Title: Tennessee Militia Record Book and James Thompson Gamble Account Book

Date/Date Range :   1840-1885

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

The Tennessee Militia Record Book and James Thompson Gamble Account Book, 1840-1885, contains the records of both the 20th Regiment of the Tennessee Militia in Blount County (1840-1854) and the business of Gamble in Maryville (1870-1885).

Call number: MS-2218

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in July 2001.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Tennessee Militia Record Book and James Thompson Gable Account Book, MS-2218. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

On the second Saturday of March 1836, field officers of the Blount County branch of the Tennessee Militia meet and agreed on the military division of the county into regiments and battalions. Among those signing the agreement were Will Wallace, Andrew Kirkpatrick, Benjamin Cunningham, John Best, and John Wilson. Later, those battalions were further divided into companies based on the enlisted man's civil district.

William McTeer (September 19, 1816-September 10, 1882) served as Judge Advocate for the 20th Regiment of the Tennessee Militia. In this position, according to the "Rules of Decorum" written in the ledger book, McTeer was "to explain any question or law, if necessary." Also, he recorded the minutes of the battalion's court martial events in the ledger.

Less is known of James Thompson Gamble of Maryville. A man by that name, born February 3, 1823 and died April 19, 1885, is buried in Centennial Presbyterian Church cemetery in Blount County.

The Tennessee Militia Record Book and James Thompson Gamble Account Book, 1840-1885, contains records of both the 20th Regiment of the Blount County branch of the Tennessee Militia and of a merchant in Maryville.

The first half of the ledger book notes the division of the Blount County militia members into regiments, battalions, and companies based on geographic location. The "Rules of Decorum" for members of the battalion are also included. The bulk of this section of the ledger book, however, deals with the records of the Battalion Court Martials. Beginning on June 14, 1840 and ending on November 23, 1854, this portion of the book details meeting attendance and fines for missed meetings, appeals brought before the court, status reports on recruits ruled unfit for duty, and other militia business.

The second half of the book served as the account book for James Thompson Gamble of Maryville from 1870 through 1885. In this book, Gamble recorded wages earned, accounts owed, and accounts paid.

• Tennessee -- Militia -- History.
• Blount County (Tenn.) -- History.