
Eliza Avent Home in 1880: District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee Age: 23 Estimated birth year: abt 1857 Birthplace:
Tennessee Relation to head-of-household: Wife Spouse's name: Andy Father's birthplace: Virginia Mother's
birthplace: Virginia Neighbors: View others on page Occupation: Keeping House Marital Status: Married Race:
Black Gender: Female
Andy Avent 25
Eliza Avent 23
George Avent 3
James W. Avent 2M
Does not appear in district 9 for other census'
Andy Avent Voting Record in 1891

State: TN County: Rutherford County Township: Dist. 9 -Male Voters- Year: 1891 Page: 235 Database: TN 1891
Voters List
1870 Census
Name: Andy Avent Estimated birth year: abt 1853 Age in 1870: 17 ; Home in 1870: District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee Family and neighbors: View Results Race: Black
Census info Name: Elnora Peyton

1880 Census
Could Elnora Edwards be Elnora Peyton? She could have married someone--and Peyton could be her married
name.
1880 United States Federal Census; about Elnora Edwards; Name: Elnora Edwards; Home in 1880: District 9,
Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 6; Estimated birth year: abt 1874; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to
head-of-household: Granddaughter; Father's birthplace: Tennessee; Mother's birthplace: Tennessee; Neighbors:
View others on page; Marital Status: Single; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Female; Cannot read/write:; ; Blind:; ; Deaf
and dumb:; ; Otherwise disabled:; ; Idiotic or insane:; ; View image; Household Members: ; Name Age; Mary
Rankin 56; Fanny Edwards 20; Grant Edwards 30; Elnora Edwards 6; Joseph Edwards 5; Golissa Edwards 3;
Census info Name: Isabella Burke

1920 Census
1920 United States Federal Census; about Isabelle Burke; Name: Isabelle Burke; Home in 1920: Murfreesboro
Ward 3, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 60 years ; Estimated birth year: abt 1860; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to
Head of House: Head; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Marital Status: Widow;
Race: Black; Sex: Female; Home owned: Rent; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Image: 291; Neighbors:
View others on page; Household Members: ; Name Age; Isabelle Burke 60; Florence Tilford 28; Lewis Burke 21;
Thaddeus Cowan 56; ; View; Original; Record; ; View original image;
Census info Name: Golena Anderson

1910 censuses
She was head of household, widowed in with 6 children and the youngest is 2.
-working as farmer and able to read and write.
1910 Census data:

Dolena Anderson[Golena Anderson]
Age in 1910: 34; Estimated birth year: abt 1876; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to; Head of House: Head;
Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: ; Tennessee; Home in 1910: Civil District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee; Marital Status: Widowed; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Female
Dolena Anderson 34
Samuel Anderson 16
Bob Anderson 10
Fannie M Anderson 8
Golena Anderson 6
Bruce Anderson 4
Jinnie Anderson 2
1920 Census data:

Golena Anderson
Home in 1920: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 45 years ; Estimated birth year: abt 1875; Birthplace:
Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee;
Marital Status: Widow; Race: Black; Sex: Female; Home owned: Own; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes;
Image: 112
Golena Anderson 45
Sam Anderson 25
Fanny M Anderson 17
Golena Anderson 15
Bruce Anderson 13
Duncan Anderson 11
1880 Census (golina's husband) He died before 1900

Name: Isaac W. Anderson; Home in 1880: District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee
Age: 14; Estimated birth year: abt 1866; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to head-of-household: Son; Father's
name: Sam'l; Father's birthplace: Tennessee; Mother's birthplace: Tennessee; Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farm Laborer; Marital Status: Single; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Male
Sam'l Anderson 41
Mary Anderson 40
Isaac W. Anderson 14
William B. Anderson 12
1870 Census-Walter Anderson

Name: Walter Anderson; Estimated birth year: abt 1866; Age in 1870: 4; Home in 1870: District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee; Race: Black; Gender: Male
Isaac Walter Anderson may have died between 1908 and 1910 because the youngest child was born in 1907-08 and
Galena is a widower by 1910.
Census info Name: Harold M. Henderson

1910 Census
Harold H. Henderson was 25 and a real estate agent in Jefferson Co. /Birmingham Alabama. He lived on 16th
avenue with wife, Mattie, and William R. Major, 28.
1920 Census-live on 12th Ave.--- works in Real Estate

H M Henderson; Home in 1920: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Age: 34 years; Estimated birth year: abt 1886
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse's name: Mattie; Father's Birth Place:
Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Sex: Male; Home owned:
Own; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes
H M Henderson 34
Mattie Henderson 32
Martha Henderson 8
1930 Cenus
He is still in Birmingham, now 45 and lives on Cliff Road.--now president realty and insurance company.
Harold M Henderson
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse's name: Mattie; Race: White; Harold M
Henderson 45; Mattie Henderson 42; Martha Henderson 19; Griffin Henderson 14; Elsie Evins 37
SS Death Index
died June 1969 in Birmingham
Birth: April 25, 1885
Registered for the draft

Harold Madison Henderson
Census info Name: William Waller

1900 United States Federal Census
about William Waller
Name: William Waller
Home in 1900: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee
Age: 49
Estimated birth year: abt 1851
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name: Fannie
Race: Black
Occupation: View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
William Waller 49
Fannie Waller 49
Duncan Waller 17
L Robert Waller 12
Porter Waller 8
Census info Name: Robert Avent, et al

1920 Census
Name: Robert Avent Home in 1920: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee Age: 25 years Estimated birth year:
abt 1895 Birthplace: Tennessee Relation to Head of House: Brother-in-law Father's Birth Place: Tennessee
Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee Marital Status: Single Race: Mulatto Sex: Male Able to read: Yes Able to Write:
Yes
Albert Smith 25
Mary Smith 23
Joe W Smith 5
Cassie Smith 4
Robert Smith 1 3/12
Robert Avent 25
Roewena Avent 20
1930 Census
Robert Avent Home in 1930: District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee Age: 33 Estimated birth year: abt 1897 Birthplace:
Tennessee Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Maidie Race: Negro (Black)
Robert Avent 33
Maidie Avent 30
Mary Belle Avent 9
Arthur Avent 6
Robert Avent 3
Census info Name: John Swift

1880 Census
1880 United States Federal Census; about John Swift; Name: John Swift; Home in 1880: District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee; Age: 38; Estimated birth year: abt 1842; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to head-of-household: Self
(Head); Spouse's name: Bettie; Father's birthplace: Tennessee; Mother's birthplace: Tennessee; Neighbors: View
others on page; Occupation: Farm Laborer; Marital Status: Married; Race: Black; Gender: Male; Cannot
read/write:; ; Blind:; ; Deaf and dumb:; ; Otherwise disabled:; ; Idiotic or insane:; ; View image; Household
Members: ; Name Age; John Swift 38; Bettie Swift 27; Joseph Swift 13; John Swift 7; Lee Swift 5; Violette Swift
3; Thomas Swift 8M; Charity Blackman 70
Census info Name: Sallie Bass

1920 Census
Sallie Bass Home in 1920: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee Age: 44 years Estimated birth year: abt 1876
Birthplace: Tennessee Relation to Head of House: Wife Spouse's name: Percy Father's Birth Place: Tennessee
Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee Marital Status: Married Race: Black Sex: Female Able to read: Yes Able to
Write: Yes
Percy Bass 43
Sallie Bass 44
Mary Wade 65
1910 Census
Name: Sallie Bass; Age in 1910: 27; Estimated birth year: abt 1883; Birthplace: Tennessee Relation to Head of
House: Wife Father's Birth Place: Tennessee Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee Spouse's name: Percy ; Home in
1910: Murfreesboro Ward 4, Rutherford, Tennessee Marital Status: Married Race: Black Gender: Female
Percy Bass 31
Sallie Bass 27
1900 Census
in district 7
Name: Sallie Bass Home in 1900: Civil District 7, Rutherford, Tennessee Age: 23 Estimated birth year: abt 1877
Birthplace: Tennessee Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter Parent's Name: Millie Race: Black
Millie Bass 56
Sallie Bass 23
Henry Bass 17
Millie Bass 15
Ellen Bass 2
1870 United States Federal Census

Name: Sallie Bass Estimated birth year: abt 1870 Age in 1870: 2/12 Home in 1870: District 9, Rutherford,
Tennessee Family and neighbors: View Results Race: Black Gender: Female Value of real estate: View image
Post Office: Murfreesboro
Census info Name: Thadeus Cowan

1920 Census
1920 United States Federal Census; about Thaddeus Cowan; Name: Thaddeus Cowan; Home in 1920:
Murfreesboro Ward 3, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 56 years ; Estimated birth year: abt 1864; Birthplace:
Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Brother; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place:
Tennessee; Marital Status: Single; Race: Black; Sex: Male; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Image: 291;
Neighbors: View others on page; Household Members: ; Name Age; Isabelle Burke 60; Florence Tilford 28; Lewis
Burke 21; Thaddeus Cowan 56
1880 Census
1880 United States Federal Census; about Thadeious Cowan; Name: Thadeious Cowan; Home in 1880: District 9,
Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 14; Estimated birth year: abt 1866; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to
head-of-household: Son; Father's birthplace: Tennessee; Mother's name: Elizabeth; Mother's birthplace:
Tennessee; Neighbors: View others on page; Occupation: Farm Laborer; Marital Status: Single; Race: Mulatto;
Gender: Male; Cannot read/write:; ; Blind:; ; Deaf and dumb:; ; Otherwise disabled:; ; Idiotic or insane:; ; View
image; Household Members: ; Name Age; Elizabeth Cowan 40; Thadeious Cowan 14; Isablla Cowan 16; Louisa
Cowan 3
Census info Name: Ellis Anderson Estate

1920 Census
Ellis Anderson; Home in 1920: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 63 years ; Estimated birth year: abt
1857; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse's name: Addie
Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: Black; Sex:
Male; Home owned: Own; Able to read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Image: 96
Ellis Anderson 63
Addie Anderson 56
Burton Anderson 20
Augusta Bell Anderson 18
Maggie Anderson 5/12
Richard Anderson 13
Sallie Mary Coldwell 18
Evalina Coldwell 8/12
Huston Quarles 8
1910 Census
Ellis Anderson; Age in 1910: 50; Estimated birth year: abt 1860; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to Head of
House: Head; Father's Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee; Spouse's name: Addie; Home in
1910: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Marital Status: Married; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Male; Neighbors: ;
Ellis Anderson 50
Addie Anderson 46
Ellis Anderson Jr 22
Bob L Anderson 19
Everlina Anderson 17
Bertin Anderson 10
Sallie M Anderson 8
Alexander Anderson 3
1880 Census
Ellis Anderson; Home in 1880: District 9, Rutherford, Tennessee; Age: 20; Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head); Father's birthplace: Tennessee; Mother's
birthplace: Tennessee; Neighbors: View others on page; Occupation: Farm Laborer; Marital Status: Married;
Race: Black; Gender: Male; Cannot read/write:
Ellis Anderson 20
Adline Anderson 18
Frank Anderson 2
Tennessee Census, 1810-91

Name: Ellis Anderson
State: TN; County: Rutherford County; Township: Dist. 9 -Male Voters-
Year: 1891
Page: 209
Database: TN 1891 Voters List
Census info 1929-Golena Anderson

Tax information: 3 acres 1930 Golena Anderson will
Golena Anderson paid taxes in 1928, 1927, Jan. 13, 1930
1926, 1925, 1924, 1923, 1922, 1921,1920, Will book 3, page 146
1918, 1917, Rutherford County Archive
1910 censuses Left to sons, Sam Anderson, and J.D. Anderson the Waller Estate. "I
She was head of household, widowed in with have paid the taxes on this land for 17 years."
6 children and the youngest is 2.
-working as farmer and able to read and To Sam Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Walter Anderson, J.D.
write. Anderson, I.W. Anderson, and my daughter Fannie Mary Manson
the tract of land known as the I.W. Anderson place."
1910 Census data:
Dolena Anderson[Golena Anderson] Witnesses: Rowena Minter, and Maggie R. Minter
Age in 1910: 34; Estimated birth year: abt
1876; Birthplace: Tennessee; Relation to; She knows the government is buying her land. She notes the money
Head of House: Head; Father's Birth Place: first goes to pay debts and funeral arrangement, the rest goes to her
Tennessee; Mother's Birth Place: ; daughter, Golena.
Tennessee; Home in 1910: Civil District 9,
Rutherford, Tennessee; Marital Status: Court Deed: USA from Golena Anderson
Widowed; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Female Book 75, pg. 85-86; June 5, 1929 2.3 acres (same tract)
Dolena Anderson 34
Samuel Anderson 16 Court deed: Anderson from H.H. Kerr
Bob Anderson 10 Book 39, pg. 397-398; Dec. 13, 1898, 2.5 acres
Fannie M Anderson 8
Golena Anderson 6 Court Deed: USA from Golena Anderson
Bruce Anderson 4 Book 78, pg. 252-253; July 7, 1933, 3.2 acres
Jinnie Anderson 2 -Notes that it is same tract of land sold by H.H. Kerr to William
Waller in about 1881 for which no deed is recorded.
1920 Census data:
Golena Anderson Court deed: USA from Golena Anderson
Home in 1920: Civil District 9, Rutherford, Book 78, pg. 254-255; July 7, 1933, 1.0 acres
Tennessee; Age: 45 years ; Estimated birth -Notes that it is the same tract of land sold by E.P. Leach to I.W.
year: abt 1875; Birthplace: Tennessee; Anderson as shown in Book 73, pg. 492
Relation to Head of House: Head; Father's
Birth Place: Tennessee; Mother's Birth Court deed: USA from G. Anderson
Place: Tennessee; Marital Status: Widow; Book 79, pg. 130-131; April 28, 1934
Race: Black; Sex: Female -notes same track owned by Margaret Lillard and mentioned in deed
Home owned: Own; Able to read: Yes; Able conveying adjacent property from H.H. Kerr to Golena Anderson
to Write: Yes; Image: 112 Book 39, pg. 397
Golena Anderson 45
Sam Anderson 25 Deed: USA from Galena Anderson
Fanny M Anderson 17 Book 75, pg. 85-86; April 4, 1930
Golena Anderson 15 -same tract conveyed by H.H. Kerr-- Book 39, pg. 397
Bruce Anderson 13
Duncan Anderson 11 Deed: G. Anderson from H.H. Kerr
Book 39, p. 397-398; Dec. 13, 1898
-no previous reference

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ed
Census info 1929-Gresham

1880 Rutherford County, district 9 census, no Gresham in Rutherford County will book
Samuel Gresham-original property owner,
listed as a blacksmith Court Deed: USA from Lucy Gresham Fowler
born about 1820 in Virginia Book 78, pg. 249-252
Father birthplace-Virginia (2 deeds)
Mother's Birthplace-Virginia
married to M. Gresham, 39; Deed: USA from Sallie Gresham Harlan
children: Book 79, p. 119-120
John Gresham, 19; Rufus Gresham, 14; April 26, 1934
Rebecca Gresham, 13; Daniel Gresham, 18; -two tracts, both along Van Cleve
Lucy Gresham, 10; Lizzie Gresham, 9; Mary 5.0 acres + 1.5 acres
Gresham, 7; Martha Gresham, 4; Sallie
Gresham 2; Samuel A. Gresham 10M. Deed: USA from Lucy Gresham Fowler & Elizabeth Gresham
Woodson
1880 death index- Book 79, p. 129-130, April 28, 1934
Paul Gresham, son of Samuel -Two tracts, not sure they border Van Cleve (Richard's note)
18 years old
farm laborer who died from typhoid fever; USA from Samuel Gresham
born in TN, mother born in Miss. and father Book 79, pg. 131-132, April 28, 1934
was born in Virginia.
Doctor listed: Dr. J.E. Manson
1870 Civil District 9, RC Census

Henry Gresham, 33, farm Laborer,
Hannah, 32; Marcha, 21 female; Les?, 19
male; Ada, 13; Miller, 11, female; Isham, 9,
male, Sam, 3, Hannah, 1
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Census info 1929-Giles S. Harding Estate

1920 Census, Civil District 13, RC
Giles S. Harding, 65, born in TN
Larena Harding, wife, 57
able to read and write
white
son, Medicus, 28, single,
general farmer
All were born in TN.
Owned home
Cephas and Dora Bowen lived on one side and
Thomas Burris on the other

Giles S. Harding, 55, born in TN
Larena Harding, wife, 47
Jessie Harding, 23
Lalah M. Harding, 20
Madiens Harding, 18
Giles G. Harding, Jr. 5

Giles Harding, 45,
Larena, 37
Jessie Harding, 14
Lallah M. Harding, 10,
Madicus Harding, 8
Does not appear in same are in 1880, though

another Giles Harding appears in Warren county
around McMinnville. The ages don't match up.
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Census info 1929-Hickman

Mrs. V.A. Henderson is buying and selling Louis M. Hickman
land all over Rutherford County prior to
being executrix of estate. 1. Deed: USA from Louis H. Hickman
Book 75, pg. 83, April 3, 1930
-she is referred to as executrix in 1903. -notes same property conveyed by Nathan Mason in Book 59, pg.
When did this guy die? 445
1920 Census, RC Murfursboro Ward 2 2. Deed: Louis H. Hickman from Nathan Mason
Louis Hickman, 40, mulatto, Illi., Ill., Ill., Book 59, pg. 445, Sept. 17, 1917
Jammie Hickman, 35, TN, TN, TN -same land conveyed by Mrs. V.A. Henderson
references book 53, pg. 468
1930 US Census, District 9, RC
Nathan Mason, 70, TN,TN,TN 3. Deed: Nathan Mason from V.A. Henderson
widowed, 21 when married, Book 53, pg. 468, Feb. 8, 1911
negro, owned home -V.A. is executrix of last will and testament of W.T. Henderson (will
have to look in index for W.T.)
1920 US Census, District 9, RC -note on release of debt in book RR pg. 86
Nathan Mason, 60, TN,TN,TN -no leads from here, need to find W.T. Henderson.
Isabella, 48, -W.T. Henderson is Deputy County Surveyer in 1911; don't
Eugene Mason, 20, understand because he is supposed to be dead; may be a different
negro, owned home person, but there is not junior; can't tell if he is the same person.
able to read and write
4. W.T. Henderson from W.A. Ransom & Others
1910 US Census, District 9, RC Sept. 18, 1891; 32/585
Nathan Mason, TN,TN,TN
widowed, 21 when married, 5. W. T. Henderson from Chattanooga Brewing Company
negro, owned home April 5, 1892 or 93; 33/433
Oscar Mason, 17; Eugene Mason, 14; -referenced as same property conveyed to W.M. Perry and wife from
Alberta Mason, 6; Standard Oil Company as in book 32/445
? can't discern, couldn't find the previous reference.
1870 US Census, District 9, RC
Nathan Mason, 14, TN,TN,TN 6. WT Henderson from W. F. Cooper
January 4, 1894; 35/179-182
Richard Mason, 40, black -bordered by RR & National Cemetery, contains 192 acres; says
Caroline, 30, same conveyed by R.T. Tompkins and Peter Lowry; I think this is
John, 17 land based on boundaries.
Nathan, 14
Miney, 6, 7. R.T. Tompkins from R. Ransom, Sheriff
Mandy, 3 Dec. 16, 1871; 20/448-450
Jack 15 -bordered by Turnpike & Cemetery, same tract conveyed by N.C.
Bill 16 Collier
l
-Tompkins is executer of James M. Tompkins
8. N.C. Collier from James M. Tompkins

July 10, 1868; 16/145-146
9. James M. Tompkins from Edward L. Jordan, Assigner of E.B.

Be
Hunt, Bankrupt
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May 14, 1868; 16/137-138

>_
-court seized and sold land, Hunt bankrupt; prop. borders Turnpike;
Ya
cW
think it is the same, reference culp?, oak in previous deeds.

d
- it appears E.B. Hunt owned property at time of war.

Census info 1929-John Mason

There is a John Mason 9th district near Court Record
Golena Anderson in the 1910 census. District Court of the US for the Nashville Division of the Middle
He is a 58 year old black man with a son, District of Tennessee
daughter and grandson that lives in in the [found in Center for Historic Preservation files on Cemetery]
same dwelling. He has a border, Mary No. 2108-October 18, 1932
Anderson, aged 72. H.L. Doak, Clerk
The affidavit would confirm this is the same
John Mason. Nathan Mason was also US vs. Golena Anderson, et al.
interviewed for the court case. He is 72 and Depositions of John Mason and Nathan Mason, July 1932
resides near the National Cemetery. He
confirms John Mason's story about his Q. State your name, age, and residence.
acquisition of the land. A. John Mason, aged 79, I reside on the Asbury Lane, near the
In the same lawsuit record appears this National Cemetery.
narrative: "And it appearing to the court from
the proof that the tract of land described in Q. Do you know the property described in the pleadings in this case,
the pleadings in this cause was deeded to which is said to belong to the heirs of Margaret Lillard?
Margaret Lillard by H.H. Kerr and wife at A. Yes, I do. In the year of the big flood, in 1902, I went onto this
some date prior to March, 1902 and that said place. It was right after that big rain, and the ground was still
deed was never put to record but is covered with water. I had to ride a horse to get to it. I went onto this
mentioned in another deed of record in book place and took possession of it.
39, page 397, RO for Rutherford County,
Tennessee, conveying certain property to Q. What work have you done on this place, and when?
Golena Anderson. And it further appearing to A. Right after I went there in 1902, I began to get up rocks off of the
the court from the proof that the said place, and I took these rocks and built a fence all around it. It took
Margaret Lillard on or about March, 1902 by me two or three years, working at odd times, to build this fence. I
parol gave said tract of land to John Mason would get up the rocks, and roll them to the place in a wheelbarrow,
and the the said John Mason on or about the and then build them into the fence.
first day of April, 1902 entered upon said
tract of land and proceeded to occupy the Will Harding was also interviewed in this document.
same as his own..." Q. State your name, age, and residence.
A. Will Harding, I was born the year after the Stones River fight
Margaret Lillard shows up in 1880 RC district [1864]. I live at the Cemetery.
9 census; Age 24, born about 1856;
husband: John W. Lillard, 22; child: John Q. Do you know the property claimed by John Mason, and how long
Lillard; also in dwelling: Quil Wade, 26 have you known it?
-lives next door to John Mason A. Yes, I know it. I have lived there at the cemetery all my life.
In 1900 census, found a widowed Margaret Q. Do you know when John Mason first went upon this place?
Lillard living in Nashville with a white family, A. Yes it was right after the flood in 1902. About the first of April.
the Baskette's, as a cook. She has one
child, a son, Walter. Could John W. be John Q. Did you know Margaret Lillarde family or children?
Walter? A. Yes, I knew her and her two oldest children. They used to live on
that place, but they left there before he moved onto it. They have not
been seen or heard from since, that I know of, any how they have
never been back to the Cemetery.

@e^dCWied
Census info 1929-People’s Labor and Aid Society

WPLAS to USA
Book 79 (?) p. 125
April 26, 1934
-referenced as same property sold by Relief Union of America
Lodge No. 1 to Nashville, Murfreesboro and Shelbyville Turnpike
Company
Book 47, p. 546 or 526
ll
Census info 1929-Minter

1930 G. H Minter= George Henry Minter
Rowena Minter-negro, 44, female, with 3 Rowena's husband
daughters and a son, plus 2 grandchildren in son=Percy Minter, still alive and oral history group is scheduling an
district 9, ancestry.com. interview.
John Lodl has file of genealogical info at the Rutherford County

Archive.
Deed research
USA from Rowena Minter
Book 78 p. 259-260, July 8, 1933
11.0 acres (notes it is tract no. 1 of the W.T. Henderson Division A
platt referenced in Book 54, p. 250
l½
=$>$C
_dj[h
;ijWj[
Census info 1929-Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church
USA from Mt. Olivet

Book 76 p. 62-63
January 20, 1931
same tract sold by H.H. Kerr, Book 27, p. 378
Mt. Olivet Trustee from H.H. Kerr

Book 27, p. 378
July 23, 1884
-no further reference, property deed to several trustees of church
NOTE: separate reference Mt. Olivet from W.A. Hopkins

Book 76, p. 163-164 March 11, 1931
*not sure how this relates.
[Alec Malone, head deacon; John Hugle, deacon; Georgia B.

Tillage, sec.,' Nora Clark-Mother of the Church]
l
Cj$Eb
8Wfj_i_jl [jC_ii_edWho
9^khY^
Census info 1929-J.A. Ransom & R.F. Overall

1850 slave census, Rutherford County at Robert Floyd Overall died Oct. 28, 1941 with a will-
Wilkinsons Crossroads Will book, Book 3, page 470, Rutherford County Archive
Isaac Overall-slave owner It is a short will that left everything to 3 nephews, Robert, John, and
23 slaves, 12 females and 11 males Jesse Overall
11 of them are 16 and under
Deed: J.A. Ransom to Overall & Avent et. all
Book 74, pg 424, July 1, 1929
Deed: Albert M. Leach to J. A. Ransom

Book 73, pg. 529, March 30, 1929
Deed: E.P. Leach & wife to Albert M. Leach

Book 50, pg. 121, December 1, 1908
Deed: C. B. (Charlie) Hill to E. P. Leach

Book 39, pg. 411, December 12, 1898
l
@$7$HWdiec
H$<$El[hW
bb
Census info 1929-William Waller Estate
1930 Golena Anderson Will

Jan. 13, 1930
Will book 3, page 146
Rutherford County Archive
Left to sons, Sam Anderson, and J.D. Anderson the Waller Estate. "I
have paid the taxes on this land for 17 years."
M_bb_WcMWbb
½
[h;ijWj[
Tax Information Ransom & Overall—100 acres

Waller, William estate—3 acres—rd, rd, rd, church—same as 28 (leaves
out where Mt. Olivet should be)
Stones River Research Project—Group 1
Land Ownership along Van Cleve Lane district 13
Kristen Baldwin Deathridge Bowen, C—42 acres—overall, pike, pike, rd
1929 plots along Van Cleve, according to USPS map: 1926

Anderson, Ellis (plot 2) Anderson, Ellis (c)--5 acres—leach, hwy, Gannon, rd
Anderson Golena (plot 26) Anderson, galena—2 acres, listed as Lena
Bowen, Dora Tharp (plot 38) Gresham estate—34 acres
Gresham estate (several plots) Harding, Giles, s—still not listed but listed as border to Gresham
Harding estate Hickman, Louis h—10 acres
Hickman, Louis (plot 1) mason, john (c)--1 acre—Anderson, rd, rd, Anderson
Mason, John (plot 27) Minter, G.H. estate (c)—listed under Rowena—11 acres, Henderson,
Minter, G.H. Estate (plot 10) Anderson, rd, Howard—Minter Rowena & Roberta in colored polls
Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church* (plot 21) Orr, Ed—listed under Josie—10 acres: RR, hwy, cem., Henderson—7
Orr, Ed estate (plot 33, 39) acres: Avent, Gresham, rd, Cowan
Waller, William estate (plot 20) Ransom & Overall—100 acres—hwy, Bowen, tedder, rd
Working People’s Labor and Aid Society* (plot 11) Waller, William estate—3 acres—church, rd, rd, church
Overall, RF & Ransom, JA (plot 12)
district 13
*these are not included in the below information Bowen, C. 42 acres—each, pk, Fite, lane (van Cleve?)
1928 tax book (taxes paid in 1929) 1925

Anderson, Ellis—5 acres all the same as 1926
Anderson, Golena—3 acres made note of Hickman borders—RR, hwy, rd, cemetery
Bowen, Dora Tharp—not listed, though listed as border for Ransom and
Overall; need to go back and check district 13 possible year of death for G.H. Minter
Gresham estate—30 acres; says Johnson is Western border
Harding estate—not listed 1924
Hickman, Louis H—10 acres
Mason, John—not listed Overall, Sam—130 acres—bell, Washington, rd, creek
Minter, G.H. estate—listed as Minter, Rowena, 10 acres; Minter, Brother Mason, John—1 acre—no boundaries listed
listed in colored polls Minter, Henry—same boundaries as 23 and 25
Orr, Ed estate—listed as Orr, Josephine estate, paid by Charlie Orr, 17 All others same
acres
Waller, William estate—3 acres 1923
Ransom & Overall—100 acres
Hickman, luie—8 acres—RR, hwy, Anderson, cemetery
mason, john—not listed
1927 minter, Henry—10 acres—hwy, reed, rd, earthman
Orr, Josephine—10 acres, Gordon, johns, Murphy, Sullivan
Anderson, Ellis—5 acres Orr, Ed estate (handwritten)—7 acres (+3 from 1922)—boundaries not
Anderson, Golena—3 acres listed
Gresham estate—30 acres overall, Sam, n.—130 acres—bell, Washington, rd, creek
Harding, Giles, S.—listed as border but not as payer
Hickman, Louis, H—10 acres col. Polls
Mason, John—not listed Anderson, Ellis
Minter, G.H. estate—same as 1928, without payer info—hwy, Anderson, Anderson, Lena
rd, Huddleston (overlooks Waller estate which is between minter
and Anderson)--Minter, Henry on colored polls District 13
Orr, Ed—listed as Orr, Josephine estate—7 acres: Avant, Grissam, rd, Harding, m.r. at al—280 acres—pk, overall, smith, hunter
Cowan (overlooks burke & black, plots 31 & 32)--10 acres: RR, 40 acres—Harlan, pk, rd, Harrison
hwy, cemetery, Henderson (not on our map??) Harding, Mrs. G.S.—no land listed
Anderson, Ellis—5—lane, dannon, rd, pike
1922 Gresham, Sam—34—Orr, rd-rd-Hardin
Hickman, Lima—8—cem, rd, rd, pk
Anderson, Ellis—5 acres—RR, pk, Gannon, Hickman Mason, john—2—Anderson, lane, rd, Anderson
Anderson, galena—3 acres—Waller mason, RR, wade Minter, Henry—11—pike, Huddleston, rd, earthman (G.H. = Henry?)
Gresham, Sam—34 acres—Orr, Hardin, pk, Kirk Orr, Ed—10—wade, cem, rd, pike
Manson, john—1 acre—Anderson, Orr, pk, Anderson 4—hutch, Gresham, Manson, Anderson
Minter, Henry—11 acres—pk, Rankin, pk, Henderson
Orr, Ed estate—10 acres—RR, pk, cem, wade colored polls
4 acres—Avent, Gresham, pk, Cowan Anderson, Ellis
overall, Sam n—130 acres—Washington, bell, pk, bond Orr, Chas
Waller, wm—3 acres—leach? church?, rd, lane, church---*earliest record ransom, Sam
Hickman, L—8 acres, cemetery, pk, RR, pk
district 13
colored polls Bowen, Cephas—42 acres—leach, pk, Fite, rd
Anderson, Sam Harding, Giles—360 acres—pk, Hoover, jetton, rd
Harding, Sylvia
Mason Eugene 1919
Mason Alberta Anderson, Ellis, col–same as 1918
Minter Rowena Anderson, Gallna–same as 1918
Wallers, Edward and wife Gresham, Sam, col.–same as 1918
Harding, Will, col–2 acres–smith, lane, pk, lane
District 13 Hickman, Dr. J.P.–same as 1918
Bowen, c—42 acres—leach, pk,_____ , rd Mason, Nathan, col–same as 1918
Harding G.S.—400 acres—Harrison, creek, smith, Gresham Minter, Henry–same as 1918
Orr, Ed–same as 1918
1921 colored polls

Anderson, Ellis, Jr
Anderson, Ellis, c—5—RR, pk, Gannon, Hickman Anderson, Burton
Anderson, galena—3—Waller, mason, RR, wade Anderson, Sam
Gresham, Sam—34—Orr, Harding, pk, hurt Mason, Dave
Hickman, l—8—cem, pk, RR, pk Orr, Charlie
Manson, john—1—Anderson, Orr, pk, Anderson Ransom, John Henry
Minter, Henry—11—pk, Rankin, pk, Henderson
Orr, Ed estate—10—RR, pk, cem, wade District 13
4—Avent, Gresham, pk, Cowan Bowen, C.–42 acres–leach, pk, Fite, hardy
*death year? Harding, GS (p)–same as 1918
Overall, Sam—130—bell, Washington, pk, bond Overall & –same as 1918
Overall, AM–430 a– rd, jakes, rvr, rd
White polls 70–___, rd, Sanford, Harris
Harding, Sylvia Overall, SN Admr (p)–13 a–Odom, rd, Alex, Odom–“error”
Mason, Eugene Overall, KD–44 a–rvr, rd, Harrison, overall
47–hard-, rd, Hoover, buoy
Colored polls Overall, LC–13–Thompson, rd, ____, Covington
Anderson, Ellis Ransom Bros & Co–same as 1918
Anderson, Maggie
Anderson, Sam
Minter, Rowena 1918
Orr, Chas
Orr, Susie Anderson, Ellis col.—5—Malone, Gannon, RR, pk
Anderson, gallna—2—ward, mason, rd, rd
District 13 Gresham, Sam col.—40—Orr, Selph, rd, Bagwell
Bowen—same Hickman, dr. j.p. col.—10—pk, Henderson, earthman, Henderson
Harding, G.S.—400 acres—Harrison, creek, smith, Gresham Mason, Nathan col.—3—pk, lane, crutch-, Crouse
Ditto marks for Nathan mason, but Louis Hickman written in—10—RR,
1920 pk, rd, cem
Minter, Henry col.—11—lane, rd, pk, Huddleston
Anderson, galena—3—ward, mason, rd, rd Orr, Ed col.—4—Anderson, _____, rd, Manson
10—Henderson, cemetery, RR, pk Overall, ND–45–75–14
Overall, AM & RF–4 lots in king ragland addition
dist. 13
Harding, g.s.—300—pk, Hoover, Gresham, jetton 1910
ransom bros & co—2—pk, Harrison, black, rvr
1—Thompson, pk, RR, shearin Anderson, Ellis col.–5–RR, n pike, wade, rd
Overall & Avant—town lots 6, 1 Anderson, Goldina col.–2–Waller, Lillard, rd, wade
Gresham, Sam col.–40–Orr, self, rd, ransom
Harding, Lou col.–1–Henderson, Kerr, Avent, Howard
1917 Orr, Ed col.–5–Anderson, Gresham, rd, Kerr
Waller, wm–2–Henderson, Anderson, rd, church
Anderson—both same as 1918 but n border for Ellis is lane instead of
Malone Colored polls
Mason, Nathan col—3—pk, lane, Crutcher, Crouse Anderson, bobby lee
10—RR,pk,rd,cem Anderson, Ellis Jr.
Orr—same as 1918 Gresham john
Harding will
colored polls Harding green
Anderson, Ely Minter, Henry
Anderson, Sam Orr, Ed
Mason, bus Ransom, Ed
District 13 District 13
Bowen—same as 1920 Bowen, C–42–leach, m pike, Fite, Harding
Harding, gas—365—pk, Hoover & o, Bagwell, Gresham Harding, GS–360–m pike, overall, overall, Gresham
Ransom bros & co—2—pk, Harrison, love rvr, _____ Overall, ND–68–2–10–10
1—Thompson, pk, RR, shearin Overall, KD–25–8–5
Overall, KD & BF–50 (same as KD alone in 1913)
*gap until 1914 Overall, KD & ND–25–20–8–50
Overall, LC–234
1914 Overall, AM–450--150–same as 1913
Overall, Miss Eudie–1 town lot
Anderson, Elvis (col)--5 acres—rd, wade, RR, pike Overall, JH–125
Grissom, Sam estate—40 acres—Orr, Selph, rd, Manson Ransom, Jim–1 town lot
Orr, Ed (col)--10 acres—RR, pike, cemetery, Henderson Ransom Bros–12,5
district 13 1909
Bowen, C—42 acres
Ransom Bros—2 acres: pike, Harrison, love, river—1.5 acres: Thompson, Anderson, Ellis c–same as 1910
pike, pike, shearin *Golena not listed*
others same as 1910
1913
District 13
Anderson, Golena c–2–rd, Manson, rd, wade Bowen, Cephas–43–leach, m pk, Fite, lane
Anderson, Ellis c–5–mason, pk, RR, pk
Gresham, Sam estate–40–Orr, Selph, leach, Manson 1908
Orr, Ed–15–Anderson, ok–gr, rd–RR, pk-bagwell
Anderson, Ellis c–same as 1910
Colored Polls Gresham, Sam c estate–same as 1910
Orr, Ed Harding, Lou c–same as 1910
Kerr HH estate–14–hend-, Howard, Howard, Manson
District 13 Leach EP & Anthony–72
Bowen, C.–42–leach, overall, Fite, Harding Leach EP–30–172
Harding, GS AGENT–40–Harding, Harding, Harding, Harding Leach, GI–165
Harding, GS–360–Selph, Hoover, overall, Gresham Mason, John c–1–and-, Orr, leach, and- --handwritten note “see Margaret
Overall, AM–485 & 150 Lillard” she has c and same acreage and border info–taxes only
Overall, LC–134 paid once
Overall, KD–50–10–70 Orr, Ed–same as 1910
Overall, Jesse col.–1 town lot Waller, Wm c–same as 1910
District 13 Colored polls:

*no Bowen Anderson, Ellis
Orr, Solomon & Orr, Charlie
1905 Ransom, Sam
Anderson, Boyd c–4–Scruggs, muse, Atkinson, sikes District 13

Anderson, Ellis & Wade, Quill (sp?) C–7–leach, pk, hazen mnmt, Bowman, Wm—1/2 acre
Henderson Harding, G.S. Estate—40 acres: Harding, Harding, wood, Harding—90
Anderson, CW–12–miles, stockard, stockard, miles acres: pike, Harding wood, Gresham—70 acres: pike, arnall (?), arnall
Anderson, Walter c–3–Waller, Lillard, rd, wade (?), wood—60 acres: wood, Gresham, arnall (?), Gresham
Gresham, Sam estate c–40–rd, Harding, rd, Manson Ransom, W.A., Sr.--20 acres, ½ acre, 1 acre
Harding, Lou c-1-henderson, Rankin, Kerr, Kerr Ransom, Sam—40 acres—rimfox (??), rd, rRR audmay (?)
Kerr, HH–32–Henderson, Orr, rd, Manson Ransom, Jas. H.--3/4 acre: pike, Hudson (?), ransom, ransom—36 acres:
Leach, EP–180–river, leach, river, rd pike, Harrison, pike, hill
Leach, GL & AM–72–Henderson, wade, pk, rd
Leach, GL–165–Leach, RR, river, rd 1899
Leach, AM–125–early, freeman, river, freeman
Mason, Nathan c–2–burrus, rd, crutcher, Crouse Mason, Nathan c–2–burrus, rd, Crutcher, course
Orr, Ed c–5–Anderson, Gresham, rd, Cowan Orr, Ed c–5–Blackman, Gresham, rd, Cowan
Waller, William–2–Henderson, Anderson, rd, Kerr Waller, Wm c–3–ch, Blackman, rd, ch
Colored Polls 1898

Anderson, Ballard
Harding, Green Mason, Nathan col–same as 1899
Harding, Will Orr, Ed col–same as 1899
Orr, Sol. Waller, Wm col–same as 1899
Ransom, Jack
1897
District 13
Harding GS–460–Gresham, hill, overall, overall *no Mason, Orr, or Waller
Nashville, Murfreesboro & Shelbyville Turnpike Co (gates) 2
Overall, ND–70–90–210 1895
Overall, AM–22–1068
Overall, Walter C–1 town lot Gresham, Sam col–40–Cowan, leach, rd, Kerr
Overall, Albert–1 town lot Kerr, HH–80–cooper, collier, selph, Manson
Ransom & Bilbro–Mill property–1 acre Leach, GL–165
Leach, EP & TA–117
1903 Leach, AM–12
Anderson, Ellis col & Wade Quill col–7–leach, ph, h. mnmt, Henderson Leach, AM & GL–72
*no Mason, Orr, or Waller*–this is what sent me to books 1899, 98, &
1903 97–I only looked for those names in those books because
*no Ellis Anderson Gresham was essentially the same
Anderson, Boyd–same as 1905 Ransom, Jas A–30–pk, leach, leach, leach
Gresham, Sam c–40–Orr, self, rd, Manson
Kerr HH–32–Henderson, Orr, rd, Manson District 13
Leach EP–65–30
Leach, EP & LJ–117 Harding, GS estate–40–Harding, Harding, wood, Harding
Leach, GL & AM–72 Harding, GS, Jr–90–pk, Harding, wood, Gresham
Leach, AM–125 70–pk, overall, overall, wood
Mason, Nathan c–2–burrus, syer, rd, Crouse 60 wood, Gresham, overall, Gresham
Orr, Ed–same as 1905 except for the north is n. Blackman
Waller, Wm c–3–church, Anderson, rd, church 1890
Gresham, Sam col—40—no boundaries listed this year for any property
1900 Kerr, H.H.—80
Leach, AM & JA—53
Grisham, Samuel estate—40 acres—arr (Orr?), selph, rd, Manson Leach, AM—40
Mason, Nathan (col)--2 acres—burrus (?), leoman, rd, leoman Leach, EP—63
Orr, Ed (col)--5 acres—Blackman, Gresham, rd, leoman Leach, Geo L—149
Leach, EP & JA—117

Leach, EW—57 1884
Ransom, Jas A—30 *no Gresham
Ransom, Geo—52 Kerr HH—120
Ransom, Jas A & Bro—40 Several Leachs
Colored Polls 1878

Anderson, Ellis Leach JT—116
Mason, John Leach, George
Mason, Nathan
Orr, Ed Colored Polls
Orr, Solomon Anderson, Samuel
Mason, John
District 13 Orr, Ed
Harding GS Sr—40 Orr, Solomon
Harding GS Jr—90, 70, 60
District 13
1889—same as 1890 Harding GS—363
1888—same as 1890 except: 1877

District 13
Harding, GS—70 (no Jr) District 13
Harding, GS—363
1887
Gresham, Sam (col)--40 acres—Cowan lands, Manson, p. road, Kerr

Ransom, James A—30 acres—pike, collier, collier, collier
Ransom, JA & Bro—40 acres—pike, hill, McKnight, collier
Ransom, GW—52 acres—leach, Mcuin, Maney, Leach
Colored Polls
Anderson, Ellis
Harding, George (?)
Mason, John
Orr Solomon & Orr, Edward
District 13
Bowman (T or F). W.J.--1.5 acre—ransom, ransom, pike, ransom (later
became Bowen??)
Harding, Giles S.--363 acres—pike, Gresham, Lytle, Gresham
1885
Gresham, Sam—40—no boundaries listed for any properties

Kerr, HH—80
Ransom, JA—30
Ransom, JA & Bro—40
Colored Polls
Anderson, Ellis
Anderson, Sam
Mason, John
Mason, Nathan
Orr, Ed
Orr, Solomon
District 13
Harding GS—362
67-Appendix PHOTOS
PHOTOS
68-Appendix PHOTOS
Caption on back of photo: #4 of article, The Battle of Stone’s River one black woman and two children on steps of cabin.
Nashville Pike out of Murfreesboro, looking north-west toward the rise of ground which was the site of Fortress Rosecrans, con-
structed after the withdrawl of Bragg, from a photograph in 1884.
Stones River Battlefield Archive, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro, TN
69-Appendix PHOTOS
Van Cleave Lane just across the

RR tracks
WPA Work
O.E. Camp
Spring
“Van Cleve Lane, across

from the railroad tracks,”
Murfreesboro, TN, Stones

River Battlefield Archive,
70-Appendix PHOTOS

71-Appendix PHOTOS

72-Appendix PHOTOS

73-Appendix PHOTOS

74-Appendix PHOTOS

75-Appendix PHOTOS
Stones River Battlefield Ar-
chive, Stones River Battle-
field, Murfreesboro, TN.
76-Appendix PHOTOS FIELD PHOTOS
77-Appendix PHOTOS
78-Appendix PHOTOS
79-Appendix PHOTOS
80-Appendix PHOTOS
81-Appendix PHOTOS
82-Appendix PHOTOS
83-Appendix PHOTOS
84-Appendix PHOTOS
85-Appendix PHOTOS

Land Ownership Along Van Cleve Lane-A Cultural Landscape Project

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Land Ownership Along Van Cleve Lane-A Cultural Landscape Project

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Angela Smith

This study, a group project in Public History, examines land, tax,

River National Battlefield Park.

reviewed this report for errors.

Rutherford County Deeds Office.

No Deeds Located Thus Far

Deed Book 39, pgs. 397-398.

examined further to identify the properties and their changes in ownership.

Gresham properties adjacent to these, but not bordering on Van Cleve.15

The Working People’s Labor and Aid Society Property:

Book 79, pgs. 119-120.

either page 546 or 526, the number being indiscernible.16

of the oral history interviews.

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church:

Rutherford County Deed Book 76, pgs. 62-63.

required to discern who previously deeded the property.

J.A. Ransom and R.F. Overall Property:

William Waller Estate:

Dora Tharp Bowen:

Deed Book 74, pg. 501.

actually the conveyor to the United States.

FULL DEED TRACE

Louis Hickman Property:

Deed Book 53, pg. 468.

period from 1865-1933.

landowning voters are listed among property taxpayers).

mistakenly identified as African-American. The continuity of family lines is significant for an

understanding of the character of the Cemetery community. As African-American property

African-American community so far as land-ownership is concerned. However, one should

but from them we know they were in the vicinity.

family. Their father’s occupation was farm laborer.30

present in the 1880 census, though he reappeared again in 1900.31

appear again in the 1910 census.32

other families remain the same.33

depicting the District 9 census findings.

evidence was missing.

from J. H. Reed of the Murfreesboro/Shelbyville Turnpike Company.36 See Appendix E for

partial copies of these court case records.

Black Landownership in Rutherford County During Reconstruction. The thesis, supervised by

to save money and buy with cash.42

modern disturbance, although definitely impacting the information to be gleaned from

character of the Cemetery community.

Archaeological investigation may yield interesting information about the Cemetery

Rutherford County Tax Record Books 1877-1914, 1917-1928.

Stones River Battlefield Archive, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro, TN.

Census data for residents along Van Cleve Lane

Bowen, Dora Tharp

Minter, G.H. /Rowena

acres in name alter. & relatives w

Anderson, Ellis 9 c 5 Elvis x x x x x x x x x x x x

Anderson, Golena 9 c 3 Galena, Lena, Goldina x x x x x x x x x x x x

Bowen, C** 13 42 Cephas x x x x x x x x x x x

Harding, G.S. 13 Giles, Giles S, x x x x x x x

Harding, G.S. Jr. 13

Hickman, Louis 9 10 Luie, Lima x x x x x x x x x x

Hickman, Dr. J.P 9 c x x

Mason, John Margaret Lillard

Minter, G.H. 9 c 17 Rowena, Henry x--e x--e x--e x x x x x x x x

Overall 9, 13 AM, LC, KD, ND,RF,etc x x x x

Ransom WA, Sam, Jas H, GW

Ransom & Overall 9 100 x x x x x

Waller, William 9 3 x--e x--e x--e x--e x--e x

acres in name alter. & relatives w