Sam Davis Resources

The Albert Gore Research Center is home to some unique resources on Sam Davis, also known as the Confederate Boy Hero.  Due to Sam being born, raised, and buried in Rutherford County, several local collectors kept items either about the life of Sam Davis, his subsequent memorialization, or his family.  While many items are available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Gore Center is home to some unique local resources.

Boutwell Collection
Dr. Boutwell, a former MTSU professor, conducted several oral history interviews with members of the community who remembered Sam and his family.
    Examples from this collection include:

• Account of Sam Davis by Lizzie H. Jones
  
• Notes from an Interview with Capt. M.B. Tomlinson, of Culleoka
  
• Notes on Interview with Mrs. Matthews Held in '19
  

Gulliford Collection
Andrew Gulliford was a professor at MTSU and served on the board of trustees for the Sam Davis Home from 1991-1995.  Items in this collection document the transition from the site being a Confederate monument to a living history museum.

Hoover Collection
Walter King Hoover was an avid collector of Smyrna memorabilia and served on the board of the Sam Davis Memorial Association. Because the records of the SDMA were divided between the Hoover Collection and the Tennessee State Library and Archives, this collection contains records of the association necessary for the researcher. There is also a wealth of documentation on the different commemorations of Sam Davis throughout the years, including transcripts of plays, radio broadcasts, brochures, etc.
    Examples from this collection include:

• Coleman Scouts, "Tribute of Respect to the Dead"
  
• A.F. Estes, "True Stories of Sam Davis of Smyrna"
  
• W.T. Kennerly, "Address of W.T. Kennerly of Knoxville, Delivered at the Grave of Sam Davis on Confederate Memorial Day, June 3, 1934"
  
• Jesse C. Burt, Jr., "The Legacy of Sam Davis of Tennessee"
  
• Walter King Hoover, A History of the Town of Smyrna
  
• Pictures of the Sam Davis home and the Davis family.

King Collection (Sarah)

Sarah King and her husband Walter Hughey King lived on the grounds of the Sam Davis Home for some time.  The King Family Subject Files contains information about Sam Davis Home, as well as a scrapbook dedicated to the historic home.

Pittard Collection
Homer and Mabel Pittard were Civil War and local history enthusiasts.  In addition to their normal gathering of local history information, Homer Pittard collected documentation in preparation for the Civil War Centennial on local events and persons.
    Examples from this collection include:

• Grenville Dodge, transcript of his letter to the editor from the Confederate Veteran, June 15, 1897
  
• L.W. Forgrave, "Union Veteran Who Played Death March for Sam Davis"
  
• Shirley Stevens, untitled oral histories of Mr. Hensell conducted in 1912 and recorded in 1969
  
• Guy Dicarlo, "The Civil War Round-Table," December 1968
  
• Mabel Baxter Pittard, "The Coleman Scouts," Masters Thesis, Middle Tennessee State University, 1953