Jennings, Al 1863-1961, Lawyer, Bandit, Silent Movie Actor, Author

Alphonso J. Jennings (a.k.a. Al) was born November 25, 1863 in Virginia. Al, wrote a book in 1913 called “Beating Back” and gave some early family history. He had a penchant for spinning yarns, so we have no way of knowing how much of his book is true. He said his father, John D.F. Jennings, was a schoolmaster, doctor, Methodist minister, lawyer and editor. Continue reading

1866, The Cholera Epidemic

According to Milo Erwin’s history of Williamson County, “The cholera made its first appearance in July 1849, but caused only a few deaths. It re-appeared in 1866, and lasted for six weeks, during which over twenty five persons were taken away, and the city of Marion vacated. Among the deceased were the three beautiful Ferguson girls, ladies without parallel in all the arena of beauty and refinement.” Continue reading

What Ever Happened to Marion’s Confederates

Confederate FlagIf you ever wondered what happened to those local men who in the early days of the civil war had southern sympathies strong enough to go off and join the Confederate Army, then this article by Bernie Paul from the August 2008 edition of Marion Living Magazine will help. Bernie entitled the article “What Became of Marion’s Orphans”. Continue reading