Samuel Gann of Winchester Va Family

From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

Smiteman Cemetery is about 2 miles south of Dallas.

From Preston Gann and Some of His Descendants by Christine E. Holcomb 1986: Preston and his son-in-law owned what is now Valley Brook and the Creeks Bend Golf Course. He also owned most of the land in the Big Ridge-Hidden Harbor Subdivisions. Preston Gann began buying this land in the early 1830's as the Indians and other early settlers began moving to the West. Among the early settlers in the Dallas area were Asahel Rawlings, George Sawyer, Elisha Kirlen and Preston Gann. The town of Dallas served as the county seat of Hamilton County until about 1840 when it was moved to Harrison and then to Chattanooga. This growing town had several buildings but today all that remains is the Jackson Chapel Cemetery. Most signs of this once thriving town are now covered by the waters of the Tennessee River. For a number of years Preston Gann added to his holdings, but around 1856-57 he began dividing the land among his daughters. They were Cassandra Smith, Rebecca Jackson, Louisa Thomas, Martha Smith Clarke, Mary Ann Schneitman and Sarah Jones Gann. Each daughter received about two hundred and fifty acres, all having land along the Tennessee River and up the side of and to the base of Big Ridge. Today this would be along Hixson Pike and Cassandra Smith Road. Christian Schneitman added to his wife's property several hundred acres in what is now Valley Brook. He built his home at the base of Big Ridge on Big Ridge Road where it is still occupied. Preston Gann lived near Chickamauga Creek in the Creeks Bend Golf Course area. He later moved to the Falling Water area where he lived until his death in 1884. He had remarried after the death of his wife and had two more children. Today we find some of his descendants still living on the property that he gave his children. Among these are the Swingles, Ashleys, Harveys, Browns, Marshalls and Pendergrasses. All these and many more of his descendants have always taken an active part in the Hixson community.

Will Preston Gann: I, Preston Gann, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at anytime made. First: I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible, out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or which may first come to the hands of my executor hereinafter named. Second: I give and bequeath to my wife, Susan Gann, all my interest in the land known as the Flippo lands conveyed by William Flippo on the 30th day of August 18__. Also I give to her the following personal property, to-wit: one bead-stead and the bedding for the same; she to select any one she may desire, one ball-faced horse about six years old and one bridle and side saddle, also one cow about three years old being the only one now owned by me, also one sow and pigs, she to select the one she may want. Third: I will and bequeath to my children Catherine Gann, and William P. Gann all the property both real and personal of which I may die possessed, except what I have given to my wife in Item second. Fourth: It is my will that all thes tock, household and kitchen furniture, except that mentioned in Item second, be kept at the place where I now reside for the use and benefit of said two children, Catherine and William P. Fifth: It is my will that all my property except the homeplace, if necessary be first sold to pay my debts, and my homeplace be left for my said two children, Catherine and William P. Sixth: I do hereby nominate and appoint Henry C. Hortmon the executor of this my last will and testament who will immediately upon my death or as soon thereafter as possible enter upon his duties as such; and if he finds it necessary to pay me debts to sell real estate he may do so, and may sell any except my homeplace. And he will not be required to give bond as my executor the same being expressly waived. In witness whereof, I do, to this my will set my hand and seal on this the 18th day of March 1880. (signed) Signed sealed and delivered in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in presence of the testator by his request. This March 18th 1880. ___ C. Hale M. S. Brown Filed April 29, 1884; probated May 5, 1884 and recorded Book 5, page 369-70. Recorded in Will Book, page 205. Hamilton County Chancery Court.