Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Founder of Bristol
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 31, 2013
1. Founder of Bristol Marker
Inscription.
Founder of Bristol. . Erected in 2010 in honor of Joseph Rhea Anderson (1819-1888) who founded the original Town of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee in 1852. Both sides of the town were given recognition on the official records of the time. He erected the first building in the town and became the first merchant, postmaster and banker. As the town grew he became a prominent business, civic and church leader and so remained throughout his lifetime. On the day before his death Anderson was nominated for Governor of Tennessee. In 1856 a group of citizens combined the original Bristol Virginia with adjoining Goodsonville to form the composite Town of Goodson. A point of confusion resulted since the depot, and for most years the post office, remained in Bristol. In 1890 all the Virginia side returned to the name Anderson had given it in 1852, was re-incorporated as such and so remains today.
Erected in 2010 in honor of Joseph Rhea Anderson (1819-1888) who founded the original Town of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee in 1852. Both sides of the town were given recognition on the official records of the time. He erected the first building in the town and became the first merchant, postmaster and banker. As the town grew he became a prominent business, civic and church leader and so remained throughout his lifetime. On the day before his death Anderson was nominated for Governor of Tennessee. In 1856 a group of citizens combined the original Bristol Virginia with adjoining Goodsonville to form the composite Town of Goodson. A point of confusion resulted since the depot, and for most years the post office, remained in Bristol. In 1890 all the Virginia side returned to the name Anderson had given it in 1852, was re-incorporated as such and so remains today.
Location. 36° 35.67′ N, 82° 10.338′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. Marker can be reached from East Hill Cemetery Drive north of East State Street, on the left when traveling
Click or scan to see this page online
north. Marker is located in East Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Grave marker of Joseph R. Anderson, Founder of Bristol
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on May 5, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
