John Ownby

Notes:

SMHS lists birth as 16 July 1844 and death as 16 May 1917.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 88, 192, 237.
Rosa Lee Downey notes, 16 June 1983, p 119.
Dee Lansford GEDCOM, 24 September 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298.

John married Ellender "Nellie" Maples 27 Oct 1864, Sevier County, Tennessee. Ellender (daughter of William D. "Bill" Maples and Lucinda Ann King) was born 14 Sep 1846, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 26 Nov 1924; was buried P. A. Proffitt Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. James Monroe Ownby was born 25 Mar 1866, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 22 Mar 1943; was buried Glades Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. William Ownby was born 1868, Tennessee; died Bef 1900.
3. Lucinda Ownby was born 1871, Tennessee; died Bef 1900.
4. Martha Jane Ownby was born Jan 1874, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 10 Nov 1943, Logan County, West Virginia; was buried 14 Nov 1943, Claypool Cemetery, Logan County, West Virginia.
5. Ownby was born Abt 1887; died See Notes.
6. Louis Madison "Matt" Ownby was born 29 Aug 1884, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 17 Nov 1957; was buried P. A. Proffitt Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.

Notes:

lthough of an age when he did not have to serve in the Civil War, James S. Ownby was reluctant for his oldest son, John Ownby, to serve alone. So he enlisted with his son in the Union Army in Company A, 6th Tennessee Infantry and in Company B, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry.
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References:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 161.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 67, 88.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298, 300.

James married Sophia Evans Abt 1843, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Sophia (daughter of Jacob Evans and Martha Ogle) was born 15 Feb 1826, Tennessee; died 2 Mar 1910; was buried Glades Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sophia Evans Ownby and her youngest son, Samuel, were mentioned in Jacob Evans' will.

Sevier County Heritage lists birth as 15 February 1922.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 161.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 67, 88.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298, 300.

Notes:

John Ownby lived with his parents in Rutherford County, North Carolina, later Buncombe County, North Carolina.

In 1833, John Ownby and his family migrated to Sevier County, Tennessee from Buncombe County, North Carolina. They made their home in the Glades community, 2nd Civil District of Sevier County, Tennessee. Here John Ownby lived until his death.

John Ownby and his family were listed in the 1840 and 1850 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee. Listed as John Ownsby in 1840 census.

An interesting story about John Ownby at the time of his death was told by his grandson, Samuel Ownby. It is:

"...Mother told me this story and I don't think my mother would tell me something that wasn't true. Mother said that the day before Grandfather Ownby died he walked from his house to the store, that he told the people in the store that he would die about that same time on the following day. The next day at about the time he had told them this, he layed down on the bed, talked as fast as he could, telling his family how to live, what to do, etc., then turned his face to the wall & died."
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References:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 1.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 66.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298.

John married Mary Jane "Granny" Coone 17 Feb 1812, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of Nicholas Koon and Mary DeWalt) was born 1793, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 1881, Greenbrier, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried Plemons Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary Koone Ownby, known to all as "Granny Coone", lived with her children until her death.

Roger Gardner lists birth as 1796.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 66, 67.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 4.

Notes:

Bride: M Coon
Groom: John Ownby
Bond Date: 17 Feb 1812
County: Rutherford
Record #: 01 245
Bondsman: George Coone
Witness: Jas O Lewis
Bond #: 000135547

North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

Notes:

Martha and Jacob gave the land for the Lebanon Baptist Church in the Glades. They left a joint will which is recorded in Will Book I, page 247, Sevier County Courthouse. Their daughter, Sophia Ownby, and her son, Samuel, are mentioned in it. The will was probated in April 1878.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 158.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 52, 298.

Jacob married Martha Ogle Abt 1823, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Martha (daughter of Thomas J. Ogle and Sophia Bosley) was born 1807, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 1885; was buried Glades Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Martha and Jacob gave the land for the Lebanon Baptist Church in the Glades. They left a joint will which is recorded in Will Book I, page 247, Sevier County Courthouse. Their daughter, Sophia Ownby, and her son, Samuel, are mentioned in it. The will was probated in April 1878.

Samuel Ownby told of his grandmother's love of the mountains. His parents, James and Sophia Evans Ownby along with his grandparents, Martha and Jacob Evans had moved to Copperhill, Tennessee. Martha yearned for the mountains so much, she started walking home. Jacob and James rode after her and finally persuaded her to stay until they made their harvest that year. She held them to their promise and they returned that fall to the Smokies.

Census records verify the story above mentioned. They are listed in the 1850 Federal Census of Gilmer County, Georgia, right near the state line of Tennessee and Georgia.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 158.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 52, 298.

Notes:

James was seventeen years old when he entered the Revolutionary War. He fought
in the Battle at King's Mountain on 1 November 1778 as a Private in Captain
George Taylor's company. He carried water in his hat. He served until 1783.

James lived in Tryon County, North Carolina until he removed to Buncombe county
in 1824. He resided in McDowell county in 1845, but lived most of his life in
Rutherford County, North Carolina. He owned the farm on Bald Mountain. The
original cabin has about fallen down, but a part is still standing, according
to Mrs. Carrie Lee Nanney. She claims that James is buried there in the "Old
Field's Cemetery".

D.A.R states he is buried in Koone family cemetery Route 1, Union Mills, North
Carolina. Moved with parents to Tryon County (now Rutherford), North Carolina
while still a boy and lived on Green River. Moved with wife about 1824 to
Buncombe County and was in McDowell County in 1845. Moved back to Rutherford
County with wife in 1846.

Entered the service of his county at age 17. Fought at age 19 as a substitute
in Battle of Kings Mountains in Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain
Men".

1. Entered service first part of November 1778 as a substitute for Henry Kelly,
in Captain George Taylor's Company in Colonel Hugh Brevard's North Carolina
Regiment in Brigade of General Griffith Rutherford. Discharged 10 April 1779.

2. Entered as draftee October 1779 in Captain Robert Gilkeys' command in
Colonel Andrew Hampton's North Carolina Regiment. Discharged 24 March 1780.

3. Entered service July 1780 as a volunteer in Captain Robert Gilkey's command.
In Colonel Charles McDowell's regiment with General Lillington in General
command. Discharged three months later.

4. Entered service last part of September or first part of October 1780 as a
substitute for Micajah Mayfield in Captain Samuel Williams' command
Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain Men". Fought at Kings Mountain
10 October 1780. Discharged one month after entry.

5. Entered early part of June 1781 or 1782, as a volunteer in Captain John
McClain's Company in Colonel Andrew Hampton's and Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This term of duty was for the purpose of "ranging the line between
the whites and the Cherokee Indians". Discharged fourteen months later.

6. Entered service in spring 1782 or 1783 as a substitute for Thomas Haslip in
Captain Hugh Beaty's Company, in Colonel Robert Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This tour of duty was guard and patrol at "Russells Station" at
mouth of Cove Creek in Rutherford County. Discharged three months later and
returned to his home on Green River.

Married by Jonathan Hampton and is buried beside his wife.
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Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 4, 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64, 65.

James married Joanna Sims 4 Mar 1785, Tryon County, North Carolina. Joanna (daughter of Captain William Sims and Annister Step) was born 24 Mar 1761, Albermarle County, Virginia; died 1 Apr 1852; was buried Koon Family Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Joanna Sims Ownby was born at Aspen Grove Plantation on Priddy's Creek. She was allowed a pension on her application executed on 13 March 1851 while resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina. She was buried in the Koon family cemetery near Union Mills beside her husband.
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Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64.

Notes:

Nicholas Kuhn, who according to ship records and grant applications was not born by 1756 but according to his death notice was born in 1746. Most researchers believe the ship records because Benedict's land grant was for 150 acres (50 acres for each family member). So Nicholas Kuhn was born circa 1753 in Newberry County, South Carolina. He is listed as a millwright when he buys 150 acres of land close to his father, Benedict, on Crim's Creek in the fork of Broad and Saludy Rivers, from George Hollman on 3 April 1773. This was probably about the time of Nicholas' marriage to Mary DeWalt. Nicholas and Mary moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina by 1790, settled on Cedar Creek and erected a corn mill. He appears in the third Co. of the 1790 census, five houses from John Ownbey, close to the Ledbetters, Harris', Nanneys, Hills, Hamptons, Daltons, Searcys, Morgans and Bradleys.

Nicholas' death notice appears in the North Carolina Spectator and Western Advertiser, Rotherfordton, North Carolina, issue of 31 December 1831 as follows; "On Bill's Creek, in this county, on the 26th inst., Mr. Nicholas Coon, aged 83 years." (Note: this was the day after Christmas and most believe his age to be about 78 instead of 83).
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Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 1994.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 3.

Nicholas married Mary DeWalt Abt 1773. Mary (daughter of Daniel DeWalt and Susannah Gray) was born 1760; died 1844; was buried Koon Family Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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Reference:
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 3.

Notes:

Emigrated from Wales.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 158.

Notes:

Thomas went with his parents to Ninety Six District, Edgefield County, South Carolina from Wilkes County, Georgia.

Tom was named with his brother, Hercules, as coexecutor of their father's will in 1803 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. He also signed the 1811 deed of conveyance which disposed of the land left by William Ogle to his "four boys". Another deed, dated in 1825 and disposing of land in Edgefield District, South Carolina, was signed by Thomas and Sophia Ogle. They had apparently rented out this land after moving to Sevier County, Tennessee.

No Tennessee land grants prior to 1824 were found for Tom Ogle but it is known that he was in Sevier County as early as 1805. He and Hercules Ogle deeded 48 acres of land at the mouth of Walden's Creek to William Murphy in 1807. According to the deed, found in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, they held title to the land "by virtue of seizure and occupancy". The exact date of Tom's settlement in Gatlinburg is not known but he was one of the first settlers there.

Records of Tom's service in the War of 1812 were found in the National Archives. He served in Captain Andrew Lawson's Company of East Tennessee Drafted Militia Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Johnson, and fought against the Creek Indians. In 1850 and 1855, Tom received bounty land grants as a result of his service.

In December of 1817 when the White Oak Flats Baptist Church was formed as an arm of the Sevierville church, Tom Ogle and his wife were listed as charter members. The first church building was started in 1855 on Tom's land. It was located where the Arrowcraft Shop stands now. A deed conveying title of the land to the church by Thomas Ogle was executed on 8 April 1861. This is found in Sevier County Courthouse in Deed Book M, page 211.

Thomas J. Ogle has three land entries, which are dated from 1 May 1824 through 23 Jan 1826, in the Surveyor's Book No. 1 of Sevier County, Tennessee. These land entries were granted by the state of Tennessee. All these were located in the White Oak Flats community and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tom left a will dated 27 Sep 1861 and probated in County Court in February of 1862. It is recorded in Will Book I, p 74-75. William T. Ogle is mentioned as Tom's eldest son and is named executor of the will. Also Tom mentioned "my son Thomas Ogle... my Sons, to wit., Preston, Levi and Caleb..." In the Court records, Thomas Ogle's will was admitted for probate 3 Feb 1862. On 3 March 1862, Caleb Ogle and Wilson Duggan were appointed administrators of the estate of Thomas Ogle. (Court Minutes Book I, page 747 and 752)

There is a list of "Inventory of the property belonging to the estate of Thomas J. Ogle, Dec'd., late of Sevier County, Tennessee in the Inventory Book, page 190/92.

In the GUARDIANS, EXECUTORS and ADMINISTRATORS Settlement Book for Sevier County, Tennessee, there is a record for the estate of Thomas J. Ogle. From this book, the following list of the living heirs of Thomas J. Ogle is quoted: "the above Settlement shows that there is in the hands of the administrators the sum of $187.23 to be equally divided among twelve heirs, to wit., Levi, Hercules, Isaac, Rebecca wife of Preston, William T., Celeb, Thomas, Esther Trantham, Hichols Ownsby, Jacob Evans, Andrew Conner, and David Owensby & wife."

The family appears in the Federal Census records of Sevier County from 1830 through 1860. The census and other records found show that the second generation of Ogle sons in Gatlinburg began using their father's initial in their names when there was confusion created by the same names.
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Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.

Thomas married Sophia Bosley Abt 1804. Sophia was born Abt 1789, Maryland; died 13 Jul 1857, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sophia is spoken of as the "red-headed woman" in the family stories. It is said she hoped and prayed for a church and minister of their own in the community. Her hopes were realized when their son, William T. Ogle, became a minister of the Gospel, as did a younger son, Caleb Ogle.
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Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.