Brabson Family Papers
This collection houses land contracts given to John Brabson, letters to and from members of the Brabson family, last will and testaments of members of the Brabson family and their in-laws, and a memorandum book containing articles of arguments, a last will and testament, and a contract of indenture.
Dates
- 1798-1888
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 oversize box)
Abstract
This collection houses land contracts given to John Brabson, letters to and from members of the Brabson family, last will and testaments of members of the Brabson family and their in-laws, and a memorandum book containing articles of arguments, a last will and testament, and a contract of indenture.
Biographical/Historical Note
In 1798, John Brabson moved to Sevier County from Frederick County, Virginia and quickly bought a farm and ferry from pioneer, Andrew Evans. John Brabson died in 1848 having with 5,000 acres and 49 slaves to his name, making him one of the largest land and slaveholders in East Tennessee. Brabson’s son, Reese Bowen, moved to Chattanooga the year his father died and was elected to Congress. Brabson’s daughter, Mary and her husband, Robert Hodsden, established the Rose Glen Plantation near Sevierville. John Brabson’s other two sons, Benjamin and Thomas, were the inheritors of the majority of Brabson’s Ferry Plantation and built more houses, established Brabson and Brother, a company that ran several businesses such as a general store and tannery. The Brabson family supported the Confederacy in a largely Union supporting area. Upon the Union regaining control of East Tennessee, Sevier County residents began harassing the Brabson family, forcing them to flee. After Benjamin Brabson death, his family moved back and starting rebuilding, eventually making it a major center for local commerce once more.
Arrangement
This collection is in a single oversize box.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository