GEORGE AND VIRGINIA JERNIGAN
George Washington Jernigan was born at Crainsville on 29 September 1839 . The one room log house was located on old Webb Mill road east of Hornsby, Tennessee. At that time
the Webb Mill road was the main trail leading from Bolivar to Purdy, which was the location of the McNairy County courthouse.
George was the child of Arthur Alford Jernigan* (1794-1857)
and Sarah Anne Howell (1804-1884), who pioneered to
Hardeman county from Wayne County, North Carolina.
Despite the loss of one eye in a childhood accident, George
applied himself well in school under Professor John Marbury,
who taught the first subscription school in Hardeman County.
Study consisted of reading, writing and arithmetic. Ink was
made from oak balls, pens were cut from goose quills and benches were split logs on pegs.
In 1860 he wed Virginia Reed Isbell, daughter of Thomas Dillard Isbell, Jr. and Frances E. Holyfield. Virginia was born
19 January 1842 in the area known as Woodville in McNairy County. Soon after marriage,
George and Virginia bought land northeast of Hornsby, near the Hardeman and McNairy County lines, and erected a sturdy log house. This house was to be their home for the next
fifty-six years, and is still standing on that property
owned by the Albert Mayfield family today.
In addition to farming, George taught school until failing eyesight forced him to stop. His nine children were among his pupils. He enjoyed quoting scripture, and he and his family
were devout members of the Baptist Church. George was an
active member of Rose Creek Masonic Lodge.
During the War of Southern Independence
George Washington Jernigan fought for the Confederacy in the 18th Regiment, Newsom's Cavalry. His brothers Arthur, Alford (Tom), Marshall Henry, John Raiford and Wrigdon Rufus Jernigan also served for the Confederacy.
Twelve children were born to George and Virginia Jernigan, three of whom died in infancy. Their five sons were, John
Thomas(1863-1893), married Mary Ingle and moved to Prairie
County, Arkansas about 1892; Arthur Alford* (1873-1939)
married Sallie Myrtle Donahoe and moved in 1910 to Poinsett
County, Arkansas; James William (1875-1948) who married
Minnie Mae Jenkins; Albert Washington (1879-1958) married
Queenie Baker; Cleveland (1885-1885).
Their daughters were, Sarah Frances (1862-1862); Cynthia
Ann (1866-1939), married James F. Whitten; Martha
Jane(1868-1869); Mary Melissa *(1870-1940) married John
Grantham; Ella Leone (1877-1947); married William R. Mayfield; Julia Rosalie (1881-1907); Virginia Almedia (1883-1972) married Robert H. Flowers.
George Washington Jernigan died 13 June 1917. Virginia, died the next month on 27 July. Their graves are marked by a
double headstone in Woodville Cemetery.
- By Mrs. G.C. Jernigan, from the Hardeman county History Book Bolivar Library
GEORGE AND VIRGINIA JERNIGAN
George Washington Jernigan was born at Crainsville on 29 September 1839 . The one room log house was located on old Webb Mill road east of Hornsby, Tennessee. At that time
the Webb Mill road was the main trail leading from Bolivar to Purdy, which was the location of the McNairy County courthouse.
George was the child of Arthur Alford Jernigan* (1794-1857)
and Sarah Anne Howell (1804-1884), who pioneered to
Hardeman county from Wayne County, North Carolina.
Despite the loss of one eye in a childhood accident, George
applied himself well in school under Professor John Marbury,
who taught the first subscription school in Hardeman County.
Study consisted of reading, writing and arithmetic. Ink was
made from oak balls, pens were cut from goose quills and benches were split logs on pegs.
In 1860 he wed Virginia Reed Isbell, daughter of Thomas Dillard Isbell, Jr. and Frances E. Holyfield. Virginia was born
19 January 1842 in the area known as Woodville in McNairy County. Soon after marriage,
George and Virginia bought land northeast of Hornsby, near the Hardeman and McNairy County lines, and erected a sturdy log house. This house was to be their home for the next
fifty-six years, and is still standing on that property
owned by the Albert Mayfield family today.
In addition to farming, George taught school until failing eyesight forced him to stop. His nine children were among his pupils. He enjoyed quoting scripture, and he and his family
were devout members of the Baptist Church. George was an
active member of Rose Creek Masonic Lodge.
During the War of Southern Independence
George Washington Jernigan fought for the Confederacy in the 18th Regiment, Newsom's Cavalry. His brothers Arthur, Alford (Tom), Marshall Henry, John Raiford and Wrigdon Rufus Jernigan also served for the Confederacy.
Twelve children were born to George and Virginia Jernigan, three of whom died in infancy. Their five sons were, John
Thomas(1863-1893), married Mary Ingle and moved to Prairie
County, Arkansas about 1892; Arthur Alford* (1873-1939)
married Sallie Myrtle Donahoe and moved in 1910 to Poinsett
County, Arkansas; James William (1875-1948) who married
Minnie Mae Jenkins; Albert Washington (1879-1958) married
Queenie Baker; Cleveland (1885-1885).
Their daughters were, Sarah Frances (1862-1862); Cynthia
Ann (1866-1939), married James F. Whitten; Martha
Jane(1868-1869); Mary Melissa *(1870-1940) married John
Grantham; Ella Leone (1877-1947); married William R. Mayfield; Julia Rosalie (1881-1907); Virginia Almedia (1883-1972) married Robert H. Flowers.
George Washington Jernigan died 13 June 1917. Virginia, died the next month on 27 July. Their graves are marked by a
double headstone in Woodville Cemetery.
- By Mrs. G.C. Jernigan, from the Hardeman county History Book Bolivar Library
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