The Seals Family Homestead in Tennessee
William (Billy) Seals was the last Seals to be born in Pittsylvania Co., Va. He was taken to Tennessee soon after his birth in 1817. William Seals, Jr. and Bailey Seals took their families to Hancock Co., Tenn. and settled in the valley near the Clinch and Powell Rivers.
James Washington Seals was born on Dec. 25, 1851 and was the first in our line to be born in Tennessee. The family homestead was home to the family until 1957. Burl and Mary Seals and their family were the last Seals to live in the old homestead. Margaret Ellen and James William (Bill) were the last family members to be born there. Burl and Mary Seals moved with their family to Tazewell in Claiborne County. Burl Seals died in 1968.
To visit Seal Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, you must travel south on US 25E about five miles from Tazewell, then turn left on Tennessee Rt. 33. Go approximately six miles to Rowe Rd. and turn left. Follow this road for about one mile to where it forks and take the left fork marked Seal Chapel Rd. After about one mile, you will find Seal Chapel and the cemetery. The homestead is just over the hill. Sadly, it has fallen into disrepair and is now used as a tobacco barn.
The original Seal Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was built around 1909. Over the years the building went through several renovations. The building above was likely the second or third incarnation. The newest building is constructed of cement block. The porch is concrete with a wheel chair ramp. The inside of the Chapel is beautiful. The pews are covered with a red material. The Chapel seats approximately 75 people. Services are held by a traveling minister on alternating Sundays the year round. The steps of the original building are on the site and are frequently the site of neighborhood discussions.
The cemetery is on the hillside above the church. James Washington Seals, Laney Jane Seals, Orvil Seals and Arthur Sulfridge are among the many who are interred there.
Return to Seals, Part 4