The New Providence Presbyterian Church is located just off Highway 11 at 214 Stoney Point Road in Surgoinsville was built in 1870 by Reverend Charles Cummings and Reverend Samuel Doak and is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places as #78002600.
John Murrell and his two brothers were raised in Williamson County, Tennessee by a Methodist circuit preacher. The boys were trouble. Some believe that their father died destitute, spending all his money on bail for his three children who had a talent for stealing horses. He was imprisoned for 10 years in Tennessee, and died shortly thereafter. Grave robbers quickly went to work picking apart his body for souvenirs. The Tennessee State Museum is in possession of one of his thumbs, though his skull has never been recovered.
Sometime between 1820 and 1830, Murrell murdered an entire family, and even their dog, under the current giant white oak in the church yard. This tree has since become known as “Booger Oak,” because discarnate voices can be heard from it. The appearance of a black dog is often sighted under the tree, but it quickly disappears upon further investigation. The same dog, believed to be the family pet, has been sighted often enough along Highway 11; locals have nicknamed him “Long Dog.”
The graveyard is also said to be haunted. The Revolutionary War solider, Colonel George Maxwell was buried there after his death in 1822, and a black hound is also said to sit on his grave, as if guarding it. Visitors also report hearing footsteps following them all throughout the graveyard. 1, 2
