Joined Sep 2017
55 Posts | 43+
State of Franklin
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Mooresburg, Tennessee was once settled by Rodham Kenner, a Revolutionary war vet who fought at Kings Mountain Right along side John and Valentine Sevier, His mother is a DAR recognized patriot who donated quilts and fed soldiers, his father was a Revolutionary Veteran as well. Rodham would become a prominent figure in early Hawkins County history, going as far to represent the county in the 5th and 6th General Assemblies of Tennessee. his plantation was located not very far from his resting place. Mr Kenner unfortunately passed away October 18, 1814 after a fall from his horse. The area, before it was flooded, was an extension to the Mooresburg Community and before that it was called Kenner's Bend. it had its own school, church, and there were a few houses there too. It was also along the former hwy 11 corridor, or " the first state road." Mr Kenner, who is my direct ancestor is buried along the banks of the Holston river in an unmarked grave along with his grandson in law, my ancestor Hamilton Carmichael. the cemetery has been abandoned since the late 1960s with the last interment having been in 1968.
So last spring, after finding out that he was my ancestor. I then figured out where he was buried and was not going to stand for a cemetery being in such shape, so i contacted TVA, and began a several month long journey to obtain permission to clean it up.
Prior to saturday at 10 AM, if you were to walk into the cemetery, this is the sight you would have seen, Trees befallen on graves, Undergrowth covering stones, stones knocked over, etc. So along with my dad, A man from the Anderson County Tenn SOR came in to offer his services ( they have been super involved in this project) and the Gentlemen at TVA whom offered a few hours from his weekend to come out and help us.
by 1Pm saturday we had filled in two sunken graves with all of the leaves, cut down the various growths and tried to upright a few stones. Honestly i feel so good to have done the dead a service such as this.
other structures include a Spring, that predates TVA by atleast 30-40 years. and still puts out fresh mountain spring water.
The area now is fully underwater (besides the cemetery of course) however this is a map of what all used to be here.
i was able to film the event for my youtube channel. you can find a link to that on my profile. anywho, cheers, and thanks for reading.
So last spring, after finding out that he was my ancestor. I then figured out where he was buried and was not going to stand for a cemetery being in such shape, so i contacted TVA, and began a several month long journey to obtain permission to clean it up.
Prior to saturday at 10 AM, if you were to walk into the cemetery, this is the sight you would have seen, Trees befallen on graves, Undergrowth covering stones, stones knocked over, etc. So along with my dad, A man from the Anderson County Tenn SOR came in to offer his services ( they have been super involved in this project) and the Gentlemen at TVA whom offered a few hours from his weekend to come out and help us.
by 1Pm saturday we had filled in two sunken graves with all of the leaves, cut down the various growths and tried to upright a few stones. Honestly i feel so good to have done the dead a service such as this.
other structures include a Spring, that predates TVA by atleast 30-40 years. and still puts out fresh mountain spring water.
The area now is fully underwater (besides the cemetery of course) however this is a map of what all used to be here.
i was able to film the event for my youtube channel. you can find a link to that on my profile. anywho, cheers, and thanks for reading.
