Mills, Mines and Money

Courtesy of Map and Lithograph Collection, Special Collections, University of Tennessee, Knoxville—Libraries

The Peck children, including sons Moses Looney Peck and Jacob Peck, would go on to serve as leaders in the community much the way Adam and Elizabeth did. Moses and Jacob both served as leaders in the Methodist church. Additionally, Jacob helped build the Elizabeth Chapel and served as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1822-1835.

Not long after the Peck family built their home, church, and mill, Thomas Hume opened the first store, and in 1798 Christopher Haynes established an iron works business. Thus, it was in large part due to the Peck family deciding to settle in the area that Mossy Creek began to thrive. The Pecks, Mr. Hume, and Mr. Haynes all contributed to the beginning of Mossy Creek’s local business and to the community that grew into what we know and love today.