Near Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Matthew Fontaine Maury

“Pathfinder of the Seas” (1806-1873)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 3, 2025

1. Matthew Fontaine Maury Marker

Inscription. Born 1811 in Virginia, he moved with his family to this farm. At the age of 15 he entered Harpeth Academy in Franklin, then under charge of Rev. James H. Otey with whom he maintained a life-long friendship. After spending his formative years in Williamson County, he was appointed Midshipman in the US Navy in 1825 by Congressman Sam Houston. His sea duty ended in 1833 when he was disabled in a stagecoach accident. He began studying the logbook of many captains. From them he was able to unravel the mystery of the winds and currents of the ocean. This led to shorter ocean trips and was a boon to commerce. For this he received worldwide recognition which enabled Maury to promote international cooperation in the sharing of ocean data.

Erected 2011 by Williamson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee – Williamson County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 35° 54.853′ N, 86° 57.011′ W. Marker is near Franklin, Tennessee,

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in Williamson County. It is on Blazer Road 0.4 miles east of McMillan Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at Boxley Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3284 Blazer Rd, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boyd's Mill (approx. 1.1 miles away); Franklin-Hillsboro Turnpike / Franklin's Water Supply (approx. 1.1 miles away); William Irby Boyd Homestead ca. 1807 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bingham (approx. 1.4 miles away); Glass Mounds Archaeological Site (approx. 1.7 miles away); Westhaven Community / William White Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Boyd Mill Pike / Franklin-South Harpeth Turnpike

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 4, 2025

2. Matthew Fontaine Maury Marker

(approx. 1.8 miles away); Southall (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

More about this marker. He was born in 1806 (as stated in the subtitle), and not 1811 as in the marker text.

Also see . . .
1. Scientist of the Seas: The Legacy of Matthew Fontaine Maury. Matthew Fontaine Maury has been hailed as, among other names, the “Scientist of the Seas” for his contributions to understanding ocean navigation in the mid-19th century. His expertise is evident in his large body of work, and particularly in his maps. But while Maury left an indelible mark on the fields of oceanography and geography at large, his legacy is not without controversy. (Tim St. Onge, Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps at the Library of Congress blog, July 25, 2018) (Submitted on May 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Matthew Fontaine Maury. Upload of Prophet Without Honor, a 1939 dramatization of Maury's life that was intended for classroom use. Carey Wilson narrated the short film, which featured an uncredited Tom Neal as Maury. The film was a 1940 Oscar nominee

Matthew Fontaine Maury image. Click for full size.

via Naval History and Heritage Command, National Museum of the U.S. Navy (Public Domain), circa 1870

3. Matthew Fontaine Maury

for Best Short Subject-One Reel but lost to Busy Little Bears, which followed the exploits of three bear cubs. (Uploaded by Southern Gentleman, April 12, 2020) (Submitted on May 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on May 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.