Historical Timeline
1820-1839
February 4, 1820
The Jackson Purchase was added to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
1827 map, although inaccurate at the time, of Calloway County before Marshall formed.
1820s
A post office and trading center first called Williston for James Willis, an early settler, then Pooltown after a merchant named Robert Pool, was renamed "Pleasant Hill," then later incorporated as the City of Murray.
A representative of early post office of Dr. R. L. Grogan, cir. 1850-1900.
April 17, 1820
A container known as a toll dish inscribed with this date was used to measure grain when farmers brought their loads for grinding to Brandon's Mill.
A representative of early post office of Dr. R. L. Grogan, cir. 1850-1900.
December 15, 1821
The original boundaries of Calloway County were approved by an act of the General Assembly.
A plat of Calloway County after Marshall is formed.
June 1822
The first land office in the Jackson Purchase was opened in Wadesboro. Being the first, it was often referred to as the Capital of the Purchase.
November 3, 1822
Calloway County was carved from Hickman County, encompassing 395 square miles. Named for Colonel Richard Calloway, it also included what is now Marshall County.
January 10, 1823
The first session of an organizing meeting for the county was held on this date. The second session was on the following day and the first item of business was the construction of a courthouse.
January 16, 1823
Commissioners representing the state established the first County Court in Calloway. The clerk was certified by the Court of Appeals. At this meeting the first license to perform marriages was registered; six constable districts were organized, and the sheriff, William Duncan, was approved by appointment from the Governor.
First courthouse of Calloway County.
March 1823
Appointments were made to build a road from Heath's Ferry on the Tennessee River to Wadesboro. Others were appointed to layout a road from Wadesboro toward the county seat in Graves County. During the same meeting the first tavern license was granted and an order to build the county jail was adopted.
1823
The county tax levy totaled $591.13 at the rate of $1 per title of land. The tax was reduced to .50 cents the following year.
May 15, 1823
The first civil suit was up for decision at the second session of the Circuit Court.
February 12, 1827
The second post office in the area was established with Chauncey Miller as Postmaster. It was located near present day Kenlake Hotel.
1827
The price of land in Calloway County was reduced to 50 cents per acre. The highest price paid for Government land in the county was $1.25 per acre, and the lowest price was 12 cents per acre.
October 8, 1828
Members of the Robert C. Stubblefield family were living in the area referred to as Humility. The community was later renamed New Concord.
New Concord Cemetery entrance.
1830
The county court ordered a new courthouse building built of brick, two stories in height, 36 feet by 36 feet.
May 28, 1830
The third post office was established in the area of Murray, named Williston for the postmaster, James Willis. Later, this site was renamed Pooltown and then changed to Pleasant Hill.
1830
The Calloway County census showed a population of 5,164 with 822 heads of households, and 361 slaves.
1832
South of Wadesboro settlers: Charles Linn, Mr. Farrar, the Saunders family, William Melton, Peter Boggs, Coleman Wicker, Mr. Merriman, Thomas Garrett, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Skaggs, Henry R. Bailey, Seth Pool, Robert Pool, Betsey Faires and others.
1832
John Hodges, Robert Stubblefield, and James Barnett were early Tennessee River settlers.
August 29, 1832
Wadesboro Lodge No. 105 of the Freemasons was established August 29, 1838. They closed on September 1, 1840. Murray Lodge No. 105 opened their doors in Murray on August 29, 1844.
Freemason symbol courtesy Wikipedia.
1835
South Pleasant Grove Methodist Church was established.
1835
The community of Concord was established about 10 miles from Murray. In 1868, it was incorporated and became New Concord, with population around 150. (Began October 8, 1828 as Humility)
1835
The largest family in Calloway County history was likely William Henry and Nancy (Chunn) Killebrew who bore 21 sons; none were still born and there were no twins.
The stone of Nancy Chunn Killebrew.
September 19, 1837
Tobacco was selling from 3 to 5 cents per pound.
1838
Wear (later Wallis) Drug Store was established. It was later burned by Union soldiers during the Civil War. The store was rebuilt at 412 Main Street and returned to business, remaining operational until March 1998.
1838
"Seclusaval," home of Peter Steinback and Virginia Ann Michaux Hamlin, was built by David and Billie Brewer near New Concord on Blood River. All of the woodwork was carved by hand.
Seclusaval - The Hamlin Place
1839-1840
The Mormons tried to establish a church in Calloway County, and Elder Sydney Rigdon was sent here to make proselytes. The majority of those converted moved to Nauvoo, Illinois.
