Monroe County TN History Page

Monroe County TN History Page Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Monroe County TN History Page, Madisonville, TN.

Following the FootprintsPATRIOT TRAIL #2TN/250 Celebrating 250 Years of IndependenceRevolutionary War Patriot James Mag...
03/21/2026

Following the Footprints

PATRIOT TRAIL #2

TN/250 Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

Revolutionary War Patriot James Magill was a Private in Craven's Company, Harrison's Regiment of the Virginia Line. He was stationed at and helped in the construction of several forts, including Fort Laurens and Fort McIntosh. He participated in the battle of Jamestown Island, one of the last major battles before the seize of Vicksburg. After the war James Magil settled in Greene County, Tennessee.

His sons, Hugh, Harvey, and Nathaniel traveled down to Monroe County and settled here sometime prior to 1840. Family history states James Magill followed his sons to Monroe County in 1839.

The Magill Family Record by R. M. Magill, published in 1907 and republished by F. Houston Lowry, Jr. in 1999, records Patriot James Magill's death as August 24, 1840, contradicting the 1839 death date placed on James Magill's tombstone years ago. The 1840 census shows James Magill, age 83, as a war pensioner living with his son, Harvey, in Monroe County and confirms Patriot Magill was not deceased in 1839.

James Magill is buried in the Madisonville City Cemetery, and his gravesite has been dedicated by the SAR and the DAR.

Jame Magill's third-great-grandson, Frank Houston Lowry, Jr., was a historian and beloved physician in Madisonville for many years.

Dr. Lowry played an important part in reading and recording the names and locations of the thousand plus graves in the Madisonville City Cemetery.

Photos by Jo Stakely

Let us not forget…….
Findagrave ID 11060168
You can leave flowers at no cost

Following the FootprintsPATRIOT TRAIL #1TN/250 Celebrating 250 Years of IndependenceRevolutionary War Patriot, Samuel B...
03/16/2026

Following the Footprints
PATRIOT TRAIL #1

TN/250 Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

Revolutionary War Patriot, Samuel Blair, was a Private in the North Carolina militia and fought in the Battles of King's Mountain and Cowpens. After the war he settled in Sevier County and raised a large family.

His son, Samuel Blair, Jr., traveled south and by 1830 was living in the McMinn/Monroe County region of East Tennessee. At some point in time Patriot Samuel Blair followed his son to the area.

The 1835 Pensioners list records Samuel Blair, 74 years old, residing in McMinn County, Tennessee and drawing a pension of forty dollars per year.

Family history tells us that while on his way to Sevier County in 1836, Samuel Blair became ill and stopped in Madisonville, where he died. He is buried in the Madisonville City Cemetery. His grave has been dedicated by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Samuel Blair's great-great grandson, Harry T. Burn, made history when his tie-breaking vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives on August 18, 1920, ultimately ratified the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and gave women across America the right to vote.

Photos by Jo Stakely

Let us not forget....
www.findagrave.com Memorial ID 11059103 you can leave flowers at no cost.

Comb or Tent GravesAs a young girl growing up in Monroe County, cemetery decoration day was a very special day. Crepe p...
02/25/2026

Comb or Tent Graves

As a young girl growing up in Monroe County, cemetery decoration day was a very special day. Crepe paper flowers were made for weeks on end before the first week in May. Placing the flowers on the graves were also a chore assigned to the youngsters, with one big rule: DO NOT STEP ON THE GRAVE. I learned early on how to hop, jump, and skip through a graveyard.

Comb graves, also known as tent graves, were common in Tennessee, more so on the Cumberland Plateau than in East Tennessee, but some are scattered here in the Appalachian Mountains. Because wooden coffins were used in the early years of Tennessee, when the coffin decayed indentions in the ground sometimes hid the grave. One of our mountain customs was to repect the dead and their burial place. These comb graves were a way to insure the grave was protected and respected.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives has made a collection of comb or tent graves in Tennessee. If you have seen one here in Monroe County, please make a comment below letting us know the location or put a picture below. I will submit the cemetery and grave to the State Archives to be added to their collection.

Keeping our history and customs alive....250th celebration in Tennessee.

11/18/2025

Just a heads up: If anyone is looking for a Monroe County TN Heritage Book 1819-1997, there is one up for bid in Elizabeth Plemons Estate Online Auction at Grayson's Auction. Lot #311. There's an ad in the Buzz tomorrow for the auction which is through hibid.com. Online bidding only, the way I understand it.

This is an out of print book.

Another great photo shared to our page from Mitch and Sherra Kinder. This is the depot in Tellico circa 1910-1915. Tha...
07/22/2025

Another great photo shared to our page from Mitch and Sherra Kinder. This is the depot in Tellico circa 1910-1915. Thanks so much for sharing!

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