USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions > Part 5
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RIVER
MAP OF THE WATAUGA SETTLEMENTS. SHOWING THE SUP- POSED VIRGINIA LINE.
STATE BOUNDARIES
BOUNDARIES OF PURCHASES
SCALE OF MILES
5 10
30
40
50
HOLSTON RIVER
IWATAUGA PURCHASE)
LUCAS
NOSE
(CARTER &
TIBROWN'S
PURCHASE)
DOE RIVER
LICK CREEK
peril from the Indian wars which commenced with the first struggles for American independence. (See map.) The only distinctive Tenues- see history from 1769 to 1779, was made by the people south of the Holston River.
73. South Holston Settlements. - There were two South Holston settlements; Watauga, on the Watauga River, and Brown's, on the Nollichucky River. The latter was just being planted when the Watauga Association was formed in 1772, and took no part in its organization. It was founded by Jacob Brown, a native of South
SETTLEMENT R~
WATAUGA CAROLINASI
53
THE WATAUGA ASSOCIATION.
Carolina, who distinguished himself both in the Indian wars, and at King's Mountain.
74. James Robertson .- The first decade of Tennessee history centers in the little settlements on the Watauga River, of which James Robertson was the most distinguished member. Robertson was a native of Brunswick County, Virginia, but in his youth moved with his parents, John and Mary (Gower) Robertson, to Orange County, North Carolina. He had just reached manhood when the Regulators began an organized resistance to the oppressions of the royal government. He had neither wealth nor education, but his native talent, his resolute spirit, and his inspiring manner were such that he could neither have been an indifferent spectator in the stirring scenes of the first year of the Regulators, nor could he have passed unnoticed through them.
75. Robertson Determines to Leave North Carolina .- During the year or more of quiet dejection following the dispersion of the Regu- lators in the fall of 1768, Robertson determined to seek a home beyond the reach of British oppression. Accordingly, in the spring of 1770, he found the beautiful valley of the Watauga, where he accepted the hospitality of one Honeycutt, raised a crop of corn, and returned for his family and friends. On the track- less mountain he lost his way, and would have perished but for the prov- idential relief afforded by two hunt- ers who chanced to discover him when his strength was fairly ex- hausted from hunger and fatigue.
76. Robertson, the Father of Tennessee .- Robertson was not the first to settle on the banks of the Watauga. Perhaps that distinction is properly accorded to William Been. It is certain Robertson found Honeycutt there on his first arrival. But he has been justly called the BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES ROBERTSON, "Father of Tennessee." " Father of Tennessee " in recogni- tion of his eminent services to its infant settlements. It is true, his name is more intimately linked with the history of the middle portion of the State, but his public services here antedate the settlement of the Cumberland Valley by a period of nearly ten years ; during this time he was the leading spirit of the Watauga settlements, where he proved
54
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
himself in every way worthy of the affectionate title he has received. He had an elevation of soul that enabled him to take upon himself the burden of the whole community. He was wholly unconscious of self. He never sought popularity, nor honor, nor position. If there was a service too humble to attract the ambitious, a post so perilous as to make the brave quail, or a duty so difficult as to fill every other heart with despair, that service or post or duty was accepted as a matter of course by James Robertson. And his head was so cool and clear ; he had such a brave, resolute and devoted spirit; and his vigi- lance was so alert and active, that success followed him like the bless- ings of a special providence.
77. The Watauga Settlers Ordered off .- By the spring of 1772, when the first political organization in the State was effected, the Watauga settlement numbered many families. Some of them, as we have seen, had settled there in consequence of the treaty of Lochabar, believing that they were within the limits of Virginia. But in 1771, Anthony Bledsoe made an experimental survey from Steep Rock to Beaver Creek, which clearly indicated that the Virginia line would not fall south of the Holston River. This was followed, in 1772, by a treaty between the authorities of Virginia and the Cherokees, making the Indian line on the south identical with the line between Virginia and North Carolina. Under this treaty, Alexander Cameron, an agent of the royal government, residing among the Cherokees, ordered the Watauga settlers to move off.
78. The Indians Intercede for the Watauga Settlers. - His order placed the Watauga settlers in a most critical situation. Hitherto, they had relied on Virginia. Now, they found themselves without laws, and beyond the protection of any organized government. Being on Indian land which was controlled by the Crown, they were without the jurisdiction, as they were physically beyond the protection, of North Carolina. They could not obtain title to their lands, either from the Indians or from the provincial government. Fortunately for them, a profound peace existed between the colonists and the Southern Indians. When the British agent ordered them to move back, some of the Cherokees expressed a wish that they might be permitted to remain, on condition that they should not encroach beyond the lands they then held. After that, no further effort was made to remove them.
79. Settlers Form an Association .- At this juncture a conven- tion of the settlers was called to consider their anomalous condition,
.. ......
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THE WATAUGA ASSOCIATION.
and to devise means for its improvement. They never thought of abandoning their homes. They said they were "too inconveniently situated to remove back," and besides, they were "unwilling to lose the labor bestowed on their plantations." They determined to do two sensible things: (1) To form a government of their own for the administration of justice in their settlement; and (2) to lease for a number of years the lands on which they lived, conceiving that the King's proclamation of 1763, prohibiting them from buying the land from the Indians, did not extend to a leasing. 1
80. Watauga Adopts the First Written Constitution in America .- Accordingly, they entered into a written association and articles for the government of the settlement, which was the first written consti- tution adopted by the consent of a free and independent people in America.2 The instrument itself has not been preserved. Every member of the settlement signed the Constitution. They adopted for their government the laws of Virginia, and not those of North Carolina. A court, consisting of five magistrates, having a clerk and a sheriff, were appointed to administer the law under the Constitution. This government continued until the beginning of the Revolution, in 1775, when it was merged into Washington District.
81. Land Leased from the Indians .- A form of government be- ing now established, and magistrates appointed, steps were immedi- ately taken to secure the settlers in the possession of the lands they had so recently been notified to vacate. James Robertson and John Bean3 were appointed to negotiate a lease from the Cherokees. They
1 Petition of the inhabitants of Washington District, Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, p. 134.
2 Compare Ramsey, p. 107; Kelly, in Proceedings of the First Scotch Irish Congress, p. 153; Allison, in Proceedings of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Ten- nessee Press Association, p. 27; Roosevelt's Winning of the West, Vol. I, p. 184; Caldwell's Studies in the Constitutional History of Tennessee, p. 27. See also, Dunmore to Dartmouth, May 16, 1774; Bancroft's History of the United States (first edition), Vol. VI, p. 401, note.
3 The first mention of these commissioners is found in "A Summary Notice of the First Settlements Made by White People within the Limits which Bound the State of Tennessee," published in the Massachusetts Historical Collections (second series), Vol. VII, p. 59, and reprinted in the American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 17. The sketch was written in IS16, by Moses Fisk, a citizen of Tennessee, of whom the most complete published account will be found in the Life of Jeffer- son Dillard Goodpasture, p. IS, et seq. Fisk says the commissioners were Robert- son and John Bean. Haywood manifestly gets the account in his History of Ten- nessee, p. 55, from Fisk, whom he follows closely, often verbally. But by a typo-
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
assembled the Indians near their own settlement, and for the sum of five or six thousand dollars in merchandise leased all the land lying on the waters of the Watauga, for a period of ten1 years. Afterwards. in 1775, following the precedent set by Henderson & Co., in their great Transylvania purchase,2 the Watauga people bought their lands in fee simple.
Jacob Brown made a similar lease, and purchased on the Nolli- chucky. John Carter also met the Indians at Sycamore Shoals, and obtained a deed to Carter's Valley, partly as an indemnity for a store destroyed by the Indians some years before, and also for an additional consideration, which Carter was enabled to raise by admitting Robert Lucas to the firm. The accompanying map, page 52, shows the boundaries of each of these private purchases.
82. The First Geographical Division Named for Washington .- The Watauga Association never had, nor sought a political connection with North Carolina until she declared her independence of Great Britain. Its people had lived in peace under their own government from 1772 to 1775. When the conflict between Great Britain and her colonies began in that year, the united settlements on the Watauga and Nollichucky formed themselves into Washington District. This was the first geographical division in the United States, named for the Father of his Country.
83. Washington District Supersedes Watauga Association .- Har- ing formed themselves into Washington District, they appointed a Committee of Safety. This was a kind of provisional government generally adopted by the colonies. Their Committee of Safety was composed of thirteen members, of whom Col. John Carter was made Chairman. The Committee resolved to adhere to the Continental Congress, and acknowledged themselves to be indebted to the united colonies for their full proportion of the Continental expense. 3 Imme-
graphical error, no doubt, the second commissioner's name was written John Boon. This error has been repeated by all subsequent historians who have followed Hay- wood's authority. We correct it from the authority on which Haywood himself relied.
1 Haywood, following Fisk, says the lease was for "eight" years, but the Petition of the Inhabitants of Washington District, set out at length in Ramsey's Annals, p. 134, et seq., which is undoubtedly the best authority on the subject, says it was for " ten " years.
2 See map of Indian treaties; Report of Bureau of Ethnology for 1883-1584, p. 147; Ramsey, pp. 109-III. .
3 The "Petition and Remonstrance" of the people of Washington District. praying to be annexed to North Carolina, is given in full in Ramsey's Annals,
57
WASHINGTON DISTRICT.
diately after the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, Washington District presented a petition to the Provincial Council of North Caro- lina, praying to be so annexed to that province as to be enabled to share in the glorious cause of liberty. 1
CHAPTER IX. WASHINGTON DISTRICT.
84. The Transition Period .- The recognition of the Washing- ton District by North Carolina is frequently alluded to as the "Annex- ation to North Carolina." Strictly speaking, there was no annexa- tion, but simply a recognition. The Watauga Settlement had always been within the jurisdiction of North Carolina, although the State had not asserted or exercised control. No formal act was passed by the Legislature of the State, annexing or recognizing the Association, or the District. The recognition was made in November, 1776, by admitting Charles Roberson, 2 John Carter, John Hall, and John Sevier, as delegates from Washington District. The period which elapsed between the recognition of Washington District by seating its dele- gates in the North Carolina Assembly, in 1776, and the date of the actual exercise of jurisdiction by establishing Washington County, November, 1777, may be called the transition period. It was during this transition period that Washington District was subjected to the severe ordeal of a formidable Indian invasion.
85. The First Indian War .- On account of their distance from the coast and the absence of means of transportation, the Brit- ish forces could not make a direct attack on the settlements about Watauga. Neither during the Revolutionary War, which was then waging, nor at any subsequent time, has the foot of a foreign invader ever touched the soil of Tennessee. The British, however, found a means of reaching the Western settlers. They formed an alliance
pp. 134-138, and in Putnam's History, pp. 45-48. Read the names of the signers, and note the number who signed their own names, and how few made their mark as a signature.
1 Those desiring further information on the organization of the Watauga Asso- ciation are referred to the American Historical Magazine, Vol. III., p. 103, et seq., where the subject is discussed more in detail. For an admirable discussion of the "Watauga Commonwealth," see Roosevelt's Winning of the West, Vol. I., Chap- ter 7; Putnam, pp. 45-49; Ramsey, pp. 134-140. See also Caldwell's Studies in the Constitutional History of Tennessee.
2 Spelled according to his own signature. His commission from Gov. Blount spells the name " Robertson."
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
with the neighboring Indian tribes, whom they incited to war. These formidable savages threatened the destruction of the pioneer settle- ments. The pioneers now armed to protect their own firesides, and to repulse the Indians from moving against the rear of the eastern settlements of North Carolina. This work was bravely and success- fully performed, and earned them the honorable title of "the Rear- Guard of the Revolution."
86. Nancy Ward .- Early in the summer of 1776, information was received through Isaac Thomas and William Falling, to the effect that the Indians were gathering in force to invade the settlements in Washington County. This information came from Nancy Ward, an Indian woman, who was friendly to the Americans, and who has been called "The Pocahontas of the West."
87. Nancy Ward's Statements Confirmed .- The intelligence conveyed by Nancy Ward was confirmed by concurrent testimony. Jarrett Williams, just from the Cherokee villages, made an affidavit giving direct evidence. A letter was mysteriously left by a stranger at the house of Charles Robertson, which appeared to be a circular letter written by Henry Stuart, who was a deputy of Captain Jolin Stuart, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the South evidently intended for distribution among the tories. This letter gave notice that the southern country would be invaded by his Majesty's forces, aided by the Indian allies, and called on all loyal subjects to cooperate with the movement. A trader named Robert Dews, who returned from a trading excursion, made oath that the Indians were assembling for war; that the Cherokees had received a letter from Cameron that the Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws would unite with ยท the Cherokees for a general invasion of the southwestern settlements, and that the British were supplying them with arms, ammunition, and stores.
88. Preparations for Defense .- The dangerous intentions of Great Britain could no longer be doubted, and the pioneers began active preparations for defense. Foris were built and garrisoned at Gillespie's, Heaton's, Beaver Creek, Womack's and other points. The Virginia and Tennessee settlements concentrated plans for their mutual defense, and called into service all their military force.
89. The Indian Invasion .- Scarcely had time been given for the hasty preparation, when information arrived that the Indians were approaching. Couriers were dispatched in every direction to warn the inhabitants. Many of these couriers took rides as rapid and far
-
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WASHINGTON DISTRICT.
more perilous than that of Paul Revere, but their names have not been preserved in history, nor celebrated in song or story. Most of the people took refuge in the fortified stations, but a few remained in their homes, and were subjected to brutal outrages by the invading Indians. Among those captured, was Mrs. Been, the wife of the first settler, William Been, and mother of the first white child born in Tennessee, Russell Bean. She was taken from her home, near Watauga, and carried as a prisoner to the Indian villages, where she was condemned and ordered to be burned, when Nancy Ward, "The Pocahontas of the West," interfered, and saved her life.
90. The Battle of Island Flats .- The invading force of Indians consisted of about seven hundred warriors, divided into two parties, each numbering between three and four hundred men. One party moved against the fort at Watauga, and the other against Heaton's Station. The fort at Heaton's Station was located about six miles above the junction of North Fork and Holston rivers, and near Long Island. The low islands stretching along the Holston, just above Long Island, were known as the "Flats." Fort Heaton was defended by a force of about one hundred and seventy men, consisting of five small companies, mostly from Virginia, commanded, respectively, by Captains James Shelby, William Buchanan, John Campbell, William Cocke, and Thomas Madison, with Captain James Thompson in chief command. Being informed by their scouts, July 19, 1776, that the Indians were approaching, a council was held. Capt. Cocke repre- sented the danger to which many of the inhabitants were exposed who had not been able to take refuge in the fort, and urged that the garrison should march out to meet the enemy. The garrison, accord- ingly, marched to Island Flats, and encountered the Indian force under their chief, Dragging Canoe, July 20. After a severe conflict, the Indians were routed, with a loss of more than forty killed, in addition to the wounded, while the loss of the pioneers was only five wounded and not a man killed.
91. Incidents of the Battle of Island Flats .- In this battle, dis- tinction was gained by Capt. James Shelby, Lieutenant Robert Davis, Robert Edmiston, and John Morrison. Isaac Shelby, who afterwards became famous, was a volunteer, but issued an order, without authority, which was promptly obeyed, and was instrumental in gaining the victory. Here occurred one of those desperate individual conflicts, so characteristic of Indian warfare. Lieutenant Moore, of Sullivan County, had shot one of the Cherokee chiefs, an Indian of
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
gigantic size, but not so as to disable him. They rushed upon each other, Moore with his hunting knife, the Chief with his tomahawk. After a desperate struggle, the Chief was thrown to the ground and killed, whereupon the Indians retreated.
92. Attack on Fort Watauga .- The garrison at Fort Watauga consisted of about forty men, commanded by Captain James Robertson, with Lieutenant John Sevier second in command. A number of fugi- tives, women and children, had taken refuge in the fort. Horses, cattle, and such valuables as could be moved, had been brought to the
...
BATTLE OF FORT WATAUGA.
fort for protection. On the day after the battle of Island Flats, July 21, 1776, the second division of the Indian force, somewhat more than three hundred strong, commanded by Old Abraham of Chilhowee, reached Watauga about sunrise, and immediately attacked the fort. They were repulsed with severe loss, the amount of which could not be accurately ascertained, as the Indians bore off their dead and wounded. After the repulse the Indians rapidly retreated.
93. Incidents of the Battle .- On the morning of July 21st, the women, in accordance with the good old pioneer custom, began at daybreak their daily task of milking the cows. Suddenly the alarm
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WASHINGTON DISTRICT.
was given that the Indians were approaching. A rush was made for the fort. History has failed to record the details, but we may well imagine that some of the women attempted to save a few favorite cows by driving them into the fort. Perhaps this delay gave time for a party of Indians to approach. We know that the Indians pursued the flying women, and fired upon them, fortunately without effect. One of the most beautiful and charming of mountain maidens has become separated from the others. She is cut off from the entrance, yet she does not depair. Blithe, active, and swift of foot, she runs like the frightened doe, and makes for the nearest point of the fort. But, nimble and swift as she is, the athletes of the forest are close behind, and gain upon her steps.
A handsome, manly officer is giving orders to his men, when he hears a cry, and turns to behold this thrilling race. He rushes to the rescue. He springs upon the stockade just as the breathless maiden reaches it below. With one hand he shoots down the foremost of her pursuers, while with the other he assists her in the leap over the stockade. "Bonnie Katie Sherrill" surmounts the breastworks and falls exhausted in the arms of John Sevier. So says trustworthy tra- dition. It was not long before "Bonnie Katie Sherrill" was Mrs. John Sevier. 1
94. The Invasions Continue .- In addition to their two main col- umns, the Indians had organized two other formidable armies to fol- low up the invasion. One of these, under the command of Raven, learning of the result of the battles at Island Flats and Watauga, and finding that the inhabitants had taken refuge in strong forts, withdrew after committing ravages. The fourth party invaded the settlement at Carter's Valley, dividing into small parties and laying waste the country. One of these parties attacked Rev. Charles Cum- mings and four white men. After a skirmish, in which one white man was killed, the Indians withdrew.
95. The Southern States Combine .- The plans of Great Britain had now come to be understood. The Southern States perceived that it was the purpose to destroy the western settlements which had served as the "rear-guard," and then to invade all the Southern States from the West. They determined to make a concerted move- ment in force to invade the homes of the hostile Indians. Accord- ingly, Col. William Christian, with a Virginia force, reinforced by North Carolina troops under Col. Williams and Major Winston, moved
1 Putnam, p. 52; Roosevelt, Vol. I, p. 292; Rear Guard of the Revolution.
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
to attack the Cherokee towns. Simultaneously, Gen. Rutherford, with 2,400 North Carolina troops, moved along the route since known as Rutherford's trace. Col. Williamson, with a strong force from South Carolina, assailed the Keowee towns of the Senecas, and the towns of the Cherokees east of the Unaka Mountains. Col Leonard McBury, with a Georgia force, invaded the Indians along the Tuga- loo, and penetrated westward. All these expeditions were successful. The Indians were defeated wherever they offered resistance. Many of their towns were destroyed, and their country laid waste. Pros- trated and humiliated, they sued for peace. Truce was granted by the several commanders, and it was agreed that arrangements should be made for a meeting of representatives to establish a general treaty of peace.
96. Avery's Treaty, or the Treaty of Long Island .- As the result of the events above narrated, two treaties were made; one at De Witt's Corner with commissioners from South Carolina and Geor- gia, the other at Fort Henry near Long Island in the Holston River. with commissioners of Virginia and North Carolina. The two States entered into separate treaties with the Indians. The treaty in which we are interested is styled: "Articles of a Treaty of Peace, Made and Concluded at Fort Henry, on Holston River, near the Long Island, July 20, 1777, between the Commissioners from the State of North Carolina on Behalf of the said State of the One Part, and the Subscribing Chiefs of That Part of the Cherokee Nation Called the Overhill Indians of the Other Part." This treaty provides that peace shall forever exist between the contracting parties; and that all prisoners of war shall be released; prescribed regulations for inter- course and trade between the whites and Cherokees, and for the adju- dication of controversies; and designates the boundaries between them, somewhat extending the area of the lands leased by the settlers. in 1772, and subsequently purchased in 1775.1 . James Robertson was appointed Indian agent by the Commissioners, to reside with the Cher- okees, for the purpose of putting the treaty into successful operation.
1See paragraph Si, ante; Map of Indian Treaties; Haywood, pp. 501-514.
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