Pearls of Wisdom

An Afternoon with Pearl Fann Tenpenny

While in pursuit of family history in 1977, I was referred to Pearl Fann Tenpenny of Cannon County, Tenn., as being a person who could be of possible assistance to me. Mrs. Pearl was a resident of the Woodbury Nursing Center in Woodbury and at this time was nearly 90 years of age.

In conducting my first ever history-related interview, I learned that a person’s family history is often intertwined with the history of their community. It is in this context that I present this interview. From this discussion there is much to be learned about the Doolittle Creek community located immediately outside Woodbury. Some comments are also related to the churches in Woodbury.

The interview begins with my presentation of a photo of my great-grandparents’ family, Daniel and Sarah Melissa Vinson Nichols, in hopes of jogging some memories of Mrs. Pearl. Sarah Melissa “Aunt Minerva” Nichols died in 1900 followed by Daniel in 1902. Mrs. Pearl Tenpenny was the only person living at the time of this interview who had known them personally. She grew up next door to them and remembered them as her neighbors.

I hope this interview, which was recorded 37 years ago, can bring about both interest and enlightenment of days gone by. I am pleased to share this piece of history with the world and to know it has been digitally preserved for posterity. – Danny Nichols

Click here to listen:
http://soundcloud.com/echoespast/pearl-tenpenny-atest-final