Homestead Farm

James Crumley moved to Washington County at the time of his second marriage to Elizabeth Caroline King in 1852 and purchased 154 acres from the Michael Krouse heirs on Knob Creek. He was a farmer, blacksmith and served as an enrolling officer for the Confederacy. Homestead carries with it the Civil War story of Confederate soldier Alfred J. King (1839-1865) and brother of Elizabeth King Crumley, and Union soldier, Lafayette Miller (1841-1865) who were both killed at this site. A party of Union men was sent to arrest and bring to justice Mr. King and Jim Crumley for “committing some acts of misdemeanor.” Mr. King was being guarded by Lafayette Miller while the remainder of the party was searching for Crumley. Unexpectedly, King wrenched the pistol from the hands of young Miller and “shot him dead upon the spot.” Friends of Miller heard the pistol and reached the place in time to see King trying to escape at full speed. They fired upon him, killing him. The story is recorded in Brownlow’s Knoxville Whig, on microfilm in the ETSU Library. James Crumley, his wife and five of his children are also buried in the cemetery. The original log cabin, located on the front lawn, has been restored. The barn was built by the great uncle of Frances Leona Crumley, Jacob G. Crumley, (son of John Crumley; grandson of James Crumley). The corn crib and grainery were built in 1880.