I am a Murfreesboro native whose family tree has very deep roots in Rutherford County. Some of my family lineages that I descend from are Cobb, Duboise, Dillon, Downing, Eoff, Fox, Knox, and Thompson. The Fox's made it into Rutherford County about 1820. They settled an area between Big Springs and Hoover's Gap on the Manchester Pike. The Thompson family arrived about the same time. My GrGrGrGrGrGrandfather, Jesse L. Thompson, was married in Rutherford County on August 9th 1821 at the age of 23. The Jakes' settled just a little further down the road from the Fox family when they arrived in the 1830's. Their farm was just across the Bedford County line and their farm actually shared a boundary with Rutherford County. After a couple of generations some of the Jakes' moved into Rutherford County and settled near the Woodbury Pike. The area along the Woodbury Pike where Bud Mitchell's tire shop stands today was commonly referred to as “Jakes town" for many years and it's still listed on most of the county maps produced today. Most of my family who lived and died in that area are buried in the Coleman Cemetery on the old Woodbury Pike. This is the same cemetery where Uncle Dave Macon was laid to rest. With so many of my ancestors living in this county, my interest in local history has grown and grown.

Me and my Great Grandpa, Willie Mathias Jakes

My Great Great Grandparents, Jesse Murphy Jakes & Jennie Pearl Thompson

My Great Great Grandpa Joseph Miles Burris working for the railroad in Texas.    

My GrGrGrGrGrGrandpa Ephraim Stanley Dixon and wife Emily Katherine Thornton. Ephraim fought at the battle of Stones River for the 9th Texas infantry.

My GrGrGrandparents Elijah Franlin Cummins and wife Emily Lucinda Crittendon and family. The little girl in the middle with her arms crossed was my GrGrandma Lydia Irene Cummins.

My GrGrGrandpa Robert H. Cobb.

My GrGrGrandma Hattie Ada Fox Cobb with her granchildren. The girl on the far left is my Grandma Lillie Mae.