APTA of Hardeman County

24/01/2025

199 years ago today Opbelia Jane Bills was born in this home, Bolivar's oldest home. So much history here.

John Houston Bills came here with the 1st settlers to build Hatchie Town. After several flooding he built his home here in what would become Bolivar.

191 years ago today:

Considered the oldest "frame" house in Bolivar. The Hazelgrove House was originally a two-story log dwelling built in 1823. John Houston Bills was only 23 when he and his wife Prudence Tate McNeal Bills moved into the new four room two-story log home. The home was later modified in the Greek Revival style through the addition of weatherboard siding and a two-story Doric portico on the main facade. They occupied the home approximately 15 years before moving to The Pillars. (Did you know, the roof was made that way to help channel rainwater to a cistern?)

On January 24, 1826, (191 years ago) John Houston Bills and his wife Prudence Bills welcomed their first daughter, Ophelia Jane. Two years later, the Bills welcomed Leonidas Isaac Bills, reportedly the first boy born in Bolivar. They had two additional children - Mary Carolyn born October 25, 1829 and Wilson Thomas born September 18, 1831. Their first born child was also born in this home. Lucius was born August 24, 1824 but sadly, he died the next day.

This and much more about Bolivar's history and our sites: https://sites.google.com/site/historicbolivartn/home

You too, can make a difference... Check us out here and join APTA today. :
http://www.hardemancountyapta.org/

09/12/2024

Get your bid in now!

05/11/2024

First "white woman" to cross the Hatchie River

Hannah Youree was born in Lee County, Virginia on February 14, 1795, but 25 years later, she and her husband William Shinault moved to Hardeman County, Tennessee. It was 1820 and Hannah was the first white woman (as in a non-Native American Indian) to cross the Hatchie River. Sadly, in January of 1826, William died, leaving Hannah to care for their five children. She married again in 1827, this time to Henry Webster with whom she had a daughter. Eventually Hannah joined her William in Woods Cemetery in Hickory Valley where several of their children would also be buried. Her family immortalized her bravery and independence with the inscription they chose for her monument:

" A pioneer; The first White Woman to cross Hatchie river. Settleing one mile east of this place in 1820. A Woman strong of character, And many christian virtues. Loved by her children, Respected by her friends."

28/10/2024

This simple old chair is one of my most prize possessions! It belonged to George Robertson. He and his brother James were both Majors in the TN Militia. They both built Fort Nashboro, we now know as Nashville. When West TN opened to settlers, George came to Bolivar to survey Hardeman County. This chair has been passed down through the family to me.

23/10/2024

If anyone is plotting my wife's or my death, you are too late. We both voted RED. You can too!

22/10/2024

Worthy to have Judge Prewitt here, as the Judge is very worth remembering.

09/08/2024

Thomas Postell Campbell (1851-1948) my great grandfather would be 173 today. He was a boot maker, in his earlier days operated a gin and flour mill. He served as Recorder for Bolivar for many years. He was known as "Bolivar's Walking Historian". He was a familiar character about the courthouse, and he was called upon to give information about event long forgotten or hidden in the dusty records of the past. He had a photographic memory! He and his wife Eugenia (Stone) had 5 children, one was my grandmother Nina Eveline Campbell that married Woodson J Savage, Sr.

Too bad I did not get his gene past down to me.

08/06/2024

Someone lost something of value in the ladies restroom last night at Music on the Square, Bolivar, TN. Tell what it is to claim it.

18/03/2024

We are so proud to announce that this year's Hardeman County Guide is here and available to pickup at locations around the county beginning this week! If you can't find a copy near you, please come visit us at 200 E. Market St.
Hope you enjoy this year's Guide!

28/02/2024

Today in 2007 the Hardeman County Chapter of APTA, planned to bring to the county the first and only Smithsonian exhibit ever to come here to the county at The Little Courthouse Museum. The theme of the exhibit was "American's Roots Music.". This step brought about events that would later that year would turn into Music on the Square, Bolivar, TN . This event is still on-going and will be starting back up this May. We hope to
see you all on the Square!

23/01/2024

I can't make this up. Learn your history!

Can't wait to hear all the apologists try to explain this…

"The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable." - General Ulysses S. Grant’s Personal Memoirs

"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." Abe Lincoln 1st inaugural address

~✟Robert✟~

THE SOUTH WAS RIGHT...!

23/09/2023

30/04/2023

4 years ago today APTA held its last historic home tour, ending a 60+ year tradition in Bolivar.
https://www.facebook.com/100036358249928/posts/959426761945923/?mibextid=DcJ9fc

30/04/2023

4 years ago APTA held their last historic home tour in Bolivar. This ended a 60+ tradition.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157277441347300&id=147939817299&mibextid=DcJ9fc

14/03/2023

200th Anniversary of Hardeman County special edition of the Hardeman County Guide is available now. Get a free copy today. It is packed with lots of local history. Sadly APTA has disbanded our local chapter, but our history is important as ever, maybe even more so.

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