There were two distinct Hailey/Haley family groups living in Nolensville, Tennessee in the mid  19th century.  Historically, both families have used both of the variant spellings of  the "Hailey/Haley" surname.  For the sake of simplicity, I have used the spelling of "Hailey"  throughout this site.  That is not to say that either spelling is correct nor that descendants of  either family are using that spelling.

Probably the earliest Hailey family in Nolensville was that of Henry and Joanna Hailey.  Based on  early census records, Henry and his wife Joanna Mullens were both born in Virginia and they were  married in Rutherford County, Tennessee on August 28, 1831.  They had a considerable number of  descendants of which some are still living in the Nolensville area.

The second Hailey family was that of James Watt Hailey who had two marriages, the first to Tabitha  Haley, daughter of Spencer Haley in the Rocky Fork community of Rutherford County, Tennessee.  It  is assumed that Tabitha died while James Watt Hailey was serving in the C.S.A between 1862 and  1865. The second marriage was to Elizabeth Angeline Coleman, nee Caldwell after the Civil War.    James Watt and Elizabeth Hailey eventually moved to a 50 acre farm in Nolensville located on what  is now known as Kidd Road.  There, they raised eight children.

Both of James Watt and Elizabeth's marriages resulted in a number of descendants most of whom   remained in the Rutherford, Williamson or Davidson County (Nashville) areas.

According to a recently discovered letter that was written in the 1960s, both of the above Hailey  families were related but the connection has yet to be determined.  It is believed that James Watt  Hailey was born in the Rocky Fork community in Rutherford County which lies less than 10 miles  from Nolensville across the Williamson/Rutherford County line.  This brings into question just how  the Spencer Haley, Henry Hailey and James Watt Hailey family groups were related.  Also, in the  Rocky Fork community during that same period of time were Elijah W. Haley and Edward Haley (the  latter believed to be Edward Taylor Haley who eventually settled in adjoining Bedford County,  Tennessee). All of these Haileys were probably related in some way.

I would welcome anyone who has additional information on any of these families to contact me and  any corrections to the posted information is also welcomed.

Also, please take a minute and sign my guest book.

Ed Hailey