Misc. Records
Where to Emigrate and Why - Frederick B. Goddard, Peoples Publ. Co., 1869
TENNESSEE.
TENNESSEE is one of the southern middle States, bounded by Kentucky and Virginia on the north by North Carolina on the east; Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi on the south; and the Mississippi River on the west separates it from Missouri and Arkansas. It has an area of 29,184,000 acres. Its total population in 1860 was 1,109,801, of whom 283,019 were colored.
The surface of Tennessee presents a more widely diversified appearance than that of any other of the middle States. The eastern portion is mountainous, gradually diminishing into a hilly region, full of beautiful and healthful valleys; then softening away into a gently-rolling country of exquisite loveliness and fertility, amply watered by a thousand streams, affluents of the Tennessee and Cumberland, and finally becoming almost level in the western portion of the State.
Eastern Tennessee is too rugged and mountainous to be well adapted to general agriculture, but is rich in mineral resources, such as coal, iron, copper, zinc, lead, &c., together with a great variety of excellent timber. It is, in some portions, well suited to stock-raising, and is noted throughout the United States for its mild but pure and bracing air.
The rich and fertile soil, mild winters, and prevailing healthfulness of Middle Tennessee, with its cordial and hospitable people, its well organized system of schools and churches, and other attractions, offer the emigrant great inducements to come and participate in these advantages, while the level prairie lands of the western portion of the State, with their great depth of rich, black, and fertile soil, yielding cotton, tobacco, &c., in great abundance, also claim his attention.
The State is pre-eminently favored with facilities for water communication in her noble river system. The Mississippi washes her western border, and the Tennessee and Cumberland, with their large navigable tributaries, afford a general outlet for the productions of nearly every portion of the State.
"THE CUMBERLAND TABLE-LANDS OF TENNESSEE.—The agricultural abundance of this region is indicated by the prevailing prices of farm produce. At Tullahoma, midway between Nashville and Chattanooga, on the railroad, wheat was sold last fall for $1.50, when it was selling in the interior of Minnesota, where little else but wheat is grown, for $1.60 per bushel. At the same time corn was 50 to 60 cents, potatoes 50 cents per bushel, butter 20 cents per pound, eggs 15 cents per dozen, beef 6 to 8 cents per pound at retail, and cows $18 to $40 each. It is reported that the ground was covered with snow but eight days last winter, and that at no time did the snow remain on the ground more than 48 hours, the frost penetrating not more than two or three inches. Farmers can labor out of doors nearly all winter, and plowing is interrupted only a small portion of the time. Coal, iron, and timber abound, with limestone, sandstone, and hydraulic lime; most of the land is comparatively level and moderately fertile; the grasses flourish; all ordinary farm crops are grown; and fruits, particularly peaches, are a sure crop. Good farms in this county can be bought at $5 to $10 per acre. Wild lands can be had as low as one dollar per acre."
A writer at Memphis, referring to the advantages Tennessee offers to the immigrant, says:―
"Bring them acquainted. with the quantity, cheapness, and productiveness of our lands, and that in our mountains lie imbedded vast treasures of mineral and inexhaustible quarries of stone and beds of coal; that our hills and valleys are abounding with the most magnificent and valuable forests; that the number and extent of our navigable streams are scarcely to be excelled; that mill and manufacturing sites, and the requisite raw material is in such close juxtaposition as to afford the greatest convenience and economy, together with that entire freedom from the inconveniences, hardships, privations, and perils incident to the pioneer and border life of the far West and other new countries, and that there awaits them a cordial welcome and generous hospitality which the people of the Southern States know so well how and will extend to men of every clime and tongue, who come with the honest purpose of co-operating and aiding them to the extent of their means and influence, in the restoration and maintenance of good government; in rebuilding the waste places; in casting aside the mantle of blight and desolation that covers this fair land, which once bloomed as a rose; by the development of her agricultural and other resources; and by the encouragement, patronage, and practice of whatever is most promotive of the mutual welfare and prosperity of himself and the community in which he may have cast his lot and sought his citizenship." .
NASHVILLE, situated on the navigable waters of the Cumberland River, 200 miles above its junction with the Ohio, is the capital of Tennessee. Five railroads radiate from the city, connecting it with various important points; it is, generally, a well-built city, and possesses a number of excellent educational and scientific institutions. Its population in 1860 was 23,715.
MEMPHIS, the port of entry of western Tennessee, is situated on the Mississippi River, in Shelby County. The city is a very active business point, and a great cotton mart. Its population in 1860 was 22,625; and its shipments of cotton during that year, were more than 400,000 bales. It is a great railroad center, and rapidly increasing in population.
KNOXVILLE is the principal commercial center of East Tennessee; it is situated on a hill upon the north bank of Holston River. Its population in 1860 was about 8,000.
We give below, portions of the Report of the Department of Agriculture, prepared by Mr. J. R. DODGE, and submitted to Hon. HORACE CAPRON, Commissioner, March 31, 1868, for publication:—
PRICE OF LANDS AS COMPARED WITH VALUE IN 1860.―Our returns from Tennessee indicate a general decline of 15 to 20 per cent, in the value of farm lands as compared with the census estimates of 1860, though several counties report no appreciable change, while others report an active advance of from 2 to 15 per cent. The heaviest decrease is reported from Davidson and Henry counties, being about 50 per cent, though the former reports few sales at reduced rates unless under compulsion, while in the latter, the decline is attributed to "the dilapidated condition of houses and fencing, and the wild growths consequent upon the war, together with high taxes," &c. Weakley and Meigs report 40 per cent decline; Rhea and Lincoln, 33; Haywood, 30; Hawkins, Monroe, Polk, Coffee, Perry, 20; Hickman, 16; Bledsoe and Giles, 10; Greene, 3 to 5; while Williamson, Union, and McNairy remain at about the same figure as in 1860. Montgomery reports 2 per cent, increase; Sevier and Campbell, 10 per cent; and Marion from 10 to 15 per cent. Our Rhea correspondent says:—" The great bulk of land in this county for the last 50 years, has been in the hands of a few owners, and it increases in price when there is little tax to be paid, and decreases when the taxes are greater; hence the present decline." The same general causes, however, which have tended to depreciate real estate, and particularly farm lands, in the Southern States, have operated in Tennessee, though not to the same extent, nor is it probable that a return to former values will be so long delayed, there being less necessity to sacrifice, and not so strong a disposition to sell at any price.
PRESENT VALUE OF LANDS.—Wild or unimproved lands are variously quoted, from six cents per acre upward, according to location, quality, and capabilities. Much of this class of lands in the eastern counties is mountainous or hilly, with coves of rich lands, upon which sheep and cattle grow fat from May until September. On these mountain lands there is considerable valuable timber, and when cleared, much of the land is very productive of corn and other crops, and suited to grazing purposes. In Greene County, such lands are worth from 6 cents to $1 per acre; in Hawkins the average is given at $3 per acre; Sevier, 50 cents to $1. In Union, ridge land, thin-soiled, capable of producing 20 bushels of corn, or 8 bushels of wheat, $2.50 per acre; Campbell, $1.50—mountainous, variety of soil, a good portion susceptible of improvement, adapted to the growth of clover, timothy, &c. Lands of the same general character in Monroe and Polk, 50 cents to $1 per acre; $2 per acre—broken, gravelly, and generally poor; Rhea, $1 to $4—varying much in quality, being second bottom, upland, ridge, and mountain lands, generally well timbered, with good water, and healthy, and capable of producing corn, wheat, barley, &c., and excellent for fruits and tobacco. Bledsoe, about 50 cents per acre—soil thin, but good for grazing, and for raising vegetables when cultivated; Marion $1 per acre, in great quantity—red, sandy loam, rich and strong—will produce grain and fruit. Coffee County, $1 to $3, comprising half the county—table-lands—will produce corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, vegetables, &c.; well managed valley and hill lands, without manure, will yield 50 to 60 bushels of corn, and 20 to 25 bushels of wheat to the acre. Lincoln, $1 per acre, embracing an area of 100 square miles—soil thin, needing lime; fruits, especially the peach, grow to perfection; these lands lie 200 to 300 feet above the bed of the Elk River, on which are situated the best lands of the county. Giles—large tracts in timber at from $1 to $5 per acre. In Montgomery, Stewart, and Dickson, there are large tracts of what are called "furnace lands," said by our correspondent to be comparatively valueless, except for coaling and sheep-raising ; they are high and well timbered, however. Hickman reports as low as 25 cents per acre—soil generally thin, but timbered and capable of improvement. Perry, $1 per acre—bottoms level and exceedingly fertile, upland rolling, and tolerably productive; 75 per cent of the whole susceptible of improvement. McNairy, $5 per acre—one-third good bottom, two-thirds for grazing and. timber. Haywood, $3 to $8; the greater portion in the Hatchie and Forked Deer river bottoms subject to overflow, and thus rendered unfit for farming purposes, yet they abound in the finest white-oak and cypress timber; if the rivers could be leveed and the overflow regulated, these bottoms would make the finest farms, the soil being very rich and. fertile. Weakley County, $4 to $15 per acre—capable of producing from 30 to 50 bushels of corn per acre, 600 to 1,000 pounds of tobacco, 15 to 20 bushels of oats, 10 to 20 bushels of wheat, 600 to 1,000 pounds of seed cotton, and vegetables in abundance. In Henry County our correspondent reports little land under this head, the county being well settled up; the price for such as may be found, he averages at $7 per acre.
MINERALS.—The
mineral resources of Tennessee are developed to but a limited extent, though her
hills and mountains contain stores of iron, of coal, and of copper, of zinc, of
sandstone, and of the finest marble, awaiting the capital, enterprise, and
labor, that shall dig out and utilize these dormant mines of wealth. Iron
ore is found in great abundance in nearly all the counties of eastern and middle
Tennessee; copper, in Greene, Sevier, Polk, Perry, and other counties; coal, in
the mountains of Campbell, Rhea, Marion, &c.; some gold is reported in Polk;
salts, in Greene and Hawkins; lead, in Perry; fine marble and building stones,
in Hawkins, Campbell, Monroe, Meigs, Giles, and Williamson; thick stratum of
shale, in Coffee, &c., &c. The timber resources are also extensive, embracing a
great variety, and many of the finest quality of forest-trees—hickory, the
various oaks, poplar, walnut, ash, beech, chestnut, locust, cedar, sugar, pine,
&c., which cover a large portion of the vast tracts classed "wild or unimproved
lands," and to be purchased at the figures named above for such. The soil ranges
from that of the deep rich bottoms, of exhaustless fertility, to light and hilly
uplands, which require high culture to become productive.
IRON,&c.—In a number of counties the
iron interest has been partially developed. In Greene one furnace is in
operation, and a Northern company have purchased several thousand acres of ore
lands, and will soon have extensive works completed. Near the town of
Greeneville there is a bed of sulphate of iron, from which copperas was made
during the war, and where even the clay is impregnated with the mineral. Our
Montgomery correspondent says "that within twenty-five miles of Clarksville
there are from. ten to twenty furnaces lying idle for want of capital; most of
them were burned during the war, and the proprietors being unable to rebuild and
run them, would sell out very low."
The zinc of Greene County is said to be very rich; during the war Epsom salts were also made to some extent in the mountains. In Hawkins, our correspondent states, " there is an underground stream of salt water traversing the valley, which has been tapped at several points, at one of which the manufacture of salt has been successfully prosecuted for a number of years, though not upon a large scale; but it is thought that, with capital and enterprise, it might be made to rival the salt wells of southwestern Virginia in the production of this valuable product. * * * A most beautiful quality of marble is found at various points in this county, one quarry of which was worked to a considerable extent before the war. Much capital might be profitably invested and many laborers usefully employed in the manufacture and preparation for market of the two articles named—salt and marble—as well as iron, the ore of which is present in the mountains." Our Marion correspondent says: " the quantity of bituminous and semi-bituminous coal and iron ore in this county is unlimited, with but little development of the former and none of the latter, though the inducements are great, produce being abundant and transportation good and improving."
A number of our reporters speak of the many eligible waterpower sites to be found upon the innumerable rivers and mountain streams of the State.
Very few counties of this State can be said to make a specialty of any one crop, a mixed husbandry generally prevailing. Wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, sorghum, &c., are grown successfully in all sections, while cotton and tobacco are largely cultivated in some localities. In a majority of counties corn and wheat are the leading crops, the former being fed largely to stock. In Monroe "corn and wheat are the staples; the best hommock and intervale lands produce, with good cultivation, 40 to 50 bushels of corn to the acre, at an average cost of 20 cents per bushel; and when well put in on a good clover sod, wheat yields 15 to 30 bushels, at a cost of $4 per acre, including seed." Corn is made the chief crop, because the surest. Corn is also the specialty in Rhea County; " it requires a man and a horse, on an average, about four days, labor per acre to make corn, and the usual yield is 30 to 35 bushels per acre." Our correspondent says of the profits:—
"This year a man's work four days with horse, &c., would be $6; one acre of corn, say 35 bushels, at 60 cents, $21 ; making a net profit of $15 per acre. A man can easily till 20 acres in corn, giving a net profit of $300, besides harvesting his small grain and hay."
Bledsoe reports 25 bushels corn and six bushels of wheat as the average per acre. Marion "bottom lands yield about 30 bushels of corn, upland 10 bushels, but can be made to produce three times as much by proper cultivation, the mode of culture being of the lowest grade; except in a few instances the soil is not broken up or disturbed below two and a half to three inches, and not two-thirds of the surface." Our Coffee correspondent says:―
"Corn for the rearing and fattening of stock has for some time been our principal crop, and hogs the largest item of profit from it. Wheat, as an article for export, is receiving more attention than formerly."
Stock-raising is also a profitable branch in Williamson County. In Union, "corn pays $10 per acre, wheat $10, oats $3, potatoes $15, and sorghum $30." In Giles County, "cotton has been a specialty for the last three years. With imperfect culture, 1,000 to 1,200 pounds of seed-cotton per acre are produced, but those engaged in the culture for the past two years have found the debtor side of the balance-sheet against them. * * Corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, hemp, flax, tobacco, sorghum, potatoes, &c., grow to perfection; 40 to 50 bushels of corn and 15 to 25 bushels of wheat per acre being raised." McNairy: "Cotton is the special crop, though our soil is well adapted to corn, but not so well for wheat; average yield per acre, 1,000 pounds seed-cotton, 40 bushels corn, 10 bushels wheat; the profit on cotton is small, and more could derived from grain and stock, if attention were turned to them." Lincoln County " Cotton, corn, small grains and blue-grass are the chief crops. Cotton has been grown at a loss the present year. The crop of the county reached 6,000 bales in 1867, but for 1868 it is thought there will not be sufficient land planted to raise 1,000 bales. Our farmers have not recovered their hog crops since the war, in consequence of which, in connection with the closing up of distilleries, we have a large surplus of corn, which is now selling at 25 to 35 cents per bushel, there being no means of cheap transportation. Of forty distilleries in the county not one is now in operation, owing to the heavy expenses under the law." Our Montgomery correspondent writes:—
"Tobacco has been, but stock-raising probably will be, our specialty, as the opinion is now general that there is no money in the former."
In Henry County, tobacco, wheat, and corn, were the chief crops before :the war, but cotton has since taken the place of tobacco, but for the future our correspondent thinks the latter will resume its old position.
"One good hand can cultivate two and a half acres of tobacco, 15 acres of corn, 10 acres of wheat, three acres of herds-grass, and one in late potatoes, with the following result:—
21 acres tobacco, at 1,000 lbs. per acre, 2,500 lbs. at 8 cents. $200
15 acres corn, at 40 bushels per acre, 600 bushels, at 40 cents. 240
10 acres wheat, at 8 bushels per acre, 80 bushels, at $1.50 120
3 acres grass, 3,000 lbs. per acre, 9,000 lbs., at cent 45
1 acre potatoes, 60 bushels per acre, at 75 cents 45
$650
Estimated expenses not more than 150
$500
"The labor to raise the two and a half acres of tobacco is not more than is usually required to raise that amount of corn, but the labor in suckering and worming is much greater. The great advantage in raising this crop lies in the fact that the corn crop is harvested before there is much to do with the tobacco, except planting. You house it about the first of September, at which time you are ready to sow your wheat; by the first of October all farmers ought to have their wheat in, and be ready to gather the corn; this done, your tobacco is ready for stripping and preparing for market, so that an industrious farmer can all the time be busily engaged with his crops, except a few weeks in the winter."
Peanuts are extensively grown in Perry County, yielding from 50 to 100 bushels per acre, worth from $1 to $3 per bushel, while the haulm is preferred by horses and cattle to any other kind of fodder. One hand can cultivate, gather, &c., from first of May to first of December, 10 acres of these nuts. Our Henry correspondent writes as follows:—
"There is no finer fruit region than that embraced by the State of Tennessee. Our winters are cold enough to put a stop to vegetation sufficiently long to enable the tree to recuperate, and yet not so severe as to endanger the life of any but the tenderest species. Apples, peaches, pears, quinces, plums, cherries, apricots, nectarines, figs, grapes, berries, melons, &c., may be raised with the greatest ease in abundance. Wild grapes are found in vast quantities in the ridge and mountain lands, and also upon the table-lands, upon which in some counties, they grow better than upon the hills. Cultivated varieties have been successfully grown in some localities, while in others the results have been indifferent, and in some cases, discouraging."
CORRESPONDENCE.
From Covington,, Tipton County, Mr. PEYTON J. SMITH writes us as follows:―
We have a very rich, warm soil, very productive. Corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, grasses, clover, peas, pumpkins, melons, vegetables, and roots generally, grow to perfection. Tobacco does well. Cotton grows finely, and has been the main staple with us. Our county is mostly ridge land, very rich. Our Hatchee and Mississippi River bottom lands are unsurpassed for fertility, and are very healthy. Best improved farms near this place, $20 to $30 per acre, but good farms can be bought for from $8 to $15 per acre farther out. Woodlands can be bought at from $2.50 to $8, all excellent, tillable land. * * * We are exceedingly anxious to have more white labor; we are sadly in need of skilled labor. Farm laborers can readily get from $15 to $20 per month the year round. * * * The general health of our country is as good as that of any other I know of. * * * We have no coal or minerals, but we have the finest and largest timber in our forests I know of this side of California. * * * We have fine schools in every neighborhood. A majority of our county population are natives of Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina; a goodly number of Northern men have settled here since the war, and are well received and doing well. We, as a people, are exceedingly anxious to have our forests cleared up and settled by industrious white people, and every advantage is shown them by our citizens. We have homes, and food, and labor, for 5,000 immigrants, and a welcome for them. * * *
Mr. JOHN P. LONG, of Chattanooga, in a letter of August 8th, 1868, says:—
* * * * Laborers' are in demand for farm labor, skilled mechanics, and house servants. * * * * Mountain lands, well wooded and fertile, can be had for $1 per acre; valley lands from $3 to $20. There are no public lands in this country subject to entry. * * * * In her mineral resources this section is unrivaled. The principal feature is coal and iron. * * * * The price of corn has ruled this year from 80 cents to $1, and wheat from $1.75 to $2. Religious and school advantages good. * * * * Capital and industry well directed can not fail to meet its just reward, and I have the testimony of hundreds of Northern men that, in regard to climate, this region is unrivaled. * * *
Mr. J. T. MILLS writes from Gallatin, August 7th, 1868:―
* * * * The average value of land in this State is $7 per acre, and of this county (Sumner) $10. * * * * There is a constantly increasing demand for intelligent white labor. * * Fully nine-tenths of the population of Tennessee are natives of the United States. The foreigners are nearly all Germans and Irish, who generally live in the cities and large towns.
Mr. J. C. MINKLER writes from
Madisonville, August 6th, 1868:—
* * * We have some very fine river bottom lands at from $15 to $50 per acre, and the mountain lands can be had from $3 to $10 per acre. The climate and soil is the best I ever saw for the culture of grapes. * * * * The Georgia and East Tennessee Railroad runs across the county for 15 miles.
Mr. JAMES PYBASS, of Bolivar, says, August 5th, 1868:—
* * * * Lands, very good, price about $10 per acre. We need. people of small capital that work. * * School and religious advantages as good as any in America. Population nearly all American.
Mr. C. H. JONES thus writes, August 7th, 1868, from Clarksville, Montgomery County:—
* * * * Price of lands range from 50 cents to $6 per acre, suitable for sheep-raising, situated in remote parts of this and Stewart County. Farming lands are worth from $10 to $60 per acre, according to soil, location, &c. * * * * Farm labor is needed, and commands from $8 to $25 per month, board and lodging included. Gardeners and other help is wanted, such as cooks, &c., and liberal wages will be paid for same. Climate and healthfulness unsurpassed by any of the States. Iron and timber abound, and plenty of coal contiguous. Tobacco, wheat, and. corn, are the prevailing crops, and command good prices and ready sale in this market. Our facilities of transportation are railroad, river, and wagon. Schools and churches convenient in almost all neighborhoods. The population consists mostly of natives, interspersed with Irish and Germans.
The Postmaster at Bell's Depot, Haywood County, writes, August 1st, 1868:―
Our county is diversified, mostly rich, level land, producing, on an average, 6 bbls. corn, or 800 lbs. seed-cotton, or 15 bushels wheat. Price from $20 to $30 per acre. * * All kinds of labor in demand; farm hands get $25 per month, carpenters from $2 to $3.50 per day. * * The greatest demand of this county is for manufactories. * * * *
From Shelbyville, Mr. CHARLES W. CHURCHILL writes, August 10th, 1868:―
Our county (Shelby) is the fourth richest county in the State, and affords peculiar advantages to emigrants, as every post‑office in the county is on good roads, and easily accessible to railroads. Good farm hands get from $1.50 to $2 per day; the supply is rather limited at present. I think, throughout the country, that general laborers will be more acceptable than any other class, as there are a good many roads now in progress.
* * * Its schools and religious advantages are better than a great many other cities of much larger population.
A letter from the Treasurer's office of the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap, and Charleston Railroad Company, says:—
* * * * We are making every effort we can to form and get up an Emigration Society in East Tennessee, and think we shall be able to accomplish the end in view.
Messrs. ARRINGTON, FARRAR & WEAKLEY, of Nashville, say:—
* * * Mr. Weakley, of our firm, has been in nearly all the Southern States, and thinks he has seen in none, soil or mate that will compare with Tennessee. * * * * We want white labor; send them to us; they will get good wages, and if they wish lands, can buy them cheap. * * * *
Mr. W. B. DONAHO, of Memphis (August 24th, 1868), writes:—
* * * * Let me say to you that never did such fields present for the readiest and largest remuneration to capital and enterprise as now in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, in farming lands, manufacturing, or mineral property. * * * *
Mr. W. H. STILWELL, Postmaster at Humboldt, says, August 8th, 1868 :—
* * * * Labor is needed. White men should come to buy homes and to cultivate them; though any class, even the poorest, will find constant employment; wages $15 to $20 per month, or $1 per day, with board. But we need men who can buy small farms and work them. Only about one-eighth of our land is in cultivation, and every acre is capable of tillage. Land —wild—is worth from $10 to $20 per acre in the western division of the State. Cultivated and improved, $20 to $30. Many second class lands can be had much lower. * * * * Our people need immigration; the vast tracts of unclaimed and fertile lands need opening and cultivation. * * * * No more inviting field can be found.
Mr. H. H. INGERSOLL, writing from Greenville, Greene County, August 5th, 1868, says:―
The air is pure, free from any miasmatic vapors; chills and fever almost unknown. The heat and cold are neither so extreme as in the Northern States. There is a cool mountain breeze, and nights never too hot for refreshing sleep. Cool springs are numerous, &c. * * * *
I am a Northern man; born and reared in Ohio: have settled here since the war, and I take pleasure in assuring you that East Tennessee is favorable to Northern immigration. We are cheerfully received, and welcomed. The "Southern feeling," is gone from here, except it lingers in the minds of a few fossils, who are "longing for the flesh-pots of Egypt." Further: In all my life, I have never been in a more quiet, peaceable, law-abiding community than where I now live, Massachusetts not excepted. Mind, I speak now in this letter of East Tennessee. Affairs in the other parts of the State, I know, are not what one could desire, but even there, a little time will make all right.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.