What is the Knoblin?

No one really knows!

Background

In 1784, James Todd was granted 640 acres of land in present-day Donelson by the North Carolina government for having been one of the pre-1780 settlers of Davidson County.  His 640 acres included the notable elevated feature of the area, which he named Todd’s Knob.  Early settlers used the land for farming, including apple and peach orchards.  It was also the site of one of many distilleries in the Donelson area, which may have contributed to the nickname of the town, Slip-Up.  One might “slip up” to the tavern (some history states that it was called Slip Up because all the springs located on and around Todd’s Knob would freeze up during the winter causing you to “slip up” while walking into town.  You can decide which story you believe.)  While there is much rich history of Todd’s Knob, the history of the Goblin of Todd’s Knob or the Knoblin is one that was almost lost.

The story of the Knoblin dates back to at least the early 1800s and was recently refound while researching the history of the Donelson area.  Reports of unusual sightings, missing food and livestock, and strange noises on and around the Todd’s Knob area led to residents referring to the mysterious creature as a goblin, eventually giving it the name of Knoblin, due to its location.

Families would close their shutters, draw the curtains and not go out after dusk, and farmers would leave out apples, corn, and other crops as an offering so that the Knoblin would leave their animals alone.

Everyone who claimed to have seen or known about the Knoblin gave different descriptions of its appearance. Some said it resembled a giant catfish, others a horned mountain lion, or a giant owl with the legs of a deer, and still more described it as half human, half animal.  Most that saw it did agree on one thing though, its shadow never matched its silhouette, leading some to say that it could change its form.

The Tennessee Gazette

October 13, 1847

Located in the heart of Donelson, Todd’s Knob is a 705’ summit where accounts of the creature were first reported.

The website cryptidsoftn.com notes that the earliest documented accounts of the Knoblin were from the early 1800s.

To date, these are the only mentions of the Knoblin in newspaper archives. Though it is possible that there are more to be found under a different name.

The Nashville News Bulletin

August 23, 1899