Shelby County Tn - History - The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887
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Part 2
First Cavalry, Company F, of this regiment, was from Shelby County. This
company was commanded by Capt. M. V. Gray. It was organized into a battalion
commanded by Maj. H. C. King in April, 1862. Later it helped to form a
regiment, the officers of which were Thomas Claiborn, colonel; James Pell,
lieutenant-colonel; M. J. Wick, major; H. C. Bate, adjutant. The operations of
this regiment were confined mainly to Tennessee and Kentucky.
The nucleus of the Seventh Cavalry was Logwood’s battalion, which was composed
of the Memphis Light Dragoons, T. H. Logwood, captain; Shelby Light Dragoons,
captain, J. G. Ballentine; Tennessee Mounted Rifles, captain, Joe White. This
battalion was organized in the fall of 1861, with T. H. Logwood, lieutenant-
colonel; C. H. Hill, major; J. W. Somerville, adjutant. This body of men
operated in Kentucky and near the State line for some time. On June 10, 1862,
this was formed into a regiment, with the following regimental officers: W. H.
Jackson, colonel; J. G. Stock, lieutenant-colonel; W. L. Duckworth, major. The
following companies were also added: From Shelby County—Company K, W. F. Taylor,
captain; J. W. Sneed, first lieutenant; H. W. Watkins, second lieutenant.
Company C, S. P. Bassett, captain; J. T. Lawler, first lieutenant; John
Albrecht, second lieutenant. A company (partly from Tipton County), J. A.
Anderson, captain; Alex. Duckworth, first lieutenant; John Trent, second
lieutenant. The regiment was engaged at Bolivar and again at Medon in August;
at Britton’s Lane, near Denmark, in September; then at Corinth. On October 4 it
assisted in cutting Grant’s base at Holly Springs, and destroying $5,000,000
worth of stores. It was with Van Dorn in a raid to Bolivar, and then returned
to Grenada. It was engaged with Loring and Tilghman at Yazoo. Col. Jackson was
made a brigadier-general, and J. C. Stock became colonel, and W. L. Duckworth
lieutenant-colonel. Company A, under Capt. W. F. Taylor, became escort to Gen.
W. H. Jackson, and Company B, under J. B. Russell, became escort to Gen. Loring.
J. B. Lawler became captain of Company C, on the death of Capt. Bassett at
Medon. Companies were stationed at different parts of the country. Col. Stock
resigned, and W. L. Duckworth became colonel. In a dash upon Collierville,
October 11, the regiment came near capturing Gen. Sherman. His horse, sword and
a part of his staff were captured. The regiment then retired to Holly Springs.
The Seventh assisted in the defeat of Smith and Grierson in their raid into
Mississippi. At a new organization W. L. Duckworth was retained as colonel; W.
F. Taylor was made lieutenant-colonel; C. C. Clay, major, and W. S. Pope,
adjutant. In March, 1864, the Seventh assisted in the capture of Union City,
with 700 prisoners, without loss. In the summer of 1864 it assisted in the
defeat of Gen. Sturgis at Guntown, Miss., and in the fall joined in the raid
through West Tennessee, through Paris and to Johnsonville, where fifteen boats
and twenty-one barges were destroyed, the whole amounting to $3,000,000. This
was a preliminary step to Hood’s raid into Tennessee. The Seventh passed by way
of Henryville, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, Spring Hill and to Franklin November 30,
and on to Nashville, where the regiment occupied a position on the Charlotte
Pike, within two miles of Nashville, where it was engaged December 15 and 16.
When the army had reached Tupelo the men were allowed a furlough, but
reassembled again at West Point, Miss., whence they were taken to Selma, where
they were opposed by Gen. Wilson, to whom they surrendered at Gainesville, Ala.,
in April, 1865. The regiment lost in killed and wounded 207 men.
Forrest’s old regiment was organized at Memphis in October, 1861. N. B. Forrest
was elected lieutenant-colonel, D. C. Kelley, major, and C. A. Schafer,
adjutant. This regiment was made up from both Mississippi and Tennessee.
Company C, containing ninety men, was from Memphis, of which company T. H. May
was chosen captain. The regiment originally contained eight companies, and
followed the various fortunes of its indomitable leader. It won its first
laurels in its escape from Donelson, and was connected with every success of its
leader, including the capture of Murfreesboro, with the capture of Col. Streight
and the capture of Johnsonville. Before the close of the war the commissioned
officers of the companies and the regiment were largely from Memphis and Shelby
County.
Bankhead’s battery, a body of men 100 in number, was raised by S. P. Bankhead
and W. T. C. Humes. It was organized in April, 1861, at Memphis. The
commissioned officers of the company were S. P. Bankhead, captain; W. T. C.
Humes, first lieutenant; J. C. McDavitt, W. L. Scott and W. B. Greenlaw, second
lieutenants. They first saw service at Fort Pillow, in the heavy artillery
service, but returned to Memphis in the summer, and were organized as light
artillery, having four guns. They were at New Madrid, Columbus, Island No. 10
and at Shiloh, where the battery lost twenty men. On May 14, 1862, the battery
was reorganized, and later Capt. Bankhead was made brigadier-general of
artillery and W. L. Scott was made commander of the battery. Henceforth it was
known as Scott’s battery. The battery fought at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and
Missionary Ridge. At the latter place the battery was nearly annihilated. The
guns were lost and nearly all the men were killed. There being so few left, the
men were attached to Marshall’s battery, where they served to the close of the
war. A portion of Jackson’s battery, also some of Carnes’ battery, were from
Memphis, but it is believed no regularly organized body joined either. Company
A, and Company H, from Memphis, joined a regiment composed of Tennesseans,
Alabamians and Mississippians. The officers of Company A were Joe Barbiere,
captain; T. J. Brooks, first lieutenant, and T. J. Spain, second lieutenant.
The officers of Company H were J. R. Farabee, captain; G. F. Pillow, first
lieutenant. The regiment was organized February 26, 1862. After the capture of
Island No. 10 the companies were assigned to some of the older regiments.
Shelby County furnished at least fifty-three full companies; these with the
recruits would doubtless aggregate 6,000 men. The voting population in 1860 was
only about 6,000.
The evacuation of Forts Pillow and Randolph in June, 1862, left the river open
for the advance of the Federals. The concentration of all the Confederate
forces at Corinth stripped the country of men. Brig-Gen. Villepigue was then
commander of the forces about Memphis and Col. Thos. H. Rosser of the post. The
Federal fleet arrived above the city on Thursday night, June 5, and at 9 o’clock
anchored within about one mile and a half of the place. It consisted of the
rams Queen, Monarch, Lancaster and Switzerland all under command of Col. Charles
Ellet. The gunboats were the Benton, Commodore Davis’ flag-ship, St. Louis,
Mound City, Louisville, Cairo and Carondolet, all under Commodore C. H. Davis.
The Confederate consisted of the Gen. Van Dorn, Gen. Price, Gen. Bragg, Gen.
Lovell, Gen. Beauregard, Jeff Thompson, Sumpter and Little Rebel, all under
command of Commodore Ed. Montgomery. By direction from Richmond M. Jeff
Thompson, who witnessed the battle, was made general commander with Montgomery.
Before the engagement began Commodore Montgomery made the Little Rebel his flag-
ship instead of the Van Dorn owing to a large amount of stores on board that
vessel. Thompson says he held a consultation with Montgomery as to the defense
to be made. Two companies of soldiers were asked for to help man the boats but
before they could be brought from the depot, the battle had begun. According to
his statement the action commenced much sooner than was expected. Col. Ellet
says he was not expecting to encounter a Confederate fleet at all, as it was
understood that it had retreated, and that the action was a surprise to him. By
the official report of both Col. Ellet and Commodore Davis, the battle began at
5:30 A.M. and ended at 7 A.M., lasting one hour and a half. The battle was
opened by Commodore Montgomery, who advanced to meet the enemy as far as Wolf
River. After some wild firing the Queen and Monarch advanced boldly. The Queen
aimed a blow at the Beauregard but missed her mark and was herself struck by the
Beauregard and so damaged that she ran ashore on the Arkansas side. Col. Ellet
who commanded the river fleet, was on board the Queen as his flag-ship, and was
himself wounded in the leg by a pistol shot, the only casualty on the Federal
side. The Beauregard and Price made for the Monarch, but a blow by the
Beauregard at the Monarch missed its aim and tore off the wheel-house of the
Price, which drifted and sank on the Arkansas shore. The Little Rebel struck
the Monarch but did no damage and in turn the Monarch struck the Beauregard and
crowded her on her side. The Federal gunboats were now closing in and a shot
from one penetrated the boiler of the Beauregard which sand opposite Fort
Pickering. A Federal tug rescued the crew. The Gen. Lovell was penetrated
early in the action and she careened and sank in deep water. Captain Cabell was
killed by a sharpshooter, but Capt. Delacy and most of the crew swam ashore and
escaped. The boiler of the Little Rebel was exploded by a shot, but she drifted
ashore and most of the crew escaped. The Sumpter was captured in a damaged
condition. The Jeff Thompsn was fired by a shell and burned to the water’s
edge, when her magazine exploded with terrific force. The other vessels
attempted to make their escape, but were pursued and all captured except the Van
Dorn. The vessels returned from the pursuit at 10 o’clock. According to
Commodore Davis, the Federal loss was, Col. Ellet wounded, and the ram, Queen or
Queen of the West disabled. He also reported four prisoners captured, and about
100 killed and wounded of the Confederates and seven vessels. M. Jeff Thompson
in his report to Beauregard, thinks the battle was ill-advised, that the boats
were poorly handled and that the result was unavoidable under the circumstances.
He speaks further of the work of the Federal sharpshooters as being particularly
fatal. At 10 o’clock Commodore C. H. Davis sent Medical Cadet Chas. R. Ellet,
son of Col. Ellet, Lieut. Crandell of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, and ten boatmen
bearing a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of the city to the authority of
the United States, to which Mayor John Park replied: “By the force of
circumstances the city is in your hands.” The Federal officers and men then
proceeded to place a flag upon the courthouse, also one upon the custom house.
They were met by the mayor and leading citizens with their characteristic
courtesy, but they were surrounded by a hooting and howling mass who showed
their contempt for the invaders not only by hurling invectives but shots and
other missiles. In a short time Col. Fitch, with detachments of the Forty-third
and Forty-sixth Indiana Regiments landed, and at 3 o’clock P.M. the mayor met
him and arranged for the government of the city. Order was issued for business,
except saloons, to proceed, and for citizens to return to their homes. Capt.
John H. Gould was appointed provost-marshal. The majority of the leading
citizens, officers, bankers, etc., left the city and went south. The Federal
commander issued rigid orders to the citizens; he also ordered any soldiers
pilfering or straggling from ranks to be shot.
A singular feature of the battle was that it was witnessed by almost the entire
population of the city, at that time estimated at 5,000. There was more or less
friction between the civil and military authorities till July 2, 1864, when
martial law was declared. On May 11, 1866, a conflict occurred between the
police, citizens and the negro soldiery stationed at the forts. Bad feeling was
existing between the police and soldiers, some of whom were of a very
disreputable class, and Gen. Stoneman says some of the police were not of the
best. The soldiers were used to execute the orders of the Government agents,
marshals, etc., and were frequently brought in conflict with the police. A
deadly feud grew up, which was encouraged by agitators and demagogues. A reign
of terror existed from the 1st to the 3d of May, which was only suppressed by
Gen. Wallace and the leading citizens. About twenty-four negroes were killed,
and property estimated at $120,000 was destroyed. These disturbances have long
since passed away.
In Elmwood Cemetery is set apart a portion for the repose of the Confederate
dead. In this are buried 117, who were residents of Memphis and vicinity.
Besides these there are nearly 1,000 from Arkansas and other States. There is
now in course of erection a monument, whose towering shaft is to perpetuate the
memory of the fallen.
The National Cemetery was established in 1867. The land was selected and
purchased by Rev. W. B. Earnshaw, Lieut.-Col. A. W. Willis and Maj. G. W.
Marshall. It was first called the Mississippi River National Cemetery, but has
since been named the Memphis National Cemetery. There was purchased forty-four
acres of ground for which there was paid $9,817.56. A space about 800x1,800
feet, about thirty-seven acres, is enclosed by a brick wall; the remaining seven
acres are enclosed by a wooden fence. In the main enclosure are buried the
remains of the soldiers. This enclosure also contains the house of the
superintendent and such other buildings as are necessary. Sections are set
apart for the regular army, the navy, and each of the States whose soldiers are
buried there. There is also the “Fort Pillow Section,” containing 248 dead.
The cemetery contains the remains of all who died from Kentucky to Mississippi,
including both sides of the river. It is the fourth cemetery in size in the
United States. The order and size are as follows: Vicksburg, 16,588; Nashville,
16,538; Arlington, 16,260, and Memphis, 13,932. In 1874 there had been expended
upon the cemetery $249,556.66. It is beautifully shaded and has nice drive
ways. Capt. Hess is the present superintendent.
But little, if anything, was done for public education in Shelby County before
1870. During this year, in accordance with the code of Tennessee, and an act of
the Legislature, passed July 7, 1870, the scholastic population of the county
was enumerated in part, but as the school records are incomplete a full history
of the schools is unattainable. So far as those records show, the school
population was as follows: In the First Civil District, white 424, colored 296;
in the Sixth District, white 415, colored 422; in the Seventh, white 293,
colored 508; in the Ninth, white 432, colored 420; in the Thirteenth, white 126,
colored 388; in the Seventeenth, white 53, colored 49. This enumeration
included the youth between six and twenty-one years of age. In 1871 the
enumeration was continued and based upon the ages from six to eighteen. In the
Third District, white 165, colored 235; Tenth, white 401, colored 340; Twelfth,
white 159, colored 246. In the Ninth District 513 attended school and in the
Tenth 351, 268 white children and 83 colored. In 1872 the following additional
districts made reports: the Second, white 207, colored 251; Fifth, white 236,
colored 82; Eighth, white 204, colored 218; Sixteenth, white 128, colored 270.
In 1873 the Fifteenth District reported white children 305, colored 125.
During the succeeding years the work of organizing the schools went slowly
forward, and even of what was done reports are meager. Turning backward and
going over the same ground, January 14, 1871, the school commissioners made a
report to the effect that they had found some difficulty in carrying out the
provisions of the law on account of the general apathy of parents and guardians
with regard to the schools and the want of suitable buildings for schoolhouses.
They had, however, succeeded in organizing one school which would commence
operations January 16, 1871, and another was in process of organization. In the
Fourteenth District, school commissioners were elected February 20, 1871, and in
the Eleventh and Twelfth on the 25th of March. On the 1st of the following July
the school commissioners of the Seventeenth District reported that they had
received from the county trustee $554.20, and that the second school had been
organized, that school had been in session five months, that seventy-three
scholars had been in attendance and that the amount paid out for school purposes
had been $501 and for furniture, $21.70. On October 12, 1871, the total amount
of funds in the Fourth District was reported to be $480.17, and that Mrs.
Hamilton had received $152.85 and Mrs. Amelia Templeton, $100. In the Second
District the commissioners reported for the year ending June 30, 1872, having
received from the county trustee $566.25, and having paid out for instruction
$432, for house rent $6, for two loads of wood 75 cents and for a water bucket
50 cents, and in the Sixteenth District for the same year the commissioners
reported that school had been taught four months for the white children, with an
average attendance of forty-three, for which $314.16 had been paid, but that
there had been no free school for the colored children for want of a house in
which to hold it.
These facts and figures are given merely as illustrative of the work attempted
during the early years of the school’s existence. The superintendents paid
praiseworthy attention to the duties of their office, and the people generally,
not having seen the advantages free public schools confer upon a community,
could not appreciate those advantages. Previous to 1882 some of the county
superintendents were a Mr. Tyler, George Fleece, Judge G. P. Foote, C. H. Stein
and Dr. W. L. Henderson. In 1882 Mrs. W. H. Horton was elected by the county
court and since then the schools have made steady and commendable progress.
During the first year of her incumbency she held three teachers’ institutes;
during 1883, four; during 1884, five; during 1885, five, and during 1886, five.
The West Tennessee Institute was held in Collierville in June, 1886, by the
State superintendent of common schools. There were in attendance about eighty-
five teachers, fifty of them from Shelby County. There were present four
instructors of the teachers, Prof. Frank Smith, Prof. A. B. Bourland and Mrs.
Horton.
The progress of the schools of the county have made is shown by the following
statistics from the report of Mrs. Horton for the year ending June 30, 1886. At
the beginning of the year there was on hand $12,769.60; there was received from
the State during the year $7,660.91; from the county, $55,381.77; total school
fund for the year, $75,812.29. The scholastic population was, white males,
7,591; white females, 6,781; total white children, 14,378; colored males, 9,813;
colored females, 9,777; total colored children, 19,590; a grand total of 33,968.
The number of schools in the county was for white children 69, for colored
children 79, total number of schools, 148; the number of schoolhouses was 148,
one stone and 147 frame; 7 frame schoolhouses were erected during the year. The
number of white male teachers employed during the year was 17; white females,
58; colored males, 59, and colored females, 20; a total number of 154 teachers.
There are 19 school districts in the county and 12 graded schools. The number
of pupils enrolled during the year was 10,556, of which the white males numbered
1,829; white females, 1,778; colored males, 3,270; colored females, 3,679. The
average daily attendance was, white children, 4,166; colored, 6,338; total,
10,504. The average number of days taught during the year was 120, and the
average compensation was $35 per month. The schoolhouses are valued at
$37,517.50, and the apparatus at $1,640; total value of school property
$39,157.50. At the election held January 3, 1887, Dr. W. L. Henderson was
chosen to succeed Mrs. Horton.
Great interest attaches to the public schools of Memphis. Generally they have
been ably managed, and they have attained a high degree of efficiency. But it
would be very difficult without great effort in the way of investigation to
accurately apportion to those responsible for their establishment the credit due
to each. It is believed, however, that J. W. A. Pettit was the first to urge
upon the Board of Alderman of Memphis to establish a system of free schools for
the city. This was early in 1848, and in accordance with his advice the members
of the board had schools opened each in his respective ward. Col. Pettit, as
alderman, opened the first school at the northeast corner of Third and Overton
Streets, in the house of Mrs. Moore, whom he employed as teacher. Subsequently
he opened a second school, the teacher of which was Mr. Walker, near the corner
of Main and Overton Streets. Subsequently it was moved to the Methodist Church,
east of Center Alley and south of Concord Street. Later schools were opened in
the Second and the Third Wards. On the 1st of April, 1848, a resolution was
adopted by the Board of Alderman that an assistant teacher be employed by the
alderman of the First Ward for the school in that ward, “provided the
compensation of such assistant shall not on any account exceed one-half allowed
the teacher ($30 per month) now employed, and that said assistant shall at any
time be discontinued by the board with no compensation except for the time he or
she may have been employed as such assistant.” On the 13th of May, 1848, a
committee was appointed to examine into the progress of the Third Ward school,
and on the 20th J. Wright and Col. Pettit offered separate reports in relation
to the adoption of a system of free schools. A resolution was offered on June 3
to reinstate Thomas J. Pearson as teacher of the Third Ward school, to which an
amendment was offered to discontinue the whole of the ward schools, both
amendment and original resolution being voted down, showing that there was some
dissatisfaction with the working of the free school system. But it had too many
friends to permit of its overthrow, and on the 19th of June, 1848, an ordinance
was introduced and passed concerning the free school system. This ordinance
consisted of selections from two ordinances previously proposed but not passed,
one of them having been introduced by Major G. B. Locke, the other by Mr.
McGeveney. From Mr. McGeveney’s proposed bill were selected Sections 1, 2, 8
and 9, and from Mayor Locke’s, Section 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Section 1 of the
ordinance as adopted divided the city into school districts; Section 2 provided
that the school tax should be one-eighth of the city revenue as provided by the
charter, and that the schools were to be equally free to all white children
between the ages of six and sixteen; Section 3 said that all that part of the
city north of Poplar Street should be the First District, and all that part of
the city south of Poplar Street should be the Second District; Section 4, that
the Board of Education, then called the Board of Managers, should consist of the
mayor, two aldermen and two citizens, one from each school district; Section 5,
that there should be two school houses in each district, and Section 7 required
the Board of Managers to report to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. On the 1st
of July the Board of Managers was increased by two members, and a superintendent
of schools provided for. Col. J. W. A. Pettit was elected to this position, and
was the first superintendent of schools of Memphis. On the 18th of this month
the duties of the superintendent were prescribed, and the responsibility for the
success of the schools was laid upon his shoulders. Supt. Pettit opened schools
on Market, Poplar, Adams, Court, Madison, Gayoso, Main, Hernando and Third
Streets, and Brown Avenue. Among the early teachers besides those mentioned
above were Misses Cochren, Cook, Root, Pettit, Gayle, Creighton, Porter and
Davis, Mesdames Margaret Doyle, Creighton, Sappington, Erwin, Barnett and
Jenkins, and Messrs. Davis, Creighton, Kilpatrick, B. R. Trezevant, Carroll,
Bell and Ring. The progress of the schools under the Board of Managers,
constituted as already recited, not being satisfactory a change was proposed by
Mr. Barry in the following ordinance: “Be it ordained by the mayor and Board of
Aldermen of the city of Memphis that hereafter the Board of Mayor and Aldermen
be the sole board for conducting and controlling the public schools of the city,
and that the present Board of Managers be discontinued,” which was passed on the
same day. The old Board of Managers had found it necessary to act irregularly
and had not reported the irregular action to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at
their first meeting after such irregular action had been taken. Dr. Fowlkes on
the 21st of October proposed an ordinance, which was passed, providing for the
establishment of a high school as nearly as practicable in the geographical
center of the city in the Third Ward.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution on the 1st of August, 1850,
in which they approved of having a general superintendent for the schools, and
fixed his salary at $600 per year. At the same time they appointed J. W. A.
Pettit superintendent, “subject to removal at any time.” Up to this time Col.
Pettit had served without pay. According to his annual report for the school
year ending June, 1851, the number of schools had increased to twelve, with 580
pupils, the cost for the year being $4,891.50. Had Col. Pettit’s advice with
reference to the purchase of lots for schoolhouses been followed, thousands of
dollars would have been saved to Memphis in the expense of her schools. He
remained superintendent of the schools until June, 1852, when he removed to
Germantown, where he died August 24, 1863. Col. Pettit has been called the
“father of the Memphis public schools.”
The next superintendent after Col. Pettit was Dr. Ebbert, for the year ending
June, 1853; then J. F Pearle, for the year ending June, 1854, and for the year
ending June, 1855, Mr. Tarbox, and S. H. Tobey after Mr. Tarbox went to
Nashville. Mr. Tobey was succeeded by Dr. A. P. Merrill, who served two years,
until June, 1857. During his first year, on May 4, 1856, the city schools were
incorporated by an act of the Legislature. Previous to this incorporation some
of the principal teachers otherwise than as named were the following: Miss
Black, now Mrs. Boyd, of Memphis; Miss Mary E. Woods, now Mrs. C. A. Richardson,
of Memphis; Miss Wood, now Mrs. George W. Fisher, of Memphis; Miss Emily
Bowdoin, now Mrs. E. B. Armour, of Memphis; Miss Fannie Gayle, now Mrs. Jobe, of
Memphis; Miss Florida Pettit, now Mrs. Dr. Thompson, of Germantown, and Mrs.
Henrietta Hampton, who commenced teaching in October, 1852, has been so engaged
ever since, and is still a valuable teacher in the schools.
By the act of incorporation referred to above, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen
was required to appoint a suitable person from each ward of the city and one for
the city at large as visitors of the city schools. This board of visitors was
given power to choose one of their own number president, to employ and dismiss
superintendents, teachers, etc., to fix salaries, rent school-rooms, buy
furniture, and to have full control of the schools. No one was to be admitted
as a pupil except white persons residing within the city limits, and between the
ages of six and twenty, except upon payment of tuition, and the board was
authorized to prescribe higher branches of study than those usually taught in
the city schools, charging therefor a suitable tuition fee if the ordinary
school revenue was not ample to pay the extra expense attending the introduction
of these higher branches. The first board of visitors under this act was
composed of Dr. L. Shanks, Dr. J. W. Maddox, J. B. Kirtland, Leroy Pope, H. L.
Guion and Robertson Topp for the wards, and Dr. A. P. Merrill at large. A new
act of incorporation was passed March 20, 1858. During the war the schools were
conducted without much interruption, but it was very difficult for the city to
pay expenses, these expenses being from necessity paid in scrip. On the 5th of
July, 1864, the following resolution was passed by the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen: “That the warrants issued by the School Board shall be received and
cashed as all other city warrants;” and in this way the schools were maintained.
In the scholastic year of 1861-62 there were seventeen schools, with 1,495
pupils; in that of 1864-65 there were twenty-seven schools, with 2,419 scholars.
In 1865 the superintendent said in his report that without suitable buildings,
with an empty treasury, and with all the excitement and feeling aroused by civil
war, the schools had been successfully conducted through the storm. The tuition
of each pupil in daily attendance upon the schools had been $4.30, and the total
cost of conducting the schools for that year had been $45,473.88.
The following table comprises more information with reference to the schools of
the city than can otherwise be presented in the same space, and corrected as it
is by the preceding sketch it will prove especially valuable: 1852-53
Superintendent Dr. Ebbert; 1853-54 President A. P. Merrill, Superintndent J. F.
Pearle; 1854-55 President A. P. Merrill, Superintendent Tarbox & Tobey; 1855-56
Superintendent A. P. Merrill; 1856-57 President J. H. McMahon, Superintendent A.
P. Merrill; 1857-58 President G. R. Grant, Superintendent Leroy Pope; 1858-59
President T. W. Preston, Superintendent Leroy Pope; 1859-61 President John A.
Nooe, Superintendent Leroy Pope; 1861-62 President G. R. Grant, Superintendent
A. P. Merrill; 1862-63 President James Elder, Superintendent Richard Hines;
1863-65 President S. T. Morgan, Superintendent Richard Hines; 1865-66 President
J. J. Peres, Superintendent W. Z. Mitchell; 1866-67 President H. H. Higbee,
Superintendent W. Z. Mitchell; 1867-68 President H. D. Connell, Superintendent
W. Z. Mitchell; 1868-69 President J. T. Leath, Superintendent W. Z. Mitchell;
1869-70 President Thos. R. Smith, Superintendent J. T. Leath; 1870-71 President
R. B. Maury, Superintendent J. T. Leath; 1871-72 President W. Z. Mitchell,
Superintendent H. C. Slaughter; 1872-73 President Chas Kortrecht, Superintendent
H. C. Slaughter; 1873-75 President Chas. Kortrecht, Superintendent A. Pickett;
1875-76 President R. W. Mitchell, Superintendent A. Pickett; 1876-78 President
W. A. Goodman, Superintendent J. T. Leath; 1878-80 President W. C. Folkes,
Superintendent W. H. Foute; 1880-84 President G. V. Rambaut, Superintendent
Chas. H. Collier; 1884-86 President R. D. Jordan, Superintendent Chas. H.
Collier.
Referring briefly to the colored schools it may be stated that among the first
efforts made with reference to their establishment was in September, 1864, when
a special order was issued that the control and discipline of the educational
interests, school and teachers of the public schools for the colored people of
the city of Memphis, “is hereby entrusted to the municipal government of the
city, and the committee on public schools is hereby constituted a school board
with full power for the efficient management of the same.” Subsequently the
colored schools were incorporated with the white schools, and in 1869 J. T.
Leath, president of the board of education, said he had heard no complaint
because of this joint incorporation. President Leath then expressed himself in
the following language: “Imbued and clothed as our colored friends are with all
the immunities of citizens, they should be qualified by education and moral
training to perform all their duties to society, to their country and to their
Maker.”
Commendable progress has been made in the public schools for colored children.
In March, 1874, the Clay Street schoolhouse was completed. At this time there
were 3,902 colored children of school age in the city, 1,565 of whom were
enrolled. At the close of the school year 1878-79 there were seven schools for
white children and three for colored. In 1882 there were five schools for
colored children, as was also the case in 1885.
The Highbee School is located at the intersection of Beale, Lauderdale and
Jessamine Streets and fronts on each street. It was established in 1875 as the
Presbyterian Grammar and High School, with Miss Jennie M. Higbee, principal.
Miss Higbee had been for ten years principal of the Memphis Female High School,
and it was thought by her friends that her sphere of usefulness would be
enlarged by placing her at the head of this school. In 1879 the name was
changed to “Miss Higbee’s High School,” and in 1882 to “The Higbee School.” The
building in which this school is kept is a three-story brick with seventeen
rooms devoted to study and recitation. The grounds are beautifully shaded with
oaks, elms and magnolias. In addition to the above described a new building has
just been completed. It is an imposing structure and so arranged as to meet all
requirements. It is the result of a conference of Miss Higbee’s friends, who
recognizing the great good she had accomplished in a long series of years by her
unaided efforts, furnished the means for its erection and equipment. Besides
the common branches of an English education, the course of study comprises the
higher English branches, natural sciences, literature, ancient and modern
languages, music, phonography, painting and wood carving. The object of the
principal of this school is expressed in her motto, “Not many things, but much.”
Following are the names of the faculty of this school: Miss Jennie M. Higbee,
principal; Miss Laura Shortt, higher mathematics, Latin and Greek; Miss Helen
Marion Quinche, natural sciences; Mrs. P. E. Phillips, history, mathematics and
languages; Mrs. W. R. Johnson, intermediate classes; Mrs. Mary Shouse, principal
of primary department; Mlle. Marie Jost, French; Prof. Bignon, French; Prof.
Leon Lausberg, German; Miss Martha Tradeau, principal of school of music; Miss
Jonnie Winston Fall, phonography and type writing; Miss Carrie Deslonde Dobyns,
principal of art school, and Miss Aurelia Lane, resident governess. This school
has had over 2,000 students and 193 graduates.
The Clara Conway Institute was founded in September, 1877, “for the purpose of
affording Southern girls the opportunity of acquiring a broad and liberal
education, such as would fit them for independent living for honor and
usefulness.” The school is located at 259 Poplar Street. Since its
establishment it has had in attendance 1,843 pupils. There are in the school
four courses of study: English, literature, classical and special. The
classical course requires eleven years for its completion; the English course,
which includes the classical except the last year, requires ten, and the
literary course requires ten years. The special course is optional. As showing
the limit of study in the classical course the eleventh year’s branches are
given as follows: Trigonometry, Horace, Herodotus, the history of philosophy,
political economy, English literature, the history of art, civil government and
a course of historical reading. One object of education is expression which, as
defined by Miss Conway in her tenth annual catalogue, is as follows: “Every
thought and feeling writes itself upon the plastic body of the little child, and
the face and body at sixty are but the history of the soul, that has either
beautified it or disfigured it. It is this in every woman’s power to be
beautiful in old age.” The school was chartered in May, 1885. The following
are the officers of its board of twenty-one trustees: John K. Speed, president;
T. J. Latham, vice-president; John H. Shepherd, secretary, and T. H. Milburn,
treasurer.
The Le Moyne Institute was established in 1871 through the American Missionary
Association, a Congregational benevolent organization deriving its funds from
individual contributions and from the Congregational Churches of the North. For
some years previous to the establishment of this institution the American
Missionary Association had sustained a number of common schools for colored
youth in Memphis. In 1870 Dr. F. Julius Le Moyne of Washington, Penn., a life-
long earnest and active friend of the colored people, gave $20,000 to be used by
the association in founding an English school for colored youth in Memphis.
After the cost of erecting the necessary buildings had been taken out of this
fund, there remained about $11,000 as an endowment fund and the school was
opened in September, 1871. Since this time the institution has been fostered by
the association, the money necessary to its maintenance, over and above that
received as tuition from the pupils, being furnished by it.
The school is divided into primary, intermediate, grammar and normal grades.
The two latter departments provided thorough instruction in the branches taught
in the public schools of the State. Approved methods of teaching and the proper
management of classes and schools are likewise thoroughly taught. One very
important feature of the work in this school is its department of manual
training. It consists of an experimental kitchen and sewing rooms, in which are
taught household duties. In the wood-working department the boys are duly
taught the use of various kinds of tools, including the turning lathe, etc.
Three years are spent in the primary grade, two in the intermediate, three in
the grammar grade, two in the elementary normal course, at the completion of
which students are presented certificates, and two in the advanced normal grade,
at the end of which they are given diplomas. Thus twelve years are spent in
this institution. The enrollment for the year 1886-87 is as follows: First
primary grade, 72; second primary, 69; intermediate grade, 85; grammar grade,
68; normal department, 151, a total enrollment, 445; names counted twice, 18;
net enrollment, 427. The instructors in this school are as follows: Andrew J.
Steele, principal and professor of natural science; Rev. Benjamin A. Imes,
pastor and instructor in Christian work; Esther A. Barnes, grammar and English
literature; Rebecca M. Green, mathematics and drawing; Ruth E. Stinson,
geography and history; Sarah C. Bateham, grammar grade; Celestia S. Goldsmith,
intermediate grade; Zulu E. Fellon, second primary grade; Fannie A. McCullough,
first primary grade; Margaret A. C. Stewart, vocal and instrumental music;
Minerva A. Kinney, girls’ industrial work and matron of teachers’ home; C. M.
Stevens, boys’ industrial work, and Ella A. Hamilton, missionary and night
school teacher.
In 1864 efforts were made to secure the establishment by the Christian Brothers
of the Christian Brothers’ College in Memphis, and September 21, 1865, a lot was
purchased on Wellington Street between Linden and Vance Streets, by Rev. Thomas
L. Power, O.P., the pastor of St. Peter’s Church; but owing to pressing demands
in other portions of the United States, it was not until after 1871, when the
great Chicago fire destroyed several of their institutions that a few brothers
could be spared to found this college in Memphis. Most Rev. Patrick A. Feehan,
bishop of Nashville, aided by his clergy and parishioners, raised the first
subscription toward paying for the college property and the institution was
formally opened November 19, 1871, since which time its patronage has been very
liberal and its success exceedingly gratifying. Extensive additions and
improvements were completed in 1886 at a cost of more than $20,000.
The object of this institution is to afford the means of acquiring a liberal and
refined education, and the curriculum embraces a preparatory, commercial,
collegiate, literary and scientific course. Of the scientific and literary
courses, the Greek and Latin classics and English literature constitute an
essential part. The junior members are required to devote special attention to
mathematics, logic, literature and the philosophy of history, and the senior
members to political and moral philosophy and the doctrine of ontology.
By its revised charter this institution is authorized to confer the degrees of
A.B. and A.M. and such other degrees as are usually conferred by similar
institutions in the United States. Following are the names of the executive
officers of the institution: Brother Maureham, president; Brother Abban, vice-
president; Brother John of the Cross, secretary, and Brother Nicholas,
treasurer.
St. Agnes Female Seminary was established in 1851 by Father T. L. Grace, and
incorporated in 1852. It was immediately taken in charge by six sisters of the
order of St. Dominic from St. Catharines, Ky. The names of these sisters were
Veronica Ray, who was the first Mother Superior; Magdalen, Frances, Vincent,
Catharine and Vincentia, the latter of whom is the only one now living. The
property, which is on the south side of Vance Street, near Orleans Street, was
purchased by Father Grace, and at the time was known as the “Coe place.” In
addition to the building then standing the sisters have erected others as
required. At first there were but very few students, but the number steadily
increased and it is remarkable that there was no diminution in attendance during
the war, and no cessation of instruction on account thereof. There were then
about 100 students in attendance, which is the present number, although there
are accommodations for 175. In May, 1878, the buildings were destroyed by fire
as also was an excellent and choice library valued at $6,000. New buildings
were erected in 1879 and the library has been to some extent replaced, having
now about 1,500 volumes. Pupils are in attendance from all the adjoining
States, varying in age from six to nineteen. They are taught by eleven teachers
and ten others are engaged in household duties about the institution. The
Mother Superiors have been as follows: Mother Veronica Ray, eleven years; Mother
Ann, three years; Mother Mary Louisa, seven years; Mother Mary Alphonso, one
year (died of yellow fever); Mother Mary Thomas, four years; Mother Mary
Josephine, three years, and again Mother Mary Thomas, commencing in 1885.
The First Presbyterian Church was organized with five members—three females and
two males—June 7, 1828, by W. C. Blair. L. Henderson was chosen ruling elder
and Rev. W. P. Alrich acted as stated supply from December 13, 1829, to February
12, 1830. In the following November Rev. S. M. Williamson became stated supply
and remained until November, 1833. Services were conducted in the log
schoolhouse on Court Square up to 1834, when a lot was presented as a building
site upon which a frame building was erected. Rev. Samuel Hodge became stated
supply in February of this year, remaining only a few months, after which there
was no regular pastor until March, 1837, when the Rev. J. Harrison was
installed, remaining until July, 1843. The Rev. George W. Coons was engaged in
December, 1843, and installed in November, 1844, when the South Memphis Church
was organized. In October, 1852, the Rev. Mr. Coons was succeeded by the Rev.
S. Kay, D.D., of London, who served as stated supply until January, 1854, when
the Rev. J. O. Stedman was elected pastor, remaining until March, 1868, when the
Rev. F. H. Bowman of Virginia came and remained until his death, October 6,
1873, of yellow fever. The church was then without a pastor fourteen months,
when the present pastor, the Rev. Eugene Daniel, was engaged as stated supply
and installed April 18, 1875. The church building erected in 1834 was used
until 1852, when a new one was commenced and completed in 1854. This was used
until destroyed by fire in 1883. The brick church now used was then commenced
and completed in 1885, at a cost of $30,000. The present membership is about
350. The Bible class and the Ladies’ Benevolent Society connected with this
church are the means of accomplishing much good.
The Second Presbyterian Church was organized Friday night, December 26, 1844.
Following are names of the original members: Alexander S. Caldwell and wife,
Martha; Dr. Joseph N. Bybee and wife; T. Pritchett; M. F. Prichett; Misses M.
A., M. C., P. C. and M. L. Patillo; Mrs. Eliza Houston, James D. Goff and wife,
Miss L. C. Boyd and her slave, Scipio; Dr. R. H. Patillo and wife and J. S.
Levett. The first elders were Joseph N. Bybee and R. H. Patillo, and the first
deacons A. S. Caldwell and J. S. Levett. Rev. John H. Gray was unanimously
elected pastor on Monday, the 29th of December, on which day the session was
constituted and Joseph N. Bybee elected its clerk. Seven additional persons
were admitted to membership that morning. The church edifice, standing at the
corner of Maine and Beale Streets, was soon afterward erected, and dedicated
April 2, 1848. The Rev. R. C. Grundy was elected to the pastorate February 22,
1857, and remained until 1861, after which the Rev. J. N. Waddell and Rev. J. H.
Gray were each stated supply for a short time, and in August, 1865, the Rev. T.
D. Witherspoon became pastor, remaining until , when Rev. W. E. Boggs was
chosen and remained until 1879. The pulpit was filled by supplies until
January, 1881, when Rev. J. M. Rose became pastor and remained until 1882, when
he was succeeded by the Rev. J. F. Latimer, who remained two years. In May,
1885, the present pastor, Rev. Dr. Boggs, returned to the church. The
membership is now about 350, and the Sunday-school, of which R. E. Wilcox is
superintendent, has about 220 scholars.
The Third Presbyterian Church, standing at the corner of Seventh and Chelsea
Streets, was organized October 7, 1856, with fourteen members. The Rev. Edward
Porter, having served the church from the time of its organization as stated
supply, was installed pastor October 20, 1860, and on the next day the brick
church which had been in process of erection about eighteen months was dedicated
by the Rev. John H. Rice, D.D. On the 27th of April, 1862, the pastor resigned
and entered the Confederate Army and was succeeded by the Rev. William A.
Sampler, who was installed October 13, 1866. Rev. E. M. Richardson, D.D., the
present pastor, was chosen November 10, 1868, and installed June 13, 1869. The
church is situated in what is known as Chelsea and is a most attractive and
comfortable structure, with a seating capacity of 500. The present membership
is about 150, and both the Sunday-School and ladies’ society are in an energetic
and flourishing condition. The Church meets its obligations promptly, and
liberally contributes to benevolent objects.
The Alabama Street Presbyterian Church was organized in 1868 by a colony of
about thirty from the First Presbyterian Church, who chose the Rev. Dr. J. O.
Stedman, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., and a graduate of Princeton College,
pastor. A temporary church edifice was erected standing at the corner of
Alabama Street and Jones Avenue, the lot upon which it was built having been
donated for that purpose by J. C. Johnson. This, a frame building, cost about
$1,500, and was occupied until the present brick church was completed in 1880 at
a cost of about $9,000. The Rev. Dr. Stedman remained pastor until this year,
when on account of failing health he resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. E.
E. Bigger, who remained about a year and was followed by the Rev. William
Johnson in 1882, who died within a year and was followed by Rev. William
Darnall, who also remained about a year. In July, 1885, the present pastor,
Rev. J. L. Martin, was chosen. The present membership of the church is about
140, and the Sunday-School, of which Carrington Mason, Jr., is superintendent,
has about the same number of scholars.
Lauderdale Street Presbyterian Church was established as a mission on Union
Street during the pastorate in the Second Presbyterian Church of the Rev. T. D.
Witherspoon. A chapel was erected and dedicated by the Rev. John H. Gray, and a
Sunday-school was conducted for some years by members of the Second Presbyterian
Church. The first preacher at this mission was the Rev. Mr. Wykoff, who was
succeeded by Rev. J. F. Latimer, now professor in Union Theological Seminary,
Virginia. In 1874 the church was established by the name of the Union Street
Presbyterian Church was the Rev. A. Shotwell pastor about a year. He was
succeeded by the Rev. John A. Waddell, at present chancellor of the Southwestern
Presbyterian University at Clarksville. Subsequently a lot was purchased at the
corner of Lauderdale and Beale Streets and the present building commenced in
June, 1876, and dedicated in October following when the name was changed to the
Lauderdale Street Church. In 1879, upon the election of Dr. Waddell to his
present position, the Rev. N. M. Long was engaged and in 1881 the Rev. R. A.
Lapsley became the pastor, remaining until 1882. The present pastor, Rev.
Samuel A. Caldwell, was then chosen. In connection with this church is a large
and flourishing Sunday-school of which Judge B. M. Estes is the superintendent.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized August 1, 1840, or a few days
thereafter t a protracted meeting held by the Revs. Samuel Dennis, Reuben
Burrow, D.D., with eighteen members. Rev. Samuel Dennis remained pastor of the
church one year during which time nine more members were admitted. Soon
afterward a lot was purchased for $1,100, and on September 3, 1844, the corner-
stone of the new church was laid with imposing Masonic ceremonies by Memphis
Lodge, No. 91. Rev. Robert Donnell accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate
and began his labors February 9, 1845, remaining until June, that year, and was
followed by Rev. Mr. Dennis who remained until March 16, 1851, and was succeeded
by the Rev. Herschell S. Porter, of Philadelphia, a very able preacher and
author, who died in 1855 of yellow fever. The Rev. A. M. Bryan, D.D., began his
labors in April, 1856, but resigned to return to his former congregation in
Pittsburgh, Penn., in April, 1859; Rev. A. C. Davis, of Lexington, Mo.,
succeeded and remained until his death in 1867. On January 1, 1868, Rev. L. C.
Ransom, of Murfreesboro, entered upon his duties, also remaining until his death
in October, 1874. Rev. G. W. Stainback began his ministry in January, 1875, and
resigned in January, 1879, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. H.
A. Jones, of McMinnville, Tenn.
The church building is a large, two-story brick structure, with Sunday-school
and other rooms in the basement, and auditorium capable of seating 1,200 persons
above. Here is a very large, fine pipe-organ, one of the largest, if not the
largest, in the Southern States. The Sunday-school was organized March 23,
1845, and is in a flourishing condition.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a society in February,
1826, by Rev. T. P. Davidson. The society consisted of three members: Elijah
Coffee, Mr. Dickens and Mrs. Paulina Perkins, who afterward married Dr. Dudley
Dunn. Mr. Coffee withdrew from the Methodists and united with the Primitive
Baptists because the Quarterly Conference would not license him to preach. In
1830 Revs. T. P. Davidson, J. E. Jones and Moses S. Morris were in the circuit
with Thomas Smith, presiding elder. In 1831 Joshua Boucher was presiding elder
with Pleasant B. Robinson and Ashley B. Rozell as circuit riders. In 1832
Memphis was made a station with Rev. Francis A. Owen, preacher, appointed by the
conference in response to the petition of the Methodists residing at Memphis.
Upon his arrival there was but one available male Methodist in Memphis, John
Manning. After preaching at a private house and one Sunday in the upper room of
a store, the dining-room of the old “Blue Ruin Tavern” was chosen for an
auditorium. Becoming tired of having no church home Mr. Owen made an earnest
appeal to the congregation, and especially to the ladies, who are always
foremost in religious work, to build a church edifice. A lot was purchased of
Maj. Winchester, a church building commenced, and the first sermon delivered in
it as yet incomplete on the first Sunday in June, 1832. A revival commenced,
resulting in sixty converts; when the church was organized by Rev. Mr. Owen
there were but eleven, the organization taking the name of Wesley Chapel.
Following is a list of the preachers of this church, together with the year in
which their respective pastorates commenced: Revs. Robert Alexander, 1832; W.
Phillips, 1833; T. P. Davidson, 1834: S. S. Moody, 1835; W. D. F. Sawrie, 1836;
Isaac Heard, 1837; T. C. Cooper, 1838, remaining but a few months, his
appointment being filled out by Rev. Joab Watson; Rev. Samuel Watson, 1839, who
returned a membership of 387; A. T. Scruggs, 1841; S. S. Moody, 1842; Dr.
Thweat, 1843; S. G. Starks, 1844; Wesley Warren, D.D., 1845, in which year a new
church building was completed; M. J. Blackwell, 1847; S. J. Henderson, 1848;
James L. Chapman, 1850; W. C. Robb, 1852; J. W. Knott, 1853; Thomas A. Ware,
1855; James E. Temple, 1856; J. T. C. Collins, 1857, during which year 150
joined the church; A. H. Thomas, 1858; W. T. Harris, 1860. Rev. Mr. Harris
entered the Southern Army and was followed by Rev. Samuel Watson, and he in 1862
by Rev. J. W. Knott, “who, considering that the city was filled with Yankee
soldiers, did about as well as could be expected;” D. J. Allen, 1863. But he
had no sooner commenced his work than the Methodist Episcopal Church, by order
of the Secretary of War, occupied the building through chaplains, and after a
short time the Rev. Mr. McMullen, of Indiana, was selected to be the permanent
pastor of the church; finding, however, that the members were disinclined to
attend, Mr. McMullen retired. After the Methodist Episcopal Church gave up the
building, Rev. J. W. Knott again took charge, and was succeeded in the fall of
1865 by Rev. A. H. Thomas; A. P. Mann, 1866; E. C. Slater, D.D., 1869; S. B.
Suratt, 1873; E. C. Slater, D.D., 1877, who died of yellow fever in September,
1878; R. H. Mahon, 1878; S. A. Steel, 1882, and R. H. Mahon again in 1886. The
present church-building, a two-story brick standing on the east side of Second
Street, near Poplar Street, was erected in 1850. In 1886 the lot on the corner
of Second and Poplar Streets was purchased and plans and specifications for a
new stone church to be erected on this lot, were prepared by Jacob Snyder,
architect of Akron, Ohio, which when completed will be the most elegant and
complete edifice in Memphis.