Person Page

     Nathaniel Harper was born circa 1812 in Virginia.^1,2 He married first Unknown ?.³ Nathaniel Harper married second Susan Nokes, daughter of Daniel Coleman Mullins and Oridema Lyle, circa 1852. Nathaniel died of disease of the lungs in June 1871 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹ He was interred on 21 June 1871 in City Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.¹

     Nathaniel was employed as a tailor in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.

     Nathaniel was also known as Nat.

     In an interview with Bessie Harper by Dick Hulan it was stated that Nathaniel was married previously and had a son named Andy.

     The following information was found in the Nashville City Directory concerning Nathaniel.⁴


     In the Census of 1860 enumerated 7 June 1860, Nathaniel Harper was listed as a head of household in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 45, occupation as a Tailor with no property value listed, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Susan Harper, James Thomas Harper, Ida ?, Sarah Ann Mullins, Mary J. Nokes and William H. Nokes.²

     Susan Mullins was born in August 1811 in Short Mountain in Warren Co., Tennessee.^2,3,4,5,6 She married first Thomas Nokes Jr., son of Thomas Nokes, before 1835. She married second Nathaniel Harper circa 1852. Susan died of old age on 3 July 1886 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 74.⁷ She was interred on 4 July 1886 in City Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.²

     Susan was also known as Susanah.

     Susan is probably the oldest daughter of Daniel Coleman Mullins and Oridema Lyle of the Short Mountain area of Cannon Co., Tennessee. There are several facts that when taken together leads me to this conclusion.

1. A tape interview with Bessie (Harper) Hulan, a granddaughter of Susan's, indicated that Susan was the oldest of a large family of about 10 children from the Short Mountain area of Cannon Co. This tape is in the possession of Dick Hulan.⁶

2. On the 1820 Warren Co., Tennessee census there is an unidentified female in the age range of less than 10. Susan was born circa 1813 based on census records and cemetery records or Aug 1811 based on a taped interview with Bessie Hulan, Susan's granddaughter. Cannon Co. was formed from Warren Co. and other in 1836. The Short Mountain area in Cannon Co. is near the border of Warren Co.

3. This female does not appear in the household of Daniel C. Mullins in the 1840 Cannon Co. Census. I have been unable to find Daniel in the 1830 Census. Susan married her first husband, Thomas Nokes, circa 1835.

4. Thomas Nokes died before June 1847. In the settlement of his estate on 28 June 1847, recorded in the June term of 1849, there are settlement payments to David Mullins and to John W. Mullins, both sons of Daniel Coleman Mullins and Oridema Lyle.⁸

5. In the 1850 Cannon Co. Census, Susan is listed as Susanah along with her Nokes children Martha, Mary, Sarah, and William and with a Milton Mullins and a Sarah Ann Mullins both of an age that they could possibly be unidentified children of Daniel and Oridema enumerated in the 1840 Cannon Co. Census. This, however, cannot be certain. They may be of some other relation.

6. In the 1860 Davidson Co. Census, Sarah is listed with her second husband, Nathaniel Harper, her Nokes children Mary and William, Sarah Ann Mullins from above, and an Ida Mullins age 70. This could possibly be Oridema.

7. In the scrapbook of Ida Vanetta (McMurray) Harper, wife of James Thomas Harper, was a newspaper article date October 28, 1868, from The Tyler Reporter (Texas) concerning the sudden death of Capt. W. H. Mullins of the law firm of Long & Mullins, by suicide. It states that he was from Tennessee and 34 years of age making him born in 1834. This matches another son of Daniel and Oridema, William H. Mullins born ca. 1834. This article must have been in the possession of James Thomas Harper who probably obtained from his mother Susan and was added to Ida's scrapbook sometime after their marriage in 1872. This would be a strong indication that W. H. Mullins was probably a brother of Susan's and an uncle of James Thomas.⁹

     These facts when taken together leads me to believe that Susan was the oldest daughter of Daniel Coleman Mullins and Oridema Lyle.

     In the Chancery Court of Cannon County are several entries in a case involving Medford Caffey and Susan Nokes, William B. Nokes, the children of Susan Nokes. To summarize the proceedings, they seem to center around the challenge of title rights to three parcels of land purchased by Thomas Nokes from Medford Caffey, one of which was sold by Thomas Nokes to David M. Jarret and the other two sold by Thomas Nokes to William B. Nokes. The final decision of the court was award of the titles to the said parcel of lands to David M. Jarret and William B. Nokes, and Medford Caffey ordered to pay the court costs.¹⁰

     There is an entry in the Cannon Co. Deed Books of the sale of 15 acres in the 6th District to Susan Harper, Administratrix of Thomas Nokes, 15 September 1856.¹¹

     Susan had to take care of the Hickman children, George and Thomas, after the death of their mother, Susan's daughter Mary. Mary is said to lost her mind and died after her baby daughter was born.⁶ This baby daughter does not appear in any of the census with the family and perhaps was still-born or died shortly after death which may have contributed to Mary's mental condition.

     Susan was a school teacher for 45 years of her life. She taught in Woodbury, Cannon Co., Tennessee, and also in Nashville during the Civil War. She taught at a private school (pay school). At one time she was teaching in a little log cabin near Cedar Grove Church out of Lebanon. Her farm was just five miles out of Lebanon on Hunter's Farm Pike. It is said that she could sing like a lark and if she had been a man she would have been a preacher.⁶

     In Brown's History of Woodbury and Cannon County, Tenn. he describes a store operated by Bates and Hume that was located in part of a house "now occupied by Mrs. Quarles." He states "Many years agor Mrs. Harper taught school there, at which time (it being the custom of the country) she taught her pubils Geography by having them to sing the names of the Capitols of the States and the river upon which they were situated. Thus: "Maine, Augusta, on the Kennebeck River; Vermont, Montpelier, on the Onion River; New Hamptshire, Concord, on the Merrimac River," etc."¹²

     In the Census of 1850 enumerated 8 September 1850, Susan Nokes was listed as a head of household in Cannon Co., Tennessee. She was listed at age 38, occupation as a teacher with property value of $330, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Martha Ann Nokes, Mary J. Nokes, Sarah Nokes, William H. Nokes, Milton Jasper Mullins and Sarah Ann Mullins.³

     Susan Harper was listed at age 51, born in Virginia, occupation as a high school teacher, as a member of the household of Nathaniel Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860 enumerated 7 June 1860.⁴

     Susan Mullins was listed at age 55, born in Tennessee, occupation as a school teacher, as a member of the household of George W. Hickman in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1870 enumerated 30 June 1870.¹³

     In the Census of 1880 enumerated 12 June 1880, Susan Mullins was listed as head of household in Wilson Co., Tennessee. She was listed at age 68, occupation as a school teacher, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Coltharp, George W. Hickman and Thomas N. Hickman.¹⁴

     James Thomas Harper was born on 16 March 1853 in Cannon Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Ida Vanetta McMurry, daughter of William Clark McMurry and Hannah Elizabeth Sloan, on 4 January 1872 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^7,8 James died on 27 December 1935 in Bedford Co., Tennessee, at age 82.^1,9,7 He was interred on 30 December 1935 in Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee.^1,9

     In the 1873 Nashville City Directory, James T. Harper is listed as a carpenter with home at 449 S. Market.¹⁰ Thomas was a cabinetmaker and made custom architectural millwork in Nashville.¹¹

     His father-in-law, William McMurray gave him his walnut schoolmaster desk. Thomas kept it in his cabinetry shop just off Church Street in downtown Nashville as an office desk. There was a fire in which Thomas lost a good bit of lumber and equipment. The desk was scorched but he saved it and just painted over the scorch marks. It eventually went to Bess and she gave it to her son Roy (Leroy). It currently is in the possession of Dick Hulan.¹²

     James Thomas Harper was listed at age 7, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of Nathaniel Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860 enumerated 7 June 1860.²

     In the Census of 1870 James Thomas Harper was listed in the household of C. H. Calicut in Obion Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 18, occupation as a farm laborer, born in Tennessee.¹³

     James Thomas Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 5 June 1900, in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 47, occupation as a carpenter, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Vanetta Harper, Launa Myrtle Jones, Pearl Harper, Jessie Kidder Harper, Frank Omohundro Harper and Laurel Augusta Harper.³

     James Thomas Harper was listed as father-in-law at age 57, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Caldwell, Sumner Co., Kansas, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 15 April 1910.⁴

     J. T. Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 5 January 1920, in Hillsboro, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 66, occupation as carpenter, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Vanetta Harper.⁵

     J. T. Harper was listed as father-in-law at age 77, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     James' obituary:

     James Thomas Harper, 82, died Friday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. H. Hulan and Mr. Hulan in Shelbyville. Despite his advance age, Mr. Harper was in fairly good health and active until his latest illness which was only a few days duration. He had suffered for some time with heart trouble which was the immediate cause of his death. Since the death of his wife about two years ago, Mr. Harper had made his home here with his daughter, Mrs. Hulan and another daughter, Mrs. George Davidson of Dickson.
     Mr. Harper was a resident of Nashville until a few years ago where he was a prominent contractor and architect. He was a devout member of the Church of Christ and was a elder for years in the activities of his church. Funeral services were conducted at home, Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock by the Rev. J. H. Hines, Minister of the Church of Christ, assisted by Rev. Charles C. Thompson, minister of the First Christian Church. Burial was in Willow Mount Cemetery.
     Survivors are five daughters, Mrs. Hulan; Mrs. Davidson; Mrs. W. R. Duke and Mrs. A. P. Oaks of Wichita Falls, Texas and Mrs. Carl Lawrence of Birmingham; two sons, F. O. Harper of Shelbyville and Roy Harper of Nashville.⁹

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was born on 27 November 1854 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7} She married James Thomas Harper, son of Nathaniel Harper and Susan Mullins, on 4 January 1872 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^8,9 Ida died at the family home on 13 May 1933 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 78.^1,8,10 She was interred on 15 May 1933 in Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee.^1,10

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was listed at age 5, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of William Clark McMurry in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860 enumerated 15 June 1860.²

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was listed at age 15, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of William Clark McMurry in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1870 enumerated 21 July 1870.³

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as wife at age 45, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.⁴

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as mother-in-law at age 55, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.⁵

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as wife at age 65, born in Tennessee, in the household of J. T. Harper in Hillsboro, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 5 January 1920.⁶

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was listed as mother-in-law at age 75, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁷

     Ida's obituary:

     Mrs. Ida McMurry Harper aged 78, wife of James T. Harper, died at the family home in Nashville last Saturday. Funeral services were held at the Highland Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville, Monday afternoon, followed by burial at 5 o'clock in Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville.
     Mrs. Harper is survived by her husband, sons, J. L. Harper and F. O. Harper of Nashville; daughters, Mrs. A. P. Oaks and Mrs. W. R. Duke of Wichita Falls, Texas, Mrs. C. G. Lawrence of Birmingham, Alabama; Mrs. G. H. Hulan of Shelbyville and Mrs. G. W. Davidson of Dickson, Tennessee. Brothers Lee McMurry, Will McMurry, Frank McMurry and sister Mrs. Edward F. Corbitt, Nashville.
     George Davidson, Carl Lawrence, Ross Duke, George Hulan, Roy Harper, Jr., Carl Hulan, her grandsons and sons-in-law served as pall bearers.¹⁰

     William McMurry was born in 1849.¹Anne Sloan lists this William as a son of William and Hannah. However, he never appears in a Census. Could it be that he died as an infant? The next son that is born, in 1861, is also named William.

     William McMurry Harper was born on 9 February 1875.^1,2 He married Willie Minnie Seigrest on 25 July 1894.² William died in a railroad accident on 8 June 1896 at age 21.

     James Lee Roy Harper was born on 20 June 1873 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married first Jennie Bromwell on 9 October 1892.⁶ James married second Ida Bailey before 1930.^6,5 James died in June 1963.⁷

     Roy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 23 June 1900, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 26, occupation as a brick layer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Jennie Harper, Roy Harper and Willie G. Harper.²

     J. LeRoy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census enumerated 18 April 1910, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 37, occupation as a produce merchant, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Jennie B. Harper, J. LeRoy Harper Jr. and Willie G. Harper.³

     James Lee Roy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 6 January 1920, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 46, occupation as President, Wholesale Produce, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Willie G. Harper.⁴

     In the Census of 1930 enumerated 14 April 1930, James Lee Roy Harper was listed as head of household in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 56, occupation as none, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Harper.⁵

     Bessie Marie Harper was born on 17 August 1877 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married George Henry Hulan, son of William Ashville Hulan and Sarah Francis McCrory, on 10 May 1894.² Bessie died in 1970 in nursing home attached to the Bedford Co. Hospital, Bedford Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 22, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 15 June 1900.³

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 32, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.⁴

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 42, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. H. Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 10 January 1920.⁵

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 52, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     Launa Myrtle Harper was born on 22 November 1879 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married first Henderson A. Jones on 16 December 1896.² She married second George W. Davidson circa 1901 in Tennessee.^1,6 Launa died without issue in September 1971 at age 91. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Launa Myrtle Jones was listed as a daughter at age 30, occupation as hosiery maker at the state prison, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.³

     Launa Myrtle Davidson was listed as wife at age 30, born in Tennessee, in the household of George W. Davidson in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 26 April 1910.⁴

     Launa Myrtle Davidson was listed as wife at age 40, born in Tennessee, in the household of George W. Davidson in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 16 January 1920.⁵

     Luna Davidson was listed as wife at age 50, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     Edna Pearl Harper was born on 4 March 1882 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married William Ross Duke circa 1903.^7,4,6 Edna died without issue.⁸

     Edna was also known as Pearl.

     Pearl Harper was listed as a daughter at age 18, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Pearl Harper was listed as a boarder at age 18, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 15 June 1900.³

     Edna Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 28, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Caldwell, Sumner Co., Kansas, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 15 April 1910.⁴

     Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 37, born in Tennessee, in the household of W. R. Duke in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 15 January 1920.⁵

     Edna Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 48, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 9 April 1930.⁶

     Frank Omohundro Harper was born on 10 May 1888 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Edna Moore, daughter of Unknown Moore and Anna M. ?, circa 1912.^6,5 Frank died in December 1971 at age 83. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as a son at age 12, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Frank was listed in the household of Jerry McCarty as a roomer on the 1910 Census in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas. He was listed at age 21, occupation as an electrician at a light company, born in Tennessee.³

     Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 7 February 1920, in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 31, occupation as a salesman for an electric company, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Edna Harper and Cecile M. Harper.⁴

     In the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930, Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as head of household in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 41, occupation as a salesman, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Edna Harper, Cecile M. Harper and Anna M. Moore.⁵

     Laurel Augusta Harper was born on 6 September 1893 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 She married Arthur Porter Oakes circa 1911.⁵ Laurel died in May 1970 at age 76. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas.⁶

     Laurel Augusta Harper was listed as a daughter at age 7, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Laurel Augusta Harper was listed as sister-in-law at age 16, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.³

     Laurel Augusta Oakes was listed as wife at age 25, born in Tennessee, in the household of A. P. Oakes in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 19 January 1920.⁴

     Laurel Augusta Oakes was listed as wife at age 36, born in Tennessee, in the household of Arthur Porter Oakes in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 4 April 1930.⁵

     Vernon Vertrise Harper was born on 13 May 1897.¹ Vernon died before 1900. He does not appear on the 1900 U. S. Census and the Census indicates that seven of the nine chiildren of Ida and James were living. William McMurry Harper would be the other child that died prior to 1900.

     Willie Minnie Seigrest married William McMurry Harper, son of James Thomas Harper and Ida Vanetta McMurry, on 25 July 1894.¹