History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 1

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013


USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1


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THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LIBRARY


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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.


Digitized by Google


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


5


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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


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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


Google


.


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


Google


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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