Promise Land

The Promise Land Community

Located in Charlotte, Tennessee, The Promise Land Community was established and settled by former slaves during the Reconstruction Period (1870-1875).  Deed records and Census reports reveal that some of the early settlers were Nathan Bowen, Joe Washington Vanleer, William Gilbert, John Grimes, Jeff Edmondson, Charles Redden, George Primm, Jerry Robertson and U.S. Colored Troop Civil War Veterans, Clarke Garrett and brothers, John and Arch Nesbitt.  In time the community encompassed approximately 1000 acres, with more than 50 homes, two stores, three churches and an elementary school.  Many of the early settlers were former slaves at the nearby Cumberland Furnace.  The Furnace served as a source of employment for many of the Promise Land residents after emancipation.  Deed records reveal that most of the early settlers were landowners who worked their land as independent farmers.

As the Civil Rights Era approached in the mid-1950s, this once-thriving community had diminished to only a few remaining families.  Today, only the St. John Promise Land Church and the old Promise Land School Building remain.  In 2007, the Promise Land School building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  In July 2010, A Civil War Trails Marker was placed on the site of the historic school building in recognition of the Civil War records of John and Arch Nesbitt and their contributions to the community.  Administered by a non-profit corporation and supported by the Tennessee Department of Tourism, the Civil War Trails Marker is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving tours of great and lesser-known Civil War sites.

Although, many of the families have moved away, the community itself remains dear in the hearts of former residents, their spouses, off-spring and friends.  The Promise Land Community Club, a non-profit community preservation and service organization, established in 1988 exist for the purpose of perpetuating the love and legacy of the community.

Click the image above to view the larger PDF version of the marker