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| 1749 1829 Samuel Doak Founder Salem Church, 1780 Washington College, 1795 Samuel Doak Chapter, Daughters American Revolution, Morristown, Tenn. Assisted in Erecting this Monument |
This monument, standing in Salem Cemetery on the grounds of Washington College, southeast of Jonesborough, TN, was erected in memory of the Rev. Samuel Doak, an early Presbyterian minister in East Tennessee and the founder of the first college in Tennessee. Rev. Doak is twice my uncle by marriage, having married first Margaret Houston McEwen, sister of my 5th great-grandmother Alice Houston Stephenson, and second Esther Houston Montgomery, Margaret and Alice's aunt.
He was a towering figure in the early history of East Tennessee - preaching at Sycamore Shoals to the Overmountain Men, founding Salem Church, two schools and a staunch abolitionist.
I just love those big, solid stones.
ReplyDeleteAnd looking at them, I always wonder how on earth in 1829, they got them to the grave? Rolling them on logs? Or was there enough room to drive a wagon and team down to the grave?
I realize this one probably was erected later, but still...