| 12. | Fritts, Henry was born about 1770 in Rowan County, North Carolina, British America (son of Fritz, Wooldrich Frederich and FRITZ, Janet); died after 1850 in Roane County, Tennessee, USA. Notes:
The Fritts (Fritz) families are of Germanic ancestry. Greg Fritts, of Toledo, Ohio, has written a comprehensive 550-page book Fritts Family Heritage on the Fritts families of the US and includes the Roane County branches of the family. Henry Fritts (1770) mentioned above, who settled on Paw Paw Creek had the following children:
John (1792-1993) mar (1819) Milly R. Montgomery
Christiana (1794-99)
George (abt 1796) mar first (1825) Ulsey Blevin, and 2nd (1839) Sarah Spoon
Jacob (1800-1878) mar (1818) Sarah Sexton
Peter (1801-1883) mar (1825) Parmelia J. Williams
Phillip (1803-1864) mar (1830) Frances J. Williams
David (1804-1865) mar (1829) Catherine Cook
Catherine (1809)
J. Henry (1813-aft. 1880) mar (1831) Mary Ann Williams
Isaac (1816-1892) mar Fannie Fortner
Henry Fritts married secondly (1835) Patsey Liles and they had two sons:
Jeremiah (1836-1909)
Ransom (1839-1912) mar Nancy J. Powell
Henry was married three times. By his first wife he had 10 children by his second wife he had two sons and by his third wife he had no children.
On 27 Nov 1974, your compilers met personally for the first
time, with Harry G. and Larry S. Fritts, at the home of Larry in Bellbrook, Ohio. At that time they presented us
with their theory that Henry Fritts of Roane County, Tennessee was the son of Wooldrich Fritz of North Carolina. Since that time we have worked at proving or disproving that theory. We, of course, would like very much to obtain a family Bible or Will of Henry Fritts (c1770). But this has not proven to be possible. In Jan 1979, Harry and Larry came to our home and we presented to them, through the use of land, census, marriage, and other court records, what we felt was enough proof to their theory to place it in print they agreed.
We wish at this time to thank them on behalf of all the
descendants of Henry (c1770) for their theory, their trust in sharing it with us, and their continued help and support.
HENRY’S YEARS IN
ROWAN (NOWDAVIDSON) Co., NC
‘H’ HENRY FRITTS, third known son of Wooldrich (Frederick) and Janet Fritz (1731), b. c1770, near Lexington, Rowan (now Davidson) Co., North Carolina where the census place his birth at c1771, but other court records place his birth in c1770.
Not much is known about Henry's early years until after his
father was murdered in 1781. We learn that on “Tuesday, 4
February 1783, at the age of thirteen years, Henry Fritz, orphan son of Wooldrich Fritz, is bound out to Valentine Day, a farmer, till he attains the age of twenty—one years. The said master to comply with the act of assembly and give said apprentice fifteen specie at expiration of his time.”
Henry attained the age of 21y in c1791 or 1792, at which time he married, but his first wife's name is unknown. By the use of court and census records we are able to trace Henry from 1783 until after 1840.
Henry (c1770) obtained a land grant, from the State of North
Carolina —No. 2209: “To all these presents shall come...for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Pounds for every 100 acres...paid by Henry Fritz...a tract of land containing 350 acres, lying and being in Rowan County on the waters of “Abbets” Creek...Beginning at a stake on John Lopp’s comer...on Phillip Leonard’s line...on Abraham Beanblossom’s line...dated 27 Nov 1793—18th year of our independence...”
Henry sold this land to Andrew Lopp, no deed has been
located and the date of sale is not known. In the fall of 1809, Andrew Lopp sells this 350 acres to John Waggoner—both men are living in Bedford Co., TN. One month later 6 Nov 1809, John Waggoner sells the 350 acres to Jacob Waggoner of Rowan Co., NC. Then on 6 Jan 1812, Jacob Waggoner sells it to Peter Everhart.
HENRY’S YEARS IN LINCOLN Co., NC
Just when Henry (c1770) traveled to Lincoln Co., NC is not
clear but the time frame of 1792-1793 is logical.
Why he traveled to Lincoln Co., since he already had land in
Rowan Co., can only be presumably for more open spaces. Henry (C1770) obtained a patent (grant) of two hundred acres in Lincoln Co., located on Buffalo Creek and recorded 26 Nov 1793, just one day before the Rowan Co. grant was recorded. This fact leads us to believe he obtained the Rowan Co. land in late 1791 or earlier with the recording not occurring until the end of 1793. However, they had moved west to Lincoln Co., probably in the fall of 1792 or l793—the moving usually occurred in the fall when the years harvesting was done.
NOTE: In the early years most all grants were recorded on a
given day in one area, thus, Henry obtained a grant in Rowan and Lincoln Cos., NC just one day apart. The key word is “Recorded” when Henry settled on the land can only be speculated.
During the eighteen years that the Fritts family lived in Lincoln Co., Henry obtained the above 200 acre grant in 1793; purchased 21 acres on Lyles' Creek on 10 Jan 1800; purchased 64 acres on Indian Creek on 19 Feb 1800 from Abraham Baker and purchased 92 acres on the Chinapin Branch of the Indian Creek on 26 Jul 1803.
Henry sold on 8 Apr 1799, 85 acres more or less to Robert
Glenn and he sold 130 acres on 28 Nov 1810 to Christian Brinkle. The family then probably started the move to Roane Co., TN.
Between the years 1782 to 1841, Lincoln Co. included all of
the present-day Gaston and Catawba Cos., plus the eastern half of Cleveland Co. The Leonard’s, Brinkley’s and Hinkle’s were among some of the families who moved to Lincoln Co. from Rowan Co.
During the Rowan Co., NC 1790 census, Henry (c1770) was a
member of the Valentine Day household. Then in 1810, Lincoln
Co., NC census (p. 337) we find our Henry, his wife, two daus., and six sons. By comparing these census of numbers, with later census we found the children to be: (1) John, b. 1792; (2) George, b. 1794-1798; (3) Christina, possible b. 19 Apr 1799; (4) Jacob, b. 1800; (5) Peter, b. 1801; (6) Phillip, b. 1803; (7) David, b. 1804; and (8) Catherine “Katie”, b. 1809. Also in the 1810 census was one loom that had woven 200 yards of cloth.
HENRY’S YEARSIN ROANE Co., TN
In 1811, Henry purchased one hundred and sixty-one acres of
land, more or less, in Roane Co., TN. This land was described as being between the Clinch River and Buttermilk Road on or near Paw Paw Creek within what is now the boundaries of Oak Ridge, TN. This land was purchased on 4 Jul 1811, from Thomas C. Clark, according to the deed and not recorded until some nine and one-half years later in 1821.
Many unusual antidotes are found within the early estate
sales....Marilyn N. McCluen, historian in Roane Co., TN
discovered where the “Estate Sales of a man’s personal effect” after his death, was quite a “Cocktail Party”. She encountered in her searches where one man was paid (reimbursed) $7.50, he spent for whiskey he bought to hold a sale. Whiskey was selling at twenty-five cents A GALLON at the time. This meant he bought thirty gallons of whiskey. The whole county must have been at that sale.
Daniel P. Atwood, Patti’s cousin, wrote the following on 6
Mar 1979, in Salt Lake City, UT. He was a genealogical genius and extremely good at deciphering land deeds and etc. Dan did a great deal of research for Greg and Patti Fritts in Tennessee and we are putting the following letter in just as he wrote it—along with his humorous and serious sides. We do not state that the following is completely accrue, for perhaps others, in later years will find some part the description in error, but we doubt it!
“When, in 1847, JOSIAH PATTY, “...in pursuance of the
law of the State of Tennessee relative to the establishing of the boundaries of land...surveyed for Peter Fritts One Hundred and Ninety-One acres...”, he conveyed to Peter NO land that was not already his. He merely surveyed more accurately Henry’s original purchase of 1811 from Thomas Clark for $135, which had previously been described only by a rough estimation of distance and directions of lines, or as result of a previous very superficial and in accurate “survey”.
It probably also was intended to establish and accurately set off the “30-acres” “supposedly” sold by Reuben Williams to Daniel Grubb.
Have superimposed the lines described in the 1847 survey as a THIN line, upon the lines as described in the 1811 deed as a THICK line. What should be realized is that the THIN and THICK lines, in reality, are EXACTLY the SAME lines and that the THICK line only appears to be at a different place only because the measurements and directions given in the 1811 deed were not accurate. (That is, the part of the THIN and THICK lines from Pickle’s (double—) walnut corner clockwise to the post oak at ye old tanyard are the SAME line. From there, the THIN line is a NEW boundary, setting off Daniel Grubb’s 30-acres.) The survey says the land to the west of
Henry’s land was that of William Grubb (heir possible to Daniel, and thus the “30” acres was merely ADDED to an already existing farm, probably).
The two acre (approximately) “diamond” shaped tract cornering at ye old tanyard was also wholly included in Henry’s land as of 1811, and NOT included in the 30-acres sold to Grubb. A “branch” (unnamed) whether of Papaw Creek or of the Clinch, crossed the “two”—acre“diamond”.
The “161-acre deed to Henry as originally described would
have contained only abt. 147-acres, but I was wrong in my estimate that the re-survey of this land FOR Peter, after the “30” acres was taken away didn’t seem to be more that 150 acres. Figured several times the survey as described and it came out to between 190.5 and 192 acres.
A chain is FOUR poles or rods. If so, the area would figure to abt. 564 acres. Obviously “Patty” was very INDEPENDENT and chose to buck the rest of mankind and used a TWO pole “CHAIN”. But what would you expect of a fellow who couldn’t even spell “Patti” right? Ha Ha! (Here his referring to his cousin Patti Fritts, spelling of her name.)
The survey was “witnessed” presumably by the “chain bearers” (usual witnesses) John Fritts and William Lutterell.
LONG BEFORE the re-survey, the estate of Jacob Syler sued
Reuben Williams for slightly over $100 owed Jacob Syler, and the judgement was levied against this land. At Sheriff sale 4 Oct 1828, William S. McEwen bid it in for $43 (far less than it was worth) and on 14 Apr 1832, on McEwen’s order, was deeded to Peter Fritts, by the Sheriff.
Why the Estate of Jacob Syler, who already had the debt of
some $100 “invested” in it, didn’t bid it in for something up to $100, which would have cost them NOTHING but the $10.00 added cost of sale, to force the bidding over $100 so they would get their full money back, is not known.
I suspect there was a lot of behind the scene friendly finagling going on, in which maybe other unrecorded money changed hands, all quite properly, designed to see that the land got back into the hands of Henry’s family, where it was felt it “rightfully” belonged. Reuben Williams seems obviously an in-law of Peter, who, I would guess may have been son-in-law of Robert, Reuben’s (heir?).
These old Roane-ians, like many old timers, and even more so
today, like God, “moved in mysterious ways their wonders of
perform”.
Five years AFTER the re-survey, 25 Oct 1852, Peter sold to
Landon R. Tuder for $400, land described in the terms of Henry’s 1811 deed less the unidentified “30-acres”, and with only the addition of “adjoining the Lands of William Grubb, George Pickel and others” added, and called only 100 acres more or less.
Why the Q1 land description is used, who knows? Peter probably didn’t have the survey description in his possession, and just copied the OLD description in Peter’s possession rather than go to Kingston to copy the survey description in the recorder’s office.
On 1 Oct 1860, Landon R. Tuder sold to William H. Pickel for
$800, Q acres, using the survey description of the land, plus the line from the Peter to Tuder deed: “adjoining the Lands of William M. Grubb, George Pickel and others”. It deviates from the Survey description at the “post oak at the corner of the old tanyard”, by omitting the abt. two-acre diamond at the tanyard and running directly from there to the (double) walnut at the beginning by a line now only 43 chains (86 poles), 7.4 rods shorter than final line of the
survey.
These old Roane-ians were very careless about accuracy, or
accounting for differences.”
Signed — Daniel P. Atwood
March 6, 1979
From early Roane Co., records we know that Henry was on
petition to alter district lines, 1817 along with son John, age 25y; petition for a road, 1819, along with son George, over age 21y; tax list of 1818; inhabitance list of 1826, which also included sons John, Peter, David and Jacob Fritts.
Petition to Alter District Lines of Roane Co., dated 18
Mar 1817 included the signature Henry Fritts and son John
Fritts.
1818 Tax List, Captain Pickle’s Company had Henry Frits with 161 acres, and one White Poll.
Petition for a Road, “...from the head of the hollow above KINGS store to MATLOCKS Mill passing SMITHS old mill place, dated 19 Mar 1819, included Henry Fritts and son George Fritts, their neighbors were the George, John and Henry Pickle families.
Captain Cox’s Company, “A numeration list of the free
Mail (sp) in habitence Capt Coxes Co January 1826 taken by
Me WM Magill Esqr for Roane County”, included John Frits
living next door to Robert Montgomery, sixteen names later
was Peter Frits and David Frits and twelve names later was
Jacob Frits and Henry Frits.
1" School District in Captain Funks Company, “Beginning at MAGER HUSTONS on the Knoxville Road running thence to RUBEN WILLIAMS old place thence with Clinch River Down the Different Meanders to HENNERY MUNGERS thence to JAMES H. MILLERS on the big Road thence to the beginning including all the heads of famaley (sp) in the above bounds” this included George Fritts and Hennery (Sp) Fritts. (Ref. Pioneers of Roane Co., TN 1801-1830 (Tax List, Muster Rolls, Election Lists, Petition, Etc.), by Mable Harvey Thornton, 1965.)
Property sold for the Estate of Adam Penick, 19 Oct 1815, listed John Fritts, as a purchaser.
Property sold for the Estate of George Cook, 15 Aug 1815, listed Elizabeth Cook, his wife as a purchaser.
Those receiving money for claims against the Estate of George Cook, 23 Oct 1817 included his wife Elizabeth Cook and John Fritz. (Ref Roane County, Tennessee Abstracts of Estate Book “A” 1801-1824, By Marilyn N. McCluen, 1965.)
Ordered by the Court that Henry Frits be appointed
Overseer of the Public Road from the upper end of the Papaw
Plains to the line of Knox County and that the _ [not listed] of hands to work on the same to be same as the hands who worked under George Cook, 28 July 1815.
Ordered by the Court that John Pickle, George Pickle,
Robert Burns, Henry Frittz, Jonathan Haggard, Daniel Grubb
and Jason Mattock or any five of them after being first sworn in for that purpose to view a road from the County line near the mouth of Hickory Creek to Kingston. ..3 Aug 1819.
Henry Fritts is mentioned as working under Overseer
Jonathan Haggard on Public Road Beginning on Clinch at the
County line then down Clinch to included Reuben Williams,
Henry Pickle, John Pickle, and Henry Fritts thence South to the Beaver Creek Ridge thence with said Ridge to the County
line then to the Beginning before 1820. These documents refer to Henry Fritts (C1770). (Ref.Road Order Book 1801-I820, Roane Co., IN.)
In the early 1980’s Marilyn McC1uen told Greg about a Land
Road Book kept in the large walk-in safe [the size of a small room] at the Courthouse. For three years he traveled from Ohio to Tennessee several times and spent days going through every book in that safe, trying to find the book. It was not there and to say he was disappointed is an understatement!
As Greg was leaving the safe, for the last time, he looked into the land records office and there on the top shelf was the book he had been looking for—all his time was rewarded.
March Term 1853: Ordered by the Court that Elisha Martin be Overseer of a 2nd class road from the foot of the Nobusinss Branch to the fork of the road at Milton Center’s stable and that the following hands work thereon _?_ the hands at the widow Suddath, W.W. Adkisson, Michael Hassler, and S_?_ Hass1er’splace and those living on A.L. _?_ land where Thomas Gilleland lives and those living on Willis S.
Center’s land where old man Fritts lived on Big Emery and
all on the Swan Pond tract and on Patton’s place on the Creek and William Derrick and hands at his house. This land
description for roadwork was also listed in February Term
1851. These documents refer to Henry Fritts (c1770). (Ref The Roane Co., TN Road Order Book, Roane Co., TN, 1851, 1852 and 1853.)
The following documents refer to Henry Fritts (1813), son of
the above:
Feb. 1852: Ordered by the Court that Henry Fritts, Jr., be Overseer of a 2nd class road Beginning at the fork after road leading to Lackeys and to opposite the double first trap and that the hands living in the following county do work therein lives, Beginning at L. Rodges? on the Buttermilk Road running to include Peter Fritts then a straight line near Phillip Fritts then with the widow Cook line to Clinch river thence down the river to James Pickel thence to the Beginning. This land description for roadwork was also listed in January, April and July 1851.
October 1852: Ordered by the Court that Willis Powell be Overseer of a 1st class road from Syler Creek to the top of
the Black Oak Ridge and that the hands in the following
bounds do work therein land. Beginning at Mansfield Creek
running up Mrs. Richardson; then to the Miller plantation; then to Henry Fritts; then to Robert Williams, including the hands on his home place; then to where James Alexander lives; then to the Gordon place; then to the Black Oak Ridge and with the meander of the ridge to the Beginning. This description would appear to be Henry Fritts (1813), the son. This land description for roadwork was also listed March 1852.
While Henry (c1770) was in Roane Co., TN, two more sons were born to him and his first wife: (9) Henry, b. 1813; and (10) Isaac, b. 1816.
In the early 1830's, Henry's wife of some forty years evidently passed away in Roane Co., TN and was bur. near by, location not known. She was the mother of ten children that lived and possible some that died at or soon after birth or as young children.
Henry md. (2) Patsey Liles (Lyles) on 6 Mar 1835, Roane Co.,
TN, with John Brown putting up surety. The license itself is
missing. It is believed that Patsey was b. C1801 and was c34y when she married and Henry would have been c65y at the time of this marriage. If Patsey was age 34y had she been md. before? This was rather old to become a first time bride in those days! By the time Henry was 70y he had father two more sons: (11) Jeremiah, b. 1836; and, (12) Ransom, b. 1839. Patsey evidently died at or shortly after Ransom's birth and their Aunt Catherine “Katie” raised him and his brother, Jeremiah.
Henry, md. (3) Ann Tumbull on 5 Mar 1840, surety by Reuben
Cook, obtained on 3 Mar 1840 and the marriage performed by B.C. Kimbrell, JP on the 5th. shortly after this we lose track of Henry and his wife.
We know that Henry was alive in the Roane Co., TN 1840
census, age 60—70y,b. C1770 and his wife Ann was age 40—50y,b. c1790-1800 and he was still living on 18 Mar 1842 when Moore Matlock wrote his Last Will and Testament giving to his son, John, when he becomes of age, “the tract of land whereon Henry Fritts NOW lives.” Henry Fritts (c1770) died after 18 Mar 1842 when Moore Matlock wrote his will and before the February 1851 roadwork documents recorded the statement “...land where old man Fritts LIVED on Big Emery”.
Valentine Day was German and the German people had a love
for their native language and for keeping to themselves Henry (c1770) was raised in this old school of thought. He spoke German, worked his farm, raised his family, attended church, and did not get involved in business or government affairs. However, his children were more involved with the outside world.
Henry's final resting—place,was probably the Pleasant Hills
Bapt. Church Cem., Eaton’s Cross Roads, Loudon Co., TN, as were many of the Fritts members. This cemetery was part of Roane Co., until 1870 when Loudon was formed and was located near the Matlock land, where Henry lived. John L. Fritts (1884) told Greg that he had attended Henry Fritts (1813)’s funeral at this Cem. There is no stone to mark either Henry, Sr. or Jr.’s, final resting places.
The children of Henry Fritts (c1770) started the migration west to Crittenden Co., KY, Maries Co., MO and Texas in the early 1850’s.
Children of Henry and First Wife Fritts (c1770)
l.* John Fritts, b. 9 Dec 1792, NC; (1. 10 Sep 1883, KY; md.
Milly R. Montgomery on 15 Jan 1819 (date of bond), Roane
Co., TN, with Surety by Michael Boyd, a neighbor.
2.* Christina Fritts, b. between 1794-1799, NC; never md.
3.* George Fritts, b. between 1794-1799, NC; d. probably bef-1850; md. (1) Usley Blevins on 11 Dec 1825, by James Hope, JP, Roane Co., TN, with Surety on 9 Dec 1825, by Henry Fritts (1770), his father and Absolom Miller a neighbor; md. (2) Sarah Spoon on 28 May 1839, by Wm. Eblen, JP, Roane Co.,
TN, with Surety On27 May 1839, by Jacob Fritts, his brother.
4.* Jacob Fritts, b. 29 Jan 1800, NC; d. 16 Jan 1878, TN; md. Sarah Sexton on 23 Dec 1818 (date of bond), Roane Co., TN, with Surety by John Fritts, his brother.
5.* Peter Fritts, b. c1801, NC; d. 20 Apr 1883, KY; md. Parmelia Jane Alirra Sarah Ann Keziah Williams on 23 Dec 1825 (date of bond), Roane Co., TN, with Surety by Isaac Barger, a neighbor.
6.* Phillip Fritts, b. 10 Jan 1803, NC; d. 31 May 1864, M0; md. Frances Jane Williams on 15 Dec 1830 (date of bond), Roane Co., TN, with Surety by Peter Fritts, his brother.
7.* David Fritts, b. c1804, NC; d. bef-1865, TN; md. Catherine Cook on 19 Sep 1828, by James Hope, JP, Roane Co., TN, with Surety by John Cook, the bride’s father, and the bond dated 19 Mar 1829.
8.* Catherine "Katie" Fritts, b. C1809, Lincoln Co., NC. She
was not found after the 1850 census. In Roane Co., TN 1840
census she was listed as head of household with three children. The female child, age ten to fifteen, was her niece Mary E. Fritts, dau. of John and Milly R. (Montgomery) Fritts (1792). The two boys were Jeremiah and Ransom, her half—brothers. These boys were in her household in the Roane Co., TN 1850 census, also. Harry E. Fritts, in 1980, told us that Katie was crippled, having never md. and was a mid—wife.
9.* J. Henry Fritts, b. c1813, TN; d. aft-1880, TN; md. Mary Ann Williams on 2 Jul 1831 (date of bond), with Surety by Peter Fritts, his brother.
10.*Isaac Fritts, b. 27 Mar 1816, TN; d. 10 Jun 1892, TN; md. Frankie “Fannie” Fortner on 11 Apr 1836, Knox Co., TN, with Surety by James A. Erwin.
Children of Henry and Patsey (Liles) Fritts (c1770)
11.*Jeremiah Fritts, b. May 1836, TN; d. 25 Sep 1909, TN; md. Sarah A. Powell on 17 Aug 1859, Roane Co., TN.
12.*Ransom Fritts, b. Oct 1839, TN; (1. 1912-1915, TN; md. (1) Nancy Jane Powell on 17 Aug 1859, Roane Co., TN; md. (2)
Maloney Hughett.
* * * * *
GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND OF THE FRITTS FAMILIES
IN ROANE COUNTY, TENNESSEE
By Snyder E. Roberts, 4 Apr 1979.
The pioneer Fritts families emigrated from North Caroline and settled in Roane County, Tennessee about 20 miles up the meanders of Clinch River, or approximately 8 air miles, from the town of Kingston. The home site purchased was in an area of considerable historical significance, and their early neighboring families produced leaders in various fields of endeavor.
A deed of conveyance from Thomas C. Clark in 1811 to Henry
Fritts for 161 acres describes the land as being between Clinch River and Buttermilk Road on, or near, Paw Paw Creek. T.V.A. maps show the Indian town of Paw Paw to have been located in a huge bend in Clinch River at a point across the river and slightly down stream from the Fritts farm. Upstream in Clinch River from the mouth of Paw Paw Creek was a sizeable island that has been owned by various individuals including: Matthew Nail, Reuben Williams, John Jones, and John B. Waller. Later the backwaters from T.V.A.’s Watts Bar Lake covered the island.
The Buttermilk Road was either a segment of, or parallel to,
the Great Stage Road built from Campbell Station in Knox County to Kingston in the 1790's. When high waters threatened at the confluence of the Tennessee and Clinch Rivers, and the confluence of the Emory River and the Clinch River at Kingston, travelers would by-pass the high water problems by leaving Buttermilk Road and crossing at Paw Paw Ford in Clinch River at a point below the large river island. The traveler would proceed by, or near, the
present site of the K-25 Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant to the old Emory Road as it passed through the historical Clox Gap in Pine Ridge. From Clox Gap, the traveler would pass on to either the Little Emory River on his route to Kentucky, or to the Big Emory River on his way to Nashville.
The area mentioned above as being the site of an Indian town
in a big bend in Clinch River is today the construction site for the famous, controversial, multi-billion dollar Atomic Breeder Reactor Plant which is in the restricted Oak Ridge Project area, and within about 2 air miles of the now famous Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Buttermilk Road runs parallel with the present-day interstate highway I-40 between Knoxville and Kingston. The area along Paw Paw Creek grew into a community called Paw Paw Plaines. The Macedonia Church in the area has a graveyard, and a large Waller graveyard is located near the river. The Paw Paw School was a part of the Roane County School System.
As noted above, the Henry Fritts tract was bought from
Thomas C. Clark who was a very wealthy Kingston lawyer and
businessman. In 1795, Stockley Donelson, land speculator and
brother—in-law of Andrew Jackson, received a grant from the State of North Carolina for 50,000 acres of land between the Tennessee and Clinch Rivers beginning at the confluence and extending up the rivers. In 3 or 4 years, the Sheriff of Knox County sold the tract to the highest bidder because of Donelson‘s failure to pay the taxes on it. It was bought by 3 individuals who either sold it to John Smith T., or Donelson had redeemed the property and sold it to John
Smith T. There were other problems with the ownership of the tract such as: clearing Indian title, etc. John Smith T. (he had added the T. to distinguish himself from all other John Smiths, fought off all challenges to his property, and in the process was alleged to have added 9 notches to his pistol handle. Along with his other trouble, John Smith T. became dissatisfied with the influx of new settlers and his lack of elbowroom, and he decided to sell the remainder of
his property and to remove to Missouri. He sold most of the residue of his large tract to the wealthy Thomas C. Clark who sold 161 acres to Henry Fritts in 1811.
Neighboring families to the Fritts on Clinch included: The
Wailers, who produced outstanding medical Doctors; Pickels, were well represented in the teaching profession, the Rayburns, were inclined to law, and produced the famous Samuel Rayburn, who established records as Speaker in the House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress; the Arnolds, are well represented in the teaching and insurance business; and the Eblens, have produced prominent lawyers and judges.
From their early settlement on the Clinch River, the Fritts
families spread to other areas of Roane County, to surrounding counties, and to the four winds. In brief, the Fritts’ have made names for themselves as: preachers, doctors, teachers, musicians, craftsmen, and in the mining industry.
“Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
today is a gift:
that is why they call it
“The Present”.
Name:
The Pioneer Fritts Family
Settle On Clinch-Paw Paw Creek
The pioneer Henry Fritts family came from North Carolina and settled in Roane County about 20 miles up the meanders of Clinch River, or approximately 8 air miles from the town of Kingston. The original home site purchased was in the area of considerable historical significance, and their early neighboring families produced leaders in various fields of endeavor.
The deed of conveyance from Thomas N. Clark to Henry Fritts describes the land as being between Clinch River and Buttermilk Road on, or near Paw Paw Creek. This creek flows into the Clinch at a point below an island of approximately 30 acres which was owned at various times by Matthew Nail, Reubin Williams, John Jones, John B. Waller and others. Later the island was covered by the backwaters of Watts Bar Lake.
Historical Location
The Buttermilk Road was either a segment or, or a road parallel to, the Great Stage Road from Campbell Station in Knox County to Kingston in Roane County. When high waters threatened at the confluence of the Tennessee and Clinch Rivers at Kingston, travelers would by-pass the flood problems by leaving Buttermilk Road and crossing the Clinch ay Paw Paw Ford at a point below the large island. The travelers would proceed by, or near, the present site of the K-25 Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant to Old Emery Road as it passed through the historical Clack's gap in Pine Ridge. From Clack's gap, the travelers would pass on to either Little Emery River and through the DeArmond's Gap in Waldens Ridge on their way to Kentucky, or to Big Emery Gap in Ridge(at Harriman) and turn left to Crab Orchard on their way to Nashville.
Paw Paw Plains
Early neighboring families of the Fritts in the Paw Paw area included: Waller, Pickel, Rayburn, Montgomery, Eblen, Williams, Haggard, Casner, Grubb, Burk and Matlock. The community grew and was known as Paw Paw Plains. Paw Paw Ford was approximately 4 miles from Wheat on the Waller's Ferry Road leading to Lenoir City. The Indian town of Paw Paw and the Clinch River Breeder Reactor Plant site will be discussed later.
Henry married Broadway, Jessice. Jessice was born in 1770 in North Carolina; died in 1830 in Roane County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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