Davidson County was established by an Act of the North Carolina legislature in April 1783 and began operation in October 1783. While the county was much larger then than now, encompassing essentially all of north-central Tennessee, the Hoopers settled the part that is present-day Davidson County, on the northern and western reaches of Nashville, and in what is now Cheatham County, a few miles west of Nashville. Note that this represented the far end of the Natchez Trace, a roughly 500-mile pathway paralleling the rivers from Natchez to Nashville.
Court records are only partially indexed, so many records are missing in the list below. Some court and miscellaneous records of no genealogical significance are deliberately omitted below. Likewise, War of 1812 records are omitted.
1783
William Hooper testified that in 1783 he lived “near Nashville” hunted the area to Logan County, Kentucky some 20 times. [See entry at 24 March 1821]
6 November 1783
Deposition: …this day came Absolom Hooper before me Isaac Lindsey Esq. one of ye Justices of ye peace of sd County and made Oath wt Dan Oglesby now Residenter of the Inhabitant of Cumberland and County affores’d was for some years Raised to his knowledge under ye (obscured) of Captain Stephen Holston of the State of So. Carolina and District of Ninety Six was Taken by the said Captain Holston in ye time of his maturity to the Settlem’t of ye Natchez on ye River Mississippi & that [he?] was Generally informed yt. ye said Dan’l was son of Elisha Oglesby by the State of So. Carolina whom he understood by Gen (obscured) Dec’d. . . .” [Davidson County Wills & Inventories Volume 1, page 5.]
The typed transcript mistakenly recorded the date as 1793 (and the page as 6) but the original is clearly dated 1783, for the depositions by John Holston and Absolom Hooper on page 5 were both dated 6 November 1783. Oglesby was selling the inherited land just a couple months later in January 1784.
4 Oct 1784
Stock Mark: Absalom Hooper records his stock mark thus: A crop off each ear and upper & lower slopes in each, commonly called Piggin Handles. [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 42.]
This is the first mention of Absalom Hooper in Davidson County court records, which began a year earlier in October 1783.
4 Nov 1784
Land Entry: State of North Carolina to Absalom Hooper, assignee of Martin Armstrong… 230 acres lying and being in our County of Davidson situate on north side of Cumberland and both sides of White’s Creek. Beginning at a poplar and beech on Peter Side’s southwest corner running east 214 poles to a hicory (sic) and walnut, thence south 172 poles to an ash and elm, thence west 214 poles crossing White’s Creek to a stake thence north 172 poles to the beginning. Entered 4 Nov 1784, Surveyed 9 September 1785. Granted 8 October 1787. [North Carolina Land Grants, Book 68, page 156, Grant # 33]
Among Martin Armstrong’s numerous assignees were several others claiming land on White’s Creek, including John Cox, Frederick Stump, Samuel Shannon, Samuel McGown, Alexander Reed, James Ireson,
1785
Deposition: On 23 March 1824, Daniel Oglesby stated that he “set out on a hunt in company with Absalom Hooper in the year 1785 and crossed Red River about two miles below where Phil Alston lived… went on a northeasterly direction to meet Wm. Hooper on the waters of Muddy River…
See entry at 24 March 1820. The Muddy River is in Logan County, Kentucky. “Phil Alston’s place” was a small fort on the Red River in the western part of what became Logan County, Kentucky. Phillip Alston, incidentally, had refugeed from Natchez, was a notorious counterfeiter and all-around fascinating character.
4 July 1785
Road Laid Off: Joseph Martin and Geo. Frazier… appointed to lay off a road from James Shaw ferry to the Gap of the Ridge above Frederick Stumps makes return as follows – the road from the ridge to pass by Phoenix Cox thence past Wm Mitchels John Frazers & Wm. Loggins leaving Hoopers to the left hand… [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 79.]
5 July 1785
Jury Service: Wm. Hooper, Abs’m. Hooper on jury in Nashville for case of State vs. James Hickman, Henry Bradford & Joseph Brock for disorderly behavior… [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 82.]
This is the first mention of William Hooper in Davidson court records. He served on juries regularly for the next few years. Jurors were normally landowners, though there is no record of land ownership by William Hooper. (Note that this also places his birth year before the marriage of Absalom Hooper in 1765, yet another reason to think that they were not father and son.) The deed from Daniel Oglesby to James Hoggatt was proved at the same court session, which may explain the attendance of the two Hoopers. Both men appear frequently in Davidson court records, several times serving on the same jury.
8 July 1785
Jury Service: Absolom Hooper among those appointed to grand jury. [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 92.]
21 February 1786
Bond: Samuel Vernor (Varner) to Abs’m Hooper, bond for £500 to bind Vernor to execute a deed to Hooper for 340 acres on which Vernor now lives… [Davidson County Wills & Inventories Vol. 1, page 77.]
This had to wait, as Vernor’s patent had not yet been issued. Samuel Varner, as assignee of James Hollis, entered a claim for 640 acres on Whites Creek on 10 May 1784 but the patent didn’t issue until 18 August 1787 (See NC Grant Book 68, page 132). He executed the deed two years later — see 8 July 1788 below.
July 1786
Inventory: Balances due to estate of James Moore dec’d included: George Cook 3s-12p… James Finley (Abs’m Hooper security) 8s-16p… Abs’m Hooper 7s-12p…
8 Oct 1787
State Grant: State of North Carolina to Absalom Hooper. Issued this date, recorded in Davidson County on 18 August 1789 — more than a month after he sold the tract to Robert Weakley. [Davidson County Deed Book A, page 350]
See entry above for 4 November 1784.
1787
Tax List: … Hooper, William – 1; Hooper, Absolom – 7…[History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, by Prof. W. W. Clayton ( J. W. Lewis & Co., Philadelphia, 1880, Reproduced by Higginson book Company, 1996) page 58.]
I haven’t located the original tax list yet to see if whites and blacks were enumerated separately. Taxables were white males 21 and over and blacks aged 12-60. There were 372 whites and 105 slaves in total. This was the first tax list of Davidson County.
7 July 1788
Court Record (summarized): William Crutcher, administrator, returned an inventory of the estate of James Ireson. Daniel Oglesby sworn as garnishee of the estate of James Ireson, determination deferred to next Court, with Absalom Hooper his security for Oglesby delivering property of James Ireson estate in his possession. Eneas Hooper sworn as garnishee of the estate of James Ireson “sayeth that sometime after the decease of the sd. Ireson there was delivered to him by Elizabeth Hinsler a bed, a sheet, some knives & forks and some plates which she sd. belonged to Mrs. Ireson; which he carried to the house where Dan’l Oglesby lay sick.” Robert Heaton sworn as garnishee of Ireson estate but claimed no property in his possession. [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 218]
See also 10 July 1788 below.
7 July 1788
Court Record: Absolom Hooper appeared in consequence of a scire facias having been issued against him at the Instance of Joshua Hadley, and being sworn as garnishee of James Lenear saeth that he owes the sd. Lenear not anything. [Davidson County Court Minute Book A, page 218]
8 July 1788
Deed: Samuel Vernor to Absolom Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £500, 340 acres on the north side of the Cumberland River 2½ miles from Heaton’s Old Station beginning at a red elm tree 20 poles south of James Hollis southeast corner, thence east 156 poles to an ash, thence north 341½ poles to a small ash tree, thence west 300 poles to three elms on James Hollis’s east boundary, then south 341½ poles to the beginning… land granted to said Vernor by State of North Carolina 8 October1787. Acknowledged by Elizabeth Vernor and James Cooper, administrators of Samuel Vernor deceased… in consequence of a sale of the said lands made and obligation for a conveyance thereof given by the said Vernor in his lifetime… Recorded 30 July 1788 [Davidson County Deed Book A, page 244]
This is the western portion of Vernor’s grant. It bordered Vernor to the east and James Hollis to the west. Vernor was assignee of James Hollis, who would later sell land in Montgomery County to Vernor’s widow. Daniel Oglesby and William Hooper would marry daughters of James Hollis.
The Davidson County clerk consistently spelled the given name “Absolom”. Heaton’s Station, a fort established in 1780, was located at or near what is now Lock One Park on the north bank of the Cumberland River due north of Nashville. Vernor’s tract was 2½ miles to the northeast.
10 July 1788
Inventory: William Crutcher, administrator of James Ireson, states that he has not been able to local the effects of the intestate “but being informed that some property was supposed to be in the hands of Eneas Hooper, Dan’l Oglesby, Robert Heaton and M’s Burris has had them subpoena’d… [Davidson County Wills & Inventories Vol. 1, page 69.]
11 July 1788
Writ: Order to Sheriff to produce William Dolton in court the first Monday in October next to answer a plea of trespass against Absolom Hooper to the damage of the sd. Hooper of £150. Writ returned October Court 1788. Declaration: Absolom Hooper vs. William Dolton. On the ____ day of ____ 1788 William Dolton was indebted to the aforesd. Absolom in the sum of £36:8 for money had and received to the (sic, apparently restarted) On the day and year aforesd. became further indebted to the aforesd. Absolom in sum of £36:8 for goods wares and merchandise sold and delivered to the aforesaid William by the aforesaid Absolom… Summary: Dolton repeatedly refused to pay, Absalom sued. Dolton’s attorney Joshua Love obtained an imparlance to July court 1790 at which time a jury found in favor of Hooper but in the sum of only £21:12. [Davidson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Records 1783-1790, page 216 etc.]
15 Oct 1788
Deed: Absolom Hooper and Elizabeth Hooper his wife to William Shaw, all of Davidson County, for £100, 130 acres on the waters of White’s Creek, it being part of Samuel Vernors preemption., Beginning at two hickories and elm standing in the west boundary of said preemption and running thence with said boundary line north 108 poles to an ash and elm, thence east 176 poles to an ash and elm, thence south 136 poles to two honey locusts on a branch of White’s Creek, thence west with said creek binding thereon 134 poles to an elm on said creek, thence N25W 26 poles to an ash, thence S65W 42 poles to the beginning… No witnesses mentioned. Acknowledged by Absolom Hooper in court 5 Jan 1789, Justinian Cartwright made oath that he saw Elizabeth Hooper sign. Recorded 20 Jan 1789 [Davidson County Deed Book A, page 289 and see Court Minutes 1783-1789, page 342 for acknowledgement.]
This is the only mention of Elizabeth Hooper. It isn’t clear whether her lack of participation in subsequent deeds represents her death or examples of the more or less routine omission of dower releases on the part of the county clerk.
Preemptions were no-charge grants of 640 acres made to men who were living in the Cumberland settlements before mid-1780 and who occupied their claims prior to 1782. It is instructive that the Hoopers did not qualify.
1 March 1789
Marriage Bond: William Hooper & Absolom Hooper bond for marriage of William Hooper and Sarah Hollis. [Davisdon County Loose Marriage Bonds]. Marriage License dated 4 March 1789: Wm. Hooper to Sarah Hollis. No return noted. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds and Marriage Book 1, page 3.]
This is the second-earliest marriage license recorded in Davidson County. There are no marriage records prior to 1789.
James Hollis, who had been a near neighbor had moved about a year earlier to a home and mill on half one creek near the present village of Thomasville in western Cheatham County. He signed a petition to establish a new county west of Davidson in 1788 and in late 1788 the Davidson County court ordered a road to be built from James Hollis’s mill to Frederick Stump’s mill. Whether Sarah Hollis moved with her family or remained near the Hoopers isn’t clear, but William Hooper would eventually move to Montgomery County nearer her family.
6 July 1789
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Robert Weakley, both of Davidson County, for £200, 230 acres on the north side of Cumberland River and on both sides White’s Creek. Beginning at a poplar and beech on Peter Sides southwest corner as stands (inserted?) in the grant the land which was said Sides now belonging to Eleazer Hamilton running east 214 poles to a hickory and walnut, thence south 172 poles to an ash and elm, thence west 214 poles crossing White’s Creek to a stake, thence north 172 poles to the beginning… granted unto the said Absolom Hooper by the state of North Carolina aforesaid October 8, 1787… Signed: Absolom Hooper. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Hooper at July Ct. 1789. Recorded 22 July 1789. [Davidson County Deed Book A, page 340]
This is the initial land grant to Absalom Hooper, entered in 1784 and granted in 1787, on which Absalom Hooper may have lived during his first few years in Tennessee — note that the purchase price implies some degree of improvement to the land. Interestingly, he did not register the grant until a month after the sale (see above)
Exempted slaves were either disabled or under 12 or over 50.
20 August 1790
Land Entry: William Alford, assignee of John Howell (warrant #1442), 640 acres on east side of Elk Fork about one half mile above the widow Gibsons including a large spring known by the name Hooper’s Spring… [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p27.]
This surely refers to the Elk Fork that runs southward into the Red River in the northern part of Davidson that became Robertson County. (I doubt that it refers to the smaller Elk Fork that empties into Piney Fork in what is now western Montgomery County (carved out of Davidson in 1796.) See also entry at 13 August 1796 for mention of Hooper’s Hollow also on the Elk Fork. This does not appear to have resulted in a grant and is not among the North Carolina grant records.
Hooper’s Spring was probably named after William Hooper or Absalom Hooper who were exploring the area — see the depositions at 24 March 1820 below.
15 December 1790
Mention of Joseph Hooper, one of the Captains of Militia for Davidson County. [“Governor Blount’s Journal”, The American Historical Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3 (July, 1897), page 232.]
11 July 1791
Deed: Benjamin Drake to Absolom Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £200, 640 acres on the east waters of Whites Creek beginning at a large hickory and hackberry in Dennis Condry’s line running thence east 210 poles to two ash trees in Samuel Vernors line, north 487 ½ poles to a large honey locust and hackberry, west 210 poles to two buckeyes, south 487 ½ poles to the beginning, the said land being a preemption granted by the State of North Carolina to the said Benjamin Drake Sen., assignee of Charles Robertson Nov. 26. 1789 and numbered 286… Signed: Benjamin Drake. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Drake July Ct. 1791. Recorded 29 July 1791. [Davison County Deed Book B, page 211]
July 1791
Inventory: Estate of Edwin Hickman returned by Thomas Hickman lists a very large number of “persons indebted for feriages for the year”, among them Wm. Hooper for 16 shillings. [Davidson County Will Book 1, page 225.]
The Hickmans operated ferries across the Cumberland in at least two locations.
11 January 1792
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. Charles Snyder, “general issue and covenant performed”… David Hay a witness for plaintiff… Jury found in favor of plaintiff, awarded damages of £35:10 plus costs. [Davidson County Court Minute Book B, 1791-1799, page 18.]
9 April 1792
Deed: Absolom Hooper to William Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £100, 85 acres on the east fork of White’s Creek and north side of Cumberland River, beginning at a stake in said fork joining said Absalom Hooper’s line of the tract whereon he now lives, running thence north 148 poles to an ash and walnut, thence west 28 poles to a hackberry on the glade branch, thence down the said branch 100 poles to an ash, thence south 96 poles to a stke on the foresaid fork of White’s Creek, thence up the said fork 94 poles to the beginning… being part of a preemption of 640 acres of land granted unto Benjamin Drake Sr. as assignee originally of James Hollis…. Signed: Absolom Hooper. Witness: Thomas Crutcher, Michael Glaves. Acknowledged by Absalom Hooper at April Ct. 1792. Recorded 30 April 1792. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 28]
6 July 1792
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Charles Parker, both of Davison County, for £60, 118 acres on the east fork of Whites Creek and north side of Cumberland River beginning at the southwest corner of a preemption of 640 acres granted to Benjamin Drake, assignee originally of James Hollis,… running thence north 200 poles or till it intersects the said creek, thence up the middle fork of the said creek to the corner of the land whereon George Cook now lives, thence with the said Cook’s like S15W 180 poles to a large sugar tree and (poplar?) on a ridge, thence west 65 poles to the beginning… adj a corner of a 640 acre preemption of Benjamin Drake. Signed: Absolom Hooper. Witness: Ennis Hooper and Joseph Hooper. Acknowledged by Absalom Hooper July Ct. 1792. Recorded 25 July 1792. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 57]
9 July 1792
Deed: Absolom Hooper to David Earhart, both of Davidson County, for £100, 48 acres on the waters of the east fork of Whites Creek… beginning at an ash on said Hooper’s line of the tract whereon he now lives, runs west 33 chains 60 links to a large sugar tree and pawpaw on a ridge, thence north 14 chains 30 links to a hackberry and ash, thence east 33 chains 60 links to a small hornbeam on said line of said mentioned tract of Hooper, thence south with said line 14 chains 30 links to the beginning… beign the southeast corner of a preemption of 640 acres granted unto Benjamin Drake Seniot as assignee originally of James Hollis… Signed: Absolom Hooper. Witness: John Tremble and Ennis Hooper. Acknowledged by Absalom Hooper July Court 1792. Recorded 26 July 1792. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 59]
(blank day & month) 1792
Deed: Elijah Robertson to Absolom Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £(blank), 228 acres … in the county of Tennessee and Davidson on Sycamore Creek, beginning at a hickory the southwest corner of the original survey, runs east 157 poles to a dogwood and gum, thence north crossing said creek 233 poles to an ash, thence west 157 poles to a black oak, thence south crossing said creek 233 poles to the beginning, being part of a tract of 640 acres granted by the State of North Carolina to Reading Blount bearing date 8 December 1787… Signed: Elijah Robertson. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Robertson in court January 1794. Recorded 3 February 1794. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 231]
July 1792
Inventory: Samuel Deloach estate, filed by Noah Sugg, administrator. [Davidson County Will Book 1, page 252.]
21 December 1792
Bill of Sale: Thomas Lovel to Absolom Hooper, both of “Davidson County & Territory of the United States of America South of the River Ohio”, for £200 good and Lawfull Money of the County and Territory afsd., a Negro woman named Nannys, a Negro Girl named Delilah, a Negro named George, a Negro boy named Charles and a Negro Girl named Caty and a Black horse About Twelve year old, Seven head of Cattle marked with a Crop in the Right Ear & Two slits, And all the Household furniture… Signed: Thomas Lovel. Witness: Wm. Hooper, Ennis Hooper. Proved April Term 1793 by Ennis Hooper. Recorded 6 May 1793. [Davidson County Wills & Inventories 1784-1794, Vol. 1, page 271.]
14 January 1793
Deed: William Loggins to Joseph Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £100 Virginia money, 100 acres on the north side of Cumberland River and on the east fork of Whites Creek, beginning at a hickory, Wm. Loggins southeast corner, thence west 57 ½ poles to a dogwood, thence north 278 poles to a hornbeam, thence east 57 ½ poles to a hackberry and ash said Loggins northeast corner, thence south 278 poles to the beginning… being the east end of said Loggins preemption. Signed: William (his mark) Loggins. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Loggins in court January 1793, Recorded 23 January 1793. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 96]
14 January 1793
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Joseph Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £200 Virginia money, 200 acres on the north side of Cumberland River on the waters of the east fork of Whites Creek. Beginning at a dead white oak and hickory near said Joseph Hooper’s spring branch, runs up said branch agreable to its meanders to a hackberry on said branch William Hooper’s corner, thence with his line S74E 6 chains 88 links to a small hackberry said Hooper’s corner on Thomas Taylor’s line, thence with Taylor’s line north 30 chains to a locust, hackberry and white oak on John Duffells line, thence with his line and Joseph Loves west 58 chains 50 links to a buckeye on Michael Glaves line, thence with his line south 25 chains to a small hackberry near a dry branch, thence east 15 chains to a white oak, thence S30.5E to the beginning… including Joseph Hooper’s improvement… Signed: Absolom Hooper. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Hooper January Ct. 1793. Recorded 23 January 1793. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 97]
14 Oct 1793
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas Lightfoot, both of Davidson County, for £100, 200 acres on the north side of Cumberland River on both sides of Heatons Creek. Beginning at a hickory on the bank of said creek William Stuarts corner, running with his line west 53 chains 40 links to a swamp white oak, thence north 37 chains 50 links to a mulberry, thence east 53 chains 40 links to a large ash, thence south 37chains 50 links to the beginning… being the south end of Amos Heaton’s preemption. Signed: Absalom Hooper. Witness Thomas Hickman, (Nancy?) Childress. Acknowledged by Hooper at May Ct. 1794. Recorded 17 May 1794. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 279]
8 January 1794
Estate: Division of Sam’l Deloach’s Estate. Agreeable to an order of the county court [of 14 October 1793]… to appear and divide the estate of Samuel Deloach des’d, we have this day met and divided the said estate as follows… Lettis a Negroe woman appraised to £90, Tilda & Juda to £70, and Harry £90, the amount of the sale of other goods £98 amounting in the whole to £348… we assign to Elizabeth Deloach alias Hooper, Relict of the dec’d. Negro Harry (sic) at £90 and £26 out of the amount of the sales of the sd. estate and the remainder to Mary, heiress of Sam’l Deloach des’d… Signed: Thomas Talbot, Jas. Robertson, Jas. Hoggett. [Davidson County Will Book 1, page 309.]
13 January 1794
Court Record: On motion the court allows Joseph Hooper the sum of eight pounds for boarding and clothing for the year 1793 a child named Polly Deloach. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1792-1799, page 82. Also see Minute Book B, page 141, for a similar entry of same date.]
Polly Deloach was the child of Hooper’s wife Elizabeth (Sugg) Hooper by her first husband Samuel Deloach. Samuel Deloach died in late 1791 or early 1792 leaving just one child named Mary. Noah Sugg, the widow’s father and the child’s grandfather, qualified as administrator of the estate and filed an inventory on the same day at court on 9 July 1792. On the same day Elizabeth Deloach was appointed guardian of Polly and (according to the court case below) married Joseph Hooper some time in 1793.
Joseph Hooper would receive annual allowances for keeping Mary (Polly) Deloach through 1803 when she apparently came of age. She married William Sneed in January 1804. A dispute over slaves that Noah Sugg had given for Deloach and then to Hooper was filed in 1804 — see below.
13 January 1794
Court Record: Bill of Sale Abs’m Hooper to Thos. Lovell for certain Negroes and other property acknowledged. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1792-1799, page 82.]
Unless the clerk reversed the names (see Lovell’s bill of sale to Hooper a year earlier) the sale is not recorded.
15 April 1794
Deed: George Walker of Fayette County, Kentucky to Absolom Hooper of Davidson County, for $300, 428 acres in Davidson County on waters of Whites Creek, beginning at a birch tree James Mears northeast corner, running west 247 poles to said Mears northwest corner, thence north 277 poles to a stake, thence east 247 poles to a stake, thence south to the beginning… Signed: George Walker, Witness: Archibald Felts. Acknowledged in court by Howell Tatum, his attorney-in-fact, on 12 May 1794. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 267]
17 April 1794
Court Record: On motion Abs’m Hooper is released from serving as overseer of the road and Joseph Hooper and Robert Cartwright have that part of the road of which he was overseer… [Davidson County Court Minutes 1792-1799, page 115.]
(blank day) July 1794
Deed: Absolom Hooper to George Cooke, both of Davidson County, for £100, 130½ acres on the east fork Whites Creek. Beginning at a hackberry Joseph Hooper’s corner, runs east 152 poles to a buckeye on the east fork of White’s Creek, thence up the meanders of said creek to a buckeye William Hooper’s corner, thence north with his line 88 poles to an ash on Joseph Hooper’s line, then S65W 25 poles with said Hooper’s line to a white oak his corner, thence with said Hooper’s line N30.5W 154 poles to a whie oak his corner, thence west 60 poles to the beginning. Signed: Absolom Hooper. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Hooper in court July 1794. Recorded 7 August 1794. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 326]
George Cook was his son-in-law.
16 October 1794
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. John McDowel (sic), attachment… which attachment our Sheriff Returned to us in Court July Sessions 1794 Indorsed thus “Levied in the hands of William Shaw, Saddler and him summoned as Garnishee in Writing”. At sessions of July 1794 the said Shaw Appeard… says “that he owes to his hand and seal once given to the Defendant About the sum of Seventy Dollars” to be paid in Sadddles, that the Saddles was Ready and Still are Ready to be Delivered… after which the Defendant being then solemnly called (failed to appear)… a jury found in favor of the plaintiff for £18:6 worth of property in the hands of the garnishee. [Davidson County Court Minute Book B, 1791-1799, page 224.]
Note: There may be other entries mentioning Hoopers in this Minute Book, but only plaintiffs and defendants seem to be indexed.
30 Oct 1794
Deed of Gift: Absolom Hooper to Francis Ashbury (sic) Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Elders, Deacons, and helpers in said church in America, for one shilling, ½ acre…. Beginning at a stake in Charles Parker’s line near the cabin in which the widow Parker now lives, running east 7 poles to a stake, thence south 12 poles to a stake, thence west 7 poles to said Parker’s lime, thence with said Parker’s line 12 poles to the beginning…. Signed: Absolom Hooper. Witness: Joseph Hooper and Samuel Hollis. Acknowledged by the witness Joseph Hooper at July Ct. 1795. Recorded 10 August 1795. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 431]
ca1794
History: “The first Methodist church built on the north side of the Cumberland River, in Davidson county, was four miles north of Nashville, on White’s Creek, near the house of Absalom Hooper, and was called Hooper’s Chapel”. [John Berry McFerrin, History of Methodism in Tennessee, Vol. 1 (Publishing House of the M. E. Church, 1888), page 51.]
9 December 1794
Muster Roll: Capt. David Henry’s Company, Major Thomas Johnson’s Detachment (of) Mounted Militia of the Mero District, Territory South of the Ohio… Joseph Hooper and Enis Hooper both marked Present. Both enlisted 17 November 1794 and were discharged 9 December 1794. [Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served From 1784-1811, National Archives Record Group 94, Roll 0028.]
William Holmes was listed on the same roll. Isaac Hollis also served, but in a different company.
13 April 1795
Deed: George Cooke to Joseph Hooper, both of Davidson County, for $560, 112½ acres on the north side of the east fork of Whites Creek Beginning at a small hackberry said Hooper’s corner of another tract tract (sic) on Michael Glave’s line, runs with said Glave’s line south 35 chains to three small hornbeams on Jesse Reed’s line, thence with his line east 7 chains 50 links to a buckeye, thence south 3 chains to the said east fork of White’s Creek, thence up the meanders of said east for of White’s Creek with the various courses thereof to a buckeye William Hooper’s corner, with his line north (93?) chains to a branch said Joseph Hooper’s line, thence down said branch to a hickory and white oak said Hooper’s corner, thence with his line N30.5W 29 chains 40 links to a white oak thence west 15 chains to the beginning…. Signed: George Cooke. No witnesses. Acknowledged at April Ct. 1795. Recorded 12 May 1795. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 392]
George Cooke had married Absalom Hooper’s daughter Letiticia (“Letty”), apparently before 1789 when marriage records began. Cooke died in 1797 and Letty remarried to Aquilla Jones in 1798.
13 April 1795
Deed: Joseph Hooper to William Caldwell, both of Davidson County, for £100 Virginia money 100 acres [the same tract purchased of William Loggins on 14 Jan 1793]. Signed: Joseph Hooper. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Hooper at April Ct. 1795. Recorded 18 May 1795. [Davidson County Deed Book C, page 404]
13 May 1795
Bail: In the suit Archibald Sloan vs. Moses Armstrong et alois (sic), for fraud… Thomas Murray delivered up Ennis Hooper in discharge of himself as special bail and Absolom Hooper & James McLein entered themselves as special bail for said Hooper. [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 17980-1803, Part I, page 134.]
14 May 1795
Countersuit: Moses Armstrong vs. Archibald Sloan et al, broken covenant… a race made and agreed upon between Archibald Sloan and Moses Armstrong, the said Sloan runs his Roan Horse, and the said Armstrong runs Absolem Hooper’s Sorrel stud Horse called the Club foot, they run one quarter of a mile on the new paths down at the old field at Ables ferry… the race is for two hundred Virginia money in cash or good acceptable property.. to be run the 23rd day of September… [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 17980-1803, Part I, page 136.]
Hooper’s horse won the race but Sloan disputed the win and refused to pay. A jury found in favor of Armstrong.
15 May 1795
Indictment: Territory vs. Ennis Hooper, assault and battery… the defendant being called to the Bar was charged on the Bill of Indictment which is as follows, viz, the jurors for the territory upon their oaths present Ennis Hooper late of the county of Davidson and territory aforesaid on the thirteenth of January in the year of our Lord 1795 with forse (sic) and arms in the county aforesaid… did commit an assault and battery and (sic) him the said Gadi Gibson then and there did beat wound and ill treat …to which charge the defendant plead not guilty and for his trial put himself upon the country, therefore came a good and lawful jury (viz) Joseph Hooper, Henry Vinson, Peter Looney… withdraw return and say they find the defendant Enniss Hooper (sic) guilty of the assault and battery. As charged in the Bill of Indictment ordered therefor that the said Ennis Hooper be fined the sum of twenty dollars. [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 17980-1803, Part I, pages 139-140.]
Was the Ennis Hooper of Absalom, or was the second Ennis Hooper already in the area? The authorities would not have failed to notice that the juror Joseph Hooper had a brother named Ennis Hooper, but no recusal was noted in the record. See also the entry below at 13 May 1796. The defendants were presumably residents of Davidson County — the recording clerks consistently referred to criminal defendants as “late of the county”, thus the phrase is not to be taken literally.
The witnesses against Hooper were all paid for 16 to 20 miles of roundtrip travel and ferriage [page 140]. It isn’t clear whether all the witnesses lived in Davidson County.
4 June 1795
Marriage: Bond of Ennis Hooper & George Havard dated 3 June 1795. Marriage License dated 3 June 1795 for John Alston to Sinah Hooper. Solemnized on 4 June 1795 by R. Weakley JP. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and Marriage Book 1, page 8 and again on page 48.]
Sinah was the daughter of Absalom Hooper. Ennis Hooper is her brother.
21 July 1795
Land Entry: Thos. Murry assignee originally of Jesse Boyd 100 acres lying on the north side of Cumberland River adjoining the south boundary of Hugh Bradshaw and Hooper and the heirs of Hart on the east… (warrant #697) [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p93.]
10 March 1796
Land Entry: Jas. Russell assignee of Thos. Hickman, 100 acres on the south side of Cumberland River on the headwaters of a small creek that empties itself nearly opposite the mouth of sulphur creek including a spring and tree marked JR… Transferred to Thomas Hooper by Jas. Russell 11 July 1796. [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p98.]
This is easily located, as the mentioned creek emptying into the Cumberland opposite Sulphur Creek still exists — just west of Nashville and just east of Pond Creek.
9 March 1796
Bill of Sale: Moses Armstrong to Absolom Hooper, [no consideration given] a Negro Woman named Jude and Negro Child named Phillis. Signed: Moses Armstrong. Witness: Ennis Hooper. Proved at July Court 1796 by Ennis Hooper. Recorded 5 August 1796. [Davidson County Wills & Inventories 1794-1805, Vol. 2, page 47.]
13 March 1796
Marriage: Bond of George (x) Cook and Lemuel Harvey dated 10 March 1796. License dated 10 March 1796 for Eneas Hooper to Anne Young. Solemnized on 13 March 1796 by R. Weakley JP. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and Marriage Book 1, page 10 and again on page 48.]
This is the son of Absalom. The license was entered into the book twice, the second time his name being rendered as “Enas” Hooper with no return noted.
13 May 1796
Indictment: Frederick Stump indicted for perjury in the case of Territory vs. Ennis Hooper… a jury that included Joseph Hooper found Stump not guilty. [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 1798-1803, Part I, page 172.]
Stump was accused of giving false testimony a year earlier when he swore that Ennis Hooper assaulted Gadi Gibson. Unfortunately there are no details other than that the jury found Stump not guilty of the charge.
8 July 1796
Bond: Robert Slaughter bond for £500 to secure his promise to sell to Churchwell Hooper the tract of land which he now lives . Signed: Robert Slaughter. Witness: Charles Stuart, James Russell. Execution proved by Charles Stuart at April Court 1806. [Davidson County Will Book 3, page 92.]
Churchill Hooper (sic) had sold his land in Wilkes County, Georgia on 4 April 1796 and apparently wasted no time moving to Nashville. See the deed for this land below and also see the item at 20 April 1807.
14 July 1796
Deed: Jesse Reed to Joseph Hooper, for £3, 3 acres and eighty eight tenths [perches?] on the north side of Cumberland River on the waters of ,the east fork of Whites Creek… Hoopers southwest corner… Signed: Jesse Reed. Witness: Frederick Ward, John Watkins. [Davidson County Deed Book D, page 118.]
18 July 1796
Deed: Robert Slaughter to Churchill Hooper, both of Davidson County, for £200, 200 acres on the south side of Cumberland River, being part of a preemption granted unto Elijah Gower, Elijah Gower & William Gower by the State of North Carolina by patent bearing date July 13th 1788… beginning at the river bank at a stooping bush William Gower’s upper corner on the river… Signed: Robert Slaughter. Witness: FB Sappington, Cooper Vick. [Davidson County Deed Book D, page 118.]
This land Is downriver more or less at and east of the mouth of Pond Creek, 15 or so miles west of then-downtown Nashville.
13 August 1796
Land Entry: Joseph Carmack assignee of Joel Hobbs, 640 acres on the head of Hoopers Hollow to include Leepets improvement on the waters of elk fork of red river. [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p118.]
Hooper’s Hollow and Hooper’s Spring (see entry 20 August 1790) may or may not have been near one another. Elk Fork of Red river places this claim in northwestern Robertson County (formed from Montgomery County and in 1796 still part of Davidson) just north of Nashville. Elk Fork runs southward through Todd County, Kentucky and empties into the Red River in northwestern Robertson County. Hoopers Hollow is still a place name in that area. This claim does not appear to have resulted in a grant.
2 November 1796
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Frederick Ward, for $600, 100¼ acres, on the waters of the east fork of Whites Creek including a spring at the place known by the name of Hoopers Chappel (sic) beginning at the mouth of the sd. spring branch Charles Parker’s corner, running S4W 30 chains to an ironwood on David Earhart’s corner line thence with his line east 30 chains to a hornbeam said Earhart’s corner [on] sd. Hooper’s line of another survey… being part of James Hollis preemption right… Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Witness: Daniel Rowan, Bargren? Hoff. Proved by Rowan at January Court 1797. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 231.]
Joseph Hooper would buy this back in 1800. Note that Absalom failed to exempt the ¼ acre that he deeded to the church.
4 February 1797
Marriage License: James Stuart to Sallie Hooper. Bond by James Stuart & Joseph Hooper, same date. No return noted. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and Marriage Book 1, page 11.]
Sallie Hooper evidently died sometime before 24 January 1807 when James “Stewart” married again to Sally Heaton. [See Tennessee Historical Magazine Vol. 8, No.2, page 101 and Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 54.]. Her father Absalom Hooper’s will mentions money due to him for keeping James Stuart’s children.
26 February 1797
Revolutionary Warrant: #4733 to Enos Hooper a private in the continental line of this State, 274 acres of land… Given under my hand at Raleigh this 12th day of February 1797, J. Glascow. On reverse: “I assign the within warrant to Robert Stothart for value rec’d of him this 26th February 1797, witness my hand &c. (Signed:) Wm. Hill for Enos Hooper. [North Carolina and Tennessee Revolutionary Warrants 1783-1837, Volume 8. LDS Film #7538483.]
This was the same Ennis Hooper, born about 1749, who applied for a Revolutionary pension in 1832 from Marion County, Tennessee (S1833) and presumably the same Ennis Hooper who married in Davidson County in 1802. Robert Stothart lived in Nashville, operating with a brother as Robert Stothart & Co. (he also succeeded his brother as postmaster in 1801) which strongly suggests that Ennis Hooper was already in the vicinity at this time. Stothart initially used the warrant to enter a claim in Montgomery County, Tennessee on 1 April 1797 but quickly withdrew that claim in favor of an entry of 9 May 1797 on the waters of the Stones River in Rutherford County, which was also evidently abandoned. The warrant was eventually used in 1807 (see below).
William Hill was at this time the secretary to James Glascow, the NC Secretary of State (He was later Secretary of State himself, serving for more than 40 years) and the same person who in 1833 proved Ennis Hooper’s service by referencing this warrant.
It seems likely that Ennis Hooper was already in Davidson County and wrote to that office to have the warrant transferred to Stothart.
See the separate paper on this Enos./Ennis Hooper for more.
1 April 1797
Land Entry: Robert Stothart (“Slothart” in North Carolina records) assignee of Ennis Hooper (warrant #4733), 274 acres on the piny fork of the little west fork of red river about a mile above Jesse Cobbs survey beginning at two white oaks on the south side of the creek… Removed by Robert Stothart. [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p149.]
This was withdrawn in favor of the entry at 9 May 1797 below. The claim was somewhere in northern Montgomery County (formed from Davidson in 1796).
10 April 1797
Deed: William Hooper of Montgomery County to Joseph Hooper of Davidson County, for $500, 75¼ acres on the waters of the east fork of Whites Creek, Beginning at a Buck Eye stump sd. Joseph Hoopers corner on the bank of a branch, runs up the sd branch agreeable to the meanders, being Joseph Philips line, to a small willow sd. Phillips corner in Absolom Hoopers line thence with sd. Hoopers line N88W 40 chains to a large ash & black walnut… Signed: William Hooper. Witness: Charles Parker, John Harvey. Proved October Court 1797 by Charles Parker. Recorded 2 November 1797. [Davidson County Deed Book D, page 262]
It isn’t clear why the acreage and bounds doesn’t match the original deed. Was there a mill on one of the branches that might have altered the flow?
9 May 1797
Land Entry: Robert Stothart [mis-transcribed as “Slothart” in North Carolina records] assignee of Ennis Hooper (warrant #4733), 274 acres of land lying on the waters of Stones river on Ebenezer Brooks north boundary thence with John Buchanons line north and west… [Davidson County Land Records 1788-1793, LDS Film 24632, p149.]
This claim was just southeast of Nashville in the part of Davidson County that later became Rutherford County. It was also apparently withdrawn, as it did not result in a grant to Stothart.
The military warrant #4733 originally issued to Enos Hooper eventually found its way into the hands of one William P. Anderson who entered a claim for 274 acres in White County and was granted same on 4 September 1807 [Tennessee Grants Book 6, page 83.]
30 June 1797
Writ: “To any lawful ofser you are heir by command to sum Mons Daneel frazor John hope Jeams Bowers Joseph Show William Boen David Shannon Jeams Shannon Samuel Shannon abner Johnson absolam Hooper BenJamon nickols John worker Jock Mack farling to a pear be for Me or some other Jistis of said county to anser the complaint of Robert Cartrigh over sear of the rod for Default in working on said rod given under My hand & seal this 30th June 1797. Joseph Philips.” [Tennessee Historical Magazine, Vol. 3, No.2 (June 1917), page 129.]
Can’t resist including this example of the casualness of much early American spelling.
5 December 1797
Deed of Gift: Noah Suggs to Joseph & Elizabeth Hooper, for the Natural Affection that I have and do bear for my Son in law Joseph Hooper and Daughter Elizabeth Hooper, the following Negroes, To Wit: One Negro Gril named Nan, Also one Negro Girl named Bess…. Signed: Noah Sugg. Witness: Fany (sic) Jerkin, Wm. Sugg. Proved by Noah Sugg April Court 1798. Recorded 8 June 1798. [Davidson County Wills & Inventories 1794-1805, Vol. 2, page 119.]
A question later arose of whether Noah Sugg had the right to convey slaves that he did not own. These are the same slaves that Noah Sugg had earlier given to Samuel Deloach, Elizabeth Hooper’s first husband. As administrator of the estate of Samuel Deloach, he apparently took the point of view that the slaves were only a loan so that he could convey them to his daughter and her new husband. In 1804 Mary Deloach and her husband William Sneed sued the Hoopers, arguing that the slaves were part of Samuel Deloach’s estate and as the only heir of her father, Mary was due a share of the slaves. See the explanation in the 1812 entry below.
20 June 1798
Deed: Absalom Hooper to Ennis Hooper, for $1,000, 268 acres of the waters of White’s Creek including the house wherein the said Ennis Hooper now lives, beginning at a red elm tree 20p south of James Hollis southwest corner… except William Shaw’s part on the north side supposed to be 72½ acres the quantity remaining being 268 acres lying on the south side of same… Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Witness: Isaac Allen Parker. Proved by Parker at April Court 1799. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 79]
His heirs would sell this land in 1818.
1 October 1798
Taxable Property in Davidson County “being within Assessment District 13”:
Ennis Hooper – 268 acres Whites Creek valued at $656; Dwellinghouse 18 by 21 stone/wood valued at $25
Joseph Hooper – 296 acres valued at $736; 112 acres & 80 perches valued at $260; Outhouse 16 by 18 stone/wood valued at $35; 75 acres & 40 perches valued at $180; 3 acres valued at $6 (all tracts labelled “Whites Creek waters”)
[Ansearchin’ News, Vol. 8, No. 3 (July 1961), p79.]
1 October 1798
Slaves Owned in Davidson County “within Assessment District 13”:
Ennis Hooper – 1 exempted, 2 aged >12 and <50
Joseph Hooper – 2 exempted, 9 aged >12 and <50
[Ansearchin’ News, Vol. 8, No. 3 (July 1961), p85.]
21 November 1798
Indictment: Mero District Davidson County… the Jurors for the state and district aforesaid upon their oath present that James Dupree late of the county aforesaid yeoman, David Dupree late of the county aforesaid yeoman, and Ennis Hooper late of the county aforesaid yeoman, Howel Dupree late of the county aforesaid yeoman, Starling Dupree late of the county aforesaid yeoman, & John Murray late of the county aforesaid yeoman, and divers other persons (to the jurors aforesaid as yet unknown) on the twelfth day of July one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight with force and arms at Nashville, in the county aforesaid did unlawfully, riotously, and riotously (sic) assemble and gather together to disturb the peace of the said state… did make an assault and (sic) him the said Arthur Turner… did beat wound and maim and ill treat so that his life was greatly despaired of…(and in Nashville) at the house of David Hay assembled themselves together and did then and there armed with swords, durks, daggers, knives and other terifeck weapons to the great terror of the peaceable citizens of said state, rush upon the said Arthur Turner in the peace of God and the said state then and there bring with the avowed intent murder the said Arthur Turner in an horrible manner… the defendants buy their attorney pleaded not guilty and of this they put themselves upon the country and thereon came a good and lawful jury… the evidences being examined and council heard, withdraw return and say they find the defendants James Dupree, David Dupree, and Ennis Hooper guilty as charged etc. and fine them each $140 and costs of suit. [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 1798 -1803, Part I, page 233.]
The other defendants (who lived on or around Whites Creek) were found not guilty [page 234] and the guilty verdict for the other three was confirmed by the court a few days later [page 252.] The trial apparently consumed more than a week, as witnesses Nancy Pankey, John Kenady, Charles M. Glathery, Stephen Childers, James Campbell, Joseph Hay, and Ann Hay variously claimed expenses for nine or ten court days.
The Duprees all appear on the 1798 tax lists for District 13, so this surely refers to Ennis Hooper of Absalom, rather than to the older Ennis Hooper who may or may not have been in the area already.
Again, essentially all defendants in criminal matters were referred to as “late of the county”, which seems to have been a legal affectation, not to be taken as meaning they were former residents.
2 January 1799
Petition: Inhabitants of “Nashville and its Vicinity” state “that considerable Inconveneances arisses from divers Negroes in Nashville keeping Houses of Entertainment by Trading with other Negroes in the Country, as well as a Disgrace to the Town… pray that a Law may be passed to prohibit any Negro or Negroes keeping a house in said Town…” Signed by 28 men including A Hooper Jr. [Ansearchin’ News, Vol. 38, No.4 (Winter 1991), page 165.]
10 July 1799
Suit: Joseph Hooper vs. William T. Lewis, debt. Continued from October Sessions 11798. Jury found in favor of plaintiff, awarded him $109.25 plus costs. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 171.]
2 November 1799
Petition: Petition of inhabitants of Davidson Co. for a “firm and lasting Bridge” be built “over the Lick branch adjoining the Town of Nashville.” Signed by over 100 men including Ennies Hooper. [Ansearchin’ News, Vol. 38, No.4 (Winter 1991), page 170.]
The Lick Branch no longer exists, but was north of Nashville. Today it’s a sewer emptying into the river.
22? November 1799
Witness: In the suit the state agt. William Lytle et ali (sic) Ennis Hooper a witness for the deft. proved four days etc. [Davidson County Minutes of the Superior Court of North Carolina including Mero District, 1798 -1803, Part I, page 264.]
William Lytle, Jun., Peter Edwards, and Elisha Green (all “late of the county”) were indicted for rioting at the Race Grounds in Nashville and assaulting one John C. Letter. A jury found them not guilty.
29 December 1799
Deed: William Cochran of Rusk County, NC now living in Mero District in the Tate of Tennessee, to George Hooper, Merchant of Wilmington, NC surviving partner of Ingram & Hooper, for $2,220, five tracts originally granted to Robert McConnell on 14 September 1797 via patents number 3201 (228 acres), 3204 (228 acres), 3206 (640 acres), 3207 (640 of 640 acres), and 3208 (640 acres), all located on the east fork of South Harpeth River and the west side of South Harpeth River. Proved by Cochran in State Court 19 December 1797. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 143.]
This has no relevance to the Hooper family of Davidson County. George Hooper acquired a lot of tracts in Tennessee, selling some and tax defaulting on others.
13 January 1800
Allowance: Joseph Hooper for Boarding, Cloathing, and Schooling Polly Deloach for the year 179_ (digit blotted) is allowed the sum of $36. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 222.]
See also January 1803. Odd that she does not appear to have had a guardian after her mother married Hooper.
14 January 1800
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. William Loggins, apparently over a debt, continued from January 1799. Jury found for the plaintiff and awarded $44.06¼. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 224.]
Loggins failed to pay and two years later Absolom Hooper appealed to the court to enforce the judgment [page 456.]
15 January 1800
Suit: David Hay vs. Absolom Hooper, apparently over a debt, continued from January 1799. Defendant confessed judgement for $40. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 232.]
7 April 1800
Deed: James Cryer of Sumner County to Absolom Hooper, for $111, 274 acres on the headwaters of the long fork of Sycamore Creek beginning at a white oak Elisha Hunts south west corner… Signed: James Cryer. Witness: J. C. Hamilton, Jesse Wharton. Proved by Wharton April Court 1800. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 202.]
16 April 1800
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. John McDowell. After several continuances and a hung jury, a new jury found in favor of the defendant. No further details. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 249.]
17 April 1800
Indicted: State of Tennessee agt. Joseph Hooper, Thomas Paxton, & Phillip Alston. The Grand Jury for the County of Davidson and State of Tennessee… present that Joseph Hooper, Thomas Paxton & Phillip Alston labourers all late of the County and State aforesaid did with force and arms at the County aforesaid on the Great Road between Frederick Stump Jun(?) & Absolom Hooper’s on the [28 of January 1800] did then and there commit an assault on the body of William Noble… [also] did take away the horse of him the said William Noble… Frederick Stump, George Calahan, James Marshall and John Lucas witnesses for the State…. Defendants pled guilty and were each fined $50 and imprisoned for sixty days. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 261.]
A bit odd that Joseph Hooper, a fixture on juries, owner of a few hundred acres of land, and seemingly respectable is labelled a laborer by this court.
18 July 1800
Deed: Joseph Phillips to Joseph Hooper, for $667, on the waters of Whites Creek the east fork including a spring at the place known as Hoopers Chappel (sic) beginning at the mouth of the said spring branch Chas. Parkins corner, running S4W 30 chains to an ironwood on David Earhart’s corner line thence with his line east 30 chains to a hornbeam said Earhart’s corner [on] Ennis Hooper’s line of another survey, thence west with said Hooper’s line… “(except for one half acre which Absolom Hooper conveyed to the Methodist Society which the chapel now stands on)”. Signed: Joseph Phillips. No witnesses. Proved by Phillips at July Court 1800. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 231.]
20 August 1800
Deed: David Barnett of Davidson County to William Hooper of Montgomery County, for £100, 150 acres on the waters of Pond Creek… beginning at a horn beam and while ash William Smith’s southeast corner thence running east 100 poles to a birch thence north 240 poles to a hickory & dogwood thence west 100 poles to a stake on said Smith’s east boundary thence south with his line to the beginning, said land being granted to James Russell as assignee of Martin Armstrong… Signed: David (x) Barnett. Witness: John Morris, Churchwell Hooper. Proved at January Court 1803 by Churchwell Hooper. [Davidson County Deed Book F, page 10.]
I didn’t see any record that he sold this land. This adjoins the parcel below on the east side of Pond Creek, making a single tract of 234 acres. Pond Creek is downriver just west of Nashville. Note the later association of James Russell and Thomas Hooper (see below)
18 September 1800
Deed: James Garrett of Davidson County to William Hooper of Montgomery County, for $160, 84 acres and 24 poles on Pond Creek south of Cumberland River …beginning at a while ash and hornbeam on James Garrett’s line, running north 99 poles to a box elder thence west 136p to the said Garrett’s line thence south with said Garrett’s line 99p to a beech, thence east 136p to the beginning… being part of a patent no. 1476 granted to Thomas Ford… which land was conveyed to me by William Smith… Signed: James Garrett. Witness: Thomas Hickman, David Barnett. Acknowledged by James Garrett at January Court 1803. [Davidson County Deed Book E, page 422.]
James Garrett bought the 228-acre patent from William Smith in 1798 — he sold the other 144 acres to Enoch Douge (or “Dough”) in 1802 (Deed Book E, page 398) — that deed notes that the tract spans both sides of Pond Creek and borders William Hooper to the east and south. Note that this is quite near the land of Churchwell Hooper and Thomas Hooper. Enoch Douge was the brother of Peter Douge (Dozier) who married a daughter of Churchwell Hooper.
William Hooper sells this parcel to Jesse Hooper in 1811. I could not find record of the disposition of the 150-acre parcel.
14 October 1800
Administration: Ordered that Ann Hooper have Letters of Administration on the Estate of Enias Hooper dec’d having given bond and security as by law in such cases is required & took the oath of an Administratrix. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 336.]
16 October 1800
Road Order: Thomas Hooper, Church Hooper, James Russell, Enoch Douge & Thomas Walk having been appointed by order of the preceding court to lay off a road from Thomas Hickmans ferry leading the nearest and best way toward the iron Works on Barton’s Creek so far as Davidson County line extends reports to this Court that they had laid off said Road accordingly. [Davidson County Court Minute Book C, page 340.]
17 January 1801
Inventory: Goods and chattels of the Estate of Ennis Hooper dec’d by Anne Hooper Administratrix returned to court on 17 January 1801. One Negro Woman & Child, five head of horses, Eight head of Cattle, Sixty head of hogs, two bed and furniture, three bedsteads, One Table, Two Chairs, Two Spinning Wheels, One Reel., One Leadle, One Loom, Two Chests, One Beausat (sic) & furniture, one fiddle, three pots & One Skillett, One Dutch Oven, Two Pair of Pot hooks, Two Pair of Plow Irons & Plow, Two Axes & Two hoes, One Pot Rack, One Drawing knife, One hand Saw, One Womans Saddle, Two Mans Coats &c, One Looking Glass, the Wheat of About four Acres of Ground, One Acre of Flax, One Brass Cock, Two Smoothing Iron, Some Corn, Debts Due to the Estate of the Decedant Robert Stothart the Sum Unknown, Thomas Rutherford $8.47. Signed: Anne Hooper. Recorded 2 March 1801. [Davidson County Wills & Inventories 1794-1805, Vol. 2, page 200.]
22 January 1801
Land Dispute: We the Subscribers being Appointed by William Shaw and Absolom Hooper as Arbitrators to Settle a Dispute Concerning a Piece of Land lying in the North side of the Creek between Willliam Shaw and the place Where Absolom Hooper formerly lived. Do Agree that William Shaw Should have the said Land in Dispute between the sd. Shaw and Hooper, this is our Opinion After Examining the Case. Signed: John Nichols, Samuel Shannon, David Hodges, Charles Parker & Abner Johnston…. Be it Remembered that the Aforesd. mentioned Wm. Shaw & Absm. Hooper Was Duly Sworn to Abide With the Above Award. Sworn before me this 22 day of Jany. 1801. John Nichols. Recited in Court April Sessions 1801. [Davidson County Wills & Inventories 1794-1805, Vol. 2, page 213.]
21 February 1801
Marriage License: Lemuel Koen to Celia Hooper. Bond by Lemuel Koen & John Davis, same date. No return noted. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and Marriage Book 1, page 19.]
The groom’s name is clearly “Lemuel” and not “Samuel” in the bond and its signature. The brides name is “Celia” in the bond, but was transcribed as “Lelia” in the Marriage Book.
1 April 1801
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Church Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 1 April 1801, page 2 and repeated for two weeks.]
1 October 1801
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Joseph Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 14 October 1801, page 3 and repeated for several weeks.]
18 December 1801
Marriage License: Gabriel Joslin to Elizabeth Hooper. Bond by Gabriel Joslin & Ennis Hooper, same date. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 38.]
Ennis Hooper of Absalom died more than a year ago. Who is this Ennis Hooper? Elizabeth Hooper is the daughter of Churchwell Hooper.
19 December 1801
Marriage License: David Robertson to Elizabeth Hooper. Bond: David Robertson & Patrick Ure [also rendered Youre], same date. No return noted. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and Marriage Book 1, page 38.]
This is the daughter of Absalom Hooper, called Elizabeth Robertson in his will.
13 April 1802
Road Order: Ordered that Joseph Hooper Overseer of the keeping in repair the road leading from Colonel Taylors to the forks of the road heading to Ables ferry in the room and stead of David Earhart, late Overseer. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1799-1804, page 289.]
1 July 1802
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office, including large numbers of soldiers, of the 2nd and 4th Regiments: …major Joseph Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 7 July 1801, page 2 and repeated for several weeks.]
Not sure who this Joseph Hooper is, but he is not of this particular family, apparently just passing through.
30 August 1802
Marriage License: Ennis Hooper to Elizabeth Holmes. Bond by Ennis Hooper & Drury Holmes, same date. No return noted. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds, and erroneously given reported in Marriage Book 1, page 40.]
The signature appears to be that of the Ennis Hooper who was bondsman for Elizabeth Hooper of Churchwell in December 1801. The other Ennis Hooper, son of Absalom and husband of Anne Young, died two years ago. He was awfully old to be married for the first time – could his wife be a widow or an older spinster?
18 December 1802
Petition: We the people living on or near the Big Harpeth River means to present to the next General Assembly held for the state of Tennessee a petition for a new County…. Church Hooper, James Hooper, Jesse Hooper, Thomas Hooper… [Tennessee State Archives, citation?]
This may have contributed a bit to the formation of Dickson County in 1803, however, that did not affect these Hoopers who lived just west of Nashville in what is now eastern Cheatham County.
This is the first appearance I found of Jesse Hooper (1758-1839), though he may have been in the area for a few years. His Revolutionary War pension application (S1913) is a fascinating read that clarifies that he lived on the Broad River in Wilkes County, Georgia when he enlisted in 1776. Jesse Hooper and Charles Gent vouched for one another’s military service and character stating that they had known one another “from their early youth.” William Gent, perhaps Charles Gent’s father, had a grant on Pistol Creek. Anne Goodwin uncovered documents relating to an arrears claim that list Jesse Hooper’s children.
January 1803
Allowance: On motion the court allow Joseph Hooper the sum of fifty dollars for boarding & cloathing of Polly Deloach for the year 1802, but afterwards during the same session reading and correcting of the minutes the aforesaid allowance was suspended &c. [Davidson County Court Minute Book D, page 44.]
11 January 1803
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. James Russell. Hooper obtained a judgment in 1801 against Thomas Rutherford (witnesses being Absolom Hooper Jr. and Jarvis Foreham) who executed a bond with James Russell his security. Rutherford having failed to pay, Hooper sued his security and the jury found in his favor for $15. [Davidson County Court Minute Book D, page 43.]
1 April 1803
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Absalom Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 6 April 1803, page 2 and repeated for several weeks.]
His name appears frequently on these lists — he was on the list for I July as well, then again in January, February, and July of 1804, and again in January 1805, and several dates in 1806. I stopped recording record of his unclaimed letters as having no genealogical value.
May 1803
Suit: Anna Hooper, administratrix of Ennis Hooper dec. vs. Absolom Hooper by her attorney Thomas Stuart… complains of Absolam Hooper Senior by a plea that he render to her one negro man slave of the name of Andrew of the price or value of $600 of the goods and chattels of said Ennis Hooper dec’d which from her he unjustly detains, for that whereas the said Anna Hooper on the first day of September in the year of our Lord 1800 at the County of Davidson was possessed as administratrix of the goods and chattels rights and credits of Ennis Hooper deceased of a certain negro man slave named Andrew… and on the same day and year.. came into the hands and possession of the said Absolam Hooper Senior by delivery of the said Anna Hooper to be redelivered to the said Anna as administratrix as required. Nevertheless the said Absolom Hooper though he well knew the said negro slave to be the property of the said Anna Hooper… although often afterwards requested, to wit, the 28th day of February 1801… did not deliver the said negro man slave… [Mero District Court of Equity Minute Book 1805-1807, pages 28-30.]
Also see countersuit in Court Minute Book D, page 231.
Anne Hooper sued at May Court 1803 and after several continuances a jury in November 1805 awarded her the slave plus damages for lost labor amounting to $446.25 plus costs.
9 May 1803
Land Entry: James Russell enters 100 acres… on the south side of Cumberland River below Nashville on a small creek emptying in at Thomas Hickman’s lower ferry beginning about one mile from the river running up the creek on both sides to include Thomas Hoopers plantation he now lives on. Warrant #34.n [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 10, Book 20 (Warrants), page 82.]
This did not result in a grant. Thomas Hooper entered the same claim in 1808 and received a grant — see the entry at 2 February 1811. The land is west of Nashville in the vicinity of Whites Bend.
10 May 1803
Ennis Hooper of Nashville a defendant in Mero District Superior Court of Law and Equity. On 11 May 1803 he posted bond with William Hooper security.
Anne Goodwin found this in an index to Mero District court cases, indexed as on page 732 — have not been able to find the court record.
18 June 1803
Land Entry: Joseph Hooper and Charles Boeles, as equal owners, assignee of Samuel Shannon (warrant #92), enter 50 acres on north side of Cumberland River on waters of Whites Creek to include the house and plantation where on McKnight formerly lived and whereon one Morris now lives. [Tennessee, U.S., Early Land Registers, 1778-1927, Series 2, Entries 1802-1803, image 196.]. Transferred by Joseph Hooper to Absolum Hooper. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 10, Warrants, page 89.] Surveyed for Absalom Hooper Jun’r on 17 June 1808. Chain bearers: Joseph Hooper, Nimrod Hooper. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 3 (Surveys), Book 12, page 515.]
The resulting grant to Absolom Hooper Jr. was signed on 1 July 1809 — see the details below.
18 June 1803
Land Entry: Joseph Hooper and Charles Boeles, as equal owners, assignee of Samuel Shannon (warrant #88), enter 30 acres on north side of Cumberland River on waters of Whites Creek Beginning and running so as to include the house and improvements where on one Isaac Williams lives for complement, the house and plantation to be near the center. [Tennessee, U.S., Early Land Registers, 1778-1927, Series 2, Entries 1802-1803, image 196.]
10 October 1803
Deed: John Glascow and Peggy Glascow his wife, formerly Peggy Lefever, of Davidson County to James Hooper of the County of Buchanan and State of Virginia, for $1,000, 280 acres… beginning at a dogwood corner to Robert Bates thence N19W 98p to Lefevers branch thence down the branch with its meanders to Cumberland River thence down the River with its meanders to a hickory corner to Thomas Watson… Signed: Jesse Glascow, Peggy (x) Glascow. Witness: Thomas Stuart, James McCutchan. Acknowledged by Glascow October Court 1801. [Davidson County Deed Book F, page 99.]
There was no Buchanan County until 1858. The clerk likely copied “Buckingham” incorrectly — a James Hooper was taxed (along with several other Hoopers) in Buckingham through the year 1803 but was not taxed in 1804 or 1805, so may have been the person referred to here. A Thomas Hooper also disappeared from Buckingham’s tax lists at the same time.
17 January 1804
Court Record: The court allow (sic) Joseph Hooper the sum of $50 for the boarding and clothing of Polly Deloach daughter of Samuel Deloach dec’d for the year 1803 and the like sum for the year 1802. [Davidson County Court Minute Book 1804-1809, page 9.]
Polly Deloach (as Mary Deloach) married William Sneed four days later (see below). The Sneeds then promptly sued Joseph Hooper to recover Polly’s share of the her fathers estate which had been gifted to the Hoopers by her grandfather Noah Sugg.
21 January 1804
Marriage License: William Sneed to Mary Deloach. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 77.] Marriage Bond, same date, securities Molton Dickson and Wm, Sneed. [Davidson County Loose Marriage Bonds.]
29 February 1804
Letter by three “citizens of Kentucky” regarding a visit by a celebrated stud horse named McKinny Roan… a postscript suggests that those doubting the identity of the horse of Nashville “call on Capt. Hooper or Capt. Hoggatt” for proof of the horse’s identity. [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 29 February 1804, page 2 and subsequent issues.]
16 April 1804
Deed: Peter Johnston to Absolom Hooper, for $500, 100 acres on one of the branches of Whites Creek including the farm & spring where Peter Johnston now lives… [metes and bounds do not name neighbors] Signed: P Johnston. Witness: Absolom Hooper. Proved at July Court 1804 by the witness Absolom Hooper. [Davidson County Deed Book F, page 190.]
The deed is to Absolom Hooper Jr. and the witness is Absolom Hooper Sr.
19 April 1804
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. Anne Hooper, Admx. of Ennis Hooper Dec’d, continued from 1803… Jury finds for defendant. [Davidson County Court Minute Book D, page 231.]
1 October 1804
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Thomas Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 3 October 1804, page 3 and repeated for several weeks.]
8 October 1804
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Dorsey Cromwell, for $325, 274 acres on the headwaters of the long fork of Sycamore Creek beginning at a white oak Elisha Hunts south west corner… Signed: Absolom Hooper. Witness: John Harrel, Joseph Hooper. Proved by Joseph Hooper at July Court 1805. [Davidson County Deed Book F, page 286.]
He only kept the land for four years but more than tripled the price.
31 October 1804
Deed: Peter Johnston to Absolom Hooper, for $600, 300 acres on the headwaters of Whites Creek …beginning at a dogwood the north west corner of the said Johnston’s survey… Signed: P Johnston. Witness: David Robertson, Abs’m Hooper Senr. Proved at January Court 1805 by Robertson. [Davidson County Deed Book F, page 235.]
1 January 1805
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Abraham Hooper… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 23 January 1805, page 2 and repeated for several weeks.]
1 February 1805
Suit: Absolom Hooper Sen’r vs. George Keeling, debt. Default on a note by Edward A Keeling and George Keeling dated in 1804. Judgment for plaintiff in the amount of $255. [Davidson County Court Minute Book D, page 419 and County Court Minutes 1804-1809, page 157.]
16 July 1805
Court Record: For cause shown the court releases Absolom Hooper from the payment of the taxes for one stud horse for the year 1805 and order that the collector be credited for the same. [Davidson County Court Minute Book E, page 76.]
16 July 1805
Suit: James Dupree vs. Absolom Hooper, Isaac McNutt, and Hezekiah O’Neal. James Dupree obtained a judgment against Howel Dupree for $63.33 ⅓ plus costs of $8.72 ½ in October 1800, defendants were his special bail. Dupree not to be found. Absolom Hooper appeared in court and confessed to the judgment, ordered as special bail to pay $63.33 ⅓ plus costs. [Davidson County Court Minute Book E, page 77.]
Did not pursue the circumstances of this. Special bail was an arrangement to release a prisoner to one or more friends who would either assure his appearance in court or pay the amount of the bail bond (or stand in his place in jail.) It was definitely not an obligation one entered into lightly.
22 July 1805
Court Record: State of Tennessee vs. Thomas Hooper & James Russell, scire facias. On 12 December 1804 John Morris was committed to the gaol of this county for stealing of a cow the property of Robert Thomas, afterward on 13 December 1804 the said John Morris entered into a Recognizance of $300 for his appearance [at court to answer the charge] on the 3rd Monday in January 1805… Thomas Hooper and James Russell became bound in Recognizance of $150 each for the said Morris’s appearing and answering to the aforesaid charge… when John Morris failed to appear in court, Hooper and Russell were ordered to come to court and bring Morris with them… when they failed to do so a scire facias was issued for both of them to appear at July court 1805… Hooper and Russell were released from the $300 bond payment on the grounds that no record of the bond could be located. [Davidson County Court Minute Book E, page 105.]
A scire fascias writ is used to compel a person to appear in court to state his case against the execution of a judgement.
22 July 1805
Court Record: State of Tennessee vs. Absolom Hooper & Lewis Green, “an Affray”. For an Affray committed within the Verge and View of the court now present and being brought into the court by the Sheriff and being heard the court fines the said Hooper & said Green each the sum of five dollars, which they immediately paid unto the clerk out of which the court afterwards ordered that the clerk of sheriffs fees should be satisfied amounting to two dollars… [Davidson County Court Minute Book E, page 105.]
An affray is generally a fight or other violent confrontation, especially one that occurs in front of, and to the alarm of, spectators. Sounds like Hooper and Green were fighting at or just outside of the courthouse.
31 August 1805
Tax List Returned:
Joseph Hooper 2 white males >21, 9 taxable slaves
Absolom Hooper – 3 white males >21, 7 taxable slaves
Anne Hooper – no males >21, 1 taxable slave
Jesse Hooper – 1 white male >21, no slaves
Church Hooper – 1 white male >21, 1 taxable slave
Thomas Hooper – 1 white male >21, 3 taxable slaves
The list is roughly alphabetized — typically all H’s from each tax district would be listed together, giving a rough idea of proximity. Joseph and Absalom were consecutive with Anne a few names distant. Then Jesse, Church, and Thomas were listed separated by one or two names on the following page.
Note that William Hooper of Montgomery County, who owns 234 acres of land on Pond Creek, is not listed here. Who occupies his land in Davidson County is not at all clear, though Jesse Hooper is certainly a candidate – he owns no land but will purchase from William Hooper in 1811.
14 February 1806
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …James Hooper, Absalom Hooper… [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville) issue of 14 February 1806, page 3.]
1 April 1806
Unclaimed Letters in Nashville Post Office: …Thomas Hooper, Absalom Hooper… [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville) issue of 12 April 1806, page 4.]
Absalom Hooper continued to appear on this list fairly frequently — I have omitted subsequent references.
5 April 1806
Tax Default: John Boyd, Sheriff of Davidson County reports the following for non payment of tax for the year 1805… Jesse Hooper 63 [? faded] acres and one white poll… [The Tennessee Gazette issue of 5 April 1806, page 3.]
22 April 1806
Estate Settlement: Edmond Gamble and Robert Heaton, commissioners appointed for the purpose, settle with Anne Hooper, Administratrix of Ennis Hooper dec’d… we have proceeded to make the same and find the sum of $1,039.90 due by the Administratrix to the Estate… [Davidson County Will Book 3, page 105.]
2 May 1806
Marriage License: Peter Douze (Douge) to Tizzy Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 112.]
His name may have been “Dozier” or “Douze” — the written name is easily confused with “Douge” or “Donge”. I did not attempt to find marriage bonds for this or subsequent marriages, but see the item below.
22 July 1806
Court Record: Churchill Hooper & Thomas Hooper record their stock marks. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1804-1809, page 402.]
11 October 1806
Notice: List of properties to be auctioned on 6 December for non-payment of taxes for the year 1805: …George Hooper 1,000 [acres] on five mile creek… [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville), issue of 11 October 1806, page 2.]
16 February 1807
Deed: Jesse Hooper to Nicholas Hail, for $200, 63 acres and 20 poles on waters of Pond Creek beginning at a stake William Smith’s south east boundary then south with his line101 poles to an ash and beech thence east 100 poles to a black oak thence north 101 poles to a black oak thence west the beginning… Signed: Jesse Hooper. Witness: Tho. Hickman, George Edwards. Proved by Hickman at April Court 1807. [Davidson County Deed Book G, page 143.]
How did he acquire this land? It may be the lower portion of William Hooper’s 150-acre purchase of 1800.
30 March 1807
Notice: Whereas my wife Tiddy without reasonable cause, has refused to accompany me in my Journey to Natchez, and has also refused in my absence, to reside with her father, Churchill Hooper, or with my brother Enoch Dozier; I therefore notify all persons that I will pay no debts of her contracting, nor will I pay for necessaries furnished her at any other place, or by any other persons than the said Churchill & Enoch or one of them. (Signed) Peter Dozier. [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville) issue of 11 April 1801, page 4.]
Her given name is “Tizzy” in the marriage record.
20 April 1807
Deed: Thomas Hooper, administrator of the goods and chattels of Robert Slaughter, to Churchill Hooper…whereas Robert Slaughter on 8 July 1796 made his bond to said Churchill… whereby he bound himself and his heirs [to sell a tract of land] where he then lived… now for $1 Thomas Hooper as administrator conveys the tract [the same land as in the 18 July 1796 deed]. Signed: Tho. Hooper. Witness: James Robinson, A. Hooper Jun’r. Acknowledged by Hooper at April Court 1807. [Davidson County Deed Book G, page 161.]
23 April 1807
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. Valentine Winfrey. Jury finds for plaintiff in the amount of $13.06 ¼. [Davidson County Court Minute Book F, page 116.]
21 July 1807
Court Record: Joseph Phillips & Samuel Shannon Esquires who were appointed (by the preceding court) to let the keeping clothing and maintaining of Jacob Hoffman for one year, report to this court that they had let the said Hoffman for the sum of $60 to Absolom Hooper he being the lowest bidder. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1804-1809, page 551.]
17 November 1807
Will: Churchwell Hooper ..”very low state of health… to my son Thomas Hooper & my daughter Elizabeth Joslin the two little negroes now over at Thomas Hickmans named Lewis and Lamb & my son Thomas is to have his choice of the two… $100 is to be paid unto my daughter Tiddy Douze out of the money due me from Thomas Hickman when it becomes due… $100 is to be paid unto my daughter Jerusha Hooper out of the money owing to me from Thomas Hickman this money tho be lodged in the hands of my brother Thomas Hooper for her… all the rest of my property that I shall leave is to be equally divided between my wife and the rest of my children not mentioned above… I do hereby constitute & appoint my brother Thomas Hooper my only and sole executor… Signed: Churchwell (x) Hooper. Witness: A. Walke, Benj’a (x) Pack. Proved by Benjamin Pack at October Court 1808. [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 19.]
The will doesn’t name his wife, but later records show that her name was Polly. Although his wife was Mary in a Georgia record, it is not clear from later records that Polly was the mother of his children; she may have been a second wife.
30 December 1807
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas Homes (sic), for 300, 228 acres on Sycamore Creek [the same land purchased in 1792]. Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Witness: A. Hooper Junr., Jas. Robinson. Proved by the witnesses at April Court 1809. [Davidson County Deed Book G, page 450.]
13 January 1808
Marriage License: James Benningfield to Patsy Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 11.]
25 February 1808
Marriage License: Thomas Hooper to Jane Lovell. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 84.]
4 May 1808
Estray Notice: Taken up by Absalom Hooper, head of Whites Creek (word blurred) sorrel mare, 4 years old… appraised April 28, 1808 to 37 dollars, 50 cents. [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville) issue of 12 April 1808, page 3.]
29 July 1808
Suit: Absolom Hooper vs. John Murry. Jury awarded plaintiff $103.50 for defendant’s “nonperformance”. [Davidson County Court Minute Book F, page 351.]
October 1808
Inventory: Estate of Churchwell Hooper dec’d returned to Oct. Sessions 1808 of Davidson County Court, to wit, 2 beds and furniture, 3 spinning wheels, 3 pair of cards, 3 piggies…[list of typical household goods omitted]… 4 negroes, 5 head of horses, 13 head of cattle, 9 sheep, 48 head of hogs, 22 head of geese, 6 spoons, 2 bottles, one large Bible, 1 volume of Gases Journal, 1 do. dealogue of Devils, 3 spelling books, one hymn book, note on Haily $45, five notes on Thomas Hickman each one hundred dollars $500, two ladies saddies, 1 mans saddle, 3 bridles, one crop of corn, note Peter Douze to Hooper $12, small accounts to the amount of $12.26 ⅔…. Signed: Thos. (x) Hooper. [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 17.]
Interesting that both Churchwell and Thomas Hooper signed by mark, yet Churchwell has several books in his estate. One of them was apparently “Infernal Conference, or Dialogue of Devils” by Rev. John McGown.
12 November 1808
Estray Notice: Taken up by Polly Hooper, about 12 miles below Nashville on the south side of Cumberland, a bay horse about 7 years old… appraised to (blurred). [The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository (Nashville) issue of 24 November 1808, page 3.]
Evidently the widow of Churchill Hooper.
30 November 1808
Marriage License: Jeremiah Sullivan to Lucinda Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 88.]
21 January 1809
Suit: William Rochel vs. John Erwin & Joseph Hooper. Erwin & Hooper executed a bond on 23 January 1807 for $680, twice the $340 that they agreed to pay Rochel on 23 December 1807. They claim they paid, Rochel disputed that and sued. the Court found for plaintiff and awarded him $340. Defendants appealed, but I saw no further mention of the suit. [Davidson County Minute Book H, page 10.]
17 April 1809
Marriage License: Thomas Hooper to Nancy Lovell. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 98.]
29 April 1809
Estate Sale Recorded: Churchwell Hooper estate, by Thomas Hooper executor. Buyers included Mrs. Polly Hopper, Thomas Hooper Jun’r, Jeremiah Sullivan, Gabriel Joslin, Jeptha Hooper, Sinah Hooper, William Hooper Sen’r., .James and William Russell, several others. Compete sale covers two pages. [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 43-44.]
1 June 1809
Marriage License: Wm. Rasberry to Sina Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 100.]
1 July 1809
Land Grant: Absalom Hooper Junr., assignee of Samuel Shannon, 50 acres on waters of Whites Creek beginning at three sugar trees one of which is marked thus AH, on the road from Absalom Hooper Senr’s place to Absalom Hooper Junr’s place said trees standing on or near the bank of a branch about 12 yards from the fence where Laurance Richardson formerly lived… surveyed 17 June 1808. [Tennessee General Land Grants, Book 8, page 339.]
5 July 1809
Marriage License: John Hooper to Polly Foster. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 97.]
11 July 1809
Marriage License: Theodoric Hunt to Susanah(sic) Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 99.]
29 August 1809
Land Grant: Absalom Hooper Jun’r, assignee of Samuel Shannon warrant #92, 25 acres, part of said warrant, lying in Davidson County in the first district on the North side of the Cumberland River on Whites Creek beginning at three sugar trees one of which is marked thus AH. Entered 20 February 1808. Surveyed 17 June 1808. Issued 29 August 1809. [Tennessee General Land Grants Book B, page 339. Grant #1274.] Also [Davidson County Deed Book G, page 639.]
See the item at 18 June 1803. He sells this land in 1821.
5 September 1809
Marriage License: Nimrod Hooper to Nancy Lucas. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 102.]
4 January 1810
Deed: Benjamin Nichols to Absolom Hooper Sen’r, for $300, 70 acres on the headwaters of White (sic) beginning about 20 poles from Aquilla Jones south west corner west of said Jones corner on a beech, thence in a west direction 44 poles to a beech it being a conditional line between said Nichols and Elmore Walker… Signed: Benjamin (x) Nichols. Witness: A. Hooper Jr., Amr’d Hooper. Acknowledged by Nichols at April Court 1810. [Davidson County Deed Book G, page 625.]
Was the second witness Nimrod Hooper?
18 April 1810
Marriage License: Jeptha Hooper to Sally Russell. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 60.]
18 April 1810
Petition: Polly Hooper, widow of Churchill Hooper dec’d that the Sheriff summon a Jury of good and lawful men to ascertain to the said Polly Hooper… such dower land as she may be entitled to of 200 acres of land in Davidson County on Cumberland River being the tract of land whereon her husband lately lived…
Petition: Jeremiah Sullivan and William Rasbury who intermarried with Lucenda Hooper and Cena Hooper daughters of Churchwell Hooper dec’d [request a partition of the 200 acres so that they may receive their shares].
Jury Appointed: Thomas Hickman, Thomas Russell, Jesse Garland, James Curtis, and Sam’l Fielding [to partition the land]. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 166.]
18 April 1810
Special Guardian: James Lovell appointed special guardian to superintend the division of the real estate of Churchel Hooper dec’d that is of Jeptha Creasy Polly John Ferebee and Francis Hooper minors and heirs of Churchell Hooper… [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 169.]
25 May 1810
Dower Division: Jury appointed for the purpose reports that they have laid off dower land for Polly Hooper out of Churchwell Hooper’s tract, her parcel totaling 75 acres, 3 rods and 30 poles.”and to include the mansion house, outhouses and part of the plantation, leaving a balance of 152 acres for the heirs…” [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 111.]
Land Partition: The same jury partitioned the remaining 152 acres among 8 heirs receiving Lots 1 through 8 in this order: Cresy Hooper, Lucindy Hooper, Phareby Hooper, John R. Hooper, Joseph (sic) Hooper, Polly Hooper, Francis (sic) Hooper, and Cina Hooper. [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 111.]
The included plat shows Hooper’s parcel as a 200-acre rectangle on the south bank of the river, of which Polly’s dower land included the northwest quadrant. The eight children are listed in order, receiving Lot #1 through Lot #8. Jeptha is listed here as “Joseph” and Frances is listed as “Francis”.
25 July 1810
Suit: William T. Hooper vs. James Lovell, jury finds for plaintiff in the amount of $33.01½. [Davidson County Court Minute Book G, page 181.]
This is the son of Jesse Hooper.
17 September 1810
Marriage License: Joseph Hooper to Catherine Whayling. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 68.]
26 October 1810
Allowance: Ordered that Polly Hooper be allowed out of the estate fo her deceased husband Churchwell Hooper the sum of forty two dollars for keeping cloathing and maintaining of four children orphans of said C. Hooper deceased to wit Jerusha, John R., Feribee, and Frances Hooper for one year rime commencing October 1809 and ending October 1810. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 324.]
30 October 1810
Bill of Sale: James Terrell to Absolom Hooper, $600, a Negro woman and two children by the name of Janey Harry and Isaac… [Davidson County Deed Book H, page 41.]
2 February 1811
Land Grant: Thomas Hooper, assignee of the heirs of Rawley Hogan’s military warrant #5146, 100 acres, part of said warrant, lying in Davidson County in the first district on the waters of Cumberland and on both sides of a small creek which empties in said river opposite Thomas Hickman’s lower ferry and about one mile from said river… Entered 15 April 1808. Surveyed 28 June 1808. [See Series 3, Book 13, page 216.] Issued 2 February 1811. [Tennessee General Land Grants Book D, page 125. Grant #2871.]
This is the same 100 acres that James Russell entered back in 1803 that Thomas Hooper lived on. The survey of 28 June 1808 is filed among Tennessee land records Series 3, Book 13, page 216.
2 February 1811
Land Grant: Thomas Hooper, assignee of the heirs of Peter Pains NC warrant #2473, 25 acres, part of said warrant, lying in Davidson County in the first district on the south side of the Cumberland River on a small creek called Cubs creek and joining a tract of 100 acres that the said Hooper now lives on…which empties in said river opposite Thomas Hickman’s lower ferry and about one mile from said river… Entered 25 March 1809. Surveyed 1 March 1810. Issued 2 February 1811. [Tennessee General Land Grants Book D, page 122. Grant #2868.]
2 February 1811
Land Grant: Thomas Hooper, assignee of the heirs of Peter Pains NC warrant #2473, 25 acres, part of said warrant, lying in Davidson County in the first district on the south side of the Cumberland River on a small creek called Cubs creek and joining his other tract of 25 acres – beginning at a beech marked ILTH…that the said Hooper now lives on…which empties in said river opposite Thomas Hickman’s lower ferry and about one mile from said river… Entered 25 March 1809. Surveyed 1 March 1810. Issued 2 February 1811. [Tennessee General Land Grants Book D, page 123. Grant #2869.]
20 April 1811
Suit: Absolom Hooper Jun’r vs. Benjamin Bashaw [“Bradshaw” ?], debt. Hooper had obtained a judgment in March 1810 for $5, which Bradshaw disputed. At this court a jury awarded Hooper $2 plus costs. [Davidson County Court Minute Book G, page 324.]
18 May 1811
Sheriff’s Notice: A very valuable mill seat will be laid off and sold… on 13 July next…all the right, title, and interest which Benjamin Brashaw has to 100 acres on land lying on Pond Creek… taken at the instance of Absalom Hooper jun., to satisfy his debt and cost. [The Democratic Clarion and Tennessee Gazette (Nashville), issue of 28 May 1811, page 3.]
The same notice continued to be posted in subsequent issues, with the sale date deferred to 9 October 1811. Was this related to the seemingly minor debt suit?
15 July 1811
Suit: William Hooper vs James Lovell & William Russell. Suit was brought in July 1810 against James Lovell for $35 plus cost of $19.88, whereupon Lovell, with Russell his security, executed a bond to secure his payment within nine months. He failed to pay, the court now awards William Hooper $33 plus $1.57 interest, and costs of $19.88, “in the whole debt, damages and costs the sum of $56.45. [Davidson County Court Minute Book G, page 434.].
16 July 1811
Deed: William Hooper of Montgomery County, Tennessee to Jesse Hooper of Davidson County, for $100, 84 acres & 24 poles on Pond Creek the south side of Cumberland River… beginning at a horn beam and while ash James Garrett’s line… a part of a patent no. 1476 grant to Thomas Ford containing 84 acres and 24 poles the said land was conveyed to me by deed by James Garrett… Signed: William Hooper. Witness: Jesse Cullen, Thomas Hooper. Proved at April Court 1830 by Jesse Cullen “who also swears that William Hooper the grantor of said deed & Thomas Hooper the other subscribing witness thereto are both dead”. [Davidson County Deed Book S, page 480.]
Why did William Hooper keep this land for more than 10 years when he didn’t live in Davidson County? Did he buy the land to house someone else? Like Jesse Hooper perhaps?
15 August 1811
Will: Absolom Hooper Sr., proved July Court 1813. …to my daughter Hetty Jones one hundred dollars in cash and forty dollars cash as soon the money is collected from James Stuart for keeping his children… to my son Joseph Hooper one negro man named Isam and one negro woman Mary… to my daughter Sinia Alston five dollars… to my son Absolam Hooper seventy acres of land that I bought from Benjamin Nichols and the following negroes that is to say Cesar, Winney, little Sam, Clay, Bill, old Sam, and Sarah and also the Smith tools…. to my daughter Elizabeth Robertson four cows and calves and fifty dollars in cash as soon as the money is collected from James Stuart [crossed out] Steward (sic) for keeping his children… to my son Nimrod Hooper four hundred and twenty eight acres of land being the place where I now live and the following negroes Viz, Big Andrew Dave little Andrew Jim Baxer and Fan… to my two sons Absolam Hooper and Nimrod Hooper all my stock of all kinds and all my household and kitchen furniture and all my farming tools of every discription to be equally divided between them… to my daughters Hetty Jones and Elizabeth Robertson and my two sons Absalom Hooper & Nimrod Hooper that part of the estate of Joseph Holmes that is coming to me to be equally divided between them… I ordain and appoint my trusty friend John Lucas and my son Absolam Hooper my executors… Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Witness: S. Shannon, Isaac Lucas, Susannah (x) Lucas. [Davidson County Wills Book 4, page 246.]
Read the fully transcribed will, with notes, here: http://www.hoopercompass.com/wills/abswill.html
“Letty” Jones, widow of George Cooke and wife of Aquilla Jones, was mis-transcribed by the clerk as “Hetty”. James Stuart (or Stewart or Steward) had married Sallie Hooper in 1797 and married again in 1807, presumably after Sallie’s death, Joseph Holmes may have been the son of Sarah Holmes (see the Natchez, or West Florida, records file), and may have been the brother of Absalom’s life Elizabeth Holmes. In all it appears that Absalom Hooper had four sons and four daughters who lived to maturity, two of whom predeceased him.
30 August 1811
Sheriff’s Notice: to be sold on the 19th of October… all the right, title, claim and interest that James Lovell has to the tract of land whereon Charles Stewart formerly lived on the waters of Pond Creek, supposed to contain 80 acres… taken in execution to satisfy a judgment that Wm. Hooper recovered against said Lovell… [The Democratic Clarion and Tennessee Gazette (Nashville), issue of 17 September 1811, page 4.]
This is, from the 1810 court record, William T. Hooper, son of Jesse Hooper. The $56 judgment of 1811 precipitated the sale.
27 September 1811
Marriage License: Michael Speck to Polly Hooper. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 119.]
She is the widow of Churchill Hooper. See the court order below for proof.
22 October 1811
Court Order: Ordered that Polly Speck late relict of Churchwell Hooper dec’d be allowed out of the estate of the decedant the sum of twenty four dollars for keeping cloathing and maintaining of four of the children of the said Churchwell Hooper dec’d for the last year, to with October 1810 to Oct. 1811. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 576.]
Court Order: Ordered that orders of sale issue to Thomas Hooper Executor of the last will and testament of Churchwell Hooper to sell two negroes of said decedent’s estate one named Ransom and one named Fanny at twelve months credit. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 576.]
12 November 1811
Estray Notice: Wilson County – Taken up by James Hooper near Drake’s Lick, one bay mare, 7 years old… [The Democratic Clarion and Tennessee Gazette (Nashville), issue of 12 November 1811, page 4.]
I include this because Drake’s Lick was at the mouth of Drake’s Creek, which empties into the Cumberland River where Davidson, Wilson, and Sumner counties meet. Due to a boundary change the lick is now the northeastern corner of Davidson County. I did not look at Wilson County records and I do not know if James Hooper is a member of this family.
19 November 1811
Bill of Sale: James Terrell & Ephraim M. Parker to Absolom Hooper, a Negro man named Jack… [Davidson County Deed Book H, page 67.]
4 December 1811
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Joseph Hooper, for $20, 2½ acres and 29 poles on a fork of White’s Creek which runs through the said Joseph Hooper’s plantation and immediately below said Hooper’s plantation, beginning at an ash dogwood and hornbeam on the east boundary line of a 640-acre survey granted to Daniel Chambers… Signed: Abs. Hooper. Witness: A Hooper Jun’r, Jas. H. Gamble. Proved by witnesses April Court 1812. [Davidson County Deed Book I, page 292.]
4 December 1811
Deed: Absolom Hooper to John C. Parker, for $60, 15 acres and 36 poles on a fork of White’s Creek which runs through Joseph Hooper’s plantation… Signed: Abs. Hooper. Witness: A Hooper Jun’r, Jas. H. Gamble. Proved by witnesses April Court 1812. [Davidson County Deed Book I, page 293.]
28 December 1811
Sale of Slaves: Estate of Churchwell Hooper, sold by Thomas Hooper, Ex’r. Sold girl Fanny for $480 and boy Ransom for $485. Recorded 11 February 1814.[Davidson County Will Book 4, page 271.]
January 1812
Court Decision [Synopsis]: In 1804 shortly after her marriage to William Sneed, Mary Deloach and her husband petitioned Joseph & Elizabeth Hooper for possession of a portion of the slaves Nan and Bess that Noah Sugg had given to them in 1797. Their case rested on the fact that Noah Sugg had previously given the slaves to Samuel Deloach, Elizabeth Hooper‘s first husband, and therefore were part of his estate a portion of which was due to Mary Deloach as his only heir. But Noah Sugg, as administrator of Samuel Deloach’s estate, had filed an inventory in July 1792 that did not list Nan and Bess among the slaves [see Will Book 1, p252]. Nor were those slaves a part of the estate distribution in early 1794 [Will Book 1, p309 above]. Noah Sugg evidently believed that he had merely made a conditional gift to Deloach and therefore the slaves properly belonged to him, Sugg. Joseph and Elizabeth Hooper argued that Noah Sugg had executed a valid deed of gift of the slaves to the Hoopers after Elizabeth Deloach married Joseph Hooper in 1793 and therefore that the slaves were theirs. The court ruled in favor of the Hoopers in 1804. After appeals the case was settled in 1812 by the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals in the Hoopers favor. (Among other points, the court ruled that, even if the slaves were part of the Deloach estate, the administrator had the right to dispose of the slaves as he saw fit.)
1 February 1812
Marriage License: Absalom Hooper to Kitty Lucas. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 145.]
23 April 1812
Court Order: …Nimrod Hooper produced a wolf scalp and making it appear to the satisfaction of the court that he had killed the same himself the court ordered that the clerk grant to him certificate directing the Treasurer to pay to said Hooper the bounty… [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 742.]
28 April 1812
Estate Division: Thomas Hickman & James Lovell report that they have divided the chattel estate of Churchill Hooper to nine heirs: Michael Speck in right of his wife, Jere. Sullivan, Jepth(a) Hooper, William Rasberry, Cresy Hooper, Polly Hooper, John Hooper, Ferabee Hooper, and Frances Hooper. [Davidson County Will Book 4, page 182.]
“Joseph” Hooper of the land distribution and Jeptha are the same person — “Joseph” apparently being a copying error on the part of the clerk — when the land was sold he was Jeptha. William Rasberry had married Cina (or Sina) Hooper, Michael Speck had married the widow Polly Hooper, Jeremiah Sullivan had married Lucinda Hooper. The daughter Polly Hooper has not remarried.
28 April 1812
Estray Notice: [Taken up] by Absalom Hooper, head of Whites creek, a black horse about 14 ½ hands high, about 8 or 9 years old… by Nimrod Hooper, heard of Whites creek a black horse about 14 ½ hands high, about 8 years old… [The Democratic Clarion and Tennessee Gazette (Nashville), issue of 28 April 1812, page 1.]
30 July 1812
Enumeration of Free Male Inhabitants of Davidson County for the year 1812:
Capt. Hail’s Co.: Thomas Hooper, Jesse Hooper
Capt. Cloyd’s Militia Co.: Absolom. Hooper Junr., Absolom Hooper Senr., Nimrod Hooper
Capt. Barnsheart’s Co.: Thomas Hooper, Joseph Hooper, James Hooper
Capt. Birdwell’s Co.: Joseph Hooper
[Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, pages 826-842.]
This was a list in response to the General Assembly’s request of 11 November 1811 to enumerate the “free taxable inhabitants” of each county, evidently meaning only white males over 21. The county total was 2,235.
19 October 1812
Court Order: Michael Speck and wife is allowed the Interest of the Money belonging to certain orphans kept by them, the children of Churchwell Hooper dec’d. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 857.]
23 October 1812
Court Order: John Hooper produced in court a wolf scalp and making it appear to the satisfaction of the court that he had killed the same within the bounds of this county… ordered that the clerk grant said. Hooper certificate hereof described to the State treasurer to pay the said Hooper such sum of money as he is entitled to by law for killing a wolf. [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 896.]
Presumably the son of Churchwell Hooper.
18 January 1813
Court Order: John Hooper certificate for killing two wolves… [similar to above entry] [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 943.]
18 January 1813
Bond: Absolom Hooper Junr. having been appointed to serve as constable in this county came into open court and gave bond $1,250 with Samuel Shannon & Absolom Hooper Senr. securities for his faithful discharge of office… [Davidson County Court Minutes 1809-1813, page 944.]
31 March 1813
Survey: for Nimrod Hooper, assignee of John McLemore, 100 acres… headwaters of Whites Creek beginning at a. beech marked AH 1813 on Absalom Hooper’s north boundary Lin on the west side of a spring branch… Chain bearers: Thomas Cole, Absalom Hooper. The land entry is dated 5 April 1813. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 2, Book 28, page 16 (Entry) and Series 3, Book 3, page 249.]
19 April 1813
Debt Suit: Joseph Hooper vs. Simon & Exum Johnson, default of note of $335.33 ⅓. Defendants failed to answer summons, plaintiff awarded the claim plus $6.97 ⅔ damages. [Davidson County Minute Book I, page 277.]
29 May 1813
Estray Notice: Taken up by Nimrod Hooper on the head of Whites Creek, one bay mare with a dollar bell on… also a bay horse with a star in his forehead… [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 15 June 1813, page 3.]
30 September 1813
Estray Notice: Taken up by Absalom Hooper living on the head of White’s Creek, a great mare about 10 years old… [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 19 October 1813, page 2.]
==> There are a few more of these Estray Notices over the next few years — I have omitted them unless they might contain a crumb of genealogical value.
24 October 1813
Survey: for Jesse Hooper, 40 acres on both sides of Pond Creek including the place where said Hooper formerly lived… northwest corner of a 100 acre tract entered in the name of William Russell… [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 3, Book 16, page 79.]
13 November 1813
Deed: William Russell to Jeptha Hooper, for $75, 50 acres on the east fork of Sams Creek, beginning at a large walnut near the east bank of said east fork and runs south crossing it at 20 poles in all 126 poles to a large red oak on a ridge… Signed: W. Russell. Witness: Wm. Mullins, Enoch Douze, James Russell. Proved a April Court 1814 by Russell and Douze. [Davidson County Deed Book K, page 271.]
1 December 1813
Deed: Jeptha Hooper to Enoch Douze [also written as Douzue or perhaps Dougue], for $30, 14 acres on the south side of Cumberland River between Hickman’s ferry and the mouth of Pond Creek being a part of the tract of land owned and lived on by his father Churchel (sic) Hooper in his lifetime and left to him by. his said father… by the division as recorded in the Clerk’s office… [this being Lot #5 from the description] Signed: Jepth (x) Hooper. Witness: James Russell, W. Russell. Acknowledged at April 1813 court “by the said Jeptha” [Davidson County Deed Book K, page 261.]
14 February 1814
Estate Accounting: Thomas Hooper’s acct. ag’t the heirs of C. Hooper dec’d. Lucrecy Hooper and Polly Hooper & Jerusha Hooper heirs of Churchwell Hooper dec’d. Clothing the said heirs for the year 1813 to the amount of $21.37, Taxes paid two years for 6 heirs $ .66, [Davidson County Deed Book 4, page 278.]
Who is Jerusha Hooper? By elimination, she is probably the daughter named Frances or perhaps Pheraby.
23 June 1814
Survey: for John McCasland, 50 acres on waters of Whites Creek… in\cluding said McCasland improvement. Chain Carriers: Absalum Hooper, Isaac McCasland. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 3, Book 18, page 325.]
27 June 1814
Notice: Ran away on Thursday the 23d of June inst. a negro boy named Jack about five feet ten inches high, spare made and thin,,, [Signed] Joseph Hooper, Whites Creek. [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette (Nashville), issue of 28 June 1814, page 3.]
1 August 1814
Deed: James Lovell to Thomas Hooper Senr., for $350, south side of Cumberland River on Sams Creek, beginning at a Big Cave Spring running west 96 poles to a chestnut and dogwood on a ridge thence south 126 poles to two boulders on the south bank of said creek…on the south boundary line of a tract of 166 3/4 acres that said Lovell now lives on… Signed: Jas. Lovell. Witness: Wm. Champ, Jesse Callum. Acknowledged by Lovell January Court 1815. [Davidson County Deed Book K, page 483.]
23 August 1814
Marriage License: Churchwell Hooper to Kitty Lucas. No return noted. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 156.]
17 December 1814
Land Entry: Nimrod Hooper, 25 acres on headwaters fo Whites creek beginning on a beech in said Hoopers west boundary line…[Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 2, Book 29, page 481.]
24 December 1814
Estray Notice: Taken up by Jepthy Hooper, Sams Creek, 18 miles below Nashville, one bay mare… [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 3 January 1815, page 3.]
“Below” in this case meaning downriver — or about 18 miles west of Nashville in what is now Cheatham County.
11 March 1815
Marriage License: Richard Hyde to Elizabeth Hooper. No return. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 156.]
31 May 1815
Estray Notice: taken up by Jesse Hooper, on Pond Creek 15 miles below Nashville, one roan mare… [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 4 July 1815, page 4.]
1815-16
Two deeds from George Hooper of Wilmington, NC selling the land he bought in 1799 are omitted as immaterial to these branches of the Hooper family.
10 February 1816
Deed: Elizabeth Duffill of Maury County to Joseph Hooper, for $687, 114 ½ acres on Whites Creek, a part of Daniel Frazier’s preemption, beginning on a double sugartree on the north side of White’s Creek John Wilson’s corner on Joseph Hooper’s line thence N88W 109 poles to and elm ash and myulberry Joseph Love’s corner on Joseph Hooper’s line, thence N1W 219.5 poles to a broken down sugar tree… Signed: Elizabeth Duffill. Witness: George Patton, Joseph B. Porter. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 185.]
7 August 1816
Marriage License: John Nicholson to Lucree Hooper. Solemnized 13 August 1816. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 169.
26 December 1816
Deed: Thomas Hickman to Thomas Hooper, for $94, 14 acres… part of Gowen presumption (sic) and also a part of a 200 acre survey owned and left by Churchel Hooper last before his death and since divided out between the widow & the several heirs which Jeremiah Sullivan held in right of his wife and conveyed unto Thomas Hickman by deed bearing date the 24th day of March 1814…also the undivided part of the widow’s dower… Signed: Thos. Hickman Witness: W. Russell, James Russell. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 70.]
31 December 1816
Deed: Nimrod Hooper to John McCasland, for $600, 198 acres on the headwaters of Whites Creek it being a part of a 640 acre survey granted to Robert Hays No. of the patent 2487, beginning at a beech near the road that leads from Beazleys to William Shaws thence running 146 poles to three beeches neat Thomas Shavers Spring… the south boundary of Robert Hays… conditional line made by Abner Johnson and Benjamin Nichols… Signed: Nimrod Hooper. Witness: A. Hooper, J. C. McCasland. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 130.]
28 February 1817
Unpaid Tax: Among a list of properties to be auctioned for nonpayment of 1816 tax was “Hooper’s heirs – 640 acres South Harpeth, Williamson County. [Ansearchin’ News Vol. 43, No. 2 (Summer 1996), page 63.]
1 April 1817
Bill of Sale: Douglas Puckett to Nimrod Hooper, $650, a Negro man named Jerry about the age of 37… [Davidson County Deed Book H, page 282.]
17 December 1817
Marriage License: Anthony Durden to Helen Hooper. Solemnized 18 December 1817. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 190.]
She is “Helen” in this record but Hulda” later. See the distribution of Ennis Hooper’s estate four months later.
20 January 1818
Notice: Land for Sale… lying within three and a half miles of Nashville, or one and a half of Page’s ferry, belonging to the heirs of Ennis Hooper, dec. containing two hundred and sixty eight acres seventy of which is cleared… [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette (Nashville), issue of 20 January 1818, page 1.]
25 February 1818
Land Entry: Absalom Hooper, assignee of Robt. Searcy, entry two tracts adjoining his own land on waters of Whites Creek, one of 10 acres and one of 4 acres. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, Series 2 (Entries), Book 31, page 171.]
If these resulted in a grant it was after I stopped recording Hooper records.
5 March 1818
Estate Division: Division of personal estate of Ennis Hooper deceased, by commissioners appointed… Lot #1 which includes Milley and child, Sealy and child, and Minerva valued to $1,700 was drawn by Anthony Durden and Hulda his wife, daughter of the said deceased. and #2 which includes Lucy, Tom, Sophia and Matilda valued to $1,800 were (sic) drawn by by (sic) Hooper, minor son of the deceased and were do report accordingly…Signed: Alex’r Ewing, Wm. Caldwell, Jones Read. Filed April Count 1818.
The clerk appears to have mistakenly rendered “C Y” as “by”. Ennis evidently had only two children, a daughter Hulda (or Helen) and a son C. Y.
Hulda (or Helen) evidently died sometime in the next few months. Anthony Durden removed to Warren County, Mississippi where on 5 January 1819 he sold the slaves Milly, her children, and Minerva. He married again a few months Hulda’s brother declared himself the only heir of his father in late 1820. Interestingly, he named a daughter Hulda..
30 March 1818
Deed: Richard Champ to Jeptha Hooper, for $80, 14 acres south side of Cumberland River and Sams Creek beginning at a red oak and beech on the south boundary line of 274 acres owned by Enoch Dozier… Signed: Rich’d Champ. Witness: William Lovel, William Faust?, Arnold Russell. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 262.]
29 April 1818
Survey: Absalom Hooper, assignee of Robt. Searcy, 20 acres on waters of Whites Creek beginning in. said Hooper’s east boundary about 10 poles south of the southwest corner… [Tennessee Early Land Records, Series 2 (Entries), Book 31, page 171.]
2 May 1818
Deed: Nimrod Hooper of Jefferson County and State of Mississippi to John Stump, for $3,000, one tract of 428 acres on waters of Whites Creek …which said tract was granted to George Walker; also one tract of 100 acres beginning at a beech marked AH 1813… Absalom Hooper Junior south boundary… which said tract was granted to said Nimrod Hooper…; also a tract of 25 acres on headwaters of Whites Creek… Signed: N. Hooper. Witness: Sam’l Weakley, J. L. Young, Sam’l Stutt. Proved by Weakley. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 388.]
May 1818
Notice: Davidson County taxes may be paid at.. [for] Captain J. Boyles company, at the house of Nim’d Hooper on Wednesday 1st July…” [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 6 June 1818, page 3.]
24 June 1818
Deed: Joseph Hooper to John Wilson, for 7 ½ acres of land to him hereafter to be conveyed… which is understood to be an exchange of the same quantity of land from each other… conveys 7 ½ acres on the main east fork of Whites Creek beginning at a double supartree on the south boundary line of what is known to be Craws preemption now belonging to Joseph Phillip… corner of Joseph Love…to a stake in the line of said Wilson’s tract on which he lives… Signed: Joseph Hooper. Witness: Sam’l Weakley, James H. Hooper. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 353.]
24 June 1818
Deed: John Wilson to Joseph Hooper, in exchange… 7 ½ acres on waters of Whites Creek beginning at an ash tree on said Hooper’s north boundary being the south east corner of a tract of land said Hooper bought of Elizabeth Duffer (sic)… Signed: John Wilson. Witness: Sam’l Weakley, James H. Hooper. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 354.]
24 June 1818
Deed: Michael Gleaves to Joseph Hooper, for $50, 2 ½ acres on waters of Whites Creek … southeast corner of said Gleaves tract of land on which he nowlives an[d] said Hooper’s west boundary line… Signed: Michael Gleaves. No witnesses. Acknowledged by Gleaves at July Court 1818. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 366.]
29 September 1818
Estray Notice: Taken up by Churchell Hooper, below Gowers landing on Cumberland River, a yellow bay mare… [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette (Nashville), issue of 29 September 1818, page 3.]
6 October 1818
Deed: Absolom Hooper to William S. Denny, for $20, 10 acres on waters of Whites Creek… Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Witness: Joseph Stone, Collin S. Hobbs. [Davidson County Deed Book N, page 236.]
Deed: Absolom Hooper to William S. Denny, for $40, 20 acres on waters of Whites Creek… about 10 p[oles south of the said Hooper’s 10 acre tract… Signed: Abs’m Hooper. Same witnesses.
10 October 1818
Marriage License: George Rasberry to Ferribee Hooper. Solemnized 12 October 1818. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 200.]
18 October 1818
Deed: John Nicholson and Lucretia Nicholson to Thomas Hooper, for $100, 11 acres it being a part of Gowers preemption and the one equal share of the heirs of Churchill Hooper dec.d beginning at the upper corner of the tract of land of 200 acres that the said Churchill Hooper died possessed of… Acknowledged: John Nicholson, Lucretia Nicholson. [Davidson County Deed Book M, page 445.]
21 November 1818
Notice: To rent – On the first day of January next will be let to the highest bidder that valuable farm of C. Y. Hooper three miles north of Nashville – lying on Whites Creek – also to hire the negroes of said heir for the ensuing year. D. Young, Guar’d. [National Banner and Nashville Whig (Nashville), issue of 21 November 1818, page 3 and slightly modified to add the Whites Creek location in The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette issue of 1 December, page 3.]
Claiborne Y. Hooper evidently not of age in 1818, or in 1819?
9 January 1819
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas Dill, for $50, 10 acres on waters of Whites Creek …beginning at a white walnut and small beech marked NH 30 poles south of Absolom Hooper’s south boundary line… Signed: A. Hooper. Witness: Edw’d Butler, Jon. Beasley. [Davidson County Deed Book N, page 238.]
This appears to match th metes and bounds of the below grant to Nimrod Hooper.
9 January 1819
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas Dill, for $2,000, 400 ½ acres on waters of Whites Creek… northwest corner of Hoopers 100 acre survey… Signed Abs’m Hooper. Same witnesses. [Davidson County Deed Book N, page 239.]
5 February 1819
Bill of Sale: Nimrod Hooper to Absolom Hooper, $300, a Negro girl named Sophy aged eight years old… [Davidson County Deed Book H, page 482.]
9 March 1819
Sheriff’s Notice: …sale for cash at the Courthouse… on 24 April, all the right, title, claim and interest of Jeptha Hooper to 50 acres of land lying in Davidson County in the first district on the east fork of Sams Creek… taken in execution to satisfy the above writ at the insistence of Benjamin D. Peck. [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette (Nashville), issue of 19 March 1819, page 1.]
17 March 1819
Bill of Sale: Nimrod Hooper of Jefferson County and State of Mississippi to Absolom Hooper, $1,300, a Negro boy named Andrew aged 37 years… [Davidson County Deed Book H, page 448.]
I’m not going to read any more of these sales of slaves. Just too sad.
Nimrod Hooper appears in the Mississippi State Gazette (Natchez) newspaper issue of 6 March 1818, o n page 4, among a lost of persons “appointed to act as agents… to receive hides” He is identified as “Nimrod Hooper, inn-keeper, Greenville.”
28 April 1819
Land Grant: Nimrod Hooper, assignee of Robert Fenner(?) warrant #5733, 10 acres by survey bearing date 24th of July 1816… on the waters of Whites Creek… Land was entered 23 December 1815 and surveyed 27 July 1816. [Tennessee General Land Grants Book CC, page 544.]
He entered the claim in 1815 but by the time the grant was issued he had already left for Mississippi, I think Absolom Hooper sold this land in January — there may be a missing assignment somewhere in the records.
24 November 1819
Marriage License: Jacob Stump to Casia Hooper. No return. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 216.]
3 May 1820
Deed: Mary Hooper to Enoch Douze, for $100, 15 acres on south side of Cumberland River between Hickmans ferry and the mouth of Pond Creek, being a part of the tract of land owned and lived on by her father Churchald Hooper in his lifetime and left to her by her said father as will more fully appear by the division… Signed: Mary (x) Hooper. Witness: Willoughby Dozier, Dennis Dozier. [Davidson County Deed Book N, page 475.]
15 May 1820
Deed: James Lovell to Thomas Hooper Sen’r, for $800, 100 acres on south side of Cumberland River beginning at two sycamores on the bank of the river Andrew Caldwell’s upper corner running up the river with its meanders to a beech marked LL thence south with Nicholas Hails line to the south boundary line of 228 acres tract granted to James Lovell… Signed: James Lovell. No witnesses. [Davidson County Deed Book Q, page 154.]
15 May 1820
Notice: I caution all persons from taking an assignment on a note executed to George Pierce by C. Y. Hooper & Daniel Young about the 8th of Jan. for $165 as I do not intend to pay said note unless compelled by law. [Signed] C. Y. Hooper. [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette (Nashville) issue of 16 May 1820, page 3 and repeated.]
13 June 1820
Marriage License: Thomas Russell to Anne Hooper. Solemnized 19 July 1820 by W. Russell, JP. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 223.]
25 December 1820
POA: Know all men by these presents that I C. Y. Hooper, the only representative of Anne Hooper deceased, daughter of Daniel Young deceased… by these presents do constitute and appoint my friend N. H. Robertson of the county and state aforesaid my true and lawful attorney … to receive my part of the estate of Daniel young deceased I being a lawful representative of the said Daniel Young deceased… Signed (Claiborne) Y Hooper.Witness: William C. Robertson, Mich’l Gleaves, Wm. (x) Edmondson, Wallis Branch. [Davidson County Deed Book O, page 181.]
Note that he is the “only representative”, his sister Helen/Hulda being dead.
1 January 1821
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas T. Shaw, for $213, 35 ½ acres on waters of Whites Creek… beginning at a beech about 20 poles west of Aquilla Jones southwest corner… south boundary line of a 640 acre grant to Robert Hays… Signed: A. Hooper. Witness: John Beasley, James Moses. [Davidson County Deed Book O, page 203.]
24 March 1821
Deposition: of William Hooper, taken at his house in Montgomery Co., Tennessee. He states that in 1783 he lived near Nashville, Tn. In the year 1784 he was engaged in hunting on the waters of Muddy River, Ky. He goes on to describe the land. He made the trip again in 1785. He states he travelled the route some 20 times. He states some of the Licks were called Wolg Lick, Elk Lick, Hooper’s Lick or Saplin Lick and Big Clay Lick. [Montgomery Vanderpool, Logan County, Kentucky Abstracts of Equity Cases, Vol 1, page 20.]
The case of Craddock et al vs. Russell’s Heirs was filed on 1 May 1813. On 13 December 1785 Robert Craddock and three other men had made an entry of 100 acres of land in what became Logan County, Kentucky, for which a Virginia grant was issued on 10 June 1788. A few months earlier, William Russell had made an entry and surveyed 2,000 acres that included Craddock’s tract. The suit was filed to resolve the conflicting ownership. On 20 March 1821 the Commonwealth of Kentucky ordered the justices of Montgomery County, Tennessee to examine William Hooper, David McFadden, Daniel Oglesby, Isaac Hollis, John Mackey, David Gould and James Carr as witnesses for William Russell’s heirs.
On 23 March 1821 Daniel Oglesby, deposed at William Hooper’s house in Montgomery County, stated that he set out on a hunt in company with Absalom Hooper in the year 1785 and crossed the Red River about two miles below where Phil Alston lived, then went to Alston’s house and there went on a northwestern direction to meet Wm. Hooper on the waters of Muddy River, crossed Whipporwill then continued on the same path until they came to Lances Spring, etc.
On 24 March 1821 Isaac Hollis (William Hooper’s brother-in-law) deposed that in 1784 he lived in Tennessee below Nashville. that in the fall of that year he started with his eldest brother on a hunting expedition…
16 September 1821
Deed: Absolom Hooper to Thomas Dill, for $250, 50 acres on waters of Whites Creek… beginning at three sugar trees one of which marked thus AH running south crossing said branch… Signed: A. Hooper. Witness: William McCaslanmd, William S. Denney, John McCasland, Eli Lucas. [Davidson County Deed Book O, page 385.]