My Genealogy Hound

Elijah Saulmon, a well known and respected farmer of the Seventeenth District, was born in Virginia in 1807. He was the second of nine children born to John and Martha (Kidd) Saulmon, both of whom were of English descent. The grandfather Saulmon was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was taken prisoner by the Indians, and held in captivity for seven years. The maternal great-grandmother (Miss Williamson) was kidnapped in England when ten years of age, and traded to the owner of a ship in lieu of passage to America. Our subject immigrated to East Tennessee in 1817, and in 1835 came to Smith County and settled on Mulherin Creek. Until his majority he was hired out by his father, consequently never had any educational advantages, but is possessed of a good practical mind and sufficient knowledge to transact all his business affairs. When he reached manhood’s estate he began life for himself without a penny. For three or four years he worked here and there wherever he could find employment. In 1831 he married Miss Martha Morris, by whom he had these children: Those living are Martha J. now Mrs. Buchanan, N. Caroline (wife of Mr. Davis), John W., Elizabeth, Francis T. (wife of Mr. Turner), and Thomas S. The deceased are Nancy, Mary A., Sarah G. and Minerva A. After marriage Mr. Saulmon rented land and farmed until he was enabled to purchase 100 acres, where he has since resided. He has added to his place and it contains 320 acres of valuable land on the Carthage and Alexander road, five miles from the latter place. He has been an industrious and honorable man all his life, and has the good-will and esteem of the community. He had the sad misfortune to lose his wife September 15, 1886, since which time his daughters have been house-keeping for him. The entire family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Saulmon is a stanch Republican.