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THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LIBRARY
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LEWIS & Co.
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HISTORY
OF
DAVIDSON COUNTY,
TENNESSEE/ 1
WITH
ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF ITS
PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
BY
-
PROF. W. W. CLAYTON. h
PHILADELPHIA :
J. W. LEWIS & CO.
1880.
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
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F440 I2C6 .
The UNIVERSITY Of CHICAGO LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO -+- LIBRARIES -+- CHICAGO, ILL.
1
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PREFACE.
THE History of Davidson County comprised in the present volume has been compiled under the supervision of the Tennessee Historical Society. All the care and labor com- patible with the limited time allowed for its preparation have been bestowed upon the work, and we trust it may be found as full and accurate as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances.
The interest and thoroughness of the history have been enhanced by the labors of several members of the Historical Society, who have materially aided the compiler both in the collection of matter and in the preparation of portions of the manuscript. The services of Anson Nelson, Esq., Secretary of the Society, and of Dr. E. L. Drake, of Nashville, should be especially acknowledged in this connection. The latter furnished the Military History of the County, embracing several chapters of the pioneer wars, the Creek and Semi- nole campaigns, the war of 1812-14, the Mexican war, and the great Civil war of 1861-65.
The plan of the work will be readily perceived by the intelligent reader. It consists of four departments,-first, a General History, or that which is common to the county at -large ; second, the History of the City of Nashville, including its press, its commercial and manufacturing interests, and its institutions ; third, the history of the Civil Districts; and fourth, the Biographical Department. The whole is carefully indexed to facilitate reference.
It should be said in this connection that many biographies of persons especially historic are scattered through the text of the general history, or interwoven with it in their appropriate places. The same is true of the history of some institutions with which the men whose lives are given were intimately identified. With this exception the biographies are placed in the department devoted to that subject. The arrangement, upon the whole, has appeared the best that could be devised, and we trust it will be satisfactory to all concerned.
The Civil Districts, as they appear in a department by themselves, occupy compara- tively small space. This is owing to the fact that much matter relating to them has been necessarily placed in the General History. For example, the early history of the districts is given in the chapter on the organization of the county ; in the chapter on Courts will be found a list of the justices of the peace and judges of the county court appointed or elected in each district from the organization of the county to 1880; also in the Eccle- siastical History and in the chapter on Public Schools are given the history and statistics of the churches and schools throughout the county. In addition to this, much of the matter belonging to the districts, being of a personal nature, has been placed in the Biographical Department.
It is hoped that the work will be acceptable to its patrons and prove a valuable con- tribution to the local history of a very important section of the country.
PHILADELPHIA, September, 1880.
W. W. C. 3
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APPROVAL BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
APPROVAL BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
At a meeting of the Tennessee Historical Society, held in Nashville, June 15, 1880, the Secretary, Anson Nelson, Esq., introduced the following declaration of approval of the manuscript of this history, which, after discussion, was adopted, and a copy of the declara- tion ordered sent to the publishers :
" Some weeks ago the publishers of the History of Davidson County announced to the Society that the manuscript was complete and ready for the inspection of the committees heretofore appointed, or for the inspection of any member who might be interested in looking over the manuscript. The chairman of the Committee on Military History expressed at a former meeting his satisfaction with that part of the work. The Committee on Civil History make a similar report to-day on the department assigned to it for inspection. Individual members of the Society have looked over different portions of the manuscript, and though the entire history has, of course, been read by no one person, the general con- currence of sentiment authorizes a just inference as to the character of the work. This volume is intended to embrace besides a history in the general sense of the term, local statistics, facts connected with our public institutions, colleges, academies, names of all persons who have held official positions, etc., forming a body of matter of great interest to the people ; and from the industry which was exhibited by the publishers in getting this information it is our opinion the compilation will be well and carefully made.
" The literary editor, Prof. Clayton, labored earnestly and zealously to gather facts for the general history, and we think that he has faithfully performed his work, and that under his supervision a work of much merit and interest will be furnished, coming up to the standard which was promised by the publishers. Perfection in matter and manner, accuracy to a point beyond all criticism, cannot be predicated of any work which ever has been or will be printed ; but we take pleasure in stating that we believe the history will be as free from errors as it could be made, the subjects being so various and devious, and that the publishers have succeeded in accomplishing what they undertook and promised to their subscribers.
" With the biographical department the Society has nothing to do. These parts of the volume are to be printed in a different type, are not to be paged with the other leaves, may be passed over in the reading, and are easily distinguished from and constitute no part of the context of the public history.
" The secretary is authorized to send a copy of this declaration of approval to said publishers."
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CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL.
HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER PAGE
I .- Progress of Discovery and Settlements . 9
II .- Henderson's Treaty . 14
III .- The Indians . 16
IV .- Permanent Settlement 19
V .- Perils and Hardships of the Pioneers
24
VI .- Pioneer Life and Customs
27
Commerce and Manufactures
217
VIII .- Government of the Notables . IX .- Period of the Revolution
32
Press of Nashville
229
X .- Organization of the County
44
XI .- Physical Features
46
XII .- Indian Wars
52
XIII .- Treaty of Hopewell .
56
State Normal College . 257
Vanderbilt University
259
XVI .- Trouble of 1794 68
Fisk University .
260
XVII .- Recollections of Col. Willoughby Williams
72
XVIII .- The War of 1812-14
77
Tennessee School for the Blind .
266
XIX .- Seminole Wars
83
XX .- Courts
87
XXI .- Bench and Bar
96
XXII .- Bench and Bar (continued)
112
Dental Association
286
XXIV .- Col. John Donelson . 134
Nashville Board of Health
294
XXVI .- Public Life and Character of Jackson 150
XXVII .- James K. Polk
159
United States Custom-House
307
Ecclesiastical History
312
Young Men's Christian Association
343
XXX .- The Great Civil War
168
Cemeteries of Nashville
344
Nashville Centennial .
348
XXXII .- Military Operations in 1861-65 177
180
CIVIL DISTRICTS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY 367
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
PAGE
Anderson, William E.
· 111
Bowen, Jeremiah
facing 368
Ament, Samuel P.
facing 332
Burns, M. .
381
Adams, A. G. -
415
Baxter, Hon. Nathaniel
394
Adams, Nathan .
417
Briggs, William T.
401
Benton, Thomas H.
100
Burch, Col. John C. .
407
Bell, Hon. John .
112
Bowling, William K., M.D.
410
Berry, W. W.
412
Bransford, Col. Thomas L.
429
Bare, John M. .
120
Bransford, Maj. John S.
430
Brown, William T.
120
Bennett, H. S.
440
Brown, Morgan W.
120
Brown, John Lucian .
444
Brown, Hon. Neill S.
125
Burr, Andrew E.
455
Bell, James T.
facing 244
Byrne, P. .
467
CITY OF NASHVILLE. PAGE
Topography
193
Original Occupation 194
First American Settlers 195
Erection of the Town of Nashville 195
Mercantile Firms 197
Recollections of Nashville . 199
Men of Nashville at an Early Day Progress of the City .
203
Railroads 213
VIL-Movements against the Indians 29
Banks
228
War Publications 241
Educational Institutions 246
Public Schools of Nashville 249
University of Nashville 253
XIV .- The Coldwater Expedition, June, 1787 59 XV .- Renewed Hostilities, 1792 65
Nashville Normal and Theological Institute
263
Central Tennessee College .
263
Nashville Female Academy
266
Medical Profession
271
Brief Memoirs of Medical Men .
280
XXIII .- Gen. James Robertson 126
Medical Colleges
287
XXV .- Gen. Andrew Jackson 137
Tennessee Historical Society 300
Tennessee Hospital for the Insane
304
XXVIII .- Gen. Sam Houston
162
XXIX .- Mexican War, 1846-47
164
XXXI .- Companies in the First Tennessee and other Regi- ments and Batteries 170
Masons and Odd-Fellows
364
XXXIII .- Military Rosters
Brown, Hon. Aaron V.
118
Brown, William L.
120
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202
39
6
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
PAGE
Braden, John
470
Harris, J. George
377
Brown, Aris
472
Heiss, Maj. Henry
409
Banks, Dr. David F. .
480
Harding, John
412
Bondurant, Maj. Jacob M. .
482
Harding, Gen. W. G.
419
Butterworth, John
between 484, 485
Harding, John .
429
Bowers, John C.
" 484, 485
Hill, John M.
450
Catron, Hon. John
108
451
Crabb, Hon. Henry
109
461
Claiborne, Hon. Thomas
110
Hooper, H. V. .
466
Craighend, David
110
Harwood, James A.
467
Campbell, George W.
111
Hurley, A. II., Sr.
468
Campbell, David
Hamilton, William A.
472
Cooper, Hon. W. F.
122
Hughes, Capt. David .
474
Clark, W. M.
facing 245
Johnson, James .
between 372, 373
Campbell, Michael
267
Jackson, W. H. .
416
Cole, Edmund W.
379
Johnson, Col. A. W.
427
Carter, Dr. W. J.
432
Jones, T. H.
473
Cravath, Erastus M. .
439
Jackson, A.
477
Chase, Frederick A. .
441
Jordan, Dr. J. H.
between 484, 485
Compton Family, The
443
King, Thomas S.
383
Compton, Felix .
facing 443
Lea, John M.
302
Cheatham, Archer
453
Lovell, William H.
between 484, 485
Cobb, Dr. S. J. .
469
Lindsley, Philip .
388
Cobler, Capt. Calvin G. Combs, M. S.
Lindeley, John B.
404
Chilton, James A.
478
Linton, Silas
483
Dickinson, John
Meigs, Return J.
120
Darby, Patrick H.
109
McIntosh, Frank M.
between 484, 485
Dismukes, William M.
facing 314
Maxey, P. W.
facing
325
Donelson, Daniel S. .
396
McFerrin, Rev. John B.
386
Dake, Jabez P., A.M., M.D.
435
Menees, Dr. Thomas
397
Donelson, Hon. A. J.
479
Maddin, Dr. Thomas L.
399
Dodson, Timothy
482
Morgan, Dr. W. H.
409
Ewing, Hon. Andrew
120
McGavock, David
425
Ewing, Hon. Edwin H., LL.D.
121
McGavock, Francis
426
Enloe, T. E., M.D.
facing 297
McGavock, David H. .
431
Eastman, E. G. .
385
Morgan, Helen C.
442
East, Hon. Edward H.
McMurray, William J.
457
Edmiston, Maj. William
475
Mayo, Jacob M. .
between 484, 485
Earthman, Felix G.
between 484, 485
Nichol, W. .
facing 199
Fletcher, Thomas H. .
109
Nelson, Anson
303
Foster, Hon. Ephraim H.
113
Nance, Hon. C. W.
facing 346
Fogg, Hon. Francis Brinley Fite, L. B. .
432
Nelson, George T.
481
Fisk, Gen. Clinton B.
438
Overton, Hon. John
98
Fanning, Tolbert
452
O'Neil, Henry W.
477
Frazier, Thomas N.
459
Peyton, Bailey .
119
Grundy, Hon. Felix
100
Gibbs, Gen. George W.
'108
Gowdey, Thomas
facing 364
P'Pool, E. F., M.D.
318
Greer, Col. James L.
between 372, 373
Philips, William D.
413
Green, Alexander L. P., D.D.
385
Phillips, Capt. W.
418
Guild, Judge J. C.
892
Paul, Isaac .
456
Gaut, John C.
448
Plunket, Dr. James Dace
464
Gillem, Gen. Alvan C.
Pennington, J. W.
between 484, 485
Grinstead, Dr. A. P. .
471
Rucks, Hon. James
· 110
Gannaway, John E.
477
Russell, R. .
facing 308
Horton, Joseph W.
facing 224
Rains, F. R.
462
Haywood, Hon. John
102
Stuart, Thomas
99
Houston, Gen. Samuel
110
Shaw, Henry B. .
120
Hayes, Andrew C. .
111
Smiley, Gen. Thomas T.
125
Hollingsworth, Henry
119
Seay, Samuel
facing 208
Howington, J. W.
between 484, 485
Shankland, A. B.
317
Hooten, W. R. .
facing 479
Smith, J. M.
between 482, 483
Hows, John
between 428, 429
Stockell, William
405
Herrin, Thomas
facing 371
Sheffield, Henry, M.D.
436
Hudson, W. B. .
between 480, 481
Sharp, J. M.
437
Hutton, William C.
484, 485
Spence, Adam K.
440
Digitized by
403
469
Lindsley, Van S.
476
107
395
115
Nelson, George A.
between 374, 375
Patterson, Dr. Everand Meade
facing 181
Phillips, Daniel W.
263
460
.
120
Hayes, Oliver B.
Hadley, John L.
7
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE.
PAGE
Seraggs, Theophilus
. 483
Waggoner, B. F.
between 482, 483
Thompson, John
facing 69
Williams, Turner
facing 370
Trimble, Hon. James .
106 Weaver, D.
384
Trimble, Hon. John
124
Watkins, Samuel
395
Tucker, N. G.
facing 265
Williams, Col. Willoughby
414
Truett, E. .
"
322
Whitworth, James
428
Tamble, Peter
444
Wheless, Gen. John F.
433
Vaughan, Johnson
"
371
White, George L.
442
Vaughn, Hiram .
463 .
Washington, W. H.
453
Woodall, F. M. .
facing 446
Wilson, John Robertson
466
Wood, B. G.
467
Whiteside, Jenkin
99
Woodruff, William H.
482
Washington, Hon. Thomas
110
Yerger, George S.
107
Weakley, Robert
facing
206
Yerger, J. S.
· 107
Williams, Will
248
Young, Robert A.
facing 324
Williamson, George R.
338
Yarbrough, James
between 374, 375
Woodward, B. F.
347
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS.
PAGE
Adama, A. G.
between 218, 219
Dodson, Timothy
482
Adams, Nathan .
facing 417
Ament, Samuel P.
332
Eve, Paul F.
280
Baxter, Nathaniel
91
Enloe, T. E., M.D.
297
Brown, Hon. Neill S.
124
Eastman, E. G. .
310
Burns, M. .
Earthman, Felix G.
between 484, 485
Barch, John C.
Foster, Hon. Ephraim H. .
"
113
Bell, James T.
Bennett, H. 8. .
262
Fogg, Hon. Francis Brinley Fanning, T.
340
Braden, James .
Fisk, Clinton B.
=
260
Briggs, W. T., M.D. .
=
292
Fite, L. B.
431
Brown, John Lucian
362
Frazier, Thomas N., and Wife
459
Bowen, Jeremiah, and Wife
368
Grundy, Hon. Felix .
100
Berry, W. W.
between 218, 219
Guild, Judge Josephus C. Gillem, A. C.
178
Bransford, Thomas L.
facing 430
Green, A. L. P. .
4 329
Gowdey, Thomas
" 364
Byrne, P. .
between 466, 467
Greer, Col. James L. .
between 372, 373
Gaut, John C.
facing 448
Grinstead, Dr. A. P.
471
Bondurant, J. M.
484, 485 Gannaway, Ed. .
477
Horton, Joseph W.
224
Harris, J. George
239
Heiss, Henry
241
Cheatham, Archer
Howington, J. W., and Wife
between 484, 485
Cole, R. W.
Hooten, W. R.
facing 479
Clark, William M.
262
Hows, John
between 428, 429
Cravath, E. M. .
262
Harwood, James A., and Wife
facing 372
Chase, F. A.
Herrin, Thomas .
" 371
Campbell, Michael
Hudson, W. R., and Wife
between 480, 481 484, 485
Coekrill, Mark R.
432
Harding, John .
facing 412
Carter, W. J.
between 442, 443
Harding, W. G. .
419
Compton, Capt. Henry
« 442, 443
Hill, John M.
450
Compton, Henry W.
442, 443 facing 443
Hayes, O. B.
451
Compton, Felix
469
Hadley, John L.
« 461
Cabler, C. G.
476
Hooper, H. V. .
466
Comba, M. 8.
Hurley, Sr., A. H.
468
Chelton, James A.
Hamilton, W. A.
between 472, 473
Donelson, A. J.
Hughes, David .
facing 474
Donelson, D. 8.
287
Jackson, Gen. Andrew
" 138
Dake, Dr. J. P.
Dismukes, William M.
facing 314
East, Hon. E. H.
95
¥
216
Edmiston, William
"
475
240
=
244
115
Bowling, W. K., M.D.
288
Barr, A. K.
455
Brown, Aris
facing 472
Banks, Dr. David F. .
between 482, 483
Butterworth, John, and Wife
"
«
484, 485
Bowers, John C., and Wife Campbell, W. B.
facing 166
Cobb, S. J. .
"
285
424
Hutton, W. C., and Wife
429
Compton, William
Harding, John
"
.
478
facing 134
136
Digitized by
.
99
Whyte, Robert
.
. 480
204
217
245
267
125
264
PAGE
8
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
between 372, 373
White, George L.
facing 261
Johnson, James .
facing 416
Williamson, George R.
338
Jackson, W. H. .
427 Wood, B. G.
between 466, 467
Johnson, A. W. .
473 Woodruff, William H.
. 482
Jones, T. H.
478
Woodward, B. F., and Wife
facing 347
Jackson, A.
between 484, 485
Waggoner, B. F., and Wife
between 482, 483
Linton, Silas, and Wife
facing 483
Williams, Turner Weaver, D. .
between 228, 229
Lindsley, Philip
Lindsley, J. Berrien, M.D.
" 294
Wheless, Gen. John F.
433
Lindsley, Van S., M.D.
"
302
Washington, W. H.
453
Young, Robert A.
324
Lovell, W. H., and Wife
Yarbrough, James
between 374, 375
Mayo, Jacob M., and Wife.
facing 197
McGavook, F.
VIEWS.
Bransford, Maj. John S., Residence
facing 426
Capitol of Tennessee .
frontispiece
Morgan, Dr. William H.
286
Cheatham, Mrs. Archer, Residence
between 202, 203
Menees, Thomas, M.D.
= 291
College, Central Tennessee
264, 265
Maddin, Thomas L. .
between 484, 485
Centennial Exposition Building
.
. 361
Maxey, P. W.
facing 325
Compton, Henry W., Residence
between 442, 443
McMurray, W. J.
457
Compton, Henry, Residence
442, 443
Nichol, William .
303
Davidson County, Pioneer Map of
«
32
Nance, Hon. Clement W.
between 374, 375
Hermitage .
between 428, 429 facing 372
Overton, Hon. John
facing
98
Harding, W. G., Views at Belle Meade
between 422, 423
Polk, James K. .
"
160
Hudson, W. B., Residence
480, 481
Patterson, Dr. Everand Meade
"
181
Hudson, Mrs. N. B., Residence .
480, 481
Phillips, William
between 218, 219
Institute, Nashville .
262, 263
Phillips, Daniel W.
facing 263
Jackson, Fac-Simile Letter
. 156
Plunket, J. D. .
279
Jackson, Gen. Andrew, Equestrian Statue of
. 359
P'Pool, E. F., M.D.
318
McGavock's Map
facing 196
Pennington, J. W.
between 484, 485
MoGavock, D. II., Residence
between 202, 203
Philips, William D.
facing 413
Manufactory,-Prewitt, Spurr & Co. . Southern Pump Company
between 222, 223
Robertson, Gen. James
facing 126
Nashville, Map of Battle-field
facing 180
Russell, R. .
308
in 1804
198
Rains, F. R.
462
Female Academy
"
268
Seay, Samuel
Overton, Mrs. M. H., Residence
« 480, 481
Stockell, William
Phillips, Capt. William, Residence
218, 219
Spence, A. K.
"
436
Rains, F. R., Residence
" 460
Shankland, A. B.
317
St. Cecilia Academy .
between 270, 271 " 482, 483 47
Thompson, John .
265
" School for the Blind .
facing 266
Tucker, N. G.
322
Hospital for the Insane
304
Truett, E. .
Tamble, Peter, Residence
444
Vaughan, Jobnson
University, Vanderbilt
between 258, 259
Vaughn, Hiram .
463
Fisk Jubilee Hall
" 260, 261
Williams, Col. Willoughby .
=
446
Weaver, D., Residence
between 228, 229
Weakley, Robert
206
Watkins, Samuel, Residence
facing 394
Williams, Will
248
Waggoner, B. F., Residence
between 482, 483
Digitized by
72
Vaughn, Hiram, Residence facing 464
Woodall, F. M. .
Tennessee, Topographical Map of
facing 414
Sheffield, Henry, M.D.
Sharp, J. M.
437
Smith, J. M., Residence
69
O'Neil, Henry W., Residence
between 476, 477
Smith, J. M.
between 482, 483
facing 262
Philips, William 'D., Residence .
facing 9
Nelson, Anson
346
Green, Capt. Frank, Residence
158
Nelson, George A.
. 481
Hows, John, Residence
Nelson, George T.
477
O'Neil, Hy. W. .
" 484, 485
McGavock, D.
200
McGavock, D. H.
between 202, 203
McFerrin, John B.
facing 242
Morgan, Helen C.
"
262
Watkins, Samuel
facing 220
Linton, W. J., and Wife
483
255
289
Whitworth, James
428
Lea, Hon. John M.
between 484, 485
293
Church of the Holy Trinity facing 337
McIntosh, Frank M. .
199
Davidson County, Geographical Map of
330
Harwood, James A., Residence .
facing 222
Paul, Isaac .
456
208
212
Tamble, Peter, and Wife
444
371
facing 370
Jordan, Dr. J. H., and Wife
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Bakers Station
Sycamore
Creek
Scale of Miles
0
1
2
3
+
5
20
Lumskyr Fork
Creek
Goodlet svine;
24
Clay lick
22
1
Fragefield Junction
JOWE'S BEND
Wh
19
Jones Island
West Fork
tu Madison
NEELY'S
Dry Fork
BRANCH
PIKA
Cr.
Creaghrally
4
MESPADDEN
But
23
VANPIKE
25
HYDES
18
Gowers Island
WHITE'S
Burns Island
McWirtersville- Haggatts Fard
COCKRIL'S
BEND
13
LEBANON
Donelson Station
Nasleville Istina
Williams Ford
15
MeCrory's
Stones River
10
Browhs
9
Genchiffe
PIRE
Lạn cic
DobSons Ford
12 > Bellemead
MILL CREEK VALL
5
Smithvilled.
SBORG
.Overtans
Big Hat
RICHLAND
INVaughns Gap
7
Mount Viens
Baxters
Collin' &x
Tritt
Harpeth Riv.
Tirken Cr.
Rashborg
6
14
Tank
· MAP OF
Indian Cr
Allisons
DAVIDSON COUNTY
South Har
TENN. 1880.
CON BRICK CHURCH PIKE
LOUISTILL
Rivers
BEND
Twins
Hermitage
ill Kan
BEND CrabIsland
Salphat Of
Whites
Hermitage Station
DAVIDSON
Cub Creek
Clifton
Island BELL'S
PIKE
16
BEND
NORTH
STONES RIVER
WASH &
Sugar Tree Cc
PIKES
FRANKLIN
3 Chart For
Buffalo
Ris
PIKE
SINASAGTON,
Antioch
Newsoms
Otter Cr.
OWEN & WINSTEA
Kinbro Ku NASI & CHATTANDOOLA
Poplar
Brentwood
WASH & DECATUR
Little Man
Hamiltons
Budkystr
GRANNY WHITE
Robert sons & Richland
Pond Creek
Indian A. C.
Cantberland Rivel
BEND
WESTERN R. A.
Cumberland
SNIJ ONES 31433N
VNIng
GALLATIN
Hills Island
Little Mamrimbone Cr
Eatons Creek
gast Pork
Earthman's Pork
Maisker's Island
Big Martywhone Cr.
eck
Mansker's
For
Sh
Digitized by
Google~ .
CHARLOTTE
PIKE
HILLSBORO
ordeth Riv
HISTORY
OF
DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER I.
PROGRESS OF DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENTS.
Formative Period-Primitive Condition of the Country-First Ex- plorers-Discovery of Cumberland River and Gap-First Forts in Tennessee-Absence of Indian Settlements-First Permanent Set- tlement at Watauga-Spirit and Character of the First Settlers -- Wake County, North Carolina-The Regulators-Mecklenburgh Resolves-Capt. James Robertson-Government established at Watauga.
THE first period of the history of Davidson County is that which may be termed its formative period, beginning with the first distinctive shaping of those events which led to its settlement, and closing with its organization as a civil division of North Carolina in the year 1783. It will be seen that this division of our subject will carry us through the first stages of discovery and settlement west of the Al- leghany Mountains, and through the period of the Revolu- tion, down to the treaty of peace between the thirteen origi- mal States and Great Britain, which was ratified the same year that Davidson County was organized.
Ip order to see the earliest, and to some extent the most interesting, phase of the country about which we propose to write we must fall in with the current of population ad- vancing westward and trace its gradual swell and progress until at length its first wave breaks over the crest of the Appalachian Range and falls into the valleys below. All that magnificent country lying to the westward of this great mountain-chain, embracing Tennessee and Kentucky, was a vast hunting-ground for various Indian tribes, within which a few Anglo-American hunters, clad in buckskin breeches, leggins, and moccasins, with their rifles and powder-horns slung upon their shoulders, had begun to dispute with the aborigines the exclusive monopoly of the finest game-park on the continent. We cannot well conceive at the present day the interest which this fine country, abounding with magnificent forests and streams and stocked to repletion with herds of the noblest wild animals, must have awakened in the minds of the primitive explorers who first penetrated beyond the great mountain-range which for more than a century had shut in the view of the dwellers upon the more barren and sterile Atlantic slope. It was like the vision of a new world, greater far in extent and more beautiful than anything of which they had ever conceived; but of the
2
country itself little was positively known. A wandering Indian would imperfectly delineate upon the sand a feeble outline of its more prominent physical features. A voyage in a canoe from the sources of the Hogohegce* to the Wa- basht required for its performance, in their figurative lan- guage, "two paddles, two warriors, three moons." The Ohio itself was but the tributary of a still larger river, of whose source, size, and direction no intelligible account could be communicated. The Mussel Shoals and the ob- structions in the river above them were magnified into mighty cataracts and fearful whirlpools, and the Suck was represented as an awful vortex. The wild beasts with which the illimitable forests abounded were numbered by pointing to the leaves upon the trees or the stars in a cloudless sky.
These vague and uncertain intimations were soon supple- mented by more definite information coming through traders who penetrated to the Indian countries of the Southwest. The first of these was Cornelius Dogherty, a trader from Virginia, who established himself at the Mid- dle Settlement of the Cherokees, on the Little Tennessee, as early as 1690. He sent furs and peltry by Indian pack- men to Charleston, who returned packed with merchandise, which the natives received in exchange. Other traders followed, and in 1740 a regular route of communication for pack-horses and agents was opened along the Great Path from Virginia to the centre of the Cherokee Nation. The last hunter's cabin at that time was on the Otter River, now in Bedford Co., Va. The traders and packmen gen- erally confined themselves to the Great Path till it crossed the Little Tennessee ; then spreading themselves out among the several Cherokee villages, they continued their traffic as far down the Great Tennessee as the Indian settlement upon Bear Creek. The commerce with the natives was profitable, and not only attracted many traders but others, who pursued trapping and hunting independently of the Indians.
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