| Sources |
- [S78] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume I, 1930-1954, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 19 Nov 1953.
Leeta McMahan obituary
- [S47] Sevier County, Tennessee and its Heritage, Sevier County Heritage Book Committee, (1994, Don Mills, Inc.), 265, 262.
'TO MY GRANDFATHER'
A LITTLE BOY (3 1/2 YEARS OLD) WHO WAS NOT WORTH ANYTHING
(DeWitt [sic] McMahan)
James (Jim) McMahan, Sr., who lived near the French Broad River, went to Charleston, South Carolina to buy slaves to work in the brickyard which he owned. The slaves had been brought to the area on a slave ship from their native country, Africa. Before leaving the ship, Jim returned to the dock and there was a little 3 1/2 year old boy (DeWitt) still there, All of the slaves had been sold, including his mother and ten year old sister. Jim, Sr. asked the auctioneer if he could buy the boy as he had a son (Jim, Jr.) who was the same age. The acquisition of the boy would provide his son with a playmate. The auctioneer said, "you can have him for nothing, he is not worth anything ... too young to work."
Jim McMahan, Sr. took the boy, DeWitt (later called Witt) home. In the early years, Witt and Jim, Jr. were inseparable, they played together, slept in the same room, ate at the same table, had the same private teacher. When it was time for clothes, shoes, and gifts, each received the same portion ... there was no difference made between the boys. Jim, Sr. felt that both boys should learn the trade of brickmasonry. At the ripe old age of ten, Witt and Jim, Jr. were given the responsibility for carrying water to the brickyard for the slaves. Later, when it was felt that the boys needed to learn a salable skill, they were taught the process of making bricks. Utilizing this skill, they combined brickmasonry with other construction techniques to construct buildings.
At the age of twenty, DeWitt and Jim, Jr. decided that it was time to fly from the nest and be on their own. Jim McMahan, Sr. told my grandfather that when he married, he would like for him to name his first son for him. My grandfather did not know his last name, only DeWitt, his first name so he assumed the name of Witt McMahan.
My grandfather, Witt, married Louisa Dockery. From this union were born five sons and five daughters. Grandpa kept his promise to Jim, Sr. and named his oldest son James. James was involved in the construction business along with my father Newton and brothers Sam and Fred. One son was a male nurse, the others formed a partnership in a construction company which was incorporated. They made their own brick and were also builders. The company constructed buildings including schools, dwellings, churches, post offices, hospitals, and private homes from Miami to Chicago. They also built the town of Alcoa which is between Knoxville and Maryville, Tennessee. "And this became the contribution to this county from a 'Little boy who was not worth anything.'"
Note: My grandfather told me this story. Submitted by: Katherine McMahan Drayton, Newton McMahan's oldest daughter.
- [S94] Sevier County, Tennessee Census, 362A, 1880.
Census Place: Sevierville, Sevier, Tennessee
Source: FHL Film 1255277 National Archives Film T9-1277 Page 362A
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Paris MCMAHAN Self M M B 27 TN
Occ: Farmer Fa: TN Mo: TN
Louisa MCMAHAN Wife F M B 20 TN
Occ: Keeping House Fa: TN Mo: TN
James I. MCMAHAN Son M S B 6 TN
Fa: TN Mo: TN
Wm. N. MCMAHAN Son M S B 1 TN
Fa: TN Mo: TN
- [S94] Sevier County, Tennessee Census, Sevierville, District 4, Series: M593 Roll: 1559 Page: 369, 8 Jul 1870.
- [S94] Sevier County, Tennessee Census, 5-Dist, Series: T624 Roll: 1518 Page: 89, 6 May 1910.
McMahn, P Witt, Head
- [S94] Sevier County, Tennessee Census, 5-Dist, Series: T625 Roll: 1762 Page: 129, 19 Jan 1920.
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 27 Aug 2012.
Upland Chronicles: Murphy College played a role in education history of county
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 13 Mar 2013.
Upland Chronicles: McMahans made lasting impact on Sevier County
A brick made at Riverside Steam Brick Company, owned by Paris DeWitt McMahan.
By Carroll McMahan
Sometime in the mid-1850s, James Isaac McMahan, who owned a big farm near Sevierville, traveled to Charleston, S.C., for the purpose of purchasing slaves to bring back home to work on his farm and the brickyard which he owned.
James Isaac McMahan was a son of James Wellington McMahan, who received a large land grant near the forks of the Little Pigeon River for his service in the Revolutionary War, of which he donated 25 for the town of Sevierville.
The slaves had been brought to Charleston from Africa on a slave ship. After McMahan bought the slaves he loaded them on a wagon for the long trip back to Sevierville. Before leaving, McMahan returned to the dock where he discovered a little black boy who appeared to be about four.
Since the boy seemed lost and confused, McMahan decided to inquire about the youngster. The auctioneer informed him that all the slaves had already been sold, including the boy’s mother and sister. McMahan asked the auctioneer if he could buy the boy thinking he would make a good playmate for his son, who was about the same age.
The auctioneer replied, “You can have him for nothing, he’s not worth anything … he’s too young to work.” McMahan took the boy home and gave him the name DeWitt, later shortened to simply Witt.
Growing up together, Witt and young Pleasant Henry McMahan played together, slept in the same room and ate at the same table. Each boy received the same clothes, shoes and gifts. They were tutored by the same teacher and taught the trade of brick masonry.
When the Civil War ended Witt was free. He chose as his full name Paris DeWitt McMahan, with the surname McMahan coming from the only family he had ever known. He began working for Isaac Dockery, a free black man who operated a brick kiln in Sevierville. On Feb. 20, 1873 Witt married Louisa, a daughter of Isaac Dockery.
Six weeks earlier, on Jan. 2, 1873, Louisa’s older sister Adeline had married Thomas McMahan. Many people assumed that Witt and Tom were related, possibly brothers, but there is no proof that they are blood relatives.
Thomas McMahan, always known as Tom, grew up as a slave owned by Archibald McMahan of Pearl Valley. Shortly before Archibald McMahan died in 1853, he made out his will in which he stated, “I give and bequeath to my son Redmond one slave named Thomas.” Tom was one of 16 slaves Archibald McMahan divided among his 13 surviving children.
Taking the surname of his former owner, Tom McMahan moved to Sevierville and began working for Isaac Dockery when he gained his freedom at the end of the Civil War. Although his birth date was never recorded, Tom’s age is listed as 32 in the 1880 U.S. Census records.
Together with the sons and other sons-in-law, Tom McMahan and Witt McMahan became proficient in the skill of brick masonry and the family built an extraordinary reputation in the business. As the demand grew, Witt McMahan established Riverside Steam Brick Co.
As their families grew, most of Witt and Tom’s sons joined the business. Fred S. McMahan, a son of Witt and Louisa McMahan attended Knoxville College and later received his master’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois. When he returned to Sevierville, Fred and two of his brothers James and Newt formed J.F. and N. Construction Co.
Their cousin Joe Leak McMahan was the foreman of J. F. and N. Construction Co. The three brothers pooled their resources for Joe to attend college to benefit the company.
Other descendants of Isaac Dockery such as the Burden Brothers were also involved in the brick manufacturing and construction business and maintained a good reputation as well.
Many commercial buildings in Sevier County and throughout East Tennessee were built by J.F. and N. Construction Co. during the early to mid decades of the 20th century. Some of the remaining structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Built as Union Church for African-American congregations of all religious beliefs, the family of Isaac Dockery and his descendants were instrumental in the establishment of New Salem Baptist Church.
Utilizing a grant obtained from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, James, Newt and Fred McMahan donated the land and built Pleasant View Elementary School, the only such school constructed with a brick exterior.
While the family operated a successful business they never failed to take care of their own. Ode McMahan, son of Tom and Adeline, died in 1914, leaving four sons, the oldest of who was only 9. Four years later Ode’s wife Mollie died during the flu epidemic. Ode and Millie’s four orphaned sons were taken in and raised by their uncles and cousin.
Born slaves, Witt McMahan and Tom McMahan defied the odds and became successful and respected businessmen in Sevier County. Their grandchildren became professionals in the areas of law, pharmacy, education and government.
Through hard work and determination the little boy who was deemed worthless and left alone on the dock in Charleston, and a slave who was willed from one generation to the next as mere property, left a proud legacy 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.
- [S112] Census, 1900.
Name: P Witt Mcmahan
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1900
Event Place: Civil District 5 (north, east part), Sevier, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Race (Original): B
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
Years Married: 26
Birth Date: May 1850
Birthplace: Tennessee
Marriage Year (Estimated): 1874
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
P Witt Mcmahan Head M 50 Tennessee
Louiza Mcmahan Wife F 42 Tennessee
Newton Mcmahan Son M 21 Tennessee
Mattie Mcmahan Daughter F 18 Tennessee
Florence Mcmahan Daughter F 16 Tennessee
Samuel P Mcmahan Son M 13 Tennessee
John Mcmahan Son M 10 Tennessee
Fredric Mcmahan Son M 8 Tennessee
Mamie C Mcmahan Daughter F 7 Tennessee
Fannie V Mcmahan Daughter F 2 Tennessee
Arthur Mccown Boarder M 22 Tennessee
Mamie Brabson Lodger F 11 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1910.
Name: Pulitt Mcmahn
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Sevierville, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 57
Marital Status: Married
Race: Mulatto
Race (Original): Mulatto
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1853
Birthplace: Tennessee
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Pulitt Mcmahn Head M 57 Tennessee
Louiza Mcmahn Wife F 53 Tennessee
Sam P Mcmahn Son M 22 Tennessee
John Mcmahn Son M 19 Tennessee
Fedrick Mcmahn Son M 17 Tennessee
Manny Mcmahn Daughter F 14 Tennessee
Anna Mcmahn Daughter F 12 Tennessee
Lessie Mcmahn Daughter-in-law F 19 Tennessee
Parris Mcmahn Grandson M 0 Tennessee
- [S64] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 1, Jul 1929.
Mc Mahan, P. Will 77 Mc Mahan, James July 1929
- [S87] Death Certificate.
Name: P. Witt Mcmahan
Death Date: 08 Sep 1929
Death Place: Sevier Co., Tennessee
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race or Color: Colored
Age: 77
Estimated Birth Year:
Birth Date: 16 May 1852
Birth Place: Tennessee
Spouse:
Father:
Father's Birth Place:
Mother: Nancy Mcmahan
Mother's Birth Place: Tennessee
Occupation: Farmer
Street Address:
Residence:
Cemetery: Devis Colored Cem.
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 09 Sep 1929
Informant:
Additional Relatives:
Digital Folder Number: 4183622
Image Number: 536
Film Number: 1876757
Volume/Page/Certificate Number: cn 23029
Collection: Tennessee, Death Records, 1914-1955
- [S34] In the Shadow of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (1993), 320.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name: Paris Mc Mahan
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Louisa Dockery
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 20 Feb 1873
Marriage Place: , Sevier, Tennessee
Groom's Father's Name:
Groom's Mother's Name:
Bride's Father's Name:
Bride's Mother's Name:
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M51968-1
System Origin: Tennessee-ODM
Source Film Number: 969965
Reference Number:
Collection: Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950
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