OBITUARY OF THOMAS SNODDY,
ONE OF THE LAST OF THE KING'S MOUNTAIN MEN
Submitted by Pollyanna Creekmore
Thomas Snoddy. Esq. of Jefferson County. died on the 26th of June, 1839. He was one of the
patriarchs of the land. and distinguished for his private virtues and public usefulness.
He was born January 26th, 1761, in Buckingham county, Virginia. and 'fas in his 17th year when his
father moved to the county of Washington. (Va.) The patriotic Col. Campbell was then engaged in
raising volunteers to proceed against the united forces of the British and the Tories under Ferguson,
at King's Mountain. Mr. Snoddy volunteered on that occasion and has the honor of sharing the perils
and the glory of that memorable battle. which assisted to give strength and renewed hopes to the
friends of liberty throughout the South.
In 1787 he came to East Tennessee, and was forted on Little River. From thence he removed to
Jefferson county, (then Greene,) where he resided to the period of his death. He has repeatedly been
honored by his fellow-citizens with a seat in the Legislature, and filled the office of magistrate for
forty years. and of this time was some fifteen years Chief Justice of the county.
He became a member of the Presbyterian Church is his 30th year, and was soon after called to act
as an Elder. which honored office in the house of his master, he filled with Christian zeal and
exemplary fidelity till the close of his life. He was also a leading member. and most valuable officer
of the Bible Society of that county, and contributed his means and his personal agency to supply every
family within its limits with a copy of the Sacred Scriptures.
The memory of this ripe christian. and pure patriot, will long be cherished by his numerous friends.
He never aspired to any of the honors of this life, and those which he received were pressed upon
him by the earnest wishes and great confidence of his countrymen. The writer of this article was for
many years his intimate personal friend. and had the best opportunities of appreciating his character.
He was in truth a practical philosopher. living and dying like a true christian. In his daily pursuits.
eternity was ever in his view, and his manner was to act as though. at all times..he might be
immediately called to the presence of his maker. In his last moments he maintained the most perfect
resignation and often expressed his entire submission to the djvine will - His life and death were
bright examples of meekness and piety, and full of instruction and encouragement both to the youthful
and the aged christian. All men might look upon the history of his life. and contemplate its last
scenes, and feel that they had lessons to treasure up more valuable than precious jewels. The great
Addison in his last moments, sent for an infidel friend to see how a christian could die. Here was
another illustration that would have made a deep impression upon the heart of the unbeliever, and
adds one more to the thousand testimonies of the faith of the dying christian.
Mr. Snoddy was a man of vigorous mind and remarkably sound judgnlent. He ~as a tender husband,
a kind father, and most devoted friend. He has left numerous descendants and connexions of great
respectability. who will long and sincerely mourn the separation.
The writer who makes this tribute to his memory feels that he has lost one of his most faithful and
valued friends, and will cherish through life a recollection of his ennobling virtues.
A.
ARGUS tJ':ill. COMMERCIAL (Knoxville, TN)
V. 1. No. 34. February 11. 1840
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TENNESSEE ANCESTORS