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Our Family's East Tennessee Genealogy and History

 
Dr. Alexander Newton Cunningham

Franklin Presbyterian  Church
Franklin Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tennessee


     Many thanks to Jim and Pat Blair who, after discovering that A. N. Cunningham had died in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, jumped in their car and drove over there from Huntsville, Alabama.  Not only did they gather information about the historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, where A. N. Cunningham was pastor for many years, they found an actual descendant of A. N. Cunningham and Margaretta Eason Cunningham, Pam Reed, who still attends the Franklin Presbyterian Church.  This bio was compiled by Pam's daughter as part of a school project.  The source, I believe, is the Nashville Presbytery, Synod of Tennessee.  I hope Dr. Cunningham will forgive me for taking the liberty to doctor a very bad photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy.
 

"Dr. Cunningham was born near Jonesboro, East Tennessee, March 16, 1807.  His parents were John E. and Martha (Blair) Cuningham.  He was prepared for college, first under his older brother, Dr. Alexander Newton CunninghamSamuel M. Cunningham, at his home, and afterwards at Washington College, Tennessee, before entering.  He united with the Jonesboro church on profession when about 18 years of age.  He was graduated from Washington College, Tenn., in 1826, taught about one year afterwards, then entered Princeton Seminary in 1830.  He was licensed by New Brunswick Presbytery, April 28, 1830, and soon after went to Alabama, where he was ordained by the Presbytery of South Alabama, January 5th, 1833.  His successive fields of labor were:

1.  At Montgomery, Alabama, where he was stated supply from 1833 to 1836.

2.  At Augusta, Georgia, where he was installed as pastor Nov.. 18, 1838 and was released May 14, 1842.

3rd.  He was stated supply at Franklin, Tennessee from 1843 to 1857, founding also the Franklin Female Institute, which became widely known and eminently useful.  This institution was for many years before and after the war, one of the most flourishing of its kind in the Southwest.  Drawing the best talent of New England for its teachers, it wielded an influence still widely felt in many homes in the South.

4th.  He resided at Shelbyville, Tennessee, from March 1857 until 1862, preaching in the church there and at various neighboring places as he had opportunity;

5th.  In 1863 he volunteered as chaplain and labored in the hospitals at Montgomery, Alabama;

6th.  In 1865 he returned to Franklin, Tennessee, where he remained until 1872, a part of the time working as a Professor in the Female Institute he had founded, and a part of the time serving the church of Harpeth, and afterwards that of New Hope as stated supply.

7th.  In 1872 he removed to Fayetteville, Tennessee, where he preached as stated supply until about 1874.

8th.  In 1874, he removed to Aberdeen, Miss. , where he supplied the pulpit until his death.  He died suddenly of heart disease, September 5th, 1878 at Franklin, Tennessee, whither he had just come to visit his married daughter and her family.  He fell dead in the street, expiring with out a struggle or a groan, in the 72nd year of his age.

Dr. Cunningham married August 7th, 1834, Miss Margaretta A. Eason, daughter of John G. Eason, Esq. of Washington County, Tennessee.  She died of heart disease at Franklin, Tennessee, March 22, 1877.  They left 4 sons and 5 daughters.



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