Jackson County's Liberty: Often Confused with Liberty, TN

The past few weeks have focused on the Liberty community in Jackson County. Did you know that there are actually two Liberty communities in the state of Tennessee? In addition to the one in Jackson County, there is also one in Dekalb County. There are a few similarities as well as differences. First off, both communities were founded in the late 18th century. Dekalb County's Liberty was founded as part of a land grant. Jackson County's Liberty was as well. Both communities started out as rural farming communities. One major difference in the two is population. In Dekalb County, the population is approximately 300. In Jackson County however, the population is no more then 100. Another stark difference is the types of governments. Liberty in Jackson County has never been incorporated. However Liberty in Dekalb County has been, and has its own government. Both communities have had schools, stores, and places to worship. One factor that helps Dekalb's Liberty is Highway 70. This route runs right through the community. In Jackson County, one has to go into Smith County to link up with US70N. The result has led to "boom" for one, and the creation of a ghost town for the other. The people in Liberty, Tennessee have a zip code and are able to receive mail. In Jackson County, the citizens have a Granville mailing address. This fact alone has led to much confusion. While Jackson County's Liberty is still famous for agriculture, Dekalb County's is famous for much different reasons. Along Highway 70, painted on the side of a limestone bluff is a mule. The mule is known as "Allen's Bluff Mule." There are conflicting reports of who painted it. Some say a man by the name of Lavader Woodard painted it, while others say that it was intended to be an advertisement for a local stock yard. It may never be known who painted it, or what its intended purpose might be, however it is still a unique tourist attraction for the community. In Jackson County, Liberty sees tourism via folks heading to Granville. The old store and the church bell are unique to that community, and still serve as conversation pieces for people passing through. The definition of "liberty" is simple, it is to be free. When one goes to either of these beautiful rural communities, there is a sense of freedom from the hustle of the city, the air is fresher, and the sounds are more peaceful. One is taken back to a time gone by. The state of Tennessee is lucky to have two Liberty communities.

In Dekalb County, Liberty has its own courthouse.

In Jackson County, the old Carver store serves as a reminder of days gone by for "the other Liberty."

Author's Note: This is the final installment on the Liberty community of Jackson County. I hope readers and potential clients have enjoyed these articles, as much as I have writing them.

Be sure and come back next week for another Throwback Thursday courtesy of Moore Historical Consulting. Whether your need is genealogy, historic litigation, preservation assistance, or anything in between, I am here for you. Contact me today to learn more and get started.

Liberty church of Christ

The Liberty church of Christ was founded by Samuel Sampson Carver. When Carver and his family purchased their farm in 1890, no place of worship existed in the Liberty community. The Carver family had to go to church in Granville. After awhile this became an inconvenience for them due to the long distance. Sam and one of his neighbors, Andy Pharris, came to an agreement and built a place of worship for the Liberty community. Pharris furnished the land, and Carver built the building. The agreement stated that the church of Christ and Methodists were to rotate morning and evening service on Sundays. This worked fairly well for awhile, but eventually difficulties sprang up. It became a battle for control between the two religious groups. Pharris said he should have more control, since the building was on his property. Carver decided that the church of Christ members should have their own building. He went back to his property, and built the current structure in 1916. The wood used for the building was shipped in by steamboat from Nashville. The first service was held on January 14, 1917, soon after the building was completed. Bascom Byrne, Ben Fox, Sam, and Joe Carver led this service. Harrison J. Shoulders delivered the first sermon. The church has seen many members and leaders come and go, but has served the Liberty community well. Members of the Carver and Moore families have been leaders in the church ever since its formation. Currently Joe Moore, the author's grandfather, serves as one of the elders. In 1960 the church building underwent a renovation. As part of the renovation, a rear addition was added, and the entire building was bricked. The most unique feature of the meeting house, is the sign. As part of the 1960 renovation, the steeple was removed, and the bell that was inside was relocated to the top of the sign. Every Sunday morning the bell would ring, signaling that it was time for church to begin. The Liberty church of Christ has been meeting in the Liberty community, ever since Sam Carver saw the need for a place of worship, shortly after settling in the community. The Liberty church of Christ has been and continues to be vital to life in Liberty.

The church sign and bell is the most unique feature of the Liberty church of Christ building.

Samuel Sampson Carver, the founder of the Liberty church of Christ.

Author's Note: This is the second in a series of blog posts about the Carver family, and the impact they had on the Liberty community.  

Be sure to come back next week for another Throwback Thursday courtesy of Moore Historical Consulting. Whether your need is genealogy, historic litigation, preservation, or anything in between, put me to work for you today!!

Joseph Carver General Merchandise Store

The Joseph Carver General Merchandise store was constructed in 1916 in Jackson County's Liberty community. The year 1916 was a year of change for the Carver family, as Joseph Carver's father Sam built the Liberty church of Christ building next door. Joseph also operated a grist mill and blacksmith shop on the Carver Farm. The Carver store served as the hub of commerce in the Liberty community. A variety of household, food, and clothing items could be purchased at the store. Joseph and Sam sold farm goods from the family farm as well as goods from Joseph's grist mill and blacksmith shop. Based on family documents and research done by the author's grandmother, Joseph Carver had another store located down the road in Granville. That store was known as Carver and Company, and was ran by Carver, Oscar Grisham, and Berry Shirley. Carver continued to run his stores until his health began to fail in 1932. Since the Liberty store was located on the Carver Farm, Joseph decided to rent it. The Granville store was sold to Carl Huff. The first tenant in the Liberty store was Henry Harris. Harris ran the store until 1938. Walton Agee and Cordell Ragland later rented the store. Just before the second world war, Harris came back and ran the store for awhile. Throughout the 1940s however, John Frank Pruett rented and ran it. Towards the end of the store's life, its tenants included W.B. "Bice" Johnson, Eldridge Philpot, and Robert T. Harris. By the late 1950s, the store was shut down. There was no need for a store in Liberty, due to the rise of stores in nearby Gainesboro, Nameless, and Granville. Today the store has become extremely dilapidated. The Joseph Carver General Merchandise Store was vital to early life in the Liberty community.


Author's Note: This will be the first installment in a multi week Throwback Thursday series on the Carver family, and life in the Liberty community of Jackson County.




Be sure to come back next week for another installment of Moore Historical Consulting's Throwback Thursday series. Whether your need is genealogy, historic ligation, preservation, or anything in between, Moore Historical Consulting has you covered. Put me to work for you today.