Timeline of the House and Family

1813 -- William Trousdale, age 23, leaves to serve in the Creek War, where he was a Private and then 3rd Lieutenant at Talladega and Tallushatchee

1814 -- William volunteers to serve in the War of 1812 where his company was present at the capture of Pensacola

1815 -- William fights alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. The two went on to be good friends and Jackson threw a party for William Trousdale after his inauguration as governor.

1827 -- William marries Mary Anne Bugg

1835 -- William is elected as Tennessee Senator; he only serves for one year

1836 -- William volunteers for the Seminole War where he is appointed Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Mounted Tennessee Volunteers. Later this year, he purchases the Bowen Brick House for $2,500 (a modern $72,000).

1847 -- President James K. Polk appoints William to be the Colonel of Infantry in the U.S. Army during the Mexican American War, where he fought alongside General Pillow and was shot twice in the arm, shattering the bone.

1849 -- William Trousdale is elected governor of Tennessee

1853-1856 -- William serves as the U.S. minister to Brazil under President Franklin Pierce

1872 -- William Trousdale dies, leaving the home to his wife; at her death, the house goes to their son Julius and his wife Annie Berry

1899 -- Julius and his daughter Mary die within 3 weeks of each other

1900 -- Julius’s brother Charles dies, prompting Annie Berry to deed the property to Clark Chapter 13 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in memory of Julius and Charles, who were both Confederate veterans

After 1900, the house was used as the first library in Gallatin, as well as a meeting place for Confederate veterans. It was later used as a USO dance hall during World War II as well as a community center with tennis courts, civic clubs, and social receptions. Many aspects of the house have been redone through the 1950s-1970s such as the floral wallpaper and light fixtures.