My Genealogy Hound

NEWTON C. SULLIVAN, farmer and magistrate of the Twelfth District, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1823, and is the son of Cornelius and Mary A. (Gunter) Sullivan. The father was a native of Cheatham County, N. C., born in 1793, and followed agricultural pursuits as a livelihood. He was married in 1812, and in 1818 came to Lincoln County, Tenn., locating in the Fifth District, but afterward moved to the Twelfth District, where he remained until his career ended in 1846. He was of Irish extraction. The mother was born in 1794, in Cheatham County, N. C., and since the death of her husband she has lived on the old place, but is now living with her children. She is yet living, and is ninety-two years old. About four years ago she fell and injured her hip, which renders her helpless in regard to walking, but her mind is perfectly clear and active. She is the oldest lady in the county. Our subject was one of eleven children, seven of whom are living. He was reared at home, and received a fair education in the schools of the county. At the age of nineteen he left home, and commenced working as a day-laborer on the farm. In 1844 he went to Mississippi and became an overseer on a plantation, where he remained for six years. He then returned to his birthplace, and in March, 1851, he married Margaret Mauldin, daughter of Harris Mauldin. Mrs. Sullivan was born in Marshall County in 1836, and by her union to Mr. Sullivan became the mother of eleven children: Harris H., Mary E. (wife of James A. Brisco), George W. J., Susan D., Newton G., Julia F; (wife of James Barns), Alva H., Sarah M,, Octavia A, Cornelius B. and Willie B. Our subject enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, in Company E, Forty-first Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, under Col. Bob Farqueharson, and fought in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville and numerous severe skirmishes After the fight at Fort Donelson the Forty-fourth Regiment, followed Gen. Sidney Johnston to Corinth, Miss., and joined under Col. John S. Fulton, where he remained until the latter part of the year 1863. In 1865 our subject located on 290 acres in the Twelfth District where he has since resided. He now owns 415 acres. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, casting his first vote for Lewis Cass. He is a Mason, and Mrs. Sullivan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1874 Mr. Sullivan was elected magistrate to fill a vacancy, and for the past ten years has adjusted his constituents difficulties, with impartial fairness, and there has never been an appeal taken from his decisions. The Sullivan family are noted for longevity. Susan, our subject’s great aunt, lived to be one hundred and seven years old. Nancy, her sister was ninety, and Jerry, their brother, was also ninety.