Gillespie, Col. George, House - Limestone, TN
Posted by: 
vhasler
N 36° 13.452 W 082° 37.969
17S E 353249 N 4010051
This stone house is where an early fort protected settlers from Indian attacks.
Waymark Code: WM6QNX
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2009
Views: 4
From TN historical marker Waymark WM2R8P, the sign text is: "This was built 1792 for George Gillespie by Seth Smith a Quaker stone mason from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. An early fort originally stood on the site, and was the dividing line between Washington and Greene Counties in 1783. This house was purchased in 1842 by Jacob Klepper and has been preserved by his descendants."
From "Touring the East Tennesse Backroads" by Carolyn Sakowski (page 112), we also learn that Col. Gillespie was a signer of the document requesting separation from North Carolina, thus leading to the formation of the State of Franklin.
The house foundation is 30" thick, first floor walls 24", and second story 18". About five feet above the floor are small openings for muskets.
Street address:
Off U.S. 411
Limestone, TN USA
County / Borough / Parish: Washington County
Year listed: 1977
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Person, Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1750-1799, 1800-1824
Historic function: Domestic
Current function: Vacant/Not In Use - now again Domestic
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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