Regarding the cemetery name -
Thomas J. Clouse, Sr. started a school and a church and a cemetery. Originally called "Clouse", it was called "Possum Trot" school/church/cemetery in the mid and late 1800's, then also later known as "Old Clouse Bumbalough Cemetery" in the Clouse Book, then in 1889 named officially the "Thomas J. Clouse Cemetery" in the 1899 deed for the 2 acre cemetery.

So the current accurate name of the cemetery is
"Thomas J. Clouse Cemetery"

Possum Trot School reference info.
Possum Trot School was one of the early twentieth century mountain schools. It was a subscription school and the school's regular term extended for approximately three months by subscription. This school was located in the Phiffer Bench Community in the eastern section of Putnum County. The building was a box house. Porter Lee and Mattie Morris were two of the remembered teachers of the school. This school was closed in 1916.



Our History-Past Minutes
1879 Annual Association

The Delegates comprising the Fourteenth Anniversary of the Stone Association assembled at the Laurel Creek Church, Cumberland county, Tennessee on Friday, the 3d day of October, a d., 1879.

After prayer by Elder John Kinnaird, the Introductory Sermon was preached by Elder John Brewster from the 15th Chapter of the Gospel recorded by St. John, and the first clause of the 5th verse, "I am the vine, ye are the branches."

The delegates from the different Churches being called, came forward and took their seats. The Association then proceeded to organize, by electing Elder Benjamin Clouse, Moderator, and Bro. R. L Gentry, Clerk. Letters from the different Churches were then called for and were read and received. The door to admit sister Churches as members of the Association was then opened, when there were two presented themselves by their delegates - T. C. Peek and John Brewster, duly appointed, and were received in due form, they having presented petitionary letters, which letters were read and received. On motion, the Association adjourned until 4 o'clock p. m.

Afternoon Session-Met pursuant to adjournment, and after prayer by the moderator, proceeded to business. Corresponding letters were called for, when one from New Union Association of United Baptist was presented by its delegates, duly appointed, to wit: A. D. Jones, William Massa, J. H. Brannum, M. Curtis, and W. H. Trammel, which letter was read and received, and the delegates invited to seats: that being present, came forward and took their seats. On motion, the Association adjourned until Saturday morning , 8 O'clock.

Saturday-The Association met pursuant to adjournment, and after prayer by Elder T. J. Clouse, proceeded to business. On motion, and in pursuance of Section 9 of the Declaration of Rights, there were appointed as Presbyters, Elders T. J. Clouse, John Brewster, Joseph A. Moyers, G. L. Moyers and John Stowers for the next associational year. On motion, the ministers were appointed to attend the several churches as pastors thereof, to-wit:
Antioch - Willis Bush and John Fuquay
Board Valley - Benjamin Clouse and E. Pennington
Blackburn's Fork - Jesse Allen and John Kinnard
Bethel - T. J. Clouse
Calf Killer - Benjamin Clouse
Caney Fork - E. Pennington and Lewis Howell
Crooked Creek - W. P. Brown and John Brewster
Cane Creek - Willis Bush and John Fuquay
Copeland Creek - G. L. Moyers, Joseph Moyers and john Stowers
Chapel Hill - Lewis Howell and Benjamin Clouse
Dodson's Branch - Jesse Allen and Nathan Judd
England Cove - E. Pennington and Benjamin Clouse
Highland - John Kinnard and J. J. Speck
High Rock - Mathias Judd and John Judd
Indian Creek - C. Alred and W. Y. Tinch
Laurel Creek - G. L. Moyers and Joseph A. Moyers
Liberty - W. B. Isbell
Macedonia - Nathan Judd and Mathias Judd
Mt. Pisgah - Joseph A. Moyers and John Brewster
Shady Grove - John Kinnard and J. J. Speck
Viola - T. J. Clouse and Mansfield Howell
Zion Hill, P. C. - Benjamin Clouse, Mansfield Howell and R. L. Gentry
Zion Hill, C. C. - Joseph A. Moyers and G. L. Moyers

Elder James A. Moyers, at his own request, was released from pastoral labor for the next associational year. Elder W. E. Smith, upon the report of the Board of Presbyters, was dismissed from the Association, and his credentials declared null and void. On motion, it was agreed that we have correspondence with New Union Association of United Baptist, and one Messenger from each Church from this Association was appointed, to wit: John Fuquay, Benjamin Clouse, R. F. Pippin, Robert Horn, John A. Brown, John Brewster, James A. Moyers, Wm. Boisley, Lewis Howell, Jesse Allen, Wm. Emery, James Crabtree, Center Alred, G. L Moyers, Joseph Whieaker (Whiteaker?), Jackson Lee, Jr: Joseph A. Moyers, Thomas Neal, R. L. Gentry, Mansfield Howell, John Judd, T. J. Clouse and W. B. Isbell, and that this Association send up a letter of correspondence to New Union Association, when convened with the Indian Creek Church, Dekalb County, Tenn., on Friday before the second Lord's Day in September, 1880.

On application of R. L. Gentry and J. J. Speck, and they being recommended as candidates for the Ministry, and being declared qualified by the Board of Presbyters, they were ordained to the office of Elder by prayer and the imposition of bonds. On motion, it was resolved that the next Association be held with Church at Zion Hill, Putnam County, Tennessee, commencing on Friday before the third Lords Day in October, 1880, and that Elder G. L. Moyers be appointed to preach the introductory sermon, and Elder Benjamin Clouse his alternate. Resolved, That the following be the form of letters of correspondence to the Annual Association, to wit:

We, the Christian Baptist Church of Christ, at________County, Tenn, to the Stone Association.
Dear Brethren: We have chosen our Messengers, _________, _________, _________ to represent us in your body. The statistics of our church are as follows: Increase by baptism ____ by letter ____, by restoration _____, Our decrease by letter ____, by death ____ by exclusion __ Total in Fellowship ______. Our day of meeting is the ___ Sabbath. We send contribution, $_____
_________________ Moderator, _________________Clerk.

Declaration Of Rights
Section 1. That all power of Church Government is inherent in the people and the Preachers, that is the churches; that they have a right through their representatives to establish, alter or amend their form of Church Government, two-thirds agreeing thereto.
Sec. 2. That a Christian Church is a society of believers in Jesus Christ and is a divine institution, Christ Jesus being the head of the Church, and the Bible the only rule of faith and practice.
Sec. 3. That no rule of faith and doctrine shall ever be established in the
Christian Baptist Church contrary to the Bible.
Sec. 4. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and obeys the gospel should be deprived of church membership.
Sec. 5. Every man has an inalienable right to private judgement in matters of religion, and may speak freely of the same in a way that will not violate the law of God, or the laws of his country, or the rights of his fellow-men.
Sec. 6. Church trials should be conducted on Gospel principles only, and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, or the propagation of unchristian doctrine, or neglect of duty enjoined by the word of God, or the rules of the church.
Sec. 7. The church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations only, as are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary to carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
Sec. 8. There may be three grades of Associations established in the Christian Baptist Church. 1st.-The Monthly Association. 2d.- The Annual Association. 3d.-The General Association, all of which may be established by the rules of the church.
Sec. 9. The Annual Association has the right to elect Presbyters for the purpose, and with the power to ordain candidates to the ministry, and to pass upon and declare the credentials of any Minister not found worthy or qualified for the ministry, null and void.
Sec. 10. That the Church has the right to elect their leaders and delegates to the annual association. All the members are entitled to a vote in the elections and church trials.
Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of every church to elect two deacons and one clerk.
Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of each church to send up their delegates with letters to the Annual Association.
Sec. 13. It shall be the duty of the Annual Association to send to the general Association, delegates with corresponding letters in order.

Rules Of Decorum
We, the Christian Baptist Church of Christ, believing it to be our duty to convene ourselves together in an associated capacity, in order to set forth our principles, and also rules of decorum for the churches to be governed by in the future, the following rules shall be our decorum:
1st. - The Association shall be composed of the members chosen from sister Churches of the same faith and order.
2nd.-This Association shall be opened by prayer to Almighty God.
3rd.-One of the members of this Association shall be chosen to preside, who shall be addressed by the name of Brother Moderator, and to him every speech shall be directed, and he shall not have the liberty of discussing any subject unless the chair is filled by someone else.
4th.-And we will have the liberty of choosing our own clerk, and there shall be a door open for sister churches into the Association.
5th.-No complaint shall be brought in the church against transgressing members until the aggrieved party comply with the directions given by our Lord in St. Matt., 18th. Chap. 15, 16 and 17 verses.
6th,-Every motion made and seconded, shall come under the consideration of the Association unless withdrawn by those who made it.
7th.-If the minority are at any time grieved by the majority, they are hereby directed to make the same known immediately to the association, and if satisfaction cannot be attained, it may be necessary in that case to call help from other associations.
8th.-If at any time the Association should deem it necessary to make amendments, it may be done provided two-thirds of the Association be in favor of it.
9th.-All the business of the Association shall be recorded by the clerk, and before the association rises, the same shall be read and corrected, if need be.
10th.-It shall be the duty of the delegates of the different churches, who have been elected, to bring up letters in order to the Annual Association.
11th.-It shall be the duty of the deacons of the churches to go to transgressing members, talk to them, admonish them, and they shall have until the second church meeting to make reconciliation. It may be the duty of the church to choose a committee to settle questions of aggrieved cases.
12th.-It shall be the duty of the deacons to advise the church to promote means to sustain their churches and preachers.
13th.-It shall be the duty of each minister on receiving members into the church, to ask the applicant the following questions; first, do you feel that you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Second, are you a believer with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Third, are you willing to walk in all his precepts?
14th.-It shall be the duty of all persons who become members of the Christian Baptist Church to attend the ordinance of Baptism.
15th.-Each Annual Association shall elect a Treasurer, whose duty it shall be to hold all the funds which shall come into the Treasury. There shall also at the same time be a clerk elected, whose duty is shall be to record all the business of said Treasury. All moneys paid into the Treasury shall be subject to the order of the Association.
16th.-It shall be the duty of the several churches of this Association to organize a Church Treasury in like manner to rule 15th, to defray Church expenses.

Articles Of Faith-Christian Baptist Church
Article 1.-We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word Of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
Art. 2.-But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him, and the one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him. 1st Cor., 8 chap. And 6th verse.
Art. 3-We believe that man is unable to recover himself from the fallen state that he is in by reason of sin, only by the grace of God through the exercise of faith.
Art. 4.-We believe that baptism and the Lord's supper and the washing of saints feet are ordinances of Jesus Christ and that immersion is the only true baptism, not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Art. 5.-We believe that no minister has a right to administer these ordinances except such as are legally ordained.
Art. 6.-We believe in the Resurrection of the dead, and a general Judgement, the punishment of the wicked and the joys of the righteous are eternal.
Art. 7,-We receive no persons into the Christian Baptist Church of Christ only on the principle of their conversion.
Art. 8.-We believe that no persons are members of the Church of Christ, only those that have the witness within themselves.
Art. 9.-We believe that all the members of the Church of Christ have a right to the Sacrament table, upon the principle of their acceptance with Him, for St. Paul says, "But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup." 1st Cor., 11th chap. 28th verse.

Church Statistics
Increased By Decreased By Total
Church Delegates Baptism Letter, Restored Letter, Excluded Death Members Contribution

Antioch Smith Bryant, George Rodgers 0 0 0 0 0 0 56 0.50

Board Valley Benj Clouse, F.S. Robinson 0 0 0 0 0 0 112 1.00

Blackmans Fork Lafeyette Byers, D.G. Bradford 12 0 0 0 1 0 90 1.80

Bethel T. C. Peek 45 0 0 0 0 0 45 0.75

Calf Killer T. J. Clouse 11 1 0 0 0 1 64 1.00

Caney Fork Taylor Hudgens 3 0 0 0 0 3 40 0.60

Crooked Creek John Brewster 0 1 0 0 8 0 46 0.20

Cane Creek Jas. A. Moyers, J. L. Welch 11 1 0 0 1 1 75 1.20

Copeland Creek Wm. Boisley, Benj. Clouse 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0.50

Chapel Hill 7 0 0 0 2 1 97 0.95

Dodsons Branch
England Cove Elijah England, John Dubois 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0.50
Highrock 6 0 0 1 0 0 47 0.50

Highland J. J. Speck 4 0 0 0 0 0 10 0.35

Indian Creek John Brewster 0 2 0 3 1 0 20

Laurel Creek Jas. A. Moyers, Wm. Brewer 0 1 0 2 0 1 28 1.70

Liberty John Brewster 0 15 0 0 0 0 15

Macedonia 9 0 0 0 0 0 34 0.25

Mount Pisgah John Judd 1 0 1 0 1 1 26 0.20

Shady Grove E. H. Henry 0 0 0 0 0 2 44 0.70

Viola J. L. Gentry, N. L. Crawley 2 5 0 0 0 0 27 0.90

Zion Hill P.C. J. V. Martin, A. W. Tilley 1 0 0 0 2 5 122 1.00

Zion Hill C.C. Jas. E. Vanwinkle, G. L. Moyers 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 0.60

Totals
--------------------
111 76 1 6 16 15 1091 15.20


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Thomas's occupation was a Preacher for Free-Will Baptist Church

Thomas Jefferson Clouse, born January 08, 1801 in Washington Co., Tenn.; died July 18, 1872 in White Co., Tenn. (later Putnam Co.)

His residence information for the years of 1860 and 1870 are as follows.
Residence: 1860, District 4, Putnam, Tennessee
Residence: 1870, District 3, Putnam, Tennessee

Thomas was struck by a falling tree while clearing land. It crushed his chest and caused him to get pneumonia. He died a couple of weeks later. He died three months after his daughter, Rachel, was born of Peggy Eller. He was 71 years old.

Thomas married three times during his lifetime having many children and grandchildren.

Marriage 1
Married: ABT. 1820
Children

J. W. CLOUSE

Patsy CLOUSE b: 1821 on Cedar Creek in White County - Last known of her was from 1850 census when Patsy (age 29), and Nancy Ann (age 18), and Marion (age 21) were living next door to her father and step-mother.

Benjamin CLOUSE b: 7 AUG 1824 in Cedar Creek, White County, TN

John "Jobe" CLOUSE b: 27 FEB 1827 in Cedar Creek in the Caney Fork area of White County, TN

Francis Marion CLOUSE b: 1828 in Cedar Creek, White County, TN

Nancy Ann CLOUSE b: 1832

William Riley "Bill" CLOUSE b: 1834 in Cedar Creek, White County, TN (near the DeKalb County line)

Thomas James (or Jefferson) CLOUSE , Jr. b: 1 JAN 1837 in Cedar Creek, White County, TN (near the DeKalb County Line)

Elijah Crockett CLOUSE b: 18 MAY 1838 in White County, TN

Marriage 2 Euphannah "Famie" ISOM b: in TN
Married: 1840
Children

Charles Lee CLOUSE b: 16 MAR 1848 in In the Mountains in upper White County, TN

Mary Elizabeth "Bets" CLOUSE b: ABT. 1850 - Nothing more is known of her after the 1860 census when she was age 10.

Mack Charles CLOUSE b: 14 SEP 1850 in White County, TN

Andrew Jackson "Jack" CLOUSE b: NOV 1852 in White County, TN

James Kelly Polk "Jim" CLOUSE b: 5 MAR 1853 in Cookeville, Putnam County, TN

Simpson "Simp" CLOUSE b: 16 MAR 1854 in Cookeville, Putnam County, TN

Married Margaret "Peggy" ELLER b: 28 NOV 1830
Married: 24 SEP 1861 in Putnam or White County, TN
Children

William "Willis" Allen CLOUSE b: 26 SEP 1862 in Cookeville (or Possom Trot), Putnam County, TN, m. Ola Robinson, Jan. 27, 1886

Eli Slyvester CLOUSE b: 18 JUL 1864 in Cookeville (Possom Trot), Putnam (White County) County, TN and died June 5, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He married (1) Mary Lucretia Cox, (2) Ocie Elois Brooks on June 14, 1892. She was the daughter of Marion Brooks and Nannie Bell. She was born Feb. 19, 1872 in Greenville, Tenn. and died Apr. 14, 1897.

Dillard Martin CLOUSE b: 13 DEC 1866 in Cookeville, Putnam County, TN, d. June 14, 1954, Vinita, OK; m. Frances Laura Jones

Sarah Unicy "Nicy" CLOUSE b: 11 MAR 1869 in Cookeville, Putnam County (White County), TN, d. Feb. 1, 1940; m. J.R. Campbell

Rachel Frances CLOUSE b: 20 APR 1872 in Cookeville, Putnam County (White County), TN, d. Apr. 13, 1931, Fayetteville, AR; m. Dennis Jeffries

Note on Patsy Clouse -

https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/patsy-clouse-24-1bhf9xb?geo_a=t&geo_s=au&geo_t=us&geo_v=2.0.0&o_iid=41018&o_lid=41018&o_sch=Web+Property

Born in Cedar Creek, White County, Tennessee, USA on 1821 to Thomas Jefferson Clouse and Susan C Julian. Patsy Clouse passed away on Aug 1869.

***** See information on Original Stone Association of Free Will Baptist Organization (Established 1865)

In part, Among the well known ministers of the Christian Baptist Church were Corder Stone,
Nathan Judd, Thomas J. Clouse, Benjamin Clouse, M. Judd, W. S. Clouse, G. W.
Pennington, G. B. Brown, Henry Johnson, L. F. Smith, Joseph A. Moyers, J. W.
Stone, E. W. Stone, W. B. Gentry, F. M. Flatt, W. N. Selby, D. E. Smith, J. L Kinnaird, J. N. Cantrell, and J. L. Myers.

These ministers and numerous other Christian Baptist ministers, rendered many
years of faithful, devoted and untiring service, preaching the Gospel and
conducting revivals throughout this section. They received very meager financial
remuneration, but the good that they accomplished can never be computed until
the day of final accounting, and their memory will long be cherished.