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Archiver > Southern-Trails > 2001-05 > 0989364064


From: "Sara D" <>
Subject: Re: [SouthernTrails] Texas Trace
Date: Tue, 8 May 2001 18:21:04 -0500
References: <004601c0d7fd$e1f87c70$5a592904@user.jcpenney.com>


John English Deatherage took his family from Roane County, Tennessee, "on
Thursday the 7th of October 1852." A James McCamy traveled with them. They
crossed the Tennessee River the first day. The next night they camped on
the summit of the Cumberland Mountain. On the 12th they began their descent
from the mountain, passing a resort at a medicinal spring, and camping at
Sparta. On the 13th, they "came to Rock Island Ferry and paid 90 cents for
ferriage." On the 14th the wagons forded Rolling River and the family
walked over a bridge. About 10:00 they reached McMinnville in Waren County.
In the evening they forded the baren fork of Clins River.

From the head of Noah's fork of Duck River they travelled downstream 10 or
12 miles and finally crossed it on a "high and tottering bridge." On the
16th they crossed Wawtrace creek and the tracks of the Nashville railroad
"under whose railing the telegraph wires passed" and arrived in Shelbyville,
after which they again crossed the Duck River.

On the 17th they took the route to Louisburg, "then turning to the left we
came to Cornerville." On the 18th, "We made our way for Tinnville, Giles
County. After leaving there we left the pke road...." On the 19th,
...."Campbellsville.....Weakly Hills.....Pike Road and telegraph wires
leading from Nashville to Orleans.....traveled it a short distance, then
turned to the right for Waynsborough.....we met a family going back from
Texas giving a very bad account of the country." On the 21st traveled down
Hardins Creek. On the 22nd passed Turkey Creek and Horse Creek, crossed the
Tennessee River at Savanah. 23rd passed through the town of Burdy. 24th,
crossed Hatchey River by ferry...passed a family by the name of Clarke.
Passed through Boliver. 25th, vast cotton fields and "droves of negroes
busily employed in picking out cotton. 26th arrived at Sommerville, then
"Beautiful mansions and large cotton fields were nearly constantly in view,
but water is scarce." Mr. Clarke had joined them, along with two young men
and that day another young man joined them. No names. 27th, "We supppose
that we saw 300 wagons on the road today, being hardly ever out of sight of
a wagon loaded with cotton for Memphis. Went through Raleigh. Crossed Wolf
River on a bridge some 300 yards wide. 28th, arrived in Memphis. "The town
was alive with cotton wagons and the bank of the river nearly covered with
their bales." Also, "I bought a cloth coat of fine quality for $7, also
groceries for our Journey - flour, bacon, sugar, molasses, coffee - costing
in the whole $18.50.....[and] a revolver at $10.00. They crossed the river
in a steam boat, which cost $5.75....passed 2 toll gates which cost $2.24.
"We now began the see the effects of the Arkansas shaving machines."
29th....crossed "the fish-lake" and camped that night near the edge "of the
swamp" 30th, started across the Mississippi swamps. "...wagon after
wagon began to sink in the mire", his did, also. "This swamp is
indescribable. It is a vast level of 30 odd miles across, at this time
mostly covered with water consisting of lakes, bayous, lagoons and cane
brakes and nearly without inhabitants." "........My wagons and some
Kentuckians got separated from the main body of movers and finally worked
our way through....got to the main road and dry land about sunset and
encamped near a Mr. Smiths at Skell Fish Lake." 31st, "they are taking
wagons over the bayou on 2 canoes"

To be continued in next e-mail...sorry I let this one go on so long.



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