Notes for Lorenzo Dow Brashears

Notes for Lorenzo Dow Brashears

!US Census 1860 (8 June) Tennessee, Roane Co., Kingston PO, Roll 1269 Book 1, Page 112b, lines 7-12: Lorenza D. Brashears (b. 1820 - 40 - in TN - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $300 + $60) married to Martha (b. 1825 - 35 - in TN). Children listed (born in TN) are: Elizabeth (dau b. 1850 - 10); Mary (dau b. 1852 - 8); Joseph (son b. 1856 - 4); and Unname Male (son b. April 1860 - 2/12)

!US Census 1880 District 1, Roane Co., Tennessee; FHL Film 1255275; National Archives Film T9-1275; Page 290A: L. D. BRASHEARS (b. Abt 1814 - 66 - in TN - Occ: Farmer - Fa: VA and Mo: VA) married to Martha J. BRASHEARS (b. Abt 1829 - 51 - in TN - Fa: VA and Mo: VA). Children listed (all born in TN) are: Nancy J. BRASHEARS (Dau b. Abt 1857 - 23); Joseph T. BRASHEARS (Son b. Abt 1858 - 22 - Occ: Laborer); James M. BRASHEARS (Son b. Abt 1860 - 20); Benjamin F. BRASHEARS (Son b. Abt 1864 - 16); Henry BRASHEARS (Son b. Abt 1867 - 13); and Columbus BRASHEARS (Grand-Son b. Abt 1876 - 4)

!A Brashear(s) Family History, Vol 3 by Charles Brashear page 102: Birthdate is registered twice in the RSB Bible as the 16th and 26th Sept. 1813. Also marriage date is 2 March 1838 for Martha Nelson

Lorenzo was obviously named for the famous (and crazy) Methodist preacher, Lorenzo Dow, who was reported to be able to raise the devil with his fire and brimstone preaching. He flourished in the 1805-1811 period in middle Tennessee and along the Natchez Trace. He kept a detailed journal of his travels and preaching and published a book, History of a Cosmopolite, which went into many editions. "We had a cry and shout, and it was a weeping, tender time," he wrote of one of his meetings. Some other times of "cry and shout" almost resulted in riot. Once, preaching on "Judgment Day," he put a little Negro boy in the top of a pine tree. There, at the cue from Dow, he was to blow loudly on a horn. When Dow had worked his listeners to the proper fervor and spoke of Gabriel trumpeting the world's end, the little black boy dutifully let loose a resounding blast. Panic ensued. Then, when the hoax was discovered, the indignant started to mob the preacher. Dow was equal to the occasion. "And now, Brethren," he shouted over the tumult, "if a little Negro boy blowing on a tin horn can make you feel so, how will you feel when the last day really comes?" (see The Devil's Backbone, the Story of the Natchez Trace, by Jonathan Daniels, p.147-55).

Lorenzo and his first four sons were all in the Civil War. This first family was much older than his second: Lorenzo m.2. 20 Aug 1852, Martha J. Williams, b. 1829, d/o Benjamin and Cizire (sic) Williams, of Roane Co, TN. Benjamin Williams was s/o Samuel Williams and Susannah Ligon of Cumberland Co, VA.

!Tennessee Marriages 1851-1900: BRASHEARS, LORENZO DOW - Spouse: WILLIAMS, MARTHA - Marriage Date: 22 Aug 1852 - County: Roane State: TN