Purdy, Tennessee

Purdy, Tennessee is a rural unincorporated community 3.5 mi (5.6 km) northeast of Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee. Until 1890, Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County.

Failed development in the 1850s kept the community rural thereafter, without industries, major business ventures or tourism. During the Civil War the town was a crossroads, but during the war damage was done to the town which led to its decline.

In 1850, according to Census records, the population of Purdy was 260. The population was residing in 43 dwellings in the district.

Purdy is located at 35.22670 North, 88.53060 West, 3.5 mi (5.6 km) northeast of Selmer in McNairy County.

The elevation above sea level is 570 ft (173.7 m).

Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County until 1890.

In the 1850s, citizens of Purdy refused to support a railroad line through their community, while residents of Selmer, supported a railroad through their town. The railroad brought business and wealth to Selmer and the rural community of Purdy remained so.

In 1890, due to the increasing economic development of Selmer following the railroad, the county seat was moved from Purdy to Selmer in a decision of Selmer voters. Since 1890, Selmer has been the county seat of McNairy County, Tennessee.

Col. Fielding Hurst, an officer in the Civil War, was murdered by one of his enemies in his mansion in 1871, according to local folklore. This is false. Fielding Hurst sold his home in Purdy to pay debts and lived in Mount Gilead, Tennessee, where he died in 1882. According to history he was responsible for the death of residents of Purdy. "Some time after the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862, Andrew Johnson, then Governor of Tennessee, authorized and commissioned Fielding Hurst to recruit and organize a regiment, this regiment was known as the 6th Tennessee Cavalry. About the first of October in that year, companies A, B, C, D, and G, were organized by Col. Hurst." To Johnson's regret though, Hurst proved more murderer than soldier.

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