Don’t be insulted when we hear you talk and someone asks, “You ain’t from around here, are you”? The correct answer is, “No, but I got here as soon as I heard about Granville”.
The pioneer spirit is alive and well in Granville, the “Jewel on the Cumberland”!
The early settlers were referred to by historical writers as hardy, fiercely independent, and with a self-sufficient spirit. They were kind, loyal, and helpful neighbors who could usually take care of their own problems. Over two hundred years later, a group of descendants with the same traits as their forefathers want to share their story. With love and appreciation of our heritage, we use this blog to share our untold stories.
The Promised Land
Come sit beside me and let me tell you about my Granville located on the Cumberland River in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. Listen to my story and you’ll know why the settlers called it “The Promised Land”. The Granville I experienced was somewhere between riverboat travel and Cordell Hull Dam flooding the farmland. When you got to Granville, you knew you were in the Old South, unlike anywhere else in the United States. Unlike Texas, Florida, the east, west, or north. You were in the land of Magnolia trees. By the creek were beautiful willow trees with branches arching to the ground which provided a place to hide and read. When not hiding and reading, I could be found in the tobacco patch, in the barn milking cows, or in the kitchen cooking. Tobacco growing, milking cows, and cooking are all good stories for another day.
Some Things Never Change
Much like today, you knew everyone and “everyone knew your business”. I guess some things never change.
We eat fried chicken, beans, (pinto or white) greens, (like turnip or collard), grits, cornbread, biscuit and gravy, country ham, chess pie, fried pies, and drink sweet tea. Of course, sweet tea is one word when we say it. We’ll be talking about some of those family recipes later.
Folks From Around Here
People sit on the porch and visit with neighbors. Things move at a slower pace than in cities. Most remember their manners and still say "yes-mam" and "sir", "pardon, excuse me," and "thank you".
"Folks" go to church, listen to country music, love football but it is second to NASCAR racing, drink beer and are still known to make a little moonshine. Many families still have family dinner, around here that's the noon meal, every Sunday after church.
Just to help you carry on a conversation in my Granville, you need to know this is the world of sayings. If you’re upset about something, "Put your big girl panties on and get over it." "Fixing to" means preparing, "I'm fixing to go to town." When you’re fixing to get your picture made, you might hear, "Put some color on your lips and suck your stomach in". Don’t be insulted when we hear you talk and someone asks, “You ain’t from around here, are you”? The correct answer is, “No, but I got here as soon as I heard about Granville”. We’ll talk about these colorful saying when we know the preacher can’t hear us.
Listen carefully, “Suga”, we mean no harm when we address you as Honey, Daling (that means Darling), or Sweetie. Don’t be insulted if a gentleman opens the door for you or tips his hat and greets you with , “Evening Mam”. This just means he remembers his raisin’, his Mama and them taught him well.
Historic Granville: Tennessee’s Mayberry Town
Today, my Granville is referred to as “Historic Granville: Tennessee's Mayberry Town”. It is a destination, a place to spend the day. There is so much to see and do, it will take you at least four hours. Please plan to spend the day, stay five hours, allow time to “sit a spell” and enjoy the quiet natural beauty of Cordell Hull Lake.
My Granville is a very different place that when I was a skinny little girl hiding under a willow tree. I am now a silver haired great grandmother with lots of Granville friends who look forward to sharing memories with you. One thing remains the same, our passion for this quaint little town of Granville. Follow our blog as we share our passion for Granville.
Visit and experience our passion! Historic Granville Hours of operation: Wednesday- Friday 11AM-3PM and Saturday 11AM-5PM.
I'm a family history addict and love researching my many ancestors who found their way to the area. One of the earliest came as a Longhunter in 1769. Others settled there in the early 1800s. Keep those stories comin'!
Brenda Cowan Francis
It always brings a sense of peace in the midst of chaos when I walk through Granville.
Such a pleasure to read your wonderful stories! Thank you Liz!
I ”ain’t from around here” but my granddaddy was and his daddy and granddaddy too so my roots run deep in Granville 💕. I look forward to more stories to help me learn more about the town.