USA > Tennessee > Early history of Middle Tennessee > Part 9
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During the summer George Espie, Andrew Lucas, Thomas Sharp Spencer and a scout by the name of Johnson left the Bluff on horseback for a hunting expedition on Drake's Creek, in Sum -. ner County. As they crossed the creek their horses stopped to drink. A band of Indians who were in ambush along the bank opened fire upon the party while they were yet in midstream. Lucas was shot through the neck and also wounded in the mouth. He rode to the bank, dismounted, and attempted to return the fire, but the blood gushed from his mouth and wet the priming in his gun. Seeing that the weapon was thus useless he crawled away and hid himself in a bunch of briers. Espie alighted from his horse and at the same moment received a shot which broke his thigh, but he continued to load and return the fire. Spencer and Johnson made a gallant stand in defense of their comrades and for a time held the enemy at bay. Finally, however, a bullet broke Spencer's right arm and they were obliged to leave the wounded men to their fate. Espie was killed and scalped, but the savages failed to find Lucas, who escaped and returned to the fort.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
EVENTS OF 1785 .- WM. HALL ARRIVES AT BLEDSOE'S LICK .- REV. THOS. B. CRAIGHEAD.
The gloom of despair hung like a cloud over the settlement at the beginning of 1785. Indian foes, incited to action by an un- seen influence, were again making frequent excursions into the region round about, murdering and maiming as zealously as at any time during the previous four years.
The Spanish Government, with headquarters at New Orleans and Natchez, had so far failed in its attempts, first to win the allegiance of the colony, and second, to destroy it by intrigues with the savages. It now threatened to prohibit all navigation of the Mississippi River and thereby close the only avenue by which the settlers in Tennessee and Kentucky might market their corn and tobacco. Such action on the part of Spain must surely lead to ultimate disaster. Colonel Robertson was again at the capital of North Carolina. Here he was exerting himself in an effort to convince the Legislature of the needs of its western settlement in order that aid might be extended. About all he could at any time secure from that august body was its permission to do certain things, provided always that any expense thus incurred should be borne by the settlement, and that under no condition should any part thereof be paid from the State treasury.
An appeal to the Federal Government for protection against Spanish oppression and savage onslaught was at this time and for many years thereafter equally futile. Some excuse for this action on the part of the latter may be found in the fact that dur- ing most of the period mentioned its foreign representatives were attempting to negotiate a treaty with Spain. It therefore feared to offend that power by demanding protection for its western frontier. Both Congress, and the Legislature of the parent State
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by their acts were continually saying to the struggling colonists beyond the mountains: "You have assumed your present posi- tion of danger without our leave, therefore shift for yourselves. We have enough to do to take care of our colonies east of the Alleghanies."
Moses Brown this year built a fort two and a half miles west of Nashville, near Richardson Creek and south of Richland turn- pike. Scarcely was it finished when Brown was killed and scalped and his family driven back to the Bluff. A hired man who lived with William Stuart was murdered at the forks of Mill Creek on the farm which was afterwards owned by Judge John Haywood, the Tennessee historian.
During the summer of this year Colonel Robertson, Colonel Weakly and Edmund Hickman, the latter a popular man and a good surveyor, went down on Piney Creek, in Hickman County. for the purpose of entering some tracts of land. They were sur- prised by a party of Indians and in the fight, which followed. Hickman was killed. Robertson and Weakly made a safe re- treat to the Bluff. Late in the fall William Hall arrived at Bledsoe's Lick. He was accompanied by his wife and children, among the latter being William Hall, Jr., a future Governor of the State. Having sold his possessions in Surrey County, North Carolina, in 1779. the elder Hall started to Kentucky, but because of his inability to get through the wilderness with his family at that time, halted at New River, Virginia. There he bought a tract of land on which he lived until the present year. Conclud- ing now to remove to the Cumberland country he again disposed of his property and pursued his journey, reaching Bledsoe's fort on November 20. Selecting land a mile north of the Lick he built a residence and removed his family thereto about January I. This property has since remained in the family and is now owned by his great-grandson, Judge William Hall, of Gallatin.
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The year 1785 was marked by the advent of Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, a Presbyterian minister, and the first of any de- nomination to make his home on the Cumberland. Craighead was a graduate of old Nassau Hall, now Princeton University, a man of sound learning, strong intellect and earnest piety. By the
GOV. WILLIAM HALL
presbytery of Orange, in his native State, North Carolina, he was ordained to the ministry in 1780. A few years later he removed to Kentucky and for a time preached to the Stationers there, but again changed his residence, coming to Middle Tennessee. It is said that this was done at the solicitation of Colonel Robertson,
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with whom he had become acquainted in North Carolina. On arriving at the Cumberland settlement he at once began his work, preaching his first sermon with a stump for a pulpit, and with fallen trees as seats for his congregation. Fixing his residence at Haysborough, six miles northeast of Nashville, he taught school during the week and preached on Sunday. A stone building twen- ty-four by thirty feet in size was erected at Nashville, and in this for thirty years thereafter he taught and held religious service. The declining years of this pioneer preacher were saddened by a trial for heresy, the result of which was his suspension from the ministry. This order of suspension, however, was revoked before his death. He was a man of strong character, and while active in extending the knowledge of the gospel. he was opposed to the revival measures which led to the formation of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. He died at Nashville in 1824. Throughout all his trials Gen. Andrew Jackson was his staunch admirer and loyal friend.
During the year 1785 also the first physician to the settlement arrived at Nashville in the person of Dr. John Sappington. The latter acquired much reputation as a practitioner throughout the colony.
The first lawyers in the settlement came this year in the per- sons of Edward Douglass and Thomas Molloy, who announced that they would practice in all the courts of Davidson County. A historian of that period says that neither of these gentlemen had studied law as a science, but being of sound practical sense, and possessed of good business talents, and of the gift of speech. they soon had a large clientage. The only law books they pos- sessed were the Acts of the North Carolina Legislature in pamphlet form.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
EVENTS OF 1786 .- POPULATION OF SETTLEMENT INCREASES .- IN- DIANS RENEW HOSTILITIES .- DEFEATED CREEK ATTACK.
DEATH OF COLONEL DONELSON .- SUMNER COUNTY ORGANIZED.
This year, despite frequent attacks from the enemy, the popu- lation of the settlement was largely increased by immigration from beyond the mountains. A new station was established by John Morgan, who built a fort in Sumner County at the mouth of Dry Fork Creek, two and a half miles northwest of Col. Anthony Bledsoe's Station at Greenfield, and near the present site of Rogana. This fort was also in the midst of a beautiful body of land, formerly the property of William Baskerville, but now owned by Dr. Jesse Johnson. The Indians were again on the warpath, however, and the first act in the annual tragedy was the murder of Peter Barnett and David Steel by a party of Chero- kees on the waters of Blooming Grove Creek, below Clarksville, in Montgomery County. Near the same place a few days later. the Indians captured William Crutcher, and sticking a rusty hunt- ing knife into his body, went on their way, leaving him by the roadside to die of pain and neglect. When they were gone Crutcher crawled to the cabin of a neighboring settler, where he was nursed back to life. He continued for many years there- after a valued citizen of the settlement.
In January a band of horse thieves, probably Creeks, who having ended a war in Georgia now turned their attention to the Cumberland, appeared in the region around Bledsoe's Lick. Dur- ing the night they stole all William Hall's horses, twelve in num- ber, from an enclosure near his house. Fearing for the safety of his family. Hall now moved back to Bledsoe's fort, where he remained until fall, when he again returned to his plantation.
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About the first of February a party, consisting of John Peyton, Ephraim and Thomas Peyton, his brothers; John Frazier, Thomas Pugh and Esquire Grant. went hunting and surveying in Smith County. They camped on what is now known as Defeated Creek. north of Carthage. The weather was cold, the ground being covered with snow, and they had built a log fire around which they were lounging late at night. About ten o'clock the dogs belonging to the party began to bark and run about the camp, but the hunters supposed that wild animals were prowling around, having been attracted thither by the fresh meat of which they had killed a large quantity. John Peyton raised himself on his elbow and was in the act of hissing the dogs on when a band of about sixty Indians, led by "Hanging Maw," the Cherokee chief, fired a volley in upon the unsuspecting whites as they lay stretched around the camp fire. Four of the six were wounded. John Peyton's arm was broken in two places. Thomas Peyton was shot in the shoulder. Esquire Grant in the thigh, and John Frazier through the calf of the leg. Ephraim Peyton escaped a shot. but put his ankle out of place in jumping down a bluff on the bank of the creek. As he sprang to his feet in the beginning of the attack John Peyton threw over the fire a blanket which was around him, and in the darkness the party separated and fled through the lines of the enemy. In so doing they left behind them their horses, saddles and bridles, surveyor's compass and camp outfit, all of which the Indians captured. The entire party finally reached Bledsoe's fort in safety, coming in one at a time and each reporting that his comrades were killed or captured.
By the aid of a crooked stick Ephraim Peyton hobbled along for a distance of twenty miles, when in what is now Trousdale County, near where Hartsville stands, he fortunately slipped and fell, knocking his ankle back in place. After this he walked on to the fort without further delay.
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The stream on which this ill-fated camp was located took its name from the attack.
A year later Peyton sent Hanging Maw a message request- ing him to return the horses and compass he had stolen. In his reply declining to do so, the chief is reported to have said: "You. John Peyton, ran away like a coward and left them. As for your land stealer, I have broken that against a tree." Of course the charge of cowardice was unfair, as all the party were trained soldiers and men of unsullied bravery. Besides such an accusa- tion from such a source was not well taken, for when brought face to face with a superior force none was more fleet of foot . than Hanging Maw.
John Peyton was the son of Robert and Ann Guffey Peyton and was born in Amherst County, Virginia, in 1755. He was descended from a prominent family of Virginians whose family tree may be traced to the reign of William the Conqueror. At the age of nineteen, together with his twin brother, Ephraim, he joined the army of the Revolution under Gen. Andrew Lewis. . Both were in the battle of Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Big Kanawah, in 1774. He came to Middle Tennessee in 1779. where he fought with distinction in the various Indian battles. John Peyton was in command of Rock Island Ford, on the Caney Fork River, in which battle he displaye 1 great courage and pres- ence of mind. His father, Robert Peyton, came to visit his son John some years later. at what is now known as "Peytonia Farm." in Suinner County, and was the last white man killed by the In- dians. This occurred at Bledsoe's Lick, where he had gone to look after some cattle. Jolin Peyton, who was by occupation a surveyor, married Margaret Hamilton. daughter of Capt. John W. Hamilton, of the British army. The latter was of distin- guished Scotch lineage and participated in the battle of Fort Duquesne under General Braddock. He resigned years after-
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ward and became a citizen of Tennessee, where he, too, engaged in the Indian wars. His son, John W. Hamilton, Jr., was an able lawyer and jurist and was a contemporary of Jackson, Grundy, Houston and other legal lights.
John and Margaret Hamilton Peyton reared a large family,
BAILIE PEYTON
among them being Bailie and Joseph Peyton, both of whom be- came members of Congress from the district of which Sumner County was a part. As previously related. Ephraim Peyton was one of the party that accompanied James Robertson across the mountains from Watauga to the Cumberland.
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The tragic death of Col. John Donelson during the fall of 1786 ended a useful and honorable career. A short time before the occurrence of this unfortunate event his family, together with that of his son, John Donelson, Jr., had returned from Kentucky, again taking up their residence at Mansker's Station. At the time of this removal the Colonel was away on business in Vir- ginia. His affairs being finally arranged there he journeyed back toward Davis' Station, in Kentucky, traveling the well-known route through Cumberland Gap. At Davis' he learned that his family had already returned to the Cumberland, and after a few days rest he started South to join them.
On the morning of his departure two young men at the station asked permission to accompany him on the journey, say- ing that they, too, were bound for the Southern settlement. Two days later these young men appeared alone at the gate of the fort at Mansker's and made a statement in substance as follows : On the morning of their departure from the Kentucky station they had traveled with Colonel Donelson until the heat of the day. Coming at that time to a spring by the roadside they stopped for a drink. Colonel Donelson did not tarry with them. but rode on, saying that he was anxious to reach home. He had not gone far when they heard several shots. Their impres- sion at the time was that his sons had met him on the way and were firing a salute. After some delay at the spring they had resumed their journey and at length overtook him. severely wounded and in great agony, but still riding along the road. Their supposition now was that he had been shot by Indians. They had camped together at sundown on the north bank of Barren River, and during the night Colonel Donelson died. On the following morning they had buried his body beside the stream, and taking his horse, saddle and saddle-bags, started toward Nashville, but in crossing the river the saddle-bags had washed off and floated away.
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On receipt of this intelligence the sons of Colonel Donelson took one of the young men with them and returned at once to the designated ford on Barren River in search of their father's remains and for evidence in confirmation of the above story of his death. They found the body and surroundings very much as their informants had described. The saddle-bags above men- tioned had contained many valuable papers, and it was believed a large amount of money also. Some distance down stream from where the crossing was alleged to have taken place the saddle- bags and some of the papers were found, but the money was missing.
The young men were placed under arrested charged with the murder of Colonel Donelson, but no further evidence of their guilt being discovered. they were subsequently released. Thus to this day the death of Colonel John Donelson remains shrouded in mystery.
By an act of the North Carolina Legislature the county of Sumner was established in November, 1786. It was so named in honor of General Jethro Sumner, a brave officer of the North Carolina line throughout the war of the Revolution, and com- prised a scope of country north of the Cumberland River. The first county court thereof was held on the second Monday in April. 1787, in the house of John Hamilton. At this time the fol- lowing citizens qualified as Magistrates : Gen. Daniel Smith, Maj. David Wilson, Maj. George Winchester, Isaac Lindsey. William Hall, John Hardin and Joseph Keykendall. David Shelby was elected clerk of the court, an office which he held during the remainder of his life. John Hardin, Jr., became the first sheriff of the county and Isaac Lindsey the first ranger.
Soon thereafter Col. Edward Douglass and Col. Isaac Bled- soe were added to the court. This first legislative body of the colinty was composed of men possessed of splendid character and
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ability, who, by the old writers, are accredited with having ruled both wisely and well.
Col. Edward Douglass was a prominent figure in the affairs of the early settlement. He was a native of North Carolina and held a Major's commission in the Colonial army during the war of the Revolution. He is described as having been a prudent military officer, and in the early years of his residence in Sumner County gained great renown as an Indian fighter. In the latter years of his life he was a successful practitioner and business man. From himself and his brother are descended a long line of honored citizens of Sumner County.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Events of 1787.
INCREASE OF IMMIGRATION-INDIAN OUTRAGES RENEWED -DEATH
OF JAMES HALL AND MAJ. WILLIAM HALL. RAID ON MORGAN'S FORT.
By reason of the westward flowing tide of immigration the settlement this year continued to increase in population. How- ever, there was but little extension of its boundaries except in the region around Red River. As a whole the year was indeed one of bloodshed and disaster.
The population of Davidson County had previously increased to the extent that it was entitled to an additional representative in the State Legislature. Thereupon Col. Isaac Bledsoe was elected to that position, and together he and Colonel Robertson had traveled to and fro across the mountains between the settle- ment and the State Capital. But this year Bledsoe, being now a citizen of the new county of Sumner, David Hays was elected in hi, stead. The latter was related by marriage to the family of
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Colonel Donelson, and as previously stated, had founded Fort Union, afterwards known as Haysborough. He was a man of supe- rior talents and withal a conspicuous figure among the pioneers. The first official act of Robertson and Hays this year was the presentation of a memorial to the Legislature. In this they set forth the sufferings of their constituents by reason of the bar- barous attacks of the Creeks and Cherokees. They also detailed the part played by the Spanish Government in inciting such hos- tility. This recital closed with a petition that North Carolina follow the example of other States by ceding its western territory to the Federal Government. These far-sighted frontiersmen foresaw the ultimate organization of a new State west of the mountains, and the above action was the beginning of a move- ment looking toward such an end.
Sumner County now became the storm center of savage fury. A man by the name of Price and his wife were killed on the town creek just south of Gallatin. Judge Haywood, in recording this incident, says that the Indians also "chopped the children."
John Beard was murdered with a tomahawk and scalped near the headwaters of Big Station Camp. At Bledsoe's Lick, James Hall, son of Maj. William Hall, was killed on June 3, near his father's residence. He and his brother, William Hall, Jr., after- wards Governor Hall, were going from the barn through the woods to a neighboring field after some horses. A party of fifteen Indians were in ambush beside the path ; ten of them behind a log heap, and the others further on in the top of a fallen tree. The first party allowed the boys to pass their hiding place, when with rifle in one hand and battle axe in the other, they rushed upon James, who was some distance behind his brother, and lay- ing hold of him struck a tomahawk deep into each side of his forehead. William, terrified at the sight. fled down the path, but soon encountered the party in the treetop, who now came run-
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ning toward him. When one of them raised an axe to strike, the little fellow, as if by sudden forethought, turned aside and ran into the cane. The Indians followed, but he outwitted them, and by dodging from place to place reached his father's home unharmed. The latter would probably have been burned and the occupants murdered had it not been that just as the boy ran up there arrived a company of young people who were coming to . spend the day with the family. The young men of the party, all of whom were armed, went at once in search of the Indians, but the latter had already made gool their escape, taking with them the scalp of their victim. News of the attack was sent to Bledsoe's Fort, and five men therefrom, led by Maj. James Lynn, started at once in pursuit. It was found that the Indians had taken the buffalo trace leading from Bledsoe's to what was known as. Dickson's Lick, in the upper country. The settlers did not take this trail lest they might be led into ambush. They traveled another which ran parallel and formed a juncture with the first at a crossing on Goose Creek, in Trousdale County. Just at this ford they came upon the fleeing savages, upon whom they opened fire, wounding two of their number. The culprits escaped, but in doing so threw aside their guns, tomahawks and baggage, all of which were captured and brought back to the fort. Tied to one of the packs was found the scalp which had just been taken.
Maj. William Hall was at this time absent from home, hav- ing been summoned to Nashville by Colonel Robertson to attend a council the latter was holding with Little Owl and other Chero- kee chiefs. A few weeks before this a raid had been made upon Morgan's Station, at the mouth of Dry Fork, and a number of horses stolen. The Indians who committed the theft made a circuit through the knobs, expecting to recross the Cumberland at Dixon Springs and thus escape to the Cherokee nation. How- ever, their movements were betrayed by the sound of a bell worn
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by one of the horses. Suddenly pouncing upon them in the hills above Hartsville the Stationers killed one of their number and recovered the stolen property. It was believed that the murder of young Hall was in revenge for this pursuit and subsequent attack by the Morgan party. When Major Hall returned from the council at Nashville and learned what had happened he consulted
OLD WM. HALL HOME
with his neighbors. Messrs. Gibson and Harrison, as to whether they should stay out until crops were laid by or remove at once to the fort. It was decided to brave the danger for the time being. but that each household should employ two spies or scouts who should stand guard during the remainder of the summer.
EARLY HISTORY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE 129
No alarm was occasioned until August 2. On that day the scouts reported that a party of thirty Indians were skulking about the neighborhood. Early next morning the Hall family- began moving to Bledsoe's fort. The household goods were conveyed thither on a sled. Mrs. Hall and the smaller children remained at the farmhouse to assist in packing and loading. The eldest daughter went to the fort to set up the furniture and arrange for the reception of the family. Three loads had been brought during the day. With the fourth and last load late in the after- noon came Major Hall, his wife, three sons and a daughter. With them also were Major Hall's son-in-law, Charles Morgan, and a man by the name of Hickerson. When about halfway between the house and the fort they were attacked by a party of Indians, who were in ambush for a hundred yards or more on either side of the road. Uttering a warwhoop the savages spang up and poured into the settlers a deadly fire. Richard, the eldest son. who was in advance of the rest, received a fatal shot and fell in the woods a short distance away. Hickerson, who was next in line, bravely stood his ground, but his gun missed fire. Re- ceiving six rifle shots almost at one time, he sank to the earth, mortally wounded. The horse on which Mrs. Hall was riding now became frightened, and dashing through the lines of the enemy, carried her in safety to the fort. William Hall, Jr., who was driving the sled, dropped the lines and ran back to his little brother, and sister, Prudence, that, if possible, he might save them from capture. Major Hall ordered them to scatter in the woods while he and Morgan covered their retreat. All three of the children reached the Station unharmed. Major Hall and Mor- gan, now left alone face to face with the enemy, made a gallant defense, returning the fire with telling effect. Finally, however, Morgan, finding himself severely wounded, ran into the woods and thus escaped. Major Hall fell in the road, his body pierced
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