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Lynchburg City Information
Early settlers of Moore County migrated from North Carolina in search of new land and new opportunities. The county was formed from parts of Lincoln, Franklin, Coffee, and Bedford counties in 1872 and was named in honor of General William Moore, who was an early settler of Lincoln County and a veteran of the War of 1812. He also served for several terms in the Tennessee General Assembly.
There are residents of Moore County who well remember a simpler life in times past where life was truly a lot slower. There were one and two room school houses at Lois, Hurdlow, Marble Hill, Raysville, County Line, Pleasant Hill, Buckeye, and Charity and life was tied to these country schools and about the teachers who sometimes earned $50 per month and paid room and board out of that. Teachers taught a good basic education without typewriters, video cameras, computers, television, and air conditioning. Buildings were heated with coal-fired stoves, and water was usually provided from hand-dug wells.
People lived on small farms without electricity, running water and indoor plumbing. They milked cows, raised tobacco, beef, chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, and turkeys. Every farm had a vegetable garden and an orchard for fruit. There was no Kroger's, Bi Lo, Food Lion, or large grocery stores. Country stores stocked groceries, dry goods and hardware. Farmers bought coffee, sugar, salt, and ice came in 100 pound blocks packed in sawdust at the country store. Nearly everyone raised tobacco.
By the 1940's there were over 600 tobacco allotments in Moore County, mostly one-half to one-acre bases. The sale of tobacco in the fall provided money for Christmas, clothes for the family and payment of debts accumulated during the year. The sale of milk was about the only other source of cash income. Corn was raised on hillsides plowed with turning plows pulled by mules or horses. In mild weather farmers sometimes plowed in January and February.
Church and school provided the major interests. Most people went to Church. Families had everyday and "Sunday clothes" and after attending Church people changed into everyday clothes. There was little money, but some folks had a Ford or Chevrolet. There were few paved roads, and most people traveled by horseback, buggy, or wagon. Employment other than on the farm was as storekeepers, blacksmiths, and gristmill operators. Crime was almost non-existent.
History of Moore County Courthouse
The Moore County Courthouse, the center of activity on the square in Lynchburg, has remained unchanged throughout the years, serenely observing the passing of time with dignity and grace. Built in 1885, at a cost of $6875, the courthouse celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1985. On June 3, 1872, the first Moore County Quarterly Court meeting in Moore County was held at the Tolley and Eaton building in Lynchburg. Old records show that this was where the meetings were held, but no one has determined exactly where this building was located. On July 8, 1872, a committee was formed to find grounds to build the courthouse and jail, measuring two acres and ten poles. Land was purchased from a Colonel Hughes, and the next year part of it was rented back to him to plant corn. R. B. Parks, John E. Bobo, and W.D.L. Record were appointed to supervise construction of the courthouse and on April 6, 1885 reported that the work was well done and congratulated the county for having the neatest, most convenient, and the cheapest courthouse in the state. The people of Lynchburg made all the bricks for the courthouse locally. The courthouse lawn was originally larger but was moved back to widen the street. Overlooking the courtroom is a reminder of times past is a photograph of Albert S. Marks, the first Chancellor of Moore County in 1872. Marks went on to become governor of the state in 1879. Although generally associated with solemn strength, the courthouse has known moments of humor. It has dealt with loose hogs and chickens under the floorboards. Gradually it overcame these problems and became a center of justice and order and a place where citizens could conduct business with their county government. The courthouse has also known drama such as the murder trial of Hershal Scott, the town Marshall, who shot and killed Jim Silvertooth in 1918. He was eventually acquitted because of provocation.
In 1927 a monument of the Confederate soldiers of Moore County was erected on the courthouse lawn. The people of Moore County were proud of the men who served in the Confederate Army. In 1968 the courthouse was enlarged and renovated. Thirty-eight by 38 sections were added to either side of the courthouse with brick from Shelbyville to match the existing building. The courthouse has changed relatively little throughout the years and is expected to remain an elegant reminder of the past and a work place for the future.
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