Age of Jackson
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Read more about town life in Tennessee towns during this time.
Many different kinds of people made their homes in towns. For example, Kate Carney grew up in Murfreesboro. As a teenager from a wealthy family, she enjoyed attending music classes at a local female academy. She spent a lot of time visiting shops on the town square with her friends. Carney liked to take long walks around town for fun.
Henry lived in Franklin, TN. He was a slave owned by John Bennett. However, he did not live on his owner’s farm. Instead, Henry lived in town and worked for a variety of employers. His owner hired him out to employers like a butcher, but Henry also seems to have secured some part-time jobs to make money for himself. For example, he cleaned and cut firewood for a grocery store in Franklin. Henry had a variety of friends in town. Even though he was a slave, he maintained substantial control over his daily life.
Edmund Cooper began work at a store in Columbia owned by a relative when he was only fourteen. During the day, he was responsible for helping to keep the store clean, bargaining with customers, and other duties. At night, he had free time. Cooper belonged to organizations like a debating club. He participated in a political organization that featured colorful military uniforms and that marched in political parades.
John S. Fielder owned a store in Lexington, TN. He specialized in medicines and books, but also sold things like candles, licorice, and pocketknives. In addition to running his business, Fielder also found time to write poetry. Read one of his poems addressed to “Miss Amanda” below.
“To Miss Amanda”
How swiftly time has passed away,
Since the hour, when first we met,
It seems as though twere but a day,
Yet that hour I never shall forget.
Me thought I saw in thy sun-lit eye,
and expression so mild and charming,
that angels ne’er co[u]ld the goodness out vi[e]
of a heart so pure and enduring.
Me though while I gazed on thy beautiful form
That angels, wo[u]ld ever watch over thee,
That God would protect thee from every harm,
And guide thee to realms of glory.
Ah! yes, when the last departing ray,
of life, shall from thee be driven,
May thy heaven born sp[i]r[i]t be borne away,
By convoy of angels to heaven—
Picture Credits:
- A photograph of Katherine Carney, also known as Kate, as she sits in a Victorian hall chair wearing a black hoop. The location and date are unknown. The photograph has been hand colored. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 2009.105.2.2
- A photograph of John S. Fielder of Lexington, Tennessee. Date unknown. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 1996.20.274.1
Age of Jackson >> Tennessee's People >> How They Lived >> Town Life
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