My Family Tree is Full of Nuts

                                          Larry Epps Deceased –Account of Sale

                                         A List of Sale October 17th & 18th 1861
      Name                                               Articles                              Amount
James N. Epps                      Colter? Plow & axe & c                   2.20
Larra Epps                             Plow & Sundries                                  .10
W M Epps J C Epps             Sythe & c                                              1.15
H Gowen J C Epps               Crop cut sow & c                                 .30
James N. Epps                     Cutting Knife & c                                  .20
Hugh M. Epps                      2 Plows & Hames                                  .10
H M Epps                               Round Chain                                          .10
James N Epps                      Lot of Sundries                                     .65
James N Epps                      Bryan Sythe                                           .25
H M Epps                               Wheat Fan                                              .10
Mrs Cummings                    Weeding hoe                                         .05
H Gowen J C Epps              Cubbard & Table                               4.15
Mrs E T Thomas                  Sifter                                                        .20
Mrs Cummings                    Bead Quilt                                              .15
Mrs Cummings                    Bead Quilt                                              .15
Mrs Cummings                    Bead Quilt                                              .15
H M Epps                               Oven & Lead                                         .50
H M Epps                               fire Shovel                                             .10
H M Epps                               Skillet & Lea                                          .50
H M Epps                               Oven                                                        .35
Larra Epps                            Gallon pot & c                                      .65
H M Epps                               Clock & Bible                                        .10
H M Epps                               Ladies Saddle                                    5.00
Mrs Cummings                    Bucket                                                     .10
Mrs Cummings                    Coffee Mill                                             .10
Mrs Cummings                    Coffee Mill                                             .05
Mrs Cummings                    Chairs                                                     .10
Mrs Cummings                    Looking Glass                                      .25
Mrs Cummings                    Kittle & Pots                                         .25
Larra Epps                            Old Saddle                                             .35
Mrs Cummings                    Water Bucket                                       .05
H M Epps                               Sow & 5 Piggs                                  17.25
Mrs Cummings                    Cow                                                     16.00
H M Epps J C Epps             Sythe & Cradle                                  2.00
H M Epps J C Epps             3 Hogs                                                38.80
W Cummings                        2 Shotes                                               7.50
The above is a true and perfect act of sale of all the personal property of Larry Epps decd. That was sold by me on the on the 17th day of October 1861. Sold on twelve months credit notes with good security taken for the sum.
Sworn today in submission before me Jan. 24th 1867                            James C. Epps
J T Grossman Clerk Clerk                    fee 50 ct paid J. T. G.                              Admin
Approved R. Farqu__?___

The most important event in James Craton Jrs. life was his imprisonment in Nashville for the charge of helping kill some government police when they tried to shut down a whiskey still in Lincoln Co. near a place called the Patrick community. The trial was reported in great detail in the Nashville Banner News Paper. The following is not the entire article but only trial excerpts involving James C. Epps. He is the son of James C Epps Sr whose father was Lawrence. It will read discontinuously in some places since large parts have been skipped.

NASHVILLE BANNER Tuesday Evening, May 23, 1893
The United States Circuit, Court-room was crowded yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock when Marshal Harrison convened (sic) the court. Judge Taft presided. (William Howard Taft served as federal circuit judge of the Sixth Circuit Court from 1892 to 1900. He was civil governor of the Philippines from 1901 to 1904. He was elected 27th President of the United States in 1908. In 1921, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.)
Prosecutor testimony regarding the Lincoln County killings:
For six months they have languished in the Davidson County jail and the confinement has told on their faces. Patrick’s face still retains a flush, which is rather hectic, however, but Petty’s skin is chalky-white and in marked contrast to his coal-black hair and moustache(sic). Epps’ eyes look sunken and his skin clammy. The contrast between the appearance of the men is something remarkable. Patrick is between 30 and 35 years old, and has a handsome, intelligent face. He is a large land owner and his alleged accomplices were hands employed on his farm. Petty looks to be near Patrick’s age, but his forehead is low, his eyes are close together, and his countenance lacks the light of intelligence. Epps is past the prime of life by a decade, as is evidenced by his bald head, gray hair and moustache. He has a thoroughly responsible look. As to the outcome of the case Patrick displays the greatest concern, because, perhaps, his superior intelligence tells him more clearly the enormity of the crime with which he stands charged. Judge Taft then put the question to each defendant separately and each responded in full clear voice, ‘Not Guilty.’ Epps’ reply was in a cracked voice, though evidently from age and not fear or excitement. Read the rest of this entry »

Summary of John Norris Epps Land Records

There are three sources for the following information. First is data on file in the Tennessee State Library and Archives relative to his application for a pension due to severely wounded Civil War Veteran. Second are land records in the Lincoln County Archives. And third court records regarding a law suit of J. C. Epps vs Hugh Epps et al which involved the settlement of their deceased intestate father’s estate.

1. On the 28th Sept. 1871 John Norris agreed to purchase his deceased grandfather Lawrence Epps’ 87 acres and 45 poles for $1310.09 to be paid in two notes over the following two years. This was in settlement of the J. C. Epps vs Hugh Epps estate lawsuit. He only paid the required cash deposit of $15.50 and his debt was secured by his father J. C. Epps, by a brother Jas Epps, and by brother-in-laws D F Moore and A. P. Clift. The final payment of the debt was due on 28 Sept. 1873. John and his first wife Sarah may not have been financially able to pay off this debt or he may have decided he no longer wanted the land because on 5 Feb.1873 eight months before the final payment was due he transferred the land to James F Renfrow in consideration for him paying off the purchase price of the land.

2. Lincoln County Land Archives: John bought 15 acres from Alex J. McCollum in civil district 9 for $250. The deed was recorded April 27, 1880.

3. The Lincoln Co. Archives have the records of John selling 30 acres of land in civil district 9 for $906 to John Tallman. This instrument is dated Dec 19 1893.

4. John bought 140 acres from C. M. Giles in civil district 6 of Lincoln Co. Tenn. on Dec 19, 1893. I don’t have the cost of this land but in item 4 below we see he still owes $1300 and values the land at $1400 in April of 1894 which is only a few months after its purchase. John probably used some of the money for the sale of land in district 9 to John Tallman to purchase the district 6 land. ( see more detail in section 5.)

5. April 21, 1894 John says he owns about 100 acres worth $1400 and a lien on it of $1300. (the lien is probably to C. M. Giles who he bought it from.) He also has a mule worth $20 and a cow and calf worth $15.

6. A Deed of Trust from J. N. Epps and wife mortgaging 140 acres in civil district 6 to Jno. A. Moore for $576.06 bearing date of February 6, 1902 and due 12 months after that date which was still unsatisfied on Oct 15, 1903. (From Lincoln Co. land archives: this 140 acres is the same land conveyed by Andy Moore to C. M. Giles Aug. 8 1888 and then conveyed by C. M. Giles to J. N. Epps on Dec 19, 1893. Apparently John still owed Mr. Giles $576.06 when the amount was due so he mortgaged the 140 acres to the original owner so settle his debt to Mr. Giles.)

7 July 2 1903 John states that he owns 140 acres worth $1000 with a mortgage on the land of $650. He also owns one sow and 4 pigs, 2 horses, one cow and calf worth about $150. He states his wife owns no property. The Lincoln Co. trustee certified that the land is assessed on the tax books at $1315.

8. State of Tennessee certified on April 8 1908 that John and his wife are assessed with 140 of land valued at $1260 and with no personal property.

9. In a letter dated May 4, 1915 John states to the Board of Pension Examiners that he owns 100 acres more or less with an assessed value of $1500 and a real value of $2000.
He says he receives small support from rent of this farm and no other income. He also says the land is unencumbered by liens or mortgages. He says he has about $450 on hand. At this time only he and his wife are at home. Even though it was stated in item 5 that John had not settled his mortgage for $576.06 by the due date he must have come to terms with Mr. Moore because now he states he states he owns 100 acres more or less unencumbered by debt. Perhaps he let some of the better part of the original 140 acres go to settle this debt.

10. W. A. Patterson and H. R. Brown testified in letter dated Sept. 7, 1925 that “John owned about 70 acres of hill land upon which he can hardly receive enough rents to pay his taxes and expenses on this land. This land would not sell for as much as $700 were it put on the market today.” It appears that John was in poverty when he died. ( Note by Lawrence W Epps: Now John only owns the poorest half of his original 140 acres. I traveled down Epps Hollow Rd near Bellville as far as a fence which blocked further progress. At this point there is an old log home that had been sided with lumber and it is being used to store hay and junk. The road follows a narrow fertile valley between hills that are still being farmed. I have been informed that this abandoned home is a tenant’s house and John’s home which is gone now was located further down the road. .

State of Tennessee Interview with John Norris Epps 1841 – 1929

The following is an interview with John Norris Epps in 1922 at age 81 about his civil war memories. The interview was part of a Tennessee state project to record some of their old veteran’s before they were all gone. The words are in the style, spelling, and grammar in which he was recorded by the interviewer:

1. STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND PRESENT POST OFFICE ADDRESS
Ans: John Norris Epps, Fayetteville Tennessee, Rt 5
2. STATE YOUR AGE NOW
Ans 81
3. IN WHAT STATE AND COUNTY WHERE YOU BORN?
Ans: Tennessee, Lincoln County.
4. IN WHAT STATE AND COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVING WHEN YOU
ENLISTED IN THE SERVICE OF THE CONFEDERACY OR THE FED GOVT
Ans: Tennessee, Lincoln County.
5. WHAT WAS YOUR OCCUPATION IN THE WAR?
Ans: Farming
6. WHAT WAS THE OCCUPATION OF YOUR FATHER?
Ans: Farming
7. IF YOU OWNED LAND OR OTHER PROPERTY AT THE OPENING OF THE
WAR, STATE WHAT KIND OF PROPERTY AND THE VALUE OF YOUR
PROPERTY AS NEAR AS YOU CAN.
Ans: Nothing
8. DID YOU OR YOUR PARENTS OWN SLAVES? IF SO, HOW MANY?
Ans: I owned a boy 13 he was about 18 when he enlisted. My mother owned 13, including 5
children under age 12.
9. IF YOUR PARENTS OWNED LAND, HOW MANY ACRES?
Ans: None
10. STATE AS NEAR AS YOU CAN THE VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY OWNED
BY YOUR PARENTS, INCLUDING LAND, WHEN THE WAR OPENED.
Ans: About ten thousand dollars slaves and other personal property
11. WHAT KIND OF HOUSE DID YOUR PARENTS OCCUPY? STATE WHETHER
IT WAS A LOG HOUSE OR BUILT OF OTHER MATERIALS, AND STATE
THE NUMBER OF ROOMS.
Ans: Seven room house ordinary comfortable for that day
12. AS A BOY AND YOUNG MAN, STATE WHAT KIND OF WORK YOU DID. IF
YOU WORKED ON A FARM, STATE TO WHAT EXTENT YOU PLOWED,
WORKED WITH A HOE, AND DID OTHER KINDS OF SIMILAR WORK.
Ans: All kinds of farm work.
13. STATE CLEARLY WHAT KIND OF WORK YOUR FATHER DID AND WHAT
THE DUTIES OF YOUR MOTHER WERE. STATE ALL THE KINDS OF WORK
DONE IN THE HOUSE AS WELL AS YOU CAN REMEMBER- THAT IS,
COOKING, SPINNING, WEAVING, ETC.
Ans: My father did farm work. Mother did house work, cooking, spinning, weaving, making clothes for black and white.
14. DID YOUR PARENTS KEEP ANY SERVANTS? IF SO, HOW MANY?
Ans: Very few
15. HOW WAS HONEST TOIL – AS PLOWING HAULING AND OTHER SORTS OF
HONEST WORK OF THIS CLASS REGARDED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? WAS SUCH
WORK CONSIDERED RESPECTABLE AND HONORABLE?
Ans: Honorable
16. DID THE WHITE MEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY GENERALLY ENGAGE IN SUCH
WORK?
Ans: Yes they did unless they owned a number of slaves
17. TO WHAT EXTENT WERE THERE WHITE MEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY LEADING
LIVES OF IDLENESS AND HAVING OTHERS DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM?
Ans: Very few
18. DID THE MEN WHO OWNED SLAVES MINGLE FREELY WITH THOSE WHO DID
NOT OWN SLAVES OR DID SLAVE HOLDERS IN ANY WAY SHOW BY THEIR
ACTIONS THAT THEY FELT THEMSELVES BETTER THAN RESPECTABLE
HONORABLE MEN WHO DID NOT OWN SLAVES?
Ans: Yes they did
19. AT THE CHURCHES, AT THE SCHOOLS, AT PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN GENERAL,
DID SLAVEHOLDERS AND NON SLAVEHOLDERS MINGLE ON FOOTING OF
EQUALITY?
Ans: no
20. WAS THERE A FRIENDLY FEELING BETWEEN SLAVEHOLDERS AND NON
SLAVEHOLDERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, OR WERE THEY ANTAGONISTIC TO
EACH OTHER?
Ans: Not very much friendship
21. IN A POLITICAL CONTEST IN WHICH ONE CANDIDATE OWNED SLAVES AND
ANOTHER DID NOT, DID THE FACT THAT ONE CANDIDATE OWNED SLAVES
HELP HIM TO WIN THE CONTEST?
Ans: I think not as there was so much more of non-slave house holders
22. WERE THE OPPORTUNITIES GOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR A POOR
YOUNGMAN-HONEST AND AMBITIOUS- TO SAVE UP ENOUGH TO BUY A
SMALL FARM OR TO GO INTO BUSINESS FOR HIMSELF?
Ans: No
23. WERE POOR HONEST INDUSTRIOUS YOUNG MEN WHO WERE AMBITIOUS TO
MAKE SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES ENCOURAGED OR DISCOURAGED BY
SLAVEHOLDERS?
Ans: Discouraged
24. WHAT KIND OF SCHOOLS DID YOU ATTEND?
Ans: Subscription in late winter and early spring. Free school in late summer and early fall
25. ABOUT HOW LONG DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL ALTOGETHER?
Ans: 3 or 4 months in the year
26. HOW FAR WAS THE NEAREST SCHOOL?
Ans: 2 ½ to 3 miles
27. WHAT SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS WERE IN OPERATION IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
Ans: just neighborhood schools with an academy now and then 6 to 10 miles apart
28. WAS THE SCHOOL IN YOUR COMMUNITY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC?
Ans: some public some private
29. ABOUT HOW MANY MONTHS DID IT RUN?
Ans: 3 to 5 months
30. DID THE BOYS AND GIRLS IN YOUR COMMUNITY ATTEND SCHOOL PRETTY
REGULARY?
Ans: Some did others did not
31. WAS THE TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED A MAN OR A WOMAN?
Ans: sometimes one and then the other
32. IN WHAT YEAR AND MONTH AND AT WHAT PLACE DID YOU ENLIST IN THE
CONFEDERATE OR FED GOVT?
Ans: May 1861 in Confederate service at Norris Creek
33. STATE THE NAME OF YOUR REGIMENT AND STATE THE NAMES OF AS MANY
MEMBERS OF YOUR COMPANY AS YOU REMEMBER?
Ans: Company D 8th Tennessee: Captian G. W. Higgins, First Leut. E. S. N. Bobo, 2nd Leut.
W.C. Growell, 3rd Dvid Sulivan, Privates Jack Corigan, Rice Corigan, Tom Crenshaw,
______Curtis, Harvey Dobs, Jim Bell, P. G. Epps, Milton Dollins, Jackson Dollins, Bob
Small, Gorge Small, Wison Smith, Tom Smith, Ben Thomas, Tobe Ashby, Elisha Ashby, Jim
Sulivan, John Cunningham, Billy and Ben Thompson, P. O. Groce, John D. Yant, and others.
34. AFTER ENLISTMENT, WHERE WAS YOUR COMPANY FIRST SENT?
Ans: To Alisona and sworn into service.
35. HOW LONG AFTER YOUR ENLISTMENT BEFORE YOUR COMPANY ENGAGED IN
BATTLE?
Ans: About six months
36. WHAT WAS THE FIRST BATTLE YOU ENGAGED IN?
Ans: Near __?___eutersville West, Virginia
37. STATE IN YOUR OWN WAY YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE WAR FROM THIS TIME
ON UNTIL THE CLOSE. STATE WHERE YOU WET AFTER THE FIRST BATTLE
WHAT YOU DID AND WHAT OTHER BATTLES YOU ENGAGED IN, HOW LONG
THEY LASTED, WHAT THE RESULTS WERE: STATE HOW YOU LIVED IN CAMP
HOW YOU WERE CLOTHED, AND HOW YOU SLEPT, WHAT YOU HAD TO EAT
AND HOW YOU WERE EXPOSED TO THE COLD HUNGERAND DISEASE. IF YOU
WERE IN THE HOSPITAL OR IN PRISON, STATE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Ans: About this time we were cut off in the mountains of West Virginia, and wandered
around hardly knowing where we went for seven days with food finally cut out and came to
Valley Mountain we were ordered to Dublin Depot thence to South Carolina on the seacoast
for the winter fought one small engagement at Buford’s Island … There went to Corinth
thence to Chatanooga lieving there went to Kentucky fought a battle at Perryville. Afte
leaving Perryville got slightly wounded came through Cumberland Gap to Knoxville thence
back to Murfreesboro Tennessee and fought the battle of Murfreesboro was shot through the
foot after recovery went back to the Army at Chatanooga fought a battle their on at
Chicamauga went Rockyface Mountain also at Resaca Ga. thence to Atlanta Ga. where on
the 28th day of July 1864 was shot through the right hip and was unable for service anymore
I was finally sent to hospital Macon Ga. staying there until I was able to walk on crutches at
this time they gave me a furlough to Iuka Mississippi and from there I hopped home on
crutches one hundred mile to Fayetteville about the best I could do was 6 or 7 miles a day my
right foot never touched the ground.