A huge THANK YOU to the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM)!
We have been awarded a grant to do in-depth research on the mill. We plan to publish a small book by next September. We have started this process and here is some of what we now know. If you have photographs or information on any aspect of the mill, that you would like to share please email us. You will be properly credited. Please cite sources if you have them. We're in the process of adding our own sources to this website.
The Cherokee
Before there was a mill, there was the land. It was the home of the Cherokee.
Joseph Bullard
Prior to 1770
Joseph Bullard lived in the Rowan/Guilford County area, North Carolina prior to 1770. His path crossed with Jacob Brown (below). John and Isaac Brown served on a jury for a case involving Joseph Bullard who was accused of hog stealing in Rowan/Guilford County. We know that some of the Broyles lived in Rowan County and a Broyles daughter married into a Brown family.
1772
From Goodspeed's History of Washington County, Part One, "In 1772 Jacob Brown, with one or two families from North Carolina, located upon the north bank of the Nolachucky River, which up to this time had remained undisturbed by the white man. Mr. Brown had been a small merchant, and brought with him a packhorse loaded with goods with which he soon purchased from the Indians a lease of a large body of land lying on both sides of the Nolachucky. In 1775 he obtained one deed signed by the chief men of the Cherokee Nation, embracing the greater part of the present Washington County west of the Big Limestone, and another deed for the land lying between the Big Limestone and a line drawn from a point on the Nolachucky Mountains 'north 32 degrees wet to the mouth of Camp Creek; thence across the river; thence northwest to the dividing ridge between Lick Creek and Watauga or Holston; thence up the dividing ridge to the rest of the said Brown's land.' This land Mr. Brown sold to settlers at a small price. The government of North Carolina, however, refused to recognize the validity of this deed, and continued to make grants in the territory covered by that instrument."
1775
Joseph Bullard had moved to Washington County, North Carolina/Tennessee by 1775. It is believed that Joseph Bullard purchased his land on Little Limestone Creek from Jacob Brown.
22 June, 1778
Joseph Bullard had 200 acres "on Little Limestone Beginning at an old cabin on the east side running up the creek" surveyed and recorded.
1780
According to the website bullardgenealogy.com, a "1780 court document definitively established that Joseph Bullard’s “dwelling house” was located on Little Limestone Creek just a few miles southwest of present day Jonesboro, Tennessee. Other adjoining deeds place Joseph Bullard’s land on the “west side of Little Limestone Creek “near the mouth where the creek empties into the Nolichucky River."
February 1780
It was noted in the Washington County Court Minutes of February 1780, "Ord. that if Joseph Buller (Bullard) does not build a mill on his land on Little Limestone within the time limited by law from the date of an order suggested to have been heretofore obtained, that William Hutton (Hutson) shall have leave to build a mill on his land on Little Limestone at his dwelling house.”
Also in 1780
There were nine Broyles brothers: Adam, Nicholas, Cyrus, Jacob, Peter, Michael, John, Zacharias, and Matthias Broil; and 3 Broyles sisters: Catharine Broyles Wayland, Elizabeth Broyles Wilhoit, and Mary Broil. Spelling of the Broyles name below will be consistent with how it appeared in individual land deeds at the time they were drafted.
Peter, John and Zacharias as well as Catherine and Mary stayed in Virginia. The other six Broyles brothers: Conrad, Nicholas, Cyrus, Abraham, Adam, Michael and Matthias and sister Elizabeth (who married Conrad Wilholt) left Virginia. While we do not know the exact date that the Broyles came to Washington County, North Carolina (later TN), there are some clues. Selling their land in Virginia was one.
February 15, 1779
Matthias Broyle and wife Eve sold land to Gabriel Lang (same land they had bought it from Adam Broyle February 15, 1773).
June 5, 1780
Virginia
Adam Broyle and wife Mary sold 200 acres to Thomas Porter for 1000 £s in VA.
6 Sep 1782
Virginia
Cyrus Broyles and wife Mary sell 1761 land to William Herndon. Since wife Mary was sick and unable to attend the court, a commission was appointed to examine her privately, which was done 27 Sep 1782, at which time her consent was obtained.
21 August 1775
Conrad Without sold 100 acres of land to his brother, Michael. The land is described as lying on the branches of Deep Run in Culpeper County, Virginia. This was probably the land that Conrad inherited from his father's will (Will Book A, pg. 28 and Deed Book H, pg. 111). This was the last record found on Conrad in Virginia.
Some of the brothers purchased land in Kentucky on their way to North Carolina.
1780
Kentucky
Adam Broyles entered 1500 acres in Jefferson Co., Kentucky., on Rockcastle River (surveyed 21 May 1781; location about 3/4 mile above trace to Boonesborough).
1780
Kentucky
Matthias Broyle entered 500 acres on Licking, Jefferson Co., Kentucky,
May, 15, 1780
Kentucky
Nicholas Broyle entered 1,400 acres on the Green River, Kentucky.
1780, 1781 or early 1782
Arrival in North Carolina (later to become Tennessee)
Broyles Daughter Marries in Washington County
We have the sworn testimony of Jemima Broyles who was the daughter of Adam and Mary Wilhoit Broyles. Jemima married Joseph Brown, Jr.
On 5 March 1845, Jemima/Jeremiah appeared before Judge Augustus R. Wright Superior Court in and for the Cherokee Circuit State for the purpose of drawing a pension on her husband's military service. Jemimah Robertson (remarried and widowed again) aged eighty years past a resident of Lumpkin County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the acts explanatory of said act passed the 3rd March 1837. She stated that , "she was legally married to the said Joseph Brown sometime in the year 1781 [could be 1780, last digit unclear] by a Presbyterian Clergyman by the name of Doke (Doak) in the State of then North Carolina though as she is informed is now Tennessee,"
Her words were basically substantiated by those of her brother, Aaron Broyles, who also appeared before a magistrate. Aaron was not sure whether he attended her wedding as it, "having taken place so long since and he small at the time, thinks he had not recovered from a long attack of sickness at the time. He recollects some of the circumstances connected with it one of which is that she Mrs. Robinson was still on well scarcely able to stand up at the time of the marriage, and that Joseph Brown was at his father's house most of the time during her sickness -- and they were married to the best of his recollection at his father's house and about the year 1782.
This severe sickness which affected both siblings Aaron and Jemina may have swept through the Broyles household accounting for their father, Adam, drawing up his will in Washington County, North Carolina (Tennessee) on April 1782. Although Adam was only about 55 years old, his will states he is "sick of body but of good and perfect memory.." It appears that Jemima was not married at this time. He lists one daughter by their married name. Mille (Demilia) is listed as "Mary Panther/Painter/Prather. " But Jemima is listed as "Mima/Mema Broyles." Adam may have been aware of a pending marriage as he makes provisions for it twice. He does not do this for his other unmarried daughter, Mary Broyles. For Mama "60 lbs of this currency to be paid in the year 90 or if the executors can pay it sooner and interest from she is married till the time of payment and bed and furniture and one cow and calf at the time of her marriage and two pets and a dutch oven." Jemima's future husband is listed as an executor of the will.
19 April 1782
By the time Adam wrote his will, he had already been in Washington County long enough to acquired substantial property and a home. Jemima was married in this home. His brother Matthias was in Washington County by 19 April 1782 as he witnessed Adam's will. The executors of Adam's will were Joseph Brown and Adam's oldest son, Moses.
28 May 1782
Adam died before this date. This date was when Michael Woods, Alexander More and Samuel Sheriff were appointed to appraise his estate. (Tennessee Tidbits by Marjorie Hood Fischer, page 34. Washington County County minutes.)
As mentioned above, North Carolina did not recognize these land deeds and so Joseph Bullard had to re-register them with North Carolina. The two records which are important to us are:
Land Grant #82 dated 24 October 1782 reads in part, "Said Joseph Buller a tract of land Containing two hundred Acres lying and being in our County of Washington on Little Limestone creek Beginning at a white walnut and two Elms on the Bank of Said creek a corner in Richard Humphreys line thence ..." Robert Blackburn's property line is also mentioned in this deed (North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee 1778-191, Compiled by Betty Goff Cook Cartwright and Lilian Johnson Gardiner, Division of Archives, State of Tennessee).
The second land grant #113 (same source) was also dated 1782 and was for 640 acres "on the North side of Nolichucky at the mouth of Little Limestone."
May 1783
Time Line Note for Reference
The General Assembly of North Carolina divides Washington County and out of a portion creates Greene County, Tennessee.
2 August 1783
Nicholas Broyles buys 200 acres from Joseph Bullar/Bullard on the Little Limestone.
On the same day Nicolas purchases 640 acres from Joseph Bullar on the north side of the Nolachuckey, at the mouth of the little Limestone. Deeds were witness by Jno McMacken* and Contrad Wilheite. These are the deeds referenced above.
* Spring House by David Bowles, the first book in a series on the Mitchell family (future mill owners), frequently mentions John McMacken and his family.
BAM! has a copy of this book, as well as the other two in the series, if you would like to read them.
5 August 1783
Nicholas divides each of his two tracts of land in half. He and his wife Dorothy (Dorthea) Christler sells one half of each parcel to Cyrus, Nicholas' brother. These are recorded as two deeds -one for 100 acres and one for 320 acres. Both pieces of property are on the north side of the Nolichuckey River.
3 September 1783
Time Line Note
The Revolutionary War officially ends with the signing of The Treaty of Paris. America becomes an independent country.
23 August 1784
Time Line Note
First Franklin Convention, Jonesboro, Tennessee
"On motion of Mr. Cocke, whether for or against forming ourselves into a separate and distinct state, independent of the State of North Carolina, at this time, it was carried in the affirmative." Hence the new state of Franklin was born but not recognized by North Carolina.
Spring 1785
Time Line Note
Franklin's cause to be admitted as the 14th state is taken to Congress but fails to get the votes needed (two short).
16 October 1786
“Surus (sic) Broyles is granted 28 acres on the Little Limestone, "beg. at White tree, etc.", Washington Co., joining Joseph Buller (Bullard).”
Between 1783 and 1797
Sometime after the land purchase of 1783/1786 but prior to the 1797, the land deed below shows that the first grist mill was built on Cyrus' land.
19 September 1797
Cyrus sells land to Daniel Broyles (named as son), Tobias Broyles and Rosana Broyles. While Tobias is not mentioned in this deed as Cyrus' son, he probably is as Cyrus sells other land this day to a son named Tobais. Rosana is widowed. She was married to Reuben, the son of Nicholas (Cyrus' brother). Reuben died, cause unknown, prior to May 1797 as his wife filed his estate inventory with the May 1797 sessions.
The land Cyrus sold to his children is described as including, "being on the Watters of little Limestone Beginning on a line Between Nicholas Broiles and Cyrus Broyles then to a white oak opposite the Hill Dam then to a white oak near the Mill troughs on the south side of the creek then to a white take joining the line Between Cyrus Broyles and Wm Greenway thence to a white walnut on the Corner of sd. Broyleses line and Wm Greenways thence up the Creek to the Midle of The troughs thence along the Edge of the Meanders of Sd. Creek to Sd. Cyrus Broyleses corner thence to the Beginning Including Grist Mill Sow Mill Mill race and Mill Dam With all and Singular the appurtenances ways ways watters and water forces Mines Minerals and Hereditaments..."
May Session 1809
Court of Pleas & Quarter
Abraham Broyles brought a suit against Adam Broyle[sic], Daniel Broyle[sic] & Tobias Broyle[sic].
30 May 1809
The Court found in favor of Abraham Broyles in the amount of two hundred seven dollars and 14 cents plus the cost of obtaining the judgement in the amount of nine dollars and 7.5 cents. The Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions issued a Writ of Fieri Facias (a document recording a lien on the judgement debtor's property). It is also the instrument which allows a sheriff to seize the property of a judgment.
13 June 1809
Sheriff Brown levied the Writ of Fieri Facias "on a tract of land contain one hundred acres more of less heron Daniel Broyl then lived on including The mill and buildings and also on one hundred acres when Tobias Broyles and Cyrus Broyle then lived and also on a negro fellow named Charles..."
Further proceedings were stayed by Adam Gam, agent for Abraham Broyle.
20 February 1810
Writ of Venditioni Exponas was issued commanding the sheriff to "expose the land & mill to sale."
Postponed by Adam Gam, agent for Abraham Broyle.
Returnable to May Sessions.
May Session 1810
Commanding Sheriff Brown to" expose to sale sd land & mill so as a foresaid levied on the sale whereof was postponed by order of the plaintiff by his agent Adan Gam."
Writ of Venditioni Exponas issued. Returnable to August Session of Sd Court.
July 3, 1810
Daniel Broyl, Tobias Broyle, and Adam Broyle, Junr., sold to Thomas Telford land on the Little Limestone including the Broyles mill with a set of saw mill irons. The sale was witnessed by Alexander M. Nelson, William Mitchell, and Ira Green.
21 July 1810
"often having Duly Advertised the time and place of Sale of Sd lands and mill and often haven given the sd Adam Broyle, Daniel Broyle & Tobias Broyle legal notice of the time & place of sd sale" sold the land and mill at the Jonesborough Courthouse.
Thomas Telford bid on the land and as did others. Thomas Telford "was the highest and last bidder at sd sale and of the sum of five Hundred and thirty Dollars to him in hand paid by sd Thomas Telford."
5 February 1811
Joseph Brown High Sheriff of Washington County, Tennessee finalizes the sale of the land and mill to Thomas Telford.
23 March 1811
Deed filed.
1816
Thomas Telford's will was proved in open court at the April sessions 1816.
It reads in part, "I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Mathes Jr. the plantation he now lives on adjoining Mr. Doaks line running up to the road that comes from Esq. Paynes then along that road between the mill house and still house and continuing in that road to Thomas Telford line all below that road to be his but while there is a college kept at Salem Church he shall allow 50 acres for the use of the college for firewood."
Telford Divested of Title and Mill Returns to the Broyles
Another lawsuit was initiated by Adam Broyles to regain the property. "charged that said Daniel Broyle was a man of great Imbecility Extremely Credulous and of mind and easily praclised[?] upon and incapable of discovering the designs of Crafty men that when Thomas Tilford Telford..." Daniel Broyles ability to conduct business was in question as well as whether fraudulent activity had taken place by the buyer.
Thomas Telford was divested of the title and the mill reverted back to the Broyles family.
Samuel Broyles
According to a letter written by his great granddaughter, Samuel Broyles worked in the mill prior to 1824 when he moved to Cocke County, Tennessee.
16 April 1869
Michael M. Bashor & Charles H. Swatzell
Formed "a copartnership to build and repair a saw and flouring mills for the purpose of cutting lumber and Manufacturing flor and corn and Rye meal for an indefinite number of years..." The document goes on to read, "the said Charles H. Swatzel has newly at his own expense built a saw mill, and the said M.M. Baser expects to build a Merchant flouring Mill at his own expense and upon a settlement after the mills are put into running order..."
They agree that if either should decide to sell their interest in the mills, they would offer it to the other partner first.
1871
The Broyles retained the mill and property until 1871 when a half interest was sold to Michael M. Bashor and a half-interest to Charles Swatzell.
7 May 1872
John F. Smith bought 1/2 interest in the mill, known as the "Bashor & Swatzel Mill" and land from C.H. Swatzel .
Only three years later Michael M. Bashor (1872) with his family, moved to Colorado, where he began farming and sheep raising. He also traveled extensively preaching the Gospel in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and was the first man to work for the build a church in the State of Colorado.
S.D. Mitchell, W.M. Mitchell & Hannah Anderson bought 1/2 interest in the mill, known as the "Bashor & Swatzel Mill."
1872
Samuel Doak Mitchell
William Montgomery Mitchell
Hannah Crawford Fain Anderson
Hannah was the mother of Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell, wife of William Montgomery Mitchell. Hannah's husband, Samuel Anderson, died on 9 February 1849 and was buried in Blountville, Tennessee. The 1850 census shows Hannah living with her four children (two of whom are adult sons) in Blountville, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Hannah's name while appearing on the 1872 deed did not appear in the business name. That may have been due to convention. Or perhaps she was a financial partner and/or "silent partner." It appears that she was not living in Broylesville but in District 18 in Sullivan, Tennessee through at least 1880. At some point after that, she moved to Washington County, Tennessee where she died on 27 January 1891 and is buried in Salem Cemetery.
Samuel and William were the sons of William Mitchell and Nancy Doaks Mitchell. After William died, his wife Nancy Doaks Mitchell married Adam Alexander Broyles. The mill became once again connected to the Broyles family. Samuel died in 1885.
The mill became known as the Mitchell and Smith Merchant Flouring Mill. Hannah's name did not appear in the business name. That may have been due to convention. Or perhaps she was a financial partner and/or "silent partner." It appears that she was not living in Broylesville but in District 18 in Sullivan, Tennessee through at least 1880. At some point after that, she moved to Washington County, Tennessee where she died on 27 January 1891 and is buried in Salem Cemetery.
The 1850 census shows that the brothers live together with no one else in the household. Samuel is the head of household and owns $7,000 in real estate. William is not shown as owing any.
The 1860 census shows that William Montgomery Mitchell (age 37) lives with his brother Samuel Doak Mitchell. Samuel is shown as owning $10,000 worth of real estate and $3,000 in personal property.
The 1870 census shows that Samuel is still head of household with $12,000 worth of real estate and $5,000 in personal property. William has married, Now he and his wife live with brother, Samuel Doak Mitchell. The brothers' mother, Nancy Mitchell Broyles lives in the home too. Also in the home is Aley(?) Broyles, a black domestic servant and her child Augusta Broyles.
By the 1880 census only Samuel Doak Mitchell's family lives in the home.
12 May 1880
William Montgomery Mitchell and Hannah Anderson buy the remaining 1/2 interest in the mill property belonging to J.F. Smith, from the administrator of his estate, W.P. Smith. The purchase price was $2,200. They paid $1,100 and a note of said Wm M. Mitchell taken for the balance of said purchase price to wit $1,100 payable in twelve months with interest.
Samuel Doak Mitchell is not a partner to this purchase.
25 April 1888
The deed mentioned above is recorded as an "undivided half-interest in a merchants flouring mill known as Mitchell & Smith Mill situated on Little Limestone Creek in the 3td Civil district of said County together with 1/2 acres of land where one said mill is situated."
As mentioned above Hannah Anderson died 27 January 1881.
Samuel Doak Mitchell died on 28 October 1883. He was married to Amelia Fain Mitchell who died 1892.
William Montgomery Mitchel died on ?? 1901. His wife Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell died on 9 June 1907.
More research needs to be done to determine why the Mitchell siblings (listed below) inherited the mill from their parents William Montgomery Mitchell and Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell and not Samuel's children did not.
Amelia "Addie" Doak Mitchell
Samuel Fain Mitchell (authority on local history)
William Hugh Mitchell
Eleanor Estell "Stella" Mitchell
15 May 1912
"Big Frank" Frank Parker
The Mitchell siblings sold the mill including "all machinery, fixtures appliances, tools, belts, and everything in and about said mill which is incident to or pertains to said mill and its operation" and 7 acres to B.F. Parker, a retired engineer for $2,300. It became the Broylesville Flour Mill. Parker also bought land near the mill and built the Parker-Taylor house in the Broylesville Historic District.
1919
James H. Taylor
B.F. Parker sold the mill to James H. Taylor. Parker later gave his home to Taylor in exchange for room and board.
According to Houston Campbell of Limestone in the Johnson City Press Sunday, 17 July 2005 "Insight" section by James Brooks, Campbell states that his daddy owned the mill in Limestone and, “My uncle Jim owned the mill in Broylesville. My granddad Taylor put in the first turbine mill, and when it worked, he took it apart and made castings of it and then put in a second turbine, “ Houston said. Uncle Jim’s mill in Broylesville was converted to turbine at the same time.”
The Mill Stopped Operation
The mill ceased operation in the 1950s and then sat vacant until 1982.
27 March 1982
Erlene Lawrence Hoover Ledford
Erlene saved the mill from destruction. It was slated to be torn down so that the wood and brick could be harvested. She and Faith Ledford, purchase the mill and .595 acres after what was described as "much negotiation" for $1.00 from James & Rebecca Taylor. Erlene owned and operated Ledford's Antiques in Greeneville for 30 years before retiring at age 90. When she purchased the mill, she opened a second antique store there.
We hope we have the opportunity to conduct some oral interviews with Erlene's family and the former mill owners to learn more about who they are and what drew them to the mill.
8 January 1990
Faith Van Noppen, formerly Faith Ledford, "sells" the mill and land for $1.00 to Erlene.
1994
Margaret Gregg
Margaret Gregg, the next owner, is another fascinating woman. "Raised in Chicago, Margaret Gregg devoted earlier years to earning an MFA and serving the Catholic Church as a Sister of Glenmary. Later, she and other un-cloistered friends created FOCIS, a loosely-organized group devoting research and energy toward social equity and ecological balance through art and organizational planning. Lithuanian roots have enlivened her varied creative explorations in media that include sculpture, painting, wallhangings, and a colorful line of unusual clothing, most particularly hats, dresses and vests." She was looking for property so that she could expand her artist's studio. Someone she was working with, knew of the mill. The mill was in sad condition when she purchased it. Of course, being an artist she had vision and purchased it.
From 1994 - 2007 Margaret directed Mill 'N Creek Studio Gallery. She took a year's sabbatical in Chicago (her hometown) and then relocated to Elder Spirit Community in Abington, Virginia.
2007
R. Davis Smith & Marie F. Jones
Davis Smith & Marie F. Jones acquired the mill in July 2007. Davis is a Licensed Psychologist who worked at the Counseling Center at the University of the South and East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Marie was the Extended Campus Services Librarian at the Charles C. Sherrod Library and an Associate Professor. They moved out of state when Marie was selected to be the Library Director at Brevard College in North Carolina.
2016
Dwight H. & Cheryl A. Bennett
In the Spring of 2015, Dwight & Cheryl Bennett took a road trip through several states. Broylesville was a planned stop as Cheryl's maternal grandmother was Alice Margaret Broyles. Cheryl is a 5x great granddaughter of Cyrus and also Nicholas Broyles, 4 x great granddaughter of Samuel Thomas Broyles & Phebe Broyles and 3x great granddaughter of Daniel Broyles all who lived in Broylesville. It was fate that her ancestor's land and the mill were for sale. It was love at first sight and a strong feeling of rightness and of home. Still, there was much to be considered with a home and family all in California. Figuring it out and negotiations took about a year. The mill was even sold to another buyer in between but fell out of escrow! The feeling of "meant to be" intensified. Finally on 11 April 2016 escrow closed and they became the new owners. The mill once again belonged to those with Broyles lineage.
Cheryl was born and raised in California but is proud of her deep roots in Broylesville. Her bio can be found on the Board of Directors' page.
Dwight was also born in California but he moved with his family to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and St. Louis Missouri as a child. He went to college in Tempe, Arizona and then transferred to Terre Haute, Indiana. He received his MFA in metalsmithing in Indiana. He has since has been self-employed working primarily in precious metals as well as copper, bronze and brass. He has created everything from Road & Track's trophy for the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, to jewelry, to conservation work for the Ranchos, to architectural and automotive elements. He has been an exhibiting artist. For more information on his metalsmithing please see Mastermetalman.com He is a car enthusiast and history, geology and geography buff.
The Future
It is their hope to place the mill and land in trust so that it will be protected from alteration or development and be preserved for the education and enjoyment of future generation.
We have been awarded a grant to do in-depth research on the mill. We plan to publish a small book by next September. We have started this process and here is some of what we now know. If you have photographs or information on any aspect of the mill, that you would like to share please email us. You will be properly credited. Please cite sources if you have them. We're in the process of adding our own sources to this website.
The Cherokee
Before there was a mill, there was the land. It was the home of the Cherokee.
Joseph Bullard
Prior to 1770
Joseph Bullard lived in the Rowan/Guilford County area, North Carolina prior to 1770. His path crossed with Jacob Brown (below). John and Isaac Brown served on a jury for a case involving Joseph Bullard who was accused of hog stealing in Rowan/Guilford County. We know that some of the Broyles lived in Rowan County and a Broyles daughter married into a Brown family.
1772
From Goodspeed's History of Washington County, Part One, "In 1772 Jacob Brown, with one or two families from North Carolina, located upon the north bank of the Nolachucky River, which up to this time had remained undisturbed by the white man. Mr. Brown had been a small merchant, and brought with him a packhorse loaded with goods with which he soon purchased from the Indians a lease of a large body of land lying on both sides of the Nolachucky. In 1775 he obtained one deed signed by the chief men of the Cherokee Nation, embracing the greater part of the present Washington County west of the Big Limestone, and another deed for the land lying between the Big Limestone and a line drawn from a point on the Nolachucky Mountains 'north 32 degrees wet to the mouth of Camp Creek; thence across the river; thence northwest to the dividing ridge between Lick Creek and Watauga or Holston; thence up the dividing ridge to the rest of the said Brown's land.' This land Mr. Brown sold to settlers at a small price. The government of North Carolina, however, refused to recognize the validity of this deed, and continued to make grants in the territory covered by that instrument."
1775
Joseph Bullard had moved to Washington County, North Carolina/Tennessee by 1775. It is believed that Joseph Bullard purchased his land on Little Limestone Creek from Jacob Brown.
22 June, 1778
Joseph Bullard had 200 acres "on Little Limestone Beginning at an old cabin on the east side running up the creek" surveyed and recorded.
1780
According to the website bullardgenealogy.com, a "1780 court document definitively established that Joseph Bullard’s “dwelling house” was located on Little Limestone Creek just a few miles southwest of present day Jonesboro, Tennessee. Other adjoining deeds place Joseph Bullard’s land on the “west side of Little Limestone Creek “near the mouth where the creek empties into the Nolichucky River."
February 1780
It was noted in the Washington County Court Minutes of February 1780, "Ord. that if Joseph Buller (Bullard) does not build a mill on his land on Little Limestone within the time limited by law from the date of an order suggested to have been heretofore obtained, that William Hutton (Hutson) shall have leave to build a mill on his land on Little Limestone at his dwelling house.”
Also in 1780
There were nine Broyles brothers: Adam, Nicholas, Cyrus, Jacob, Peter, Michael, John, Zacharias, and Matthias Broil; and 3 Broyles sisters: Catharine Broyles Wayland, Elizabeth Broyles Wilhoit, and Mary Broil. Spelling of the Broyles name below will be consistent with how it appeared in individual land deeds at the time they were drafted.
Peter, John and Zacharias as well as Catherine and Mary stayed in Virginia. The other six Broyles brothers: Conrad, Nicholas, Cyrus, Abraham, Adam, Michael and Matthias and sister Elizabeth (who married Conrad Wilholt) left Virginia. While we do not know the exact date that the Broyles came to Washington County, North Carolina (later TN), there are some clues. Selling their land in Virginia was one.
February 15, 1779
Matthias Broyle and wife Eve sold land to Gabriel Lang (same land they had bought it from Adam Broyle February 15, 1773).
June 5, 1780
Virginia
Adam Broyle and wife Mary sold 200 acres to Thomas Porter for 1000 £s in VA.
6 Sep 1782
Virginia
Cyrus Broyles and wife Mary sell 1761 land to William Herndon. Since wife Mary was sick and unable to attend the court, a commission was appointed to examine her privately, which was done 27 Sep 1782, at which time her consent was obtained.
21 August 1775
Conrad Without sold 100 acres of land to his brother, Michael. The land is described as lying on the branches of Deep Run in Culpeper County, Virginia. This was probably the land that Conrad inherited from his father's will (Will Book A, pg. 28 and Deed Book H, pg. 111). This was the last record found on Conrad in Virginia.
Some of the brothers purchased land in Kentucky on their way to North Carolina.
1780
Kentucky
Adam Broyles entered 1500 acres in Jefferson Co., Kentucky., on Rockcastle River (surveyed 21 May 1781; location about 3/4 mile above trace to Boonesborough).
1780
Kentucky
Matthias Broyle entered 500 acres on Licking, Jefferson Co., Kentucky,
May, 15, 1780
Kentucky
Nicholas Broyle entered 1,400 acres on the Green River, Kentucky.
1780, 1781 or early 1782
Arrival in North Carolina (later to become Tennessee)
Broyles Daughter Marries in Washington County
We have the sworn testimony of Jemima Broyles who was the daughter of Adam and Mary Wilhoit Broyles. Jemima married Joseph Brown, Jr.
On 5 March 1845, Jemima/Jeremiah appeared before Judge Augustus R. Wright Superior Court in and for the Cherokee Circuit State for the purpose of drawing a pension on her husband's military service. Jemimah Robertson (remarried and widowed again) aged eighty years past a resident of Lumpkin County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the acts explanatory of said act passed the 3rd March 1837. She stated that , "she was legally married to the said Joseph Brown sometime in the year 1781 [could be 1780, last digit unclear] by a Presbyterian Clergyman by the name of Doke (Doak) in the State of then North Carolina though as she is informed is now Tennessee,"
Her words were basically substantiated by those of her brother, Aaron Broyles, who also appeared before a magistrate. Aaron was not sure whether he attended her wedding as it, "having taken place so long since and he small at the time, thinks he had not recovered from a long attack of sickness at the time. He recollects some of the circumstances connected with it one of which is that she Mrs. Robinson was still on well scarcely able to stand up at the time of the marriage, and that Joseph Brown was at his father's house most of the time during her sickness -- and they were married to the best of his recollection at his father's house and about the year 1782.
This severe sickness which affected both siblings Aaron and Jemina may have swept through the Broyles household accounting for their father, Adam, drawing up his will in Washington County, North Carolina (Tennessee) on April 1782. Although Adam was only about 55 years old, his will states he is "sick of body but of good and perfect memory.." It appears that Jemima was not married at this time. He lists one daughter by their married name. Mille (Demilia) is listed as "Mary Panther/Painter/Prather. " But Jemima is listed as "Mima/Mema Broyles." Adam may have been aware of a pending marriage as he makes provisions for it twice. He does not do this for his other unmarried daughter, Mary Broyles. For Mama "60 lbs of this currency to be paid in the year 90 or if the executors can pay it sooner and interest from she is married till the time of payment and bed and furniture and one cow and calf at the time of her marriage and two pets and a dutch oven." Jemima's future husband is listed as an executor of the will.
19 April 1782
By the time Adam wrote his will, he had already been in Washington County long enough to acquired substantial property and a home. Jemima was married in this home. His brother Matthias was in Washington County by 19 April 1782 as he witnessed Adam's will. The executors of Adam's will were Joseph Brown and Adam's oldest son, Moses.
28 May 1782
Adam died before this date. This date was when Michael Woods, Alexander More and Samuel Sheriff were appointed to appraise his estate. (Tennessee Tidbits by Marjorie Hood Fischer, page 34. Washington County County minutes.)
As mentioned above, North Carolina did not recognize these land deeds and so Joseph Bullard had to re-register them with North Carolina. The two records which are important to us are:
Land Grant #82 dated 24 October 1782 reads in part, "Said Joseph Buller a tract of land Containing two hundred Acres lying and being in our County of Washington on Little Limestone creek Beginning at a white walnut and two Elms on the Bank of Said creek a corner in Richard Humphreys line thence ..." Robert Blackburn's property line is also mentioned in this deed (North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee 1778-191, Compiled by Betty Goff Cook Cartwright and Lilian Johnson Gardiner, Division of Archives, State of Tennessee).
The second land grant #113 (same source) was also dated 1782 and was for 640 acres "on the North side of Nolichucky at the mouth of Little Limestone."
May 1783
Time Line Note for Reference
The General Assembly of North Carolina divides Washington County and out of a portion creates Greene County, Tennessee.
2 August 1783
Nicholas Broyles buys 200 acres from Joseph Bullar/Bullard on the Little Limestone.
On the same day Nicolas purchases 640 acres from Joseph Bullar on the north side of the Nolachuckey, at the mouth of the little Limestone. Deeds were witness by Jno McMacken* and Contrad Wilheite. These are the deeds referenced above.
* Spring House by David Bowles, the first book in a series on the Mitchell family (future mill owners), frequently mentions John McMacken and his family.
BAM! has a copy of this book, as well as the other two in the series, if you would like to read them.
5 August 1783
Nicholas divides each of his two tracts of land in half. He and his wife Dorothy (Dorthea) Christler sells one half of each parcel to Cyrus, Nicholas' brother. These are recorded as two deeds -one for 100 acres and one for 320 acres. Both pieces of property are on the north side of the Nolichuckey River.
3 September 1783
Time Line Note
The Revolutionary War officially ends with the signing of The Treaty of Paris. America becomes an independent country.
23 August 1784
Time Line Note
First Franklin Convention, Jonesboro, Tennessee
"On motion of Mr. Cocke, whether for or against forming ourselves into a separate and distinct state, independent of the State of North Carolina, at this time, it was carried in the affirmative." Hence the new state of Franklin was born but not recognized by North Carolina.
Spring 1785
Time Line Note
Franklin's cause to be admitted as the 14th state is taken to Congress but fails to get the votes needed (two short).
16 October 1786
“Surus (sic) Broyles is granted 28 acres on the Little Limestone, "beg. at White tree, etc.", Washington Co., joining Joseph Buller (Bullard).”
Between 1783 and 1797
Sometime after the land purchase of 1783/1786 but prior to the 1797, the land deed below shows that the first grist mill was built on Cyrus' land.
19 September 1797
Cyrus sells land to Daniel Broyles (named as son), Tobias Broyles and Rosana Broyles. While Tobias is not mentioned in this deed as Cyrus' son, he probably is as Cyrus sells other land this day to a son named Tobais. Rosana is widowed. She was married to Reuben, the son of Nicholas (Cyrus' brother). Reuben died, cause unknown, prior to May 1797 as his wife filed his estate inventory with the May 1797 sessions.
The land Cyrus sold to his children is described as including, "being on the Watters of little Limestone Beginning on a line Between Nicholas Broiles and Cyrus Broyles then to a white oak opposite the Hill Dam then to a white oak near the Mill troughs on the south side of the creek then to a white take joining the line Between Cyrus Broyles and Wm Greenway thence to a white walnut on the Corner of sd. Broyleses line and Wm Greenways thence up the Creek to the Midle of The troughs thence along the Edge of the Meanders of Sd. Creek to Sd. Cyrus Broyleses corner thence to the Beginning Including Grist Mill Sow Mill Mill race and Mill Dam With all and Singular the appurtenances ways ways watters and water forces Mines Minerals and Hereditaments..."
May Session 1809
Court of Pleas & Quarter
Abraham Broyles brought a suit against Adam Broyle[sic], Daniel Broyle[sic] & Tobias Broyle[sic].
30 May 1809
The Court found in favor of Abraham Broyles in the amount of two hundred seven dollars and 14 cents plus the cost of obtaining the judgement in the amount of nine dollars and 7.5 cents. The Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions issued a Writ of Fieri Facias (a document recording a lien on the judgement debtor's property). It is also the instrument which allows a sheriff to seize the property of a judgment.
13 June 1809
Sheriff Brown levied the Writ of Fieri Facias "on a tract of land contain one hundred acres more of less heron Daniel Broyl then lived on including The mill and buildings and also on one hundred acres when Tobias Broyles and Cyrus Broyle then lived and also on a negro fellow named Charles..."
Further proceedings were stayed by Adam Gam, agent for Abraham Broyle.
20 February 1810
Writ of Venditioni Exponas was issued commanding the sheriff to "expose the land & mill to sale."
Postponed by Adam Gam, agent for Abraham Broyle.
Returnable to May Sessions.
May Session 1810
Commanding Sheriff Brown to" expose to sale sd land & mill so as a foresaid levied on the sale whereof was postponed by order of the plaintiff by his agent Adan Gam."
Writ of Venditioni Exponas issued. Returnable to August Session of Sd Court.
July 3, 1810
Daniel Broyl, Tobias Broyle, and Adam Broyle, Junr., sold to Thomas Telford land on the Little Limestone including the Broyles mill with a set of saw mill irons. The sale was witnessed by Alexander M. Nelson, William Mitchell, and Ira Green.
21 July 1810
"often having Duly Advertised the time and place of Sale of Sd lands and mill and often haven given the sd Adam Broyle, Daniel Broyle & Tobias Broyle legal notice of the time & place of sd sale" sold the land and mill at the Jonesborough Courthouse.
Thomas Telford bid on the land and as did others. Thomas Telford "was the highest and last bidder at sd sale and of the sum of five Hundred and thirty Dollars to him in hand paid by sd Thomas Telford."
5 February 1811
Joseph Brown High Sheriff of Washington County, Tennessee finalizes the sale of the land and mill to Thomas Telford.
23 March 1811
Deed filed.
1816
Thomas Telford's will was proved in open court at the April sessions 1816.
It reads in part, "I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Mathes Jr. the plantation he now lives on adjoining Mr. Doaks line running up to the road that comes from Esq. Paynes then along that road between the mill house and still house and continuing in that road to Thomas Telford line all below that road to be his but while there is a college kept at Salem Church he shall allow 50 acres for the use of the college for firewood."
Telford Divested of Title and Mill Returns to the Broyles
Another lawsuit was initiated by Adam Broyles to regain the property. "charged that said Daniel Broyle was a man of great Imbecility Extremely Credulous and of mind and easily praclised[?] upon and incapable of discovering the designs of Crafty men that when Thomas Tilford Telford..." Daniel Broyles ability to conduct business was in question as well as whether fraudulent activity had taken place by the buyer.
Thomas Telford was divested of the title and the mill reverted back to the Broyles family.
Samuel Broyles
According to a letter written by his great granddaughter, Samuel Broyles worked in the mill prior to 1824 when he moved to Cocke County, Tennessee.
16 April 1869
Michael M. Bashor & Charles H. Swatzell
Formed "a copartnership to build and repair a saw and flouring mills for the purpose of cutting lumber and Manufacturing flor and corn and Rye meal for an indefinite number of years..." The document goes on to read, "the said Charles H. Swatzel has newly at his own expense built a saw mill, and the said M.M. Baser expects to build a Merchant flouring Mill at his own expense and upon a settlement after the mills are put into running order..."
They agree that if either should decide to sell their interest in the mills, they would offer it to the other partner first.
1871
The Broyles retained the mill and property until 1871 when a half interest was sold to Michael M. Bashor and a half-interest to Charles Swatzell.
7 May 1872
John F. Smith bought 1/2 interest in the mill, known as the "Bashor & Swatzel Mill" and land from C.H. Swatzel .
Only three years later Michael M. Bashor (1872) with his family, moved to Colorado, where he began farming and sheep raising. He also traveled extensively preaching the Gospel in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and was the first man to work for the build a church in the State of Colorado.
S.D. Mitchell, W.M. Mitchell & Hannah Anderson bought 1/2 interest in the mill, known as the "Bashor & Swatzel Mill."
1872
Samuel Doak Mitchell
William Montgomery Mitchell
Hannah Crawford Fain Anderson
Hannah was the mother of Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell, wife of William Montgomery Mitchell. Hannah's husband, Samuel Anderson, died on 9 February 1849 and was buried in Blountville, Tennessee. The 1850 census shows Hannah living with her four children (two of whom are adult sons) in Blountville, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Hannah's name while appearing on the 1872 deed did not appear in the business name. That may have been due to convention. Or perhaps she was a financial partner and/or "silent partner." It appears that she was not living in Broylesville but in District 18 in Sullivan, Tennessee through at least 1880. At some point after that, she moved to Washington County, Tennessee where she died on 27 January 1891 and is buried in Salem Cemetery.
Samuel and William were the sons of William Mitchell and Nancy Doaks Mitchell. After William died, his wife Nancy Doaks Mitchell married Adam Alexander Broyles. The mill became once again connected to the Broyles family. Samuel died in 1885.
The mill became known as the Mitchell and Smith Merchant Flouring Mill. Hannah's name did not appear in the business name. That may have been due to convention. Or perhaps she was a financial partner and/or "silent partner." It appears that she was not living in Broylesville but in District 18 in Sullivan, Tennessee through at least 1880. At some point after that, she moved to Washington County, Tennessee where she died on 27 January 1891 and is buried in Salem Cemetery.
The 1850 census shows that the brothers live together with no one else in the household. Samuel is the head of household and owns $7,000 in real estate. William is not shown as owing any.
The 1860 census shows that William Montgomery Mitchell (age 37) lives with his brother Samuel Doak Mitchell. Samuel is shown as owning $10,000 worth of real estate and $3,000 in personal property.
The 1870 census shows that Samuel is still head of household with $12,000 worth of real estate and $5,000 in personal property. William has married, Now he and his wife live with brother, Samuel Doak Mitchell. The brothers' mother, Nancy Mitchell Broyles lives in the home too. Also in the home is Aley(?) Broyles, a black domestic servant and her child Augusta Broyles.
By the 1880 census only Samuel Doak Mitchell's family lives in the home.
12 May 1880
William Montgomery Mitchell and Hannah Anderson buy the remaining 1/2 interest in the mill property belonging to J.F. Smith, from the administrator of his estate, W.P. Smith. The purchase price was $2,200. They paid $1,100 and a note of said Wm M. Mitchell taken for the balance of said purchase price to wit $1,100 payable in twelve months with interest.
Samuel Doak Mitchell is not a partner to this purchase.
25 April 1888
The deed mentioned above is recorded as an "undivided half-interest in a merchants flouring mill known as Mitchell & Smith Mill situated on Little Limestone Creek in the 3td Civil district of said County together with 1/2 acres of land where one said mill is situated."
As mentioned above Hannah Anderson died 27 January 1881.
Samuel Doak Mitchell died on 28 October 1883. He was married to Amelia Fain Mitchell who died 1892.
William Montgomery Mitchel died on ?? 1901. His wife Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell died on 9 June 1907.
More research needs to be done to determine why the Mitchell siblings (listed below) inherited the mill from their parents William Montgomery Mitchell and Rachel Ellen Anderson Mitchell and not Samuel's children did not.
Amelia "Addie" Doak Mitchell
Samuel Fain Mitchell (authority on local history)
William Hugh Mitchell
Eleanor Estell "Stella" Mitchell
15 May 1912
"Big Frank" Frank Parker
The Mitchell siblings sold the mill including "all machinery, fixtures appliances, tools, belts, and everything in and about said mill which is incident to or pertains to said mill and its operation" and 7 acres to B.F. Parker, a retired engineer for $2,300. It became the Broylesville Flour Mill. Parker also bought land near the mill and built the Parker-Taylor house in the Broylesville Historic District.
1919
James H. Taylor
B.F. Parker sold the mill to James H. Taylor. Parker later gave his home to Taylor in exchange for room and board.
According to Houston Campbell of Limestone in the Johnson City Press Sunday, 17 July 2005 "Insight" section by James Brooks, Campbell states that his daddy owned the mill in Limestone and, “My uncle Jim owned the mill in Broylesville. My granddad Taylor put in the first turbine mill, and when it worked, he took it apart and made castings of it and then put in a second turbine, “ Houston said. Uncle Jim’s mill in Broylesville was converted to turbine at the same time.”
The Mill Stopped Operation
The mill ceased operation in the 1950s and then sat vacant until 1982.
27 March 1982
Erlene Lawrence Hoover Ledford
Erlene saved the mill from destruction. It was slated to be torn down so that the wood and brick could be harvested. She and Faith Ledford, purchase the mill and .595 acres after what was described as "much negotiation" for $1.00 from James & Rebecca Taylor. Erlene owned and operated Ledford's Antiques in Greeneville for 30 years before retiring at age 90. When she purchased the mill, she opened a second antique store there.
We hope we have the opportunity to conduct some oral interviews with Erlene's family and the former mill owners to learn more about who they are and what drew them to the mill.
8 January 1990
Faith Van Noppen, formerly Faith Ledford, "sells" the mill and land for $1.00 to Erlene.
1994
Margaret Gregg
Margaret Gregg, the next owner, is another fascinating woman. "Raised in Chicago, Margaret Gregg devoted earlier years to earning an MFA and serving the Catholic Church as a Sister of Glenmary. Later, she and other un-cloistered friends created FOCIS, a loosely-organized group devoting research and energy toward social equity and ecological balance through art and organizational planning. Lithuanian roots have enlivened her varied creative explorations in media that include sculpture, painting, wallhangings, and a colorful line of unusual clothing, most particularly hats, dresses and vests." She was looking for property so that she could expand her artist's studio. Someone she was working with, knew of the mill. The mill was in sad condition when she purchased it. Of course, being an artist she had vision and purchased it.
From 1994 - 2007 Margaret directed Mill 'N Creek Studio Gallery. She took a year's sabbatical in Chicago (her hometown) and then relocated to Elder Spirit Community in Abington, Virginia.
2007
R. Davis Smith & Marie F. Jones
Davis Smith & Marie F. Jones acquired the mill in July 2007. Davis is a Licensed Psychologist who worked at the Counseling Center at the University of the South and East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Marie was the Extended Campus Services Librarian at the Charles C. Sherrod Library and an Associate Professor. They moved out of state when Marie was selected to be the Library Director at Brevard College in North Carolina.
2016
Dwight H. & Cheryl A. Bennett
In the Spring of 2015, Dwight & Cheryl Bennett took a road trip through several states. Broylesville was a planned stop as Cheryl's maternal grandmother was Alice Margaret Broyles. Cheryl is a 5x great granddaughter of Cyrus and also Nicholas Broyles, 4 x great granddaughter of Samuel Thomas Broyles & Phebe Broyles and 3x great granddaughter of Daniel Broyles all who lived in Broylesville. It was fate that her ancestor's land and the mill were for sale. It was love at first sight and a strong feeling of rightness and of home. Still, there was much to be considered with a home and family all in California. Figuring it out and negotiations took about a year. The mill was even sold to another buyer in between but fell out of escrow! The feeling of "meant to be" intensified. Finally on 11 April 2016 escrow closed and they became the new owners. The mill once again belonged to those with Broyles lineage.
Cheryl was born and raised in California but is proud of her deep roots in Broylesville. Her bio can be found on the Board of Directors' page.
Dwight was also born in California but he moved with his family to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and St. Louis Missouri as a child. He went to college in Tempe, Arizona and then transferred to Terre Haute, Indiana. He received his MFA in metalsmithing in Indiana. He has since has been self-employed working primarily in precious metals as well as copper, bronze and brass. He has created everything from Road & Track's trophy for the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, to jewelry, to conservation work for the Ranchos, to architectural and automotive elements. He has been an exhibiting artist. For more information on his metalsmithing please see Mastermetalman.com He is a car enthusiast and history, geology and geography buff.
The Future
It is their hope to place the mill and land in trust so that it will be protected from alteration or development and be preserved for the education and enjoyment of future generation.