03/30/2025
In honor of Women’s History Month
The belief that elite plantation mistresses did not work is a myth. Here is just one example:
The four items chained together would hang from a chatelaine belt. They were made from sterling silver and were quite valuable. In addition, innumerable heavy iron keys would also hang from the belt. Everything on the plantation was locked up, from the spices, sugar, and medicine cabinets to the outbuildings and the mistress held the keys to them all. This kept her at the beck and call of everyone, including the enslaved, all day. Only one of her many duties and daily tasks.
A coin purse, a notepad, pencil and watch are pictured here. There were many other useful household items such as scissors, needle cases to knives that could be added to the belt.
These items belonged to Belle Cliffe Brownlow of Franklin, TN. The calling card case was a gift from wedding day on October 3rd, 1865.
Her obituary.
Gen. James P. Brownlow (1st Tennessee Cavalry, USA) was the son of Parson W.G. Brownlow, U.S. Military Governor of Tennessee. He was wounded in a skirmish south of Franklin, near the Harrison House, and was taken to the home of Dr. D.B. Cliffe for treatment. During his stay at the Cliffe home, he fell in love with the doctor’s daughter, Belle Cliffe. They were married by his father, Governor Brownlow, on October 3, 1865. Two children were born to the couple, a boy and a girl, both of whom died young. Sadly, in May 1878, Belle also died. The Nashville Daily American related, “When death removes those who have fulfilled their time, we are grieved but not surprised, but when it strikes the young and idolized, as it has here last week, we bow with submission though with broken hearts. Such a shock as we received in the death of Mrs. Belle Brownlow has not often fallen on Franklin, in perfect health at 5 o’clock Tuesday, she was stricken with the shaft at 6 o’clock, and in forty-eight hours went to join her children. She was the idol of her parents and the pride of her husband. Like a fragrant flower, she shed affection all around her.”
Apparently, Gen. Brownlow had little desire to live without his dearly loved ones. Less than a year later, he was gone as well. On May 3, 1879, The Daily American reported: “Gen. Jas. P. Brownlow was buried in the new cemetery last Tuesday by the side of his young wife and two children, who had preceded him to the grave only a few short years. Gen. B. was very popular here with all who knew him, and especially was he liked by those who were opposed to him in arms during the civil war. On Monday there was a meeting of citizens and ex-Confederate soldiers, and resolutions were adopted expressive of their admiration and esteem for him. As the resolutions state, ‘he was thoroughly imbued with the courage and chivalry of a Tennessean. He lived long enough with us after the war to change our esteem and respect into affection.’ His family and friends have the sincere sympathy of our people in their bereavement. Peace to his ashes.”
I believe the article was published in the 2008 Williamson County Historical Society Journal and then appeared on the Carter House page. I found it and the photos on the “Old Town” website.
