History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 18

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 18

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Notwithstanding the destruction of Nickajack and Run- ning Water, murder and devastation were still carried into the very heart of the Cumberland settlements. It was evi- dent that these marauders had come principally from the

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Creek nation, as the Cherokees were now too much humbled to dare any further hostility, especially as they now learned that an invasion of the lower Creek towns was being organ- ized in Kentucky and Tennessee. Gen. Logan, of the for- mer State, had already advanced for this purpose, and Maj. Orr had passed through Knoxville in order to co-operate with him, when Governor Blount, having received very friendly overtures from Double-Head, a leading Cherokee chief, wrote to these officers to postpone operations. This they consented to do, and on the 7th of November the con- ference was held at Tillico, attended by John Watts, old Solacutta, and other chiefs, and about four hundred war- riors. In the mean time Gen. Robertson had written Watts, after the Nickajack campaign, that another expedition would be sent against the Cherokee towns if he did not restrain his men from incursions upon his people and restore the captive women and children.

At this conference the chiefs were very contrite, and fully admitted that the Nickajack and Running Water towns de- served the treatment they had received. At this time the tidings of another defeat had reached the ears of the Southern Indians, which went further towards breaking their spirits. Wayne had won a great victory over the Indians and Canadian militia, on the 20th of August, on the Miami River.

Governor Blount now recommended to the government, at the instance of his council, Gens. Robertson and Sevier, that an expedition be sent into the Creek country, suggesting a plan and time of invasion. The question was ably argued by him in all its bearings, but the secretary, Mr. Pickering, returned an answer that all ideas of offensive operations must be abandoned. He intimated further that the whites were the aggressors, and that the Indians needed more protection against the whites than they against the Indians.

In this and the succeeding conferences it was sought to engage the Cherokees in war against the Creeks as the most effective way of restraining their depredations. At the conclusion of a treaty with Spain, whose influence was now in some measure withdrawn from Indian affairs, hostili- ties on the part of the Creeks now gradually abated, and the succeeding year witnessed the burying of the tomahawk, where it rested undisturbed until it was again uplifted and bathed in the blood of hundreds of innocent victims at the massacre of Fort Mimms, Alabama, in 1813.

But one other organized force during the pioneer period left the Cumberland to engage in a hostile expedition. Early in the year 1795 a large force of Creeks, numbering it is said two thousand warriors, took up their march to attack the Chickasaws, on account of their friendship for the whites. Piamingo, the Chickasaw leader, now applied to his friend, Gen. Robertson, for assistance, claiming the reciprocal benefit of the treaties, and reminding him of the firm friendship of his nation and the services his warriors had rendered as allies of the whites. Gen. Robertson had no authority to make a levy for this purpose, but asked old Col. Mansker and Capt. David Smith and others to go to the assistance of their friends, the Chickasaws. Capt. Sinith accompanied Gen. Colbert, a Chickasaw chief, with fifteen or twenty men, by land to Logtown, in the Chicka- saw country. Col. John Mansker, Capt. John Gwynn, and

Capt. George went down the river in boats, and reached their destination early in May.

On the 28th of May the Creeks appeared before the fort and killed and scalped two women who had gone out for wood. Capt. Smith proposed to Colbert to take charge of the whites, if Colbert would take the Indians and make a sortie. Colbert objected, saying that it was what the Creeks wanted, to get the men drawn out of the fort. At this stage some relatives of the murdered women rushed out and fell upon the Crecks, but being overpowered were compelled to retreat with the loss of one of their number killed and scalped. Capt. Smith's feelings becoming very much ex- cited at this, he again renewed his proposition to Colbert to make a sortie, who now consented. Seeing these demon- strations the Creeks began to retreat, but they were over- taken and fired into by Smith's and Colbert's men, leaving a number killed and wounded. They thereupon shortly returned to their homes without making any further demon- stration.

CHAPTER XVII.

RECOLLECTIONS OF COL. WILLOUGHBY WIL- LIAMS.

Early Settlers of Davidson County-Brief Reminiscences of those living on the Different Roads leading out of Nashville as early as 1809-Magistrates of the County.

THE following recollections of Col. Willoughby Williams, an old resident of Nashville and former sheriff of Davidson County, begin with the year 1809. They form a valuable contribution to the early history of the county, by preserving the names, locations, and many facts of interest respecting a large number of citizens who resided, at the period of which he writes, on the different roads leading in and out of Nashville.

The most important road leading to and from Nashville at that time, and up to the building of the turnpike road, was the Murfreesboro' dirt road, which led from the pub- lic square on Market Street, out by the old Cumberland Col- lege to where Mr. John Trimble now resides, then on, cross- ing Mill Creek at R. C. Foster's mill. The first promi- nent citizen on this road was Col. Joel Lewis, who had a brother living at Fairfield,-William Terrel Lewis,-which was afterwards the home of William B. Lewis. There was no road leading by William B. Lewis' house; a lane, how- ever, extended to the Murfreesboro' road, and this was the road to Fairfield, the stopping-place of Gen. Jackson when he visited Nashville.

Col. Joel Lewis was the father of Mrs. Thomas Claiborne, who was the widow of James King, a wealthy merchant, and brother of William King, the owner of " King's Salt- Works" in Virginia. He had other daughters and sons,- John H. Lewis, a lawyer, who moved to Huntsville, Ala., at an early day; William Terrel Lewis, who lived at Fair- field, had five or six daughters. Dr. Claiborne, a brother of Governor Claiborne, of New Orleans, married the eldest daughter, who died early in life, leaving two children, Mi- cajah G. L. and Mary Claiborne. She afterwards married

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

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On the 25th of May the Greeks appeared to fore the lot and kill and scal, vad two women who had gone out for wood. Capt. Smith proposed to Colbert to take charge of the whites, if Colbert would take the Indians and make 1 sortie. Colbert objected, saying that it was what the Creeks wanted to get the men drawn out of the fort. At this sta. . some relatives of the murdered women rushed out and full upon the Greeks, but being overpowered were compelled to retreat with the loss of one of their number killed and seuped. Capt. Smith's fo lings becoming very much ex- cted at this, he again repowed his proposition to Colbert to make a sortie, who now conseted. Seeing they demo ... strations the Creeks began to retreat, but they w.re over- taken and fired into by Smith's and Colbert's men, leaving a number kibed and wounded. . They thereupon shortly re ruined to their homes without making any further detnon- &ration.

CHAPTER XVII

RECOLLECTIONS OF COL. WILLOUGHBY WIL- LIAMS.

I y Setters of Davidson County - 1 med Resintoeyes of those living on the ' 'ferent Roads les ling out of Nash ille as early as I sub- - Magistrates of the Chainty.

The " drawing recollections of Col. Willoughby Williams, an old resident of Nashville and former sheriff of Davidson County, begin with the year 1549. They form a valued ¢ contribution to the early history of the county, by proservir ; the names, locations, and many facts of interest respecting a large number of citizens who resided at the period of which he writes, on the diff ... at real- lea Bug ma and out of Nashville.

The most important roil leader to an l Komt. Nashville at that time, and up to the lastdie of the tatagthe road. was the Murtheestero dirt road, which led from the .... lie square on Market Street wuchs Sie si Cumberland t'as les to where Mr. John Trans gre resides thaoa, cross. ing Mill Creek at R. C Fotor's ud The first pronti- nent citiz : in this and waste Just How'. who had a brother living at Fort :, - Warham B ... . I. wie .- which ya, was the home of Brian B i was There was no road leading by WH. o. B. Lewis Y . ; a cane, how- ever vaded to the Soul i a itifs was the

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RECOLLECTIONS OF COL. WILLOUGHBY WILLIAMS.

Abram P. Murry, a very prominent man, and once an editor of : Nashville paper. Alfred Balch, John H. Eaton, and William B. Lewis married three other daughters, all of whom died soon after marriage. The youngest daughter, whose name was Charlotte, lived some years before marry- ing, but finally married Maj. Baker, of New Orleans, and died soon afterwards.

Maj. William B. Lewis, although of the same name, was not related ; he had two children who inherited the home of William Terrel Lewis. There is where William B. Lewis became the confidential friend of Gen. Jackson.

A few miles farther on this road forked, one branch going to Lebanon by Buchanan's mill. The most promi- Dent citizen on this road was Col. Michael Campbell, an early settler and large land-owner, and the grandfather of Col. Campbell Goodlett, a lawyer of Nashville. At the cross- ing of Mill Creek, on this road, was where Maj. John Bu- chanan built his famous " Fort" which served as a protec- tion from the assaults of the Indians. Maj. Buchanan left several sons, from whom much information can be obtained. This road continues ou by Walter Sims' to Thomas Hard- ing's, by Jackson and Coffee's old store-house, crossing Stone's River, passing Timothy Dodson's, to the Hermitage. Mr. Dodson was a successful farmer, and left several sons, who reside at the old homestead.

The Hermitage neighborhood was regarded as the best section of Davidson County, the soil being better adapted for cotton than any other part of the country, and was settled by wealthy men and cotton-planters ; among them were Gen. Jackson, Col. Edward Ward (who was speaker of the Senate in 1817, a man of talent and fine personal appear- ance, was a candidate for Governor, and beaten for that office by Gen. William Carroll), Maj. William Ward, Capt. John Donelson, the brother of Mrs. Jackson and the father of Mrs. Gen. Coffee, Mrs. McLemore, Mrs. Wil- liam Easton, Mrs. James Martin, and Mrs. Andrew J. Donelson. Capt. Donelson was a wealthy man in lands and slaves, and a successful planter. Sevan and Severn Donelson were also brothers of Mrs. Jackson. Gen. Thomas Overton, the friend of Gen. Jackson in the duel with Charles Dickinson, Dr. Hadley, Capt. Moseley, the step-father of John L. Brown, of Nashville, and others, all lived in this neighborhood.

There also lived here John Anthony Winston and brother, two very prominent men, who emigrated to Alabama and settled near Tuscumbia. They are the ancestors of the nu- merous Winstons in that State, among whom was Governor John A. Winston.

In the same neighborhood lived a large family of Gleaves, carly settlers and prominent men, some of whom are still living.

On the Murfreesboro' fork of this road the first promi- nent citizen was Robert C. Foster, the father of Ephraim H. Foster and other sons, who were all prominent men. IIe had no daughters. Mr. Foster was one of the very best men of the county, a leading magistrate, and a Christian gentleman, a member of the Legislature, and once a candi- date for Governor in opposition to Governor MeMinn. He erected a large mill upon Mill Creek, which was a great convenience to the neighborhood. The next man was Mr.

Kennedy, the father of Mrs. Hettie McEwen and Judge Kennedy, who moved to Lincoln County in 1808 or 1809. Mr. Murphy came next as an early and respectable settler. In this section lived Esquire Samuel Bell, the father of Hon. John Bell, a distinguished statesman of Tennessee, who was born on Mill Creek. Also, Col. Thomas Wil- liamson, one of Jackson's colonels in the Creek war and at New Orleans, who was regarded as a brave, gallant, and chivalrous gentleman, was a member of the Legislature of Tennessee in 1817, representing the lower house with the Hon. James Trimble, in session at Knoxville; and Esquire E. H. East, the father of Judge East of Nashville, a man of positive character, fearless and independent in his cx- pression of opinion of men and measures, and one of the most ardent Whigs of the county. Then comes John Sangster, who kept tavern on the hill; next Esquire King, a clever, wealthy citizen, who lived where Dempey Weaver now lives. Then Mrs. Vaulx, living near the present Hos- pital for the Insane; she was the mother of the late Joseph Vaulx and James Vaulx, the latter being then a large locator of lands in the western district. In this neighborhood lived. Charles Hays, the grandfather of Thomas Hays and Mrs. Samuel Murphy, a prominent citizen, Christian man, and the founder of the Baptist Church at Antioch. Next came Buchanan's tavern, a noted house of entertainment near Smyrna.

The next road leading from Nashville commenced on College Street, passing the city cemetery, crossing Brown's Creek just above the railroad-crossing. The first promi- nent man on this road was Mr. John Rains, the grand- father of Robertson Rains. Then came Mr. Ridley, an carly settler, who raised a large family ; two of his sons, Moses and Henry Ridley, lived on Stuart's Creek, in Rutherford County, and were large cotton-planters, promi- nent and influential men. Another son was James Ridley ; he was a noted citizen of Davidson County. The next man worthy of note was Michael C. Dunn, a very intelli- gent man, once sheriff of Davidson County, who married the daughter of John Rains. He raised a large family of talented sons and daughters, one of whom is William D. Dunn, a lawyer and wealthy citizen of Mobile, and also the grandfather of Mrs. Joseph W. Horton. William Dick- son, once a senator in Congress, lived on this road, and Hinchy Petway owned the place afterwards. The next man was Jonas Menifee, an old settler, owning a fine body of land, which was his " Headright," now owned by Mel- ville Williams. The next place was John Topp's, the father of four sons, all prominent men in Tennessee and Mississippi ; Robertson Topp, of Memphis; Mrs. Thomas Martin, of Pulaski, the mother of Mrs. . Judge Spofford ; and Mrs. Claiborne, who lives on Spruce Street. The next man was Judge John Haywood, a learned lawyer of North Carolina, judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, and an ornament to the legal profession, who lived and died and was buried on this place. Next was Dr. William Moore, a son-in-law of Judge Haywood, who moved at an early day to Huntsville. In this neighborhood lived W. H. Nance, a magistrate of the county and a leading member of the Baptist Church, full of energy and devotion to the public good. Then comes Benajah Gray, an intel-

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

ligent, leading man, and one of the magistrates of the county. Mr. Enoch Ensley also lived in this neighbor- hood ; he was a constable with great money-making ca- pacity, and became one of the wealthy men of Tennessee. Esquire Herbert Towns lived in this neighborhood ; he was a magistrate and a man of intelligence, from whom much information can be obtained, as he is still living. This road was known then as the " Fishing Ford" of Duck River, passing Hardiman's cross-roads, now known as the Nolansville Pike.

The next road leading from Nashville was called the Upper Franklin, now known as the Franklin Turnpike. It passes out Spruce Street by the custom-house. The first prominent man on the road was Joseph Coleman, who was an officer in the United States army. He built the first fine house, which still stands behind the undertaking establishment of Groomes & Co., on Cherry Street, owned afterwards by Josiah Nichol. IIe also built the house on College Hill formerly owned by Maj. Rutledge, now the residence of Edward Baxter. Mr. Coleman also built the house of Mr. Joseph W. Horton, where he lived and died.

The next man of note was George Michael Deaderick, who lived at the place now owned by the Robert Wood's estate. He was the first president of the old Nashville Bank, and a wealthy leading citizen of Nashville.

Then came Thomas Thompson, the father of the late John Thompson, both of whom lived and died on this place. Also, in this neighborhood lived Jason Thompson, who married a sister of Judge McNairy, also the grand- father of Emmett Thompson, of Lebanon. John Overton, known throughout the State as a man of great legal ability and the wealthiest man in the State. Next man was Thomas Edmondson, one of the best citizens of the county, and a leading magistrate. He possessed the entire confi- dence of Judge Overton, his near neighbor. The next early settler was Robert Scales, a very clever gentleman.

The next road was called the Middle Franklin, now known as the Granny White Pike. The first prominent men on this road were Dr. James Overton and Robert B. Curry, who lived on what is called Curry's Hill. The next place was Nathan Ewing's, where Dr. Gale now re- sides. Then Tanner Johnson, a clever Christian man and an early settler. The heirs of Mr. John Johns now own his place. You next came to Judge John Overton's lands, now owned by Judge John M. Lea. Then came the "Tavern of Granny White," where all travelers from Franklin and Nashville were entertained. In this same neighborhood lived Edwin Smith, a well-known citizen of that section.

The next road was known as the Richland Creek and Wharton road, which forked at Cockrill's Spring. This road led from Church Street by the Female Academy, round to Cedar Street or Charlotte road, running with that road and turning towards Maj. Boyd's residence, now owned by Hal. Hays. Maj. Boyd owned the entire land from the Charlotte to the Granny White Pike, all being a corn-field. The road by the State Prison was not opened until about 1830. Cockrill's Spring was a noted place,-the pre- emption title or claim of John Cockrill, who married a sister of Gen. James Robertson, also one of the first set-

tlers in the county. One of his sons was the late Mark R. Cockrill.

On the Wharton road the first prominent man was Jesse Wharton, who married the daughter of Joseph Phil- lips, and was a retired lawyer, once a member of Congress from the Nashville district, and candidate for Governor in opposition to Governor McMinn; also a magistrate of Davidson County. The next man was Andrew Castleman, a brother-in-law of Nathan Ewing, a pure Christian gen- tleman, universally beloved, who settled on his pre-emption title, and there lived and died, leaving many descendants, among whom is Robert B. Castleman, now living in Nash- ville. Then came William Compton, a successful trader. Next- Stockell's Meeting-house, in the neighborhood of which a large family of McCutcheons lived, all good citi- zens and Christian men. At this " Meeting-house," on Little Harpeth River, ten miles from Nashville, the Rev. William Hunre preached once a month, from 1817 up to the time of his death. In this neighborhood lived Maj. William Edmondson, a prominent man in his section, and- was one of Gen. Jackson's soldiers at the battles of the Creek war and New Orleans. This road is known as the Hillsboro' Pike, now leading from Nashville.

I now return to the other fork leading from Cockrill's Spring to Richland Creek, which was known as the Hard- ing Pike. The first man of note on this road was Capt. Joseph Erwin, who settled on this place in 1805. He was a very wealthy mau, having large sugar-plantations at Plaque- mine, La., though he resided in Tennessee. He was the father-in-law of Charles Dickinson, who was killed by Gen. Jackson in a duel, and was buried on this place, near the turnpike. Dickinson also lived in this neighborhood, in sight, on the opposite side of the road. Capt. Erwin was the uncle of Governor Newton Cannon, and was the friend and backer of Cannon in the great Clover-Bottom race be- tween Gen. Jackson and Governor Cannon, which resulted in the duel between Dickinson and Jackson. The next . man was Charles Bosley, a brother of John Bosley, who married the sister of Gen. Robertson. Mr. Charles Bosley was a large trader and operator at Natchez, Miss., and set- tled on this place in 1818. I neglected to mention some points of interest in regard to Capt. Erwin which are im- portant. He raised a large family, among them three daughters, one of whom married Charles Dickinson ; after his death she married Mr. John B. Craighead; another married Col. Andrew Hynes; and a third married William Blount Robertson, a brother of Dr. Felix Robertson. He was a lawyer by profession, owned and lived at the place where Mark Cockrill lived and dicd. The next man was Capt. John Nichols, who settled on his place in 1807. He was the bosom friend of Capt. Erwin and Mr. Charles Dickinson.

The next man was James Maxwell, a Scotchman, who owned and lived on the place of the late Archer Cheatham. The next man was Mr. John Harding, one of the most in- dustrious and successful men of the county. He settled in a populous neighborhood, and finally owned the entire section. He was the father of William Giles Harding, of Belle-Meade. Next was Mr. Giles Harding, a brother of John Harding, who lived ou the place owned afterwards by

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RECOLLECTIONS OF COL. WILLOUGHBY WILLIAMS.

Maj. Daniel Graham, who was one of the best-informed men of that age, who filled the offices of Secretary of State, comptroller, and cashier of the Bank of Tennessee with the highest honor.

Crossing Harpeth Ridge you come to the Demoss settle- ment, a fine section of country, settled by four brothers, the most prominent and intelligent of whom was Esquire Abram Demoss, the father of Judge Abram Demoss, of the Nashville bar. Esquire Abram Demoss built a fine grist- and saw-mill over Big Harpeth, which was of vast importance to the neighborhood. He married the daughter of Mr. William Newsom, a lady of fine executive ability, who aided him in the management of his affairs and con- tributed largely towards his success in life. He was long a prominent magistrate of the county. In this neighbor- hood lived Esquire John Davis, the county surveyor, a man more universally beloved and esteemed than any man in the county for his integrity, honesty, and benevolence. He was the grandfather of Ed. D. Hick, of the Commercial Insurance Company, and one of the earliest settlers of the county. Crossing Harpeth you came to " Edney's Meeting- house," at Tank, where all the neighborhood gathered to hear Rev. Mr. Edney, a Methodist minister, as early as the year 1812. The next man was Mr. Thomas Allison, who lived on South Harpeth. Mr. Allison was a leading man in this part of the country, and one of the first Van Buren men in the county. His son, Thomas Allison, now lives at the old homestead. Farther down South Harpeth there was a large family of Greers, and a very prominent magis- trate, William H. Shelton, who was a leading man in his section, and one of the few outspoken Crawford men at that day, when Crawford was a candidate for President. IIe Was also quite a military man, and was familiarly known as " Baron Steuben," from his efforts to instill those well- known tactics in the minds of the soldiers of that day.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 18

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

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