Derrel J. Hart and his family were active in the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. His wife Rachel, joined the church in July 1840. Derrel J. was received into the church by experience and baptism in September 1842. In July 1847 he wsa elected a deacon and was ordained in October 1847. He was appointed church clerk in September 1848 and servedin that capacityuntil 1865. The records reveal that derrel was selected a delegate to the duck River Baptist Association a total of nine times beginning June 1848 and through July 1876. Rachel was a member of the church for over 76 years.
Derrel and Rachel are found in the 1840 22nd District, Bedford County Tennessee Census with one child, a female, under age five. In 1850 Derrel is listed with Rachel, Rebecca 11, Mary 9, James 7, Samuel 5, and Henry 2. In 1860 the census shows four additional children, William, Jesse, Mrtha and John.
On January 1, 1851 Derrel purchased a trct of land consisting of 35 acres, 125 poles for $347.95 This land was in the 22nd District of Bedford County on the waters of Big Flat creek and joined by lands owned by William Boon and henry Hart. On October 9, 1854 Derrel purchased 80 acres from his father, and on December 26, 1857 he purchased another tract of 140 acres from Mr. Boon.
Derrel Hart was crippled with rheumatism for several years before he died. He suffered considerably and at time, was not able to get around. During one of these difficult times, he was sitting on his front porch. It was during the Civil War, and Union soldier were in the area. Derrel's older boys had gone across the hill to the store at Dean (now New Hermon), and only Derrel, his wife, and the younger children were at home. A group of Union soldiers came up the road, carrying with them a wounded man. They stopped at Derrel's home and asked for amterial for bandages. Apparently, they were not satisfied with the material given them, because they went into the house, pulled out dresser drawers, etc., scattering things as they went and taking everything they wanted. Derrel probably complained and tried to stop them. However, they took what they wanted, hit him on the head with a steel handgun, and left him lying, bleeding on the floor. As they went up the hill and were just out of sight, the older boys arrived home from the store. On learning what happened, they quickly took their guns and went after the Union soldiers. They came within sight of them at the top of the hill. Shots were exchanged, but no one was hurt, and the Union men escaped.
According to a family story told to Mary Hart, wife of Henry Hart who is the son of Jeff Hart, a grandson of Derrel J., he died due to a rattlesnake which did not bit him. She says that her father-in-law, Jeff Hart, told her that Derrel was in the woods near him homecutting firewood. During this time he came upon a rattlesnake which struck or jumped at him coming very close, and spit its venom into his face. When derrel did not arrive home at the expected time, his chidlren went looking for him and found him lying on the ground near the pile of wood. As they carried him home he told them of the snake and insisted that it did not bite him. An examination of his body revealed no evidence of snake bite. Nevertheless he became very sick and soon died, apparently from the poison of the venom spit into his face. He died October 9, 186 and is buried beside Rachel in the old part of the Mt. hermon Church Cemetery. He was only 58 years old.
"A REMARKABLE OBITUARY"
Rachel Morris was barn March 10, 1819; was married to Derrell J. Hart in early life (who preceded her to the better land in October 1876). To this union were born ten children, six boys and four girls, one girl dying in infancy. At her death her offspring was as follows: Children 9, grandchildren 45, great grandchildren 92, great-great grandchildren 6. Living issue in all, 152.
She left one sister, Ruth Patter af Jackson Caunty, Ala. Her mather was left a widow. She had three sisters and they were all left widaws, and of her three daughters two of them are widows. Her mother lived to be 96 years of age and an accepted tradition in the family says her grandmother lived to be 103 years old. She was industrious and economical. Well do I remember when a boy af her carding, spinning, weaving, and sewing (with her fingers) ta clothe the family from the shoes to the hat. Every day clothes and Sunday too, with the exception occasionally of a Sunday shirt.
She was born, raised and spent her life in Bedford County, Tenn. In the fall after she was eighteen years old she professed faith in Christ and joined the Baptist Church of Christ at Mt. Herman, where she lived a devout and orderly member for over 76 years. She, by her orderly walk and chaste conversation, was the confidence of all who surrounded her. In May 1908 she fell and broke her thigh and her hip joint, after which she was not able to attend her church meetings, but before this if she did not fill her place it was understood that there was something the matter. After this those visiting her room usually found her with her Bible in her hand or some other book recommended to her as a good book. She frequently talked of her prospects of Heaven and more and more as she neared the end of life. Frequently she would become so enraptured with a foretaste of Heaven that her voice would be raised in adoration and praise to God.
As she became still nearer to the end she became real anxious to go. A few hours before her death she called all who were in the room to her bed one by one, and told them goodby, asking each one to meet her in Heaven, then said, "I have done the best I could to live right." Then she raised her eyes upward, waving her pale thin hands and burst forth in accents of praise to God until her strength gave way. After a little rest she said she would love to talk but was too weak. Early in the morning of March 26, 1914, her spirit left its mortal house to go to its long-sought home on high. She was 95 years and 16 days old.
The following day her remains were taken to Mt. Hermon church and funeral services were held by Elder R. E. Gore in the presence of a large concourse of people. Her body was then interred in the old church-yard to await the resurrection morn.
Written by her son J.F. Hart - Fayetteville TN
Nancy Catherine (Tuck) Dean
Nancy Catherine Tuck Dean, 88, of 311 West Main, Manchester, a housewife, died Aug. 4 at Coffee County Nursing Home. A native of Coffee County, she was born Nov. 25, 1902, to William and Rachel Tuck. Mrs. Dean was a member of the Church of Christ.
Services were held Aug. 8 at Watson-Gamble Funeral Home, with Ed Boggess officiating. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Gardens. Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Irene Uselton of Hillsboro, Mrs. Audrey Bougski [sic-Boguski] of Oklahoma, Mrs. Mary Wickom of Indiana, and Mrs. George Reed of Manchester; two sons, Willie Dean of Texas and Daniel Dean of Manchester; one sister, Cora Jones of Munsey, Ind.; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Contributed by Gene Morris
25 November 1902 - 04 August 1991
Daughter of Rachel Elizabeth (Brown) & Willis M. Tuck
Great grandaughter of Derrell & Rachel
Wife of Charles Allen Dean
The Herald-Chronicle, Aug. 22, 1991
Charles Allen Dean
Charles Allen Dean, 82, of Route 2, Manchester, a retired farmer, died Friday at Coffee County Hospital following an extended illness. A Bedford County native, he was born Aug. 29, 1898. He was the son of Daniel T. and Mary Ray Dean. He was a Baptist.
Services were Monday at Watson Funeral Home. The Rev. R. W. Whitlock officiated. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Nancy Tuck Dean; four daughters, Mrs. Bobby Reed, Manchester; Mrs. Jack Uselton, Hillsboro; Mrs. Alex Boguski, Okmulgee, Okla., and Mrs. Mary Schwartz, Springport, Ind.; two sons, Willis Dean, Arlington, Texas, and Daniel Dean, Manchester; 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren
Contributed by Gene Morris
29 August 1898 - 19 December 1980
Husband of Nancy Tuck
The Herald-Chronicle, Dec. 25, 1980
Mary Ann (Hart) Mullins
29 August 1841 - 02 December 1931
Daughter of Derrel J. & Rachel (Morris) Hart
Mrs. Mary Ann (Hart) Mullins , 90, died Wednesday at the home of her son, Sam Mullins, near Mount Hermon. She was the widow of Richard Mullins, who died many years ago. She had been a member of the Baptist church for 76 years and was beloved by a wide circle of relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the home of her son, Sam Mullins, thursday morning, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Gore of Wartrace, followed by burial in the cemetery nearby.
C. Ray Hart, 92, of Athens, died Saturday in Life Care Center of East Ridge following a lengthy illness. He managed the Mayfield Dairy Farms for 14 years and also worked for the State Department of Agriculture for several years before retiring. He was preceded in death by his wife, Essie Lee Hart on July 12, 1986; a grandson, A. Raye Smith; and his parents, Edwin Ewing and Hester Floyd Hart. He had been a member of the Farm Bureau and an elder of the the Athens church of Christ.
Survivors include two daughters, Marie Collins of Bradenton, Fla., and Sue Smith of Dalton, Ga; a grandson, Edwin Collins of Boston, Mass.; and several cousins and nieces. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with ministers Bill Yates and Kenneth Chadwell officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday night at the funeral home
Obituary contributed by Gene Morris
Longtime community and civic leader Mrs. Essie Lee Hart, 83, of Athens died Saturday in an area hospital. Mrs. Hart had served as a director of McMinn Farm Bureau; president of the McMinn County Home Demonstration Club; chairperson of the Women's Division of East Tennessee Farmers Convention; and American Red Cross Secretary for McMinn County from 1953-1979; and was a frequent delegate to the Farm Bureau's annual national convention.
An active social worker for the McMinn County Indigents Program, she along with two other women organized the Coordinated Chariites of Athens. In 1979, Mrs Hart was named McMinn County "Mother of the Year: and was recognized as the First Lady of Athens. She was honored for her community service by the Athens Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1983, the Woodmen of the World in 1975 and the Pilot Club in 1975. A native of Bedford County, she came to McMinn County in 1938. Mrs. Hart was a member of Ohio Avenue church of Christ , where she taught Sunday school and served on the benevolence committee.
Survivors include her husband, C. Ray Hart, Athens; two daughters, Marie Collins, Bradenton, Fla. and Sue Smith, Dalton, Ga; sister, Mrs. Annie Ruth Ingle, Knoxville, Tenn; two grandsons; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with William B. Yates and Tommy Irons officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be George Price, Hugh Lamb, Don Kirskey, Tom Irons, Ronnie Miller and Reuben Holland. Memorial contributions can be made to the Coordinated Charity of Athens. The family will receive friends Tuesday night at the funeral home in Athens.
Dr George Hart, 54, dentist, died at his home in Petersburg, Sunday afternoon following a brief illness of pneumonia. He was the son of the late James Hart and was reared near Flat Creek. Dr Hart had been a resident of Petersburg for more than 25 years. He was an active member of the Church of Christ, having served as an elder for many years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Cora Shoffner Hart; a daughter of Mrs Fred Montgomery of Petersburg; Two sons, George of Petersburg and Alwin of Knoxville. Burial in the Old Orchard Cem. in Petersburg
Shelbyville Gazette 15 February 1934.
Cora (Shofner) Hart
Wife of George Crigler Hart
Services for Mrs. Cora Shofner Hart, 90, of Petersburg, were to be 4 p.m. today in Petersburg church of Christ with burial in Old Orchard Cemetery, Petersburg. Mrs. Hart, who died Monday at her home, was a sister of Miss Alice Shofner of Flat Creek.
Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Wilma Montgomery of Petersburg; two sons, George of Palm Springs, Calif. and J. W. Hart of New York City; a brother, Charley Shofner, Sitka, Alaska; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Shelbyville Gazette 8 July 1970, contributed by Gene Morris
Mr. Samuel Hart a well known and highly esteemed citizen and farmer of the Mt Hermon vicinity died at his home between Mt Hermon and Flat Creek Sunday night after a lingering illness, aged about 73 years. He was a brother of Wm Hart and Elder Jesse Hart and leaves two other brothers all prominent citizens of the Flat creek and Southern section of Bedford County. He leaves besides these well know relatives, his wife and several grown children. Service and burial Monday at Mt Hermon
Shelbyville Times-Gazette 31 October 1918
Mary Owen (Patterson) Dowdle
Mrs. Mary Owen Dowdle of Shelbyville died Saturday at Bedford County Nursing Home after an extended illness. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Wayne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 8 p.m. today.
>[? Mrs. Dowdle, 86, was a Bedford County native, the daughter of the late Lee Jefferson and Ocie Ola Petty Patterson. She was a retired licensed practical nurse with Bedford County General Hospital and a member of Thompson Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Rufus L. Dowdle of Shelbyville; two brothers, John O. Patterson of Shelbyville and J. B. Patterson of Booneville, two sisters, Janie Mae Dodson of Estill Springs and Ocie Lee Frame of Chapel Hill. She was preceded in death by a brother, R. L. Patterson.
Contributed by Gene Morris
26 December 1909 - 19 October 1996
Daughter of Lee Jefferson & Ocie (Petty) Patterson
Great Grandaughter of Samuel & Rachel (Morris) Hart
Wife of Rufus Lee Dowdle
Shelbyville Times-Gazette, 21 Oct 1996
Exie Odell Batt w/o David
New Mt. Hermon Cemetery Parents of James Thomas Hart, David C. Hart Photo taken May 8, 2004 Decoration Day Weekend
David Samuel Hart
21 October 1898 - 01 May 1949
Son of John B & Arrie (Womack) Hart
25 January 1899 - 18 June 1967
Dau. of David & Cordelia (Towery) Batt
Near Shelbyville, Bedford Co TN
and Mary Sue (Hart) Loveless
James David Hart
James David (Little David) Hart, 26, a paramedic with the Metro Fire Department's ambulance service, died Sunday at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.
Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Gowen-Smith Chapel with Rev. Philip Rosenbaum and Rev. George Carneal officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
A native of Bedford County, he was a resident of 111 Wade Dr. and was a member of Edgemont Baptist Church. Survivors include his parents, David C. and Jessie Lee McCarty Hart; two brothers, Steve and Ben Hart, all of Shelbyville; three sisters, Mrs. Lavenia Green, Covington, VA., Sheila and Sheree Hart, Shelbyville; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. McCarty, Shelbyville
Contributed by Gene Morris
09 August 1950 - 22 August 1976
Son of David C. Hart & Jessie McCarty
Shelbyville Times-Gazette, 23 Aug 1976, p. 121
Colie (Rogers) Hart
Estill Springs TN., Estill Springs Cemetery
Photo contributed by Sam Hart
Edward Lee Hart
13 September 1880 - 31 March 1967
Son of Henry K & Fannie (Ervin) Hart
06 December 1885 - 02 November 1977
Mattie Mahala (Petty) Hart
28 December 1858 - 28 May 1906
Daughter of Presley & Mary Petty
Wife of Jesse Francis Hart
New Mt. Hermon Cemetery, Bedford Co TN
I believe that Rev. Jesse Francis Hart also buried in this cemetery. I must have somehow missed his grave. He was the pastor of this church for 54 years and with others, donated land for this cemetery.
Jessie married Mattie Petty Septenber 17, 1874. They were the parents of six children, all born and raised here in Bedford County. They were William Henry Hart, James Richard Hart, John Stephen Hart, Alvin Stypes Hart, Derrell Benjamin Hart, Timothy Gnothian Hart and Elipas Hix Hart.
Photo taken May 8, 2004 Mt. Hermon Decoration Day Weekend
William Henry Hart
09 July 1875 - 05 April 1939
Son of Jesse & Mahala (Petty) Hart
Letha Ellen (Turpin) Hart
22 July 1875 - 01 March 1940
Daughter of Jesse & Matilda (Black) Turpin
Parents of Dewey, Ewell, Mamie, Effie & Annie
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt.Hermon Cemetery
Dewey Jesse Hart
17 June 1898 - 05 July 1986
Son of Wm. & Ellen (Turpin) Hart
Kathleen (Lowe) Hart
28 February 1910 - 18 November 1993
Dau. of Robert & Annie (Warren) Lowe
Parents of Juanita & Martha Hart
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt. Hermon Cemetery
James Richard Hart
28 September 1877 - 13 March 1921
Son of Jesse & Mattie (Petty) Hart
Dr. James Richard Hart was a Dental Surgeon in Lynchburg TN and once served as Mayor. He also served as a Representative in the General Assembly, and he also served on the Moore County Draft Board. James later moved to Tullahoma TN.
He was a member of Woodman of the World and Knights of Pythias. He never married
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt.Hermon Cemetery
John Stephen Hart
25 February 1879 - 05 January 1951
Son of Jesse & Mahala (Petty) Hart
Elizabeth Ellen (Murray) Hart
03 November 1878 - 26 September 1963
Dau. of Wm. & Mary (Turpin) Murray
Parents of Clarence, Claude, Floy, Jesse, George, Melba, Mary & Don
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt. Hermon Cemetery
Claude Sutton Hart
11 January 1903 - 18 July 1950
Son of John & Elizabeth (Murray) Hart
Annie Lee (McNatt) Hart
18 July 1905 - 1972
Dau. of Edward & Mattie (Pitts) Hart
Parents of Charles Stephen Hart
& Lee Edward Hart
Photo taken
May 8, 2004 New Mt. Hermon Cemetery
Melba Hart
Born and Died 1915
Infant daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Murray) Hart
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt. Hermon Cemetery
Timothy Gnothian Hart
24 December 1882 - 11 May 1939
Son of Jesse & Mattie (Petty) Hart
Sally Ann (Heath) Hart
1878 - 1962
Wife of Timothy Hart
Photo taken May 8, 2004 New Mt. Hermon Cemetery
