ENOCH PRESNELL was born 1794 in NC. His parents are thought to have been Jonathon Presnell and Christian VonCannon. Very little is known of his early life. However, in August 1814, Enoch Presnell was listed on the Burke County, NC Muster Roll for the War of 1812. He would have been approximately 20 years old when enlisting.
We next find him on the 1820 and 1830 Censuses for Burke County, N.C. According to the 1830 Burke County, NC Census, there were 3 young boys living in the Enoch Presnell household. It is speculated that these were his sons by an unknown first wife who had died prior to the 1830 census. Based on family naming patterns and the 1850 census records for Greene County, TN, I propose that these 3 sons may have been Nathaniel (born ~1820), Enoch (born ~1824), and Isaac (born ~1825). All three sons (?) lived neighbors to Enoch in Greene County, TN in 1850, and the birthplace for each was given as NC.
On 26 February 1832, Enoch Presnell married Sarah Elizabeth Presnell. They married in Wilkes County, NC. Their bondsman was Elijah Presnell, relationship unknown. Justice of the Peace, Peter Barnes, performed the ceremony. Sarah Elizabeth's last name on the marriage record is Presnell. However, their youngest son, Amos Richard Presley, stated that his mother's maiden name was SALTS. According to the 1850 Greene County, TN Census, Sarah Elizabeth (Salts) was born about 1807 in SC. The names of her parents and siblings are not known. It is believed that Sarah Elizabeth died in the mid to late 1850's in Greene County, TN. CLICK HERE to View the Marriage License of Enoch Presnell and Elizabeth (Salts) Presnell dated 26 February 1832.
As previously stated, Enoch and Sarah Elizabeth married in Wilkes County, NC in February 1832. Their oldest child, Ruth Presnell, was born in SC in 1832. By 1838, the family had crossed the Appalachian Mountains and were living in Washington County, TN.
Enoch Presnell is listed on the 1838 Washington County,TN Tax List. The family was still living in Washington County, TN when the 1840 census was taken. The 1840-1841 tax list for Washington County, TN lists Enick Presnell of District # 1 and Enick Presnell of District # 2 as both being delinquent on their taxes. Both owed 50 cents. Districts # 1 and # 2 were located in the south-western corner of Washington County, near the Greene County line. The Nolichuckey River separated the two districts. Possibly, both of the Enick Presnells had already moved to Greene County, TN when the delinquent tax list was compiled.
In 1849 Enoch Presnell was living in District # 1 of Greene County, TN. He paid 50 cents in taxes that year. District # 1 of Greene County was located in the south-eastern corner along the Washington County line. This area is also located along the Nolichuckey River. It is near the Davy Crockett Birthplace, State Historic Site.
The last census in which Enoch and Sarah Elizabeth appear is the 1850 Greene County, TN Census. His occupation was listed as a labourer. On this census, their surname had become Prestly. Throughout the 1850's and 1860's, the surname varied. Some of Enoch and Sarah Elizabeth's children went by the Presnell surname, whereas, some of their other children used the surname Presley. Both Enoch and Sarah Elizabeth died prior to 1860. Enoch died when a log fell on him while building a house. Their burial place is unknown but is most likely located in the south-eastern area of Greene County, TN near the Nolichuckey River.
CLICK HERE to View the Marriage License of Enoch Presnell and Elizabeth (Salts) Presnell dated 26 February 1832.
Enoch Presnell and His Unknown Wife's Family
Enoch Presnell and Sarah Elizabeth Salt's Family
CHILDREN of Enoch & Sarah Elizabeth (Salts) Presnell
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