Newport Plain Talk - Feb 1981 - A quilt which represents an integral part of Cocke County's history will be a highlight at the opening gala of The Cocke County Museum's Quilt Show. The gala opens March 15 at the Cocke County Community Center. Polly Ann Murrell was born in the late 1830's, a daughter of Jobe and Polly (Cooper) Murrell. As a young woman, she married James Huff, a son of Rev. John Huff and his wife, Nancy Allen. They were the parents of three daughters; Maranda (Randy), Charity, and Harriett. The marriage ended with Huff's death in 1856. Of the three daughters, Maranda was blind and Charity died young. Harriett married Abraham Hartsell Jr. Polly Ann Murrell Huff, a young widow with three young daughters, next married Perry Hicks. This marriage probably occurred in 1859. The next year a daughter, Elizabeth (Betsey) was born. The year 1860 saw a shadow cross America. The Civil War broke out, and soon its bloody scourge spread to Cocke County. Peaceful communities split apart as former friends and neighbors laid down their farming tools and replaced them with war materials. In many cases, brother fought against brother. In addition to the regular troops of the confederate and Union armies, gangs of "bushwhackers" began roaming the countryside. These bands sprang up as deserters, renegades and criminals saw a way to prey on the helpless women, children, and elderly who were left at home while the able-bodied men were at war. Polly Ann Hicks, whose life thus far had been far from easy, probably took the trials of wartime in stride. She lived near the old Butler Schoolhouse, close to the present Carl Williams and Ross Bryant homes in Bogard. She had to be on constant guard against sudden attacks and raids from bushwhackers. Such things as meat, salt, coffee, sugar, and of course money were scarce as the proverbial hens teeth. Hiding places were created, used, found, and destroyed. Every family found its own safe place for its valuables. For Poly Ann Hicks, a chestnut stump provided a hiding place for the family's precious commodities. Into the stump went all the afore-mentioned treasures as well as a beautiful, hand-dyed quilt. This was not just any quilt. It was a work of art, designed and stitched by hands that had seen little beauty, but which could create a museum quality masterpiece. After the war, Polly Ann retrieved the quilt from the chestnut stump and restored it to its rightful place as a Sunday coverlet for a bed. There is remained, delighting the eye and, at the same time, serving as a mute reminder of the horrors just endured. Polly Ann became a grandmother, and one grandson, a little boy names Thurman Williams, particularly enjoyed his grandmother's quilt. Later, he asked her for the quilt and she gave it to him. Today, that little boy is 91 years old, a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He lives with a son across from Douglas Lake. Mr. Williams has graciously loaned his grandmother's quilt for the opening gala. The quilt is in very good condition. Its colors and vibrant today; the oranges, greens, reds, and brown, still carry their century-old colors well. A special feature is the exquisite quilting in both fan and feather designs. Its pattern is a variation of the Whig Rose.

1850 Sevier county, Sevier, Tennessee
William Wilson M 25 Tennessee
Elizabeth Wilson F 45 Tennessee
Susan Hicks F 21 Tennessee
William Wilson M 15 Tennessee
Nancy Wilson F 6 Tennessee
James Wilson M 4 Tennessee
Cornelius Wilson M 2 Tennessee
Allen Wilson M 1 Tennessee
Catherine Goodfred F 60 Tennessee

1860 Sevier Co Tenn, Dist 1, pg household 66
William Wilson 39 Tn
Elizabeth 54 Va
Susanna Hixs 28 Tn
Nancy Wilson 15 Tn
Cornelius Wilson 12 NC
Albion Wilson 11 Tn
Catherine Gordan 79 Tn
Mary Ann Hix 24 Tn (this is Mary Ann Murrell)
Maranda Huff 7 Tn
Harriett Huff 4 Tn
Elizabeth Jane Hix 5 mos
living next door to Jacob Hartsell age 46 and Naomi Wilson

1870 Cocke Co Tenn 9th dist, household 40
Job Murrell Sr 69 Va
Mary 35 (Huff Hicks and dtr)
Nancy dtr 25
Amanda (Huff) 17 grddtr
Harriett (Huff) 14 grddtr

1880 Englishs Creek, Cocke, Tennessee
Source: FHL Film 1255248 National Archives Film T9-1248 Page 427A
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Polley HICKS Self F W W 44 TNOcc: Keeping House Fa: VA Mo: TN
Maranda HICKS Dau F S W 27 TNFa: TN Mo: TN
Hariot Hartsell Dau F M W 24 TNFa: TN Mo: TN
Abram Hartsell Son M M W 25 TNOcc: Working On Farm Fa: TN Mo: TN
Emma HICKS Dau F S W 7 TNFa: TN Mo: TN
Belle Hartsell GDau F S W 1 TNFa: TN Mo: TN
Nancy MURRELL Sister F W 38 TNOcc: Sister Fa: TN Mo: TN

1900 Cocke Co Tenn Dist 9 135b
127 Polly Ann Hicks head WF Nov 1829 70 W 0 0 Tn Tn Tn
Nancy Murrell sis WF Dec 1834 65 S Tn Tn Tn

REF: 1910 CENSUS COCKE CO. TENN DIST 5, PG 102A HOUSEHOLD #74, AGE 73 WIDOW LISTED AS POLLY HICKS, WITH SISTER NANCY MURRELL RESIDING WITH HER.
POLLY HAD 4 CHILDREN BORN 2 LIVING

BROTHER COMMODORE P. LIVING HOUSEHOLD #72
SISTER SUSIE MURRELL'S HUSBAND (SHE DEAD) LIVING HOUSEHOLD #70 DAVID HICKS

informant A A Williams Cosby
Name: Polly Ann Hicks
Event: Death
Event Date: 17 Feb 1921
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Widowed
Race or Color: White
Age: 87
Estimated Birth Year:
Birth Date: 1834
Birthplace: Virginia
Spouse:
Father: Joel Murrell
Father's Birthplace: Va.
Mother: Tab Cooper
Mother's Birthplace: Va.
Occupation: House Keeper
Street Address:
Residence:
Cemetery: Hicks Cem.
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 18 Feb 1921
Informant:
Additional Relatives:
Digital Folder Number: 4184014
Image Number: 266
Film Number: 1299728