From Memphis Heritage
1428 Fox St. Memphis, TN
Circa 1854. 2-story log house
Edward Simpson Elam (1817-1885) and Sarah J. Cooper Elam ((1822-?) purchased about 450 acres in 1849 and built his home. The home is cited as one of the few antebellum buildings in Memphis. The Elams came to Memphis from Virginia with his brother John Elam in the 1840s. John purchased 2,000 acres in the future Whitehaven area from the Chickasaw tribe. He built a bigger Greek Revival House, East Lothian.
After Sarah died, the property was divided between four daughters: Adelaide Caroline “Addie” Elam Christian, Emma S. Elam Hildebrand, Sallie Elam Flournoy, and Laura Cooper Elam Sharpe.
Emma (1844-1892) received the parcel with the house and about 39 acres. She wed John I. Hildebrand (1839-1877). In 1902, Laura (1854-1936) bought the property from her sisters. Laura was married to Beverly Reese (B. R.) Sharpe (1842-1897). Over the years, land was sold, and the area developed. The neighborhood is now called the Cherokee subdivision.
In 1924, Laura sold the homestead to Thomas “Tom” Watkins, Jr. Watkins (1885-1954) was
married to Elsie Gardner Watkins (1887-1968). They wed in 1910. He was president of the Old Memphis Chicks baseball team. Famous in Memphis baseball circles, his nickname was “Tradin’ Tom”, and his father-in-law, Russell Gardner owned the team.
In 1943, the estate was sold to T. H. Elder in a foreclosure sale. Louis Charles Elder was a son. There was less than an acre of land remaining.
In 1980, Marye Frances Elder Mitchell (1907-2004) and Louis Elder (1909-1987) were owners.
The Sharpe family is remembered through Sharpe Elementary School and Sharpe Lane. NR 1980 See East Lothian
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