| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 59.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 28 Sep 2013.
‘As It Was Give To Me’: Carey Dennis’s 1924 history of Cocke County, Tennessee
Duay O’Neil
The first annuals published by Central High School, forerunner to Cocke County High School, were much different from those of today. With a much smaller student body and faculty, the school was more like a large family than today’s population of nearly 1,500 students and over 100 faculty, teachers, assistants, secretaries, custodians, librarians, cafeteria personnel, and various other workers.
But the school was one of the leading educational institutions in East Tennessee, with all sorts of clubs, societsisted of 21 young men and women, several of whom I remember, who took their places in society and became leading citizens of their community. A total of 55 boys and girls had entered in September of 1920 as the group’s freshman class.
The main part of the paperback publication consists of 86 pages and includes original poetry, class histories of all four grade levels, and even a history of Cocke County written by senior Carey Dennis. In reading over his work, I was impressed with Carey’s knowledge of our history. I wish he had listed his sources of information, but he obviously worked hard on this assignment. Yes, there are a few errors, but for a high school senior, he did a masterful job.
A long time ago, even before Columbus came to America, the Indians roamed over a country that was filled with game of all kinds. It is not known by what name they called this country, but it must have been beautiful, even as the country is beautiful.
Columbus then made this country known to the world, and settlers soon became coming to this country. The King of England granted one of his friends a strip of land in America and named it Carolina. In August of 1783 a band of pioneers met at Jonesboro and organized the State of Franklin with John Sevier as Governor. This state did not survive very long, however, and was soon abolished. The same territory was later named Tennessee. The country still holds that name. By an Act of Congress a county was laid off and named Washington County. This county was divided into several smaller counties, among them Jefferson County. In October, 1797, Cocke County was created by an Act of the General Assembly. This county was named after General Cocke, who was one of the most famous pioneers.
Cocke County lies in the shape of a triangle and contains about 540 square miles. It is traversed by the French Broad, Pigeon, and Nolichucky Rivers. These rivers with all their tributaries could furnish the county with all the water power needed.
The county was first settled along the ‘Chucky river [in] 1783. The next year a colony settled on the land now known as the Irish Bottoms. One of the oldest settlers was George McNutt, whose daughter was the first white child born south of the French Broad River. In the same year a colony of Pennsylvania Dutchmen settled on what is now called the Dutch Bottoms.
Peter Fine was the first man to be given a license to run a ferry, which was just opposite the town now called Newport. This section was called War Ford in the early pioneer days. Later it was known as Clifton, and still later it was named Newport.
In 1783 John Gilliland made a crop of corn at the mouth of the Big Pigeon. The next year he moved his family to another part of the county, where he died, leaving a large family; among them were eight sons. He took an active part in the organization of the State of Franklin.
William Lillard was the first representative of the county in the Legislature. He lived about one mile below Newport.
The first settlement on the Cosby Creek was made by Sam O’Dell.
The first road was laid out from the Jefferson County line to Newport.
The pioneers suffered less from the raids of the Indians than the more exposed counties. The Indians, however, made many raids upon the settlers.
In the latter part of 1783, the Indians began stealing the cattle of the settlers. Especially was this true along the French Broad and ‘Chucky Rivers. Major Peter Fine and William Lillard raised a party of thirty men and attempted to rout the Indians. The Indians retreated into North Carolina. The men pursued the Indians and after killing one and wounding another they started home. They were followed by the Indians, who made an attack on them at night. They killed Vinet Fine and wounded Thomas Holland and a Mr. Bingham. When morning came the Indians left, and the men buried Vinet Fine in a small creek which has since been called Fine’s Creek.
During the next few years it was necessary to keep scouts between French Broad and the ‘Chucky Rivers to warn the settlers of the approach of hostile Indians. Three forts were built along the rivers. One was built on the French Broad and called McCoy’s Fort. One built ten miles below old Newportwas called Whitson’s Fort. One five miles above called Wood’s Fort.
Notwithstanding these precautions, Sam O’Dell and his brother Nehemiah were killed and a son and daughter of a Mr. Huff were carried off by the Indians. The girl was scalped, while the boy was taken prisoner. The Indians, being pursued very closely, tomahawked the boy near War Ford on the Pigeon River. The last raids the Indians made were in the Cosby section. The Indians stole some horses from the settlers. The settlers recovered all but a few of the horse.
The first church was established by the Baptists prior to the year 1794. They were represented in the Holston Association of the same year. The town of Newport was supplied with schools and churches as early as the year 1885 [I think this year is a misprint and should be 1835]. The Presbyterians built a church in 1837, although they had been holding services in a school building since 1823. The Methodists had built a church about this time also.
The town of Newport was laid out in the year 1799, but is never attained much importance until after 1900. Seven commissioners were appointed to plan the town. They first decided on a place about one and onehalf miles below the present site. This was the place called Fine’s Ferry. Fifty acres were donated by John Gilliland, and the town was laid out. A log court house was built along side of a stone jail. The jail was about twenty feet square and very strongly built. The court house was used until about 1829, when a brick building was built. The jail did service for about ten years longer. A building was then erected out of hewn logs. It had a debtor’s room and a dungeon. The building was torn down during the Civil War, and another one was built of brick. About this time the question was raised as to where the permanent county seat should be. A long legal battle ensued, in which Newport received a favorable decision, and the construction of the building which now stands was begun. A few years previous the temporary court house was burned down, and all the court records up until 1876 were destroyed.
In 1830 the inhabitants of old Newport numbered 150, and the town consisted of two score and five shops.
On December 24, 1876, the Cincinnati, Cumberland, and Charleston Railroad was completed to Newport. Upon the completion of the railroad the town began building rapidly. In 1880 the population was 347, and in 1890 the population was 1,000. The depot was built on the land of Tom and Dave Gorman.
Some time about 1820 a county academy was opened. It was known as Anderson Academy. It was first located about two miles from town, but was later moved to town. In 1885, the Newport Academy was opened under the professorship of W. R. Maynard. In 1885 a Baptist School was opened under the care of N. E. W. Stokely.
The second largest and oldest town was founded on the farm of Jacob Parrott. It was named Parrottsville and the first store was opened by W. C. Roadman.
In 1870 Big Creek was founded on the land of Jesse and Jefferson Burnett. It is still a small lumber settlement.
The first newspaper was published at Big Creek by J. L. Bible. In September of the following year he moved to Parrottsville and edited “The Reporter.” In 1880 he moved to Newport where he continued his paper until 1887. The next paper was “The Eastern Sentinel” printed in Newport by A. J. Thomas. “The Newport Ledger” was edited in 18 86. Since 1900, the “Newport Times,” “Newport Plain Talk,” and “Newport Herald” have printed the news of Cocke County.
During the Civil War, Cocke County was a very much disturbed place as the people were almost evenly divided as to whom they should support. A general election was held, and 518 votes were cast for secession and 1185 were cast for remaining in the Union. Many soldiers were furnished both sides. Entire companies were sent to the army. Company D commanded by T. H. Reeve; Company E, commanded by Lem Bible; Company I of the 62nds Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Captain William Smith; all made up strictly of Cocke Countians under the command of Captain A. L. Mims. This company remained in Tennessee until 1863. It then joined General Forrest and took part in the battle of Chickamauga after which it served with General Wheeler until the end of the war.
During the World War, Cocke County did its part in upholding the principles for which its founders fought. Over 700 men were furnished the army to fight for freedom. An entire company of Cocke Countians was sent to the war. It was under the command of Captain Gaffney, who was killed in France. Many of the “Boys” did not return. They gave their all for Cocke County and civilization.
In the future, as in the past and at the present, Cocke County will continue to make history. The people are of the stock of pure Anglo-Saxon blood, and therefore what can be expected of them but the best?
Carey Dennis
Class of ‘24
In 1924, each graduate received a title under his/her name, and, not surprisingly, Carey Dennis was dubbed “The Versatile Senior.”
A check throughout the book reveals he was involved in numerous clubs and activities, received several honors, and was voted “Best All Around” by his classmates.
He served as financial advisor for the annual staff, ranked in “Who’s Who” as “Most Industrious” and “Longest Winded,” appeared May 9, 1924 in the senior play “Out of Court” as Gilbert Capell, played baseball, managed the football team, served as president of the Athletic Council, and was a member of the Varsity Club, Tennis Club, Boys Literary Society, and Boys Glee Club.
In her Class Prophecy, Kate McSween predicted, “Carey Dennis [will be] a noted architect. He has charge of the work being done on an addition to the Capitol building in Washington, D. C. His name is known far and wide.”
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 5 Oct 2013.
‘As It Was Give To Me’: After graduating from Central High, what happened to Carey Dennis?
Duay O’Neil
Carey Dennis was a member of the Central High School baseball team during his high school days. He and his teammates gathered on the school steps for this photo. Front row, from left, are Waldo Remine, Herbert ‘Cubie’ Stokely, unidenti? ed, Oscar Clark, Larmie Bryant, Fred Holt, Lloyd Boley, unidenti? ed, Caster Templin. Back row, from left, are left are Lacy Barnes, John F. Stanbery, Lonas Williams, Earl Gray, Hubert Balch, Hershel Smith, Drew Mims, unidenti? ed, Carey Dennis, and Coach A. L. Davis.
This fascinating picture appears to have been taken during World War I, as evidenced by the lower right sign that reads, partially, “AGE 16///AND SERVE///GOOD///U.S.A.///RECRUITING STA///. Other references appear to be Merchants & Planters Bank (upper left) and John C. Holder & Co. (lower left.) The young man is Carey Dennis.
Taken in 1913, this photo shows Carey Dennis standing between his parents Susie (Shults) Dennis (1881-1958) and Joel Dennis (1880-1931). The other children are his sisters, Ruby (1907-1968) and Pauline (1910—2001).
Last week’s column featured Carey Dennis, a member of the Central High School 1924 graduating class and the history of Cocke County this young man wrote. For a senior in high school, Dennis’s grasp of our county’s history was quite good, and I’ll always wonder what sources he used. At the time, several older men and women were still around who could have given him firsthand accounts of life in Cocke County well before the Civil War. Early in the week, Mary Ann Clark dropped by with more information about Mr. Dennis, who was her uncle. She also shared some wonderful photographs of him, his family, and some of his baseball buddies which I’m sure you’ll find interesting, and she even brought the page out of the family Bible listing all the births and deaths of the Dennis family.
Carey Dennis was a son of Joel L. Dennis (born November 26, 1880) and his wife, the former Susie Shults (born April 22, 1881).
The Dennises were from the Jones Cove area of neighboring Sevier County, while this branch of the Shultses lived in Rocky Flats, also in Sevier County. Mary Ann isn’t sure when her grandparents moved to Newport, but she said both her grandfather and his brother Joshua Dennis did carpentry work.
Joel and Susie (Shults) Dennis were the parents of the following children:
Carey, who was born August 8, 1901 and the subject of today’s column.
Kenneth, who was born December 2, 1905 and died September 1, 1909.
Ruby, who was born May 2, 1907, and married Frank Teague.
Pauline, who was born November 23, 1910, and married Joseph McAndrew.
Bertha, who was born November 20, 1914, and married Frank Sellers.
Evelyn, who was born August 20, 1918, and married 1) Charles Hartsell 2) Harrison Fortenberry.
Mary Louise, who was born April 3, 1921, and married Charles Masters.
Among the building projects on which Joel Dennis worked were Mimosa Manor and the Rhea- Mims Hotel. In 1931, he died of injuries suffered in a fall while working at the Tannery.
By this time, Carey, his oldest child, had graduated from high school with, as we say today, “with honors.” His status as salutatorian speaks well of his academic abilities, and his picture appears many other times in all sorts of settings: academic, sports, clubs, and social.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 11 Oct 2013.
As It Was Give To Me: Bringing shame on the first grade
The ? rst part of today’s column and accompanying pictures were left over from last Sunday’s edition.
Like his father, Carey was also very gifted in woodworking and carpentry.
During World War II, he served his country, primarily in North Africa and distinguished himself once again. According to Lady Ruth O’Dell, he ultimately achieved the rank of major.
Carey married Flora Lee Hodge of Knoxville, and they had one daughter, Nancy, who married Jack Love. Nancy retired as an English teacher at Jefferson County High School. She and Mr. Love had one daughter, Jean, a very good tennis player and instructor at Carson-Newman.
Carey and Flora Lee settled in Knoxville’s Fountain City area, where he followed in his father’s footsteps as a carpenter and building.
Carey died in May of 1980.
Thank you, again, Mary Ann, for your help in putting together this picture of Carey Dennis, indeed a talented young man who helped record Cocke County’s history.
- [S112] Census, 1910.
Name: Kerry Dennis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Sevierville, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
District: 139
Gender: Female
Age: 8
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 13A
Household ID: 106
Line Number:
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M1283
GS Film number: 1375531
Digital Folder Number: 004449631
Image Number: 00176
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Joel L Dennis M 29 Tennessee
Wife Susie Dennis F 29 Tennessee
Daughter Kerry Dennis F 8 Tennessee
Daughter Ruby Dennis F 3 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1920.
Name: Curry T Dennis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1920
Event Place: Newport, Cocke, Tennessee, United States
District: 49
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Own or Rent:
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 14A
Household ID: 291
Line Number: 29
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T625
GS Film number: 1821733
Digital Folder Number: 004390325
Image Number: 00295
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Joel L Dennis M 39 Tennessee
Wife Susie A Dennis F 38 Tennessee
Son Curry T Dennis M 18 Tennessee
Daughter Rubbie J Dennis F 12 Tennessee
Daughter Ina P Dennis F 9 Tennessee
Daughter Bertha R Dennis F 5 Tennessee
Daughter Evelee Dennis F 1 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Cary Dennis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, United States
District: 0064
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 2B
Household ID: 35
Line Number: 61
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T626
Affiliate Film Number: 2259
GS Film number: 2341993
Digital Folder Number: 004548173
Image Number: 00585
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Joel L Dennis M 49 Tennessee
Wife Susie A Dennis F 48 Tennessee
Son Cary Dennis M 28 Tennessee
Daughter Pauline I Dennis F 19 Tennessee
Daughter Bertha R Dennis F 17 Tennessee
Daughter Evelyn J Dennis F 11 Tennessee
Daughter Mary L Dennis F 7 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1940.
Name: Carey Dennis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 16, Knoxville, Civil District 2, Knox, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Marital Status: Married
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birthplace: Tennessee
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Last Place of Residence: Morristown, Hamblen, Tennessee
District: 97-77
Family Number: 204
Sheet Number and Letter: 9B
Line Number: 50
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 3958
Digital Folder Number: 005461330
Image Number: 00285
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Carey Dennis M 38 Tennessee
Wife Flora Lee Dennis F 29 Tennessee
Daughter Nancy Dennis F 5 Tennessee
Brother-in-law Floyd E Sellers M 27 Tennessee
Sister Bertha Sellers F 25 Tennessee
Niece Joann Sellers F 6 Tennessee
Nephew Bobbie Sellers M 3 Tennessee
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 413-09-9292.
Issued in Tennessee, residing in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee
- [S87] Death Certificate.
Name Date of Death / Age County of Death County / State of Residence Marital Status Gender Race File #
DENNIS CAREY 05-23-1980 / 78 KNOX KNOX / TN MARRIED M WHITE 15405
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 19636674).
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