HISTORY

One of the hallowed landmarks of East Tennessee is the site of Ross Camp Ground  in the northeastern part of Hawkins County, located on Crawley's Branch.  This historic campground became famous, for many years after the close of the Civil War, for the evangelistic services that resulted in the conversion of hundreds of men, women and children.

In 1843, Frederick A. Ross, a noted pioneer Presbyterian leader, gave a seven-acre tract of land for a common school, and also for a building in the sixth district of Hawkins County.  This place, however is not the present sixth district.  He deeded this property to James H. Ripley, Edward Kinkead, and George Wills, who were the commissioners.  This was a part of the land he had purchased from Jacob Wills and a Mr. Douglas.  In this deed, Mr. Ross had set aside a place for a graveyard for all human beings.  The seal and signature of Mr. Ross were set forth on July 5, 1846, the same year the Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church was dedicated by him. The deed was registered in Rogersville on the 26^th of June, 1847.  

It was stated: “This property was given for the sole purpose of a campground to worship Almighty God agreeable to the discipline of the Methodist Church, and it was so stipulated in the deed, if at any time the church failed in this purpose, then the land known as Ross Camp Ground would revert to the giver or to his heirs.  Ross only reserved the right to get water from the spring and did not give Presbyterians preference to use the property.  In the deed of the school ground, he opened the property to all sects, but it gave the Presbyterians choice of the first and fourth Sundays, if they desire.

ONE DOLLAR FOR LAND

As a matter of making a record of the deed at the Courthouse at Rogersville, it appears that Frederick Ross received the sum of one dollar for the large tract of land.

Calhoun’s records disclose that Ross named as trustees of the property men from three different counties.  They were William Mann, Sr., William Johnson, Edward Kinkead and James Kerr of Hawkins County; Thomas Tittsworth, Jr., A. Wall, Thomas Harris and Robert Patton of Sullivan County; James Wolfe and Emanuel Wolfe of Scott County, VA.  The campground was only a few miles from the Tennessee-Virginia state line and hundreds of Virginia residents attended the meetings held at the campground.

GRANDFATHER TALKS

Frederick A. Ross signed the deed August 15, 1843, and the deed was registered in Rogersville April 6, 1846.  In conclusion Calhoun said, “I have heard my grandfather, John W. Calhoun, who lived on the land adjoining the famous campground tell many interesting stories about the large crowds that attended the annual camp meetings.”

In earlier years people traveled for many miles in covered wagons to attend the meetings.  The series of services continued for many days and people lived in tents and remained on the campground site.

MEMORIES OF CALHOUN'S YOUNGER DAYS

It may be of more than passing interest to enumerate some of the memories of the old time activities and incidents of the camp meetings held at Ross Camp Ground.

The meetings before the Civil War were continued for several days, perhaps from one Sunday in September until the next.  In later years, one meeting was held on Sunday late in September.  Hundreds of people from Sullivan, Greene, Washington and from every community and farm side in Hawkins County.

The travel over narrow dirt-surfaced roads leading from Sullivan County moved through Rotherwood on the north branch of Holston River.  There was a ford at Rotherwood.  The river was always at low stages late in September.  The bridge across the river below the ford was swept away in the flood of 1875.  That bridge had been erected by Rev. Frederick A. Ross.

Rotherwood was the home of the Rosses.  The town was named by Rowena Ross,  daughter of Frederick Ross, the minister.

ON THE DUSTY ROADS

It is no exaggeration to assert that thousands of worshippers attended the annual camp meetings. There were no automobiles at that time, but the travel moved in buggies, hacks, carriages and often in earlier years hundreds traveled in covered wagons. No one can recall that an accident ever happened to anyone enroute to or from the camp meetings.

The fast movement of vehicles drawn by trotting horses and the fast saddle horses ridden by owners always caused clouds of dust to hang over the route. The women who rode horseback on side saddles always wore large skirts known as “riding skirts’ and the men wore linen coats to protect their clothing.

The campground had ample space for all of the horses and vehicles and there was a large boundary of wooded space for the crowds under the shady trees at the noon hour when dinners were placed on white table covers placed upon the ground. Several thousands of persons enjoyed sumptuous dinners and food was left that could have fed others. The prosperous farm folk slaughtered sheep and beef cattle for the event. Hundreds carried dinners prepared at home..hundreds of fried chickens, boiled hams and all other foods were available and given free to those who did not carry food for the day. These memories do not fade away in a life time.

“OLD TIME RELIGION”

The religious exercises were conducted under a sprawling shed that covered a space filled with wooden benches. It seems that more than a 1000 persons were under the shed most of the morning service.

Noted ministers were chosen for the services and choirs from many churches over the area participated in the song services.

Nearly every voice under the shed joined in the singing. The sermons were punctuated by periods of shouting. Some times as many as a score of men and women were shouting at the same time and voices were exclaiming “Glory to God! Glory to God!”  Prayers of many were heard by the scores who sat in buggies and carriages under the shady trees near the densely filled auditorium beneath the shed.

The closing of the service in the afternoon left an impression that has probably gone through the years as pleasant recollections of those who were fortunate enough to have attended the great revival of religion. The final song: “God Be With You Till We Meet Again, Meet Again at Jesus Feet” may linger in memories, but the voices have long been silent in recesses of the past.