Photo courtesy of the McClung Historical Collection
The McCallie family’s roots in the Boyds Creek area date back to Revolutionary War times. However, by the 1860s Andrew Jackson McCallie had moved south to Bradley County, where his thriving farm was ruined during the Civil War. Offered a job back in Boyds Creek, A.J., his wife Harriet Cunningham McCallie and their nine children returned here in wagons pulled by old war horses. They worked hard. In 1869 they moved into “the McCroskey place,” which included their own land and an old log house that had reportedly been built with help from friendly Cherokees. One son, Joseph Madison (J.M.) McCallie, wrote a delightful little memoir full of happy and amusing childhood memories. All 10 children were well educated. Eventually, six of the seven boys earned doctorates and undertook prestigious careers elsewhere. Two of the sons taught at McCroskey School, earning the school a stellar reputation. One of them, John, went on to become superintendent of Knox County schools. Dr. J.M. McCallie became director of research and educational efficiency for Trenton, N.J. schools and invented an audiometer and vision testing apparatus for students.
In 1891, their 10 children having left home, A.J. and Harriet, seen here in front of their house, sold the farm and contents. Terms of the farm sale were cash for anything under $5, and six months to pay on everything over $5 “with security.”
Learn more about the McCallies and other local families in From the Mouth of Boyds Creek – A History of Seymour, TN and the Boyds Creek Valley. Although the first printing is sold out, more books will be available by mid-November. Pre-orders are now being taken. All proceeds benefit Friends of Seymour Library, a non-profit organization that supports Williams Family Seymour Branch Library.
To pre-order or to be notified at publication, contact Colleen Shannon at bakhome@earthlink.net or Anna Garber at annadgarber@gmail.com.
Price is $25.00 plus $5.00 for shipping.
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