Old Philadelphia church of Christ

The Old Philadelphia church of Christ was established around 1805 in Warren County, Tennessee, by the Price family of Asheville, North Carolina. This newly established congregation met in homes until 1830. In 1830, due to the rising popularity of Barton W. Stone's Restoration Movement, the need for a building was seen. The building was constructed along the Winchester Turnpike stagecoach road. This road is now known as the Vervilla Road. By 1840, the congregation at Philadelphia had become the center of the Restoration Movement's evangelistic efforts. The church grew due to its strategic location along the stagecoach road. Folks would often stop off and attend church before continuing on their way. The most well known preacher at Philadelphia was Jesse Sewell. Sewell was born in Overton County, Tennessee, and had preached all over the Upper Cumberland. He saw the potential for growth at the Philadelphia church. Between 1843, and 1860, Sewell grew Philadelphia into one of the largest congregations in the area. When the Civil War broke out, the Philadelphia community played host to soldiers from both sides. Both armies used the Winchester Road to travel. Sewell saw this as an evangelistic opportunity. When the war broke out, Sewell declared himself a pacifist, meaning he would not take sides. Throughout the entire war, he was able to go from one side to the other preaching. One account states that he actually walked into the Union Army's Army of the Tennessee, and preached to the men there, commanded by General William S. Rosecrans. When the war ended, the Philadelphia church continued to hold gospel meetings. Men who spoke at these meetings included David Lipscomb, and Tolbert Fanning. Under the leadership of Sewell, the Philadelphia congregation became mission minded. Many of the churches in Warren and surrounding counties were planted by members of the Philadelphia church. By the time the 20th century came around, many people began attending the congregations that had been established by Philadelphia. As a result attendance at Philadelphia began to dwindle. Folks did not want to travel all the way from McMinnville, Manchester, or Morrison to go to church. The establishment of churches in those communities made travel easier. The meeting house at Philadelphia was eventually turned over to the African-American group. They met there for the next forty years. During that time many prominent African-American preachers held gospel meetings there. Among these preachers were Marshall Keeble. Beginning in 1922, on the first Sunday in May, a homecoming known as "Old Philadelphia Day," was held. These days consisted of preaching, singing, and dinner on the ground. By 1940, many of these members had either died, or moved away. There was no way regular services could continue, so the congregation folded. The Philadelphia church building set empty for a number of years. In the early 1980s, members from churches in McMinnville grew concerned about the old building. James Ramsey, who was an influential African-American leader and elder at the East End Drive church of Christ in McMinnville became the driving force behind the restoration of the meeting house. In 1984, Ramsey died. Leonard "Abe" Thomas, and Clifford McClain eventually got a group together and began the preservation process. Funds came in from all over the United States to assist in the restoration. By the end of the 80's, the building was fully restored. In 1988, it was nominated and accepted into the National Register of Historic Places. Today the building is used for singings, and sometimes for gospel meetings. A cemetery lies nearby, interned therein include members of the Philadelphia congregation, as well as Jesse Sewell. The building serves as a reminder of both early settlement, and religious history. The Old Philadelphia church of Christ truly is a nationwide gem.

Old Philadelphia church of Christ sign.

Interior of the Old Philadelphia church of Christ.

Author's Note: For more information on the Old Philadelphia church of Christ, or the Restoration Movement in general, go check out the website: http://www.therestorationmovement.com/index.htm

Be sure and 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 Moore Historical Consulting to work for you today!!

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places was established in 1966 as part of the National Historic Preservation Act. A State Historic Preservation Office, or SHPO was established in each state. The role of these offices were, and continue to be to oversee, and assist in evaluating and nominating sites for inclusion in the National Register. The National Register was placed under the oversight of the National Park Service, and later both were placed under the oversight of the Department of the Interior. In its early years, the National Register struggled to obtain funds to operate. The result led to lax operations, and understaffed SHPOs. By the 1980s, more money became available via grants. SHPOs, thanks to the increase in funds, were able to go out and effectively evaluate potential sites for their historic integrity. Most sites that are evaluated and nominated for the National Register include, but are not limited to:

- Houses
- Commercial Buildings
- Farmsteads
- Battlefields
- Churches
- Historic Districts (Commercial and Residential)

Many of the properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places are privately owned. Owners of these historic properties are often eligible for tax incentives. If an owner is needing to rehab their historic property, then they are eligible for a 20% investment tax credit. Grants can also be applied for by the property owners. Having a property listed in the National Register does not protect it from destruction. If a site is deemed eligible and listed, it can be removed if destroyed. The National Register nomination process is very simple. These nominations are often prepared by historians, or historical consultants. The process begins with the filling out of an information form. This form is submitted along with a brief history of the property and photos to the State Historic Preservation Office. The SHPO then provides feedback to the nominating individual(s). In some cases, employees of the SHPO will make a site visit in order to determine eligibility. Once an initial decision is made, the property is then put before the state's historic review board. When evaluating and nominating a property, the historical consultant, the SHPO, and the review board must prove that the site meets one of the following criteria:

- Criteria A: Overall History
- Criteria B: People significant in our past.
- Criteria C: Architecture (Buildings or Landscape in some cases both i.e. a farmstead)
- Criteria D: Information Potential or Archaeology

If approved, the SHPO, will notify the Keeper of the National Register and the property will be listed.   If a property is deemed ineligible, it is usually because it does not meet one of the four criteria. Other cases can be, if the nominated site has been reconstructed, or the site is less then fifty years old. Sites that are usually ineligible include:

- Cemeteries
- Commemorative Properties
- Birthplaces

At the time of this writing, there are over a million properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Of these one million, approximately 80,000 are listed as individual sites, with the rest falling into the category of historic districts. In Tennessee alone, there are over 2,000 sites. There is at least one site listed in every county. At Moore Historical Consulting, I am committed to growing the National Register in Tennessee. If you know of any site that may meet National Register Criteria, contact me today at moorehistoricalconsulting@gmail.com to get started. It is our duty as citizens of this great nation to preserve our historic resources.

When a property is entered into the National Register of Historic Places, usually a plaque like the one above is placed on it. 

In Tennessee, the Cookeville Depot, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Sixteen Tunnel are among historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The S.S. Jeremiah O' Brian is a great example of something other then a building, or landform being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Be sure and come back next week for another installment of Moore Historical Consulting's Throwback Thursday series. At Moore Historical Consulting, my services are not just limited to preservation, I also offer genealogies, business histories, property research, and historic litigation. Contact me today to find out more information and put me to work for you today!!

Irby "Rabbit" Curry

Irby "Rabbit" Curry was one of the Southern (now Southeastern) Conference's most dynamic football players. Curry was born in Marlin, Texas on August 4, 1894. He was a graduate of Marlin High School, where he played football and track. In track he was the Texas state champion in the pole vault and the one mile relay. After his graduation Curry moved to Nashville, Tennessee and enrolled at Vanderbilt University. He became the quarterback and kicker for the legendary Dan McGugin. Curry was dubbed "Rabbit," because of his elusive speed. It was reported that he only needed "the suspicion of an opening to wriggle through, and once into the open, zip, flash, and a touchdown." In addition to his role on the football team, he also played on Vanderbilt's baseball and track teams. His football heroics made him legendary. Curry did not play in the 1914 season, but in 1915, he had a season that would rival that of any Heisman Trophy winner. The 1915 season was a good one for the Commodores. Curry led them to a 9-1 record. Curry and the Commodores scored a total of 514 points in 510 minutes. Curry averaged three touchdowns a game, and most of his touchdowns were greater then 50 yards. In their sole loss to Virginia, Curry kept the Commodores in the game with an 85 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. In that season's game against Ole Miss Curry scored six touchdowns, in the Commodores 91-0 win over the Rebels. Rumor has it that he had an entire bushel of apples on the train ride to the game. At the end of the season, the Commodores were conference champions, and Curry was selected to the conference's first team. At the start of the 1916 season, Curry was elected team captain. He led the Commodores to a 7-1-1 record. He continued to put up video game like numbers. In 1917, Curry decided to forgo that years football season, and enlist in the military. He joined the 95th Aero Squadron as a pilot. On August 10, 1918 Curry was killed in aerial combat with the Germans, while on protection patrol. Accounts state that he was sent into a spiral, and could not recover his plane. When word got back to Nashville, Vanderbilt football coach Dan McGugin released this statement:
"During the four years of my intimate association with Irby Curry, I never heard him utter a word his mother might not hear and approve. A game sportsman and scholar, truly he was gentle as a dove. He had a lion's heart, and now a hero's death. Poor Little Rabbit! How he pulls at the heart-strings of all of us who knew him and therefore honored and loved him tenderly."
Curry's remains were sent back to his family in Texas, where he was entombed in his hometown of Marlin County. McGugin honored Curry by placing his picture in his office, alongside pictures of Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee. In 1921, when his Commodores went on the road to play the University of Texas, the team stopped at Curry's grave. The Commodores were an underdog, in their game, but McGugin gave them this speech:
"They are betting Texas will beat you 20 to 0, they say you are a bunch of cowards. 'Rabbit' Curry, whose father is sitting here with you, is looking down on you from his Eternal Home."
The Commodores responded to this speech by beating Texas 20-0. Rabbit Curry was one of the best players of his time. He was a hero to many on the field, but most importantly, he is a hero off the field. He unselfishly decided to forgo football and serve his country. That fact alone makes him a true hero.

Team picture of Vanderbilt's 1915 football team.

Rabbit Curry in uniform in France.

1915 Vanderbilt Commodore Football Results 

September 25: Middle Tennessee State (W 51-0)

October 2: Southwestern Presbyterian (W 47-0)

October 9: Georgetown University (W 75-0)

October 13: Cumberland University (W 60-0)

October 16: Henderson State University (W 100-0)

October 23: at University of Mississippi (W 91-0)

October 30: University of Tennessee (W 35-0)

November 5: at University of Virginia (L 10-35)

November 13: at Auburn University (W 20-3)

November 25: Sewanee University (W 27-3)

Be sure and 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, Moore Historical Consulting is here for you. Put me to work for you today!!

Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate was constructed in 1895 by railroad and steamboat tycoon George Washington Vanderbilt II. Plans for the estate began in 1888 after Vanderbilt visited his mother in Asheville, North Carolina. He was quick to take note of the beauty and climate of the area. Vanderbilt bought up 700 parcels of land from local farmers. By all accounts these farmers were more then willing to sell, due to the land being in poor condition. The construction of the mansion began in 1889 and lasted until 1895. The original plan called for a modest Colonial Revival style structure, but things quickly turned in the opposite direction. When all was said and done, the completed product was a  Châteauesque-style mansion. The finished square footage was 178,926. During construction a brick kiln was built on site. A total of 32,000 bricks a day were produced. A three mile long railroad track was constructed to help bring in construction materials. Vanderbilt traveled all over the world, purchasing furnishings for his new house. Among the items he purchased were tapestries, paintings, carpets, and linens. On Christmas Eve 1895 Vanderbilt opened Biltmore. He invited family and friends from all over the world. From 1895 to 1898, Vanderbilt lived as a bachelor. In 1898 he married Edith Stuyvesant Dresser. She had never seen George's estate. Upon returning from their Paris wedding and subsequent honeymoon, Edith saw her new home for the first time. One can only imagine what she thought. By the turn of the century, new income taxes were making it harder for the Vanderbilt family to manage the estate. George had to sell off 87,000 acres of his land. In 1900, George and Edith's first and only child was born. Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt was born in the Louis XV room. Cornelia was most likely named after her great grandfather Cornelius "The Commodore" Vanderbilt. She grew up at Biltmore estate, residing there until 1934. In 1914, tragedy hit Biltmore. George Vanderbilt II died after complications from an emergency appendectomy. This left Edith to run the estate. She sold a portion of the estate to the Federal Government to help create Pisgah National Forest. She saw this as a way to honor her late husband. She later consolidated and sold her interests in Biltmore Industries and Biltmore Village. She continued her philanthropic work by taking maternity baskets to new mothers, and also sponsoring children's literacy programs. In 1925 she met and married Peter Goelet Gerry. The two moved to Rhode Island, leaving Cornelia and her husband John Francis Amherst Cecil to manage the estate. During the Great Depression, the couple decided to open up Biltmore to the public, to help boost tourism in the city of Asheville. During World War II the estate closed, but was used by the Federal Government to house 62 paintings and 17 sculptures from Washington D.C.'s National Gallery of Art. The Cecil family continued to reside in the house until 1956. Ever since, Biltmore has been a museum and one of the United States' largest tourist attractions. It still holds the title of the country's largest home, and sees roughly 1 million visitors per year. The Vanderbilt family still owns the house and its grounds and strives to operate it like a family business. The house has been featured in movies such as Tap Roots, Forrest Gump, and Richie Rich. Three United States Presidents have visited Biltmore, they include William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Biltmore was entered in to the National Register of Historic Places in 1963. The hospitable nature of the Vanderbilt family continues to live on through Biltmore Estate.

From the back porch of Biltmore, one can see just why George Vanderbilt fell in love with the area.

These pictures give an idea of just how ornate Biltmore really is. It actually has architectural features that make it more of a castle instead of a house. 

One of Biltmore's most famous rooms is the grand banquet hall.

Biltmore also features a bowling alley, swimming pool, and numerous acres of gardens.

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