Berthana Eliza Ogle

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 57.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 86.
Rosa Lee Downey notes, 16 June 1983, p 109, 111.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 28, 45.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 148.

Berthana married Fillmore Millard McMahan 24 Mar 1909. Fillmore (son of William "Gulger Bill" McMahan and Harriet Allen) was born 24 Sep 1882, Tennessee; died 7 Oct 1971; was buried Pigeon Forge Baptist Church Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Lavana Arena McMahan was born 3 Jun 1916, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 3 Feb 2010; was buried 6 Feb 2010, Middle Creek Methodist Church Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. Vera McMahan died Bef 8 May 2002.
3. Mary Harriet "Polly" McMahan died Bef 8 May 2002.
4. Warren Jennings "W. J." McMahan was born 2 Jun 1923, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 8 May 2002; was buried 11 May 2002, Pigeon Forge Baptist Church Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee.
5. Devon McMahan was born 17 Aug 1926, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 14 Aug 2005; was buried 17 Aug 2005, Pigeon Forge Baptist Church Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee.

Notes:

Russell was a Baptist minister. He often accompanied "Preacher Dick Evans" on revival tours. During his later years he lived in Wears Cove.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountian Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 57.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 33.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 80, 85.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 12, 245.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 147, 148.

Russell married Mary "Polly" Ownby 8 Jan 1880, Sevier County, Tennessee. Mary (daughter of David Ownby and Eliza Ogle) was born 17 Oct 1864, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 27 Apr 1920; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 57.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 33.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 80, 85.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 12.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 147, 148.

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLK-8F

Notes:

From Sevier County, Tennessee Deed Book 'J', pages 150/51, "This Indenture made this the 14th of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four between Harcolas T. Ogle of the State of Tennessee and County of Sevier of the one part and Noah Ogle of the State and County aforesaid of the other part...the said Harculas T. Ogle hath this day bequeath the deed of gift unto the said Noah Ogle...it being given under their condition that it is to be all the claim, interest or demand that he the said Noah Ogle is to have to the said Harculas T. Ogle estate at this or any future time, the said land lying on the waters of the West Fork of Pigeon River near and about where the said Noah Ogle now lives." This land was located along Dudley Creek and Low Gap branch, then westward to the first high top between Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek and joined the lands of James Ogle and Isaac Ogle Sr. It contained one hundred acres.

Noah was a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Volunteer with the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted for three years at Sevierville, Tennessee 16 September 1862 and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, 5 July 1865. He served at Lexington, Kentucky, Decator, Alabama, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. His personal description at the time of enlistment was: age, 29 years, fair complexion, dark hair and yellow eyes (hazel?).

In the 1860 Federal Census for Sevier County, Tennessee, Noah and Sophia were living in the 6th district on Walden's Creek. An 1866 deed from Daniel Wesley Reagan to Noah Ogle records the transfer of 100 acres of land. This farm lay from Baskins Creek to Reagan Lane on both sides of the river, now the center of Gatlinburg. In 1870 Federal Census, Noah and Sophia Reagan Ogle are found in the 11th Civil District in Gatlinburg. He is listed as a grocery merchant. This store which he started is still being operated by his descendants.

Noah served the 11th Civil District for many years as a Justice of Peace. He added land to the cemetery located on the hill in town, again being called White Oak Flats Cemetery. He and his third wife deeded the land for the present site of White Oak Flats Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg) in 1897.

Noah left a will in which he mentions all of his daughters and children of his daughter, Martha. Only one of the sons was named. His will was dated 30 Jan 1897 and probated 19 Feb 1897 (Will Book I, p 524/5).
----------
References:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 168, 169-170.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 70, 112.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 31.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

Noah married Sophia Reagan Abt 1854, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Sophia (daughter of Daniel Wesley Reagan and Nancy Ogle) was born 12 Dec 1838, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 5 Oct 1887, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDV-BF

Notes:

Twin of Julia Ann Reagan.
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 169-170.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

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:

Harkless T. was born and lived all his life in Sevier County, mostly in Gatlinburg. He appears in the census records for the county from 1830 through 1880. His name is also recorded in the church minute books for the White Oak Flats Baptist Church. Death dates are given there for him and his second wife.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 94, 168.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 112.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 286.

Harkless married Margaret "Peggy" Ownbey Abt 1828, Sevier County, Tennessee. Margaret (daughter of John Ownby, Jr. and Elizabeth Hill) was born 20 Mar 1810, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 6 Feb 1849, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TQQ-9L

Notes:

Margaret came to Sevier County with her family about 1816.

Appeared in the 1840 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 168
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 105, 112.
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 13.

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-XD

Notes:

Daniel moved with his parents to White Oak Flats (Gatlinburg) when he was about four years old. He lived all of his life here or on various other tracts of land in the area.

Listed as Ragan in 1850 Sevier County, Tennessee census as farmer with $1000 property unable to read or write.

An industrious man, Daniel began acquiring land before he married. In theTennessee State Library and Archives there are records of eight entries in his name, dating from 1824 to 1872. The state archivist says this was all purchased land. He is listed in the 1837 tax lists of Sevier County, Tennessee.

An 1859 grant, previously surveyed land, was resurveyed and entered probably because of Gatlin's extensive claim in the area and the Courthouse fire. This 1859 grant was for 600 acres up both sides of the river from Baskins Creek to the Two Mile Branch. In May 1866, he added another 640 acres to this holding. There are also grants for 1,000, 600, and 4,000 acres on Roaring Fork granted in 1839, 1868 and 1872. Most of this land was divided among his children - no will has been found. Daniel moved around and lived on several of his farms - his wife said after his death that she wanted to spend the rest of her years in one spot, she was so tired of moving. She spent her remaining years with her stepdaughter and her husband, Mariah and Thomas H. McCarter.

Daniel was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. Tradition says he built the first wagon in the settlement, making the wheels of one piece of split white oak. His son, Charles C. Reagan, built the first wagon that crossed the Smokies. Although no record has been found to verify it, Daniel probably served as a Justice of Peace. He did keep the community post office. When the settlement officially became Gatlinburg and the post office was established, Daniel and Joel Conner received the contract to carry the mail from Sevierville to Casher's Valley, South Carolina. Daniel's sons, Richard R. and Ephraim Reagan, served as postmaster in the village.

Definitely a Union man but too old to go to service during the Civil War, Daniel served as "muster" officer and drilled the men of the village out in the "Flats". He also served the community as food distributor. Because of his activities and his three oldest sons being in the Union army, he often had to hide out in the mountains to escape the Confederates. The youngest son, Charles C., often told of his father taking him to the woods and showing him the meat and food supplies he had hidden. Daniel didn't think the Rebels would bother the women and children and if he did have to hide out, then Charles must see that food was brought in for the people as it was needed---a big responsibility for a seven year old boy.

A civic minded man, Daniel furnished the meeting house for the village--the five sided building used for the school, church and "voting place". According to one of the land grants, this was located at the "mouth of the lane", now Reagan Lane, near the old River Road. Although he furnished the meeting place for the Baptist Church for many years, Daniel was not found on the membership roll of the church and did not give the land for the present building site, as has been stated by many sources.

Daniel Wesley Reagan did give the land for the oldest part of the White Oak Flats Cemetery (Gatlinburg Cemetery) to the community. This was originally a family plot on the farm of his father, Richard Reagan. The first burial there was a child of Daniel Milsaps, the first school teacher in Gatlinburg.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 15-16.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 45.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.

Daniel married Nancy Ogle 30 Jan 1830, Sevier County, Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Thomas J. Ogle and Sophia Bosley) was born 24 Aug 1810, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 18 Feb 1844, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-ZK

Notes:

Listed in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 16, 167.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.

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.