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Farming For A Better Future, page 134
2. DETAILS OF PEOPLE OF COLOR & PLACES OF INTEREST 11 Anderson School (Rosenwald)* The Anderson School was one of seven Rosenwald schools in Lauderdale County. It was located about five and a half miles northwest of Florence on the south side of County Road 228 (Will Duncan Road) in the area of the Forks of Cypress. The one-room, one-teacher schoolhouse was constructed around 1923 and cost a total of $1550, with $700 from the African American community, $450 from public funds, and $400 from the Rosenwald Fund. There are no known images of the school; however, it is marked on the 1936 topographic map as “Anderson School.” The school was still in used in 1957 in a community (Above) 1957 USGS Topographic Map of Anderson School, Florence, Alabama Quadrangle (Above) 1936 USGS Topographic Map of Anderson School, Florence, Alabama Quadrangle (Above) 1971 USGS Topographic Map of Anderson School, Florence, Alabama Quadrangle called “McGee Town.” By the 1950s, many of the rural schools in North Alabama were being consolidated, and by the end of the 1960s, integration had resulted in closure of the small, rural school. The building still appears on the 1971 topographic map. 2 ■ Ardoyne Plantation* and Servants' Cemetery Located along the river southwest of Florence and south of Gunwaleford Road, Ardoyne Plantation was established by Sarah Jackson Hannah, sister of James Jackson of the Forks of Cypress Plantation. The plantation passed through a few owners over time, including U.S. President Andrew Jackson, who bought it for his ward, Andrew Jackson Hutchings; as well as the son of Gen. John Coffee, Capt. Alexander Donelson Coffee. While the house burned in 1919, it is significant for the families of color that continued to live on the plantation and the cemeteries located there. An important resident of Ardoyne was Davis Hutchins Smith. Known as “Old Pap,” he lived to be 106 years old. Born in South Carolina just after the American Revolution ended, Davis was owned by veteran Gen. Joseph Dickson. He was then given to Dickson's daughter, Isabella Smith, when she married. Davis became the property of the Smith's daughter, Mary, who married Col. John Hutchings of Milton's Bluff in Lawrence County, Alabama. Davis accompanied Andrew Jackson on his campaigns during the War of 1812. Davis was then given to Gen. Coffee and brought to Hickory Hill in Lauderdale County before moving and settling the rest of his life at Ardoyne. “Old Pap” was often given positions of importance throughout his life, including overseer at Milton's Bluff and foreman at Hickory Hill and Ardoyne. After serving many generations of masters, he was offered his freedom sometime before the Civil War. During the war he stayed at Ardoyne and oversaw the farm - by that time he was a man of at least 70 years of age. Davis and his wife, Kate, lived at Ardoyne for the rest of their lives. Davis outlived Kate by 50 years but never remarried. Davis and Kate Smith are buried on the plantation property, in one of the two cemeteries on the plantation. Both cemeteries are referred to as "Coffee," used by slaves and former slaves. Neither is mapped on any USGS topographic map. One cemetery has approximately 100 unmarked graves and only four marked burials: Paterson Braham (1825-1905), John Clemmons (1883-1915), Bettie Clemmons (died 1924), and C.B. Buckmond (died 1921). The other cemetery is also known as Coffee Servant's Cemetery. It has a few marked graves, including the KEY memorials for Martha Crawford (died 1929, age ■ COMMUNITIES I | CEMETERIES | CHURCHES | PLANTATIONS | SCHOOLS ‘"OLD UKCLEJDAVE.'1 The Oldest Mtn in lauthnhk Dead. tJavid Hutchings was bom in Morganton, S. C. ftlxM.it i?ss and was over one hundred years of age, mid up to March lsl of this year wm a remarkably active, industrious old man. He came to North Alabama in iSi^as foreman for his master, Col. John Hutchings and General Jackson, and they tied a farm On the south side of the Tennessee river, near Meltons bluff. opposite the month of Elk river. Whilst here General Jaekson look Dave to wait upon him as ertmp-mandown'in the Indian Motion to hold a treaty. He went also with General Coffee to run the treaty line from the mouth of Cams creek south. Mellott 1 tin I f being so sickly, Col. Hutchings died anti many of their nogrot's. General Jackson moved them tn i a i