News

Massengills, Hensons to Explore Glenmore Connection
During 100th Family Reunion This Sunday

The Standard Banner
By: Kimary Clelland - Report
Updated: September 7, 2017



Massengills from the past would be pleased with relatives Teresa Tipton and Phyllis Painter, who have spent many months planning a fun family festival for the 100th Massengill-Henson Reunion.

The event will be held at Jefferson City’s Glenmore Mansion beginning at noon Sunday, September 10.

“I am excited to have the reunion at the Glenmore Mansion. I’ve been to the mansion many times and never imagined there was a family connection,” exclaimed Tipton.

Debra Massengill married John Branner who built the stately Victorian Glenmore Mansion. Sadly, he died before completion, but his wife continued to supervise the builders. She and their four children lived in the house.

“Our personal reunion clan is the other branch of the family tree,” explains Painter, who authored a book on the family genealogy. “These relatives were the hard working farmers. When I was only six years old, I went to my first family reunion and I started writing my book at age 40.”

As Painter and Tipton looked over historic family photos, they told stories about the more colorful characters – some whom are buried in Mt. Horeb Cemetery.

Painter’s great grandfather was a well known truck (cart) driver in the late 1800’s. Everyone drove a cart, but Walter Henry Massengill’s horsepower was provided by a blind mule.

His brother, Samuel Simpson Massengill, married Hattie Henson who proved that women lived longer than the men even in those days. She died at 102. Her daughter Jamie Couch was a teacher and coach at Jefferson High School.

“Some in the family were known for their musical talents,” comments Painter. “One of the eight Massengill children from our clan married Lilly La Vada White and the White family members are the singers.”

Tipton is the expert baker in the family and worked as a lead baker for Carson-Newman and then for Dollywood. She says she loves to bake and decorate cakes. Not only is she planning a classic tiered cake for the reunion, she is baking a large pan of baklava that will be one of the prizes.

She also created a three-dimensional tree so attendees can find their relatives and write the names on green poster board which will be attached to the tree as leaves.

The two women had 100 T-shirts printed – keeping with the 100th reunion theme. They have three silver dollars ready, for the oldest attendee, the youngest, and the one who came the farthest.

Family reunions have continued for 100 years except for some years off during World War II. This is the first time they have rented the Glenmore Mansion.

“I remember the 1986 reunion at the Mt. Horeb log house of William H. Massengill and his wife Mary Givens. Everyone said it was a plantation home,” she laughs, as she shows an old photo of the log cabin. “It has not rained since the 1986 reunion and we hope to be blessed with good weather. We look forward to activities for all ages on the beautiful grounds of the Glenmore Mansion.”

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