The Long Way Home; Part 2, Traveling to Hendersonville.

Phoebe was restless tonight, much like she had been four nights earlier before the journey began. Her mind raced with anticipation for her business in Hendersonville the next morning, leaving her with little sleep and many thoughts.

Reflecting on the trip so far, Phoebe felt grateful. The journey to Murphy had taken less than two days, blessed by remarkable weather. Excitement bubbled within her—not just for the potential riches of her claim, but for the chance to visit old friends like Robert and Elenior Orr, who had shown her kindness in Pendleton, and John Casada, Reuben Casada’s brother and Nancy’s first cousin. Though still two days from their final destination, Phoebe looked forward to reconnecting with these friends once they reached Hendersonville and began the necessary legal business.

Upon arrival, the first order of business would be to visit the office of Mr. John N. Woodfin, Esq., to sign documents authorizing him as her agent in the lawsuit. Mr. Woodfin would sue Reuben’s estate for her dower and represent Reuben’s children as the only living heirs.

Four nights ago, her anxieties had centered on the journey’s challenges. Tonight, her thoughts were fixed on the litigation ahead and claiming what was rightfully hers and her children’s. She was thankful that the Unicoi Turnpike had been widened for wagon passage, even if tolls were now required due to private investment in the improvements. At her age, even under the best conditions, travel was arduous. The turnpike had grown busy, with farmers from East Tennessee and northern Georgia driving livestock to market.

Phoebe, Nancy, and William were all handy with a gun—a necessary precaution. The dense undergrowth along the trail made travelers vulnerable to bushwhackers, most of whom were thieves, though violence was not uncommon. Fortunately, “stands” had been built every 12 to 15 miles along the turnpike—rest stops with taverns, inns, and livestock pens. These stops were spaced to accommodate a day’s travel for drovers moving large herds to market.

From the old Federal Road near the Tellico Blockhouse to Murphy, North Carolina, was about 70 miles, much of it steep and challenging. Phoebe hoped they could reach Murphy in less than two days. The town had become a crossroads, connecting to river branches that led to Charleston or Savannah, where furs and hides were shipped to Europe.

Travel was dictated by daylight, which was waning as summer gave way to fall. Phoebe hoped to reach Hendersonville in four days. The road from Murphy to Hendersonville, though less steep than the climb to the Unicoi Gap, stretched another 125 miles. On a good day, a wagon with two strong horses could cover about 50 miles, and they were fortunate to maintain that pace. Dry weather kept the roads in good shape, and the cool days meant the horses needed fewer breaks. Still, the mountains often blocked the sun earlier than in the foothills, shortening their travel time.

Early the next morning, after another sleepless night in McMinn County, William—with Nancy’s help—hitched the horses to the wagon. William, a horse doctor by trade, had all the necessary tack for the journey. As they set out, Phoebe relished the crisp autumn air. Unless you had lived in a city, with its muddy, manure-filled streets and the ever-present odor of human waste, you might not appreciate the pleasures of country life.

In Blount County, neighbors lived half a mile or more apart, and every home had a barn and an outhouse. Placing these on the eastern side of the house was a local custom. The fall in East Tennessee’s foothills and mountains was an experience like no other. Each season had its own distinct scent: the musty forests of summer gave way to the airy, sweet smell of ripening crops in autumn. The leaves turned brilliant shades of red and gold, and the gentle breezes made them shimmer in the morning sun. The anticipation of harvest and the satisfaction of a season’s hard work filled the air, making every moment of the journey a sensory delight.

They set out at dawn, with William guiding the horses and Phoebe and Nancy reminiscing in the back of the wagon. Nancy recalled how cruel Sallie Jordan had been to her during visits to her father Reuben’s plantation on the French Broad River. After the Quean girl left, Sallie moved in, making it clear she didn’t want Reuben’s heirs around. Nancy remembered Sallie’s pettiness—refusing to let Reuben give Nancy’s dog a treat, or begrudging her a few ears of corn for supper.

Phoebe reflected on her son, who had not been so easily driven away. She wondered how he was faring, as she hadn’t heard from him in years. Rumor had it that after a fight with the Jordan boys at a corn shucking, Reuben had disinherited his son and run him off. Some said he had gone west, perhaps to Missouri, as many did when the western territories opened up. Mail was slow and unreliable, especially on the frontier, so Phoebe could only hope he was alive and well.

Sallie Jordan remained on Phoebe’s mind. Though Phoebe admitted her own life had been far from perfect, the stories she heard about Sallie were an embarrassment to Reuben and the community. Tales of scandalous behavior at plantation parties circulated, and many believed Sallie was manipulating Reuben for his estate. Rumors abounded that Reuben had written multiple wills, some favoring his children, others leaving everything to Sallie. It was said that the Jordan brothers had acquired plantations from Reuben, though no one knew if they had paid for them.

Phoebe’s thoughts returned to her son. At a corn shucking, the Jordan boys had taunted him until he finally lashed out, knocking one to the ground. Reuben sided with the Jordans, disinheriting his own son. Phoebe believed Sallie had Reuben under her thumb, and no good had come of it.

Communication was difficult, and Phoebe longed for news of her son. Some claimed he was dead or had joined the military, but she hoped he had found a new life out west.

After four long days of travel, they arrived in Hendersonville. Phoebe was surprised by the town’s growth—when she last lived in the area, neither the town nor the county existed. Henderson County had been carved from Buncombe County, and Hendersonville’s population was now approaching 5,000. The bustling town supported inns, taverns, shops, and a variety of businesses.

The journey had taken a toll on Phoebe’s 77-year-old body, but after finding a place to rest, she was ready to face the day. She was just days away from filing her suit, and Mr. Woodfin believed she had a strong case to reclaim her dowry and her children’s inheritance.

Nancy and her husband had moved to Tennessee much later than Phoebe, so Nancy still had a strained relationship with her father. Phoebe had only learned the details of Reuben’s life after his death, as everyone believed she needed to know the truth about the Jordans to win in court. The community’s prejudice against the Jordans was strong, likely due to their perceived manipulation of Reuben and his estate.

Phoebe heard that as Reuben aged, he became concerned about his soul and tried to join the Baptist Church in Hendersonville. The church, remembering his marriage to Phoebe and his years living with Sallie, initially denied him membership. At one point, Reuben and Sallie presented a letter to the Justice of the Peace and the church, falsely claiming Phoebe was dead, so they could marry. Sallie was about to learn that Phoebe was very much alive!

If reputation became the main issue in the estate settlement, Phoebe worried about her own past in Pendleton, but she pushed those thoughts aside. She focused on the present—Hendersonville was now a thriving town, a far cry from the backwoods settlements of her youth. In those days, the South Carolina Piedmont was the center of trade, with goods from the frontier and the Atlantic ports passing through. Pendleton had been a booming town, full of excitement and opportunity.

After marrying Reuben, Phoebe had loved the bustle of Pendleton, but they moved to Buncombe County at his mother’s urging, settling on a plantation along the Swannanoa River. The offer of a house and land was too good to refuse.

As the sun rose, Phoebe resolved to organize her thoughts and find breakfast. It was a big day—finally, she was ready to take action rather than just talk about it.