Individual Details
Weatherston Shelton Greer
(May 31, 1800 - March 31, 1870)
"Weatherston Shelton Greer was born in the year 1800, in Franklin County, Virginia. He married about the year 1820, Mary Kyle, who was born in 1803 in Ireland. After their marriage this couple made their home in Virginia until about 1835, when they removed to Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County (now Cumberland), Tennessee. In 1838 Weatherston S. Greer obtained a grant for a large tract of land in Grassy Cove and in this beautiful valley he lived until some time during the War Between the States, when he moved south into Sequatchie valley, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He died in 1870 and is buried in Bledson County, at Wesley chapel." ("Leaves From the Family Tree," from The Chattanooga Sunday Times, October 11, 1936, by Penelope Johnson Allen.)
"Witherston Shelton Greer married Mary Kyle, November 26, 1820, and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, in 1838. He kept a post office called Grassy Cove in Bledsoe County. Witherston Shelton Greer and his wife, Mary Kyle had issue: William, Thomas, Moses, Samuel, Henry Clay, Witherston S., and probably others." (PIONEER FAMILIES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1935 by Marshall Wingfield, pages 88 and 90, taken from "The Genealogy of the Greer Family" by Joseph Hampton Greer, page 6.) (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: Samuel listed above is apparently not listed in the Bible records, as shown below, or in any other lists of Weatherston and Mary Greer children.)
"Weathertun Shelton Greer was born in Franklin County, Virginia, May 31, 1800; died at Pikesville, Tennessee, March 31, 1870, where he is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. In 1830, he purchased 292 acres of land in Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, along the George Gordon Turnpike, near his uncle, John Fitch Greer. Here, he established the "Stockmen's Inn;" secured rights for a gristmill to provide shelter and food for travelers and their livestock. His many slaves cultivated the land, amounting to 1500 acres, which were sold in 1868 to Lorenzo Stratton, of Catteraugus County, New York, for $9500.00. Since there were no school where he could send his children, he provided one of his own; employed a tutor to take care of their early training. Later on, they were sent to Mars Hill Academy, at Sulphur Springs in Rhea County; to New Market, to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and to Burritt College, Spencer, Tennessee. He married in Franklin County, Virginia November 26, 1820, Mary Kyle, born in 1803, who had come from Ireland with her uncle, Mr. Calhoun, to escape tuberculosis that was then prevalent." (GREGOR, MacGREGOR, MacGHEE, MAGRUDER, GRIERSON, GRIER, GREER --- A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ABOVE FAMILIES AND MANY OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, "Greer Family Originating in Maryland," compiled by Robert M. Torrence, A.B., F.G.S.P., F.I.A.G., 110 Edgevale Road Baltimore 10, Maryland, page 184.)
"Weatherston Shelton Greer, was born May 31, 1800, in Frankin County, Virginia. On November 26, 1820 he married Mary Kyle in Franklin County, Virginia. Mary Kyle came to America from Ireland with her uncle ______ Calhoun. Her parents never came, but sent their children, that they might escape tuberculosis. Other members of the family had died with it.
"Weatherston Shelton Greer lived in Franklin County, Virginia until about 1830, when he bought 292 acres of alnd in Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, near his uncle John F. Greer. Grassy Cove was part of Bledsoe County that was cut off to form Cumberland County. The land he bought was located on the George Gordon Turnpike at the foot of the mountain; where the road enters the cove. Here Weatherston Greer established the Stockmans Inn. This was a favorite stopping place for Drovers on their way from Kentucky to Middle Tennessee, Georgia, and the Deep South. Droves of mules, cattle, hogs, and even turkeys would stop there for the night. Ample accomodations for these, in a large barn made of logs 100 by 46 feet. A tall gate was place at the Inn and a small box was provided for the travellers to drop in the toll and go on their way. There was also a post office there, named Grassy Cove, Tennessee, which was kept by Weatherston Greer. An old stage coach line used Stockmans Inn, known as Greer's Stand and Gordons Turnpike.
"During this time many notable persons stayed all night at the Inn. Sequatchee River rises in Grassy Cove and flows through the mountains coming out at the head of Sequatchee Valley about six miles away. Where this river sinks in the ground, is where Weatherston Greer built and operated a grist mill and also a "Still" where he made apple brandy.
"Weatherston Greer cultivated a great deal of land in Grassy Cove, raising feed to keep the great droves of animals and fowls which spent the night at the stand. For doing this he had to have a great deal of labor, so he accumulated a large number of slaves, which were freed during the Civil War.
"There was no school in Grassy Cove. It became necessary to either provide a school for his children or send them away to school. He did provide a school building where his children were taught. Also he sent his children away for higher education. One son attended Mars Hill Academy at Sulphur Springs in Rhea County; one attended school at New Market, Tennessee and another went to Barrett College, Spence, Tennessee. Others, no doubt attended college at other places.
"Until 1856 Pikeville was the county seat to which it was necesary to go to attend legal business. In that year Cumberland County was formed and the north end of Bledsoe County was made a part of it. After that time Crossville had become the County seat to which one from Grassy Cove must go to attend to legal affairs. By the means of travel at that time, it took a long time to make a trip from Grassy Cove to Pikeville. Most of the time a night was spent on the road at the house of a farmer.
"When came the Civil War. Clay Greer and Weatherston Greer, Jr. though lately married joined the Confederate Army. They enlisted August 5, 1861 at Knoxville in Company D Regiment of Cavalry. After the first year, Weatherston Greer became Captain of his Company but was captured in Greene County, Tennessee on October 1, 1863. He stayed in prison the remainder of the war and was released at Johnson's Island, Ohio June 11, 1865 on taking the oath of allegiance to the United States. Clay Greer remained in the army until May 1865, when he surrendered near Jonesboro, Tennessee." (From Mrs. Mary A. Raulston, Star Route, Monteagle, Tennessee, who says some of the information was compiled by Sylvester Greer, Dixiana, Alabama, dated August 15, 1937, as shown in the papers of Martha V. Harris of Phoenix, Arizona, about 1956.)
(NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: Most, if not all, of the informtaion about the family and descendants of Weatherston Shelton and Mary (Kyle) Greer was taken from the article, "Leaves From the Family Tree," from The Chattanooga Sunday Times, October 11, 1936, by Penelope Johnson Allen. There are some photographs of some of the Greer family included in this article. Part of this genealogy was repeated in GREGOR, MacGREGOR, MacGHEE, MAGRUDER, GRIERSON, GRIER, GREER --- A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ABOVE FAMILIES AND MANY OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, "Greer Family Originating in Maryland," compiled by Robert M. Torrence, A.B., F.G.S.P., F.I.A.G., with additions and, in some cases, deletions. At least some of the information about the family of Weatherston Shelton and Mary Greer was taken from the William Greer Bible in possession of John W. Greer, Kingston Springs, Tennessee. J. B. Bell has given the basic information on the family (only) of Weatherston Shelton Greer in his book, GREER KINSMEN, 1986, page 25a, and shows his source to be the William Greer Bible and the research notes of Mrs. Russell (Margaret) Bailey, Coffeeville, Mississippi. Was the remainder of the information (that not in the Bible) which was used in "Leaves From the Family Tree," compiled by Penelope Johnson Allen, who was State Chairman of Genealogical Records, Tennessee Society, D. A. R. in 1936, or was it compiled by someone else, originally? An earlier article, also under the heading, "Leaves From the Family Tree," 1934 (or 1936), as pointed out by Robert M. Torrence is the earliest printing of the tradition of William Greer (supposed son of John Greer, the immigrant) immigrating from England, rather than being born in America. The information, however, that was written by Joseph Hampton Greer and preserved by his son, John Franklin Greer, was worked up about 1914, and used as basic material for "The Greer Family" in PIONEER FAMILIES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA by Marshall Wingfield in 1935. This tradition has been, to the belief of most Greer researcher, been proven as incorrect, due to the will of William Greer's father-in-law.)
"Witherston Shelton Greer married Mary Kyle, November 26, 1820, and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, in 1838. He kept a post office called Grassy Cove in Bledsoe County. Witherston Shelton Greer and his wife, Mary Kyle had issue: William, Thomas, Moses, Samuel, Henry Clay, Witherston S., and probably others." (PIONEER FAMILIES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1935 by Marshall Wingfield, pages 88 and 90, taken from "The Genealogy of the Greer Family" by Joseph Hampton Greer, page 6.) (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: Samuel listed above is apparently not listed in the Bible records, as shown below, or in any other lists of Weatherston and Mary Greer children.)
"Weathertun Shelton Greer was born in Franklin County, Virginia, May 31, 1800; died at Pikesville, Tennessee, March 31, 1870, where he is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. In 1830, he purchased 292 acres of land in Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, along the George Gordon Turnpike, near his uncle, John Fitch Greer. Here, he established the "Stockmen's Inn;" secured rights for a gristmill to provide shelter and food for travelers and their livestock. His many slaves cultivated the land, amounting to 1500 acres, which were sold in 1868 to Lorenzo Stratton, of Catteraugus County, New York, for $9500.00. Since there were no school where he could send his children, he provided one of his own; employed a tutor to take care of their early training. Later on, they were sent to Mars Hill Academy, at Sulphur Springs in Rhea County; to New Market, to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and to Burritt College, Spencer, Tennessee. He married in Franklin County, Virginia November 26, 1820, Mary Kyle, born in 1803, who had come from Ireland with her uncle, Mr. Calhoun, to escape tuberculosis that was then prevalent." (GREGOR, MacGREGOR, MacGHEE, MAGRUDER, GRIERSON, GRIER, GREER --- A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ABOVE FAMILIES AND MANY OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, "Greer Family Originating in Maryland," compiled by Robert M. Torrence, A.B., F.G.S.P., F.I.A.G., 110 Edgevale Road Baltimore 10, Maryland, page 184.)
"Weatherston Shelton Greer, was born May 31, 1800, in Frankin County, Virginia. On November 26, 1820 he married Mary Kyle in Franklin County, Virginia. Mary Kyle came to America from Ireland with her uncle ______ Calhoun. Her parents never came, but sent their children, that they might escape tuberculosis. Other members of the family had died with it.
"Weatherston Shelton Greer lived in Franklin County, Virginia until about 1830, when he bought 292 acres of alnd in Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, near his uncle John F. Greer. Grassy Cove was part of Bledsoe County that was cut off to form Cumberland County. The land he bought was located on the George Gordon Turnpike at the foot of the mountain; where the road enters the cove. Here Weatherston Greer established the Stockmans Inn. This was a favorite stopping place for Drovers on their way from Kentucky to Middle Tennessee, Georgia, and the Deep South. Droves of mules, cattle, hogs, and even turkeys would stop there for the night. Ample accomodations for these, in a large barn made of logs 100 by 46 feet. A tall gate was place at the Inn and a small box was provided for the travellers to drop in the toll and go on their way. There was also a post office there, named Grassy Cove, Tennessee, which was kept by Weatherston Greer. An old stage coach line used Stockmans Inn, known as Greer's Stand and Gordons Turnpike.
"During this time many notable persons stayed all night at the Inn. Sequatchee River rises in Grassy Cove and flows through the mountains coming out at the head of Sequatchee Valley about six miles away. Where this river sinks in the ground, is where Weatherston Greer built and operated a grist mill and also a "Still" where he made apple brandy.
"Weatherston Greer cultivated a great deal of land in Grassy Cove, raising feed to keep the great droves of animals and fowls which spent the night at the stand. For doing this he had to have a great deal of labor, so he accumulated a large number of slaves, which were freed during the Civil War.
"There was no school in Grassy Cove. It became necessary to either provide a school for his children or send them away to school. He did provide a school building where his children were taught. Also he sent his children away for higher education. One son attended Mars Hill Academy at Sulphur Springs in Rhea County; one attended school at New Market, Tennessee and another went to Barrett College, Spence, Tennessee. Others, no doubt attended college at other places.
"Until 1856 Pikeville was the county seat to which it was necesary to go to attend legal business. In that year Cumberland County was formed and the north end of Bledsoe County was made a part of it. After that time Crossville had become the County seat to which one from Grassy Cove must go to attend to legal affairs. By the means of travel at that time, it took a long time to make a trip from Grassy Cove to Pikeville. Most of the time a night was spent on the road at the house of a farmer.
"When came the Civil War. Clay Greer and Weatherston Greer, Jr. though lately married joined the Confederate Army. They enlisted August 5, 1861 at Knoxville in Company D Regiment of Cavalry. After the first year, Weatherston Greer became Captain of his Company but was captured in Greene County, Tennessee on October 1, 1863. He stayed in prison the remainder of the war and was released at Johnson's Island, Ohio June 11, 1865 on taking the oath of allegiance to the United States. Clay Greer remained in the army until May 1865, when he surrendered near Jonesboro, Tennessee." (From Mrs. Mary A. Raulston, Star Route, Monteagle, Tennessee, who says some of the information was compiled by Sylvester Greer, Dixiana, Alabama, dated August 15, 1937, as shown in the papers of Martha V. Harris of Phoenix, Arizona, about 1956.)
(NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: Most, if not all, of the informtaion about the family and descendants of Weatherston Shelton and Mary (Kyle) Greer was taken from the article, "Leaves From the Family Tree," from The Chattanooga Sunday Times, October 11, 1936, by Penelope Johnson Allen. There are some photographs of some of the Greer family included in this article. Part of this genealogy was repeated in GREGOR, MacGREGOR, MacGHEE, MAGRUDER, GRIERSON, GRIER, GREER --- A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ABOVE FAMILIES AND MANY OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, "Greer Family Originating in Maryland," compiled by Robert M. Torrence, A.B., F.G.S.P., F.I.A.G., with additions and, in some cases, deletions. At least some of the information about the family of Weatherston Shelton and Mary Greer was taken from the William Greer Bible in possession of John W. Greer, Kingston Springs, Tennessee. J. B. Bell has given the basic information on the family (only) of Weatherston Shelton Greer in his book, GREER KINSMEN, 1986, page 25a, and shows his source to be the William Greer Bible and the research notes of Mrs. Russell (Margaret) Bailey, Coffeeville, Mississippi. Was the remainder of the information (that not in the Bible) which was used in "Leaves From the Family Tree," compiled by Penelope Johnson Allen, who was State Chairman of Genealogical Records, Tennessee Society, D. A. R. in 1936, or was it compiled by someone else, originally? An earlier article, also under the heading, "Leaves From the Family Tree," 1934 (or 1936), as pointed out by Robert M. Torrence is the earliest printing of the tradition of William Greer (supposed son of John Greer, the immigrant) immigrating from England, rather than being born in America. The information, however, that was written by Joseph Hampton Greer and preserved by his son, John Franklin Greer, was worked up about 1914, and used as basic material for "The Greer Family" in PIONEER FAMILIES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA by Marshall Wingfield in 1935. This tradition has been, to the belief of most Greer researcher, been proven as incorrect, due to the will of William Greer's father-in-law.)
Events
| Birth | May 31, 1800 | Franklin County, Virginia | |||
| Marriage | November 26, 1820 | Franklin County, Virginia - Mary Kyle | |||
| Death | March 31, 1870 | Pikeville, Bledsoe County, Tennessee | |||
| Burial | Wesley Chapel, near Pikeville, Bledsoe County, Tennessee |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Kyle (1803 - 1886) |
| Child | William Henry "Billy" Greer (1821 - 1908) |
| Child | Elizabeth Charlotte Greer (1823 - 1894) |
| Child | Harriett Ann Greer (1825 - 1897) |
| Child | Emily Calloway Greer (1827 - 1899) |
| Child | Moses Callaway Greer (1829 - 1914) |
| Child | Weatherston Shelton Greer Jr. (1832 - 1909) |
| Child | Thomas Greer ( - ) |
| Child | Henry Clay Greer (1839 - 1914) |
| Father | Moses Greer Jr. (1768 - 1848) |
| Mother | Susannah Wood (1776 - 1857) |
| Sibling | Samuel Wood Greer (1797 - 1881) |
| Sibling | Sarah "Sallie" Greer (1803 - ) |
| Sibling | Nancy F. Greer (1806 - 1854) |
| Sibling | Charlotte Greer (1808 - 1871) |
| Sibling | Catherine "Kitty" Greer (1811 - 1865) |
| Sibling | Moses Carper Greer (1814 - 1894) |
| Sibling | Thomas Steven Greer (1817 - 1848) |
| Sibling | William Walter John Greer (1820 - 1884) |