By 1807 both branches of the Tuckers and the Dowdys were selling their land on Deep River in preparation for their move west to Williamson County, Tennessee. In a three year period, by 1810, both the Tucker and Dowdy families were living on Flat Creek.

Prior to leaving North Carolina, land in Tennessee would need to be located for the exodus that was to follow. William Tucker may have come first to seek appropriate land. Perhaps it was springtime when William Tucker (born 1787, died 1861) walked from Chatham County, North Carolina, through the mountains to the new land in Tennessee. First he came to what is now Cheatham County, thence to Williamson County. He was then about 23 years of age. Apparently the land appealed to him as he acquitted several hundred acres on Flat Creek about ½ mile from Choctaw, where he had once “lived with the Indians.” Here William Tucker lived out the remainder of his life, and he lies in the old Tucker graveyard. John Tucker, father of William Tucker, may also be buried in the family graveyard at Flat Creek since he was a very early resident of Flat Creek. However, in 1839, John was living in Hickman County, where he filed a petition to be compensated for his Revolutionary War service. His place of burial is, therefore, uncertain. There is no record of Margaret, sister of William, in Williamson County, but his brother may have been a part of the move from North Carolina to the new land in Williamson County. Soon, families from North Carolina and Virginia were arriving to settle in the new land of opportunity. By the time William’s land as “registered” he had married Rachel Dowdy, born ???, died 1833. They were the parents of seven children. (1) Julia Tucker, born June 25, 1816, married Shedrick Weaver. (2) Rebecca Tucker, born March 9, 1818, married James Duncan. (3) Allen C. Tucker, born 1819, married first Elizabeth Jane Bugg and second, Zilphra Boyet. (4) Matilda Tucker, born June 24, 1822, married William Tanner. (5) Emmaline Tucker, married Leander Reed. (6) Tennessee Tucker, married William V. Andrews. (7) George Robert Tucker, born February 4, 1830, died 1895, married first Emmaline Lanier and second, Martha Giles. Rachel left seven young children to be reared by their father.

It was a sad day when Rachel was buried in the old family graveyard. As was the usual custom, soon after the death of his first wife, on November 11, 1833, William Tucker married Mrs. Patsy W. Lanier Bugg (born September 26, 1793, died after 1861). She was the daughter of Nicholas Lanier and Patsy Malone, and widow of Ephraim M. Bugg. She brought five children into her new marriage. The marriage of William Tucker to Patsy Lanier Bugg lasted almost thirty years. They had two children: (1) Ferdinand Blackburn Tucker, born October 7, 1834, died September 1, 1907, married Rebecca low, probably daughter of Gabriel Low. (2) John Hardeman Tucker, born 1837, died 1864, killed at the Battle of Stone’s River, Murfreesboro, Ternnessee during the Civil War. For many years the Tuckers were prominent in the Flat Creek community, joining their neighbors in social and church affairs. There were now fourteen children in the Tucker home. On April 18, 1838, Allen C. Tucker married his step-sister Elizabeth Jane Bugg. They continued to live on Flat Creek near their families and in Marshall County. They were the parents of six children:

(1) Newton Guilford Tucker, born March 28, 1839, died January 8, 1899, married Mary Ellen (Mollie) Cochran. (2) George Williamson Tucker, born ???, died after 1923, married Annis Murray. (3) Tennessee Tucker, married Rufe Fisher.(4) Margaret E. Tucker, born ???, died August 8, 1883, married Dr. Mark W. Allison. (5) Oliver Tucker, died at 16 years of age.(6) Amanda Tucker, married James McCurdy. Allen C. Tucker was a farmer and businessman who frequently appears in records serving as administrator of estates, guardian, etc. He lived in Marshall County for a period but moved back to the old farm in Williamson when his son was 16 years of age. In 1847, while living in Marshall County, Allen Tucker received a letter from B. N. Bugg, his brother-in-law, and his wife Annis Tucker Bugg. It is a most interesting document and was invaluable for its content referring to family and family affairs. The original was found by Sam L. Tucker about 1940 in an old wallet belonging to his father, Ferdinand Tucker, son of William Tucker.

Allen and Elizabeth Jane Tucker lived on Flat Creek until death took Elizabeth Jane about 1854. She was laid to rest in the old family graveyard. She was probably buried during the cold, snowey winter as the cause of death was “cold plaque,” our present influenza. She was only thirty-seven years of age and left six children to be cared for by their father. From the records, Allen Tucker appears to have married Zilpha Boyett in Marshall County in 1854. They were married only a short time when Allen died in 1856, predeceasing his father. Again there was a sad, silent procession to the cemetery and the children went home to live with their grandparents. The Tucker home was full again with Allen’s children and William’s sons, Ferdinand, John Hardeman and George Robert. Looming in the distance was war and the Tuckers were modest slave owners. They had many concerns.

Young Newton Guilford Tucker, son of Allen C. Tucker and Elizabeth Jane Bugg, stretched on the floor in front of the fire. He was sixteen and thirsty for an education. Grandpa William believed in work; and while he worked on the farm, Newton collected pine knots to throw on the fire for light. Grandpa felt he had enough education and did not permit “wasting” a lamp for the sake of education! Newton had much studying and reading ahead. in spite of his youthfulness, he was considered educated at age sixteen and was teaching in the public schools of the county. Subsequently he studied medicine as was the custom, under the direction of Drs. Johnson and McClure in Lewisburg, Tennessee in 1859. He graduated from the University of Nashville Medical School on March 1, 1861. He was married to Mary Ellen Cochran on July 18, 1861 in Marshall County. He was recommended as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

Historical Marker for store of daughter Emmaline' son Jerome Bonapart Reed.

JOHN EPHRAIM BUGG, son of WILLIAM TUCKER'S DAUGHTER Annie Tucker Bugg:

John Ephraim Bugg, maybe their second son. He traveled to California during a time when California was experiencing new and exciting things. That's where he met a Native American woman named Sally [Find A Grave Memorial# 190456330]. She was my gr gr grandmother. I am a descendant of Benjamin and Annis and John Ephraim and Sally. They had one daughter named Lillian Bugg. This Lillian was his first daughter. He also had another daughter with Mary Cramer he named Lillian also many years later when he married Mary. This has been confirmed by my 3rd cousin who also has done the DNA and she has first hand knowledge from her grandmother, who, was the child of the first Lillian Bugg. California had not yet become a state of the union so very little documentation is found. My maternal ancestors are all from the Sierra's of California ... My Lillian Bugg married Tom Harris. They had 4 children, Dan, Rosa, Mae and Hazel and all of those people had children too. They were also born in O'Neals in California and have since scattered about.

Kathi Snyder

William Tucker was spared the agony experienced by many southern gentlefolk. He died at the beginning of the war, and it was left to the two remaining sons, George and Ferdinand, to manage the farm and care for their mother. His will revealed that William was a caring person, as he directed his sons, among other things, to care for two elderly slaves for the rest of their lives. His will was written in 1860, but was not probated until 1866, after the war. When a final disposition was made of his property in 1936, William had thirty-one known grandchildren and ninety-eight great grandchildren. [Heirs of William Tucker – Chancery Court, Williamson County, Tennessee, #9265, Rule Docket #6, May 1935 – March 2938. S. L. Tucker vs. Sam Tanner, et. al. (see excerpts below)]

In addition to Newton, his two uncles, George Robert Tucker and John Hardeman Tucker joined the Confederate Army. Newton was ordered by Governor Harris of Tennessee to proceed to Marshall County, where he was to care for the medical needs of the county. George Robert was discharged in 1862 or 1863 as being “unfit” for service because of a stiff leg from White swelling and chronic bronchitis. John Hardeman Tucker was a confederate soldier until his death in 1864 at the Battle of Stone’s River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When the family learned of his death, a wagon was promptly sent to Murfreesboro to bring him home. [Family papers – files of Beverly Barnes.]

JEROME BONAPARTE REED (Emmaline's son):
After the death of his parents he lived with his maternal grandfather, William Tucker at Flat Creek, this was in 1862. Being an enterprising young man he soon started a mercantile business in his grandfathers home.
____________
Elizabeth Warren "Patsy" Lanier was born to Martha Patsy Malone and Nicholas Lanier of Brunswick County Virginia. She married Ephraim M. Bugg, also of Virginia, in Williamson County Tennessee on April 18, 1814. Ephraim had been serving in the Tennesse Militia. Records note that both Patsy and Ephraim were of Scotch-Irish descent. They made their home near Flat Creek, Tennessee. Seven children were born from their marriage: Benjamin Nicholas, Sophronia (who died at an early age), Elizabeth Jane, William Lanier, Mary Jane, Ephraim M., and Emmaline "Linda" Bugg.

Patsy remarried William Tucker in 1933. Two more children were born: Ferdinand Blackburn and John Hardeman Tucker. William Tucker's son, Allen, from his previous marriage, married Elizabeth Jane Bugg, daughter of Patsy and Ephraim. His daughter, Annis, married Patsy and Ephraim's son, Benjamin Nicholas Bugg. As a result, Patsy's husbands had a number of mutual grandchildren.

William Tucker was an early settler of Middle Tennessee and owned 300 acres with a family cemetery. According to Tennessee historical records, when a family death occurred, the remains were deposited in the cemetery. As a result, it is presumed that Patsy is buried in the old Tucker Cemetery on the family land.

Eagleville Times August 2009:
Reed's Store -Flat Creek Community:
The first Reed Store began operation during the Civil War era. When young Jerome Reed was orphaned at the age of fifteen in 1862, he and his three younger brothers came to live with their grandfather, William Tucker, behind what is now the R. C. Edmonson farm. The hallway of the Tucker house soon became a thriving mercantile business for the young Reed boys. Several years later they moved to a building close to the Tucker house. Mr. Comstock operated a blacksmith shop near the store, thus making this a busy area. Little can now be seen of the old roadbed that once followed the creek by these businesses and homes.
Commerce soon shifted up the creek a bit, changing the center of the “business district”..

TO THE HONORABLE WIRT COURTNEY, CHANCELLOR, HOLDING THE CHANCERY COURT FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY, AT FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE.

The bill of complaint of S.L. Tucker, a citizen and resident of Williamson County, Tennessee,

COMPLAINANT WOULD RESPECTFULLY SHOW THE COURT

I. That the last will and testament of one William Tucker, who died a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee, was probated at the February term, 1866, in and before the County Court of said County, where same is recorded in Will Book for the years 1864-1866, pages 402-4. A memorandum copy of said will is filed as an exhibit to this bill, and make a part hereof, but need not be copied in issuing process. A certified copy will be filed, if necessary, on or before the hearing.

That by Item 2nd of said will, the testator devised certain lands to his three sons, viz., George R. Tucker, Hardeman Tucker and Ferdinand Tucker, this provision of the will being as follows:

“Item 2nd. I give to my sons George R. Tucker, Hardeman Tucker and Ferdinand Tucker all of my lands and cedar lying in the Countes of Williamson and Marshall, Tennessee to be divided equally in value between my said three sons als a lot that I own in the Town of Lewisburg, Marshall County, Tennessee.”

II. That among other lands passing under the foregoing 2nd item of said will, and now owned by the parties, complainants and defendants, hereinafter named, was a tract situated in the 22nd Civil District of Williamson County, Tennessee, bounded generally on the north by Luther Edmondson, on the East by Luther Edmondson, on the South by Elmer Dalton and Reynolds, and on the West by lands of Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, (Formerly Oscar Turner). Containing 67 acres, more or less. Upon the death of said William Turner, the title to said of land vested, under said will, in his three sons, George R. Tucker, Hardeman Tucker and Ferdinand Tucker, as tenants in common.

III. That the said George Tucker and Hardeman Tucker both died about the time of the probate of said will, both intestate, and survived by no issue. The said Ferdinand Tucker died, intestate, in Williamson County, Tennessee, about 1911, survived by only two children, viz., complainant S.L. Tucker and defendant G.R. Tucker, and these two parties now own a one-third undivided interest in said land by inheritance from their said father.

The said William Tucker had in all nine children, that is, six children in addition to the three sons named in Item 2nd of his will, they being Rebecca Duncan, Julia Weaver, Allen Tucker, Lina Reed, Matilda Tanner and Tennessee Andrews. All of these children died many years ago, all intestate, and all of them left surviving children or the issue of descendants of such. Neither the said George Tucker or Hardeman Tucker left any issue, or descendants thereof, and upon their deaths their said two-thirds interest in said tract of land passed to their other brothers and sisters, share and share alike, and is now owned by their children or the descendants thereof.

IV. That the said Allen Tucker had four children, viz., Newton G. Tucker, who died, intestate, in Davidson County, Tennessee, in 1898, survived by five children, his only heirs-at-law, viz., defendants Dr. R.O. Tucker, Mrs. Ellen Woodring, Mrs. Maggie Yarbrough, Mark Tucker, and Dr. B. G. Tucker, who died recently without issue surviving him; another son, George W. Tucker, died in 1906 in West Tennessee, leaving surviving him as his only heirs-at-law defendants Dr. Murrey Tucker, and Carroll Tucker.

[continuation of Sam Tucker's complaint] The said Carroll Tucker lives in West Tennessee, according to complainant’s information, but his place of residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained upon diligent inquiry. The efforts made by complainant to locate him, as well as all other interested parties, whose names or addresses are alleged herein to be known and not ascertainable upon diligent inquiry, will be detailed hereinafter.

Another child of Allen Tucker, viz., Mandy McCurdy, died, intestate, in 1918 in Marshall County, Tennessee, survived by six children, who are her only heirs-at-law, viz., Harlin McCurdy, Maggie Cathey, Rufe McCurdy, Susue May Jones, W.E. McCurdy and Leland McCurdy.



The fourth child of Allen Tucker, viz., Margaret Allison died in Bedford County, Tennessee, many years ago, survived by five children, her only heirs-at-law, viz., defendants Ruby Allison, Sallie Allison, Tom Allison, Julian Allison and Robert Allison. Robert Allison died about 3 years ago, in Bedford County, Tennessee, survived by only one child, viz., Margaret Wheeler, who is his only heir-at-law.

V. That Matilda Tanner, one of the children of William Tucker, was survived by four children, viz., John W. Tanner, who died in 1918 in Williamson County, Tennessee, Irvin Tanner, who died in 1918 in Davidson County, Tennessee, Susie Giles, who died in Davidson County, Tennessee, about the same time, and Mary Jane Lilliard, who died in 1911, in Williamson County, Tennessee, all of whom left children surviving as follows:

John W. Tanner left four children, viz., Sam Tanner, Emma Haley, Paul tanner and George Tanner. Said George Tanner died several years ago in Davidson County, Tennessee, survived by a widow, Ida Tanner, and four children, viz. Clair Tanner, Narcella Tanner, George Tanner, Jr., and J. C. Tanner, the last two of whom are minors, aged respectively 13 and 12 years, and who are both without statutory guardians.

Irvin Tanner left eight children, viz., Walter Tanner, Luther Tanner, Minnie Smith, Ora Farris, J. King Tanner, Margaret Wallace, Alice Metlock, and Ollie Tanner. Of these children, all are living except Walter Tanner, who has not been heard from by members of his family for about thirth years, and Ollie Tanner, who died in Davidson County, Tennessee in 1933, survived by a widow, Ida Tanner, and three children, viz., Kate Ellis, Lucy Spain and Nannie Lee Primm. Said Walter Tanner left his home in Davidson County, Tennessee, about thirty years ago, and since that time he has not been heard from or about by his sisters and brothers or other relatives. Complainant alleges that this long unexplained absence justifies the legal inference that he is dead, and that he should be judicially declared dead by decree of this Honorable Court, so that his small interest in the proceeds of the sale of said land, hereinafter prayed for, may be distributed to his brothers and sisters, or to their descendants.

Susie Giles left eight children, viz., Sam Giles, Mance Giles, Nol Giles, Ned Giles, Dora Jernigan, George Giles, Ella Anthony, and Vera Overton, all of whom are living except Sam Giles and Vera Overton. Said Sam Giles died several years ago in Davidson County, survived by one child as his only heir-at-law, viz., Catherine Sheridan. Vera Overton who died in 1928 in the State of Kentucky, was survived by three children, being the defendants Virginia Overton, Duncan Overton, and Ruther Overton.

Mary Jane Lillard had seven children, but of these, Hattie, Hard, Rachel and Richard all died many years ago, without issue surviving or their descendants. Two of her children are the defendants Sallie Reed and Jean Cathey. The seventh child died in 1934 in Maury County, survived by two children, viz., Ethel Harvey and Ernest Robertson. Said Ernest Robertson is a minor, aged about 20 years, without statutory guardian.

VI. That Mrs. Tennessee Andrews, another child of William [“Varney” handwritten in the margin as his middle name] Tucker, was survived by five children, one of whom Janes Andrews died in 1886 in Marshall County, Tennessee, without issue or their descendants. The other four children were Mrs. Cora Gray, who died in 1905 in Marshall County, Tennessee; Nick Andrews, who died in 1935 in Marshall County, Tennessee; Anna Andrews, who is now living in Marshall County, Tennessee; and J. D. Andrews, who died in 1925, in Marshall County, Tennessee. Mrs. Cora Gray, Nick Andrews and J. D. Andrews were all survived by children, as follows:

Mrs. Cora Gray left three children, viz., Jack Gray, Lillian Gillespie and Charlie Gray. Said Charlie Gray is a resident of the West Indies Islands.

Nick Andrews left five children, viz., Myrtle Harris, Anna Lou Hendricks, K. A. Andrews, Bryant Andrews and Will Andrews, all of whom are living except Will Andrews, who died in 1926 survived by a widow, Stella Andrews and two children, Sarah Andrews and William L. Andrews. Said William L. Andrews is a minor, aged about 20 years, without statutory guardian.

J. D. Andrews had four children, viz., J. R. Andrews, W. J. Andrews, James G. Andrews and Margaret Cannon. The last time that W. J. Andrews was heard from he was in the State of Arizona. Complainant has made efforts to locate him, and has talked with his brother, J. R. Andrews, who lives in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and is advised that every few years he gets a letter from said W. J. Andrews, always from some different part of the United States, and that the last time he heard from him he was in Arizona; this was several years ago. Said Margaret Cannon died in 1929, in Florida, survived by four children, viz., defendants Martha Jane Cannon, Rachel Cannon, Babbie Lou Cannon and Joe Cannon, all of whom are minors, aged, respectively, thirteen years, ten years, nine years and seven years, and all of them are without Statutory Guardians.

VII. That Rebecca Duncan, one of the said children of William Tucker, deceased, left, upon her death, six children, viz., Story Duncan, Maggie Emmerson, Lizzie Thompson, Mollie Thompson, Mandy Green and Joe Duncan. Of these children, all died many years ago except Mandy Green, who resides in Huntsville, Alabama. Said deceased children left children, and their issue as follows:

Story Duncan left two children, viz., Mrs. Gid Beckhan, and Beatrice Tyree, who died in 1924 in Marshall County, Tennessee, survived by only one child, viz., defendant Unicarl Tyree, who is a minor about twelve years of age, without statutory guardian.

VIII. Mrs. Julia Weaver, another child of William Tucker, deceased, had five children, viz., Robert Weaver, who died in 1824, in Marshall County, Tennessee; Jim Weaver who died in 1906 in said county; John Weaver who died about 1906; Mrs. Lucy Davis who died a number of years ago in West Tennessee, and W. S. Weaver who died in 1918 in Marshall County, Tennessee. John Weaver left no issue surviving. The other children did leave issue, and their descendants, as follows:

Robert Weaver had one child, viz., defendant Effie Claxton;
Jim Weaver had four children, two of whom are the defendants Ana Weaver and Tennie Weaver, and the other two, John Weaver and Mattie Weaver, both died many years ago without issue.

[continuation of Sam Tucker's complaint] Mrs. Lucy Davis left children, but the number, names and addresses of these children, or of their descendants, if any of them are dead, is not known to complainant and cannot be ascertained upon diligent inquiry. In this connection, complainant has been able to learn from close relatives of Mrs. Lucy Davis only that she died somewhere in West Tennessee, and that she did leave children.

W. S. Weaver had seven children, viz., Neely Talley, who died in 1932 in Marshall County, Tennessee; J. D. Weaver, who is one of the defendants; Julia Nix, who died in Davidson County, Tennessee in 1921; defendants George Weaver, May Osborne and Oscar Weaver; and Mamie Harris, who died in Lawrence County, Tennessee, in 1921. Said Neely Talley, Julia Nix and Mamie Harris left issue surviving, as follows:
Neely Talley had five children, four of whom are the defendants J. B. Talley, May Talley, Kate Talley and Virginia Cranford. The fifth child, Steve Talley, died in 1934, survived by only one child, viz., Carl Talley, who is a minor about twenty years of age, without statutory guardian.

Julia Nix died in 1921 and she left two children, whose first names are Minnie and Beulah. Complainant has been unable to ascertain the addresses or places of residence of these two children, and, being advised that both of them are married, he has been unable to learn their married names. Complainant has talked with several of the close relatives of these children, and is informed that Minnie lives in Davidson County and that Beulah lives in Louisville, Kentucky, but has been unable to secure any more definite information about them, and complainant alleges that their names and places of residence are unknown and cannot be ascertained upon diligent inquiry.

Mamie Harris left four children, viz., defendants Denny Harris, Claudie May Harris, Novella Harris and Carroll Harris.

IX. Lina Reed, another child of William Tucker, had four children, viz., Jerome Reed, Scott Reed, Caleb Reed and George Reed, all of whom have been dead for a number of years.

George Reed is survived by his widow, defendant Sallie Reed, who is one and the same person as Sallie Reed, mentioned hereinbefore as a daughter of Mary Jane Lilliard.

All four of said children left issue surviving, as follows:

Jerome Reed had seven children, being the defendants Marvin Reed, Lela Corlette, Ed Reed, Mrs. Effie Crutcher, George Reed, Buford Reed and Lowry Reed.

Scott Reed had five children, four of whom are the defendants Core Reed, Sam Reed, Myrtle Smithson and George Reed. The other child, Mattie Graham, died some time ago, survived by only one child, defendant Elsie Hargrove.

Caleb Reed had six children, being defendants Will Allen Reed, Maude Reed, Olive Brock, Innis Bross, Inis Carrington; and Lina Reed, who died about thirty years ago, unmarried and without issue.

George Reed had seven children, being defendants Joe Reed, John Reed, William Reed, Irvin Reed, Emma Reed and Rebecca Reed; and Garrett Reed, who died a number of years ago without any issue surviving him.

X. That the names and addresses of all of the foregoing named descendants and heirs-at-law of George Tucker and Hardeman Tucker and Ferdinand Tucker, are as alleged in the caption of this bill. With reference to all of those defendants whose names and places of residence are alleged hereinbefore to be unknown and unascertainable upon diligent inquiry, complainant would show that as to each and every one of them he has made an exhaustive inquiry amongst the close relatives of said parties for such information. Complainant has made a trip to Nashville with his Counsel, and visited in the homes and at the business addresses of several of the parties in interest, and has also done the same thing in Lewisburg, Marshall County, Tennessee, where many of the parties in interest live, and in addition complainant and his counsel have written letters to various of the unknown parties and has inquired from many people in Williamson County who formerly knew the ancestors of said parties, and in this way complainant has learned the names and addresses of all of the parties in interest who are definitely designated and located hereinbefore; but other than this, complainant has not been able to get any other information.

Complainant believes that all of the heirs-at-law of George Tucker and Hardeman Tucker have been made defendants to this bill, but it may be that there are other defendants of said two parties, and if so their names and places of residence are unknown and cannot be ascertained upon diligent inquiry.

XI. That all of the foregoing named heirs-at-law of George Tucker, Hardeman Tucker and Ferdinand Tucker own at present the tract of land hereinbefore described, in the proportions as the same vested in them under the laws of descent and distribution of the State of Tennessee.

XII. That said tract of land is suitable only for agricultural purposes, has only one set of improvements on it, and is not near any city or incorporated town. The value of it is probably $1,500.00, and it will thus be seen that it is not only impracticable, but would be utterly impossible, to partition said land in kind among such a numerous group of persons, and complainant alleges that it will be necessary to sell said land for division of the proceeds, and that such course is manifestly to the interest of the minor defendants.

XIII. Said land has not been surveyed since before the Civil War, and it will be necessary to have a survey made by the County Surveyor, or some other competent Surveyor.

PREMISES SEEN, COMPLAINANT PRAYS:

I. That process be issued and served on all of the resident defendants named in the foregoing bill; and that publication be made for all of the non-resident defendants, and for all of those defendants whose names are known but whose places of residence are unknown, and also for all of those persons named in the bill whose names and places of residence are unknown, and further that publication be made for all of the unknown heirs-at-law and next-of-kin of Mrs. Lucy Davis, Mrs. Julia Nix, George Tucker and Hardeman Tucker; requiring them, and each of them, to enter their appearances herein and make defense to this bill, but oaths to their answers are waived.

II. That a Guardian ad Litem be appointed to represent all of the minor defendants, named in this bill, and also any of the unknown heirs-at-law of Mrs. Julia Nix and Mrs. Lucy Davis, if any of them be minors.

III. That all necessary proff be taken, orders made and references had, to the end that the cause be brought to a speedy hearing.

IV. That the tract of land described in the bill be surveyed by the County Surveyor of Williamson County, or some other competent surveyor, and that the same be sold, under proper decree of the court, upon usual terms, for division of the proceeds among the parties entitled thereto, according to their respective shares or interests; and in this connection let the rights and shares of the parties in and to said land be adjudged and fixed by the court.

V. That complainant have general relief.

STATE OF TENNESSEE

WILLIAMSON COUNTY



S. L. Tucker, complainant in the foregoing bill, makes oath this the 19th day of August, 1936.

I and my brother and sister are listed on the complaint along with my aunts and uncles. We are descendants of William Tucker and Rachel Dowdy. Their daughter Matilda maried William Tanner. Their daughter, Susan E. Tanner married my grandfather John P, Giles. My mother was Hattie Vera Giles, who died in 1830. She married Duncan E. Overton Sr.

Thanks Ruth Overton Kauffman

Hi John,

Do your have the book “Flat Creek, Its Land and Its People”? On page 174 starts a chapter about the Tucker Family of Flat Creek. It was written by Beverly Pearson Barnes, ggg grand daughter of William Tucker. I have been trying to scan the 8 pages for you but I have a new scanner and a new computer that I haven’t been able to conquer yet. Meanwhile I will give you a few things Beverly had to say. Her info is based on public records and family papers.

“Some time before 1753,{the first} John Tucker came to the New World from Scotland. He may have had sandy hair and a red beard, and he may very well have worn a kilt! He may have been persuaded to settle in the southern mountains and foot hills of America because it reminded him so much of home.

This first John Tucker stopped in Northern Ireland for a short time, but he was not influenced by the Catholic Church, the religion of so many Irish emigrants. He kept his Presbyterian upbringing firmly in place. Etc.

The record is clear that {the second} John Tucker, father of William Tucker, was born in Halifax Co., Va. in 1753. He was a Rev. War soldier fighting at Yorktown and being present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis following that battle, After the war John Tucker left his home in VA to establish himself in Chatham Co., NC. At this time, 1986, the identity of the wife of John Tucker has not been established, however, at least three children have been identified : William Tucker born 1787, John Tucker and Margaret Tucker.”

Then there is some things about William leaving NC and arriving in Frat Creek and marrying Rachel Dowdy.

On page 175 “John Tucker, father of William, may also be buried in the family graveyard since he was a very early resident of Flat Creek. However, in 1839 John was living in Hickman Co., where he filed a petition to be compensate for his Rev. War Service. His place of burial is, therefore, uncertain,”.

The rest is about the descendants of William. Hope this helps. Ruth


No, John , I didn’t get to know any of the Tanner or Tucker families. My mother, Hattie Vera Giles, died when I was four. I lived in Nashville with the mother of my father, Duncan Elmo Overton, Sr. for a couple of years. My grandmother was Paulina E. Thompson, from Thompson Station, Williamson Co., TN. The Overton family also is from Williamson County. When I was 6 my father remarried and we lived in Knoxville, TN. After my father’s remarriage I was allowed to visit my mother’s family only once, I think when I was about 7 years old. I was in Knoxville until my marriage at age 23. My husband is James V. Kauffman of Lancaster, Pa. We met when we both were working in Atlas Powder Co., in Knoxville. Since then we have lived in Pittsburg, Pa., Chapel Hill, NC, New York, Panama, Phoenix, Arizona , Cuba and now in Queretaro, Mexico. We have four children and 10 grandchildren

I became interested in genealogy about 10 years ago when all my ancestors were dead and I had no one to ask about anything. My sister of 87 knew a little, just enough to get me started and I have found cousins I never knew I had that have helped be ever so much. The internet has been a gold mine for me. Especially Rootsweb and Ancestry. Com. Everybody has been so nice in sharing information and answering letters. Well, the ones I ask what are their sources hardly ever answer and they are the exception. Send me your address and I will mail the pages to you. It may take as much as 3 weeks for them to arrive even if I send them air mail. Mexican mail is ever so slow. I take it you are related to me in some way and all my cousins always get big HUGS Ruth

I didn’t get to know any of the Tanner or Tucker families. My mother, Hattie Vera Giles, died when I was four. I lived in Nashville with the mother of my father, Duncan Elmo Overton, Sr. for a couple of years. My grandmother was Paulina E. Thompson, from Thompson Station, Williamson Co., TN. The Overton family also is from Williamson County. When I was 6 my father remarried and we lived in Knoxville, TN. After my father’s remarriage I was allowed to visit my mother’s family only once, I think when I was about 7 years old. I was in Knoxville until my marriage at age 23. My husband is James V. Kauffman of Lancaster, Pa. We met when we both were working in Atlas Powder Co., in Knoxville. Since then we have lived in Pittsburg, Pa., Chapel Hill, NC, New York, Panama, Phoenix, Arizona , Cuba and now in Queretaro, Mexico. We have four children and 10 grandchildren I became interested in genealogy about 10 years ago when all my ancestors were dead and I had no one to ask about anything. My sister of 87 knew a little, just enough to get me started and I have found cousins I never knew I had that have helped be ever so much. The internet has been a gold mine for me. Especially Rootsweb and Ancestry. Com. Everybody has been so nice in sharing information and answering letters. Well, the ones I ask what are their sources hardly ever answer and they are the exception.


Eagleville Times August 2009:
Reed's Store -Flat Creek Community:
The first Reed Store began operation during the Civil War era. When young Jerome Reed was orphaned at the age of fifteen in 1862, he and his three younger brothers came to live with their grandfather, William Tucker, behind what is now the R. C. Edmonson farm. The hallway of the Tucker house soon became a thriving mercantile business for the young Reed boys. Several years later they moved to a building close to the Tucker house. Mr. Comstock operated a blacksmith shop near the store, thus making this a busy area. Little can now be seen of the old roadbed that once followed the creek by these businesses and homes.

Commerce soon shifted up the creek a bit, changing the center of the “business district”.

His will revealed that William was a caring person, as he directed his sons, among other things, to care for two elderly slaves for the rest of their lives.

His will was written in 1860, but was not probated until 1866, after the war. When a final disposition was made of his property in 1936, William had thirty-one known grandchildren and ninety-eight great grandchildren.

Young Newton Guilford Tucker, son of Allen C. Tucker and Elizabeth Jane Bugg, stretched on the floor in front of the fire. He was sixteen and thirsty for an education. Grandpa William believed in work; and while he worked on the farm, Newton collected pine knots to throw on the fire for light. Grandpa felt he had enough education and did not permit “w asting” a lamp for the sake of education! Newton had much studying and reading ahead. in spite of his youthfulness, he was considered educated at age sixteen and was teaching in the public schools of the county. Subsequently he studied medicine as was the custom, under the direction of Drs. Johnson and McClure in Lewisburg, Tennessee in 1859. He graduated from the University of Nashville Medical School on March 1, 1861. He was married to Mary Ellen Cochran on July 18, 1861 in Marshall County. He was recommended as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

PHOTO: William Tucker - wheat threshing in Flat Creek, TN.

His will revealed that William was a caring person, as he directed his sons, among other things, to care for two elderly slaves for the rest of their lives. His will was written in 1860, but was not probated until 1866, after the war. When a final disposition was made of his property in 1936, William had thirty-one known grandchildren and ninety-eight great grandchildren.

Young Newton Guilford Tucker, son of Allen C. Tucker and Elizabeth Jane Bugg (William's grandson), stretched on the floor in front of the fire. He was sixteen and thirsty for an education. Grandpa William believed in work; and while he worked on the farm, Newton collected pine knots to throw on the fire for light. Grandpa felt he had enough education and did not permit “wasting” a lamp for the sake of education! Newton had much studying and reading ahead. In spite of his youthfulness, he was considered educated at age sixteen and was teaching in the public schools of the county. Subsequently he studied medicine as was the custom, under the direction of Drs. Johnson and McClure in Lewisburg, Tennessee in 1859. He graduated from the University of Nashville Medical School on March 1, 1861. He was married to Mary Ellen Cochran on July 18, 1861 in Marshall County. He was recommended as a surgeon in the Confederate Army.

In addition to Newton, his two uncles, George Robert Tucker and John Hardeman Tucker joined the Confederate Army. Newton was ordered by Governor Harris of Tennessee to proceed to Marshall County, where he was to care for the medical needs of the county. George Robert was discharged in 1862 or 1863 as being “unfit” for service because of a stiff leg from White swelling and chronic bronchitis. [Original in files of Dr. Woodring Pearson, Woodland, California.]

John Hardeman Tucker was a confederate soldier until his death in 1864 at the Battle of Stone’s River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When the family learned of his death, a wagon was promptly sent to Murfreesboro to bring him home. [Family papers – files of Beverly Barnes.]


William Tucker was spared the agony experienced by many southern gentlefolk. He died at the beginning of the war, and it was left to the t wo remaining sons, George and Ferdinand, to manage the farm and care for their mother. His will revealed that William was a caring person, as he directed his sons, among other things, to care for two elderly slaves for the rest of their lives. His will was written in 1860, but was not probated until 1866, after the war. When a final disposition was made of his property in 1936, William had th irty-one known grandchildren and ninety-eight great grandchildren. [Heirs of Wi lliam Tucker – Chancery Court, Williamson County, Tennessee, #9265, Rule Docket #6, May 1935 – March 2938. S. L. Tucker vs. Sam Tanner, et. al.]

George Tucker married twice; first to Emmaline Lanier and second to “Aunt Matt” (Martha Giles. He did not have any children. George lived until 1895 at the old homeplace. He kept a wonderful “Farmer’s Register” for many years about the weather on Flat Creek and other information about the sewing of wheat, “first lambs,” church, grange affairs and trips to Nashville, mules and the weight and price of bacon. [Farmer’s register – original in file of Beverly Barnes.]

Ferdinand Blackburn Tucker lived with his family on Flat Creek until his death in 1907. Both Ferdinand and Rebecca Low, his wife, are buried on the farm William Tucker had purchased upon arriving in Williamson County almost one hundred years earlier. Headstones mark their graves on the present Luther Edmonson farm.

After the death of Ferdinand Tucker, his son, Samuel Low Tucker continued farming the original farmland until the 1920s, when he moved to a farm on the Franklin-Murfreesboro Road. Cousin Sam had married Annie Ezell in 1900, and while several children were born to them, one son, Frank, was the only survivor. Aunt Becky lived with her son and his wife for the rest of her life.

Sam and Annie Tucker will be well remembered by some residents, who recall the old days on Flat Creek. They would certainly agree that he was a gentle, kind and honest man; tall with a smiling, weatherworn face. Cousin Annie was quick of movement, cheerful and sweet of disposition.

While Sam Tucker was tall and slim, another of Willia m Tucker’s grandsons was of medium height with sandy hair and a red beard. He may have resembled that first John Tucker and he still belonged to the Presbyterian Church, blue stocking variety! This was Newton Tucker, the grandson who determined that his life’s work would be in the field of medicine. After the war, Newton and his wife Mary Ellen (Mollie) Cochran continued to live in Marshall County for thirteen years. Dr. Tucker became the mayor of Lewisburg, Tennessee, a position he held until he moved with his family to Nashville, where he practiced his profession until his death in 1899. He was a beloved doctor of distinguished reputation. His grandchildren and great grandchildren called him “Grandpa Tucker:; his wife called him “Doctor.” He called his wife “Mrs. Tucker.” In spite of the formality, Newton and Mary Ellen Tucker were the parents of the following children:

(1) a daughter born 1862, died soon after birth.
(2) Robert Oliver Tucker, M.D., born 1863, died 1945, married first Allie Harlin and second Ada Harlin.
(3) Ellen Bugg Tucker, born 1866, died 1945, married William Thomass Woodring (grandmother of Beverly Barnes).
(4) Annie Maxwell Tucker, born 1868, died 1873.
(5) Margaret Stockton Tucker, born 1871, died 1947, married Charles Henry Yarbrough.
(6) Mark Guilford Tucker, born 1872, died 1938, married Lena Reese.
(7) Blackburn George Tucker, M.D., born 1875, died 1936, married Emma McGowan.
(8) James Gurley Tucker, born 1877, died 1896.

In Nashville, the Tuckers moved to a large brick home on Seventh Avenue North. Here Dr. New ton Tucker and his wife reared their children, and he opened an office of general practice. He continued to be interested in public health and public affairs. He became a City Councilman and president of that body in 1877. He was a member of all appropriate medical societies and taught at Meharry Medical College. Two of his four sons, Dr. R. O. Tucker and Dr. B. G. Tucker, graduated from the University of Nashville Medical School; and a third was attending Vanderbilt University Medical School at the time of his death.

Several of Dr. Newton G. Tucker’s descendants have followed him in the practice of medicine to the present generation. These included his grandson, Dr. T. V. Woodring, and a great grandson, Dr. Woodring Pearson. For the past one hundred and twenty-five years, the Tucker family has furnished doctors to serve their country and their communities. Each generation of Tuckers has stepped forward to serve his country when needed, since the time of the Colonial Militia.