Thomas Russell Conner

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 57.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 196.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 148.

Notes:

----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 33.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 195, 196.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 166, 172.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 147, 148.

Robert married Martha Ogle 1 Dec 1878, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Martha (daughter of Noah Ogle and Sophia Reagan) was born 13 Jun 1858, , Sevier County, Tennessee; died 6 Feb 1890; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 57.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 33.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 195, 196.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 172.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 147, 148.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 111.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 195, 218.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 141.

Robert married Amillia "Milly" Ogle Abt 1846, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Amillia (daughter of William "Black Bill" Ogle and Nancy Bohanon) was born 1 Apr 1831, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 18 May 1909; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Amillia and Robert's family appear in the Sevier County Federal Census Records, 1850 through 1880.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 111.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 195, 218.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 141.

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLK-8F

Notes:

From Sevier County, Tennessee Deed Book 'J', pages 150/51, "This Indenture made this the 14th of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four between Harcolas T. Ogle of the State of Tennessee and County of Sevier of the one part and Noah Ogle of the State and County aforesaid of the other part...the said Harculas T. Ogle hath this day bequeath the deed of gift unto the said Noah Ogle...it being given under their condition that it is to be all the claim, interest or demand that he the said Noah Ogle is to have to the said Harculas T. Ogle estate at this or any future time, the said land lying on the waters of the West Fork of Pigeon River near and about where the said Noah Ogle now lives." This land was located along Dudley Creek and Low Gap branch, then westward to the first high top between Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek and joined the lands of James Ogle and Isaac Ogle Sr. It contained one hundred acres.

Noah was a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Volunteer with the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted for three years at Sevierville, Tennessee 16 September 1862 and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, 5 July 1865. He served at Lexington, Kentucky, Decator, Alabama, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. His personal description at the time of enlistment was: age, 29 years, fair complexion, dark hair and yellow eyes (hazel?).

In the 1860 Federal Census for Sevier County, Tennessee, Noah and Sophia were living in the 6th district on Walden's Creek. An 1866 deed from Daniel Wesley Reagan to Noah Ogle records the transfer of 100 acres of land. This farm lay from Baskins Creek to Reagan Lane on both sides of the river, now the center of Gatlinburg. In 1870 Federal Census, Noah and Sophia Reagan Ogle are found in the 11th Civil District in Gatlinburg. He is listed as a grocery merchant. This store which he started is still being operated by his descendants.

Noah served the 11th Civil District for many years as a Justice of Peace. He added land to the cemetery located on the hill in town, again being called White Oak Flats Cemetery. He and his third wife deeded the land for the present site of White Oak Flats Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg) in 1897.

Noah left a will in which he mentions all of his daughters and children of his daughter, Martha. Only one of the sons was named. His will was dated 30 Jan 1897 and probated 19 Feb 1897 (Will Book I, p 524/5).
----------
References:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 168, 169-170.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 70, 112.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 31.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

Noah married Sophia Reagan Abt 1854, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Sophia (daughter of Daniel Wesley Reagan and Nancy Ogle) was born 12 Dec 1838, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 5 Oct 1887, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDV-BF

Notes:

Twin of Julia Ann Reagan.
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 169-170.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

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.

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:

Harkless T. was born and lived all his life in Sevier County, mostly in Gatlinburg. He appears in the census records for the county from 1830 through 1880. His name is also recorded in the church minute books for the White Oak Flats Baptist Church. Death dates are given there for him and his second wife.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 94, 168.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 112.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 286.

Harkless married Margaret "Peggy" Ownbey Abt 1828, Sevier County, Tennessee. Margaret (daughter of John Ownby, Jr. and Elizabeth Hill) was born 20 Mar 1810, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 6 Feb 1849, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TQQ-9L

Notes:

Margaret came to Sevier County with her family about 1816.

Appeared in the 1840 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 168
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 105, 112.
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 13.

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-XD

Notes:

Daniel moved with his parents to White Oak Flats (Gatlinburg) when he was about four years old. He lived all of his life here or on various other tracts of land in the area.

Listed as Ragan in 1850 Sevier County, Tennessee census as farmer with $1000 property unable to read or write.

An industrious man, Daniel began acquiring land before he married. In theTennessee State Library and Archives there are records of eight entries in his name, dating from 1824 to 1872. The state archivist says this was all purchased land. He is listed in the 1837 tax lists of Sevier County, Tennessee.

An 1859 grant, previously surveyed land, was resurveyed and entered probably because of Gatlin's extensive claim in the area and the Courthouse fire. This 1859 grant was for 600 acres up both sides of the river from Baskins Creek to the Two Mile Branch. In May 1866, he added another 640 acres to this holding. There are also grants for 1,000, 600, and 4,000 acres on Roaring Fork granted in 1839, 1868 and 1872. Most of this land was divided among his children - no will has been found. Daniel moved around and lived on several of his farms - his wife said after his death that she wanted to spend the rest of her years in one spot, she was so tired of moving. She spent her remaining years with her stepdaughter and her husband, Mariah and Thomas H. McCarter.

Daniel was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. Tradition says he built the first wagon in the settlement, making the wheels of one piece of split white oak. His son, Charles C. Reagan, built the first wagon that crossed the Smokies. Although no record has been found to verify it, Daniel probably served as a Justice of Peace. He did keep the community post office. When the settlement officially became Gatlinburg and the post office was established, Daniel and Joel Conner received the contract to carry the mail from Sevierville to Casher's Valley, South Carolina. Daniel's sons, Richard R. and Ephraim Reagan, served as postmaster in the village.

Definitely a Union man but too old to go to service during the Civil War, Daniel served as "muster" officer and drilled the men of the village out in the "Flats". He also served the community as food distributor. Because of his activities and his three oldest sons being in the Union army, he often had to hide out in the mountains to escape the Confederates. The youngest son, Charles C., often told of his father taking him to the woods and showing him the meat and food supplies he had hidden. Daniel didn't think the Rebels would bother the women and children and if he did have to hide out, then Charles must see that food was brought in for the people as it was needed---a big responsibility for a seven year old boy.

A civic minded man, Daniel furnished the meeting house for the village--the five sided building used for the school, church and "voting place". According to one of the land grants, this was located at the "mouth of the lane", now Reagan Lane, near the old River Road. Although he furnished the meeting place for the Baptist Church for many years, Daniel was not found on the membership roll of the church and did not give the land for the present building site, as has been stated by many sources.

Daniel Wesley Reagan did give the land for the oldest part of the White Oak Flats Cemetery (Gatlinburg Cemetery) to the community. This was originally a family plot on the farm of his father, Richard Reagan. The first burial there was a child of Daniel Milsaps, the first school teacher in Gatlinburg.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 15-16.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 45.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.

Daniel married Nancy Ogle 30 Jan 1830, Sevier County, Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Thomas J. Ogle and Sophia Bosley) was born 24 Aug 1810, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 18 Feb 1844, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-ZK

Notes:

Listed in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 16, 167.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.