Tazewell Academy - built 1846

Tazewell Academy, Tazewell, Claiborne County, Tennessee

Built in 1846 was located a few hundred yards north of the current
Cedar Fork Intersection. It began as a Male School, similar to the Powell
Valley Male Academy, also known as Speedwell Academy.

In 1856 it gained recognition as a college, becoming the first such place
of higher education in the county. The driving force behind building the
Tazewell Academy was William Graham. The final class was 1922 and it
was destroyed. The Brick from the Academy were recycled and used I
the Shell Hotel. You can still see the brick today in the empty lot across
from the Courthouse.

When looking at the importance of changing the name of Speedwell
Academy to Tazewell Academy I can only surmise it had something to
do with William Graham’s Will signed in 1841, several years before
Tazewell Academy was built that possibly while the Speedwell school

was named Powell Valley Male Academy. I would love to know if
anyone else had answers to these political resolutions between 1843
and 1855 are because of making things right in Claiborne Court or a
true disagreement meaning the William Graham was a late financier of
Speedwell Academy located in Speedwell, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee has studied the history of education
through acts of government and they have found the following.
Speedwell Academy was formed as an entity in 1806 most likely in
preparation for an institution to be built. As late as 1839-40 the building
now known as Speedwell Academy was evidently named Powell Valley
Male academy.. The following can be found on the University’s
website: https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/node/96130/printable/print

The following acts once affected the board of education in Claiborne
County but are no longer operative. Also referenced below are acts
which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Acts of 1806, Chapter 8, established Speedwell Academy and
appointed the first board of trustees to superintend the school.

2. Acts of 1807, Chapter 56, appointed William Graham and Abel
Longham as additional trustees of Speedwell Academy.

3. Acts of 1827, Chapter 169, established a female academy in
Claiborne County called the Pleasant Grove Female Academy.

4. Private Acts of 1827, Chapter 237, appointed John Hunt and John
Hodge as trustees to Speedwell Academy in Claiborne County.

5. Acts of 1839-40, Chapter 98, incorporated an academy in
Claiborne County known as the Powell Valley Male Academy.

6. Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 196, directed the trustees of the
counties of Claiborne and Hawkins to pay all school monies now in
their hands to the trustees of Hancock County which were

transferred to the common school commissioners of Hancock
County.
7. Acts of 1853-54, Chapter 213, incorporated the Tazewell Female
Academy and appointed a board of trustees. This act was
subsequently amended by Public Acts of 1879, Chapter 41, to
repeal sections 11, 12 and 13 of the act.
8. Acts of 1855-56, Chapter 124, changed the name of Tazewell
Academy to Tazewell College and made the necessary changes in
degrees granted.
9. Acts of 1855-56, Chapter 204, amended the act incorporating
Tazewell Female Academy to provide that if the academy were to
cease to function, then its moneys would go to any other
academies in Tazewell.

Students at Tazewell College abt. 1910

The most plausible explanation to most all the information is
offered by several researchers in Bonnie Page’s book “Speedwell,
through 200 years”., when she proves that after forming a Trust
and naming the Trustees that they appropriated funds for two
academies, one in Tazewell and possibly a school known as
Speedwell or Powels Valley Academy, as deeds as late as 1886 are
unable to truthfully distinguish between the two. Another deed
in 1893 clearly calls the school Powells Valley Academy. The
Speedwell Academy Trustees are continually administering funds.

Tazewell Academy, who was closed during the Civil War was
reopened and accepted students through about 1911 but most
likely was closed during World War I when the male enrollment
declined and the building fell into disrepair. It was torn down
about 1920 and by this time the name Speedwell Academy had
been firmly placed on the institution built in 1827.

Several pages from Bonnie Page’s book “Speedwell, through 200
years” are included at the end and help in seeing that the primary
purpose of the Speedwell Academy Trust, formed in 1806 was to
continually support an institution of higher learning in Claiborne
County. Speedwell Academy or Powells Valley Academy became a
secondary school soon after Lincoln Memorial University was
chartered. Comments and thoughts are surely welcome.









The part of William Graham’s Will that bequeath land and money to
Speedwell Academy and other various educational institutions. William
Graham died later the same year.
Page 50-51
January 22, 1841



The Post
April 4, 1843

Tri Weekly Nashville Union
November 1, 1845

The Knoxville Register
October 6, 1847

The Knoxville Register
August 29, 1849

Nashville Daily Union
February 1, 1850

The Tennessean
December 12, 1853

February 18, 1854
Nashville Union and American

March 2, 1854
Nashville Union and American

October 23, 1855
The Tennessean

December 15, 1855
Daily National Patriot

The Tennessean
January 29, 1856

Tazewell College closed before the outbreak of the Civil War
and stayed closed until 1871.

Knoxville Daily Chronicle January 10, 1871

R.R. Brown tells of how the newspaper The Claiborne Progress used
the Tazewell College.

The below description written in 1871 by Col. Robert Fulkerson Patterson, CSA
and confirms the location of a Masonic Hall most likely following the Civil War but
the College at Tazewell did reopen.

The situation of academies in Claiborne County are given by Robert Fulkerson
Patterson the first day of publication of a Cumberland Gap weekly newspaper, The
Cumberland Spectator just days before the previous article in The Knoxville Daily
Chronicle. This Robert Patterson was to become the first Vice Persident of Lincoln
Memorial University who along with General O. O. Howard, USA as a Board of
Directors purchased The Four Seasons property. In commemoration of Lincoln's
birthday, the institution was chartered by the state of Tennessee on February 12,
1897, as Lincoln Memorial University.
*******************************************************************
(My attempt to transcribe the 1871 article from The Cumberland Spectator)
With a climate unsurprised and enjoying other and innumerable advantages, to
my nothing of cheap living, why is it that the citizens of Tazewell have suffered the
schools to go to waste, and the buildings erected for educational purposes by a
generation now past and gone, to remain untenanted of pupils and tutors? In
Powell’s Valley, with no example worthy of emulation, her citizens, deprecating
the disadvantages of ignorance and viciousness of mind, have in successful
operation of large and populous schools.
It is a stigma of Tazewell people that so grand and substantial a building as the
Male Academy, whose walls were bared to solid shot and winced at shells and
mini-balls , should today present such an isolated look, and become the roosting
place of bats and owls instead of a seminary of learning.
A jalousies room on the lower floor of the Masonic Hall is set aside for no other
purpose than that of a female school, yet we find that this more than desirable
“seat of learning” empty, emitting sounds of vacuum and reverberating back the
stillness of death; and it too, soon follow in the wake of its peer “by he side of the
spring in the hollow,” and be the recipient of hornet’s nets and yellow jacket’s
resort.
Will not our citizens do something toward remedying this evil? If you expect
emigration, men of family and with imputes to purchase farms and town property
to become legitimate citizens in your midst, you must offer educational
advantages especially and aside from ??? allurements to the emigrant and seller.
Avenues to learning as well as (unable to transcribe the rest because of a tear)

R. F. Patterson - The Cumberland Spectator
January 1, 1871

The Morristown Gazette
July 14, 1875

The Speedwell Academy

Introduction

The Speedwell Academy, a historic school in Speedwell,

has a long history of use in the community as an educational

institution, tsr for boys and then in this century as a county

co—educational school.

Dates as to its founding are not clear. It seems that an in-

stitution must have been established in a log building or perhaps,

the structure was built of brick and has withstood the elements

of time, weather, war, years of use—and still stands rather strong

and majestic-like even though it has been neglected during the

last several years.

It also seems that since there were no state schools in the

early years of our country, state, or county, this early institu-
tion must have taken as its responsibility the sponsoring of other
schools in the county that would educate both boys and girls.
Included are some deeds showing land purchased or given in
the name of the Academy for the use of schools. These are in-
cluded to show the great ecneuni of the Academy and to make
a historical note of the purchases and the people associated with
the school.

Several people have done brief articles about the Academy. Speedwell Academy School and Church (side or back view)
Some of those are included here to show different aspects of the taken in the I940’s—thisside possibly was the original front.
school and the building. In 1958 the teachers Nell Rogers and Courtesy: Margie Ellison.
Clay Ellison published an annual of the small school. In it, they
included a brief history and a page of people associated with

the school through the twentieth century up to that time.

Also included is the will of George Shetter (or Shutter) and
an inventory of his belongings at the time of his death. These

have not been published before. The last money in the trust fund
was used to buy a marker in memory of the Shutter couple. It
is located on a cemetery possibly originally on the Shutter land
called the Shutter Cemetery in a book by Paul Iohnson,

Claiborne County Cemeteries; however, the cemetery is call-
ed by another name in the community.

Perhaps someone, sometime, will see fit to restore this
historic monument to our past for its history, its building struc-

ture, its great contribution to education in this area of East

Tennessee, and to the man who believed so strongly in educa-

tion. Who knows its ecneuni throughout the country and the

world as it served both as a church and a school!

By Margie Ellison The Speedwell Academy May, 1984, still strong, still loved
and respected by the community—but neglected.
The Speedwell Academy is on a lane behind my home.
Some information about it is: In the top picture this is the south side and doesn’t face
the road. Some older citizens think this is the original front
1' The Speedwell Academy was built by George Shutter because of the carved work above the windows which is not on
of Pennsylvania. It was a school for boys. They worked on the
farm owned by the Shutters to pay for tuition and board. the windows on the other side of the building. The old road

~kThe building was used during the Civil War as a hospital followed the building on this side. This road led to an iron fur-

upstairs and a stable downstairs.

* The farm was later sold and the money was used for loans

to people who paid a small interest and for the upkeep of the

building.

1' Besides a school, it was also used for a church through
the years. The Missionary Baptist Church was organized
by Rev. John Wesley Moyers of Union County in 1914. The
upstairs was used for a church until 1958.

139

nace down the creek. The iron ore was hauled from Lead Mine nace. Roxie Monday had a wash-kettle made there. At the top
Bend in Union County by oxen. The iron pot on the steeple of the steeple was a ,hs which she said to have been a target

in this building was supposed to have been made at this fur- for the soldiers to practice their markmanship.

The Speedwell Academy

(This compiled report furnished by
Edith Rogers Carr)

(Note: A similar article appeared in the Speedwell Academy desks and slates were used instead of paper. Books were scarce,

yearbook or annual for 1958). and what few there were, were handed down from one student

Speedwell Academy is located in the southern part of to another.

Claiborne County, Tennessee, just off Old Highway 63. The During the War Between the States, this school was taken

school was founded by George Shetter, a German native of Penn- over by General Bolliecoffer as headquarters of the Southern

sylvania who came to Tennessee about 1820. He established the Army while they were preparing to take Cumberland Gap from
Powell Valley Male Academy in 1827. He gave 114acres of land, the Union forces. The land around the school became known

the building site, and capital for the construction of a two-story as Campground Bluff. It is reported that the Confederate soldiers

brick building. There was a high tower and weather vane on used the weather vane for a target during eir practices. It is

top of the building. also reported that the famous Long Tom brass cannon was kept

The building was constructed by Sam Monday who used here before it was placed in position on Pinnacle Mountain. At

slave labor. It was built with “home-made” brick that were a later date, the Academy Building was used as a hospital for

molded in boxes and burned in a near-by kiln. The frame and Confederate soldiers.

wooden parts of the building were hand-hewn and fastened After tax supported schools were established in Claiborne

together with wooden pegs. Fire places were used instead of County, the building was used by the county as a school for boys

stoves, and the window sills were made of iron. and girls. The Academy was designated to be used for church

The first teacher was Professor Nesbuit. Some other early services by any religious denomination on Sundays.

teachers were a Mr. Stout, Mr. Bratcher, Stephen H. Rogers, Although no longer in use for school or church services,

Joseph McMahan, Tom McClain, and later Hallie Ausmus and this building still stands, in bad repair with broken window

Carrie Sharp. This school offered the highest intellectual panes, as a historical landmark in Speedwell, Tennessee.

knowledge in the territory. Graduates of the school were sup-

posedly prepared for college. The school did not offer many (Editors Note: The article in the 1958yearbook stated that

physical comforts—it was equipped with benches instead of the Academy was founded in 1815).

Early Claiborne County Academies

(Note: This is an article about the Speedwell Academy from It was men like Shetter who cared enough to use their own

Pioneer Preachers and Teachers by Keever—1974). gifts to give unto others without thought of compensation ex-

SPEEDWELL MALE ACADEMY, Claiborne County. cept they were doing what they felt was their duty. These were

This school was erected in 1827 by George Shetter, a German the unsung heroes of our early years.

from Pennsylvania. He came into the valley around 1820. He (Note: The article below was taken from Goodspeed’s

was an expert in building houses or anything else. His old ledger History of Tennessee published in 1887. It gives information

books written in German were in the possession of the Rogers about an academy at Tazewell, possibly two. It seems that at

family. least one of them must have been sponsored by the Trustees

The Shetters were childless. He built this academy out of of the Speedwell Academy . . . according to the deeds includ-

the reddest brick which he made himself on the spot. The wood- ed on another page.

work was handworked. There was a high tower and weather Tazewell Academy: During the early years of the town it

vane on the school. It consisted of two rooms down and two was supplied with the schools common to such communities at

up. The school had the best teachers available. Two early that day. About 1835 a frame academy was built near the town

teachers were a Mr. Stout, and a Mr. Bratcher. Later, Stephen spring. This then became the educational institution for the

Rogers and Joseph McMahan were teachers there. This academy town.

was equal to a college. In 1854Tazewell Female Academy was incorporated under

George Shetter died in February, 1840. He left 114 acres the auspices of the Sons of Temperance and the Masonic Frater-

to the school. Major David Rogers was the administrator of the nity. Two years later Tazewell Academy was given the rank of

estate. This school continued to operate and was later taken over a college, and given all the privileges of such an institution. It

by the county. It still stands in bad repair, with windows has still undergone no change, and has long enjoyed an enviable

broken. reputation.

140

George Shetter’s Inventory Claiborne County Deeds:

An inventory of the personal estate of George Shetter, deceased. Reel No. 22, Vol. S PP 4 & 5

Cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$12.50 Peter Marcum,

One bank note (L. A. Kincannon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2.00 Registrar for Claiborne County

William Kincade & Sarah McNew’s note Executor and Executris of Wm. (Editor: This Purchase seems to have been made by the Trustees
of the Speedwell Academy on behalf of the Tazewell Academy).
McNew Deceased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.9l
B. F. Cloud for lot to build Academy on ‘/2acre
I. A. Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22.10
State of Tennessee, Claiborne County
Wm. F. Rogers note due the 4th Oct. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..11.82
Wm. F. Rogers note due the 15th of Dec. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..25.00

Wm. F. Rogers note due the 15th of December 1841 to be paid in good -sound

cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00

Wm. F. Rogers note due the 19th of February 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.00 Personally appeared before me Wiley Huffacker Clerk of the county court of
said county, William Kincaid and John Hunter subscribing witnessesth the within
Welcome Stephens—n0te due the 4th of Oct. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.00 deed who being first sworn depos. and say they acquainted with Benjamin F.
DVGW Wilson due the 4th of October 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.731/3 Cloud the within named bargainer with and that he acknowledged the same

Luke W. Leforce and Anderson Parrott’s note due the 4th of October 1840

20.371/2

Samuel Mondays note due the 4th of Oct. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00 in their presence to be his act and deed upon the day it bears date witness my
Thomas Pierce & George Carrolls note due 4th of October 1840 . . . . . .2.25 hand at office in Tazewell the 6th day of December 1843.

Henry Canter, George Carroll and Archibald Merediths note due the 4th of Oc- Wiley Huffaker, Clk.

tober 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..13.891/2

?Ja Clemmons, V. Nathaniel Elingtons note due the 4th of October 1840. . This indenture made this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.00

Welcome Stephens & J. Jnes note due the 4th of Oct. 1840. . . . . . ..2.921/2 thousand eight hundred and forty three Between Benjamin F. Cloud of the Coun-
ty of Claiborne and State of Tennessee of the one part and Benjamin Sewell
D. Richardson & Wm. F. Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. .1840. . . .7.121/2 chairman of the board of Trustees for Speedwell Academy in the County of

A. Meredith & G. Carrols note due the 4th of Oct. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . .3.38 Claiborne and his successors office of the other part Witness that the said Ben-

I. Meador and Wm. F. Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. 1840. . . . . . ..3.32
Wm. M. and 1. Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. 1840. . . . . . . . . . . . ..l5.00 jamin F. Cloud for and in consideration of one dollar to him in hand paid the
FH and Wm. M. Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. 1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.50 receipt of which is hereby acknowledged hath and by these presents doth hereby
P. C. Childers and I. Meador’s note due the 4th of Oct. l840————l8.533/z give grant convey and confirm unto the said Benjamin Sewell chairman as
aforesaid and his successors in office for the use and teneb of said academy
Isaac Rogers and Fountain Maupins note due the 4th of Oct. 1840. . . .7.66
the following piece parcel or lot of land lying in said county near the Town of
Isaac Rogers and Fountain Maupins note due‘the 4th of Oct. 1840. . .34.40 Tazewell and north of the same Beginning at a sower wood stump the corner

Fountain Maupin and Isaac Rogers note due the 4th of Oct. 1840. . . .4.76 between George M. Posey and said Benjamin F. Cloud on the hill above and

Henry Adams note due the 4th of March 1840 (doubtful) . . . . . . . . . . . .8.38 northwest from the Posey Spring thence south seventy five degrees east or to

The above is a true statement of the notes and money possessed by George

Shutter at the close of his life. vary from that to corrispond with the course of the streets of Tazewell nine

(Editor’s Note: It seems that many of these notes were due at the same poles to a stake thence north seventy five degrees west nine poles to a stake
in the line between George M. Posey and said Benjamin F. Cloud thence with
time, October 4th 1840. Possibly these and the others were by students or teachers said line north fifteen degeres west nine poles to the beginning and also another

at the school).

The following is the statement of the personal property at the close of his piece of ground for a public passway from said lot of ?——tothe Posey Spring
life (as spelled in inventory). to be layed off fifteen feet wide to begin at the south east corner of said lot of
ground above described ——to the third corner above described and running
1 Silver Watch 8 Augurs 1 Mandron a direct course to the Posey Spring thence at right angles to said course neetf
1 Buns Head
1 House Clock 15 Plajnes feet up the branch thence a line parallel t o the line from .3?south east corner
4 Hammers to the spring back to the line of said lot of ground herein first conveyed to have
1 Bed and some furniture 19 Chisels and to hold the said lot or piece of land above described and the piece fifteen
feet wide above described as a passageway to the said Benjamin Sewell chair-
1 Looking Glass P 25 fiels 1 Vice man of the said board of trustees for Speedwell Academy and his successors
in office for the use and benefit of said Speedwell Academy as a site for the
1 Umbrella 6 Saws 1 Screw Plate
building of an academy to hold the same forever in fee simple for the purpose
7 Winchester Chairs 6 Gouges 4 punches above named in testimony where of the said Benjamin F. Cloud hath hereunto
set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
5 Split Bottom Chairs 1 Rasp 4 Cleavers
1 German Bible 1 Pair of Saddle Bags 1 Hog
1 Pair of Tongs
1 German Hymn Book 1 Stone Hammer 1 Rasp and Butrace
3 Other German Books
1 Sledge Hammer l Shoeing Hammer
4 yards of P Fusting 1 Hoe and shovel

13 yards of Factory 1 Brest Bit 1 Clinching iron Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us
3 Fiels
2 tables 1 Chopping Axe 1 Pair of hand bellows William Kincaid, John Hunter.
1 Mall and two wedges
2 Table Cloths

1 Buiscuit oven 1 Madice 1 Hat Benjamin F. Cloud seal
Filed in my office the 6th day of December at 9 o’clock p. m.
1 Skillet 1 Mare 3 Bottles
and registered the 9th of the same month
1 Stew Cittle 1 Cow 2 Ink Stands
3 Razors Peter Marcum, Register
l Shingling Axe 1 Half Bushel
2 Hones 2 Draw Knives for Claiborne County
2 Candle Stands A few peices of Bacon
2 Candle Sticks 1 Round ? shave 3 Ladles

1 Flesh Fork

5 barrels 1 Rake and pitch fork

1 water Cag 1 English rule (Note: The George Shutter will is in an article by Linda Myers
1 small Frow
3 stands of bees Mundy.)
2 Steel Squares
1 tool Chest
2 pair of dividers
‘/2 barrel of salt

(on the second page) 2 pair of pinchers

1 Saddle 1 Pair of Gears

1 Saddle blanket 1 Pair of bellows

1 hand axe 1 Anvill

141

(Editor: This also seems to have been a pur- the parties of the first part hath Bargained sold and by these presents doth con-

chase by the Speedwell Academy for the Tazewell vey and mrnoc unto the party of the second part a tract or parcel of land lying
and being in the second Civil District of Claiborne County, Tennessee Known
Academy).
as the Shutter Lands on which Speedwell or Powels Valley Academy Stands,
Claiborne County deeds; Reel 23; Vol. T-Pages containing one hundred and fourteen acres more or less and bounded as follows.

108-10 To wit. Beginning on a cleft at three post oaks. Wm. McNews corner. Thence

Benjamin F. Cloud Deed to Benjamin Sewell—Academy North twenty eight poles to a post oak on sd. McNew’s line. thence with said
State of Tennessee McNews line North 28 west 74 poles to a white oak stump near the Valley (or

Claiborne County great road). Thence with the east side of said Valley Road North 74 East 104

Personally appeared before me Thos. J. Johnson poles to two post oaks near said road, and thence S. 19 East 60 poles to a post
Clerk of the County Court of said County Benjamin F. Cloud and Benjamin oak Saplin near the Creek. Thence down with the meanders of said Creek to
Sewell with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged the ex-
ecution of the above deed for the purpose therein contained upon the last day a Sycamore on the bank of said Creek. Thence leaving said North 5 West 12
of February 1847
poles to a post oak and Black oak on a cleft. Thence North 49 West 80 poles
Witness my hand at ecfo in Tazewell the 3rd of Feb. 1847 to the Beginning. With all the waters woods commodities torp heradit ainments
and appertenances thereunto belonging to have and to hold the said tract or

Thos. J. Johnson Clk. parcel of land unto the said Madison Stout his heirs assigns or legal represen-

This indenture made this tsr day of February in the year of our Lord one thou- tatives forever, and the parties of the tsr part bind themselves and their legal

sand eight hundred and forty seven, between Benjamin F. Cloud, of the Coun- representatives or successors in ecfo unto the party of the 2nd part his heirs
ty of Claiborne and State of Tennessee, of the one part, and Benjamin Sewell and legal representatives to warrent and forever defend the title of said lands

Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Speedwell Academy, in said County and ? against the lawful claim or demand of any or all person or persons Whom-
his Successors in ecfo of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Benjamin F. soever either in law or equity, Except one acre reserved on which the aforesaid
Cloud, for and in consideration of the sum of $175.00 one hundred seventy ev
dollars to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath Academy is situated together with said academy building.
and by these presents, doth hereby grant, bargain, Sell alien,? convey, and con- In Testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names and dexfa our
mr unto the said Benjamin Sewell, Chairman of aforesaid and his successors
seals the day and year tsr above written.
Attest

in office, forever, for the use of said Academy, the following tract or parcel John Stout J. F. Longmire seal
of land situate in the County and State aforesaid, and outside of the corporate
limits of the Town of Tazewell, and being the place upon which the present R. H. Lane M. W. Bishop seal
building for said Academy is now standing, and including most of the land con- Rice Rogers
J. B. Little seal L. D. Monday seal

N. L. Bishop seal

tained in a former deed from said B. F. Cloud, to said Academy—Beginning State of Tennessee

at a stake ten feet from and north east from the corner of George W. Posey County of Claiborne
and said B. F. Cloud, thence South forty seven degrees East twenty four poles
to a Stake on the Mulberry road, thence South htf eight west, ten poles to Personally appeared before me
John Ausmus Dept. Clerk of the County Court of said County, the within named
a stake in said road, thence South eighty west ev poles ot the Spring line, thence bargainors J. B. Little, J. F. Longmire, M. W. Bishop, L. Monday,, Trustees
of Powels Valley Academy with whom I am personally acquainted and who
north twenty west eight poles to a stake, in George W. Posey’s line, thence north acknowledged that they executed the within instrument for the purposes therein
thirty ev East with said I’osey’s line to the Beginning. And also the said B. contained and N. L. Bishop and wife of the said M. W. Bishop having appeared
F. Cloud hereby conveys and smrnoc unto the said Benjamin Sewell chair- before me privately and apart from her husband the said N. L. Bishop
man of aforesaid and his successors, the same right of way to the Spring called acknowledged the execution of the said deed to have been done by her freely,
the Posey Spring as was conveyed in the deed above allured to from said B. voluntarily, and understandingly, without compulsion or constraint from her
F. Cloud, to which deed reference is made to have and to hold the said describ- said husband and for the purposes herein expressed.

ed piece or parcel of land, with all its appurtenances and said way and right Witness my hand at ecfo in Speedwell on this the 20th day of February. A.D.
of way aforesaid to the said Benjamin Sewell, Chairman of aforesaid, and his Eighteen Hundred and Eighty six.
Successors in office, forever for the use of said Academy, All the lands con-
veyei in the former deed above Spoken of and contained within the lines of State of Tennessee John Ausmus Clerk

this deed, shall be considered as if conveyed but one by said B. F. Cloud, and Claiborne County
no liability on account of the same being contained in this deed. Shall attach
The foregoing deed was del in my office Mar. the 4th 1886 at 9 o’clock A.
to the said B. F. Cloud or his heirs,—And the said Benjamin Sewell, Chairman
of aforesaid, for himself and his successors in office doth hereby grant bargain M. and registered Thos. W. Guy, Register
and sell and reconvey to the said Benjamin F. Cloud, his heirs and assigns all
that portion of land contained in the first deed from aforesaid Cloud for the

use of said Academy which is not included in the bounds described in the deed, (Editor: Seemingly, the Speedwell Academy
To have and to hold the same to the said Benjamin F. Cloud and his heirs and
Trustees sponsored the building of Mt. Taber
assigns forever,——Andthe said Benjamin F. Cloud, for himself and his heirs,
School).
doth covenant that he and they will forever warrant and defend the said piece
CLAIBORNE COUNTY REEL 35 Vol. z-v p. 15-16
of land conveyed by him in this deed, and the said right of way, againt the lawful
Deed T. H. Bowman to Speedwell Academy
title, claim or demands of all and every person or persons whatever.
In Testimony whereof the said Benjamin F. Cloud.

This endenture made this the 12th day of Sept. 1893between T. H. Bowman

of Willson Gap County of Claiborne and State of Tennessee of the tsr part

(Editor: deed is for the sale of the Academy and I. M. Beeler, G. W. Taylor, Elisha Bowman, John Ausmus, W. S. Bowman,
lands except an acre around the building).
CLAIBORNE COUNTY DEEDS Reel 28 Vol. L. D. Monday, J. F. Lamarr, Herod Overbay, D. C. Rogers, and J. R.
McMahan Trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States
M-2; pp 395, 396, 397
of America and also Trustees of the Powells Valley Academy in the Second
This Indenture made the twentieth day of February one thousand eight District if Claiborne County and State aforesaid of the second part Witnesseth:
that the said party of the tsr part as well for and in consideration of the love
hundred and eighty six between M. W. Bishop, J. B. Little, J. F. Longmire,
Henderson Rogers, Elisha Bowman, and Lafayette Monday, Trustees of Powels and affection which he has and bears towards the Methodist Episcopal Church
Valley Academy of the County of Claiborne State of Tenn. of the first part and and the Powells Valley Academy as for the sum of one Dollar to him in hand
Madison Stout of the County of Campbell State aforesaid of the second part.
paid by the parties of the Second the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged
Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Seven hundred and has given granted bargained released conveyed and demrnoc and by these
presents does give grant bargain release convey and mrnoc unto the said par-
ytf Dollars to them in hand paid the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged, ties of the Second part the following described premises to wit: Situated in the
Second District of Clairborne County and State of Tennessee, and described

142

as follows: Beginning on a stake on a hill east of T. H. Bowmans house about fend said premises and the title threats against the lawful claims of any and all
20 yards south of the Valley road and runing northward Crossing Said Valley persons whomsoever in witness where of the said party of the first part has
road about 10 ft. west of an oak tree two hundred and forty nine feet to a stake hereunto Set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
then east one hundred and ninty feet to a stake thence Southward Crossing Said
Valley road near a cedar on the South Side of Said road two hundred and forty T. H. Bowman
nine feet thence westward one hundred and ninety feet to the beginning con-
taining one acre. To have and to hold the said premises to the said parties of Witness
the Second part and their successors forever in trust for the use and benefit
of the ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United D. S. Dyer
States of America Subject to the disciplin usage and ministerial appointments Geo. Brantley
of said Church as from time to time authorized and declaired and if sold the
State of Tennessee
proceeds Shall be disposed of and used in accordance with the provisions of
Said description and also in trust by the above board of Trustees for the use Claiborne County
of the Powells Valley Academy in the Second District of above named state and
county upon which is to be erected jointly by the above board of Trustees or Personally appeared before me A. J. Francisco Clerk of the County.
their successors in the term of two years (or this conveyance to be void) a two
Story building Said Church occupying and actually using the upper story for Court for said County, F. H. Bowman with whom I am personally Acquainted
church services and said academy occupying and actually using the lower story
for school purposes and the said party of the first part for himself and his heirs and who acknowledged their signatures to the annexed deed for all the pur-
and lawful Representatives does hereby covenant with the said parties of the poses therein expressed.
second part and their Successors that he is lawfully Seized in fee simple of the
premises are free from all incumbrances and he will forever warrant and de- Witness my hand at Speedwell this 23 day of Sept. 1893.

A. J. Francisco, Clerk by John Ausmus, D. C.

State of Tennessee

Claiborne County

The foregoing Deed was filed in my office for Registration Oct. 2, 1893

at 11 o’clock A.M. and noted in note Book 3 page 54 and Registered the 5th
day of October 1893.

Jeff Lambert, Register

THE SPEEDWELL ACADEMY SCHOOL AND

PUPILS—I93I-32 Courtesy: Ralph Mundy. Identified by:

Margie Ellison. FIRST ROW: Owen Monday, _7unior

SPEEDWELL ACADEMY about 1913: (names are not in Bowman, _7ackLeinart, Earl Berry, Frank Patterson, Odis

order, but these attended at that time). Carrie Sharp, teacher, Mundy, Troy Thomas, Gilbert Seal, Bill Ellison, C. D.

Smith Rogers, Ina Rogers, Fannie Rogers, Zella Rogers, Ellison. SECOND ROW: Newman Monday, Doyle Monday,

Euretha Rogers, Ovid Wells, Herman Wells, Leota Wells, Charles Patterson, Fine Monday, _7r.,Hall Bowman, Alec

Viola Wells, Ethel Monday, Fred Monday, Oscar Monday, Richardson, Clyde Thomas, Charles Edwards, Conley

Willie Monday, Robert Monday, Cora Monday, Roxie Mon- Claiborne, _7ames Claiborne, _7oeLeinart. THIRD ROW:

day, Daley Mae Maddox, Carletta Maddox, Zella Hall, Ver- (starts with small girl in white), Maude Ellison, _7essieRuth

da Hall, Ruby Hall, Charlie Hall, Denzil Hall, Gratz Moyers, Glenise Seal, Lorene Mundy, Margie Claiborne, _7une

Ellison, Mattie Ellison, Dettie Ellison, Atz Bowman, Meade Monday, Myrl Berry, Beatrice Moore, Ruby Pierce, teacher.

Bowman, Clarence Bowman, Rudolph Bowman P, Olivia FOURTH ROW: Clifton Moyers, teacher, Lizzie Bowman,

Bowman, Leona Brown, Iola Lumpkins, Leotta Lumpkins, Margie Ellison, Geneva Berry, Vivian Patterson, Isabel Still,

Gladys Lumpkins, Pearl Bruce, Alma LaMarr, Dicie Car- Gladys Smith, Marie Thomas, Garnet fohnson, Beatrice

mack, Cass Ausmus, _7oeCarr, _7imSweat, _7imfohnson, — Monday. BACK: Riley Sutton, Charles Pierce. ABSENT:

Howard. (Courtesy: Ina Rogers Schubert). Pauline Ellison and perhaps others.

143