The Housley Family Cabin of Sugar Hollow
by Floyd L. Owsley
The Housley family cabin was originally located in Sugar Hollow in Campbell County, Tennessee, near the small community of Demory and the Norris Lake. The cabin, along with the rest of the farm, was once owned by John Housley (1839-1868) and was later owned by his younger brother, Peter Housley (1840-1921). It is believed that John Housley built the cabin. John Housley was my third-great grandfather. John and Peter were the two oldest sons of Robert Housley and Sarah Cooper. John Housley died in 1868 and a few years afterwards his wife and children moved to nearby Union County, Tennessee. The cabin was then owned by Peter Housley, who is believed to have lived there for over forty years. In 1916, Peter sold it to his daughter Emaline (Emma) Housley. Emma married Rufus (Rufe) Brock in 1922 and Rufe gained ownership of the cabin and farm after Emma's death in 1927. Rufus Brock sold the farm and cabin to the Lawrence Hatmaker family around 1936.
Tennessee Valley Authority Grave Removal Records show that on December 10, 1935, the grave of John Housley (1839-1868) was moved from the Rufus (Rufe) Brock farm to the Baker Forge Memorial Cemetery. John had been buried on his farm at his request. At the time of the grave removals in 1935, only three of John Housley's children were still living. James Housley lived in Nebraska while Sarah "Sallie" Sharp and Joseph "Joe" Housley still lived in Tennessee. Sarah "Sallie" Sharp and Joseph "Joe" Housley approved the reinterment of their father's grave.
The cabin was once two rooms separated by a dog trot in the middle. Through the years, the cabin was enlarged and wooden siding was placed over the logs. Harry and Libby Bumgardner purchased the cabin around 2009. All that remains is the kitchen part of the original larger cabin as the rest of the cabin had been destroyed by a fire. The Housley cabin was taken apart and beautifully restored by the Bumgardner family. The cabin is now located next to the historic David Hall cabin in the Claxton community of Anderson County, Tennessee.
John Housley (1839-1868)
Margaret E. (Peggy) Taylor
Photo of the rear view of the Housley cabin before removal. The cabin was
located at 503 Sugar Hollow Road, LaFollette, Campbell County, Tennessee.
Photo of the side view of the Housley cabin (with chimney) before removal. The cabin was
located at 503 Sugar Hollow Road, LaFollette, Campbell County, Tennessee.
Photo of the Housley cabin site after removal. This is the front view.
Photo of the Housley cabin at new site. At the time of this photo,
the rock chimney/fireplace (on the left) had not been restored.
Photo of the Housley cabin at new site - front view.
Photo of the Housley cabin - side view with door to dog trot.
Photo of the Housley cabin - inside next to fireplace.
Photo of the Housley cabin - inside with door to dog trot.
Photo of the Housley cabin - inside with door to dog trot.
