Kittrell, Tennessee Early Settlers

Major Kittrell did not come to this community until 1874, however there were many settlers before that time. One of the largest streams in Rutherford County is Cripple Creek. Legend tells us that a man, probably an Indian, was badly crippled from falling into the stream, and he called it "Cripple Creek." It meanders around the hills and through the valleys of this area. The rich land near its banks enticed men to settle wherever they found a spring.

Records show John Beasley bought land in the area in 1803. Jonathan Hall paid taxes in Franklin County, Virginia in 1805, and in 1807 he bought land in Rutherford County. He had 640 acres on Cripple Creek.

Elihu Jones came from Virginia about the same time as Jonathan Hall, and was one of his nearest neighbors. Andrew Carnahan bought land in the community in 1810.

Thomas Blair came from Virginia in 1812. He later sold his land to Henry Bowling and moved to Arkansas.

Henry Bowling continued to enlarge his holdings by buying his neighbors land. A friend said, "Henry, how much land are his neighbors land. A friend said, "Henry, how much land are you going to buy?" Mr. Bowling answered, "I just want what jines me."

Jesse Brashear, another large land owner recorded a purchase in 1814.

Alfred Conley carved the date, 1832, on the jam of his fireplace when his house was built. It is still there, and it is known today as the Uncle Dave Macon house.

David Barton Hall came to this community in 1806, with his father, Jonathan Hall. In 1818 he purchased land at the foot of Pilot Knob, the highest hill in the area, and built a log house near a large spring. He sold his home in the 1840's to his oldest son, Franklin, and with his four younger sons, Ferdinand, Fleming, Preston, and David, Jr. moved to West Tennessee. Their settlement was called "Halls", and is in Lauderdale County. Other people known to have been in the District at an early date are verified by the Census Reports of 1810-1850 and by an 1878 map of Rutherford County.

A partial list follows:
Samuel Fulks came from Maryland and settled behind Pilot Knob.

Joseph McCrackin came from North Carolina and settled on the west side of Pilot Knob.

Robert E. Richardson, was a wagon maker and came from Virginia.

C. O. Abernathy, David Batey, G. W. Benson, J. S. Bowling, Lee Freeman, Franklin D. Hall, John A. Herrod, Keele Herrod , John Hoover, Charles Hunt who owned the south side of Pilot Knob.

Andrew and Samuel Jimmerson, Thompson McCrackin, who helped survey the stage coach road, David and Issac Parker, William H. Smith, Joseph Thompson, William W. Wilson.

David Columbus Witherspoon was a surveyor and went to Alaska when gold was discovered there. He joined the U.S. Geological Survey and helped survey the entire region. One of the highest peaks in a long mountain range was named "Mt. Witherspoon" in his honor. 

Kittrell | Rutherford County | Tennessee

Source: Rutherford County Historical Society, Publication No. 2, winter, 1973.
(Sources: Family records. Bibles, deed books in Registrar's office. Census Reports 1810-1850.)