In November 1788 the North Carolina Legislature created Tennessee County from the western part of Davidson County, although it wasn’t actually organized until the first court met on 20 April 1789.
On 9 April 1796 at the first session of the General Assembly of the new State of Tennessee, an act was was passed to divide Tennessee County into two distinct counties, Montgomery and Robertson. Montgomery County, which was promptly organized on 20 April, encompassed that part of present Cheatham County west of Sycamore Creek. A slice of Montgomery was annexed to Robertson in 1799 and portions of Montgomery County went to form Dickson and Stewart counties in 1803. A chunk of southeastern Montgomery went to form Cheatham County in 1856.
The records on which this is based are abstracted here for Davidson County and here for Montgomery County.
7 March 1786
Land Grant: State of North Carolina to James Hollis, assignee of David Pew, 640 acres on a branch of half pone creek. Entered on 29 April 1784. [North Carolina Grant Book 63, page 69.]
This was then in the part of Davidson that became Montgomery County, and is today just over the line in Cheatham County. Eight miles from the river (in a straight line) would put it about two miles from the present Robertson County line. James Hollis lived on this land for a time, according to the deeds below, but sold it in several smaller segments, as below.
1 July 1789
Deed: James Hollis, no residence stated, to Ann Choate of the County of Tennessee, for £100, 200 acres on the north side of Cumberland River in Tennessee County about eight miles from said river on the waters of half poan (sic) creek being part of a 640 acre survey and military claim where the said James Hollis has formerly lived, the said 200 acres lying on the west side of said military claim and bounded as follows: beginning at a black (sic) corner to to said survey thence N45E 112 poles to a large black oak thence east 20 poles to a black oak and dogwood thence S13E 132 poles to a large oak and dogwood, thence S80W 80 poles to a hickory and red oak thence south so far as to include the quantity thence west until it intersects said Hollis’s west boundary thence north with said boundary to the beginning. No witnesses. Acknowledged in court by James Hollis 20 July 1789. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 16.].
8 January 1790
Anthony Crutcher of Davidson County to James Hollis Senr. of Tennessee County, for £80, 390 acres part of a 640 acres grant No. 579 dated 15 September 1787 running as follows to include his mill and improvements beginning at a white oak Daniel Oglesby’s corner running south 160 poles to a black oak thence S24E crossing Sycamor (sic) twice 120 poles to a large beech, SxxE crossing said creek 100 poles to a poplar thence east 64 poles to a small island in said creek thence east with said (sic) 108 poles to a honey locust on said creek thence 4 degrees West (sic) 276 poles to red oak thence to the beginning… Signed A. Crutcher. Witness: ___ Galesp, Geo Suggs. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 12.]
Sycamore Creek rises in southern Robertson County and runs through modern Cheatham County to the Cumberland River.
20 April 1790
Deed: James Hollis of Tennessee County to Elizabeth Vernor for £50, 100 acres of land lying on Sycamore Creek being part of a tract of 390 acres granted by Anthony Crutcher to the said James Hollis Sen’r… and runs as follows to improve (sic) James Coopers improvements…. Signed: James Hollis Sen’r. No witnesses. Acknowledged by James Hollis Sen’r in court July term 1790. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 53.]
23 February 1791
Deed: James Hollis to James Choat, both of Tennessee County, for £200, 300 acres on the north side of Cumberland River about eight mile from said river and on the waters of half pone creek being part of a 640 acre survey and military claim including the plantation whereon sd, Hollis formerly lived… North 15 chains to a black oak and dogwood Ann Choats corner, thence with her line N30W 33 chains to the beginning, her corner on the line of the old survey said tract being granted to said James Hollis by the state of N. Carolina grant bearing date the 17th day of March 1786 and Number 185…. Signed: James Hollis. No witnesses noted. Acknowledged April Term 1791. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 59.]
1 March 1791
Deed: James Hollis to Stephen Hopton, both of Tennessee County, for £100 140 acres on the north side of Cumberland River about eight miles from said river on the waters of half pone creek it being a part of a 640 acre survey whereon said Hollis did formerly live and including Old Hollis ‘s improvement… beginning at a black oak and dogwood thence south 15 chains to a white oak and dogwood thence west ten chains to a dogwood and sassafras thence with said line west 29 chains 50 links to a stake thence with the other line North 27 chains 40 links to a stake Ann Choats corner thence with his (sic) line East 36 chains…. Signed: James Hollis. No witnesses noted. Acknowledged in court July Term 1791. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 62.]
Stephen Hopton would later sell this tract in 1802 to Absalom Hooper of Davidson County.
11 April 1791
Deed: Robert Nelson to Samuel Hollis, both of Tennessee County, for £150, lying on the north side of Sycamore Creek including the improvement where said Hollis now lives beginning at a black oak (post?) & dogwood east of said Hollis’s tract that leads toward Sycamore running west 418 poles to a gum and black oak on Norris’s old tract…. 640 acres. [Deed Book A, page 69.]. Signed Robert Nelson. Witness: Moses [Reby?], James Hollis. Acknowledged at July Court 1791.
15 October 1791
Deed: James Hollis Sen’r to John Crocker, both of Tennessee County, for £60, 227 acres on Sycamore Creek being part of a 640-acre grant No 579 dated 15 September 1789 and un as follows to include mill and improvement, beginning at a white oak Daniel Oglesby’s corner runs South 160 poles to a black oak then S24E 58 poles to the creek, thence N65E 124 poles to Verners corner a poplar near Coopers improvement, thence S78E with sd. Verner’s line 188 poles to a stake thence N4W 204 poles to a red oak thence to the beginning. Signed: James Hollis Sen’r. Witness: Samuel Crocket. Proved by Crocket at October Court 1791. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 91.]
8 July 1793
Benjamin Drake Junior of Davidson County to James Hollis of Tennessee County, for £100, 640 acres in Tennessee County on the north side of Cumberland River on the head of the north fork of McAdoos Creek beginning south of a sugar tree on sd. fork marked D at a forked dogwood and runs thence North 70 chains 40 links to a stake thence East 91 chains to a large black oak thence South 70 chains 40 links to a white oak thence west 91 chains to the beginning which land was granted to the sd. Benjamin Drake as assignee of Shadrach Cobb by the State fo North Carolina by patent bearing date Nov’r 14th 1789 No. 1072…. Signed: Benjamin Drake. Proven by the oath of David Baily a subscribing witness at January Term 1794 (at Mero District court.). [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 294.]
This is James Hollis Junior according to the 1806 deed below. He sold half this land to his brother Isaac Hollis, who then sold half of his tract to William Hooper. In 1806 James Hollis would sell a 7-acre parcel of it to William Hooper.
27 October 1794
Deed: James Hollis to Isaac Hollis, both of Tennessee County, for £50, 320 acres on the head of the North fork of McAdoes Creek beginning at a forked dogwood South of sugartree thence running East 45 chains and 50 links to a stake, thence 70 chains 40 links to the beginning being the one half of a grant No. 1072 granted to Benjamin Drake Jun’r… Signed: James Hollis. Witness: A’y. Crutcher, Jno. Harris. Recorded October Term 1794. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 371.]
A few months later Isaac Hollis sells half this tract to his brother-in-law William Hooper.
27 July 1795
Deed: Isaac Hollis of Tennessee County to William Hooper of Davidson County, for £100 all that tract of land lying and being in the County of Tennessee and Territory aforesaid on the waters of McAdo (sic) Creek the head of the north fork , beginning at a stake, thence running South 35 chains & 20 links to a stake, thence running West 45 chains and 50 links to a forked dogwood thence running North 35 chains and 20 links to a red oak on the creek, thence up the creek as it meanders to a big spring including half the water, thence East to the beginning being the one fourth of a grant No. 1072 granted to Benjamin Drake Junior… Signed: Isaac Hollis. Witness Thomas Johnson, A Crutcher. Recorded at July Court 1794. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 394.]
The acreage is not specified, other than being one-fourth of 640 acres, was apparently surveyed as 163 acres. Hooper was later taxed on 163 acres, Isaac Hollis on 157 acres.
This land appears to be located in the vicinity of where Highway 112 crosses Half Pone Creek.
22 April 1796
Deed: Isaac Hollis of Tennessee County to William Hooper of Davidson County – the same deed as 27 July 1795 – recorded twice. [Montgomery County Deed Book A, page 464.]
24 January 1797
William Hooper of Montgomery County “for and in consideration of the love good will and affection which I have and do bear towards James Hollis, son of Isaac Hollis… a certain tract of land in the county and state aforesaid beginning at a spring running one out East thence North four outs and one chain thence East three outs and nine chains to a black oak and hickory thence west nine outs and one chain to a stake thence west six outs and five chains to the Branch thence up said Branch to the said Spring, including half of sd. Spring, likewise I the said William Hooper do by these presents grant and freely give unto the said James Hollis one Bay mare, one sorrel mare and coult (sic) likewise one red cow & calfe and one brindle ditto to have and hold…. Signed: William Hooper. Witness: Isham A. Parker, Benet Searcy. Acknowledged in court January 1797 by William Hooper. [Montgomery County Will Book A, page 13]
Not sure what to make of this.
An “out” is equal to five chains, using a chain of length two poles. (With a four-pole chain and out would be ten chains, but that is not the case here.).
29 September 1797
James Hollis commissioned Captain of Militia. [The Montgomery County (Tenn,) Genealogical Journal, Vol. VII, No. 4 (June 1978), page 92.]
23 October 1797
Deed: Henry Star to William Hooper, both of Montgomery County, for £100, 100 acres on the waters of McAdoo Creek a branch of the north fork, beginning at a black oak dogwood & hickory thence running north 50 poles to a dogwood & post oak thence N60E 196 poles to a forked black oak… Signed: Henry Star. Witness: Thomas Hutcheson, James Hutcheson. Acknowledged in court June 1797. [Montgomery County Deed Book B, page 176.]
1798 Tax List
James Holises Company:
Hollis, James – 157 by Isaac Hollis, 1 white poll, 1 black poll
Hooper, William – 263, 1 white poll
Hollis, James – 320 acres on McAdoo, 1 white poll
[Ansearchin’ News, Vol XI, No. 2 (April 1964), page 67.]
1799 Tax List
James Hollis’s Company:
James Hollis – 320 (acres) head of McAdoo Creek – 1 white poll
Wm. Hooper – 263 waters of the dry fork – 1 white poll, 1 black poll
Isaac Hollis – 157 in the name of his son James Hollis – 1 white poll
30 August 1799
Deed: William Hooper to David Hogan, both of Montgomery County, for £100, 100 acres — the same land purchased in 1797 from Henry Star– Signed: William Hooper. Witness: Thomas Clinton, Hamblen Manly. Registered March 1800. [Montgomery County Deed Book B, page 297.]
29 November 1799
Deed: William Cochran late of Burke County, North Carolina to George Hooper Esquire of Wilmington… [Montgomery County Deed Book B, page 288.]
This is an unrelated Hooper who acquired investment land in the area.
1800 Tax List
Isaac Hollis 157 (acres) , 1 white poll
James Hollis 321 (acres) Macadoo Cr., 2 white polls
Wm. Hooper 163 (acres) where he now lives, 1white poll, 1black poll
1801 Tax List
Captains Gilbert & Hollis Company:
James Hollis – 320 (acres) on macadoe – 1 white poll
Isaac Hollis – 157 (acres) on macadoe
Wm. Hooper – 163 (acres) on macadoe
22 February 1802
Deed: Stephen Hopton of the State of Kentucky, Logan County, to Absalom Hooper [Senior] of Davidson County, for £100, 140 acres in Robertson County on the north side of Cumberland River about eight miles from said river on the waters of Half Pone Creek, it being part of a tract of 640 acres whereon said [James] Hollis (sic) formerly did live and including the old improvement… beginning at a black oak and dogwood… Signed: Stephen Hopton. Witness: David Robinson, Joseph Hooper, A. Hooper. [Robertson County Deed Book F, page 343.]
This is the land James Hollis sold to Hopton back on 1 March 1791. It’s not at all cleat why Absalom Hooper is buying it, but he won’t keep it long. He sells the tract less than two years later.
26 November 1803
Deed: Absalom Hooper to William Pace, both of Davidson County, for $600, 100 acres…. [the same land purchased on 22 February 1802] Signed: Absalom Hooper. Witness: Obed Davis, (unreadable) [Robertson County Deed Book F, page 64
24 June 1806
Road Order: Ordered that a road be viewed and marked out from Captain James Blackwells on the Robertson and Montgomery line leading so as to intersect the road from Clarksville to Edmonstons at or near Wene(?) Millers old place and that James Hollis, Isaac Hollis, William Hooper, Col. John Edmonston, John Lamaster, and Israel Robertson be and are appointed a jury to view and mark the same… Ordered that James Hollis be appointed overseer of the above named road… [Montgomery County Minute Book 1, page 73.]
24 June 1806
Jurors to September Term 1806: Isaac Hollis, Ephraim Drake, William Hooper… [Montgomery County Minute Book 1, page 76.]
26 June 1806
Road Order: Ordered that William Hooper be appointed overseer of the road from Port Royal to Thomas Weakley in place of John Lemaster, that all the hands that formerly worked on it work under the direction of William Hooper. [Montgomery County Minute Book 1, page 81.]
26 October 1806
Deed: James Hollis to William Hooper, both of Montgomery County, for $10, 7 acres on the waters of McAdoo Creek beginning at a hickory on Hooper’s line running North to an elm in the conditional line between James Hollis and William Hooper thence up the branch as it meanders to an elm, then along the conditional line South Westward to a stake in the East and the West line of the original survey, thence west to the beginning… it being part of a tract of 640 acres granted by the State of North Carolina in the year 1789 to Benjamin Drake and by him conveyed to the said James Hollis…. Signed: James Hollis. Witness: Willie Blount, W. G. Blount. Proved by the two witnesses at January Term 1807. [Montgomery County Deed Book D, page 92.]
6 April 1807
Road Order: Ordered that the road leading from Port Royal to Weakley’s Ferry… be confirmed & established as a public road and is hereby confirmed & established as such and William Hooper the present overseer are authorized to notify such hands to work thereon from Port Royal to Thomas Weakley’s… and that Thomas Weakley the overseer from his house on toward Weakley’s Ferry be authorized to summon such hands…. [Montgomery County Minute Book 1, page 175.]
12 January 1808
Jurors to March Term 1808: …William Hooper (crossed out) … [Montgomery County Minute Book 1, page 291.]
16 January 1809
Deed: Willie Blount to William Hooper, both of Montgomery County, for $350, 157 acres on the headwaters of the North Fork of McAdoo Creek, beginning at a spring in the line between William Hooper and Isaac Hollis which spring is within a few yard of said Hollis’s house which line between said Hooper and Hollis divides the water of the said spring between them as originally agreed on between said Hooper and Hollis and now the line between said Blount and Hooper and runs one out East to a walnut thence four outs and 9 chains to a hickory and black oak thence North three outs and 7 chains… being part of an original survey of 640 acres granted by the State of North Carolina to Benjamin Drake No 1072… Signed: Willie Blount. Witness: David R. Slatter(?), John Lemaster. Proved by witnesses January Term 1811. [Montgomery County Deed Book I, page 300.]
This is Isaac Hollis’s quarter of the original tract, giving William Hooper the 320 acres that James Hollis had sold to his brother Isaac Hollis, plus the 7 acres from James Hollis’s half. William Hooper will keep this 327-acre parcel until his death.
17 January 1814
Marriage Bond: Robert Davis to Betsy Hooper, security John Morrow. [Copy of marriage bond certified by Peter O’Neal, county clerk, included in Betsy Davis’s pension application W8461.]
She further stated that they were married “at her father’s residence” by Wm. Morrow, Esquire.
14 January 1816
Marriage: Lemuel Lemaster to Frances Hooper, “near Nashville”. [Lemuel Lemaster’s War of 1812 pension application #10104.]
Incidentally, Lemuel Lemaster and Robert Davis served in the same company in 1814.
1 July 1818
Unclaimed Letter: Letters remaining at Clarksville Post Office: …Wm.Hooper… [The Montgomery County (Tenn.) Genealogical Journal, Vol. VII, No. 4 (June 1978), page 108.]
5 July 1820
Deed Of Gift: William Hooper “for good will and affection that I have towards my grand daughter Sally Ann Cartwright Lemaster, daughter of Lemuel Lemaster and Francis Lemaster… and to the children that Francis Lemaster may beare, one feather bed & furniture & stead, one woman’s saddle & saddle blanket, one bridle, cow and calf, one red cow and calf with their increase & one steer, five head of hogs with increase, one ewe & lamb & their increase, one skillet, one led, one flat iron, one set of plates, one set of knives and forks, one set cups and saucers.” [Montgomery County Will Book C, page 416.]
1820 Census – Montgomery County
p213: William Hooper 210001 – 10101 – 3 slaves (4 persons engaged in agriculture)
James B, Hooper and Burrell Young Hooper are minors, but the identity of the third young male is mysterious. The middle female must be either Sarah or Pheraby.
16 February 1821
Legal Notice: This is to forwarn all person from trading for two notes of hand which I executed to Thomas Barton, one for $70 with a credit of $30, the other for $60, both given September the 28th 1819… as they were fraudulently obtained, I do not intend to pay them unless compelled by Law. Asa W. Hooper [Tennessee Watchman (Clarksville, Tennessee) issue of 2 March 1821, page 4.]
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…
8 March 1824
Marriage: Wilson L. Hooper to Patsy Russell. [Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 280.]
17 June 1825
Will: William Hooper …after all my just debts are paid I do give and bequeath all my worldly estate in manner and form following, that is, I give unto my beloved wife Sarah Hooper all my estate consisting of lands, negroes, stock, household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils and to use and improve for the maintainance of my children who are now in a state of minority during the term of her natural life or widowhood, and if she should marry it is my will that she shall have one negro girl named Hannah and one named Sarah and one named Lewerese for her use during her natural life and at her death she is to give them with increase to some or all of her children as she may think fit and if she dies without a will they are to be equally divided amongst all of her children, and furthermore she is to have one horse saddle and bridle one bed and furniture one cow and calf and she is to have the use of the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and then it is to be sold and equally divided amongst all my children;
furthermore it is my will that each of my children that is now in a state of minority, to wit James B. Hooper and Peggy Montgomery and Burrel Young Hooper, when either of them shall marry or come of age that they shall receive an equal part with the rest that has married, that is one horse, saddle, and bridle, one bed and furniture, one cow and calf, and as much more as my wife Sarah Hooper shall think right so as to amount to one hundred and twenty dollars; and furthermore it is my will that James B. Hooper should have fifty dollars worth of my personal property for a mare that his Grandmother Hollis gave him which was sold for fifty dollars and also that Peggy Montgomery Hooper should have one bed and furniture that her Grandmother give her; it is further my will that after the death of my wife Sarah Hooper that all my estate both real and personal which has not otherwise been appropriated should then be sold and equally divided between all my children named as follows: Polly Berry, Wilson Hooper, Elizabeth Davis, Pheraby Young, Asa Hooper, Frances Lemaster, Sally Holt, James B. Hooper, Peggy Montgomery Hooper, Burrel Young Hooper and I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Sarah Hooper and Robert Davis my lawful executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 17th day of June anno domini Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Five. Signed: William Hooper. Witness: Daniel Oglesby, Joseph Smith, Elizabeth (her x mark) Oglesby, Andrew (his x mark) Smith. Recorded April Term 1827. [Montgomery County Will Book E, page 81-82.]
Note that Grandmother Hollis, presumably meaning the widow of James Hollis Sr., may have died after James B. and Peggy M. Hooper were born but before Burrell Young Hooper was born. That would place her death sometime between 1810 and 1815. How she made the gifts is uncertain, as I could find no will for her.
10 August 1827
Estate Sale: Estate of William. Hooper. Only 11 items were sold, all being steers, cows, and sheep. Buyers were A. W. Hooper, James Fowler, R. Holt, R. Davis, John Faust, Bazzel Brown, W. L. Hooper, and John Smith. [Montgomery County Will Book E, page 191.]
This immediately followed the inventory in the Will Book. Since the will gave Sarah temporary possession of everything, the only items sold were livestock that she could evidently live without.
15 October 1827
Inventory: Estate of William Hooper.. one negro girl twenty eight years old named Lucinda, one ditto 20 years old named Hanner, one old negro woman named Betty, pne girl 5 years old named Sarah, one girl 4 years old named Malinda, one girl 4 years old named Lucretia, one girl 6 months old named Patty, two horses and one colt, thirteen head of cattle, five milk cows, four heifers and four calves, 24 head of hogs and 15 pigs, 12 head of sheep, 33 head of geese, one yoke of steers and cart, 4 ducks, 2 beds and furniture and three steads, 1 bofat, one coffee mill, 1 Jackson press, 1 bureau, 1 foden leaf table, 1 square table, 1 c hest, 1 side board, 1 chairs… [list of typical kitchen & farming implements]… 2 bee hives… 1 side saddle… 1 mans saddle… 1 cash note on A. Heflin for $3, 1 ditto on James Sweeney for $1.75, 1 ditto on Jesse Cooksey for $1.75, one book accompt on John Gibbs for $10.25, one ditto on William R. Kelsick for $80. [Montgomery County Will Book E, page 190-191.]
11 June 1828
Accounting: Estate of William Hooper, filed by Robert Davis, executor. Credits of sales $58 and amount of book accounts $17.75, totaling $75.75. Debits of cash paid to: Joshua Elder $11.12 ½, John H. Poston $23.45, Zachariah Grant $5.32, Daniel Oglesby $11.48, James McCleese $7.00, Asa W. Hooper $18.00, Wilson L. Hooper, $8.56 ¼, John Edmonston $2.00, Jesse Cooksey $2.25, Landy Walker $3.55, Clerks fees $2.62 ½n totaling $95.35 ¼ plus cash allowant to Robert Davis executor $20.00. [Montgomery County Will Book E, page 359.]
___ March 1830
Deed: Lemuel Lamaster & Franky Lamaster my wife, of Robertson County…. One of the devisees of Wm. Hooper later of Montgomery County… to Asa W. Hooper of the County of Montgomery and State aforesaid, all my right title claim and interest to the legacy devised to me by the will of Wm. Hooper aforesaid and by these presents for and in consideration of full value received of the said Asa W. Hooper… do transfer my right claim and interest in and to said legacy to the said Asa W. Hooper… Signed: Lemuel (x) Lamaster, Frankey (x) Lamaster. Witness: James B. Hooper, Robt. Davis. [Montgomery County Deed Book M, page 411]
1830 Census – Montgomery County (all on page 23, semi-alphabetized)
Asa W, Hooper: 111001 – 21001 – 1 slave
Wilson L. Hooper: 200001 – 01001
Mrs. Sarah Hooper: 00011 – 00001001 – 9 slaves
It appears that the three youngest children are still living with their mother.
24 March 1831
Deed: Isaac Hollis to Ann M. Hooper [“Hoopper” in body of deed], both of Montgomery County, for $195, 45 acres on the north side of half pone creek two miles from Cumberland River and bounded as follows, beginning at two hackberrys & ash then up the said creek 90 poles to a sycamore tree thence west to Beardins line thence south with said Beardins line to the beginning corner… Signed: Isaac Hollis. Witness: Hardy C. Pace, Thomas J. Weakly. Acknowledged by Isaac Hollis April Term 1831. [Montgomery County Deed Book M, page 214.]
Who is this? I did not see any record of a sale of this land. There is no Ann M. Hooper in the 1830 or 1840 census of Montgomery County. It would probably be worth tracking down the eventual sale of this tract.
17 August 1831
Bill of Sale: Robert Davis and Sara Hooper, to Philip Crotzer, for $450, a certain negro woman named Lucinda aged 31 years & a negro boy named Jim aged ten months… Signed: Robert Davis, Sarah (her x mark) Hooper. Witness: A. W. Hooper, James B. Hooper. Proved at October court 1831. [Montgomery County Deed Book M, page 335.]
22 June 1832
Guardian Bond: Asa W. Hooper, securities Robert McMordie and A. Wheles, $800 in trust for the benefit of Burrel Y. Hooper… whereas Asa W. Hooper has been appointed guardian to the said Burrel Y. Hooper… [Montgomery County Will Book F, page 339.]
There are no guardianship records for James B. Hooper or Peggy Montgomery Hooper, who must have been nearing majority (or marriage) when their father died.
22 January 1834
Deed of Trust: William Farmer being in debt to A. W. Hooper for $26.40 the amount of two executions in favor of Robert Davis also $10 in account… grant to A. Wheless in trust for A. W. Hooper… two cows & calves [list of carpentry tools], the benefit of William Farmer’s lease where he now lives on James Mason’s land including all his household and kitchen firnature and all the crop…condition that William Farmer pay $36.40 25 December next… Signed: William (x) Farmer. Witness: A. D. C___, James B. Hooper. [Montgomery County Deed Book O, page 10.]
There are several more deeds of trust like this to Asa W. Hooper in Deed Books P, R, S, T etc. which I have omitted as not genealogically significant. One or two that mention other Hoopers are, however, included below.
3 March 1834
Guardian Account: Asa W. Hooper account for Burrell Y. Hooper for 1833…
Received from Robert Davis, executor, on 25 February 1833: $71.85
To money received of the same 29 December 1833: $17.84
Interest up to 20 January 1834: $3.90
Total: $93.59
Contra: clerks fee for guardian bond $0.62 ½
To clothing and shoes $20
To money paid ward: $6.00
Balance due ward $67.90.
Recorded 3 March 1834.
[Montgomery County Will Book F, page 554.]
Burrell Hooper’s birth year is uncertain, although later records suggest a birth ca1815. This is the last guardian account, raising the possibility that he was born in 1813, reached majority in 1834.
20 September 1834
The Mt. Carmel Methodist Church is located 11 miles southeast of Clarksville, one-fourth mile southeast of Highway 41-A. the ground on which the church was built was donated by Edward Cage. Thomas Gunn, James Gunn, John M Holllis, Francis Williams, Asa W. Hooper, Sam R. Moody, Thomas Martin, William Shaw and James Moody were he original trustees. The deed was made September 20, 1834 to the above mentioned trustees…[The Leaf Chronicle (Clarksville, Tennessee) issue of 20 December 1961, page 2.]
25 December 1835
Deed: Whereas William Hooper late of Montgomery County in the State of Tennessee, deceased, by his last will amongst other things directed that his wife Sarah Hooper should have and possess during her natural life or widowhood the real estate of him said William and at her death or marriage said land was directed to be sold by his executors and the proceeds to be divided among all his children, and whereas Robert Davis one of his executors by appointment and the only acting executor under said will by the advice, desire and wish of the said Sarah Hooper the widow of said William (she the said Sarah Hooper relinquishing all her claim under said will to the life estate therein given) did on the 31 day of December 1833 expose the land to public sale to the highest bidder and the same was bid of by & sold to Asa W. Hooper of said County for the sum of $335, now [Robert Davis, as executor, sells to Asa W. Hooper]. Beginning at a poplar William Hooper’s north east corner, runs south 214 poles to an elm then S55E 29 poles to an elm then S10W 61 poles to a post oak, then west 213 poles to a forked dogwood, then north 280 poles to a stake then east 184 poles to the beginning containing about 327 acres more or less…. Signed: Robert Davis, Executor. Witness: James B. Hooper, Elizabeth A. Davis. Acknowledged by Robert Davis in court on 21 February 1846. [Montgomery County Deed Book W, page 274.]
Sarah Hooper is still alive.
1836 Tax List
Asa W. Hooper – 236 acres
Wilson L Hooper – no acreage
Burrell Y. Hooper – 177 acres
21 December 1837
Deed of Trust: Elijah Brown to Burrell Y. Hooper, for $5, 15 barrels of corn, one cupboard, one side saddle, one mans saddle, four chairs, nine head of hogs, one cow, etc. I am indebted to one Asa W. Hooper in the sum of $50 due by note of 21 January 1838… deed to be void if I pay the said debt by 1 November 1838…. Signed: Elijah Brown. Proved 21 December 1837. [Montgomery County Deed Book P, page 364.]
1 June 1838
Deed of Trust: Jesse Cooksey to David Grant, trustee, for $10, livestock and household goods… I am indebted to Asa W. Hooper in the sum of $162.75 due by five notes…. Signed: Jesse Cooksey. Witness: B. Y. Hooper, Nimrod Hooper. Proved by B. Y. Hooper and Nimrod Hooper. [Montgomery County Deed Book O, page 456.]
Who is Nimrod Hooper and what is his relationship to W. B. Hooper?
11 October 1838
Deed of Trust: Achilles Hollis to A. W. Hooper for $5, [a variety of personal property]…I am indebted to Burrell Y. Hooper in the sum of $37.14 due by a judgment in favor os said B. Y. Hooper against me dated 22 September 1838 on Charles Bailey’s docket…. Signed Achilles Hollis. [Montgomery County Deed Book P, page 529.]
31 January 1840
Deed: Robert Davis to James B. Hooper, for $300, 107 acres… Signed: Robert Davis. No witnesses noted. Acknowledged by Davis February 1840. [Montgomery County Deed Book R, page 393.]
8 October 1840
Deed of Trust: William B. Hooper of Montgomery County, to L. J. Perdue, for $1, one common looking glass, three bread boxes, two tin pitchers, one candle stand, two large tin cups, one pair andirons, one tea tray, one candlestick, one mans saddle, fifteen head of hogs, one fine looking glass, one lot china ware, one bureau, one side saddle, one large chest… the above is to secure a certain note of hand for the sum of $175 due Wall Wilson the 25th of December next…Signed: William B. Hooper. Witness: Robert Barton, John Gupton. Proved October 1840. [Montgomery County Deed Book R, page 604.]
Who is this?
1840 Census – Montgomery County
p229 William B. Hooper. 10001 – 00001
(3 names intervene)
p230 A. W. Hooper. 1102001 – 321101 – 1 slave
p248 James B. Hooper 100001 – 000010001
William B. Hooper is next door to his brother-in-law Thomas Bell Jr. Is this Hooper somehow connected to Asa W. Hooper? Wilson L. Hooper is in Davidson County.
1841
Voter List – Enumeration of White Males, Montgomery County
James B. Hooper – District 5
Burrell Hooper – District 6
Acy W. Hooper, Nimrod Hooper (consecutive) – District 10
W. B. Hooper – District 11
[Online at https://www.tngenweb.org/montgomery/1841voters.html attributed to Tennessee State Library and Archives Record Group 87 (Election Returns), Enumeration of White Male Inhabitants, 1841, Folder 47 (Montgomery County) and Montgomery County Court Minute Book 21.]
Wilson L. Hooper is enumerated in Davidson County in 1840 and thereafter. Who is this Nimrod Hooper?
W. B. Hooper born about 1815, is in the 1850 Montgomery County census as William B. Hooper and the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses of Cheatham County as W. B. Hooper. (Note that District 11 became part of Cheatham County.) He was apparently married to Rebecca Bell, daughter of Thomas Bell.
19 February 1845
Deed Of Trust: William B. Hooper to Nimrod Hooper, for $5, [list of household furniture and goods plus a horse and a steer] …this deed is made for the following uses and trusts…I am indebted to one Asa Hooper in the sum of $108.18 by notes under seal of the following dates; one for $63.49 dated January 18th 1845 and one for $44.69 dated February the 15th 1845… and I am desirous to secure the same and make certain the payment of the same, now if I should pay the said debt on or before the first day of January next at the time aforesaid then this deed to be void, but if I shold nopt then the said Nimrod Hooper as trustee after giving ten days notice in writing at the courthouse door of said county and at the election grounds of the eleventh district and at three other public places in the neighborhood may expose the said property to public sale… and appropriate the proceeds first to the payment of the necessary expense and cost, secondly to the satisfaction of said debt of $108.18 and hereby to pay the balance if any there be to me… Signed: W. B. Hooper. No witnesses. Acknowledged by W. B. Hooper same day. [Montgomery County Deed Book T, page 704.]
Entries from “Warm Hearts and Saddlebags: Journal of the Reverend Jeremiah W. Cullom, 1828-1915” (as posted at Rootsweb years ago, I cannot find the precise reference) — note that Jeremiah Cullom had married a daughter of Jesse Hooper, a contemporary of William Hooper.
“Thursday, Jan 7, 1869: Took Wilson Hooper in my buggy and carried him to the “Poor House.”. His case is a sad one. He is nearly 77 yrs old, being born Feb 7, 1792. His father had lands and men-servants and maid servants. He has many kinsfolk now who are in easy circumstances. But he idled away youth and manhood and has no home in age. …..he is almost exiled from or by his kindred.
Saturday, 26 Feb, 1870: Old Wilson Hooper died this morning at the “Poor House”–age 78 -19 days. I spent the day riding to get him buried according to his request. Raining in torrents tonight.
Sunday, June 12, 1870: Raining most of the day but had a good crowd at Mt. Pleasant [Methodist Church] and preached the funeral of Wilson L. Hooper.
I might note that Wilson L. Hooper and Jeremiah Cullom were living in adjacent dwellings in the 1850 census of Davidson County.