History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 48

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 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W. H. Wilkinson, sergt.

H. C. Rose, sergt .; made ord. officer Hardie's art., 1864. H. W. Hunter, sergt. B. Bannister, sergt. A. D. Stewart, corp. William Green, corp. Peter Lynch, corp. Pat. Murray, corp. ; wounded slightly in neck. Pat. Flaherty, corp. Z. Connally, corp.

"Flanigan, Charles.

Gatling, B. F. Grady, Ed.

Hart, John. Hollinsworth, J.

Holden, W. E.

Hall, James.

Harrison, William.

Haney, Martin.

Henessee, Pat. Holden, Israel. Higgins, Ed.

Jobe, William C.

Johnson, H. F.

Kennedy, Saunders.

George G. Henon, corp. Pat. Hoben, corp.

W. E. Holden, corp.

A. B. Fall, corp .; killed at Fort Donelson.

Kyne, Pat (No. 1), killed at Fort Donelson. Kyne, Pat (No. 2). King, Ed.

Lynch, Peter.

Laughlin, J. C.

May, John.

Masters, Charles.

Mathews, W. H.

McGrath, Thomas. McKeen, Andrew.

Morrison, Coleman.

McCue, Daniel. McCue, Pat.

J. T. Huggins, com. sergt.

J. Bailey Higgins, bugler; died of wounds, 1864.

Baker, John.

Watson, William P. Wist, James. Wright, H. C.

Scott, W. H. Scott, J. J.

Clisham, Martin.

Cook, Mike.

Condrey, Pat.

Crane, Pat.

Conally, Ed.

Carroll, Ben.

Carr, John.

Cady, Jobn.

Dodson, J. J.

Dowd, Ed.

Doharty, James.

Flahey, Mike.

Flaherty, Pat.

Fenal, Mike.

Fisher, John.

Burras, S. F.

Thompson, J. L.

Underwood, Reid.

Welsh, Pat. Welsh, G. W.

Watson, Madison.

L. Hutchinson, let lient. ; wound- ed through neck.

Sutton, Stanford. Cohinn, Pat.

Luster, W. J. Magarr, S. H. MeClarin, J. C. McPherson, T. J. McGinness, G. W. Minor, T. J. Newbern, James. O'Neel, John M. Osborn, J. C. Pitts, William. Rengins, W. H. Roy, John.

MILITARY ROSTERS.

Barney Barnes, farrier. John S. Parker, wheelwright. P. N. Richardson, saddler. W. D. Madden, blacksmith. Max. Genning, wheelwright. Adams, John. Anderson, William. Burk, Martin. Burk, Thomas. Bird, Jobn T.

Robert A. Allison, gun sergt. William S. Newsom, gun sergt. James Porter, gun sergt. James Schuster, gun sergt .; died of wounds, 1864.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

COMPANY A, FIRST TENNESSEE ARTILLERY.

A. M. Rutledge, capt., promoted maj. of infantry Polk's staff, died 1875.

E. F. Falconnet, Ist lieut., raised battalion cavalry, maj. com- manding.

Mark S. Cockrill, 2d lieut., ap- pointed 2d lieut. artillery C. S. A., ordnance duty. Joseph E. Harris, 3d lieut., left service capt. of artillery, died in Europe.

J. C. Wheeler, 4th lieut., capt. of infantry, Florida brigade. George E. Purvis, sergt .- major, pro. 5th lieut. of battery. Evander McIver, q.m. sergt., capt. infantry on ord. duty. S. L. Finley, com. sergt., killed at Nashville, Dec. 31, 1861. Frank Johnson, sergt., major in- fantry, Miss. Vols. George W. Trabue, sergt., ap- pointed supt. of telegraphy, Army of Tenn.

J. B. Lang, sergt., appointed sergt. of ordnance.

C. C. Bellsnyder, sergt., Ist lieut. of cavalry, died in service. James Hadley, sergt., transferred to cavalry, A. T.

J. P. Humphreys, guidon, joined cavalry, A. T., 1st lieut.

Ferdinand Hadley, corp., 1st lieut. artillery, with cavalry. Henry Duffin, corp., killed in West Tenn. Alfred Hagly, corp., died in prison.

James Nelson, corp., killed at Port Hudson. Richard Murray, corp., killed at Port Hudson.

A. P. Moore, corp., killed at Ben- tonville, N. C.

Joseph H. Hough, corp., q .- m. sergt., Atlanta, Ga. Bradford Nichol, corp., major of artillery, C. S. A. Harry D. Martin, corp., Lieut .- Gen. Polk's escort.

W. H. McLemore, corp., 1st lieut. McClung's Battery. Sylvanus Avery, corp., died in service. J. H. Lunsden, corp., killed in battle.

A. S. Smith, bugler.

Dick Dalton, artificer, died in army. Florence Dugan, artificer. John A. MeMaster, artificer, killed in battle. J. D. Kerrigan, artificer.

James Webb, artificer.

J. O'Rea, artificer.

J. F. M. Turner, Ist bugler, killed in battle.

Alexander, John F., sorgt. Mo- Clung's Battery.

Austin, John S. Allen, James R., killed in battle. Allen, John N. Allen, George.

Breen, Daniel. Broderick, Timothy.

Bogle, Thomas. Brushingham, M.

Burke, J. M.

Bragg, B.

Ballowe, Thomas W., corp., trans- ferred to cavalry as sergt. of artillery.

Bunn, William.

Becker, Dr. O., surg., died in ser- vice. Biggers, J. R.

Biggers, D. A.

Bowers, Joseph, wounded at Franklin ; died of wound.

Cullom, Dr. J. H., sergt. in Me- Clung's Battery.

Conway, Larry, killed at Mobile.

Crossgrove, T. Conway, T. John.

Clark, J. Coyne, B. Cannon, M. J. Cowan, W.

Curley, J. W. Carter, Samuel.

Chapman, D. B. Claunch, W.

Currin, James.

Clouston, Dick, appointed corp. and capt. in cavalry.

Carter, J. D., discharged. Cook, James L. Darby, Christopher.

Derry, M. Downey, Patrick. Delanty, J. M. Dobbs, William. Devore, J. W., died in prison. Davidson, J. D. Davis, Jobn.

Dozier, Albert. Elliott, John M. Elliott, William.

Ewing, William L., appointed corp., capt. of cavalry.

French, M. Fulghum, John. Fulghum, J. A., killed at Vioks- burg, Miss.

Forehand, John. Gross, Adam H. Goodwin, John. Griffin, John. Gray, L. M. Grills, Robert. Galam, Corum. Haley, Patrick, killed at Mo- bile. Haley, John, killed in battle.

Haley, Michael.

Hall, J. M.

Hall, L. D.

Hennessy, Michael, killed in bat- tle. Hennessy, John.

Hennessy, Patrick.

Hill, J. H.

Huston, Menifee. Hubbard, Robert, spp. corp .; joined cavalry.

Hadley, John S., app. corp. ; joined cavalry.

Hooper, J. Rusty.

Hooper, J. Medicus.

Hooper, George W., died in hos- pital.

Humphleet, Thomas.

Humphleet, J. Harvey.

Humphleet, H. Howell.

Humphleet, J. Henry.

Humphleet, Madison.

Jones, T. Zeke, killed in battle. Joyce, Michael. Jean, J. L.

Jordon, J. M., promoted corp.

Jones, J. Newton.

Keafe, J. T.

Kelly, John. Keating, Patrick.

Kerby, Thomas. Leonard, T. Looney, M. Lyon, David.

Lovell, D. R., killed in service. Mack, Patsey. Martin, Patrick.

Murray, John, promoted corp. ; killed in battle. Monteville, Joseph. Moran, John.

Moran, Patrick, killed in battle. Marberry, Joseph H. Moss, E. M. Maney, Hardy. McAdams, James. McAdams, James D. McQuary, G. Washington, sergt. McCaffrey, Hugh. McCormick, John. McCormick, Daniel. McHale, P. McNamara, F. McGuire, Matthew. McGuire, Edward. Netherland, Hugh. Nedham, Daniel.

Nagle, Patrick. Naughton, M. O'Niel, William. Padden, M. Phenis, M. J. Peebles, Uriah, Ist lieut. cavalry.

at Perry, James J., wounded Shiloh ; disabled for life.

Perry, John W.

Renfro, John, appointed artificer; transferred to cavalry.

Riley, Frank. Rook, Thomas C. Reynolda, Robert.

Satterfield, Hoses. Sheehey, Jobn. Sullivan, F. Sullivan, Henry.

Sasser, Steven. Sasser, Thomas, died of wounds at Shiloh. Sheers, T. M. Sheridan, Henry.

Swann, S. C. Smith, C. B.

Smith, W. C. Smith, William J.

Sugg, J. J.

Sutliff, B. F.

Tierney, J.

Triber, E. P., missing at Cum- berland Ford.

Tierney, Thomas. Royster, Ned. D.

Vick, Milton. Winn, Jack. Wells, James W.

White, J. C. Wilson, A.

Work, W. L., wounded at Shi-

loh.

Work, Robert, wounded at Shi- loh ; died in prison. Yeaden, John.

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CITY OF NASHVILLE.

[CITIES do not spring up by chance. Without exaggeration, they are the highest result of both divine and human design and skill to be found on this terraqueous globe. Their sites are prepared by na- ture, the divine Hand, and improved by man's exercise of all his faculties through many successive generations. Cities are centres of power, religion, art, science, culture, and commerce. Their names have become typical of all that adorns and elevates the human race, as well as of that which occasionally degrades man beneath the beast. Different elements unite and combine to give cities pre-eminence in renown or influence. Sometimes a single characteristic places a city on a pedestal. Geneva, the world over, is a synonym for intellect and liberty ; Florence and Munich are but other names for art .- DR. J. BERRIEN LINDSLEY.]

GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION.

The city of Nashville, Tenn., is situated on the left bank of the Cumberland River, two hundred miles above its mouth, about thirty-three miles south of the Kentucky State line, and eighty-two miles north of the State line of Alabama, in latitude 36° 10' north, and longitude 86° 49' west of Greenwich. It is almost in the exact geographical centre of Davidson County, of which it is the county-seat.

A chain or circlet of beautiful conical hills stretches in a curve from the river above to the river below the city, which thus lies bounded on the north and northwest by the winding Cumberland, and on its southern and southwestern front by a rampart of hills, " now famous in history and still bearing the stamp and sign-manual of war in its many crumbling breast works."

TOPOGRAPHY.

The site of the city of Nashville is divided into four natural sections, which may be designated as the eastern, the middle, the northwestern, and the southwestern. These are separated by the valleys of the small streams known by the local names of Lick Branch and Wilson's Spring Branch, which take their rise in the chain of hills south- ward of the city, and, flowing northeastwardly, enter the Cumberland a little more than a mile apart. The city is thus topographically divided into three ridges or spurs, ex- tending from the main ridge in its rear, each having for its termination a rocky bluff abutting upon the river. The first, or eastern division, comprises that section of the city usually designated as South Nashville, and is bounded on its eastern slope by the valley of Brown's Creek, a stream which rises about seven miles south of the city, flows north- wardly, and, passing very near the city limits, bends away to the northeast, and empties into the Cumberland River at a point two miles above the city. On the northward this section is bounded by Wilson's Spring Branch. The high- land between the two has its beginning in a nearly vertical rock-bluff upon the river bank, upon the summit of which

is located the reservoir of the city water-works, the top of its walls being one hundred and seventy-seven feet above low water-mark in the river. Thence slightly undulating, the crest of the ridge stretches away towards the southwest until, at a point one mile from the river, it rises suddenly into a cone-shaped eminence, known as St. Cloud Hill, the summit of which is two hundred and fifty-eight feet above low-water mark. Upon this hill Fort Negley was built dur- ing the occupation of Nashville, in the civil war, by the United States army.

Thence half a mile farther on, after passing a low gap through which the Franklin turnpike passes, this spur or ridge unites with the main circlet of hills south of the city, in the eminence known as Currey's, or Meridian Hill, the crest of which is two hundred and ninety-one feet above low water. Upon this point Fort Morton was built. Its twin eminence, Kirkpatrick Hill, three hundred yards southwardly, is three hundred and sixteen feet above low water, and was the site of Fort Casino. ·

The second, or middle division, is bounded on the south- east by the valley of Wilson's Spring Branch, and on the northwest and west by the valley of Lick Branch. The highland between these valleys, commencing in a rock bluff one hundred and twenty-five feet above low water, at the eastern side of the public square, and from which the sus- pension-bridge crosses to East Nashville (late Edgefield), extends southwestwardly, nearly on a level, about five hun- dred yards, when it ascends rapidly, and finds its crowning eminence at Capitol IIill, two thousand three hundred feet distant from the river, and one hundred and ninety-one feet above low water. Upon this hill is built the State Capitol, its lower platform one hundred and ninety-one feet, its main platform two hundred feet, and the crest of its roof two hundred and eighty-two feet, respectively, above low water. From Capitol Hill the ground descends rapidly towards Lick Branch, on the north and west, but the crest of the spur follows a southerly direction along the line of Spruce Street, at an average elevation of one hundred and twenty feet above low water, for nearly a mile, then gradually ascends and unites with the main ridge on Currey's Hill, at the same point as the eastern division.

The third, or northwestern division, embraces all the ter- ritory northwestward from the valley of Lick Branch, and lying altogether within the encircling bend of the Cumber- land River. A rocky bluff, seventy-five feet high, fronts the river on the east, but bends away from the river, shortly, below the city limits, and, retaining to a great ex- tent its precipitous character, leaves a stretch of bottom- land between its base and the river bank, averaging nearly a mile in width entirely around the bend, from the city

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

limits to the point where the circlet of hills reaches the river, near Clifton. Between this wide bottom-land and the valley of Lick Branch the surface of the country is elevated, rolling, and beautiful in its undulating variety,- elevated generally from eighty to one hundred feet above low water, and rising occasionally into high points, as at St. Cecelia Academy, one hundred and sixty-five feet, and at Fisk University, one hundred and fifty-four feet, above low water. This division is finally bounded on the southwest by the chain of hills extending from Clifton to the Char- lotte turnpike. Fort Gillem was formerly built upon the site now occupied by Jubilee Hall of the Fisk University.

" The fourth, or southwestern section, comprises all that area which lies between the two prongs of Lick Branch, one of which, taking its rise near the State Fair Grounds, is known as Cockrill's Spring Branch, and the other, rising near the eminence known as Currey's Hill, runs nearly parallel with the river, and unites with Cockrill's Spring Branch at a point nearly due west of the Capitol. The teri- ritory thus bounded is undulating, intersected by numerous tributaries of one or the other of the two streams mentioned, and rises at first gradually and then more rapidly to the chain of hills extending from Currey's Hill to the Charlotte turnpike. The summits of these hills have an elevation . ranging from two hundred and twenty to three hundred and eighty feet above low water, and they are separated by numerous lower points or gaps, through which the different turnpikes and the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroads are built. Many prominent points are com- prised within this area,-one just outside the city limits, where Fort Houston was built, one hundred and seventy- eight feet above low water ; another occupied by Vanderbilt University, the highest point in those grounds being two hundred and five feet above low water.

" Thus are briefly described the salient topographical characteristics of Nashville and its immediate vicinity. By describing more particularly the valleys herein mentioned, a clearer understanding can be had of their relation to the city. The valley of Lick Branch is a nearly level area, about one-half a mile wide at its broadest point, and narrowing to three hundred yards wide at the junction with Cockrill's Spring Branch, nearly one mile from the river. Its average elevation is thirty-two feet above low water, back as far as the crossing of Spruce Street, from which point it rises to forty-seven fect at the junction of Cock- rill's Spring Branch, and still more rapidly thence to the head of both branches. As the difference between low water, herein referred to, and extreme high water, is fifty- seven feet, it will be seen that at time of high freshets the valley of the Lick Branch is covered to a depth, at the junction of Cockrill's Spring Branch, of ten fect, and thence ranging to twenty-five feet deep at the lower points. This extreme height has been reached but once since Nashville has been known as a locality,-to wit,-in 1847. A height only five feet less, however, has been reached frequently. The valley of Wilson's Spring Branch, which is about one- quarter of a mile wide a short distance above its mouth, and one hundred yards wide half a mile from the river, rises gradually from an elevation of thirty-nine feet above low water, at its widest point, to fifty-seven fect above low

water half a mile from the river. This valley, therefore, has been flooded to a depth ranging from eighteen feet to nothing half a mile back. It is therefore evident that at a time of extreme high water there are two wide inlets or bays from the river, one of which is half a mile long, the other over one mile, which separate the first, second, and third divisions of the city from each other."*

That portion of the vicinity of Nashville on the east side of the Cumberland River (lately the thriving city of Edge- field, now annexed to Nashville) is in its southern portion delightfully situated upon grounds which rise gradually east- ward and culminate in an eminence two hundred feet above low water at a distance of a mile and a quarter from the river. The northern portion is situated upon less elevated and rolling ground, which extends back far beyond the city limits, and finally rises into a series of hills whose general course is northwestwardly from the river. These two sec- tions are separated by the valley of a stream which rises about three and a half miles from the river, flows south- westwardly, and discharges into the river above the railroad bridge. The valley of this stream is about two hundred yards wide, and is covered by high water to a depth of twelve or fifteen feet within the limits of the city.

ORIGINAL OCCUPATION.

Very large tribes of Indians must have occupied the country around Nashville for many miles, and possibly for several hundred years previous to the seventeenth century. This is attested by the numerous places of interment for the dead, covering several acres in each place. An im- mense " burying-ground" was on Harpeth River, another at the mouth of Stone's River (not many miles from the city), another in what is now North Edgefield, just across the Cumberland, another in what is now North Nashville, and still another in and around the Sulphur Spring bottoms in the city. In fact, at almost every lasting spring graves can be found all over this section of country.

So far as we know, the Suwanee or Shawnee tribe were the original possessors of the soil, but were driven out by the Chickasaws and Cherokecs, who made it a hunting- ground for all the tribes until the whites came and took possession.

From 1710 to 1770 the place was occupied as a French trading-post. The name of the first French trader, who came here in 1710, probably from New Orleans, is not known. He had his cabin or trading-post near the river, a little north of the Lick Branch. Living with him was a lad about fourteen years of age, named Charles Charleville, who eventually succeeded the Frenchman in business, and who died at the age of eighty-four. Ramsey says that Charleville came from Crozat's colony at New Orleans in 1714, and traded with the Shawnees then inhabiting the country upon the Cumberland River. About this period the Cherokecs and Chickasaws expelled the Shawnees from their numerous villages upon the lower Cumberland. In 1760, or soon after the fall of Quebec, came Timothy Demon- breun, a French trader, who remained at the Bluff, or French Lick, for many years after the place was settled

* Report of the Board of Health, 1877.

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CITY OF NASHVILLE.

by Americans, and died here in 1826, at a good old age. Demonbreun brought his family with him, and, it is said, quite a large number of traders and voyageurs. His de- scendants still reside in Nashville, and have in their posses- sion the old watch and gun which he carried in the seige of Quebec, where he was a soldier under Montcalm in that memorable defeat which decided the fate of the French colonies in North America. The tradition in the family is to the effect that after the battle of Quebec, in which he was severely wounded, he came to the French town of Kas- kaskia, in what was then the " Illinois Country," and from that place with a hunting-party in boats or pirogues, made his way up the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers to the well- known French Lick, where he established himself in trade with the Indians. The family of Demonbreun was there- fore the first European family that ever occupied the site of Nashville. Abating all mythical traditions, more or less of which have been naturally associated with one who adven- tured into this region at so early a period, there are facts enough to warrant the conclusion that the Demonbreuns were here in advance of the first American settlers from fifteen to twenty years. One of the streets of Nashville is named in honor of the venerable Timothy.

FIRST AMERICAN SETTLERS.

In 1779, Capt. James Robertson, with two or three hun- dred followers, left Watauga, or the " Holston Country," for the purpose of making a settlement at the French Lick, the site on which the beautiful city of Nashville now stands. The company brought with them a good deal of stock, both horses and cattle. Their route lay through Kentucky, and, as there were no roads and the snows were heavy and the weather unusually inclement, they had a tedious and difficult journey, and did not arrive at the French Lick until the latter part of December, 1779. Indeed, that winter was extremely severe,-so much so that its equal in this respect had never been known by the oldest people and has never since been experienced in this country. The company drove their stock over the Cumberland River on the ice, and, pitching their camp on the bluff, began the first settlement of Nashville by Americans.

Capt. John Donelson's party, from the settlements in East Tennessee, arrived in the spring of 1780. A few rude cabins were built where the city now stands, whilst others were erected in the vicinity. Necessity soon com- pelled them to erect forts, and the principal one was built at the foot of Church Street, near the upper wharf, because here a large, bold spring gushed out from the bluff. This post was agreed upon as the headquarters of the settle- ment, and the name Nashborough was given to it in honor of Gen. Francis Nash, of North Carolina, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Germantown, October, 1777. Gen. Nash was early engaged in resistance to acts of tyr- anny in North Carolina. In 1771 he was a captain in the band of "Regulators." On the 24th of August, 1775, he was appointed by the Congress of North Carolina one of the committee to prepare a plan for the regulation, peace, and safety of the province. Governor Martin, having fled from his costly palace, had taken refuge on board an armed vessel, whence he was issuing his insulting and inflamma-

tory orders, and, the province being practically divested of its chief magistrate, upon the committee devolved the duty of proposing a form of government to meet the exigencies of the occasion. The Congress of North Carolina, on the 1st of September, 1775, conferred upon Capt. Nash the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the first regiment of the Continental line, and at Germantown, where he fell, bravely fighting for independence, he was in command as brigadier- general. It is worthy of remark that both Nash and Da- vidson were patriots of the same State, both holding the same rank, and both falling in engagements which were successful to the American arms. Their names are there- fore worthily associated in the metropolis and the metropol- itan county of Tennessee.

ERECTION OF THE TOWN OF NASHVILLE.

The act of North Carolina erecting the town of Nashville begins as follows :

" Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the author- ity of the same, That the directors or trustees hereafter ap- pointed, or a majority of them, shall, so soon as may be after the passing of this act, cause two hundred acres of . land, situate on the south side of the Cumberland River, at a place called the Bluff, adjacent to the French Lick, in which said Lick shall not be included, to be laid off in lots of one acre each, with convenient streets, lanes, and alleys, reserving four acres for the purpose of erecting public buildings, on which land, so laid off according to the direc- tions of this act, is hereby constituted, erected, and estab- lished a town, and shall be known and called NASHVILLE, in memory of the patriotic and brave Gen. NASH."

This act was approved at the April session, 1784. It appointed Samuel Barton, Thomas Molloy, Daniel Smith, James Shaw, and Isaac Lindsay directors or trustees, and Samuel Burden treasurer, of the town. The directors pro- ceeded to lay off the prescribed two hundred acres into lots of one acre each, and to make a map or plat of the same ; and on a day appointed the lots were drawn by ballot, each subscriber taking the number or numbers drawn, upon each of which the sum of four pounds was required to be paid by the treasurer into the hands of Ephraim McLean, Andrew Ewing, and Jonathan Drake, to be applied to the purpose of building a court-house, prison, and stocks, upon the before- reserved lots, for the benefit of Davidson County.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 48

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