Hi,
I saw your query and was thinking I'm stuck on the same exact thing. My great, great grandfather John Porter Kimball born 11-18-1834 in Sevier, Tn. He came to Texas early 1800's and ran freight wagons for the U.S. government taking payroll and supplies to the cavalry and military forts here in Texas.
I can't trace him to Sevier, Tn. on any census records or anything, even in New Mexico where he died. I have pictures of him, very nice looking man. If you can help me or anyone for that matter I would greatly appreciate it. I can give you the information I have on him from him to this day forward - his family. He married Delcina Elzira Davis in Bluffton, Tx., but was quite a bit older than her and had two sons already that were almost grown. I think one was named Simeon, and one was Clifford. My family members still use the name Porter and even Kimball for first and middle names for their kids.
Please email me if you can and give me some information on who you are looking for. There are only a few Kimball families in Tennessee back in the 1800's, so we are lucky in a way.
Probably a cousin,
Mae