The Chester County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank James Bright for helping to promote the history of Chester County with a new historical marker at Mifflin. James Bright, a former teacher at Chester County Junior High for 40 years, is currently serving as Chester County Historian. He started his quest for the historical marker for Colonel John Purdy over a year ago. It involved a lot of based in fact research, paperwork, finding financing and going through the process set forth by the Tennessee Historical Commission. The marker tells some of the important highlights of his life, but not all because of limited space. He is buried about 50 yards up the hill from this marker in the Old Mifflin Cemetery.
Many people helped make this marker a reality along the way. State Representative Kirk Haston agreed to be sponsor on the application form, Joe Priddy wrote a letter giving permission for the marker to be on his property, a later form was signed by Courtney and Jason Priddy, Gary and Glynn Williams paid for the marker through the Eliza Smith Historical Trust and Mike Alexander will be restoring John Purdy’s ledger stone. Mr. Bright said the moral support of friends and the local people of Mifflin made it worth the endeavor. A special thank you to Kirk Haston, Roger Page, Gary Williams, Beverly Morton, Barry Hutcherson, Mike Alexander, Al McKinnon, Lance Beshires, Jerry King, Justin Emerson, Scott McCaskill, Courtney Bingham and the local citizens of Mifflin for attending the ceremony on that very windy Friday.
