JOHN ALLISON
Published: 2023-05-01
Total Pages: 137
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This little volume, as will appear to the reader, is not a history of anything nor of anybody, and is not so intended. The whole is simply an effort to put together in readable form some facts in the very earliest history of Tennessee not hitherto fully shown, if even mentioned. I was born and brought up at Jonesboro, in Washington county, Tennessee, and resided there until 1889. My mother, when I was a mere boy, first interested me in and taught me much about the pioneers and early history of my native state. Following up much learned from her, I frequently visited old gentlemen and aged ladies in Eastern Tennessee and a few in North Carolina, and conversed with them about “old times” and their early lives, and from them obtained much information not to be gotten in any other way. By a formal order of the County Court of Washington county, made many years ago, I was given custody and possession of the very earliest court records made at Jonesboro (records from 1778 up to 1800, as I now remember), and had possession of them for two or three years, and at odd times went through and copied much from these old records. I had, however, become interested in, and read much, from these court records before the order of the court giving me possession of them. I made, as best I could, original investigation as to facts plainly suggested by the proceedings of the courts, as to the men who constituted the court, their lives, character, etc., and also as to the events surrounding, or involved in, the entries as indicated by the substance of the “motions,” “orders,” etc. Where authorities consulted and information obtained in my original investigation have conflicted as to a date, I have given that which seemed most probably the correct one: where no date at all could be found or fixed, I have followed the “illustrious example of distinguished historians,” and said, “about this time”—without giving any date at all. By permission of my long, long time scholarly friend, Dr. R. L. C. White, the author, I publish with the volume “A Centennial Dream” with the Key thereto. The “dream” and interpretation are put in an appendix, for the reason that I can not copyright either. Dr. White’s “Centennial Dream” has suggested, in fewer words, more Tennessee history than any publication heretofore made, and, as hundreds of persons can testify, has excited more interest, and caused more thorough investigation, in Early History of Tennessee, than any book or paper hitherto written on the subject. It will live as an attractive, proficient instructor and teacher of the history of the “Volunteer State” after he has “crossed over the river” and is at “rest under the shade of the trees.” All who read the dream and key to it will appreciate the obligation I am under to Dr. White.FROM THE BOOKS.
