Tag Archives: Parson William Brownlow

Parson Brownlow’s wife Elisa

In the novel, the historical Elisa Brownlow and my fictional Leila Ellis are close friends. This photo of Mrs. Brownlow was taken in Philadelphia, Pa, soon after the war began when the Confederates had kicked her husband out of Knoxville … Continue reading

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The Knoxville Whig & Rebel Ventilator

Parson William Brownlow’s Knoxville Whig newspaper added the words Rebel Ventilator to its flag in the runup to the Civil War. The fiery Union editor maintained it until the occupying Rebels drove him out of town, turning his steam presses … Continue reading

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Brownlow’s religious attacks

Parson Brownlow of Knoxville liked to say that he was “never neutral” on any issue. Even before he became the scourge of East Tennessee Confederates, the Methodist minister had been attacking Baptists who were encroaching on Methodist popularity among the … Continue reading

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Reprise: That Yankee-lovin’ parson

Dissent from Confederate political-correctness was not unusual in the Civil War, as professional historian Victoria Bynum’s book relates. Parson Bill Brownlow probably was unique, however, in his willingness to risk all by publicizing his dissent in the pages of his … Continue reading

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Susan Brownlow

Parson William Gannaway Brownlow was as popular in the North as he was despised in the South. So when the Confederates finally kicked him out of Knoxville, he and his wife Elisa and their daughter, Susan, enjoyed great acclaim in … Continue reading

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Parson Brownlow

A Mathew Brady photo of radical preacher, newspaper editor/publisher and politician Parson Brownlow, either as governor of Tennessee, 1865-69 or U.S. Senator 1869-75. He got his parson title as a Methodist circuit rider in the 1820s. He plays a minor … Continue reading

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Parson Brownlow’s home

Via the Tennessee State Library & Archives where it is not made clear whether this was the Brownlow home in 1863, when he fled the Longstreet siege, or only later, after he was governor. So let’s go ahead and think … Continue reading

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