Franklin County's First Court House

WHY A LOG CABIN?

(This article was written by Evamaria Krischel and published in the May 24, 1975 issue of the Cowan Bell.)

When the first rumors of a Cowan sponsored Bicentennial Celebration floated in the air and the staff of the COWAN BELL was asked to help, it seemed quite clear to us that any large project would be too much for us to handle.  Just bringing our publication out bi-weekly is a full time job.

However, when Jenny Lou Brock of the Cowan Beautification Commission approached us with the idea of building a log cabin representing Franklin County’s first court house (see pg. 6) some of the old fever and confidence returned to our small group, and in our minds the impossible was possible.  Our husbands saw a new adventure in this project and enthusiastically supported the idea.  Juergen Krischel was selected as chairman and Dot Davidson as co-chairman for the construction of the cabin.

Very quickly a mock-up slab construction idea was replaced with the real thing, thanks to Jim Brock who knew of every generous log cabin owner in Franklin County.  By the real thing we mean the 150 year old logs used from two different cabins (see p. 10), the clay, lime and straw mixture between the logs and all the other woodwork used in the building.

The Bank of Cowan was generous in giving us the use of their lot, and for the whole month of February and March material was piled onto it.  There were many shaking heads and doubtful looks from passersby, and only the constant referral to the book, “Foxfire”, kept our confidence up.  It became our companion as the first foundations were laid and the walls began to materialize in April.  As one of our most avid workers commented: “I’d sure hate to sit on the back of a covered wagon with seven babies waitin’ to move in that log cabin!”

The children of Cowan were the first to believe in the completion and came daily to help.

Towards the end of April, when the cabin actually acquired an authentic look, the interest and support of all Cowaners grew – more and more people stopped their work to help for a day.

With our energy at low ebb tide and our resources depleted, there seemed no hope of building a chimney.  Now, Cowan’s support reached its peak; within a few days of our devastating realization an excellent stone mason, money and material were presented to us.  Two weeks later a beautiful chimney and hearth gave the cabin its finishing touch.

We hope you enjoy visiting Major William Russell’s home as much as we enjoyed building it.                                                                                           (E.K.)

MAJOR WILLIAM RUSSELL - COWAN’S FIRST SETTLER

(This article was written by Jenny Lou and Jim Brock and published in the May 24, 1975 issue of the Cowan Bell.)

On the 28th of February, 1825, the following death notice appeared in the “Tuscumbian” newspaper, Tuscumbia, Alabama:

Died at his residence in this county, on Wednesday, the 16th Inst., Major William Russell, aged about 63 years.  In the demise of this man society has lost an ornament, the poor of his neighborhood a kind benefactor, the survivors of his family an indulgent protector, and his country a patriot.  On our western frontier from his boyhood the aboriginal enemies of his country always found him a vigilant and active opponent, but never an unrelenting victor.  An officer in the late Creek and Seminole Wars, he had the friendship of commander and the love and respect of his men.  These best exhibit his character as a soldier.

William Russell: Pioneer – Patriot – Soldier.  He was destined to take a leading part in the settlement of two Franklin Counties: Franklin County, Tennessee, and Franklin County, Alabama.

Settling in the lower middle Tennessee area in 1800, while these lands were still owned by the Cherokee Indians, this pioneer became influential in the early development of this region.  His landholdings included the majority of what is now the township of Cowan.  When Franklin County was created in 1807, his home was designated by the Tennessee State Legislature as the place for holding courts, musters and courts martial.  His son, Absolom, served as the first clerk of the county court until his death in 1813.  The second clerk of the county court was Edmond Russell, who served in that office until 1884.

William Russell left behind and long and honorable record of volunteer service.  He served under the command of his long-term friend, General Andrew Jackson, in the War of 1812 (Creek War) and the Seminole of 1818.  Commanding a company of Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Spies, he was with Jackson at the Battle of Tohopeka or Horseshoe Bend.  When the British threatened Pensacola, William Russell and Franklin County responded again.  From the 28th of September, 1814, until the 27th of March, 1815, Major Russell commanded a battalion of Franklin Countians serving in this second war for independence.

When the war with the Creek nation ended and the the Alabama Territory was opened for settlement, Major Russell sold his land holdings here and pioneered the settlement of Franklin County, Alabama.  The town of Russellville is named in his honor.

In 1844, Andrew Jackson wrote a letter to a son of Major Russell.  This son, William Russell, Jr., had served as an officer with his father and General Jackson in the Creek War.  Andrew Jackson’s letter to him recalls events of the War of 1812 and Jackson’s earliest recollections of friends in Tennessee.  The letter, written from the Hermitage and dated July 8, 1844, reads in part:

I can assure you that I have note forgotten you nor the Beans.  They were among my first acquaintances in Tennessee – amongst my first compatriots in arms and in the field, from whom I always and on the most trying occasions, received the most prompt and efficient aid – No My Dear Sir, I have not forgotten you, and as long as my faculty of recollection remains I cannot forget the Russells and the Beans.  My memory was so gallantly leading on his company to battle and to victory – I never can forget him or your gallant brother who was wounded in the battle of Talladega and died of his wound – and the arduous and long, and gallant service of your father throughout the whole War - …

At the writing of this letter Andrew Jackson was approaching the end of his life.  Though ill and debilitated, his recollections of his comrade in arms were sharp and clear.  No better tribute could be paid to the memory of Major William Russell than these words of Andrew Jackson written so long ago.

                                                                                    Jenny Lou and Jim Brock

COLLECTIONS FROM THE PAST

              By Elsie Hawkins Henson

(This article was published in the May 24, 1975 issue of the Cowan Bell.)

              Our first Franklin County Court House has been finally completed, and deep gratitude is due those loyal citizens who gave of their time and labor.  Every one is extremely proud of their accomplishments, and now the time has come to furnish the dwelling home of Major William Russell.  Jenny Lou Brock, Lila Wilkinson, Linda Cantrell, Virginia Holden and Rose Hancock have been diligently searching (with a little help from yours truly) for furnishings of this period in history.

              All household furniture and personal articles are completely authentic, dating from the mid 18th Century though early 19th Century; from pail, piggin and snuff box to cordbed and flaxwheel.  I must make an honest confession.  I have used one reproduction, a wrought-iron adjustable candle stand, and Mr. Elmer Zaugg made us a sweeping broom of that era.

              The cord bedstead and trundle bed were from my maternal ancestors, the Sells or Zells family, who were among the early founders of Germantown (Philadelphia), Pa.  Hendrich von Sellen (variation of the same name) is listed as a resident there in 1689.  The beds were hand made after the family had immigrated to the “Great Valley of Virginia” and from there to the Middle Tennessee frontier in the movement west in the early 1800’s.

              The loom woven coverlet on the bedstead, sometimes referred to as a “linsey-wolsey”, was of the early loom woven era which dates from 1725.

              The little aged pine wash stand was given to me by a descendant of my great uncle, Philip B. Hawkins.  It was handmade by early cabinet makers in South Carolina, brought to Tennessee with other household furniture that was made by order for my great grandfather, John Baxter Hawkins, who settled in Franklin County about 1817.  The furniture was brought to Tennessee in covered wagons.  Years after the little table arrived here it was destined for another covered wagon trip – this time to the far West Texas.  The stay there was short, and once again the little pine washstand was loaded into a covered wagon and returned to Tennessee to spend the remainder of its days.  It has been in my home for many years now.  I often wish the little table could talk!  I am sure it could spin some exciting yarns of the past.

              Furnishing the cabin would have been an impossible task had it not been for the generous folks who have gladly loaned their antiques and heirlooms.  We sincerely thank John Ross, Ruth McNutt, Lynn Womack, Bessie Wilkinson, Dora Hawkins Boyd, Teddy Click, Louise Brock, Jim Brock, Alma Cowan, Cletus Garner, Ruth and Agnes Sargeant, the Bob Sloans, Ottie Shook, Juergen and Evamaria Krischell, Abbie Davenport of Alabama and Mrs. Lawrence Jackson.

              For David Stines, words are a small reward to express our thankful appreciation for his favors and the benefits received from his labor.  The guest register, which he made of redwood and hand carved, will be especially treasured.

              For future generations it will reveal an eventful day and become a part of Cowan’s history.