Durhamville, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Durhamville, Tennessee
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Location of Durhamville in Tennessee
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Counties | Lauderdale |
| Elevation | 335 ft (102 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38063 (Ripley, Tennessee)
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| GNIS feature ID | 1283234 |
Durhamville is a small, rural community in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, United States. It's not an official town with its own government, but rather an "unincorporated community." Durhamville is one of the oldest settlements in Lauderdale County. It was started by Colonel Thomas Durham around 1829 or 1830. He had already opened a store there a few years earlier, in 1826.
A famous blues musician named Sleepy John Estes is buried in the Elam Baptist Church Cemetery in Durhamville.
Contents
History of Durhamville
How Durhamville Started
Durhamville was founded by Colonel Thomas Durham. He started a store in the area in 1826. A few years later, around 1829 or 1830, the community officially began. This makes Durhamville the second oldest community in Lauderdale County.
Durhamville During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, a small battle happened near Durhamville in 1862. Soldiers from the Union Army (the North) fought against Confederate troops (the South). One Union soldier died, and ten were hurt. Eight Confederate soldiers were also killed in the fight.
Geography of Durhamville
Durhamville is located at 35°40′01″N 89°29′35″W / 35.667°N 89.493°W. This community is on the edge of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. This area has a higher chance of earthquakes happening.
Economy and Life in Durhamville
Most people in the area around Durhamville make their living from farming. Growing cotton is a very important part of the local economy.
After slavery ended, many families in the area worked as "sharecroppers." This meant they would farm land owned by someone else. In return for using the land, they would give a part of their harvested crops to the landowner. This was a common way for families to earn money, especially by growing cotton. Over time, new machines like the cotton picker made it easier to harvest cotton. These machines took over much of the work that people used to do by hand.
As of 2008, Durhamville did not have any large factories or industries. Some houses in the community were empty. Since it's an unincorporated community, it doesn't have official borders.
Famous People Connected to Durhamville
- Sleepy John Estes: He was a well-known American blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He was born nearby in Ripley, Tennessee. Sleepy John Estes passed away in 1977 and is buried in the Elam Baptist Church Cemetery in Durhamville.
- James Peter Walker: Born in 1851, he later became a U.S. Representative for Missouri. When he was younger, he attended public schools and a boys' college right here in Durhamville.
