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- [S79] Sevier County Tennessee Wills, 27 Oct 1848.
Will of John Brabson
"I John Brabson of Sevier County and State of Tennessee being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament
Item 1 I will and desire that after my death my Executors pay my debts and funeral expenses out of my estate.
Item 2nd I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth all my household and kitchen furnature including two clocks and my safe together with such books as she may chose; the residue to be devided between my three sons Benjamin Thomas & Reece.
I also give to my wife Elizabeth all of the crop I may have on hands at my death either in the ground or gathered and also all the provisions on hand the crop is to include all the rents that may be coming from my tenants as well as what may be raised on the ground cultivated by myself. I also give and bequeath to my said wife as much of my stock of every discription and farming utentials as she may need leaving that to her own judgment.
Item 3rd I also give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth during her natural life the following tracts of land for her support. First the tract on which I now live including the hereditaments and appertainances thereto belonging and bounded as follows. Beginning on a Spanish oak near where Collen Warren lives on the public road leading to the store then running down Boyds creek so as to include a lot and house adjoining said oak tree and and including the spring at the creek to the mouth of said creek and then down with the meanders thereof including the ferry to James Ellis line and with that line to a stake that will be in a line between the corner of Ellis fence that turns short round to go towards my mill; from thence to where the road turns round a 14 Acre field called the mud hole field to go towards Blairs big field and from that corner with the mill road to the public road and with that to the beginning.
Also I give to my wife Elizabeth during her natural life what cleared land I have in the Island called Buckingham Island with liberty to clear five acres more in the Island adjoining the cleared land on the sluice. Also I give to my said wife during her natural life all the land I own on the north side of French Broad river adjoining my ferry and where Samuel Cook including the ferry and where Samuel Cook now lives all for her use to farm but not to sell or waste or sell any timber but to use such timber as may be necessary for keeping up the farms and for fire wood &c.
Also to use what timber in the Island above named that may be necessary to keep up the fencing thereon. My said wife is also at liberty to clear twenty acres on the land on the north side of the ferry. I also give to my said wife all the rents that may be made on the Shamblin place on the Amos Galyan place and where James White lives during her life the use of what is called Blairs Big field and the field adjoining that I have worked. Also the fourteen acre field called the mud hole field and the field adjoining and the Reagan field all for her to have to farm during her natural life and also she to have the privilege of using timber on the different tracts of land to keep up the fences; and to have what timber she may need on any of my lands in the Knobs for rails &c
Item 4 I give and bequeath to my said wife Elizabeth six hundred dollars to be paid her out of my money or a good note as she may chose.
Item 5 I give and bequeath to my said wife during her natural life the use of all my slaves that I do not otherwise dispose of.
Item 6 My will is that my slave Molly be freed from bondage at my death and the death of my wife; and that my Executors make provisions for her to live with some person that will be bound to keep her off the county and to live with some person of her own choice if any person will go her security to keep her from becoming a county charge and the county court will allow it my will is that she may be emancipated instead of being bound to live with any person.
Item 7 It is my will that my wife may have as many raw hides tanned in my tan yard free of charge as will shoe her family during her life provided the tan yard is kept up. Also my will is that she may in like manner have what sawing she may need for ferry boats done at my saw mill provided she furnish the timber and the mill continues to run.
Item 8 I give and devise to my son Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever all the lands that I have herein given to my wife Elizabeth except such as I have otherwise disposed of to others and the possession of which he is to get at the death of his mother. My will is that my son Benj. D. Brabson begin two chains along the road towards the ferry from the corner Spanish oak spoken of above and to run parallel and with the gully to the present fence and with the fence two rods and then at right angles to the creek and then with the creek to its mouth and with the line allotted to his mother until it reaches within two chains of the Spanish oak his mothers corner. I also give and devise unto my son Benj. D. Brabson and his heirs forever all the lands I own on the north side of French Broad adjoining my ferry including he ferry and adjoining the lands of George Hudson and the heirs of John Kear supposed to contain five hundred acres with the exception of a small piece of land I allotted to the widow Ingram during her life or widowhood, at which term of time my will is that it belong to my son Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever. I further give and devise to my son Benj. D. Brabson and his heirs forever one half of a one hundred acre tract that lies on the public road between my ferry and Henry Cross roads and the other half of said tract I give and devise to my son Thomas C. Brabson and his heirs forever. I further give and devise to my son Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever all the lands I own in what is called Buckinhams Island together with eighty acres of an Island together with that lies in the river adjoining. I also give and devise to my said son Benj. D. Brabson and his heirs forever all the land where William Cannon once lived including one hundred and thirty acres of an Entry adjoining said land. I also give and devise to said Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever a slip of ground 32 feet at the road and wider at the creek that lies between the lands of James Ellis and Hugh Cowan got off of Cowan's land for a road to the creek to get timber across the creek, all the land that I have willed to my wife Elizabeth during her life that at her death go to my son Benj. D. Brabson are not to be occupied by him until after the death of his said mother. I also give and devise to my said son Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever the one third part of all my Knob lands that are not specially devised to others.
Item 9 I give and devise to my two sons Benjamin. D. Brabson and Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever my tract of land containing about 360 or 370 acres that runs with Ezekial Waters land and lies on the waters of Panther creek & Knob creek.
Item 10 I give and devise to my two sons Benjamin D. Brabson & Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever all the lands that lie on that part of my place that lies between James Ellis where he lives and his old place that lies on the west side of the road that leads towards the mill until they come to the corner of the 14 acre field on the corner that turns to go to the Blair big field they are to run on the line allotted to Benjamin D. Brabson endenedually to a stake on James Ellis land provided this line does not run the line to Ellis fence corner spoken of in Elizabeth Brabson's line through a sink hole if so it is to be allotted so as to pass by one of the sink holes and to run from said stake on Ellis line with his line and to his corner that runs from the river and to run from that corner so as to run in a sink hole small distance to the road that runs towards Whittle's old place and with the road to Hugh Cowan's corner and Randles or by varying in some place so as to suit the road or make it better than where it now runs; and with Cowan's line to James Ellis line and with Ellis line to the White oak corner on the creek and then with the creek to the middle of it to the bend and then down the creek on the south side to the mouth and up on the other side to Benjamin D. Brabson's corner on the creek and then with his line to the state on the road two chains from the Spanish oak. The fields that are allotted to my wife during her life out of the above lands are not be occupied by the said Benjamin. D. Brabson and Thomas C. Brabson until after the death of my said wife. Also give and devise to my said sons Benjamin D. Brabson and Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever all my Tan yard with all the tools on hands and dry hides and also one half of all the leather in tan or is preparing for tanning and the other half I direct to be divided between the rest of my children to be worked out by my black boy Henry and the bark and oil on hands to be used for that purpose and what is left if any is to belong to my said two sons Benjamin D. & Thomas C. Brabson and if any is wanted and if any is wanted then my said son Benjamin is to furnish it, the leather to be divided as it is worked out. I also give to my said two sons Benjamin & Thomas all my smith tools. I give and bequeath to my said sons Benjamin & Thomas my two black boys Henry & Charles the black smith equally during their natural lives, at the death of either that shall die leaving no heirs of their own body then the right to said two slaves Henry & Charles shall go to the survivor and his heirs forever. I further give and devise to my said two sons Benjamin D. & Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever all the tracts of land that my old mill was built upon in the Knobs with its appertainances, also a small piece of land of about three acres near where the widow Perry once lived being part of the field where Shamblin lives. I also give to my said two sons Benjamin D. & Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever a one hundred acre tract that takes in the Knob at the left as one passes towards the old mill and also one other tract that contains two hundred acres that Whittle entered and sold to me. Also one third of a tract of three hundred and fifty acres or thereabouts that runs to the lick place, and also in like manner I give and devise to them my said two sons my part of an Entry made by myself & Chandler that lies between Chandler & Whittle fifty acres and my mill tract that runs to the lick and the creek. I also give and devise to my said sons Benjamin D. & Thomas C. Brabson and their heirs forever the balance of the same tract called five hundred and fifty two acres or near that, some of this tract is taken in by other entries. If my wife Elizabeth may want timber out of any of these lands she is to have for rails fire wood and other uses my will is that said Benjamin & Thomas C. Brabson shall tan the leather spoken of for my wife in part consideration yard and black boy.
Item 11 I give and bequeath to my son Thomas C. Brabson and his heirs forever so much of my lands where he now lives as lies on the north side of the road that leads from my mill towards Levi Whittle's old place with the exception I have made in the road mentioned in the line of Benjamin D. and Thomas C. Brabson on said road where there is a wagon road used that is to make the road better in places where is needs changing of the road to better ground the bounds are to be as follows Beginning at a post oak corner of Hugh Cowan's James Randles and myself and to run with the road spoken of to a corner between me and James Ellis, the first corner from a beach on the river bank, and from that corner to said beach on the river bank and from thence up the river various courses and distances to include the land in a twenty five acre entry, also to run down the river so as to include the mills and an Island of thirty seven acres or thereabouts called Boggs Island and down the river to James & Richard Randles mill, and with their line to the public road, and with the road to James Randles deceased and with said James Randles line to the beginning containing one tract of land formerly owned by John Clinkenbeard and purchased by me from Edward George and other purchased by me at a Trust sale of Samuel Bowman the land formerly belonging to Samuel Boggs part of another tract formerly owned by Joseph Blair all that has not been devised to Benjamin and the said Thomas C. Brabson jointly. I further give and devise to my said son Thomas. C. Brabson and his heirs forever a one hundred acre tract I own in the Knobs being the one I purchased two thirds of it from James W. Ellis adjoining the lands of said Ellis. I further devise to my said son Thomas C. Brabson & his heirs forever the one third of the tract of land that belongs to John Chandler & myself the one half to each the tract contains 532 acres lying Knob creek the waters of Boyds creek and which I divided between Benjamin D. & Thomas C. Brabson.
Item 12 I direct that my Executors shall sell my house and lot in the town of Sevierville and my twenty tract near Jerry Mathis old place with the 3 1/2 Acres I got of John Catlett upon such a credit as will secure the best price, so that it be not longer than two years and to be sold as soon as there is an opportunity of selling for a fair price, and until it can be sold I desire that it be rented and the money arising from said sale I direct that it shall be equally divided among my five daughters.
Item 13 I give and devise to my Daughter Mary Hodsden my land known as the Bush tract including three tracts, one two hundred and forty eight acres in the fork of the big East fork and little East fork of little Pigeon river, one other tract on the opposite side of the little East fork containing one hundred & fourteen acres being the place George Bush formerly lived on and one other tract of fifty acres the above lands with the hereditaments and appertainances thereto belonging I give to my said Daughter Mary during her natural life and at her death I give and devise the same to her children born of her body and their heirs forever. I also give to my said daughter one negro girl out of my estate during her natural life together with her increase and at the death of my Daughter Mary then I give and bequeath the said negro girl and her increase to the children born of the body of my said Daughter and their heirs forever to be equally divided amongst them.
If I should furnish my said daughter with a negro girl before my death then she is to hold the same under this will in lieu of the one given by the will and to be held by her children as directed by this my will.
Item 14 I give and devise to my daughter Precitta Shields my tract of land lying near McClary's mills where Frederick Scruggs lives & Jesse Cunningham lives containing three hundred and thirteen acres more or less together with one Entry containing fifty two acres on Tuckahoe creek, adjoining the Same, the above lands with the hereditaments and appertainances thereto belonging I give to my said Daughter Precilla during her natural life and at her death I give the same to her children and their heirs born of her body forever. I also give to my said daughter Precilla during her natural life one negro girl named Tennessee about thirteen years old and at the death of my said daughter said negro girl and her increase I give to the children of my said daughter and her heirs forever. I also give to my said Daughter Precilla fifteen hundred dollars to make her land equal in value to the lands of my other daughters.
Item 15 I give to my Daughter Lucy Scruggs all that tract of land I purchased of Levi Whittle in Sevier County containing from five to six hundred acres it being in different deeds and the lands that said Whittle lived upon including a cotton Machine, and also Seventy acres of land I purchased of Richard Haney the above land with the hereditaments and appertainances thereto belonging I give to my said Daughter Lucy during her natural life and at her death I give and devise the same to her children born of her body and their heirs forever.
Item 16 I give and devise to my Daughter Elizabeth McNutt my tract of land formerly owned by Doctor Thomas Hill containing four hundred & thirty four acres or thereabouts the above lands with the hereditaments and appertainances I give to my said Daughter during her natural life and at her death I give and devise the same to her children born of her body & their heirs forever. I also give to my said Daughter Elizabeth a negro girl named Malinda and her two children Gilbert & Sarah Emeline during her natural life and at the death of my said Daughter I give and devise the said above named negros with their increase to the children of my said Daughter and their heirs forever. I also give to my said Daughter five hundred dollars in money to make her land equal in value to my other Daughters.
Item 17 I give and devise to my daughter Penelope Brabson that tract of land I purchased of John Franklin with the hereditaments and appertainances lying in what is called McClary's bend containing about one hundred and ninety two acres. I also give to my said Daughter my Island with its appentanances called McClary's Island in French Broad river the above said lands I give to my said Daughter Penelope during her natural life and should she marry and have children then at her death I give said lands to her children and their heirs forever but should she die unmarried or without children or the lawful decendants of children then I give and bequeath said lands to her brothers and sisters & their heirs forever. I further give to my daughter Penelope one negro girl out of my stock of negros or out of my estate during her natural life and at her death said negro & her increase is to go to the children of her body if she should marry and if she die unmarried or without children or the lawful decendants of children then said negro and increase to go to her brothers and sisters and their heirs forever. I also give to my said Daughter Penelope twelve hundred and fifty dollars to make her land equal in value to my other Daughters. I also give to my said Daughter the same amount of house hold furniture and stock that I gave to my other daughters out of my estate.
Item 18 I give and devise to my son Reece. B. Brabson and his heirs forever my tract of land lying in Gibson County in West Tennessee containing about 337 acres together with the hereditaments and appertainances thereto belonging. I also give to him the sum of $2535 heretofore advance to him by me for the purpose of purchasing a tract of land near the Town of Chattanooga. I also give to my said son Reece. B. Brabson the sum of four hundred and sixty five dollars to be paid to him by my Executors in money. It is further my will that if the tract of land in Gibson county shall not sell for or be worth one thousand dollars then I give to my said son Reece out of my estate in addition to what I have given to him as much as will make said tract of land equal in value to one thousand dollars. I also give to my said son Reece the sum of eleven hundred dollars heretofore advanced to him by me to purchase a lot in the town of Chattanooga. I also give to my said son Reece a negro boy now in his possession named Bill.
Item 19th I give and devise to my son Benjamin D. Brabson and his heirs forever that tract of land with its appertainances that lies above Peter Huffakers old place on the north side of the river called twenty eight acres or thereabouts, also I give to my said son & his heirs forever the tract of land that lies was in dispute with Wesley Huffaker supposed to be about sixty eight acres or thereabouts. My will also is that my said son Benjamin shall not be charged interest on his note of 655 dollars that he gave for the Baker place.
Item 20th My will is that so much of my stock and other articles that may not be disposed of such as stock that my wife Elizabeth may not want or other articles be sold by executors and the money placed with my other monies.
Item 21st I give to my son Thomas. C. Brabson my surveying instruments and my Gibson on surveying.
Item 22nd My will is that my son Benjamin D. Brabson have the use and benefit of my houses & lots in the town of Maryville during the life of his Mother and at her death they shall be sold by my executors and the money equally divided among my eight children.
Item 23rd I give to my daughter Lucy Scruggs one half of an Entry of land lying back of the widow Henderson's place, the whole containing 150 acres owned now by John Chandler & myself which she is to have during her natural life and at her death to go to her children and their heirs in the same way that I have directed the other lands willed to her.
Item 24 My will is that my executors contract with some person to wall in a grave yard on the Hill above my house and pay for the same out of my estate or debts as they can make a contract the wall may be thirty feet square or more if thought necessary and be of such height and thickness as may be best to make it a good wall.
Item 25 I direct that my executors shall sell my lands where where Charles Reed owned and the money divided among my eight children.
Item 26 My will is that if I should provide other means for any of my above named children they are to have no more than what will make them equal with what I have given them.
Item 27th My will is that at the death of my wife my negros shall be divided by my executors as follows
First I give to my son Thomas. C. Brabson one negro slave of his own choice after he has made his choice I then direct there shall be set apart by executors seven lots of negros placing two in each lot and the said lots to be as near of equal value as may be one of which lots I give to Thomas C. Brabson one to Reece B. Brabson one to Mary Hodsden on to Precilla Shields one to Lucy Scruggs one to Elizabeth McNutt & one to Penelope Brabson and the rights to the respective lots to be determined by drawing and the difference in the value of said lots is to be made up in money by my executors so as to equalize the value of said lots. The remainder of my negros at the time above stated to be divided into eight lots so as not to be better than what will be half of each of the above seven lots and those eight lots I give one to Benjamin D. Brabson, one to Reece B. Brabson, one to Thomas C. Brabson one to Mary Hodsden one to Precilla Shields one to Lucy Scruggs, one to Elizabeth McNutt & one of Penelope Brabson and said lots to be made of equal value by my Executors by paying the difference in the value in money and the choice of these last lots to be likewise determined by drawing the negros that shall fall to my daughters under the above two divisions Mary Hodsden Precilla Shields, Lucy Scruggs, Elizabeth McNutt & Penelope Brabson. I give and bequeath to them respectively during their natural life and at their death to go to their respective children and their heirs in the same way that I have directed the other slaves given them to go, and should my daughter Penelope die unmarried or without children or the lawful decendants of children then her said slaves are to go to her brothers and sisters.
Item 28 It is my will that the business of the firms of John Brabson &C. & Brabsons O'Toole, may be wound up in such manner and time as may be consistent with the interest of said firms that reasonable times be allowed for winding up the same without unnecessary pressing collection of the debts so as to hazard their safety.
Item 28 It is my desire that my Executors collect as soon as they can or within a reasonable time so much money out of the debts owing to me as will pay of the money I have directed specially to be paid to my wife and Legatees.
Item 29 I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin D. Brabson the sum of two thousand dollars in money in addition to what I have already given to him in consideration his services rendered to me in the management of my business.
Item 30 I give to my son Thomas C. Brabson one thousand dollars in money in addition to what I have already given him in consideration of services rendered by him in management of my business.
Item 31 All the rest and residue of my estate I direct shall be equally divided among my eight children and their heirs to wit, Benjamin D. Brabson, Thomas C. Brabson, Pricilla Shields, Reece B. Brabson, Mary Hodsden, Lucy Scruggs, Elizabeth McNutt and Penelope Brabson.
Item 32 I hereby appoint Benjamin D. Brabson, Thomas. C. Brabson and John. S. McNutt Executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 27th day of October 1848.
Sealed signed published ) John Brabson (Seal)
and declared by the testator )
to be his last will and )
Testament in the presence of )
Reps. I. Davis
Robt. H. Hynds
Proven in open court by the two subscribing witnesses December Term County Court 1848 W. S. I. Ford Clk
State of Tennessee )
Sevier County ) I William. S. G. Ford clerk of the county court in & for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original will of John Brabson an recorded and filed in my office. Given under my hand at office in Sevierville this 31st day of July 1849.
W. S. G. Ford Clk.
The foregoing is a true copy of a certified copy of the last will and Testament of John Brabson deceased which is recorded by order of the county court the original will and the record book containing a copy of the same having been destroyed by the burning of the county court clerks office
This 8th day of September 1586
B. M. Chandler Clk
By his Dept. M. W. McCown
- [S47] Sevier County, Tennessee and its Heritage, Sevier County Heritage Book Committee, (1994, Don Mills, Inc.), 160, 222.
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 10 Dec 2012.
Upland Chronicles: 4 ferries once crossed French Broad in Sevier County
CARROLL McMAHAN
Hodge Ferry was in operation between 1842 and 1944. It was one of four sites where ferries crossed the French Broad River in Sevier County.
Brabson Ferry was located at the Great Indian War Path crossing.
SEVIER COUNTY —
Between 1788 and 1944 there were four ferry crossings on the French Broad River in Sevier County. The ferries were flat barges pulled across the river by cables stretched from shore to shore and moved by the force of the current.
The first ferry built on the French Broad River in the county was located on a branch of the Great Indian War Path. The path crossed the river near the mouth of Boyd’s Creek. Andrew Evans established the first ferry there in 1788 and received permission to operate a public ferry in 1790.
The Brabson Ferry succeeded the Evans Ferry at the same location. John Brabson ll purchased the plantation in 1798 and the ferry was operated by John Brabson ll and subsequently by his heirs until 1918.
The John Brabson and Company Store was built near the ferry landing in the early 1800s. The commercial center surrounding the store included a tannery, flour mill, blacksmith shop and brick kiln. A post office was located in the store from 1821 until 1911.
During the spring thaw of 1918, the ice on the river began to break up and the ferry boat was swept from its moorings and carried downstream. The damage was so extensive that the ferry was not rebuilt.
The second ferry was located in the first bend east of the mouth of the Little Pigeon River. Over the years this ferry was known as Hubbert Ferry, Bryan Ferry, Ellis Ferry and finally Kyker Ferry.
Hubbert Ferry was established by James Hubbert in 1792. The ferry was taken over by Allen Bryan, husband of Hubbert’s daughter Betty sometime before 1820 and therefore known as Bryan Ferry. William Ellis owned the property on the south side of the river.
After the death of Allen Bryan, Sr. in 1839 his second wife Elizabeth McSpadden Bryan continued to oversee the plantation and ferry until her death in 1862. The Sevier County Quarterly Court awarded James Ellis the privilege of keeping a public ferry boat at Bryan’s Ferry.
The ferry was called Ellis Ferry until Andrew Jackson Kyker purchased the ferry landing on the south side in 1901 from Miss Kate Ellis. The ferry on the north side was used with permission of the descendants of Hugh and Nancy Ellis Goforth who owned the property. Following the death of Andrew Kyker in 1905 his son, Arthur Kyker operated the ferry until it was discontinued in 1944.
Tommy Hickman assisted Arthur Kyker as a ferryman in the 1920s and Clifford Atchley was a ferryman in the 1930s. The charge was 25 cents per car for a one-way crossing.
Kyker’s Ferry was located near the spot where the Highway 66 Bridge currently crosses the river.
The third ferry was located near the mouth of Dumplin Creek where Andrew McCleary owned 200 acres on the north side of the river and later acquired a 381-acre land grant on the south side. McCleary received permission to operate a public ferry in 1794.
In 1818 Abraham McCleary willed property, including the ferry landing on the south side of the river to his daughter Martha, wife of Stephen Underdown who then acquired the ferry landing on the north side of the river from his wife’s sister. Stephen Underdown operated the ferry and a store near the ferry landing.
In 1873 the south side of the ferry and the ferry landing was purchased by Henry and Edmond Hodges. The landing on the north side also served as loading dock for steamboats. In 1900 Isaac and George Smith purchased the Underdown Ferry and soon sold it to the Hodges family who owned the south side of the river. Hodges Ferry succeeded Underdown Ferry and was in operation until the mid 1920s.
In 1887, structures were built by Scottish Carolina Lumber and Land Company for the purpose of catching, holding and storing logs and timber floating down the river. The Underdown Post Office opened in 1890 with William Keener as postmaster.
The south side of the river later owned by the Hodges family was the site of the Edward Hodges Sand and Soil Company on McCleary Road.
The fourth ferry to be established on the French Broad in the county was Hodge Ferry, not to be confused with afore mentioned Hodges Ferry. The Hodge Ferry was located a short distance upstream from Brabson Ferry.
In 1836 John Kerr divided his estate among his wife and children. The ferry site was inherited by one of his daughters Fartha, wife of G.W. Petty. Mary E. Petty, daughter of G.W. and Fartha Petty and wife of Alfred Hodge, inherited the property and Alfred Hodge received permission to operate a ferry there in 1843.
Before the ferry, Alfred Hodge’s family owned flatboats that were used to transport grain and livestock to Knoxville and to transport farm produce from the island nearby. The Hodge heirs continued operating the ferry until 1944.
During the construction of Douglas Dam, five men who were working on the project apparently missed the road leading to the dam on a foggy morning taking the road to Hodge Ferry instead. Due to the dense fog, they ran into the ferry boat and into the river. All five men drowned.
Otha Hodge was the last operator of the ferry. He sold the ferry in 1944 and moved his family to Knoxville.
The five-span steel truss bridge in Dandridge known as the Swan Bridge was purchased by Sevier County from TVA in 1942. The bridged was dismantled and relocated just west of Douglas Dam. It was open to the public in February of 1944. At this time the last two operating ferries in Sevier County, Kyker and Hodge, were discontinued, ending the days of ferry transportation in Sevier County.
— Carroll McMahan is the Special Projects Facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the heritage and past of Sevier County. If you have suggestions for future topics, would like to submit a column or have comments; please contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or email to cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or email to ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S34] In the Shadow of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (1993), 230.
Birth listed as 2 February 1775
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