Thomas D. Ownby

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 110.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 167.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 80, 81.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 14, 244.

Thomas married Sarah Elizabeth Watson 6 Oct 1870, Sevier County, Tennessee. Sarah (daughter of David Corn Watson and Rachel Ogle) was born 15 Oct 1851, Tennessee; died 5 Apr 1931; was buried 6 Apr 1931, Levi Trentham (Elkmont) Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. David "Dave" Ownby was born 4 Oct 1871, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 8 Mar 1952; was buried Elkmont Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. Burton Albert "Bert" Ownby was born 30 Mar 1873, Tennessee; died 29 Sep 1959; was buried Elkmont Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
3. Lucy Luiza Ownby was born 1875; died 1966; was buried Huskey Grove Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
4. Mary J. Ownby was born Oct 1878.
5. John Vesley Ownby was born 28 Feb 1880; died 21 Feb 1959; was buried Louisville Cemetery.
6. Joel Bosdell "Bause" Ownby was born 11 Mar 1884; died 8 Oct 1915; was buried Elkmont Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
7. Julia Mae Ownby was born 16 Jun 1886, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 7 Jul 1963; was buried Levi Trentham (Elkmont) Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
8. Lemon S. "Lem" Ownby was born 24 Feb 1889, Tennessee; died 16 Jan 1984; was buried Valley View Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
9. Rachel Charlotte Ownby was born 8 Mar 1891, Tennessee; died 29 Apr 1965; was buried Grandview Cemetery, Maryville, Blount County, Tennessee.

Notes:

Listed in the 1840 through 1880 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee and Eliza was listed in the 1900 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee. Listed as David Ownsby in 1840 census.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 203
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 67, 80.

David married Eliza Ogle 1840, Sevier County, Tennessee. Eliza (daughter of Thomas J. Ogle and Sophia Bosley) was born 9 Apr 1823, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 9 Apr 1910; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Listed in 1840 Sevier County, Tennessee census age 15-20.

Death certificate for Ownby, Lizzie, Sevier, 1910, #75533
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 203
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 67.
"In the Shadow of the Smokies", Smoky Mountain Historical Society, 1993, p 576.

Notes:

John Ownby lived with his parents in Rutherford County, North Carolina, later Buncombe County, North Carolina.

In 1833, John Ownby and his family migrated to Sevier County, Tennessee from Buncombe County, North Carolina. They made their home in the Glades community, 2nd Civil District of Sevier County, Tennessee. Here John Ownby lived until his death.

John Ownby and his family were listed in the 1840 and 1850 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee. Listed as John Ownsby in 1840 census.

An interesting story about John Ownby at the time of his death was told by his grandson, Samuel Ownby. It is:

"...Mother told me this story and I don't think my mother would tell me something that wasn't true. Mother said that the day before Grandfather Ownby died he walked from his house to the store, that he told the people in the store that he would die about that same time on the following day. The next day at about the time he had told them this, he layed down on the bed, talked as fast as he could, telling his family how to live, what to do, etc., then turned his face to the wall & died."
----------
References:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 1.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 66.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298.

John married Mary Jane "Granny" Coone 17 Feb 1812, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of Nicholas Koon and Mary DeWalt) was born 1793, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 1881, Greenbrier, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried Plemons Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary Koone Ownby, known to all as "Granny Coone", lived with her children until her death.

Roger Gardner lists birth as 1796.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 66, 67.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 298.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 4.

Notes:

Bride: M Coon
Groom: John Ownby
Bond Date: 17 Feb 1812
County: Rutherford
Record #: 01 245
Bondsman: George Coone
Witness: Jas O Lewis
Bond #: 000135547

North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

Notes:

Thomas went with his parents to Ninety Six District, Edgefield County, South Carolina from Wilkes County, Georgia.

Tom was named with his brother, Hercules, as coexecutor of their father's will in 1803 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. He also signed the 1811 deed of conveyance which disposed of the land left by William Ogle to his "four boys". Another deed, dated in 1825 and disposing of land in Edgefield District, South Carolina, was signed by Thomas and Sophia Ogle. They had apparently rented out this land after moving to Sevier County, Tennessee.

No Tennessee land grants prior to 1824 were found for Tom Ogle but it is known that he was in Sevier County as early as 1805. He and Hercules Ogle deeded 48 acres of land at the mouth of Walden's Creek to William Murphy in 1807. According to the deed, found in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, they held title to the land "by virtue of seizure and occupancy". The exact date of Tom's settlement in Gatlinburg is not known but he was one of the first settlers there.

Records of Tom's service in the War of 1812 were found in the National Archives. He served in Captain Andrew Lawson's Company of East Tennessee Drafted Militia Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Johnson, and fought against the Creek Indians. In 1850 and 1855, Tom received bounty land grants as a result of his service.

In December of 1817 when the White Oak Flats Baptist Church was formed as an arm of the Sevierville church, Tom Ogle and his wife were listed as charter members. The first church building was started in 1855 on Tom's land. It was located where the Arrowcraft Shop stands now. A deed conveying title of the land to the church by Thomas Ogle was executed on 8 April 1861. This is found in Sevier County Courthouse in Deed Book M, page 211.

Thomas J. Ogle has three land entries, which are dated from 1 May 1824 through 23 Jan 1826, in the Surveyor's Book No. 1 of Sevier County, Tennessee. These land entries were granted by the state of Tennessee. All these were located in the White Oak Flats community and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tom left a will dated 27 Sep 1861 and probated in County Court in February of 1862. It is recorded in Will Book I, p 74-75. William T. Ogle is mentioned as Tom's eldest son and is named executor of the will. Also Tom mentioned "my son Thomas Ogle... my Sons, to wit., Preston, Levi and Caleb..." In the Court records, Thomas Ogle's will was admitted for probate 3 Feb 1862. On 3 March 1862, Caleb Ogle and Wilson Duggan were appointed administrators of the estate of Thomas Ogle. (Court Minutes Book I, page 747 and 752)

There is a list of "Inventory of the property belonging to the estate of Thomas J. Ogle, Dec'd., late of Sevier County, Tennessee in the Inventory Book, page 190/92.

In the GUARDIANS, EXECUTORS and ADMINISTRATORS Settlement Book for Sevier County, Tennessee, there is a record for the estate of Thomas J. Ogle. From this book, the following list of the living heirs of Thomas J. Ogle is quoted: "the above Settlement shows that there is in the hands of the administrators the sum of $187.23 to be equally divided among twelve heirs, to wit., Levi, Hercules, Isaac, Rebecca wife of Preston, William T., Celeb, Thomas, Esther Trantham, Hichols Ownsby, Jacob Evans, Andrew Conner, and David Owensby & wife."

The family appears in the Federal Census records of Sevier County from 1830 through 1860. The census and other records found show that the second generation of Ogle sons in Gatlinburg began using their father's initial in their names when there was confusion created by the same names.
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.

Thomas married Sophia Bosley Abt 1804. Sophia was born Abt 1789, Maryland; died 13 Jul 1857, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sophia is spoken of as the "red-headed woman" in the family stories. It is said she hoped and prayed for a church and minister of their own in the community. Her hopes were realized when their son, William T. Ogle, became a minister of the Gospel, as did a younger son, Caleb Ogle.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.

Notes:

James was seventeen years old when he entered the Revolutionary War. He fought
in the Battle at King's Mountain on 1 November 1778 as a Private in Captain
George Taylor's company. He carried water in his hat. He served until 1783.

James lived in Tryon County, North Carolina until he removed to Buncombe county
in 1824. He resided in McDowell county in 1845, but lived most of his life in
Rutherford County, North Carolina. He owned the farm on Bald Mountain. The
original cabin has about fallen down, but a part is still standing, according
to Mrs. Carrie Lee Nanney. She claims that James is buried there in the "Old
Field's Cemetery".

D.A.R states he is buried in Koone family cemetery Route 1, Union Mills, North
Carolina. Moved with parents to Tryon County (now Rutherford), North Carolina
while still a boy and lived on Green River. Moved with wife about 1824 to
Buncombe County and was in McDowell County in 1845. Moved back to Rutherford
County with wife in 1846.

Entered the service of his county at age 17. Fought at age 19 as a substitute
in Battle of Kings Mountains in Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain
Men".

1. Entered service first part of November 1778 as a substitute for Henry Kelly,
in Captain George Taylor's Company in Colonel Hugh Brevard's North Carolina
Regiment in Brigade of General Griffith Rutherford. Discharged 10 April 1779.

2. Entered as draftee October 1779 in Captain Robert Gilkeys' command in
Colonel Andrew Hampton's North Carolina Regiment. Discharged 24 March 1780.

3. Entered service July 1780 as a volunteer in Captain Robert Gilkey's command.
In Colonel Charles McDowell's regiment with General Lillington in General
command. Discharged three months later.

4. Entered service last part of September or first part of October 1780 as a
substitute for Micajah Mayfield in Captain Samuel Williams' command
Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain Men". Fought at Kings Mountain
10 October 1780. Discharged one month after entry.

5. Entered early part of June 1781 or 1782, as a volunteer in Captain John
McClain's Company in Colonel Andrew Hampton's and Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This term of duty was for the purpose of "ranging the line between
the whites and the Cherokee Indians". Discharged fourteen months later.

6. Entered service in spring 1782 or 1783 as a substitute for Thomas Haslip in
Captain Hugh Beaty's Company, in Colonel Robert Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This tour of duty was guard and patrol at "Russells Station" at
mouth of Cove Creek in Rutherford County. Discharged three months later and
returned to his home on Green River.

Married by Jonathan Hampton and is buried beside his wife.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 4, 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64, 65.

James married Joanna Sims 4 Mar 1785, Tryon County, North Carolina. Joanna (daughter of Captain William Sims and Annister Step) was born 24 Mar 1761, Albermarle County, Virginia; died 1 Apr 1852; was buried Koon Family Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Joanna Sims Ownby was born at Aspen Grove Plantation on Priddy's Creek. She was allowed a pension on her application executed on 13 March 1851 while resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina. She was buried in the Koon family cemetery near Union Mills beside her husband.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64.

Notes:

Nicholas Kuhn, who according to ship records and grant applications was not born by 1756 but according to his death notice was born in 1746. Most researchers believe the ship records because Benedict's land grant was for 150 acres (50 acres for each family member). So Nicholas Kuhn was born circa 1753 in Newberry County, South Carolina. He is listed as a millwright when he buys 150 acres of land close to his father, Benedict, on Crim's Creek in the fork of Broad and Saludy Rivers, from George Hollman on 3 April 1773. This was probably about the time of Nicholas' marriage to Mary DeWalt. Nicholas and Mary moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina by 1790, settled on Cedar Creek and erected a corn mill. He appears in the third Co. of the 1790 census, five houses from John Ownbey, close to the Ledbetters, Harris', Nanneys, Hills, Hamptons, Daltons, Searcys, Morgans and Bradleys.

Nicholas' death notice appears in the North Carolina Spectator and Western Advertiser, Rotherfordton, North Carolina, issue of 31 December 1831 as follows; "On Bill's Creek, in this county, on the 26th inst., Mr. Nicholas Coon, aged 83 years." (Note: this was the day after Christmas and most believe his age to be about 78 instead of 83).
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5.
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 1994.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 3.

Nicholas married Mary DeWalt Abt 1773. Mary (daughter of Daniel DeWalt and Susannah Gray) was born 1760; died 1844; was buried Koon Family Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
Wiley Emmett Koon, Jr., 15 July 1995.
"Benedict Kuhn (Coon, Koon, Koone) Immigrant & His Descendants", Roger L. Gardner, D.C., 1 March 1998, p 3.

Other Events:

• AFN: M909-B7

Notes:

From "Rowan County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1773-1786", William Ogle, with his brothers Thomas and Hercules Ogle, is listed in "Names of Persons who have not taken the Oath of Allegiance in Captain Cox's District." The date of the entry is 1778. Family traditions say that he served in the Revolutionary War.

William Ogle and his brothers, Thomas Jr. ad Hercules Ogle, were listed in Captain Cox's District, 1778 Tax List of Rowan County, North Carolina.

Some records say William Ogle was an Indian trader, other say that he was a minister of the gospel. In the deeds from Rowan County, North Carolina, he described himself as a planter or yeoman.

In 1785 William and his family were living in Wilkes County, Georgia, according to "1785 Tax List of Wilkes County, Georgia". They settled in Edgefield District, South Carolina, prior to 1790. He was listed as the head of household in 1790 and 1800 Federal Census of Edgefield District, South
Carolina.

On 19 Oct 1795, Thomas Ogle of Grayson County, Virginia deeded 100 acres of land in Rowan County, North Carolina, to "William Ogle of Edgefield County, state of South Carolina". William later sold this same tract of land to Mark Cole and Jacob Skeene on 30 Oct 1795 (Deed Book 14, p 178 and p 179/80).

On 7 March 1796, William Ogle added to his holdings in Edgefield District, South Carolina, another 100 acres of land purchased from George Hagood. This land was situated on "the branches of Rockey Creek, waters of Savannah River" (Deed Book 13, p 198).

Family traditions say William Ogle had planned to migrate to Tennessee. But at that time, there was an epidemic of a most dreaded disease in the backcountry of South Carolina. It is believed that before William Ogle could make arrangements to dispose of his land, he contracted this disease and died.

Other sources say he built the first known structure in the Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee area. They say he hunted with Indian friends in the area and decided to build a cabin and move his family there. He cut and hewed the logs, and then returned home "to grow a crop" in order to bring supplies for his family's survival for some time. While there, an epidemic of malaria broke out and William died of the fever.

Between the date of his will, 26 Feb 1803, and the date of probate, 5 March 1803, William Ogle died and was survived by his wife, Martha and his children, five sons and two daughters. He is buried in the Fruit Hill area.

In his will William said, "I give unto my son Harculous Ogle that Hundred Acres of Land he Now lives. Also the remainder of the Land is to be Divided among four Boys except a Child's Share which I give unto My beloved Wife Polly Ogle (Martha in the 1811 deed). Also I give unto my beloved daughter Rebecca (Mc) Carter a cow and Calf, bed and furniture, Pot and Some other furniture. Also I
give unto my beloved grandson William (Mc) Carter a young sow. Also the rest of the property to be Equally among all the rest of my children except my beloved Wife which draws a Child's share." His will was recorded in Edgefield County, South Carolina, Will Book "A", box 22, #783.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 138-139.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 6.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 229.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 3.

William married Martha Jane Huskey Abt 1778, Rowan County, North Carolina. Martha (daughter of John Frederick Huskey and Rebecca Washington) was born 9 Dec 1756, Wake County, North Carolina; died Bef Jul 1826, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Martha Jane Huskey Ogle was part Indian.

After the death of William, Martha took her five sons and two daughters for a short visit with relatives in Virginia. Her brother, Peter Huskey, and his family then accompanied them on their long trip to the East Tennessee area to establish their home.

They were in the Sevier County, Tennessee as early as 1805. There is a record in Tennessee State Library and Archives that shows Hercules and Thomas Ogle sold land to William Murphy in 1807. This land was situated in the area of "mouth of Walden's Creek" in Sevier County, Tennessee.

On 19 January 1811, Martha Ogle, "relict of William Ogle" and her sons relinquished to James Atchison of Edgefield County, South Carolina their claim on the property that William Ogle had bought from George Hagood in 1796. This deed of conveyance was recorded in Deed Book 31, p 291/92 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

According to the church minutes of "Fork of Little Pigeon Church", Martha Ogle was the one of the group of people from White Oak Flats Community that asked the Fork of Little Pigeon Church to establish a church in White Oak Flats as an arm of the church in Sevierville in December 1817.

Sometime between December 1817 to July 1826, Martha Ogle died and was buried in Gatlinburg, Tennessee behind Hays House Restaurant.

Some researchers claim her given name should not include Jane.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 37-38.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 6.
IGI, Batch 8113402, Sheet 49, Source Call Number 1260889, Film, also, Film
449514, Ordinance # 280.., Temple Swiss.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 229.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 3.
Ruth Tolson, rutht@bath.rang.k12.va.us, 11 May 2001.