1898 Aug – Tipton County Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary

Posted on by ML Williams

What is the Tennessee State Penitentiary

The Tennessee State Penitentiary opened on February 12, 1898 outside of Nashville, TN. Built on 1,200 acres, the construction took several years because each stone was carved by hand.

Inmates Worked while Incarcerated

Every inmate worked in a designated area of the prison. For example, some of the inmates work the farm lands which provided food for the inmates. While others worked in mills or in factories.

Overcrowding

The penitentiary was designed to hold 800 inmates but, on opening day, 1,200 people were placed in the institution. The six by eight foot cells were sometimes packed with four inmates.

In June of 1992, the penitentiary was forced to close after a federal court deemed the facility to be overcrowded and unsanitary.

Could be the earliest photo of the prison. It may have been taken right after construction was finished. Abt 1898 Tennessee State Penitentiary
Could be the earliest photo of the prison. It may have been taken right after construction was finished. Abt 1898 Tennessee State Penitentiary
The 1950's group The Prisonaires performing in the prison yard. Tennessee State Penitentiary
The 1950’s group The Prisonaires performing in the prison yard.
James Earl Ray being escorted into the Tennessee State Prison. After being convicted of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Ray spent time between TSP and Brushy Mountain, where he escaped twice, and he was brutally attacted on many occasions at both prisons.
James Earl Ray being escorted into the Tennessee State Prison. After being convicted of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Ray spent time between TSP and Brushy Mountain, where he escaped twice, and he was brutally attacted on many occasions at both prisons.
Old Sparky (aka Old Smokey): It is on record that from 1916-1960, 125 men lost their lives in this chair. It is rumored that many more were put to death here than was recorded. Tennessee State Penitentiary
Old Sparky (aka Old Smokey): It is on record that from 1916-1960, 125 men lost their lives in this chair. It is rumored that many more were put to death here than was recorded. Tennessee State Penitentiary
Tennessee State Penitentiary early 1900s
Tennessee State Penitentiary early 1900s

Now Days

The abandoned penitentiary is now closed down but still remains standing. There have been several movies filmed on this site in particular “The Green Mile”, “Walk the Line“, “The Last Castle”, and “Nashville”.

Links to Tipton County

During its 120 year history, the prison hosted both the famous and the infamous. Consequently, a few Tipton County residents ended up in the penitentiary. Below is a list of the inmates and their crimes.

Inmates 1831-1850 from Tipton County

NameCrimeCountyAge
Bordine, JohnlarcenyTipton27
Cook, Henrypassing counterfeit bank notesTipton25
Glanton, Benjamin Fgrand larcenyTipton18
Hall, Redding Rpassing count'r bank billsTipton38
Holliday, Samuelvolentary [sic] manslaughterTipton37
Millwood, SimpsonlarcenyTipton23
Olive, IrastabbingTipton40
Redman, Henry Kpassing counterfeit bank notesTipton32
Shannon, Williamgrand larcenyTipton38
Spencer, Jamespetit larcenyTipton26
Townsend, Henryassault with intent to killTipton32
Trimble, Richardgrand larcenyTipton24
Ward, Saml. G.obtaining goods under false pretenceTipton29
Wilkerson, Thos.grand larcenyTipton20
Zachrie, WilliamforgeryTipton18

Inmates 1851-1870 from Tipton County

NameCrimeYearRaceAgeCounty
Afas, Barneylarceny1859 30Tipton
Afas, Franklarceny1859 20Tipton
Bradley, W. K. murder1854 42Tipton
Bradley, William Bmurder1854 42Tipton
Branch, B. H. larceny1861 36Tipton
Brown, Johnlarceny C24Tipton
Burgett, Williammurder1869W35Tipton
Dunn, Williamattempt to rob1865W15Tipton
Epperson, Henrymurder1868 22Tipton
Flaugher, Georgemurder1858 26Tipton
Frazier, Henrymurder C22Tipton
Hammers, J. H. larceny1861 23Tipton
Henry, Williamlarceny1867C23Tipton
Hill, Joehouse breaking C23Tipton
Johnson, Henrylarceny C29Tipton
Jones, Henryburning boat1853 39Tipton
Merriweather, Williammurder1858 32Tipton
Moore, Benjaminlarceny1866C15Tipton
Owen, Baxterlarceny1855 22Tipton
Payne, Philliplarceny C22Tipton
Plaugher, Georgemurder1858 26Tipton
Pool, Jamesmanslaughter1854 50Tipton
Smith, Markhouse breaking C19Tipton
Stokes, Henrylarceny1867C16Tipton
Taylor, Peterlarceny1867C40Tipton
Webster, Daniellarceny1866C20Tipton
Whitley, Alfonzolarceny1867C24Tipton
Wilburn, Reubenlarceny1867C18Tipton
Woods, Scotthouse breaking c19Tipton
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