James Westley Reagan

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, District 2, Sevier County, Tennessee
• Census: 1920, District 11, Sevier County, Tennessee
• Census: 1930, Upper Tenth, Whitfield County, Georgia

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 55.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 217, 223.

James married Lennia Mae Bartlett 1907, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Lennia (daughter of L. Caswell Bartlett and Elizabeth Luzena Ogle) was born 20 Mar 1889, Tennessee; died 14 Oct 1965; was buried Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia. [Group Sheet]

1. Charles D. Reagan was born Apr 1907, Georgia; died Aug 1932; was buried Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia.
2. Lula L. Reagan was born 1909, Georgia.
3. Hubert Reagan was born 30 Aug 1910, Tennessee; died 31 Jan 1998; was buried Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia.
4. Shurla Ada Reagan was born 3 Aug 1912, Tennessee; died 20 Oct 1995, Whitfield County, Georgia; was buried United Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Beaverdale, Whitfield County, Georgia.
5. Lowell R. Reagan was born 22 Mar 1915, Tennessee; died 23 Jun 2005; was buried Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia.
6. Evelyn Zena Reagan was born 1918, Tennessee.
7. S. Lucille Reagan was born 1920, Tennessee.
8. Viola C. Reagan was born 1922, Georgia.
9. A. Bernard Reagan was born 20 Mar 1924, Georgia; died 31 Jul 2004; was buried Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia.

Notes:

James O. Reagan enlisted on 24 July 1862 as a private in Company I of Confederate William H. Thomas's Legion at Valleytown, Cherokee County, North Carolina from Sevier County, Tennessee. There has been no indication found whether he served out the full term of his enlistment during the Civil War.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 44, 54, 55.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 193.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 210, 216.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 181.

James married Hapic C. Ogle 12 Mar 1865, Sevier County, Tennessee. Hapic (daughter of Elijah Ogle and Elizabeth "Betsy" Conner) was born May 1845, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 7 Feb 1926; was buried Glades Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Lived in the Glades.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 44, 54.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 193.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 210, 216.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 181.

Notes:

David died at Gallatin, Tennessee on 20 June 1864, while serving with the Union Army during the Civil War.

David L. was a farmer and for a period of time in the 1830's served as clerk of the White Oak Flats Baptist Church in Gatlinburg. He became a member of the church at the March 1833 meeting "by experience."

During the Civil War, David served with the Union under Captain William J. Trotter in the 9th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, Company H, commanded by Colonel Joseph Parsons. The company was organized at Sevierville and David L. enlisted, 1 October 1836, for three years. He was mustered in at Knoxville, 28 October 1863. His death which occurred at Gallatin, Tennessee was probably due to typhoid fever.

An affidavit filed with his wifes pension claim states that they were married about the 1st of July 1833 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee by William Trentham, Justice of Peace.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans",Donald B. Reagan, 1978, 6a, 54.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 141.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37, 209.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 259.

David married Jane "Jennie" Ogle Abt 1 Jul 1833, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. Jane (daughter of William "Black Bill" Ogle and Nancy Bohanon) was born 1818, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 3 Sep 1879; was buried Bales Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

An affidavit filed with her pension claim states that she was married about the 1st of July 1833 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee by William Trentham, Justice of Peace. Jane is on the 1837 membership roll of the White Oak Flats Baptist Church.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 54.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 141.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37, 209, 210.

Notes:

Elijah Ogle lived on the first land entered by his father near Mill Creek.
They were listed in the 1850 through 1880 Federal Census of Sevier County,
Tennessee.

Elijah Ogle inherited his farm and all his life was spent here. He served as
the church clerk for many years and as a Justice of Peace for the 11th
district. He is believed to be buried in the family cemetery where Bon-Air
Motel now stands.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, 250.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 193.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 140.

Elijah married Elizabeth "Betsy" Conner 13 Aug 1840, Haywood County, North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuel Conner and Nancy Swearingen) was born Abt 1826, , Haywood, North Carolina; died 13 Dec 1891, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Elizabeth is believed to be buried in the family cemetery where Bon-Air Motel
now stands.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 250.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 193, 218.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 140.

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLJ-VD

Notes:

The eldest son of Timothy and Elizabeth Reagan, Richard was born in Maryland or Virginia. He moved with his parents to Virginia, North Carolina, and then to Sevier County, Tennessee. Here he married circa 1796, Julia Ann Shults. Richard Reagan was one of the early settlers in the Emert's Cove, moving either with or very soon after Frederick Emert settled there circa 1800. They moved from there to White Oak Flats (now Gatlinburg) circa 1806.

It has been often stated that Richard's son, Daniel Wesley Reagan, was the first white child born in White Oak Flats but this seems to be an error. A granddaughter said that Daniel Wesley was about four years old when the family moved to the Mill Creek site in White Oak Flats. The land records indicate this to be correct. Daniel Wesley was born in 1802 in Emert's Cove area and this makes the date of the family settling in White Oaks about 1806.

Most of Richard's adult life was spent in Sevier County, Tennessee and since the early records of the county have been lost only a few official records for him have been found. There are four land grant records in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. The first of these four land grants, dated 1808 reads:

"...being in the county of Sevier and District South of French Broad and Holston on the East fork of Little Pigeon.... corner to Frederick Emmett....running with meanders of said river.... Then with the land of John Roberts on said river bank."

Richard paid 12 1/2 cents per acre for this land and although by the date of this grant it is known he had moved to the Mill Creek site in White Oaks, he retained this land and made the final payment in 1819.

The second grant in 1813 is for ten acres, part of an entry that had been assigned to Robert Wear. This was "in the county of Sevier in the White Oak Flats." This land ran up the river, crossed the same, and joined other lands of Richard Reagan, which indicates earlier land entries that have been lost.

The third land grant in 1813 was for fifty acres "...in the county aforesaid in the White Oak Flats on Stoney Creek..." From courses and directions in this grant, Stoney Creek must have been the name used for Mill Creek in the earlier days. It is now called LeConte Creek. The first is a very appropriate name.

The fourth land grant in 1828 reads: "...containing twenty-five acres, lying in the County aforesaid, on Mill Creek in the White Oak Flats." This land joined the land of Isaac Ogle, and Daniel W. Reagan as well as Richard's own lands.

In 1837 Daniel Wesley Reagan, Richard's son, had a grant surveyed for the purpose of joining the lands surveyed in Richard Reagan's name. It is apparent from this record that several of Richard's early records are missing. This grant for 100 acres included a narrow strip of land on both sides of the river from Mill Creek to Baskins Creek. (The grant is in a very legible handwriting and it is spelled BASKINS) At a line running along the upper side of the cemetery from Baskins Creek to "the lane" (Reagan Drive now) his land joined Thomas J. Ogle. From the lane to a point near Mill Creek, he joined lands of William and Isaac Ogle. Their land included what was once called the Airport Field.

Here on this farm in the heart of Gatlinburg, Richard's grandson, John H. Reagan, of Texas fame, was born in 1818. In the letter to his children written in 1865 while he was imprisoned after the Civil War, he said that his grandfather, Richard Reagan was of "....medium stature and good appearance, a very religious man, and member of the Methodist Episcopal church from his youth until his death...." He also said that Richard "owned the neighborhood mill and blacksmith shop; was justice of the peace for his precinct...." Richard was the class leader of the Methodist Society which met in his home before there was a meeting house built. He also kept the post office for the community. His grandson might have been writing his epithet when he said of Richard, "He was an upright good man....a contented and happy man, whose faith was in God and whose hope was in Heaven.."

Family records say that Richard died of a fractured skull in 1829. A family story handed down through the generations tells that "Richard Reagan died when as he was taking his horses from pasture to the barn, a limb flew off a beech tree and struck him in the head." Another family story tells the same thing at the same time - "A few days before the accident, a bird flew into the porch where he was sitting, smoking his pipe, and lit on his head. He sprang from his chair, declaring it was his 'death sign' and was greatly disturbed. Whether or not it was a warning, he thought it was. The accident happened and he died a few days after that."

Most sources say that Richard and Julia Ann Reagan had three sons and four daughters - it is possible there were others. One is thought to have been a son, Aaron Reagan, and a daughter named Barbara who died as a young girl. The other two daughters are unknown.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 2a, 5-6.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 6, 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 31-44.

Richard married Julia Ann Shults 1796, Sevier County, Tennessee. Julia (daughter of Johan Martin "Martin" Shults and Juliana Stentz) was born 1775, Tryon County, North Carolina; died 23 Apr 1845, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLJ-WK

Notes:

Julia Ann Shultz came with her mother, Juliana Shultz, and her brothers and sisters to Sevier County, Tennessee circa 1794/1795 from Sullivan County, Tennessee.

It is said that Julia Ann used a German Bible and hymn book and spoke German as easily as she did English.

Julia Ann was living with her son, Daniel Wesley, at the time of her death. It was thought that she had recovered from a spring cold but when she didn't arise as usual on the morning of April 23, 1845, the family found that she had passed away in her sleep.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 2a, 6.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 6, 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 407.

Notes:

William came with his mother and the family to Sevier County, Tennessee as early as 1805, soon after the death of his father.

From RECORD OF COMMISSIONS OF OFFICERS IN THE TENNESSEE MILITIA 1796-1811, compiled by Mrs. John Trotwood Moore, William Ogle was commissioned as a Lieutenant of the 11th Regiment of Sevier County, Tennessee on 14 Februeary 1811 by the governor of the State of Tennessee.

William Ogle was one of the first settlers in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. No land records prior to 1824 were found for William Ogle, but it is shown by Richard Reagan's early grants that William Ogle and his brother, Isaac Ogle, entered land adjoining the Richard Reagan's land on Mill Creek. This ran from Mill Creek upward to the area below the Cherokee Orchard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As his sons and daughters became of age, he gave them these lands. He moved to the Sugarlands area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

William Ogle is listed on the 1837 Tax List of Sevier County, Tennessee.

He and Nancy were members of the White Oak Flats Baptist Church.

William Ogle was appointed as one of nine commissioners of the Sevier County Turnpike Company in 1841. It was "for the purpose of receiving subscription to the amount of twenty five thousand dollars to be applied to the purpose of making a turnpike road from the northern termination of the Smoky Mountain Turnpike road in Sevier County, Tennessee to some point on the most practical leading routes."

William Ogle and his family appeared in the 1830 through 1850 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.

An affidavit found in the Sevier County Courthouse, by R. R. Reagan and Mark Roberts, states that William Ogle left a will but that it was destroyed in the courthouse fire of 1856. The affidavit stated that his wife, Nancy be supported and have the use of both real and personal property during her lifetime. At her death, the lands "should be equally divided between his sons, James, Henry, and William Ogle; personal property is to be equally divided between all his sons and daughters with the exception of Thomas I. Ogle, husband of his daughter, Sarah Ogle of twelve and half dollars which was to be deducted from his and her share."

In the GUARDIANS, EXECUTORS and ADMINISTRATORS Settlement Book for Sevier County, Tennessee, there is a record for the estate of William Ogle. This gives a list of the living heirs of William Ogle. Quoted from the aforesaid book, "the above statement shows that there is in the hand of the Executor, the sum of $88.06/100 dollars to be divided among eleven heirs, to wit, William, James, Henry, & Thomas Ogle, Robert Conner & wife Milly, Samuel Watson & wife Martha, David Reagan & wife Jane, the heirs of Joseph Anderson & wife Mary, John Huskey and wife Elizabeth, the heirs of Aaron Ogle, and the heirs of David Watson & wife Rachel. So that Thomas Ogle may receive eleven & 25/100 dollars less than either of the other heirs.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 140, 262-263.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 141.

William married Nancy Bohanon Abt 1810, Sevier County, Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Henry Bohanon and Amillia Shotwell) was born 1795, Virginia; died 3 Jun 1869; was buried Cole Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Nancy was living with a son, William (Ned) Ogle in 1860. It is said that she was buried with her husband in a very old cemetery near Huskey Gap in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This must be the Cole Cemetery.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 140, 262-263.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 139, 141.

Notes:

Shucky moved with the family to Sevier County, Tennessee as early as 1805, soon after the death of his father.

Isaac was one of the first settlers in Gatlinburg. No land records prior to 1824 were found for Isaac Ogle but it is shown by Richard Reagan's early grants that Isaac and William, his brother, entered land adjoining Richard's land on Mill Creek. This ran from Mill Creek down to "the lane" (Reagan Lane) and nearly to the old river road. Later records show this land as belonging to Isaac alone and still later to his son, Elijah Ogle. Isaac also entered land near the road from the Glades, running down to the mouth of Roaring Fork Creek in Gatlinburg. As his sons and daughters became of age, he gave them these lands and he moved to the Banner area north of Gatlinburg.

Isaac and his wife, Susannah, were charter members of the White Oak Flats Baptist Church. The family appears in the Sevier County, Tennessee Federal Census records, 1830 to 1880. Isaac died 2 Sep 1881 according to the Death Register of 1881 found in Sevier County Courthouse.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 225.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 138.

Isaac married Susannah Bohanon Abt 1809, Sevier County, Tennessee. Susannah (daughter of Henry Bohanon and Amillia Shotwell) was born 1793, Virginia; died Bef 1880, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried Banner Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 82.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 138.

Notes:

It is believed that Samuel Conner was named for his grandfather Samuel Conner. Family tradition says "Samuel Conner is said to be of red Irish ancestry while some of his younger generations is crossed with 'Black Dutch'." Samuel Conner was listed in the 1790 Federal Census of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

On 24 September 1819, Samuel Conner bought 100 acres of land from John Hyde for $150.00. This land was located "on South West side of Natahala Johns Fork of the Oconaluftee River..." in Haywood County, North Carolina, now part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Samuel Conner was listed in the 1820 Federal Census of Haywood County, North Carolina. There was one male and two females born 1810/1820; one female born 1794/1804; one male born 1775/1794; and one male born before 1775 in the household.

Samuel Conner was listed in the 1830 Federal Census of Haywood County, North Carolina. There was one male and two females born 1825/1830; one female born 1820/1825; one male and one female bor 1815/1820; two females born 1810/1815; and one male and female born 1780/1790 in the household. Their eldest daughter, Susannah, was already married to John Watson and lived next door to Samuel Conner in the 1830 census.

On 4 April 1834 Samuel Conner bought 84 acres of land from Jacob Couches for $120.00. This land was located "on both sides of the North Fork of Oconaluftee River" and joined his land in Haywood County, North Carolina, now part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Oconalufty Baptist Church was organized on 6 June 1836. Samuel Conner and his wife Nancy Swearingen joined the church as charter members.

The Oconalufty Baptist Church "resolved that we have our Church meetings at Both Brothers Samuel Conners & Jacob Mignes (Seigor) Each one in their turn for conven[ience] of the Aged & infirm until we get a Regular meeting house and that we have a prayer meeting at Brother S. Conner & Brother Minges on each Fork of sd river Between Each Monthly meeting Each one in its turn."

Samuel Conner died at his homeplace on the waters of Ocanalufty River. Exact date of death and burial site have not been located.

It was indicated that one of Samuel Conner's heirs had not received their share in the estate. There is a Power of Attorney in Jackson County, North Carolina - it is given below:

"State of North Carlina)
Henderson County )

"Know all men by these presents that we Busrod Conner & wife Massee Conner heirs at law of the estate of Samuel Conner Deceased have this day constituted and appointed B. M. Enloe our legal and lawful attorney to settle with Joel Conner in all matters pertaining to our interest in the said estate of Samuel Conner Dec'd as full & as lawfully as if we were present at the settling thereof and we further authorzie the said B. M. Enloe to sell and dispose of all our interst in the land owned by sd Samuel Conner Dec'd as full as if we present doing thereof

"In testimony whereof we have set our hands and seals this the 12th June 1859

"Attest His
Joseph Masewell Bushrod X Conner (Seal)
James Masewell Mark
Her
Massee X Conner (Seal)
Mark

"State of North Carolina)
Jackson County )

"Court of Pleas and Quarter Session - June Term 1859, the foregoing power of attorney was duly proven before me by the oath of James Maxwell subscribing witnesses thereto & recorded - let it be registered - certified the 22nd September 1859

A. M. Enloe, Clear"

From the Abstract of Titles for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, "we do not find any conveyance from Samuel Conner for either of the tracts conveyed to him by the foregoing deeds. He was one of the earliest settlers on Ocona Lufty River and he and those under whom he claims have been in the continuous posession of these lands for nearly a century." (This note was written in 1920's/1930's)
----------
Reference:
"Ownby-Watson Family History", Percival David Park, May 1985, p 66.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 183-184, 185, 217.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 285.

Samuel — Nancy Swearingen. Nancy (daughter of Samuel Swearingen, III and Massey) was born 1792, Burke County, North Carolina; died Jan 1854; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Nancy Swearingen Conner, widow of Samuel Conner, and her two sons, Robert and
Andrew, received their letters of dismission from the Oconalufty Baptist Church
in March 1847 meeting. Shortly after March 1847, Nancy Swearingen Conner and
her two sons migrated to Sevier County, Tennessee. The rest of Samuel Conner's
family was already married and lived in Sevier County, Tennessee except Joel S.
Conner who remained in Swain County, North Carolina.

Nancy Swearingen Conner was listed in the 1850 Federal Census of Sevier County,
Tennessee as the head of household with her son Andrew at home.

The SMHS lists birth date as 1790
----------
Reference:
"Ownby-Watson Family History", Percival David Park, May 1985, p 66, 67.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 184, 217.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 285.