The Hurst mansion dates back to the Civil War era. It is one of the oldest dwellings in the community. In 2007, the building is abandoned.
Failed development in the 1850s kept the community rural thereafter, without industries, major business ventures or tourism. During the Civil War the town was a crossroads, but during the war damage was done to the town which led to its decline.
In 1850, according to Census records, the population of Purdy was 260. The population was residing in 43 dwellings in the district.[2]
Geography
Purdy is located at 35.22670 North, 88.53060 West, 3.5 mi (5.6 km) northeast of Selmer in McNairy County.[3]
The elevation above sea level is 570 ft (173.7 m).[3]
History
Graves on the Purdy cemetery date back to the early 1800s and the Civil War era (2007).
Purdy was platted in 1825 by Col. John Purdy, and named for him.[4] Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County until 1890.[1]
Failed railroad development 1850s
In the 1850s, citizens of Purdy refused to support a railroad line through their community, while residents of Selmer, supported a railroad through their town. The railroad brought business and wealth to Selmer and the rural community of Purdy remained so.
County seat changed 1890
In 1890, due to the increasing economic development of Selmer following the railroad, the county seat was moved from Purdy to Selmer in a decision of Selmer voters. Since 1890, Selmer has been the county seat of McNairy County, Tennessee.[5]
Newspaper
Purdy's newspaper is the Independent Appeal, which serves all of McNairy County. It was founded in 1902. It is located at 111 N. 2nd St. in Selmer.
Economy
The community's main source of income is agriculture (especially cotton).
Historical
After the abolition of slavery, sharecropping was the primary means of income for low income families in the area. Mostly for the cultivation of cotton, land would be used by sharecroppers in return for a share of the crop to the landowner.
Modern
Modern machines such as the cotton picker have made manual cultivation obsolete over time as they took over work from laborers.
In 2007, Purdy was a rural unincorporated community with no industries, major business ventures or tourism.
purdy, tennessee, rural, unincorporated, community, northeast, selmer, mcnairy, county, tennessee, until, 1890, purdy, county, seat, mcnairy, county, hurst, mansion, dates, back, civil, oldest, dwellings, community, 2007, building, abandoned, failed, developme. Purdy Tennessee is a rural unincorporated community 3 5 mi 5 6 km northeast of Selmer in McNairy County Tennessee Until 1890 Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County 1 The Hurst mansion dates back to the Civil War era It is one of the oldest dwellings in the community In 2007 the building is abandoned Failed development in the 1850s kept the community rural thereafter without industries major business ventures or tourism During the Civil War the town was a crossroads but during the war damage was done to the town which led to its decline Contents 1 Demographics 2 Geography 3 History 3 1 Failed railroad development 1850s 3 2 County seat changed 1890 4 Newspaper 5 Economy 5 1 Historical 5 2 Modern 6 Notable people 7 ReferencesDemographics EditIn 1850 according to Census records the population of Purdy was 260 The population was residing in 43 dwellings in the district 2 Geography Edit Purdy is located at 35 22670 North 88 53060 West 3 5 mi 5 6 km northeast of Selmer in McNairy County 3 The elevation above sea level is 570 ft 173 7 m 3 History Edit Graves on the Purdy cemetery date back to the early 1800s and the Civil War era 2007 Purdy was platted in 1825 by Col John Purdy and named for him 4 Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County until 1890 1 Failed railroad development 1850s Edit In the 1850s citizens of Purdy refused to support a railroad line through their community while residents of Selmer supported a railroad through their town The railroad brought business and wealth to Selmer and the rural community of Purdy remained so County seat changed 1890 Edit In 1890 due to the increasing economic development of Selmer following the railroad the county seat was moved from Purdy to Selmer in a decision of Selmer voters Since 1890 Selmer has been the county seat of McNairy County Tennessee 5 Newspaper EditPurdy s newspaper is the Independent Appeal which serves all of McNairy County It was founded in 1902 It is located at 111 N 2nd St in Selmer Economy EditThe community s main source of income is agriculture especially cotton Historical Edit After the abolition of slavery sharecropping was the primary means of income for low income families in the area Mostly for the cultivation of cotton land would be used by sharecroppers in return for a share of the crop to the landowner Modern Edit Modern machines such as the cotton picker have made manual cultivation obsolete over time as they took over work from laborers In 2007 Purdy was a rural unincorporated community with no industries major business ventures or tourism Notable people EditMarcus Joseph Wright 1831 1922 military governor of Columbus Kentucky in the Civil War and author born in Purdy John Vines Wright 1828 1908 a member of the United States House of Representatives born in Purdy References Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Purdy Tennessee a b Purdy McNairy Co TN http ftp rootsweb com pub usgenweb tn mcnairy census 1850 1850 pudey txt rootsweb com Census Purdy 1850 a b http wayhoo com index php a wlist amp sr 20 amp state TN amp map Purdy permanent dead link WayHoo com Geographic coordinates History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present Southern Historical Press 1886 p 827 https www raogk org tennessee genealogy mcnairy county RAOGK org Coordinates 35 13 36 N 88 31 50 W 35 22667 N 88 53056 W 35 22667 88 53056 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Purdy Tennessee amp oldid 900244490, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
