When the Water Rose: Margaret Farris Farr's Family and the Impact of the 1938 Chickamauga Dam Cemetery Relocation in Chattanooga.

I am a direct descendant interested in these artifacts.

Margaret Farris Farr was a woman of about 32 years old when the Chickamauga Dam was being built to control flooding in Harrison County, TN. Through her family photo records, I was able to discover the impact of the Dam on her family.

Both of Margaret's maternal grandparents and other family members were laid to rest in the Harrison Cemetery which would soon be underwater from the new reservoir created by the dam. In 1938, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) surveyed all cemeteries in the area to determine which would be impacted and begun the process of removal and reinternment.

TVA records show that the following family members were relocated to the New Harrison Cemetery where they would be high above the water line. As you can see below, there were many who were unidentified during the process.

M. Luther Farris, George Thomas Farris, Sr., Malissie M. Farris, and Samuel F. Farris.

How are they related to Margaret Farr?

• George Thomas and Malissie M. Farris are Margaret Farr's grandparents.

• Luther and Samuel are her Great-Uncles.

Tragically, Luther moved to Arizona to ease his Tuberculosis symptoms but passed about 2 months after moving. Samuel was but 1 year old when he passed from Inflammation of Brain.

Source: Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Files, 1933-1990

More on the Farris / Farr Family

In 1906, Margaret was born in Hamilton County, TN to Lillian (Farris) and George Farr. She never married and passed in 1976. She is listed as 'Keeping House' in the 1950 census and living with her mother. Here she is as a baby.

Margaret Farr (Photo is marked with her name on the back) Source: Private Collection

Margaret's Mom, Lillian, was born in 1875 and passed in 1962. She married John Farr sometime between 1900 and 1906.

Lillian Farris Farr (Her name is listed on the back of the photo) Source: Private Collection

Here's a photo of a young Margaret with her Parents.

John, Lillian, and Margaret Farr Source: Private Collection

Margaret's brother, John Farris Farr, was born in 1911 and passed in 1998.

A young John Farr. (Photo is marked with his name on back) Source: Private Collection

Margaret's Grandfather - John H. Farr was a Civil War veteran born in born in Blount County, TN in 1846. He is listed in several census records as a farmer, as well. He passed away in Chattoga County, GA in 1905 and is buried there.

John Harrison Farr. Source: Private Collection.

I have been unable to identify the two gentlemen in this photo. It is marked Mr. On Farr on the back.

Unidentified Farr family members. Source: Private Collection

Now, let's discuss Margaret's Mother's side of the family - The Farris family. Her uncle Clyde was an attorney and owned a grocery in Chattanooga, TN with his brother George (a.k.a. Tom) for 40+ years before his passing. Clyde lived with Margaret and are mother for several years as indicated in census records. He married Clara Ott in 1938 (the same year his father / mother / and two siblings were being moved to accommodate the rising waters of the Chickamauga Reservoir. He and Clara did not have children but from public records, he certainly seemed to be a family man.

A young James Clyde Farris. Source: Private Collection

The Graduate, Clyde Farris. Note the photo has his name spelled Clyad Farris. The photo studio was located in Chattanooga, so I'm making an assumption it's James Clyde Farris.

Clyde Farris in graduation robe, sometime around the year 1910. Source: Private collection

Clyde was a member of the Methodist Church, the Masonic Order, and the Junior Order. He was admitted to the bar in 1910. Clyde was also associated with the Southern Express Company in Chattanooga, TN which was a prominent express service for goods and people. He partnered with his brother, George (aka Tom) as a co-owner of Farris Brother Grocery. A busy man, no doubt.

J Clyde Farris. Source: Private Collection

The Farris/Farr family was a well-known and influential family in Chattanooga, with deep ties to the region. I hope you enjoyed discovering more about this notable family.