"THE HISTORY OF THE HURST FAMILY", by Philip M. Hurst, Tazewell, Tn

Grandfather Thomas Hurst, son of John Hurst and Nancy Nunn, came to Claiborne Co., Tn, in the year 1806. He was the last of his brothers and sisters to settle in Claiborne co., but there is evidence that he owned land in Claiborne Co., some years prior to that date.

Thomas Hurst was born in Frederick Co., Va in the year 1764 and died near Big Springs (Springdale) on Dec. 25, 1847. He lies buried in Big Springs churchyard. He married Sylvia Breeding (born in Va in 1767), on July 27, 1786. Sylvia Breeding Hurst died on May 12, 1854 at her home between Big Springs and Sycamore Creek.

On October 4, 1796 Thomas Hurst purchased land on the east side of the New River, Wythe Co., Va, from Zediel Morgan. On January 9, 1800 he purchased from Sarah and James Breeding 100 acres on Little Reed Island Creek in Wythe County. In 1804 he sold the two tracts above mentioned to Absalom Hurst, Senior and James Breeding. The deeds mention him as "Thomas Hust of Lee county", where he resided from the years 1803-1806. On July 10, 1801 Jeremiah Breeding (his brother-in-law) purchased 95 acres lying in Lee County, Virginia crossing Big Kentucky Branch on Rocky Ridge, from Stephen Thompson for 100 pounds. On December 12, 1803, Breeding sold this same tract to Thomas Hurst for the sum of 200 pounds. On August 1, 1801, Jeremiah Breeding purchased from James Thompson, Jr. 100 acres of land lying on the south side of Powell's River, Lee Co., Va. On December 12, 1803, Breeding conveyed this tract to Thomas Hurst.

While at Thompson's Settlement Church in Lee County, Virginia, Jeremiah Breeding had some difference with Stephen Thompson. Thomas Hurst, a member of the church, was appointed one of a committee on Saturday, august 18, 1804 to settle the difference. Thomas was chosen clerk at Thompson's Settlement Church on the third Saturday in May 1806. He came to Claiborne co., very shortly after this.

From the records of Thompson's Settlement Church: February 3, 1806; "Ordered the clerk to write a petition to the Rob Camp Church for Brother Hezekiah Applegate's membership and appointed Thomas Hurst to carry the petitionn for that purpose. Thompson's Settlement Church was founded on the third Saturday in December, 1800.

Solomon white was given a land grant of 700 acres, lying in Powell's valley in Lee county, and by deed, dated February 24, 1793, Solomon White and wife, Catherine, conveyed the 700 acres to James Thompson, where he and his family settled and thereafter became Thompson's Settlement. (Rob Camp was the daughter church of the Thompson Settlement Church).

In Claiborne County on May 25, 1807, Thomas Hurst sold a negro girl named Dica, about eleven years old, to William Stround, for the sum of $300.00. On October 29, 1807, Grandfather Thomas Hurst purchased from William Stroud a tract of 330 acres of land on Tye's Branch of Sycamore Creek for the sum of $900.00. Grandfather Hurst owned no less than fourteen tracts of land until after the year 1829 when he began to sell and dispose of some of his lands. According to Eathan Allen Hurst, great grandson of Thomas, Grandfather Hurst owned the Big Springs lands and all lands along the State Road from Big Springs to Sycamore Creek. The Hurst families owned nearly all lands from the top of Wallen's Ridge, south to Clinch river, and from the top of Powell's Mountain, west to Lone Mountain, or Ball Creek.

Thomas Hurst's home was a large two-story log house which stood on the State Road between Big Springs and Sycamore Creek.

Before his death, he deeded his home and several negro slaves to his daughter, Fetney Stone. In 1837 Thomas Hurst sold 180 acres of land to John Breeding. This tract of land was the homeplace of John Breeding after the above date.

Thomas Hurst became a member of Big Springs Church in February of 1807. In his will, dated October 7, 1846, he provided that two of his slaves, Fanny and Louisa, should be the property of his wife, until her death, and then that they be emancipated.

The children of Thomas and Sylvia Hurst were:

Aaron, Sarah, Hiram, Thompson, Nancy, Sylvia, Mahala, Simpson, Olivia, Charles, Henley, and Fetney.