Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron & Church Street ⎯⎯⎯ "Bucket of Blood" Neighborhood
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 25, 2013
1. Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron & Church Street Marker (side 1)
Inscription.
Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron and Church Street, also, "Bucket of Blood" Neighborhood. .
Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron and Church Street. In 1867 Rev. Otis O. Knight of Nashville purchased Lot 60, selling the southern half to ex-slave A.N.C. Williams, and the northern half for the construction of Wiley Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (1868-1944), an African American congregation, today used by Pull-tight Players. In 1906 William Munch and Docia Owen House purchased this house and lot for $500 and the property remained in the family until 2002. Long the social center of the neighborhood, the House family became well known for the Patent Leather Kids, a jazz band which included J.D. and Arvila “Bybee” House, Fred Williams, Willie Wilson, and George Ball. The house was threatened with demolition until saved by local preservationists led by Pearl Bransford and Thelma Battle.,
"Bucket of Blood" Neighborhood. Franklins Methodist Church stood on the corner across the street, where the modern-day homes are located, from 1830 until 1873. Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church used the same brick sanctuary until 1925, before moving to Natchez and Fowlkes Street. By 1910, black laborers working at Lillie Mills were living in factory-owned houses known as the “Bucket of Blood.” According to local legend, this colorful name resulted from a knife fight in Pig Hodges poolroom, in which the victim bled a bucketful of blood. Local African American landowners included Civil War Union veteran Freeman Thomas, Rev. William Perkins, Andrew Patton, Clifton Baugh, Robert German, Sam and Cal Hunter, Amanda Glass, Sister Kelley and W.H. West.
Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron & Church Street
In 1867 Rev. Otis O. Knight of Nashville purchased Lot 60, selling the southern half to ex-slave A.N.C. Williams, and the northern half for the construction of Wiley Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (1868-1944), an African American congregation, today used by Pull-tight Players. In 1906 William Munch and Docia Owen House purchased this house and lot for $500 and the property remained in the family until 2002. Long the social center of the neighborhood, the House family became well known for the Patent Leather Kids, a jazz band which included J.D. and Arvila “Bybee” House, Fred Williams, Willie Wilson, and George Ball. The house was threatened with demolition until saved by local preservationists led by Pearl Bransford and Thelma Battle.
"Bucket of Blood" Neighborhood
Franklins Methodist Church stood on the corner across the street, where the modern-day homes are located, from 1830 until 1873. Shorter Chapel A.M.E. Church used the same brick sanctuary until 1925, before moving to Natchez & Fowlkes Street. By 1910, black laborers working at Lillie Mills were living in factory-owned houses known as the “Bucket of Blood.” According to local legend, this colorful name resulted from a knife fight in Pig
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Hodges poolroom, in which the victim bled a bucketful of blood. Local African American landowners included Civil War Union veteran Freeman Thomas, Rev. William Perkins, Andrew Patton, Clifton Baugh, Robert German, Sam and Cal Hunter, Amanda Glass, Sister Kelley and W.H. West.
Erected 2009 by Williamson County Historical Society, African American Heritage Society of Franklin and Wm. Co.
Location. 35° 55.454′ N, 86° 52.006′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is at the intersection of Church Street and 2nd Avenue South, on the right when traveling west on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Church Street, 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 walking distance of this marker: Ewen Cameron (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Temple (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Franklin Masonic Hall (about 400 feet away);
3. Lot 60 at the Corner of Cameron & Church Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,845 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on October 4, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 10, 2020. 3. submitted on October 4, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
