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The area used mostly by the Chickasaw lies in a large bend in the old river as it turned and meandered from east to almost due north around what was to become the Reed Settlement - land granted by Governor Carroll to Joseph Reed in 1821. The kitchen together with the 20 x 20' living area was erected on this site complete with two fireplaces for heating and cooking, and garden spot on the north side, barn with corn crib, 5 stables for livestock and a storage shed, loom house and smoke house, family cemetery, the Reed Spring and other necessities of the times. In the kitchen there are large cracks between the logs for summer ventilation. There is a gun point on the northside overlooking the family garden. Numerous peg holes for storage and hanging utensils, clothes and other objects line the walls. The children, Armintee, Polly Matilda, John Leverett, Joseph Jr., and William were all raised here, the youngest son, William continued to live here, care for his parents, fight in the civil war and raise his family. Descendants of William Reed have lived her continually since 1818. The rest of the family spread into the surrounding community from Shady Hill to Warrens Bluff and the area around here became known as Reed Town. The descendants of Joseph and Mary "Polly" (Leverett) Reed are many and scattered unto both oceans.
Joseph Reed 1746 - 1861
Children all born in Georgia
Armintee Reed 10 Feb 1802 GA - 1849 m Wm. Atkinson
Lexington Progress - Photo courtesy of Donna Mae Reed Frizzell. Children of Joseph & Talitha Cummin (Fuller) Reed Jr. Front row, Nannie Reed, Ellen Reed Leewis & Emmaline Reed Back Row, Jim, Serenais and Bob Reed SIRENOUS REED - born 9 Nov 1839 Henderson Tn - d 22 Jan 1924 Dyer Co TN. Married Sarah Ann Wallace 11 Jan 1866 in Henderson Co. Sarah was the d/o Jacob & Elizabeth (Derryberry) Wallace, she was born 8 Jun 1847 - d 15 April 1898] in Henderson Co. (Notes of Lucille Hastings) Sirenous served in Co. A 7th Tn Cav. Reg't also known as 2nd W Tn Cav Reg't USA. Mustered out at Nashville Tn. Aug 9, 1865 age 22. He had enlisted on Aug 25, 1862 at Jackson Tn for 2 years, furnished his horse and equipment from enlistment, paroled at Charleston SC. Sirenous Reed having been appointed constable for the 20th district of Henderson Co. Tn by his qualified justices of and in said district this day filed bon, said Sirennous took oath of office; Know all men by these presents that we S. Read, J.N.Teague,& James H. Fuller, John L.Read, Azbill, George W.Moore, James A Teague & Jammes W. Brewer all of Henderson Co & State of Tn are held firmly & in bond of $ 4000.00 Dec 5,1865. He tendered his resignation in March term, 1866 which was received by the court.
Written by Mike Reed Lexington Progress 20 March 2002
A recent visit to the old Reed homeplace inspired memories from "the good ole days." Discussions such as these seem to always include "hog killing time." It was a time of hard work for the adults of the community but a day of excitement and socializing for the neighborhood youngster.
The Reed homestead was headquarters for the neighborhood at hog killing time. The convenient site beneath a huge old oak tree came equipped with special fire pit and custom built vat where the animals were immersed before "scraping." But we are getting " the hams before the shoulders".
The first excitement of the day was the moment when the neighborhood's best "shooter" took charge of th eold "22 single shot." A well-placed shot, would drop a 400 pound "meat hog" in his tracks. Likewise a bad shot only brought squeals and much ribbing from the bystanders who were peeping through the fence.
It was a rite of passage when a youngster was selected to make the kill. You were then ready to take on the world! After the shooting and "sticking" (details omitted due to ratings) the animal was transferred to the scraping area. There the hog was drenched in hot water in the vat until the coarse hair was ready to release. The hair was then scraped from the skin with knives or other homemade tools.
As the neighborhood men completed the butchering of the animals the ladies were preparing to make the final trimmings. Of course during this hard work the young ones were dashing about quite a strain on everyon'es nerves. Between the children, neighborhood cats, and a great contengent of dogs awaiting dropped morsels of fresh pork it was quite an event! Each family had their own order of preparing the fresh pork. The families feasted on fresh tenderloin, liver, and port brains and eggs for several meals.
Of course almost none of the hog was wasted. Other menu items that were common results were crackins, chittlins and souse meat. Some Henderson County families still enjoy this old southern tradition but its a lot easier just to call up Dennis or Chris Hays and order "half a hog" and leave the mess with them. There goes another old tradition by the wayside.
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