Hello!
My interest has really been peaked by these two posting on Chambers in SC and
then moving to the Mississippi Territory, especially since you mention a
stopoff in Davidson County, TN. My ggrandfather was James H. Chambliss
(Chambers) b. 3/11/1843, d. 9/6/1919 in Davidson County. They used the name
Chambliss interchangeably with Chambers, apparently thru about 1920, when it
became Chambliss exclusively. Even James H. Chambers' obituary uses both
Chambers and Chambliss. James Chambers married Sarah Jane Earheart and had
chlidren, Rodney (James R.), Lee, Gilbert (William G.), Alice, Kate and
Olivia. Other Chambliss's that are buried adjacent to these include John b.
3/10/1849, d. 5/16/1900, (possibly married to Mary Earheart, b. 9/29/1856, d.
2/1/1897) and several young children. These folks are buried in the Forest
Grove Cemetery in Joelton, TN. I still own a portion of the land containing
the "James Chambers" homeplace. It is centered on the old RidgePost PO
location on the old Nashville to Springfield toll road (now Hwy 431). Olivia
was my grandmother, and Lee my great uncle. He often spoke of stories his
grandfather told him of coming down the Ohio River via flatboat (possibly John
Chambers who came with the Robertson party and who settled in the
Joelton/Whites Creek area). There is a Mose(s) Chambliss (ers) in this group
of Chambers (liss's) who married Pearl Sweatt (my great aunt). He is referred
to in family oral tradition as "old indian moses" or similar. My grandfather,
William Sweatt married Olivia Chambliss.
There was always a problem with my grandparents discussing the Chambers
(Chambliss and possibly Earheart) family history. It was a taboo subject.
There was a lot of apparent Indian influence that was considered a stigma,
along with some moonshining convictions. I have never known why the name was
changed. Maybe some of this will help your search, and if any of this makes
sense to you, please let know.
Thanks
Doug Wyatt
tasgola(a)aol.com