John R. Brown home place on Martin Creek. His daughter Lou in front of the old place.

by Rickey Robertson (ATT Contributor)

Another historical trip to some more of the old Peason Ridge Homesteads. Went to the John R. Brown place (original picture of the old place with his daughter sitting in front) that was located on Martin Creek. John R. Brown had a very big farm and he plowed it all with his old mule Molly. He had a big place, a syrup mill, and the woods full of livestock. He was a susistence farmer and even had some sharecroppers on part of his place. You can see in 2 photo’s where the home was at and the third is the old road that ran in front of the house. Now the Army has this crossroads named “Batumi”. Just across Martin Creek was the farm of my G/Unce Tom and G/Aunt Doanie Craft McInnis place. They had worked hard and farmed all their lives. The original photo is of Tom and Doanie Craft McInnis and all their children. Just as all the folks who owned farms and homesteads they died of a broken heart at the loss of their old place.And while we headed for home had to stop at the original locaton where Cold Springs School and Church was located. It was built in 1889 and operated at this site to about 1908 when it burned and moved a couple of miles. And yes there was a spring in front of the school and one in the back….and the springs are still running good Cold Springs water !

Location on Peason Ridge of the John R. Brown home place.

Another view of the site of the house place of John R. Brown on Peason Ridge.

The old road that ran in front of the John R. Brown place on Peason Ridge is still visible.

On Army maps the crossroads at the John R. Brown place is named Batumi.

Thomas and Doanie Craft McInnis and their children. They were original homesteaders on Peason Ridge. Aunt Doanie had what is known today as rheumatoid arthritis due to her hard work .

Location of the home site of the Tom and Doanie McInnis place on Peason Ridge.

Martin Creek separated the John R. Brown place and the Tom McInnis Place on Peason Ridge. This is one of the major creeks on Peason Ridge.

The original location of Cold Springs School and Church on Peason Range. The original school was built in 1889.

At the location of the original site of Cold Springs School and Church the 2 springs are still running. Yes you can get a drink of Cold Springs water !