Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. Uncle Frank said the Hall`s were English, from the central part of the British Isles. The Bible family were German Dutch. The Hall`s were roaming people with no particular trades other than farming. The Bible`s were very progressive and industrious. They could build most anything. Jacob Biel Bible could build beautiful spinning wheels and looms. He also built grist mills. Jacob Bible built two spinning wheels and a loom for his daughter Emeline who married Allen Hall. Uncle Frank is in possesion of both spinning wheels, one larger, and one small. today in 2001, making them over 150 years old and are still in perfect, working condition. Emeline Hall used these spinning wheels her whole life. She spun her own wool to make clothing and was an excellent quilter.His sister Rebecca said she was known for her cooking.
Another story was told about Allen Hall. Born about 1845, he was sixteen and in bed with flu when Confederate soldiers came. "During the Civil War, the soldiers came in to kill the men and boys. When they rode up to the house, Allen and his cousin, a Finney, were sick," said Grant Hall. " Allen got out of bed but was too sick to run. His Aunt Eva Lee Finney told him to hit the floor," continued Hall. "She whopped her skirt over him and stood still until they left," said Shults. "They got the other boy who couldn`t get up, took him off, killed him, and came back wearing his boots," said Grant Hall
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall, After the passing of his mother, Emeline Ellison Hall, he went to live with his grandparents, Allen and Emeline Bible Hall. He said he would walk to visit his sister Rebecca and Talmadge. They bought the first radio he had ever seen. It was 1928 and the radio was made by Atwater Camp. He said at that time, there were only three radio stations that they could receive. They were WLS in Chicago, WSM in Nasville, and one from Del Rio, Texas. He said it was Blue Grass music, and that was what Country music used to be. He went home to tell Grandaddy Allen Hall about the radio, as Grandaddy had never seen or heard of a radio. He had seen a victorola and knew of records, but upon hearing of the radio, his words were, "Now Frank, you know there is no such thing, that it is really a box with records in the back of it". Uncle Frank said, he regretted not taking Grandaddy over to see the radio. In Franks lifetime, man`s knowlege has increased more in this period, than all of time before it. Planes, automobiles, radio, television, telephone, etc. His sister Rebecca insisted that man really didn`t go to the moon. She said it was a Hollywood picture set.
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall, He said his Daddy (Sam Hall) was 15 years old when he got his first pair of shoes. He collected chestnuts, and took them to town, and bought them. The children of Sam Hall were bought one pair of shoes a year. Frank said that his shoes would get to hurting his feet and that he sometimes wore his Grandmother Hall shoes, she didn`t like to wear shoes anyway!
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. When the U.S. government purchased the land now call Hall`s Top, it was originally called Hall`s Stop. When the Hall`s applied for the land grant, they applied for 600 acres, but received 400 acres.
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. Once his daddy leased some land from the Coal and Iron railroad at $3.00 a year.
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. Daddy would buy brand sacks full of feed and that his Mother and Grandmother would us the empty sacks for clothing, such as dresses, shirts, and bloomers.
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. His Grandfather, Allen Hall, walked from Hall`s Top to Fine`s Creek which was near the North Carolina border in one day. He said walking a great distance was no big deal in those days. It was 13 miles to Newport. The old road to town is the same road of the highway today.
AnotherStory: As told by Frank Hall. His 4x Grandfather, James Hall, was from Spartanburg, S.C., he then moved to Hendersonville N.C., to an area known as Mud Creek. William "Billy" Hall, Frank said, in 1820 moved from Mud Creek to Dutch Bottom in Cocke County. Alot of the family died of Grippe, today we know it as Typhoid Fever. Then, in 1833, after their land grants were approved, they moved the family to Hall`s Top.
Another Story: As told by Frank Hall. After his sister Rebecca and Talmadge moved back from Detroit, Michigan in 1926, they bought Sam Hall`s general store. One day a puppy followed some people to the store. They fed the dog for several day`s and would ask anyone who came to the store who the dog belonged to. They finally got tired of feeding it, and Rebecca asked Frank to put the dog in a sack, with a rock, and throw it in the river. Frank was just a young boy and said, Ok, then took the dog and threw it in the river. Upon returning to the store, there was some people inquiring about the dog. Rebecca and Frank looked at each other, each not knowing what to do, when Rebecca said, Frank, go holler for that dog. Uncle Frank hollered and hollered for that dog, knowing it would never come. The people left and they laughed and laughed at their predicament. Note: times were hard in those days and people couldn`t afford the expenses of pets.
Old Family Recipe: TEA CAKES
This recipe is from Bea Hall Good, granddaughter of Emeline Ellison and Samuel D. Hall.
Grandmother Emeline Ellison Hall made a cookie very similar to this recipe. Her son, Jim, said these cookies reminded him of his Mother's cookies. Granddaddy Samuel D. Hall ("Singing Sam") sold her cookies for a penny in his store at Bell Hill in Hartford, Tennessee.
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup Crisco shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1 tsp. lemon flavoring
2 1/2 cups sifted self-rising flour
Mix in the order given. Drop by spoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 4-5 doz. 3" cookies or 2 doz. large 4" cookies.
Step Two: Mix 3/4 cup water and Sure-Jell fruit pectin in a small saucepan. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir into fruit and continue stirring for 3 minutes. Ladle into clean, sterilized baby food jars immediately. Cover at once with lids.
Step Three: Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store Jam in freezer. Small amounts may be kept in refirgerator for up to 3 weeks. Yield: 3 quarts
Grandmother Emeline Bible Hall taught my mother Rebecca Hall this recipe
Ingredients
1. Fry four slices of fresh sausage in a iron skillet for dripping (grease)
2. Crumble two slices back into dripping
3. Scrape bottom of pan and turn heat on high
4. Add one Tbs of Crisco
5. Salt and Pepper generously
6. Add two Tbs of Flour while stirring continuously, until brown
7. Add more Pepper when brown
8. Turn to medium low heat
9. Have ready in bowl, one cup of milk with one and a half cup of water
10. Add milk and water to sausage mixture slowly while stirring
11. As gravy thickens, add more pepper
12. Turn to low heat and serve
*Momma`s advice to good gravy is an iron skillet and alot of pepper!
Number Of Servings:Serves Four Healthy People
Preparation Time:About Ten Minutes
Another Story: Rebecca, being the oldest daughter, did the same chores as the boys. Granddaddy Sam, sent her to the corn field to hoe these long rows of corn. She said it was hot, and the fly`s were biting. She said that she started going down each row hoeing, and as she came to the end of each row, that she would look up to the sky, and ask the Lord to let it rain. It never rained, then just as she finished, it began to rain and flooded for three weeks! Of course, the way she laughed and embellished her 'misery' in the cornfield was priceless.
Another Story: As told by by Iris Dale. My Grandmother, Emeline Ellison Hall, wore a dress, ankle length, her whole life, and put on a apron every day to keep their dress clean. My Great Grandmother, Emeline Bible, also wore the same. When dresses began to get shorter, my mother said that she and her sisters wore the new styles, but Grandmother always told them, you girls keep your knees covered, its not lady like. Later, Momma wold make a joke to us, when we went somewhere, you girls keep your skirt down.
Another story: written by Nancy Oberst, assistant editor for the Newport Plain Talk in Mondays edition, 30 January, 1989.
Hall happy to help:
The word got out that Jim Hall was coming to Ford`s market last week, and by the time he arrived, there were about 30 cars and trucks filled with people gathered a the market. The people were waiting and visiting with each other. You`d have thought a celebrity was coming. Everybody thinks he is, except him. Jim Hall just thinks he`s sombody from Bell Hill who was lucky enough to make a little money and he thinks he should return some of it to his home. He also feels fortunate that he has five children who live nearby and care for him. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina, has for about 55 years. He comes home every now and then and brings truckloads of clothes. He`s been known to even bring boxes of quilt pieces. Last Tuesday morning, he brought the forty-fifth and forty-sixth loads of clothes to the community. He buys some of it, talks some people into giving some of it, and some people just call him up. The clothes come from churches, individuals, stores, and even dry cleaners that have unclaimed orders. He`s been bringing the clothes to Ford`s Market for several years because it`s a good location, he says. Ford`s Market, recently leased by Kenneth Ford from Gary and Sue Ford, has become so accustomed to Hall bringing items that the store keeps clothing racks that are carried out front when he`s on the way. He usually calls Ford`s Market the day before he and some friends come to Grassy Fork, and by word of mouth, people know to arrive. On this trip, cousin Claude Hall, and friends Dean and Earl Babb, who are brothers, helped Hall. At about 6 a.m. Tuesday, Hall called his sisters in Newport, Rachel Baxter and Rebecca Freeman Glenn, and asked them to come visit, too. Some folks thought Tuesday might be his last trip. But he said, "Not as long as I`m able." He`s 82, and he admits "my age is beginning to tell on me. But this will definitely not be my last trip." He didn`t much feel like getting out this week, but he said it was cold and he wanted to get more winter clothes to people before spring came. It might be the last trip before spring. The winter trips are beginning to get a little rougher for him because of his arthritis. Asked why he brings clothes to the community, he simply said " I could see a need." Prodded a little more, he said, "I enjoy it. It gives me something to do," especially since his wife, Ollie Murr Hall, died about three years ago. "When I lay down at night, these cold nights, and think of someone up here in the cold night is cold, I can sleep better knowing I helped someone," Hall said. Years ago, he also spent some cold nights. "We were raised very poor. He can remember being without enough clothes, and now he has plenty, everything he needs," said his sister, Rachel Baxter. "He just made money and now he spends on people." His sister, Rebecca Freeman Glenn, said, "He does this for his tithes. He`s spread his wealth out in the world for people to enjoy." Seated in a pickup truck, she pointed toward Interstate 40 and said, "He and I were born right across that hill in what you might say was a poverty-stricken home." Their parents were Sam Hall and Emeline Ellison Hall, and they had six children who lived to be grown. Emeline died and Sam, who was known as "Singing Sam," married again and had more children. He had a total of 13 children. "We`re the Hall`s Top Halls," Rachel Baxter explained. Singing Sam, called it that because he taught shape note singing in churches and had a beautiful voice, was the great-grandson of William Hall, who settled on Hall`s Top in 1833. Singing Sam taught hs children Christian values, and the value of hard work. That work led him to take his family to Greenville to the textile mills. "There were some trying times," Jim Hall said. He wasn`t even a teenager when he went to work in a mill. "I made a payday before Christmas in 1918," he said. He went to nightschool and finished his education, and he eventually became a supervisor over a textile mill. He`s built houses, sold real estate, and farmed cattle. He didn`t sell his cattle off until about four years ago. Asked how he made his money, he grinned and said, "Hard work and I didn`t drink it up when I was making it." And now he just thinks it`s time to help others who aren`t as fortunate as he is.
Another Story: as written by Senta Scarborough, a reporter for the Newport Plain Talk on Friday, January 28, 1994.
She keeps busy and has prospered
In the early 1900`s, when women had just recently received suffrage, and most women were working at home, Rebecca Freeman Glenn was paving the way for women in business, not to mention opening doors for local commerce. As a pioneer of the Cocke County business community, Glenn started her first business in 1926, which was a grocery store. After a year, she sold it, and bought a larger store, which was located eight miles from Del Rio at Big Creek. The new store offered shoes, clothing, food, and other home necessities. In 1933, the store also added a saw mill for flour production. The mill made her one of the first business women to have electricity as well as a bathroom with hot and cold running water. The store became a cultural center for the townspeople. One of its main features was movies. "People came from all over to see the films. It was a gathering place for them," said Glenn. In 1940, She and her husband, T.E. Freeman, wanted another business. On a trip to South Carolina, Glenn and her husband saw an auction sale of used furniture and decided to put money down on some pieces, so that they could return with a truck to bring the furniture back home, to see if they could sell it. "As a child, I always wanted to start a furniture business. I loved going with my family to the furniture store," said Glenn. "The used furniture sold like hotcakes!" she said. In May, 1940, Glenn and Freeman found a store for selling the used furniture. By 1941, they decided to open a store in Newport. Glenn and Freeman wanted to see if it could prosper there. Because the roads in the surrounding area were better, they were losing customers to larger towns. The Freemans rented their first store for $25 a month. By March 1942, the Freemans had made enough money to open a big new furniture business. Later, Glenn opened her own furniture store, Rebecca`s Furniture, in downtown Newport. Its name changed along the way, but the business was always the same. Through out her career, Glenn had another fulltime job, raising her five sons: Warren Freeman, Paul Freeman, Roger Freeman, Rolen Freeman, and Dan Freeman, and one daughter, Iris Dale. In early 1970`s, Glenn retired, but she was not out of business, yet. In 1974, the "fiery redhead" opened another very successful and respected antique business. Glenn said she still loves antiques and always will. Even now, people still come to her for advice on antiques, she said. "It is my passion," she said. The business lasted for four years. Currently, she is retired, but still loves searching for good-quality antiques. "I pride myself on knowing them. Today, the market is flooded with reproductions," said Glenn. Glenn said her hobbies are genealogy and antiques. " As long as it`s old, I love it," she said. As one of the oldest business people in Cocke County, Glenn advises "to be truthful with the customers and, if something goes wrong, make it right. " Building a trust with the community and the people is the greatest reward of being in business," said Glenn. To live a long and prosperous life, Glenn recommends "keeping busy to stay rejuvenated."
Mother`s Gingham Apron
Aprons, like a lot of other things, have lost their value and have gone the way of the horse and buggy. The only apron I own is a frilly little dude made especially for tea parties and seldom worn. Mother`s apron was as well as much a part of her as was the the smell of fresh-baked bread. It was fashioned from the gingham of a flour sack, made plain and simple by busy hands, and tied by two long strings at her back. Its homey usefulness was endless, an epic of her day and time. She used it to fill the kindling box or shoo the chickens form the garden. In her apron she carried pea hulls to the hogs, eggs from the barn, fresh corn from the fields, and peaches from a neighbor`s. Sometimes a tiny kitten or half-drowned chicks there for warmth and security. More than once I`ve seen Mother use her apron to snatch a hot kettle from the stove or tighten a fruit jar lid on our winter food. Mother`s apron wiped dust from the furniture, blood from a busted nose, or tears from a small grimy face. It shielded her work-worn hands from the wind when mornings were bleak and cold or wiped sweat from her glasses when the temperature soared. A large patch pocket often hid a treat for child or animal. Mother`s apron also holds a lot of memories and fills my heart with longing. And one day when I see her again it won`t surprise me one bit if she`s wearing an apron of gold lame'.
Clipped from a newspaper ad by Frank Hall and given to his sister, Rebecca.
Another Story: written in July 1958 by Rebecca Hall Freeman Glenn. "My first husband`s grandmother Mrs. Edward Teague told the following story many times. "She said her husband used to go every few months to a place in the forest and cut lead enough to melt for bullets for his rifle gun. This was someplace near Raven`s Branch in Cocke County. " She said he promised to show her the place, but she didn`t insist and he never got around to it. Then he sickened and died. "I have also heard the story many times from others. I believe it`s true because Mrs. Teague was a sincere and truthful person."
Some little notes sent from James Robert Hall to his sister Rebecca.: Remember the first car we saw and riding in it. It was going in the other direction. We had to walk back. 1918
Another Note: Did you ever spill milk coming from Granddad`s and Jim would not let the dog lick it.1914
Another Note: Remember anyone throwing rocks at you? They would whiz over your head. 1917-1918
Another Note: Remember fighting in ground hog hollow and tearing down the corn. Jim recalling our childhood.
Wedding Memories: Rebecca and Allen Turner Glenn, married on Aug. 30 1948 in Rossville, Ga.: Seen Rock City, in Chattanooga, Tn., went to the Tennesse Theater, in Knoxville, for a late show. Glenn goes to sleep. Returned to the Andrew Johnson Hotel, and they assigned us to a room with twin beds, Joke on us!
A letter from Emeline Ellison Hall to son James Robert Hall. Her daughter Rachel wrote for her, as Emeline could not read nor write. Her son James lived in Greenville South Carolina.
Emeline lived at Hartford, Tennessee Route 1. Box 20
June 3, 1925
Dear Son Jim, I rec`d my slippers as you know it is my birth (day) so I was gold (glad). I don`t guess you had thought of me getting them on my fifty-second birth day. Jim you must come home when it gets hot. It`s all ready hot but I know it be still hotter. It very lonesome since Beck is gone. I would like for you to be here to fill her place. You must be good.
Your Mother, Emeline
Freeman's Furniture to move into former Heilig-Meyers building They've probably opened, closed, moved and operated more furniture stores than any other family in the history of Cocke County. Now those Freeman boys will do it again when they open one of their largest locations ever off Highway 25E in early September at the former Heilig-Meyers store. Paul and Dan Freeman carry on a tradition that has spanned 74 years and at one time involved the entire family of five brothers, Mother and Father, too. Paul, at 73, and Dan, 60, haven't lost their vigor, love of the business, and desire to satisfy everyone of their customers. The 23,000-square-foot store off Morristown Highway will be a showcase for furniture, appliances, electronics, and assorted household goodies, which they are accustomed to selling. And it won't mean the East Broadway store next to Food City will close, as some have wondered, said Paul Freeman. Freeman's downtown 9,000-square-foot store just west of National Bank of Tennessee will be closed after more than 18 year's operation. When in the new Morristown Highway store, customers will find a much wider variety of merchandise from lower price to higher price and quality. Added brands will include Broyhill, Simmons, La-Z-Boy livingroom suites–"With a lot more solid wood furniture: bedrooms, tables, dinning rooms," said Dan. The Freemans said they believe it will be a nicer shopping experience that will include their traditional ware and brands such as jewelry, RCA, Zenith, and Phillips televisions, and full range of appliances–Frigidaire, Maytag, Gibson. With more space they will add to their line of Echo saws and weed trimmers, and MTD mowers in the lawn care line. "Our present location is just not big enough," said Dan, who has sold furniture and appliances since 1958. The Freemans formerly operated a store off East Main Street and used the downtown store as a warehouse. Later, they closed the 209 East Main Street store and opened at 250 E. Broadway–it used to be the John Deere tractor store operated by W. R. Nease. Dan recalls that the old Firestone store adjacent to him and operated by Earl Rhodes was torn down and a city parking lot built. This helped them make the decision to move to East Broadway. Years later, their mother operated a used furniture store in what is now the East Main warehouse. Anyone who has lived in the county for more than a few months will have heard of the Freemans. Old timers probably recall when Talmadge and Rebecca Freeman opened a grocery store off the Old Fifteenth in 1927. "Dad bought a 1932 pickup and went to Knoxville to buy used furniture. He would drive through the community and sell it off the truck," said Dan. Paul is old enough to have helped out at the store and delivered furniture, when he was about 15. Just before the advent of World War II, Talmadge and Rebecca opened their first store in Newport next to what is now the Campbell, Hooper law offices. Dan said that he remembers well growing up in the store with brothers Paul, Warren, Roger and Rolan. Warren died in 1976. Roger, a twin brother to Rolan died last year. Rolan, a wholesale furniture representative, has covered Tennessee for about 20 years. At one time each of the brothers operated his own furniture store, and during the years the family also operated stores in Greeneville, Jefferson City, Sevierville, and White Pine. "It's been a joy," said Dan. The brothers agree that they built the business over time by putting customers first whether through service for merchandise sold or in-house financing. They look at their customers as friends. Servicing what they sell is a fulltime, hard-and-fast rule. "If they buy it today. They get it today. When it's broke, we fix it," said Dan, who has heard a lot of sad stories of people who bought elsewhere and couldn't get service. Dan enjoys coming to work every day and has no plans for retirement. He is married to the former Dorothy McMillan. They celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary August 4. They have two children: Dawn, who lives in Florida and is a computer software technician, and Bret. Bret is married to Jenny and both work in pharmaceutical sales in Knoxville. Their children are Kyle, 9, and Stephanie, 12. Working with Dan downtown store manager Tim Lawson, sales and credit manager Lynn Henry, service manager Robert Cashen, delivery manager Mark Messer, deliveryman Ronnie Howard, and credit assistant Shawn Henry. The familiar East Broadway Freeman's is a distinct business operated by Paul, who also loves to come to work every day–more than he loves playing golf. He recalls a lot of the family history such as when his parents established their first store in a building owned by Mae Holder, Mary Vinson's mother. They lived for a time in a house across from the Memorial Building and in front of the Presbyterian Cemetery–the highway was much narrower then. Talmadge kept several milk cows on the nearby Hedrick farm. He and Rebecca later moved to Clifton Heights. The next store was opened in a 170-foot deep building (which used to be a theater) between the old Roses and Ruble's stores–in a location off Main Street now occupied by Newport Dry Goods. This store was open from the 1940s through 70s. Talmadge Freeman was also in the car business with Vard Calfee selling Chrysler-Plymouth cars from 1945 to 1953. That was about the same time that Quinton Parrott's father operated the Dodge dealership in the lot now owned by the Newport Plain Talk. Paul remembers establishing his first store when he left the Navy and Rhode Island. During those years he married Imogene Nease, his first love. He was taught by his mother, Rebecca, that family survives together and he is proud of his family, son-in-law and daughter, Charles and Regenia Mason. Charles is known for his established real estate company and Regenia for her talent as a vocalist. His grandson, Chuck Mason, is his pride and joy and is a college student. Jackson McCaid Mason, 10 months, old great grandson, gives him many smiles. That first store was in White Pine thanks to Talmadge, who stocked it with furniture. About four years later, Talmadge suffered a heart attack and asked Paul to return to Newport. He gladly did and worked with Charlie Holt to operate the Freeman's Store, which at that time was where Newport Dry Goods is now. Warren Freeman was operating the store where the current James Furniture store is located across from Kyker's service station. Later Warren and Paul remodeled a larger building at the corner of Woodlawn and Broadway near Newport Hardware, opening in 1953. They stayed there until 1965, when the building burned. It was a grand opening for Freeman's in March 1964 in East Broadway Shopping Center newly-developed and Super Dollar moved its store there. Forty-seven years later, Food City will open its 39,000 square-foot super store and Freeman's remains a good neighbor. Later another shopping center was added by Bill Williams and Colonel Charles Rhyne Sr. and Sears moved in. When the Sears store closed, Freeman's gained space so that his location is now about 14,000 square feet stocked with recliners, sofas, assorted furniture, Gibson, Frigidaire, and Maytag appliances, guitars, TVs, carpet and other floor covering. Freeman's major furniture brands and varieties are in La-Z-Boy, Simmons and Sealy matresses, and Broyhill. They began selling the Frigidaire and Maytag brands just after WW II. Their mother had sold Gibson appliances for decades. "We're here to stay," he said, looking out the large display windows at the workers preparing to open Food City August 28. He and Dan each have their own group of customers, and both are usually available. Paul enjoys getting away to his Happy Hollow road farm where he raises cattle, and grows hay and tobacco. "I've just always enjoyed working with people. I've always tried to help people," he said. Charlie Holt has retired after 50 years with Freeman's and still repairs watches at home, and other employees are also long-timers. Jack Cutshaw, manager and buyer, started when he was 18 and has been with the brothers for 39 years. Other Freeman's employees are Bobby Grooms in sales; Henry Orr in repairs, service, and credit; Larry and Chris Manes brothers in delivery; bookkeeper Christine Ledford, of Cosby; and Betty Tucker, of Parrottsville. It's untold the amount of furniture the Freeman's have seen and sold in the past three-quarters of a century in East Tennessee. You can be sure that most homes in the county are enjoying something purchased from one of the Freeman's stores. And soon they will be visiting and buying at the Morristown Highway Freeman's Furniture Showcase and continue visiting Freeman's at east Broadway Shopping Center for at least a few more decades to reach that one-hundredth anniversary. News Article By: David Popiel Source: The Newport Plain Talk 08-25-2001
