Johnson City in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Henry Massengill

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

1. Henry Massengill Marker, Side A

Inscription.

Henry Massengill. . Side A Erected to the memory of Henry Massengill and his pioneer family came from North Carolina to the Watauga settlement in 1769. His plantation near the mouth of Boone's Creek adjoined William Bean's, who was the the first permanent white settler west of the Allegheny Mountains. , ., , In 1775 was appointed to an office in the Watauga Association which adopted the first written constitution, for the government of American-born Freemen. , ., , Built the Massengill house of worship 1777. Served two years as sheriff of Washington District. In 1778 was chairman of the committee of safety. , ., , Served on the staff of Captain William Edmiston in General Shelby's expedition against the Chicamauga Indians in 1779. , ., , Furnished three sons to the Revolutionary Army. Side B Henry Massengill and his wife Mary Cobb had six children Michael, Hal, Solomon, Ailsey, Elizabeth and Mary. , ., , Michael Massengill, 1756-1834, married Dorcas Stone. Enlisted in the Revolutionary Army at the age of 20 and participated in the Battles of Musgrove's Mills, Blackstock and King's Mountain. A member of the Regulators in Washington Co. in 1778. One of the founders of Grainger Co. and one of the early justices of the county court. , ., , Hal Massengill, 1758-1837, married first Penelope Cobb, daughter of William Cobb in Womack's Fort during the Indian invasion of 1776, while the fort was surrounded by Indians. Married second Elizabeth Emmert. Enlisted as a soldier of the Revolution at the age of 18 and served two years and three months on the frontier and in North Carolina. His grandson, Dr. Robert Massengill Porter founded the medical department of the University of Nashville. , ., , Solomon Massengill, married Tabitha Cobb. Died in Madison Co. Alabama 1831. Served under Gen. Sumpter in the Revolutionary War. Had his right ear cut off by a British Dragoon at the Battle of Blackstock, S.C. appointed ensign 1790, in the Washington Co. militia by Gov. Blount. One of the founders of Anderson Co. a member of the first county court and one of the commissioners to locate the county seat. Ailsey Massengill married first a Murphy and second a Boothe. Died without issue. , ., , Elizabeth Massengill married first a Timothy who was killed on the Little Tennessee River. Married second, Isaac Thomas, noted Indian scout and trader who carried Nancy Ward's message to the Watauga settlers in 1776 warning them of an Indian invasion. Isaac Thomas was a Revolutionary War soldier and one of the founder of Sevier Co. The first co. court was held in his residence. , ., , Mary Massengill, Born 1766, married 1792 William Atkinson, noted silversmith, who with his brother Matthew Atkinson, was commissioned in 1801 by Gov. Archibald Roane to make the first great seal of the State of Tennessee. Side C The Massengill House of Worship "In April 1777 Rev. Charles Cummings; a Presbyterian minister from Wolf Hills settlement came to Watauga and preached three days. We hailed his coming among us with great joy for our souls were hungering and thirsting for spiritual nourishment. He urged the settlers to build a house of worship which we decided to do. I was to furnish logs, boards and all timbers needed to build a large house with a section of benches in the back side for the Massengill and Cobb negroes numbering at this time 151 souls, so these slaves can come out and be refreshed in body and soul. This house was completed by July 1777 and was known as the Massengill House of Worship. Revs. Cummings and Mulkey preached several times to the settlers. I marched with Shelby against the Indians in 1779. While I was away Tories came, abused my family, destroyed my property, burnt the Massengill House of Worship to the ground." From the Memoir of Henry Massengill , ., , Genealogy The home of the Massengills before the time of written records in England was the Hamlet of Masongill (1512 Mesyngill) in the Parish of Thornton in Lonsdale, west riding of Yorkshire, England and is the location of Masongill Hall which is still standing. , ., , The Massengills of Whitby, Yorkshire England Gilbert I, (will dated Aug. 26, 1592) Anthony Gilbert II and Daniel I (Bap. Feb. 27, 1624) who emigrated from England in 1645 and settled in Charles City., Va., 1653. His descendants were Daniel II of Va., James of N.C. and Henry of Watauga. , ., , The earliest record of the family found is the unconnected William Mersyngale, rector of the Church of Wilbery, Diocese of York, England. His will was dated Sept. 15, 1472 and proved Oct. 17, 1472. , ., , William Cobb Wm. Cobb, of English ancestry, closely followed his brother-in-law, Henry Massengill to the Watauga settlement. A member of the first Washington Co. court. In 1780 was one of the judges and viewers of the currency of the realm and one of the most prominent of the pioneers. His residence, Rocky Mount, 4.2 mi. N.E. of this spot, was used by Governor Blount in 1790 as the capitol of the Southwest Territory. This was the first seat of the first recognized government west of the Alleghany Mountains and court was held in the surrounding woods. This residence, still standing, has been continuously in the Cobb-Massengill Family. , ., , "Mr. Cobb was a wealthy farmer, an emigrant from N.C., no stranger to comfort and taste nor unaccustomed to what for the day was style. Like the old Virginia and Carolina gentlemen he entertained elegantly with profusion rather than with plenty, without ceremony and without grudging. Like theirs his house was plain, convenient, without show. His equipage was simple and unpretending. He kept his horses, his dogs, his rifles and even traps for the use, convenience and comfort of his guests. His servants, his rooms, his grounds were all at their bidding. They felt themselves at home and never said adieu to him or his family without the parting regret and the tenderness of an old friendship." - Ramsey's Annals of Tenn. , ., , Andrew Jackson Seventh President of the United States was related to Wm. Cobb's wife and in 1788, while awaiting his license to practice law in Washington Co., stayed at the Wm. Cobb residence for six weeks and spent the time hunting and fishing..

Side A
Erected to the memory of
Henry Massengill
and his pioneer family came from North Carolina to the Watauga settlement in 1769. His plantation near the mouth of Boone's Creek adjoined William Bean's, who was the the first permanent white settler west of the Allegheny Mountains.

—•——

In 1775 was appointed to an office in the Watauga Association which adopted the first written constitution, for the government of American-born Freemen.

—•——

Built the Massengill house of worship 1777.
Served two years as sheriff of Washington District. In 1778 was chairman of the committee of safety.

—•——

Served on the staff of Captain William Edmiston in General Shelby's expedition against the Chicamauga Indians in 1779.

—•——

Furnished three sons to the Revolutionary Army.

Side B
Henry Massengill and his wife Mary Cobb had six children
Michael, Hal, Solomon, Ailsey, Elizabeth and Mary.

—•——

Michael Massengill, 1756-1834, married Dorcas Stone.
Enlisted in the Revolutionary Army at the age of 20 and participated in the Battles of Musgrove's Mills, Blackstock and King's Mountain. A member of the Regulators

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in Washington Co. in 1778. One of the founders of Grainger Co. and one of the early justices of the county court.

—•——

Hal Massengill, 1758-1837, married first Penelope Cobb, daughter of William Cobb in Womack's Fort during the Indian invasion of 1776, while the fort was surrounded by Indians. Married second Elizabeth Emmert. Enlisted as a soldier of the Revolution at the age of 18 and served two years and three months on the frontier and in North Carolina. His grandson, Dr. Robert Massengill Porter founded the medical department of the University of Nashville.

—•——

Solomon Massengill, married Tabitha Cobb. Died in Madison Co. Alabama 1831. Served under Gen. Sumpter in the Revolutionary War. Had his right ear cut off by a British Dragoon at the Battle of Blackstock, S.C. appointed ensign 1790, in the Washington Co. militia by Gov. Blount. One of the founders of Anderson Co. a member of the first county court and one of the commissioners to locate the county seat.
Ailsey Massengill married first a Murphy and second a Boothe. Died without issue.

—•——

Elizabeth Massengill married first a Timothy who was killed on the

Henry Massengill Marker, Side B image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

2. Henry Massengill Marker, Side B

Little Tennessee River. Married second, Isaac Thomas, noted Indian scout and trader who carried Nancy Ward's message to the Watauga settlers in 1776 warning them of an Indian invasion. Isaac Thomas was a Revolutionary War soldier and one of the founder of Sevier Co. The first co. court was held in his residence.

—•——

Mary Massengill, Born 1766, married 1792 William Atkinson, noted silversmith, who with his brother Matthew Atkinson, was commissioned in 1801 by Gov. Archibald Roane to make the first great seal of the State of Tennessee.

Side C
The Massengill House of Worship
"In April 1777 Rev. Charles Cummings; a Presbyterian minister from Wolf Hills settlement came to Watauga and preached three days. We hailed his coming among us with great joy for our souls were hungering and thirsting for spiritual nourishment. He urged the settlers to build a house of worship which we decided to do. I was to furnish logs, boards and all timbers needed to build a large house with a section of benches in the back side for the Massengill and Cobb negroes numbering at this time 151 souls, so these slaves can come out and be refreshed in body

Henry Massengill Marker, Side C image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

3. Henry Massengill Marker, Side C

and soul. This house was completed by July 1777 and was known as the Massengill House of Worship. Revs. Cummings and Mulkey preached several times to the settlers. I marched with Shelby against the Indians in 1779. While I was away Tories came, abused my family, destroyed my property, burnt the Massengill House of Worship to the ground."
From the Memoir of Henry Massengill

—•——

Genealogy
The home of the Massengills before the time of written records in England was the Hamlet of Masongill (1512 Mesyngill) in the Parish of Thornton in Lonsdale, west riding of Yorkshire, England and is the location of Masongill Hall which is still standing.

—•——

The Massengills of Whitby, Yorkshire England
Gilbert I, (will dated Aug. 26, 1592) Anthony Gilbert II and Daniel I (Bap. Feb. 27, 1624) who emigrated from England in 1645 and settled in Charles City., Va., 1653. His descendants were Daniel II of Va., James of N.C. and Henry of Watauga.

—•——

The earliest record of the family found is the unconnected William Mersyngale, rector of the Church of Wilbery, Diocese of York, England. His will was dated Sept. 15, 1472 and proved Oct.

Henry Massengill Marker, Side D image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

4. Henry Massengill Marker, Side D

17, 1472.

—•——

William Cobb
Wm. Cobb, of English ancestry, closely followed his brother-in-law, Henry Massengill to the Watauga settlement. A member of the first Washington Co. court. In 1780 was one of the judges and viewers of the currency of the realm and one of the most prominent of the pioneers. His residence, Rocky Mount, 4.2 mi. N.E. of this spot, was used by Governor Blount in 1790 as the capitol of the Southwest Territory. This was the first seat of the first recognized government west of the Alleghany Mountains and court was held in the surrounding woods. This residence, still standing, has been continuously in the Cobb-Massengill Family.

—•——

"Mr. Cobb was a wealthy farmer, an emigrant from N.C., no stranger to comfort and taste nor unaccustomed to what for the day was style. Like the old Virginia and Carolina gentlemen he entertained elegantly with profusion rather than with plenty, without ceremony and without grudging. Like theirs his house was plain, convenient, without show. His equipage was simple and unpretending. He kept his horses, his dogs, his rifles and even traps for the use, convenience and comfort

Henry Massengill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

5. Henry Massengill Marker

of his guests. His servants, his rooms, his grounds were all at their bidding. They felt themselves at home and never said adieu to him or his family without the parting regret and the tenderness of an old friendship." - Ramsey's Annals of Tenn.

—•——

Andrew Jackson
Seventh President of the United States was related to Wm. Cobb's wife and in 1788, while awaiting his license to practice law in Washington Co., stayed at the Wm. Cobb residence for six weeks and spent the time hunting and fishing.

Erected 1937 by Samuel Evans Massengill, M.D. of Bristol, Tennessee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1777.

Location. 36° 23.392′ N, 82° 21.62′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It can be reached from Bristol Highway (U.S. 19W). Located in Winged Deer Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4137 Bristol Hwy, Johnson City TN 37601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 8, 2018

6. Henry Massengill Marker

The Massengill Memorial was originally erected in 1937, 2.6 Mi. S 29' W at the intersection of US 11E and US 23. It was moved to the present site in 1990 when that intersection was improved.

Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Robert E. Young Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocky Mount (approx. 1.6 miles away); Isaac Hammer (approx. 1.8 miles away); History on Knob Creek (approx. 2.4 miles away); Jesse Duncan (approx. 2.6 miles away); William Bean's Cabin (approx. 2.8 miles away); Boone's Creek Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Dungan-St. John Mill (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Daniel Boone (was approx. 2.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 8, 2018

7. Henry Massengill Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 8, 2018

8. Henry Massengill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,767 times since then and 319 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 11, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.