Preston GannAge: 82 years1802–1884
- Name
- Preston Gann
- Given names
- Preston
- Surname
- Gann
![]() | April 20, 1802 38 |
![]() | Eliza Gann about 1802 |
![]() | Malinda Gann about 1805 (Age 2 years) |
![]() | Adam Gann August 6, 1812 (Age 10 years) |
![]() | George Washington Gann 1820 (Age 17 years) |
![]() | Mary Ann Layman — View this family about 1824 (Age 21 years) |
![]() #1 | Mary Ann Gann November 4, 1825 (Age 23 years) |
![]() #2 | Cassandra Gann September 3, 1831 (Age 29 years) |
![]() #3 | Louisa M. Gann 1834 (Age 31 years) |
![]() #4 | Martha Gann 1835 (Age 32 years) |
![]() #5 | Rebecca Gann December 14, 1837 (Age 35 years) |
![]() | Thomas Gann July 25, 1840 (Age 38 years) |
![]() #6 | Sarah Jones Gann August 16, 1840 (Age 38 years) |
![]() | Daniel C. Smith — Cassandra Gann — View this family August 3, 1848 (Age 46 years) |
![]() | Thomas Gann 1850 (Age 47 years) |
![]() | Andrew Jackson Thomas — Louisa M. Gann — View this family 1854 (Age 51 years) |
![]() | James Jasper Jackson — Rebecca Gann — View this family 1855 (Age 52 years) |
![]() | Mary Ann Layman April 15, 1871 (Age 68 years) |
![]() | John (Jack) Gann November 5, 1871 (Age 69 years) |
![]() #7 | Catherine Gann December 12, 1872 (Age 70 years) |
![]() #8 | William P. Gann December 26, 1873 (Age 71 years) |
![]() | April 24, 1884 (Age 82 years) |
![]() |
Family with parents |
father |
Thomas Gann Birth: March 17, 1764 37 32 — Bedford Co, VA Death: July 25, 1840 — Hamilton Co, TN |
elder brother |
Cornelius Gann Birth: about 1791 26 Death: |
3 years elder brother |
John (Jack) Gann Birth: about 1793 28 — Washington Co, TN Death: November 5, 1871 — Hamilton County, Tennessee |
4 years elder brother |
Thomas Gann Birth: 1796 31 — TN Death: 1850 — Hamilton Co, TN |
5 years elder sister |
Mary Gann Birth: about 1800 35 — NC Death: January 12, 1892 — Willacoochee, Berrien Co, GA |
2 years himself |
Preston Gann Birth: April 20, 1802 38 — Hawkins Co, TN Death: April 24, 1884 |
8 months sister |
Eliza Gann Birth: about 1802 37 — Hamilton Co, TN Death: 1908 — Savoy, Fannin Co, TX |
4 years younger sister |
Malinda Gann Birth: about 1805 40 — Hamilton Co, TN Death: |
16 years younger brother |
George Washington Gann Birth: 1820 55 — TN Death: |
brother |
Family with Mary Ann Layman |
himself |
Preston Gann Birth: April 20, 1802 38 — Hawkins Co, TN Death: April 24, 1884 |
wife |
Mary Ann Layman Birth: March 22, 1798 Death: April 15, 1871 — Hamilton Co, TN |
Marriage: about 1824 — |
|
22 months daughter |
Mary Ann Gann Birth: November 4, 1825 23 27 Death: February 24, 1901 |
6 years daughter |
Cassandra Gann Birth: September 3, 1831 29 33 Death: November 12, 1900 |
3 years daughter |
Louisa M. Gann Birth: 1834 31 35 Death: |
2 years daughter |
Martha Gann Birth: 1835 32 36 Death: |
3 years daughter |
Rebecca Gann Birth: December 14, 1837 35 39 — Hamilton Co, TN Death: |
Family with Sally Jones Keeton |
himself |
Preston Gann Birth: April 20, 1802 38 — Hawkins Co, TN Death: April 24, 1884 |
wife | |
daughter |
Sarah Jones Gann Birth: August 16, 1840 38 Death: February 19, 1924 |
Family with Susan Ann Levi |
himself |
Preston Gann Birth: April 20, 1802 38 — Hawkins Co, TN Death: April 24, 1884 |
wife | |
daughter |
Catherine Gann Birth: December 12, 1872 70 Death: August 20, 1946 |
1 year son |
William P. Gann Birth: December 26, 1873 71 Death: April 19, 1957 |
Note | 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. |