Academy Hill

Lots &Deeds

[Work in progress. Anticipated completion December 2019.]

Lot 24

1798 May - Court Record Volume 1 Wash Co. - Commissioners of Jonesborough to Robert Mitchell: Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 24, and 50.

1808 Nov 7 - Will Book, page 77 - (exec Feb 1809) - Will of Robert Mitchell - To wife, Elizabeth, son James, daughters Jenny and Eliza... ...Fifthly, that the horses not be adjudged necessary for the benefit or use of wife or children together with the back lots I have in the town of Jonesborough be applied as far as the executors hereafter mentioned may judge necessary to the finishing of the house that I have began on a lot in said town except a lot number 24 which if the heirs of William Ferguson shall pay the purchase and tax money then and afterwards the claim of my heirs shall be extinguished and the lot be theirs and another in the same manner and form known by number 11 unto Anthony Sharp.

1819 Nov 18 - Washington County TN, Marriage Record, Vol. O - Oulen Roberts married Jain Mitchell by J.C. Harris, M.G

1828 Apr 14 - Deed Book 18, page 174 - Thomas Owin Roberts & Jane Roberts and William Collam & Elisabeth Ann Collam to Adam Garnes: 2/3 of Lot 24 on which said Garnes built his brick house and in which he now lives. Containing 2/3 of an acre. Elisabeth Collam and Jane Roberts were examined separately and apart from their husbands in open court and acknowledge their signatures.

1833 Oct 8 - Deed Book 19, page 503 - James A. Mitchell to James H. Jones: part of Lot 24, on the east end of said lot adjoining the lot now in possession of Samuel Jackson, running from the main street with said Jackson's lot the depth of town lots, thence with John Kennedy's lot to the twelve feet alley given by me to the Presbyterian Church thence parallel with the first line to the main street, thence with the main street to the beginning including a frame house built by me coluding 1/4 of an acre more or less.

1834 Sep 23 - Deed Book 20, page 362 (filed 1835 Feb 16) - Adam Garnes to John G. Eason, John Ryland, & Daniel Barkly, Trustees of the Hebron Church in Jonesborough: One third part of Lot 24, that part that is most central. Beginning on Market Street running back to Lot 40, being the same where the Church now stands and is bounded by the part of said lot now owned by James A. Mitchell in the East, John Kennedy's Lot 40 in the North, and Joseph Bean's part of Lot 24 on the West. Also all the ground that is now thrown off the North end of the third part of the West side of Lot 24 extending across said third and adjoining the Lot 40 in the North by Joseph Bean's part of Lot 24 on the South. [mistaken Lot 39 for Lot 40]

1835 Mar 7 - Deed Book 20, page 391 - Adam Garnes to Joseph Bean - two lots, one Lot 24 being an enclosed part of an acre, on which Garnes built a brick house which is now in Bean's possession and enclosed by him. Another lot on the North side of Main St that runs to the creek.

1834 Sep 18 - Deed Book 20, page 386 (filed 1835 Mar 4) - Joseph Bean obtained mortgage from Jacob Hartsell: 2/3 of Lot 24 on which Adam Garnes built a brick house and he lately lived and now occupied and in the possession of Joseph Bean. [should be 1/3]

1836 Sep 24 - Deed Book 21, page 14 - Joseph Bean to John Ryland: Two lots, one of them being a part of Lot 24, being the lot on which Adam Garnes built a brick house and the house is still on said lot and occupied by Joseph McLin including all the outbuildings and enclosure. And the other lot where Garnes built a stable and fence and Bean uses as a blacksmith shop. Other lot is north of Main Street adjoining the town boundary.

1834 Sep 24 - Deed Book 22, page 86 - James A. Allison to John G. Eason, Samuel B. Cunningham, Daniel Barkly, Trustees of the Hebron Church as Jonesboro: lot 12 feet off the west side of the east third of the lot No. 24, which 12 feet is to run the same width back to the next lot towards Back Street, now owned by John Kennedy. Gift to benefit the church.

1838 Jan 27 - Deed Book 22 page 105 - John Kennedy to Nathan Gammon, Seth PW Lucky, John Greene, Samuel B. Cunningham, Daniel Kenney, John Ryland, J.F. Deadrick, Michael Clem, Trustees for the Jonesborough Female Academy: Part of lot which is now enclosed by railing; and in which the brick building is now used as a female academy now stands. Supposed to contain 1/2 acre. [Is this 312 Main? or 205 W College?]

1849 May 12 - Deed Book 31, page 269 - A.J. Rose to Daniel Barkley, trustee: house and lot on main street being the property bought of James H. Jones where Rose now resides, bounded South by main street; East by the Presbyterian Church lot; North by John P. Chester lot, and East by a lot claimed by Colonel John Aiken fronting Main Street 76 feet and running back as far as the Presbyterian Church lot and measuring as many feet on the back part of the lot as on the front. Containing by estimation 1/4 acre. Indebted to Landon C Hoss and John A Wilds, trading as Hoss & Wilds. If debt is not paid within one year, this property plus one other described transfers to Daniel Barkly, Trustee, to sell at auction.

1850 May 7 - Deed Book 32, page 108 - John Ryland to Thomas K. Chester and William P. Chester Jr.: Houses and lots on the west end of town on Main Street. One of the houses being occupied by Ryland for several years and the other occupied by Samuel G. Maxwell. Houses and lots were conveyed to John Ryland by Joseph Bean and the Trustees of the Martin Academy, excepting that part of the lot sold to A.E. Jackson and by him enclosed by his plank fence. Conveyance by Ryland goes to Jackson's plank fence.

1852 Mar 27 - Deed Book 33, page 185 (filed 1852 Apr 1) - William P. Chester to Joseph S. Rhea. "one of the said houses being the same house occupied by Chester and the other house on the same lot and used for several years as a male academy called Martin Academy".

1852 Aug 5 - Rail-Road Journal and Family Visitor, Jonesborough TN - Rhea, a dental surgeon, placed an advertisement indicating he was occupying the property that was for sale in the 30 Aug 1853 issue.

1865 May 15 - Chancery Court - John L. Rhea & J.R. Anderson, executors of Samuel Rhea, vs. Joseph S. Rhea concerning the house and lot where Joseph S. Rhea lived adjoining the Odd Fellows lot, and the lot he purchased from John P. Chester which also adjoined the Odd Fellows lot.

1869 Jul 8 - Deed Book 41, page 427 - Dr. Joseph S. Rhea to John L. Rhea: to satisfy judgement above.

1870 Jul 9 - Deed Book 42, page 302 - John L. Rhea to Archibald W. Rhea on (1869 July 4 before other sale): "house and lot in Jonesborough which one Joseph S. Rhea now lives adjoining the Odd Fellows lot and others with two dwelling houses on the lot"

1875 Apr - Archibald W. and Mary Rhea of Cocke County to F. M. Holder of Knox County: lot next to Main St. with two houses.

1876 Oct 4 - Deed Book 46, page 76 - (filed 1877 Apr 20) F.M. Holder to Harriet McIntosh: lot with two dwellings. Mentions rock wall on Fourth Cross Street (now Washington Drive)

1878 - Deed Book 47, page 306 (filed 1880 Mar 23) - Harriet and David McIntosh to Henderson Presnell: House and lot on two acres called the Rhea lots. Presnell was residing on the property at the time. A second house on the lot was not mentioned.

1879 - Jonesborough Journal reports "The contemplated improvement of Prof. Presnell's property- rebuilding the wall and terracing and beautifying the yard- will add greatly to the attractiveness of that part of town."

1887 - Goodspeed's History of Tennessee states that the original school building was then occupied by Dr. Warlick as a residence.


Lot 25 (West 2/3)

20 April 1780 - Samuel Jackson (1755-1836) married Elizabeth Catherine Woodrow (1764-1844). They may have moved to Washington County, TN between 1810 and 1819. Samuel was the son of Phillip and Eliza Jackson. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry Woodrow (1710-1778) and Susanna Forman (1721-1812). Samuel and Elizabeth Jackson had 11 children, including Alfred E. Jackson.

5 May 1810 / February sessions 1812 - Will of Susanna Woodrow - Houses, lands, and real estate were bequeathed to her daughter, Elizabeth Jackson, wife of Samuel Jackson for the benefit of educating her grandchildren, Eliza, Caroline, Harriett, and Alfred E Jackson. The Will does not make it clear if Lot 25 or any land in Jonesborough were part of this.

31 May 1826 - Alfred E. Jackson to Seraphina C Taylor

1833 - Lot in possession of Samuel Jackson.

1840 - Property described in supplemental file per the 1852 court case. [Need to locate this supplemental file.]

1852 - Alfred E. Jackson (son of Samuel Jackson) and others (presumably siblings) lost a case tried in U.S. Circuit Court for the East District of Tennessee (Knoxville) and lot was sold to Odd Fellows. Need to find this record.

1847 Aug 25 - Deed Book 30, page 130 - Andrew Jackson Rose and J.T. Deadrick to Trustees of the Jonesborough Female Academy: Lot adjoining the lot of John P. Chester and the present Presbyterian Church lot that is about to be converted to said Female Academy and being part of the lot that said Rose now lives. Beginning at a North corner of said Church lot, at the corner part of the fence thereof, thence on a line running parallel with the main street and with the line of said Chester lot 32 feet, thence at a right angle running towards said main street 7 feet, thence with said main street 32 feet to said Church lot, then with said line to beginning. J.T. Deadrick relinquishes claim to a note he purchased that was executed by said Rose to James Jones? sold by decree of court.

1852 Oct 21 - Circuit Court - (full record here) David Winchester and others vs. Alfred E. Jackson and others: Lot 25 on Main Street of Jonesborough adjoining the lot in the North of Joseph S. Rhea; on the West the old Presbyterian Church yard; on separated on the East from A.G. Mason property by cross street. Sold by decree of court by Joseph Parsons (U.S. Marshall) to agents of Lodge 40 IOOF, Joseph S. Rhea and Z.L. Bursan during October 1853 term.

1859 May 6 - Deed Book 38, page 116 - William M. Lowry (U.S. Marshall) to Jonesborough Lodge No. 40 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Lot 25 on Main Street of Jonesborough adjoining the lot in the North of Joseph S. Rhea; on the West the old Presbyterian Church yard; separated on the East from A.G. Mason property by cross street. Entered in Note Book A, page 176.

1853 Apr 1 - Deed Book 34, page 142 - A.J. Rose appoints James H Dosser attorney to sell 1/4 to 1/2 acre lot, bounded on the West by the old Presbyterian Church lot, on the North a lot formerly owned by Dr. John Chester, on the East by a lot formerly owned by Samuel Jackson, and on the South by Main Street. (signed 1 April 1853 in Knoxville, TN)

1853 Aug 1 - Deed Book 34, page 143 (filed 1860 Aug 9) - A.J. Rose to Jonesborough Lodge No. 40 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Lot on the west side of town known as the Rose lot adjoining on the East the lot recently bought by the IOOF at Marshall's sale, on the North the lot of Joseph S. Rhea, on the West the old Presbyterian Church lot, now the female academy lot, and on the south the main street of Jonesborough. Containing 1/4 acre more or less.

1861 Dec 6 - Deed Book 38, page 261 (filed 1862 Jun 20) - Mark Bacon (Sheriff) and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows to Landon C. Hoss & John M. Hoss, formerly partners in trade under the firm and style of Hoss & Brewer and also James A. Dilworth. On 6 May 1859 William M. Lowrey, Marshall of East Tennessee executed a deed to Lodge of Odd Fellow No. 40 (which said deed was based on a decree rendered by the U.S. Circuit Court on 21 October 1852 at Knoxville), for lot on North side of Main Street extending from the cross street west of Mason's brick shop, west to the Rose lot, and north to the lots now owned by Joseph S. Rhea. And whereas A.J. Rose and his proper attorney James S. Dosser did on the 1st day of August 1853 execute a deed to the aforesaid Lodge of Odd Fellows on the north side of Main Street adjoining the lot sold by the Marshall and heretofore described and extended West to the old Presbyterian Church lot, and North to the lots owned by Joseph S. Rhea, the two conveyances containing all that portion of ground on the North side of Main Street between the aforesaid cross street near Mason's Brick Shop on the East, and extending to the old Presbyterian Church lot on the West and Joseph S. Rhea lots on the North. And whereas subsequently the Odd Fellows sold to John Lyle a part of said ground extending from the corner of the said cross street across said Main Street west to a stake and then North. The Odd Fellows being indepted to Hupp, Naff & Co., the said was sold at auction by Sheriff Mark Bacon on 23 October 1858.

1854 Jan 7 - Rail Road & Family Visitor, Jonesborough - Rev. Rufus P. Wells of the Presbyterian Church and Rev. David Sullins of the Methodist Church are co-principals of the Odd Fellow Female High School.

1870 Feb 28 - Deed Book 42, page 170 - John Hoss & William Brewer to Henderson Presnell: lot bounded on the East by the lot sold to John Lyle by the Odd Fellows upon which Samuel E. Griffith now lives, on the South by the Main Street, on the West by the old Presbyterian Church lot, and on the North by the lot of Joseph S. Rhea.

1879 Mar 24 - Deed Book , page - H. Presnell to M.S. Mahany as Trustee in favor of Newton Hacker: little claim

1883 Mar 10 - Deed Book , page - M.S. Mahany, Trustee to Newton Hacker: little claim

1883 Sep 14 - Deed Book 50, page 195 - Henderson Presnell & Newton Hacker to T.H. Reeves: Odd Fellows Female College Property bordered on the East by the lot sold by the Odd Fellows to John Lyle being the lot where E.W. Griffith now lives, on the South by Main Street, on the West by the old Presbyterian Church lot now the public school lot, on the North by the lot formerly owned by Joseph S. Rhea and sold by him to H. Presnell.

1885 Feb 5 - Deed Book 51, page 436 - Be it known that T.H. Reeves, J.D. Seemans, R.H. Dungan, directors and all other person who may become stock holders in this company are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name and style of "The Jonesboro Educational Society" for the purpose of conducting an institution of learning. $5,000 in shares at $25 each. Signed by T.H. Reeves, J.D. Seemans, R.H. Dungan, Wm G. Mathes, J.A. February, Charles E. Dosser, and D.J. Gibson.

1925 Sep 21 - Deed Book 105, page 139 - T.H. Reeves to Jonesboro Board of Education

1936 Oct 28 - Deed Book 199, page 246 - Jonesboro Board of Education to Washington County

1973 Jul 2 - Deed Book 469, page 557 - Washington County to investor

1974 Nov 26 - Deed Book 485, page 579 - investor to Jonesborough Preservation Corporation


Lot 25 (East 1/3)

1862 Nov 20 - Deed Book 38, page 334 - Jonesboro Lodge No. 40 Independent Order of Odd Fellows to John Lyle: a portion of a lot on Main Street containing 1/2 acre. Beginning at a corner opposite G. Mason's brick smith shop, running from said corner with Main Street 125 feet west to a fence dividing said lot from that on which the Odd Fellow College is situated, thence 205 feet to Jos. L Rhea(?)'s out lot fence thence 125 feet with J.L Rhea(?)'s fence, to a street or alley, thence 25(?) feet, thence with said street or alley to the beginning. Certificate entered into Note Book I(?), page 183, and registered together with the certificates thereon on Vol 38, on page 334.

1874 Apr 7 - Deed Book 44, page 400 - John Lyle to E.N. Griffith and Samuel E. Griffith: lot on Main Street upon which now erected a two-story frame dwelling in which the said vendue, now reside. Beginning at a corner opposite A.G. Mason, running with said corner with said Main Street 125 feet west, to a fence dividing said lot from that on which the Odd Fellows College is situated, thence North 205, thence 125 feet with J.S. Rhea line, to a street, thence with said alley or street to the beginning. Containing 1/2 acre. Certificate entered into Note Book H, page 65, and registered in Vol 44, page 400.

Feb 1919 - Will Book 5 page 538 - Mary Griffith Boyd to her son, Charles N. Griffith: all her property

July 7 1960 - R 153, I 1036 - Will written 30 March 1953 - Charles N. Griffith to his niece, Florence Littleford Hood: the old homeplace... where she has lived and cared for many years.

1984 -Will of Florence Littleford Hood - to her two daughters

2001 - town took over ownership and sold to Wolfe Development Company who restored and sold the home

Lot 38

1800 Dec 30 - Deed Book 6, page 614 - Commissioners of Jonesborough to Jacob Friend: Lot 38

1801 Nov 10 - Deed Book 9, page 142 - Jacob Friend to Edward Mackin: Lot 38

1808 Apr 10 - Deed Book 10, page 208 - Edward Mackin to John Kennedy: lot from Commissioners of Jonesborough to Jacob Friend, then to Mackin.


1874 May 28 - Deed Book 44, page 454 - Henderson Presnell to Samuel E. Griffith: On the South by the lot on which Samuel E. Griffith now lives, on the East by the cross street between S.E. Griffith and A.G. Mason, on the North by Chesnut Street, and on the West by the lot now owned by Presnell.


Lot 39

1805 Sep 3 - Deed Book 8, page 334 - Thomas Blackburn to John Kennedy: Lot 39

Prior to 1853 owned by Dr. John Chester

1853 owned by Joseph S Rhea


Spring Lot - likely Lot 18

8 Feb 1811 - Deed Book 12, page 335 - John A. McKinney to John McAllister: lot on Main Street being the same lot that Russell Beam now resides. Beginning at the corner of the lot now owned by the heirs of Robert Mitchell, decd, on the Main Street, then up the Main Street to the corner of the lot lately sold by McKinney to David G Vance, then with the said lot the whole depth of a town lot, thence parallel with said Main Street to the aforesaid Mitchell's lot thence with the line of said lot to the beginning. Containing 1/4 acre.