MAKING THE AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED JAMES DOUGLAS ANDERSON MAKING THE AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED "Every age and every nation has certain characteristic vices, which prevail almost universally, which scarcely any person scruples to avow, and which even rigid moralists but faintly censure. Succeeding genera- tions change the fashion of their morals, with the fashion of their bats and their coaches; take some other kind of wickedness under their pat- ronage, and wonder at the depravity of their ancestors." — MACAULAY. "// / were to begin life again, I would go on the turf to get friends. They seem to me the only people who bold close together. I don't know why; it may be that each knows something that might bang the other, but the effect is delightful and most peculiar." — HARRIET, LADY ASHBURTON, tO LORD HOUGHTON. GREAT BRITAIN Foaled, 1910, at Edenwold Stud which embraces part of the Donelson farm where Grey Medley first stood in Middle Tennessee, in 1800. A modern illustration of the thoroughbred made by long established methods set forth in the succeeding pages. See pages 94, 287. MAKING THE AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED;,, Especially in Tennessee, 1800-1845 BY JAMES DOUGLAS ANDERSON INCLUDING REMINISCENCES OF THE TURF BY BALIE PEYTON WITH NOTES BY THE AUTHOR PRINTED BY THE PLIMPTON PRESS, NORWOOD, MASS. 1916 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY JAMES DOUGLAS ANDERSON PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY THE PLIMPTON PRESS, NORWOOD, MASS. TO MR. WALTER O. FARMER WHOSE GENEROUS ASSISTANCE MAKES POSSIBLE THIS BOOK IT IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 69GS1 1 THIS BOOK AND BALIE PEYTON THE original purpose of this volume was to show the extent to which the raising and racing of thoroughbreds was carried on in Tennessee during the first half century, or more, of the State's existence. Investigation developed that the breeding and turf interests of Tennessee were so interwoven with these interests in other states, the scope of the volume had to be enlarged to the point indicated by the title. Most books about thoroughbreds of the period con- sidered here are devoted chiefly to the science of breeding and methods of training and to the physical well-being of the horse, and are of interest only to horsemen. This volume endeavors to emphasize the effect that all these theories and experiments had on the customs and habits of the people. The labor system, the code duello, the religious camp- meetings and the open-house hospitality, of the "ante- bellum" South have all been given their just share of attention by historians. But the origin, growth and ex- tent of the thoroughbred industry have not, as far as I have observed, received any consideration whatever by any book purporting to treat of life in any Southern state. In this volume will be found material upon which the historian of the future may base a chapter on "The America of Sir Archy," or "The Tennessee of Leviathan," that will rival in interest Green's chapter on "The Eng- land of Shakespeare." In the absence of available facts viii This Book and Balie Peyton to support such a chapter it would not be credited. Hence the details. In all the literature of the period under consideration it appears that the then widespread interest in the thor- oughbred was largely due to the generally known record of distinguished ancestors, both in America and England, on the race course, and in the stud. It is, therefore, nec- essary, in order to know the thoroughbred as our ante- bellum forefathers knew him, to present him not alone as an individual, separate and apart from others, but as the representative of a line running back through many years of honorable achievement. Both the subject matter and the index have been prepared with special reference to this point; and the accomplishments of all the prin- cipal progenitors in America and England, of almost every horse named in this volume, may be easily ascertained and the meaning of a pedigree fully understood. Interest in these pedigrees will be enhanced by the illustrations of noted foundation sires, among which the most prominent American families of the post-Revolutionary and later periods are fairly represented. In the matter of pedigrees I have consulted Weath- erby's English Stud Book, Joseph Osborne's (English) Hand Book and Breeder's Guide; and American Stud Books by Edgar, Skinner, Wallace and Bruce; also cer- tificates contained in advertisements not accessible to any of these authors. All the material differences found in the statements of pedigrees in these publications are duly noted. By using the same source of information — news- paper advertisements — from which hundreds of ancient pedigrees have been collected into stud books, I have added to the list of stallions that stood in Tennessee many names not mentioned in any other volume. The body of the book, I think, will show the extraordinary This Book and Balie Peyton ix care I have taken to avoid errors, which the duplication of names and the mistakes of other writers make it al- most impossible to escape. Whatever may be the demerits of the book I claim for it the fruits of original investigation. No one of the six stories I have written is in any sense a re-hash of any other account in any publication similar to this. In col- lecting material I have been rendered great assistance by many persons in various sections of the Union, to all of whom I express my deepest gratitude. Among this num- ber are Capt. B. M. Hord, Maj. George B. Guild, Hon. J. W. Byrns, Dr. John M. Bass, and Messrs. Percy Kinnaird, John H. DeWitt, W. E. Beard, R. C. Brien, Robert Dyas, M. L. Lewis, Clark Kirkman, Franc M. Bath, John Donelson, and Calvert Brothers, photogra- phers, all of Nashville; Dr. J. C. Baker, Col. J. B. Malone and Mr. Harry Franklin, of Sumner County; Mr. Dun- can Kenner Brent, of Baltimore; Mr. James P. Needham, of Washington, D.C. ; and Messrs. H. M. Lydenberg and V. E. Schaumburg of New York. Mr. C. R. Kilvington, of Nashville, and Mr. B. A. Rowe of the Plimpton Press, have been of valuable aid in advising as to the details of manufacture. There is one other whose influence is most manifest by what does not appear in the book; but for fear that what remains of my inferior capabilities should be accepted as the full measure of her judgment and superior attainments it is perhaps best that I should not call her name. Of Hon. Balie Peyton, whose pen and predilections for the turf have given to this volume many interesting fea- tures, it is appropriate that I should speak. The record of his public services has been written in several books and need not be followed here in detail. He was lawyer, orator, diplomat, statesman, patriot, soldier, breeder and x This Book and Balie Peyton turfman. His most notable gift was that for public speaking; his most prominent traits integrity, affability, courage and kindness; his strongest passion love of country; next to that, love of a race horse; and next to that, love of a horse race. In his first campaign for Congress he practically won his election by his opening speech; at the end of his second term, in 1837, he voluntarily retired; and although he was but 34 years old he had distinguished himself throughout the Union as an orator, and as a leader, bold in initiative and inflexible in execution. Personally, there was not a more popular man of his day. In dedicating one of his publications to Peyton, J. S. Skinner said of him: "He is in his own spirit and char- acter exemplary of what is best and most excellent in men." "Few lives," wrote one of his fellow townsmen, "have exhibited more of the excellencies of human character and fewer short comings than did the life of Balie Peyton." "He had a richly gifted intellect," wrote another of his contemporaries, "but his heart seemed always greater and deeper than his mind. Free from all jealousy, he gloried in the triumphs of his political and personal asso- ciates and was always exuberant in heralding their achieve- ments, while apparently forgetting his own." In his "Reminiscences" he did not exploit his own achieve- ments, and turf literature is much the poorer by his modesty. In several Presidential campaigns his talents for public speaking and statesmanship were drafted into service in many states North and South. In New Orleans, he was made President of one of the Jockey Clubs. Four Presidents of the United States, by tendering him appointments, attested to his character This Book and Balie Peyton xi and ability. Tyler asked him to become Secretary of War, but the position was not to his liking. When war came with Mexico, however, he did not wait to be asked to go to the field of action. There he became Chief of Staff of Gen. W. J. Worth, after his own regiment of Louisiana and Alabama men had been recalled by Presi- dent Polk. At Monterey it became necessary for Gen. Worth to communicate with General Taylor on the opposite side of the city, and Peyton was chosen for this errand. Mounted on a thoroughbred by imp Fop, presented to him by his friend, Lucius J. Polk, Peyton, though con- tinually under fire, his horse bounding at the bursting of each shell near him, performed the trip at a dead run and in safety. For this and other acts showing his courage and efficiency he was favorably mentioned in Gen. Worth's reports and was voted a sword of honor by the State of Louisiana. With modesty and true sportsman- ship he always credited the success of his trip to his horse. In March, 1837, after the adjournment of Congress, Peyton came home by way of Richmond, Virginia, his purpose in going there being to see Priam who had just arrived from England. From Nut Bush, North Carolina, he wrote The Spirit of the Times an account of this trip. On the way out to the farm where he thought Priam was, he met a stranger, whom he felt convinced was the man he was on his way to see. He "inquired and it turned out to be so, which proves that one thoroughbred horseman will know another, as Falstaff knew the true Prince." Peyton introduced himself, only to learn that Priam was at the Half- Way House, between Richmond and Peters- burg. Back to Richmond he went and in half an hour was on his way to the Half-Way House. Upon reaching Priam's stable, "I approached," he said, "and while the door was unlocking felt that painful anxiety, arising from the apprehension of disappointment, — of not realizing xii This Book and Balie Peyton those expectations which we feel on being ushered for the first time into the presence of the great — of those of whom we have read and heard. But the first impres- sion was a pleasing relief from all such fearful forebod- ings. Priam is a rare instance of a great name bearing acquaintance without losing * the enchantment which dis- tance lends.' How few great men there are of whom this can be said! No judge of form who saw him would wish to go to books and racing calendars to learn his superior- ity as a race horse. There it is before you — a plain case — written in old English characters too legibly to be mis- understood." After discussing at length the many points of merit in the horse Peyton closed his communication thus: "In fine I can say that taking him all in all I have never looked upon his like before and never may again, unless he is destined to leave a son who will — ' Rise the Hector of the future age, So, when triumphant from successful toils, Of heroes slain, he bears the reeking spoils, Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim, And say this chief transcends his father's name.' "This fellow I mean to rear myself, and to silence all dispute I claim the name in advance: Hector b.c., got by Priam, out of ; raised by yours, "P.ofT." This resolution Peyton did not forget three years later when he named his entries in the Peyton Stake. After leaving Congress in 1837, Peyton was absent from Tennessee, except on occasional visits, until 1859. During all that time he kept up his thoroughbred busi- ness, under the management of his brothers, Holmes and "Ran"; after they died, his son, Balie, assisted by Judge Thomas Barry, looked after the horses. This Book and Balie Peyton xiii During the war, when the master himself had control, he heard the Federals were headed his way, and he knew what their coming would mean to four of his highly prized colts. Removing the furniture and carpet from the dining room, and putting in a thick layer of straw, he had the colts led in, the doors locked and the window- blinds barred. In this way he saved them from the ma- rauders, but they got his favorite brood mare, Noty Price, by Cost Johnson, son of Boston. One of these colts, Blacklock, afterwards distinguished himself. Because of his opposition to secession and his neutral- ity during the war, Peyton was able to render valuable services to his Sumner County friends by standing as a strong rock between them and the Federal General, Payne. Among others, his neighbor, Rev. B. F. Ferrill, of the M. E. Church, South, was released from jail through his instrumentalities. One who was present when Peyton called on Payne in behalf of an excellent woman who had appealed to him for protection, is authority for the state- ment that if Payne had not then yielded to Peyton's demand for the woman's release, there would have been no diplomatic postponement of affirmative action on his part. In 1869-70 Sumner County sent Col. Peyton to the State Senate, to use his influence in bringing order out of chaos. Later he took an active part in promoting the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876, confident that it would tend to obliterate sectional animosities. Perhaps his last public address was delivered by invitation before the Tennessee legislature in furtherance of this patriotic movement. Col. Peyton had now passed threescore years and ten and the sand in his glass was running low. The passing of the old order had brought new alignments in political, xiv This Book and Balie Peyton legal and business circles; new problems that demanded the best energies of younger men who must need build for the future. This is the heaviest penalty age has to endure. Others had paid it to Peyton, and now when younger men exacted it of him, he yielded with good na- ture and becoming grace. And it would seem, that dur- ing all the years of his absence in other lands he had not forgotten that the time would come when, in the race with younger competitors, he would have to pull up outside the distance and retire. At any rate, it was his good fortune, such as comes to but few men, to spend his declining years amidst the scenes of his earliest associa- tions. Followed always by a pack of hounds, he walked, or rode his favorite saddler, a gray, through the fields and woodlands where for nearly half a century his horses had grazed; and here he dwelt with pleasant retrospec- tion on their qualities and the incidents they had brought into his life. Pupils who attended his daughter's school at Station Camp at this period still retain vivid recollections of the kindness and consideration that convinced them that Col. Peyton was the greatest man in the world. But there were stronger ties than these that bound Peyton to this land which his father, a Revolutionary soldier, had won from the savage. It was his birthplace, his first play ground. It was here that he first heard the stories of Revolutionary and Settlers' wars, that fired his young heart with a desire to serve his country. Here he had lived the first years of his married life; here his children had spent their infancy; and here, after his elec- tions to Congress, he had received the plaudits of admir- ing friends. But the old home place was not without its sorrow- laden memories. Here, on Christmas Day, a young This Book and Balie Peyton xv daughter had met a violent death. Here he had pre- sented to young Balie the Louisiana sword, and had bid him farewell and gazed after him with tear bedimmed eyes as he rode away to join the Confederate army, never to return. Thoughts of these events were ever in his mind, but they only tightened the cords that bound him to Station Camp. It was, indeed, good fortune that he, the last leaf upon a tree, should fall on soil consecrated by cherished recollections of the past. In midsummer, when the harvest was ripe, he was cut down, and his friends and neighbors who loved him because he was a good man, came and put him away under the sod over which he had played when a barefoot boy. J. D. A. MADISON, Davidson County, Tennessee. February 6, igi6. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. SPEAKING GENERALLY i II. ENGLISH ARISTOCRATS 18 III. FIRST FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA 30 IV. HARDY TENNESSEE PIONEERS 42 V. KNEE DEEP IN CLOVER 66 VI. SUMNER COUNTY, BREEDING CENTRE 96 VII. TENNESSEE AND NORTH ALABAMA 114 VIII. GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK 129 STORIES OF EIGHT FAMOUS RACES: AMERICAN ECLIPSE vs. HENRY 151 POST BOY vs. JOHN BASCOMBE 164 ANGORA vs. RODOLPH i?5 THE LEVIATHANS vs. THE LUZBOROUGHS AND OTHERS ... 184 THE PEYTON STAKE 194 FASHION vs. PEYTONA 208 THE RACE OF THE OLD KING 219 A DIPLOMAT IN PIGSKIN 224 REMINISCENCES OF THE TURF (PEYTON): I. GREEN BERRY WILLIAMS BEGINS His CAREER ... 231 II. WILLIAMS' VIRGINIA CAREER 235 III. SUMNER COUNTY RACES, 1804-05 239 IV. PRESIDENT JACKSON'S ORDERS AND REMINISCENCES . 243 V. WILLIAMS' TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI CAMPAIGNS 248 VI. WALK-IN-THE- WATER, A REMARKABLE RACER .... 253 VII. HAYNIE'S MARIA AGAINST THE WORLD 258 VIII. TENNESSEE OSCAR, A HORSE WITHOUT A RIVAL . . 266 APPENDIX: Letters from Andrew Jackson to Rev. Hardy M. Cryer 271 ADDENDA 275 INDEX . 289 ILLUSTRATIONS l PAGE Sir Charles Cover Design Great Britain Frontispiece The Darley Arabian, The Godolphin Arabian 20 Flying Childers, King Herod 32 Matchem, O'Kelly's Eclipse 44 Highflyer, Gimcrack, Imp Citizen 68 Imp Diomed, Sir Archy 98 Timoleon, American Eclipse 115 Imp Leviathan, Imp Glencoe 130 Rev. Hubbard Saunders, William Williams, Montgomery Bell 143 Andrew Jackson, William R. Johnson, George Elliott .... 152 John Bascombe, Boston 166 Lucius J. Polk, Hugh Kirkman, Andrew J. Donelson .... 176 James Jackson, Rev. Hardy M. Cryer, W. G. Harding ... 186 Jesse Cage, Jo C. Guild, Balie Peyton 196 Fashion, Sir Henry Tonson, Imp Priam 210 Wagner, Grey Eagle, Lexington k 220 1 See Addenda A. MAKING THE AMERICAN THOROUGHBRED CHAPTER I SPEAKING GENERALLY "BEING in the midst of the winter's blast," wrote Gen. Robert Desha, of Sumner County, to the New York Spirit oj the Times, on February 8, 1839, "there is noth- ing doing with us as regards that manly and gentlemanly amusement, the sports of the turf, to which Sumner County, from the earliest period has been and continues to be so much devoted. Every week brings us your valuable sheet, which is a rich delicacy amidst the com- mon fare of our table. Like the old soldier we sit by the fireside and talk of comrades of other days; the battles they have fought and victories won. We talk of those now on the field and those who are to come after them. In these discussions we exhibit the feelings common to man when we maintain that our county, Sumner, has produced, is producing and will continue to produce as good and as many race nags as any county in the United States." "This, I suppose, is the acknowledged centre of the race horse region," wrote William Giles Harding from Belle Meade to The American Turj Register, on June n, 1839. "Blood stock here is all the go. To be without it 2 Making the American Thoroughbred is to be out of fashion and destitute of taste. So I, too, have procured a little of the real grit which by-and-by I hope to increase." This thoroughbred industry had come to Tennessee from Virginia and the Carolinas — principally Virginia — where it had flourished since pre-revolutionary days from the same causes which later made it "all the go" in Tennessee and other Southern and Southwestern States. The English thoroughbred was a discovery — the result of scientific experiment. His speed and agility and his ability to stand heat and hard service, though weighing only about eight hundred pounds, attracted the attention of scientists, both in England and the United States, to his anatomy, especially to the solidity of his small bones and muscles and to his lungs, neck and shoulders. His value as a commercial asset was quickly perceived. He fit into the needs of the times and his importation into Virginia was based on business necessity and economy and was in the natural order of events. When not engaged in the library, or in some public assembly protesting against British oppression, Colonial Virginia lived out of doors. Fox hunting was a popular sport; the thoroughbred was the very thing for the chase. In harness and under the saddle he solved the problem of rapid transit in ease and comfort. For over- land travel he was the fastest medium known. Through- out a period when cross-country trips, forty, fifty, or a hundred miles, to visit friends or attend political or re- ligious conclaves were of daily occurrence, the thorough- bred was considered as indispensable as all other more rapid means of conveyance have been regarded since. Practicing lawyers and judges on their circuits, pastors and elders on their rounds and bishops on their annual visitations found in him continual pleasure; not the least Speaking Generally 3 part of which sprung from a feeling of companionship so common to horse and rider on long journeys through nature's heart. With both young men and young women in the young South horseback riding was a fashion and an art long since displaced. In seeking to checkmate his rival who rode a thoroughbred the gallant who did not was apt to win no greater stake than an invitation to his own "funeral." No creation of man's ingenuity in devi- sing means of transportation has ever excited greater pop- ular interest or wrought a greater or more beneficent influence upon the customs and habits of the people. What the half-tone is to literature the thoroughbred was to the entire social fabric. He raised existence above the humdrum and the commonplace. He gave a new mean- ing to life — a new reason for sunshine and green grass. To determine the best stock to breed from, tests on the race course were deemed necessary. "We can only judge correctly of the intellectual and moral worth of our great men when we view them on the world's stage in competi- tion with distinguished competitors," said Gen. Har- ding. "Without a theatre the world could never have known those distinguished delineators of human character whose names now fill many an honored page in human history. Without a race course the breeder could not know the superior horses and the best strains to propa- gate, and without this knowledge his improvement would cease and deterioration begin. The race course is a neces- sity." This was the view of breeders generally, from the foundation of the industry in the United States, and the same rule has always prevailed in everything from cab- bages to kings. In these tests of individual types and families, with the view of propagating the best stock, competition and ri- valry between owners, communities and states as to the 4 Making the American Thoroughbred respective merits of certain individuals and strains of blood was inevitable. Thus, it was reported in the 1830*5 that the controversies then going on in Kentucky between the "friends" of Medoc and the "friends" of Woodpecker, and, in Tennessee, between the partisans, respectively, of Luzborough and Leviathan, were as intense as were the controversies between the Whig and Tory parties of olden time. These rivalries furnished several generations that had no exciting pastime except war and hunting, the "manly and gentlemanly amusement, the sports of the turf." For be it remembered that in all ages and in all climes men will have diversion from their daily routine. The native Hawaiian who, standing erect on a plank, rides the waves for a mile, into shore, is controlled in his inborn- love of excitement, risk and adventure, by his environ- ment; but not less so than were the people of the South who, before the appearance of modern sports, found on the race course an opportunity for recreation based upon business necessity and economy and attended with that uncertainty of results which exhilarates every human endeavor — in war, in politics and in all commercial and professional pursuits. The race course was the natural product of conditions — as much so as the cotton gin and the slave trade. Indeed, it would have been very remarkable under conditions then existing, if horse rac- ing had not become the great national amusement. Prior to the Revolution, an old chronicle tells us, "races were established almost at every town and con- siderable place in Virginia: when the inhabitants almost to a man were devoted to this fascinating and rational amusement: when all ranks and denominations were fond of horses, especially those of the race breed: when gentle- men of fortune expended large sums on their studs, Speaking Generally 5 sparing no pains or trouble in importing the best stock and improving the breed by judicious crossing." Under these circumstances Virginia, between 1758 and 1 790, produced the best race horses, the best driving horses and the best saddle horses known in her history. So, long before Virginia became the Mother of Presidents she was the dam of the thoroughbred that presidents could not withstand. Here Jefferson and the Murat of his administration, Randolph, met Washington and Henry Clay on common ground. Nor was the United States Supreme Court, nor the Army, nor the Navy, immune against attack of this fecund sporting germ. Racing was the sport of kings. And where kings lead deuces always follow: in politics, religion and corner groceries it is even so. It was the spirit of rivalry above alluded to, added to the commercial necessities of the times, that made the thoroughbred the "fashion" in Colonial Virginia and paved the way for his introduction into the wrestern country by an immigrant population from the older states. The thoroughbred moved westward with the star of Empire as fast as conditions permitted. The interest aroused in "that manly and gentlemanly amusement, the sports of the turf" in Middle Tennessee was not due to the creative influence of any one individual, as many suppose; it was in the atmosphere then, as the automobile is now, and it followed the emigrant wagon from Han- over's slashes to the Rio Grande. In promoting their industry Tennessee breeders, as well as those of other states, in the 1830*8, were wont to tell of the thoroughbred's superior qualifications for war. They pointed to several European conflicts — the inva- sion of Europe by the Turks and their subsequent invasion of Italy — in which the Turkish progenitors of the Eng- 6 Making the American Thoroughbred lish thoroughbred made the Turkish cavalry invincible although opposed by trained and disciplined troops. The efficient aid rendered by Light Horse Harry Lee's cavalry to Gen. Greene, in time of stress, was made possible by the speed and endurance of the thoroughbred. In the Florida wars it was demonstrated that he could stand heat and hardship better than a mule and live on less. While scrubs died by the hundreds every son of Pacolet and Tennessee Oscar and other Tennessee thoroughbreds came through in good condition and was turned back to the Government at Tampa Bay. These views were more than confirmed a quarter of a century later. "Never did blood tell with more effect than in the beginning of the late Civil War when the suc- cesses of the Southern cavalry proved more than equal to the North, two to one. But towards the close of the war when the well-bred horses of the South fell into the possession of the Northern cavalry this superiority failed to appear. A thorough scrub is incapable of either speed or endurance." In this opinion, expressed by Gen. W. G. Harding, ex- Confederates and ex-Federals, generally will concur. Gen. Forrest had similar views. In his pursuit and capture of Gen. Straight he demonstrated the superi- ority of the thoroughbred over the draft horse of the North. Gen. Morgan owed his escape on one occasion to Black Bess, a Kentucky thoroughbred, and her cele- brated 20-mile run from Lebanon to Carthage, under a burning sun. The wonderful achievements of Stuart's cavalry would have been impossible without the use of thoroughbreds. Success and life itself often depended upon the slender thread of a pedigree. From Tennessee the thoroughbred industry passed on to North Alabama where it secured a strong hold. It Speaking Generally 7 did not obtain to a great extent in the far South, but here the fortunes made out of cotton and sugar enabled the racing branch of the industry to be developed more extensively than anywhere else in the Union except, perhaps, in Charleston, S.C. Brood mares that were owned in the far South were generally kept in North Alabama or Tennessee but their foals were reared on the plantations of their owners. The number of these, how ever, was insufficient to meet demands of the high lords of the low country whose racing centre was New Orleans, "the Newmarket of the South." The winter race meet- ings at her three courses — Louisiana, Metarie and Eclipse — drew people from everywhere as the Mardi Gras did in more recent years. This had an important bearing upon the breeding industry of Tennessee. Nearly every good horse bred in Tennessee was eventually purchased for running in Mobile, Vicksburg, Natchez and New Orleans and other far Southern points. One hundred thousand dollars was paid for horses to run in New Orleans in December, 1837. "The prevailing opinion in the South," wrote Lewis Sanders, a prominent breeder of Gallatin County, Ken- tucky, in 1836, "is that Tennessee possesses more and better blood than Kentucky. Tennessee stock will fetch more money in the South than ours will. ... At the races two years ago, at Louisville, Tennessee stock had rather the advantage, though we beat them the 4-mile day with a Kentucky-bred horse." This preference of the South for Tennessee stock con- tinued. At the three New Orleans courses, on twenty days in December, 1838, there were 62 entries (44 horses) in the 25 races that were run. Thirty-one (17 horses) of these 62 entries were got by (or were out of dams by) one of the horses named in the list (in this volume) of 8 Making the American Thoroughbred stallions, that stood in Tennessee. In several instances both sire and sire of dam were of this Tennessee stock. The number of individuals and entries by Leviathan exceeded the number by any other horse. Notwith- standing this showing Kentucky produced many fine horses and in September, 1839, 250 thorough-breds were said to be in training in that State. On the turf, then, as in National politics, Tennessee was a pivotal State. Her race horses were not less famed than were her statesmen, her orators and her preachers. As the thoroughbred came to establish a distinct type of work horse in the South, he also created a distinct type of mule. His fatigue-proof and heat-proof qualities were a heritage from his Arabian ancestors. When this blood was transmitted to the stronger mule — as was first done in the colonies — it made him incomparable for the Southern plantation — 100 per cent efficient. In this way he contributed greatly to the growing of tobacco, rice, cotton and sugar, the greatest wealth- producing, mansion-building products of the South. Tennessee being a thoroughbred centre the production of mules for the Southern market came naturally out of the thoroughbred industry. Many Tennesseeans owned cotton and sugar plantations and supplied them with mules from Tennessee throughbred mares. Isaac Franklin, for instance, used Fairview in Sumner County, as a base of supplies for his several Louisiana plantations. Out of this thoroughbred industry, also, the trotter came by process of evolution — a fact too well known to require extended mention. But it may not be well known that the superiority of the thoroughbred horse gave an impetus to, if it did not originate, the im- portation of thoroughbred cattle, sheep and hogs. As admitted in the North, the South was far ahead of the Speaking Generally 9 North in improving other farm animals by thoroughbred importations. Instances: in the same ship that landed in New Orleans December, 1838, with thoroughbred horses for Thomas Alderson of Nashville and Lucius J. Polk of Mt. Pleasant, Thomas Flintoff, a race horse man of Williamson County, brought over eight prize sheep; and Cassius, a Durham bull, that was immediately sold to L. J. Polk of Mt. Pleas- ant and James Jackson of Florence, Ala., for $5,000. About the same time, at an auction sale of John H. Clop- ton's stock, near Nashville, J. W. Clay, a race horse man, Proprietor of Bellair, on the Lebanon road, and son-in- law of John Harding, paid $700 for a Durham cow; and H. P. Bostwick, of Williamson County, paid $626 for her yearling calf. About this same time, also, Henry Clay Jr., of Fayette County, Kentucky, sold a cow to some of his neighbors for $2,000; Thomas H. Clay paid $700 for a 2-year old Durham bull and William P. Curd of Fayette County, Kentucky, paid $500 for a pair of Berkshire hogs. Out of the popular interest thus aroused in all sorts of pure blooded stock grew agricultural shows and county fairs known in Tennessee in 1836, if not before. It was the spirit of the times, brought on by the thoroughbred horse, that caused Mark R. Cockrill, a Davidson County farmer and breeder of race horses, to capture premiums for the best Merino wool at the London Fair in 1851. Of the more than 100 race tracks, in the United States, each under the jurisdiction of its own Jockey Club, at which races were known to a contributor to The TurJ Register to have been run in 1839, it was said by this contributor that New Jersey had 4 tracks, New York i, Pennsylvania i, District of Columbia I, Maryland 3, Virginia 13, North Carolina 6, South Carolina 10, Georgia 5, Alabama 10, Mississippi 8, Louisiana 8, io Making the American Thoroughbred Arkansas 4, Tennessee io, Kentucky 17, Texas 2, Florida i, and Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana 6. Usually two, and often three, meetings of from 2 to 6 days were held each year at each of these tracks. Besides, there were many tracks without organized Jockey Clubs, and tracks from which no reports were made. Of the 1 60 public stallions (thoroughbred) whose loca- tions were known to the general public in 1839, 37 stood in Tennessee, 36 in Kentucky, 23 in Virginia, 17 in Ala- bama, 7 in Arkansas, 6 in Georgia, 5 in North Carolina and the remaining 29 in the other states named. This list embraces nearly all of the most celebrated stallions; for the custom then was to stand them wherever their services were most in demand, and to advertise them. Still, there were others not advertised; and, in addition, there were many of equal breeding but of less general renown. Of these 160 stallions 45 were imported and 11 of these 45 stood in Tennessee in the year named. The Doncaster St. Leger — named for Lieut.-Gen. St. Leger — was established in 1776; the Oaks, at Epsom, in 1779 and the Derby at Epsom in 1780. The Oaks, — named for the Earl of Derby's estate, near Epsom — was open only to 3-year old fillies; the Derby and St. Leger to 3-year old colts and fillies alike; the entries at Doncaster, however, being confined to 3-year old winners of the six months preceding. At the opening of the season in the spring came the Derby and the Oaks in the South, and at its close in September came the St. Leger at Doncaster in the North. The sectional rivalries common to the United States were manifest at these meetings, the people of the respec- tive sections — North and South — backing their own horses whenever the contests narrowed down to this point. Thus, in 1836, the South won $1,500,000 on Elis, Speaking Generally 1 1 the Doncaster St. Leger winner, Lord Bentinck alone winning £16,000. The "incredible sum" of $2,500,000 was said to have changed hands on the result — almost equal to a day on a modern stock "exchange" — so called. Between 1830 and 1840 the Doncaster St. Leger stake averaged, yearly, about $10,000. A few years later it varied between $18,000 and $24,000. The sizes of the Derby and the Oaks stakes were of corresponding dignity. The honors and emoluments of these contests attracted the bluest of the blue. For sixty years, or longer, they formed the centre of gravitation in the English breeding and sporting world, and the supreme test of speed, endurance, blood and type. It is no wonder, then, that from the beginning, down to 1838, the number of nominations for each of these stakes frequently exceeded 75 and ran as high as 131, and that the number starting frequently exceeded 20 and ran as high as 30. A knowledge of these facts is necessary to appreciate the progressive spirit of the Southern planter during the period under consideration. At a time when a hundred weight of cotton, a "ham of meat and a side of bacon," had to be used as a medium of exchange between neigh- bors, they went themselves, or sent agents, with gold, on long, tedious voyages and procured the cream of English aristocracy to use in building up the commercial interests of the South. While the best specimens of English horse flesh were contending for supremacy at Epsom and Don- caster, their brothers and sisters of the full and half blood, and other close kin, were fighting it out to the tune of "who lasts the longest" on the various race tracks between Beans Station and Memphis. An instance: at the same time that many of the get of imp Priam were entered for the three great English 12 Making the American Thoroughbred stakes, eight of his get were entered for the Peyton stake and three for the Trial stake at Nashville. Three of the entries got by Priam won the Oaks and a son won the Trial stake. Other instances are given in succeeding chapters. All together they show a spirit of enterprise not exceeded by that of any subsequent period in any line of business, in any section of the Union. In the publications current between 1830 and 1840 a diversity of opinion, which did not exist in earlier years, is noticed with reference to the wisdom of additional importations. The 4-miIer was then playing out in England — due to influences that had not yet obtained ascendency in America — and to avoid a similar fate here, many experts preferred to breed back as much as possible to the good old 4-mile stock of Jolly Roger, Janus, Morton's Traveller, Fearnought, Diomed and Medley — the fountain heads of Tennessee's foundation stock. As a general rule races were run in the Atlantic Coast States by horses owned in these states. West of the mountains the contests were between the horses of Ten- nessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Frequently ambitious owners from each of these sections crossed the barrier between them in quest of greater honors, but these were exceptional instances. Between Kentucky and Tennessee there appears to have been comparatively little intercourse. Conditions of settlement, trade and transportation, with which the reader is familiar, made Nashville and New Orleans closer together than Gallatin and Lexington, Kentucky. Where there were organized Jockey Clubs, purses were hung up, the average value of which was about the same in all sections from New York to Texas, with New Or- leans, perhaps, a shade more liberal. But these purses Speaking Generally 13 rarely if ever reached $2,000. Generally, the highest ones ranged from $500 to $1,000. Sweepstakes were popular on all tracks and usually offered the greatest inducements. As with the number of the breeders, horses, and tracks, the size of the purses increased from year to year. When neither sweepstakes nor club purses were believed to comport with the merits of a horse a challenge was issued to the whole world for a match race and an accep- tance almost invariably followed. Match races between the best horses were generally for some amount between $5,000 and $20,000; banters were frequently made — though none were accepted — to run for amounts as high as $50,000. These contests usually involved state and sectional pride and aroused great rivalry and excite- ment, but did not, of themselves, arouse personal or sec- tional animosity. Correspondence relating to a great match race between rival leaders of the turf was always couched in terms of courtesy believed to be due from one sportsman to another. The esprit de corps was strong, even among leaders of rival states and sections. In local rivalries the crust of formalities was frequently pierced by good natured jabs, as in the following: "To Col. Ramsey, Editor of The Knoxville Register: "In my absence some banters have been made through the columns of your paper by Molo against Traveller, representing that if either Cashier or Traveller wanted a race with Molo they could get it for one thousand dollars, over the Red Bridge track with their appropriate weights. Now, I have no thought that Molo wants a race with Traveller; if he does and will back his statement, Traveller can beat him for any sum from $500 to $2,000 over any track in East Tennessee, or if Molo will come to the Madisonville track Traveller will bear his expenses three weeks. As to Molo's insinua- tions in regard to his training or riding, Cashier does not understand him; but there is one thing he does undersatnd, that is, that he of- 14 Making the American Thoroughbred fered Molo a distance in four mile heats last Fall at the Red Bridge races, when he (Molo) was in training and Molo would not take him up. "Traveller can beat Molo or any other covering horse in East Tennessee that has made two seasons, and served thirty mares each season (as he has done), — three or four mile heats for any of the above mentioned sums; the Race to be closed by the ist Novem- ber next. "WILLIAM AINSWORTH." "MADISONVILLE, Oct. 5, 1836." "Chucky Bend, 2Oth Oct. 1836. "Col. Ramsey, Sir: "In your paper of the 5th inst. I see that Maj. Ainsworth has taken upon himself personally to banter Molo with his famous time horse Traveller. I will state a few facts and then propose a race . . How do you think, Colonel, I am to get out of this banter. Molo is now 10 years old and in the midst of his season. I see but one way and that is to follow the indications of your valuable paper. I see you have published in the same paper, — perhaps the second column to the left of the Major's banter, — that a steam doctor in North Carolina ' boasts that he has discovered a system by which he can make out of an old man a young man, and have enough left to make a small dog.' Now, if upon inquiry this aforesaid steam doctor can make out of an old race horse, that has been turned to the stable four years, a young one, and have enough left to make a small Jackass, I will agree to run it against Traveller, 4-miIes and repeat, for his highest amount $2,000. "JAMES SCRUGGS." In contests involving the reputation of a state or sec- tion or family of horses, persons making the agreement usually gave each other permission to draw on the respec- tive states, sections, or stock involved for an individual contestant. As often as otherwise, parties issuing and accepting a challenge for a great match race ran some other man's horse lent and trained for that particular occasion. In these great events money was of secondary consideration. Speaking Generally 15 In the names of the horses were reflected the prominent men and important events of that and past periods. Napoleon had more namesakes than anybody. Picton, also, kept Waterloo in mind and Kosciusko divided public attention between his victories and the fate of Poland. La Fitte found some treasures for his owner but caused much to be buried. Balie Peyton's Great Western marked the beginning of a new era in trans-Atlantic commerce. In Expunge we have a reflex of a long contest in the United States Senate. Janette beat Flirtilla and Marion in 1824 and the nation's guest, who witnessed the race, was fur- ther honored by the changing of her name to Virginia La Fayette. The rirpiimstflnr^ .that Iprf t.n the naming of John Bascombe indicate go fppHng nf pprsnnai antTpa,i .between race horse breeders and camp meeting orators^ Nor was Rev. Hardy M. Cryer so opposed to the turf and the theatre that he could view with calm philosophy the death of his favorite, Ellen Tree. Constitution and States Rights had not then been retired to the back pasture. Even at this early period on the American race track, if nowhere else, Rights of Woman contested with Rights of Man for the crown, and cast dark shadows of future events. Nor was Cupid idle through all these years. "Many a fair belle" — as the saying then was among deferential writers of the old school — read her fate in a filly's name and had her own preserved from oblivion by the achievements of her namesake. principal organ of this extensive industry was The Times, a New York weekly, established Dec. laving eight, sometimes ten, pages of three_col_ .umns eacK, ^,000 words" 10 the column^ W. T. Porter founded the^aper and was its e3rtoE The American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine was established by J. S. Skinner at Baltimore, in September, 1829, and was pub- 1 6 Making the American Thoroughbred lished there until purchased by The Spirit of the Times in 1839. Both publications were conducted on the same general lines. A feature of The Turf Register each month was a likeness of some famous thoroughbred. Its picture of Coronation, in the November number, 1841, was, the Editor said, "the first perfect specimen of electrotype engraving ever published in this country." It suspended publication in 1844. The first American stud book was compiled by Patrick Nisbett Edgar, of North Carolina, and printed in 1833. Of necessity it was incomplete and contained many errors. Before 1833, and for a long time thereafter, certificates made by breeders as to the foaling and parentage of horses accompanied them through each successive ownership, together with such amendments as occasion demanded. The Turf Register opened its columns to horse owners throughout the Union and printed from first hands every pedigree that it could obtain of every thoroughbred horse of any consequence. Pedigrees thus presented were ex- posed to the scrutiny of those who had personal knowledge that enabled them to correct errors. By continuing this practice throughout its existence this magazine laid up priceless records in regard to American horses of that and preceeding periods and became the principal source of in- formation for all compilers of stud books since that time. The first three pages of The Spirit were usually devoted to New York theatricals, the English turf and literary miscellanies relating to hunting, fishing and the chase; and extracts from the choicest popular literature of the day — such as " Pickwick Papers/' " Handy Andy," etc. The rest of the paper was given up to recording cur- rent events of interest to the breeding and race-loving world and to advertisements now valuable for their in- formation about horses and horsemen. Speaking Generally 17 The Spirit kept special representatives in the South at all times to look after the most important racing events and the business interests of the paper. Local corre- spondents responded to this generous policy and helped the cause along by sending notices of events to come and accounts of races, meetings, sales, and the movements and plans of breeders. Thoroughbred cattle, sheep, hogs, colt shows and other stock shows, county fairs and agri- cultural societies in Tennessee and other Southern States, all received their just share of space in this New York paper. Horsemen discussed the theories and principles of breeding, the value of certain crosses, native and im- ported, and the possible disappearance of the game 4- miler, and the best way to prevent it. In this way The Spirit became the medium of communi- cation — the connecting link — between the breeding interests of the entire Union. Tennessee was on the map in those days of progressive New York journalism and The Spirit wrote the names and character of Southern breeders high in the ranks of public spirited Americans. To turn the pages of this old paper is to live in another world, far distant from this, and form intimate friendships with the chief actors of a great drama, whose names, once household words in many states, are now unknown where their ashes lie buried. To call them back to earth and let them go through their parts again is to challenge the admiration of posterity for their services to the public, and secure for them an honored place in the history of their country. CHAPTER II ENGLISH ARISTOCRATS THE pedigrees of all thoroughbred horses of English stock now in the United States, or that have ever been here, whether native or imported, invariably trace to some of the horses named in this chapter. In this chapter and the next, in mentioning horses in descending lines from the main stems, names are confined as much as possible to offspring whose blood reached Tennessee stock. The relevancy of the facts set forth in the second and third chapters, to the main subject in hand, will be apparent when the reader passes to the remaining pages. The English race horse was originally bred from the Arabian, Barbary, and Turkish stocks and contained in his veins nearly an equal admixture of the blood of each. From the Arabian blood was acquired speed, from the Barb strength and stride, and from the Turk length and height. With stock from this cross established in Eng- land's more suitable climate it was soon found that it was safest to rely on it rather than upon continued orien- tal importations. So the English race horse came to be an established type entirely different from any of his oriental progenitors. In laying the foundation for this new type of horse the blood of many Barbs, Turks and Arabians was called into service. English Aristocrats 19 Curwen's Bay Barb was a present from Muley Ishmael, King of Morocco, to Louis XIV and was purchased by Mr. Curwen, together with the Thoulouse Barb, from two sons of Louis. Curwen's Bay Barb was the sire of many fine racers, among them being a mare that pro- duced (Croft's) Partner and Soreheels and the dam of Crab. Crab himself was by the Alcock Arabian and was the sire of many "eminent" horses. The Belgrade Turk was taken from the Bashaw of Belgrade, Turkey, at the siege of that place. The Prince of Lorraine's minister at the Court of London sold him to Sir M. Wyvills. The Straddling, or Lister, Turk was brought into England by the Duke of Berwick after he had been at the siege of Buda, in the reign of James II. He was the sire of Snake, so named from a snake-bite; Squirrel (own brother to the sire of the grandam of O'Kelly's Eclipse) and of the noted mare that bred Squirt and other famous horses. Other celebrated Turks that left their impress in the English blood were D'Arcy's Yellow Turk, The Alcaster Turk, The Helmsly Turk, The Marshall, or Selaby, Turk, The Strickland Turk and The Holderness Turk. The D'Arcy Yellow Turk was the sire of Spanker, Brimmer and the g. g. grandam of Cartouch. Place's White Turk was sire of the g. grandam of Cartouch. Place, the owner of the White Turk, was stud groom to Oliver Cromwell. THREE CORNERSTONES Of the large number of the earliest Arabian, Barb and Turkish importations the English discovered the curious physical fact that very few were good foal getters. The Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian were two 2O Making the American Thoroughbred notable exceptions. There were other good Arabians — among them being the Leedes Arabian and the Ogle- thorpe Arabian, — the latter so called for his owner, the colonizer of Georgia.1 But the Darley and the Godolphin Arabians were the most famous, and ever since their day the best English horses have been either imbued with their blood or derived entirely from it. The descendants of these Arabians have rendered the English courser su- perior to all others, not only in the race, where, indeed, he has long excelled, but as a breeding stock. These two Arabians and the Byerly Turk are generally known among horsemen as the three great cornerstones of the English thoroughbred structure. BYERLY TURK AND FAMILY The Byerly Turk was the most famous of all the Turks. He was used by Captain Byerly as a charger, in Ireland, in King William's wars, 1689; his pedigree unknown. He sired several noted horses, among them being Basto, dam Bay Peg by Leedes' Arabian; and Jigg, "a middling horse," dam by Spanker. DARLEY ARABIAN AND FAMILY The Darley Arabian was a blaze face bay, about 15 hands high, with both hind feet and one fore foot white. He was imported into England in 1703, when four years old, by a man named Darley, a member of "a Yorkshire sporting family" who was a mercantile agent in the Levant. The Darley Arabian got Flying Childers, Bartlett's Childers (both bred by Leonard Childers, near Doncaster) 1 This Arabian was the sire of the celebrated Makeless. The Leedes Arabian was the grandsire of Fox and others. THE DARLEY ARABIAN THE GODOLPHIN ARABIAN English Aristocrats 21 and numerous others from whom sprang the largest and speediest race horses ever known. Bartlett's Childers was never trained. Flying Childers and O' Kelly's Eclipse, the latter a great-great-grandson of the Darley Arabian, were the swiftest horses that have ever been in the world; and Sampson, descended from the Darely Arabian, through Childers and Blaze, was the strongest race horse the world has produced. FLYING CHILDERS was a bay with a blaze face and four white feet and is said to have been about fifteen hands high. He was foaled in 1715; his dam, Betty Leedes by Careless; — sister to Leedes by Leedes Arabian; — by Spanker; — Barb mare that was Spankers dam. Spanker was most all Barb. In 1721, when six years old and carrying 128 pounds, Flying Childers ran the Round Course at Newmarket, 3 miles, 3 quarters and 93 yards in 6 : 48 — equivalent to 4 miles in 7:09. In the same year, same weight, he ran the Beacon Course, 4 miles, I furlong and 138 yards in 7:30 — equivalent to 4 miles in 7:08. This, according to a Newmarket chronicle; its accuracy is, however, questioned by many doubting Thomases. The Editor of The Turj Register wrote that Flying Chil- ders, when six years old, at York, ran 4 miles in 6:48, carrying 128 pounds; and over another course of 4 miles, lacking 760 yards, he ran in 6:40. In the 6:48 race "he must have run at the rate of 51 feet 9 inches per second and at the exact rate of a mile in 1 142." He gave the famous horse, Fox, 12 Ibs. over the course and beat him one quarter of a mile in a trial. Childers' owner, the Duke of Devonshire, refused an offer for him of the horse's weight in crowns and half crowns. Childers covered but few mares, except the Duke of Devonshire's. He sired, among others: 22 Making the American Thoroughbred SECOND, dam by Basto. BLAZE, dam by Grey Grantham by the Brownlow Turk. SNIP, dam by Basto. Snip got Snap, whose dam was by Fox of Barb as well as Arabian descent. SPANKING ROGER, grandam by Spanker. ROUNDHEAD, dam Roxana by the Bald Galloway, a son of the St. Victor Barb. GODOLPHIN ARABIAN AND FAMILY The Godolphin Arabian was a brown bay, 15 hands high, with no white except on one heel. He was not a beauty. He was imported into England by a man named Coke and it was strongly suspected that he had been stolen, as no information would be given as to his pedigree or the country from which he had come — only the one fact that he had been foaled in 1724. Coke gave the horse to Williams, proprietor of the St. James Coffee House, and Williams gave him to the Earl of Godolphin by whom he was kept as a teazer to Hobgoblin in 1730 and 1731. Hobgoblin, on one occasion, refusing to cover Roxana, the Arabian was called into service, the produce being Lath, a "very elegant and beautiful horse," the "best racer since Flying Childers"; but an indifferent stallion. Until his death in 1753 the Godolphin served in the EarPs stud and got a yearly succession of prodigies, among them being, besides Lath: BLANK, dam by Bartlett's Childers. CADE and DISMAL, both out of Roxana. Cade was an indifferent racer but a fine stallion. CRIPPLE, gray, dam by Cade; g. dam by Childers. DORMOUSE, dam by (Croft's) Partner. JANUS, dam, the dam of Blank. MATCHLESS, dam by Soreheels, a son of Basto. Matchless was imported into South Carolina. REGULUS, dam Grey Robinson by the Bald Galloway. Regulus won seven King's plates when six years old and was never beat. English Aristocrats 23 He is generally referred to as the best son of the Godolphin. Also Babraham, Dimple and Gower Stallion. Lath, Babraham, Dismal and Dormouse won all their races. The Godolphin was buried with fitting ceremonies and cakes and ale were given at his funeral. Many writers have contended that he was a Barb. LIVE LINES OF DESCENT From these three cornerstones of the English thorough- bred structure — The Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian — the "live lines" of descent were through King Herod, Matchem and Eclipse. Repeating somewhat, to make clear the lines: The Byerly Turk got Jigg out of a Spanker mare; Jigg got (Crofts) Partner out of a Curwen Barb mare; Partner got Tartar out of a Fox mare; Tartar got Herod. The Godolphin Arabian got Cade out of a Bald Gal- loway mare; Cade got Matchem out of a Partner mare. The Darley Arabian got Bartlett's Childers out of a Careless mare; Bartlett's Childers got Squirt out of a Snake mare; Squirt got Marske out of a Blacklegs mare; Marske got Eclipse. (i) THE HEROD LINE KING HEROD was foaled in 1758, the property of Wil- liam, Duke of Cumberland. Cypron, his dam, was by Blaze. Herod did not come on the Turf until he was five years old, ran only at Newmarket, Ascot Heath and York and invariably ran 4-mile heats; his forte was bottom and strength which enabled him to carry weight. He ran fourteen races and won ten. Out of five races for a thou- sand guineas each,1 he won three. Between 1771 and 1789, 1 A guinea was about $5. 24 Making the American Thoroughbred 497 of his sons and daughters won £201,505, several cups and 43 hogsheads of claret. Three of his get won the Oaks. During the last six years of his life he stood at 25 guineas and 10 shillings. He died at Newmarket, May 12, 1780. FLORIZEL, foaled 1768, was by Herod, dam by Cygnet, a son of the Godolphin Arabian. Cygnet's dam was by Crab; — by Childers. Florizel was in the cele- brated class. He won 16 of 23 races run and got two winners of the Doncaster St. Leger and one winner of the Derby. WOODPECKER, by Herod, was foaled 1773 and was winner of 28 out of 35 races. His dam was by Cade. Woodpecker got Buzzard (winner of 28 races), who sired Selim, the sire of Sultan. Woodpecker sired one winner of the Oaks. He sired, in all, 176 winners of prizes worth £70,189, besides the Whip and two cups. HIGHFLYER, King Herod's most celebrated son, was foaled in 1774, the property of Sir Charles Bunbury and by him sold, when a yearling, to Lord Bolingbroke. Highflyer's dam was Rachel by Blank, grandam by Regulus; — by Soreheels; — by Makeless, out of a D'Arcy Royal mare.1 Highflyer won fourteen races, was never beat, never paid forfeit; nor did he ever run after he was five years old; yet his winnings and forfeits received amounted to 8,920 guineas. He stood one season as high as 50 guineas. He was the sire of 469 winning horses from 1783 to 1 80 1. Three of his get won the Derby and one the Oaks. 1 The frequent recurrence of the expression "Royal mare" in pedigrees relates to one of the Barb or Arabian mares (or their prod- uce) purchased for King Charles II by his Master of Horse, who was sent to the Levant in 1670 to select a lot of the best stallions and mares for Hampton Court stud. English Aristocrats 25 SIR PETER TEAZLE, by Highflyer, was the most cele- brated horse of his time and counted by some writers the best stallion that ever stood in England. Sir Peter's dam, Papillon, was by Snap, grandam by Regulus. Snap was one of the best race horses that ever covered in England and founded a strain almost equal to that of Matchem. He was of great beauty in form and propor- tions, strong, vigorous, and muscular and was not sur- passed in any respect by any horse of his day. The mares got by him produced more good race horses than the mares of any other strain in England. Twenty-one of them produced celebrated horses. Sir Peter was foaled in 1784, the property of the Earl of Derby. He won seventeen races; among them the Derby, in 1787; his losses not stated. He broke down at four years old, went into the stud and sired 296 winners of a far greater number of prizes between 1794 and 1808. Four of Sir Peter's get won the Derby, two won the Oaks and four the St. Leger. He died Aug. 10, 1811. For fifty years the descendants of Highflyer and Sir Peter Teazle were the best horses in England. ROCKINGHAM, another of Highflyer's most famous sons, foaled 1781, out of Purity by Matchem, was winner of 32 out of 35 races. (2) THE MATCHEM LINE MATCHEM, foaled in 1 748, was out of a mare by (Croft's) Partner. Matchem won ten races and lost two. Accord- ing to the same diary that records the achievements of Flying Childers, Matchem, in 1755, carrying 119 pounds, ran the Beacon Course at Newmarket in 7:20, ten seconds short of Flying Childers' time and equal to 4 miles in 6:58. On being retired to the stud Matchem attracted great attention. The continued successes of his get caused his 26 Making the American Thoroughbred owner to gradually increase the fee for his service until he stood at 50 guineas, the number of mares being limited to twenty-five, besides those of his owner, Mr. Fenwick of Northumberland. From 1764-1786, inclusive, 174 of Matchem's get won $670,870 in specie, independent of valuable cups and subscriptions. As a stallion he profited his owner $75,480. John Randolph wrote of Matchem: "He may be truly said to have earned more money than any other horse in the world. He was the greatest stallion ever known. He died February 21, 1781." He got one winner of the Oaks and one winner of the St. Leger. His son most distinguished as a sire was Conductor, sire of both Imperator and Trumpator. (3) THE ECLIPSE LINE O' KELLY'S ECLIPSE was out of Spiletta (by Regulus) out of Mother Western by a son of Snake full brother to Williams' Squirrel. Mother Western's dam was by Old Montagu; her grandam by Hautboy (by D'Arcy's White Turk), out of a daughter of Brimmer. Thus Eclipse inherited the blood of the two most distinguished Arabians. He was foaled, the property of the Duke of Cumber- land, during the great Eclipse of 1764. At the sale of the Duke's stud a man named Wildman, "a sporting sheep- salesman," purchased Eclipse, then a colt, for 75 guineas. Just after his victorious maiden race of 4-mile heats, on May 3, 1769, Col. O' Kelly purchased one-half interest in him for 650 guineas and, after his eleventh race, in 1 769 or 1770, purchased the other half for 1,000 guineas. Henceforth he was known as O' Kelly's Eclipse. He won eleven King's plates, ten of which weighed 168 pounds each. Carrying 168 pounds, 42 more than the standard of English Aristocrats 27 later years, Eclipse ran 4 miles at York, in 8 minutes. According to the accepted calculations of experienced turfmen that 7 pounds extra makes a difference of a distance of 240 yards in a 4-mile heat, Eclipse moved along at a swifter gait than Flying Childers.1 Eclipse "was never beat, never had a whip flourished over him, never felt the tickling of a spur, nor was he ever for a moment distressed by the speed or rate of a com- petitor — out footing, out striding and out lasting every horse which started against him." O'Kelly cleared $125,000 by him — winning 18 prizes. He withdrew Eclipse from the turf because no horse hav- ing a chance to win against him, the odds on him varied from 20 to 100 to i. Eclipse began his career as a stallion at 50 guineas a mare; reduced the next year to half that sum. In 23 years 344 horses got by him won for their owners $790,000. When requested to name a price for Eclipse, O'Kelly placed it at £25,000 down, in addition to an annuity of £500 on his own life and the privilege of sending to him annually six mares.2 Marske who had been standing for half a guinea and who was sold for twenty guineas, — after siring Eclipse 1 In 41 4-mile heat races of 1838, over the most popular courses in the United States, where the purse or prize was $1,000 or more, the average winning time was 8:12$; usual weights: 4-y ear-olds 100; 5-yearsno; 6-yearsn8; aged 124. How far these and better horses of their day and of-Iater times would have been left behind by Flying Childers or Eclipse is a question referred to those who like to make figures. 2 O'Kelly seems not to have been the favored son of mere luck. When Eclipse was about starting in the second heat of his first race O'Kelly placed him first and the others nowhere; and it was so. He bought an old hack mare by Tartar (of the Herod line) when she was past 20 years and cleared £30,000 by her ten produce, all by Eclipse; among them being Mercury and Volunteer. 28 Making the American Thoroughbred was sold for one thousand guineas and covered at one hundred guineas. Eclipse died February 27, 1789. An exact measure- ment of every part of his body was made and put on record. His height at the withers was 66 inches — about i6J hands; at the rump he was 67 inches. One of his hoofs was superbly set in gold, as a goblet; and nearly half a century later was presented by the King of England to the English Jockey Club. The tassel of "the Whip" was also said to have been taken from the tail of this renowned champion of the English Turf. Eclipse got three winners of the Derby and one winner of the Oaks. Among his get, besides Mercury and Volunteer, were: DUNGANNON, dam by Herod, g. dam by Blank. Dungannon won 27 out of 30 races. HALL'S ECLIPSE (imported into Virginia), dam by Regulus. KING FERGUS, dam by Black-and- All-Black; g. dam by Tartar. OBSCURITY, imported into Virginia, in 1784, dam by Careless (win- ner of ten King's plates), out of CuIIen Arabian mare. This Careless was by Regulus. PEGASUS, dam by Bosphorous by Babraham. Bosphorous won seven King's plates. SALTRAM, dam Virago by Snap, g. dam by Regulus. Foaled 1780. Won the Derby in 1783. Imported into Virginia in 1800. Also, Don Quixote, imported into Virginia; Janus, and PotSos; Scota, dam by Herod, and Vertumnus, dam by Sweeper, g. dam by Tartar. Sweeper was by Sloe, son of Crab. VALUE OF CROSSES During the lifetime of Sir Peter Teazle a book was printed anonymously, setting forth the main figures in the live lines of descent as here given. In the Herod blood, said the author of that volume, were united a strong constitution, celerity and lastingness — qualities English Aristocrats 29 "perpetuated" notably by Highflyer and his son Sir Peter Teazle. Their get, said this book, "inherit all the rare perfections that distinguish this noble race of blood. Highflyer mares are held in high estimation; Sir Peter mares cross well with the Eclipse class of blood. Wood- pecker mares have also produced good runners. To the Herod blood we must apply whenever we want bottom or lastingness. The descendants of Matchem and Eclipse cross better with those of Herod than with each other." As instances of the value of the Eclipse-Herod admix- ture he cites Beningbrough and Gohanna, by sons of Eclipse, out of Herod mares. All subsequent authorities take the same view; the early and continual beneficial results of these crosses has been the breeders' lode-star in England and America to the present time. In the horses mentioned in this volume the Herod-Eclipse cross has been the most frequent.1 1 For additional information about earnings of horses mentioned in this chapter see Addenda B at end of volume. CHAPTER III FIRST FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA THE greater number of thoroughbreds in the entire South and probably in the United States, in 1883, traced to some of the Virginia horses named in this chapter. This statement is made after a careful study of the pedi- grees of the 88 principal stallions in service in the United States in 1883, and the pedigrees selected, at random, of 139 thoroughbreds, bred or owned in Tennessee and Kentucky between 1888 and 1896, the full tide period of post-bellum activities in the thoroughbred industry in the United States, especially in Tennessee and Ken- tucky. JOLLY ROGER, known in England as Roger of the Vale, was the first horse that gave distinction to Virginia stock. He was foaled in 1741 and was got by Roundhead, dam by Croft's Partner; — by Woodcock; — by Croft's Bay Barb; — by Makeless; — by Brimmer, etc. He was im- ported into Virginia and commenced his career in the stud about 1748. He got many fine stallions and brood mares and his blood became a favorite cross in Virginia. JANUS, a chestnut and, from his shoulders back, the most perfect horse ever seen in Virginia, was foaled in England in 1746. His sire was Janus (by the Godolphin) dam by Fox; g. dam by the Bald Galloway. Janus was imported by Mordecia Booth of Gloucester County in 1752. In the third and fourth generations his descend- ants exhibited the same compactness of form, strength First Families oj Virginia 31 and power that characterized their progenitor. The Janus stock exceeded all others in the United States for speed, durability and uniformity of shape and were noted as the producers of more good saddle horses than any other stock. CELER, son of Janus, foaled in 1774, the property of Mr. Mead, of Virginia, propagated a stock equal in every quality to that of his sire. Celer's dam was a descendant of the Godolphin Arabian and the CuIIen Arabian. He died in 1802, aged 28 years. MORTON'S TRAVELLER, a bay, was foaled in Yorkshire, England, about 1748. His sire was (Croft's) Partner; his dam by Bloody Buttock's Greyhound, an Arabian. He had also the blood of Makeless, Brimmer, Place's White Turk and the Lay ton Barb mare. In 1754 Morton's Traveller was in the stud at Richmond Court House, Virginia. Many of his get became celebrated. PARTNER, foaled in 1775, was the most distinguished son of Morton's Traveller, both as a racer and as a stallion. Partner got Rockingham out of Gen. Thomas Nelson's imp Blossom by Sloe (son of Crab), dam by Regulus; Fitz-Partner, out of the dam of Celer, and — MARK ANTHONY, who was foaled about 1763. Mark Anthony's dam was Septima, by Othello, alias Black-and- all-BIack, and was descended from Spark who was pre- sented by Frederick, Prince of Wales, to Lord Baltimore, who gave him to Govenor Ogle of Maryland. Mark Anthony was remarkable for his beauty, speed and bottom and propagated a stock held in highest esteem for their various valuable qualities as turf, harness and saddle horses. Mark Anthony had a habit of standing erect on his hind feet at the starting post and "screaming" until the other horses started. He also habitually passed them; in one race he distanced all seven of his competitors. 32 Making the American Thoroughbred On other occasions he frequently rose on his hind feet and walked twenty or thirty yards. FEARNOUGHT, prior to the day of Medley, was the most famous of all the stallions in Virginia. He was foaled in 1755, the property of William Warren of England; his sire was Regulus, his dam Silvertail who had the blood of Darley's Arabian, Gresley's Arabian, the Helmsly Turk and a Royal Barb mare. Fearnought was imported by Col. John Baylor, of Virginia, and first stood as a stallion in 1765. He was a bright bay, 15 hands one inch high. All his descendants ran well and his sons and grandsons were noted for the excellence of their get. He died in 1776. Of his numerous offspring were: Apollo, out of an imported CuIIen Arabian mare; Dandridge's Fearnought; Harris* Eclipse, out of Baylor's imported Shakespeare mare; King Herod, out of an Othello; Matchless, out of a Sober John; Regulus, out of imp Jenny Dismal by Dismal; Whynot, out of an Othello, and — SYMMES' WILDAIR, out of a Jolly Roger, and who proved to be best son of old Fearnought. Among Wildair's get were Commutation, Highflyer and Chanticleer; the last named the sire of John Ran- dolph's Gracchus. Other distinguished stallions of Colonial Virginia were: imp Justice, imp Vampire and imp Merry Tom, all by Regulus; imp Juniper by Babraham; imp Ranter by Dimple, dam by Crab; imp Aristotle by the CuIIen Arabian; Sterling by the Belsize Arabian and Selim by Othello. None of these Virginia owned horses were more than 15 \ hands in height. In their day Virginia was famed for her saddle horses.1 1 To prove that the important thing in a horse was to have a well organized frame, with plenty of sinew, rather than sheer height and FLYING CHILDERS KING HEROD First Families of Virginia 33 FAMOUS IMPORTED MARES Among the famous mares imported into Virginia before the Revolution — besides Blossom and Jenny Dismal were: MARY GRAY, by Roundhead, imported 1746; owned by Carter Braxton. She produced seven filly foals by Jolly Roger. Through her daughters she gave the Flying Childers' blood to innumerable descendants and became the most celebrated brood mare in America. KITTY FISHER, by Cade. Imported by Carter Braxton. JENNY CAMERON, by a son of old Fox, and her daughter, Blazella, by Blaze. Besides mares mentioned elsewhere that were imported into Virginia after the Revolution, were these imported by Col. John Tayloe, of Mt. Airy: ANVILINA, foaled 1794, by Anvil, son of Herod, out of O' Kelly's famous Augusta, by Eclipse. Presented by bulkiness, The Turf Register in 1830-31 reprinted from The American Farmer a table showing the height of 134 of the most celebrated horses in England prior to the Revolution. Only one of the 134 was as high as 16 hands. Of the remaining 133 only one was as high as 15.3, five 15.2, twelve 15 hands. Twenty-nine were under 14 hands. Among others: Babraham was 16 hands, Blaze 15, Cade 15, Dormouse 14.02^, Fox 13. 03^, Gower Stallion 15.1, Jigg 14.0^, Second 14.02^, Tartar 14.3!, Marske 14.02^, Pacolet 13.35. Old Cartouch, by the Bald Galloway, was not over 14 hands, "yet no horse in the kingdom was able to run with him at any weights from eight to twelve stone." Neither Flying Childers nor Eclipse con- formed to the standards for symmetry but "the mechanism of Eclipse's frame was almost perfect. The velocity of his gallop could only result from the harmonious combination in the organs of pro- gression." In Flying Childers "the strength of loin and general compactness of form, upwards, doubtless supported his extraordi- nary reach and enabled him to make those wonderful springs recorded of him." 34 Making the American Thoroughbred Col. O'Kelly to Col. Tayloe and sold to Col. Alston of South Carolina. Also, Peggy, foaled 1788, by Trumpator, dam by Herod; and her daughter Brittannia by Pegasus; Flirtilla by Vertumnus, dam by Conductor; and Augusta by Saltram. By Col. John Hoomes: Volante by Volunteer, and Favorite by Volunteer, dam by Matchem. Among other mares imported into Virginia, before and soon after the Revolution, were one each by the CuIIen Arabian, Bartlett's Childers, the Belgrade Turk, Tartar, Volunteer, O' Kelly's Eclipse and Highflyer.1 To a more or less degree the blood of all these mares eventually reached Tennessee stock. POST REVOLUTIONARY SIRES Among stallions imported into Virginia after the Revo- lution were Pantaloon by Herod; Robin Redbreast, two Sir Peter Teazles, and Starling, all by Sir Peter Teazle; Seagull by Woodpecker; Spadille, St. George and St. Paul, all by Highflyer.2 The most famous sires of the post Revolutionary period were those sketched below. The LINDSAY ARABIAN whose name appears frequently in Tennessee pedigrees was presented by the Emperor of Morocco to the Captain of an English vessel who, en 1 Among importations of mares into other states were: three by Sir Peter Teazle, one by the CuIIen Arabian and one by PotSos into South Carolina and Nancy Bywell, by Matchem, into Mary- land. Still other importations, states not given, were: a mare by Cripple; one by Sir Peter Teazle, and one by Babraham. 2 Among importations of stallions into other states before and after the Revolution were Snap and Snipe by Snap; Prince by Herod ; Star by Highflyer; and another Sir Peter Teazle by Sir Peter Teazle — all into South Carolina, from which state many horses went to Tennessee. First Families oj Virginia 35 route to England, landed in the West Indies. Turned out for exercise the horse fell from a high elevation and broke three of his legs. The owner then presented the horse to a sea captain who lived in Connecticut, to which State the horse was taken in 1766. In 1777 or 1778 Gen. H. Lee, of the American cavalry, and his officers, were attracted by the superior form and appearance of some eastern horses employed in the cavalry. Upon inquiry the officers learned the story of the sire, as stated above. Gen. Lee then sent Capt. Lindsay to make more minute investigations with instructions to buy the horse if he answered the description given. The horse was purchased and sent to Virginia. He was white and of the most perfect form and symmetry, of lofty carriage and commanding appearance and proved a great success in the stud. Among his get was Gen. George Washingon's Magnolia (dam by imp Othello) who stood at Mt. Vernon in 1785 at £5.* SHARK, imp br. foaled 1771; by Marske, dam by Snap; — by Marlborough, full brother to Babraham and imp Selima; — natural Barb mare. Shark ran 29 races in England and won 19. Among his trophies were a gold cup, eleven hogsheads of claret and 20,000 guineas in plates, matches, forfeits, etc. "When no horse could be found in England to start against him," it was announced that he would be shipped to America, whereupon 10,000 guineas were publicly offered for him to keep him in England. He was imported into Virginia by Col. John Tayloe and 1 About 1790 at a Jockey Club meeting at Alexandria, Virginia, at which Washington acted as a judge in some of the races, Magnolia ran a race and lost. Thomas Jefferson was more fortunate; at this same meeting his horse called the Roan colt is said to have won. Washington later sold Magnolia to Gen. H. Lee for $1,500. Gen. Lee sent him to South Carolina and sold him for a handsome profit. 36 Making the American Thoroughbred died there about 1796, aged 25. Among his distinguished get were the grandam of Virginian, and the g. g. grandam of Sir Charles. MEDLEY was a son of the "little gray horse Gimcrack" who was foaled in 1760. Gimcrack's sire was Cripple and his grandam (some writers say dam) was by (Croft's) Partner. Gimcrack was one of the severest running and hardest bottomed horses that ever ran in England. He kept it up till he was n years old. Though 14 hands and one quarter of an inch he was able to carry great weight, frequently giving odds as high as 28 Ibs. Both in England and in France he "swept the deck" of his famous competitors. Four and five-mile races were his chief delight. Such was his • celebrity that his last owner left him for a long time at Tattersalls for close inspection by his enthusiastic admirers. Medley, foaled 1776, was imported into Virginia in 1785 by Malcolm Hart. Medley's dam was Arminda (full sister to Papillon) by Snap who was only 14 hands and one-half inch high. From Snap, Medley got his beauty, symmetry and strength. The want of size in the Medley stock was no obstacle to their success on the race course. They could carry more weight than other stock and they had better bottom, better limbs and better eyes than any other stock of horses ever bred in Virginia. This fact was due to their peculiar physical formation, and the purity of their blood, Medley being one of the purest bred horses ever produced in England. He stood at Hanover Court house. Col. John Tayloe who, be- tween 1791 and 1808, won 113 out of 141 races run by his horses, said that Medley was one of the most beautiful horses he ever saw and his stock the best in Virginia. Among Medley's distinguished get were Quicksilver, Young Medley, Melzar, Gimcrack and — First Families oj Virginia 37 BELLAIR, bred and owned by Col. John Tayloe, and Medley's most distinguished son, not only as a racer but for the purity of his blood and the success of his get as racers, stallions and brood mares. He had the blood of Fearnought, Partner, Mark Anthony and Morton's Traveller and their distinguished ancestry. His great grandam was imp Selima (full sister to Babraham) imported by Col. Tasker of Maryland. She produced 13 foals. Bellair lost only one race and that, when out of condition, to Gimcrack. In 1791 Col. Tayloe refused an offer of $10,000 for Bellair. He had numerous de- scendants in Tennessee. DIOMED was foaled in 1777, the property of Hon. Richard Vernon, of Newmarket, by whom he was sold to Sir Charles Bunbury. He was got by Florizel, dam sister to Juno by Spectator; g. dam by Blank; — by Childers; Miss Belvoir by Gray Grantham; — by Paget's Turk; Betty Percival by Leedes' Arabian; — by Spanker. Spectator's dam was by (Croft's) Partner. Spectator was by Crab. Diomed was 15! hands high and was a solid chestnut without white except on the heel of his right hind foot. He came on the turf in 1780 and in his first season won seven straight races one of which was the Derby at Ep- som (he was the first Derby winner) and another, a sweep- stake, of 500 guineas each, at Newmarket. Summing up his career; he won ten races and received one forfeit, was beat eight times and paid one forfeit. He was placed in the stud in 1785 at 5 guineas and in 1789 was raised to 10 guineas. In England he got 65 "most distinguished" sons and daughters, besides many others of lesser note. His son, Grey Diomed, was one of the most noted horses that ever ran in England; and in Russia he ran with such success that several of his stock were sent for from that empire. 38 Making the American Thoroughbred Diomed was imported into Virginia in the spring of 1789 by Messrs. Lamb and Younger who had paid 50 guineas for him. He had lost popularity in England because of the obstinacy of his get. Soon after reaching Virginia he changed hands several times, the price in one deal being 1,000 or 1,200 guineas. As the property of Col. M. Selden and Thomas Goode he stood two seasons at Goode's in Chesterfield and, it seems, was kept all his life in Virginia. Among the most renowned of Diomed's get in this country were: Ball's Florizel, dam by imp Shark, foaled 1802; Duroc, dam Amanda by Grey Diomed, 1806; Madison, dam by Chanticleer; Potomac, dam by Pegasus, 1801; Stump-the-Dealer, dam by imp Shark, 1801; Vir- ginius, dam by Chatham, grandam by Hall's imp Eclipse, 1805; and Sir Archy. Also the dams of Henry, Eagle, Corporal Trim and Sir Alfred; Bolivar's grandam; and others whose names are prominent in the early history of Tennessee stock. In 1831 a writer said that there was not a good horse in Virginia that did not have Diomed's blood, or that of one of his descendants in his veins, and in 1883 so eminent an authority as Mr. Bruce said, "there is scarcely a good horse in England today but what has some of his blood." Diomed died in Virginia in 1807 or 1808, leaving behind him "a name and a fame which will endure to the end of all time, and crowned with the laurels of the two great racing countries of the world, England and America."1 BEDFORD, foaled in 1792, was got by Dungannon, dam Fairy by Highflyer, g. dam by Young Cade; — by 1 Among the eminent Virginians who appreciated Diomed's qualities was Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello, bred by him, was by Diomed, out of a mare by Chanticleer best son of Wildair and best horse of his day. First Families of Virginia 39 Crab, out of the Warlock Galloway. He was bred by Lord Grosvener and was imported into Virginia by Col. John Hoomes. He was one of the best horses ever brought from England and left a numerous and valuable offspring. His blood was valued highly by Tennessee breeders, as evidenced by the frequency of his name in Tennessee pedigrees. THE GODOLPHIN ARABIAN OF AMERICA In 1779 Col. John Tayloe imported a brown mare, Castianira, by Rockingham, dam Tabitha by Trentham; g. dam (the dam of Pegasus) by Bosphorus. Together with shipping charges, Castianira cost $750. She made no distinguished figure on the turf and was soon withdrawn. Her second foal, by imp Diomed, was dropped in May, 1805, as the joint property of Col. Archibald Randolph of Ben Lomond, Virginia, and Col. John Tayloe. This was — SIR ARCHY, doubtless named for Col. Randolph. He was a blood bay with no white except on the heel of his right hind foot. He grew to be 16 hands. Sir Archy first appeared on the turf in 1808 when, having the distemper, he was more than distanced in a sweepstake at Washington, by Bright's Phoebus by Messenger. Col. W. R. Johnson, of Petersburg, Virginia, who witnessed the race, immediately purchased Sir Archy for $1,500 and under Johnson's management he won every race he ran. Johnson's challenge to run him against any horse in the world not being accepted, Sir Archy began his career as a stallion in 1810, as the property of Maj. A. J. Davie of Halifax County, North Carolina, who paid $5,000 for him. Later he came into the possession of J. D. Amis of Northampton County, North Carolina, who, in 1833, was quoted as saying that Sir Archy, in the stud, had netted him $76,000. In 1829 he stood at $100 to insure. 4O Making the American Thoroughbred In a list of 80 or 90 of Sir Archy's distinguished get it does not affirmatively appear that any one of them except Virginia Taylor was bred in a Northern state; all others — or nearly all — seem to have been produced in Mary- land, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. But after winning fame on the turf they carried the dynamic force of the Archy blood into the stock of all states, and gave to their distinguished sire the well-merited title, "The Godolphin Arabian of America." Among Sir Archy's distinguished get were: Bertrand, foaled 1821; Cherokee; Corporal Trim, 1825; Flirtilla, 1820; Gohanna, 1821; Henry, 1816; Industry, 1824; Isabella, 1821; Janette, alias Virginia LaFayette, 1820; John Richards, 1819; Kosciusko, 1812; Lady Lightfoot, 1812; Marion, 1820; Mucklejohn, 1827; Pirate, 1823; Reality, 1813; Sally Gee, alias Pandora, 1825; Sally Hope, 1822; Sea Gull, about 1815; Sir Archy, Jr., alias "Montorio," alias "Out-of-Transport," 1822; Sir Arthur; Sir Charles, 1816; Sir William, out-of-Transport; Sumpter, 1818; Tariff, 1824; Vanity, 1812; Virginian, 1813. Records at hand do not show that any of the above named horses served as stallions in Tennessee, or that any of the mares were owned here; but all of them, more or less, had descendants in Tennessee. Of Bertrand (bred by John R. Spann of South Carolina) Wallace wrote in 1867: "he was unequalled on the turf and in the stud had no rival" and "did more to improve the stock of Kentucky and Tennessee than any horse before or since his day." A short time before his death his owner James Lindsay, of Lexington, Kentucky, refused an offer of $35,000 for him. Of equal fame was Sir Charles, both on the turf and in the stud. Of the others in the list here given the following named were perhaps the most celebrated for their performances on the turf: Flirtilla, First Families of Virginia 41 Henry, Isabella, Virginia LaFayette, John Richards, Lady Lightfoot, Reality, Sally Hope, Vanity and Virginian. Sir Archy was most noted for his ability to get stock capable of winning at all distances, and this trait he trans- mitted to his sons to a remarkable degree. His daughters, also, proved true to the blood of their sire in producing stock of speed and endurance. More remains to be said of Sir Archy and many of his get. Here it is not inap- propriate to quote an announcement made between mourning border lines in The Turf Register of July, 1833: "EXTRAORDINARY COINCIDENCE — Death of Two Distinguished Characters on the Same Day. — Old Sir Archy and his son Sir Charles, by whose great achievements the fame of the sire was sustained and elevated, both expired on the yth of June. "Peace to their ashes! — Theirs was an enviable destiny. . . . "How few of us can boast of having so honestly acted well our parts as did these two noble animals. And well were they rewarded by the humanity of their owners, and the pleasures procured for themselves by the glory of their achievements."1 1 For additional information about horses mentioned in this chapter see Addenda C. CHAPTER IV HARDY TENNESSEE PIONEERS THE pedigrees of practically all thoroughbreds produced in Tennessee and Kentucky, and the pedigrees of a major- ity of all the thoroughbreds produced in the United States, between 1883 and 1896, trace to some of the horses named in this chapter and the next, as standing in Tennessee prior to 1845. As early as 1790, according to Killebrew's "Resources of Tennessee," the following named thoroughbred stallions were brought to Sullivan County, which joins Virginia: Stately, Milton, Genus (doubtless Genius), Flag of Truce, Don Quixote, Diomed and Peter Quicksilver. The leading men in this movement were Col. John Scott, Col. William Blevins and members of the Snapp, Tipton, Greene and Rutledge families. Killebrew gives no pedigrees, hence I am unable to identify any of the horses. The records show, however, that horses of these names were of this period. The only imported horse named Diomed was the sire of Sir Archy, and he was not imported until 1799. Though I can find no authority other than Killebrew for the statement above made, there is still indisputable evidence that the thoroughbred beat the Constitution to Tennessee; or, to state it another way — "the Con- stitution followed the flag" of the thoroughbred to Tennessee. Between 1790 and 1795 tne following named stallions (pedigrees given here as in advertisements) were adver- Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 43 tised in The Knoxville Register and State Gazette to stand in East Tennessee. The words in parentheses are mine. BRILLIANT (said to have been imported and by "old" Peacock); at John Gibson's near Bulls Gap; service 30 shillings and a bushel of grain. BRIMMER, by Old Clubfoot (by imp Janus) out of Doll Pearson by old Pearson; at William Cocke's; $6. CHATHAM, by old Chatham (said to have been bred by Lord Chatham) dam Venus by Olympus. Bred by Capt. Williams of Maryland. At Alexander Brown's, Jefferson County; season 20 shillings. LABURNAM, by old Laburnam, dam a full blooded Fearnought; at Hesekiah Bayles; Knox County. (Old Laburnam was by imp Lath by Shepherd's Crab. Old Laburnam's dam was by imp Jolly Roger). LEADALL, by Selo (evidently Celer) "out of a Janus and Fearnought, mare," at William Shelton's, German Creek. RAINBOW, foaled May 2, 1787, by Dandridge's Fearnought, dam by Dreadnought. Bred by Capt. Harrison, Brunswick County, Vir- ginia. At Charles Gilliam's, Knox County. RAVEN (said to have been by "imp" Raven); at Stephen Duncan's near Knoxville; $3 and a bushel of oats; 40 shillings to insure. YOUNG NORTHUMBERLAND, by imp Northumberland, dam by imp BuIIe Rock; advertised by John Adair and Robert Christian to stand season 1792 at John Adair's place near Knoxville; $3.50. (Imp Northumberland was by Bustard — probably the one by Crab. Imp Bulle Rock, imported in 1730, aged twelve years, was by the Darley Arabian. There were three native bred Bulle Rocks of later periods; one of these may have been meant, though the first was possible.) YOUNG ST. GEORGE, by imp St. George, dam " by the old Arabian who was imported and come out of the famous Rosetta." Season 1792 at James Manasco's and Lazarus Dodson's, Greene County; $2 and a bushel of corn. (The imp St. George referred to was most likely the one foaled 1771, by Dragon, out of a mare by Blank.) All of the horses hereinafter named as standing in Tennessee prior to 1840 descended from the Darley Ara- bian, or the Godolphin Arabian or the Byerly Turk, or 44 Making the American Thoroughbred from all three; this fact will not, as a rule, be further noted in pedigrees. Most all of these horses descended, also, from Herod, or Matchem or Eclipse, or from all three. Where the blood of any one of these three horses was prominent in a pedigree, and this fact does not other- wise appear, it will be indicated by the letters H, M or E as the case may be.^ STALLIONS BETWEEN 1800 AND 1810 The most noted stallions known to have stood in Tennessee between 1800 and 1810 were those named below. Except in one or two cases noted the cost of service did not exceed $30 and was always payable in cotton, pork, beef, cattle or other "country produce," as the equivalent of money. In this decade and the next, eight grandsons of O' Kelly's Eclipse and numerous representatives of the Herod and Matchem families laid a solid foundation for the Tennessee stock. "GREY MEDLEY, foaled 1791; got by imp Medley; dam by True Whig; g. dam Circe by Ariel. True Whig by Regulus (son of imp Fearnought) dam imp Jenny Dismal, by Dismal; g. dam by Lord Godolphin's Whitefoot. Ran at Tappahannock, Va., and taken to Tennessee." The above quotation from "Wallace's Stud Book" as to Grey Medley's dam and age is supported by the testi- mony of Dr. R. D. Barry. In The Knoxville Register and State Gazette of March 20, 1799, Dr. Barry advertised Grey Medley to stand that season "at the Brothers Cottage adjoining Knoxville, the seat of Dr. Claiborne." In that advertisement he stated that Grey Medley's dam was by True Whig — which is the main point of differ- ence between Wallace and Skinner. Dr. Barry also MATCHEM O' KELLY'S ECLIPSE Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 45 printed a certificate signed by Lawrence Muse, Secretary and Treasurer of the Tappahannock Jockey Club, and Col. John Tayloe, of Mt. Airy, Virginia, stating that on May 13, 1795, Beckwith Butler's Grey Medley ran as a 4-year old at Tappahannock, defeating four competitors. The season of 1800 Grey Medley stood at the farm of William Donelson, ten miles from Nashville, on the Gallatin road; and for several years thereafter at the farm of Dr. Barry, in Sumner County. In The Nashville Clarion of March, 1810, he was advertised to stand at William Blackwell's, Parson's Creek, Montgomery County; $8; $12. He was very vicious. Bred by Gov. Williams, of North Carolina. Tradition says that Grey Medley was the first thorough- bred stallion brought into Middle Tennessee. Quite to the contrary, yet worthy of consideration, is the state- ment made by Dr. Felix Robertson to Judge William Williams, in 1856, that about 1788 his father, Gen. James Robertson, brought from Maryland to Nashville "a thoroughbred — he thinks called Whynot." But it is generally believed that the thoroughbred industry of Middle Tennessee began with Grey Medley and mares already here in 1800 or brought soon thereafter.1 It is worthy of remark that Mr. W. O. Farmer's " Eden- wold," the one remaining thoroughbred nursery of any importance in Tennessee, embraces part of the William Donelson estate which is said to have witnessed the begin- ning of the thoroughbred business in this section. HORSES THAT OCCASIONED DUELS PLOUGHBOY, dk. b., foaled 1798; by imp Bedford, dam Miss Queenland by Gen. Daniel Morgan's celebrated 1 For other evidence on question here considered see " Panton's " statement, Addenda D. 46 Making the American Thoroughbred Paul Jones; — Selima by imp Jolly Roger; — imported mare by Matchem. Paul Jones was by Specimen (son of imp Fearnought), dam Filis by Gov. James Delaney's imp Wildair (reshipped to England) by Cade. Speci- men's dam (according to Erwin's advertisement) was Gen. Thomas Nelson's imp Blossom; Bruce says she was imp Jenny Dismal. Bred by Col. John L. Alexander, of Virginia; owned in 1805-06 by Capt. Joseph Erwin (or Ervin) and adver- tised by Corbin Lee, manager, to stand the season of 1806, beginning April 10, at Capt. Erwin's, Nashville; service 100 weight clean, merchantable cotton; 200 weight to insure. Following is an excerpt from this advertisement, which appeared in the Impartial Review during February and March — and possibly in January — 1806. "The prefent engagement with this horfe is such that he cannot be put to mares any fooner than the above ftated time — He is now engaged in a match of 3,000 dollars, half forfeit, against Gen. A. Jackfon's celebrated Truxton, to run on the 3d of April. — In a few days after the race he will be ready to receive mares, and be properly attended to. This race being one of very confiderable importance, will, no doubt, excite a very numerous concourfe of fpectators, who will then, if not before, be able to decide whether or not PLOUGHBOY merits the attention and preference of fportfmen and gentlemen breeders — Gentlemen who wifh to breed fine horfes would do well not to put their mares to horfes until after the race, as at that time it will be seen (barring accidents) whether or not he be the true bred racer." In a match between Truxton and Ploughboy, set for Clover Bottom in the fall of 1805, Capt. Erwin and his son-in-law, Charles Dickinson, had settled forfeit in a way satisfactory to Jackson. Statements credited to Jackson regarding the terms of settlement, which state- ments Erwin and his friends thought reflected upon Er- win's honor, started a bitter controversy about January i. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 47 Dickinson's first contribution to this controversy was a letter written to Jackson on January 10, and delivered after Dickinson's departure for New Orleans. Dickin- son's second contribution was a communication to the Impartial Review immediately after his return about May 2Oth. It was this article that brought Jackson's challenge, Dickinson's death, and a wound that caused Jackson great physical suffering at frequent intervals the remainder of his life — even in his dying hours. During Dickinson's absence the controversy raged in the columns of the Review — the impartial Review; it brought a caning to Thomas Swann from Jackson; and a duel between McNairy and Coffee, on March ist. The second match between Truxton and Ploughboy may have been arranged before the controversy started — there is no evidence extant on that point. But it is more than probable that it, too, grew out of this Quixotic quarrel. And it is certain that the intense feeling between the two factions found expression at Clover Bottom on April $d and made this Truxton-PIoughboy contest the most serious ever witnessed there. That everybody was expected and that standing room would — it was thought — be at a premium, is shown by the following advertise- ment that appeared in the ever impartial Review, March 15, 1806, and on divers dates thereafter: CLOVER BOTTOM RACE On Thurfday the 3d of April next, will be run, the greateft and moft interefting match race ever run in the Weftern country, between Gen. Jackfon's horfe TRUXTON 6 years old carrying 124 Ibs. and Capt. Jojepb Erwin's horfe PLOUGHBOY 8 years old carrying 130 Ibs. — These horfes run the two- mile heats, for the fum of 3,000 dollars. No stud horfes can 48 Making the American Thoroughbred be admitted within the gates, but such as contend on the TURF — and all perfons are requefted not to bring their dogs to the field, as they will be shot without refpect to the owners. March ift. 1806. Ploughboy was not advertised in the Impartial Review after April 3, 1806, nor in either of the two subsequent years. A possible reason for this may be found in the statement of Jackson quoted below. TRUXTON, foaled 1800; 15 hands 3 inches in height. Advertised by Gen. Andrew Jackson to stand seasons of 1807 and 1808 in charge of John W. Clay "on the hill adjoining town near the College seat"; $20 payable within the season; $30, longer credit, in "merchantable ginned cotton." In 1809 Truxton stood at Clay's at $50. In 1816 he stood at Will Trigg's stable, Gallatin, at $10; $20 to insure; all "notes payable to Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson." "We should be pleased to have a minute account of the performances of Truxton," wrote editor Skinner, of The Turf Register, in the December number, 1833, "but the following which we find in the tenth volume of The American Farmer is the only one we have. Every drop of his blood is to be prized wherever it is to be found." The article then quoted is one by Gen. Andrew Jackson and is as follows: "Truxton is a beautiful bay, full of bone and muscle; was got by the imported horse old Diomed, and came out of the thorough- bred mare Nancy Coleman, the property of Maj. John Verrell of Virginia. Truxton is, however, too well known to require minute description. His performances on the turf have surpassed those of any horse of his age that has ever been run in the western country; and, indeed, it might be said with confidence, that he is equal, if not superior, to Mr. Ball's Florizel horse, who was got by the same Diomed, and who now stands unrivalled in Virginia as a race horse. "Truxton, by old sportsmen and judges, is admitted to be amongst Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 49 the best distance horses they ever run or had to train. His speed is certainly known to all of those who have run against him. He has, on the most unequal terms, started against the very best mile horses in Kentucky and Tennessee, and beat them with great ease; and in no one instance has ever run with any horse, when he himself was in order, but he either could or did distance him with ease. Although the four mile heats is the real and true distance for Truxton to run, he has beaten Mr. Gordon's five mile horse, Jack-of-CIubs, and Mr. Cotton's Greyhound, both aged horses, with equal weights of 100 Ibs. on each, the single mile heats. "And lastly, to crown the much doubted speed of Truxton with his opponents, he beat, on only two sound legs, on the 3d of April 1806, over the Clover Bottom turf, the celebrated horse Ploughboy, who was never before beaten, and beating him without the assistance of whip or spurs. It is now no longer difficult for the numerous concourse of people who were present on that day to say 'whether or not Truxton be the true bred racer.' "Truxton's winnings, from time to time, from the most correct information, amount to at least twenty thousand dollars, and his colts are not inferior to any on the continent. "ANDREW JACKSON." Appended to this communication was this certificate signed by Samuel Pryor: "I do certify that I have trained the above mentioned horse Truxton, and with truth can say that I believe him in point of speed and bottom equal to any distance horse in America." And a certificate from Maj. John Verrell of Dinwiddie County, Virginia., in which he gave the pedigree of Truxton's dam as follows: "Nancy Coleman, was got by young Fearnought; her dam Latona, by old Partner; her grandam by the imported horse Jolly Roger; her g. grandam by the imported horse Skim, out of a Barb mare. "Given under my hand this loth March 1806. "JOHN VERRELL." In no account of the Jackson-Dickinson duel that I have seen is mention made of this last race between Trux- 5O Making the American Thoroughbred ton and Ploughboy; yet, no matter how good a loser Dickinson was under ordinary circumstances, Truxton's victory could not have failed to intensify his feeling against Jackson at the time he wrote the article which brought Jackson's challenge. OTHER RICH BLOODED SIRES BARONET, imp b. foaled 1785; by Vertumnus, dam Penultima by Snap; g. dam by Cade; — by Crab; — by Flying Childers. Imported into New York with PotSos mare, grandam of American Eclipse. As property of Walter Carr, James Martin and D. McGavock made season 1807 north of Nashville — "below the stone bridge on the road to McGavock's Ferry"; $15, $24. Empress, the grandam of the famous Ariel, was by Baronet. "Of all importations," says "Frank Forester," "none equalled him in elegance and finish." BURRAMPOOTER, by imp Dare Devil, dam by Symmes' Wildair. Dare Devil by Magnet son of King Herod. At Augustine Willis', West Harpeth, 1806; at David Squier's, Franklin, 1808. COEUR de LION, imp b., by Highflyer, out of Dido by O'Kelly's Eclipse. Foaled 1789; imported in 1800 by Col. John Hoomes of Virginia. Owned by Elisha Williams, then by his son, Judge William Williams. Stood three seasons in North Carolina, and after that in Davidson County, Tennessee, until his death in 1809. In 1807, 1808 he stood at the farm of Joseph Phillips, 7 miles north of Nashville; $25; $30. CRAWLER, foaled 1792; by Highflyer, dam Harriet by Matchem; g. dam by Regulus; — by Bartlett's Childers; Bred by the Duke of Graf ton. DOUBLEHEAD, by imp Diomed, dam Polly Medley by Grey Medley; 1807 at R. C. Foster's, three miles southeast of Nashville, "on the Jefferson road"; $20; $25; 1808 at Joseph Park's stable in Nash- ville; $25. At one time owned by Gen. Andrew Jackson. SOUR CROUT, imp b., foaled 1786; by Highflyer, dam Jewell by Squirrel; — by Blank; — by Second. Sour Crout was sire of Mambrino's dam. ROYALIST, imp red b. foaled 1790; by imp Saltram (winner of The Derby in 1 783) dam by Herod, grandam by Marske. Bred by The Prince of Wales; imported into New York; 1806 at Nashville; 1807 Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 51 (as property of Judge Robert Weakley, William Patton Anderson, and Joseph Coleman, first mayor of Nashville) stood in charge of J. W. Clay "on the hill adjoining town near the College seat." Anderson, for "most cogent reasons," advertised his half interest for sale at $2,500 cash or $3,250 in negroes, land warrants, young mares or geldings. Season 1808 at R. C. Foster's. Sold South, brought back and died 1814 in Williamson County, property of Hal Cook. STILL OTHER GOOD STALLIONS Other stallions of this decade were as follows: BIG QUICKSILVER, by Quicksilver, dam by Shakespeare. Owned by Simeon Buford; 1806 at Nashville; 1808 at Lower Ferry. BLOODY FLAG. Advertised by Simeon Buford to stand at Lewis Demoss' on Big Harpeth, 1808. Buford says he "was by my cele- brated horse, Union, out of the dam of President." BUOY, alias BUFORD'S DEFEAT. Advertised by John Park and David Barclay to stand 1807, "two miles east of Jefferson" ; few best mares $50; highest price of all stallions of this decade — except Truxton in one year. Judge William Williams said this horse was by Janus and got his name from his owner, Bowie. This Bowie was probably a member of the famous family of Bowie- knife fame that lived awhile (according to Cisco's "Historic Sumner County") near James Cryer's farm in Sumner County. One member, at least, of this family was a breeder in Mississippi or Louisiana in after years. CADE, by imp Fearnought, foaled 17 — ; died in Tennessee, aged 5 years. CHANTICLEER, by old Chanticleer; foaled 1798; died in Tennessee, the property of Richard Jordan. DRAGON (Cage's), by imp Dragon, dam by Truxton. Bred and owned by Reuben Cage, of Sumner County. ECLIPSE, by Hall's imp Eclipse, dam Phebe descended from Regulus and Snake; Maryland horse; 1806 at R. C. Foster's; 1808 at John CockrilPs "one and one half miles from Nashville on the Natchez road" — now Centennial Park. B. Bosley owned this horse at one time. FITZ MEDLEY, by imp Medley, dam by Symmes' Wildair; g. dam by Dandridge's Fearnought; 1804 at "Weakley's" in Davidson 52 Making the American Thoroughbred County; 1805 at "I. Hoopers," same county; died 1805. "He was grey and very fine." GREY DIOMED, foaled 1802, by imp. Diomed, dam by Flag of Truce; bred and owned by Daniel Barksdale "of Tennessee" — probably Montgomery County. PRESIDENT, ch. by Celer, dam by Mark Anthony. Owned by Simeon Buford, Nashville; 1807 at the upper ferry in charge of a "careful young man"; 1808 at Jesse Mayfield's "on the Franklin road near Judge Overton's." Buford boldly affirms in his advertisement that President beat Truxton in a 4-mile heat race at Clover Bottom "with 160 on each" and in Warren County, Kentucky, with "150 on each" — a quarter race. RODNEY, imp, foaled 1790, by Paymaster dam Nina by Highflyer. Imported into Virginia. Said to have stood in Tennessee. Pay- master sired the winner of the St. Leger in 1786. YOUNG DIOMED, ch. foaled 1804; by imp Diomed, dam Bellona by Wildair. Owned by Jesse Westmoreland; 1808 at Samuel Shannon's 8 miles north of Nashville. YOUNG McKiNNEY Roan, by old McKinney Roan by Celer. As property of William Roberts stood 1807-08 at John Shute's, William Simpson's and Col. Joel Lewis', Davidson County. Season pay- able "in produce, cotton, pork, beef, corn, rye, wheat, oats, whis- key or brandy." A communication from Judge William Williams to The Turf Register stated that IJryan O'Lynn and Dragon stood in Tennessee in the years named, and that the fol- lowing named horses stood in Tennessee — years not remembered — between 1805 and 1826: BOMPARD, foaled about 1796, by imp Obscurity, dam by imp Fearnought; — by imp Janus. DUNGANNON, imp b., foaled 1793; by Dungannon, dam by Conduc- tor;— by Blank; — by Crab. H. M. E. Imported in 1799 by J. Tayloe of Va. Stood in Sumner County. HEROD, imp gr., foaled 1792; by Young Herod son of Old Herod dam by Conductor; g. dam by Florizel; — by Matchem. Imported 1790 by John Hoomes of Virginia. Stood in Davidson County. HIGHLANDER, imp gr. foaled 1783; by Bordeaux out of Tetotum (winner of The Oaks in 1780) by Matchem. Imported into New York in 1794. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 53 TUP, imp b. foaled 1796; by Javelin out of Flavia by Plunder by Herod. Stood at R. C. Foster's. VOLUNTEER, imp ch. by Volunteer, dam by Whipcord own brother to Woodpecker. Bred by Col. O'Kelly. Imported 1794 by Col. John Tayloe, of Virginia. Stood in Rutherford County. In two letters written from "Poplar Grove," in 1856, and printed in "Frank Forester's," "The Horse of Ameri- ca," Vol. I, pp. 140-148, Judge Williams mentions as standing in Tennessee in early times — years not given — these horses not elsewhere included in the author's list: BUCEPHALUS, b., foaled about 1795; by Symmes' Wildair, dam by imp Shark; — by imp Medley; — by imp Fearnought. Bred by John Jones of Virginia, and owned by Col. Ed Ward. DIOMED (Ragland's), ch., foaled 1801; by imp Diomed dam Silverheels; — by imp Janus; — by imp Fearnought; — by imp Jolly Roger. Bred by L. Ragland of Virginia. DIOMED (Second), called Randolph's; gr. foaled about 1801; by imp Diomed dam by imp Clockfast; he by Gimcrack dam by Regulus. Bred by William Randolph of Cumberland County, Virginia. DIOMEDON, b., foaled 1803; by imp Diomed, dam by Hobb's Augus- tus. Bred by Capt. Ben. Ward of Nottoway County, Virginia. WILDAIR (Weakley's), b. foaled 1791; by Symmes' Wildair, dam by Fearnought. Judge Williams' list included, also, the following named horses that cannot be identified: Cross' Jupiter by Janus; Lewis' Comet by Harry Hill's Janus; Blake- more's Sterne; J. Thompson's Celer out of a Bellair; imp Childers — the "imp" doubtless error — and Suwar- row, said to be from Kentucky. There were three Jupiters by Janus. STALLIONS BETWEEN 1810 AND 1820 The most distinguished stallions of this decade were Top Gallant, Wilkes' Wonder, Tennessee Oscar and Pacolet. TOP GALLANT, a black legged bay, by Gallatan (best 54 Making the American Thoroughbred son of imp Bedford), dam by Symmes' Wildair; — by Black- and- All-Black; — by King Herod; — by imp Partner; — by Apollo. Bred by Hon. Thomas Blount of Jones County, Georgia, and purchased from him by Col. George Elliott about 1812 and stood until 1817, or longer, at his farm. He was then sold, possibly to Ken- tucky. Elliott paid $1,500 for Top Gallant as a colt — a large price for the time. WONDER, first named Hazard and later called Wilkes' Wonder, and sometimes Little Wonder, was by imp Diomed; dam Mary Gray by Tippoo Saib (he by the Lindsay Arabian); — by Goode's Brimmer; — by imp Silver Eye; — by imp Valiant; — by imp Jolly Roger; — imp Mary Gray by Roundhead. Silver Eye by theCuIIen Arabian; Valiant by Dormouse. Wonder was foaled about 1800 and was bred by Francis Eppes of Chesterfield County, Virginia. At Newmarket, Virginia, the spring he was four years old Wonder ran and won his first race. He lost his second because of a mistake made by his jockey, and ran second in his third race although laboring under the strangles. The next year he ran only five races, viz., Newmarket, Smithfield, Norfolk, Warrenton and Belfield, but won all of them. Among the horses he defeated was Monticello, bred — if not then owned — by Thomas Jefferson, and another horse by Diomed. The next spring he covered 75 mares and that fall defeated the famous Bumper and Agnes (both by Bellair) in a 4-mile heat race at Belfield — "hard in hand" when the track was knee deep in mud and water. At Norfolk he contended with Eolus by Bed- ford, Top Gallant by Druid and Monticello and Bumper, in a 4-mile heat race. He won the first heat, lost the second to Eolus by a head, the third by a few feet and the fourth by reason of a plate slipping. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 55 Wilkes bought Wonder after his second race and owned him when he ran his last. After that he was brought to Tennessee and stood at the farm of Rev. Hubbard Saun- ders, in Sumner County. Wonder's pedigree and per- formances as here given were taken from a handbill issued by Rev. Hubbard Saunders advertising Wonder for the season of 1813. Wonder died at Franklin in February, 1815, the day after arriving there from Sumner County. James Hicks, of Franklin, stood a chestnut horse from Virginia named Wonder by Diomed, in 1808, but he is said not to have been the Saunders horse. Wilkes' Wonder was a chestnut about 15 hands, and one inch high. His thigh was "rather lean for beauty but not for action. In every other point he was perfect," said Rev. Hubbard Saunders. He contributed greatly to the blood of Tennessee stock. His son, Young Wonder, was a fine horse and his daughter, Bet Bosley, was a famous brood mare whose name appears often in latter day pedigrees. Hazard, another daughter, was a fine brood mare, owned by Alex Ewing, of Davidson County. PACOLET, dapple gray, 15! hands high, foaled in 1806, was bred by Francis Eppes, of Virginia; sold for $179 to Col. W. R. Johnson who trained and ran him in all the races he ran before coming to Tennessee, where he was brought by Gen. Andrew Jackson at a cost of $3,000 to beat Haynie's Maria. He was by imp Citizen dam Mary Grey by Tippoo Saib. See WONDER. Citizen was by Pacolet by Blank; his dam Princess by Turk by Regulus; his g. dam Fairy Queen by Young Cade, he by Old Cade; his g. g. dam Black Eyes by Crab, out of the Warlock Galloway, by Snake; — by the Bald Galloway, etc., to the Byerly Turk. Citizen was foaled in 1785. He was 15 hands and one 56 Making the American Thoroughbred inch high. He won 19 races in England; 14 of them 4-mile races; 6 of them he won at three heats, beat- ing the best horses in England, and is said never to have lost a race when the heats were broken. He was sent to the West Indies, thence imported into North Carolina in 1803. In six years he covered 508 mares at $28 each, and netted his owner $10,000. He sired the dam of Sir Charles and the dam of Stockholder. His cross was highly esteemed in Tennessee. He died and was buried at Oaklands, the home of Col. W. R. Johnson, according to one authority; Bruce says he died in Ten- nessee in 1809. In 1814 and 1815 Pacolet was advertised by Gen. An- drew Jackson, Col. Edward Ward and James Jackson to stand at J. W. Clay's. In 1816 he was advertised by his owners, James Jackson and John Childress (or Childers) to stand at Clay's. In 1817 he stood at "the Flat below Nashville." Later he was taken to Mississippi but was brought back to Tennessee in 1821 or before as the prop- erty of Col. George Elliott, and stood at Elliott's farm until his death about 1825 or 1826. Service $20; $40. Pacolet was the sire of many horses and mares famed for their performances and their offspring. "Citizen," wrote Judge Williams, "had more accurate proportions and higher finish — a more game, Arabian look and carriage than any native or imported that I ever had the pleasure to look upon. Pacolet had the Arabian air but wanted something of his sire's finish in the shoulder. Yet his bearing was proud and lofty." OTHER DISTINGUISHED HORSES Other stallions that stood in Tennessee during this decade were: Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 57 BASHAW, by Grand Arabian; foaled in 1795, died in Tennessee 1819 the property of Mr. Ball (or Bell?) of Virginia. BOASTER, imp. b. foaled 1795; by Dungannon, dam by Justice. Imported in 1811 by Walter Bell of Winchester, Virginia, from whom he was purchased; i8i6at John Harding's on "old Natchez road"; $25; $40; 1819 at Henry Wade's 6| miles southwest of Nashville. Died same year. BRYAN O'LvNN, foaled 1796; by Aston dam by Le Sang; — by Regulus. Le Sang sired the St. Leger winner of 1777. Bryan O'Lynn imported into North Carolina by Gov. Turner. Stood at J. Shute's, Davidson County, 1811-12. Died in Georgia. CONQUEROR, b. foaled 1808; by imp Wonder (Cripple), dam by imp Saltram. H M E. Stood 1815 at Henry Cook's, Williamson County; $40; 1829 at HoIIan Davis', Williamson County. Died 1830. COOK'S BELLAIR, son of Tayloe's Bellair, dam by Hickman's Inde- pendence son of Fearnought. Williamson County. DRAGON, imp ch., foaled 1787; by Woodpecker, out of Juno by Spectator; — by Blank; — by Childers. Imported by Col. John Hoomes of Virginia. Stood at R. C. Foster's, 1811-12. Died 1812. FLORIZEL (formerly Grey Tail) foaled 1811; by Ball's Florizel, dam by Wildair. Property of W. B. and George Tankesley; 1819 at James Ridley's stable, "Pacolet's old stand," at the "lower ferry/' Nashville; 1826, as property of John M. Robert- son, stood at Joseph Scales' south of Nashville and at John Griddle's, McGavock's ferry. JACKSON, dk. ch.; by Wonder, dam by Nutall's Whiskey (by imp Saltram) out of a Bellair mare; 1815 and 1816 at Dr. Roger B. Sappington's, Nashville; $16. MESSINA, advertised by Dr. Roger B. Sappington to stand 1819 at John Harding's; pedigree not given. Cannot find this horse in Stud books. Probably MASSENA by imp Citizen; or the one by Pacolet, dam by Ragland's Diomed. OSCAR (Tennessee). See Peyton's "Reminiscences," No. 8. In advertising Oscar to stand season 1819 at his farm "adjoining" Nashville (service $20.) Dr. Roger B. Sappington, his then owner included certificates from prominent men who saw Oscar win one or more of the races referred to by Peyton. These men were Giles Harding, John Harding, Peter Randolph, Henry Wade, Alex Ewing, William Carroll, Dr. John Shelby and John C. Hicks. Dr. Shelby and Dr. McNairy diagnosed Oscar as the swiftest 58 Making the American Thoroughbred horse in the United States. In 1822 Oscar stood at Edwin Smith's three miles south of Nashville "on the main road to Franklin." After that he stood in Sumner County. Among his get were Prosperine, Napoleon, Columbus, Josephine, Bolivar and other fine runners. PHOENIX. There were two horses of this name on record as standing in Tennessee. One, according to Judge Williams, was "by Vene- tian, imp dam Zenobia, by Don Carlos, from Maryland." The other was by Dragon, dam Portia by Volunteer; — by King Herod. Imported into Virginia and died in Montgomery County, Tennessee, in 1819. Portia and another of Volunteer's get won The Oaks and Spread Eagle by Volunteer won The Derby. See EAGLE. STUMP THE DEALER, by imp Bryan O'Lynn, dam by Grey Diomed. H Bred by Mr. Alston, South Carolina. Advertised by John T. Macon to stand 1819 at Hugh F. Bell's, near Nashville. Fall season 1829 at N. P. Carter's on Lebanon road. STALLIONS FROM 1820 TO 1830 Besides Pacolet and Tennessee Oscar, whose services continued into this decade, the most celebrated sires were Stockholder and Timoleon. STOCKHOLDER, b.; by Sir Archy, dam by imp Citizen, g. dam by imp Stirling; — by imp Mousetrap; — by Harris' Eclipse; — by imp Janus; — by imp Fearnought; — by Apollo; — by imp Partner; — by imp Silver Eye; — by imp Jolly Roger; out of imp Mary Gray by Roundhead. Stirling descended from Highflyer, Herod, the Byerly Turk and Place's White Turk. Stockholder was bred by Henry Gotten of Halifax County, North Carolina. He made an "enviable reputa- tion" in Virginia. He was brought from North Carolina to Sumner County by O. Shelby, at a cost of $6,000. His first season in Sumner seems to have been in 1 825, when he stood at O. Shelby's; in 1826 he stood at Shelby's again. He cov- ered 135 mares his first season in Sumner, 120 the second and 1 60 the third. In 1829 he stood at the farm of Rev. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 59 H. M. Cryer; in 1834 at Stockley Donelson's, Hermitage; $40; $60; in 1835 at William Pillow's three miles south- west of Columbia. Thomas Barry, of Sumner, owned Stockholder for some time; sold him to Long Brothers of Christian County, Kentucky, for $4,000, and they sold him to A. B. Newsom for $4,500. Newsom took him to his farm and had his pedigree registered in the office of the Register of Deeds of Wilson County. In 1833 eight of Stockholder's get won 14 races, running 31 heats and 71 miles. In 1836, seven won 14 races, running 25 heats and 75! miles. In 1837, 16 of his get won 18 races, running 37 heats and 53 miles. From 1832 to 1840, inclusive, his get won 1 12 races. As brood mares Stockholder's daughters rivaled Pacolet's. TIMOLEON, foaled 1813; by Sir Archy, dam by imp Sal tram, g. dam by Symmes' Wildair; — by imp Fear- nought; — by imp Driver; — by imp Fallower; — by imp Vampire. Wildair's dam was by Jolly Roger. Driv- er's grandam was by Herod. From other sources, also, as previously shown, Timoleon inherited the blood of Herod; also of Matchem; and from several sources the blood of O' Kelly's Eclipse, the two Childers, etc. Fal- lower was by Blank, out of a Partner mare; Vampire was by Regulus, second dam by Partner. Timoleon's hind quarters appeared higher than his forehand in which respect, as well as in others, he bore a strong resemblance to his great grand-sire, O' Kelly's Eclipse. It was this peculiar conformation in Eclipse, together with his uncommon strength, that put his agility and stride upon a par. Timoleon was 15 hands 3 inches in height; a light chest- nut, his only mark a small star in the forehead. He was bred by Benjamin Jones of Greensville County, Virginia, and ran only in his third and fourth years. 60 Making the American Thoroughbred In 1816 he won the sweepstakes over the Petersburg, Virginia, course, mile heats in 1 147 and 1 148. In the same year over the same course he and Reality ran three heats of two miles each in 3 : 47, 3 : 48 and 3 : 49 — won by Reality. In 1817 over the same course they ran both heats of four miles when excessively heavy from rain, each in 8:04! — won by Timoleon. In February, 1818 Timoleon, owing to an accident, was stopped and for that reason was beat. This was the last race he ever ran, having proven himself the swiftest horse in Virginia — the victor over Reality and Lady Lightfoot. All in all he started in seventeen races, won nine, "walked over" for four and lost two. At three years old Timoleon was sold to Col. William Wynn of Petersburg, Virginia, for $2,500; the next year Col. Wynn sold him to Robert R. Johnson, brother of Col. W. R. Johnson, for $4,000, and ten days later offered $5,000 to get him back, believing him "superior to any race horse that ever turned a gravel on any race course in the United States." After Timoleon broke down he stood at Wynn's and Johnson's stables and in 1819 was sold for $4,300 to Col. David Dancy who later moved to Madison County, Alabama, taking Timoleon with him. In 1829 Timoleon, still the property of Col. Dancy, stood at the Nashville race track "two miles below town" in charge of William C. Davis, proprietor of the track; service $30; $50. In 1831 and 1832 he was back in Charles City County, Virginia, where, in the latter year, he got a certain horse named for a popular card game of that period — Boston. After his brother had sold Timoleon Col. W. R. Johnson, who had seen him run all his Virginia races, wrote that his performances at "from one to 4-mile heats would do Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 61 credit to the best runner in this country or in Europe; and his style of going, the most superior action, his size and blood, entitle him to rank first rate as a stallion." Results confirmed this opinion. Timoleon's son Wash- ington, at three years, beat the famous Henry, same age, in four heats, and was the best 3-year-old of that year. Another son, Hotspur, won all his races except the one in which he broke down to Flirtilla. His daughter, Sally Walker (dam by imp Dragon), was superior to all other racers of her time except Mons. Tonson. " Frank Forester" said Timoleon was the "best son of Sir Archy and progenitor of half the best horses in the country of the present day" - 1857. In 1838, ii of Timoleon's get won 20 races, running 41 heats and 120 miles. In the same years that Stockholder's get won 112, Timoleon's won in. Timoleon's reputation as a sire appears to have been founded on the performances of a comparative few of his get, — chiefly the performances of Boston. Boston was foaled in Henrico County, Virginia, the property of John Wickham, the eminent jurisconsult, of Richmond. At two years of age he was sold to Nathaniel Rives, of Richmond, for $800. In May, 1839, he was sold to James Long of Washington, D.C., for $12,500. Long subsequently sold half interest in him to Col. W. R. John- son. Boston was first trained by Capt. John Belcher, 1836-37; after 1838, by Arthur Taylor. His first jockey was Cornelius, a negro boy; his second Gilbert W. Patrick, and his third, Craig. His dam was by Ball's Florizel who never paid a forfeit and who, without feeling the touch of whip or spur, won every heat of every race he ran. His grandam was by imp Alderman by PotSos; his g. grandam by imp Clockfast. Boston was a trifle over 15 J hands high, a chestnut 62 Making the American Thoroughbred with a white stripe down his face and white stockings on his hind feet. After he got on familiar terms with fame he was called "Old White Nose." He had no beauty to brag on, but in strength, substance, bone and speed he was a prodigy. Time and time again did the proprietors of race tracks persuade his owners not to run him, as his entrance into any contest would destroy the sport. His owners offered to bet several English sports- men $50,000 to $40,000 that he could beat any horse they could bring from England. Declined. He started in 45 races, won 40, 30 of which were of 4-mile heats, nine 3-mile heats, and one 2-mile heats. Up to December, 1841, his winnings amounted to $49,500. In 1841 he covered 40 mares at $100 each. He won several races in 1842 and then retired from the turf sound and free of blemish. His career in the stud was no less remarkable than his success as a racer. In 1853, 27 of his get won 56 races, 131 heats, 230 miles; in 1854, 21 won 50 races, 109 heats, 245 J miles. "The Turfman," wrote Hamilton Busbey in Harper's Magazine in 1870, "judges a horse by his bloody his /orm, his deeds, and his produce; and judging by such, Boston is pronounced the greatest race horse that America ever produced." His right to first place in the Hall of Fame would have gone unchallenged but for the career of his own great son, Lexington; — this has occasioned difference of opinion among horsemen. It was through Timoleon, Boston and Lexington that the Archy blood was mostly transmitted to Tennessee thoroughbreds of the post-bellum period. All of Capt. James Franklin's foundation mares at "Kennesaw" were by Lexington, notably Nevada, dam of Luke Blackburn, sire of Proctor Knott. Gen. Harding thought Lexington a greater sire than any predecessor.1 1 For sketch of Lexington see Addenda E. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 63 OTHER NOTED STALLIONS Next to Pacolet, Stockholder, Tennessee Oscar and Timoleon the most celebrated stallions of this decade were: BAGDAD, brown horse of purest Arabian blood. Sold by Hassana de Gris, Minister to England from Tripoli, to George Barclay of New York, from whom he was purchased in 1823 by John Harding, representing a company of Nashville men, of which William Williams was Secretary. Price paid, $8,000. Season 1830 at Thomas Martin's, four miles on the Gallatin road; 1835 at Thomas Alderson's stable, Nashville. Bagdad sired several good horses but most sportsmen of that period preferred the Archys and Pacolets, and fought Bagdad. BLUSTER, imp dk. b., 16 hands, foaled 1808; by Orlando (son of Whiskey) dam by Pegasus; — by Highflyer. His fifth dam was Herod's dam. Whiskey by imp Saltram, out of Calash by Herod. Imported into Virginia; 1826 at Giles Harding's, 7 miles southwest of Nashville. Died 1828. Whiskey sired two winners of The Oaks. CONSTITUTION, dk. s., foaled about 1805; by imp Diomed, dam by imp Saltram. Stood 1825-26 at John Shute's. "Owing to the hardness of the times he will be suffered to serve at $25." Died 1827 in Bedford County. EAGLE, imp b., foaled 1796; 16 hands high; got by Volunteer out of a Highflyer mare. Bred by Sir Francis Standish. Imported into Virginia in 1812 by Mr. Bell. Season 1821 at Henry Wade's. Advertised by Montgomery Bell to stand season 1822 at John Harding's, Belle Meade. Eagle was a "short-race" horse but was very fleet. His winnings in England amounted to $933,373. He was full brother to Spread Eagle, who died in Kentucky in 1805, Eagle died in Kentucky in 1826. See PHOENIX. To show Mont- gomery Bell's enthusiasm for the thoroughbred this extract is made from his advertisement of Eagle, dated Dec. 15, 1821: "Eagle combines more power and beauty than any horse on earth — more even than human mind can imagine." MUZZLE DIOMED, by imp Diomed, g. dam by imp Fearnought. Said to have been first colt got by his sire after coming to Amer- ica. Bred by Col. William Nelson, Caroline County, Virginia; 1820 at Samuel Savage's three miles west of Columbia. Died in Georgia. 64 Making the American Thoroughbred NAPOLEON, ch. s., foaled 1815; by Sir Archy, dam by imp Sir Harry (winner of The Derby in 1798) son of Sir Peter Teazle; — grandam by imp Dare Devil. Bred in Virginia; purchased by Col. George Elliott and stood in 1825, and until his death in 1830, at Elliott's farm. Wallace says Napoleon's grandam was by Chanticleer. PEACEMAKER, by imp Diomed, dam by Black-and-AII-BIack (Othello) ; foaled 1801; bred in Virginia; sold to General Greer of Tennes- see and stood here in his latter years. He died in 1827. SIR WILLIAM (Clay's), ch. foaled 1816; by Sir Archy, dam Bellona by Bellair. Brought from Virginia to Tennessee; 1829 at J. W. Clay's, near Lebanon road. SIR WILLIAM (Richardson's) by Ball's Florizel, dam by imp Clifton; her dam by Old Celer. Bred by Gov. J. B. Richardson of South Carolina; 1829 at Jubal Richardson's near Newsom's Mill on Big Harpeth. This pedigree is from Jubal Richardson's adver- tisement. Other authorities say he was by Sir Archy. YOUNG TRUXTON, dk. b., 16 hands i inch high. Advertisement in Nashville Whig of 1822 signed by Gen. Andrew Jackson says: "Young Truxton was got by my celebrated running horse, Trux- ton, dam by Young Wildair, grandam by imp Master Stevens out of Capt. Alexander Ewing's fine brood mare." The General announced, furthermore, that Young Truxton would stand that season "at my stable where I now live" half of the season and the other half at the farm of the widow of William Donelson, ten miles from Nashville, on the Gallatin road. Also that the charge for service would be "300 pounds of good mer- chantable seed cotton or $18 in cash." Other good stallions that stood in Tennessee between 1820 and 1830 were: BAY DIOMED, by imp Diomed, out of a Wildair mare; 1825 at Maj. Colin Campbell's, Carter's Creek, Maury County. CUMBERLAND, gr., by Pacolet, out of Virginia by imp Dare Devil. Bred by James Jackson. Sold to Mr. Hyde of Davidson County. NASHVILLE, by Oscar, out of a Pacolet mare; 1 829 at stable of Joseph T. Elliston, Nashville. SIR JAMES, ch. s. 16 hands high; by Ball's Florizel, dam by Madison. Bred by Maj. Wm. Gaines of Virginia; 1826 at James Dabbs,' 4 miles east of Nashville. Hardy Tennessee Pioneers 65 WASHINGTON, by Pacolet, out of Rosey Clack. At O. Shelby's, Sumner County. YOUNG MEDLEY, by Harris' Young Doublehead. Owned by Henry Wade & Co.; 1829 at Robert Hills, Hillsborough, and several places in Davidson County. YOUNG WONDER, by Wilkes' Wonder. Stood at Wm. D. Phillips, seven miles north of Nashville and at David McGavock's ferry stable, in 1829. Phillips' advertisement said Young Wonder's dam was by Buford's President.1 1 For other information of Tennessee horses mentioned in this chapter, and others of early days not mentioned, see Addenda D. CHAPTER V KNEE DEEP IN CLOVER IN the breeding and turf interests of the United States, as a whole, the decade beginning with 1830 is marked with several interesting features: (i) increase in growth and popularity; (2) the continuation of the Archy family's monopoly; (3) the continuation of the rivalry between Archy and Eclipse stock; (4) the beginning of a long contest between the advocates of native and imported stock; and (5) the rise and supremacy of imp Leviathan. How Tennessee stock profited by these conditions will be told in due order. As far as the records show, from August, 1829, to Sep- tember, 1834, the get of only six imported stallions in the United States were among the winners, and these get won only 15 races. This supremacy of native stock was due almost entirely to Sir Archy and his numerous sons. They enjoyed a monopoly that is without a parallel, except that of the Godolphin Arabian and, perhaps, that of Lexington. This monopoly began in the early *2o's, before the records were kept in detail, and continued until 1840 or later. A few illustration will suffice. Forty-two native stallions were the sires of 137 winners of 234 races run between August, 1829, and December, 1830. Of these Sir Archy and 20 of his sons were the sires of 99 winners of 170 races, leaving the other 21 horses with 38 winners of 64 races. Thirty-one of Sir Archy 's sons were the sires of 186 Knee Deep in Clover 67 winners of 421 3-mile and 4-mile heat races run in the seven years between 1829 and 1837. The other 30 stal- lions, native and imported (named in the table printed in The Spirit of the Times, from which these figures were taken), that were not sons of Sir Archy, were the sires of 91 winners of 176 3-mile heat and 4-mile heat races. Of the 1 60 stallions advertised for service in the United States in the spring of 1839, Sir Archy got 21; was the grandsire on his sons' side of 43 and the grandsire on the dams' side of 13 — in all 77 of the 1 15 native bred stallions were Sir Archy Js sons or grandsons. Although the Archy blood showed no signs of giving out, and although good 4-mile horses in England were limited to a very few, many breeders believed that the infusion of new blood would be advantageous; and be- tween 1830 and 1840 many importations were made into the several states. Chief among these "progressive" breeders — and they were merely harking back to the old days — were James Jackson and Col. George Elliott. They had a hard tussle with the "reactionaries" of the Archy-Pacolet school, strongly entrenched, as these "reactionaries" were, behind the good results of long experience. This faction was largely in the majority in Tennessee and remained so for several years. Jackson and Elliott knew the power of the opposition, but followed their own bent, nevertheless. They met their opponents always on half-way ground and a few years' experience demonstrated the soundness of their judgment — if im- mediate results are to control. The Archy family, as such, continued their supremacy over every other family and over many families together. But as between par- ticular individuals of the Archy tribe and particular importations, the latter soon won recognition as the equals and, in many instances, the superiors of the 68 Making the American Thoroughbred former; and the offspring of these importations were actually permitted to graze in the same pasture with the Archys and Pacolets and romp and play on terms of per- fect equality. The success, as sires, of several of these early importations brought others from year to year, and in 1840 the foreign horses, not one-fifth in number, did more than one-half in performance. This according to "Frank Forester" who, in summarizing his tabulations in 1857, said: "It is indisputably proved by the above that a far less number of imported stallions have got a far greater number of winners than the American stallions, in the last eight and twenty years. And further, that the winning stock of the English stallions have won rather a larger number of heats and run a greater number of miles, each for each, than those of the Americans." Whether these results were attributable entirely to the new blood or, in part, to the "old reliables" with whom the imported horses were mated, is a question the writer leaves to others, while he keeps to the main point, viz. : the effect the conditions set forth above had on the Tennessee stock. Between 1825 and 1840 Sir Archy contributed to the Tennessee stallion class 17 sons, 14 grandsons in the male line and 6 in the female line — all in the stallion class. His mares not counted. So much for the Archy monop- oly. American Eclipse and six of his sons stood in Ten- nessee — so much for the rivalry between the Archys and Eclipses. To show the merit of other horses whose blood permeated Tennessee stock some comparisons must be made. The facts stated are fished out of " Forester's " tables which were compiled from reports in The Turf Register to show the relative rank of native and imported stallions, in the aggregate. "Forester's" tables differ some- what from those printed in The Spirit of the Times, Knee Deep in Clover 69 upon which the writer relies for some of the statements concerning races in certain years won by get of certain stallions. But both sets of tables are accurate enough for present purposes. RANK OF AMERICAN STALLIONS From August, 1829 to September, 1833, and again from September, 1835 to September, 1836 Sir Charles' get won more races than the get of any other stallion in the United States. Sir Archy was second in three years, Bertrand in one and Eclipse in one. From September, 1833 to September, 1834 Mons. Tonson led as sire of winners during that year. Bertrand was second. From Sep- tember, 1834 to September, 1835 Bertrand led; Mons. Tonson second. From September, 1836 to September, 1837 imp Leviathan led. Sir Charles had one more win- ner but one less of races — the number of races won being the standard of excellence here adopted. In 1838 Levi- athan led; Eclipse second. Leviathan first in 1839; Medoc (by American Eclipse) second. In 1840 Medoc led; Leviathan second. So it was in 1841. In 1842 imp Priam advanced to first place; Eclipse second. In 1843 Leviathan was first; Priam second. Their places reversed in 1844. In 1845 Priam led; imp Emancipation second. In 1846 Priam led; Leviathan and Glencoe had each 15 "winners." In 1847 Glencoe led, Wagner second, Leviathan third. In 1848 Leviathan was first, imp Trustee second, Wagner third. In 1849 Glencoe led, Leviathan second. Glencoe first again in 1850; Grey Eagle second. In 1851 Boston led, Grey Eagle second, Wagner third. Boston first again in 1852; Glencoe second, imp Sovereign (by Emilius) third, Wagner fourth. In 1854 Glencoe led, Boston second, Wagner third, Grey Eagle fourth. In 1855 Glencoe led, Wagner second, Boston third. yo Making the American Thoroughbred In " Fores ter's" table of "winners" for each year this word is used as a synonym of "horses," as shown by the excess in the number of races won over the number of "winners." But when, for brevity, we aggregate these "winners" for a long period of years we have many more "winners" than the number actual of horses, for the reason that the same horses won in many different years. Leviathan's get first appeared on the turf in the year beginning September, 1833, when he had 6 winners of 6 races; they appeared last in 1852 when he had 2 winners of 2 races. His best year was 1838, when his get won more races than the get of any other horse (that stood in the United States) won in any one year between 1829 and 1855. Thirty-four of his get won 70 races, running 140 heats, and 263 miles. As to the number of winners, Leviathan's best year was 1840, when he had 37, but they won only 54 races. The best period of his career was from 1837 to 1843, inclusive, when the number of his get that won each year ranged from 20 to 37 — an average for the seven years of about 27. During the entire period from September, 1833 to 1852, inclusive, 298 of Levia- than's "winners" won 450 races, running 980 heats and 1,815 miles.1 American Eclipse had been in the stud seven years 1 In the supplement to "Skinner's Stud Book "is a list of "Winning Horses Since 1839." The dedication in this supplement is dated January i, 1848; copyright notice same year. It contains tables showing the best time at various distances, the latest year of any race record therein given being 1846. The original and supplement are both printed in one volume bearing the date 1857 on the title page. The date at which the list of winners closed is therefore indefinite. A count of the horses shows that Leviathan had 1 19 get that won, Medoc 74, Luzborough 44, Eclipse 43, Bertrand 33, Priam 32, Glencoe 23. The number of races won by each winner is not stated. Knee Deep in Clover 71 when Leviathan was imported, and he served throughout Leviathan's lifetime. From August, 1829 to 1853, inclusive, 221 "winners" by him won 358 races, running 884 heats and i,7Oof miles. His best year during the period men- tioned was 1838, when 25 of his get won 53 races, running 125 heats and 225 miles. Glencoe's get came on the turf in 1841 and continued for several years after the year when "Forester's" tables close — 1855. His best year during the period indicated was 1854, when 26 of his get won 56 races, running 114 heats and 222 miles. During this 1 5-year period 184 "winners" by him won 329 races, running 779 heats and 1,534 miles. During the 15 years that Priam's get were on the turf, 1838-1853, 130 "winners" by him won 226 races, run- ning 492 heats and 867! miles. His best year was 1842, when 24 of his get won 53 races. During 16 years that Trustee's get were on the turf, 1840-1855, inclusive, 90 "winners" by him won 165 races, running 374 heats and 804! miles. His best year was 1848, when 8 of his get won 19 races; his next best year 1843, when 10 of his get won 17 races. Next in order of merit among imported horses was Luzborough who, from 1837 to 1844, inclusive, had 82 winners of 146 races, his best year being 1840, when 27 of his get won 52 races, running 120 heats and 213 miles. Then there was Sovereign who, in seven years, 1846 and 1847, and from 1851 to 1855, inclusive, had 40 "win- ners" of 84 races. And Margrave who, from 1840 to 1855, inclusive, had 54 "winners" of 119 races. And Ainderby who, from 1843 to l%54> had 25 winners of 37 races. And Autocrat who, from 1838 to 1843, na<^ 29 winners of 33 races. 74 Making the American Thoroughbred successful in three contests in 1818 and 1819 — one 3-mile and two 4-mile affairs — he was placed in the stud at $12.50 the season, in 1820, and stood again in 1821, covering 87 mares the latter season. The New York leg- islature, after Eclipse had been withdrawn from the turf, modified the laws relating to racing; a society was formed to improve the breeding of horses and Eclipse was re- turned to the track in 1821. After winning four 4-mile heat races of lesser note he met Henry (by Sir Archy) in a match race for $20,000, after which he was returned to the stud at $75 and $100. After the death of Sir Charles, for whom three offers of $15,000 each had been refused, Eclipse was purchased at $10,000 to take Sir Charles' place, and stood at Boydton, Virginia, Baltimore and other places in the South. He died in Kentucky July 10, 1847. As previously indicated Medoc was among Eclipse's most distinguished get. He was foaled in New York in 1829 and sold to Kentucky in 1833. Another was Mingo, foaled in Pennsylvania in 1831 and taken to Kentucky in 1839, where an offer of $5,000 for one fourth interest in him was declined. Two others were Ariel, dam Young Empress by Financier; and Black Maria, dam Lady Lightfoot by Sir Archy. Ariel won 42 out of 57 races, 17 of the 42 being of 4-mile heats. Black Maria frequently ran when out of condition. Of 25 races run she won 13, 1 1 of which were of 3-mile and 4-mile heats, and in one of which she had to run 20 miles to wrin. Time 8 : 06 — 7 : 55 — 8:13 — 8 : 39 — 8 : 47. Other distinguished get were Goliah, Lance, Shark, Monmouth Eclipse, Gano, Lady Jackson, Ten Broeck, and several that stood in Tennessee. Of the 1 60 stallions standing in the United States in 1839 Eclipse was the sire of 21 and the grandsire on the dam's side of i. Knee Deep in Clover 75 A KING FROM A KING'S STABLE "LEVIATHAN was foaled 1823; got by Muley; his dam by Windle; — g. dam by Anvil; — Virago by Snap; — by Regulus; — sister to Black-and-all-BIack, by Crab; — Miss Slamerskin, by True Blue; — Oxford Arabian; — out of the D'Arcy's Black legged Royal mare. " Muley by Orville, out of Eleanor, by Whiskey; her dam Young Giantess, by Diomed (later imported) ; — Giantess by Matchem; — Molly Longlegs, by Babraham, etc. "Windle, by Beninbrough, out of Maryann (sister to Warrior), by Sir Peter Teazle; — Young Marske; — Matchem, etc. "Anvil, by Herod; his dam by Feather, out of Crazy, by Lath; — sister to Snip, by Childers; — Basto Mare (sister to Sore Heels) ; — Curwen Bay Barb, etc. "Orville by Beningbrough, out of Evelina, by Highflyer, etc. "Whiskey by Sal tram, out of Calash, by Herod; — Theresa by Matchem; — Regulus, etc." King Fergus got three Doncaster St. Leger winners, Beningbrough being one. Beningbrough got two win- ners of The Oaks, and one winner of The St. Leger — Or- ville. Orville got two Derby winners — Emilius being one : — and one St. Leger winner. Emilius got two Derby winners — Priam and Plenipotentiary. Emilius also got one winner of The Oaks, and Mango, winner of the St. Leger in 1837. In 1801 Eleanor won The Derby and the next day won The Oaks; she was the first to win both stakes the same year. Muley got one winner of The Oaks and one St. Leger winner — Margrave. Among the nominations for The Derby of 1837 were seven sons of Muley; for The Oaks were four fillies by Muley. 76 Making the American Thoroughbred Leviathan's family connections were therefore of the best. Leviathan was 16 hands high, a deep chestnut, "with a peculiar shade of deep red interspersed"; his only mark a narrow blaze. Most of his get followed him in color. He was bred by Mr. Painter and made his debut on the turf in 1825. "At two years old," wrote Col. George Elliott, "he ran two races; won one, and lost one, subse- quently beating the winner; at three years old he won nine in succession, and was not beaten; at four years old he ran nine races, won seven; lost one to Dr. Faustus, whom he had previously beaten, and one to Paul Pry (by bolting) whom he had also beaten, and beat after- wards. He was handicapped in this year and ordered to carry 7 Ibs. extra weight over horses of his age, conclusive proof of his superiority." Only one of these races was of 4-mile heats. On Sept. i, 1827, Leviathan "walked over" in a 3-mile heat race, after which his then owner, Mr. Giffard, sold him to the King of England for 2,000 guineas. On his arrival at Newmarket the King's trainer discovered that his legs were injured. The Duke of Grafton, who con- ducted one of the finest studs in the kingdom, was anxious to buy Leviathan but he was sent to Windsor and remained idle all during 1828. In 1829 one experiment showed his career on the turf was over and he was sold to Lord Chesterfield, who stood him the season of 1830. In that year he was purchased by the Messrs. Weatherby for James Jackson and was placed under the care of Maj. Geo. A. Wyllie (son-in-law of Col. George Elliott) at Lord Chesterfield's. After a tedious passage of 51 days he was landed at New York on Aug 30, 1830, and was taken by Wyllie to his home in Virginia to recuperate. He reached the farm of Col. Elliott on Knee Deep in Clover 77 Nov. 15, 1830, and remained there until his death in 1846. The literature of Leviathan's day always spoke of him as James Jackson's property; Jackson returned his name in a list of his stud in April, 1837; and Bruce, who knew Elliott, says Leviathan died the property of the estate of James Jackson. Circumstances indicate that Leviathan was purchased and kept under some sort of partnership arrangement between Elliott and Jackson. Whether Elliott later became sole owner, or not, he managed to hold to Leviathan, the results being the same. Jackson sent mares to Sumner County every year to be bred to Leviathan, and later bred Leviathan mares to Glencoe. Owing to the prejudice existing in Tennessee against all importations Leviathan had a chance to show his popularity in six other states. The two Carolinas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Kentucky had to join in with his Tennessee "friends" to give him a full quota of mares his first season. He served 102 at $75 each and got more than 90 foals. But his first colts were stringy and sub- jected him to much ridicule from the Archy-Pacolet school. In 1835 ne stnTI stood at $75, and netted his owners $10,000. In 1837 he stood at $100; in 1839 and the rest of his life at $150. After the first few years he was limited to a smaller number of mares. "Of all recent importations," wrote Wallace in 1867, "this was the most valuable except it be Glencoe." " For- ester" had previously expressed the same opinion. Al- though not noted as a 4-miIer himself Leviathan got many 4-miIers out of native 4-mile mares. On one occa- sion Col. Elliott declined an offer of $7,500 for two sucklings and a yearling by Leviathan and Thomas Barry declined an offer of $2,500 for a yearling, full sister to Angora. Comparisons previously made, showing Levi- 78 Making the American Thoroughbred athan's standing in the United States, as a whole, do not fully signify the point of popularity he finally attained in Tennessee; a rough estimate that he had more winning stock on the turf in Tennessee and farther south, than any other half-dozen or more horses would not be far wrong. Throughout the entire country he was regarded as "the modern Sir Archy." If you don't know the story of Leviathan you don't know the history of Tennessee. SON OF A DERBY WINNER LUZBOROUGH, imp dk. b., was foaled in 1820; got by Williamson's Ditto, winner of The Derby in 1 803 ; dam by Dick Andrews; g. dam Eleanor by Whiskey; — Young Giantess by Diomed (afterward imported) ; — Giantess by Matchem; — Molly Longlegs by Babraham; — by Cole's Foxhunter; — by Partner; — sister to Roxana; — sister to Chanter by the Alkaster Turk; — by Leedes' Arabian; — by Spanker. Williamson's Ditto was by Sir Peter Teazle. Dick Andrews was by Joe Andrews, he by O' Kelly's Eclipse. Dick Andrews' dam was by Highflyer. Eleanor won 28 of 43 races; Dick Andrews won 20 of 27. Luzborough won 25 of 36 races run and received for- feits from 585 horses, among them many of the famous racers of England. He lost only one race of heats, when he ran second to Presentiment whom he had beat before and beat afterwards. He generally ran handicapped. At 8 years of age he was withdrawn from the turf and stood three seasons in England where his colts ran with success. In 1832 he was imported into Virginia by Merritt & Merritt and made two seasons there. He was brought to Nashville in January, 1835 by a company in which L. P. Cheatham was probably interested, as he advertised that Luzborough would stand the season of 1835 at Thomas A. Knee Deep in Clover 79 Pankey's, Franklin; $75; $125. In 1837 Luzborough stood at Rev. H. M. Cryer's farm near Franklin, on the Nashville road; $100; $150. He died in Georgia in 1840. Among Luzborough's distinguished get was Portsmouth. Others are named elsewhere. In announcing the coming of Luzborough to Nashville it was stated that he would be exhibited to public inspec- tion before the legislature adjourned. THE IMMORTAL GLENCOE GLENCOE was foaled 1831; got by Sultan, dam Tram- poline by Tramp; — g. dam Web by Waxy; — Penelope by Trumpator; — Prunella by Highflyer; — Promise by Snap; — Julia by Blank; — Spectator's dam by Partner; — Bonny Lass by Bay Bolton; — by Darley's Arabian; — by Byerly Turk; — by Taffolet Barb; — by Place's White Turk; — Natural Barb Mare. Bred by Lord Jersey. Tramp got two Derby winners and one winner of The St. Leger. Selim, Sultan's sire, got one Derby winner and two winners of The Oaks. Sultan got two winners of The Oaks and one Derby winner — Bay Middleton. See ST. GILES. Glencoe was much inbred to Herod, Eclipse and Match- em. He was a golden chestnut with both hind legs white half way to the hocks and a large star in his forehead. He belonged to a family of great racers; in 1835, 19 of Sul- tan's get won 46 races, the stakes amounting to $60,890. "Glencoe made his first appearance in the Newmarket Craven meeting, 1834, when he won the Tuesday's Riddlesworth stakes of 200 sovs. each, half forfeit, for the produce of mares covered in 1830. — Twelve subs., beating Zulima and two others. "On the Thursday in the same meeting, he was beaten by Pleni- potentiary in a sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft. — Nine subs. 8o Making the American Thoroughbred "In the first spring meeting he carried off the Desert stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft. Ten subs, beating Ganges; and the 2000 gs. stakes, beating Flatterer, second, Bentley, third, and four others not placed. "He ran third for the Epsom Derby stakes, Plenipotentiary being first, and Shilelagh second. "His next appearance was at Goodwood, where he won the Gold Cup, beating Colwick, Famine, and seven others not placed, Rock- ingham, St. Giles, and The Saddler among the number. He like- wise won at the same meeting, the Racing Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, beating Louisa, Defensive, and Rebel. "His last performance in 1834, was at the second October meet- ing, winning the Garden stakes at 100 sovs. each. — Five subs, beating Glaucus and Colwick. "In 1835 he only started once, when he won the Gold Cup at Ascot, beating Bran, Nonsense, Shilelagh, Pussy and four others. "At the Newmarket second October meeting, Lord Jersey chal- lenged for the Whip, and named Glencoe, but the Challenge was not accepted." l Glencoe's fame spread to America and James Jackson "sent an order to England to purchase the best horse in the market and named Plenipotentiary, Priam and Glencoe. . . . Glencoe was purchased at a round sum" said to have been 2,000 guineas — "and made the season of 1836 in England as the property of James Jackson." He more than confirmed the good judgment that induced his selection. Wallace says he "proved to be one of the best horses the world has produced." Few of Glencoe's sons were ever in the stud. Vandal, one of them, stood many years at Belle Meade and got many winners. But it was through his daughters, mostly, that Glencoe's qualities were fastened upon posterity. Through his daughter, Pocahontas, foaled in England in 1837, and her three great sons, Stockwell, Ratalpan and King Tom, sires of a long list of winners, Glencoe's name was placed so " imperishably upon the scroll of honor" 1 American Turf Register. Knee Deep in Clover 81 that half a century later it was said that "there is scarcely a good stallion in England today that does not possess a strain of the blood of this great horse"; and in America — "it is safe to say that few or none of the most famous horses now on the turf but have a cross of Glencoe." Among Glencoe's get in this country was Reel who won every race she ran except the last in which she broke down; and who produced Le Compte and War Dance, both bred in Louisiana, the property of Thomas J. Wells. Reel also produced Starke and Prioress. Among Glencoe's many other famous daughters were Fanny King who produced Brown Dick; Nannie Lewis who produced Aldebaran; Topaz who produced Waterloo, Austerlitz, Wagram, Cotton and Lodi; Magnolia who produced Princeton, Skedaddle, Daniel Boone and Kentucky; Rhoda who produced Fleetwing; Novice who produced Norfolk; Nebula who produced Asteroid, Sue Lewis and Asterisk; the dam of Goodwood and the dam of Idlewild. Others, still, of Glencoe's distinguished get were Highlander, Pryor, Frankfort, Peytona and Charmer, the latter the best mare of her day. "As a sire of brood mares no horse native or imported equals him," says Bruce. Among the get of Stockwell, Ratalpan and King Tom were a great many winners of the Derby, the Oaks and the Doncaster St. Leger. Glencoe stood in Alabama at $100 until 1844, but served comparatively few mares besides those of his owner, for reasons previously given. Most of his colts bred by Jackson were sold to Thomas J. Wells and other Southern turfmen. Wells paid Jackson $6,000 for one half interest in six "young things," the list comprising three sucklings by Glencoe, two 2-year olds or less by Leviathan and one 2-year old by Mango. This was one of many similar sales noted at the time. 82 Making the American Thoroughbred A certain event that took place in Nashville, in 1843, brought Glencoe into greater favor in Tennessee and in 1844-5-6-8, and, probably, 1847, he stood at Thomas FlintofFs stable in Nashville at $50. In 1848 Thomas (or James) Kirkman sold Glencoe to W. F. Harper, of Ken- tucky; he died in that state in 1857, a few months after his purchase by A. Keene Richards. He was a very nerv- ous, fretful horse and was blind when Kirkman sold him. The statistics of winners previously quoted show that Glencoe was much more liberally patronized in Kentucky than he had been in Tennessee. Of the 88 principal stallions standing in the United States in 1883, as set forth in Bruce s Turf Guide of that year, 28 were imported. Of the 60 natives, 47 had from i to 6 or more tracings to Sir Archy. Eighteen traced to American Eclipse, and 3 to Leviathan. Of the 28 imported stallions, 13 traced to Glencoe. Of the 60 natives, 35 traced to Glencoe. Among all the thorough- breds that have been on the American turf since 1 820 the author ventures the assertion that more have traced, and with more tracings, to Sir Archy, than to any other horse that has been in America since Diomed. DEVASTATION OF WAR It may take many years to determine the proper rating of a horse. Glencoe, in his day, was noted for the excellent qualities of his get and their ability to run long distances, rather than for an exceeding number of winners. And from the statement just made it would seem, on the sur- face, that his blood has outlasted Leviathan's. The re- markable number of winning horses got by Leviathan is sufficient to put anyone upon inquiry for some other reason for the difference noted. Leviathan's get were mostly in Tennessee and farther Knee Deep in Clover 83 south, whereas Glencoe spent the last eight years of his life in Kentucky, which, throughout the civil war, sat complacent and comparatively unscathed in her neutrality. Although Glencoe stood in Alabama and Tennessee to- gether, twelve years, and in Kentucky nine years, only one of these 35 native-bred descendants of Glencoe was foaled in the South, outside of Kentucky. With the live stock interests of the South wiped out almost entirely by the demands of two contending armies, for four years, it is not surprising that the names of many horses, celebrated throughout the South, do not occupy a more prominent place in the pedigrees of post-bellum thoroughbreds. The infrequency, or entire absence, of the names of many of them, indicates that they are un- known to this generation by reason of the devastation of war.1 OTHER DISTINGUISHED SIRES Other distinguished horses of this decade were: POST BOY. See "POST BOY vs. JOHN BASCOMBE," post. PICTON, b. by imp Luzborough, dam Isabella by Sir Archy. Isa- bella's dam was Black Ghost by imp Oscar; — Pill Box, by imp Pantaloon by King Herod. Pantaloon's dam was Nutcracker, by Matchem. Up to Nov., 1837, Isabella's produce had earned $75,000, and a $10,000 offer for Picton had been refused. Bred by Col. Wm. Wynn, of Virginia; season 1839 at L. P. Cheatham's, Nashville; $100. See "THE LEVIATHANS vs. THE LUZBOROUGHS," this volume, post. 1 The destruction wrought by "the" war on the habits and in- dustries of the Southern people is strongly reflected, also, by contrast- ing the facts now to be stated with the figures given on the same subject in Chapter I. Of the entire 88 thoroughbred stallions in 1 883, two were in Virginia, three in Maryland, one in Alabama, one in Texas and eleven in Tennessee, those in Tennessee being in Sumner and Davidson Counties. Of the 60 native stallions in 1883, eight were bred in the South outside of Kentucky. Of these eight, two were bred in Virginia, five in Tennessee and one in Texas. 84 Making the American Thoroughbred AINDERBY, imp ch.; by Velocipede, dam by Catton. Foaled 1832. M E. Imported by Lucius J. Polk, Mt. Pleasant, Dec., 1838; $75; $100. As a 3-year old Ainderby, carrying 118 Ibs., ran in the then unprecedented time (for 3-year olds) of 1:43. Polk paid a "high figure" for him. Velocipede sired more winning horses than any stallion of his day. One of his get, Queen of Trumps, won The Oaks in 1835 and the St. Leger in the same year* and another, Amato, won The Derby in 1838. Catton got one Derby winner. ANVIL, br. foaled 1829; by Mons. Tonson, dam Isabella by Sir Archy. Bred by Col. Wm. Wynn of Virginia. Won three out of four sweepstakes. Later purchased by Balie Peyton for $6,000 from James B. Kendall of Maryland; $50; $75. ARAB, foaled 1820; by Sir Archy, dam Bet Bounce by imp Sir Harry by Sir Peter Teazle. Bred by J. J. Harrison of Virginia. Rev. H. M. Cryer's, Sumner County; $35; $50. Arab, valued at $8,000. From 1833 to 1838, inclusive, Arab's, get won 52 races. AUTOCRAT, imp gr. 165 hands high, foaled 1822; by Grand Duke, dam Olivetta by Sir Oliver; — Scotina by Delpini; — Scota by Eclipse; — by Herod. Delpini sired two winners of The Oaks and one St. Leger winner. Autocrat, bred by Lord Derby, won many races in England. As property of Tayloe & Tayloe, of Virginia , stood 1836 at Thomas Barry's, $50; $60; in 1837 at R. C. Dickin- son's, Montgomery County; sold to Col. Samuel Lyne, of Mont- gomery County, in 1839. Autocrat had 37 traces of the Darley Arabian, 25 of the Godolphin, 21 of Flying Childers, 13 of Bartlett's Childers, 14 of Regulus, 7 of Herod and 5 of O'Kelly's Eclipse. He was in the male line from Herod and had blood of Diomed. Elis, who won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1836, was something like a half-brother to Autocrat. BEHEMOTH (Hamlet), br. foaled 1824; by Bagdad, dam Rosey Clack. Bred by Rev. Hubbard Saunders. Owned by W. E. Broadnax* Virginia; 1831 at A. B. Newsom's; 1836 at A. G. Ward's one mile north of Clover Bottom. BELSHAZZAR, imp ch. foaled 1830; by Blacklock, dam Manuella (winner of The Oaks in 1812) by Dick Andrews. Bred by Richard Watt. As a 2-year old Belshazzar won races at York and Don- caster. He won the Gascoigne stakes, 5 subs. 100 sovs. each, after which Watt refused 5,000 guineas for him. After a victory at Newmarket in 1834 he broke down and was placed in the stud. Imported in 1838 by Thomas Flintoff or Thomas Alderson & Co., Knee Deep in Clover 85 and stood in Nashville; $75; $100. H E. The dam and grandam of Belshazzar produced winners of 99 races, 19 of which were of four miles. Manuella produced Memnon, a Doncaster St. Leger winner. Manuella's sister also won the St. Leger. Theodore, out of Blacklock's dam, won the St. Leger. CAROLINIAN, b. foaled 1815; by Sir Archy, dam by imp Druid, whose dam was by Herod. Bred by Phil Claiborne of Virginia or North Carolina; 1830 at Edwin Smith's, Davidson County. Advertised by Thomas Claiborne to stand 1831, in charge of P. W. Long at Nashville race track. Carolinian ran eight races and won seven. CRUSADER, b. foaled 1823; by Sir Archy, dam Lottery by Bedford. Lottery's dam imp Anvilina. Bred by Colonel Singleton, of South Carolina, 1833 and other years at Rev. H. M. Cryer's. Of eighteen entries in a 2-mile race arranged in 1830 at Columbia, South Caro- lina, fourteen were by Crusader. Of eighteen entries, produce of 1831, in a race to be run in 1835, eleven were by Crusader. He beat the renowned Ariel, by American Eclipse, several times. His stride is raid to have been twenty-five feet. See APPENDIX. FOP, imp gr. foaled 1832; got by Stumps by Whalebone, dam by Fitz James. H E. Imported by Lucius J. Polk; $50; $75. See WHALE and LAP DOG. In 1843 Fop was purchased by W. G. Harding for $2,000. GILES SCROGGINS, b. foaled 1824 or 1828; by Sir Archy, dam Lady Bedford by imp Bedford, g. dam by imp Dare Devil. Bred by James Jeffries or W. B. Moses, Caswell Co., North Carolina; 1836 at W. B. Gowen's, 6 miles from Nashville, on Murfreesboro road. Two seasons previous at Wm. Pillow's, Maury County. MARGRAVE, imp ch. foaled 1829; by Muley, dam by Election who won The Derby in 1807; g. dam by Hambletonian who won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1795. Election's son Gustavus won The Derby in 1821. Margrave bred by Mr. Dilly. Won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1832, 73 subscribers; the Criterion stakes, 36 sub- scribers; the Grand Duke Michael stakes, 15 subscribers; the Gas- coigne stakes, n subscribers and other races. Imported into Virginia by Merritt & Merritt, 1835; 1837 at Thomas Alderson's stable, Nashville; $75; $100. See LEVIATHAN. O'KELLY, gr. foaled 1827; by American Eclipse, dam Young Empress (the dam of Ariel) by Financier. Bred by John C. Stevens, Flat Bush, Long Island and 14 Barclay Street, New York. In a 4-mile heat race over the Union Course, Long Island, in 1833, O'Kelly 86 Making the American Thoroughbred beat Tobacconist and three other competitors; time 8:02 — 8:01 — 8:08. In 1835 O'Kelly stood at Alderson's stable, Nashville, and later stood several seasons in Williamson County — at A. T. Nolen's, Ennis Murray's and A. Rodgers'. Service $40; $75. Valued at $8,000. PACIFIC — "The Great Pacific" — b.; by Sir Archy, darn Eliza (full sister of Gallatin best son of imp Bedford), out of imp Mambrina by Mambrino. Pacific full brother of Bertrand. Bred by John R. Spann of South Carolina. Owned by Duke W. Sumner; kept many years at his farm, Spring Grove, 7 miles north of Nash- ville, adjoining the Phillips farm. Service $30. Pacific got many winners of races and several stallions of note. In 1837-38 his get won 30 times. Sumner sold to Henry A. Tayloe of Macon, Ala- bama, (formerly of Mt. Airy, Virginia) two 2-year old Pacifies for $3,500. Another of his colts sold to Mobile for $1,000. These were not exceptional sales; but Bertrand's get brought more money than Pacific's. PHILIP, imp br. foaled 1828; by Philo da Puta, dam Treasure by Camillus. H M. Philo da Puta won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1815 and his son Birmingham won it in 1830. Imported by Tennessee company, in February, 1838, and stood that season at Franklin; 1839 at Rev. Hardy M. Cryer's; $75; $125. In Eng- land Philip ran in 40 races, won 23 and was several times second. RATLER (or Rattler) (Thornton's), foaled 1816; by Sir Archy, dam by imp Robin Redbreast, g. dam by imp Obscurity. Robin Redbreast was by Sir Peter Teazle; his dam, Wren, was by Wood- pecker. Ratler was bred in Maryland. He ran 25 races and won 20, 1 8 of which were of 2 miles or more. Owned by Balie Peyton; stood at John H. Robinsons', Murfreesboro, and at G. W. Parker's, Sumner County; sold to Maurice E. Boyles (or Broyles), La Grange, Tennessee. Service $40; $60. As a sire Ratler had a fine reputation. Of sales reported by Balie Peyton was a Ratler colt to Mississippi for $2,000. SHAKESPEARE, imp foaled 1823; by Smolensko, dam Charming Molly by Rubens; g. dam by Beningbrough. Shakespeare ran second to Lap Dog in a field of 19 contestants when Lap Dog won The Derby in 1826. He won 8 of 9 races run. Imported into Vir- ginia by Merritt & Co., 1835; stood at Rev. Robert Hurt's, Paris. See LEVIATHAN. Among the nominations for The Derby of 1837 were three colts by Shakespeare; for The Oaks one filly by him. Smolensko won The Derby in 1813 and got one winner of The Oaks Knee Deep in Clover 87 and one winner of the Doncaster St Leger. Smolensko belonged to the Matchem family, being a son of Sorcerer, son of Trumpator. SIR RICHARD TONSON, gr. foaled 1823; by Pacolet; dam Madam Tonson; 1829 at Thomas Foxhall's, Sumner County; 1831 at P. J. Burrus', Murfreesboro. SIR HENRY TONSON, foaled 1824; full brother to Sir Richard Ton- son; 1829 at Rev. H. M. Cryer's. In January, 1831, purchased by Jo C. Guild and Thomas Barry, brought back from North Caro- lina and stood at "Barrymore." Died at Portsmouth, Virginia, September, 1836, as property of Balie Peyton. SKYLARK, imp, foaled 1826; by Waxy Pope (of the Whalebone family), dam by Musician, etc. H. Bred by Mr. Daxon. Winner of 42 races, 24 of them King's plates. Imported into Virginia by Dr. Merritt, 1836; stood at L. P. Cheatham's. Service $100; $125. It required a four column advertisement for Cheatham to tell of Skylark's pedigree, performances and progeny. WHALE, imp b. foaled 1830; by Whalebone, dam Rectory by Octa- vius winner of The Derby in 1812. HE. Direct male line from PotSos. Imported into North Carolina by Edward Townes, 1835. Under control of Rev. Robert Hurt and John Hurt, stood at McLemoresville, Carroll County; $60. See LAP DOG. WILD BILL (formerly Pilot), foaled 1827; by Sir Archy, dam by Gallatin. Season 1837 at George W. Garrett's, on Bradshaw's Creek, Giles County; $50; $75. As Mr. Cheatham's entry Wild Bill ran in Tennessee in 1831. At the Nashville fall meeting of that year he beat five competitors the first three heats in a mile race "best 3 in 5"; time 1:52 — 1:52 — 1:50. He got many winners. One of his sons, Gander (dam Grey Goose by Pacolet), was sold by Capt. John Connolly to R. H. Long, of Columbus, Mississippi, for $10,000. OTHER GOOD STALLIONS Other good stallions of this decade were as follows: BOLIVAR, gr. owned by Gen. Andrew Jackson and advertised by him to stand at the Hermitage; $20. In his advertisement Jackson says: "Bolivar was gotten by Oscar out of a mare by Pacolet; she out of a mare by my favorite horse Truxton by Dio- med; and she out of the Opossum filly by Wildair or Melzar. Opossum filly a first rate four-mile runner." Advertisement con- 88 Making the American Thoroughbred tains statement signed "Jesse Haynie" to the effect that he had trained Bolivar; qualities given. See APPENDIX. The O' Possum filly, about 1 807, was purchased by James Jackson from Samuel Pryor, of Kentucky, for $400 and placed with Gen. Andrew Jackson to breed on shares. She produced two mares by Truxton, which Gen. Jackson kept as brood mares. The O' Possum filly was a grey, by imp Medley, dam by imp Highflyer by Highflyer. COCK OF THE ROCK, foaled 1814, half brother to American Eclipse; his dam Romp by Messenger. Bred by Nathaniel Coles. Ran successfully in the East. Season 1835 at Thomas Barry's. Serv- ice $60. In 1836, 1837 Cock stood at W. R. Brown's, Giles County. In 1838, Barry and Maj. David Burford, of Dixon Springs, sold him to John McGhee, of Knoxville, for $2,500. Barry sold two Cock of the Rocks to Governor Anderson, of Illinois, for $1,000. CONTENTION, deep sorrel foaled 1815; by Sir Archy, dam a Dare Devil mare, owned by Mr. Irby of Virginia; 1831 at Henry Cook's, Sr., Franklin; $25. JEFFERSON, br. foaled 1825; by Virginian, dam by Bellair by imp Medley. Bred by J. J. Harrison of Virginia (Wallace says Francis Thornton, North Carolina), stood in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1831; in 1835-1837 at W. L. Alexander's near Hartsville; 1832 at Thomas Barry's. Alexander sold to Arkansas a mare by Jeffer- son, dam by Sir Henry Tonson, for $1,500, and four Jefferson colts for $4,000. JERRY, dap. gr. foaled 1825; by Pacolet, dam Black Sophia. Bred and owned by Col. George Elliott; 1831 at Hugh Long's, Giles County, where he stood three seasons. Won seven of ten races run. JOHN DAWSON, b. foaled 1830; by Pacific. In advertising Dawson for season 1836 at his place Cotton says Dawson's dam was by Barry's Grey Medley, g. dam by Pacolet, g. g. grandam by Gen. Jackson's Truxton; 1825 at Arthur Cotton's, Sumner County; 1839 at Francis Gordon's, Spring Hill, Maury County; $50. LAP DOG, imp b. foaled 1823; by Whalebone, dam by Canopus. H E. Bred by Lord Egremont. PotSos, son of O'Kelly's Eclipse, got one St. Leger winner, one winner of The Oaks and two Derby winners, one of whom was Waxy who won The Derby and got four Derby winners and three winners of The Oaks. The four Derby winners were Pope, Whalebone, Blucher and Whisker. Whalebone got one winner of The Oaks and two or three Derby winners, one of whom was Lap Dog, the winner in 1826. Lap Dog imported by James Jackson, Alabama, in 1835; stood 1836 at Knee Deep in Clover 89 Thomas Alderson's stable, Nashville; $50; 1837 at George Elliott's; 1838 in Lincoln County. MAMBRINO, dk. ch. foaled 1827; by American Eclipse, dam John Randolph's Grand Dutchess by Gracchus. Bred by Gen. C. Irvin of Philadelphia. A. J. Donelson purchased one half interest in 1835 and kept him several seasons at his farm near the Her- mitage. $40; $50. MARSHAL NEY, foaled 1824; by Pacolet, dam Virginia by imp Dare Devil. H M. Rev. Hardy M. Cryer's. MERMAN, imp br. foaled 1826; by Whalebone dam by Orville. Imported by Dr. Merritt of Virginia; 1836, 1837 at L. P. Cheat- ham's; 1838 at Alex Black's, McMinnville. $60; $100. See LAP DOG and LEVIATHAN. STILL OTHER GOOD ONES Still other successful stallions of this decade were: ANDREW JACKSON, by Virginian, dam by Sir Arthur; Giles County. BELLAIR, by Sir Archy, dam Favorite by Bellair, g. dam by imp Bedford; owned by Robert H. Peyton; stood at Jackson. CHESTERFIELD, by Pacific, dam Roxana; A. T. Nolen's, near Frank- lin; $30. CITIZEN, by Stockholder, dam Patty Puff by Pacolet; Giles County. CORONET, imp b. by Catton, dam by Paynator. Imported in 1837 by Dr. Merritt of Virginia. Stood at Edward Hoskins near Somerville, $60; $100. See AINDERBY. Coronet won about 30 races. COUNT BADGER, ch. foaled 1826; by American Eclipse, dam by Hickory. W. T. Sperrill's, Lincoln County. CRAMP, by Arab, dam by Sir Archy; Giles County. FLINT, by Stockholder, dam Sting by Conqueror; Jesse L. Flippin's, near Somerville. FROZENHEAD, by Crusher, dam by Sir Archy. Crusher's dam by imp Sir Harry. A. B. Newsom's. GASTON, by imp Truffle, dam Lady La Grange by Sir Archy. Col. Joseph H. Townes, Dresden. GLENROY, by Editor, dam by Sir Hal; D. D. McFalls, near Columbia. GOLD BOY, by Industry, dam by Oscar; Jesse Luton's near Pulaski. GREY ARCHY, by Sir Archy, dam by Grey Medley, foaled 1811. 90 Making the American Thoroughbred Bred by Benjamin Phillips of Davidson County. Owned in 1830 by Duke W. Sumner. GUN POWDER, by American Eclipse, dam Gazelle by Sir Archy. At William Dickinson's, Cornersville, and Thomas Alderson's, Nashville. HAVOC, ch., by Sir Charles, dam Powancy by Sir Alfred by imp Sir Harry. Bred by W. R. Johnson of Virginia. Sold to Rev. H. M. Cryer for $2,500. Stood at his place in Sumner, at Led- better & Clark's, Murfreesboro, and at Hal Cook's, Franklin. Name changed to Sir Charles Pinckney; as such stood at Rev. Martin Clark's, near Murfreesboro, in 1831. HEPHESTION, by imp Buzzard, foaled 1807; died in Tennessee in 1833. Owned originally by Col. John Tayloe, of Virginia. Buz- zard was by Woodpecker; was imported into Virginia and died in Kentucky in 181 1, aged 24. Quiz, by Buzzard, won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1801. HIGHLANDER, foaled 1828; by American Eclipse, dam by Duroc. s Bred in Pennsylvania. Stood at Memphis Race Course. HUGH LAWSON WHITE, foaled 1833; by Leviathan dam by Conqueror. Owned by Gen. J. A. Mabry of Knoxville. After Mabry's death in 1837 purchased by a Sparta company for $6,410. Stood at Samuel V. Carricks, Sparta; $60; $100. Celebrated racer. LA FAYETTE, by Conqueror, dam Julia by Sir Arthur. Stood at HoIIon Davis' and at L. B. Beech's, Williamson County. LEVIATHAN, JR., by imp Leviathan, dam by Napoleon. F. S. Heis- kell's, Sinking Creek, near Knoxville. LURCHER, imp foaled 1832; by Grey Leg, dam Harpalyce by Go- hanna sire of Election. Bred by Lord Egremont. Selected for importation by Allen J. Davie of North Carolina. Stood at Col. Samuel Bunch's, Grainger County; $50; $75. MACEDONIAN, by Roanoke, dam Statira by Alexander the Great. Bred by John Randolph of Roanoke; 1834 at Nashville race track. MELLI MELLI, by Virginian, dam by Sir Archy; 1836 at W. H. Edwards', Fayette County. MERCURY, by Sir Archy, dam by Sir Archy; 1832 at H. S. Wilkin- son's, Murfreesboro. MORDECAI, imp foaled 1833; by Lottery, dam by Welbeck. Sold by Thomas Flintoff, of Franklin, to Henry Baldwin, Jr., of same place in the latter '30*8. Fine horse. Lottery got one winner of the Doncaster St. Leger. Knee Deep in Clover 91 ORPHAN BOY, by American Eclipse, dam Maid of The Oaks; 1834 "in Tennessee." PARTNERSHIP, by Volunteer (by Gallatin), dam Rosey Clack; 1832 at farm of W. R. Saunders, son of Rev. Hubbard Saunders, near Saundersville. PRIAM, by imp Leviathan, dam by Sir Archy. Wm. McMahon's, near Memphis, $35; $50. ROBIN HOOD, ch. foaled 1828; by Henry, dam by Hickory and he by imp Whip. Bred by Nelson Lloyd of Long Island; 1838 at Jesse Luton's near Pulaski; $40; $60. Up to the race in which he broke down he won nine, lost two and paid forfeit once. ROMULUS, by Pacolet, dam by Sir Archy, out of a fine Bedford mare from North Carolina; S. Cantrell's, Charlotte road, Davidson County. ROBIN ADAIR, by Sir Archy, dam Lady Burton, by Sir Archy. Bred by John Randolph, of Roanoke; Marshall and Bedford Counties. SAXE WEIMER, b. foaled 1822; by Sir Archy, dam Lottery by imp Bedford. H E. See Crusader. Bred by Col. William Alston of South Carolina. Stood at Rev. H. M. Cryer's several years; at Samuel Mitchell's, Shelby ville, in 1835. SIR ANDREW, by Bagdad, out of Lady Deaderick. Thomas Martin's, Davidson County. SKYLARK (called a hunter), b. foaled 1824, by imp Exile; bred by Philip Wallace, Maryland; owned in 1832 by Rev. H. M. Cryer. ST. GILES, imp foaled 1829; by Tramp, dam Ascot Lass by Andros- san. H M. Bred by Mr. Risdale; won The Derby in 1832. His half-brother Scroggins ran second in a field of 14 contestants in The St. Leger in 1836; another I brother (half or full), Blooms- bury, won The Derby in 1839, defeating 20 contestants. John Bull, sire of Androssan, won The Derby in 1792; John Bull's dam was Fortitude by Herod. St. Giles imported in 1835 by James Jack- son; in 1836 stood at George Elliott's; $60. See GLENCOE. TALLEYRAND, by Kosciusco, dam Kitty Fisher by Financier; Jesse Luton's; $30; $40. TELEGRAPH, b. foaled 1828; by Stockholder, dam Caroline by Volunteer. Bred by Rev. Hardy M. Cryer, but raised in "Western District;" (John) Barfield, Caldwell & Co., Paris; $50; $75. TOBACCONIST, a Virginia horse, foaled 1829; got by Gohanna; dam Yankee Maid by Ball's Florizel; Rev. H. M. Cryer's. Fine racer. TRAVELLER, by Arab, dam by Conqueror; Maj. Wm. Ainsworth's, Madisonville, Monroe County. 92 Making the American Thoroughbred WACOUSTA, ch. foaled 1832; by imp Leviathan, dam Lady Light- foot by Oscar. Bred by Hugh Kirkman. Stood at H. and J. Kirkman's, near Nashville; and at Thomas T. Bullock's, Middle- town, Rutherford County. Wallace says this horse was "the property of W. Williams of Tennessse." WALTON (or Walter), by Eclipse, dam by Constitution; Liles E. Abernathy's, near Pulaski. YOUNG VIRGINIAN, by Virginian. R. H. Wallace's, on Murfreesboro road. YOUNG SIR CHARLES, by Sir Charles, dam by Ball's Florizel; at Abner Stacy's, Spring Hill, Maury County. ZAMOR, by Silver Heels (by Ogle's Oscar), dam Aurora by Vingt'un, was bred in Maryland and purchased in Pennsylvania by a Ten- nessee company that placed him in charge of Gen. Robert Desha, at Gallatin, in 1832. Vingt'un was by imp Diomed, dam by imp Clockfast. Judge Williams said that "Swiss" stood at Duke W. Sumners in 1835. Imp Swiss was foa ed 1821; by Whisker. He was "first favorite" for the St. Leger in 1824.* MARES IMPORTED By L. J. and R. K. Polk: Vaga, Venetia, Tunica, Stumps Mare, Primrose, Sweetbriar, Pledge, Panola, Jennie Mills, The Colo- nel's Daughter (Adela), Variella, Varialetta. The Colonel won the Doncaster St. Leger in 1828. R. K. Polk owned, also, imp Refugee and imp Tomboy Mare. By H. and J. Kirkman: Florestine; Myrtle, by Mameluke who won The Derby in 1827 and ran second in the Doncaster St. Leger the same year; Mango, Nannie Kilham, and Equity. Florestine, Nannie Kilham and Equity were sold to W. G. Harding. By Thomas Alderson: Black Bess, by Belzoni brother to Bel- shazzar. By J. C. Beasley: Rebecca. By Thomas Flintoff: Kill Devil by Belzoni, and Fortuna, by Langar sire of Elis. Among importations into other states, known to have come to Ten- nessee were: Vamp by Langar; Nun's Daughter by Filo da Puta; Phantomnia, Anna Maria, Likeness, Blacklock mare and Chance mare. For list of stallions extended into the 1840*3, see Addenda F. Knee Deep in Clover 93 IMPORTED HORSES OF LATER PERIOD The following named imported stallions, not previously mentioned, stood in Tennessee after 1840; the names only being given by Killebrew; other facts from other sources: Ambassador, by Emilius; imported by Col. Wade Hampton. Scythian, and Sacklowie (an Arabian); imported into Kentucky. Rowton, winner of the Don- caster St. Leger in 1829; imported into Virginia. Ten- eriffe and Emu; both imported by Thomas Flintoff. Espersykes, by imp Belshazzar; imported by Thomas Alderson. Volney, by Velocipede; Shamrock by St. Patrick; and Albion by Cain or Actaeon. STRAIGHT DOWN THE LINE l The way in which the "live lines" came down and penetrated the Tennessee stock is shown by these instances of descent through sire and son. As a rule the dams of the horses belonged to a line different from that of the sires. MATCHEM LINE — (i) Matchem, Conductor, Trump- ator, Sorcerer (who got three winners of The Oaks), Smolensko, imp Shakespeare. (2) Sorcerer, Comus, Berner's Comus of North Ala- bama. ECLIPSE LINE — O'Kelly's Eclipse, King Fergus, Beningbrough, Orville, Muley, sire of Leviathan and Margrave. HEROD LINE — (i) Herod, Florizel, Diomed, Duroc, American Eclipse, O' Kelly and others. (2) Diomed, Sir Archy, Timoleon, Boston, Lexington. 1 For additional facts about performances and offspring of English horses mentioned under this sub-head, and elsewhere in this chapter, see Addenda B. 94 Making the American Thoroughbred (3) Herod, Highflyer, Sir Peter Teazle, Williamson's Ditto, Luzborough, Picton. (4) Herod, Woodpecker, Buzzard, Selim, Sultan, Glen- coe, Vandal, Virgil, Hindoo, Hanover, The Commoner, and Great Britain whose likeness is presented as illus- trating the continuation of the line to the present time. Tremont, the sire of Great Britain's dam, Touch Not, was by Virgil. The Commoner, besides having many crosses of Glencoe, traced to Lexington, Woodpecker (by Bertrand) imp Medley, Virginian, Ball's Florizel, and many other horses named in these pages. Touch Not, besides having many crosses of Glencoe, numbered among her ancestors Lexington, Stockholder, Pacolet, Nell Saunders, Wilkes' Wonder, and many other horses previously mentioned. Among Great Britain's achievements these are noted in an advertisement printed by his present owner Mr. Geo. M. Hendrie: " Winner of Earl Grey Cup i| miles in 2: 04 f ; Toronto Autumn Cup; Derby Cup, if miles in 3: of, Canadian record; Toronto Au- tumn Cup; Ontario Jockey Club Cup, 2j miles in 3:54!, Canadian Record; Louisville Cup; a mile in i : 37f ." All in all he has won 16 races, has run second in 6, third in 3 and has been unplaced twice. Great Britain's trainer is John Walters, of Nashville. The number of celebrated stallions that stood in the various sections of Tennessee prior to 1840 is a fair index to the large number of planters, merchants, lawyers, doctors, preachers and what not, who bred race horses "on the side." In this respect the breeding business was more profitable than it was after the Civil War, when it centred in a few large establishments. Before 1840 the average price for a suckling or yearling seems to have been about $1,000; for a promising indi- K nee Deep in Clover 95 vidual between one and three years old about $2,000; the get of Leviathan, Glencoe and Bertrand averaging higher than other stock of the same period. Of the 88 celebrated stallions in 1883 only one — King Ban — stood as high as $150. Only 15 others stood as high as $100. Most all the others at $50. Some as low as $25. Forty-two Belle Meade yearlings sold in 1883 for an average of $652.85 — Great Tom's get averaging $400, Enquirer's, $867.25. Only 13 were sold to Ten- nessee and states south of it. CHAPTER VI SUMMER COUNTY, BREEDING CENTRE SUMNER COUNTY, established 1786, antedating the State of Tennessee by ten years, lies between the Kentucky line and the Cumberland River. It is at the head of the great Middle basin which extends through the state to the Alabama line. A dozen or more counties comprise the central area of this basin, among them being, besides Sumner, Davidson, Montgomery, Williamson, Ruther- ford, Maury, Giles, Bedford, Marshall and Lincoln. The soil of this basin is ingrained with limestone and — as has been learned in recent years — with phosphate. It is abundantly watered. Its adaptability to animal life was made known to the Indians by the great number of buffalo and deer always found here; and by agreement of various tribes this basin was held in common for use as a hunting ground. It was, therefore, in the logical course of events that the farmers of this rich basin should avail themselves of the opportunities which nature had placed at their door, and become the supply depot for the horse and mule market of other states.1 The leading county in this industry was Sumner; and in Sumner the breeding business centred on east Station Camp Creek, which flows from the highlands in the north to Cumberland River, passing about two miles west of Gallatin. This creek is crossed by three roads 1 See Addenda G. Sumner County, Breeding Centre 97 that run west or northwest from Gallatin. Where the Nashville road — the one nearest the river — crosses the creek, lived Dr. Redmond Dillon Barry. Where the Long Hollow road — next on the north — crosses the creek lived James Cryer. Farther up the creek, where it is crossed by the Red River road, lies the farm long owned by Col. George Elliott. About four miles to the west of the Barry home, on the Nashville road, resided Rev. Hubbard Saunders. Orville Shelby lived "one half mile southwest of Gallatin" — probably at Spencer's Choice. These were the men who laid the foundation for Sumner County's reputation among horsemen of the entire Union — a reputation acquired as early as 1829 and maintained to within recent years. A few words about these men before showing the im- mediate results of their labors as breeders. Dr. Barry was a native of Ireland, a schoolmate and friend of Gen. Packenham at Dublin University. Through the influence of Charles James Fox he secured a position as surgeon in the British navy, but his sympathies being with the colonies, he resigned, settled in North Carolina, practiced medicine and made a fortune. He then studied law in the office of John Breckenridge (Attorney- General in Jefferson's Cabinet) in Louisville, removed to Gallatin, married Jane Alexander of the Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Alexanders, and became a successful lawyer. He was a warm friend of General Jackson. The history of the grazing sections of Kentucky and Tennessee show such a close connection between blue blood and blue grass, it is worthy of mention that Dr. Barry, who brought Grey Medley into Middle Tennessee, also introduced blue grass; he blazed the way for the greatest agricultural specialty the Middle basin has ever had — the breeding of thoroughbred horses. By this 98 Making the American Thoroughbred specialty has Tennessee been best known ever since she stopped producing presidents. James Cryer was a Revolutionary soldier and came to Sumner County from North Carolina. He was a wealthy and influential citizen and represented Sumner County in the legislature of 1815. On the farm he owned may still be seen the marks of a track which is said to have been the first in Middle Tennessee where public race meetings were held, antedating Clover Bottom by many years. A few hundred yards away is the site of the old log court house, where Andrew Jackson had his famous fight with the Kuykendalls. It is tradition, firmly believed in this locality, that when Jackson was here attending Court as Attorney-General he rode in races on this track. The only way to undermine this tradition would be to prove that races were not run on this track when Jackson was here as Attorney-General. Cryer died in 1816. Madam Tonson was his chief con- tribution to Sumner's foundation stock. Col. George Elliott, born in North Carolina in 1781, was a colonel under Gen. John Coffee in the Creek war, and at the battle of New Orleans. By his efficient mili- tary service he won the friendship of Gen. Jackson. Jackson offered him command of the troops in the Florida war, but Elliott thought he had done his share of fighting and declined. Col. Elliott commenced his career as a breeder and turf- man, prior to 1813, and continued until about the time of his death, in 1861. "Wall Spring" was the name of his farm and the residence built by him in 1828 still stands. In a flat across the road from his house Elliott had a splendid race track where many a "nag," afterward famous, joined the infant class in daily exercise. His home was a gathering place for people from all sections IMP DIOMED SIR ARCHY Suraner County, Breeding Centre 99 of the country and every meal was prepared for "com- pany." Elliott accumulated a fortune. His success be- spoke for him a genius for his calling — tact, sound judg- ment and fine capacity for detail. All his contemporaries conceded to him first place among Tennessee breeders and turfmen. Top Gallant, Pacolet, Napoleon and Leviathan, in the order named, were Elliott's chief contributions to Sumner's foundation stock prior to 1840, in the male line; in the female line only Black Sophia need be mentioned. Rev. Hubbard Saunders came from Virginia to Sum- ner County in 1798 and settled one mile west of the present site of Saundersville. McFerrin's "Methodism in Tennessee" says that Mr. Saunders "lived to an advanced age laboring all the time as a local preacher," and "main- tained a fine reputation as a citizen and minister." On his land was erected a church — the progenitor of the present Saunders Chapel — and an encampment where, for many years, the Methodists held camp- meetings. "These annual convocations," says McFerrin, "were great blessings and were the nurseries of Methodism in Sumner County." Mr. Saunders' farm was also the nursery of some fine race horses. His main contributions to Sumner County's foundation stock were Wilkes' Wonder, Rosey Clack and Tennessee Oscar. Mr. Saun- ders died in 1829, possessed of numerous slaves, several race horses, many thousands of acres of land in various sections of the country and thirteen children; to each of those living at his death he willed $30 to buy "mourning" to wear after his demise. Orville Shelby, a son of David Shelby and grandson of Anthony Bledsoe, was born in Sumner County. He married, for his second wife, a daughter of Gen. James Winchester and moved to Kentucky about 1830. Gen- eral Jo Shelby, of Shelby's Brigade C.S.A., was Orville ioo Making the American Thoroughbred Shelby's son by his first wife. As previously shown, Orville Shelby introduced Stockholder into Tennessee. THREE MARES AND THEIR PRODUCE ROSEY CLACK was bred in Virginia by W. E. Broadnax of Brunswick County, or by John Clack. Her sire was imp Saltram. Her dam was either Camilla by Melzar or Camilla by Symmes' Wildair — both Camillas being owned by Broadnax. Balie Peyton said her dam was the Camilla by Wildair, and in his Reminiscences, No. 8, gives her pedigree extended; which see. Rosey Clack was brought to Tennessee by Rev. Hub- bard Saunders about 1812 or 1813, and he owned her and bred from her until her death in 1827. Of her thirteen foals were Oscar by Wilkes' Wonder, 1814; Partnership by Cotton's Volunteer, 1821; Patty Puff by Pacolet, 1823; and Washington by Pacolet, 1824. MADAM TONSON, by Elliott's Top Gallant, was foaled 1814, dam by Dr. Barry's Grey Medley; grandam by imp Oscar; g. grandam by imp Fearnought. Wallace says: "This was one of the most distinguished brood mares this country has produced. She was owned by the Rev. Hardy M. Cryer of Tennessee. Died 1831." Madam Tonson's dam, owned by James Cryer, was from the stock of Boswell Johnson, a Virginian, who settled as a close neighbor to Cryer. Among Madam Tonson's ten foals were four sons by Pacolet: Monsieur Tonson, 1822; Sir Richard Tonson, 1823; Sir Henry Tonson, 1824; Champion, I826.1 BLACK SOPHIA was by Elliott's Top Gallant, dam by Lamplighter, grandam by Beeder; — by Buie (alias Bowie, alias Bouye). Lamplighter was by imp Medley. 1 For further information see sketches of James and Rev. Hardy M. Cryer and Thomas Foxhall. Simmer County, Breeding Centre \> \$# Beeder was by old Union and out of a full blooded Medley mare. See "Buov, ALIAS BUFORD'S DEFEAT." Black Sophia ran at Bledsoe's and Mansker's creeks; in Wilson and Lincoln Counties; in Mississippi; and at Green Bottom Inn, near Hunts ville, Alabama — six or seven races in all — and won every race. Elliott owned her many years and later she was owned by Col. A. B. Newsom. Newsom sold to Andrew Jackson, Jr., and other Alabama men, one half interest in her and two of her colts for $6,000. Bruce says "she was one of the best brood mares in America." Among her produce when Elliott owned her were Mor- giana by Pacolet, 1824; Jerry by Pacolet, 1825; Fortuna by Pacolet, 1826; Parasol by Napoleon, 1827; and Birmingham by Stockholder, 1831. When Newsom owned her she produced Catherine Barry, later called Beeswing, by Leviathan, 1835. She produced eight foals, the last, in 1841, by Stockholder. Morgiana ran eight races in Tennessee, Alabama and Missisippi and won six. After Fortuna had run four races and won three, Elliott sold her for $2,000. Jerry's seven victories, out of ten races run, were won at Nash- ville, Natchez, New Orleans and other places. PERFORMANCES OF PRODUCE Now, as to this parent-stock's near descendants: All of the produce above named were more or less famed on the turf and as stallions or brood mares. But Oscar and the "four Tennessee Tonson Brothers" did more than any other horses, before 1829, to establish the reputation of Sumner County's native-bred stock. MONSIEUR TONSON was 5 feet 3 inches high, a beautiful blood bay with black legs, mane and tail. All his markings showed the bluest blooded aristocracy. fyp$yi