Tarpley Chapel
Fannin County | Organized in 1890
This small mountain church in rural Fannin County began as Pleasant Gap Methodist but later became known as Tarpley Chapel, honoring the Tarpley family who helped found it and still care for it today. The church’s history is closely tied to the Tarpley family, documented in A History of Fannin County, Georgia, family records from Nellie Abercrombie, and articles from The Blue Ridge Summit-Post.
Read more...The Tarpley family originated in England and came to America before 1664, farming tobacco before eventually moving south. Mason Tarpley and his wife, Sara, both born in Virginia, married in 1842 and moved to what is now Fannin County in 1850. They purchased a large farm beside the Toccoa River, raising six sons and two daughters. Mason, crippled since childhood, was exempt from Civil War service but served as a Methodist circuit preacher. He died in 1907 and was buried with his wife at their homeplace in Blue Ridge.
One of Mason’s grandsons, Linzy Tarpley, married Martha Ware in 1872. They raised eight children on their farm, living off the land with sheep, cows, chickens, and geese. In 1890, Linzy’s father, James, deeded him land to build Pleasant Gap Methodist—a log church with a dirt floor. In 1908, a larger, more comfortable building was constructed by Simpson and Nolan Ambercrombie and dedicated in June 1911. At some point, the name changed to Tarpley Chapel, though the cemetery records still reflect both names.
The Tarpleys were among the early settlers who arrived after the Cherokee removal in the 1830s. The 1835 Treaty of New Echota led to the infamous Trail of Tears, and shortly afterward, families like the Tarpleys moved in. A 1913 photograph shows Linzy and Martha with grandchildren Ora Jane and Sadie, surrounded by poultry and a cow—a glimpse into the hard but close-knit life of early mountain farmers.
Today, the Tarpley family’s roots stretch back over 170 years in this corner of Georgia. James Allen and Sarah, their son Linzy, and little Sadie—who died at just eight years old—are all buried in the chapel cemetery. The family’s care for this place is a lasting tribute to North Georgia’s pioneer spirit.
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16 responses to “Tarpley Chapel”
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My grandpa was Gene Abercrombie, Nolan Abercrombie’s son born in Cobb County.
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My G-Grandmother was Caldona Mordecie Tarpley Rose. She was the daughter of William Calvin Tarpley and Sarah J. Bailey. William was the son of James Allen Tarpley. William owned the land for the Copper HIll Mines and entered a land lease to the Tennessee Milling and Mining corp. The land was supposed to revert back to the family after 50 years. The records were lost in the Polk County Court house fire. Caldona (D.C.) was killed by an automobile on Benton Pike in December, 1920 in front of her house. She was the second wife of Robert Henley Rose. The car was an Essex driven by Hoyt Payne. When I was younger and went to Family reunions in Benton people would talk about 2 things, getting the Copper Hill Property back and that DC was the first woman to be killed by a car in Tennessee.
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We recently visited this historical site after passing by on way to our vacation cabin. It is absolutely beautiful and well preserved! Our 9 year old daughter was drawn to the headstone of Sadie, and became fascinated with learning all she could about the church. She would love to know how little Sadie died. Is there any information about this? Thank you!!
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Sweet comment about your daughter. We will see if we can find anything.
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Here is what we found about little Sadie. Sadie Tarpley is shown in the 1920 census, Fannin County as Saida, age 8, born Tennessee. This census was taken January 23, 1920. She was the daughter of Henry A. Tarpley (1881-1965) and Mattie V. Long Tarpley (1882-1943). Henry A. Tarpley’s occupation is given as Ware House Man working in a supply house. Sadie had one brother, Hayden Gilliam Tarpley (1907-1988) and a sister Ora Jane Tarpley Richards (1908-1984). They are all buried at Blue Ridge except Sadie. Ancestry says Sadie died in Polk County, Tennessee. I am sure they brought her back to Tarpley Chapel for burial because they were related to the Tarpley family there. Sadie’s name on her death certificate is spelled Zeda. She died of influenza/pneumonia that was an epidemic at that time.
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Here is what we found about little Sadie. Sadie Tarpley is shown in the 1920 census, Fannin County as Saida, age 8, born Tennessee. This census was taken January 23, 1920. She was the daughter of Henry A. Tarpley (1881-1965) and Mattie V. Long Tarpley (1882-1943). Henry A. Tarpley’s occupation is given as Ware House Man working in a supply house. Sadie had one brother, Hayden Gilliam Tarpley (1907-1988) and a sister Ora Jane Tarpley Richards (1908-1984). They are all buried at Blue Ridge except Sadie. Ancestry says Sadie died in Polk County, Tennessee. I am sure they brought her back to Tarpley Chapel for burial because they were related to the Tarpley family there. Sadie’s name on her death certificate is spelled Zeda. She died of influenza/pneumonia that was an epidemic at that time.
My Grandmother was Ora Jane Tarpley Richards (1908-1984) who married Dallas Peter Richards. My Mother was the second oldest child of my Grandmother Ora. She had a child who died around 1 year old and her name was Patsy Ruth Richards. My Mom Margaret Richards Ballew was her second child after the death of Patsy Ruth. I spent much of my life living very close to my Grandmother Ora and Grandfather Peter Dallas. Grandma Ora was very close to my Uncle Hayden Tarpley, her brother and his wife Aunt Gladys, and we visited often. My Great Grandfather Henry A. Tarpley was also a part of my life growing up. I remember him well. My Grandparents, Ora and Peter Dallas had 6 children, and lost two. As I mentioned Patsy Ruth, I didn’t mention Peter (Pete) Richards who was with my Mom, Daddy, and our family in a boat at Morganton Point on Blue Ridge Lake. I was a baby and Pete said his last words to Mom, his sister “Don’t let her get sunburned”. Pete wanted to swim to the shore, and he did, but Daddy (Ham Tedo Ballew) told him to stay there and he would come and get him. However he didn’t hear, jumped in the water and never came up. Daddy went in after him but had on steel-toed shoes and couldn’t reach him in time. Pete was 14 years old and drowned that day. What a sad time this was for our family, although I don’t remember it because I was less than a year old.
I found this site this morning as I was thinking about the school shootings in Texas. My Uncle Hayden Tarpley and Aunt Gladys had three boys. One day as they were walking home from school, a man shot and killed one of their boys for no reason other than to kill someone, so this brought to mind my second cousin was killed innocently as well, and this would have been in the 1940’s. This too was a tragedy. The man who killed him was sent to prison for life. There are many other stories concerning the Tarpley’s family. One that comes to mind is that life was not easy and they endured so much during their lifetimes.-
Thank you for sharing these memories, Wanda.
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Joseph Frank Tarpley was my grandfather. I have been to this church many times. Thank you for sharing this history.
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Thanks Maye. If there is an event at the church, let us know and we will help promote it.
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Hello
We live off of Old Chapel Rd where this beautiful church is located here in Morganton. We pass by it daily. I have been drawn to the history of the family and the little church. We had our first baby last Aug and we would like to have his dedication in the church but have been unable to find anyone who can let us know who to contact in order to have the event there. We have searched for months. Do you happen to know who we may be able to contact for information? Thank You!
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Hello Jomayne and congratulations on the birth of your child. Unfortunately, we aren’t directly affiliated with the Chapel so we can’t help with these arrangements but we wish you the best!
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Did you find out any contact information for this church?
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A jewel indeed. The times when what’s inside is what matters. Are those day lost forever?
John Cork -
I love the work you do and thank you. I love these old buildings and their history
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Thanks Betty. It is a labor of love.
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This one’s a gem. – I can’t wait for the next book!
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