Tennessee Colony
Tennessee Colony, Anderson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1838 by settlers who came from the Old South by wagons, seeking fertile, watered farm lands. Later their cotton shipped from Magnolia Ferry on the Trinity created great wealth. Early businesses were a general store, blacksmith shop, cabinet shop (which made furniture still found in area). Town was trade center for places as far away as Dallas. The plantation era reached a climax in grandeur on the properties of F. S. Jackson, a settler from Virginia. Circuit riders held religious services in homes until a log cabin church could be built, probably in late 1838; a second log church succeeded this one. Masons attended the lodge in Magnolia for years, but in 1857 obtained charter for Tyre Lodge No. 198, A.F. & A.M., in Tennessee Colony. They then worked to build a 2-story church-school-lodge hall, which was finished in 1860 (and was to be used until 1948). The schools were outstanding, especially those taught by a Mr. Hooker and by Professor Sidney Newsome. They drew patronage from Palestine and other area towns. Remembered students included Addison and Randolph Clark, later to become founders of a college that would be forerunner of Texas Christian University. Descendants of original colonists still live here. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1838 by settlers who rolled in by wagon from the Old South, Tennessee Colony chased fertile, well-watered farmland — and found wealth in cotton shipped down the Trinity from Magnolia Ferry. The town grew into a trade center reaching as far as Dallas, with stores, craftsmen, a Masonic lodge, and a two-story church-school-lodge hall finished in 1860. Its schools were famous enough to draw students from surrounding towns, including the Clark brothers who would later help found the forerunner of Texas Christian University.
Why it matters
The colony shows how migration from the Old South carried the plantation-and-cotton economy — and its emphasis on schooling — westward into frontier Texas.
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Related people
- · F. S. Jackson
- · Sidney Newsome
- · Addison Clark
- · Randolph Clark
Themes & tags
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