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Re: richard powell
From: Pat Fitzhugh
Date: 5/10/01
Time: 2:09:07 AM
Remote Name: 216.24.203.181
Comments
Here is some historical information about Richard Powell AND his manuscript. All of this is based on historical, hard evidence that can be found in several official places:
"Dr. Richard R.P. Powell (1795-1848) did in fact write the alleged manuscript, but it makes no mention of the "Bell Witch." The only mention of the Bells is Powell's notation to the effect that he married Betsy Bell in 1824 (p222).
"The manuscript, the bulk of which is math problems and genealogical notations, was penned mostly between 1812 and 1822. It is 271 pages long, and may be found at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville under Manuscript Accession Number 75-260. Digitized copies of selected excerpts may be found in the book, "The Bell Witch: The Full Account" on pages 299 and 301.
"Powell was sheriff of Robertson County from 1830-1833, at which time he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent Robertson County in the 20th Tennessee General Assembly. He was also a captain in the State Militia, a Census Enumerator, and Justice of the Peace. He was not a senator. (Biographical Sketch of Richard Powell, Tennessee Legislative Encyclopedia).
"In 1837, fifteen years after finishing the "Ciphering Book," Powell suffered a massive stroke. No longer able to support his family, he arranged a flatboat shipment of goods to sell in hopes of providing some relief. The boat sank in Clarksville, TN the night before it was to have set sail, and everything was lost--leaving Powell's family with a total of only $600.
"Later in that same year, Powell's friends petitioned the Tennessee State Legislature for financial relief to the ailing Powell and his family (Petition for Financial Relief, Legislative Petition Number 54-1837-01, October 31, 1837). The petition was denied.
"Powell's health steadily declined over the following years, and he died on January 13, 1848 at the age of 53. He is buried between Adams and Cedar Hill, Tennessee in an unmarked grave (his family didn't have the money to buy him a stone)."
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