USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 9
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We make a few extracts from the records, which con- tinue without interruption to the organization of Davidson County :
" Jan. 18, 1783.
" At a Committee called by the desire of the inhabi- tants for the offering of an address to the State's Commis- sioners, in behalf of some minors and heads of families, the first of which was deprived by their minority, the others by not arriving here by the time prescribed by. the act of Assembly for obtaining lands ; and that they would represent their case to the Assembly, in hopes of their in- dulgence toward them ; and that the Commissioners would, in the mean time, be pleased to receive their locations for their improvements; to the intent that they might be generally known, in hopes that others would not interfere therewith. To which the Commissioners were pleased to return them an answer, that, to the first, they would do everything in their power for them ; but to receiving their locations, it did not come within the line of their duty, etc.
" The members present were Col. James Robertson, Capt. George Freeland, Thomas Malloy, Isaac Linsey, Heydon Wells, David Rounsevall, Ebenezer Titus, and Samuel Barton. Likewise, Capt. Isaac Bledsoe and Capt. J. J. Blackemore appeared and qualified for members of the Committee, and after discussing the above business, the same Committee, on motion of James McCain, proceeded to take up the deposition of Isaac Neely, viz. : that he, the said Isaac Neely, was witness to a bill of sale, the contents of which, he believes, was a bed purchased of Jourdan Gibeon by the said McCain, and further the deponent saith Dot.
"The Committee proceeded no further to business, but referred to their former adjournment, and so dismissed."
" Feb. 5, 1783.
" Committee met according to adjournment. Members present-Capt. George Freeland, Isaac Linsey, Heydon Wells, David Rounsevall, Ebenezer Titus, and James Shaw, elected for Nashborough, appeared and qualified for member of the Committee.
" The Committee then proceeded and swore in John Montgomery to be Sheriff of the district, and Andrew Ewin, for Clerk to the Committee.
"On motion made, the Committee granted administration of the estate of John Turner, deceased, to Mr. John Marney, said Marney entering into bonds with Heydon
Wells and John Dunham, securities for the sum of one thousand pounds, proclamation money, payable to Col. James Robertson and his successors as Chairman of the Committee, or their assignees, and also qualified as by law required. And there not being a majority of members present, they proceeded no further, but adjourned until the first Tuesday in March, 1783."
" March 4, 1783.
" Committee met according to adjournment. Members present-Col. James Robertson, George Freeland, Thomas Mulloy, Isaac Lindsey, David Rounsevall, Ebenezer Titus, Samuel Barton, and James Shaw. The Committee then proceeded to take into consideration an address offered to them relative to the inhabitants of the Cumberland, giving their assurance of fidelity to the government of the State in which they reside, which unanimously was approved by the Committee, and agreed that it should be done as soon as opportunity would serve.
" Letters of administration on several estates granted, and sundry suits continued; one against John Dunham ' for detaining a bed.' Daniel Hogan and wife vs. James Todd ; parties appeared, and the Committee recommended to the parties to adjust matters themselves."
" March 15, 1783.
" On motion made, the Committee agree that an address to be sent to the Assembly, acknowledging our grateful sense of their late favor in granting us lands, praying them to grant us the salutary benefit of government in all its branches, and that a land-office may be opened on such a plan as may encourage the settling of the country, that the protection of it may be less burdensome.
" And that Col. James Robertson present the same, being elected thereto by the people.
"On motion, agreed that six spies be kept out to discover the motions of the enemy so long as we shall be able to pay them, each to receive seventy-five bushels of Indian corn per month (to be under the direction of Col. Robertson and Capt. Bledsoe). The subscription of Nashborough, Free- land's, and Mansker's Stations filed with the Clerk of the Committee.
" The Deputation of Thomas Fletcher to the Sheriffulty of the District by John Montgomery disannulled ; and the Committee elect the said Fletcher, who was sworn Sheriff of the District of Cumberland.
"It being thought necessary to our better defense in these times of danger that officers be chosen in each re- spective station to embody the inhabitants for their greater safety. Accordingly there was made choice of, at Nash- borough, William Pruit for Captain ; Samuel Martin and John Buchanan, 1st and 2d Lieutenants; and William Over- all, Ensign.
" At Freeland's Station, Joshua Howard, Captain ; James Donelson, Lieutenant; and John Dunham, Ensign.
" At Heatonsburg, Joshua Ramsey, Captain ; James Hollis, Lieutenant ; and Joshua Thomas, Ensign.
" At Mansker's, Isaac Bledsoe, Captain ; Gasper Mans- ker, Lieutenant ; James Lynn, Ensign.
" At Maulding's, Francis Prince, Captain ; Ambrose Maulding, Lieutenant."
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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
" AN ADDRESS TO THE COMMITTEE.
" April 1, 1785.
"Gentlemen : Whereas the purchasing of Liquors brought from foreign parts and sold to the inhabitants here at exor- bitant rates, and carrying away the money out of the coun- try, will greatly tend to the impoverishing of this infant settlement :
" For the remedying of this evil Let it be resolved and agreed on by this Committee that from and after the first day of April any person bringing liquors here from foreign parts shall, before they expose the same or any part thereof to sale, enter into bonds before some member of the Com- mittee, with two sufficient securities, in the penal sum of two hundred pounds specie, payable to the Chairman of the Committee and his successors as such, that they will not ask, take, or receive, directly or indirectly, any more than one silver dollar, or the value thereof in produce, for one quart of good, sound, merchantable liquor, and so in pro- portion for a greater or less quantity. And any member of the Committee before whom such bond is given shall grant certificate thereof to the giver.
" And any person selling or exposing to sale any liquor brought from foreign parts, not having entered into such bond as aforesaid, the same shall be liable to be seized by warrant granted by any member of the Committee, which they are hereby empowered and required to issue; and so seized, to secure and deliver the same until they shall enter into such a bond as aforesaid, or otherwise oblige them- selves to transport their liquor again out of this settlement. Provided always that if neither shall be done within twenty days after such seizure the same shall be deemed and held forfeited, and shall be sold, and the money arising thereby shall be applied to the use of the public at the discretion of the Committee.
" And if any person upon giving bond in either of the premises aforesaid shall afterwards make default therein, and on information and prosecution be convicted thereof by suf- ficient witness before our Committee, their bond shall be deemed and held forfeited, and judgment be awarded against them accordingly. And on refusal or delay to satisfy such judgment, the same shall be levied on their goods and chat- tels by distress, and the money arising thereby applied as aforcsaid under direction of the Committee. Provided al- ways that such prosecution shall commence within six months after default made.
" Approved, resolved, and agreed by the Committee.
" ANDREW EWIN, Clerk."
"On motion ordered that a road be opened from Nash- borough to Mansker's Station . . . and another from Hea- tonsburg to Mansker's. Overseers appointed and directed to call out hands to work on them. The Committee then proceeded to the causes on the Docket."
It would be interesting to report these suits did space permit. We add the regulation concerning commerce and the vote of the stationers upon the subject of the Indian treaty at Nashborough :
" May 6th, 1783.
"Committee met according to adjournment. Members present : Col. Robertson, Malloy, Freeland, Barton, Rounse- vall, Linsey, Titus, Shaw, and Capt. Isaac Bledsoe. When
Thomas Malloy informed the Committee that he had since the last meeting, at the request of some of the members, sent letters to the agent of the State of Virginia, residing at the Illinois, and likewise to the Spanish Governor, in- forming them that some of our people had gone down the river this spring upon pretense of trading with the Chicka- saw Indians; but by the report of some lately come from the Illinois, who met with them on their way here, we are afraid that their design was to assist in plundering some of the trading-boats; and that if any such thing should be committed or effected by or with the assistance of any be- longing to us, that it was contrary to the principles and intentions of the generality of the people here, as we detest and abhor such practices; and that we would endeavor for the future to prevent any such proceedings.
" Which information and conduct of Mr. Malloy was unanimously approved and accepted by the Committee.
" On motion, made, Resolved and agreed on by the Com- mittee, That from and after the 6th day of May, 1783, no person or inhabitant of this settlement shall trade, traffic, or barter with any Indian, nor resort unto them on the other side of the Ohio or of the dividing ridge between Tennessee and Cumberland waters, nor go down these Western waters, upon pretense of trading to the Illinois or elsewhere, with- out permission first had and obtained of the Committee, and likewise giving bond, with approved security, in any sum at the discretion of the Committee, payable to the Chairman thereof and his successors as such, conditioning that their conduct shall not directly nor indirectly in any way preju- dice the interests of this settlement.
" On motion made, such of the members of the Commit- tee as had not heretofore taken the oath of abjuration and fidelity in this State proceeded to take it, which was first administered to the Clerk by Col. James Robertson, and afterwards by the Clerk in Committee to the members as aforesaid ; and the rest of the members made oath of hav- ing taken it heretofore in this State, and had at no time since been engaged in the interests of the enemies of the United States.
' " ANDREW EWIN, Clerk."
"June 3, 1783.
" When on motion made by Maj. John Reid relative to the assembling of the Southern tribes of Indians at the French Lick, on Cumberland River, for holding a Treaty with the Commissioners appointed by the State of Virginia, the Committee considering how difficult it will be for a handful of people reduced to poverty and distress by a con- tinued scene of Indian barbarity to furnish any large body of Indians with provisions, and how prejudicial it may be to our infant settlement should they not be furnished with provisions, or otherwise dissatisfied or disaffected with the terms of the Treaty ; on which consideration the Committee refer it to the unanimous suffrages of the people of this set- tlement whether the Treaty shall be held here with their consent or no. And that the suffrages of the several stations be delivered to the Clerk of Committee by Thursday even- ing, the 5th inst., at which time the suffrages of Freeland's Station, Heatonsburg, and Nashborough were given in as follows :
" Freeland's Station, no Treaty here, 32 votes.
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PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION.
" Nashborough, no Treaty here, 26 votes.
"Heatonsburg, no Treaty here, 1 vote = 59.
" Heatonsburg, Treaty here, 54 votes.
" Nashborough, Treaty here, 30 votes = 84.
"The other stations of Kasper Mansker's and Mauld- ing's failing to return their votes."
The last act of the committee appears to have been the reassertion of the restriction on the sale of foreign liquors : " August 5th, 1783.
" Resolved on by this present Committee that from and after the raising hereof no foreigner bringing any liquors from foreign parts shall ask, take, or receive for the same, directly or indirectly, any more than one silver dollar per gallon, or the value thereof in produce, giving bond and se- curity, or be liable to the same forfeiture as by the resolve of the 1st of April, 1783.
" Test : . ANDREW EWIN, Clerk.
" Conclusion of the Committee."
These proceedings cannot be read without interest, nor without forming a very worthy opinion of the pioneers who first settled Davidson County. The majority, like those who formed the earliest settlements in Ohio and Kentucky, were men of energy, sound judgment, and moral worth. The wisdom, the intellectual discipline, the familiarity with principles of business, both public and private, the knowl- edge even of forms of law, exhibited in their records and documents, their good sense and use of the English lan- guage, all strike the student of their history as being re- markable for that period and for a class of pioneers settling in a new country. "They possessed neither proud extrav- agance nor mean selfishness, and would have been ashamed of the transmission of such vices to their posterity." The manner in which they looked after the welfare of the ab- sent and considered the interests of widows and orphans is one of the brightest examples in the history of any people.
The treaty with the Indians referred to in the foregoing records deserves further mention. These fragmentary re- cords and other papers deposited with the Tennessee Historical Society are the only documents which settle definitely the date and other important facts respecting this treaty, about which there has been much contradiction among historians .* The questions respecting this treaty were warmly debated at the stations during several weeks in which the commissioners were waiting for the assembling of the Indians. It was deemed of doubtful propriety to hold it here, in a settlement which had been plundered and robbed by the very savages invited, and whose citizens had been murdered and reduced to poverty, and could ill afford to provide such an assemblage with provisions. Besides, what right had the State of Virginia to assemble the In- dians upon territory belonging to North Carolina ? The question, however, had been submitted to a vote of the people, and had been decided in the affirmative. It ap- pears that of the people on the Nashborough side of the river, where it was proposed to hold the treaty, two to one were opposed ; but they were outvoted by those at Eaton's, on the east side of the river. Col. Robertson, who resided
at Freeland's Station, voted " No Treaty here," as did every other man there. At Nashborough the vote was twenty-six to thirty, the majority voting for the treaty. But the con- trolling vote was at Eaton's, being fifty-four to one. The people at the latter station, feeling their responsibility for the treaty, promptly and nobly resolved to sustain their action with both " person and property," and to be present to assist on the day of the treaty. This resolution was signed by fifty-four voters.
The treaty began and was concluded in the month of June, 1783, Cols. Donelson and Martin being the commis- sioners on the part of Virginia. It was made with the " Southern tribes of Indians" generally, not alone with the Chickasaws. "The Indians were invited to assemble at the large Sulphur Spring, about four miles northwest of Nashville, on the east side, and a few hundred yards from the Charlotte Pike. The beautiful location had been se- lected by Col. Robertson for his own station and home. There he afterwards crected his brick dwelling-house.
The place was formerly for many years the " Nashville Camp-Ground."
The Indians were treated hospitably, and were dismissed with as many presents as could then be bestowed. No outbreak or disturbance of any kind occurred. The sta- tioners exerted themselves to the utmost, not only to supply the wants of all present, but to make a good impression on their generally unwelcome guests, and succeeded, so that the Indians expressed themselves well pleased.
"This treaty being made under the authority of one of the States, and not of the Confederated States, was exposed to an objection similar to that which Virginia and North Carolina had made to the treaty of Colonel Henderson, and is not to be seen in the published volumes of Indian Treat- ies. Its provisions'and boundaries were, however, subsc- quently confirmed, or renewed and settled, by the Treaty of Hopewell, in 1785."
It is mentioned by Putnam that the acquaintance formed with some of the Indians at this time was serviceable to the Cumberland settlers, for it enabled Col. Robertson to obtain information relative to the Spanish efforts to excite these Indians to eninity and warfare against the whites. " Colonel Robertson deemed it proper during this year to address a letter to the Baron de Carondelet, to contradict reports which the Spaniards had heard, or pretended' to have heard, of designs entertained by the people of Cum- berland to make a descent upon the Spanish possessions on the Mississippi." We shall advert to this Spanish question hereafter.
CHAPTER IX. PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION.
Patriotism and Valor of the Watauga and Cumberland Pioneers- The First to honor Washington by naming a District after him -James Robertson and Valentine Sevier in the Battle of Kanawha -The Battle of King's Mountain-Additions to the Cumberland Settlement from Natchez-Close of the War-Rejoicing over the Peace-Immigration of Revolutionary Heroes.
ALTHOUGH few of the earliest settlers of Davidson County took part in any of the actual engagements of the
'i Monette, Haywood, Ramsey, and others, quoted by Putnam, p 1.34.
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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
Revolution, yet all of them suffered what may justly be regarded as its most direful consequences,-the hostility of savages incited to murder and plunder by the enemies of the country during a time of war. To this they were pe- culiarly exposed, and, on account of their isolated situation, and the necessity for employing all the available forces of the older settlements in other fields, had to carry on the conflict alone and unassisted. The heroism, the wisdom, the soldierly qualities, the undaunted courage and self-sacri- fice displayed by most of these men render them the peers of those who fought on more renowned fields, and fostered a spirit of valor which in their descendants made the name of Tennessee famous in the later wars of the Republic,- at New Orleans, among the Seminoles of Florida, in the Creek campaign, the war for Texan independence, the war with Mexico, and in the late Civil War, both in the Union and Confederate armies. A record of these achievements, together with the names of many of the heroes of Davidson County, will be found in the chapters on military history in another part of this work.
The pioneers of Watauga were the first in America to honor Washington by giving his name to the new district they had carved out and reclaimed from savage dominion among the mountains. It was peculiarly appropriate. Washington stood for liberty and popular sovereignty, for freedom regulated by law, and so did Washington District. The mountaineers fled from their former homes for liberty, but it was their first care that liberty with them should not degenerate into license. Hence they convened and organ- ized a government for the conservation of justice among themselves, and for the punishment of outlaws who sought among them immunity for crimes committed in an older state of society. This name was also prophetic; for Wash- ington had only then begun to give promise of that trans- cendent place which he was destined to hold among Ameri- cans as the father of his country, and the light of the oppressed and down-trodden of all nations. There was something prophetic in that instinct of the first settlers of Tennessee which recognized in him, almost in advance of his coming greatness, the future liberator of the colonies and father of the great republic of the Western World. It reveals the confidence they had in Washington thus early in the struggle for independence.
" The name of Washington District," says Ramsey, " being in the petition* itself, must have been assumed by the people petitioning, and was probably suggested by John Sevier, who during his residence at Williamsburg had doubtless known Col. George Washington, now the com- mander-in-chief of the American army. It is not known to this writer that the authorities or people of any other province had previously honored Washington by giving his name to one of its towns or districts,-a district, too, of such magnificent dimensions, extending from the Alleghany Mountains to the Mississippi."
A few hunters being on the spot where Lexington, Ky., now stands, and marking it as the site of a future city, heard there in the wilderness the report of the battle of old Lexington, Mass., and forthwith gave the name of
Lexington to the place. This was the first Lexington in all the country whose name symbolized that glorious stand for liberty taken by the people of the East.
Gen. Robertson, who was not second to Sevier in the founding and defense of the Watauga government and, up to a certain time, in the affairs of Washington District, had also known Washington in his youth, and he carried with him through life a great veneration for his character and services. The name of Washington was the watchword no less of the patriot exiles in the wilderness of the Cumber- land than of the mountaineers along the Appalachian chain and the colonists of the eastern Atlantic shores. It was a sovereign talisman and a rallying-point of union and heroic endeavor from the north to the south and from the east to . the west. Reverence for this great name held the people together and gave them victory.
The name of James Robertson stands before that of John Sevier on the committee which drew up the famous petition to the Assembly of North Carolina, asking for the annexa- tion of Washington District to that colony. He and Valen- tine Sevier, with the Watauga regiment of mountain men, had taken a glorious part in Lord Dunmore's war, under Gen. Lewis, at the battle of Kanawha in 1774. Not only have the writers of the " Annals of Tennessee" and the biogra- phers of her sons given great praise to those who marched from East Tennessee and participated in this important battle, but all American historians applaud their conduct. All the provincial officers acknowledged their indebtedness to the two Tennesseeans, Robertson and Sevier, who so provi- dentially discovered the plans of the lurking foe and fought so bravely throughout the day. It was by many admitted that but for this timely discovery and alarm, the whole American force would in all probability have been routed- and destroyed. The plan, the advance, and the attack throughout evinced much judgment and bravery, but in the absence of the discovery of the foe at the most critical and opportune moment, this well-managed battle would have been thwarted by that sudden surprise which the Indians intended and had nearly effected.
It is certainly worthy of note that when this battle was fought the first Provincial Congress was in session at Phila- delphia, and that then in the " back woods of America" a thousand men could be promptly called into service, . equipped, and marched under brave and skillful officers, through forests and over mountains and valleys, with strength and ability sufficient to so discomfit the combined forces of the most warlike Indian tribes that they did not dare to renew the attack upon the white settlers until they were at war among themselves, after the Declaration of Independence.
So in the battle of King's Mountain, these same hardy Tennesseeans decided the fate of the Revolution in the Southern Colonies. At that place Ferguson, having in- trenched himself, received intelligence of an avalanche of indignant patriotism accumulating along the mountain, and ready to precipitate itself upon and overwhelm his army. On Wednesday, the 4th day of October, 1780, the rifle- men advanced to Gilbert town. Following Ferguson's retreat to his mountain stronghold, from which he dis- patched Cornwallis that " all the rebels out of h-ll" could
# Petition to the Provincial Council of North Carolina.
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PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION.
not dislodge him, the mountaincers concerted their plan of battle. It was decided that the troops commanded by Win- ston, McDowell, Sevier, Shelby, and Campbell, being more than half of the whole number of assailants, after tying their horses, should file to the right and pass the mountain Dearly out of reach of the enemy's guns, and continue around it until they should meet the rest of the troops cir- cling the mountain on its opposite side, and led by Hum- bright and Chronicle, and followed by Cleveland and Wil- liams, after which each command was to face to the front, mise the Indian war-whoop, and advance upon the enemy. This plan was successfully carried out, the mountaincers alternately fighting in front and rear of the Tories and regulars, driving them higher and higher up the mountain, and in closer quarters upon its summit, until at length flags of truce were presented for a surrender. Ferguson refused to recognize the flags. Dashing about in every part of the fight, he cut them down with his sword, resorting repeat- edly to bayonet charges as his only hope of resisting the invincible riflemen, who so depleted his ranks that the ex- pedient of sharpening handles of butcher-knives and insert- ing them in the muzzles of the Tories' guns was resorted to. About this time the front of the two American col- umos had met, and the army of Ferguson was surrounded by the riflemen. Their firing became incessant and general in all quarters, but especially at the two ends of the enemy's line. Sevier pressed against its centre, and was charged upon by the regulars. The conflict here became stubborn, and drew to it much of the enemy's force. This enabled Shelby and Campbell to reach and hold the crest of the mountain.
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