Full text of "The American historical magazine [serial]"

WHS

»fe«

r , ^3^, i ^^» yj ^"'- "Via

STEPHEN Bo WEEKS

CLASS OF 1886: PH.D THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSffY

HJBIMf

OF THE

TOinvEiRsinnr of wwm umww

TIE WEEKS OtMlECTTON

FOR USE ONLY IN
THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION

3 '*: " u *

" ^JL^

■JTf*

(

-1

Form No. A -368

SECOND EDITION.

The first edition of this number, published Janu-
ary ', iSg6, being- entirely exhausted by an unexpected
demand, this second edition is issued, March 10. i8q6,
and is a reprint of the former edition.

THE

AMERICAN HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE.

>jt'<M'je>Jt

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

$3.00 per Annum. - Single Number, 85 Cts.

<M*Jt'Jt<M

Vol. I JANUARY, 1896. No. 1

<M%X^X^X

r '

Nashville, Tenn.:
PRINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,

208 N. College Street.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil

http://archive.org/details/americanhistoric01peab

h-l"ED

American Historical Magazine.

Vol. I. JANUARY, 1896. No. 1.

THE FATHER OF REPRESENTATIVE GOV-
ERNMENT IN AMERICA.,

It is not the purpose of this article to set forth any
new discovery, nor to present any reflections which are
especially startling - or original.

The purpose is, to emphasize a neglected fact of
American historty; a fact attested by ancient records, nar-
rated in historical works, and familiar to historians; yet
a fact the full significance of which is not generally re-
cognized.

On the 30th day of July, 1619, the first Legislative
Assembly in America convened at Jamestown, Virginia.

This Assembly marked the first victory of popular
rights in the Western Hemisphere, and was in some re-
spects, the most remarkable Assembly that ever con-
vened. It was, not only the beacon ligdit of freedom in
America, but it, also, exercised an important reflex influ-
ence on the constitution of England, and is entitled to be
included among - the decisive events of history.

The facts connected with this important event have
been sketched by Bancroft, Cooke, and other historians,
but they have not taken the hold which thej r deserve upon

4 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the popular heart, and are not treasured, as they should
be, in the memory of every American.

The most g-raphic picture which has been painted of
this Assembly and its members will be found in the Vir-
ginia Magazine of History for July, 1894. In this maga-
zine is given the address delivered before the Virginia
Historical Society by Hon. William Wirt Henry, to whose
researches I am indebted for many of the facts narrated
in this paper, and from whose graphic description, I have
obtained permission to quote several extracts.

This Assembly was not so much a victorv in itself,
as it was the reward or first fruits of a victory already
achieved. The battle for representative government in
Virginia had been waged since the foundation of the Col-
ony. The battlefield had been transferred from James-
town to London, and the Council Chamber of the Vir-

" Mi H. , j > '

ginia Company of London was the scene of the conflict.
The victory was won, not by the sword, but by peaceful
and manly resistance to oppression, and by appeal to jus-
tice and reason. Had it been won by force of arms, and

'lUi-f til!

lighted up by the gdare of war, it would have occupied a
more dramatic place in history, and possibly its incidents
would have been depicted in more gdowiug colors on the
imagination and memory of posterity, yet its beneficial
effects would, perhaps, have been lessened.

, This was a victory of peace, and like the victories of
peace,, was far-reaching" and creative in results, rather
than resplendent in imagery.

Clearly to understand the contest which culminated
in. this peaceful victory of liberty, let us glance briefly, at
the previous condition of the Colony. When Virginia
was settled in 1607, the colonists brought with them the
civilization, the customs, and the instincts of English-
men. They claimed, also, by charter, the rights of Eng-
lishmen; yet, the most valuable of these rig'hts, the right

it ,n

of self-g'overnment, was denied them for twelve years.

This right, however, cannot long" be withheld from anv

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 5

people of Ang-lo-Saxon blood. It was first won by Vir-
ginia simply for the reason that Virginia was the first
settled colony. It would have been won by Massachu-
setts, though perhaps in a different form, had Massachu-
setts been first settled. But the Pilgrims did not land at
Plymouth Rock until more than one year after Virginia
had won the first battle of freedom in America, and had
paved the way for according representative goverhtnent
to the future colonies of England.

As soon as the colonists began to feel that their resi-
dence in America was permanent, the} r began to grow
restive under the S3 r stem of government which placed
them under the absolute control of King James I. ' Find-
ing the Colony a source of annoyance rather than profit,
James I. in 1009, issued a second charter, nominally yield-
ing to the requests and petitions of the "Virg-inia Com-
pany of Adventures," the right of self-government.

This charter transferred to the Company the powers
which had heretofore been reserved to the King. The
colonists hailed this charter as a triumph, and flattered
themselves that they had secured self-government. They
soon found, however, that the powers of government
were intercepted at London, and the}^ had secured only a 1
change of masters.

The Virginia Company of London consisted of a
treasurer, who was, ex-officio, the presiding officer, and
who would be styled in modern organizations, "The
President" ; a council, who would now be called a "Board
of Directors;" and a large number of "subscribers ," or
stockholders. It was this commercial company to which'
James I. granted the power to control America

It is needless to recite that the colonists grew more
and more dissatisfied with a system by which laws for
their government were made without their knowledge or
consent, and were administered by a governor, a council
and other officers who were often the agents of tryanny
and oppression. The demand for self-government first 1

6 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

took the form of muttered discontent; growing" stronger
and better organized, it assumed the bolder form of peti-
tion for the redress of grievances. Those who know the
Angdo-Saxon race, know that this is the precursor of rev-
olution.

Fortunately for the colonists, they found, at this
juncture, among the rulers placed over them by the Lon-
don Company, a steadfast and influential friend, whose
heart beat in sympathy with popular rights, and who
was destined in a few years to be the instrument for es-
tablishing" representative government in America.

Capt. Georg"e Yardley* came to Virginia on the ship,
"Deliverance," in 1609. "He was," says a distinguished
writer, "a man of wealth and of well deserved influence."
He was descended from a Staffordshire famil}% known as
the "Lords of Yardley." One of his ancestors was a wit-
ness to the signature of King" John to the first Mag-na
Charta, June 15, 1215. Capt. Georg"e Yardley was a sub-
scriber, or stockholder in the London Company. He had
served with distinction in Holland, in the war against
Spain. A contemporary said of him , that he was "a soldier
truly bred in the University of War in the Low Countries."
He served as President of the Colonial Council until
1616, about which time he was married to Temperance
West. In this year, Governor, Sir Thomas Dale, depart-
ing" for Kng"land in company with John Rolfe and his wife
Pocahontas, left Capt. Yardley as Deputy Governor.
He was thus enabled by actual residence, and by official
relations with the colonists, to form a just estimate of
their needs, and a true conception of their rig-hts. His
character and modes of thougdit made him the friend and
supporter of popular rights at the time when the colonists
needed a judicious and faithful friend.

The storm was even then brewing 1 amont>" the com-
mons of Kng'land which was destined in the next reign to
deluge the island in blood, and to briny" a king to the

*See Genealogical Notes.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. I

scaffold. The English people were beginning- to mutter
against royal prerogatives, and they listened with sym-
pathy to the complaints of the colonists.

The Virginia Company was divided into two factions.
The ruling" party, known as the Court party was led by
the President, or Treasurer, Sir Thomas Smith. This
party looked upon the colonists as servants of the Com-
pany, employed to do its bidding", as entitled to no politi-
cal rights, and as instruments to be used for the pecu-
niary benefit of the Company and its officers. It was,
therefore, the policy of this party to g"overn the Colony
by rigid regulations, and to permit the colonists no voice
in the control of affairs.

The continued complaints of the colonists, and the
evident justice of their cause, had aroused the sympathy
of the more liberal members, and, had broug'ht to their
aid a few powerful friends who looked beyond the griev-
ances of the colonists to the effect which the assertion of
Virginia rig'hts would produce on public sentiment in
England. In addition to this the mismanag"ement of the
Company's affairs by the Court party, and the tyranny of
its agents had injured the value of the Company's prop-
erty, had retarded and almost stopped immigration, and
was beginning" to drive many immig"rants back to Engdand.

A strong party known as the Virginia party was
formed within the London Company, at the he id of
which were Shakespeare's friend, the Earl of Southamp-
ton, Sir Edwin Sandys, and Mr. Nicolas Ferrar.

It is not surprising that the principles and qualities
which made Yardley beloved by the colonists, made him
distasteful to the President of the London Company, and
to the Court party. Capt. Samuel Arg-all, a relative of
President Smith, and his commercial ag"ent, was appoint-
ed to supersede "the mild and popular Yardley." This
action was received by the colonists as a public calamity,
and their indignation was freely expressed. In the end,
however, it was fortunate for their interests.

8 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

The tyranny and rapacity of Argall soon became
notorious, and hastened the overthrow of the Court party.

Yardley repaired to London, and presented to the
Company the condition of affairs in the Colony. The
cause of reform was warmly espoused by Sir Edwin
Sandys, the Earl of Southampton, and other leaders of
the Virginia party. A severe conflict ensued within the
Company, which was eagerly watched by the people of
England. The meetings of the Company were thronged
with visitors. The Virginia remonstrances and the de-
bates at the sessions of the Company became the theme of
conversation in all parts of Eng-land.

When the matter came to a vote, the Court party was
completely overthrown. The colonial policy was radi-
cally changed. Argall was recalled. The right of local
self-government was accorded to Virg-inia. Capt. George
Yardley was elected Governor-General of the Colony. A
little later, Sir Thomas Smith was forced to resign with
damage to his reputation, and Sir Edwin Sandys was
elected President, or Treasurer.

A remarkable circumstance connected with these
proceedings is the fact that they received the assent of
the suspicious tyrant, James I. Gondomar the Spanish
minister warned him: "The Virginia Courts are but a
seminary for a seditious Parliament/ ' Many contempo-
raneous expressions show, that the reflex influence which
this Virginia House of Burgesses would exert upon the
institutions of England, was foreseen by the thinkers of
that da}\

In addition to this James was personally favorable to
the Court party, and disliked the leaders of the Virginia
party. He especially detested Sir Edwin Sandys, and is
reported to have said: "Elect the devil if you will, but
not Sir Edwin Sand} T s." Yet the effect of these meas-
ures so far escaped the microscopic vision of the cunning
tyrant, that he not only assented to the new polic}\ but
even gave it a quasi approval.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA 9

He sent for Capt. Yardley, the Governor-elect, re-
ceived him graciously, admitted him to a leng-th\ r inter-
view, and finally as a signal mark of the favor of the sov-
ereign, conferred on him the honor of knighthood, Novem-
ber 22, 1618.

A great victory had been achieved when Sir George
Yardley, successful in his mission, honored by the Lon-
don Company, favored by his sovereign, and secure of
the love of the colonists, sailed from Eiigdand, January
29, 1619, bearing his commission and instructions to con-
fer on Virginia the right of local self-g-overnment.

After reaching Jamestown, he entered upon the
duties of his office as Governor-General, April 19, 1619.

"From the moment of Yardley's arrival," says Ban-
croft "dates the real life of the Colony. He made pro-
clamation 'that those cruell lawes, by which the ancient
planters had been soe longe governed, were now abrogated,
and that they were to be governed by those free lawes,
which his majesties subjectes lived under in Englande.'
Nor were these concessions left dependent on the good
will of administrative officers. 'That the planters migmt
have a hande in the governinge of themselves, yt was
graunted that a generall assemblie shoulde be held yearly
once, whereat were to be present the Governor and Coun-
sell, with two burgesses from each plantation, freely to
be elected by the inhabitantes thereof, this assemblie to
have power to make and ordaine whatsoever lawes and
orders shoulde by them be thought good and profitable
for their subsistence;'

Early in June, Sir George Yardley "sente his sum-
mons all over the countrv, as well to invite those of the
Counsell of Estate that were absente, as also for the
election of the burgesses."

Then came the first general election. Let us pic-
ture in imagination the pride and pleasure with which
our ancestors assembled in their respective precincts to
elect their first representatives. There were some old

10 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

English prejudices, but no organized parties. Possibly,
there may have been some artful dodging of issues, but
this had not been reduced to the science of a party plat-
form. There were no political bosses, no election ma-
chinery, no ballot boxes. Proud of the exercise of the
elective franchise, the colonists voted, as freemen should
be proud to vote, viva voce.

From each of the eleven boroughs, or hundreds, or
plantations, two delegates, called burgesses, were elected.
These names should live in the history of all Americans,
for this Assembl} T represented all of the English race
then in America. I quote their names from the list given
by Mr. Henry, as follows:

For James City: Captain William Powell, and En-
sign Win. Spence.

For Charles Cit} T : Samuel Sharp, and Samuel
Jordan.

For the City of Henricus, (Dutch Gap;: Thomas
Dowse and John Polentine.

For Kiccowtan, (Hampton): Capt. William Tucker,
and William Capp.

For Snu'the's Hundred: Capt. Thomas Graves, and
Walter Shelley.

For Martin's Hundred: John Boys and John Jackson.

For Argall's Guifte: Capt. Thos Pawlett, and
Mr. Gourgaing".

For Flouer dieu Hundred: Ensign Rosingham, and
Mr. Jefferson.

For Lavvne's Plantation, (Isle of Wight i: Capt.
Christopher Lawne and Ensig-n Washer.

For Ward's Plantation: Capt. Warde, and Lieut.
Gibbs.

For Martin's Plantation: Thos Davis and Robert
Stacey.

Man}" of these names will be recognized as household
words. Among- them, many deserve comment, but the
limits of this paper will permit mention of only one.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 11

The name of Capt. Thomas Pawlett is conspicuous
in Virginia history. He was a brother of Robert Pau-
lett, who was appointed one of the Concillors of Virginia,
but declined the office, and also of Lord John Powlett.
The name was spelled in three different ways, and the
three brothers seemed to have adopted three different
modes of spelling- it. In 1623, Capt. Thomas Pawlett
received a grant for the famous estate of Westover on
James River, which was bequeathed at his death to his
brother, Lord John Powlett, and which subsequently be-
came the property of Col. William Byrd, the author of
the Dividing- Line. From this family is descended Maj.
John W. Paulett, now a citizen of Knoxville, Tennessee.

On the 30th da}^ of July, 1619, the burg-esses assem-
bled at Jamestown, and representative g-overnment in
America was an accomplished fact.

Let us use our imagination to depict the scene in
which these actors with simplicity unaffected, and with
g-randeur all unconscious, shaped intuitively and accur-
atelv the model of American Legislation.

Says Mr. Henry: "On the memorable morning- of the
30th of July, 161 ( ), the Governor went in state to the
church. He was accompanied by the Councillors and
officers of the Colony, with a g-uard of Halberdiers dressed
in the Governor's livery. Behind them walked with be-
coming- dig-nity, the twenty-two newly elected burg-esses."

"In the contemporaneous account sent to England by
the Speaker we are told: 'The most convenient place we
could finde to sitt in was the Quire of the Church,
where Sir Georg-e Yardley, the Governor, being- sett
down in his accustomed place, those of the Counsel of
Estate sate nexte him on both handes, except only the
Secretary, then appointed Speaker, who sate rig-ht before
him. John Twine, Clerke of the General Assembly, be-
ing placed nexte to the Speaker, and Thomas Pierse, the
Serg-eant, standnig- at the barre, to be ready for any ser-
vice the Assembly should command him. But foras-

12 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

muche as men's affaires doe little prosper where God's
service is neglected, all the burgesses took their places
in the Quire till a prayer was said by Mr. Bucke, the
minister, that it would please God to guide and sanctifie
all our proceeding's to his owne glory, and the good of
this plantation. Prayer being ended, to the intente that
as we had begun at God Almighty, so we might proceed
with awful and due respecte towards the Lieutenant,
our most gratious and dread soveraigne, all the Bur-
g'esses were intreated to retyre themselves into the body
of the Churche, which being done, before they were freely
admitted, the\ T were called to order and by name, and so
every man (none staggeringe at it) tooke the oath of Su-
premacy, and then entered the Assembly."

Let us g'lance at the Councillors, who sat on either
side of Governor Yardley. Says Mr. Henry: "They
were all Englishmen of high type, and following ancient
customs, they sat with their hats on." * * *

"Among them was Sir Francis West, the son of Sir
Thomas West, the second Lord De La Warr. He was
subsequently to become Governor of Virginia. He was a
direct descendant of William, the Conqueror."

"Captain Nathaniel Powell had come to Virginia
with the first colonists; had been with Newport when he
explored York River, and with Smith when he explored
Chesapeake Bay. He was a man of culture, and kept an
account of occurrences in the Colon}", which had been free-
ly used by Capt. Smith in his histor} 7 of Virginia."

"John Rolfe had come to Virginia with Sir Thomas
Gates. In 1612, he introduced the systematic culture of
tobacco in Virginia. In 1614, he had married the Prin-
cess Pocahontas, whom he carried to England in 1616."

"The Rev. William Wickham was of a prominent
family. He added the diguity of the clergy to the Assem-
bly in which he sat."

"Captain Samuel May.cock was a Cambridge scholar,
and a g'entleman of birth, virtue, and industry."

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 1

<■>

"John Pory, Secretary of the Colony, sat as the
Speaker of the Burg-esses. He had been educated at
Cambridge, and was an accomplished scholar. He was a
disciple of the celebrated Hackluyt, who left the higfhest
testimonials to his learning - . Having- served in Parlia-
ment, he was able to g'ive order to their proceeding's, and
proper form to their acts."

"The Rev. Richard Bucke, the officiating- minister
was educated at Oxford, and was an able and learned
Divine. He married in Virginia, was the minister at
Jamestown, where in 1614, he performed the marriag"e
ceremony between Rolfe and the Indian Princess Poca-
hontas. The church in which the Assembly met had
been built for him, wholly at the charge of the inhabi-
tants of James City."

The first act of the Burg-esses was to purge their roll.
They excluded the two Burg-esses from Martin's planta-
tion on the ground that this plantation, by the terms of
its patent, was exempt from the g-eneral form of govern-
ment prescribed for the Colony, and they petitioned the
Loudon Company to amend the patent, so that there
mig-ht be no grant whereby "the uniformity and equality
of lawes and orders extending- over the whole Colony
mig-ht be impeached." Says Mr. Henry: "Thus early did
Virgfinia insist upon the equality of her citizens before
the law, a principle reasserted in her Declaration of Rig-ht,
in 1776, when she became a State."

The next step was to call upon the Speaker to read
the commission creating- the Assembly.

"He read unto them the commission for establishing-
the Counsell of Kstate and the General Assembly,
wherein their duties were described to the life. Having-
. thus prepared them, he read over unto them the great
Charter or commission of priviledg-es, orders, and lawes,
sent by Sir Georg-e Yardley, out of Eng-land." The
next step was to appoint committees. The Assembly was
then ready for business.

14 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

They adjourned at the end of five days, having - trans-
acted a greater amount of business, more novel in charac-
ter, and more far-reaching in effects, than has, perhaps,
ever been transacted by any subsequent Legislature in
the same length of time.

Let us examine some of the features which this re-
markable Assembly, with no precedent or guide, except
the experience of their Speaker as a member of Parlia-
ment, has, spontaneously and permanently stamped upon
the organization of legislative assemblies and the forms
of American legislation.

1. The organization, Speaker, Clerk, Sergeant-at-
Arms.

2. The opening with prayer.

3. The swearing-in of members.

4. Purging- the roll.

5. The appointment of committees.

It is to be regretted that the example of the rapid
dispatch of business which was so conspicuously set by
this model Assembly, has not likewise decended to pos-
terity. In noting the proceedings, one remarkable fact
strikes the reader, viz: Matters referred to the commit-
tees were' usually reported the next day.

Six petitions were sent by the Assembly to the Lon-
don Compan} 7 . These related, for the most part, to the
allotment, tenure and descent of lands, and to regulations
for immigTation. One petition deserves especial notice,
being the first movement in favor of education in Amer-
ica. The Compaii} T is entreated, that ''towards the
erecting of the university and colleg'e, the}' will sende,
when they shall think it most convenient, workmen of all
sortes, lit for the purpose." The plans for the establish-
ment of the "university and colleg'e" were frustrated by
the Indian massacre of 1(>22, but the effort many years
later culminated in the establishment of William and
Mary Colleg'e.

Next, came the report of the committee to whom had

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 15

been referred "the great Charter of lawes, orders, and
priviledges," brought by Sir George Yardley. This
committee had been cautiously instructed to report
whether it contained anything "not perfectly squaring
with the State of the Colony, or any law pressing- or
binding too hard, because this great Charter is to bind us
and our heirs forever." After receiving the report,
"there remaining no further scruple in the mindesof the
Assembly touching the great Charter of lawes, orders,
and priviledges, the Speaker putt the same to question, and
so it hath the general assent and applause of the whole
Assembly."

Then followed a number of laws of both public and
private nature, relating to taxation, agriculture, religion,
crimes, misdemeanors, intercourse with the Indians, and
many other matters. The Assembly then sat as a crimi-
nal court.

It would be interesting", did not the limits of this pa-
per prohibit, to note the quaintness of some of these laws,
as well as the shrewdness and sagacity of this primitive
legislation.

I cannot forbear to mention three acts which bear
witness to the foresight of these legislators, and the orig"-
inal character of the statutes which they crowded into
their five-days' session. (1) They passed a law to provide
for taking a census of the inhabitants, this being" the first
legislation for a census. (2) They passed laws for re-
cording births, marriages and deaths. (3) They passed
a law fixing the price of tobacco at three shillings a
pound for the best, and eighteen pence a pound "for the
second sort."

The importance of this last provision will be appar-
ent when it is remembered that tobacco was the currency
of the country, and that fluctuations in its value affected
our ancestors as disastrously as we are now affected by
fluctuations in the relative value of Q-old and silver. The
committee of this model Assemblv, however, was able to

16 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

report on the currency question in one day, and the Assem-
bly solved the problem on the next. The intermeddling
of the English government with the value of tobacco as a
currency, at a later date, prompted by the supposed in-
terests of EngTish merchants, caused much discontent in
the Colony, and g-ave rise to the famous Parson's Case,
in which the eloquence of the "forest-born Demosthenes"
"first burst into name.

The Assembly closed its labors with a petition to
the London Company to amend the "Great Charter of
lawes, orders, and priviledges" by confirming- a grant
which the charter merely held out as a promise for the
future. I quote the words of the petition:

"Their last humble suite is, that the said Counsell and
Company would be pleased, so soon as they shall finde it
convenient, to make g"ood their promise sett down at the
conclusion of their commission for establishing- the Coun-
sell of Estate and the Generall Assembly, namely, that
they will g'ive us power to allowe or disallowe of their
orders of courts, as his Majesty hath given them power
to allowe or reject our lawes."

This petition has been styled "The First Declara-
tion of Independence." It is not, however, a declaration.
It is a petition for independence. Its lang-uag-e is not de-
fiant and assertive, like the famous declaration of 1776;
yet, it evinces, in the weaknes of infanc} 7 , the same spirit,
which strengthened with the growth of the Colony;
which, in 1()7(), blazed out in Bacon's Rebellion: which
found stern utterance in the resolutions of 17(>5:

"TrV.Wrrc/, That the General Assembly of this Col-
ony have the sole rig"ht and power to lay taxes and impo-
sitions upon the inhabitants of this Colon\ r ; and that an} T
attempt to vest such power in any person or persons,
whatsoever, other than the General Assembly aforesaid,
has a manifest tendency to destroy British, as well as
American freedom."

This sentiment found its g-randest expression in the

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 17

words spoken before a Virginia Convention, in 1775,
"Give me libert}^ or give me death," words second
in sublimity onlv to the divine fiat, "Let there be light";
and which reached its culmination in 1776, when a Virg-inia
delegate moved: "These united colonies are, and of
right, ought to be, free and independent States," and a
Yiginia statesman penned the immortal Declaration.

The limits of this paper will not permit me to trace
in detail the subsequent history of those connected with
this first Legislative Assembh* in America. The peti-
tion of the House of Burg-esses was g-ranted by the Lon-
don Company. On the 24th of Juh T , 1621, the Company
amended its previous liberal grants of power to the col-
onists by formulating a written constitution, embracing"
nearly all the features contained in the several petitions
of the House of Burgesses, and especially the feature
granting the Burgesses a veto on the orders of the Corn-
pan}-. The following quotation from Bancroft sketches
the provisions of this constitution:

"Its terms were few and simple; a governor to be
appointed by the Company; a permanent council likewise
to be appointed by the Company; a General Assembly to
be convened yearly, and to consist of the members of the
council and of two burgesses to be chosen from each of
the several plantations by the respective inhabitants.
The Assembly might exercise full legislative authority,
a neg-ative voice being- reserved to the governor; but no
law or ordinance would be valid unless ratified b} r £he
Compan} T in England. It was further agreed that after
the government of the Colonv should have once been
framed, no orders from the Court in London should bind
the Colony, unless they should in like manner be ratified
by the General Assembly."

These concessions show the complete ascendency of
the Virginia party in the London Company. This liberal
policy continued during the existence of the Compan\ T ,
but the time of reaction was at hand.

18 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

James I. began to awaken to the significance of these
proceedings. He recalled the words of the Spanish Minis-
ter, and repented of his acquiescence in the new colonial
policy. The fever of a tyrant's hatred began to swell in
his veins against the London Company. He called to his
councils the former President, Sir Thomas Smith, and the
rapacious Capt. Samuel Argall, on the latter of whom he
conferred the honor of knighthood. Lending a ready ear
to these malcontents, he entered upon a crusade against
the leaders of the Virginia party.

His active hostility forced Sir Edwin Sand\ T s from
office, and finally caused his imprisonment. George San-
dys was elected by the Company to succeed his brother.
Sir Edwin. Later, the office devolved upon the Earl of
Southhampton. Yardle}" was forced by ill health, and the
hostility of the King to decline re-election. At a meeting
of the Company held January 29, 1621, the Earl of South-
hampton stated that "he had received advertisement of
Sir George Yardle} T 's importuning desire to relinquish his
said office at the expiration of his said commission." He
accordingly nominated Sir Francis Wyatt to succeed him.
The Court took time to consider the matter, and at its
next session, elected Sir Francis Wyatt as Governor-
General ot Virginia.

The hostility of James, however, did not drive the
Company from its liberal policy. They proceeded to en-
act the written constitution above recited, and sent it to
the Colon}' b} T the new governor, Sir Francis Wyatt.
The persistence of the Company in this liberal policy so
exasperated James that he demanded the surrender of the
charter, to which demand the Company returned a digni-
fied refusal. The King then proceeded by judicial process.
On the 10th day of June, 1624, the Court of King's Bench,
whose jugdges sat at the royal pleasure, pronounced
judgrnent against the Company, and its charter was de-
clared "forfeited."

The dissolution of the London Comapany, seriously

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 19

endangered the liberties of Virginia. The Company had
been an anomaly in government. It had been an inter-
mediate link between the King and the Colony. Under
the control of the Virginia party, it served the purpose
of substituting the public sentiment of the Engdish peo-
ple in place of royal despotism in the colonial policy of
England. It had acted a noble and patriotic part. It
had confirmed to the Colony the priceless and irrevocable
gift of representative government, and had given to the
English people a lesson and an example. Its dissolution
left the people of England to profit by the lesson, and the
people of Virginia to guard the gift. How well the Eng-
lish people learned the lesson may be read in the history
of the Stuarts. The sagacity, firmness and boldness
with which the Virginians guarded the gift, excites the
admiration and gratitude of posterity.

The temper of the colonists was subjected to an im-
mediate test. The crafty King had sent a commission to
Virginia, consisting" of Sir John Harvey, afterwards a
ro} 7 al governor, Mr. Samuel Matthews and John Por}\
It is to be regretted that the name of John Pory is found
in such company, for he had been Secretary of the Colonv
under Yardley, and the ex-officio Speaker of the first As-
sembly. He had now been brought over to the royal in-
terest. These commissioners were sent to investigate
the condition of the Colony. They had, also, a secret
mission. They were instructed to procure by promises,
threats or artifice, from the House of Burg"esses an ex-
pression of approval of the King's policy, a petition for
the dissolution of the London Company, and a surrender
of the Yardley charter and the subsequent constitu-
tion.

The commissioners found to their surprise and
chagrin, that the colonists were too firm and wary to be
cajoled. Instead of the compliance expected of them, the
House of Burgesses sent by a messenger of their own a
protest against the proceeding's of the King", a defence of

20 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the London Company, and a refusal to surrender either
the Yardley charter or the constitution.

The King- now entered upon the task of framing a
system of government for Virginia, in accordance with
the purpose which he had previously announced to Par-
liament, as follows: "That he would hereafter take the
affairs of the Virginia Company into his own serious con-
sideration and care; and that, by the next Parliament,
they would all see that he would make it one of his mas-
terpieces." Death, however, interrupted his plans, and
spoiled the "masterpiece.'' 1

When Charles I. ascended the throne of his father,
March 27, 1625, he manifested indifference to the political
questions relating- to Virginia, and seemed to be interest-
ed onl}* in measures of securing- a revenue from the indus-
tries of the colonists. He seemed not to comprehend the
principles involved in the contest, and showed some de-
sire for popularity.

Now came the second triumph of the "Father of
Representative Government' ' in America. Sir Georg-e
Yardley was recalled from retirement, and as a love offer-
ing - from the King" to the colonists, he was appointed Gov-
ernor-General of Virg-inia. His commission was dated
April 19, lb27, being* the seventh anniversary of his for-
mer entrance upon office. This commission conferred on
him the unusual power of filling- by his own appointment,
all vacancies existing- in the "Counsell of Kstate." He
entered upon the duties May 17. 1(>2(>. and continued in
office until his death. The early historians who recorded
the events of this period did not seem to comprehend the
sig-nificance of the "'First Legislative Assembly." Thev
ignored the important part taken by Yardley, and the love
which was felt to him by the colonists. Posteritv svm-
pathizes with the colonists, and accords to Yardley his
rightful place in history.

We close this sketch with a quotation from Bancroft:
''The reappointment of Yardley was in itself a guaran-

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA. 21

tee that representative government would be maintained;
for it was Yardle}' who had introduced the system."

"Virginia rose rapidl} T in public esteem; in 1627 a
thousand immigrants arrived, and there was an increas-
ing demand upon the products of the soil.' 1

"In November, 1627, the career of Yardley was
closed by death. The colonists in a letter to the privy
council, gave a eulogy on his virtues. Posterity retains
a grateful recollection of the man who first convened a
representative assembly in the Western Hemisphere."

W. R. Garrett.

22 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.

BY REV. STEPHEN FOSTER.

This battle followed the battle of Enaree. From
the latter it appeared that Col. Isaac Shelby carried off
200 prisoners beyond the pursuit of the English troops.
Major Ferg-uson with a small party of regulars had been
detached by Lord Cornwallis, to the upper section of the
Carolinas, to g-ather troops to the nryal standard and
support the interest of His Majesty there. In this ser-
vice he proved himself a man of energy and skill; mus-
tered a force of a thousand men, resenting- the affront of
Shelby, and addressed to the latter a threatening- mes-
sage, that if he would not cease from such depredations,
he would march over the mountains and burn those vil-
lages which supplied him with men. Shelby, residing- at
his father's dwelling-, in Sullivan County, East Tennessee,
on receiving- this message repaired to the settlements on
AVataug-a River forty miles distant. He there had ample
opportunity of communicating- its import to Col. John
Sevier, who joined him in a sentiment of congenial hero-
ism for forming- a deserving- and respectable army. The
message before them told them of the foe. It represented
to them an enterprise of a new and daring - kind. The
object of this enterprise was singde and distinct. This
was Ferg-uson, the whole of Ferg-uson, and nothing" but
Ferguson.

The force which these gentlemen were able to muster
in the two settlements was little over 4<M) men. The
army they were to attack was double in number, and
headed by the ablest partisan leader in the land. Shelby
therefore addressed a letter to Col. "William Campbell,
Washing-ton County, Va., to come over and join in the en-

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 23

terprise. Campbell at first refused, from a desire to
march in a different direction, and unite his troop with
those which were then struggling- in the lower section of
his own State. A second message from Shelby was suc-
cessful. Campbell's division amounted to 400 men.
The place of meeting - was the Sycamore Flats on Wa-
tauga River, at the foot of the Yellow Mountains.

They ascended this mountain on horseback about the
first of October, 1780. They encamped the same night
in a gap of the mountain on the opposite side. The as-
cent of the mountain was not very difficult. It was a
road travelled before, but was impassable for wag-ons.
No provisions were taken but such as each man could
carry in his wallet or saddlebag-. The sides and top of
the mountain were covered with snow "shoe-mouth deep."
On the top of the mountain the troops paraded — here
were one hundred acres of beautiful table land. A spring-
issuing" through it ran over into the Watauga. On reach-
ing- the plain beyond the mountain, they found them-
selves in a country covered with verdure, and breathed an
atmosphere of summer mildness. The second nig-ht they
rested at Cathy's plantation. The third day they fell in
with Gen. McDowell and that night held a general con-
sulfation of the officers. Gen. McDowell was without
troops; yet his rank and former services could not easily
be overlooked. And at the same time these young- and
daring- officers, impatient to inflict a decisive blow on
Ferguson, were unwilling- to brook the delay that might
ensue from entrusting the command to him. It was ac-
cordingly stated in council that they needed an expe-
rienced officer to command them; they knew Gen. Morgan
was the man they wanted; they were unacquainted with
Greene and feared that their request to him for Morgan's
services would be little attended to, coming- as it necessarily
must from strang'ers. To obviate this difficulty so ap-
parently perplexing-, McDowell very generously offered
to be their messenger, being personally acquainted with

24 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Greene and Morgan; his offer was gladly and promptly
accepted. It was a matter of immediate consultation
who should lead them to the intended attack. Col.
Campbell, having - been nominated b} T Col. Shelby, both
from a principle of courtesy and the superior number of
men in his regiment, was elected accordingly.

The fourth night they rested at a rich Tory's where
they obtained abundance of every necessary refreshment.
On passing near the Cowpens they heard of a large body
of Tories about eight miles distant. And, although the
main enterprise was not to be delayed a single moment, a
party of eig'hty volunteers under Ensign Robert Camp-
bell was permitted to go in chase of them during the
night. These had removed before our party came to the
place, who accordingly after riding" all night came up
with the main body the next day. On the next night a
similar expedition was conducted by another officer with-
out success, but without adding any delay to the march
of the army. At Gilberton, about two or three days
march from the enemy, our troops fell in with Col. Wil-
liams (who was able to select the best pilots) together
with Colonels Cleveland, Tracy and Brandon, each com-
manding a body of men, and the whole amounting - to 300.
These were retreating- before Fergmson and were glad to
join their forces to ours. On the night before the day of
action, a misunderstanding" arose in the attempt to cross
a river. Two fords were taken and the army had sepa-
rated and was crossing" at both. When this was perceived
by the officers, a halt was ordered, and the men rested on
this side until morning". Two roads were here, and to
prevent spies from passing and repassing' they were both
gmarded by appointed watchmen. The least public of
these was guarded by Lieut. Sawyers I since Col. Saw-
yers) and twent} T -live men were here taken in this single
night. Our officers and men were so bent upon their ob-
ject — so anxious to take Fergmson by surprise, and so
apprehensive of his possible escape, that they could not

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 25

brook the delay of footmen. Four hundred of them were
on foot — the other seven hundred were mounted riflemen.
It was proposed for the sake of dispatch that these should
move in the speediest manner, and thoug-h the whole
force was already too small, it was determined to risk
the fate of the enterprise on the bravery and address of
the 700 men. While preparations were made by the
officers for this division, many of the troops in the mean-
time thought it a fit opportunity for refreshment. Beef
was spitted at the fire, and mixed dough was in the very
process of baking- when the order was gi veil for the troops
to march. The hot meat without roasting- and the hot
dough without baking', was rudely thrust by every man
into his saddlebag-s or wallet and the men g-alloped off
without a murmur. This was in the dead of nig-ht.
They were forty-five miles from the enemy and nothing -
but the very best riding - over such roads as the country
afforded, would bring - them the next day to his quarters
in season to terminate the action by daylight. They
were accordingly there by two o'clock in the afternoon.
Here a few intervening - circumstances may be mentioned.
Capt. Craig's and some other companies on crossing - a
river (probably Broad River) were made to believe by
their commanding" officers, for the sake of trying- the
courage of their men, that the enemy were upon the op-
posite bank. The enemy, accordingly, which was noth-
ing - else than the advanced guard of our own troops,
made his appearance for their reception, retiring - a little
as. they approached the river; They crossed the river,
dismounted from their horses and advanced to the pro-
posed attack on the enemy. But finding- no enemy there
to meet them, they returned to their horses and proceeded
without further delay.

Not far onward they were to pass a house on the
right. This house formed a corner in the road. They
turned it and bent their course to the right hand. Here
stood a man in the decrepitude of old ag - e, leaning- on a

26 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

staff and watching- our men with great earnestness of
visage. He called out "God bless you" till his voice died
in the distance of the way, and in the noise and hurry of
the forward march. They now began to meet with scat-
tered notices of the enemy's encampment in the burnt
fences and trodden ground. As the afternoon advanced,
some began to talk of an encampment for our troops and
to give up the hope of meeting" the enemy to-day. They
had now travelled about forty-live miles and during much
of this time had been wet with rain. It was about two
o'clock when, coming* to a place within two or three miles
of the enemy, they intercepted two of his pickets and cap-
tured the same without firing a g'un. Ferguson may
have had some notice of our troops, though not immedi-
ately before their arrival. A deserter from Col. Cleve-
land's division, who will be mentioned again in the sequel
of the narrative, had arrived at the British quarters a
day or two before and told Ferg"uson of the approaching
attack. His appearance was said to be so shabby and
unpromising - as to detract much from any high regard to
his statement. Yet so wary and vigilant an officer as
Ferguson, was not to be taken altogether by surprise.
He had his chosen position and assumed a vigorous de-
fence. He was confident in his own measures, yet to se-
cure every precaution he sent a message to Cornwallis
desiring aid, at the same time stating he had named the
place of his encampment, King's Mountain, in honor of
the King-, and was so strongly fortified here, that if all
the rebels in hell were rained down upon him, they could
not drive him from it. The message was intercepted by
our men and Cornwallis knew nothing" of the danger till
Ferguson was no more.

King's Mountain is a ridge running" east and west in
York District, South Carolina, about ten miles north of
the Cherokee Ford, of Broad River. A ledg"e of rock
skirts the summit of this mountain on the south side.
This formed a natural breastwork for theenemv, behind

THE BATTLE OP KING'S MOUNTAIN. 27

which they could lie with their heads only exposed, and
leisurely take aim at our troops on that side. And it is
a remarkable fact that does credit to the rifles of our men,
that an unusual number of the enemy who fell, were shot
through the head. Before the action, Col. Shelby re-
marked to the army that he had been twice likely to be
killed for an enemy by his own men: he, therefore, recom-
mended, as an expedient of safety, that every man first
strip off his coat and hat, and go to battle without them.
This was done by himself and reg'iment, but not by
others. Col. Campbell also was induced to lay off his
coat, which being" very peculiar in its color and form,
would have rendered him signally conspicuous from others.
Kings's Mountain now emerg-ed to the view of our
men, and the British and Tory troops were seen through
the forest, rising* from dinner. The battle line was
quickly formed. The main attack was to be made by
Campbell and Shelby's division, up the east and steepest
side of the mountain. Sevier was to ascend the left side
of the mountain from these and Cleveland on his rig-ht.
Of the main body, Campbell's division was on the rig-ht
and Shelby's on the left. Capt. Elliot, in Shelby's divis-
ion, occupied the extreme left, Lieut. Sawyers next to
him, Capt. Maxwell's company next, and Capt. Webb,
the extreme right. The order of march in the companies
composing- Col. Campbell's division was as nearly as the
hurr} r of the transaction would admit, the order of the
battle line from rig-ht to left, the following: Capt. Dy-
sart, Capt, Coloil, Capt. EMmonston, Capt. Beatie, Lieut.
Bowen, Capt. Craig. But the movement forward was
made with so much ag-ility and the retreat so hurried and
abrupt, that these companies not only became intermixed
with one another, but also with Col. Shelb} T 's. The
troops were ordered to shout the Indian war whoop, as-
cend the mountain and attack the enemy. This was done
with great vig-or, when the enemy advanced in firm pla-
toons, fired their muskets, charg-ed with fixed bavonets

28 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

and obliged them to give way. In the mean time Cols.
Williams, Tracy, Brandon, Cleveland and Sevier, who
were to march from the left of the main body and com-
pass the south and west side of the mountain, in the space
of fifteen minutes arrived there and assailed the enemy
in that direction. This gave our troops an opportunity
to rally and return to the charge.

In the early part of this action, Col. Shelby was cm-
ployed, at some distance from his regiment, to reconnoitre
the enemy by a movement around the north side of the
mountain to the right of our troops. Here he discovered a
spacious opening between the right of Campbell's division
and the left of Sevier's. He viewed it to be an advanta-
geous position for directing a constant and effectual fire
upon the. backs of a body of Ferguson's troops which lay
guarded in front by the ledge of rocks. He detached En-
sign Robert Campbell with about forty men for this ser-
vice, and returned to the support of his own division. He
found Col. Campbell's men in great disorder from the
first shock of the British platoons, and called Lieut.
Sawyers and some others who assisted to rally and bring
them back. In a short time after the rallying- began,
Col. Campbell's horse became exhausted; the Colonel
dismounted and fought througdi the rest of the action on
foot. This was a bay horse of thin appearance, and had
been nearly overcome by the fatig-ue of the march. The
horse which Col. Campbell ordinarily rode was a bald
face black horse. After the first retreat, Col. Shelby, it
is said, saw this horse and some rider on him whom he
mistook for Col. Campbell at the distance of some 200
vards from the scene.

Ensig-n Campbell, as above directed by Col. Shelby,
occupied a spur of the mountain forty yards from the
enemy. When leading- his men to that place, one of them,
from a view of its exposed localit\ T , exclaimed to his com-
mander: "What! are you taking- us there to be marks for
the enemy?" "No," said the other, "to make marks of

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 29

the enemy." And this proved to be actually the case.
For after this detachment had plied their rifles in the suc-
cessive discharge of several rounds to a man, Ferguson
perceived their fire to be so fatal that he gave orders to
his adjutant, McGinnis, to dislodge them. McGinnis
marched his party to the charge. Campbell heard him
order them to make ready, and he commanded his own
men to stand fast, that is to stand behind the trees. Mc-
Ginnis then ordered them to fire on Campbell, who, from
the narrowness of the tree that shielded him, expected to
be shot through by several bullets at once. And he es-
caped this fate, not by the protection of the tree, but by
the horizontal aim of the British muskets, which converg-
ed their bullets to a place above him, cracking- the bark
and splinters from the tree and shattering them down
upon his head. Campbell had now a load in his gun
which he discharged with aim at the shoulders of Mc-
Ginnis, and the latter instantly fell. The party now
emerg-ed from behind their trees, discharged their peices
with similar exactness, and the survivors of the British
party retired to the main body. Campbell inspected the
body of McGinnis and saw a shot throug'h the part of
the shoulder he had aimed at. And his party resumed
their galling fire upon the backs of Ferguson's men.

On all sides now the fire was brisk. Our men had
become cool from the first panic of the British charg - e,
and were plying their rifles with steady effect. The mat-
ter was come to a desperate crisis. Ferguson was still
in the heat of battle with characteristic coolness and dar-
ing. He ordered Capt. Dupoister with a body of regulars
to reinforce a position about 100 yards distant. But be-
fore they arrived at this short distance, they were thinned
too much by the American rifles to render any effectual
support. He then ordered his cavalry to mount, with a
view of making a desperate onset at their head. But
those only presented a better mark for the American
rifles, and fell as fast as thev could mount their' horses.

30 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

He, then perceiving - the thinnest line that surrounded him
to be that of Fnsigm Campbell's riflemen, proceeded on
horseback with two malitia colonels, with the apparent
desigm to force his passag-e throug-h them and make an
attempt to escape, but before reaching- the line of battle,
he was shot and expired. He had held out with inflexi-
ble resolution beyond even the hope of resistance. His
men once raised the white flag - of surrender and he pulled
it down. He had a shrill sounding- silver whistle, whose
sig-nal was universally known throug-h the ranks, and was
of immense service on many occasions, and gave a kind of
ubiquity to his movements. Who shot Fergfuson remains
in uncertainty; several have claimed it, but the honor
seems distinctly accorded to none; nor does it appear to
universal satisfaction whether he was shot on horseback
or sitting upon a stone.

The Americans were now in reg'ular column ap-
proaching the British. A larg-e section of Col. Campbell's
troops advanced with too much rapidity, when a reserved
fire from the British breastworks did more fatal execu-
tion there than in the whole action besides, because this
forward movement brought them to a level with the
British muskets, which in most instances overshot their
heads. Lieut. Sawyers to this moment kept his men to
this station, from which they had been firing- throug-h
most of the battle, at the distance of about twenty-five
steps from the enemy. Seeing- the reserved fire discharg'-
ed. he ordered his men to advance, in order to increase
the enemy's confusion. The same was done bv the other
companies on this side of the mountain; and Col. Sevier.
who had gallantly borne his share in the conflict, was
resolutely crowding- upon the other side. The British
Regulars and American Tories were not only surrounded,
but crowded close tog-ether, cooped up in surprising-lv
narrow spaces, by the surrounding- pressure of the Amer-
ican troops, and fatally galled by an incessant fire. Du-
poister, who succeeded in the place of Ferguson, per-

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 31

ceived but too plainly that any further struggle was in
vain. He raised the white flag - and exclaimed for quar-
ter. Quarter was g-iven by a g-eneral cessation of
the American fire, but this cessation was by no means
complete as some did not understand the meaning- of a
white flag - ; others who knew its meaning- very well,
knew that this flag- had been raised before, but quickl} T
pulled down ag-ain by the British commander. Andrew
Evans was one of these. He was standing - near to Col.
Campbell and in the very act of shooting - , when Campbell
jerked his g - un upwards to prevent its effect, exclaiming - :
"Evans, for God's sake don't shoot! it is murder to kill
them when they raise the white flag-."

Col. Campbell seems not to have been distinguished
as the American commander, for, having- foug'ht as a foot
soldier during- most of the action, having- climbed over the
rocks of the enemy's breastworks with his men, who
drove them away from it, he was standing- in the front
ranks of his soldiery, his coat off and shirt collar open
like a sturdy farmer. Dupoister came riding- on a gray
horse not far from the place and inquired, "Where is
your General?" Mr. Beatie and another pointed to the
place where Col. Campbell was standing-, and Mr.
Crow, who was not a gfun's lengfth from Campbell, heard
Dupoister exclaim twice, "Col. Campbell, it was damned
unfair," alluding- to the above mentioned continued fire,
to which Campbell made no answer but the order to dis-
mount. He dismounted accordingly and held his sword
for deliverance to his captors, which was in the first
place received by Evan Shelby and handed to Col. Camp-
bell. The arms were now lying - in front of the prison-
ers without any orders how to dispose of them. Col.
Shelby, from the part of the line which he commanded,
rode out of the ranks with the apparent desig-n of finding-
Col. Campbell. Returning- without success he exclaimed.
"Good God! what can we do in this confusion?" "We
can order the prisoners from their arms," said Sawyers.

32 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

"Yes," said Shelby, "that can be done." The prisoners
were accordingly marched to another place, and there
surrounded by a double guard.

This action was on the 7th of Oct., 1780. The loss
of the enemy was 225 killed, 130 wounded, 700 prisoners
and 1,500 stands of arms. The American loss was 30
killed and 60 wounded. About 700 men achieved this
victory. Sevier led about 240, Shelby 200, Campbell 400.
the Carolina Colonels 300, making' in all about 1,140, of
which it has been stated that about 400 were left be-
hind for want of horses. These were met the next day
and reunited with the victors in their march from the
scene.

So sig'nal an exploit could not long - remain a secret
to Lord Cornwallis, and numerous rumors soon reached
our men that he was in pursuit to recover his prisoners.
Our troops, therefore, moved from the battleground with
as little delay as possible, to make sure of a victory so
happily won. And here let us pause for a moment to
answer the following- question: Why were so many kill-
ed in the American ranks, when the British platoons so
g'eneralh' overshot them? First, because the great body
of Ferguson's troops were Tories, as g'ood marksmen
as our own, who alwa} 7 s sought an object for their rifles.
Lieut. Kdmonston was standing a moment seeking a
view of an enemv to lire at among' Ferg'uson's men be-
hind the breastworks and was shot by a rifleman from
the very place he was inspecting'. This incident was an
example of many, for the rocks, which formed a part of
this breastwork, shielded the enemy and enabled them to
leisurely lire at our men. Second, the eagerness of our
men for action. This was so great that it led them to
exposure both dang'erous and useless. Their surest and
most effectual mode of fighting' was to stand at the dis-
tance of a proper g'unshot and tire with deliberate aim at
their enemy, but many of them were too impatient for
this delav. Moses Shelby, Fagan and some others leaped

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 33

upon the wagons of the enemy's breastwork in the use-
less attempt to storm his camp, but they were soon car-
ried off wounded from the scene. Some were wounded
by the charge of the British bayonets before they could
retire from the first assault. The death of Col. Williams
was a signal instance of this intemperate eagerness for
action. He spied Ferguson, toward the close of the action,
on horseback, and made for him with the full determina-
tion of a personal encounter. William Moore was close
to him and heard him exclaim, "I will kill Ferguson or
die in the attempt-" He spurred his horse to a speed}^
movement, when a rifle bullet ended his career. He sur-
vived till the white flag told of the enemy's surrender, and
said, "I die content."

Thirdly, from the enemy's reserved fire at the end
of the action. Lieut. Sawyers saw the companies
around him, after a general discharge from the British,
go too hastily forward, and checked his own men from
doing so. This movement forward, near the place of the
wagons, brought many of our men on a level with
the British, and their reserved fire, which was then dis-
charged in its usual horizontal direction, did fatal execu-
tion in our ranks at that place. The number killed in
Col. Campbell's division during the action was 13. The
action was on Saturday.

On the next Saturday a Court Martial was held by
our officers to try from the ranks of the Tory prisoners
some offenders of a notorious kind. Thirty-two persons
of this description were condemed to die, of which 23
were pardoned by the commanding officer; the remaining
nine were executed the same night. This summary pro-
cedure was thought necessary; first, from the unsettled
condition of affairs, which precluded all hope of trial
by jury; secondly, from the flagitious nature of the of-
fences, one of which was the following: A man went to
his neighbor's house and inquired of a little boy, "Where
is your father?" to which the lad answered, "He is not

34 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

at home," and the man shot him without further ceremony,
though fortunately the }'outh recovered of his wound;
thirdly, to deter others from similar offences, and pre-
vent these very men from doing" them again.

The prisoners and their captors proceeded on their
march. The prisoners were every night obliged to sit
upon the ground on pain of being- shot by the guard which
surrounded them. One night about two weeks after the
battle, a boy was acting" for one of the sentries. One of
the prisoners, taking- notice of this, contrived to move
himself gradually and without rising- near to the place
where the boy kept guard. As soon as he was near
enough to take the requisite advantage, he started with
a quick jump and was making" off with speed when the
boy wheeled upon his heel, levelled his rifle and shot the
fugitive through the kidneys. The man was now dis-
abled from flight, and was drawn back ag-ain into the
ranks of the prisoners. In the morning it was ascertain-
ed, by the testimony of Col. Cleveland, that he was a
deserter from the troops of the latter, and was the very
man who had gone to tell Ferguson of our approach.
This man, therefore, though in imminent hazard of his
life through his wound, must be tried by the laws and
usages of war. The Court Martial was equally divided,
and Col. Shelby, who had been absent on a visit for the
night, was called on his arrival to decide the life or death
of the culprit by a single vote. The march was now de-
layed nearly two hours, and Shelby, though apparently
of a rough and careless exterior, was deeply concerned
with his own responsibility, that while some were teas-
ing- him for an immediate decision, he would not give it
in less than half an hour. He finally gave it for the man's
execution, and preparations were made for it accordingly.
Two stakes were put in the ground, converging toward
each other at the top, for him to stand upon, while his
neck was fast from above by a rope, ready to hang him
when the under support should be drawn away. He was

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 35

permitted to stand in this attitude an hour, during - which
time he was constantly entreating- Col. Cleveland with,
"Oh, Col. Cleveland, I pray you pardon me, and I will
be a orood and faithful soldier ever after!" In the mean-
time Col. Campbell came up and asked, "Are you the
deserter who left our troops to inform the enemy?"
"No," said the other. "Now," added Col. Campbell,
"you are quickly to stand before your Maker in judgment;
tell me, in truth, if you are that deserter?" "Yes," said
the other, ' 'I am, ' ' and his execution took place accordingd\ T .

So many of our troops as were judged needful for
safety, accompanied the prisoners a journey of three weeks
from King's Mountain to Mulberry Fields, now Wilks-
borougm, in the State of North Carolina. Here they
were met by a detachment of some hundreds of Carolina
Militia, and with these the prisoners were left in custody.
Cols. Campbell, Shelby and Sevier attended the prisoners
to this place, then left them and returned home.

In this expedition the exposure and privations were
extreme. Four hundred or more were on foot, but these
had kept up with the horses some distance beyond the
Yellow Mountain. The speed of their march required
bodies inured to the hardest service. The last day they
rode forty-five miles, and encountered a disciplined enemy,
posted on a high and advantageous position. Having" no
baggage waggons nor public stores, every man was, from
necessity, his own provider. His fare was the plainest,
the coarsest and the scarcest. His resources of provi-
sion, like the Sidonian widow's, was "a handful of meal."
This, placed in his saddlebags, furnished the amount of
his luxuiw, and when this was exhausted he was left
at the mercy of fortune for the rest. The sick and
wounded were hurried from the battlefield with all
imaginable speed to avoid the assault of the pursuing"
enemy. The softest accommodation that could be made
ready for conveyance was the fresh hides of the slaugh-
tered cattle, fastened to two poles, these attached to two

36 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

horses, one before and one behind, and thus the sufferer
was carried off in safety.

To specify particulars would spin this narrative to a
tedious prolixity. Two instances only will here be in-
serted. Alexander McMillin rode all night preceding the
action, of course was without sleep. The second nig-ht.
that is the nig-ht after the action, he was attending- with
Henry Dickerson to the wants of James Laird and Charles
Kilg-ore, the latter was shot with two balls through the
side, and the former, one, near the middle. They were
constantly in need of water. Water was of very dfficult
procurement, and the effort to keep them in constant
supply employed these men with very little intermission,
and without allowing - them a moment of rest. The next
nig-ht McMillin was on g-uard. Here were three nig-hts
without a wink of sleep. The fourth night he was on
g-uard every two hours, with intervals of rest of the same
leng-th of time. The g-uard stood so thick around the
prisoners as to be able to touch each other's hands by
reaching-. Here stood McMillin, firmly braced, with his
g-un in his rig-ht hand, resting- upon the ground. Some
time in the nig-ht, Maj. Evan Shelby, g-oing* the rounds of
the watch to observe its order, came to him and asked.
"Where is your g-un?" The latter, supposing- it to have
fallen at his feet, busily moved them without stooping-
down, in order to find it lying- beneath him, but not find-
ing- it there, he felt constrained to reply to the unwelcome
interrog-atory, "Really, I cannot tell." Shelby stepped
aside, took it from ag-ainst a tree where it was leaning-,
and handed it back to the owner with these words, "Re-
member it is death to sleep on g-uard." McMillin ac-
knowledged that this was law, but added in apology
that he had been four days deprived of sleep from the
above mentioned causes. Shelby rejoined, "You must
sleep no more upon g-uard, but never divulge the secret,"
and for this g-enerous forbearance on the part of the in-
.specting- officer, McMillin ever afterwards cherished for

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 37

him a sense of high personal regard, though if measures
had been taken against him, and death adjudged for neg-
lect of duty, the circumstances of the case would have
been seen to urge so strong a plea in his own justification
as to secure a reprieve from the designated punishment.

The day after William Campbell was chosen to the
command, he proposed to Robert Campbell to lead off a
detachment of men b} r night and fall upon a party of
Tories, eight miles distant. The offer was gladly ac-
cepted, and a body of about eighty volunteers set off for
the attack. The Tories had retreated, so our party had
no fighting; the} T returned and joined the main body at
daj'light. The next night Robert Campbell was on a
similar expedition, under the command of another officer.
On the next night they begun the above mentioned march
of forty-five miles previous to the action. Here were
three successive days and nights of the hardest service,
without a moment of sleep. The next day he was re-
quested to take charge of some part of the guard, but he
stated to an officer that this was impossible from the
above mentioned incessant vigils. He then sunk down by
a tree and knew nothing more until daylight; he awoke
shivering in the frost. Col. Shelby that night, being
officer of the guard, was now seen with others sitting at
the guard fire. Campbell arose, approached the fire and
was presented by Shelby with a bottle of rum for imme-
diate relief. He drank of this, sat down by the fire and
undoubted^ felt the justice of the Old Testament pre-
scription, "Give strong- drink to him that is ready to per-
ish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts."

These two instances may perhaps suffice. For how
can it be requisite to give publicity here, even if the
writer's information were adequate, to the individual suf-
fering of the sixty wounded; to tell of broken limbs
and mangled bodies, of bullet holes through the body,
probed b\ T sympathizing fellow-soldiers, with a smothed
twig of sassafras, of mortification spreading from one

38 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

limb to another; of the want of all kinds of relief from a
surg*eon, when none was present but a wrathful swear-
ing* British doctor, to prove that the privations and suf-
ferings of these men were extreme? Nor does it seem
any more necessary to specify cases of individual valor.
Two instances only of faltering- courage have been men-
tioned to the writer from Col. Shelby's division. One
was of a captain lying* flat upon his back in the begin-
ning" of the action. Another was of a captain who ex-
claimed for bullets to a comrade, who was passing - him
to g*o up the mountain, "bullets, bullets, my dear sir, I
have not a bullet in my pouch!" "Here is enough of
them," said his friend, reaching* out a handful to g*ive
him. "Oh, they will not fit my g*un," said the other who
was accordingdv left to this bloodless dilemma. The rest
of these men were eag*er for action, and determined on
victory and seemed to have answered well to the senti-
ment of their commander, who told them before leaving*
the waters of the Wataug*a that he wanted no man to
join the enterprise, who did not wish to fig-ht the enemy.
The troops of the other Colonels appear to have been
actuated by a similar spirit.

The whole history of the enterprise demonstrates
that our men were led to espouse it, not from a fear that
the enemy would execute his vain threats upon their vil-
lages; for to these mountaneers nothing" than such a
scene, would have made prettier game for their rifles;
nothing - more desirable than to entice such an enemy from
his pleasant roads, rich plantations and g*entle climate,
with his ponderous lug*gfag*e and valuable armory, into
the very centre of their own fastnesses; to hang* upon his
flank, to pick up his strag*g*lers, to cut off his forag'ers,
to make short and desperate sallies upon his camp, and
finally to make him a certain prey svithout a strug*g*le and
without loss. Nor was it the authority or influence of a
State which led them to eng*ag*e in this hazardous service.
The}* knew not whether to any or to what State they be-

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 39

long-ed. From the rude circumstances of their early set-
tlement, the difficulty of passing- the wide ridges of
mountains, and their cousequent seclusion from their east-
ern friends, they were living- in a state of primitive inde-
pendence, and it was not till several years after this,
that from the apparent and urgent necessity of the case,
the}' created a temporary government of their own, the
Franklin Government. Nor can it be expected that
gratuitous patriotism, from which this enterprise evi-
dently sprung-, so different from that of a paper victory,
a scramble for office and for gain, can be fully compre-
hended by modern politicians. In those days of different
principles, to know that American liberty was invaded
and that the only apparent alternative in the case was
American independence or subjugation, was enough to
nerve their hearts to the boldest pulsation of freedom,
and ripen their purposes to the fullest determination of
putting down the aggressor. The success at King-'s
Mountain was fraught with signal advantage to America;
it broke up the royal interest in the upper section of Car-
olina; it enabled our Generals to concentrate their forces
upon great objects, and was one in that series of happy
incidents which conspired in the progress of the next year,
to consummate the splendid achievement at Yorktown.

NOTE.

The above paper was written previous to 1835. It
was taken from a certified copy: the original is in posses-
sion of a descendant of the Campbell family, T. W. Pres-
ton of Vicksburg, Miss. It came into possession of the
Tennessee Historical Society, May 1895, in the following-
manner:

The first attempt at the organization of a Historical
Society in Tennessee took place at Knoxville about the
year 1831, Judg-e W. B. Reese, Dr. Ramsey, Dr. James
King-, and the Rev. Stephen Foster, all of whom have
passed away, being- the most efficient members. The
life of the Society was of short duration, but during- that
time several admirable addresses touching- the history of

40 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the State were delivered and printed. Hon. John M. Lea,
President of the Tennessee Historical Society, while on a
visit to Memphis, a few months ago, was informed that
an elderly lady, a descendant of Gen. Campbell, had in
her possession an account of the battle of King's Moun-
tain, written by a soldier who participated in the con-
flict. After diligent inquiry, the name and localit} r of
the lady was ascertained, and the services of a t} 7 pe-
writer engaged to copy the paper, which turned out not
to have been written by a soldier. Judge Lea recog-
nized the document as an old friend, he having- heard the
paper read by the Rev. Stephen Foster about sixty years
ago at a meeting- of the East Tennessee Historical Society
in Knoxville.

Dr. Foster was a professor in the University of Ten-
nessee, a native of Connecticut. The President of the
Historical Society, who was one of his pupils, on present-
ing the paper, paid a tribute to his memory. His early
death was a great loss to the cause of education in Ten-
nessee. He was the first prominent advocate of the tem-
perance cause in this State, taking - the ground that the
sale of ardent spirits should be prohibited or regulated
by law. A sermon on that subject b\ r him was printed
and extensively circulated, an extract from which can be
found in Field's Scrap Book. During- his last illness,
the Doctor prescribed a stimulant, but the patient said,
"No, I have preached all my life against the effects of ar-
dent spirits, and now that I am d} T ing- I shall not get
drunk."

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF

KING'S MOUNTAIN.

The following- account of the battle of King's Mountain was found
among- the papers of James Campbell, deceased. It was written by
Robt. Campbell, a participant in the battle, and an ensign in Capt.
Dysart's Company, who when Capt. Dysart was wounded early in the
action, commanded the company afterwards. It was presented to the
Tennessee Historical Society by Juo. R. Eakin in 1848. It differs in
some points from the account of Dr. Foster.

king's MOUNTAIN.

Iii the fall of the vear one thousand seven hundred

and eighty, when the American Cause wore a very g-loomy

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 41

aspects in the Southern States, Cols. Arthur and William
Campbell, hearing" of the advance of Col. Ferg-uson along-
the mountains in the State of North Carolina, and that
the Whig's were retreating* before him, unable to make
3.nj effectual resistance, formed a plan to intercept him,
and communicated it to the commanding' officers of Sulli-
van and Washing-ton Counties in the State of North Car-
olina. They readily agreed to co-operate in any expedi-
tion ag'ainst Col. Ferg-uson. Col. Arthur Campbell im-
mediately grave orders to the Militia of Washing' ton
County, Va., amounting to near four hundred, to make
read} T to march, under the command of Col. William
Campbell, who was known to be an enterprising' and
active officer. Cols. Shelby and Sevier raised a party of
about three hundred, joined him on his march, and moved
with forced marches towards Col. Ferg-uson. At the
same time Cols. Williams, Cleveland, Tracy, and
Branon, of the States of North and South Carolina, each
conducted a small party towards the same point, amount-
ing' to near three hundred. Col. Ferg'uson had notice of
their approach, by a deserter that left the army on the
Yellow Mountain; and immediately commenced his march
for Charlotte, despatching - at the same time different
messeng"ers to Lord Cornwallis with information of his
dang-er. These messengers being - intercepted on their
way, no movement was made to favor his retreat.

These several corps of American volunteers, amount-
ing- to near one thousand men, met at Gilbert-town, and
the officers unanimously chose Col. Campbell to the com-
mand. About seven hundred choice riflemen mounted
their horses for the purpose of following' the retreating-
army. The balance, being- chiefly footmen, were left to
follow on and come up as soon as they could. The pur-
suit was too rapid to render an escape practicable. Fer-
g'uson finding- that he must inevitably be overtaken, chose
his ground and waited for the attack, on King-'s Moun-
tain. On the seventh of October in the afternoon, after a

42 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

forced march of forty-five miles on that day and the night
before, the volunteers came up with him.

The forenoon of the day was wet, but they were for-
tunate enough to come on him undiscovered, and took his
piquets, they not having- it in their power to give an
alarm. They were soon formed in such order as to attack
the enemy on all sides. The Washington and Sullivan
reg'iments, were formed in the front, and on the rig'ht
flank. The North and South Carolina troops under
Cols. Williams, Sevier, Cleveland, Tracy, and Branon,
on the left. The two armies now in full view, the centre
of the one nearly opposite the centre of the other, the
British main guard posted nearly half way down the
mountain, the commanding - officer gave the word of com-
mand to raise the Indian war whoop and charge. In a
moment Kingf's Mountain resounded with the shouts, and
on the first fire the guard retreated leaving- some of their
men to crimson the earth. The British beat to arms and
immediately formed on the top of the mountain behind a
chain of rocks that appeared impregnable, and had their
wagons drawn up on their flank across the end of the
mountain, by which they made a strong breastwork.

Thus concealed the American army advanced to the
charge. In ten or fifteen minutes, the wings came round,
and the action became general. The enemy annoyed our
troops very much from their advantageous position. Col.
Shelby, being- previously ordered to reconnoiter their po-
sition, observing- their situation and what a destructive
fire was kept up from behind those rocks; ordered Robt.
Campbell, one of the officers of the Virg-inia line to move
to the rig'ht with a small company, to endeavour to dis-
lodge them; and led them on nearly to the ground to
which he had ordered them, under the fire of the enemies
line and within forty steps of the same, but discovering"
that our men were repulsed on the other side of the
mountain, he g"ave orders to advance and post themselves
opposite to the rocks, and near to the enemy; and then

THE BATTLE OE KING'S MOUNTAIN. 43

returned to assist in bringing up the men in order, who
had been charged with the bayonet. These orders were
punctually obeyed, and they kept up such a galling fire,
as to compel Ferguson to order a compan}* of regulars to
face them with a view to cover his men that were posted
behind the rocks. At this time a considerable fire was
drawn to this side of the mountain by the repulse of
those on the other, and the loyalists not being permitted
to leave their posts. This scene was not of long dura-
tion; for it was the brave Virginia Volunteers, and those
under Col. Shelby, on their attempting rapidly to ascend
the mountain, that were charged with the bayonet.
They obstinately stood until some of them were thrust
through the body, and having nothing but their rifles by
which to defend themselves, they were forced to retreat.
They were soon rallied by their g*allant commanders
Campbell and Shelby and other brave officers, and by a
constant and well directed fire of their rifles, drove them
back in their town, strewing" the face of the mountain
with their assailants, and kept advancing until they
drove them from some of their posts. Ferguson being*
heavily pressed on all sides, ordered Capt. Dupoister to
reinforce some of the extreme posts with a full company
of British Reg'ulars. He marched, but to his astonish-
ment, when he arrived at the place of destination, he had
almost no men, being exposed in that short distance to
the constant fire of their rifles. He then ordered his cav-
alry to mount, but to no purpose. As quick as the\ T were
mounted they were taken down by some bold marksman.
Being driven to desperation by such a scene of misfor-
tune, Col. Ferguson endeavored to make his escape, and
with two Colonels of the loyalists, mounted his horse and
charged on that part of the line which was defended by
the party who had been ordered round the mountain by
Col. Shelby, it appearing too weak to resist them; but as
soon as he got to the line he fell, and the other two offi-
cers, attempting* to retreat, soon shared the same fate.

44 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

It was about this time that Col. Campbell advanced in
front of his men and clomb over a steep rock close by the
enemy's line, to get a view of their situation, and saw
they were retreating- from behind the rocks that were
near to him. As soon as Capt. Dupoister observed that
Col. Ferg'uson was killed, he raised a flag- and called for
quarter. It was soon taken out of his hand by one of our
officers on horseback, and raised so hig"h that it could be
seen by our line, and the firing- immediately ceased. The
loyalists at the time of their surrender, were driven into
a crowd, and being - so closely surrounded, they could not
have made any further resistance.

In this sharp action, one hundred and fifty of Col.
Ferg-uson's party were killed, and something - over that
number were wounded; eig - ht hundred and ten (of whom
one hundred w 7 ere British Regulars) surrendered them-
selves prisoners, and one thousand five hundred stands of
arms were taken.

The loss of the American armv on this occasion
amounted to thirty killed, and something - over fifty
wounded, among - whom were a number of brave officers.
Col. Williams, who has been so much lamented, was shot
throug'h the body, near the close of the action, in making -
an attempt to charge upon Ferguson. He lived long"
enough to hear of the surrender of the British army; he
then said, "I die contented since we have grained the
victory," and expired.

The third nigfht after the action the officers of the
Carolinas complained to Col. Campbell that there were
among - the prisoners a number who had, previous to the
action on King-'s Mountain, committed cool and deliberate
murder, and other enormities alike atrocious, and re-
quested him to order a Court Martial to examine into the
matter; the} T stated that if they should escape, the} T were
exasperated, and they feared they would commit other
enormities worse than they had formerly done. Col.
Campbell complied, and ordered a Court Martial immedi-

THE} BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 45

ately to sit, composed of the field officers and captains,
who were ordered to inquire into the complaints which
had been made. The court was conducted orderly, and
witnesses were called and examined in each case. The
consequence was that there were thirty-two condemned;
out of these, nine, who were thought to be the most dan-
gerous, and who had committed the most atrocious crimes,
were executed; the others were pardoned by the com-
manding officer. One of the crimes proven against a
Captain that was executed, was, that he had called at
the home of a Whig and inquired if he was at home; be-
ing informed by his son, a small boy, that he was not, he
immediately drew out his pistol and shot him.

The officers on that occasion acted from an honorable
motive to do the greatest good in their power for the
public service, and to check these enormities so frequently
committed in the States of North and South Carolina at
that time, their distress being almost unequalled in the
annals of "The American Revolution."

A LETTER RELATIVE TO THE BATTLE OP

KING'S MOUNTAIN.

The "Campbell Manuscript," relative to this battle
being now deposited in the State Historical Society, and
having recently been published or republished in one of
the city papers, I deem it time and highly proper that
some letters and publications, relative to that affair,
which have long been in my possession, should no
longer be withheld from the same depository, or from
such use as the Society may see proper to make of them.

That Col. Win. Campbell was entitled to much credit,
that he acted a prominent, noble, and patriotic part on
that occasion, we most readily grant.

It is an ungracious office to me, who greatly admire

46 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

all the actors, to question any praise that has ever been
bestowed upon any one who acted either a prominent or
inferior part on that eventful day. In the estimation of
some persons, and according' to the "Campbell Manu-
script," Col. Campbell was the master spirit and actual
commander at King's Mountain. His superior office and
merit has been questioned, not his patriotism, nor his
bravery, but the chief honor arrogated to him.

We know that Col. Wm. Campbell Preston, a grand-
son of Col. Campbell, has on more than one occasion, in
most gdowing terms, advocated these claims of honor for
liis worthy kinsman. Preston, the elegant gentleman,
the learned scholar, the eloquent orator and distingnished
statesman, could well be expected to make use of hap-
piest words upon such a theme. He has claimed for his
noble ancestor pre-eminent distinction in devising and
conducting- that enterprise and battle; others were en-
titled to a full share, an equal honor with Col. Campbell.
It detracts nothing- from his just meed to place others in
as eminent a niche of fame.

We present these letters and publications that they
may be preserved for reference and use by any enquirer
or the future historian.

We shall not attempt to point out any discrepancies
in the statements. We will not detract from the merits
of any of the actors in an affair which was so reputable
in itself and so beneficial in its results.

It was fought at the most critical time of the Ameri-
can Revolution; it sent a cheering ray of light through
the gloom; it turned the tide of war in our favor, and the
noble deeds of these mountain boys should never be
forgotten.

We present eight original letters from Gov. Isaac
Shelby. Seven of these are addressed to Gov. John Sevier,
dated respectively, Jan. 1. Feb. 24, Aug. 12, Aug. 24.
Oct. 3, 1810; Jan. 26, Feb. 20, 1814, and one addressed to
Col. Georg'e W. Sevier. Jan. 8, 1823; authentic copies of

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 47

five letters from Gov. Sevier to Gov. Shelby; sundry
letters to A. W. Putnam from Maj. Thos. H. Shelby; a
■pamphlet of twenty-four -pages published in April, 1823,
by Gov. Shelby, containing - a statement of the "Battle of
Kino-'s Mountain," to which are added extracts from va-
rious letters and statements furnished him by persons
engaged in the battle and acquainted with the contempo-
raneous accounts of the parts there enacted; "The Battle
of King"'s Mountain," as published by Lyman C. Draper,
Esq., in the "Farmer's and Mechanics Journal," of New
York, July 17, 1839; "A Legend of King's Mountain,"
published in a New York paper; "A Memoir of the Ser-
vices of Gov. fo/iu Sevier,'''' by his son, Maj. James Sevier,
written in 1839. This is an interesting" and reliable bi-
ographical and historical sketch. Maj. Sevier was in
the battle of King's Mountain. He gives his own version
of the affair.

It will be noticed that in the "Detailed Account of
this Kng'ag'ement," sigmed b} T the Colonels, the name of
Gov. Sevier does not appear, nor do the names of Col.
McDowell and Col. Williams. Sevier was then (as may
be seen in this statement) only a Lieutenant Colonel: that
might have 'been reason sufficient, but the "Account," al-
though dated "at camp," was not prepared and sigmed
immediately after the battle and on the battlefield.

Col. Sevier and his troops hastened home, where
their presence was g-reatl}" needed. He did not tarry to
see whether or not due honor should be g"iven him and his
troops for their services. Thev rejoiced in the victory;
he greatl\ T rejoiced at it, though it had cost the lives of
his sons. No men acted more bravely or shed more fam-
ily blood on that battlefield, than the Seviers and the
Kdmistons.

During" all of his after life. Gen. Sevier preserved
•some of the trophies of that battle; of some of these we
liave heretofore made mention. A. W. Putnam.

Januarv 4, 1858.

48 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF

FRANKLAND.

When the eastern counties of Tennessee, in the sum-
mer of 1784, beg"an the movement for forming - an inde-
pendent State, they were unable, for a time, to agree
upon the form of a constitution. A provisional govern-
ment was put into operation without a constitution. At
a convention held in Jonesboro December, 1784, a consti-
tution ''was submitted and agreed to, subject to the rat-
ification or rejection of a future convention to be chosen
by the people, and to meet on the fourteenth of November
at Greeneville."

No copy of this provisional constitution is extant, and
its features can only be conjectured. At the convention
held at Greeneville, November 14, 1785, a committee was
appointed to report a constitution or form of government.
This committee reported a Bill of Rig"hts and a Consti-
tution, which, it is believed, coincided in the main, with
the provisional constitution; perhaps introducing- modifi-
cations and additions. A printed edition of this report
was issued in 1786, in pamphlet form.

One of these pamphlets is now among - the treasures of
the Tennessee Historical Society, and is believed to be
the only complete record of this remarkable document now
in existence, and the only printed record of an}' kind of
the State of Frankland or Franklin. It is printed on a
larg-e sheet of paper, numbered and pag"ed to be folded
into a pamphlet of twenty-four pagfes. It is doubtless a
copy laid aside by the author for his own use, after the
remainder of the edition had been folded and issued as
pamphlets. It is yellow with ag"e, torn and worn, but

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND 49

every word is legible, except in a few torn places, easily
supplied from the context.

It seems to have been a campaign document edited by
Rev. Samuel Houston, one of the members of the Conven-
tion, and the author of manv of the leading- features of
the Constitution. He secured an accurate copy of the
Bill of Rights and Constitution, attested by Francis A.
Ramsey, Clerk of the Convention. To this he prefixed
the preface, which is an argument in favor of its ratifica-
tion by the people. Francis A. Ramsey, the attesting
clerk, was the father of Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, the
historian.

This pamphlet was presented to the Tennessee His-
torical Society by its former President; the venerable his-
torian, Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, April 9, 1880. The fol-
lowing extract from his letter of presentation gives a
succinct history of its origin:

The history of this ancient Franklin paper is a peculiar one. It
was the presentation of Rev. Samuel Houston, an influential member
of the Convention of 1784, from Washing-ton County. His constitution
was rejected. He repaired to Philadelphia and had a number of copies
of it printed and on his return home it was circulated through the coun-
try of Franklin. But the Constitution of North Carolina had been pre-
viously adopted by the people, and of course Mr. Houston's could not
be acted on and was considered as rejected. In 1846 or probably earlier
I wrote to Mr. H. inquiring- for the printed document. He died soon af-
ter this in Rockbridge, Va., to which he had long since removed. I re-
opened my correspondence with his son and executor in search of the
lost document. The son afterwards died. A daughter, Miss Serona
Houston, renewed the search, and last year after a more minute exami-
nation of her grandfather's papers, she found the lost paper and sent
it to me. You will perceive that it is attested by the Clerk of the Con-
vention, Francis C. Ramsey, is almost illegible from age and expo-
sure. I send it now to the Tennessee Historical Society for preservation.
It ought to be bound and well taken care of, as perhaps, the last and
only printed document now in existence of that ancient Commonwealth.

Dr. Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee was published in
1853. A.t that time he had been able, after diligent
search, to procure only a mutilated copy of this pamphlet.
He republished the Bill of Rights and a portion of the

50 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Constitution, breaking off about the middle of section 45
with the following- note: "[Remainder of Constitu-
tion Lost]." He alluded to the preface, but did not re-
publish it. This preface is g-iven below, and is hardly
less interesting" and curious than the Constitution itself.
In the reprint below, the Constitution is continued in
italics from the point where Dr. Ramsey breaks oif . This
document is given in full, and every word will be inter-
esting - to the student of history. Its length may deter
the general reader, who is referred to sections 3, 12, 32,
42, 45. Below is g'iven a reprint of the title pag'e, which
is very nearly a facsimile.

DECLARATION of RIGHTS,

A L SO, T H K

CONSTITUTION,

O R

FORM of GOVERNMENT,

Agreed to, and refolved upon, by the Represen-

t a t ives of the Freemen of the

STATE of FRANKLAND,

Elected and chofen for that particular purpofe, in
Convention affembled, at Greenevi lle, the

14th of November. 17S5.

PHIL A D E LPH.IA.
Printed by F r a n c i s F> a i l e v, nt Yoriek's Head.

M DCC l.XXXVI.

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 51

PREFACE.

That the readers may more easily and fully understand the follow-
ing- publication, it is proposed that, by way of Preface, he should be
informed of its rise, and of the reasons why it appears so unfinished
and inaccurate from the Press.

In December 1784, at Jonesborough, in this State, a Convention
held, and having - agreed to a Constitution, recommended and held it
out to the people for their consideration, signifying to the people, that
before the expiration of one year they should choose a Convention, for
the express purpose of adopting it in the name of the people, or alter-
ing it, as instructed by them; which is attested by the Resolve itself,
and a Resolve of the Assembly which sat August 1786.

Well, accordingly, the late Convention met at Greeneville, Novem-
ber the 14th, 1785; and from different parts of the State, the people laid
in instructions, which shewed that there was a great diversity and con-
trariety of sentiments amongst them. However, the Convention, after
some debate, agreed to appoint a Committee of their members, who
should prepare a Form of Government to lay before the whole Conven-
tion, that it might be examined, altered, amended, and added to, as
the majority should think proper; and thus be perfected and finished
in as accurate a manner as the united wisdom of members of the Con-
vention could do.

After the Committee retired, the first thing o* account they agreed
upon, was, to proceed upon business by taking the Constitution of
North Carolina for their groundwork or foundation, and together with
it. all political helps that the thirteen Constitutions, the instructions of
the people, and any other quarter might afford, to prepare a report to
lay before the Convention. In this manner the Committee proceeded,
adhering strictly to the groundwork, viz. North Carolina Constitu-
tion, retaining of it whatever appeared suitable, and to it collected
pieces out of their other political helps, till thty had just conformed
their plan, that it might be laid before the whole Convention, that, as
has been said, it might be examined, altered, amended, and added to,
as the majority should think best.

The whole house having met, the Report of the Committee was laid
before them, and rejected in the lump; in consequence of which, the
whole house took up the North Carolina Constitution, and hastily read-
ing it off, approved of it in the general, whilst the friends of the Report
of the Committee strove to introduce, but all in vain, some material
parts of their plan, viz., a single house of Legislation, equal and
adequate representation, the exclusion of attorneys from the Assembly,
etc., and failing in these most important points, they, by the unani-
mous consent of the whole Convention, obtained leave to enter upon
the Journals, their dissent to what had been carried in Convention.
andaho to hold out to the people, for their consideration, the Report of
the Committee, except the greater part of the thirty-second section

52 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

which upon second thought they objected to. And, for the people's
greater satisfaction, following is a true copy of the Dissent, taken from
the Journals of the Convention.

"A dissent entered by the following members to what has been
agreed to in Convention:

"Because we deem the Report of the Committee, excluding- that
part of the thirty-second Article, which fixes a tax upon certain
articles, as indigr>, tobacco, flour, etc., to be the sense of a majority of
the freemen of Frankland, and more agreeab e to a Republican Gov-
ernment: which Report so amended we hold out for the consideration
of the people."

David Campbell. David Looney,

Samuel Houston, John Blair,

John Tipton, James White,

John Ward, Samuel Newell,

Robert Love, John Gilliland,

William Cox. James Stuart,

David Craig, George Maxwel.

James Montgomery, Joseph Tipton,

John Strain, Peter Parkison.

Robert Allison.

Candid Reader, when you consider all these things, you will very
readily account for the inaccuracies of the Report, and see full room to
pass them over without critical or severe remarks; for it is certair,
from the nature of things, and the declarations of many of those who
entered the above Dissent, that they did not look upon the above Report
by any means as a finished and perfect piece, as its warmest advocates
themselves said in Convention, and, therefore, that they, as well as
they who were its enemies, meant to inspect every paragraph narrow-
ly, and what, upon mature deliberation, appeared good, to receive,
and by a majority of votes confirm, and what did not, reject; for the
true light in which it should be viewed is, that every sentence was a
mere proposal, unfinished, unconfirmed, and not to be established till
the whole house, after due examination and debate upon it, had ap-
proved it. Hence, it must appear evident to the impartial reader,
that the loud and bitter outcry that has been raised against the Report
and its friends, is not like the friendly criticism of loving citizens, but
resembles the advantages enemies take of one another, and the use they
make of them when excited by malice and bitter enmity.

To conclude; dear reader, lay aside prejudice, and search honestly
for truth, and not for catches and quibbles, patiently weighing every
part in connection with the whole, and very probably you will clearly
see, that the general part and the substance of the Report of the Com-
mittee contains principles, provisions, and restrictions which secure
the poor and the ruled from being trampled on by the rich and the
rulers: also their property' and money from being taken from them to
support the extravagance of the great men — and that it is full of that

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OP PRANKLAND 53

which tends to free them from prevailing- enormous wickedness, and to
make the citizens virtuous, also, that it is well calculated to open the
eyes of the people to look in upon the proceedings of the public, and
know and judge for themselves when their rights and privileges are
enjoyed or infringed; and therefore suitable to remove ignorance from
the country, which is as beneficial to men who wish to live uron the
people, as ignorance is in the Church of Rome to support the tyranny
of the Pope and his clergy.

A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS,

MADE BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FREEMEN OF THE STATE OF

FRANKLAND.

1. That all political power is vested in and derived from the people
only.

2. That the people of this State ought to have the sole and exclusive
right of regulating the internal government and police thereof.

3. That no man, or sett of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate
emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of
public services.

4. That the Legislative, Executive and Supreme Judicial powers of
government ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other.

5. That all powers of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by
any authority, without the consent of the representatives of the people.
is injurious to their rig-hts and ouyht not to be exercised.

6. That elections of members to serve as representatives, in Gen-
eral Assembly, ought to be free.

7. That in all criminal prosecutions, every man has a ri^ht to be
informed of the accusation against him, and to confront the accusers
and witnesses with other testimony, and shall not be compelled to g-ive
evidence against himself.

8. That no freeman shall be put to answer any criminal charge but
by indictment, presentation, or impeachment.

9. That no freeman shall be convicted of any crime but by the
unanimous verdict of a jury of good and lawful men in open court, as
heretofore used.

10. That excessive bail should not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel nor unusual punishments inflicted.

11. That general warrants, whereby an officer or messenger may be
commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact
committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences
are not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous
to liberty, and ought not to be granted.

12. That no freeman ought to be taken, imprisoned, or disseized of
his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any

54 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by
the law of the land.

13. That every freeman, restrained of his liberty, is entitled to a
remedy, to enquire into the lawfulness thereof, and to remove the same,
if unlawful; and that such remedy ought not to be denied or delayed.

14. That in all controversies at law, respecting- property, the ancient
mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of the rights of the
people, and ought to remain sacred and inviolable.

15. That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of
liberty, and, therefore, ought never to be restained.

16. That the people of this State oug-ht not to be taxed, or made
subject to payment of any impost or duty, without the consent of them-
selves, or their representatives, in General Assembly, freely given.

17. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of the
State; and as standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to lib-
erty, the}' ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept
under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.

18. That the people have a right to assemble tog-ether, to consult
for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and apply to
the Legislature for redress of grievances.

19. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.

20. That, for redress of grievances, and for amending and strength-
ening the laws, elections ought to be often held.

21. That a frequent recurrence to lundamental principles is abso-
lutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.

22. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges, or honours, ought
to be granted or conferred in this State.

23. That perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a
free State, and ought not to be allowed.

24. Tnat retrospective laws, punishing acts committed before the
existetice of such laws, and by them only declared criminal, are oppres-
sive, unjust, and incompatible with liberty; therefore no ex post facto
law ought to be made.

THE CONSTITUTION OR FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Agreed to and resolved upon by the Representatives of the
Freemen of the State of Franki,and, elected and chosen for
that particular purpose, in convention assembled at greene-
ville, the 14th November. 1785.

This State shall be called the Commonwealth of Frankl 'and and shall
be governed by a General Assembly of the representatives of the free-
men of the same, a Governor and Council, and proper courts of justice,
in the manner following, viz:

Section 1. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a sin-

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 55

gle House of Representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth of
Frankland.

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives of the freemen of this State
shall consist of persons most noted for wisdom and virtue, to be chosen
equally and adequately according - to the number of freemen in the com-
monwealth; provided when the number amounts to one hundred it
shall never exceed it, nor be ever afterwards reduced lower than eighty,
and every count}' shall annually send the number apportioned to it by
the General Assembly.

Sec. 3. No person shall be eligible to, or hold a seat in the House of
Representatives of the freemen of this commonwealth, unless he actually
resides in, and possesses land in the county to the quantity of one hun-
dred acres, or to the value of fifty pounds, and is of the full age of twen-
ty-one years. And no person shall be eligible or capable to serve in
this or any other office in the civil department of this State, who is of
an immoral character, or guilty of such flagrant enormities as drunken-
ness, gaming, profane swearing, lewdness, Sabbath breaking, and such
like; or who will, either in word or writing, deny any of the following
propositions, viz:

1st. That there is one living and true God, the Creator and Govern-
or of the universe.

2nd. That there is a future state of rewards and punishments.

3rd. That the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given
by divine inspiration.

4th. That there are three divine persons in the Godhead, co-equal
and co-essential.

And no person shall be a member of the House of Representatives,
who holds a lucrative office either under this or other States; that «has
a fixed salary or fees from the State, or is in actual military service
and claiming daily pay, or minister of the gospel, or attorney at law, or
doctor of physic.

Sec. 4. Every free male inhabitant of this State, of the age of
twenty-one years, who shall have resided in this State six months im-
mediately preceding the da} r of election, shall have a vote in electing
all officers chosen by the people, in the county where he resides.

Sec. 5. The House of Representatives of this commonwealth shall
be styled the General Assembly of the Representatives of the Freemen of
Frankland ; and shall have power to choose their own Speaker, and
all other officers, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Superior Judges, Au-
ditors, members to Congress. The} T shall have power to sit on their
own adjournments; to prepare bills, and to enact them into law; to
judge of the election of, and qualifications of, their own members.
They may expel a member, but not the second time for the same cause;
they may administer oaths on the examination of witnesses, redress
grievances, impeach State criminals, grant charters of incorporation,
constitute towns, cities, boroughs, and counties, and shall have all
other powers necessary for the Legislature of a free State or common-

56 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

wealth. But they shall have no power to add, alter, abolish, or infringe
any part of the Constitution.

Two-thirds of the whole members elected shall constitute a House,
(and the expense from the appointed time 'til they make a House,
shall be laid on absentees, without a reasonable excuse,) and having
met and chosen their Speaker, shall, each of them, before they proceed
to business, take and subscribe, as well the oath of fidelity and alle-
giance hereafter directed, as the following- oath —

"I, A. B., do swear, That, as a member of this Assembly, I will not
propose or assent to any bill or resolution, which shall appear to me in-
jurious to the people, nor do, nor consent to any act or thing whatever,
that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge the rights and privileges
as declared in the Constitution of this State; but will in all things con-
duct myself as a faithful honest representative and guardian of the
people, according to the best of my judgment and abilities. So help
me God." 1 '

The doors of the house in which the representatives of the freemen
of this State shall sit in General Assembly, shall be and remain open,
for the admission of all persons who shall behave decently: except
when the good of the commonwealth requires them to be shut.

Sec. 6. The votes and proceedings of the General Assembly shall
be printed weekly, during their sitting-, with the Yeas and Nays on
any question, vote, or resolution, (except when the vote is taken by
ballot,) when any two members require it; and every member, shall
have a right to insert the reasons of his vote upon the Journals, if he
desires it.

Sec. 7. That the laws, before they are enacted, may be more ma-
turely considered, and the danger of hasty and injudicious determi-
nations as much as possible prevented, all Bills of a public and
general nature shall be printed for the consideration of the people, be-
fore they are read in the General Assembly the last time, for debate
and amendment; and, except on occasions of sudden necessity, shall
not be passed into laws before the next session of the Assembly: And,
for the more perfect satisfaction of the public, the reasons and motives
for making such laws shall be fully and clearly expressed in the
preambles.

Sec. 8. The style of the laws of this commonwealth shall be. Be it
enacted, and it is hereby enacted, by the Representatives of the free men of
the Commonwealth of Frankland, in General Assembly, and by the author-
ity of the same. And the General Assembly shall affix their Seal to
every Bill as soon as it is enacted into a law; which seal shall be kept
by the Assembly, and shall be called the Seal of the Laws of Frankland,
and shall not be used for an) r other purpose.

Sec. 9. As in every free government the people have a right of free
suffrage for all officers of government that can be chosen by the peo-
ple, the freemen of this State shall elect Governor and Counsellors,
Justices of the Peace for each count v, and Coroner or Coroners, Sheriffs,

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 5/'

and all other such officers, except such as the Assembly are empowered
to choose.

Sec. 10. All the able bodied men in this State shall be trained for
its defence, under such regulations, restrictions and exceptions as the
General Assembly shall direct by law, preserving always to the people,
from the age of sixteen, the right of choosing their colonels, and all
other officers under that rank, in such manner and as often as shall be
by the same laws directed.

Sec. 11. The Governor of the State shall be annually chosen by
the free suffrages of the people on the day of general election for Rep-
resentatives for the General Assembly, and the returning officers for
each county shall make a fair return to the House of Representatives,
of the persons voted for, and the number of votes to each, which the
Assembly shall examine, and the highest in votes shall be declared-
constitutionally elected; but no person shall be eligible more than three
years out of seven, nor hold any other office at the same time.

Sec. 12. This State shall be divided into six grand divisions, each
of which, as in the above mentioned sections, shall choose a Counsellor;
And these divisions shall be thrown into three classes, numbered 1st,
2nd and 3rd, which shall change their members in Council by rotation,
beginning with the first class the first year after they have served one,
and the second the second year, and so on forever; by which means
some acquainted with business will be always in Council. And no
person shall be eligible more than three years in seven, nor shall hold
any other office in the State.

Sec. 13. The Governor and Council shall meet annually at the
same time and place with the General Assembly; The Governor, or, in
his absence, the Lieutenant Govenor, who shall be one of their num-
ber, chosen with the rest, with the Council, (two-thirds of whom shall
make a board), shall have power to correspond with other States; to
transact business with the officers of government, civil and military;
to prepare such business as may appear to them necessary to be laid
before the General Assembly: They shall also have power to grant
pardons and remit fines, in all cases whatever, except in case of
murder, impeachment, and treason, which they may reprieve 'til the
end of the next session of Assembly; but there shall be no mitigation
of punishment on impeachment, unless by act of the Legislature;
They are to take care that the laws be faithfully executed; to expedite
the execution of such measures as may be resolved upon by the General
Assembly: They may draw upon the Treasury for such sums as shall
be appropriated by the House of Representatives — they may also lay
embargoes, or prohibit the exportation of any commodity for any time
not exceeding thirty days, in the recess of the General Assembly only:
They may grant licenses, as the laws shall direct, and shall have power
to convene the House of Representatives, when necessar}% before the
day to which they were adjourned. The Governor shall be command-
er-in-chief of the forces of the State; but shall not command in person.

58 AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

except advised thereto by the Council, and then only for so long as
they shall approve of. The Governor and Council shall have a Secre-
retary, and keep fair books of their proceeding's, wherein any Counsel-
lor may enter his dissent, with his reasons in support of it.

Sec. 14. All commissions and grants shall be in the name and by
the authority of the freemen of the commonwealth of Frankland, sealed
with the State seal, signed by the Governor, or, in his absence, the
Lieutenant Governor, and attested by the Secretary; which seal shall
be kept by the Council.

Sec. 15. No justice of the peace shall receive any fee, gratuity or
reward for his services as a justice; but all other officers of this State
shall be allowed as moderate fees or salaries as possible, to be an ade-
quate compensation for their services. And if any officer shall take
otheror greater fees than the laws allow, it shall ever afterwards dis-
qualify' him to hold any office in this State.

Sec. 16. Every officer of government shall be liable to be impeached
by the General Assembly, or presented by the grand jury of any of the
superior courts, either in office, or after his resignation or removal, for
mal-administration. All impeachments shall be before a temporary
court composed of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, and two
members of the Council, to be chosen by the Council; the three senior
Judges of the Supreme Court, and three members of the General As-
sembly, to be chosen by the Assembly, who shall, or any five of them,
hear and determine the same.

Sec. 17. The Treasurer of State shall be annually appointed, and
no person eligible more than three years successively. The Secretary
of State, Attorney-General, Auditors, and such like officers, shall be
appointed triennially; but removable for misconduct. And any officer,
representative in General Assembly, or in the Congress of the United
States, who is convicted of a second violation of any part of this consti-
tution, shall be forever afterwards disqualified to hold any place or
office in this State.

Sec. 18. That in every case, where any officer, the right of whose
appointment is, by this constitution, vested in the General Assembly,
shall, during the recess, die, or his office, by other means, become
vacant, the Governor shall have power with the advice of the Council
of State, to fill up such vacancy, by granting a temporary commission,
which shall expire at the end of the next session of the Assembly.

Sec. 19. That no Treasurer, until he shall have finally settled his
accounts with the public, and paid the money remaining in his hand to
the succeeding Treasurer, nor any person who heretofore has been, or
hereafter may be, a Receiver of public monies; under this or any other
State, until he has fully accounted for and paid into the treasury all
monies for which he may be accountable and liable, shall have a seat in
the General Assembly, or be eligible to any civil office in this State.

Sec. 20. The freemen of each county shall, for the purpose of ease,
justice and convenieuey in holding elections, and other public affairs,

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 59

be divided into districts, as near one hundred in each as local circum-
stances will admit.

Sec. 21. The freemen of each district shall meet upon the second
Tuesda) r of February forever, and, at their first meeting-, elect three of
their own members, who shall be called Registers, and who shall keep
a fair alphabetical roll of the freemen of their district. Any two of
them agreeing, or upon advice of any five freemen, shall have power to
assemble the freemen of their district to consult for the common good,
give instructions to their Representatives, or to appl} r to the Legislature
for redress of grievances by address, petition, or remonstrance. They
shall preside in all civil district elections, shall meet twice, or oftener,
in the year, to deliberate upon and prepare to lay before the people such
matters as may be necessary for them to consider. And, to keep up a
rotation of the members, the person who shall have fewest votes at the
first election, shall continue in office one year, the second two, and the
highest three. And no Register shall be eligible for two years after he
has served his term.

Sec. 22. That elections may be free, and corruption prevented as
much as possible, the Registers of each district shall summon the free-
men of their district to meet at some convenient place, upon the first
Tuesday of March forever, where they shall elect by ballot, all the offi-
cers for their district, which shall be hereafter directed, and the number
of persons, indiscriminately, out of the county, appointed to represent
it in the General Assembly, in the following manner: the Senior Reg-
ister shall call each freeman by name, in the order of the roll, who shall
give his ticket or tickets to the second Register, and the highest in
votes for district officers shall then be declared constitutionally
elected; but the names of the persons to represent the county in Gen-
eral Assembly, and their respective numbers of votes, shall, by one of
the Registers, be laid before a meeting of one from each district, within
ten days after the election; and when all are examined, the highest in
votes shall be declared constitutionally elected, and certified by the
same Register. No freeman shall have, in this commonwealth, more
than one annual vote for any officer of government, and the Legislature
hereafter to be appointed, shall, from time to time, enact and keep in
force such laws as may appear necessary to prevent and remedy every
species of corruption, and to oblige freemen to attend upon elections.

Sec. 23. Justices of the peace shall be elected for each count}', ten
or, more by the freemen, as shall, by the General Assembly, be thought
necessary for each, of those residing within the same, and qualified as
mentioned in Section 3, who shall be commissioned during good beha-
viour, by the Governor or Lieutenant Govenor in Council; and no jus-
tice of the peace, or any other commissioned officer, shall hold his com-
mission who misbehaves, or is found guilty of such things as dis-
qualify; nor shall any one be chosen who is not a scholar to do the
business, nor, unless acquainted with the laws of the country in some
measure, but particularly with every article of the Constitution.

bO THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Sec. 24. To prevent the civil power usurping' spiritual supremacy,
the establishing- of professions, denominations, or sects of religion, or
patronizing ecclesiastical hierarchies and dignitaries, also to secure
religious liberty and the rights of conscience forever inviolate, every
citizen of this commonwealth shall forever have full and free liberty
to join himself to any society of Christians who may judge most for
his edification, and shall experience no civil or legal disadvantages for
his so doing: And every society or congregation shall have full liberty,
without any restraint from law, to choose any minister they think best
suited for their Christian instruction, and to support him as they think
best: And every such society or congregation shall have full right to
hold all lands given to, or purchased by them, for the use of their so-
ciety, or any other property they may possess for religious purposes:
and the society, or any description of men chosen by (hem, with power
to act in their name, shall have power to receive, or to make and exe-
cute deeds, and enter into such other specialties as the society may
direct them to make; and shall have full power, by their agent, treas-
urer, or collector, to receive, recover and retain all property and money
justly due to them, in as full a manner as any other collector or agent
in this commonwealth. And the future Legislature of this State shall
have no power to make any law, act, or resolve whatsoever respecting
religion, or the spiritual service we owe to God; but shall confine them-
selves wholly to matters purely civil.

See. 25. Laws for the encouraging of virtue, and preventing and
suppressing of vice and immorality, shall be made and constantly kept
in force, and provision shall be made for their due execution.

Sec. 26. That no person in the State shall hold more than one lucra-
tive office at any one time, provided that no appointment in the militia,
or the office of a justice of the peace, shall be considered as a lucrative
office.

Sec. 27. xVll writs shall run in the name of the State of Franklaud,
and bear test, and be sigmed by the clerks of the respective courts. In-
dictments shall conclude, against the peace and dignity of the State.

See. 28. That the delegates of this State to the Continental Con-
gress while neces-sary, shall be chosen annually by the General Assem-
bly, by ballot, but may by superseded, in the meantime, in the same
manner; and no person shall be elected to serve in that capacity for
more than three years successively.

Sec. 29. A Sheriff and Coroner shall be annually elected, on the
da}', and in the manner, for electing Representatives in General As-
sembly, who shall be commissioned as before mentioned; and no per-
son shall be eligible more than two years out of five. Also Commis-
sioners, Assessors, Overseers of the Poor, Surveyors of Roads, and
all such officers as each district may require, at the same time aud in
such number as in future may appear necessary to the Legislature.

Sec. 30. That the person of a debtor, where there is not a strong
presumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison, after delivering

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 61

up, bona fide, all his estate, real and personal, for the use of his credi-
tors, in such manner as shall be hereafter reg-ulated by law. All pris-
oners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences,
where the proof is evident or the presumption great.

Sec. 31. That every foreigner, who comes to settle in this State, /
having first taken an oath of allegiance to the same, may purchase, or.
by other just means, acquire, hold, and transfer land or other real
estate, and, after one year's residence, shall be deemed a free citizen.

Sec. 32. All kinds of useful learning shall be encouraged by this
commonwealth, that is to say, the future Legislature shall erect, before
the year seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, one University, which
■shall be near the centre of this State, and not in a city or town: And
for endowing the same, there shall be appropriated such lands as may
be judged necessary, one-fourth of all the monies arising from the sur-
veys of land hereafter to be made, one halfpenny upon every pound of
inspected indigo, that shall be carried out of the State, by land or water;
threepence upon ever3 r barrel of flour, and one shilling on every hogs-
head of tobacco, forever.* And, if the fund thence arising shall be
found insufficient, the Legislature shall provide for such additions as
may be necessary. And if experience shall make it appear to be useful
to the interest of learning in this State, a Grammar School shall be
erected in each county, and such sums paid by the public as shall en-
iible the trustees to employ a master or masters of approved morals
and abilities.

Sec: 33. That no purchase of lands shall be made of the Indian na-
tives, but on behalf of the public, by authority of the General Assembly.

Sec. 34. That the future Legislature of this State shall regulate en-
tails in such a manner as to prevent perpetuities.

Sec. 35. That the Declaration of Rights is hereby declared to be a
part of the Constitution of this State, and ought never to be violated,
on any pretence whatsoever.

Sec. 36. No tax, custom or contribution shall be imposed upon, or
paid by, the people of this State, nor any appropriation of public mo-
nies made by the Legislature, except by a law for that purpose; and
the purposes for which the money is raised, and to which it is appro-
priated, shall be clearly expressed in the preamble. And, annually,
the General Assembly shall publish a full account of all money paid
into the Treasury, and by whom; also of all paid out of it, to whom,
and for what.

Sec. 37. If any dispute or difference shall arise betwixt citizens, in
matters of debt, property, character, or such things, the parties, agree-
ing to state their dispute, and leave it to arbitration, shall proceed in the
following manner: — they shall apply by joint petition to the Registers
of the district where the case exists, or the defendant lives, unless they
shall otherwise agree, who shall name, in writing, twenty-four substan-
tial freemen residing in the same, and the parties shall alternately

^Dissented, to as is mentioned in the Preface.

62 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

strike out one until one half are struck out; then the parties shall draw
by lot such an odd number as they shall agree upon, out of the re-
mainder, who, after taking- an oath to try the case in dispute without
favor, affection, or partiality, shall hear and finally determine the same.

Sec. 38. The printing presses shall be free to every person who un-
dertakes to examine the proceedings of the Legislature, or any person
or part of government; and no prosecution shall commence against a
printer for printing anything whatsoever, provided he gives up the
person's name.

Sec. 39. The Legislature shall take care to proportion punishments
to the crimes, and may provide houses for punishing, by hard labour,
those convicted of crimes not capital, wherein the criminals shall be
employed, for the benefit of the public, or for the reparation of injuries
done to private persons. All persons at proper times, shall be admit-
ted to see the prisoners at their labour.

Sec. 40. The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty to fowl
and hunt in seasonable times, on the lands they hold, and all others
therein, not enclosed, and in like manner to fish in all boatable waters,
and others,- not private property.

Sec. 41. The Legislature hereafter to be chosen, shall provide that
marriages, in this commonwealth, be regularly and solemnly celebrat-
ed, between one man and one woman, before free and single.

Sec. 42. That this Constitution may be the better understood by
the citizens of this commonwealth, and be more effectually kept invio-
late to the latest ages, the future Legislature shall employ some person
or persons, at the public expense, to draw it out into a f amilar catechet-
ical form, and the Registers shall take care that it be taught in all
the schools within their respective districts; and shall further provide,
that a sufficient number of the Constitution be printed, that each citi-
zen may have one, as the inviolable charter of his privileges.

Sec. 43. The future Legislature shall choose and keep a chaplain
during their session, if to be obtained, and shall annually invite some
minister of the gospel to open their first session, after the annual elec-
tion, with a sermon.

Sec. 44. The privileges and benefit of the writ of Habeas Corpus
shall be enjo} r ed in this commonwealth, in the most free, easj-, cheap,
expeditious and ample manner, and shall not be suspended by the
Legislature, except upon the most urgent and pressing occasions, and
for a limited time, not exceeding twelve months. And, in all cases,
every person shall enjoy the liberty of being heard by himself and his
counsel.

Sec. 45. In order that the freedom of this commonwealth may be
preserved inviolate forever, there shall be chosen by the free suffrage
of the freemen of the State, on the day of in the year one

thousand seven hundred and ninety, and in every succeeding fifth year
forever, twenty-four freeholders, two-thirds of which shall constitute a
Board in everv case, and known bv the name of a Council of Safety,

PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF FRANKLAND. 63

and shall meet on the day of next ensuing- their elec-

tion, who, during- one year after said daj r , shall have full power, and
their dut3 r shall be, to inquire whether the Constitution has been pre-
served inviolate in every part ; whether Legislative, Executive Judiciary
and Military branches of government, and public servants have faithfully
performed their several duties, or whether they have assumed to them-
selves, or exercised, greater or other powers than they are entitled to by
this Constitution, or neglected to exercise those with which they were
invested.

They are to enquire whether the public taxes have been justly laid and
collected in every part of this commonwealth; in what manner the public
money and property have been disposed of, and whether the laws have been
duly exercised: For these, they shall have power to send for papers and
records, to recommend impeachments, and the repealing of such laws as
shall appear contrary to the principles of Constitution; they shall fix and
regulate the salaries and fees of all civil officers: And no other powers
shall they be invested with, or attempt to exercise, and no person shall be
eligible as a member of this Council, who, has held any civil office, {except
a Justice of the Peace and subaltern in the militia) for the space of two im-
mediately preceding years, nor shall he hold any other office in govern-
ment, whilst he is a member of Council.

Sec. 46. Estate shall not be entailed, and when a person dies intestate,
his or her estate shall be equally divided among their children, consider-
ing the part every child before received in his or her portion, the widow
shall have a child's share, or her dower, at her option. All other intes-
tate estate, as may be directed by the future Legislature.

Sec. 47. This form of government shall be enrolled on parchment,
and be deposited in the Secretary's office, and be a part of the laws of the
land; and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the book containing
the laws of the commonwealth, in all future editions of the said laws.

A true copy from the original.

Attested: per Francis A. Ramsky, Clerk.

After the rejection of the above Constitution, John
Sevier proposed the Constitution of North Carolina,
which was adopted with a few amendments. The name
of Franklin was adopted for the State.

64 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

EARLIEST AMERICAN LITERATURE — CAP-
TAIN JOHN SMITH.

The last true knight-errant of the world was Cap-
tain John Smith, of Virginia. A French soldier at seven-
teen, three years in the Dutch army, shipwrecked at
twenty-one, granted a patent of nobility in Austria for
courage in battle against the Turks, taken prisoner and
sold as a slave, having escaped and traveled through
Europe, the battle-scarred veteran of twenty-seven re-
turned to. England in time to join with Gosnold and others
in gathering a Colony to settle Virginia. Arrested on
shipboard, he is not allowed to take his seat in the Coun-
cil on landing, yet as a public necessity he became Gov-
ernor in a short time. Nor is authority enforced with a
slack hand. The Governor works himself, and forces all
recalcitrant idlers to do the same, sons of gentlemen
though most of them were.

That restless spirit which had driven him to hunt
the earth over for wars in which to take part, would not
leave him without adventure in these American wilds.
This was a virgin field for wonderful exploits, and none
of his have been discredited in that they seem too marvel-
ous for belief. Despite all, he was a shrewd man of
affairs, and knew how to manag-e men, whether the dis-
affected at Jamestown or the savages of the forest. So
skillful was he in dealing with the latter, that his pres-
ence was often of more avail than an army. A true En«"-
lishman in his devotion to duty, Captain Smith never
hesitated to put his life in jeopardy to carry out the di-
rections of the London Company in exploring the country.
His skillful direction of affairs so often saved the Colom T
from ruin, and the influence of his courage and determi-

EARLIEST AMERICAN LITERATURE. 65

nation was so long - felt, that we hardly think of his hav-
ing remained there only two years. Neither is he thought
of as a writer, yet nearl} r a dozen volumes come from his
pen. The pioneer of all American literature was "A
True Relation of Virginia, " this is not half of its title.
This book, says Moses Coit Tyler, was published and
sold in London near the time and place of John Milton's
birth, thus bringing- into juxta-position the first book of
free America, and the great expounder of political and
religious freedom.

Raleigh had been in turn soldier, sailor, diplomat,
man of the world, bookman, penman, why should not
Smith have the same ambition? Raleigh was better fit-
ted to shine at Court and had greater facility in the use
of lang"uag"e than Smith, but had Raleigh been in charge
at Jamestown during the critical period, then not even
"Croatan" would have remained to puzzle the chance en-
quirer. Little as Smith's books smack of true literary
form, they accomplished more in turning a tide of settlers
toward America than all that Raleigh had ever done.
Bancroft sa} T s of Smith, "He was the Father of Virginia,
the true leader who first planted the Saxon race within
the borders of the United States." "A True Relation"
faithfully describes the country as far as explored. Time
has justified his maps and shown the correctness of his
observations. The manuscript for this work was sent to
England for publication within thirteen months after the
founding" of Jamestown. Disturbed by sickness, faction,
and destitution in the Colony, exposed to constant danger
from savages, can we imagine an author plying his voca-
tion under greater difficulties? Yet within three months
the first book was followed by a much more trenchant
piece of writing. Certain complaints from the home
Company were sent over. Smith answers these in what
Tyler calls "Hotspur Rhetoric." He warns them ag-ainst
expecting" immediate results, and shows them the necessity
of work. Captain Newport had broug"ht over an add!-

()6 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

tioiial number of settlers, mainly gentlemen, goldsmiths,
gdass-makers, soap-boilers, — men fitted to consume rather
than produce supplies. Smith wrote: "When you send
againe I entreat you rather send but thirty Carpenters,
husbandmen , gardiners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons,
and dig-gers vp of trees' roots, well provided, then a thou-
sand such as we have." This was America's first expe-
rience in talking - back at Kngland, an embryo Declaration
of Independence.

No man foresaw the possibilities of the country so
clearly as Smith, at the same time none knew better than
he that it was not a land where Ivotus-E}aters mig"ht dream
away the golden afternoons.

The same ship which carried the letter to the home
Company bore the manuscript of the author's third pro-
duction. "The True Relation" g-ave a faithful descrip-
tion of the country and inhabitants between the Potomac
and the James. The third work written iii America is
described by its title: "Map of the Bay and the Rivers,
with Annexed Relation of the Countries, and Natives
that Inhabit Them." Natives, plants, animals, soil,
climate; all were described with a wonderful minuteness.
Of his map of Virginia the Narrative and Critical History
of America says: "A work so singularly exact that it has
formed the basis of all like delineations since, and was
adduced as authority as late as 1873 towards the settle-
ment of the boundary dispute between the States of Vir-
g-inia and Maryland." To gather this material the Ches-
apeake with numberless inlets and rivers had been trav-
ersed in an open boat. If Smith drew a long' bow in nar-
rating - personal exploits, no trace of this appears when
he comes to record the results of his observations. Ban-
croft says, "He had nothing - counterfeit in his nature:
but was open, honest, and sincere."

Not only did he g'ive faithful descriptions, but these in
a rude way often showed the taste and genius of a poet.
The country was full of marvelous beauty which so won

EARLIEST AMERICAN LITERATURE. 67

the heart of this bold adventurer that he never forgot his.
first, and perhaps only love, Virginia. "Heaven and
earth," he said, "never agreed better to frame a place for
man's habitation." Continues he in his quaint spelling - :
"Here are mountaines, hils, plaines, valleyes, rivers, and
brookes, all running" most pleasantly into a faire Bay,,
compassed but for the mouth, with fruitful and delight-
some laud." "These waters wash from the

rocks such glistering tinctures that the ground in some
places seemeth as guilded, where both the rocks and the
earth are so splendent to behold, that better judgments
then ours mig'ht haue beene perswaded, they contained
more then possibilities."

His language seems to flow as readily as the
streams of that newly discovered country. Of the Pow-
hatan, or James, we find this charming - description: "The
river is enriched with many goodly brookes, which are
maintained by an infinit number of small rundles and
pleasant springs, that disperse themselues for the best
service, as do the veins of a man's body." With great
particularity, the rivers, "Salvages," animals, and plants
were noted. Hardly anything was too unimportant to be
e xamined. Among the plums he finds "Puchamins,
red when it is ripe: if it be not ripe, it will draw a man's
mouth awry, with much torment, but when it is ripe, it is
as delicious as an apricot." Some of the descriptions of
natives might seem to be notes for a painter. Of the long
journeys to complete the "Mappe," Smith says:

"Thus haue I walkt a wayles way, with vncouth pace,

Which yet no Christian man did ever trace:

But yet I know this not affects the minde,

Which eares doth heare; as that which eyes doe finde."

Accidentally wounded beyond the help of local surgery,,
at the end of two years Smith returned to England never
to revisit Jamestown. He had been met with opposition
and envy on the part of those whose lives he had often
been the means of preserving: he had received no reward.

68 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

from the London Company, not even the house which he
had built with his own hands, yet during* the remainder
of his life, America was the theme of the numerous books
which he wrote. What had been his value was soon ap-
parent. At his departure the Colony numbered five hun-
dred, and was in a prosperous condition; in six months
only sixty were left, and they were in the throes of "the
starving- time."

Smith remained in Emgdand until 1614, when he made
avoyag-eto "North Virginia." In the map which he made
with his own hand that region was called New England,
a name which the world immediately adopted.

In 1624 Smith published "The Generall Historie of
Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles." Two
years before his death, which occurred in 1631, this was
incorporated in "The True Travels, Adventures, and Ob-
servations." This last includes all his works except "A
True Relation."

Did Pocahontas save the life of Smith? This storv
told by Smith was included in almost all historical works
until 1866. Since that time it has been omitted by Ban-
croft and some others. The republication of "A True Re-
lation," by Deane, of Boston, has provoked considerable
discussion. Some account of this will be given in another
article. Of Captain John Smith as a man and writer
Moses Coit Tyler says: "Over all his personal associates
in American adventures he seems to tower, by the natural
loftiness and reach of the perception with which he grasped
the significance of their vast enterprise, and means to its
success. As a writer his merits are really great — clear-
ness, force, vividness, picturesque and dramatic energy,
a diction rae\ r and crisp."

During- the first two decades of the struggle to plant an
English settlement in America, Smith did more than any
other man to make an American nation and an American
literature possible. During- that twenty years of encoun-
ter with almost ever} T kind of difficulty and dang-er, besides

EARLIEST AMERICAN LITERATURE. 6 C >

Smith there were five other writers of more or less merit.
Georg-e Percy wrote a vivid account of the arrival in Vir-
ginia, and the horrible suffering's of the colonists during"
that first year in which there were "pitiful murmuring^
and outcries of our sick men, without relief, every nig"ht
and day, for the space of six weeks; some departing- out
of the world, many times three or four in a nig"ht, in the
morning" their bodies trailed out of their cabins like dog"s.
to be buried!" William Strachey wrote a work containing"
one of the strongest delineations of a storm at sea known
to literature. It is thoug-ht by some to have suggested
to Shakespeare the idea of "The Tempest."

Alexander Whitaker, the "Apostle of Virginia, " left
g"ood property and influence at home "to bear the name of
God unto the heathen." His heart was full of compas-
sion for the Indians. To stir up the people at home, he
g"ives a well-written and clear sketch of the country and
climate of Virginia. "Good News from Virginia" was
published in London in 1613.

The Secretary for the Colony under Governor Yard-
ley was John Pory, a man of rare attainments. The most
sprigfhtly of his writing's was a letter to Sir Dudley Carle-
ton, in which were racy descriptions of the country, min-
gfled with amusing" accounts of the savagfes as well as the
colonists themselves. Pory had been a man of the world,
and of somewhat convivial habits before coming" to Vir-
ginia. After telling" how he managed to pass the time
with pen and book, he says: "Besides among" these crystal
rivers and odoriferous woods I do escape much expense,
envy, contempt, vanity, and vexation of mind." Among"
those who thus added to the world's store of knowledge dur-
ing" the first years at Jamestown there was only one pro-
fessed man of letters. This was Georgfe Sandys, who had
already translated five books of Ovid before leaving" for
the New World. Ten books were translated here in the
wilds of North America in such style as to meet the ap-
probation of literary men in England. One of the most

70 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

terrible Indian massacres happened soon after his arrival,
by which Jamestown was overrun with panic-stricken,
half-fed settlers from adjacent settlements. In such an
atmosphere, and without books, the poet went on with
his work. Sandys continued amid surroundings which
would have appalled most men, and produced a work
which speedily ran through eight editions. This morn-
ing star of American poetry was one of whom we need
not feel ashamed. Dryden speaks of him as "the best
versifier of the former age." The settlement of Virginia
seemed a re-enactment of the old romances. Jason,
^Eneas and Ulysses had become realities. No people
ever underwent greater hardships to found a new nation.
With six writers such as Smith, Percy, Strachey, Whit-
aker, Pory and Sandys, surely American literature had
an auspicious beginning. S. A. Link,

Nashville, Tenn.
Dec. 13, 1895.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 7l

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES
• ROBERTSON.

James Robertson has been styled "the Father of
Tennessee," and also "the Father of Middle Tennessee."

The first title was derived from the fact that he was
one of the early pioneers in Tennessee, and was, during
the nine years of his residence the leader of the first set-
tlement at Watauga. The second title is the one which
"befits him best," and around which the uost affectionate
memories cluster. From the time of his removal to Cum-
berland in 1779, to the time of his death in 1814, a period
of thirty-five years, he was the motive power, the bul-
wark of the Cumberland settlements, and the idol of its
people. A sketch of his life would be the early history
of Middle Tennessee.

Descended from a Scottish family, he was born in
Brunswick County, Virginia, June 28, 1742. He removed
to Wake County, North Carolina, while quite a youth,
and thence removed to Watauga in 1770, and to the Cum-
berland settlements in 1779.

He was active in framing the Articles of the Wa-
tauga Association, adopted in 1772, by the settlers on
the Watauga, which was the first compact for civil
government west of the Alleghany Mountains, and the
first by native born Americans. May 1st, 1780, the fa-
mous "Articles of Agreement, or Compact of Govern-
ment," was entered into by the settlers on the Cumber-
land River, and signed by two hundred and fifty-six
settlers, nearly all of whom wrote their own names.

This valuable document has been preserved, and is
published in Putnam's History of Middle Tennessee. It
is accurate, practical, and suited to the condition of the
settlers — a g-em of legal literature, sparkling in the

72 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

wilderness. It was largely the work of James Robertson.

Frag-ments of the correspondence of this remarkable
man, consisting" of copies of letters written by himself,
and preserved among his papers, the orig-inal letters
written to him by correspondents, and copies of impor-
tant contemporaneous documents, have been preserved.
They are bound in manuscript in two larg-e volumes, and
are among - the treasures of the library of the "University
of Nashville and Peabody Normal College." Most of
the copies of his own letters and of contemporaneous doc-
uments are in Gen. Robertson's own handwriting". A
few of the letters were injured before being- bound in
book form, and are worn in the folds, so as to be, in some
places, nearly illegible. In many of the letters, the ink
has faded so much that some words are indistinct. An
examination of the correspondence shows that the Span-
iards used better ink than the Cumberland settlers. In
editing- this correspondence, no liberty is taken with the
orig-inals, except in a few instances, to make them con-
form to the rules of modern punctuation and spelling - ,
and to supply from the context a few words which are
illegible.

These letters have been invaluable to the historians
of Tennessee. They supply pictures of social, political
and military life, drawn by the leading- actors in the
events to which they relate. Yet only two or three of
them have ever been published. They will be given suc-
cessively in the issues of this mag'azine.

The first selection g'iven below, includes the corre-
spondence from 1784 to 1790, at which latter date Ten-
nessee became the Southwest Territor\'.

Beginning- with Vol. I., the manuscript title-pag'e

reads as follows:

Correspondence of Gen'l. James Robertson.

Extending- from November 4, 1784 to July 30, 1814.

Bound in Two Volumes.

Presented to the Library of The University of Nashville by Dr. Felix
Robertson, and bound and deposited by Nathaniel Cross. 1840.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 73
[Then comes the following- certificate:]

The Correspondence etc., of Gen. James Robertson,
who has been styled the "Father of Tennessee." was ob-
tained from his son, Dr. Felix Robertson of Nashville,
with permission to select from it such papers as mig-ht be
considered worth preserving-; inasmuch however as many
of those, that were of a private nature, contained the
allusions to political occurrences and Indian border troubles
of the day, it was deemed best to preserve the correspond-
ence entire. I accordingly arranged them in chronologi-
cal order and had them bound in these two volumes.

Nathe. Cross.
Nashville University Library.
18+0

[Then comes, as a preface, the following extracts from the early
Cumberland records, certified by the historian, A. W. Putnam. This
preface is intended to supply some historical facts for the purpose of
explaining certain allusions in the Robertson correspondence.]

Under the Government and Rules adopted at "Nash-
borougfh, 1st May 1780" —(revived 7th January 1783),
many interesting measures were adopted and acts per-
formed; — and we note here in connection with the letter
of Gov. Estevan Miro dated "New Orleans 20th April,
1783," and which is bound as of a later date and by some
person in dorso "1789" — that among* the proceeding's of
the Provisory Government aforesaid, there is an entry of
record to the following- effect:

"May 6th, 1783."

"Committee met according - to adjournment, Present,
Col. James Robertson, Thomas Malloy, Geo. Freeland,
Saml. Barton, David Rormsevall, Isaac Linsey, E}benezer
Titus, James Shaw and Capt. Isaac Bledsoe.

When Thomas Malloy informed the Committee that
he had since the last meeting*, at ye request of some of ye
members sent letters to ye agrnt for ye State of Virginia

74 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

residing - at Illenois, and likewise to ye Spanish Governor,
informing- them that some of our people had gone down
the river this spring - upon pretence of trading with ye
Chickasas Indians. But by ye report of some latel} r come
from ye Illenois, who met with ym on their way here, we
are afraid that their design was to assist in plundering -
of some of the trading - boats; and that if any such thing
should be committed or effected by or with } r e assistance
of any belonging - to us, that it was contrary to the prin-
ciples and intentions of ye generality of people here; as
we detest and abhor such practices, and that we would
endeavor for ye future to prevent any such proceedings.

Which information and conduct of Mr. Malloy was
unanimously approved and acceded to by the Committee.

On motion made, Resolved & agreed by this Commit-
tee that from and after the 6th of May 1783, no person
or inhabitant of this settlement shall trade, traffick or
barter with any Indians, nor resort unto them on ye
other side of ye Ohio or ye dividing - ridge between Ten-
nessee and Cumberland waters, nor go down these West-
ern waters upon pretence of trading - to } r e Illenois or
elsewhere, — without permission first had and obtained of
the Committee; and likewise g*ive Bond with approved
security, in any sum at ye discretion of ye Committee,
payable to ye Chairman thereof and his successor as such,
conditioning that their conduct shall not directly or in-
directly, in any wise prejudice the interests of this our
settlement."

And agfain at the first Session of the Court of Quar-
ter Sessions (when fully organized) January, 1784, pro-
ceeding's of the following - nature took place.

"On motion made to the Court concerning - allega-
tions against James Montgomery as an aider and abettor
in the treasonable piratical proceeding's carried on in the
Mississippi against Spaniards it is the opinion of the
Court that the said Montgomery be holden in security in
the sum of £150 for his appearance at the next Court."

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 75

He gave Bond, and we believe, fled Another indi-
vidual was somewhat implicated, but producing creditable
letters, was acquitted.

I make these notes here to show the true and earnest
zeal of the leaders in the Cumberland settlement to pre-
serve amity with their neighbors, and to prevent any
act of robbery & wrong being committed by those of

their community

1850. A. W. Putnam.

[The following- letter addressed to Gen. Robertson by Mons. Cruzat,
the Commandant at St. Louis, is in reply to a letter written by Gen.
Robertson, disclaiming- participation in the depredations of "Colbert
and his gang of pirates." The original is in French. A translation
has been published in Putnam's "History of Middle Tennessee," from
-which the translation below differs in a few immaterial points.]

Monsieur :

I have had the honor to receive your letter by which
you evidence to me the pain you experience from the hos-
tilities & robberies that Colbert & his people have com-
mitted upon the Spaniard on the Mississippi & that if
you had certain proofs by which the slaves & other effects
could be identified, you repeat you would endeavor if pos-
sible to have them returned & that you would seize them
as property justly to be restored to your allies — Such a
proceeding on your parts so analogous to the just idea
that the Spaniards have always had of the Equity of the
American States proves to me Sir, that not only the peo-
ple of Cumberland have not co-operated with those bri-
gands; but that they are very sensible to all that human-
ity has suffered from the evils which we have sustained
from those vagabonds — In consequence I thank you Sir,
for the information which you have had the complaisance
to give me, that two negroes the one taken at Mattattock
& the other on the Arkansas are with the Chicachas in
the hands of the whites & that if you knew their masters

,7(j THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

you would undertake to withdraw them from the Indians-
but it is impossible for me to procure for you the proof
because Colbert & his people are scattered into several
bands & are carrying-on a war by robbery & pillag-e every
where & has so larg-e a number of persons, that the proofs
of property served every difficulty & motive in the con-
test between those who have been the victims of those at-
tentions — Very g'rateful for the thanks of yourself & the
people of the Cumberland for the answer which I g-ave to
the Indians on our part who had come to demand of us
land to establish themselves, I assure you Sir, as on this
occasion so in all other cases we act to maintain the
friendship, the union, the g-ood correspondence estab-
lished between our two nations, that I shall listen to no
plans, which would injure my honor or my duty or the
pacific intentions of my sovereign & if in the country
under m} 7 command I can be useful to you & to those who
may merit your recommendations — I declare to you that
I shall exercise my utmost zeal to convince you of the
gratitude & hig-h consideration in which I have the honor
to be, Sir, Your very humble & very obedient

Servant,

Fran c " Cruzat.
St. Louis in Illinois,

4th Nov., 1784.
To Col. fames Robertson, Cumberland.

[The following- letter bears no date. It is in the handwriting - of
Gen. Robertson, and is in some places nearly illegible. It must have
been written in the year 1787.]

Brothers :

I hear you are settling- on the Malissippi where I
wish you to live and enjoy peace, provided your young-
men do not lose their senses and distress our country, as
that will compell us to retaliate; which will be a great
prejudice to your nation and us; but I hope we shall

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 77

think more of our children. We will be very particular
in doing - you no harm and we hope you will caution your
young" people, as we may live brothers. The Chickasaws
tell us you wish to be friends to us. We desire to be
friends with all the Red people and to make no encroach-
ment on any, war has come this two years past from
towards the Mussel shoals. We thought it mig-ht only
be some rog-ues and that they would stop, but we were
obliged to.g"o ag'ainst a Cherokee Town that talked two
tong"ues, as the} T said some were for peace and we tracked
others from our country, that had killed our people and
had their scalps then in the town: if any gr>od people
suffered, they may blame themselves for it, as we cotild
not tell the bad from the gxx>d. I never would keep com-
pany with any persons that would kill my friends. We are
sorry that some French were so imprudent as to put
themselves among- our enemies, and suffered before we
knew who the\ T were. It was not because they were
French. We love them as ourselves. We know they
are a gfood people. Had it been Americans, it would
have been the same case: we agree all that country be-
longs to the Red people and that if they let us alone in
ours we will not interrupt them in theirs: they may have
what traders they please and we should all be friends.
Capt. Dickerson sent me word he would come and see me,
I should be fond to have a talk with him. I am, Your
friend and Brother, James Robertson.
To the Delezuares &• *

[The following- letter is addressed to Gen. Robertson by his per-
sonal friend, Mr. Thomas Purson, and relates to immigration, land
surve3 r s. and personal matters.]

Goshen, 23th May 1787.

Colo. Since I saw you last I have been ver} T well un-
til about four weeks past, I am now very unwell & un-

*Illeg-ible.

78 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

less I mend soon I expect I shall scarcely ever see you
again. Should I mend I fully intend to be with you in the
West Assembly we will then do the best we can to open
the land office once mo're & Grant out all the Western
Country leave Congress no further hopes of obtaining it
from us to whom it justly belongs that is to say the state.
If God spares me next Spring - I shall be with you both
in your own New Country. I am clear you must soon be a
separate State for which you will have my harty Con-
curance as soon as you can act for yourselves & in the
meantime we will aid }^ou ag'ainst your enemies & sup-
port you to the utmost of our powers as you are a part
of ourselves & have conducted yourselves as Brothers &
friends. Since you emigrated and explored that valuable
Country in which you are now resident, our Delig'ates
who were elected to goe forward to form a federal Con-
stitution or goe forward what they are to do we know not
but as we have some very good men they will not injure
us I hope & what they do will be laid before the Next
Genl assembly for their approbation in that case I hope
we shall not be injured.

Pray Genl, any part of my land yet not surveyed or
returned I hope and trust you will cause the Surveyors to
make return of as soon as possible. I have never as yet
g'ot more that 6 or 7 grants upon any of my Surveys nor
are the\r by the Surveyers yet returned as I can find out
by the Surety. I heard last fall that some Surve\ T er in
Davidson County did survey on Water or Red River or

poison Creek a part of lands for , Surveyed for

some person & that his answer was I had land enough.
I expect that the person who had part of this then sur-
veyed will Indeavor to g-it his Grant before I git mine,
in that case he may think himself safe but he ma}- rely
upon it I shall shurely stick by his ribs & If I knew the
surve} r or I would attack Instantly, be him who he will
notwithstanding he is at such a distance, mv own I mean
to have & not anothers. If I am spared to see you both,

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 79

lie assured I shall make you ample amends for your ser-
vices in my favor.

I am Genl with the Greatest Esteem

Your affectionate servant,
Thos. Purson.
To Messrs. James Robertson,
W. Phillip Alston.

[The following letter has no address or signature. It is supposed
to have been the copy which Gen. Robertson retained of a letter writ-
tea to Mons. Cruzat at St. Eouis, in explanation of the destruction of
the Indian town of Coldwater, (now Tuscumbia, Ala). On this occa-
sion several Frenchmen were killed, and some French merchandize
captured. The manuscript is in Gen. Robertson's handwriting, and
was evidently written in 1787.]

Sir:

For some years past a trade has been carried on b}^ some
Frenchmen from Wabash to the Indians on the Ten-
nessee. I've been told that this trade was formerly man-
aged by a Mr. Veiz — and while he practised it those In-
dians were peaceable to us. But for two or three years
past those Indians have been extremely inimical to us, at
all seasons killing - our men, women & children, and steal-
ing our horses. I have it also from such authority that
I must believe it, that those Indians were excited to war
ag-ainst us by those Traders' suggestions; both in advis-
ing - them to war and in giving- them goods for so doing.
My authority for this is from the Chickasaws who tell
me that they have been offered g-oods by the traders if they
would go to war ag'ainst us, and one John Rog"ers told
me he saw a Creek fellow have on a pair of arm bands
which that fellow said were given to him by the French
Traders for going" to war against us. Their incursions
upon us this spring- have been more severe than usual,
and I determined to distress them.

For this purpose I took out a party of the Militia of
this County, followed the tracks of one of their scalping

80 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

parties who had just been doing- murder here, and fol-
lowed them to a Town on the Tennessee at the mouth of
Cold water destroyed the Town and killed I suppose
about 20 of the Indians. The scalps of two of our men
who they had lately murdered were in the Town. Un-
fortunately for some of the French they had been impru-
dent enough to put themselves along- with the Indians
in the action and some few of them fell. From that
place I sent a party around to this river by water. In
the Tennessee they found five Frenchmen with two boats
having- g-oods to trade with those very Indians. The
Commander of the party took the boats with the men and
brougdit them around into this river and g-ave them then
their choice to come up to the settlement and stand trial
for what they had done, thereb}" to try to regain their
g-oods — or else they mig-ht g'o home at once without their
g-oods. They chose the latter. The taking- these boats
was without my knowledg-e and approbation. I am now
endeavoring- to collect the property which was in them
tog-ether, and would thank you to notif} r these men that
if they can make it appear they were not g-uilty of a
breach of the laws, and did not intend to furnish our
enemies with powder, lead and other g-oods for our de-
struction — on applying- here they may g*et their property
ag-ain.

I am very sorry that necessity has driven us to take
the measures we did of destroying" the Indians. If those
Indians would be peaceable we should never think of de-
priving- them of any trade they can procure. But while
they continue at war, any Traders who furnish them
with arms and ammunition, will render themselves very
insecure.

[The following- letter has g-iven occasion to severe and undeserved
criticisms against Gen. Robertson. Yet it was a wise piece of diplo-
macy, and fully justified by the circumstances.] [See Editorial notes.]

CORRESPONDENCE} OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 81

NashvielE, August 3d, 1783.
Sir :

I received your favors by Messrs. Hog-gatt & Ewing*
which have given great satisfaction to the country in
general. I transmitted copies to Govenor Caswell and
have since seen them published in the Kentucky Gazette.

The Indians still continue their incursions in some
measure tho' trifling- to what we experienced in the
Spring - . I imagine it must be Cherokees or some out-ly-
ing Creeks who are not acquainted with your orders;
Colo. Anthony Bledsoe was killed by a small party about
two weeks ago.

It is reported that the inhabitants of Holston and
the Cherokees are at war but we have not received any
account that may be depended on, nor whether you and
the Georgians are likely to terminate your dispute.

From Mr. Hoggatt's Account we have expected some
of the Creeks in from you but none have yet arrived. I
have provided a g _ un which Mr. Hoggatt thinks will
please you. I have caused a deed for a lot in Nashville
to be recorded in your name, and beg you will let me
know whether you will accept of a tract or two of land in
our young Country. I could say much to you respecting-
this same Country but am fully sensible you are better
able to judge what may take place in a few years than
myself. In all probability we cannot long' remain in our
present state, and if the British or any commercial na-
tion who may be in possession of the mouth of the Missis-
sippi would furnish us with trade, and receive our pro-
duce there cannot be a doubt but the people on the west
side the Apalachian mountains will open their eyes to
their real interest. I should be very happy to hear your
sentiment of this matter.

Myself and the Inhabitants of this Country return
you our most grateful thanks for your very polite treat-
ment of Messrs. Hoggatt and Kwing and shall always be
happy to render you any services in our power.

82 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

I hope you will honor me with a correspondence and
shall do myself the pleasure of writing- by every oppor-
tunity. I am Sir,

with the greatest Esteem
Your most Obed. Servt.

James Robertson.
To Hon. Alexander McGillivray .
Creek Nation.

[The following- letter is in Gen. Robertson's handwriting-. The
date is illegible. It was written three days after the murder of his
son by the Indians. It is addressed to Alexander McGillivray, the
treacherous Creek Chief. Portions of this letter are eloquent and
pathetic]

Nashvieee on Cumberland.

I am not able to express my pain and surprise when
I view the hostile operations carried on agfainst the in-
habitants of this country. I am well assured from the
earliest intellig'ence I ree'd from you that every precau-
tion has been used to prevent anything that migfht incur
3-our displeasure or in an}^ manner irritate the minds of
your people. In the letter which I first had the pleasure
of receiving" from you, you loudly complained of the ill
treatment you received from the Americans together with
their incroachments on vour territories which had com-
pelled you to take protection under the Court of Spain, a
circumstance which gfave me much uneasiness. But those
aggressors live in a different State and are governed b\'
different laws, consequently are not culpable for their
misconduct; nor had we the most distant idea b\ T our
making' settlement here, that we should incur the displeas-
ure of an} T tribe of Indians, as we only claim those lands
that the Cherokees in the year 1775 ceded to Colonel Hen-
derson & Company in open treaty, who paid them a valu-
able consideration for the same.

The small expedition which necessity compelled me
to carry on against a people living below the Mussel

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 83

Shoals, I ever flattered myself would meet with your ap-
proval. As we were repeatedly informed by the Chero-
kees, also by Mr. Curnal a half breed from the Creek
nation, that those were a refractory people who refused
to be governed by the laws or customs of other nations.
We should have deputed two men agreeable to your
requisition to lot in convention with the warriors of the
Creek nation in April last, but in my absence to the
grand council of this State, an unhappy dispute arose be-
tween some unguarded persons and some of the Cherokees
which rendered a passage from this country to yours very
precarious. I have just returned from the Assembly and
find that honorable bod} T tog-ether with the Continental
Congress disposed to see the strictest justice done to all
the Red people and as much disposed to see that perpe-
trations on either side should not pass with impunity.
The information I received from Doct. White gave me
pleasure, as he informed our Assembly that he had in the
most public manner declared a suspension of hostilities
for all people but those who are daily endeavoring- to take
your last and natural right. Since Colonel Bledsoe and
myself wrote } t ou I had the mortification to see one of my
children killed and uncommon^ massacred. From my
earliest youth, I have endeavored to arm myself with a
sufficient share of fortitude to meet anything that nature
might have intended me, but to see an innocent child so
uncommonly massacred by people who ougdit to have both
sense and bravery, has in a measure unmanned me.
There was a neighbor's child at the same time taken
prisoner — a boy about thirteen years old.

I am persuaded that humanity will induce you to ex-
tend your influence through the Creek nation and adopt
every means in your power, to protect the boy and send him
by Mr. Hackett, as he will be of but little service to the
person who captured him when compared to the consola-
tion it must give a fond father & a tender mother whose
grief is at this time beyond expression, and the only thing"

84 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

that seems to give relief is that you will adopt every meas-
ure in your power for the safety and preservation of the boy.
I have for many years past exerted myself on every
occasion to see the strictest justice done to all the Red
people. Last fall, when a formidable army was about to
march to lay the Cherokee nation desolate, from informa-
tion I received from Doct. White tog-ether with the friend-
ly dispositions which the Cherokees had declared, with
the utmost difficulty I prevented their march, by which
means I incurred the displeasure of my best friends.
Since that time the treatment which I have received from
that kind of people is very inadequate to the services I
have rendered them. Last summer thev killed an affec-
tionate brother and three days ag-o an innocent child, but
let me hope, Sir, for the future, you will put a stop to
depredations of the kind, and if disorderly persons will
act repug-nant to your orders that you will bring- them to
condig'n punishment. This is my own determination, for
if measures of this kind are not immediately adopted,
common sense declares to the world that we must shortly
be embroiled in a war. It is a matter of no reflection to a
brave man to see a father, a son, or a brother fall on the
field of action, but it is a serious and melancholy incident
to see a helpless woman or an innocent child toma-
hawked in their own houses. Inclosed I send you a tran-
script of a late Law by which you will find we are
enabled to bring- to immediate punishment such refractory

persons. I do not consider the of a g-eneral

value. You will, I hope ultimateh' that

nation this settlement or

I am Sir, with much esteem

Your very humble

& obedient servant,

James Robertson.

To Ho)i. Alexander McGillivray,
Chief of Creek Nation.

CORRESPONDENCE OE GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 85

[McGrillivray's Heply to the foregoing letter]

Little Taeeassie 1" December, 1788.
Sir:

I received a letter from vou broug-ht here from the
Chactaws & and left there by Bob Thompson & I have
lately received amounts from Gen'l Pickens & Colo.
Moore, Commissioners from Virginia to treat with the
Cherokees who sent me a proclamation issued by Con-
gress for uniting to the Cherokees the land encroached
upon since the Treaty of Nepoleon in 85 and which ex-
tended near to Chotee. The Cherokees had asked assist-
ance which we grave them the past fall but since I have
seen the proclamation I've spoke to the Ivittle Turkey,
chief of the Cherokees & the Bloody Fellow who appears
to be satisfied with the intentions of Congress to right
them & have promised to refrain from all hostilities in
general against the whites. The leader called Drag-ging
Canoe was on the point of setting - out with above one
hundred warriors but is stopt on this affair.

As to our affairs with Georgia, I do not yet know
how Congress have decided but am given to understand
that the Superintendent has received instructions concern-
ing" it which he has not communicated to me, tho' I expect
that we shall have the motive which they have given the
Cherokees to put an end to our wars. Meantime, I will
continue to persist in measures most proper to keep off the .
Nation from further hostilities against Cumberland, & ex-
cept a few mares & colts brought in by hunters, there
has been no other mischief done your settlement this past
summer & fall by my people.

The question which you put to me concerning any
prospect of changes of Government in the Countries bor-
dering on us I cannot say anything- of any such matter
likely to take place. Some reports of such a thing had
gone abroad, & it rose from the appearance of a man
among us offering assistance to our war, but as I expect
the coming spring will terminate our dispute with Geor-

86 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

gia agreeable to our desires, nothing- further will proceed
& if it should not be so, there will be another kind of war
than that which we have hitherto carried on.

I remain with great regard,
Your most obed. servant,

Alex. McGillivray.

[The following General Order, bound with the letters, gives an idea
of the half agricultural, half military life of the Cumberland settlers.]

Gen'l Orders, April 5th 1789.

The repeated depredations of a savag'e enemy makes it
necessary to put the District in the best posture of defence
our situation will admit of. The Commanding - officers of
the counties in the district are therefore call'd upon to
have the militia of their respective counties in readiness
to march at a minute's notice. Barely to g-ive orders to
their subalturn officers to have their soldiers in this readi-
ness is really insufficient. Every officer must be vigilant
and attentive that every order is executed properl}-. The
Militia Law must be strictly enforced. The subalterns
who g^ive notice to the militia of their respective Compa-
nies of the time and place of rendezvous are to be particu-
lar to notify every man; by which means delinquents will
be barred from the plea of the want of notice and at
court martial will be fin'd accordingly.

Frequent private musters should be call'd, and
among- other requisites, enquire into the state of the arms,
and quantity of ammunition each soldier has ready for serv-
ice. The law requires each non-commissioned officer and
private to have a g'ood serviceable g-un with nine charg-es
of powder and ball, a spare flint, a worm and picker &c,
all in g-ood order. The feeling's of Nature must surely be
roused .at the many horrid murders committed on the
frontier — let us gxwern these feeling's by reason which
dictates that these necessarv orders for our defence should

CORRESPONDENCE OE GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 87

be strictly executed — and with determined resolution, let
us follow every party of savages which annoy us, whose
trail can be followed — by often doing- this, many may be
overtaken and made examples of to deter others from do-
ing - us mischief.

By order of the Gen'l,

H. Bradford.

[The date of the following letter has been questioned. Putnam and
Roosevelt, both give the date as 1783. Mr. Cross, in arranging the man-
uscripts, places this letter as of 1789, which is undoubtedly the correct
date. The heading of the letter, the expression "of 29th January last"
in the first paragraph, and the signature, are facsimiles obtained by
photographic process.]

(See Editorial Notes.)

e*v ey^awSyt-e, 2o*'tft>™Z/7%S>

Sir : -/

I received yours ^r <&s Cfcxs?T4<&vy , jK*xsg, and am

hig-hly pleased in seeing - the good intention of the people
of that District, and knowing the falsehood of the report
we heard they are willing to attack this Province. You
oug"ht to make the same account of the news you had that
the Indians have been excited in their Province against
you, since I wrote quite the contrary at different times to
Alexander McGillevray to induce him to make peace, &
lastly he answered me that he gave his word to the Gov-
ernor of North Carolina that the Creeks would not trouble
again those settlements: notwithstanding after the letter
I received from you, and other from Brigadier General
Daniel Smith, Esqr., I will writte to him, engaging him
to be not more troublesome to you.

I have not any connexion with Cheroquis & Mascuten,
but as they go now an then to the Illinois, I will give ad-

88 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

vice to that Commander to induce them to be quiet: in re-
spect to the former, in the Month of Ma} T of last year,
they asked the permission of settling themselves on the
west side of Mississippi River, which is granted and they
act accordingly, you plainly see you will be quite free
from their incursions.

I will give you the passport you asked for your son-
in-law, & I will be highly pleased with his coming - down
to settle in this Province, & much more if you and your
family should come along - with him, since I can assure
3^ou that you will find here your welfare, without being -
either molested on religious matters or paying' any duty,
& with the circumstance of finding - allwais market for
your crops, which makes every one of the planters settled
at Natchez, or elsewhere to improve even' day, much
more so than if they were to purchase the Lands, as they
are granted gratis.

I wish to be useful to you being" with reg-ard.
Sir,

Dup

Colonel James Robertson, Esqr

[The following' is a friendly and business letter, but mentions poli-
tics, and announces a meeting- to be held with the Cherokees and
Chickamaugas for the purpose of making a treaty.]

Hieesboro, March 10th, 1789.
Sir,

I make no doubt but that before this day you have
safely arrived to your family; you fatigfue thro' the moun-
tains in so inclement a season must have been intolerable.
I have the pleasure to inform you with certainty that a
treaty is to be held on the 25th of May next, at the Up-
per Warford on French' Broad, with the Cherokee and

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 89

Chicamogg Indians, which if well conducted, I hope will
render a singular service to your Country; when the
treat} T will be held with the Creeks, neither time nor
place is fixed. I must request the favor of you to g-ive
me the amount of my neg^roes with McShaw, to whom I
have wrote on that occasion, I will also be much obliged
to you for some information about Colo. Moore's Negroes.
Have you seen Mrs. Bledsoe and gotten from her the
papers I g-ave you a memo: to procure from her. My
brother is ver} T much pleased that you have undertaken
his business in that Country, resting" satisfied that the
utmost justice will be done him. I shall be very happy
to receive a letter at any time from you and must request
the particular favor to be informed of the politics and
other occurrancies of your Country, whether the Indians
are more friendly, or whether they continue hostilities.
We have no foriegn News, therefore can relate nothing
from abroad. I am much pleased to find that Judge
McNairy gives such general satisfaction in that impor-
tant office he has the honor to fill. Please to make my
compliments to Mrs. Robertson and all my other acquaint-
ances. ■ I am Dear Colo.,

Your obedt. Servt., P. Loton.
To Jas. Robertson, Esq.,
Cumberland.

[The following- letter announces that the President (Washington)
had appointod a Committee to treat with the Indians, and discusses
the peculiar position of North Carolina, which State had not, at that
time, joined the Union.]

New York, 31st August, 1789.
Dear Sir:

Commissioners are just appointed by the President

of the United States to treat with the Southern Indians,

they are to sail in a few days for Georgia with a g-uard

of Continental Soldiers. Genl. Lincoln, Cyrus Griffen &

90 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Colo. Humphries, formerly one of General Washing-ton's
Aids, are appointed. It is conceived that Genl. Lincoln
having- commanded in the Southern States being - some-
what lamed by a wound he received in an Action with
Burg-oine, & having- a g-eneral Character of a soldier &
Statesman will impress the Southern Indians with an idea
that trilling- is at an end, and that they must seriously
treat and faithfully abide by what they promise. It is
possible that the troops will be left as a barrier on the
frontier to see thit neither parties break the treaty.
This I believe is the beg-inning- of g-eneral Peace and
security ag-ainst the Indians. North Carolina not being-
in the Union, the Commissioners will be most hampered
in any neg-otiations with the Cherokees. I have however
handed • them a long- Memorial representing- the interest
of our State and praying - that in all neg-otiations they
would have an eye on the safety of our Citizens and not
encourag-e the Indians to expect the removal of any set-
tlers off the lands they hold. Thoug-h we are not in the
Union, our State is respected and g-entlemeh in public
office do me the favor in g-eneral to suppose that I am
pretty well acquainted with the interest of my consti-
tuents. I hope the representations I have made will be
of use to our Western Friends, and I may safely venture
to say that no man living- is more constantly anxious to
secure the inhabitants of Davidson & the adjoining- Coun-
ties than myself.

Genl. Morg-an continues to try to pursuade People to
remove themselves across the Mississippi and become
Spanish Subjects on lands for which the}' can have no
title, and in a place where in 24 hours they may be com-
pelled to become Roman Catholics or leave the Country.
Such a settlement if it should be made, may do you some
g'ood, it can do you no Harm. If you have seen any
News Papers you may have observed that Congress Havt
established a Post on the Ohio, not with much hope as
you must be assured, of collecting- many Duties on Goods

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 91

brought up the Mississippi, but to part fair and let Spain
see that the new Government is resolved to maintain its
Claim to the Navigation of that River. This you see
augurs well. Since the resolve I had the good fortune
to obtain in Congress on the last Summer in favor of the
Mississippi Claim, no Doubts have ever been hinted on
that subject. As I hold a public office under the State,
I could not offer myself to represent our County or Town
in the Assembly, I shall nevertheless have an agent to
attend some part of the time while the Assembly is sit-
ting. Hope for the pleasure of seeing you there. I am,
Dear Sir, Your most obedt. servt.

I. H. Williamson.
Colo. Robertson.

P. S. Be so good as to present my respect to my
Aunt Davidson. I would have written to her but have
nothing to say that is interesting more than you can in-
form her. Be pleased also to present my respects to your
Brother, to Major Hays and to Mr. Robert lowing. Ask
Mr. Ewing whether he has ever been able to cover any
land under my Warrant of which I requested him to take
the Charg*e. I shall be glad to hear that Mrs. Davidson
is in a good way to provide for her Small Family.
To Col. James Robertson.

92 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

GENEALOGICAL NOTES,

YARDLEY, OR YEARDLEY.

Three emigrants of this old Engdish family settled in
America at different dates, viz:

1. Sir George Yardley, in Virginia, 1610.

2. William Yardley, in Pennsylvania, 1682.

3. Thomas Yardley, in Pennsylvania, 1704.
Relatives of the family, not bearing - the name of

Yardley, were also among- the early settlers.

In 18S1 Mr. Thomas W. Yardley, of Chicago, 111.,
published a handsome volume of 257 pages, giving - the
pedigree of the Yardley family of County Stafford, Eng - -
land, up to the time of the emigration of Thomas Yardley,
and thence following* the line of the Pennsylvania emi-
grants to the present generation.

From this work, which is a model for genealogical
style and arrangement, we take the annexed chart, show-
ing - the pedigree of the family in England, and also quote
several extracts below.

"The first record we have is that of 'William Yard-
ley, L. M.,' a witness to the signing of the first Magma
Charta given by John I. to England, dated June 15, 1215.
'The great charter was executed in the presence of many
of the clergy and nobles.' It is possible his ancestors
first made their appearance in Eng'land as followers of
William the Conqueror; but, from the time of this invasion
to the year 1215, and from this date to 1400, we have
not obtained any well-connected trace of the name. From
1400 to 1682, when the emigrant William Yardley came
to America, the records found are complete."

GENEALOGICAL NOTES.

"i 2 %. i

. w r» ■ .

pen*

H33J-

0) T

CO 10 -

33<l
jo Z: !

•c

: m
' a

' 3 a

-+ •

Ogo
O

ooPfl

-*3 jj, CD •

7 " a §

W O 0) 09

- ° D r

!? I*

■"•«

a a

a
o

3 >N

til — r+

>
3|

0) g_ 0)

IE-

O 33 33 >

C • 3

c»(/)o

co 3 §»
3o 2,3-

O 3

2 °
Q. (D

CD ^ Woq >

= o •
3 ?

r
r-

o $

> =

3 »

O Z -i &

_ CD I i,

93SC

C T

3 ■-
r* O

COCO t

co o

=!' o
«-3

r.
3 ?

~! J)

A (ft

o o

5
co

m
O

23"

-!i

■a

■t

3
O
CD

u
O

I-
Z

^ fj to S
tU 3 C £

»? to ?.

' 3 P-

» o ° r-
-I - I

m 3 c —

«? JIT*
(B - r* C7
• (DO

OO 1 !

c a ■*
3°- -

o" $

y r_
co r

1 >

o <- a. ?

B> 3 JQ oq

? i- 3" CD

5 r r * "I
Jf B) CD ><

X C5

Slo

3 CD Z.

<< 3 -
<o pj

■~s »
Q <

O "* :0

00 ^

oo C

I-

a
5"

: - £ & °_JI

3 5 CD X

w F?z t-^

5 -HI ?>

■HI II ^|

2E2* » 332

3 . acjq o 3

"* CD

r a

P3 p

CD
CD -'

3
? 5 ca

Ps ■

— to
0^3

<: °" -r
^clf

CD
CO

o
o

<3
01 (75

< o o

oil

-Jcq

I-

^ CD
CD -i
3
CO

Z
J <

P33
O

2.Q.
□ c
a 2

(— <

■<

TAF

-| ft

B g

to Sg

CD B
^* t£

94 AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

"In the 'Patronymica Britannica' we find the family
is spoken of as an ancient one, with residence in Stafford-
shire, England, and whose heads were called 'lords of
Yardley.' Their coat of arms are 'ardent, on a chevron
azure three g-arbs or, on a canton gfules, a fret or,' Crest,
'a buck, courant, g*u. attired or.' "

"In the absence of reliable information previous to
the year 1400, we commence with the descendants of John
Yardley, of County Stafford, England, who married a
daugfhter of Marburry, of Dadesburry, and had one son."

It will be seen from the annexed chart, * that William
Yardley, of County Stafford, married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of William and Alice Brererton Morton, County Ches-
ter, and had five sons — William, Ralph, John, Georgfe,
and Randell. Of these, the fourth son, Georg-e, was the
Virginia emigrant, and the eldest son, William, was the
ancestor of the two Pennsylvania emigrants. In another
place, Mr. Yardley states that there were seven children,
but does not give the names of the other two, and follows
the line of the eldest son, William.

William Yardley, the father, or his wife must have
had a sister, who married a Yerwood. This is inferred
from the fact that Richard Yerwood, the step-father of
John Harvard, the founder of Harvard University, was
first cousin to Sir Georg*e Yardley. fSee "Genesis of
United States.")

1. Sir George Yardeey, Virginia, 1610, was a
captain in the British army, served with distinction in
Holland; sailed for America June, 1009, was wrecked on
the Bermuda Isles, landed at Jamestown, May, 1610, was
a subscriber to the Virginia Company, and a member of
the Council till 1616. Was acting" Governor from April.
1616, to May, 1617. About that time married Temper-
ance West. Sailed for England in 1618, and represented
the cause of the colonists to the Virginia Company of
London. Was elected by the Company as Governor of

*See pag-e 93.

GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 95

Virginia, and was knig-hted by Kino- James I., 1618. En-
tered on office as Governor of Virginia, April 19, 1619.
In June, 1619, issued orders for the election of "Bur-
g-esses" or delegates to the First Legislative Assembl}'-,
known as "The House of Burgesses." Summoned this
Assembly to meet at Jamestown, July 30, 1619. Served
as Governor until Nov. 18, 1621. Continued as a mem-
ber of the Council until April 19, 1626, the seventh anniver-
sary of his first appointment, when he was appointed, for
the second time, Governor ot Virginia. Died in office in
November, 1627. His administration was popular, and
he was beloved by the colonists. In a letter to the
Privy Council announcing - his death, the colonists paid a
tribute to his virtues."""

2. William Yardley, Pennsylvania, 1682. Was
the grandson of William Yardley, the eldest brother of
Sir George Yardley, the Virginia emigrant. He came
to America with his wife, Jane, and his servant, Andrew
Heath "in the good ship Friend's Adventure," and
reached the Delaware River, July 20th, 1682, He settled
in Bucks County, Pa., near the present town of Yardley,
on a tract of live hundred acres of land, now called Pros-
pect Farm, which was purchased from William Penn for
i,~10. "He represented Bucks County in the first Colo-
nial Assembly, and was afterwards an active member of
the Provincial Council.'"

3. Thomas Yardley, Pennsylvania, 1704. Was
the nephew of William Yardley, the emigrant. It seems
that an epidemic of smallpox had been fatal to William
Yardley's family. "William Yardley, the emigrant,
his wife, children, and grandchildren all being- dead, his
property in America reverted to his heirs-at-law in Fng--
land, who were his brother Thomas and nephew Samuel.
In 1704 we find Thomas, the younger son of Thomas, and
brother of Samuel, in Philadelphia, Pa., with power of

*Sir George Yardley's descendants will be given in a future issue.

% THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

attorney from his father and brother for the sale of the
property and settlement of the estate of William, the
emigrant, deceased. Prospect Farm was sold to Joseph
Janney for three hundred and fifty pounds, current money
of Pennsylvania."

About one month later, Thomas Yardley purchased
the same farm from Joseph Janney for the same considera-
tion. He married Ann, daughter of William Biles, of
Pennsbury, Bucks County, Pa., and had ten children.
The descendants of Thomas Yardley, have now become nu-
merous, and are found in various States. A full account
of them is given in the excellent work of Mr. Thomas W.
Yardley. This book is valuable for the information it
contains; and in point of st} T le and arrangement is a model
for genealog-ical writing - . It is for sale by Sower, Potts
& Co., 330 Market Street, Philadelphia.

ENGLISH DOCUMENTS RELATING TO YARDLEY.

[The following- extracts from English records were obtained through
the researches of Miss Mary Winder Garrett, of Williamsburg, Vir-
ginia, one of the descendants of Sir George Yardley.]

COLONIAL PAPERS VOL. 4, DOCUMENT No 34.

Right Hono hl " :

Vppon soe greate an alteracon happening in this Col-
ony as \ T e death of our Gournor, Sir George Yeardly, wee
thought ye part of our humble dutye in our Service to his
Ma tie b} r the first departure of these Shipps to certifie ye
same vnto yor Lordpps, by whose imediate cares & extra-
ordinary favours, wee and ye whole plantacon receave our
supportation & subsistance, And therfore wee hope y* ye
losse sustayned by his decease as being- a maine pillar of
this our building & therby a weakenig to ye whole bod}~e
will in good tyme be repaired, both in ye full settling of
our affairs in many points vncertaine & ambiguous, and
by a supply of Soldiours or some other meanes from his

GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 97

Ma ties Ro} T all hand mouecl and inclined toward vs by
yor mediations & Counsells; Wee haue according- to our
Instructions in his Ma ties Comission by ye maior part
of ye Counsell elected, and chosen Capt: ffrancis West to
succeed in ye place of ye deceased Gournor, uppon whom
as ye burden and Charg-e therof will lye no easier then ye
full waig-ht of soe eminent a place doth euery way require,
soe ye present dificultyes & doubtfull occurrences of ye
Colony increasing" dayly uppon vs, add a heavier presse
vnto ye same; there neither remaineing- now any present
meanes to ye perticuler place or any other as heretofore to
inable him thervnto, neither can ye publique charges in
ye tymes of warr, alwayes incident and necessary, be de-
frayed wth out a greater supply releiveing- us, then our in-
abilities and fortunes can beare: And therfore wee doe
most humbh* desire a fauorable Construction from yor
Ivordpps in } T e superintending - of our affaires, if any thing*
appeare lesse, then others perhapps in their expecta-
tions migflit foresee,

[Remainder of letter concerns the Tobacco Contract.]
And soe recomending- yor Lordpps to ye protection of ye
Almig-htye, wee humbly take our leaues and rest, & re-
maine

yor Lordpps very humble

Servants,
Frans: West

John Pott
James Citty the 20th Roger Smyth

of december 1627. Sam: Mathews

WlLLM CLAYBOURNE

William Tucker

[Endorsed]

To the Right hoi^ie the
Lords of his Ma ties
most hon ble -privie
Coaucell.

Decemb 1 ' 2o tJl 1627

ffrom the Goner nor an

Councell in \ r irginea.
7 (Sic.)

98 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

SIR GEORGE YARDLEY'S WILL.
P C C Ridley ( ).

In the name of God Amen. The Twelfe daie of Oc-
tober One thousand Six hundred twenty-Seaven. I Sir
George Yardley, &c, weake and sicke in body yet in per-
fect minde and memory God bee praised, doe make this
my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge.
ffirst and principally I render and comend my soule into
the hands of allmightie god my Creator and Redeemer
hopeing assuredly throug'h the only merritts of Jesus
Christ my Saviour to bee made ptaker of euerlasting life
And I comend my body to the Earth whereof it was made
and formed, in full hope and assurance of the resurrection
of the Same at the last daie of Judgment And as con-
cerninge my temporall estate wch the Lord of his great
goodnes hath bestowed on me I giue devise and bequeath
the Same in manner followinge And as touching my wife
Temporance, I give and bequeath unto her all and euy
pte & pcell of all such houshold stuffe plate linen wool-
len or any other goods moueable or imouable of what
nature or quality soeuer as to me are belonging and wch
now at the tyme of the date hereof are beinge & remayne-
ing" wthin this house in James Citt} r wherein I now dwell.
Item as touching" and concerninge all the rest of my whole
estate consisting of g'oods debts chatties Servants neg'ars
Castle or any other thinge or things comoditye or profitts
whatsoeuer to me belonging* and appteyning" either
here in this Cuntry of Virginia in England or elsewhere
togeather wth my plantacon of one thousand acres of
land at Stanly in Warwicke River, ni} T will and desire is
that the Same be all and euery pte and percell thereof sold
to the best advantage for Tobacco and the Same to bee
transported as soone as maie bee either this yeare or the
next as mv Said wife Shale hnde occasion into England
and there to bee Sold and turned into mony, the wch

GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 99

money togeather wth all such mony or moneyes as is or
shalbe due unto me in England to be ioyned and put into
one full and totall stocke or Some and the Same to be de-
uided into three Equall parts or portions whereof one Equall
parte thereof I giue and bequeathe unto my said wife, and
one other Equall parte thereof unto my Eldest Son Argoll
Yeardley and the other Equall parte thereof unto my
Sonne Francis Yeardley and Elizabeth Yeardley to
bee Equally deuided betwixt them both And if it Shall
fortune the Said Argoll to die before he come to the age
of one and twentie yeares then the Said Francis and Eliz-
abeth to enioye his the Said Argolls part and portion
Equally betweene them but if otherwise it shall please
god either the Said Francis or Elizabeth to depart this
life before the age of one and twenty yeares Then my
Will is that the said Argoll shall SoleW Enjoye his or
her part or porcon, And if in case it should Soe happen
all of them to dye as aforesaid, Then my will is that my
said wife shall have and Enjoye all their said parts & por-
cons And my will is that my said sonne Argoll shall
have & hold all such lands & deindents of lands (Except
my plantacon before menconed) in any Sort or by any
right or title to me belonging- or appertayneing either
here in Virginia or elsewhere & to have & to hold the
Same to him & his heires for evr And I will & my minde
and desire further is that my said wife Shall have the
Custody & Keeping- of the Said Arg-oll & Francis & of
their porcons untill they bee of the age of one & twenty
yeares or untill the tyme of her marriage, desiring- that
great care maie be had for the g-ovrnance, educacon &
bringing upp of the Said Children in the feare of god (of
wch I make noe doubt) And if it shall soe happen that
my Said wife shall marry after my decease then my will
& intent is that She doe first finde sufficient security to be
bound in the double value of the Said Childrens portions
unto such as bee of my Kindred in England for the true
payment of the Said porcons accordingly as they shalbe due

100 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

And lastly I make & ordeyne my said wife full & sole
Executrix of this my last will & Testament In witnes
whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & Seale the daie &
yeare first aboue written George YardlEy.

SeaeE This will was read openly by the Said Said Sr
George Yeardley whereunto he subscribed & sealed it &
declared the Same to bee his last will & testament in }^e
presence of us Abraham Peirsey Susanna Hall William
Clayborne Scr.

Bee it knowne that whereas I Sr George Yardley
Knight have made my last will & testament in writing
beareinge date the 12th daie of October &c. And by the
Same have g'iven unto my Son ArgT>ll Yeardle}^ all such
lands & deindents as are belonging- unto mee in this Col-
ony of Virginia (excepting - my plantacon at Stanley) as
by the Same do the further appeare. Now forasmuch as
I have changed my minde touching - those lands & houses
to me apperteyning & being - & situate within the Island
of James Citty, my will now is that my wife Shall make
sale of all the said lands & houses wth in the Island of
James Citty to the best advantage & profitt & the Same
to be added unto the whole some of my Estate as is in my
said will devised And for & concerninge all other things
in my said will menconed. I doe b} T this present Codicill
continue & Ratine the Said AVill In witness whereof to
this present Codicill I have subscribed my name the 29th
of October 1027 George Yeardley signed in psence of
me William Claybourne.

14 Feb. 1028 [0] Commn granted to Ralph Yardley
brother of deed to admr goods &c. according to effect
of above will & codicil during' the minority of Flizth
Arg'oll & Francis Yardley, children of the deed, on
account of the death of Temperance Yardle} T , widow
of the deed & Ex x named in the will; before She had
taken upon herself the duties of execution Lts of
Admon having alread}^ been granted to said Ralph Yard-

GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 101

ley in March""' 1627, on acct of the absence of S d Tem-
perance, the widow, then dwelling - in Virginia.

(P. C. C. Admon Act-Book. 1628-30) fol. 73(a)
TEMPERANCE YARDLEY als WEST,

Deed abroad. 14th February 1628,0, commission
issued to Ralph Yardley, uncle of Elizabeth Yardley,
Argall Yardley & Francis Yardley, natural & legiti-
mate children of Dame Temperance Yardley als West,
late of parts beyond the seas, widow, deed, to administer
the goods of deed, during" minority of the aforesaid Eliz-
abeth, Argall, & Francis Yardley.

Inventory of deed & also of Sir Georg"e Yardley, her
husband exhibited 28th Inst-

Correspondeuts are now at work, preparing" for this
mag"azine genealogical statistics of the Sevier, Robertson,
Tipton, Polk, and Grundy families. Work of this char-
acter has been so much neglected in the South, that the
progress is necessarily slow.

It is hoped to enlist the services of contributors who
are competent and willing to undergo the labor of making
researches to establish the pedigrees of other families who
are part of the history of Tennessee, and of the South.

What we want, is reliable information, a record and
not a treatise. Personal incidents, public services, offi-
cial positions may be stated briefly. Nothing should be
stated as certain but that which rests on demonstration.
Inferences or suppositions should be either discarded, or
stated as doubtful.

In this work we invite the co-operation of competent
investigators and writers. We are rapidly losing the

* [There must be some mistake, Sir George Yardley died November, 1627.1

102 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

traces of the early settlers. Their families are becoming
scattered, and are losing- sig"ht of the family tie.

To honor the memory of our ancestors and to preserve
the trace of family connections, is a duty which the pres-
ent owes alike to the past and to the future. To in-
scribe within the circle of family and friends, the names
and lives of noble men and women, which history has not
found room to record, is a duty of personal affection, more
tender and sacred than the duty of the historian.

In our young - country, our children cannot be ad-
dressed with the inspiring- words of Napoleon to his sol-
diers at the battle of the Pyramids: "Forty centuries
are looking* down on you." Yet, they can be made to feel
the sublimity of the sentiment, and their hearts and char-
acters will be ennobled and strengthened by the conscious-
ness of the honorable record of their ancestors and kindred.

EDITORIAL NOTES. 10

EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY

The Tennessee State Teachers' Association and the
Public School Officers' Association, the two representa-
tive educational bodies of Tennessee, passed resolutions,
petitioning the General Assembly of Tennessee to estab-
lish in some suitable institution, the Chair of American
Histor} T . The two Associations appointed Committees
to urge the matter upon the General Assembly.

These Committees appeared before the Joint Com-
mittee of Education of the last General Assembly which
met in Nashville in January 1895. Whereupon, the Joint
Committee appointed a sub-committee of which Represen-
tative James H. Bate was chairman. This Committee
submitted the following - report.

REPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE.

As a suitable preface to the recommendation which your commit-
tee present below, and which they earnestly urge the General Assem-
bly to adopt, it may not be out of place to refer to the great store of
historical wealth which lies hidden in tradition, in scattered records,
in unpublished manuscripts, and in the memories of a few old pioneers
who still linger here and there in the beautiful valleys and majestic
mountains of Tennessee. It may' be truly said that her sons have been
grand factors in making the history of this country, but have been too
modest to record their own heroism.

We, their posterity 7 , owe it to the memory of our heroic ancestors,
to rescue their memories from oblivion. Many of her sons who entered
upon the national arena, have performed deeds which will live forever
upon the pages of general history r ; those who have devoted their lives
and talents to the service of the State deserve from their own people
the preservation of their great deeds.

Besides, the State is interested in preserving the proud history of
the achievement of its masses. The people make the State. Shall
such events as the Indian wars and King's Mountain be longer ig-
nored? Shall we sit idly by r and see our children grow up without
ever knowing the great part taken by their ancestors in the Floridian
and Mexican wars? Shall they have no instruction in the events and
causes which moulded the character and developed the institutions of
Tennessee?

104 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Our children should know more than what may be gleaned from
the meagre accounts of the school histories about the heroism of the
"Rear Guard of the Revolution," which, under Sevier and Shelby,
foug-ht at King's Mountain one of the decisive battles of the world, re-
sulting in the subsequent capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. They
should know that John Sevier fought thirty-five battles and was thirty-
five times a conqueror; they' should know about Andrew Jackson's
struggles as a boy, about his noble and patriotic mother, and how she
moulded his character to the highest style of citizenship and heriosm.
They should learn how he secured for the United States, Alabama,
Mississippi and Florida, and defeated the veterans of Wellington at
New Orleans, and placed on the page of history the most successful
administration of the United States.

They should be familiar with the names and deeds of Houston.
Coffee, Armstrong, Carroll, Trousdale, Pillow, Polk, Jones, Felix
Grundy, John Bell and our long list of heroes and statesmen.
Thucydides wrote of Pericles, otherwise the matchless oratory of that
princely Athenian would not now survive to charm our age and
time. Yet who shall perform a like office for our orators and statesmen?

Take away from the map of the United States all that territory
acquired by Tennesseans, Jackson, Polk and Johnson, and the re-
mainder will be "a pent up Utica." Boone's movement to settle Ken-
tucky originated with the settlers of Wautauga, and the purchase of
the Transylvania Company was made of the Cherokees upon Tennes-
see soil.

In Athens, it is said, there was a law making" it obligatory upon
the States to set up in the public groves and along the highways,
statues of her eminent men. The youths of Athens looked to these as an
incentive to stimulate them to emulate the actions of her great men.
This was an impressive way to teach history, and as a result. Athens
became illustrious.

Tennessee should profit by this example. Our schools do much
teaching- by precept. Let us do some teaching by example; let us, be-
fore it is too late, gather the jewels of our history and put them in our
own setting. Let us make the precious casket which contains them an
object lesson for our children.

There are three thing-s necessary to the greatness and glory of a
State. These are: First, to make history; second, to write history,
third, to teach history'. Our ancestors have made history; our people
are still making history. Let us write it and teach it: let us use it as
an object lesson to elevate and ennoble our children.

The State is spending over ^2,000,000 for education in the public
schools. Is it not wise to spend a small amount to give that education
a direction which will be useful and valuable to the State? The thing
now most needed in our educational system is to give more attention
and judicious direction to the study r of American history, and especially
to the study of Tennessee history.

In their recent visit to the Peabody Normal College, your com-
mittee was strongly impressed when they saw before them more than
five hundred intelligent young men and women, of whom over ninety
per cent, are Tennesseans, preparing themselves to enter upon the
work of teaching-. They will go into every part of the South to engage
in this noble work. If each of these shall secure a school of fifty-
pupils, their work will reach annually 25,000 children, and will be
widely distributed over the entire South, and especially, will reach
every portion of Tennessee. No means can be found which will more
rapidly and effectively reach the coming generation.

EDITORIAL NOTES. 105

Examining- into the financial management, 3 r our committee was
struck with the economical and wise administration, and were espe-
cially pleased to note that Chancellor Payne, although pressed for
money, and with an annual deficit of 32,000 pending, had decided, on
account of the stringency of the times, not to ask for an additional
appropriation.

Chancellor Payne makes the following summary of the situation:

1. With the continued growth of the college, and the correspond-
ing increase of expenditures, there will be an annual deficit of $2,000.

2. If the present appropriation of $15,000 be continued, and an ad-
ditional appropriation of $5,000 per annum be given, I could establish
the Chair of American History at $3,000 and meet the deficit that is ac-
cruing at present rate of expenses.

3. If 310,000 additional per annum is allowed, we could have what
is embraced in proposition 2, and add two or three additional teachers
to the faculty, and increase the salaries of three or four of our teach-
ers, who are teaching for comparatively small salaries, and who have
been offered largely increased salaries elsewhere, and whom we
will lose sooner or later, if we do not add something to their present
salaries.

In the opinion of the committee there is an opportunity to carry
out a plan which has long been urged and cherished by many of the
best men in Tennessee, viz: To place the teaching of the history of
Tennessee upon a judicious and sure foundation.

Your committee therefore recommend and urge,

1. That the usual appropriation of $15,000 per annum be given to
the Peabody Normal College.

2. That an additional appropriation of $5,000 per annum be appro-
priated to the Peabody Normal Colleg-e, which shall be used as follows:
$2,000 for the general expenses of the colleg-e, and $3,000 for the support
of the Chair of American Histoiw, to be applied to the salar}- of the oc-
cupant of the chair and to the expenses of original investigation, the
accumulation and care of historical material, and the purchase of man-
uscripts and books; said chair to be devoted to the history^of the United
States, and of the American continent, and to give especial attention
to the history of Tennessee. Bate,

Chairman, Sub-Committee.

This report was unanimously approved by the Joint
Committee, and was reported to the General Assembly
and adopted b} T both Houses.

The recommendations of the Committee were carried
into effect by inserting" in the general appropriation act,
a clause granting* to the Peabody Normal College an ad-
ditional appropriation for the purpose of establishing - and
maintaining* the Chair of American History.

This chair was organized June, 1895, to be devoted
to the following* objects:

I. To the instruction of students in the History of
Tennessee, in the History of the United States, and in
the General History of American Nations.

106 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

2. To collecting- and preserving historical records,
and material for history.

3. To pursuing- original historical investigations.

4. To historical publication.

THE OBJECTS OE THE MAGAZINE.
This magazine will serve as the medium for dissemi-
nating- the information obtained throug-h the researches
which have been instituted by the Chair of American
History, and which will be directed to reviving- neglected
facts of history, to correcting- misrepresentations of his-
torical writers, and to presenting- historical facts hitherto
unpublished. While the work of this chair will extend
to the entire field of United States History, and to the
history of the various nations of America, especial atten-
tion will be devoted to the rich mine of Tennessee history.
In this field the co-operation of the Tennessee Historical
Society, and valuable documents in the library of the Col-
lege will enable the Mag-azine to offer to its readers
much valuable and interesting- information never be/ore
published.

THE ROBERTSON PAPERS.

A collection of the letters and papers of Gen. James
Robertson, the Father of Middle Tennessee, bound in
manuscript and filling- two larg-e volumes, is among- the
treasures of the Colleg-e library. These letters contain
much valuable historical information, and very few of
them have been published.

GENEALOGY.

Special attention will be devoted to the gfenealog-y
of the men and women who have contributed to the de-
velopment of Tennessee and other states of the Union.

SOUTHERN LITERATURE.

The pag-es of the mag-azine will be enlivened by
g-ems of literature which have heretofore lain dormant in
manuscript, or have received only local circulation.

EDITORIAL NOTES. 107

OUR CONTRIBUTORS.

Among" those who have engaged to contribute arti-
cles to the magazine are many of the ablest and best-
known writers of the South.

THE TENNESSEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

This Society during its many years of existence has
accumulated a vast amount of historical material, which
lies unpublished and unnoted in its archives.

The following - letter from Hon. John M. Lea, Presi-
dent of the Tennessee Historical Society, shows the feel-
ing - with which the publication of this magazine is re-
garded by those interested in the development of histori-
cal study in the South.

Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 9, 1895.
To the Editor of the American Historical Magazine.

Dear Sir: The establishment of a Professorship of American His-.
tory in the Peabody Normal College, shows that a step has been taken
towards the development of a real university, not to be disparaged
hereafter in comparison with Eastern or European institutions of a
similar character. Chancellor Payne leads the advance-guard of edu-
cation in the South. I am particularly pleased that investigation and
publication of historical facts form a part of the plan of instruction.
There are many interesting manuscripts in the archives of the Ten-
nessee Historical Society which have never been published for want of
means — our Society, } r ou know, being a private association supported
by a few members. Your magazine will enable the Society to have an
avenue for the publication of these manuscripts, of which, be assured,
we shall gladly, and with thanks, avail ourselves. We consider the
magazine as a help — a great help to us. and we hope quarterly to get
the attention of the people through its columns.

Jchn M. Lea,
President Tennessee Historical Society.

THE LETTER OF ROBERTSON TO McGIL-

LIVRAY.

Gen. Robertson has been blamed for his corre-
spondence with McGillivray and Miro, and especially for
his letter to McGillivray written August 3rd, 1788, and
found on pag'e 81. It is known that he wrote one or

? See pag-e 81.

108 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

more letters to Miro, but no copies of them can be found.
We can only infer their tenor from Miro's letters.

McGillivray was a half-breed Indian, Chief of the
Creek Nation, and known to be in the pay of the Spaniards.
He was a man of education, and ability, with remark-
able power of combination. He was thoroughly unscrupu-
lous and crafty. A few years before the date of this
letter, he had addressed a communication to Col. O'Reilly
the Spanish Commander at Pensacola, which was ap-
proved by the Spanish authorities, and made the outline
of their policy. Soon afterwards, Don Kstevan Miro, at
that time Govenor ad interim of Louisiana had assembled
the Southern Indians in Council, and had united them in
the service of Spain, under the leadership of McGillivray.

The Spaniards then pursued the policy of inciting
the Indians secretly to hostilities against the Cumber-
land settlements. Under the skillful direction of McGil-
livray, the attacks of the Indians were insidious and dis-
astrous. It was impossible for the Cumberland settle-
ment to prosper in face of these continued attacks. Their
very existence was at stake. They could not destroy
either McGillivray or the Spaniards. The}' turned for
assistance to North Carolina and to Congress, in vain.
Conciliation was the only hope.

Gen. Robertson began with McGillivray. His let-
ter of August 3rd, 1788, was evidently intended to be
conveyed to the Spanish authorities, and bears the ap-
pearance of opening- the door to negotiations with Spain.
No one has ever accused Gen. Robertson of seeking a
negotiation for private g*ain. He was acting for his peo-
ple and not for himself. The reader is referred to the
histories of Ramsey and Putnam and to Roosevelt's "Win-
ning - of the West," where this matter is fullv discussed
and the circumstances connected with it g'iven in detail.
It was simply a diplomatic ruse to parley with the enemy
and g-ain time for defence. It contains no currupt offer.
It proposes conciliation and holds out the inducement

EDITORIAL NOTES. 109

that the Western settlers might enter into neg-otiations
independently of the Congress of the Confederation, from
whom they had heretofore received no assistance. In
this they were fully justified by circumstances, and b}^
the necessity of self-protection.

THE DATE OF MIRO'S LETTER.

The date of Gov. Miro's letter to Gen. Robertson is
a matter of some interest. The date of 1783 would con-
nect it with one train of historical events, and the date,
1789, would connect it with a train of very different sig-
nificance.

Mr. A. W. Putnam, who was a grandson of Gen.
Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame, and who was the
President of the Tennessee Historical Society, and the
author of the "Histor}^ of Middle Tennessee," published
in 1859, alludes to this letter in his histor}^, under the
date "1783." Previous to the publication of his work,
he wrote in 1850, an introduction or preface on the fly
leaves of the first volume of the Robertson Correspond-
ence, in which he states this date to be 1783, and endeav-
ors to connect the letter with certain proceeding's of the
Cumberland Committee of that date. [See pag'e 73.]

Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, in his great work, the
"Winning of the West," adopts the same view, and al-
ludes to this letter, g-iving the date as "April 20, 1783."

On the other hand, Mr. Nathaniel Cross, in arrang-
ing the manuscripts, placed them, as he states, in chro-
nological order, and he has collated this letter among- the
letters of 1789. Mr. Cross, or some one else, took the
additional precaution to endorse on this letter "1789."
At a later period, Mr. Putnam made an endorsement on
the letter, stating that it was written in 1783, and refer-
ring to his preface on the fly leaf.

*See page 87.

110 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

A careful examination leads to the conclusion that
the two eminent historians, usually so accurate, are in
this case, mistaken, and Mr. Cross is right.

1st. An examination of the manuscript itself shows
that it is written in the English language, but not in an
E)nglish handwriting-. It is in a good state of preserva-
tion. The ink retains its color, and the writing- is as leg-
ible as on the day it was written. The letters and fig-
ures are distinct, but peculiarly shaped. "New Orleans,
20th April" is plain. Of the figures denoting the year,
1, 7, 8 are unmistakable. The last figure is peculiarly
shaped, and might pass for either 3 or 9, but it more
nearly resembles 9. In the body of the letter the same
character is used ag-ain, where it is plainly Januar} T 29,
and not January 23. In the second use of this character,
we have Mr. Putnam's authority for pronouncing it to be
< ). He says History of Middle Tennessee, page 205, Rob-
ertson wrote to Miro, "under date of January 2g. He
thus construes the character used in the bod} T of Miro's
letter to be 9 and not 3, thus making January 29, and not
January 23.

2nd. The historical facts connected with the letter
prove that it was written in 1789.

Miro was not Governor of Louisiana in 1783. Galvez
was Governor at that time. Miro was Governor ad in-
terim during that year, 1783, but did not become Govern-
or until a later period. In this letter, Miro states that
he had written to McGillivray "at different times'" to in-
duce him to make peace, which would seem to indicate
that he had himself been in office for some length of time.
Mr. Roosevelt makes this expression the basis for accus-
ing Miro of treachery, and adduces letters from Miro in
178b, showing- that he had incited McGillivray to hostili-
ties. This charg-e would hold if the letter to Robertson
had been written in 1783, but would not apply to a letter
written in 178 ( ).

Again: In this letter, Miro invites Robertson and his

EDITORIAL NOTES. Ill

family to settle in Louisiana, and offers freedom from
molestation on account of religion, a market free from
duty, and lands "gratis" This accords with the policy
adopted- by Miro's administration in 1788, and actively
urged in 1789, but it does not accord with the Spanish
policy of 1783.

Still again: Miro says in this same letter, "after the
letter I received from you, and Brig-adier g-eneral Daniel
Smith, Esqr., I will write to him again, " (McGillivray).
Here we have again Putnam's testimony. He says, His-
tory of Middle Tennessee, page 323, under Chapter XIX.,
which is headed "1789," alluding- to a correspondence
between Gen. Robertson, Miro, and other Spanish officers:
"At this time we find Gen. Daniel Smith connected with
Gen. Robertson in conducting- the correspondence."
There is no evidence that Gen. Smith was connected with
Robertson in conducting correspondence in 1783, but there
is evidence in addition to the testimony of Putnam, that
he was so connected in 1789. Miro's allusion to Gen.
Smith would seem to indicate that his letter was written
in 1789. So much for the evidence on the face of the let-
ter itself.

Confidential letters written by Miro about the same
time to other persons seem to place the date of this letter
beyond doubt. He writes to Gen. Wilkinson, April 23,
1789, as follows:

"I have just received two letters, one from Brigadier
General Daniel Smith, dated on the 4th. of March, and
the other from Colonel James Robertson, with date of the
11th. of January, both written from the district of Miro.
The bearer, Fagot, the confidential agent of General
Smith, informed me," etc. * * * "" "I have replied
to both in general terms, referring them to my answer to
White, who carries my letters to these g-entlemen."

This letter is dated April 23, just three days after
the date of the letter to Robertson. He gives the date
•of the letter from Robertson as Jan'v 11, whereas in

112 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

acknowledging* to Robertson the receipt of his letter, he
gives the date as Jan'y 29, a discrepancy which might
easily arise in writing- from memory. The terms of this
letter to Wilkinson in connection with the letter in ques-
tion to Robertson, show that the letter to Robertson was
written in answer to a letter from Robertson in January.
1789, and in connection with Gen. Daniel Smith, and
that Doct. White was connected with the delivery and
also "Fog*at" or Hog-g-att. Such a letter could not have
been written in 1783, or at any time previous to 1789.

But Miro wrote to Spain, April 30, 1789, and alludes
to information received from McGillivray of propositions
from Kentucky, Frankland, and Cumberland, and states
that he had returned conciliatory replies, but had refrain-
ed from committing' the Spanish Government until the
pleasure of the King" should be known. All this coincides
with the tenor of the letter to Robertson. The whole
correspondence forms a chain. The date of Robertson's
first letter to McGillivray is August 23, 1788. His sec-
ond letter to McGillivray was provoked by a sudden in-
cursion of the Indians. The date is illegible. McGilli-
vray waits to correspond with Miro, and replies Dec. 1.
1788. It does not appear when Robertson received McGil-
livray's letter. Communications were very precarious
and slow. He found the opportunity in January, 1789, to
write to Miro by Hoggatt, and dated his letter either the
29th or the 11th— most probably the 29th. It was not
immediately conveyed. Hog'g'att, also carried a letter
from Gen. Daniel Smith, dated March 4. To this Mire
replied April 20, 1789, his letter being- the sequel to the
diplomatic correspondence with McGillivray. The ex-
pressions of Robertson to McGillivray were conveyed, as
he expected, to Miro, and produced the expected result,
the cessation of Indian invasions, and the change of Span-
ish policy from hostility to conciliation. This wise diplo-
macy saved the Cumberland settlements from invasion.
and perhaps from destruction.

THE

AMERICAN HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

$3.00 per Annum.

Single Number, 85 Cts.

>Jt'<X>Jt'Jt

Vol. I.

APRIL, 1896.

No. 2.

*M>Jt%H'J4

Nashville, Tenn.:
PRINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,

208 N. College Street.

the;

American Historical Magazine.

Vol. I. APRIL, 1896. No. 2.

thf "MEro district."

BY JOHN ALLISON.

In November, 1784, the General Assembly of North
Carolina, at Newbern, divided the district of Morg-an,
which had heretofore included all of North Carolina
"west of the mountains," and by the same act, Washing-
ton, Sullivan, Greene and Davidson Counties were erected
into a "Superior Court of Law and Equity" district, by
the name of "Washington."

From 1784 to 1788, all of the territory and settle-
ments west of the Cumberland Mountains, were included
in Davidson and Sumner Counties — then the only organ-
ized counties in what is now Middle and West Tennessee.

The population of Davidson County had so increased
and extended westward from Nashville, by the fall of
1788, that the General Assembly of North Carolina, at
Fayetteville, in November of this year, (1788) divided
Davidson County by a line "beginning on the Virginia
line, (now Kentucky) thence south along Sumner County
to the dividing ridge between Cumberland River and Red
River, thence westwardly along said ridge to the head of
the main south branch of Sycamore Creek, thence down
the said branch to the mouth thereof, thence due south
across Cumberland River to Davidson County line;" all

116 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

that part of Davidson County west of this line was erected
into a new county, which was named Tennessee. Ten-
nessee County, therefore, included all the territory now
within the limits of Montgomery, Robertson, Dickson,
Houston and Stewart, and parts of Hickman, Humphreys
and Cheatham. The county seat of Tennessee was fixed
at Clarksville.

By another act passed by the General Assembly of
North Carolina, at Payetteville, in November, 1788, the
counties of Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee were created
into a new district for the holding - of "superior courts of
law and equity" therein. When this act forming" the
new district, west of the Cumberland Mountains, was on
its third and final reading", the Speaker called on the
author of the bill for the name with which the blank left
for that purpose was to be filled.

James Robertson and Robert Hays were the members
from Davidson and one or the other of them was, there-
fore, the author of the bill providing" for the new district.

It is said that Col. James Robertson, in answer to
the Speaker's call for the name of the new district, arose
and suggested "Mero."

Col. Robertson evidently g"ave the name as it is pro-
nounced, without spelling" it (if he knew how) for the
clerk, and the clerk wrote it M-e-r-o instead of "M-i-r-o,"
as it should have been. The name is pronounced as if
spelled "M-e-r-o," thoug"h spelled correctly "M-i-r-o."

The name as suggested, either by Col. Robertson or
Capt. Robert Hays, was adopted without open objection,
some of the leading" spirits in the Assembly probabh T hav-
ing" been made acquainted with the motives that dictated
this name, while others without any knowledg-e, opinion
or preference, simply followed the leaders in accepting" it.

There were, however some members who knew some
thing's, but not ever} r thing\ in connection with this name,
and on reflection, after the name had been adopted, they
took offense at it, and it was discussed, not in the Gen-

THE "mero district." 117

eral Assembly, but at the taverus and boarding- houses
with spirit and much feeling - . They said it was strange
and unexampled, that the name of an officer of a foreign
g-overnment, who was not and never had been in our ser-
vice, should be g-iven to a political section of our country
and perpetuated upon our public records. They wished
to know what this meant.

They knew, they said, that Don Kstevan Miro was a
Colonel in the Spanish army, that he was also, as they
said, "Governor of Orleans," and they had also heard
that he was a very kind-hearted, benevolent, agreeable gen-
tleman, but so were hundreds of other foreigners, not to
mention the names of many distinguished, loyal citizens
of the United States who had not been honored with
any such mark of peculiar esteem.

Why, said they, select a Spaniard already very dis-
tinguished, at the very time when that nation unjustly
withholds from us the free navig-ation of the Mississippi
River, and when this very Don Kstevan Miro was the in-
strument chosen by the Spanish King- and court to guard
the waters and mouth of the Mississippi and exclude us
from its use? And this is not all. Why, said they,
should a Spanish official be so honored during- the very
same year when Spain demanded, and was then demand-
ing- of the Congress, that the United States should re-
linquish the navigation of the Mississippi for a period of
at least twenty-five years, a measure which, if acceded to,
would completely break up aud ruin all of the settlements
in Kentucky and on Cumberland. And still more, this
mark of respect and consideration was shown a Spanish
soldier and Governor at a time when the flat-bottom boat-
men from the upper Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland,
on daring- to float down the Mississippi to Natchez or New
Orleans with their tobacco and other products, were sub-
jected by the Spanish to the most outrag-eous fines and
extortions in the way of duties imposed for the use of a
great river, and also to seizures and sometimes to im-

118 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

prisonment; and last, but not least, said they, this very
Don Estevan Miro is at this very time negotiating* and
intriguing with certain persons in Kentucky and Cum-
berland with a view of coming" to terms upon which Ken-
tucky and Cumberland country would become a part of
and submit to the government of Spain.

These various phases of the subject and the situation
of affairs at that particular time, gave to the tavern-
talkers a wide field for speculation and conjecture, as
well as alarm.

The truth is that the correspondence and communi-
cations alleg'ed to have passed between Gov. Miro and
certain citizens of Kentucky and Cumberland country
about this time would read rather curiously if offered in
court to vindicate the Kentucky and Cumberland citizens
from a charg-e of dislo}-alty to the United States.

It is suggested, and this is probably the correct view,
that the purpose of these persons in the main, in Ken-
tuck} 7 and Cumberland, who were in correspondence with
Gov. Miro, was, in view of their unanswered appeals to
Congress for help and protection, "if the Federal Union
cannot give aid and protection to us in life, liberty and
property, and also secure to us the free and peaceable
rig-ht to navig-ate the Mississippi River with our products,
why, then Spain, having promised all this, we will unite
our fortunes with the Spanish." They knew that who-
ever could keep the Indians at peace with them, and at
the same time control New Orleans and the navigation of
the Mississippi, was the absolute arbiter of their destiny,
inasmuch as without the right to use the Mississippi
there was no market they could reach with their products.

On August 26, 1779, Galvez, then Governor, civil
and military and intendant of Louisiana, appointed as
third in command (in the campaign which he was about
to undertake ag'ainst the British) Don Estevan Miro,
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Congress observed
with satisfaction the rupture between Great Brit-

THE "MERO DISTRICT." 119

ain and Spain, and in the fall of 1779 sent a Minister to
the Spanish court with instructions to negotiate a treaty
of alliance, and particularly to insist on the free naviga-
tion of the Mississippi River. To this the court of Spain
responded: "We are disposed to acknowledg-e the in-
dependence of the United States, and to enter into a
treaty of alliance and commerce with you, but if you wish
us to consent to your admission into the great family of
nations you must subscribe to the right of Spain to the
exclusive navigation of the Mississippi, and consent to
our taking possession of both the Floridas and of all the
territory extending from the left bank of that river to the
back settlements of the former British provinces, accord-
ing to the proclamation of 1763. " In this position, strange
as it may seem, Spain was supported by France, and up
to 178S, and, indeed, on up to October 27, 1795, Spain did
control the Mississippi. On this latter date, Octo-
ber 27, 1795, and about six months before Tennessee was
admitted into the Union, after long and tedious negotia-
tions, a treaty was formed between the United States and
Spain, a part of the Fourth Article of which reads as
follows: "And his Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed
that the navigation of the said river Mississippi, in its
whole breadth from the Source to the Ocean, shallbe free
to only his subjects and the citizens of the United States,
unless he shall extend this privilege to the subjects of
other powers by special Convention."

The Spaniards, constantly haunted by the fear of
their restless neighbors in Kentucky and Cumberland
country, spared no means to conciliate the Indians. The
chief military officer of the Spanish in 1786, in writing -
to the Spanish government of Alexander McGillivray,
said: "So long as we shall hold this chief on our side we
will have a barrier between the Floridas and Georgia.
The Indians are convinced of the ambition of the Ameri-
cans; past injuries still dwell in their minds, with the
fear that these greedy neighbors may one day seize upon

120 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

their lands. It ought to be one of the chief policies of
this government to keep this sentiment alive in the breasts
of the Indians." Alexander McGillivray was a noted
Tory during the Revolution and had taken refuge amongst
the Creek Nation. He was a man of great courage and
intelligence, inveterate hostility to the whites, and pos-
sessed of an insatiable ambition for personal promotion,
was in the Spanish pay as a Colonel, as agent of that
government amongst the Indians, had usurped regal
authority, and was the Chief also of the Talapouches.
It is said that he cherished the hope of having his nation
admitted into the federal compact, although he was in
Spain's pay, with the rank of Colonel, afterward pro-
moted to Commissary General.

This dangerous man was under the absolute control of
Gov. Miro in 1788, when Robertson named the Superior
Court District after Miro.

Miro having control of the Mississippi River and at
the same time almost absolute command over the Indians
(in the South) furnishes, it is believed, the explanation of
the motives that prompted Robertson and Hays in giving
the new court district the name of Miro.

In 1788 Miro was made Governor — civil and military
— and intendant of Louisiana and West Florida.

In this year Alexander McGillivray wrote Miro that
two delegates from the district of Cumberland had just
visited him, with proposals of peace; "that they were in
extremities by the incursion of his (McGillivray's) war-
riors, and would submit to whatever conditions he might
impose; and presuming that it would please him, the\ T
added, that they would throw themselves in the arms of His
Majesty as subjects, and that Kentucky and Cumberland
are determined to free themselves from Congress; that
they no longer owe obedience to a power which is in-
capable of protecting them. They desired to know m} 7
sentiments on the propositions, but as it embraces im-

the "mero district." 121

portant political questions, I thought proper not to divulge
my views."

Miro, commenting on this letter says: "I consider as
extremely interesting the intelligence conveyed to Mc-
Gillivray by the deputies on the fermentation existing in
Kentucky, with regard to a separation from the Union.
Concerning the proposition made to McGillivray by the
inhabitants of Cumberland to become the vassals of His
Majest}- I have abstained from returning any precise
answer."

In April, 1789, in writing to Brig. -Gen. Wilkinson,
of Kentucky, who was his confederate in the undertaking
to separate Kentucky, Miro says: "I have just received
two letters, one from Brig. -Gen. Daniel Smith, dated on
the 4th of March, and the other from Col. James Rob-
ertson, with date of the 11th of January, both written
from the district of Miro. The bearer, Fagot, a con-
fidential agent of Gen. Smith, informed me that the in-
habitants of Cumberland, or Miro, would ask North
Carolina for an act oi separation the following fall, and
that as soon as this should be obtained other delegates
would be sent from Cumberland to New Orleans, with
the object of placing that territory under the domination
of His Majesty. I replied to both in general terms."
On the next day after writing this letter, Gov. Miro wrote
to Gen. Daniel Smith and Col. James Robertson, saying
among other things, "The giving of my name to your dis-
trict has caused me much satisfaction and I feel myself
highly honored by the compliment. It increases my desire
to contribute to the development of the resources of that
province and the prosperity of its inhabitants. I am ex-
tremely flattered at your proposition to enter into corre-
spondence with me, and I hope that it will afford me the
opportunity of being agreeable to you." These letters,
messages, and communications, passing between Gov.
Miro and leading citizens of Miro District are more simple,
and straightforward than diplomatic. The reader, how-

122 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

ever, of this part of our history, must keep in mind the
precarious condition of the citizens of the Miro District at
this period; a vast wilderness of more than two hundred
miles behind them, savage Indians on both sides and the
Spanish in front of them; with their State Government,
and Congress both so weak, as that neither was able to
extend them the slightest aid or protection; thus situated,
thev very naturally turned in the direction that not only
had the power, but gave promise of protection and aid.
Miro in acknowledging the compliment of giving his name
to the New Court District says: "It increases my desire
to contribute to the development of the resources of that
province and the prosperity of its inhabitants/ 1 In the
year 1790, the Spanish Court, contrary to the advice of
Gov. Miro, made a formal order levying a tax, or duty,
of fifteen per cent, on all produce of freight, that was
taken down the Mississippi River. This order so shocked
and inflamed the people of Kentucky, and Miro District,
that it had the effect, (^feared b}^ Miro), of practically
breaking off, and forever endingf further negotiations
between the citizens of Miro District and Gov. Miro, on
the subject of Cumberland Country becoming- a Spanish
province.

Judge Martin, in his history of Louisiana, says there
were five parties in the Western country. One in favor
of the formation of a new republic unconnected with the
United States and a close alliance with Spain; another
wished the western part of the United States to become
a part of the province of Louisiana and to submit to the
laws of Spain; a third desired war with Spain and an
open invasion of Louisiana, the seizure of the Mississippi
and New Orleans; a fourth was b} T a show of war, to
prevail on Congress to extort from Spain the right to the
free navig-ation of the Mississippi; the fifth, as unnatural
as the second, was to solicit France to procure a retro-
cession of Louisiana and extend her protection to Ken-
tucky and Cumberland, or Miro District. The adminis-

THE "MERO DISTRICT." 123

-fcration of Miro in Louisiana terminated with the year
1791. In a letter written the previous year, to the Span-
ish Court for permission to return to Spain, he says: "I
have now had the honor of serving- the King - , always
with distinguished zeal, for thirty years and three months,
of which twenty-one years and eight months in America,
until the state of my health requires my return to
Europe." He returned to Spain where he continued his
militar} T career, being" promoted from the rank of Briga-
dier to that of Lieutenant-General.

"He carried with him," said Judge Martin, "the
good wishes and regrets of the colonies."

Miro's character was that of a kind-hearted, benevo-
lent, upright gentleman.

Leprosy prevailed in Louisiana, and one of Miro's
first acts on being promoted to the g-overnorship was to
erect a hospital for these unfortunates, on a ridge lying
between the Mississippi River and Ba} T ou St. John,
which was called "Lepers' Land." Instances were re-
lated of Miro in which he would intercede with a creditor
to g'ive further time to a debtor, and on failing to obtain
the indulgence for an honest debtor he would satisfy the
debt out of his individual funds.

In April, 1786, the King of Spain issued a royal
order, approving the course and conduct of Miro, who the
preceding year had granted the former British subjects
in Baton Rouge and Natchez (which had been conquered
by the Spanish) ample time to sell their property, collect
their debts and remove their persons and effects.

He left his name on Tennessee and her judicial re-
cords and reports, where it remained until November 4th,
1809, when, by act of the General Assembly, the state
was divided into five judicial circuits, numbers b} 7 this act
being - substituted for names.

Miro District, in addition to Davidson, Sumner and
Tennessee, included at one time the counties of Smith,
Wilson and Williamson. When the territorv south of

124 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the Ohio River was admitted into the Union as the State
of Tennessee, the county of Tennessee at the first session
of the General Assembly, and on April 9th, 1796, was
divided into Montgomery and Robertson Counties, and
thus, "Miro District" and "Tennessee" County, appear-
ed on, and then disappeared from the face of the map and
the public records of the State of Tennessee.

The Superior Courts of Iyaw and Kquity for the Miro
District, were held in Nashville. An act of the first ses-
sion, of the first General Assembly of Tennessee passed
April 22nd, 1796, recites that the Court House, or the
"office of the Clerk and Master, of the district of Miro,
was lately destroyed by fire, and the books, records, and
papers thereof lost," etc., and then provides for setting-
up the records.

While the Capitol and State Treasury were located
at Knoxville, there was a branch Treasury of Tennessee
kept in the Miro District at Nashville.

On October 26th, 1799, the General Assembly of
Tennessee passed an act providing "That the sum of
four hundred dollars shall be and the same is hereby ap-
propriated for the payment of the sum due Andrew Jack-
son, as a full compensation for his services as attorney
general for the District of Miro under the territorial
government."

The present Chief Justice of the United States, Mel-
ville W. Fuller, in an opinion, on the Constitutionality of
of a recent law of the State of Michigan, providing for
the selection of presidential electors, by a vote of each
Congressional District separately taken, refers to an Act
of the General Assembly of Tennessee, which appointed
a Committee of citizens in the District of Miro, and em-
powered it to elect presidential electors — the Chief Jus-
tice as I understand him approving' both methods — as a
compliance with the Constitution. The Act referred to,
by the Chief Justice, is one worthy of an acquaintance,
and I therefore embody the substance of it in this paper,

the "mero district." 125

as I presume there are but few persons familiar with its
provisions.

The Act was passed August 8th, 17% and is as fol-
lows: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the
State of Tennessee, that three electors shall be elected,
one in the district of Washington, one in the district of
Hamilton, and one in the district of Mero, as directed by
this Act, to elect a president and vice-president of the
United States, and that the said electors may be elected
with as little trouble as possible to the citizens."

Sec. 2nd, "Be it enacted that John Carter, John Ad-
ams and John McCollester of the County of Washing-ton;
John Rhea, John Spurg'eon and Robert Allison of Sulli-
van County; Daniel Kennedy, Joseph Hardin and James
Stinson of the County of Greene; and Richard Mitchell,
John Young - and Bartlet Marshall of the County of Haw-
kins are appointed electors to elect an elector for that
purpose for the district of Washington; John Adair,
Charles McClung and Samuel Flonnagan of the County
of Knox; Andrew Henderson, Josiah Jackson and Chris-
topher Hains of the County of Jefferson; Samuel Mc-
Gahey, Joshua Gist, Alexander Montgomery of the Coun-
ty of Sevier; and Robert Boid, William Lowry and David
Caldwell of Wells Station of the County of Blount, are
appointed electors to elect an elector for the purpose
aforesaid, for the district of Hamilton; Thomas Molloy,
William Donelson and George Ridley of the County of
Davidson; Kasper Mansco, Edward Douglass and John
Hogan of the County of Sumner; George Nevill senior,
Josiah Fort and Thomas Johnson of the late County of
Tennessee, are appointed electors to elect an elector in
the District of Mero, for the purpose aforesaid."

Sec. 4 — "That the electors in this Act before named,
shall convene, those for the District of Washington at
Jonesborough, those for the District of Hamilton at
Knoxville, and those for the District of Mero at Nash-
ville, on the Second Monday of November in the year

126 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

1796, and being - so convened, they, or so many of them as
shall attend on said day, proceed to elect by ballot an
elector qualified as by this Act directed, for the purpose
aforesaid."

The Act provides further that "if two or more per-
sons shall have the same number of votes, it shall be de-
cided in the same manner as grand Jurors are drawn for,
in the Superior Courts," that is, the names of such per-
sons as received the same number of votes were to be
written on slips of paper and put in a box, or hat, and a
boy under twelve years of age, was to draw one of the
names from the hat or box, the person so drawn to be
given the certificate of election.

The electors chosen by ballot received certificates of
election signed by the Committee, and the three electors
thus chosen, were directed by the Act "to convene at
Knoxville on the First Wednesday in December, 1796,
and proceed to elect a president and vice-president of the
United States."

This Act, or method of selecting presidential elec-
tors, was re-enacted by the General Assembly of Ten-
nessee on October 26th, 1799, for the presidential election,
to occur in the vear 1800. I am not aware of the foreero-
ing method of selecting presidential electors having ever
been adopted by any other State.

This seeming digression, from the main subject, will
be pardoned in view of the fact that the Chief Justice, as
I understand him, refers to the Act as applicable onl_y to
the Miro District.

The method, for electing- presidential electors, as
provided in this Act, shows how implicitly the people at
that time trusted their representative, and also the confi-
dence the representatives reposed in the judg'ment and
patriotism of the citizen, as well as the confidence the
people then had in the honor and patriotism of each other.

It should be a source of profound regret, that in this
present ag~e of advanced civilization and christian intelli-

THE "mero district." 127

g-ence no such mutual confidence exists, that instead of it,
the people distrust their representatives, the representa-
tives in turn doubt and suspect the citizen, while the peo-
ple at large seem to have lost faith in the integrity and
patriotism of each other.

If it were possible for those people, who laid the
foundations of "Cumberland Country" and "Miro Dis-
trict" to come back and spend a few weeks with us, they
would doubtless be heard to declare, that they were glad
they were not cultured statesmen and great financiers.
[See Gayarre's History of Louisiana, vol. 3; Martin's
Histor\ T of Louisiana; Haywood's History of Tennessee.]

128 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

MEMOIR OF DANIEL BOONE.

BY COE. A. W. PUTNAM.

[A paper found among the Archives of the Tennessee Historical
Society.]

Was born in Bucks County, Pa. 11. Feby. 1731.
moved to the Yadkin, No. Carolina, when a boy and re-
sided there until in his fortieth year. In 1760, he cut his
name upon a-tree, yet standing, nearthe road leading- from
Jonesboro' to Blountsville where he "cilled a Bar,," —
thus furnishing - the earliest specimen, in Tennessee of
'phonetic orthography,' and hunters' skill.

We believe that Boone had not hunted beyond the
regions of East Tennessee; but that when Findley re-
turned from the Cumberland country in 1767 and reported
what he had seen of its rich lands and thousands of wild
animals, he gave fresh impetus to the spirit of adventure
and exploration, then already rife in Virginia and N.
Carolina.

Boone resolved to go with Findley and revisit the
country. They took with them four others, good marks-
men and still hunters. In the fall of 1769, they had
passed the Cumberland mountain and encamped upon the
head waters of Red River, (so they named it,) within the
limits of Virginia — now Kentucky.

At this same time the 'Long Hunters' commenced
their hunt upon the Cumberland, on the east side of the
river. Many of their names are perpetuated and familiar
to our citizens: Mansker, Stone, Baker, Gordon, Bledsoe,
Drake, Suggs, Montgomer}^, Neelly.

We doubt not that Boone was much of the time with
these hunters, traversed the rich lands of Sumner, and of
Davidson, east of the river, — and probably gazed admir-

MEMOIR OF DANIEL, BOONE. 129

ingly upon this eminence now crowned by our beautiful
capitol. His range however was generally on the borders
of Kentucky.

Dec. 22, 1769, Boone and Stuart were hunting - at some
distance from their camp, and were surprised and cap-
tured by Indians, who came from the other side of the
Ohio to hunt in these boundless and well-stocked parks.
After seven days captivity, they escaped, — and found
their camp deserted. Findley and the two hunters
who had remained with him were never more seen or
heard of. It is presumed they were killed by the In-
dians, and were thus the first white men killed west of
the Cumberland mountains.

Soon after this Boone and Stuart were again attacked,
and Stuart killed.

Squire Boone (a brother of Daniel) and another hunter
had recently come to these hunting grounds upon Red
and Barren rivers, but after the death of Stuart, the
two Boones remained alone, the other hunter having
started home, with his packs of choice skins. The
Boones finding their stock of ammunition reduced, Squire
set out to procure supplies.

July 27, 1770, he returned with powder and lead and
pack horse, and they continued hunting till March '71,
and then returned to North Carolina. Thus Daniel
Boone was out for less time than Mansker and his party,
for these remained until August.

They all were "without bread or salt for the whole
period," and "without a sick stomach, or back-ache," as
one of them said.

25. Sep. 1771, Boone started with his family to find a
home beyond the mountains. In Powell's valley they
were joined by five other families and by hunters without
families, in so much that they mustered forty gunmen.
When passing through a gorge of the Cumberland moun-
tain they were attacked by Indians in large force.
Boone's son and several others were killed, and the whole

130 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of the survivors hastened back to Clinch river where
they remained till 1774.

Boone was, in the mean time, appointed by Gov.
Dunmore to the command of the forts or stations in that
border of Virginia. He attended at the Watauga treaty,
being - employed by Col. Richard Henderson and his Land
Company as a land hunter or explorer, and through him
and others, we have no doubt, Col. Henderson first had
his attention and ambition turned to this rich land, where
he was surveying in the winter and spring of 1780.
Boone however left not his name upon any tree, or to desig-
nate any of our numerous licks or creeks, as he did in
ICast Tennessee.

In 1775, Boone, leaving his family at the settlements
on Clinch river, adventured again into the distant hunt-
ing grounds of Kentucky.

On 22d March, the party under his guidance selected
a spot deemed favorable for permanent settlement. It
was about 15 miles from the place where Boonesborough
was subsequently built. They were soon attacked by In-
dians and four of these pioneers were killed, one or two
wounded. The next day, the attack was renewed and
five white men were killed. Boone then removed to the
site of Boonsboro' and earnestly commenced and prose-
cuted the erection of a strong fort. This was in March.
On 4th of April another man was killed; but, keep-
ing out spies, day and night, they worked at their de-
fences and completed them on the 14th, 1775. "Boone then
returned for his family"* and thus introduced into Ken-
tucky the first white woman, wife and daughter. The
family of Col. Calloway, and of others, came at the same
time in the fall. Talk boastingly of the "First Fami-
lies of Virginia! Here the} 7 are in Kentucky, beyond all
question as to precedence: And Miss Boone and Miss
Calloway were the first girls captivated, west of the Al-
leghanies or in the great valley of the Mississippi, July,

* Collin's History of Kentucky, — sustained by others.

MEMOIR OF PANIEL, BOONE. 131

1776. But Boone scorned the idea of Pocahontas poster-
ity, and he pursued the wild Indians who had abducted
his daughter and Miss Calloway, until he killed two of
their captors, released the girls and restored them to their
mothers, and lived to see them happily united to worthy
men whom they loved — the mothers of First Families.

Apl. 15, 1776, a regular investment of the fort was
made, but the besiegers suffered most, and departed.

July 4th — Notable Day! Again the Indians, 200 in
number, surround the fort, closely investing it and de-
stroying all the stock of the whites which remained out-
side the palisades and some within. On this day these
beleaguered people resolve upon one bold effort to rid
themselves of their enemy, and to secure independence
and safety. Not knowing the great Resolve that day to
be adopted at Philadelphia, they determined for them-
selves to act, and act decisively. They saw the moment
propitious, and rushed forth upon the besiegers putting
them to flight and slaughter.

For a year and a half the immigrants in Ky. suffered
but little interruption from the savages, and received
strong accessions.

In Jany. 1778, Boone was captured the second time.
He was making salt at the Blue Licks. His captors
marched with him to their chief town, Old Chillicothe, on
the Scioto, north of the Ohio river. In March he was
taken to Detroit; but the Indians not receiving such an
offer for their prisoner or his ransom (from the British offi-
cers there,) as they demanded, they determined to return
with him to their settlements on the Scioto.

June 16th — He made his escape and incurred much
peril and suffering before he reached his home at Boones-
borough.

After remaining with his friends a short time, he in-
duced nineteen brave fellows to accompany him in an ex-
pedition to attack a defenceless Indian town on Paint
creek, not far distant from the chief town, Old Chilli-

132 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

cothe: In this he was very successful. But the Indians
soon followed their invaders to retaliate.

But now they came under lead of British officers
and thoroughly armed. They laid siege once more to the
fort, but the defences having- been so well prepared and a
much larger force to man the place at all points, the ene-
my gained no advantages, and the result was quite fatal
to them.

It is very noticeable that at this attack the British
colors were for the first and the last time, unfurled on
the soil of Kentucky. That flag never was displayed upon
any flagstaff held in an enemy's hands in Tennessee.
The nearest point to our borders at which it was ever
seen, was on King's Mountain, where the King's min-
ions yielded to the mountain boys.

In our State Historical Society may be seen some of
the trophies of that day and victory — a day and victory
which gladdens the hearts of the pioneers in Kentucky
and the patriots throughout the colonies, the chief actors
in which were well known to Daniel Boone

"It was in 1780, in the summer, that Boone came
back to Ky. with his family" and settled at Boonesboro':
In Oct. his brother was killed and himself narrowly es-
caped.

In August, 1782, he was in the disastrous defeat at
Blue Licks, where he lost a son. He was also with Genl.
George Rog-ers Clark in an expedition against Indian towns
north of the Ohio, undertaken to avenge losses at Blue
Lick.

In 1779, having been robbed of near $20,000 in
paper money, which he had accumulated to secure lands
from Commissioners then attending to sales and pre-emp-
tions, he received such a disgust of civil societ\ T and of
the law's delays and uncertainties, that he sought refuge
once more in the wilderness, even under Spanish rule,
in Missouri.

MEMOIR OF DANIEE BOONE. 133

In 1820, lie died at the residence of his son-in-law, in
Calloway county, Missouri.

It is a little singular that the name of his earliest
and most intimate companion in the first settlement in Ky.
should have been perpetuated in that of the county where
he breathed his last, and was first interred.

Sept. 13, 1S45, the remains of Boone and his wife were
removed under authority of the State of Ky. and re-in-
terred at Frankfort, the capital of the great State with
the settlement and early history of which his name is
forever to be identified.

At those interesting- solemnities we find that distin-
guished citizens now in our own city or State, partici-
pated, and we feel the more pleased and interested to
conclude this brief sketch by the insertion of their names:
Revd. Mr Goodell, Baptist Church, read the Hymn:
Bishop Soule, Methodist Ch. opening- Prayer: Hon. J. J.
Crittenden, The Oration: Revd. J. J. Bullock, — Presby-
terian Ch. closing- Prayer: Revd. Philip S. Pall, Chris-
tian Ch., Benediction.

134 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

STATEMENTS OF HISTORIANS CORRECTED.

BY E. D. HICKS.

[A paper found among the Archives of the Tennessee Historical
Society.]

I conceive it to be the duty of the Tennessee Histori-
cal Society to correct as far as possible errors which have
found their way into the different histories of the State,
and this paper is not written in a spirit of captious fault-
finding - , but as nearly as possible to arrive at facts. I
shall quote from Gilbert Imlay's Topographical Descrip-
tion of the Western Territorv of North America first
published in London in 1702. Imlay was evidently a
scholar, and his book must have attracted much attention,
for in that early day a third edition, with additions was
published in 1797. It contains an autobiography of Dan-
iel Boon written in 1784. As to Boon, Francis Baily,
subsequently President of The Royal Astronomical Socie-
ty of Great Britain, says, that descending - the Ohio river,
he met Boon on 9th April 1797, and having - a copy of Im-
lay with him, he read to Boon the autobiography, and
Boon said it was correct. (Baily's Journal). Imlay's
book seems to have been unknown to Haywood, Ramsey
or Putnam, although it is evidently the earliest book of
any note describing - this Western country; their quota-
tions from it seem to have been taken at second hand from
Monette and Butler. Without entering" into the details
of Boon's various adventures, I only make extracts suffi-
cient to fix dates. Boon says "On the first of Ma} T 1769,
I resigned my domestic happiness for a time (Boon evi-
dently intimates by this that he was not in the habit of
leaving - home) and left my home on the Yadkin in quest
of the country of Kentucky, in company with John Finley

STATEMENTS OF HISTORIANS CORRECTED. 13b

and others. On the 7th of June following - we found our-
selves on Red river where John Finley had previously
been, and from the top of an eminence saw the beautiful
level of Kentucky." The Red river referred to by Boon
is undoubtedly the branch of the Kentucky river, but the
Clinch was called Red river, see Imlay pages 113 & 494
where it is referred to as a branch of the Cuttawa in one
place and Cherokee in the other, both of which are origi-
nal names of the Tennessee, as Ouasioto (the French Ou
for W) or Wasioto was the original name for Cumberland
river and mountains. Boon describes his adventures in
Kentucky, where he remained part of the time alone un-
til some time after March 1771, when he returned to his
family on the Yadkin, determined to remove them to Ken-
tucky, which he considered "a second paradise." Boon
makes no mention of leaving home, and from the tenor of
his narrative remained on the Yadkin until, as he says, "I
sold my farm on the Yadkin and such goods as we could
not carry with us. I left the Yadkin 25th Sept. 1773, and
proceeded on our journey to Kentucky with 5 families
more and 40 men that joined us in Powel's valley. We
had passed over two mountains, Powel's and Walden's
and were approaching Cumberland mountain, when on
10th October, 1773, we were attacked by Indians who killed
6 and wounded 1 man. We repulsed the enemy but were
so discouraged that we retreated 40 miles to the settle-
ment on Clinch river." "I remained with my family on
Clinch until June 6th 1774 when I and one Michael Stoner
were solicited by Gov. Dunmore of Virginia to go to the
Falls of the Ohio. This we did, completing the tour of
800 miles under many difficulties in 62 days. Soon after
I returned home I was ordered to take command of three
garrisons during the war that Gov. Dunmore carried on
against the Shawanese Indians, after the conclusion of
which and I being relieved of my post, was solicited by
some North Carolina gentlemen, who were about purchas-
ing the lands lying on the South side of Kentucky river

136 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

from the Cherokee Indians, to attend their treaty at Wa-
taga in March 1775, to negotiate with them and mention
the boundaries of the purchase. This I accepted." This
was the Henderson purchase, and this is the first that
Boon has to say in regard to Henderson. Within a few
months from this time Boon had built the fort at Boons-
boro and removed his family to Kentucky. From these
dates given by Boon it is certain that from June 1769 to
April 1771 he was in Kentucky. He then returned to the
Yadkin; there is no evidence from his narrative, that from
this time until 25th September 1773, that he ever left the
Yadkin, all the probabilities are that he remained there,
having- no business on Watauga, his intention being to
settle in Kentucky.

Ramsey followed by Putnam tells the story of the
beech tree in the valley of the Watauga with the inscrip-
tion of "D. Boon cilled a bar on tree in the year 1760" as
sufficient authority to date the arrival of Boon in Tennes-
see in 1760. Ninety years is a very, very long time for
an inscription to remain legible on a beech tree, and when
I hear of one of our highland terrapins being found with
John Smith neatly engraved on his shell and dated 1750,
I do not believe that the terrapin and 1750 have anything
in common. That the inscription is on the tree is proba-
ble, but that D. Boon put it there, is too doubtful to be
believed. Haywood and Ramsey bring Boon to Abingdon,
Va. in 1761 . Haywood and Ramse} T put him in Kentucky
in 1764 at Crab Orchard, as Haywood says in the employ
of Henderson & Co to be informed in the geography and
to use Haywood's quaint word tocography of the country.
It seems a little strange that Boon should have said noth-
ing in his narrative about all of these trips and that Hen-
derson had a company formed for more than ten years
with Boon in his pay in the then unsettled condition of the
country. Both Haywood and Putnam have Boon on Wa-
tauga in 1770, when his own narrative says he was in
Kentucky. Putnam has him in Kentucky in 1769 and

STATEMENTS OF HISTORIANS CORRECTED. 137

1770 examining - lands for Henderson and Co, Boon says
nothing - of all this, but says he "hunted with success."
If sent to examine lands he would not have taken two years
to do it, but would have made his examination and gone
back to report. Putnam has Boon on Watauga in 1771,
not with intention to remain, but "bent on seeing- regions
beyond.' 1 Boon says in 1771, he returned to the Yadkin
and says nothing - about a conference with Robertson which
related to the formation of the Watauga Compact, with
which Putnam credits him. Strange that Haywood after
having - Henderson's Co. formed as early as 1764, should
state that the failure of Robertson's Co. to make a pur-
chase in 1772 eventuated in the formation of a company by
Henderson who actually made a purchase in 1774 and 1775.
Boon never says a word about Henderson, but at the close
of Lord Dunmore's war in the latter part of 1774 or be-
ginning - of 1775, says he was solicited by some North
Carolina gentlemen to attend a treaty, negotiate and
mention the boundaries of the purchase. I seriously
doubt if Boon had ever had any connection with Hender-
son until the treaty of March 1775, for it is shown by his
narrative, that he was on his way to make a settlement
in Kentucky when he was attacked October 10th 1773
nearly two years previous and retreated as he says to the
Clinch, as Putnam says to the Watauga and Holston set-
tlements.

Putnam says that Andrew Jackson was appointed
Judge of the Superior Court of law and equity, the first
session of which was to be held in Davidson County May
1784 and declined; without ever pausing to think that
Jackson was born in 1767 and was then just 17 years old
and a rather rude boy. How or where he got such an
idea I cannot conceive. The facts are that the act estab-
lishing the court was passed at the Session beginning
November 19th and ending 29th December 1785 and the
court was to be held May 1786. Haywood says "They
appointed a young man of the age of twenty four years to

138 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

be judge of this court, who, upon mature reflection be-
coming - fearful that his small experience and stock of legal
acquirements were inadequate to the performance of those
great duties which the office devolved upon him, chose
rather to resign than to risk the injustice to suitors, which
others of better qualifications might certainly avoid."
Judge Haywood is evidently modestly speaking of him-
self, he was just 24 years old, having been born 16th
March, 1762. (I know that it is casually stated in the
biography of Haywood prefixed to the reprint of his Civil
History of Tenn. that he was born in 1753; but an elabo-
rate sketch of his life given in Southwestern Law Journal
and Reporter June, 1844, gives the date as I have and states
that he died 22nd December, 1826, in his 64th year.) Had
Jackson been the appointee and declined for the reasons
given, Haywood would certainly have no reasons for not
giving his name; for the action was certainly honorable.
Haywood, Ramsey and Putnam all state that Edwin
Hickman, for whom Hickman County was named was
killed in 1785 on Piney river. There is in the Collection
of this Society a sketch giving the details of the expedi-
tion which went to bury Hickman, as narrated by Capt.
John Davis who was one of the party. Capt. Davis came
to Nashville in 1788 and he helped bury him, his death
could not have been earlier than this date, Capt. Davis
states that it occurred in 1791 and pointed out to me the
place where it occurred, not on Piney but on Defeated
Creek of Duck river. The records show that Hickman
was appointed one of the Magistrates of Davidson County
in 1791.

Mr. Putnam states that John Sevier was appointed
Major General for the District of Washington, and Jas.
Robertson for the District of Mero. This is an error.
Gov. Blount as Territorial Governor had authority to ap-
point all Field officers of the militia, but not the General
officers. He recommended to the President Sevier and
Robertson in 1,790 and their commissions were issued in

STATEMENTS OF HISTORIANS CORRECTED. 139

1791 as Brigadier Generals. Robertson signed the order
for the Nickajack campaign in 1794 as Brig. Genl., re-
signed as Brig. Genl. in 1795, and in 1796, the Tennessee
Legislature elected Jas. Winchester Brig. Genl. to succeed
him. Robertson was censured by the Sec'y of War for or-
dering - the Nickajack campaign, and this censure in fact
was the cause of his resignation. The Congress of the
United States, however, had a more correct idea of Rob-
ertson's wisdom and patriotism, for in 1798, in the face of
an adverse and decidedly hostile report from the then
Secv. of War, Congress ordered that the soldiers engaged
in the Nickajack campaign should be paid.

I find another curious error in the Chronological Ta-
ble in Official Manual of Tennessee. Under the date of
1790 "John Donelson was appointed Major General of the
United States army by President Washington." As a mat-
ter ofTennessee history this could only refer to Col. John
Donelson the ancestor of the Tennessee family of that name,
for his son John Donelson Jr. was a young man, and
as late as 1792 was only captain, or possibly major
in the militia of Mero District. Col. John Donelson
if alive, would have been in 1790 an old man over sev-
enty years of age, but unfortunately for the truth of this
bit of history, he had been killed in January 1786, on his
return from Virginia and Kentucky to join his family in
Tennessee.

140 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR.

[The trial of Aaron Burr is historic. The circumstances attending
his capture are not, however, so well known. They have been sketched
by Parton in his "Eife of Aaron Burr." Parton's account differs, in
several respects, from the account given by the captor, Maj. Nicholas
Perkins.

The papers given below are taken from the originals in the posses-
sion of the Tennessee Historical Society. These papers were presented
to the Tennessee Historical Society by Mrs. Wm. O'Neil Perkins of
Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee. Mrs. Perkins is the daughter
of Col. A. W. Putnam, for many years President of the Tennessee Histor-
ical Society, and is a descendant of Gen. Israel Putnam of Revolution-
ary fame, and also a descendant of Gen. John Sevier, the first Governor
of Tennessee.

Her deceased husband, Hon. Wm. O'Neil Perkins was the son
of Maj. Nicholas Perkins, the captor of Aaron Burr. For many years
these papers were retained in the family as heirlooms, and have never
been published. After the death of Col. Perkins they were presented
by his widow to the Tennessee Historical Society.

They include an account of the capture, in manuscript, in the form
of a letter addressed by Maj. Perkins to C. A. Rodney; an extensive
correspondence with various persons in relation to the capture; official
communications from Eieut. Gaines (afterwards Gen. Gaines); Sec'y of
State, James Madison; Sec'y of War, Gen. Dearborn, and others; finan-
cial statements, receipts, etc.

From these papers, the following selections will be sufficient to
present a clear picture of the circumstances connected with the capture.

The following letter from a friend, perhaps, conveyed to Maj. Per-
kins the information which led to the capture.]

Washington M. T., the 9th of February, 1807.
Sir:

I must acknowledge myself under peculiar obligation
to you as being - the only friend who misses an opportunity
(on the main subject) Col. Burr surrendered to the Civil
Authority and on Wednesday last the Grand Jury sworn
to enquire for the District of the Mississippi presented
that they found that Col. Burr had not committed any of-
fence against the Laws of the U. S. either within this

THE CAPTURE OP AARON BURR. 141

District or elsewhere. The court however did not dis-
charge him from recognizance but he made his exit with-
out leave.

Expresses were sent in every direction after him,
two thousand dollars are offered to deliver him here by
the present Executive, Governor Williams. I this moment
came in town from Judge Lewis' who last night returned
from New Orleans, and states that, that place is in great
confusion. The mail is now starting. The Legislature
adjourns to-day. I shall set out the latter end of this
week and amuse } r ou for a week. Judge Lewis and fam-
ily are well.

Yours as usual,

Lemuee Henry.
Nicholas Perkins, Esq.

[The following- statement from the manuscript of Maj. Perkins
bears no date.]

C. A. Rodney, Esq.

Sir: At your request I have committed to writing the
circumstances of the arrest of Aaron Burr Esq. on the
Tombigbee River in the Mississippi Territory.

I believe it was on the 18th day of February last,
about 12 o clock in the evening or after, I was at the
Court House for the County and District of Washington
in the Mississippi Territory in company with Thomas
Malone, Clerk of Said District Court, and Theodore
Brightwell, Sheriff of the County of Washington, when I
heard the sound of horses' feet as if coming on the road
that passed near the house in which we were. The Sher-
iff was in bed. I asked Mr. Malone what could people be
after, riding at that time of night, he answered it was not
uncommon at that place, the moon shone very bright. I
resolved to see them, as they would pass the house, for
which purpose I went to the door when a man rode by in

142 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

a brisk trot without making- any stop, or saying- a word,
altho' he passed within 20 feet of the door, in which I
stood. I observed another person, coming- on at a small
distance behind, who stopped when he came opposite the
door and beg-an inquiring- the road to Maj. Hinson's, of
which I informed him, and telling- him that it would be
very difficult to g-et there in the nig-ht, the bridg-es were
broken and a part of the way was a path onty, and that
they had better stay at the Tavern which I pointed out
to him that was in the town. He replied they had come
from the Chickasaws, and had lost their horses up the
country that evening - , which had detained them, but that
he believed he could find the way and would g-o to Maj.
Hinson's, and then rode on after the one who passed first
and had made no stop. I then turned to the gentlemen in
the room, and observed that those men were very extraor-
dinary men indeed, riding- at that late hour of the nig-ht
in a strang-e country, determined to g-o on to Maj. Hinson's
at the distance of seven or eig-ht miles on a bad road, over
broken and dang-erous bridges, passing- by a public house
to a private one, and that they must either have some bad
design upon Hinson or his property, or that it was Col.
Burr making- his escape through that country. I then
requested one of the gentlemen to accompany me, for I
was resolved to follow him, and if possible to discover
who they were or what was their business. The Sheriff
Mr. T. Brightwell agreed to go with me. He got out of bed,
dressed himself, and taking our horses we pursued them to
Maj. Hinson's whither they had arrived before we over-
took them. We rode up to the fence there and going-
into the yard met the gentleman who had inquired of me,
the road at the Court House, whose name was Ashley. I
could not see the other, who I afterwards discovered had
got into the kitchen for the benefit of the fire, there being
none in the room that was opened for the strangers.
After being there some time the Sheriff was out giving
some directions to the servant about the horses, Mr. Ashley

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR. 143

and myself, in the house when the person who had been
at the kitchen fire came in. I observed his dress and every
appearance to be extraordinary. As well as I can recollect
he had on a white hat with a brim rather broad than other-
wise. He wore a long beard, a checked handkf round his
neck, a great coat belted around him to which was hanging
a tea cup on the one side and a butcher knife on the other.
I began to think he must be Col. Burr, and watched an op-
portunity of seeing - his eye by which I expected to know
him. At length I got a glance of his eye as he looked aside
at me, upon which I became confident that this was Col.
Burr. Soon after, I got my horse and left the house, as if
going back to the Court House. But after pursuing- that
road I turned and took the road down to Fort Stoddart
where I arrived before sunrise and informed Lieutenant
Gaines of what I had seen and heard the preceding - even-
ing - , and of my suspicions that the person in the white
hat was Col. Burr. He then agreed to go with me, and
selecting, as he said, a confidential Sergeant and three sol-
diers, we set out on horse back up the country towards
Maj. Hinson's.

When we came within two or three miles of Maj.
Hinson's, we met Col. Burr in company with the Sheriff,
Mr. Brightwell. We did not see them until we approached
very near each other. They were ascending a small hill.
When we rode up to them Lieutenant Gaines asked if he
was not Col. Burr, he answered in the affirmative, and
then Lieutenant Gaines arrested him. Some conversation
passed between Lieut. Gaines and Col. Burr on the sub-
ject of the arrest. At length, Col. Burr asked Lieutenant
Gaines if he had authority to arrest any person with him.
Lieutenant Gaines said he had not; then Col. Burr re-
quested that Mr. Ashley should be informed that he
wished him to come to Fort Stoddart which I agreed to
do if I should see him, and then Col. Burr, Lieutenant
Gaines and the soldiers rode off towards Fort Stoddart,
leaving Mr. Brightwell and myself at the place.

144 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

After they had got some distance from us, I began to
interrogate Mr. Brightwell about Col. Burr, he said when
Col. Burr saw us, he asked Mr. Brightwell who was that,
or what did that mean, (I do not recollect which). Mr.
Brightwell replied, that is Perkins and you are gone, the
Col. then clasped the bridle in both his hands saying, Lord
have mercy, or God have mercy (I do not remember
which). This is as well as I can recollect what Mr. Bright-
well told me was the expression of Col. Burr on our ap-
proach.

I then asked Mr. Brightwell what was Col. Burr's
conversation about me after I left Maj. Hinson's. He said
Col. Burr told him he was confident that I either knew
him, or suspected him, and had pursued him that night to
Maj. Hinson's. Mr. Brightwell then acknowledged what
had passed between him and myself. He then inquired of
Mr. Brightwell if he thought there was any person in the
country that would arrest him, and I think Mr. Brightwell
said his answer to him was, he did not know of any one.
He then asked if he, Mr. Brightwell thought I could not be
softened. I believe Mr. Brightwell told me that Col. Burr
was going to Mr. Mimms's, which is on the East side of
of the Alabama (but of this I am not certain), and that he,
Mr. Brightwell, was to show him the way to the ferry.

I then left Mr. Brightwell and pursued the road or
path towards the Court House, and before I reached that
place overtook Mr. Ashley, and we rode together to the
Court House. I then wrote a letter to Col.' Callier inform-
ing him of the circumstance, requesting that he would
meet me the next evening at the Court House. Mr. Ashley
went with the messenger to Col. Callier. I had not told
Mr. Ashley of Col. Burr's arrest, but that Col. Burr re-
quested him to come to Fort Stoddart, he observed the
Col. had changed his place or route (I don't remember
which).

When I came to the Court House the next evening I
found Col. Callier and Mr. Ashlev there; the Col. told me he

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR. 145

had not told Mr. Ashley of Col. Burr's arrest but that he
pretended to approve of Col. Burr's conduct in order to
sound Ashley. He said Ashley told him that Col. Burr's
schemes were'ag-ainst the Floridas and Mexico. Col. Cal-
lier asked if Col. Burr had a sufficiency of money to carry
on his plan. Ashley said he had about one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. This is, as well as I can remember,
the conversation that Col. Callier told me had passed be-
tween him and Mr. Ashley. Col. Callier and myself then
walked to where Ashley was, and then the Col. arrested
him. Mr. Ashley asked what he was arrested for, I told
him it was for being- one of Col. Burr's party, he then de-
nied that he knew an}^thing- of Col. Burr's plan. He had
met with C'ol. Burr by accident, found him a pleasant
travelling- companion and had come with him to that place.
I then told him that Col. Callier had related to me the
conversation they had had on that subject and it was un-
necessary to deny what he had told the Col. Ashley
said he had told the Col. that he believed so, but never
had told him that he knew anything- about Col. Burr's
plan. Col. Callier contradicted him. Soon after which I gr>t
my horse and started to Fort Stoddart. I did not arrive at
Fort Stoddart until the next day. Not long- after my ar-
rival at that place Lieutenant Gaines introduced a gen-
tleman to me, saying- he was a Spanish Officer, who I think
he said commanded a Spanish armed vessel called Louisa,
and who had been up the river, as I was told, to purchase
sea stores or some thing-s that were necessary for a cruise
that he was about to undertake, and that he would not
leave that place until next evening-. The Spanish Officer
spoke no Eng-lish, as I had but conversed by means of an
interpreter. In the evening- after dinner the. Spanish Offi-
cer requested to seethe prisoner, (Col. Burr). Soon after
which, Lieutenant Gaines asked me whether it was proper,
I told him I thoug-ht not, but that I supposed Col. Burr
himself would object, and that he had better gr> and see him.
Lieutenant Gaines went into the room where Col. Burr

146 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

was, and ag-ain returned into the room where the Spanish
Officer and myself were, holding- a piece of paper in his
hand, on which was some writing-, but who it was written
by I do not know. He said to the officer it was improper he
should see Col. Burr, as he was then a prisoner of the
United States, and Lieutenant Gaines then said, as well
as I can recollect, Col. Burr sends his compliments to Mo-
rates and his daug-hter and requests that he would send
him some wine, and I think some other articles but do not
remember what, and then g-ave the paper to the Spanish
Officer who started off down the river toward Mobile in
a short time, at which Lieutenant Gaines appeared to be
alarmed, and told me he was suspicious that the Spaniard
would endeavor to rescue Col. Burr, and that he was una-
ble to defend himself, as his pickets were pulled down and
some of his men were unfit for duty, and then I consented
to convey him to the City of Washington.

As to the affair at Chester Court House, South Car-
olina: When we came to the edg-e of the town, I rode on one
side of Col. Burr and one of my party on the other. When
we arrived near the middle of town, as I suppose, Col.
Burr leaped from his horse, and asked if there was any
Mag-istrate there, and g"oing- in among- several g-entlemen,
that were standing- tog-ether in the street, requested them
to protect him from us; that we were taking- him along-
without any authority. Col. Burr was seated on his horse
ag-ain and conveyed off immediately.

[Copy of a letter addressed to General Wilkison and Governor
Williams.]

Fort Stoddart, Mobile River,
Febry. 19th, 1807.
Sir:

I have the honor to inform your Excellency that at
day break this morning- I was advised b}' Major Perkins
that a strang-er who he supposed to be Col. Burr had

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR. 147

passed throug-h the upper part of this Settlement last
evening - whereupon I . set out with a Serg'eant and three
men of my detachment and reconnoitering- with Major
Perkins about 14 miles up the country, met with the Col-
onel and escorted him to this place. He is now in one of our
best rooms with a Sentinel at his door. He shall receive
every accommodation this place will afford, and until lam
furnished with instructions from the proper authority he
shall receive from me and mv g-uards the most vig-ilant
attention.

Whether there is not a communication between this
gentleman and our Spanish neighbors seems a matter of
doubt; if there is, this is by no means a suitable place for
him, and should I discover any g-round for such a connec-
tion I must immediately start him for the Cit}^ of Wash-
ing-ton as my force (40 men), is too small to secure him.
Permit me sir, to solicit your instruction on the subject.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully

YourObdt. Servt.
Edmund P. Gaines
1 Lt. 2nd. Infty.
Commdo-.

■■&•

[The following- letter is from Lieut. Edmund P. Gaines, afterwards
Gen. Gaines, and is marked "Private."]

Private.

Fort Stoddart,

Pebry. 0th, 1807.
Dear Perkins :

In addition to the conversation I had with you to-day
on the subject of a trip to Washington City, or other
proper means of disposing- of our Great Prisoner, suffer
me to solicit a full development of your ideas on the fol-
lowing points.

Whether would it be most advisable to detain him at
this place until I receive orders from the Commander in

148 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Chief, from the seat of the general government, or advice
from Gov. Williams, or to send him immediately to Wash-
ing-ton City or to Natchez? I wish you to write freely
and fully as a friend — and at the same time inform me
whether it would be in your power to command the escort
either way — if not I wish you to consult your brother
Captain Perkins and Mr. Murray, and should either of
them find it in their power to undertake the arduous task,
they will, I doubt not, secure the grateful thanks of their
country and a full compensation for their time and trouble,
should either conclude to go. I think the tour should
not be put off many days. It strikes me as an indispen-
sable step for the security of this settlement and the
tranquility of the Western Country generally, to send the
Col, direct to Washington City and leave this place at all
events by the 22nd of the present month.

If your opinion coincides with the one just expressed,
one of you, above mentioned must g'o and whoever it be,
let him get four active, sober, confidential } r oung men (one
or two of whom should know the route) with good horses,
pistols and swords, with one or two good light shot guns— ^
no bag'g'age save a blanket and &c, and come to this place
on the 21st inst. I cannot spare soldiers, unless a few
to accompany the escort out of the settlement.

I apprehend something - is brewing below, and I must
secure this place. The party may get fresh horses and
&c, on their arrival at the Ochmulg'ee Fort. It will be well
to settle the terms on which the young men will eng-age.
If they are allowed nothing extra by Government, the
2000 dollars reward shall be applied to the adjustment
of these expenditures as far as necessary. I cannot now
advance 100 dollars in specie, the arrangements must be
made accordingly. You can show this hasty scrawl to
Mr. Maney and whatever you write to me shall, if you
wish, be held as private and confidential.

Yours Sincerely.

IOdmd. P. Gaines.

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR. 149

Maj. Perkins :

Please send the enclosed pr first opportunity.

P. S. I think you and myself may with safety incur
the necessary expenses to get the men to the City of
Washington if we have no other dependence than the 2000
dollars which on his delivery shall be equally distributive.

But surely the Govt, will not hesitate to meet ex-
penses. Edmd. P. Gaines.

[In accordance with the advice of Lieut. Gaines, Maj. Perkins se-
cured the services of four reliable men to serve as a guard for the pur-
pose of conveying Col. Burr to Washington. The party entered into
the following contract:]

February 23rd, 1807: We, whose names are hereto
subscribed, do pledge our lives, our honor, each to the
other, for the safe conducting - and delivery of Aaron Burr,
a United States prisoner, to the President of the United
States, under the direction of Nicholas Perkins.

Nicholas Perkins.
John Mertes,
Sam'l McCormack.
John Jay Henry,
H. B. Slade.

[Copy of letter addressed to Major Perkins. |

Tensaw, near Fort Stoddert.
Sir :

You will receive herewith a passport for yourself and
party thro' the wilderness, with a general instruction rel-
ative to the removal of A. Burr, Fsq., to the seat of Gov-
ernment, together with a letter to the Hon b1 ., the Secre-
tary of War, which you are hereby authorized to open in
case it becomes necessary to make known the particular
circumstances attending the arrest of the said A. Burr,
Esq., before your arrival at Washington Cit} r . In addi-
tion to the above mentioned instructions, permit me to re-

150 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

quest your particular attention to the strictest (economy
in the expenditures of your expedition, taking- duplicate
accounts and receipts for all thing's you may find it nec-
essary to purchase for the use of the party. It is my de-
sire that you furnish the prisoner, Aaron Burr, Esq.,
with whatever his convenience, accommodation and com-
fort may require consistently with such measures for the
security of his person as you may deem expedient.

Sergrant Harris and Cyrus Jones, of my detachment,
Second U. S. Infantr\ r , will form a part of the escort and
are to be under your direction.

Wishing" you health and happiness,

I am sir, yours, &c,

Edmund P. Gaines,

Lieut. Second U. S. Infantrv.

[Passport and instructions for Major Perkins.]

Edmund P. Gaines, First Lieutenant Second Regi-
ment of United States Infantrv and Commandant of Fort
Stoddert: To all who shall see these presents, greeting - :

Be it known, that by virtue of the proclamation of
the President of the United States, dated November 27th,
1806; and more especially by virtue of the proclamation of
Robert Williams, Governor of the Mississippi Territory,
dated the sixth day of the present month of Februan~; I
did, on the 19th of said month, arrest Aaron Burr, Esq.,
and have this day committed him to the charge of Major
Nicholas Perkins with a suitable g;uard whom I have
authorized and instructed by these presents to convey the
said Aaron Burr, Esq., in the most perfect safety and by
the most eligible route overland, to the Executive of the
United States at Washington City, in the District of Co-
lumbia. And I hereby request all military officers and
other officers of the United States, or any one of same, and
all citizens of the same, who shall see these presents, to
give all necessary aid to the said Maj. N. Perkins and

THE CAPTURE OP AARON BURR. 151

his party in the execution of the above mentioned duties.
Given under ray hand at Tensaw, near Fort Stod-
dart, in the Mississippi Territory, this, twenty-seventh
day of February, A. D., one thousand eigdit hundred and
seven. Edmund P. Gaines.

[Order from James Madison, Sec'y of State.]

To Mr. Lewis Ford:

It being - understood that certain persons having- in
their custody Aaron Burr, charged with offenses ag-ainst
the United States, are proceeding- with him to this city
with the view to deliver him to the proper authority for
trial, you will please, agreeably to the direction of the
President, on falling" in with the said persons to require
that instead of bring-ing- the said Aaron Burr to this
place, they proceed by the shortest route to the City of
Richmond without delay and there dispose of him as they
shall be advised to be leg"al and most proper by Georgfe
Hay, Esq., the Attorney of the the United States for
that District. You may inform the said persons that any
just claims they may have ag-ainst the United States on
the occasion will not be affected by this ehang-e in their
journey, and that such claims will be settled at Rich-
mond by Mr. John Hay.

James Madison.

Department of State, )
March 23, 1807. f

[Order from Sec'y of War.]

War Department, March 23, 1807.
Sir:

On receipt of this you will direct your course with
your prisoner to Richmond, in the State of Virginia,
and there call on Georg-e Hay, Fsq., District Attorney
for the United States, and receive his direction in relation
to the prisoner under your charge, and will punctually

152 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

follow such instructions as you may receive from Mr.
Hay or from C. A. Rodney, Esq., Attorney General of
the United States. Mr. Rodney will take the necessary
measures for furnishing" you with money sufficient for your
journey to the City of Washington, where you will re-
port yourself to this Department. The bearer of this,
Mr. Ford, will accompany you to Richmond.

I am very respectfully, your
Obt. Servt.,

H. Dearborn.

To the ofhcer who has charge of Aaron Burr
as a prisoner, charged with treasonable practices
against the Government and laws of the United
States.

[Front District Attorney G. W. Hay. |

Maj. Nicholas Perkins.

Sir: Having received no communication from the
Executive in relation to Mr. Burr, and not being - furnish-
ed at this moment with any evidence or document tending"
to prove a criminal act on his part, I cannot g"ive you any
instructions as to an immediate surrender of his person to
the civil authority. From the information, however, g"iven
to me this evening" by Mr. Ford, and from the letters of
the Secretaries of State and of War, shown me b} r your-
self and Mr. Ford, I have reason to believe that by the
next mail I shall be furnished with all the papers which
may be in the possession of the Executive. As soon as I
hear from Washington on this subject, I will take the
proper measures to relieve } 7 ou from the duty in which
3'ou are eng"ag"ed. I am, sir,

Your most obedient servant,

G. W. Hay.

[There is nothing to show to whom the following letter is ad-
dressed. It was evidently written to some official of the United States,
most probably to the District Attorney, G. W. Hay. Subsequent let-

THE CAPTURE OF AARON BURR.

153

ters show that the United States received the horses and equipments,
and directed Maj. Perkins to proceed to Washington for the settle-
ment of his accounts.]

Richmond, Va., March 29, 1807.

Sir:

I have here in m} 7 possession nine horses and a
double chair that have been purchased on account of the
United States, and employed in transporting - Aaron Burr,
Esquire, from the Mississippi Territory to this place.

The horses are so much reduced by the journey that
I do not suppose they will be fit for service in a short
time, and the daily expense of feeding" them here is very
considerable, in consequence of which by the advice of
Mr. Rodney, I make this statement to } t ou and shall await
your direction. My party consists of seven persons be-
sides myself, two of whom are soldiers of the United
States Army, the others are gentlemen that have been
engaged on the public account, as men of that description
only could be trusted on that business, and as I have not
the means of discharging - them, whether we shall take
the stage to Washing-ton or Indiana or go there upon
these worn down horses, will depend on what orders I
ma}' receive from you. Your Obt. Servt.

[It seems that some difficulty was encountered and much delay ex-
perienced in the final settlement of the accounts for the expenses of the
expedition. The correspondence on this point includes a number of
letters, statements, receipts, certificates, etc. The final settlement
was made in accordance with the following- "Acc't Curr't."]

Dr. THE UNITED STATES IN ACC'T CURR'T WITH NICHOLAS PERKINS. Ck.

1807 i
Apl.tiTo o Horses furnished

transporting A. Burr
to Richmond
I " Arms furnished for
the above
•" One sulkey and harness

as above 95

" Wasres of 5 men and
their sustenance
as a jruard 1014

I " Travelinjr Expenses
to Washington

Bv cash rec'd

3331

154 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

PEDIGREE OF THE POLL, OK OR POLK FAM-
ILY FROM FULBERT THE SAXON
(A. D. 1075) TO THE PRES-
ENT TIME.

BY MISS MARY WINDER GARRETT.

A. D. 1075. — Fulbert, born in the reign of Malcolm
III. of Scotland. In the reign of David I. of Scotland,
the vast feudal barony of Pollok in Renfrewshire was
held by Fulbert the Saxon, a great noble, territorial
king*. Fulbert died in 1153, the beginning- of the reign
of Malcolm IV., and was succeeded by his son Petrius.

Petrius, the son of Fulbert, succeeded his father in
1153. Petrius, assumed as a surname (which at this time
came into use) instead of a patronymic, the name of his great
hereditary lands of Pollok. The Lieut. Baron of this
feudal kingdom was a man of g^reat eminence in his time,
and a benefactor of the Monastery of Paisle} T , which do-
nation was confirmed by Joceline, Bishop of Glasgow,
who died A. D. 1199. Petrius was a law unto himself,
and equaled the Sovereign in wealth, rank and power.
He was the ancestor of many brave warriors and Crusade
knig-hts. Petrius de Pollok was greatly distinguished
for "valor in arms and prowess in the chase," and his
exploits are the subject of many a minstrel lay. Besides
his vast estates in Renfrewshire (the chevron of which
barony is still borne upon the shield of arms of the Prince
of Wales) he held the great barony of the Roths, in Ab-
erdeenshire, which he gave to his only daughter, Mauri-
cle, who married the celebrated Sir Norman de Lesley.
Mauricle de Roths was the ancestress of the great Earls
of Roths and Lords of Lesley. The eighth earl was con-

PEDIGREE OE THE POEK PAMIEY. 155

stituted after the restoration of Marquis Ballenbrieck,
Duke de Roths, President of the Council and Lord High
Chancellor of Scotland. The "State Records" show that
many intermarriag-es have taken place between the Les-
leys, Polloks and the Royal Stuarts. On the death of
Petrius de Pollok his ancient patrimonial estates of Pollok
being- settled on heirs male, passed to his brother Robert
de Pollok, and it is noticeable how the name of Robert
has been handed down from father to son to the present
time.

Robert I. — Robert de Pollok was succeeded by his
son Robert.

Robert de Pollok II. was a contemporary of Alexan-
der II. of Scotland, who reigned from A. D. 1214 to 1249.
Robert II. was succeeded by his son Thomas.

Thomas, A. D. 1249.— Thomas de Pollok was wit-
ness to sundry charters of donations to the Abbey of
Paisley. He was a contemporary of Alexander III. of
Scotland, who reigned from 1249 to 1286, and was suc-
ceeded b}^ his son Petrius de Pollok.

Petrius de Pollok was one of the persons of rank in A.
D. 1296, who gave a forced submission to Edward I. of
England, in the Bond known as "Ragmans Roll."" He
was succeeded by Roburtus.

Roburtus de Pollok married Agnes, daughter of Sir
John Maxwell, Lord of Caerlaverok, and was succeeded
by his son John.

John de. Pollok, who, in A. D. 1372, obtained from his
grandfather, the said John, Lord Maxwell, a charter of
certain lands dated at Caerlaverok, was succeeded by
Brucius or Brucis de Pollok.

Brucius de Pollok left a son John de Pollok.

John de Pollok, designated in a charter by James II.
of Scotland, dated December 12, 1439, as "nobilis vir
Johannes de Pollok filius et heres Bricii de Pollok.'"
From this famous noble sprang the illustrious line of
Pollok of that ilk. His successor w r as Charles de Pollok

156 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of that ilk. John de Pollok had a second son, named Rob-
ert de Pollok, who received from King" James II. the
great land grant in Ireland.

The following- notes are mostly taken from a written
communication to W. R. Polk, from Mrs. W. H. Polk,
wife of W. H. Polk, brother of ex-President Polk.
John de Pollok, last mentioned, had another son be-
sides his oldest son Charles, named Robert de Pollok.

Robert de Pollok, became Sir Robert de Pollok.
of Ireland, who received the grant from King James
II. in Ireland.

1440. — This Sir Robert's oldest son, Sir John, in-
herited the hereditary estate in old Scotland. Sir Rob-
ert, the younger son of Sir Robert, inherited the estate
in Ireland, and he became Sir Robert.

Robert II. — Sir Robert de* Pollok, of Ireland, inher-
ited the estate in Ireland and became the founder of the
family in Ireland, where the name is to this day often
pronounced, P-o-l-k, as of ones3~llable, by the natives,
and whose American descendants, the Polks, still pre-
serve the "lineal memorial of their noble and knightly
ancestry."

In 1640, Sir Robert, of Ireland, ioined the. Scotch
Covenanters, whose Commander-in-Chief and Governor
of Dumbarton Castle was a relative o£G.eneral, Sir Alex-
ander Leslie, one of the most famous soldiers of the time.

1640.— In 1646, Sir George Maxwell, of Nether Pol-
lok, was married to Lady Annabella Stuart, lineal de-
scendant of King Robert III. and their granddaug-hter,
Annabella, married her cousin, Sir Robert Pollok, of
"Upper Pollok," grandnephew of Sir Robert, of Ire-
land, whose nephew, Kzekiel Stuart, married Debora
Annely.

Sir Robert was succeeded by his son Thomas; he
also had a second son, Robert Bruce Pollok. Thomas
Pollok, oldest son of Sir Robert, succeeded to the Irish
estates.

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMIEY. 157

Robert Bruce Pollok, the second son of Sir Robert
II., married the widow of Col. Porter. Her maiden name
was Mag-daline Tasker. She was of Freneh descent,
and heiress of the estate of "Mowning or Morning- Hall"
in the Barony of Ross, County of Donegal, Parish of De-
ford, Ireland. She was related to the Countess of Morn-
ing-ton and her sister Prudence, aunts of the Duke of
Wellington. It is said that the marriag-e of Robert Bruce
Pollok or Polk, and Magdaline Porter, nee Tasker, was
a runaway match. She lived to be nearly 92 }^ears of
age, and died at her home place, "White Hall," in Som-
erset County, Maryland, between April 7, 1726, and
March 20, 1727. In her will of record in the office of
the register of wills for Somerset County, Mel., she be-
gins: "I, Mag-daline Pollok," but signed "Magdaline
Polk." She bequeathed and willed Mowning Hall in
Ireland to her sixth son, Joseph, and he returned to Ire-
land.

Robert Bruce Pollok, last named, with his wife
Magdaline and six sons and two daugditers, left Ireland
and came to America, arriving- and landing at "Dames
Quarter," in Somerset County, Maryland, in the }^ear 1680,
1683 or 1687, according to different authorities, where his
descendants were long known as the Republican or Dem-
ocratic family. At that time the two names were used
to represent the one party as opposed to the Tories. The
children of Robert Bruce Pollok and Magdaline were:
1 John, 2 William, 3 IDphraim, 4 James, 5 Robert, 6
Joseph, 7 Margaret, 8 Ann.

THE JOHN POLK BRANCH.

John Polk or Pollok, eldest son of Robert Bruce Polk
or Pollok and Mag-daline, his wife, married twice — -first
wife Joanna Knox; second wife, Jugga Hugg. By his
first marriage with Joanna Knox he had two children,

158 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

William Polk, the elder, and Nancy Polk the younger
child. Nanc} 7 Polk married Edward Roberts. William
Polk, only son of John Polk, married twice — first wife,
Priscilla Roberts; second wife, Margaret Taylor,"' of
Pennsylvania. (Priscilla Roberts was a sister of Edward
Roberts, who married Nancy, the sister of William Polk.)

William Polk, when his sons were nearl} r grown, re-
moved with his children and second wife, Margaret, to
Carlisle, Penn., then to Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina.

William Polk settled and died west of the Yadkin.
He left eight children, viz.: William Polk, the eldest child,
Charles Polk, Debora Polk, Susan Polk, John Polk,
Margaret Polk, Ezekiel Polk and Thomas Polk.

William Polk, eldest son of William Polk, Sr., mar-
ried and removed to Tennessee. (I can trace his branch
no further.) He left descendants.

Charles Polk, second son of William Polk, Sr., mar-
ried in 1750, Polly Clark; had five children, viz.: Charles
Polk, Thomas Polk, Shelby Polk, Mike Polk, William
Polk.

Debora Polk, third child of William Polk, Sr., mar-
ried Samuel McCleary and died without issue.

Susan Polk, fourth child of William Polk, Sr., mar-
ried Benjamin Alexander and had six children, viz.:
Charles Alexander, Thomas Alexander, Susan Alexan-
der, William Alexander (a Captain and brave and distin-
guished soldier in, the Revolutionary Army), Benjamin
Alexander and Taylor Alexander.

John Polk, fifth child of William Polk, Sr., married
Eleanor, the daughter of Col. Isaac Shelby,. and had four
children, viz.: Charles Polk, Taylor Polk, John Polk,
and Eleanor Polk.

*From the information that I have been able to procure, I would be
inclined to think that Margaret Taylor was mother of (certainly) the
three last children, but the family claim descent from Priscilla Roberts
in all eitrht branches.

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 159

Margaret Polk, sixth child of William Polk, Sr.,
married Robert McKree and had eleven children, viz.:
William McKree, Debora McKree, James P. McKree,
Susan McKree, Dinah McKree, Margaret McKree,
Thomas McKree, Harriet McKree, Rachael McKree,
William McKree, Mary McKree.

William McKree, eldest son of Robert McKree and
Marg-aret Polk, his wife, married and had eight children,
viz.: William McKree, David McKree, James McKree,
Margaret McKree, Banks McKree, Richard McKree,
Robert McKree and Josephine McKree.

Debora McKree, second child of Robert McKree and
Marg*aret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Campbell and had
nine children, viz.: Mary Campbell, Jane Campbell, De-
bora Campbell, Robert Campbell, Margaret Campbell,
William Campbell, Harriet Campbell, John Campbell,
Andrew Crmpbell.

James P. McKree, third child of Robert McKree and
Marg-aret Polk, his wife, married and removed to Tennes-
see. He had ten children, viz.: Maagaret McKree, Rob-
ert McKree, Sarah McKree, Mary A. McKree, Adam
McKree, James McKree, William McKree, Eug-ene Mc-
Kree, Rebecca McKree and Julia McKree. Sarah, the
third child of James P. McKree, of Tennessee, married
Mr. Clay, and left seven children, viz.: Margaret Clay,
James Clay, William Clay, John L. Clay, Leonidas Clay,
Sarah Clay and Martha Clay.

Susan McKree, fourth child of Robert McKree and
Margaret Polk, his wife, married William Barnett, and
had seven children, viz.: William Barnett, Susan Barnett,
Margaret Barnett, Ann Barnett, John Barnett, Jane Bar-
nett and Robert Barnett.

Dinah McKree, fifth child of Robert McKree and
Margaret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Hart, and had five
children, viz.: Mary Hart, Margaret Hart, Isabella Hart,
William Hart, David Hart.

160 THE; AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Marg-aret McKree, sixth child of Robert McKree and
Marg-aret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Spratt; had eight
children, viz.: Thomas Spratt, Robert Spratt, Margaret
Spratt, Susan Spratt, James Spratt, Elizabeth Spratt,
Martha Spratt and Leonidas Spratt.

Thomas McKree, seventh son of Robert McKree and
Margaret Polk, his wife, married; had three children,
viz.: William McKree, Robert McKree and Margaret
McKree.

Harriet McKree, eighth child of Robert McKree and
Marg-aret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Taylor and had
three children, viz.: Mary Taylor, Robert Taylor and
John Taylor.

Rachael McKree, ninth child of Robert McKree and
Marg-aret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Vance, and had
two children: Robert Vance and James Vance.

William McKree, tenth child of Robert McKree and
Margaret Polk, his wife, never married.

Mary McKree, eleventh child of Robert McKree and
Margaret Polk, his wife, married Mr. Barnett, and had
two children: Mary Barnett and William Barnett.

Ezekiel Polk, seventh child of William Polk, Sr. , mar-
ried twice according to some authority, according- to others
three times. His first wife was Mary Wilson; his last
wife was Mrs. Lennard. He lelt twelve children. By
his first marriag'e with Mary Wilson he had certainly
four of the twelve children; the other eight were proba-
bly the children of his last marriag'e with the widow
Lenuard, for if he married three times there are no living-
children of his second wife.

Ezekiel Polk was sheriff of Tryon County in 1763,
and was highly respected. By his first marriage, with
Mary Wilson, he had four children, viz.: Thomas Polk,
William Polk, Matilda Polk and Samuel Polk. By his
last marriage with Mrs. Ivennard he had eight children,
viz.: John Polk, Louisa Polk, Clarissa Polk, Mary Polk,

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 161

Charles Polk, Benig-na Polk, Eugenia Polk and Edwin
Polk.

Thomas Polk, eldest son of Col. Ezekiel Polk and
Mary Wilson, his wife, married and had seven children,
viz.: Thomas Polk, Mary Polk, Irwin Polk, Ezekiel Polk,
Adelina Polk, and Amelia Polk and Lecie, who married
Mr. Lennard and had two children, Lucius Lennard and
Eliza Lennard.

William, the second child of Col. Ezekiel Polk and
Mary Wilson, his wife, married Elizabeth Dodd, and had
eight children, viz.: Clarissa Polk, Laura Polk, Mary
Polk, Olivia Polk, Jackson J. Polk, Caroline Polk,
Thomas Polk and Sarah Polk.

Clarissa Polk, eldest child of William Polk and Eli-
zabeth Dodd, his wife, married Mr. Taylor, and had live
children, viz.: Isaac Taylor, Laura Taylor, Thomas
Taylor, Caroline Taylor and Clarissa Taylor.

Laura Polk, second child of William Polk and Eliza-
beth Dodd, his wife, married twice; first Mr. Manlv,
second Mr Taylor. B} r her first marriag'e there were
three children: William Manly, Elizabeth Manlv and
Clarissa Manly; by her second marriage she left three
Taylor children.

Mary Polk, third child of William Polk and Eliza-
beth Dodd, his wife, married Mr. Howard, and had two
children: William Howard and Sarah R. Howard.

Olivia Polk, fourth child of William Polk and Eliza-
beth Dodd, his wife, married Mr. D. D. Berry, and had nine
children, viz.: Elizabeth Berry, Laura T. Berry, Cla-
rissa C. Berry, Louisa M. Berry, Mary E. Berry, Olivia
P. Berry, John T. Berry, William B. Berry and Daniel
D. Berry.

Jackson Polk, fifth child of William Polk and Eliza-
beth Dodd, his wife, married and had four children, viz. :
Ann Polk, William Polk, Oscar Polk and Virginia Polk.

Caroline Polk, daughter of William Polk and Eliza-

162 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

beth Docld, his wife, married John Wirt, and had two
children (twins): Caroline Wirt and Catherine Wirt.

Thomas Polk, son of William Polk and Elizabeth
Dodd, his wife, never married.

Sarah Polk, the young-est child of William Polk and
Elizabeth Dodd, his wife, married Mr. Kent, and had
one child, Joseph Kent.

Matilda Polk, third child of Col. Ezekiel Polk and
Mary Wilson, his wife, married Mr. Campbell, and had
nine children, viz.: Robert Campbell, Mary Campbell,
Madison Campbell, Eliza Campbell, William Campbell,
Matilda Campbell, Junius Campbell, Caroline Campbell
and John Campbell.

Robert Campbell, eldest child of Mr. Campbell and
Matilda Polk, his wife, married and had six children, viz.:
Harriet Campbell (who married Mr. Kirby and left two
children), John Campbell (who left one child, Mary
Campbell), Jane Campbell, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth
Campbell and one other child.

Mary Campbell, third child of Robt. Campbell and
Matilda Polk, his wife, married Mr. Miller.

Elizabeth Campbell, daug-hter of Robert Campbell
and Matilda Polk, his wife, married Mr. Alexander.

Samuel Polk, fourth child of Col. Ezekiel Polk and
Mary Wilson, his wife, married Jane Knox, great, great
niece of John Knox, of Scotland. She was the daughter
of Col. James Knox, great nephew of the Scotch reformer.
She was a strict Presbyterian.

The Polk family in Scotland many times intermar-
ried with the House of Suart. Now we find that they
also inherit the descent of the Knox family. I cannot
find in what degree Joanna Knox and her sister Nancy
were related to the famous John Knox, whose integrit}'
knew no compromise, and whose truth was stronger than
royalty and resisted the charms of the most beautiful and
fascinating - woman of that ag^e.

"Col. James Knox was one of the prime movers in es-

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 163

tablishing American Independence, and was one of the
first members of the order of Cincinnatus." (Ramsey's
Annals of Tennessee, page 97). Col. Knox, father of
Jane, was an officer in the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Polk married Jane Knox in 1806, and re-
moved with his family to Tennessee. He died in 1827.
To Samuel Polk and Jane Knox, his wife, were born ten
children, viz.: James Knox Polk, Jane Maria Polk, Eliza
Polk, Marshall Polk, John L. Polk, Franklin Polk,
Naomi Polk, Ophelia Polk, William H. Polk and Samuel
Polk.

James Knox Polk, eldest child of Samuel Polk and
Jane Knox, his wife, was born in North Carolina, Nov.
2, 1795; died in Tennessee, June 15, 1849. "He became
a member of the Tennessee bar in 1820, and soon took
first rank among- his colleagues. He was elected mem-
ber of Congress in 1825, where he was distinguished for
his firmness and industry, and where he was chosen
Speaker for three successive terms. His opinions coin-
cided with those of the Democratic party, by which in
1844, he was chosen President of the Republic. It was
during- his administration that the war against Mexico
was successfully terminated and the general Democratic
policy maintained." (Putnam's Cyclopedia, page 694).

President Polk was elected by the Democratic party
eleventh President of the United States and inaugurated
March 4, 1845. He was a man of the greatest purity
and uprightness of character and tenderly beloved by
those who knew him best — the members of his family and
household. His public honors show the regard in which
he was held by his fellow man. He married Sarah
Childress and left no descendants. Mrs. JaneBarnett, of
Tennessee, niece of President Polk, has a valuable col-
lection of portraits, representing - five generations, begin-
ning - with Jane Knox, wife of Samuel Polk, and mother
of President Polk; second generation, President James
K. Polk and his sister Maria, wife of James Walker;

164 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

third g-eneration, the daughter of Maria Walker, Jane,
who married Major I. N. Barnett, and her children are
the fourth generation, and their children the fifth "fenera-
tion.

Jane Maria Polk," second child of Samuel Polk and
Jane Knox, his wife, married James Walker, and lived to
be 79 years of ag-e. James Walker was a native of Ken-
tucky. He and his wife, Jane Maria Polk, had nine
children, viz.: Samuel P. Walker, James H. Walker, J.
Knox Walker, Jane Walker, Mar) 7 Walker, Sarah Walker,
Annie M. Walker, L. Marshall Walker and Andrew
Walker.

Samuel P. Walker, eldest son of James Walker and
Jane Maria Polk, his wife, married ,and had eig*ht chil-
dren, viz.: Maria Walker, Catherine Walker, James
Walker, John W. Walker, Samuel P. Walker, William
Knox Walker and Ellen Walker.

James Walker, the third child of Samuel P. Walker,
was killed in C. S. A. service at Bellmond. His regi-
ment was commanded by Col. J. Knox Walker, his uncle.

James H. Walker, second child of James Walker and
Jane Maria Polk, was an old soldier in 1860, having"
served in the Mexican war.

J. Knox Polk was Private Secretary to President
Polk, and Colonel in the C. S. A. He was the third
child of James Walker and Jane Maria Polk; he married- -;
had four children, viz.: Maria Walker, Henry Walker..
Samuel W T alker and James K. Walker.

Jane Walker, fourth child of James Walker and Jane
Maria Polk, married Mr. I. N. Barnett; he was in the
Confederate service and rose to the rank of Major.
Major I. N. Barnett and Jane Walker, his wife, had four

"A touching "In meinoriain" poem was written of Mrs. Maria Wal-
ker by the gifted Mrs. Naomi H. Moore (nee Hays), who is widely known
for her talent and life full of good works and many charities. Her
large contribution to the erection of a monument to th^ Confederate
dead, and her last work, the erection of The Ophelia Polk Moore Home
for orphan girls, will ever be remembered by a grateful public.

PEDIGREE OE THE POLK EAMILY. 165

children, viz.: Maria Barnett, Mary Barnett, Rosa Bar-
nett and Walker Barnett.

Maria Barnett, eldest child, married General George
D. Johns, of Alabama. She lived only two years after
her marriage.

Mary Barnett, second child of Major I. N. Barnett
and Jane Walker, his wife, married Mr. W. J. Hine, has
two children.

Miss Rosa Barnett resides in Columbia; Mr. Walker
Barnett is unmarried and lives in Nashville.

Mary Walker, fifth child of James Walker and Jane
Maria Polk, married Mr. Pickett, and had two children:
Jane Pickett and Hays Pickett.

Sarah Walker, sixth child of James Walker and Jane
Maria Polk, married Mr. Green and had one child.

Annie M. Walker, seventh child of James Walker
and Jane Maria Polk married Mr. L. M. Philips, had one
child that died young .

L. Marshall Walker, eighth child of Jane Maria
Walker and her husband, James Walker, was a graduate
of West Point and was Major General in the Western
Division of the Confederate Army.

Andrew Walker, ninth child of James Walker and
Jane Maria Polk, resides in St. Louis, Mo.

Eliza Polk, third child of Samuel Polk and Jane Knox,
his wife, married Mr. Caldwell and had two children:
Samuel P. Caldwell and James Caldwell.

Marshall Polk, fourth child of Samuel Polk and Jane
Knox, his wife, married, had two children: Marshall Polk
and Roxana Polk.

John L. Polk, fifth son of Samuel Polk and Jane
Knox, his wife, never married, and Franklin Polk, sixth
son, never married.

Naomi Polk, seventh child of Samuel Polk and Jane
Knox, his wife, married Mr. Harris, and had four chil-
dren, viz.: Amelia Harris, Maria Harris, Laura Harris
and Melvina Harris,

lf>6 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Ophelia Polk, eighth child of Samuel Polk and Jane
Knox his wife, married Mr. Hays and had two children,
viz.: Naomi Hays and Virginia Hays.

William H. Polk, ninth child of Samuel Polk and
Jane Knox, his wife, married Mary Williams, had two
children: William H. Polk and Tasker Polk.

Samuel Polk, tenth child of Samuel Polk and Jane
Knox, his wife, never married.

John Polk, fifth child of Col. Ezekiel Polk, was child
of his last marriage, with Mrs. Lennard. John Polk
married- -; had two children: Angelina Polk, whomarried
Mr. Crawford, and Olivia Polk, who married Mr. Prior
and left three children, Mary Prior, who married Mr.
Moore, and John Prior and Elizabeth Prior.

Louisa Polk, sixth child of Col. Kzekiel Polk and
the widow. Lennard, his wife, married twice, first Mr.
Neely, then Dr. C. C. Collier. She left seven children,
viz.: Mary Neely, Rufus P. Neely, Adela Neely, Jack-
son J. Neely, and by second marriage: Thomas Collier,
William Collier and Fann} T Collier.

Mary Neely, eldest child of Mr. Neely and Louisa
Polk, his wife, married Mr. x\tvvood and had two children:
Josephine Atwood and Adela At wood.

Rufus P. Neely, second child of Mr. Neeky and
Louisa Polk, his wife, married Miss Lea, and had eight
children, viz.: William Neely, Harriet Neely, Louisa
Neely, Kate Neely, Prudence Neel}\ Charles Neeh% James
Neely and Mary Neel}\

Adela Neely, third child of Mr. Neely and Louisa
Polk, his wife, married Mr. Bell.

Jackson J. Neely married and left descendants.

Thomas Collier, son of Dr. C. C. Collier and Louisa
Polk, his wife, married and left descendants, one of whom
was William Collier.

Clarissa Polk, seventh child of Col. Ezekiel Polk,
was a child of his last marriage, with Mrs. Lennard.
Clarissa Polk married Thomas McNeal and had eight

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 167

children, viz.: Jane McNeal, Ezekiel P. McNeal, Mary
McNeal, Prudence McNeal, Albert T. McNeal, Evelina
McNeal, Samuel L. McNeal and Wallace W. McNeal.

Jane McNeal, eldest child of Thomas McNeal and
Clarissa Polk, his wife, married Mr. Brown and had six
children: Mary A. Brown, James Brown, Clara Brown,
Albert Brown, Cordelia Brown and Lycurg^us Brown.

Ezekiel P. McNeal, second child of Thomas McNeal

and Clarissa Polk, his wife, married , and had a

daughter: Priscilla McNeal.

Mary McNeal, third child of Thomas McNeal and
Clarissa Polk, his wife, married Mark R. Roberts, and
had fourteen children, viz.: Clara Roberts, Thomas F.
Roberts, Jane Roberts, Mary Roberts, Prudence Roberts,
Thadius Roberts, Evelina Roberts, Maria Roberts, Na-
poleon Roberts, Ann Roberts, Samuel Roberts, Eliza
Roberts, Albert Roberts, Mark Roberts.

Clara Roberts, eldest child of Mark R. Roberts and
Mary McNeal, his wife, married Mr. Fulton.

Jane Roberts, third child of Mark R. Roberts and
Mary McNeal, his wife, married Mr. Jewett, left two
children.

Mary Roberts, fourth child of Mark R. Roberts and
Mary McNeal, his wife, married Mr. Baker, had two
children.

Prudence Roberts, fifth child of Mark R. Roberts
married Mr. McRay, left descendants.

Prudence McNeal, fourth child of Thomas McNeal and
Clarissa Polk, his wife, married John H. Bills; had six
children, viz.: Ophelia Bills, Leonidas Bills, Mary Bills,
Wilson Bills, Clara Bills, Evelina Bills.

Ophelia Bills, eldest child of John H. Bills and Pru-
dence McNeal, his wife, married Horace M. Polk, had
five children, viz.: Mary Polk, John Polk, Evelyn Polk
Thomas Polk (twins,), and another child.

Mary Bills, third child of John H. Bills and Pru-

168 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

dence McNeal, his wife, married Mr. Wood, had one
child: Fanny Wood.

Albert T. McNeal, fifth child of Thomas McNeal
and Clarissa Polk, his wife, married, had two children,
viz.: Albert T. McNeal, Irene McNeal.

Evelina McNeal, sixth child of Thomas McNeal and
Clarissa Polk, his wife, married Mr. L. Peters and had
five children, viz.: Arthur Peters, Thomas Peters,
Clara Peters, George W. Peters and another child.

Samuel McNeal, seventh child of Thomas McNeal
and Clarissa Polk, his wife, never married.

William W. McNeal, eighth child of Thomas McNeal
and Clarissa Polk, his wife, married, and had a son:
Thomas McNeal.

Thomas Polk, eighth child of William Polk, Sr.,
married Susan Spratt, daughter of Thomas Spratt. He
was very prominent in the Mecklenburg Declaration, was
with Washington at Brandywine and Valley Forge, and
conveyed the "Liberty Bell" to Bethlehem. He was a
very distinguished man, and was General in the war of
the Revolution. To Thomas Polk and his wife, Susan
Spratt, were born eight children, viz.: Thomas Polk,
William Polk, Ezekiel Polk, Charles Polk, Martha Polk,
Margaret Polk, Mary Polk and James Polk.

Thomas Polk, eldest child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, never married, was killed at
the battle of Eutaw.

William Polk, second ch'ld of General Thos. Polk and
Susan Spratt, his wife, was a Colonel in the Revolution-
ary Army and fought in several battles in the South dur-
ing" the war of the Revolution. He welcomed LaFayette
in 1824. Col. William Polk married twice, first Grizelda
Gilchrist, second Sarah Hawkins. He had ten children;
by his first marriage he had two children, and eight chil-
dren bv his second marriage. The children of Col.
William Polk and Grizelda Gilchrist were: first Thomas
G. Polk, second William Polk. The eight children of Col.

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 169

William Polk and Sarah Hawkins were: Lucius Junius
Polk, Leonidas Polk, Mary Polk, Alexander Polk, Ham-
ilton Polk, Rufus King- Polk, George Washing-ton Polk,
Susan Polk and Andrew Jackson Polk.

Thomas G. Polk, eldest child of Col. William Polk,
was General Thomas G. Polk, married Mary Trotter.
They had eight children, v\z.: Mary (who married Mr.
Davis and had three children: Mary Davis, Jane Davis
and Funius Davis , second child, Jane Polk (who mar-
ried Mr. Bouchelle), Richard Polk, William Polk, Emily
Polk, Margaret Polk, Thomas Polk and Gilbert Polk.

William Polk, second child of Col. William Polk and
Grizelda Gilchrist, his wife, was a physician. Dr. Wil-
liam Polk married Mary Jones and had seven children,
viz.: Grizelda Polk 'who married Mr. Houston and left
descendants;, Allen Polk, Thomas Polk, Mary Polk (who
married Mr. Jones), Lucius Polk, Cadwalida Polk, and
Rufus Polk.

Lucius Junius Polk, eldest child of Col. William
Polk by his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, mar-
ried Mary Eastin and had eight children, viz.: Sarah
Polk, Emily Polk, Mary Polk, William Polk, Eliza Polk,
Fanny Polk, George Polk and Susan Polk. Second wife
was Mrs. Ann Pope, who had two children: Lucius and
Ella.

Leonidas Polk, second child of Col. William Polk' by
his second marriage with Sarah Hawkins, married Fran-
ces Devereux. Leonidas Polk went through West Point,
graduated at Alexandria Theological Seminary, and was
elected Bishop of Louisiana. It was through his enthusi-
astic efforts that the University of the South was estab-
lished at Sewanee Tennessee. He was General in the
Confederate Army and was killed on Pine Mountain, in
the fifty-eighth year of his age. The life of 'Bishop
Leonidas Polk has recently been given to the public in
the charming volumes of his son. Dr. William M. Polk,
of New York. To Bishop Leonidas Polk and his wife

4'.,

170 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

were born eight children, viz.: Hamilton Polk, Frances
Polk, Katherine Polk, Sarah Polk, Susan Polk', Eliza-
beth Polk, William M. Polk, Lucia Polk.

Hamilton, eldest son of Leonidas Polk, Bishop and
General, and Frances Devreux, his wife, married Emily
Beach, and died leaving five sons, viz.: Frank Polk, Le-
onidas Polk, Hamilton Polk, George Polk and Beach
Polk.

Frances Polk, second child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop
and General, and Frances Devereux, his wife, married
Peyton Skipwith, died leaving - two children: Kate Skip-
with and Frank Skipwith.

Katherine Polk, third child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop
and General, and Frances Devereux, his wife, married
William D. Gale and had six children: viz.: Frances Gale.
William Dudley Gale, Katherine Gale, Leonide Gale, Jose-
phine Gale, Ethel Gale. The last four died unmarried.

Frances, eldest child of William D. Gale and Kath-
erine Polk, his wife, married Dr. Frank W. Ring".

Wni. Dudley Gale, second child of Wm. D. (rale and
Katherine Polk, his wife, married Meta Orr Jackson.

Sarah Polk, fourth child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop
and General, and his wife, Frances Devereux, married
Frank Blake, and has one son: Frank Polk Blake.

Susan Polk, fifth child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop and
General, and Frances, his wife, married Joseph Jones;
had three children: Hamilton Jones, Fanny Jones, Laura
Jones.

Elizabeth Polk, sixth child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop
and General, and his wife, Frances Devereux. married
Mr. W. E. Hug'er and had six children, viz.: Frances
Hug'er, Lucia Hug'er, Emily Hug'er, John Hug'er, Arthur
Hug'er and William Hug'er.

Frances Hug'er, eldest child of Mr. W. K. Hug'er
and Elizabeth Polk. his. wife, married Air. H. Labouisse.

Lucia Huger. second child of Mr. W. E. Hug'er and
Elizabeth Polk', his wife, married Mr. Joseph Hardy.

PEDIGREE OIT THE POEK FAMILY. 171

William M. Polk, seventh child of Leonidas Polk,
Bishop and General, and Frances Devereux, his wife,
married Ida Lyon, and has four children: Frank Polk,
Metcalf Polk, Leonidas Polk, Serena Polk.

Lucia Polk, eighth child of Leonidas Polk, Bishop
and General, and Frances Devereux, his wife, married
Edward Chapman. No children.

Mary Polk, third child of Col. William Polk by his
second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, married Mr.
George Badger, had two children: Sarah Badger and
Katherine Badger.

Alexander Hamilton Polk, fourth child of Col. Wil-
liam Polk, by his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins,
died unmarried.

Rufus King Polk, fifth child of Col. William Polk, by
his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, married Sarah
Jackson had a daughter, Sarah Polk, who married Gen.
Lucius C. Polk.

George Washington Polk, sixth child of Col. William
Polk, by his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, mar-
ried Sallie Hilliard; had eight children, viz.: James Polk,
Rufus Polk, Mary Polk, George Polk, Sarah Polk, Hil-
liard Polk, Ivucius Polk, Susan Polk.

Susan Polk, seventh child of Col. William Polk by
his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, married Ken-
neth Rayner and had two children: Sallie H. Rayner and
Hamilton Rayner.

Andrew Jackson Polk, eighth child of Col. William Polk,
by his second marriage, with Sarah Hawkins, married
Rebecca Van Leer and had three children: Antoinette
Polk, Anthony Van Leer Polk, and Rebecca Polk.

Antoinette Polk married Baron Charette, of France,
and has one son: Anthony Van Leer Charette.

Fzekiel Polk, third child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, died at sea unmarried.

Charles Polk, fourth child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, married the daughter of

172 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Hezekiah Alexander, and had two sons: Thomas J. Polk
and Charles Polk.

Thomas J. Polk", eldest son oi Charles Polk and
Miss Alexander, his wife, was Capt. Thomas J. Polk-,
who married Sarah Moore, and moved to Tennessee.
They had six children, viz.: Charles Polk, Mary Polk,
Horace M. Polk', Thomas Polk, Emma Polk' and Napoleon
Polk.

Charles, eldest son of Capt. Thomas Polk and Sarah
Moore, his wife, married Tv— EeXair and had eight
children, viz.: John Polk, Eugene Polk, Emma Polk,
Napoleon Polk, Ella Polk, Sarah Polk. Sarah Ella Polk
and Charles Polk.

Mary Polk, second child of Capt. Thomas J. Polk
and Sarah Moore, his wife, married Mr. Potts, had four
children, viz.: William Potts, Thomas Potts, Edgar Potts
and Horace Potts.

Horace M. Polk, third child of Capt. Thomas. J.
Polk, married Ophelia Bitts and had five children, viz.:
Mary Polk, John Polk. Evelyn and Thomas Polk, twins ,
and one other child.

Thomas Polk, fourth child of Capt. Thomas J. Polk
and Sarah Moore, his wife, married - — ; had two children:
Leonidas Polk and Clarence Polk.

Emma Polk, fifth child of Capt. Thomas J. Polk
and Sarah Moore, his wife, married Mr. Bouchelle, had
two children, a son, Julian Bouchelle, and another child.

Napoleon Polk', sixth child of Capt. Thomas J. Polk
and Sarah Moore, his wife, I cannot trace.

Charles Polk, second son of Charles Polk' and Miss
Alexander, his wife, married M- - James, had live chil-
dren: Mary Polk, Emma Polk, Charles Polk. Prances
Polk and Henrietta Polk.

' Mary Polk, eldest child of Charles Polk and Miss
.lames, his wife, married Air. Hunt and left two children:
.Mary P. Hunt and Ella D. Hunt.

Henrietta Polk, fifth child of Charles Polk and Miss

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 173

James, his wife, married Mr. Avery, had a son: Walter
Avery.

Martha Polk, fifth child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, married Dr. Brevard, and
had a daughter, Martha Brevard, who married Mr Dick-
erson, of South Carolina, left one son, Col. James Dick-
erson, killed in. the Mexican war.

Margaret Polk, sixth child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, married Governor Nathaniel
Alexander, left no children.

Mary Polk, seventh child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt, his wife, married Daniel Browne, a
distinguished lawyer of South Carolina, had three chil-
dren, but none of them came to maturity.

James Polk, eighth child of General Thomas Polk
and Susan Spratt. his wife, married the daughter of Col.
Moore.

[ To be continued in next issue, beginning with the William Polk branch ]

174 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON.

BY LAVINIA R. (HILL; BROWN.

(Ten. James Robertson was the son of John rind Mary
(Gower Robertson, born in Brunswick County, Va., June
28, 1742. Nothing - certain is known to the writer con-
cerning the forefathers of John and Mary (Gower) Rob-
ertson. There is a legend that the family is of Royal
Scottish descent, and investigations are now going" on,
that may link a chain of Robertson ancestry several cen-
turies back. There were other sons, and one daughter
born to John and Mary (Gower) Robertson, and genealo-
gists are now engaged in tracing the lineage of some of
them. James, the eldest son, went to Wake County, N.
C; there married Charlotte Reeves, daughter of George
and Mary Reeves, October 20, 176^. He moved to Wa-
tauga, 1770, was instrumental in laving foundations for
civil government, and spent about eight or nine years
there lending all his energy to the upbuilding- of this set-
tlement; he was looked upon as a leader, and as a diplo-
mat, had no equal. James Robertson's was a progres-
sive mind, he desired to know more of the country west
of the mountains, and with other pioneers decided to go
as the "advance guard of western civilization" to Cum-
berland, arriving in the spring of 177'), made prepara-
tions for his family, who joined him the following winter.

History has recorded his wonderful Indian encounters,
his courage, braverv, and energy, his unswerving nature,
and high sense of right. There was no undertaking too
great for the advancement and welfare of his beloved
country. Gen. James Robertson firmly believed in the
rulings of an all-wise Providence, and unselfishness was

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 175

the chief characteristic of his nature, which was proven,
when he left his beautiful home, ''Traveler's Rest," to
spend his last days with the Chickasaw Indians, in the
interest of the government; deprived of the comforts of
home, and the care of loved ones, he died after a few days'
illness, September 1st, 1814, and was buried in the
Agency, where his remains rested until removed to Nash-
ville, Tennessee, about 1825, and reinterred beside his
wife, Charlotte, in the City Cemetery. A simple tomb
marks the last resting place of General James Robertson,
the pioneer of Tennessee and father of Nashville.

(No. 1.)

• lames Robertson, son of John and Mary (Grower) Robertson,
married Charlotte Sleeves, daughter of George and Mary
Reeves, -Ian. 21, 17GS, in Wake County. X. C; she was born in
Xorth Hampton County, X. C, -Jan. 2, 1751; eleven children.
i First Generation from James Robertson.)

2. Jonathan Friar, horn Juno 13, 1700. died Oct. U. 1811.

•'!. James Randolph, born Doc 11. 1771, killed by Indians.

A. Delilah, born Nov. JO. 177J.

.*). Peyton Henderson, born July 11, 1775, killed by Indians.

0. Charlotte, born July 11, 1778, died in infancy.

7. Felix, born Jan. 11. 1781, died July 10, 1865.

s. Charlotte :2ml. born .March 11, 1783.

!>. William Blount, born June 15, 1785, died Oct. 23, 1837.

10. Peyton, horn Dec. 8, 17S7.

11. Lavim'a. horn Feb. 2J, 1700, died Dec 31, 1866.

12. John McNairy, horn April 26, 1792.

(No. 2.1

(Second ( 5-enerat ion.)

Jonathan Friar Robertson, son of James and Charlotte
(Reeves) Robertson, married Ciddy Davis, daughter of Frede-
rick and Fanny Davis, December, 1791; she died in Nashville,
Tex.. 1ST)!): ten children.

13. Susanna, horn Dec. S, 1702, died in infancy.

11. .lames Randolph, hern March 7, 1704, died 1850.

17() THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

1.5. Elizabeth Davis, born Jan. Hi. 1796, died December,

1881.
1('». Benjamin Franklin, bom March I. L798, died Nov. 1,

1821.
17. Frederick Davis, born June 2-*:. 1800, died L866.
is. Eenry Villars. bom April 18, 1803, died L856.
1!). Peyton Henderson, bora Aug. 19, 1805, died young.

20. Felix; born Aug. 10, 1807.

21. Jonathan Friar, Jr., bora .March L5, L810, died ls44.

22. Francis Greves, born .June 30, 181.'!, never married, died

1864.

(No. 4.)

Delilah Robertson, oldesi daughter of .lames and Charlotte
(Reeves) Robertson, married John Bosley, Aug. 12, 1789; eleven
.children,

2:;. -lames R, born -Ian. 15, 1791.

24. Rachel, born Nov. 19, 1792, died in infancy.

25. Charlotte, bora Feb. 28, 1794.
2G. .Mary, born -July 20, 1700.

27. Eliza II.. born Sept. 25, 17!)S.

28. John Beck, bora Sept. 2::. 1800.

29. Peyton R., born Oct. 1, 1801.
-.0. Maria, bom October, 1806.

31. Lavinia Beck, bora Dec. 22, 1808.

32. Delilah, born Feb. 28, 1811.

33. Rachel 2nd. born May 14. 1814.

(Xo. 7.)

Dr. Felix Robertson, son of James and Charlotte (Reeves)
Robertson, married Lydia Waters, of Maryland. Oct. 9, 1808;
eighl children.

:!4. James \Y.. born Feb. IS. 1812, died 1836.

35. Elizabeth Anderson, born July 23, 1813, died Dec. 1!t.

1891.
JO. Benjamin Barton, born 1815, died 1815.
.".7. Mary Jordan, born 1816, died 1871.

38. Elenora Reeves, bora 1818, died 1880.

39. John E. Beck, born 1820.

10. Felix Robertson, born 1820. died 1827.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 177

41. Felix Randolph, born 1827, died 1862.

(No. 7) Dr. Felix Robertson was the first white child born in
Nashville. He graduated in Philadelphia, at the Pennsylvania
Medical College; was eminent in his profession, and was a be-
loved physician, philanthropist and cultured gentleman. He
donated the "Correspondence" of Gen. James Robertson to the
University of Nashville.

(No. S.)

Charlotte Robertson, daughter of James and Charlotte
(Reeves) Robertson, married Col. Richard Napier in Nashville,
1798; eight children.

42. James R., born Aug. 21, 1800, died 1880.

43. William Claiborne, born Feb. 17, 1804, died 1804.
41, Tennessee 1st, born June 16, 1806, died 1812.

45. Madison C, born June 0, 180S.

46. William P., born June 1, 1810, died dan. 15, 1814.

47. Tennessee 2nd, born Feb. 3, 1818, died 1814.

48. Leroy G. W., born Nov. 23, 1817, died July 18, 1866.

49. Charlotte M., born Aug. 20, 1820, died 1844.

(No. 9.)

William Blount Robertson, son of James and Charlotte
(Reeves) Robertson, married Leodocia Erwin April 5, 1807; he
died in rberville Parish, La.; eight children.

50. Tennessee, born Aug. 15, 1808.

51. James Erwin, born Aug. 19, 1810, died April 8. 1854.

52. William Blount, Jr., born Dee. 17, 1813.
58. Lavinia, born March 24, 1821.

51. Edward White, born June 18, 1823.

55. George S., born May 3, 1828, died 1831.

56. Charles Dickinson, born Feb. 5, 1880, died July 12, 1831.

57. Charles Dickinson 2nd. born June 24, 1838, died Dec.

26, 1888.

(No. 40.)

Dr. Peyton Robertson, son of James and Charlotte (Reeves)
Robertson, married Ellen Davis in 1820. He was an eminent
physician; six children.

58. Flavins Josephus, born 1824, died 1862.

59. James Peyton, born 1828, died 1846.

178 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

60. Alexander Campbell, born L831, died 1853.

61. George Frederic, born is:::;, died 1833.

62. Alice, born 1837.

03. John Blount; no dates given.

(No. 11.)

Lavinia, youngest daughter of James and Charlotte (Reeves)
Robertson, married John E. Beck (an eminent lawyer) Oct. 9,
1803; then James B. Craighead, leaving no issue by the last
marriage; two children.

64. Susanna Beck, born Nov. 5, 1807, died June, 1836.

65. Greorgiana Beck, born June 24, 1811, died Aug. 6, 1881.
(No. 11) Lavinia Robertson rode horseback to Philadelphia

from Nashville to complete her education, accompanied by her
brother Felix, who attended Medical College.

(No. 12.)

John McNairy Robertson, son of James and Charlotte
(Reeves) Robertson, married Lucy Scales; nine children.

66. Charlotte.

67. Martha Allen.

68. John; no information.

69. Lucy Ann.

70. Joe; dead.

71. James, died from an old wound, 1874.

72. Elizabeth.

73. B. Franklin ; dead.

74. Ellen.

(Third ( reneration.)

(No. 14.)

James Randolph, son of Jonathan Friar and Ciddy Robert
son, married Susan Oldham; nine children.

75. Fannie H., born Nov. 30, 1820.

76. Frederic, born about 1821, died unmarried.

77. Eliza, born about 1824. died about 1846.

78. Medora, born about 1826, died about 1848.
70. Hays H., born about 1828, died about 1800.

80. Susanna, born 1830, died 1S42.

81. James B., born 1832, died 1S50.

82. B. Franklin, born 1S40, died young.

83. Jimmy Jackson, born 1S44, killed in C. S. A.

THE FAMILY OF GEN, JAMES ROBERTSON. 179

(No. 15.)

Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of Jonathan Friar and Ciddy
(Davis) Robertson, married Leonard Cheatham Sept. 11, 1817;.
eleven children.

84. Medora Charlotte, born Jan. 10, 1819, died Feb. 8, 1880.

85. Benjamin Franklin, born Oct. 20, 1820, died Sept. 4, 1880.
80. Sarah Pope, born March 0, 1822, died Feb. 19, 1840.

87. Felix Eobertson, born April 30, 1824, died Jan. 22, 1893.

88. John Anderson, born June 0, 1820.

89. Martha Eliza, born Jan. 21, 1828.

90. Maria Louise, born Aug. 17, 1829, died Jan. 15, 1894.

91. Leonora, bom March 25, 1831, died Feb. 24, 1803.

92. Ada Byron, born Dec. 11, 1833, unmarried.

93. Alice B., born Jan. 20, 1830, died April, 1893.

94. Samuella, born Jan. 30, 1839, died Jan. 15, 1800.

(No. 10.)
Benjamin Franklin Robertson, son of Jonathan Friar and
Ciddy D. Robertson, married Martha Goodloe, of Maury County,
Tenn. ; one child.

95. Mary Eliza, born Aug. 23, 1824.

(No. 17.)
Dr. Frederic Davis Robertson, son of Jonathan Friar and
Ciddy (Davis) Robertson, graduated in Philadelphia Medical
College, lost his hearing, became a dentist, and lived in Plaque-
mine, La.; was greatly beloved by his relatives and friends.

(No. 18.)
Henry Villars Robertson, son of Jonathan Friar and Ciddy
(Davis) Robertson, married Rebecca Oldham Dec. 28, 1828. at
Brunswick, Va.; she died in Texas; ten children.

90. John Davis, born June 20, 1830, died Aug. 8, 1830.

97. Wm. Howard, bom Nov. 8, 1832.

98. D. Hardeman, bom July 18, 1834, died Nov. 10, 1800.

99. Henry Oldham, bom Sept. 11, 1830.

100. Benj. Franklin, born June 11, 1840.

101. Louise Francis, born Sept. 10, 1841, died Sept. 13. I860.

102. Bettie R., born Feb. 11, 1843.

103. James R., born Feb. 13, 1810.

104. Susan Fee, born Oct. 23, 1847, died July 15, 1872.

180 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

105. Leonora Rebecca, born June 2, 1850, died Aug. 10, 1867.

(No. 20.)

Felix, son of Jonathan Friar and Ciddy (Davis) Robertson,
married a Miss Cannon, and was living in Texas; no other
information.

(No. 21.)

Jonathan Friar. Jr., married Miss Dunn; no other informa-
tion.

(No. 28.)

James R., son of John and Delilah (Robertson) Hosier, mar-
ried Elizabeth Scales; six children.

106. Elizabeth; no dates given.

107. Charles; no dates given.

108. Adaline; no dates given.

109. Sarah Ann; no dates given.

110. James; no dates given.

111. Eliza;, no dates given.

(No. 25.)

Charlotte, daughter of John! and Delilah Robertson Bosley,
married George Witt Feb. 14, 1815; married second to John
Drake Sept. 3, 1818; married third to John Wilkerson; issue by
first; one child.

112. Georgetta Witt.

(No. 20.)
Mary, daughter of John and Delilah (Robertson) Bosley, mar-
ried William Drake Oct. 31, 1817; eight children.

113. Benj. F., born Sept. 10, 1818, died January, 1894.

114. John B., born Jan. 10, 1820.

115. William II., born Aug. 20, 1823.
11.6. Josiah E., born Jan. 25, 1825.

117. Susanna F., born Nov. 1, 1828.

118. James R.. bom April 1. 1826.
110. Elizabeth D., born Aug. 30, 1831.
120. Harriett E., bora Oct. 9, 1834.

(No. 27.)
Eliza II. Bosley. daughter of John and Delilah (Robertson)
Bosley. married John McAllister, then Benjamin Neblett, May
25. 1824, in Nashville; six children.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMEvS ROBERTSON. 181

121. Eliza Ann McAllister, first marriage.

122. John Neblett, second marriage, dead.

123. Charlotte, second marriage.

124. Marietta, born Oct. 12, 1833, second marriage, died April

2, 1886.

125. Rachel, second marriage.

126. Benjamin, killed in C. S. Army.

(No. 20.)

Peyton Randolph, son of John and Delilah (Robertson) Bos-
ley, married Catherine Sanders Oct. 31, 1831; two children.

127. John, born Sept. 22, 1832.

128. Hub; no dates.

(No. 30.)

Maria Rosier, daughter of John and Delilah Bosley, married
Henry Neblett Oct. 22, 1822; five children.
' 120. John; no dates; never married.

130. Lavinia ; no dates.

131. Roberf ; no dates.

132. William.

133. Maria Henry; no dates.

(No. 31.)

Lavinia Beck, daughter of John and Delilah Bosley, married
McNairy Newell June 25, 1827; six children.
131. John McNairy, born April 26, 1830.

135. Robert Stothart, born Sept. 15, 1832. died 1810.

136. Jane Delilah, born Dec. 13, 1833, died.

137. Mary Eliza, born April 30, 1835, unmarried.

138. Tennessee, born Sept. 20, 1837, died in infancy.

130. Charlotte Robertson, borniSept. 12, 1839, unmarried.

(No. 32.)

Delilah, daughter of John and Delilah Bo'sley, married Jere-
miah Scales; four children.

110. Mary Eliza, born April 1, 1834.

111. Joseph Henry, born Sept. 1, 1836.

112. Martha, born 1838.
143. Ann Delilah, born 1840.

182 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

(No. 33.)

Rachel, daughter of John and Delilah Bosley, married Jere-
miah Scales (her brother-in-law); five children.

1.44. William, married; no information.

145. James, dead; no other information.

14G. Adaline, dead; no other information.

1.47. Charlotte, dead; no other information.

148. George, dead; no other information.

(No. 34.)

James W. Robertson, son of Dr. Felix and Lydia (Waters)
Robertson, left descendants; they settled in Louisiana; have
no information of them.

(No. 35.)

Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Dr. Felix and Lydia
{Waters) Robertson, was married July 17, 1834, to Thomas
Smith; three children.

140. Samuel Granville, born April 15, 1835, unmarried.

150. Mary Lydia, born June 17, 1836.

151. Felix R. Robertson; no date.

(No. 37.)

Marv Jordan Robertson, daughter of Dr. Felix and Lvdia
Robertson, married Frank Sullivan in 1840; one child.

152. Felix R.

(No. 38.)

Elenora Reeves Robertson, daughter of Dr. Felix and Lydia
(Waters) Robertson, married Duncan Hennen in 1836; two chil-
dren.

15:'.. Anna Barker, born 1837, died 1879.

154. Lydia, born 1840, died 1869.

(No. 39.)
John E. Beck Robertson, son of Dr. Felix and Lydia (Waters)
Robertson, married Mary L. Oldham in isii^; eight children.

155. Elenora, born 1845.

156. Felix, born 1847, died L894. ) .„
lo7. Thomas. )

158. Frank L., born 1S4!». unmarried.

159. Mary L.. born 1851, died 1867.

160. William R., born 1853.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 183

161. Minnie R., bom 1855.

162. Neppie, born 1857.

(No. 41.)

Felix Randolph Robertson, son of Dr. Felix and Lydia Rob-
ertson, married Mary McKenzie in Arkansas in 1858; two
children.

168. James H., born 1849.

164. Mary Lydia, born 1851.

(No. 42.)
•James R. Napier, son of Col. Richard and Charlotte (Rob-
ertson) Xapier, married Hannah Van Leer in Nashville Jan. 20,
1820; six children.

165. James Blount, born Oct. 3, 1821.
170. Margaret, born Nov. 13, 1832.

166. Richard, born June, 1823, died in infancy.
107. Charlotte E., born April 22, 1825.

168. Morgiana, born Feb. 0, 1827.

169. Richard C, born Oct. 23, 1829, died March 10, 1834.

170. Margeret, born Nov. 13, 1832.

(No. 45.)

Madison C. Xapier, son of Col. Richard and Charlotte R.
Xapier, married Mary Eliza Burch March 3, 1831; second mar-
riage to Louise Davis (no other information of this family);
eight children.

171. John Burch, born Aug. 5, 1833, died Oct. 8, 1834.

172. Francis, born Jan. 9, 1835, died.

178. Eugenia Ella, born Sept. 1, 1836, died.

174. Julia Elizabeth, born March 22, 1838, died.

175. Ophelia A., born Nov. 1, 1839, died.

170. Ann Eliza, born May 4, 1842, died June 11, .

177. William, second marriage.

178. Ada, second marriage.

(No. 48.)
Leroy C W. Xapier, son of Col. Richard and Charlotte
Xapier, married Fannie Robertson (daughter of James Ran-
dolph Robertson) Aug. 27, 1837; she died April 17, 1888; twelve
children.

179. Fenno Robenia, born Nov. 10, 1889.

184 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

180. Randolph R., bora July 23, L841, died L865.

181. Baby girl, bora May 7, L843, died L843.

182. Samuel Bowland, bora April 1. 1*4<;, died 1865.

1S3. Silena Johnson, born March IT, 1*4*, died January, 1879.
1X4. Robert Emmet, born Oct. ::. !*!!>. died November, 1857.

185. r cl I Corinne, born .July 30, 1*51.

186. Fannie Lorena, born -July L3, 1853.
1X7. Baby boy, born May 21, 1855.

188. Hazel, born .Juno 21, 1857.
1S9. Frederick, born July 27, 1859.

190. Baby girl, born May 21, 1862.

(No. 4!).)

Charlotte Mary, daughter of Col. Richard and Charlotte i Rob-
ertson) Napier, was married to James L. Riggs Aug. 10, IS'M. -

(Xo. 50.)
Tennessee Robertson, daughter of William Blount, Si-., and
Leodocia (Erwin) Robertson, married George Sharp; three chil-
dren.

191. William .J.; no dates.

192. Leodocia; no dates.

193. Elizabeth; no dates.

(Xo. 51.)
Col. James Erwin Robertson, son of William Blount, Sr., and
Leodocia (Erwin) Robertson, married .Miss Schlater, of Iber-
ville Parish, June 10, ix::i); eight children.

194. T. Amelia, born Sept. ::, 1*::::. died 1838.

195. Leodocia. bora So] it. 1. 1837, died 1881.

196. Tennessee, bora Oct. 5, 1839.

1!)7. James Michael, born .May !), 1*4:!.
198. Frederic I>avis. born Nov. 2."), 1*44.
19!). Mary -Jane, bora Aug. 1*. 1846.

200. William Blount, born Nov. 2."), 1*47.

201. Edward White, born Sept. 1*. L849, died April 22. 1875.
(No. -"ill Col. James Erwiu Robertson was a member of the

Legislature (1851) of Louisiana.

(No. 52.)
Judge William Blounl Robertson, Jr., son of William B. and
Leodocia (Erwin) Robertson, married Mary -Jane Chinn, dangh-

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 185

ter of Judge Chinn, of West Baton Rouge, April 10, 1838; thir-
teen children.

202. William Blount, born 1839.

203. Elizabeth Johnson, bom Oct. 31, 1810.
201. Thomas Chinn, born May 13, 1812.
205. Benjamin Collins, born July 20, 1811.
200. James p]rwin, born Aug. 1, 1815.

207. Leodoeia Erwin, born Dec. 3, 1817.
20S. Mary Chinn, born Jan. 1. 1850.
200. Tennessee, born Oct. 12, 1852.

210. Ernestine Schlater, born Oct. 11, 1855.

211. Boiling Chinn, bom June 10, 1858.

212. Frauds Conrad, bom Dec. 19, 1800.

213. Catherine Lyle, born Feb. 13, 1801.
211. Alexander Roth, bom Aug. 7. 1807.

(Xo. 52.)

Judge William Blount Robertson was a distinguished lawyer
and cultured gentleman. He was elected Judge of the Sixth
Judicial District of Louisiana, which place he filled with honor,
and died at the homestead, "Limerick" Plantation. Jan. 2, 1881.

(No. 53.)

Lavinia Robertson, daughter of William Blount and Leo-
doeia (Erwin) Robertson, married Adolph Legendree; no issue;
second marriage to Augustus Tolbot; three children.

215. Edward B.; no age given.

210. Leodoeia; no age given.

217. Augustus; no age given.

(No. 51.)
Edward White Robertson, son of William Blount and Leo-
doeia (Erwin) Robertson, married Mary lane Pope April 15,
1817; twelve children.

218. Nathaniel Blount, born Jan. 28. 1818.

219. Martha Johnson, born March 12, 1819.

220. Samuel Matthews, born Jan. 1, 1852.

221. Ernestine, born May 21, 1S53.

222. James Erwin. born May 8, 1855, died September. 1800.
228. Caroline, born Nov. 28, 1850.

221. Edward White, Jr.. born July 12, 1858, died in infancy.

186 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

225. Charles William, bom Sept. 26, 1859.
220. Marshall Pope, bora April 20, 1861.
227. Cabal Breckinridge, bora Aug. 5, 1862.
22S. Frederick Conrad, bora Fob. 12, 1865.
220. Mary Lillian, bora June 19, 1867.

(No. 54.)

Hon. Edward White Robertson completed his education at
the Nashville University, Tenn.; he returned to Louisiana, chose
law as a profession; served several terms as a legislator; was
State Auditor from 1857 to 1862. In the year 1876 was
Representative from the Sixth Congressional District of Louis-
iana, and was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress; was re-
elected to the Forty-sixth. Forty-seventh and Fiftieth Con-
gresses.

(No. 57.)

Charles Dickinson Robertson, son of William Blount and
Leodocia (Erwin) Robertson, married Laura Lncinda Klein-
peter; five children.

230. Peter R. Ventress, born Aug. 12, 1855.

231. Anna, born Dec 12, 1857, died young.

232. Lucinda, bora Nov. 2, 1861.

233. Laura, born March 23, 1870.

234. Mary, born July 22. 1877.

1X0. 57) Charles Dickinson Robertson was educated at a Vir-
ginia college; was proficient in both English and French. iThis
information is from his children).

Dr. Flavins Josephus, son of Peyton and Ellen ; Davis) Rob-
ertson, married Laura Brown, daughter of Cow Aaron Y.
Brown, Postmaster General under Buchanan, in 1850; three
children.

235. Nellie.
2^0. Medora.

2.*!7. Aaron, unmarried.

I No. 58.)
Dr. Flavins Josephus Robertson entered the Mexican War
as a private, but his skill as a surgeon soon brought him rank
and fame. His untiring devotion to duty as a surgeon in
charge of hospitals, and utter disregard for his own health,
caused his death in 1862, during the Civil War.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 187

(No. 60.)
Dr. Alexander Campbell Robertson, son of Dr. Peyton and
Ellen (Davis) Robertson, married M. E. Vaulx in 1852; he fell a
martyr to duty in fighting an epidemic of yellow fever in New
Orleans in 1853; no issue.

(No. 62.)

Alice Robertson, daughter of Dr. Peyton and Ellen (Davis)
Robertson, married Dr. Joseph Huddleston in 1858; two chil-
dren.

238. Mary Ellen.

239. Josephine.

(No. 63.)

Judge John Blount Robertson, son of Dr. Peyton and Ellen
(Davis) Robertson, married Adelaide Gordy in 1857 in Louis-
iana; six children.

210. Adelaide; no date.

211. John Blount; no date.

212. Annie; no date.

213. Nellie; no date.
211. Pevton; unmarried.

215. Laura Brown; unmarried.

(No. 63.)
Judge John Blount Robertson became eminent in his chosen
profession of law. He was the author of a History of the Mex-
ican War; also other works preserved in the archives of Louis-
iana as books of value

(No. 64.)

Susanna Beck, daughter of John E. and Lavinia (Robertson)
Beck, married Robert Paine, Bishop of the M. E. Church,
South; was married about 1827; two children.

216. James G, born Feb. 27, 1829, died June 1, 1887.

217. John, dead.

I No. 65.)

Creorgiana Beck, daughter of John E. and Lavinia (Robert-
son) Beck, married John T. Hill, wholesale merchant in Nash-
ville, Tenn.; twelve children.

218. Lavinia, born 1829.

219. Ann Eliza, born Aug. 13, 1830.

188 • THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

250. Susanna 1 si. died in infancy.

251. John Heck, bora Feb. 17. 1834.

252. Susanna 1!.. bora 1836.

253. Roberl P., bora 1838, died 1800.

254. Carrie T., bora May, 1840, died December, 1873.

255. Felix, bora March 20. 1843.

256. Mary, died in infancy.

257. Lavinia. bora dime 15, 1848.

258. William, born about 1851.
2.1!). < 'harlotte, born dan. 2, 1856.

(No. 6.7.)

Martha Robertson, daughter of John McNairy and Lucy
(Scales) Robertson, married William Bell; perished in a storm
in 1856 in Louisiana; she left six daughters and one son; have
no other information.

(No. 66.)

('harlotte Reeves Robertson, daughter of McNairy and Lucy
(Scales) Robertson, married H. Waller; left one daughter, who
married, and is dead.

(No. 69.)

Lucy Ann Robertson, daughter of McNairy and Lucy (Scales)
Robertson, married Harman Matta; left a son. who died with
yellow fever in 1855.

(Xo. 72.)

Elizabeth, daughter of McNairy and Lucy i Scales) Robert-
son, lirst married Jackson; second married Pickot; left a son.
who lives in Texas.

No other informal ion in regard to flu- McNairy Robertson
descendants.

[To be continue J in the next issue, beginning with the fourth generation

from James Robertson. ]

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 18 c >

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES

ROBERTSON.

[Gov. Blount's official announcement.]

At Wtn. Yance} T, s in the ceded Territory of the
United States South of the River Ohio October 11th
1790.—

My dear Sir,

I am at length arrived qualified to

proceed on the duties of my appointment. I shall stay

on this Side of the Cumberland Mountain untill I get the

Government Organized that is untill I appoint the civil

officers of the Government and then shall come on to

Nashville as fast as possible to fill the Appointments for

the Counties of Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee — I

cannot say with Certainty when you may expect me but

you may rely no unnecessary delay will take place. — If

Major Farrag-ut is with you he may wait my Coming- or

not as is most convenient and agreeable to himself. I am

dear Sir with very sincere esteem

Your obedient Servant

Wm. Blount

[John Sevier writes the news from Congress.]

Philadelphia, 10th January, 1791.
Dear Sir,

THE news of this place is not very material. Manv
things are before Congress, but not much finished- A
land office bill is before the house, and 30 cents per acre
is proposed to be the price of our Federal lands. An ex-
cise bill is also on the carpet, for imposing duties on dis-
tilled spirits, stills, &c, though this, I hope, will not

190 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

reach us. The news from Europe is, that Britain and
Spain continue indefatigably their preparations for war;
and it is thought, by many, that blows will inevitably
follow. I am of opinion, should the excise bill be passed,
we shall derive great benefits from it; proviso; we can
keep clear ourselves, as it would have a direct tendency
to encourag"e emigration into our country, and enable us
to sell the production of our own distilleries, lower than
our neighbors.

General Harmer's expedition is much reprobated by
many here, and it is generally believed, that the North-
ern Indians will be very troublesome the ensuing" sum-
mer. A very cold winter here, which in ag'reat measure
prevents the sending" of letter; but shall do myself the
honor of communicating" to you, everything of importance
that occurs, on every suitable opportunity. Kentucky
is to be admitted a member of the union in June, 1792.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
with sentiments of esteem
and much reg"ard, your
most obedient and humble servant,

John Sevier.

[To Gen. James Robertson from Piaming-o. Chief of the Chickasaw-.]

Chickasaw Nation Long Town august the 9th 1795

My Dear friend (Did brother

The bearer of this is a man that has had three of his
horses stolen by } T our people and it is my request that
you will try to g"it them for Him as Air Peachlen can tell
you the names of the people that stole them and if you
canot git them for him ; f you should think that you will
be no looser give him other horses in their place — but try
all that you can to find them out and have them returned
to the owner for he is a very g'ood man and I hope you
will git his horses fen" him for you Know that there is
mad people among" your people as well as mine so that

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 191

the owner of the horses caries this and is very uneasy
about them and I hope you can git them for him — it seems
that the people that stole them had lost horses on the
Road by the Chactaws but its hard for our people to loose
horses for that and as the man that owns the horses has
come to see you Not on the beging line I hope you will
give him some trifel to Remember you — from } 7 our friend
and Humble Servant Piamingo.

[This letter has no signature. Its tenor would indicate that it was
written by Gen. James Robertson to Gov. Blount, or to some officer of
the United States. It is not in Gen. Robertson's hand writing. It was
probably copied b\' a clerk, and filed among Gen. Robertson's papers.]

Nashville 25th of August 1791.-
Sir,

With this letter you will receive the Memorial of the
Officers civil & Military in the Districts of Mero, In ad-
dition to the representa- in it, and Since the date
thereof the Indians have killed two men, one at his own
house, the other horse hunting-, and have stolen a number
of horses. —

I have taken the liberty, knowing your particular
anxiety for our wellfare, to forward the business to your
hands, fully expecting that thro you, it will meet with
the most speedy passage.

I am well assured that our not having- received ade-
quate protection, is owing - to our silence, and remote sit-
uation, a full proof of which we have in our neighbors,
the Kentuckians, who are most amply protected. It is
my belief that the Indians entertain an opinion, that the
United States are not warmly interested for our wellfare,
the fixing a few garrisons by the Authorit} 7 of the United
States would convince, and most incredibl} 7 deter them.

The Indians who committed those depredations have
been followed, and their course was for the Creek Nation.

192 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

| From Gov. Blount on Indian Treaty and matters of Government.]

McCobb's (or Mr. Cobb's) September 3d 17 ( )1

Dear Sir,

I have obtained leave of Absence from the Territory
after the 15th Instant for about two Months to remove
my family from the Territory.- I shall be living at
Knoxville by the 10th December at farthest. - The
President acknowledges by the Secretary' at War the Re-
ceipt of the Treaty but makes no Observations on it, I
suppose it will be ratified as soon as the Senate meets
which is on the 4th day of October.- By Major Mount-
farence I forwarded a Plan of Defence of Cumberland bv
stationing' of regular Troops which I have Hopes will be
ag-reed to.- The Treaties with Indians passed unob-
served inviolate and it is the duty of every officer so to
speak and act for they have sworn to support the Gov-
ernment and the Government will support them— All
Treaties made or to be made shall be the supreme Law
of the Land— hence all Treaties with Indians are the
Law of the Land.- The Grand Jury would -
the bill ag'ainst Cox and others which has g-iven the Com-
panv a sort of triumph in the Eyes of ignorant People
over Government but be assured the United States have
other means in store to prevent them from forming* a set-
tlement at the Muscle Shoals or on any Indian Lands
and altho' they cannot succeed I foresee they will yet
give more trouble— Take care that none of your igno-
rant People are mislead.— I hope your Grand Jury it
occasion offers will do better.- Judge Anderson will
be at your Court, I am highly pleased with him both as
a man and as a Judge; he has been a Major in the Conti-
nental Service continued to the end of the War, has sup-
ported since the Character of a good Citizen, is a g*enteel
man and a learned Judge and a very agreeable open Com-
panion.— I have made Judge Campbell acquainted with

CORRESPONDENCE OP GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 193

the Presentment of the Grand Jury and I think he will

accompany Judge Anderson. —

I am dear Sir with much esteem

Your obt Servant

Wm. Blount
General Robertson.

[Gov. Blount to Gen. Robertson on Government affairs.]

McCobb's (or Mr. Cobbs) September 21st 1791.
Dear Sir

I received your letter by General Smith and return
you my Thanks for the particular manner you have re-
lated the Conversation with Brown — I need not inform
you that I wished much to have pleased him and am very
sorry that I failed. I wish you had mentioned your Son
to me before for I have already recommended the three
officers for the Company which I have advised the rais-
ing- of in this Territory but I much doubt whether any of
them will be appointed because it is my opinion that some
of the Troops now over the Ohio in Service will be sent
to this Territory and none raised here. — Should any-
thing- of the kind happen in future I will attend to him.
I have forwarded a Plan of Defence of Cumberland to the
Secretar} 7 of War by Mountfarence which I hope will be
adopted— Mr. Jackson has sent it and can communicate
the contents to you. — I have informed the Secretary of
War of all the Depredations committed by the Creeks
and have been able to give him Proofs of seven Murders

and by his I have written to McGillivray on the

subject. — Cherokee Chiefs admit the young-
White was killed by a Party of their Nation but say it
was a Party that had been to the Northward and did not
Know of the peace this being" the case which is probable

from the it cannot be construed into a violation of

it. This will be handed to}-ou by Judg-e Anderson whose
Conduct here both as a Man and as a Judg-e has met the

r>4- THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

approbation of the People in general as well as of myself

and I recommend him to your warmest attention.

On my return from North Carolina which shall be in
two Months or thereabouts I will bring" a full Power from

Blount to settle all matters respecting" their

Lands but in the meantime you may rely on having the
Peace conveyed to you that you wrote about on my return
and may act accordingly. I set out in the Morning to
visit my family and dear Sons. With very sincere regard
and esteem Your obedient servant

Wm. Blount.
The Judge brings your
Commissions
Brigadier General Robertson

Mero District

LExtract of a letter from General Knox to Governor Blount dated
Philadelphia. Nov. 19th, 1791.]

"Your reasons for appointing three deputies to re-
side with the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Chaetaws are
conclusive, and the business will probably be acted upon
decisively by the President of the United States, as soon
as a law shall lie passed, ascertaining their duties and
compensations."

"The closing pargraph of this letter affords me
pleasure— lam authorized by the President of the United
States, to tender you his thanks for the able manner in
which you conducted the Treaty, and for the zeal } T ou
uniformily evinced to promote the interests of the United
States, in endeavoring to fix a peace on the basis of jus-
tice and humanity.— and I beg leave to add Sir, that in
pursuance of so good a work, you will never want the
firm support of the Supreme executive of the United
States.

EDITORIAL NOTES. 195

EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE FIRST CONSTITUTION.

Below is reproduced from Stith's History of Virginia
the famous "First Constitution." This constitution was
enacted by the London Company in 1621 in response to
the petitions of the First Legislative Assembly in 1619.
These petitions were quoted, in part, in the January num-
ber of this magazine.

This remarkable document is the first, and with the
exception of Locke's Grand Model is, perhaps, the only
leg'al instrument emanating- from Fngdish authority for
the government of any American colony which was de-
nominated a "constitution." The term "charter" indi-
cates an instrument granted by superior authority. The
term, constitution, at least in its modern sense, indicates
an instrument adopted by a free people for their own
government.

The use of the word, constitution, would seem to in-
dicate a sentiment in the London Company, that they re-
garded the colonists as an integral part of "The Virginia
Company of Adventurers," and that the instrument was
intended to reg"ulate the relations between the Engdisli
and the American branches of the Company, and was, in
itself a great step towards acknowledging' that the colo-
nists possessed inherent rigdits. But whatever construc-
tion may be placed upon the use of the word, it is inter-
esting - to find it employed at this early date of our colo-
nial history. We feel instinctively that the term was grat-
fying" to our ancestors.

This constitution, as g'iven b}^ Stith, is an authentic
copy of the original, except that Mr. Stith evidently took

196 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the libert) 7 of editing- it to conform to the standards of
1747. In the 126 years which intervened between the ex-
ecution of this document in 1621 and the publication of
Stith's History in 1747, the English language had under-
gone important changes, and the voluntary and variable-
spelling of the 17th century had begun to give place to
more conventional and permanent forms.

The following extract from the preface to Stith's
History shows that the historians of that day encountered
difficulties similar to those which embarrass the efforts of
modern writers. ' After collecting valuable records for
the appendix, he thus explains his reasons for omitting
many which would now be valuable:

"/ once intended to have added fevera I other very curious
Papers and original Pieces of Record. But I perceive, to
my no f mall Surprife and Mortification, that fome of my
Countrymen (and thofc too, perfons of high Fortune and
diftinction) feemed to be much alarmed, and to grudge,
that a complete Hiftory of their ovjn country would run to
more than one Volume, and coft them above half a Piftole.
I was therefore obliged to reft rain my Hand, and only to
infert thefe few mo/7 neceffary Inftruments, for fear of en-
hancing the Price, to the immenfe Charge and irreparable
Damage offuch generous and publick-fpirited Gentlemen.

Among the important documents given in the appen-
dix, he includes the Constitution as follows:

NO. IV.

An Ordinance and Conftitution of the Treafurer, Council

and Company in England, for a Council of State and
General Affembly. Dated July 24, 1621.

I. TO all People, to whom thefe Prefents fhall come, be
| feen, or heard. The Treafurer, Council and Corn-
pan}' of Adventurers and Planters for the City of London
for the firft Colony of Virginia, fend Greeting. Know
YE, that we the faid Treafurer, Council and Company,

EDITORIAL NOTES. 197

taking - into our careful confideration the prefent State of
the faid Colony of Virginia, and intending - , by the Divine
Affiftance to fettle fuch a Form of Government there, as
may be to the greateft Benefit and Comfort of the People,
and whereby all Injuftice, Grievances, and Oppreffion
may be prevented and kept off as much as poifible from
the faid Colony, have thought fit to make our Entrance,
by ordering and eftablifhing fuch Supreme Councils, as
may not only be affifting" to the Governor for the time
being - , in the Adminiftration of Juftice, and the Execu-
ting of other Duties to this Office belonging", but alfo by
their vigilant Care and Prudence, may provide, as well
for a Remedy of all Inconveniences, growing" from time
to time, as alfo for advancing" of Increafe, Strength, Sta-
bility, and Profperity of the faid Colony:

II. We therefore, the faid Treafurer, Council, and
Company, b) T Authority directed to us from his Majefty
under the Great Seal, upon mature Deliberation, do here-
by order and declare, that, from hence forward, there
fhall be two supreme Councils in Virginia, for the
better Government of the faid Colony aforefaid.

III. The one of which Councils, to be called The
Council of State (and whofe Office fhall chiefly be
affifting", with their Care, Advice, and Circumfpection,
to the faid Governor) fhall be chofen, nominated, placed,
and difplaced, from time to time, by Us the faid Treaf-
urer, Council and Company, and our Succeffors: Which
Council of State fhall confift, for the prefent, only of
thefe Perfons, as are here inferted, viz. Sir Francis Wy-
att, Governor of Virginia, Captain Francis Weft, Sir
George Feardly, Knigdit, Sir William Ncuce, Knigfht
Marfhal of Virginia, George Sandys, Treafurer,
Mr. George Thorpe, Deputy of the College, Captain
Thomas Neace, Deputy for the Company. Mr. Paxvlet,
Mr. Leech, Captain Nathaniel Powell, Mr. Chri/topher
Davifon, Secretary, Doctor Pots, Phyfician to the Corn-
pan)", Mr. Roger Smith, Mr. fohn Berkeley, Mr. John

1 ( )8 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Rol/e, Mr. Ralph Hamer, Mr. John Pounds, Mr. Michael
Lap-worth, Mr. Harwood, Mr. Samuel A/acock. Which
faid Counfellors and Council we earneftly pray and defire,
and in his Majefty's Name ftrictly charge and command,
that (all Factions, Partialities, and hnifter Refpect laid
afide) they bend their Care and Endeavours to affift the
faid Governor; iirft and principally, in the Advancement
of the Honour and Service of God, and the Enlargement
of his Kingdom amongft the Heathen People; and next, in
erecting of the faid Colony in due Obedience to his Majefty,
and all lawful Authority from his Majefty's Directions;
and laftly in maintaining - the faid People in Juftice and
Chriftian Converfation amongft themf elves, and in
Strength and Abilitv to withftand their Enemies. And
this Council, to be always, or for the moft Part, refiding
about or near the Governor.

IV. The other Council, more generally to be called
by the Governor, once Yearly, and no oftener, but for
very extraordinary and important Occafions, fhall confift,
for the present, of the faid Council of State, and of two
Burgesses out of every Town, Hundred, or other particu-
lar Plantation, to be refpectively chofen by the Inhabi-
tants: Which Council fhall be called The General As-
sembly, wherein fas alfo in the faid Council of State all
Matters fhall be decided, determined, and ordered, by the
greater Part of the Voices then prefent; referving to the
Governor always a Negative Voice. And this General
Affembly fhall have free Power to treat, confult. and
conclude, as well of all emergent Occalions concerning
the Publick Weal of the faid Colony and every Part
thereof as alfo to make, ordain, and enact fuch general
Laws and Orders, for the Behoof of the faid Colony, and
the good Government thereof, as fhall, from time to time,
appear neceffary or requifite;

V. Whereas in all other Things, we require the
faid General Affembly. as alfo the faid Council of State,
to imitate and follow the Policv of the Form of Govern-

EDITORIAL NOTES. 199

ment Laws, Cuftoms, and Manner of Trial, and other
Adrainiftration of Juftice, ufed in the Realm of England,
as near as may be, even as ourfelves, by his Majefty's
Letters Patent, are required.

VI. Provided, that no Law or Ordinance, made in
the faid General Aifembly, fhall be or continue in Force
or Validity, unlefs the fame fhall be folemnry ratified and
confirmed, in a General Quarter Court of the faid Com-
pany here in England, and to ratified, be returned to them
under our Seal; It being- our intent to afford the like
Meafure alfo unto the faid Colon\ T , that after the Govern-
ment of the faid Colon}- fhall once have been well framed,
and fettled accordingly, which is to be done by Us, as by
Authority derived from his Majefty, and the fame fhall
have been fo by us declared, no Orders of Court after-
wards fhall bind the faid Colony, unlefs they be ratified
in like Manner in the General Affemblies. In witness
whereof we have hereunto fet our Common Seal, the 24th
of July 1621, and in the Year of the Reign of our Sover-
eign Lord, JAMES, King of England, &c. the **** and
of Scotland the ****.

SPENCER— THE EFFECT OF A COMMA.

There has been some uncertainty as to the Christian
name of Spencer, one of the early pioneers of Tennessee,
and the only one around whose exploits linger legends
which partake of the marvelous. Maii} T American pio-
neers were heroes, but modern heroes, performing brave
deeds, great deeds, but invested with none of the extrav-
agant attributes which render Ancient History ludi-
crous. A few legends, mildly romantic, still within the
bounds of possibility, linger around Spencer. It is said
that he was a man of immense stature, and wonderful
strength. He came to the Cumberland country, before
its settlement, in company with a partv of hunters.

200 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

When his last comrade concluded to return home, Spencer
decided to remain. He accompanied his comrade a short
distance, and in parting", divided with him his scanty
store, and broke in half the only knife in the Cumber-
land country, giving" the comrade one part, and himself
retaining* the other. He then returned to the camping"
ground, and lived alone in a largfe hollow tree. This
ma}* have been true. At least, this much proof exists:
The place is marked, and is still pointed to, as the spot
where the tree formerly stood. It is related that Spencer
had an immense foot. Upon one occasion a part}* of In-
dians, seeing* Spencer's footprints in the mud, immedi-
ately fled from the country in terror.

That Spencer was an early pioneer, and that he was
a man of remarkable strength and courage, is undoubted.
Many interesting* facts concerning" him are historic. He
has descendants still living* in Tennessee, and "Spencer's
Choice" in Sumner County still bears his name.

The earliest historian of Tennessee, Judg*e John
Haywood, alludes to ''Thomas Sharp, Spencer, and
others." In another place, he alludes to "Thomas Sharp,
Spencer and John Holliday." In all other allusions, he
calls him simply "Spencer." The comma after Thomas
Sharp, would indicate that there were two men, one
named "Thomas Sharp," and the other named "Spencer."

Ramsey follows Haywood, with the identical ex-
pression, and the same commas. Other historians give
the name simply as "Spencer." Phelan g*ives the name
as "James Spencer."

Mr. John Carr, himself a pioneer, in his pleasant
work, "Early Times in Tennessee," claims to have
known Spencer personally, and devotes one chapter of
his book to an interesting* sketch of him. He gives the
name as "Thomas Sharpe Spencer." Putnam, in his
History of Middle Tennessee, also, gives the name as
"Thomas Sharp Spencer."

This is undoubtedly the correct name. The doubt
originated with Judye Haywood's comnia .

EDITORIAL NOTES. 201

The following letter from Prof. Brunner, strengthens
the pioneer legends:

Hiwassee CoLLEG-E, Tenn., February 24, 18%.
Editor Historical Magazine :

Some people are slow to believe the statement that
Tennessee pioneers sometimes lived in hollow trees.
Such persons should remember that there were giant
trees in those days. When I was a boy there stood in
my father's meadow a hollow stump of a sycamore or
buttonwood tree, that measured eleven feet in diameter,
inside the shell." Your Geometry will show you that
this shell enclosed a space of ninety-five square feet — a
space a little short of that afforded by the silken tent of
Dr. Nansen and party in search for the North Pole. We
can safely credit the statement that hunters often lived
in hollow trees. Very truly,

J. H. Brunner, .

(Ex-President.)

GOWER GENEALOGY.— A QUERY

Mary Gower, wife of John Robertson, of Brunswick
County, Va., was mother of Gen. James Robertson.

Marriage bond, Davidson Count}'. Tenn., Nov. 20,
17 c )7, to John Miller and Prudence Gower.

Marriage bond, July 8, 1800, James Reeves and Polly
Gower, signed by James Reaves and James Robertson.

Russell Gower was living in Davidson County in 1783;
Wm. Gower in 1805.

Alex. K. Gower died 1815 leaving Ephraim, Tiba,
Minerva, and David. His wife was Edith. Who can
throw light on this genealog'y?

Granville Goodloe.

Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

'-I stood by and saw it measured.

202 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Mr. F\ A. Winder of Southsea, Portsmouth, Eng-
land, has furnished this magazine with valuable tran-
scripts from English records. Although a surveyor by
profession, he seems to get through a considerable quan-
tity of genealogical work for his American cousins, as he
is pleased to call them. He stands as high authority, and
is the author of several genealogical works, and has
traced the pedigrees of a number of American families of
English descent.

The following announcement from the Daily News,
London, may be of interest to historians:

"A document of the highest interest for those who
are concerned in the history of the early settlement of
North America is about to be published by Messrs. Ward
and Downey. It is a facsimile by a photographic process
of Governor Bradford's autograph manuscript account of
the voyage of the Mayflower, and the foundation of the
Plymouth 'Plantation' or colony, as we now say. It is
in a small and singularly neat and legible hand, without
erasures or interlineations, and has, it is believed, never
been published before in this country in any form. It
extends altogether to 280 folio pages, and contains an ac-
count of the settlement in Holland, first at Amsterdam,
and afterwards at Leyden, of the community of Puritan
Separatists, commonly known as Brownists; of their de-
parture from Holland and embarkation at Southampton
in 1620 in the ship Mayflower; of the voyage of the Pil-
grim Fathers in the Mayflower to America, of the foun-
dation by them there of 'Plimoth Plantation,' and of the
history and government of the Plantation until 1646. It
contains also 'the names of those which came over first,
in the year 1(>20, and were the founders of the colonies in
New England, and their families." The manuscript be-
longs to the library at Fulham Palace. It has been con-
jectured that it was brought to England at the time of

EDITORIAL NOTES. 203

the American War; but there is no reference to its exist-
ence in America later that 1767. Up to 1854 American
students of the history of their country failed to trace it,
and Dr. Young - , in his 'Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fath-
ers' (published in 1841) refers to it as k hopelessl} T lost."
Attention was, however, in 1854, directed to its resting-
place b}^ passages and citations in 'A History of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church of America/ by Samuel Wil-
berforce, Bishop of Oxford. Leave was obtained to tran-
scribe the MS., and it was published by the Massa-
chusetts Historical Society in their 'Collections' in 1856.
The facsimile will be accompanied by an Introduction by
Mr. J. A. Dovle, Fellow of All Souls, Oxford. "

A very interesting - and instructive paper on Southern
Literature was read by Prof. T. S. Minter, of Bryan,
Texas, before the Educational Association, and is pub-
lished as one of the series of leaflets by B. F. Johnson
and Company, Richmond, Va.

Studies in the Constitutional History of Tennessee
by Joshua W. Caldwell. Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke
Company, 1895.

This is an interesting' and valuable treatise of 173
pagfes on the political institutions of Tennessee. The
author alludes to it, in the preface, as "a series of short
studies of certain political aspects of the political life of
Tennessee." "It does not aspire," he says, "to the dig--
nity nor to the completeness of a constitutional history of
the State." The author's modest estimate does injustice
to the value of his work.

To the general reader, or to the student of history,
it is more valuable and far more interesting than a min-
ute and consecutive rehearsal of all the legislative and
political phases througdi which the State has passed.
The work is partly leg'al, and partly historical, present-

204 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

ing- the salient features of Tennessee institutions, with
their changes and gradual evolution, as developed by the
social characteristics of the people and the peculiarities of
their environment.

The social life, and the characteristics of the people
at successive stages are vividly portrayed, and the por-
traits of the several leaders and representatives find ap-
propriate place in the picture.

The subject is treated in chronolog-ical order:

I. The Wataug-a Association. The Watauga Com-
pact, the first constitution framed by native Americans.
The Coming - of the Scotch, Irish, etc.

II. The Cumberland Association. The Cumberland
Articles, and their similarity to the Watauga Compact.

III. The State of Frankland. Its constitution, and
its political relations.

IV. The Cessions. Territorial government, and steps
towards Statehood.

V. The Constitution of 1796. Its feature, peculiar-
ities and defects. The political and social developments,
etc.

VI. The Constitution of 1834. Its features. Move-
ment to locate the capitol on the "center of gravity of the
State." Social and political developments.

VII. The Constitution of 1870. Peculiar circum-
stances under which it was adopted. Not representative
of existing" conditions. Its defects. Social and political
developments. Need of anew Constitution.

The Southern States of the American Union, Con-
sidered in their Relations to the Constitution of the
United States and to the Resulting' Union. By J. L. M.
Curry. Richmond, Va.: B. F. Johnson Publishing" Co.
New York and London: G. W. Putnam's Sons.

This book is the strong-est presentation of the sub-
ject which has been written on either side since the Civil

EDITORIAL NOTES. 2(b

War. An} 7 attempt to present a short summary of its
contents would be futile. Its 248 pages condense an his-
torical review of the operation of the centrifugal and cen-
tripetal forces of the United States in such graphic and
simple form, that the book is at the same time, both a
summary and a treatise.

Besides being- a complete defence and vindication of
the South, the work is eminently patriotic. It illustrates
the relations between the geographical sections of the Un-
ion as the several factors of its greatness. It shows their
mutual dependence, and points out how each in turn, at
different periods of history, has been restrained from
separation by the rulings of an all-wise Providence.

It defends the Southern people from unjust incrimi-
nation. It defends them in their own eyes, in the eyes of
the other sections, and before the world. No foreigner
can arise from its perusal without a clear comprehension
of the relations between the geographical sections of the
United States, and a feeling" of respect for the Southern
section. No Northern man can read this work without a
conviction of the patriotism and manliness of Southern
character. Ever} 7 Southern man who reads it must feel
a throb of pride, and a glow of patriotism.

For these reasons, it is an excellent work to be used
in our educational institutions.

We belong to a proud race. Peoples of Anglo-Saxon
descent can love no countr} 7 which humiliates them.
Their patriotism must be founded upon love and pride.
To make our children patriots, we must make them
proud of their country, proud of the part their ancestors
took in building it, and in developing' it. There has been
too much of the miserable fallacy, that the South has
been a drone in the hive, a dissatisfied hang-er-on in the
Union.

Dr. Curry's work effectually dispels this view, and
while devoted especially to the South, yet paints a true
picture of the several sections.

20«) THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

BOOKS RECEIVED:

Southern Literature from 1579-1895. A Compre-
hensive Review, with Copious Extracts and Criticisms
for the Use of Schools and the General Reader, Contain-
ing - an Appendix with a Full List of Southern Authors.
By Louise Manly. Illustrated. Richmond, Va.: B. F.
Johnson Publishing- Company, 18%.

A School History of The United States. By Mrs.
Susan Pendleton Lee, author of "Life of General Wil-
liam N. Pendleton," with Questions and Summaries for
Reviews and Essays, by Louise Manly, Teacher of Lit-
erature and Lang"uag'e, and author of "Southern Litera-
ture." Richmond, Va. : B. F. Johnson Publishing- Com-
pany, 1895.

History of Our Country. A Text-book for Schools.
By Oscar H. Cooper, LL.D., Superintendent of Schools,
Galveston, Texas, and Ex-Superintendent of Public In-
struction for the State of Texas; Harry F. Estill, Pro-
fessor in the Sam Houston State Normal Institute,
Huntsville, Texas; and Leonard Semmon, Superinten-
dent of Schools, Sherman Texas. Boston, U. S. A., and
London: Ginn and Company, Publishers, 1895.

The Winders of Lorton. By F. A. Winder, Southsea,
Portsmouth. Reprinted from Vol. XIV of the Transac-
tions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian
and Archaeological Society. Kendal: Printed by T.
Wilson, 28, Hio-hgate, 1896.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE TENNESSEE HISTORI-
CAL SOCIETY.

The Tennessee Historical Society met at Watkin's
Institute, Tuesday nisrht March 10, with President John

EDITORIAL NOTES. 207

M. Lea in the chair. Prof. J. T. Williams was elected
an active member.

Prof. Fred K. Moore offered a resolution that in
order to avoid misunderstanding as to the title to prop-
ertv in possession of the Society, the Secretary be in-
structed hereafter to receive no book, manuscript, picture
or relic unless absolute ownership thereof be vested in
the Society, irreclaimable either by the donor or his rep-
resentatives, except where the article is lent to the So-
ciety, in which case it shall be entered in a loan book to
be kept for that purpose.

The following" resolution was offered by Mr. S. A.
' Cunning-ham and adopted: "That the Societ} T cordially
greet the American Historical Magazine, published
at the capital of Tennessee by Prof. W. R. Garrett, and
that it be regarded as the special representative of this
Society."

Gen. Thruston reported that the Centennial manage-
ment had agreed to construct a suitable fire-proof build-
ing - upon a good site on the Centennial grounds as an His-
torical Hall, in which the exhibit of this Societ\ T can be
safely placed, giving- it such prominence as its collections
deserve; also that the Historical Committee of the Cen-
tennial was alread\ T actively at work; that all interesting"
historical relics and exhibits belonging" to other org-aniza-
tions would be justly provided for in this building".

The following" resolution was offered by Mr. R. L.
Morris and adopted:

"Whereas, this Society has, from time to time, re-
corded its intention of duly celebrating" the Centennial of
Tennessee's Statehood, by appropriate ceremonies and ad-
dresses, such intention having" been made manifest by the
adoption of suitable resolutions and appointment of com-
mittees, at a time, prior to the inception and organization of
the present Exposition Company; and.

"Whereas, it having" come to the knowledge of this
Society that the managers of the Exposition have deter-

208 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

mined to have a like celebration, and not desiring" that
there should be any conflict of interests in that matter;
therefore be it

"Resolved, that a committee, to be named by the Pre-
sident, be appointed to confer with the Committee on Pro -
g-ramme and Arrangements of the Exposition Company
to agree upon a joint celebration or tha.t suitable place
and recognition be accorded this Society in such cele-
bration."

The President appointed on this committee Messrs.
Morris, Thruston and Ouarles.

On motion of Gen. Thruston a committee, consisting-
of Messrs. Quarles and Goodpasture, was appointed to
consider the question of devising- a new seal for the So-
ciety and of preparing- a certificate of membership which
would conform to the corporate name of the Society.

Mr. S. A. Cunning-ham made a statement reg-arding-
the Samuel Davis Monument Fund. The amount re-
ceived is about $800, and interest in the erection of the
monument is very general. Mr. Cunning-ham stated that
he wished the Society should undertake the execution of
the trust should he become incapacitated from doing - so.

THE

AMERICAN HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

S3. 00 per Annum.

Single Number, 85 Cts.

-*H %H <M *M

Vol. I.

JULY, 1896.

No. 3

<M -<H 06 -J<

Nashville, Tenn.:
PRINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,

208 N. College Street.

THE

American Historical Magazine.

Vol. r. JULY, 1890. No. 3.

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION.

BY ALBERT V. GOODPASTURE, A.M., NASHVILLE, TENN.

For more than a quarter of a century, dating from the
close of President Monroe's second administration, the influ-
ence of Tennessee was unrivaled by that of any other State in
the Union. She was the third State to furnish a President to
the United States, and, outside of the original thirteen, was the
very first to enjoy that distinguished honor. Her people were
bold, independent and self-confident, and entertained a democ-
racy at once the most loyal to the people and the most devoted
to the Union that has yet been exemplified in the republic. An-
drew Jackson was the greatest leader this country has ever
produced, and his political opinions and sentiments were
thoroughly in accord with those of his countrymen. In his
first race for the presidency, he received nearly ninety-nine
and in each of his second and third races, he received more
than ninety-five per cent, of the popular vote in Tennessee, a
degree of unanimity rarely equalled, and to be accounted for
only in the light of The conditions that obtained in the settle-
ment of the State.

The first settlers of Tennessee were practically cut off
from communication with the older settlements of the country.
The great mountains lay between them and the mother State,
on the east; the South was still in the possession of their sav-
age enemies; the far ^^'^ J st was but an unexplored French

21<> THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

province; and the neighboring North was ye1 the "dark and
blood}' ground" where "death was in almost every bush, and

every thicket concealed an ambuscade. "

In I his isolated condition, for nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury, her undaunted sons defended her scattered settlements
against the assaults of a powerful savage foe. aided and en-
couraged, as they often were, by the emissaries of both Spain
and Great Britain.

I venture the assertion that no other settlements, however
remote, within the territorial limits of any State of the Union,
were ever suffered to defend alone so unequal a war — some-
times threatening the very existence of the settlements, and
a merciless extermination of their people — for so long a period,
without once receiving armed assistance from their mother
State. Not only did they defend their own settlements, but in
the most critical period of the revolution, they won for them-
selves imperishable fame, in the service of the Union, east of
the mountains. Utterly impotent to grant any relief to these
settlements in the beginning, North Carolina appears to have
been criminally indifferent to their necessities after the exi-
gencies of the revolution had passed and left her more able
to provide for their safety.

Tt can hardly be said that Tennessee fared better, in this
respect, as a Territory of the United States, from 1789 to 1700.
After North Carolina had freed herself of a responsibility she
had never met. by ceding her western settlements to the
United States, no Federal troops ever marched to its defense,
even in its most dire extremity. The battles of the Northwest
were fought by the National Government, and the story of its
settlement is linked with the names of the great commanders
who were sent to defend it. The only Territory of the United
Stales that has ever been denied the protection of Federal
arms was this cast-away child of North Carolina. Not mil;,
did its brave pioneers tight its battles alone, but they were
misunderstood and chided by the Federal Government when
they were forced, in their necessary defense, to pursue the
enemy into his own country and administer to him the chastise
nieiit his merciless cruelties so richlv merited.

ANDREW JACKSON. TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 211

This absolute and complete self-reliance, while it made
the tragic story of her settlement more touching and more
heroic than that of any other State of the Union, produced in
the first settlers of Tennessee a singularly bold, hardy and
patriotic people. They were, in the main, either pioneers or
soldiers; that indomitable race of men who planted civilization
in the wilderness — the heroes of the ax and the rifle — or the
patriotic officers and soldiers who constituted the continental
line of Xorth Carolina in the revolutionary war.

Tennessee received a curious compensation from North
Carolina for the painful n- gleet she had suffered. It prov-
ed, indeed, a ricli heritage. With a bankrupted treasury
and an impoverished people, it was the policy of Xorth Caro-
lina to constitute her western territory a fund to reward the
"signal bravery and persevering zeal" of her officers and
soldiers in the revolutionary war. The act of cession provided
that the land laid off to the officers and soldiers of her conti-
nental line should still enure to their benefit; and if it should
prove insufficient to make good the several provisions for them.
The deficiency might be supplied out of any other part of the
Territory. And so liberally did she compensate her war-worn
veterans out of this •'fund," that more than 12.000.000 acres
of the choice lands of the State were consumed in their pay-
ment. Xot only was the military reservation exhausted, but
practically all her other lands supposed to be fit for cultiva-
tion that had not already been taken up on the occupancy and
pre-emption claims of the hardy pioneers, whose rights were
equally protected by the act of cession, were likewise con-
sumed in satisfying warrants issued for military services. The
result was that the great body of the land in Tennessee was
originally granted, either under the occupancy claim of the
pioneer settler, or upon the military warrant of the revolu-
tionary soldier.*

Could there be a more favorable foundation for the devel-
opment of the high degree of martial spirit and patriotic senti-

■ The Memorial of the Oeneral Assembly of the State of Tennessee
tn the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in
Congress assembled— Acts of 1837-38, p. 443 et seq.

212 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

ment than Ilial which has won for Tennessee the proud appel-
lation (if " Volunteer Stale?"

Tennessee was the first Territory of the United Slates to
be admitted into the Union as a State, and so far as I know, is
the only one to assume that relation with any degree of* reluc-
tance. The vote of the Territory was. perhaps, two to one in
favor of admission, but the expression of those counties bor-
dering on t lie Cumberland River was nearly five to one against
it.* This grew out of the question concerning the free naviga-
tion of the Mississippi River. As it appeared to the Cumber-
land settlements, their country was hardly worth the priva-
tions, toil and suffering it had cost to win it, if the claim of the
Spanish Government to the exclusive right to navigate the
Mississippi River was to be tolerated. And only less mon-
strous than the Spanish claim itself was its proposed conces-
sion for a period of twenty years, in the treaty negotiated by
Mr. Jay. The Mississippi River furnished the only practicable
means by which they could reach the markets of the world:
and the possibility of that way being closed, even for a limited
time, produced the highest degree of political discontent.
Some idea of their sentiments on this subject may be obtained
from the Constitution adopted in 1700, after the Mississippi
River had been opened by the treaty of the preceding year. It
declares, "That an equal participation of the free navigation
of the Mississippi is one of the inherent rights of the citizens
of this State; it cannot, therefore, be conceded to any prince,
potentate, power, person or persons, whatever."

The sentiment of Kentucky on this question was not dif
ferent from that of Tennessee.

Two of the most romantic characters who figured in tin-
early history of Tennessee, whose names and wdiose fame are
inseparately linked together, were John Sevier (1745-1815) and
Isaac Shelby (1750-1826). Bound together by the closest ties
of friendship, they were also united in the patriotic service of
their country. Together they had planned the campaign and
shared the glorious victory of Kings Mountain. Together, and
by name, t hoy were called on by the mother State, to lead their

See tabulated vote in Ramsey's History of Tennessee, p. 648.

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 213

brave followers again across the mountain. And together
they received the thanks of North Carolina, for their services
to the common cause, at a time when less brave and resource-
ful men, with even greater means, might well have feared for
the safety of their own firesides. Isaac Shelby was appointed
i»ne of the commissioners to lay off the land reserved by the
State of North Carolina, for the officers and soldiers of her
continental line, in 1788. and the work of the commission hav-
ing been completed, he moved to the State of Kentucky, and
was elected the first Governor of that Commonwealth. Even
Gov. Shelby refused to interpose his authority, in 1794, to pre-
vent an armed expedition against New Orleans and the Spanish
possessions.

It may be that the large vote against the application by
the State of Tennessee for admission into the Union, is to be
accounted for on the same theory, upon which, some years
afterwards, Gov. Shelby explained his position — that is. that
it was intended to hasten the action of the Government in
effecting a treaty for the navigation of the Mississippi River.*
If so. their purpose was soon accomplished, as Spain conceded
the free navigation of the Mississippi that very year. In the
meantime, however, upon this question, as well as upon tin,'
ever present Indian problem, which meant their very existence
to the people of the Southwestern Territory, the administra-
tion of tin- Government under the Federalist party, if not posi-
tively antagonistic, was certainly very unfavorable to their
views.

But with the admission of the State into the Union, the
control of the Federal Government passed into the hands of
the Republican or Democratic party, whose political principles
were entirely in accord with the sentiments of the people of
Tennessee. They were prepared, therefore, to support Mr.
Madison in the second war with Great Britain; and at the first
sound of the tocsin, Gen. Andrew. Jackson and 2,500 Tennessee vol-
unteers offered their services to the Government. The martial
spirit of the heroic old pioneers and soldiers was on fire, and
Gen. Jackson but expressed their sentiments when he offered

^Butler's History of Kentucky (Ed. 1834), page 22S.

214 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

in march, if necessary, "to the line of Canada, and there offer
liis aid to Mi»' army of his country, and endeavor to wipe <>f!'
the stain to our military character, occasioned by the recent
disasters."

The massacre of Fort Mims touched another responsive
chord in the hearts of the old pioneers who had suffered so
much at the savage hands of their Indian foes. The feeling
was expressed by Gov. Sevier, then in Congress, when he
wrote: "5 hope in God, that, as the rascals have begun, we
shall now have it in our power to pay them for the old and
for the new." At this juncture, the State of Tennessee, upon
its own responsibility, made a call for 3,500 volunteers, in ad-
dition to the 1,500 men already enlisted in the service of the
United States.

On the whole, {In- war of 1812-15 met the hearty approval
of the people of Tennessee. This is a condition worthy of note,
as it had an important influence on the conduct of the State
and the history of the Union. The first effect was, that the
disunion sentiments of the Federalists of New England, that
culminated in the celebrated Hartford convention, became
the most unpopular and odious that the loyal people of Ten-
nessee could conceive. At this very time Willie Blount ilTi'.T-
1835), then Governor of Tennessee, predicted that "that con-
vention will never act with open doors; neither will they let
the world know anything of their proceedings"* — a singularly
accurate prophecy. Hut whatever else it may have done, ii
performed the funeral obsequies of the old Federalist party.
As soon as Gen. Jackson and his Tennessee volunteers had
"wiped off the stain to our military character"' at \ew Orleans,
which was almost simultaneous with the treaty of peace with
Greal Britain, the Federalist party was dead.

The army that enlisted under Gen. Jackson in this war
contained the very flower of Tennessee chivalry, and was.
beyond doubt, the grandest body of volunteers that over took
the field in America. Their commander became President of

-yianuscript letter in my possession.

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 215

the United Stales, and three* others of them were afterwards
prominent and worthy aspirants for that distinguished honor.
Of Governors and Senators and Congressmen, the number is
absolutely astounding. It is not my purpose to speak of \Yliif<\
and Grundy, and Polk, and Bell, and Carroll and the other
illustrious contemporaries of Jackson, who won their fame in
Tennessee, and who would have made her eminent under any
conditions. I wish rather to give prominence to the great num-
ber of their comrades, neighbors and friends, who. carrying
like opinions into the Southern and Southwestern States, gave
Tennessee a commanding influence in those quarters. The first
two Senators from Missouri were Tennesseans. The first Gov-
ernor, the first two Senators, and the first Congressman from
Arkansas; the liberator of Texas, who was the tirsl President
of the Republic, and one of her first United States Senators
after she was admitted into the Union; the first Governor of
Louisiana, and the first Governor and one of the first Senators
from California, were all Tennesseans.

Thomas H. Benton (1782-1858) began the practice of the
law at Franklin. Tenn., and was a member of the Senate of
that State in 1809. He was one of The earliest friends and
supporters of Gen. Jackson, Inning been aide-de-camp on his
staff, and also the Colonel of a L-egimen1 of Tennessee volun-
teers in the war of 1812. In 1815 he moved to the Territory of
Missouri, and became one of her first United States Senators
when she was admitted into the Union in 1820. His associate
in the Senate was David Barton (1785-1837), who was also a
Tennessean.

In 1828 there was still but one political party in the
United States. Jackson, Clay, Crawford and Adams all adher-
ing, nominally, to the Republican or Democratic party. In
this situation Mr. Benton, whose wife was a niece of .Mrs. Clay,
supported Henry Clay for the presidency. But when the elec-
tion was thrown into the House of Representatives he became
the ardent supporter of Gen. Jackson, in which he never
wavered or faltered afterwards until the day of his death.
Even as late as 1856 he supported James Buchanan for the

'Hugh L. White, Thomas H. Benton and Sam Houston.

216 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

presidency againsl his own son-in-law, John C. Fremont, oil
the ground of his confidence thai it' Mr. Buchanan were elected
he would restore the principles of the Jackson administration.

Sam Houston (1793-1863) grew to manhood in Blounl
County, Tennnessee, and in L813 enlisted ;is a volunteer in the
service of the United Stales, was promoted to be an ensign,
and distinguished himself in the battle of Horseshoe Bend,
under Gen. Jackson. He began the study of law at Nashville
in 1818, was elected District Attorney in L819, was a Repre-
sentative in Congress in 1823 and 1825 (in which position he
had the honor of appointing Matthew F. Maury (1806-1873), one
of his constituents, to a cadetship in the National Naval Acad-
emy), and was Governor of the State in tsiiT. In 1829 he re-
signed the office of Governor and retired to the greal West in
the most dramatic manner. In the West he became the great
liberator of Texas, the hero of San .Jacinto, the first President
of the Lone Star Republic, and when she was admitted into
the Union in 1847, was one of her first United States Senators.
lie was always a devoted personal and political friend
of Gen. Jackson, whom he saw laid to rest at the Hermitage.
He was elected Governor of Texas in 1859, but had his office
declared vacant when the State seceded from the Union in
1861.

Clement C. Clay (1789-1866) grew up in Grainger County,
Tennessee, was educated at the old Blount College (University
of Tennessee) at Knoxville, studied law under the distin-
guished statesman and jurist, Hugh L.White, and was admitted
to the bar in 1809. In 1811 he removed to Alabama, and was
Chief Justice of the State at the age of thirty years. From
1829 to 1836 he was a Representative in Congress, ami was ,i
conspicuous defender of the leading measures of Tien. -lack-
son's administration. In 1835. Avium the Democratic party
split on the election of Jackson's successor. Clay was elected
Governor on the Van Huron ticket, in opposition to the ticket
headed by his old friend. Judge ^ 'hite. His opponent was
another distinguished Tennessean. Enoch Parsons (1776-1846),
who, as a member of the Tennessee Legislature, had drawn
and introduced the bill calling for 3,500 volunteers for tin 1

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 217

relief of the Mississippi Territory, on the massacre of Fort
Mims in 1813, and who, with others, had indorsed Governor
Blount's note for $20,000 to equip them. In 1839 Mr. Clay was
elected to the United States Senate, and served to the close of
the extra session of 1841, when he resigned on account of ill
health.

What Mr. Hallum calls the reigning family in Arkansas
was composed almost wholly of Tennesseans. The Conway
and Sevier families were among the early pioneers of Tennes-
see. Thomas Conway was Speaker of the Senate, while John
Sevier was Governor of the short-lived State of Franklin, while
his brothei', George Conway, was the first Major General of the
Tennessee State Militia, and was the immediate predecessor in
that position and intimate personal friend of Gen. Andrew
Jackson.

James Sevier Conway (1798-1855), a son of Thomas Con-
way, went to Arkansas about 1820, and upon the admission of
the State into the Union, became her first Governor.

Ambrose H. Sevier (1801-1848) was the son of John Sevier
ahd Susan Conway. His father was the only son who survived
the distinguished old hero of Point Pleasant and Kings Moun-
tain, Valentine Sevier, whose career closed in so much sadness
and pathos. He went to Arkansas with his cousins, the Con-
ways, where he was first Clerk and then a member and Speaker
of Territorial House of Representatives.

His cousin, Henry NY. Conway (1793-1827), a native Ten-
nessean and protege of Gen. Jackson, who, as a mere boy had
served under him in flu- war of 1812, after having been elected
in 1823 Territorial Delegate from Arkansas to Congress, and
re-elected in 1825 and 1827. was killed in a duel with Robert
Crittenden, and Mr. Sevier was elected as his successor, a
position he continued to hold until the admission of the State
into the Union in 1830.

In that year he was elected one of the first United States
Senators from Arkansas, and continued in that office until
1848, when he resigned his seat, and under appointment of
President Polk, negotiated, in connection with Judge Clifford,
the Treaty of Gandaloupe Hidalgo, by which we acquired our
vast possessions from Mexico.

218 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

The <>l her Senator elected by t he State of A rkansns in 1 836
was William S. Fulton (1795-1844). In 1810, Gov. Fulton weni
into the law office of the celebrated Tennessee advocate and
statesman, Felix Grundy, and the following year began the
practice of his profession in Gallatin. In 1818 he was
appointed Secretary to Gen. Jackson, and served in that
capacity during the Seminole war. By appointment of Presi-
dent Jackson, he was Governor of the Territory of Arkansas.
and upon her admission into the Union was elected one of her
first Senators, and held the position until his death in 1844.

Archibald Yell (1797-1847) was the first member of Con-
gress from Arkansas. He was a typical Tennessean. As a boy
he was a Captain under Gen. Jackson in the Creek war. where
he bore himself so gallantly as to attract the attention of his
great commander. lie also served through the Seminole war.

He was practicing law in Fayetteville, Tenn., when, in
1832, President .Jackson appointed him a Territorial Judge in
Arkansas. He cherished an ambition to be the first Governor
of the State, but was shut out by a provision of the Constitu-
tion requiring a four years' residence to make him eligible.
Bui he was elected her first Representative in Congress. He
declined a re-election to Congress, and was elected Governor
in 1840. At the requesi of the State Democratic Convention, in
1S44, he resigned the office of Governor to enter the contest
against .Judge Walker for Congress. He was elected. bn1 in
184(; he resigned his seat in Congress to take command of the
Arkansas troops in the Mexican war. and fell, gallantly leading
his men, at Buena Vista, closing his career, as he had begun
it, in the military service of his country.

Bui I cannot give even a brief account of all the distin-
guished statesmen sent out from Tennessee. Among them I
will mention Wm. C. C. Claiborne (1775-1817), an old pioneer of
Tennessee, who served with Andrew Jackson in the convention
that framed the Constitution of the State, and succeeded him
as a Representative in Congress when the latter was elected
to the Senate. He was the first Governor of the Mississippi Ter-
ritory, and was elected Governor of Louisiana when that State
was admitted into the In ion in 1812, and was one of her Inited
States Senators elect when he died, in 1817. He was succeeded

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 219

by Henry Johnson (1783-1864), a near relative of Uen. Thomas
Johnson, a distinguished officer in the Creek war, who had him-
self held a minor office in Davidson County, Tennnessee, before
his removal to Louisiana. He was a Senator in Congress from
1818 to 1S24. and again from 1843 to 1849; a Representative
from 1835 to 1830; and Governor from 1824 to 1828. Alexan-
der Porter (1780-1844). a Senator from Louisiana, was a mem-
ber of the Nashville bar while Thos. H. Benton attended her
courts. He moved to Louisiana at the urgent solicitation of
Andrew Jackson. < hi his death his remains were brought back
to Nashville for interment, and now rest in the old City Ceme-
tery. Alexander Barrow (1801-1846), was a native Tennessean,
and a half-brother of Washington Barrow, a Representative in
Congress from Tennessee. He began the practice of law in
Nashville, and afterwards moved to Louisiana, where he was
elected to a seat in the United States Senate.

Robert H. Adams (1792-1830) was one of the most gifted
men this country has produced. He was a native of Kasi Ten-
nessee, who moved to Nashville, and thence to Mississippi,
where, after attaining the highest eminence in his profession,
he was elected to the United States Senate, but died the same
year. Stephen Adams (1804-1857) came to Tennessee with his
parents when he was three years old, and was a member of the
Senate of that Stale in 1830, and moved to Mississippi in 1834,
where, after being a Circuit Judge and member of Congress
from the State at large, in 1852, he defeated Jefferson Davis
for a seat in the United States Senate, made vacant by the
resignation of Henry S. Foote. who was elected Governor that
year. He now sleeps in Elmwood < Vmetery at Memphis.

Teter H. Burnett (1807- t was a native of Davidson

County, Tennessee, but his early manhood was spent in the
County of Hardeman. He moved to Missouri, and thence to
California, where he was elected the first Governor of the
State. William McKendree Gwin (1805-1885) moved from Sum-
ner County, Tennessee, to the State of Mississippi, where he
was appointed United States Marshal by President Jackson;
was elected to Congress; was appointed to superintend the
erection of the custom-house at New Orleans by President
Polk; went to California, was a member of her Constitutional

220 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

< '(invent ion, and when she was admitted to the In ion. was one
of her first Senators, which position he continued to hold up
to 1 lie war.

Edward Cross (1798-1887) began the practice of law at old
Monroe, then the county site of Overton County, and the home
of thai staunch old Democrat, Adam Huntsman, lie moved to
Arkansas, and succeeded Archibald Yell as a Representative in
Congress from that State.

Edward Douglass White (....-1847), Judge, member of
Congress and Governor of Louisiana, was a native Tennessean,
and a graduate of the University of Nashville.

The distinguished soldier. Win. Barksdale (1821-1863), a
native of Rutherford County; Judge H. S. Dennett (1807-. . . . t,
who was born in Williamson County; the great criminal law
yer. Reuben Davis (1813-1S73); W. S. Featherstone (1821- . . . .);
Wm. M. <!w*in, afterwards United States Senator from Cali-
fornia; Benj. D. Nabers, and Daniel B. Wright, were all mom
bers of Congress from the State of Mississippi.

From Alabama there was Ceo. S. Houston (1811-1879), a
native of Williamson County, who was eighteen years a mem-
ber of the Federal House of Representatives, and Chairman,
successively, of the Ways and Means and Judiciary Commit-
tees of that body; Gen. Geo. W. Crabb ( . . . .1817), a brother of
Judge Henry Crabb, of the Supreme Court of Tennessee;
Felix G. MeCoimell (. . . .-1846); Sydenham Moore and Alexan-
der White. Rut I will not pursue the list further.*

The old Federalist party having died, as I have said, in
1815. James Monroe was elected and re-elected President, prac-

■■See "Parton's Jackson,'' "Roosevelt's Benton." "Bruce's Houston."
"Foote's Bench and Bar of the South and Southwest."' "Garrett's Public
Men of Alabama," "Lanman's Dictionary of Congress." "Sparks' Memo-
ries of Fifty Years," "Elm wood Cemetery," "Hallum's Biographical and
Pictorial History of Arkansas," "Picturesque Clarksville," and "Burnett's
Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer."

The Tennessee influence was never so pre-eminent in the Northwest
as in the States I have mentioned, though she furnished many distin-
guished sons to the Northwestern States among whom were Governor
John Reynolds, of Illinois, and Senators John Tipton and Edward A.
Hannegan and Congressman Tilghman A. Howard and George L. Kin"
naird. of Indiana.

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 221

tieally without opposition. In the meantime Jackson began to
be spoken of for his successor. But lie was not then at the
head of any political party. All the candidates were professed
Republicans or Democrats. Jackson received a plurality of
the popular and electoral yotes. but was not elected. The
House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams, and
Henry Clay was appointed his Secretary of State.

At the very beginning of his administration, in his inaugu-
ral address, and in his first message to Congress, President
Adams manifested his predilections for the old Federalist doc-
trines. Clay's fortune's were cast with his. Crawford was an
invalid. Andrew Jackson, from that time, became the
acknowledged leader of the Democratic party. Thenceforth
the old Tennesseans, wherever found, with few exceptions, ral-
lied to his support. There was never a division in Tennessee
until 1836, when the Democratic party split on President Jack-
son's successor. Jackson favored Van Buren, and Hugh L.
White, one of the grandest men, take him all in all, this State
has ever produced, ran in opposition, and carried the State
The breach was permanent. The State was never again carried
by the National Democracy until she developed, in Andrew
Johnson, another great Democratic leader, second only to
Andrew Jackson, who utterly routed the Whigs in 1855, and
opened the way for the victory of Buchanan in 1856.

Tn 1829 Jackson was elected President by an overwhelm-
ing majority, and commenced the most important administra-
tion this country has ever witnessed, to only one event in which
it is my purpose to allude.

I have already contrasted the loyalty of Tennessee with
the disunion sentiments of the Eastern States in 1815. At tin-
threshold of his administration President Jackson was con
fronted with similar conditions in the South. T refer to the
doctrine of nullification, of which John C. Calhoun was the
great exponent. Calhoun had not broken with the President
at this time, and Robert V. Hayne was one of his most intimate
friends and partisan supporters.

Put President Jackson was equal to the emergency. As
early as April 13, 1830. at the Jefferson banouet, he electrified
the country with this toast: "Our Federal Union: it Must be

222 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Preserved." And this was the feeling of all his old Tennessee
friends, who had expressed with him their horror of tin- dis-
loyalty of the East in 1815.

I do not care to go into the question of nullification, as i;

a lose in 1832. But we owe it to Jackson and the Tennessee
influence that disunion sentiments, although springing up this
time among a rlass of his own supporters, were again silenced,
and the doctrine of nullification forever put to rest.

I believe I quote the venerable President of our State His-
torical Society correctly, in substance, in the statement That it
Avas Andrew Jackson who made possible the preservation of
the Union in 1861-65. And why may it not be so? Were not
his most devoted followers the warmest friends of the Union?
Where was Thomas H. Benton when the dark clouds began to
appear above the political horizon? After an honorable
service of thirty years he lost his seat in the United States
Senate; and when elected to Congress from his own district
lie was defeated for a re-election, as he was likewise, in 1856,
defeated for Governor of Missouri on account of his bold, out-
spoken Union sentiments. And he died still proclaiming the
same devotion to the Union he was wont to applaud in Andrew
Jackson.

Then, there was Sam Houston, the idol of the State of
Texas, who, even at her behest, refused his assent to her sepa-
ration from the Union. He had been elected Governor in 1850,
and when his State seceded he was deposed from his office
because he still adhered to the Union.

When the war came on but two Southern members kept
their seats in the United States Senate. They were both Ten-
nesseans. Wm. K. Sebastian (1812-1864) was born in Hickman
County. Tennnessee, and was educated at Columbia College.
He went to Arkansas in ls::r>, and was elected District Attor-
ney. Circuit Judge, Supreme Judge and in 1848 was appointed.
and subsequently three times elected, to the Tinted States
Senate. lie was expelled in 1861. But the act of expulsion
was rescinded in 1878. The other was Andrew Johnson (1808-
isTtii. of Tennessee, the disciple of Andrew Jackson, who. in
February. 1861, said from his place in the Senate: -J believe
thai if Andrew Jackson were President of the United States

ANDREW JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND THE UNION. 223

this glorious Union of ours would be still intact. Perhaps it
might be jarred a little in some places, but not sufficiently to
disturb the harmony and general concord of the whole. That
is my opinion. I do not say it to disparage others, but I believe
that this would have been the case if he had been President,
pursuing the policy which I feel certain he would have pursued
in such an emergency." He was more fortunate than Sebas
tian. in that his sincerity and honesty of purpose were never
questioned. He not only served out his term, but was elected
Vice President of the United States while his State was stilt
our of the Union.

Tennessee herself went out of the Union in 1861, as she
went- into it in 1796, with great reluctance. Her leading public
men, those who had grown up under the influence that sur-
rounded Andrew Jackson, such men as Cave Johnson, John
Bell and Andrew Ewing, earnestly opposed secession in I860,
and an overwhelming majority of her people voted for the
Union when the question was first submitted to them in Febru-
ary. 1861. and it was only when war became flagrant, when
blood had been shed, when armies were in the fields, when
there was no other alternative left but to fight, either for their
own section againt the Union, or for the Union against their
own section, that thev chose- the former course.

224 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

WILLIAM COCKE— BORN 1T4S, DIED 1828.

BY WILLIAM GOODRICH, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

The State of Tennessee at this time celebrates the one
hundredth anniversary of its entrance into the Union as a
sovereign State, and while with hearty co-operation the entire
community is striving to do honor to their State, there art-
yet many who, in these busy times, have little opportunity to
acquaint themselves with that part of the State's history
coincident with one hundred years ago. Nor do they but
vaguely connect the names of those prominent in 170(5 with
the greatness and prosperity of the State as it is in 1896.

Many names can be chosen for special mention from the
list of hardy, brave and earnest pioneers, who, leaving behind
them in the older settlements, kindred, friends and comfort,
were willing to accept the privations incident to the establish-
ment of new homes in the wilds of the Watauga and Holston.

Of those prominent in the early settlement of Tennessee
and identified witli every step of its advancement towards
sovereignty, the name of William Cocke calls for special men-
tion. (Jen. William Cocke was a member of the Cocke family
of Virginia, known there as the Malvern Cockes, from the fact
that Malvern Hills (on which was fought the famous battle of
that name during the late war) was owned by them for many
years.

The first of the family mentioned in The records of Vir-
ginia was Richard ( locke, who came into the colony about 1632,
presumably from Devonshire, England. He brought over
three-score persons, thereby entitling him to a patent of 3,000
acres of land, which, on March 6, 1636, was granted to him by
Sir John Harvey. Kt. Richard Cocke was prominent in the
early history of Virginia, as later on have been many of his
descendants, lie was County Lieutenant for Henrico County,
and represented ii many years, from 1634 to 1654, in the House

WILLIAM COCKE. 225

of Burgesses. Gen. William Cocke's descent is from Richard,
through his eldest son, Thomas Cocke, of Pickethorne Farm,
whose second son, Stephen Cocke, inherited Malvern Hills,
whose only son. Abraham Cocke, located in Amelia County.
Va., where his sun. William Cocke, the subject of this memo-
rial, was born, in 1748.

( )f William < Locke's early history there is little known, save
that he received an English education, studied law, and moved
to the western part of the State, where from what is now Wash-
ington County, he served as a member of the House of Dele-
gates of Virginia, and was an officer in the State Militia.

His more than ordinary ability was recognized, even at
the age of twenty-seven, when the Colonial Governor of Vir-
ginia (Lord Dunsmore) sent a special messenger to him re-
questing his presence at Williamsburg. Cpon his arrival
there. Lord Dunsmore told him that it was highly probable
there would be a conflict between Great Britain and the Colo-
nies, that he regarded him as a young man of high character
and great promise and that if he would espouse the cause of
the King against the Colonies he should have the highest com-
mand in the army save that of Commander-in-Chief. Mr.
Cocke, in reply, told him that the King did not have money
enough to bm him. that the cause of the Colonies was right
and just, and that he would devote his life to their cause.

Somewhat previous to this time he had, in company with
Daniel Boone, explored what is now Eastern Tennessee and
Western Kentucky, being absent about a year. His wife
(Sarah, nee Maclin.) had accompanied him to the settlements
on the Watauga, but being without tidings from him for- sev-
eral months, and giving him up for dead, she returned to the
Eastern part of Virginia, where his son, John Cocke (after-
wards Major General, 1812), was born. Upon his return front
Kentucky, he followed his wife to Virginia, bringing her and
their child back to the Watauga settlement.

The above summary brings us to the year 177<>, when, to
quote from Ramsey's History of Tennessee, "the Cherokee
Indians invaded the settlements bordering upon the Watauga
and Holston Rivers. Against them was raised four small com-
panies, principally Virginians, who marched to Heaton's Sta-

226 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

tion, where a fort had been built by the advice of Capt. William
Cocke, and named after him, 'Cocke's Foil.' Through his
advice, that the Indians would be more apt to pass by the
fort and attack the settlement, it was determined to anticipate
any movement of the hostiles, who, to the number of between
three and four hundred, were approaching from a northerly
direction, and an equal force under the Raven were hastening
by a longer and more southerly route along the mountains.

"With knowledge of these movements, the small force of
one hundred and seventy men marched out towards what is
known as Long Island, where they encountered the Indians,
under Dragging Canoe, and administered such a crushing
defeat that they retreated.

"The memory of this warm reception doubtless made more
easy the later expedition against the Cherokees by Col. Chris-
tian, which was accomplished without the loss of a man."

Shortly after these events, the country towards the South
was opened up by the settlers from Virginia and Eastern
North Carolina, who established themselves in what is now
known as East Tennessee, but at that time was part of the
State of North Carolina. Prominent among these settlers was
Capt. William Cocke, who participated in the formation of
the Counties of Sullivan and Washington.

The operations of Cornwallis and his subalterns were
viewed with alarm by these "over the mountain men." who,
recognizing their obligations to the parent State, from their
resources, raised a body of men, and, under Cols. Sevier and
Shelby, joined a force under Col. Clarke, of Georgia, and pro-
ceeded to attack Col. Patrick Moore at Thicketty Fort. Hero
Capt. Win. Cocke was sent forward to demand the surrender
of the fort, which was at first refused, but after reconsidera-
tion by Col. Moore, the fort was surrendered and the garrison
paroled.

Smarting under the sting of this repulse, Cornwallis
resolved to administer severe punishment upon these hardy
mountaineers, and at the same time regain the lost prestige,
delegating Col. Patrick Ferguson to accomplish his purposes,
who. as a preliminary, sent word over the mountains "thai if
they did not lay down their opposition to the British arms, he

WILLIAM COCKE. 227

would march his army over, burn and lay waste their country
and hang their leaders.

Upon receipt of this message, the mountain men rallied,
and with an addition to their number of four hundred and
eighty, joined the forces from Virginia and South Carolina,
making their total force about eleven hundred.

Ferguson had advanced as far as Kings Mountain, where
he was caught up with and surrounded, his force being also
about eleven hundred. Here took place the severest conflict of
that period of the war, resulted in complete victory over and
entire capture of the British force and the death of Col. Fergu-
son.

The success of this expedition (in which Capt. Wm. Cocke
took part), in time of greatest depression, was hailed with joy
in all parts of the country, and was made the subject of special
orders to the army of Gen. Washington in terms of highest
praise for those who accomplished it. It gave renewed spirit
to the armies in the Fast, and was the forerunner of the end
in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

After their success at Kings Mountain they returned to
their homes and busied themselves in the development of their
new settlement, which was rapidly becoming stronger by im-
migration from both Virginia and North Carolina.

It is interesting to follow the rapid growth of this section.
County after county Avas formed and officers of court duly
appointed. Militia organized and all steps taken to insure
safety and permanency. During these times Gen. \\ m. Cocke
is constantly mentioned as filling offices of trust and impor-
tance, both civil and military. His appointment in 17X(i as
commissioner to negotiate treaties with the Cherokee Indians
shows with what esteem he was held by his fellow citizens.

In the effort to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the
State authority of North Carolina and establish a separate
State of Franklin, (Jen. Cocke's name is most prominent, and
his speech before the House of Commons of North Carolina
asking to be absolved from allegiance to that State or else
receive the support duo them, is most pathetic and brilliant,
evidencing a mind of greatest ability.

In their efforts to establish themselves as a separate State,

228 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

the citizens of Franklin seni Gen. Cocke to Philadelphia with a
memorial to Congress applying for admission to the Fnion.
The time, however, was not at band when they were to obtain
their desired release, and not until 17!Mi did they succeed in
severing the bond uniting them to the old Stale; then recog-
nizing the untiring efforts and unceasing devotion in their
behalf, the new State of Tennessee crowned with glory the
patriotism of (Jen. Cocke by sending him as Senator to Con-
gress to represent them, and upon the expiration of bis first
term re-elected him to that distinguished office.

He bad been a member of the first Legislature of Tennes-
see, representing Hawkins County, was one of the committee
to draft the new Constitution and had, in 171)3, represented
Person County, North Carolina, in its General Assembly.

Tennessee additionally honored him in 1 71)7, by laying off
a new county and calling it Cocke County, after him.

Returning to his home after twice serving as Senator, he
was, in 1809, appointed as Judge of the First Circuit.

Removing to Mississippi, he entered its State Legislature
and was, in 1814, appointed by President Madison agent for
the Chickasaw Nation.

When the war of 1X12 was in progress he was not content
to rest quietly; the old military spirit was strong within him,
and though at that time above sixty-live years of age, he volun-
teered as a private and served bravely and usefully, receiving
especial commendation from (Jen. Jackson.

He died in Columbus, Miss.. August 22, 1828, in the eighty-
first year of his age, and is buried there, under a tombstone
erected to bis memory by the State of Mississippi, who have
tonored him by inscribing upon the stone this epitaph, reciting
his many worthy deeds and attributes:

"Here lie the remains of William Cocke, who died in
Columbus, Miss., on the 22d of August, 1828. The deceased
passed an eventful and active life. Was Captain in command
during the war of 1770. Was distinguished for bis brave din-
ing and intrepidity. Was one of the pioneers who first crossed
the Alleghany Mountains with Daniel Boone into the wilder-
ness of Kentucky. Took an active part in the formation of the
Franklin Government, afterwards the Slate of Tennessee. Was

WIIylylAM COCKE. 229

the delegate from that free limit to the Congress of the United
States. Was a member of the convention which formed the
first Constitution of Tennessee, and was one of the first Sena-
tors from that State to the Congress of the United States for a
period of twelve years, and afterwards one of the Circuit
Judges. He served in the Legislatures of Virginia, North
Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi, and at the age of sixty-
five was a volunteer in the war of 1S12. and again distinguished
himself for his personal bravery and courage. He departed
this life in the eighty-first year of his age, universally
lamented."

Tennessee has cause to remember him gratefully for many
efforts in its behalf, perhaps not the least one of which may
be mentioned in the fact that in 1794, at the session of the
House of Representatives south of the Ohio, he presented
a bill for the establishment of a college in the vicinity of Knox-
ville, which bill was, on Sept. 10, 1794, made a law, and Blount
College, now the University of Tennessee, was established.

In speaking of this act, Ramsey says: "Next to Mr. White,
the friends of learning are indebted to one of the Representa-
tives from Hawkins County, Mr. William Cocke, for his early
care and provident foresight in laying broad and deep a
foundation for the intellectual improvement of the young men
of the Territory."

Though a reiteration, it is not the least remarkable cir-
cumstance of his life that he served in the Legislatures of four
different States, viz.. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and
Mississippi, as well as the Senate of the United States, and
that he fought in the Indian war previous to 177(1, and in the
wars of the revolution and of 1812.

Few of us ever think of the trials of those early days of
Tennessee's history. None of us know what supreme efforts
were made by the heroes who from a wilderness succeeded in
establishing a sovereignty, and defended it from all attacks,
literally annihilating its enemies. The example of such men as
William Cocke and his associates is worthy of emulation in
these days, and the State of Tennessee does well to do them
honor.

230 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE ADMISSION 7 OF TENNESSEE INTO THE UNION.

BY PROFESSOR NATHANIEL (ROSS.

[This paper was found among the archives of the Tennessee Histori-
cal Society, and is given below as read before the Society, April 2, 1850.
Prof essor Cross did not have the opportunity to refer to authorities now
easy of access His paper will be interesting to students of Tennessee
History]

The following extract from Mr. Calhoun's speech on The
slavery question, delivered iu the United States Senate, March
4, 1850, contains an allusion to an incident in the history of Ten-
nessee that is new, not only to the undersigned, but to others
with whom he has conversed about it. In answer to the inquiry
what shall be done with California, should she not be admitted,
Mr. C. says: "Remand her back to the territorial condition,
as was done in the case of Tennessee, in the early stage of the
Government. Congress in her case had established a territo-
rial government in the usual form, with a Governor, Judges
and other officers, appointed by the United States. She was
entitled, under the deed of cession, to be admitted into the
Union as a State as soon as she had sixty thousand inhabi-
tants. The territorial government, believing it had that num-
ber, took a census, by which it appeared it exceeded it. She
then formed a Constitution and applied for admission. Con-
gress refused to admit her, on the ground that the census
should be taken by the United States, and that Congress had
not determined whetler the territory should bo formed into
one or two Slates, as ii was authorized to do under the cession.
She returned quietly to her territorial condition. An act was
passed to take a census by the United States, containing tin-
provision that the Territory should form one State. All after-
wards was regularly conducted and the Territory admitted in
due form as a State."

The presumption would seem to be That Mr. Calhoun
should be correct in regard To the history of The admission of
Tennessee into The Union; and vet the little investigation I

THE ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE INTO THE UNION. 231

have been able to give to the subject, since his speech has been
received here, would appear to lead to the contrary result, and
to indicate that our Statt is not entitled to the credit he gives
her "of returning quieth to her territorial condition," when
remanded bach by Congi ss, if she was thus remanded; and
that this example, so far fi un sustaining the position taken by
Mr. Calhoun in regard to California, is rather against it.

In Roulstone's Statutes of Tennessee, pages 51, 52 and 53.
is an act, passed July 11, 1705, at the second session of the
Territorial Legislature, providing for the taking of the census
of the Territory, preparatory to application for admission into
the Union. The schedule, according to which the Sheriffs of
the counties are to make their returns, consists of six columns,
to contain, heads of families, free white males of l(i years and
upwards, free white males under 10 years, free white females,
all other free persons, and slaves; and what is remarkable, as
indicating in advance something of that independent spirit
that had already prompted the creation of the short-lived
State of Franklin, the Sheriffs and their deputies are directed
to add an additional column to the schedule, containing the
answers given by each free male person, 18 Tears of age and
upwards, to the following question: Is it your wish, if upon
taking the enumeration, there should prove to be less than
00,000 inhabitants, that this Territory shall be admitted as a
State into the Federal Union with such less number, or not?"

"And il shall be the duty of the Sheriffs," the act goes on
to say, "and of their deputies, lit. make due returns of the yeas
and nays upon that question, to the Governor; and if the num-
ber be less than 60,000, and the question be determined in the
affirmative, the Governor is requested to call the General As-
sembly into session as early as may be." If the population
should prove to be 60,000, the act directs that the 'Governor
shall order an election of five members from each county, to
meet in convention at Knoxville, at such time as he shall judge
proper, for the purpose of forming a Constitution. If the popu-
lation had been less than 60,000, the Territorial Legislature
was to have been convened, if the people desired it; but what
measures the Legislature could have taken to have

232 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

brought about an admission into the Union, without the
requisite number of inhabitants, it is not easy to conceive; bui
from what was actually done, and what was con
templated to be done, had the necessity occurred, as
appears from the provisions of the act, it appears that there;
was presented, or would have been presented, a condition of
things quite as anomalous as that of California. I>ut a re-
markable fact in the history of the admission of Tennessee re-
mains to be noticed, and which proves, as before hinted, that
Mr. Calhoun, unless there is some mistake in my authorities,
has been very unfortunate in citing the case of Tennessee as
a precedent for remanding California back to her territorial
condition. And here it may be proper to state that I would
not be understood as opposed to this remanding, or in favor of

admitting this golden Territory into the Union; only if the
alternative is between admission with disunion, and remand-
ing with union, few, 1 presume, would hesitate to adopt the
latter.

But to return to the subject. I went to the office of the
Secretary of State last Saturday to see if I could verify Mr.
Calhoun's statement; but found the books in the library, as is
Avell known, in great confusion, and in saying this, I would not
be understood as imputing anything like negligence to the ex
cellent and very gentlemanly incumbent of that office; for it
is next to an impossibility to keep the books in order in their
present exposed locality. Though I found there the Journals
of Congress for the first and second sessions, for 1 T! Hi. and for
other years, I did not succeed in finding those for IT!).") and
17!Mi. In Peters' Statutes at Large, however, extending from
ITS!) to March :i, 1845, in Vol. I., pages 491-2, is the ael of Con-
gress admitting Tennessee into the Union, and approved June
1, 1796, but there is nowhere in Peters' in the Acts of 1795 or
1796, any allusion to any remanding, or any previous applica-
tion, or, what might certainly be expected there, the ad which
Mr. Calhoun says Congress passed for taking the census in the
regular manner.

Again, the Sheriffs under the act of the Territorial Legis-
lature, were required to make their returns to the Governor

THE ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE INTO THE UNION. 233

by Xov. 30, 1705. The Governor, it must be presumed, then
ordered elections to be held in the several counties, as required
by the act; the members elected then met in convention at
Knoxville, framed a Constitution, sent it on to Philadelphia,
where Congress then met, with a petition to be admitted into
the Union; this petition, according to Mr. Calhoun, is rejected;
Tennessee remanded back to her territorial condition; an act
passed by Congress to take the census anew, and the whole
process of organization gone over again, it is to be presumed,
as he assures us, "that all afterwards was regularly conducted,
and the Territory admitted as a State in due form." And yet
all these things connected with the birth of our glorious State,
were done in Tennessee and undone in Philadelphia, and done
over again in Tennessee and at last confirmed at Philadelphia,
between Dec. 1, 1795, and June 1, 1796, and this before the
introduction of telegraphs, railroads, steamboats or even
stages.

Put the most suspicious and mysterious and almost comi-
cal part in the history of Mr. Calhoun's precedent for remand-
ing California back to her territorial condition is yet to be
noticed. According to Peters' Statutes, the act for the admis-
sion of Tennessee was approved, as before stated, June 1, 1700;
but according to Koulstone's Statutes of Tennessee, the first
session of the First General Assembly of Tennessee was "be-
gun and held at Knoxville on Monday, March 28, 1796," and
adjourned April 20, 1796. That is, the first session of the State
Legislature began more than three months, and closed more
than two months, before Congress invested her with the at-
tributes of sovereignty. While the Conscript Fathers on the
other side of the mountains were telling her messenger, Mr.
McMinn, and her Representative, Mr. White, that she must re-
main a while longer in 1km- pupilage and mend her manners
and then come back and knock again for admission more
civilly, this young cismontane sister seems to have flouted
their paternal counsel and without further ceremony to have
taken her place in the sisterhood of republics, and gone to
work in the exercise of sovereignty, in organizing her courts
of justice, appointing her State officers, chartering seminaries

234 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of learning and providing for the election of members of Con-
gress, and Presidential Electors. II is true that at the next
session of the Legislature, begun July .">0, 17!m;, after the act of
Congress admitted her into the Union had passed, now acts
for the election of members of Congress and of Presidential
pealed, but there is no record, so far as I have been able to
Electors were enacted and those of the previous session re-
examine the matter, either of a new census of the Territory, or
of a new election of members of a convention, or of a second
meeting of the old convention, or any other act indicating a re-
organization of the government; or that "all things were regu-
larly conducted and the Territory admitted in due form as a
State," as Mr. Calhoun says, after she was remanded back into
her territorial condition.

An edition of Hume's History of England, with Lingard's
variations, was published a few years since in Philadelphia;
and such are the uncertainties of history, as is very well known
by all that are conversant witli either ancient or modern
authors, that similar editions could be published of the history
of almost every country or important event that has been
treated of by more than one person. Among these uncertain-
ties may be classed, it would seem, some of the particulars
connected with the admission of Tennessee into the Union.
Mr. Calhoun, it lias been seen, lias given a statement or version
of the matter that appears to be new to most, if not all persons,
in our community. Monette, in liis History of the Valley of
the Mississippi, says the census was taken by the Territorial
Legislature, and application made to Congress for authority in
frame and adopt a Constitution. The convention thus author
ized, assembled at Knoxville on -Jan. 11. 1796, and after a ses-
sion of four weeks, adopted a Constitution, which, having been
submitted to Congress, Tennessee was admitted into the Union
•Tune 1. 1796. Mr. Morris, in his Gazetteer, says it was ad-
mitted June (i; and then goes on to state that "writs of election
were awarded immediately to eleel Representatives to the
General Assembly, and a Governor of the State. Elections
were held pursuant to notice, and (Jen. John Sexier was elected
the first Governor of Tennessee. The first General Assemblv

THE ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE INTO THE UNION. 235

of the State of Tennessee, under the Constitution, convened
at Knoxville on Monday, March 28, 1796;" but Mr. Morris has
forgotten to tell us by what species of legerdemain these
worthy fathers were elected after June 0, 1790. and yet held
their first meeting March 28 in the same year. I have not been
able to procure a copy of Haywood's History of Tennessee,
and consequently do not know whether he agrees, and how
far, with Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Monette or Mr. Morris, but his repu-
tation is, I believe, much greater as a jurist than as an his-
torian.

In review of the whole matter, it seems pretty evident that
Tennessee assumed and exercised the attributes of sovereignty
before they were duly conferred upon her; but that Congress,
either not knowing this in those ante-telegraph and ante-rail-
road days; or else dreading another State-of-Franklin affair or
something worse, prudently opened the door and let her into
the Union, though she did knock somewhat rudely.

If. however, the 3d section of the 4th article of the Con-
stitution of the United States, is the only directory in regard
to the admission of new States into the Union, no general law
on the subject having been passed by Congress, it would seem
that great latitude is allowed in regard to the formalities in
the process of organizing a government in the transition from
the condition of a Territory to that of a State. So far as the
creation of a State out of a Territory is concerned, the constitu-
tional provision is contained in one brief clause: "New States
may be admitted by the Congress into the Union," the other
part of the section being designed to protect the sovereignty
of States already existing, and to give Congress the general
power to dispose of and to make all needful rules and regula-
tions respecting the territory of the United States. It would
seem then, unless, as said above, some general law has been
passed on the subject, that it is not necessary that the applica-
tion for admission should be preceded by any congressional
action. All that Congress has to do, when the application is
made, is to satisfy themselves that the census has been fairlv
taken and that there is the requisite number of inhabitants,
and that the Constitution has been ordained bv their will and

23() THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

is noi inconsistent with the Constitution of the Tinted Stales.
Everything else, such as particular provisions of the Consti-
tution, boundaries, etc., has to be determined by general con-
siderations of justice and expediency, the power of Congress
being. absolute to adniil or rejed the application. Thus, Iowa
was kepi out of the Union some two years, because the inhabi-
tants would not agree to circumscribe her boundaries as Con-
gress directed.

In accordance with these views, it seems that the practice
of governmenl in the admission of new States lias been by no
means uniform, nor does it appear at all necessary that it
.should be so. According to a New York paper (New York "Ob-
server'' for .March !), 1850), Mr. Hamlin, advocating in the
I nited Stales Senate the admission of California, affirmed that
"of the seventeen States admitted into the Union since its for-
mation, eight were formed after previous action by Congress,
and nine without such action; and that the rule was therefore
against those who contended that States could only be formed
in accordance with previous congressional action.'* In regard
to California, it may be remarked in closing this hasty essay,
that perhaps the only thing in the history of her application
that is wifhoui a precedent, is the election of members of Con-
gress previous to her admission; but this may be excused on
account of her great distance from the seat of government,
and needs only an act of Congress to <4ive it validity.

Since writing the above, I have consulted Haywood's His-
tory of Tennessee and find il stated there that Mr. McMinn.
who carried the Constitution to Philadelphia, "was instructed
to stay long enough to ascertain whether the members of Con-
gress from this State would be received; and he instructed Mr.
A\ 'lute, the Territorial Representative in Congress to have an
act passed as soon as possible for the admission of this State
into the 1'nion. which act accordingly passed on .June 6, 1796."'

"Writs of election issued from the convention on Feb. 6,
1796, for the election of Senators and Representatives to repre-
sent their counties in the General Assembly, the session where-
of was to commence on the last Monday of March ; and also for
tin- election of a (iovernor of the State of Tennessee. The

THE ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE INTO THE UNION. 237

members of the Assembly were elected pursuant to the mode
which the Constitution prescribed; and the people elected
John Sevier Governor. At the appointed time the Assembly
met at Knoxville, and the State of Tennessee there assumed
the rank and exercised the authorities of a free and independ-
ent State." But the historian either did not notice the dis-
crepancy of dates that he has recorded, viz.. that the State was
not admitted into tin- Union till June 6, but assumed the rank
and exercised the authorities of a free and independent State
from the last Monday of March, i. e., three months before her
majority — or else aware of this irregularity, from prudential
considerations, chose to pass it over in silence.

Intelligence was received this morning by telegraph that
the Hon. John C. Calhoun died April 1. 1850.

238 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

BEGINNINGS OF LITERATURE IN THE SOUTHERN

OHIO VALLEY.

BY PROFESSOR S. A. LINK, NASHVILLE, TENN.

Iii a paper read at Michigan I'niversity in 1880, Charles
Dudley Warner speaking of the western man, said: "He is the
insatiable mover, with him it is always the first of May. He al-
ways builds his house to sell. When it is finished, that is the
signal for him to move. His ancestors must bury themselves,
his posterity are heirs of the future. He has time neither to in-
herit nor make his will. It is always in his plan to settle down,
but never in the place where he is. He pays his debts by in-
curring new ones. He is the great laborer and hardship en-
durer of the nineteenth century, but he always expects to reach
a spot to-morrow where he will have nothing to do." This may
have been true of many of those called "western men" by
Warner, it may have been true wherever vigilance committees
took the place of law, but it does not apply to the men who set-
tled Kentucky and Tennessee. They came to establish homes.
They had examined the field and knew its hardships and dan-
gers. They came not merely to hunt in the vast forests, but to
convert those forests into farms. With the ax came the rifle,
since these pioneers well knew the fierceness of the wily savagp
who must sooner or later be encountered. Not only were per-
manent homes established, but the problem of government en-
gaged these settlers at the earliest possible moment. Kentucky,
recognized from the start as a part of Virginia, found the mat-
ter of government less difficult than her southern neighbor.
Early settlers of Tennessee supposed themselves in Virginia
while really in North Carolina.

Both colonies were represented upon the Watauga, but
neither offered her sons protection or a government. These
were thrown upon their own resources as hardly any other peo-
ple had been on the American Continent. It has been sug-
gested that the evolution of government can be studied in Ten-

BEGINNINGS OF LITERATURE. 239

nessee as in no other instance. With little prospects of he]p
from beyond the Alleghanies, with the mouth of the Mississippi
held by hostile Spaniards, here was a fertile country to be sub-
dued and peopled with no outside help — cut off in fact from
the world beyond. In this unique situation our fathers did not
hesitate. The government of the Tennessee portion of this
western region was made on the spot to suit the exigencies of
the case. There was no proper model at hand, since Virginia
had not freed hers altogether from royal fetters and aristo-
cratic privileges, and many of those same pioneers had left
North Carolina to get rid of what seemed an ill arranged sys-
tem, only a little more practical than the first wild scheme of
impractical Locke. Thus Tennessee took independent lessons
in statecraft early in her history. With almost matchless dis-
cernment and shrewd common sense, a system was formulated
and put in operation— a system which took away the necessity
for "Regulators" and Judge Lynches, found in so many new
settlements. A written constitution — the first west of the
Alleghanies — was adopted by the Watauga Association in 1772
three years after the first cabin had b 'en built. Then the peo-
ple were enabled to give themselves wholly to the work of build-
ing houses, clearing lands, fighting Indians, thus making rapid
advances in extending and developing their settlements. To the
civil system thus evolved, was added a military spirit and or-
ganization which was to make itself felt at King's Mountain,
New Orleans, and on a hundred fields besides.

A thousand years scarcely creates an empire, but what
was done west of the Appalachians in a single century will ever
remain a marvel to mankind. In 185 L Carlyle wrote to Emer-
son of a book of travels just one hundred years old. Bossu
had traveled in Louisiana and "Oyo." Carlyle thought the
book as compared with the change of the country which it de-
scribed, older than Balbec or Nineveh. It had for him on that
account a curious fascination. The intellectual activity of the
world has expressed itself along different lines at various times.
At one period the mightiest intellects have grappled in war; at
another brick and marble have taken shape under dreams of
immortality ; in the older and more settled stages of society liter-
ature has crystallized the highest aspirations of the mightiest
minds.

240 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Before the days of the printing presp, the science of gov-
ernment was thought fit only for a favored few. The alchemist
alone was thought to have right and power to wrest a few of
nature's stern secrets from his ghostly pots and kettles. With
the sudden expansion of intellect which came from the discov-
ery of new continents, and from the rapid dissemination of
human thought, was developed greater activity along material
lines. Man had conquered the great spaces of the globe, why
should he not conquer the storm upon the deep, and direct the
lightnings of the elouds. The air was rife with marvels when
the flood tide of time produced a Shakespeare, and a Newton.
With larg^ knowledge, and wider outlook to human activity
and human thought, came an unconquerable desire for larger
freedom. Old ideas had suddenly become obsolete; the divine
right of one man to oppress another had become a figment of
the past. "A man's a man for a' that, and a' that" had not been
sung by the ploughman poet, but it had begun to be felt by
many an Englishman. That was a fortunate conjunction of
events which opened a new world for settlement at the time
when mankind was stirred upon the subject of human rights
and larger possibilities. Naturally men's minds would, be di-
rected towards obtaining larger liberty under well guarded
charters which, as the right of self-government was enlarged,
would develop into constitutional forms. Men who wrote would
write of government. Thus in the first half century of the
American Republic, the greatest thinkers of any age poured
forth many volumes pertaining to the new organization of so-
ciety. There was no time for poetry; there was no time for
romance. The world was living romance, stranger than the
dreams of the Lotus Eaters, the ideals of Plato, or the Utopia of
More. Stern men were confronted by conditions before which
their ancestors would have quailed. In fact men became their
own ancestors as never before in the world's history.

Heredity was obsolete. The man of the hour was the man
of action. The colonies of the Atlantic Sea board brought
over some of the environments of the Old World. Men were
to be free, but not altogether free. Past social conditions still
held sway in some of the southern colonies. Religious free-
dom was not intended to be absolute among Pilgrims and Puri-
tans. All shackles, social, religious, and political were not

BEGINNINGS OF LITERATURE. 241

left behind until men crossed the Alleghanies. This region be-
came at once the newest, the most original, and the most revo-
lutionary of the New World. Every freeman was a king in his
own right. Government was by agreement — the agreement of
Sovereigns. This government was for the g^od of the people —
not of the officials — and was to be administered without need-
less coercion, or expense. It was subject to change by consent,
hence became the highest subject of all for discussion. Lack
of large cities, and hence of printing presses, developed the ora-
tors of the west. Their history has never been written. In the
freer days of Greece and Rome a few great orators existed.
Constitutional government and the great trials of England, to
some extent, fostered public speaking; the fiery throes of the
French Revolution loosed men's tongues as unchained demons;
in the discussion of colonial rights, patriotism found tongue as
well as pen, from Massachusetts to South Carolina; but on the
western slope of the Appalachians the orator alone — ready
often with sword as with tongue — voiced the hour. The coun-
try schoolhouse became the meeting place of the debating club,
and the cross roads and county seat, the battleground of the
stump speakers. Great crowds gathered to these joint discus-
sions. Federal and Republican differences hardly moved the
waters of this western land, but the coming of two such men as
Jackson and Clay, with the great questions of Bank, Tariff, and
Internal Improvements, divided every community — some very
nearly into equal numbers — for each Chieftain. For a quarter
of a century these contests largly absorbed other interests.
The preacher came almost with the first settlers.

The sweeping revivals of 1800 with the system of camp
meetings which soon came into vogue brought together immense
crowds which hung upon the lips of the preacher, thus by their
fervid interest, arousing the speaker to higher flights of oratory.
Great men arose under such inspiration, men whose eloquence
will hardly ever be surpassed. The county court management
of county business accustomed men to go to the county seat
with much regularity.

The magistrates, often unlettered men, would discuss busi-
ness in the people's own vernacular. By force of habit men
were drawn to the courthouse to hear the great lawyers speak
on important cases. A large part of the lawyer's best back-

242 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

woods humor was passed over the jury to the crowd beyond,
since any lawyer might go into politics, and must learn to en-
tertain his auditors as well as influence the jury. There were
great orators at the bar in those days, many of their raciest
anecdotes continue to do duty. It is not strange that those
men did not write books. The man of destiny was the one who
could exert immediate influence. The newspapers were small
weeklies, and their movements were too slow. A few corners
had verses — some good — by women chiefly. The editor had his
opinion, and gave it from time to time, but news went by word
of mouth. Mark Twain in Gilded Age represents the people as
sitting around all the morning awaiting the coming of the
mail, that they might get the news from the mail boy. But
these papers all alike at first as one pea is like another, became
differentiated. They became centers of thought, and of local lit-
erature. The county press published the statesman's pamphlets,
as well as the amateur's songs. Some of the more ambitious
towns started magazines. Specimens of these are yet to be
found in out of the way places, mournful relics they are of
buried hopes and ambitions. Sometimes they served their pur-
pose in getting the editor called to greater prominence. Many
good things were put forth in these embryo efforts. A collec-
tion of fugitive pieces by our own Fields seems destined to be
immortal. First and last a great many books were written by
outsiders concerning this country, some of them were books of
travel, others of scientific value as giving descriptions of In-
dians, animals, and plants, together with the topography of
the country, or as Judge Haywood says, tocography. Some of
these more or less influenced immigration. Filson's Kentucky
was issued as early as 1784, and had very good maps of the
country. Filson is the original biographer of Boone. Captain
Gilbert Imlay published a work on the Western Territory of
North America, in London in 17V)2. The second edition pub-
lished 1793 had incorporated in it Filson's Daniel Boone. This
is the work to which E. D. Hicks referred in a paper published
in the American Historical Magazixe for April. Description
of Kentucky, and Thoughts on Immigration were two works
published in London in 1792 by Henry Toulman, a young Eng-
lishman, who afterwards immigrated to Kentucky, and became
President of Transvlvania Fniversitv and finallv Secretarv of

BEGINNINGS OF LITERATURE. 243

State. Isaac Weld Baily, who visited Knoxville, in 1797,
Schults, Ashe, Bradbury, Timothy Flint, Cuming, and many
others wrote books upon this western country which are said to
hold the reader's attention with all the excitement of romance.

The first printing done on the Western Continent was by
Spanish priests in Mexico. Stephen Daye brought from Eng-
land the first press used by Englishmen, and set it up at Har-
vard in 163S. The first printing done in the limits of what is
now the United States, was the Freeman'' $ Oath in 1639. The
first book was the Bay Psalm Book in 1640. The first news-
paper west of the Alleghanies was the Pittsburg Gazette, founded
by John Scull, a printer, July 29, 1786. The paper still sur-
vives. One year later, (1787), the second paper west of the
Mountains was issued at Lexington, Ky. The third press was
put into operation at Rogersville, East Tennessee, 1791. The
fourth was at Cincinnati, 0., 1793. One of the first books
printed west of the Alleghanies was Judge Brackenbridge's
Modern Chivalry, issued from the press of the Pittsburg Gazette
in 1793. This was one of the first works of fiction produced in
America, and was a semi-humorous, satirical novel.

The Lexington paper was called the Kentucky Gazette, and
was edited by Wm. Bradford. The paper at Rogersville was
called the Knoxville Gazette, since it was to be moved to that
place in a short time, Gov. Blount having determined to fix the
seat of government at Knoxville. The paper was founded and
edited by George Roulstone, whom Ramsey calls a man of
rather more than ordinary capacity. The Cincinnati paper was
called The Sentinal of the North West Territory, was edited by Wil-
liam Maxwell. Of course none of these were dailies, but were
of more importance in their day than some dailies are now.

In 1797, four years after the first issue of The Sentinal at
Cincinnati, Henke of Kentucky printed at Nashville the first
number of The Tennessee Gazette and Mero District Advertiser,
which was sold the following year to Benjamin J. Bradford,
and by him called The Clarion. Knoxville's second paper was
The Knoxville Register founded by the same George Roulstone in
1798. When The Register had continued about two years, Roul-
stone and John Rivington Parrington published another paper
called The Genius of Liberty. Thus Knoxville had three week-
lies at an early date. A larger paper than any of these was

244 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

started in 1804 by George Wilson, This was known as Wilson's
Gazette, and was continu*-d.until 1818 when Wilson removed to
Nashville to publish The Nashville Gazette in the interest of
Gen. Jackson. The Kaoxville Register which lasted until 1863
was established in 1816 by F. S. Heiskill and Hu. Brown, the
latter being something of a literary character. This was a Whig
paper for many years.

The first daily ever published in Knoxville was The Daily
Morning Plebeian, started as a weekly in 1850, and changed to a
daily in 1851. Bro willow's Tennessee Whig was started at Eliza-
bethton in 1839. At the end of a year it was moved to Jones-
boro, afterwards to Knoxville, where in 1849 it became Brown-
low" s Knoxville Whig and attained fame beyond the limits of the
State. The record seems not quite clear in regard to Nashville.
Benjamin J. Bradford sold the Clarion to his cousin Thomas G.
Bradford. The name of the Clarion was changed again, or else
another paper had been started and was merged into the Clar-
ion. At any rate, the paper was enlarged and called The Clarion
and Tennessee Gazette. In 1821 the name Clarion was again re-
sumed. The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository was
started by Thomas Eastin in 1805. The Nashville Whig was
established in 1812 by Moses and Joseph Norvell. After vari-
ous changes in 1826 it was consolidated with The Nashville Ban-
ner which had been first issued in 1822. The new paper was
called The National Banner and Nashville Whig. It was first
semi-weekly, then tri weekly. In 1831 the name having been
changed to National Banner and Nashville Advertiser, the paper
was issued as a daily — the first ever in Nashville. As before
said, George Wilson started The Nashville Gazette in 1819. This
was announced as a Republican (Democratic) newspaper,
though Wilson claimed to be independent. Mr. Allen A. Hall
and S. Nye issued a daily in 1837, under the name of The
Republican Banner. This was, in a way, the successor of the old
Clarion. The paper was subsequently edited by Felix K. Zolli-
coffer and other men of prominence. In 1835 that staunch ad-
vocate of Gen. Jackson, The Nashville Union was founded. This
was afterwards edited by Col. J. George Harris. The first num-
ber of The American appeared in 1848, and was united with The
Union in 1853. The third Gazette was established in 184-1.
Anson Nelson and Judge James T. Bell were subsequently con-

BEGINNINGS OF LITERATURE. 245

nected with The Gazette which continued until Nashville was
occupied by Federals. The lint is too long to continue. The
first weekly paper was issued in Memphis in 1827, and was
called The Memphis Advocate and Western District Intelligencer.
The first number of The Memphis Appeal appeared April 21,
1841, edited by Henry Van Pelt. M. C. Gallaway founded The
Avalanche in 1858. The Hamilton Gazette was published at
Chattanooga, or Ross 1 Landing, in 1888, but did not become a
daily until 1864. The first newspaper in Columbia was pub-
lished, in 1S11, by James Walker, who progressed well enough to
marry Miss Jane M. Polk, sister of James K. Polk, in two years
after starting his paper. Among those who have held the tripod
at Columbia may be mentioned Hon. A. 0. P. Nicholson, Hon. S.
D. Frierson, Gen. Fel'X K. Zollicoffer, William Fields the com-
piler of the Scrap Book, Judge Stanley Matthews of the United
States Supreme Court, John E. Hatcher, with many other note-
worthy names. This is only a sample of other smaller towns,
many of the most intellectual men of the State having tested
their powers in the field of newspaperdom, before seeking emi-
nence in other pursuits. Clarksville is said to have had The
Chronicle as early as 1808 or 1809, but not to have kept this up
continuously. The Courier first made its appearance in Mur-
freesboro June 16, 1814. The Gazette was established by Messrs.
Ford and Womack at Lebanon in 1818. The Banner of Peace
was first published at Lebanon in 1842, but afterwards removed
to Nashville. As early as 1815 W. L. Barry seems to have con-
ducted The Tenvessean at Gallatin, though the history is not
clear. The Cumberland Presbyterian was removed from Nash-
ville to Springfield in 1839, conducted six months and sus-
pended. Franklin possibly had a paper as early as 1820,
though no record is left earlier than 1831. Some of these
were edited by printers with little information, some were for
the time being in charge of bright young men who were, as said,
preparing for the law and afterwards became more or less emi-
nent. Some were conducted by men of considerable literary
taste and aspirations, who loved letters and would have won
fame therein in older communities. Take a file of old papers
and one is surprised at the high order of writing found here
and there. Sketches, essays, and snatches of song — not all

246 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

poor — are found in addition to such news as could be had
Says Roulstone's paper, The Knoxville Gazette, for 1773, "A news-
paper is like a feast. Some dish there is for every guest."

In the file of this same Gazette is found poetry translated
from the Spanish, the French, poetry selected from standard
English poets, as well as original verse, often with no mark to
show that it is original.

[To be continued in next issue.]

BLOCK HOUSES.

247

BLOCK HOUSES.

BY -MR. RADFORD, NASHVILLE, TENN.

The early settlers of Tennessee were engaged in almost
daily contests with the Indians. The Creeks and the Chero-
kees, although they had sold their lands to the white settlers.
continued, for many years, their utmost efforts to drive them
from the country.

They kept up a ceaseless and murderous warfare with the
settlers on the Cumberland. No week passed without the
treacherous killing- and scalping of some settler b} r a skulking
Indian, shooting from the concealment of the canebrake.

* <-

ridley's block house in 1835.

The constant liability to such attacks drove the settlers
to build rude log forts, to which, when in danger, they could
flee with their families for refuge and defense. Such block
houses were built in every neighborhood, and one of the

24S THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

largest stood on the bluff in Nashville, near where the court-
house now stands. There was one elected by Mr. Ridley, which
was still standing, although badly dilapidated, in 1835. As few
persons have any accurate idea of how these rude fortifications
of our ancestors looked, I give a ropy of the one Mr. Ridley
built, from a picture taken in 1835.

This fort of Mr. Ridley's, near Buchanan's Fori, on Mill
Creek, was twenty feet square, and was built thus: Next the
ground were six round logs, about twenty-one feet long, laid
one upon another, and well morticed; next came a log twenty-
four feet long, and a similar one on the other side, all well
mint iced. In this way a projection even with the Moor that
divided the upper chamber of the block house from the lower
one. was formed beyond the ground tier of logs, upon which an
upper wall of round logs was built, after which the building
was roofed in. Upon the roof, pieces of wood were fixed for
the garrison to step on and put out any fire the Indians might
succeed in setting to it with their arrows. Loopholes were
made in the logs of the upper room, to enable them to Are at
any Indians who ventured to show themselves. There were
other loopholes in the projecting part of the floor, from
whence they could fire down upon their besiegers, if they
should attempt to run up to the block house to set fire to it.
These bloc!-; houses were surrounded by strong picket fences,
consisting of stout posts set firmly in the ground, the upper
ends of the posts being sharpened, to prevent scaling.

Mr. Ridley was still living in 1835, was over ninety-five
years of age, and he and his old wife were then living in a house
near their old fort.

Mrs. Ridley thus describes an at lack made by the Indians
in 1702 upon the adjoining fort of her son-in-law, Mr. Buch-
anan (at Buchanan's Fort), on Mill Creek.

The Indians had been gathering for some time, and the
white settlors had been told that the attack was first to be
made on Buchanan's Fori, then on Ridley's Fort, and after-
wards on the Cumberland Fort (now the Court Mouse Square).
Four hundred settlers assembled and wailed at Buchanan's
Fort for several days, but it was rumored that the Indians had
given up their intentions. Almost the whole of them then went

BLOCK HOUSES. 249

to their homes, the insecurity of their families keeping them
in constant uneasiness; so that only nineteen remained, who
lived near. On Saturday evening a Frenchman and a half-
blood Indian ran into the fort, and said that the Indians were
coming and would soon be there. They were not believed, and
the half-breed told them they might cut off his head if the sav-
ages did not reach the place in an hour. Two men went out to
reconnoiter, but, walking along heedlessly, fell into an ambush,
and were killed and scalped. As they did not return, it was
supposed that the Frenchman and half-blood had lied, and
that they had come among them to take white wives. They
were now looked upon with suspicion. In this state of things
all the men of the fort retired to rest, leaving Sallie Buchanan
to sit up in the kitchen.

While she was listening in the dead of night to a noise
in the distance, which she at first supposed indicated the
approach of the messengers, suddenly she heard the horses
and cows struggling and running about in the enclosure in
great agitation (for, as Mrs. Ridley said: "Cows is mortal
feared, as well as horses, of them parfect devils, the Indians),
and knowing the signs, she aroused the men with the cry,
^Indians, boys, Indians!" Instantly arming themselves, they
flew to the gate, which 900 warriors of the Choctaws, Chero
kees and Chickasaws were trying to force open. The gate was
thoroughly well secured. The Indians fortunately making
no diversion at any other point, the brave men inside had but
this to defend. They answered the Indian yells by a shot at
them when a chance occurred to kill.

In the meantime, it was found that those who had left
took almost all the bullets with them. The heroic Sally Buch-
anan undertook the task of supplying them at the kitchen fire,
and actually cast all the bullets that were fired, while a female
relative, who was staying with her, assisted. As fast as they
were ready, Sally would run out with them and cry aloud:
"Here, boys, here's bullets for you, but mind you don't serve
them out till you are sure of knocking some of those scream-
ing devils over."

So much were the men encouraged by the indomitable
spirit of Sally that liny foughl with the confidence (if victory.

250 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

The Indians, after a fruitless attempt to force their way in,
which lasted several hours, becoming apprehensive that the
report of the rifles and uproar, which Mrs. Ridley heard very
distinctly two miles off, would bring succor to the garrison,
drew off before daylight, losing several of their number.
And so this garrison, not only saved itself, but all the other
forts, which the Indians intended capturing.

In 1781 the Indians made an attack on Nashville (then
called Nashborough) at the stockade on the bluff. During the
night of April 1, 1781, a numerous body of Cherokees came and
lay in ambush near the fort. In the morning three of them
approached the fort, tired and ran off, yet not out of sight.
They were seen reloading their guns and occasionally waving
their hands to attract notice. This was evidently a banter of
defiance, and it was so regarded by the whites, who resolved to
go out. to battle. A party of some twenty or more mounted
their horses and rode through the gate. They dashed down the
hill towards Broad street and the branch (Wilson Spring
Branch) in pursuit of the retreating foe. The few Indians, who
had kept out of sight, made a stand near the bank of the creek.
The position is near the corner of College and Demonbreun
streets. The men dismounted at Broad to give battle. A con
siderable body of Indians was concealed in the bed of the
creek and among the thick bushes, and suddenly fired on the
men as they dismounted. The fire was returned with alacrity
and with some effect. The horses tied up the hill towards the
fort. At this moment another party of Indians, with a yell,
dashed forth from their hiding places on the side of the hill
near what is now Cherry street. They attempted to catch the
retreating horses, which, going to the fort and finding the gate
closed, ran down towards French Lick. Had the Indians main-
tained their position or extended their line to the river, not a
white man could have got back to the fort.

The horses passed through the Indian line and drew after
them many who preferred a horse to discipline or the com-
mands of the chiefs. At this moment the dogs of the fori . see-
ing the confusion and hearing the tiring, ran down the hill.
These dogs were trained to hostility to the savages, and they
made a most furious onset and kept the Indians busily

BLOCK HOUSES. 251

employed in self-defense. The pursub of the horses and con-
test' with the dogs so occupied the Indians that a way was
opened for the escape or retreat to the fort. The Indians
greatly outnumbered the whites. Five of the whites were
killed and two disabled by wounds. They resolved to escape
to the fort. Taking with them their two wounded companions
they ran, and were pursued by their enemies. There was no
time to reload their guns. To have stopped would have been
to encounter an overwhelming force. So they reached the
fort. One of the women said : "Thank God that he gave the
Indians a fear of dogs and a love for horses." In the retreat,
Isaac Lucas was hot down whilst running and reloading his
gun as he ran. He did not lose his presence of mind, primed
his gun, took aim, and shot dead in his tracks the foremost
Indian. The people in the fort saw Lucas fall and that he was
alive, but in danger of being killed and scalped. He lay within
the range of the guns of the fort. After he had killed his near-
est foe and crawled to a more secure place, he was prompt to
reload his rifle and look to the position of his hatchet and
butcher knife. After the repulse and retreat of the Indians.
Lucas was rescued from his perilous position. He was
brought into the fort, and recovered after a few weeks' con-
finement. There was one contest almost under the walls of
the fort. Edward Swanson was one of the retreating party.
He was pursued and overtaken by a big Indian within twenty
yards of the fort. The Indian gained upon Swanson and struck
him with his gun on the shoulder, causing Swanson to drop his
gun. Swanson turned upon his pursuer and grabbed the
Indian's gun. Then commenced a life and death struggle for
its possession. The blow had disabled Swanson; the superior
strength of the Indian wrested the gun from him and knocked
him down on all fours. The men at the fort could not fire at
the Indian, lest they should shoot their friend. At this
critical moment John Buchanan rushed out of the gate to
Swanson's relief. He killed the big Indian on the spot, took his
gun and kept it as long as he lived.

This ended the day's fight on the part of the whites. The
Indians, however, continued their efforts to secure the fright-
ened horses, but with little success. The animals wore so

252 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

much scared by the yelling Indians, the firing of guns and the
barking of dogs that but few were caught. Several days later,
most of them came to the entrance of the fort and were gladly
admitted.

The Indians stripped and scalped such whites as they had
slain and slightly covered up their own dead. They gained
five good guns. At night other Indians arrived before the sta-
tion and fired repeatedly at it, but did no harm. Quite a num-
ber of (hem were seen a few hundred yards from the fort.
There was one swivel in the fort, but no cannon balls. It was
proposed to fire this swivel at the Indians. To this, objection
was made by some persons, saying: "There are too many trees
in the way, and we have not the powder to waste." The gun
was loaded, several of the men contributing powder, pieces of
lead, pieces of horse shoes and other bits of iron. The cannon
was placed in position and fired. It made a big noise, but
whether it did the Indians any mischief or not was never
known. When the smoke cleared away, so that a view could
be obtained, the Indians were gone.

THE OLD STONE FORT NEAR MANCHESTER.

156

THE OLD STONE FORT NEAR MANCHESTER, TENN.

* [The editor received from Miss Susie Blakele3 r an interesting- and
valuable communication upon this subject, written by Mr. Robert Wil-
son Green. It was referred to Gen. G. P. Thruston with the request
that he would prepare a paper for publication upon the Old Stone Fort.]

The ancient fort situated in the forks of Duck River, in
Coffee County, is one of the largest and most elaborate pre-
historic fortifications to be found in Tennessee. It has long
been an object of special interest to persons making a study of
the remains of the ancient races of America.

STONE FORT,
Contents, 54 A. 3 R.I 3 P.

™wiiwp^

'%///!-„.

Figure I. Plan of Stone Fokt.
(From Thruston's Antiquities of Tennessee. Page 41.)

The fort differs from other prehistoric works in Tennessee.
It was probably not merely a stockade or palisade defensive
work, enclosing a village settlement, gardens and burial
grounds. It was doubtless used as a fort, into which the people

254

THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of that immediate section could assemble, and protect them
selves in limes of war or danger, as there seem to l>e no evi-
dences of a permanent settlement within the lines of the fortifi-
cation.

There is a large ancient mound 20 to 25 feet high, ahoul
one mile north of the fort, and there are other evidences of a
populous aboriginal settlement in that neighborhood. A plan
of the fort is shown in Figure. I.

There has been a great deal of speculation as to the age,
and origin of this work, but archaeologists are now quite cer-
tain that it was erected by the ancient people, popularly known
as the Mound Builders, who were doubtless village Indians of
a somewhat more advanced type than the modern Indians of
the early Western frontier.

The fortification does not differ in its general construction
from some of the prehistoric works found in the Ohio Valley.
The most remarkable feature of the fort is its entrance at the
northeast end. On both sides of the opening the general defen-
sive line was strengthened by mounds or supports of stone
about three feet higher than the main walls.

Towers or lookout stockades were doubtless located upon
these mounds. Strong parallel walls exteuded inwardly from
the entrance, with but one opening at the interior end, as shown
in Figure II.

This interior walled way was probably sur-
mounted with towers at both ends. The larg-
est of these tower-foundation mounds was.
up to a recent date, not less than sixteen feet
high. The front openings from the entrance
walls were also narrow and so constructed
that not more than two persons could enter
the fort abreast, at one time. An attacking
party, forcing its way through the main en-
trance, would have been caught between
these narrow walls, and destroyed before it
could enter the fort. The entrance, as is well
shown by the plan, and remains, was a re-
Antiquities of Ten- markable piece of military engineering'

nessee. Pa^.) ^^ () , fl Qmre ^IteA race.

."3

Figure II.
Plan- of Entrance.

(From Thrnslon

THE OLD STONE FORT NEAR MANCHESTER. 255

Messrs. Squire and Davis, in their valuable publication,
"The Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," illustrate a number
of ancient earthworks in Ohio, with entrances showing similar
defensive works and engineering skill. They were doubtless
erected by the same aboriginal race.

The walls of the old fort, now from four to ten feet high,
are formed of rock and earth. They do not show evidences of
masonry or careful rock construction, the rocks and earth being
simply heaped up, doubtless as a support to the general stock-
ade line. Along the steep bluffs, as shown in the plan, there
was no earth or rock wall, the high precipitous natural elevation
forming an ample defense against attack there. At the base of
the bluffs on the south a deep ditch must have formerly connect-
ed the two branches of the river, forming an additional defense.
The ancient walls have evidently been partly washed away and
lowered by the action of time. Some portions have almost
disappeared.

The fort is a very ancient structure. The modern Indians
seem to have had no knowledge or tradition regarding it.

Haywood tells us that in 1823 it was covered with large
forest trees. In 1819 Col. Andrew Erwin, who owned the land
upon which the fort was located, cut down a white oak tree,
which grew upon the top of the fort wall. He counted 357
"annulars." or annual circles upon the cut of the trunk, indi-
cating its great age.

According to this estimate, the tree was seventv-eiehf
years old when DeSoto landed in Florida, and thirty years old
when ( 'olumbus discovered America. How much older the fort
may have been we cannot tell. This disproves the theory that
tlie fort was erected by DeSoto's men. What a story these
interesting remains could tell, if their history could be
revealed!

The mound building and stone grave building Indians
doubtless inhabited the fertile valleys of Tennessee through
a number of centuries.

Their remains are found throughout almost the entire Mis-
sissippi Valley. They extend to Central Georgia and South
Carolina in the Southeast. The impression prevails among
archaeologists, that not long before the advent of Columbus

256 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

and DeSoto, the ruder Northern tribes overrun the territory
occupied by more peaceful and industrious village Indians of
the Ohio Valley and the South, and destroyed their towns and
humble homes.

Perhaps the ancestors of the warlike Iroquois Indians, the
Goths and Vandals of their time, were the authors of these
disasters. For nearly two hundred years before Middle Ten-
nessee and Kentucky were occupied by the pioneer white set-
tlers, this beautiful section seems to have been the hunting
ground of the Northern and Southern tribes, and was not per-
manently occupied by its Indian claimants.

GK P. THRUSTON.

GOVERNOR LEVIN WINDER. 257

GOVERNOR LEVIN WINDER, OF MARYLAND, AND THE

FAMILY OF HIS ELDEST SON, EDWARD

STOUGHTON WINDER.

[Written from records in the family Bibles of Mrs. E. T. Winder, and from papers
in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Tayloe Pennington, nee Winder,
Baltimore, Md., 1896.]

[Levin Winder, Governor of Maryland in 1812, was descended from
ancestors who were among the first settlers of Maryland. He was born
September 14, 1757. in Somerset County, and at the age of eighteen en-
tered the Revolutionary Army. He was promoted successively through
the grades of Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel in the
Colonial Army. At the time of his death he was Senior Major General
of the Maryland militia. At different times he served with distinction
in the Legislature of the State. In 1790 he married Mary Stoughton
Sloss. In 1812 he was elected Speaker of the House, and in the same
year was elected Governor, occupying the latter position until 1815.

He was a devoted Mason, and was twice elected Grand Master of
Masons in his native State. 1

He died in the city of Baltimore, July 1, 1819, universally respected
and beloved.]

At the death of Got. Levin Winder, who died in Baltimore,
July 1, 1819, aged sixty-three years, his estate, on Monie Creek,
two miles from Princess Ann, in Somerset County, Md., was
left to his widow during her life. Her name was Mary Stough-
ton Winder, nee Sloss. She lived a few years longer. At her
death the estate was sold by the trustees, and divided between
Levin Winder's three children. The eldest son was Edward
Stoughton Winder, their second son William Sydney Winder
and their daughter Marianna Stoughton Winder. Edward
Stoughton Winder was married on June 1, 182(1, at "Wye
House." to Elizabeth Tayloe Lloyd, eldest daughter of Hon.
Col. Edward Lloyd, fifth of that name of "Wye House," Talbot
County, Md. Col. Lloyd bought the farm of "Knightly," adjoin-
ing his own estate, and built a brick house there for his daugh-
ter, Elizabeth Tayloe Winder, nee Lloyd. At his mother's
death, Edward Stoughton Winder moved his family to
"Knightly," from "Monie," his sister Marianna remaining with
him until her marriage, on Feb. 22, 1831, at "Knightly," to
Thomas Emory. Esq., of Queen Ann County, Md.

258 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

William Sydney Winder moved i<> Baltimore. He died
Feb. 9, 1844. His wife, Araminta, died Feb. 13, 1845, leaving

four daughters.

Edward Stoughton Winder wns born in Maryland Sept.
21, 1798. Was appointed from Maryland Captain Second
Dragoons, June 8, 1836, and served through the Indian war in
Florida, and died at "Knightly," from the effects of the cam-
paign, March 1, 1840, aged forty-one years. Is buried at the
Lloyd burying ground, at "Wye House."

Elizabeth! Tayloe Winder, nee Lloyd, his wife, was bom
at "Wye House," Sept. 23, 1800. and died in Baltimore, March
29, 1881, and is also buried at the Lloyd burying ground, at
"Wye House," Talbot County, Md.

Edward Stoughton Winder and his wife, Elizabeth Tay-
loe Winder, nee Lloyd, had born to them eight children.
Edward Lloyd Winder, their eldest son, born Feb. 18, 1821;
died May 19, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He graduated
at the Naval Academy, in Philadelphia, aud served through the
Mexican war; resigned at the breaking out of the civil war.
joined the Confederacy and served until the end of the war.
He married Helen Thorban, Oct 19, 1848, in Norfolk. They
had no children.

Levin Winder, their second son, born Nov. 13, 1822. Died
at Louisville, Ky., March 21, 1843, in the twenty-first year of
his age. He was a young man of high promise, and much
beloved bv his familv and friends.

James Murray Winder, born Feb. 15, 1825. Died Sept. 7.
1X47, aged twenty-two years, seven months. An obituary
notice of his death reads: Lieut. Winder, of the Voltigeurs,
serving in Ferno's Battery, who was wounded at the National
Bridge, was buried yesterday, with the honors of war. He
was shot on the bridge, almost at the first fire, an escopet hall
passing through his body, carrying away his left lung. He
was a gallant and gentlemanly officer, whose loss will be
severelv felt.

GOVERNOR LEVIN WINDER. 259

Sallie Murray Winder, bom Oct. 7, 1826. Died Jan. 10,
1891. She married at "Knightly," Oct. 3, 1850, Robert C. Buch-
anan, son of Andrew Buchanan, of Baltimore. The notice of
her funeral reads: The funeral of Mrs, S. M. Buchanan, widow
of the late Gen. R. C. Buchanan, U. S. A., will take place from
St. John's P. E. Church, corner Sixteenth and H streets, Wash-
ington, D. C, Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, at 11:30 a. m. They
are both buried in one grave at Rock Creek Cemetery, Wash-
ington, D. C. They had no children.

Charles Sydney Winder, born Oct. 18, 1820. Was killed in
battle on Aug. 9, 1862. Graduated at West Point.

From Army Register: Born in Maryland. Appointed
from Maryland. Brevet Second Lieutenant Fourth Artillery,
July 1, 1850. Second Lieutenant Third Artillery, July 21, 1851.
First Lieutenant, April 5, 1851. Captain Ninth Infantry,
March, 1855.

Notice from the papers read : First Lieut. Charles S. Win-
der, of Maryland, First Lieutenant April 5, 1854, Third Artil-
lery. Soldierly conduct on the wreck of the steamer San
Francisco. Now on frontier service. First commissioned,
1850.

Lieut. Charles S. Winder, of Maryland, has, we learn, been
appointed a Captain in the Ninth Regiment instead of a First
Lieutenant. He graduated at West Point, and distinguished
himself for his gallant conduct on board the ill-fated steamer
San Francisco.

Resigned April 1, 1861. At the breaking out of the civil
war he joined the Confederate army. The Richmond Enquirer
of the day says : Brig. (Jen. Charles S. Winder, who was killed
in the battle of Southwest Mountain on Saturday, was pro-
moted from a colonelcy a few months ago for distinguished
conduct, and was one among the most meritorious young offi-
cers, we learn, in the Confederate army. The battle of South-
western Mountain, Ya., (Jen. Stonewall Jackson's official
report :

Richmond, Aug. 12. — The following official dispatch was
received here to-day:

Headquarters, Valley District, Aug. 11, 6:15 a. m. — The

260 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

battle was on Aug. !>, near Cedar Run, about six miles from
Culpeper Courthouse. We have to mourn the loss of sonn
of our best officers and men. Brig. Gen. Charles S. Winder
was mortally wounded whilst ably discharging his duty at the
head of his command, which was the advance of the left wing
of the army.

After peace was declared, the remains of Charles S. Win-
der were brought home and interred at the Lloyd family bn
ground, at "Wye House."

Capt. Chas. S. Winder, CJ. S. A., married Alice Lloyd, sec-
ond daughter of Col. Edward Lloyd, sixth of that name of
ve House," Talbot County, Md., on the evening of Aug. 7.
1855, at ''Wye House," the ceremony being perforated by the
Rev. Dr. Joseph Spencer.

Their three children are: The eldest son, Charles Sydney
Winder, born at Fort Vancouver, Oregon, W. T., Aug. 18, 1850.
Second sen, Edward Lloyd Winder, born at "Wye House" dun -
4, 1858. Married Mary Parker, Oct. 15, 1884. Their children
are Alice Lloyd Winder, born July 8, 1886. Mary Parker
Winder, born Nov. P.), 1889.

Elizabeth Lloyd Winder, born Aug. 4, 1860, at "Wye
House.'* Pied Nov. S, 1862, at "Presquile."

Elizabeth Tayloe Winder, born Aug. 1. is:', 1. at "Knightly."
She was married to Charles -Josiah Pennington, of Baltimn 'i .
.Md.. April 14, 1853, at "Knightly." They had three children
born to them. The supplement to the obituary record of prad-
•tes of Yale College, 1870-80, says: Charles Josiah Penning-
ton, eldest son of Josiah and Sophia C. "Olaphani" Pennine
was born in Baltimore, Md., Oct. i!!». 1826, and died in the same
city March 27, 1877, aged fifty years. He married April 14.
1853, Elizabeth T. Winder, of Talbol County, Maryland, who
witli his children, two sons and a daughter, survives him.

Their (ddest son is a well-known architect of Baltimore,
Josiah Pennington, born dan. 21, L854, in Baltimore. He mar-

GOVERNOR LEVIN WINDER. 261

ried Nov. 21, 1883. Margaret Riggs Pleasants, at St. Paul
Church, Baltimore. Their sou is Hall Pleasants Pennington,
born May 24, 1888.

Elizabeth Lloyd Pennington, born Nov. 22, 1855, in Balti-
more.

Edward Winder Pennington, born Aug. 31, 1857, at
"Knightly." Died Nov. 1, 1891. The notice of his death in the
Sun reads: Edward Winder Pennington, in the thirty-fifth
year of his age, suddenly on Nov. 4, at the residence of his
mother.

The funeral of Mr. Edward AY. Pennington took place
from his late home. The interment was made at Greenmount
Cemetery. Mr. Pennington was one of the best-known civil
engineers in Baltimore. He was one of the first to arrive at
Johnstown after the flood, and was presented with a hand-
some gold watch for his valuable services rendered in getting
trains through.

Mary Winder, born Oct. S, 1833. Died March, 1882. Is
buried at the Lloyd burying ground, at "Wye House."

William Sydney Winder, fifth son, born Oct. 1, 1835. Mar-
ried Oct. 4, 1882, in Baltimore County, Alice Stum].. Their
children are Elizabeth B. Winder, born Sept. 11. 1883. Ella
S. Winder, born Aug. 5, 1885.

NOTES.

(Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun, 1804.)
Princess Ann, April 0. — The tomb of Wm. Stoughton, who
was buried at "Almodington," the Elzey estate, on the
Monokia River, in Somerset County, was removed on Satur-
day to tlie cemetery of All Saints' Church, "Monie." The fol-
lowing inscription appears on the old marble slab marking the
grave: Here lyeth the body of Wm. Stoughton, Esq.. born in
the year 1692, and departed this life the 12th day of March,
1759, aged sixty-three years. Col. Stoughton married a daugh-
ter of John Elzey, of Manokin, who settled in Somerset in 1603,
and was the great-grandfather of the wife of Gov. Winder, of
Maryland. Col. Stoughton presented to Somerset Parish an
elegant silver communion service, which is now used in St.

262 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Andrew's Church, Princess Ann. and All Saint's Church,
"Monie," and is the admiratioD of ;ill who have ever seeD it.

This account in the paper had Gov. Wm. Winder, of Mary-
land. We cannot be wrong in saying it should be Gov. Levin
Winder, who married Mary Stoughton Sloss, on May 13, 1790,
and who was Governor of Maryland in 1812, and who was the
onlv Gov. Winder, of Maryland.

A book plate with the name and coat-of-arms of Wm.
Stoughton, Esq., and a seal with the coat-of-arms, besides the
name in the family, are the only records in my possession, and
a copy of the coat-of-arms on a silver urn, which belonged/to
Gov. Levin Winder and his wife, and which, family tradition
says, was Sloss, and was brought from England.

PEDIGREE OF THE POEK PAMIEY. 26

PEDIGREE OF THE POLLOK OR POLK FAMILY FROM

FULBERT, THE SAXON, (A. D. 1075) TO THE

PRESENT TIME.

BY MISS MARY WINDER GARRETT, WILLIAMSBURG, VA.

[Continued from April number J

William Polk, the second son of Robert Bruce Polk, or
Pollok, and Magdaline, his wife, inherited "White Hall," the
home place in Somerset County, Maryland, and remained in
Maryland. His descendants are mostly in that State, but a
few in Delaware. William Polk married Nancy Knox (but
when she married him she was the Widow Owens). She was
the sister of Joanna Knox, the first wife of his brother John,
thus making the descendants of these two brothers doubly
related, through Polks and sisters Knox. William Polk had
two sons, David Polk and James Polk. David Polk, the elder
son. inherited "White Hall" from his father. He was Colonial
Judge for the Comity of Somerset, Maryland. The commission
of Judge David Polk, one of his Lordship's Justices of the
Peace, was dated June 8, 1763. The last term of court he acted
as Judge was June term, 1766. Commission on page 223.
Judgments of court, Somerset County, commencing March
court, 1760, and ending June 1, 1763.

He married Betsey Gillis, and had five children, (1) Will-
iam, (2) Esina, (3) a daughter who married Hamden Haney, (4)
Gillis, (5) a daughter who married Judge Davie.

William Polk, the oldest son of Judge David Polk, was
Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland; he was born 1752,
died 1814. He was married three times and has left numerous
descendants. First, he married Esther, the daughter of Judge
Win. Winder. She was, when she married him, the widow of
Isaac Handy. His second wife was the Widow Dennis, nee
Purnell. His third wife was Mary Hubble. By bis first mar-
riage, with Esther Handy, he had five children: (1) Elizabeth,
(2) Esther. (3) Gertrude, (4) William, (5) Josiah Polk. Eliza-

264 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

beth, the eldesl child, married Judge Troraentine, tirst L'nited
States Senator from Louisiana. No descendants from this
marriage. Esther, the second daughter of Judge William Polk
aud Esther, his wife, married three times: First, May King,
one son, Henry King; second time she married Charles H.
Winder, no children; third, Alexander Stuart, son of Alexan-
der Stuart, surgeon in the revolution; no children. Gertrude,
third child of Judge William Polk and Esther, his wife, mar-
ried, in 177!), her cousin, Gen. William Henry Winder. He
was a member of the Maryland Legislature. In the war of
1812, he was Colonel, Brigadier General and Adjutant General.
Schaf, in the "Chronicle," of Baltimore, speaks of (leu. Will-
iam Henry Winder as "one of Baltimore's brilliant lights/'
and one of the most eminent lawyers in the city. Schaf states
that at the time of his death Gen. Winder had the largest
practice of any man at the bar in Baltimore, and one of the
largest in the United States Supreme Court, (leu. William
Henry Winder and Gertrude, his wife, had leu children. Of
these, five died in infancy. Those who gained maturity were
John Henry Winder, born Feb. 21, 1800. William Henry Win
der, born 1S07. Charles Henry Winder, born 1809. Gertrude
Winder, Aurelia Winder. William Henry Winder and Ger-
trude Winder never married. John Henry Winder, son of ( leu.
William Henry Winder and Gertrude, Ins wife, was horn in
Somerset County in 1800. Graduated at West Point; entered
the artillery; resigned in L861 ; entered the Confederate States
army as Brigadier General. Died at Florence. S. C. Feb. 0.
1865. He was twice married. First wife. Elizabeth Shepherd;
second wife, Caroline Cox. By his first marriage, with Eliza-
beth Shepherd, lie had one son. William A. Winder, Dr. of
Marine, in charge of .Marine Hospital, San Diego, Cal.; Cap-
tain in the United States army. Appointed, 1894, United
States Special Agenl for settlement of Indians at Covelo,
Bound Valley Agency, North California. He married Abby
K. Goodwin and has one son. William Winder, Lieutenant \ja
the United States Xavy. I>y the second marriage of < Jen. John
Henry Winder and Caroline < 'ox he had two children. John C.
Winder and William Sidney Winder. William Sidney is un-
married and resides in Baltimore. John C. Winder, the older

PEDIGREE OE THE POLK FAMILY. 265

brother, married Octavia Bryan. He was Major in Confederate
service. Was Vice President of Seaboard Air Line Railway
miles). He has fire children: Mary. Caroline, John H., Ger-
trude. Octavia. Mary Winder married Washington Bryan;
issue, Octavia Winder, Annie Washington and Mary Winder,
James West and John Winder Bryan. Caroline Winder mar-
ried Dr. F. W. Hughes; issue, Octavia Winder Hughes, Annie
Smallwood, Isaac Hayne, Mary Winder, John Winder and
James Betner Hughes. John H. Winder (son of John C.) is
< reneral Manager of Seaboard Air Line. He married Florence
Tucker; two children, John C. Winder and William S. Winder.
Gertrude A. Winder (daughter of John A. Winder) married
W. R. Tucker; issue, Marie, Octavia and Gertrude A. Tucker
and Rufus. Octavia Winder, fifth child of John A. Winder,
married Ludlow S. Kinner.

Charles H. Winder (son of Gen. William Henry Winder!
married Mary Sterrett; had two children. Josephine and Mary
Winder. Mary died 1S64, aged seventeen years. Josephine
married Stewart Darrell, of Bermuda, but they reside in Balti-
more; children. Cavendish Darrell, Marie Josephine Barrel!.

Aurelia Winder, daughter of Gen. William Henry Winder,
married Mr. James Townsend. She was born, 1820. Died at
Ovster Bav, Long Island, X. Y., in 1885. She left no children.
She was the author of a volume of poems.

William Winder Polk, oldest son, and fourth child of
Judge William Polk, by his first marriage, with Esther Handy,
was born Aug. 0, 1787; died, Feb. 13, 1850. He married Alniy
Townsend, daughter of William Townsend. of Long Island, N.
Y. From this marriage seven children; first. William Winder
(who died unmarried i. Mary Townsend, Margaret Hoffman,
Gertrude Winder (died in infancy). Francis James (died in
infancy), James Black (died unmarried). Louisa Dorsey. Miss
Margaret Hoffman Polk resides in Baltimore. Mary Town-
send Polk, second child and oldest daughter of William Win-
der Polk and Almy, his wife, married twice; first, Victor Mon-
roe, of Kentucky, and second. Judge Alfred Iverson, of Geor-
gia. Victor Monroe was a cousin of President James Monroe,
and son of Thomas Bell Monroe, who was born in Albemarle
County, Virginia. At an early age he married Eliza Palmer

266 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Adair, daughter of Gen. .John Adair, then Governor of Ken-
tucky. He was appointed by President Jackson. Judsre of the
United States District Court for District of Kentucky, and
held the office until the election of President Lincoln, when
he resigned and came South, and represented thej^tate of Ken-
tucky in the Confederate Congress. Died after the war at Pass
Christian, Miss. Victor Monroe, his son, who married Mary
Townsend Polk, was appointed Judge of the United States
Court, for the Territory of Washington, upon the organization
of that Territory, during the presidency of Pierce. He went
across the plains with the hist Territorial Governor, Stephens.
His family did not accompany him. He died out there a few
years later, about 1858, leaving three childreu, William Win-
der Monroe, Frank Adair Monroe and Mary Eliza
Monroe. William Winder Monroe, the eldest son of
Victor Monroe (and Mary Townsend Polk), commanded Mor-
gan's advance guard in the raid through Ohio; was captured
and kept in Camp Douglas eighteen months; exchanged and
recaptured with President Davis and party, and sent to Fort
McHenry, where he was kept in solitary confinement for sev-
eral months after the war. He married Lavinia Berry, and is
now a railroad man, at present residing at Danville, Ky., and
has two children, Catherine Berry Monroe and Anna Prudell
Monroe. Frank Adair Monroe, brother of William Winder
Monroe and second son of Victor Monroe and Mary Townsend
Polk, was in the freshman class at the Kentucky Military In-
stitute, when the war broke out, went into the army, joined
Company E, Fourth Kentucky Regiment, "Breckinridge
Brigade/' In 1861 was discharged as under age. In March,
1862, joined First Louisiana Cavalry; was wounded and cap-
tured in March, 1803, near Somerset, Ky. ; was exchanged
December, 1863. When the war closed, he settled in Louisiana
and studied law. Was recommended by members of the bar
for judgeship ami was elected by the Democratic party Judge
of the Third District Court, parish of New Orleans. In 1870.
Louisiana had a new ( Constitution, and the several civic and
probate courts in the city and parish were constituted one
court, having five judges, to be appointed by the Governor.
He went in with the first Nicholls administration. Judge

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 267

Monroe has been reappointed many times and since 1888 has
been presiding Judge; and since 1880 a member of the law
faculty of Tulane University, of Louisiana; professor of com-
mercial law and the law of corporations; and is President of
ried Alice Blanc and they have nine children, viz.: Adele,
the Association of the Army of Tennessee, Louisiana Division;
Camp No. 2, United Confederate Veterans. Judge Monroe mar-
Marion. "Winder Polk. Alice, Frank Adair, Jules Blanc, Kate
Adair, Gertrude, William Blanc Monroe.

Mary Eliza Monroe, only daughter and third child of Victor
Monroe and Mary Townsend Polk, his wife, married George
A. Vincent and resides in New Orleans. They have two chil-
dren. Winder Monroe Vincent and William Germaine Vincent.

Louisa Dorsey Polk, daughter of William Winder Polk
and Alniy Townsend, his wife, married J. Banister Hall, of
Baltimore, Md., and had five children, viz.: William Winder
Polk Hall, died an infant; Anne Galbraith Hall, J. Banister
Hall, Louisa Polk Hall and Marguerite Almy Hall. Anne
Galbraith Hall, second child of J. Banister Hall and Louisa
Dorsey Polk, his wife, married Francis King Carey, of Balti
more. Md., and has three children, viz., Louisa Carey, Francis
James Carey and Margaret Townsend Carey.

Josiah Polk, fifth child of Judge William Polk, by his
first marriage, with Mrs. Isaac Handy, nee Esther Winder,
married Rebecca Troup, of Baltimore County; two children,
Henry Troup, Mary C. Troup.

Judge William Polk, son of Judge David Polk, son of
William, son of Robert Bruce Polk and Magdaline, his wife,
married the second time the widow of Henry Dennis, nee Ann
Purnell (granddaughter of (Jen. William Arbuckle); to them
were born an only child, a son, and this son was Col. James
Polk, who died 1808. He was register of wills for Somerset
County, Marvland. Inherited the family estate, "WJiite Hall,"
was a naval officer under the administration of James Knox
Polk, for the port of Baltimore, in the year 1845. He married
Ann Maria Stuart, daughter of Alexander Stuart, surgeon of
the Continental troops in the war of the Revolution. To James
and his wife were born fourteen children, seven of whom died
in infancy, the remaining seven were William L. Polk, James

268 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Polk, Lucius C. Polk, JosiaL B. Polk, Esther Winder Polk,
Mary Aim Polk, Ariana P. S. Polk. William L. Polk, son of
Col. .James Polk and Aim Maria Stuart, liis wife, married Miss
Eslis, of Kentucky, and lias three children, Win. Polk, Ksiis
Polk and dames Polk. The second son of Col. James Polk and
his wife (Ann Maria Stuart) was .James Polk, who married
Nannie Maddox and has live children, viz.: Anna Polk, Katie
Polk, dames Polk, Mary Polk and Willie Polk. Lucius Polk,
the third son of Col. .fames Polk and Ann Maria Stuart, his
wife, married Mary (Mark, and has one child, Clark Polk.
Josiah B. Polk, fourth son of Col. James Polk and Ann Maria
Stuart, his wife, married -Julia Parker. Esther Winder Polk,
eldest daughter of Col. . Janus Polk and Ann Maria Stuart, his
wife, married Gov. E. Louis Lowe, of Maryland, ami has seven
children, viz.: Adelaide Lowe, who married Austin Jenkins:
Anna Maria Lowe, Paul E. Lowe, Vivian V. Lowe, Mary
Gorter Lowe, married Frank .Jenkins; Esther W. Lowe. Vic-
toire Y. Lowe.

Mary Ann Polk, second daughter of Col. James Polk and
Ann Maria Stuart, his wife, married Gope Omer Gorter, of
Amsterdam, Holland; six children, viz.: Omer Cope Gorter,
who married Alice Edmonson; Albert Lucius Gorter, married
Mary E. Thompson; James Polk (loiter. Nathan Ryno Gorter,
Meta E. Gorter, Maria A. Gorter. Ariana E. S. Polk, youngest
child of Col. -James Polk land his wife. Ann M. Stuart), mar-
ried L. Briscoe; one child. Martha W. Briscoe.

Judge William, son of Judge David Polk, married the
third time, Mary Hubble, and had one child by this marriage,
Am; Promentine Polk. This only child was twice married; first
to Robert Walker, of Georgia. They had two children. Will-
iam and Ephraim. William married, but died shortly after-
wards, leaving no children, and Ephraim died quite a young
child. Ann Promentine Polk married second, Gov. Herschel
V. Johnson, of Georgia; issue, nine children. The two oldest
died in infancy; those who gained maturity were Emmet John-
son. Winder Polk Johnson, Tallulale Johnson. Anne Johnson.
Gertrude -Johnson. Herschel V. Johnson and Tomlinson John-
son. Emmet Johnson married Ceraldine Griffin; died, leaving
no children. Winder Polk Johnson married Leonora Johnson;

PEDIGREE OF THE POLK FAMILY. 269

lived at the old Johnson homestead, in Jefferson Comity; died
a few years ago, leaving five children: Emmet Johnson, Annie
Johnson, Leonora Johnson, Hersehel Johnson, Rosa Johnson.

Tallulale Johnson, daughter of Gov. Hersehel V. Johnson
land Ann, his wife,), married Capt. Pearce Home, February.
1862; twelve children. Three died in infancy. The nine who
sained maturitv were Michael Home, Gertrude Home, Ara-
bella Home, Annie Home, Tallulale Home, Pearce Home,
Caroline Home. William Home. John Beckwith Home.
Michael Beckwith Home married Mary Marsh; has five chil-
dren: Addie Home, Annie Ruth Home, Michael Home, Marsh
Johnson Home and an infant. Gertrude Home, second child
of Capt. Pearce Home land Tallulale Johnson, his wife,), mar-
ried Frank Baker; has one child, Frank Baker. Arabella
Home, third child of Capt. Pearce Horn, married William
White Johnson; two children, Herchel Y. Johnson and Jane
('arvor Johnson. Tallulale Home, daughter of Capt. Pearce
Home and Tallulale Johnson, his wife, married Henry Augus-
tus Russell ; no children.

Annie Johnson, daughter of Gov. Hersehel V. Johnson and
Ann. his wife, married Charles Hardwick, of Savannah, Ga.;
no children. Gertrude Johnson, daughter of Gov. Hersehel
V. Johnson and Ann, his wife, married Col. John Stubbs, of
Dublin, Ga.; they have no children. Hersehel V. Johnson, son
of Gov. Hersehel Y. Johnson, married Caroline Roberts. Both
dead. Xo descendants. Tomlinson Johnson, son of Gov. Her-
sehel V. Johnson and Ann, his wife, married Emma Ark-
wright; four children, Emma Johnson. Cora Johnson, Tomlin-
son Johnson, Annie Johnson.

James Polk, brother of Judge David and son of William,
son of Robert Bruce Polk and Magdaline, his wife, married
Mary Cottman; five children: Virginia Polk, Benjamin Polk,
a daughter who married Mr. Whittington, Nancy Polk. Will-
iam Polk. Virginia never married. Benjamin married; had
eleven children, viz. : Benjamin Polk, Justina Polk. Ellenora
Polk; Jane Polk, who married her cousin, William Polk; Mary
Collins Polk, Sarah Polk, Betsey Polk, Isaac Polk, David
Polk. Whittington Tolk. James Polk. Whittington Polk, son
of James, married his cousin, E. G. Polk, of Pocomoke Citv;

270 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

seven children: Whittington Polk, Sarah Polk, Carrie II.
Polk, Ann 1). Polk, Emerson W. Polk, Rebecca Polk,
William Stevens Collins Polk. Whittington, the eld-
est son, married and had three children, Upshur, Marion
and Jane. Sarah Polk, sister of Wittington Polk and
daughter of Whittington Polk, married William Whittington;
two children, girls. Rebecca, sixth child of Whittington Polk,
married Thomas Whittington. William Stevens Collins Polk,
youngest son of Whittington Polk, married and had four chil-
dren, viz.: Joshua Polk, Florence Polk, William Lee Polk". Eva
Polk.

William Polk, brother of Benjamin and son of -James
Polk (and Mary Cottman, his wife,) married and had seven
children, viz.: William (who died young), James Polk. Josiah
Polk, Betsey, who married Mr. Harcum, of Westmoreland
County, Va.; Nancy, who also married Mr. Harcum, of West-
moreland County, Va.; John Polk, who married Jane, his
cousin, and had four children, Harriet Polk, Clarissa Polk,
Margaret Polk, who married Mr. Stuart; William T. Polk, who
married Mary Ann Harcum, and Louisa Harcum, her sister,
had a daughter, Mary, who married Mr. Braughton.

Samuel Polk, seventh son of William Polk, son of James
Polk and Mary Cottman, his wife, married Miss Grillis, and had
seven children, viz.: Pollen G. Polk, married John Woolford;
Joseph Grillis Polk; Lyttleton Polk; Caroline Polk, second wife
of John Woolford; Eliza Ann Polk, married Dr. James
Dashiel; Mary W. Polk, married John Belle; William T. G.
Polk married, first. Miss Elizabeth Woolford, second wife,
Mary Henry, of Princess Anne County, Maryland.; ten chil-
dren, viz.: John W. Polk, Lemuel Polk. Sarah A. Polk. Eliza-
beth W. Polk. Addie H. Polk, Caroline W. Polk. Samuel Polk
and William T. G. Polk.
[To be continued in next issue, beginning with the Ephraim Polk branch.]

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 271

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON.

BY LAVINIA R. (HILL) BROWN.
[Continued from April number.]

(Fourth Generation.)
(No. 75.)
Fannie H. Robertson, daughter of James Randolph and
Susan (Oldham) Robertson, married Leroy Napier, Aug. 27,
1837. (12 children.) See extended, Napier line.

(No. 77.)
Eliza H. Robertson, daughter of James Randolph and
Susan (Oldham) Robertson, married Gen. E. Sterling C. Rob-
ertson, July 29, 1816, in Robertson County, Texas. She died
March 25, 1852, at Austin, Tex.; they had three children, two
died in infancy, a son and daughter.

200. Sterling 0. Robertson, born April 20, 1810.

(No. 78.)
Medora Robertson, daughter of James Randolph and
Susan (Oldham) Robertson; married Mr. Van Iron, 1843; two
children.

201. Son; names unknown.

202. Son; names unknown.

(No. 79.)
Hays H., married and died in San Antonio; no issue.

(No. 81.)
James B. Robertson, son of James Randolph and Susan
(Oldham) Robertson, was in Fourth Texas. Hood's Brigade,
and was killed at "Gaines' Mill," Va.

(No. 83.)
Jimmy Jackson left widow and several children in Texas.

(No. 84.)

Medora Charlotte Cheatham, daughter of Col. Leonard

and Elizabeth (Robertson) Cheatham, married Samuel Riggs

(wholesale merchant of Philadelphia), Sept. 21, 1835; he died

July 5, 1817; no issue. Second marriage was to James S.

272 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Thayer, of New York. May, 1851, who died Jan. 1!). 1881; two
children.

263. Medora; no dates given.

264. Ada; no dates given.

(No. 85.)

Benjamin F. Cheatham, son of Col. Leonard and Elizabeth
(Robertson) Cheatham, married Anna Bell Robertson, March
15, 1800; slie died in 1888; five children.

205. Benjamin Franklin, born May 20, 1867.

266. Pal ton Robertson, born Dec. !). ISO!).

2<>7. Joseph Johnston, born Feb. 11, 1872.

268. Medora, born May 20, 1878.

269. Alice, born Nov. 23, 1880.

(Xo. 85.)

Benjamin Franklin Cheatham raised a company for Mexi-
can war; was Captain one year; then, recruited a regiment at
Nashville and became its Colonel, serving with it to the end.
He went to California, but on the breaking out of the war,
tendered his services to the Confederacy and was commis-
sioned Brigadier General, and later was promoted to Major
General; serving with distinction; 1885 was appointed post-
master of Nashville, Tenn.

(Xo. 86.)
Sarah Pope Cheatham, daughter of Col. Leonard and
Elizabeth (Robertson) Cheatham, married Dr. John L. Chap-
man, Dec. 10, 1814. Xo issue.

(Xo. 87.)
Felix R. Cheatham, son of Col. Leonard and Elizabeth
Cheatham, was a prominent citizen of Nashville, Tenn.. a suc-
cessful real estate agent, and greatly beloved by his relatives
and friends; lie married Ophelia ( !. McGavock Feb. 17. 1857: she
died April 21, 1805; three children.

270. Felix Robertson, born 1858, died Oct. 28, 1883.

271. Frank James, born Dim-. 20. 1800. died February, 1896.

272. Carrie, died in infancy.

(No. 88.)
John A., son of Col. Leonard and Elizabeth (Robertson)
Cheatham, married Mrs. Lottie Cheatham, Jan. 17, 1882.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 273

(No. 89.)

Martha Eliza Cheatham, daughter of Col. Leonard and
Elizabeth (Robertson) Cheatham, married Dr. George S.
Blackie, Jan. 28, 1858. He died June 9, 1881; four children.

273. Elizabeth, born Jan. 15, 1859, died Oct. 24, 1891.

274. Berrien Lindsley, born Sept. 1!). 1860, died December,

1893.

275. Marion Greve, born Nov. 24, 1867.

276. George Frederick, born Dec. 22, 1869.

(No. 89.)

Dr. George S. Blackie was a native of Scotland*, educated
in the University of Edinburgh, where his brother, John
Stewart Blackie, was for many years professor of Greek. In
1857 Dr. Blackie came to America, where he became pro-
fessor of botany in the University of Nashville. He was a man
of great all round ability, which he lavished on enterprises for
public good. He was distinguished for his high literary attain-
ments, and filled many important places as an educator in
Nashville, Tenn., where he died June 19, 1881.

(No. 90.)

Maria Louise Cheatham, daughter of* Col. Leonard ami
Elizabeth (Robertson) Cheatham, married Dr. John Chapman,
June 17, 1847; four children.

277. Leonora.

278. Frank.

279. Maria Louise.

280. Ophelia; dead.

(No. 92.)
Ada Byron Cheatham, daughter of Col. Leonard and Eliz-
abeth (Robertson) Cheatham, was bora in Nashville, Tenn.;
finished her education in New York City, where she afterwards
resided, and received the advantages of extended travel in
Europe.

(No. 93.)

Alice B. Cheatham, daughter of Col Leonard and Eliza-
beth Cheatham, married -Tames ^\Vbb Smith, who died Sept. <\,
1869 ; three children.

274 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

281. .James Thayer.

282. James Webb; dead.

283. Leonard Pope, born Feb. 23, 1870.

(No. 95.)
Mary Eliza, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Martha
(Goodloe) Robertson, married Dr. John Martin Taylor, in Union
County, Kentucky. 1N4:S. Dr. J. M. Taylor was from the old
distinguished presidential family of Taylors, which produced
two Presidents of the United States. President Madison,
through his grandmother, Frances Taylor, and Zachary Tay-
lor; ten children.

284. Frank, born 1S47.

285. Henry R., born L849.

286. Samuel M., born 1851.

287. Jonathan (J., born 1853.
2SS. .John Martin, born 1855.
28!). Robert, born 1S57.

290. Eliza Mildred, born 1859.

291. Benjamin H., born 1863.
2!>2. Goodloe Rives, born 1868.

293. Daughter; died an infant.

(No. !I7.)
William H. Howard Robertson, son of Henry Villars and
Rebecca (Oldham) Robertson, married Mary Emma (adopted
daughter of ('apt. Felix Robertson, of Independence, Tex.):
second marriage to Miss Annie Martin; seven children.

294. Henry V.; no dates.

295. Thomas B.; no dates.

296. Mary; no dates.

297. Courtney; no dates.

(Second Marriage.)
20s. James; no dates.
29!). Frank; no dates.
.*!()(). Julia ; no dates.

(No. 98.)
Dr. 1). Hardeman Robertson, sou of fienry Villars and

Rebecca (Oldham) Robertson, was a physician and partner of

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 275

Dr. Jerome B. Robertson. He was in the C. S. A.; lived in Inde-
pendence, Tex.; unmarried.

(No. 99.)
Henry Oldham Robertson, son of Henry Villars and
Rebecca (Oldham) Robertson, married Sept. 11, 1866, to Sallie
Edney, born in Tennessee, 1846; five children.

301. James E.; died in infancy.

302. Fernando E., born Nov. 6, 1868.

303. Leonora A., born Feb. 26, 1871.

304. A dele, born Dec. 1, 1876.

305. Sallie B., born Sept. 21, 1879.

(No. 100.)
Benjamin Franklin Robertson, son of Henry Villars and
Rebecca (Oldham) Robertson, married Agnes Cooper; one
child.

306. Irene; no data.

(No. 101.)

Louise Frances Robertson, daughter of Henry Villars and
Rebecca (Oldham) Robertson, married G-eorge S. Seward, of
Lott, Tex., July 3, 1800; two children.

307. Henry B.; no dates given.

308. Bettie; no dates given.

(No. 102.)
Bettie Robertson, daughter of Henry Villars and Rebecca
(Oldham) Robertson, married Thomas E. ('lay, Nov. 28, 1866.
He was Captain of Terry's Rangers, from Kentucky; seven
children.

309. Tacitus.

310. Sue.

311. James R.

312. Seth Shepard.

313. Edward F.

314. David Jones.

315. Nettie Louise.

(Xo. 103.)
James Randolph, son of Henry V. and Rebecca (Oldham)
Robertson, married Annie Thornbill, of New Orleans, and lives
at Brenham, Tex.; eight children.

276 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

316. William T.

317. Rebecca.

318. Pauline.

319. Emma.

320. D. H.

321. Attrius.

322. George C.

323. Clay.

(No. 104.)

Susan F. Robertson, daughter of Henry V. and Rebecca
(Oldham) Robertson, married Attrius M. Clay, brother of
Thomas Clay. No issue.

(No. 112.)

Georgetta Witt, daughter of Charlotte and Georgetta
Witt, married William Wilkerson; no dates given; six chil-
dren..

324. Jack; no dates given.

325. Marietta; no dates given.
320. Eugenia; no dates given.

327. William; no dates given.

328. Fannie; no dates given.
320. Inez; no dates given.

(No. 113.)

Benjamin F. Drake, son of William and Mary Drake, mar-
ried Julina Green, dan. 22, 1850; nine children.

330. Albert J.; no information given.

331. Susanna; no information given.

332. Robert; died.

333. Clinton; never married.

334. Boyd; no dates.

335. Millie; no dates.

336. Elvis; never married.

337. Blanch; never married.

(Note) Tennessee omitted hy mNtakp.

(No. 114.1

John 1». Drake, son of Mary and William Drake, married
Chloe B. Reed. Jan. 10. 1851 ; seven children.

338. William H.; no information uiven.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 277

339. Clara; no information given.

340. Sarah Ann; no information given.

341. Mary; no information given.

342. Maud M.; no information given.

343. Joseph H. ; no information given.

344. John; no information given.

(No. 117.)

Susanna Drake, daughter of William and Mary Drake,
married Timothy Walton, Oct. 2, 1849; five children.

345. William J.; died young.

346. Lizzie; no dates given.

347. Ella S.; no dates given.

348. Earnest T.; no dates given.

349. Eugenia; no dates given.

(No. 118.)

James R. Drake, son of William and Mary Drake, mar-
ried Nancy Wilkerson, Sept. 12, 1849; four children.

350. Fannie M.

351. Laura.

352. William.

353. Robert.

(No. 119.)

Elizabeth D., daughter of William and Mary Drake, mar-
ried Allen Ledbetter. No issue.

(No. 120.)
Harriet Drake, daughter of William and Mary Drake,
married Allen Ledbetter (her brother-in-law), Dec. 4, 1854; two
children.

354. Sudie D.

355. Mary E.; not married.

(No. 121.)
Eliza Ann McAllister, daughter of John and Eliza Mc-
Allister, married Solomon D. Kainey Aug. 21, 1S34; five chil-
dren.

356. Robert; no other information.

357. Mary E.; no other information.

358. James; no other information.

278 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

359. William; no other information.

360. Dora ; no other information.

(No. 122.)

John Neblett, son of Benjamin and Eliza (Bosley) Neblett,
married Martha West; three children.

361. Benjamin; no dates given.

362. Drew; no dates given.

363. Althia; no dates given.

(No. 123.)

Charlotte Neblett, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza
(Bosley) Neblett, married John Jones; four children.
304. Hugh; dead.

365. John; not married.

366. Mollie.

367. Sterling; not married.

(No. 124.)

Marietta Neblett, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Bosley)
Neblett, married John McNairy Newell, Jan. 2<i, 1854; six
children.

368. Robert McNairy; no dates.

369. John B. ; no dates.

370. Willie Bell; no dates.

371. Felix Rainey; no dates.

372. Rotie; no dates.

373. James R.; died in infancy.

(No. 130.)
Lavinia, daughter of Henry and Maria (Bosleyi Neblett,
married Dr. Christopher Brodie; five children.
•*!74. Amanda; married; dead.

375. Henry; dead— 0. S. A.

376. Laura ; no dates.
."!77. William ; no dates.
378. diaries; dead.

(No. 131.)

Robert, son of Henry and Maria i Bosley) Neblett, married
Josephine Anient; five children.
.">70. Samuel; no dates given.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 279

380. Alice; no dates given.

381. Lavinia ; no dates given.

382. Julia; no dates given.

383. Georgians ; no dates given.

(No. 132.)

William Neblett, son of Henry and Maria (Bosley) Neblett,
married Miss Ware; two children.

384. John; no dates.

385. William; no dates.

(No. 134.)

John McNairy, son of McNairy and Lavinia Beck Newell,
married Marietta Neblett. (See No. 124.)

(No. 140.)

Mary Eliza, daughter of Jeremiah and Delilah (Bosley)
Scales, married her cousin, Horace Scales; four children.

386. Mary E.; no dates given.

387. Joe; no dates given.

388. Martha ; no dates given.
380. Ann; no dates given.

(No. 141.)
Joseph Henry, son of Jeremiah and Delilah I Bosley)
Scales, married Jennie Potts. (No other information.)

(No. 142.)
Martha, daughter of -Jeremiah and Delilah (Bosley) Scales,
married Sam Hopkins; three children.

300. Willie; dead.

301. Charlie.

302. Joe.

(No. 134.)

Ami Delilah, daughter of Jeremiah and Delilah (Bosley)
Scales, married Mr. Connor; two children.

303. Mary; no dates given.

304. Sam; no dates given.

(To he continued in nest issue.)

280 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON.

[Gov. Blount to Gen. Robertson.]

Mr. Cobb's January 2d 1792
Dear Sir,

General Smith having a few days past wrote you respecting
the Ratification of the Cherokee Treaty and enclosed you a copy
I shall say nothing on that Head except to ask of you to do
what I am sure you will gladly do if in your power that is to
have it preserved inviolate and if this can not be done I beg
you to make examples of the first violators of it. It will be the
Duty of the Attorney of the District Mr. Jackson to prosecute
on Information in all such cases and I have no doubt but that
he will readily do it. — I am glad to learn the good Treatment
you gave the Creek Chief and I have heard of some Cherokees
being seen at the Crossing of Cumberland with a Letter to you
from the Little Turkey begging you to supply them with Powder
and Lead- These things are trifling and had certainly better be
given if asked than refused but they are too much for an Individ-
ual to give.- You will please keep an exact amount of what you
have or shall give taking care to give nothing unnecessarily and I
have no doubt but I shall be able to procure you Payment. Where
you purchase any Thing to give take care to have an amount
stated in a good fair Hand between yourself and the Person
from whom you purchase & a Receipt for the Payment. — No
amount will be allowed by the United States without good
Vouchers- This unfortunate affair with General St. Clair has
in my opinion made attention to the Indian more indispensably
necessaiy than heretofore.

Previous to the Meeting of Congress I forwarded your ac-
count of former supplies to the Indians to your Friend Doctor
Williamson to be presented for auditing and Payment to the
proper officers as you requested but I have not heard what is
yet done with it-

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 281

Your email Cetificate for £13.0.0 proved to be Counterfeit
and is returned to me.

Geueral Moore's Twelve Thousand acre Tract of Land is
purchased of his Heirs for me so you may have the Survey
completed as soon as you please. You will please recollect all
Surveys and Grants too must be completed by the 22d day of
December next or the warrants will be lost and as no alteration
of the Indian Lines is like to take place for many years to come
they may as well be done before that Time as at a more distant
one. I wish all my warrants laid within the Time and I am
sure Doctor Williamson has the same with resp* ct to his I mean
the large one in his own Name but I suppose Nothing will be
done in the surveying Business untill after the Superior Court
in February and by the Return of Judge McNairy. I will again
write you on that head if any Thing else should occur to me
and when he comes in I should be glad to know your Sentiments
on that Subject. — The Suit of Armstrong against Ben. Smith is
not yet determined but Smith intended to petition again the
General Assembly which began in Session on the first Monday,
in the last month for leave to withdraw them and Davie who is
his Lawyer and a Member speaking on the Subject with me
seemed to be of opinion that they would be withdrawn. Prob-
ably I shall be able to give you further advice on this Head by
the Return of Judge McNairy- Mrs. Blount and two of my
sons are here (my daughters are at Tarboro with their aunt)
and here we shall stay until the first of March and then move
down to Knoxville. The reason we do not move sooner my
Houses there are not done. 1 write Sampson Williams by this
Conveyance respecting some men which he will be authorized to
raise to be stationed at the present crossing of Cumberland for
six Month to commence on the 15th March and I intend to order
more to be raised and stationed according to the Plan I recom-
mended to the President and if any are raised your son Jona-
than will be appointed an Ensign. One of my Brothers, Willie
is also out with me. John Wray Blount desired me to present
his most respectful Compliments to you and I am dear Sir,
with great Respect and Esteem,

Your obedient Servant,

Wm. Blount.

282 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

General Robertson

Mero District.
P. S. In the Return of the Census of Davidson County
one Company is reported to have been wanting which I don't
know : I beg you to inquire, obtain it and forward it to me by
Judge McNairy or some early opportunity.- The NameB of the
Captains who did make Returns are Shannon, Nash, Marshall,
Maxwell, Parker, Walker, Murray and Smith.

[Gov. Blount to Gen. Robertson. Efforts to secure peace, and prepara-
tions for war.]

Knoxville, January 5th 1792
Sir,

Watts has sent me a peace talk and a string of white beads.
I believe he is in earnest and I have sent him an invitation to
meet me on the 9th of February at So. West Point to agree on
the terms of peace- A number of Chiefs are now with me and
I shall propose a general meeting and propose a more distant
day- A large and general meeting of the Creeks has just been
held by Mr. Seagroves with the Creeks on St. Mary's from which
much is expected by the Federal Government as great presents
have been given Congress have not determined yet whether war
or not with the Cherokees. It is said that body will refer this
business to the President to act as he thinks best. Finnelson
has returned but Mr. Allison has not- I expect him in ten days.
Be very particular in all your orders and accounts; send me by
the return of Donnelson, Kellems, and Evans (who came with
Phillips) all your accounts stated up to the First day of Janu-
ary in the manner as directed in my letters by Mr. Jackson.
They are to return when you shall direct them. Part of the
arms have arrived the remainder with the Brass cannon & am-
munition may be expected in ten days- some regular Troops
are also expected- The Cavalry must find their own Rations
& Forrage for which they will be paid. Col. King writes to Hays
& Jackson about supplying the Company of Infantry.

I am Sir,

Your Obedient Servant

Wm Blount.
Brig. Gen'l Robertson.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 283

[Invoice and Memorandum. Gov. Blount to Gen. Robertson. 1792.]

Goods necessary to be given the Chickasaws and Choctaws
in presents in the proposed Treaty at Nashville the ensuing
summer

50 good Rifle guns for the Mountain leader and those who
joined General St. Clair's Army and some other Chiefs.

10,0 lb Powder

2000 1b Lead

500 three point blankets.

500 Two & One half Do

500 two Do

100 pieces blue Strouds

500 yards Calico

1000 yards Linen

1500 yards Lincey

100 pieces binding blue red & yellow

50 Suits of clothes & hats for Chiefs

One piece good Scarlet for legging &c

Needles and Thread

500 Scalping Knives

This is a copy of the Invoice of Goods which I have recom-
mended to be sent for the proposed Treaty with the Chickasaws
and Choctaws from Philadelphia and I expect will be sent By
Mr. Allison except the Powder and lead and those articles I count
on obtaining either here or at Cumberland, You say in one of
your Letters you can contract for a quantity of lead to be de-
livered at Nashville at a given Price and Time neither of which
do I just now remember and I have not Time to look your Let-
ter-But I wish you to if you can a Conditional Bargain for as
much Lead as is mentioned say 2000 lb or under, for perhaps
1000 lb might answer the Purpose if the whole quantity can't
be got on good Terms to be delivered by the 15th day of July,
the condition I mean is that the Merchant or Seller should be
bound to deliver at a certain price in Case you choose to take
it and you not bound to take it unless you please. The proba-
bility that I shall be forced to take some lead at Cumberland is
very great and so you may hold out to induce some Body to
make provision for supplying me and it will be a good Bait for
a Conditional Bargain. Lead is to be had very cheap at the

284 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

French Broad Mines but I fear the want of water. Indeed I
fear the want of water so much that I have been making calcu-
lations for Packing the Goods through the Wilderness to Cum-
berland River and if there is not water in the Tennessee this
must be done and then down the Cumberland in Canoes. Ob-
stacles of this Sort must prevent the Treaty. I write to A.
Moore to come to me, pray should he have any difficulties in his
way use your Interest to remove them- I can't do without him.

[Petition of Tennessee County to Gen. Robertson. Navigaton of the
Mississippi River and Indian Affairs ]

Honble, Briyr. Genl. James Robertson

The petition of a Committee held for the County of Ten-
nessee on the first Day February 1792. Mo3t Humbly Sheweth

That your petitioners having convened together at the re-
quest of the Distressed part of Tennessee County in order to set
forth their grievances, and to pursue some method for their re-
lief- Beg to represent to you Sir, That they have much to Dread
from the Indians as the Spring Season Approaches ; The Re-
cent murders & ravages Committed by them on our Frontiers,
too evidently proves their Intentions on this quarter. We al-
ready feel the effects of the navigation of the river being Shut
up by which means we shall be Deprived of the very necessary
article Salt; That article having already raised in its price to
the one fifth part than the Common price. Immigration to this
Country by water must Consequently Cease. We also beg leave
to assure you that the Frontiers will break unless some speedy
method is Taken to secure them from the Inroads of the Sav-
ages which must be followed with the most fatal Consequences.
We are much afraid Sir, that Government has not vested their
officers in this Country with Authority to Carry on Expedition
against any Nation or Village of Indians,- yet we are confident
that something must be done with the Indians that do the
mischief on our Frontiers. We are willing to pursue every
Lawful means to procure peace and Tranquility among us ;
Therefore we beg leave to suggest to you the Idea that an Ex-
press from you to the Commandant at New Madrid Setting forth
to him that it is his people that does the mischief in our Coun-

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 285

try, and what ever you think most proper, might answer some
good purpose. We also think that a full representation of our
grievances, & Situation had better be immediately laid before
Governor Blount; We have the greatest Confidence that you
will immediately do everything in your powe~ to relieve the Dis-
tresses of the people under your command.

Let us hope Sir that we shall receiv-s some answer of Con-
solation by our Trusty friends Mr. McCallester & Capt Thoe.
Johnson. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever

pray &c.

William Prince, Chm.

[Instructions from Gov. Blount to Gen. Robertson as to forms for ac-
counts and vouchers. It would seem that Gov. Blount is endeavoring to
introduce a more accurate system in public accounts ]

General Robertson will please state his account as to the
Caption agreeably to the Form inclosed herewith. The articles
he charges it is presumed the General has purchased he will
then have a regular account stated between himself and Person
of whom he purchases signed by such Person as a voucher to
support the General's own account against the Superintendent.
It is wished that every voucher should be made out in a fair
hand and on half a sheet of paper that every one may have th«
same fold, that is to be folded as this sheet is. All this is nec-
essary to the General's account being passed and paid by the
Superintendent and its necessary to the Passage of the Super-
intendent's own accounts at the Treasury.

Upon this being done the Superintendent will furnish
General Robertson with money to pay for the articles to the
amount of his account or give Bills at any Time to such Mer-
chants as prefer them in Payment. If the General should fur-
nish Horses or any other article from his own Stock except
Provisions he will have it valued by some two men. People in
public Appointment will be best not because th^y have better
Jugt because their names will be known as being in office to
those who are to pass on the accounts. Have you not made a
mistake in charging a horse more than you intended.

286 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

[The following account is interesting, with respect to prices of com-
modities, form of keeping the Government accounts, and dealings with
the Indians.]

Dr. The United States In Account with James Robertson

17'.>2 Dollars Cents

March 28 To 1 horse Bridle & Saddle furnished the
Chickasaw Indians on their way to the

President 55

To 1 horse Bridle and Saddle Ditto

Ditto 50

To 1 horse Bridle and Saddle Ditto

Ditto 55

To 600 lb of beef at 2 Dollars pr Hund
furnished the Chickasaws on their way

to Join Gen. Sinclear 12

To 10 Bushels of Corn A: meal Ditto

Ditto 2 50

To 320 lb of Pork at 3 Dollars pr Hund

furnished Ditto on Return 9 25

To 10 lb of powder for Ditto Ditto 7 50

To 1 Rifle Gun furnished a Creek Chief
sent to this country under the Recom-
mendation of Mr. Alexander McGilvery 25
To 7 lb of powder for Ditto & Six others

of his nation 5 25

To 20 lb of lead Ditto Ditto 5

. To mending Guns 2

To 350 1b of beef Ditto Ditto 7

To 3 blankets furnished the Chickasaws
on their way to the President at 4

Dolrs * 12

To 12 yards of linen at 1^ 15

To U yds of cloth at 2^ 3 14

To 1 penknife | S thread £ 1

To tin Cup and Looking Glass 75

To 1 horse Saddle & Bridle 55

On the 2nd Day of April 1792 Brigadr Genl James Robert-
son made Oath that the within account is Just.

Sworn to before me
John McNairy

One of the Judges of

the Ceded territory South of

the River Ohio.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 2S7

[Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War, dated 31st of March,
1792, to Governor Blount.]

I have received your favour of the 2d of March, with its
enclosures ; all of which I have submitted to the President of
the United States.

He approves the calling the Chickasaws and Choctaws to
Nashville, the first of June next for the purpose of conciliating
and attachiug them cordially to the Interest of the United
States.

You will therefore take the necessary steps, to carry into
full execution, the objects Contained in your letter, particular-
ly the contracting for the necessary quantity of Provisions.

Mr. Allison will stay here until the goods are prepared,
which shall be done as soon as possible, although it is doubtful,
whether, until the arrival of the Spring Ships from Europe, a
sufficient quantity of goods may be obtained

[An interesting letter from Governor Blount to Gen. Robertson.]

Kxoxville, April 1st, 1792.
■Sir,

Your Letter of the 11th Ult. was handed to me by James
Donnelson and Robert Shannon Express to whose care this is
committed. The Depredations committed by the Indians as
mentioned in your letter of the above date and in Colonel Rob-
ertson's of the 28th of February on the peaceable Inhabitants
of the District of Mero and which I most sincerely lament will
certainly justify with the President the calling a part of the
Militia into actual Service for the Defense and Protection of the
Frontiers and I have no doubt but they will be allowed for their
Services the Pay of the United States and eight cents for each
Ration (as I presume they found themselves) upon proper Pay
Rolls being returned by the Captains upon Oath with a Certifi-
cate from you signed in your official Capacity that the Service
was performed and by your Order in Defense of the Frontiers
when the danger was imminent. For the form of a Pay Roll I
refer you to a form forwarded by Mr. Allison to Colonel Elijah
Robertson and I hope great Neatness and Exactness will be ob-
served in making them out by some good clerk who writes a fair

288 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Hand upon a sheet of Paper each. I observe you say speaking
of the Determination of the Council of officers "ordered out a
Party of about one hundred men to scour the woods between
this District and the Tennessee." I hope it is meant no further
than the dividing Ridge, the dividing line according to the
Treaty of Holston, further might lie considered as offensive
being on the Indian's own hunting Grounds and you are to un-
derstand that the calling of the Militia into Service is only for
Protection and Defense. You have not informed me what
length of Time you have ordered the Militia into Service for
nor how many and both were necessary for me to have known.
Then I will presume you have ordered them inlo Service until
my order on that Head is known to you and my order to you is
that you call into Service one hundred and fifty-two noncom-
missioned Officers and Privates by voluntary Inlistments or
otherwise to be formed into two Conipauies to continue in Serv-
ice for three months after they shall appear at the Rendezvous
by you appointed for the Protection and Defense of the
Frontiers against the Hostile attacks of Indians. These Troops
to be called into Service under the Militia law of North Caroli-
na passed at Fayette in 1786 and to be governed while in Serv-
ice by the Rules and Articles of war two copies of which are
herewith sent you and will be allowed the Pay and Rations of
the United States agreeably to the enclosed Schedule. You will
station these two Companies on the Frontiers for the Defense
and Protection there, or at such Place or Places or direct them
to range under the Limitation of not crossing the Indian Bounda-
r} T as you shall judg3 will best secure that object. These
Companies are to be regularly mustered upon going and com-
ing out of Service by a Person by me appointed and I have ap-
pointed and requested Colonel Hays to perform that Duty and
immediately after the Service is performed the Muster Rolls,
Returns and Abstracts with proper Documents must be forward-
ed to me that I may forward them to the War Officer for Exam-
ination and Payment. This Order to be carried into effect
without delay and upon its being so far executed as that the
two Companies have actually commenced the three Months
Tour you are to understand that all Militia in Service in your
District prior to that Event are no longer to be continued.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 289

These two Companies only to be in Service unless there should
be an indispensable necessity for more. There must be a Ter-
mination of the Service performed under your Order prior
to the Receipt of this Order and a Commencement under this
Order and Pay Rolls &c must be made accordingly even if the
same men perform the same Services. As it is impossible for
me to make arrangements at this distance for supplying these
Companies with Rations, I must beg of you the favour to form
a contract with some fit Person for supplying them on the lowest
Terms you can observing that the highest Price for Ration
must not exceed eight Cents and each Ration is to consist of the
component Parts mentioned in the inclosed Paper No. 1. But
should you not be able to get a Contract for supplying the Ra-
tion at or under eight Cents and the men called into Service will
find themselves at that Price then and in that Case thpy
may find themselves Rations and receive eight cents when they
receive Pay for their Services. I trust two Companies will be
found sufficient for the Protection and Defense of the Fron-
tiers until I can send on an additional one from this District
which is now about raising under the command of Captain Cooper
but should you find they are not you will occasionally call out
such additional Numbers as you shall judge indispensably neces-
sary to that Object and discharge them as soon as the Necessity
shall cease. And you will on all Occasions give me the Earliest
and particular Information and the earliest Pay Rolls and other
documents come forward the better ; a delay even for a short
time may postpone the day of Payment more than a year as
every Sum of money for any Service is now paid only by Appro-
priation previously made by Congress. And you will please
give me the earliest Information of the Destination you shall
make of these two Companies and their Operations. These
Troops being called out as Militia must be furnished with arms
as the Militia law or North Carolina requires but Powder and
Lead must be found them which must be purchased by the
Person who shall contract to supply the Rations at the lowest
possible Terms which shall be paid for as soon as the accounts
are audited and paid and in order to secure the Payment at the
the Treasury the Contractor must produce Vouchers agreeably
to the "Regulations of Supplies in the Qr. Mr. Department" &c.

290 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

herein inclosed marked No. 2, in Case there should be no Con-
tractors then you will please purchase the Powder and Lead
yourself and observe the directions of the said Paper No. 2 in
order to secure a Payment at the Treasury. When Captain
Cooper comes on I will send forward a small supply as it can
be had cheaper here than with you but as to arms I have none
nor authority to purchase any. There is no national war with
the Creeks nor Cherokees but the Information I have received of
Numbers of Creeks going towards Cumberland across the Ten-
nessee about the 20th February declaring they were for war as
many as eighty in one body warrant a Belief that you are right
in your Suspicions, that is they who have done you the mischief
on the Frontiers and I am sorry to say it is quite certain that
the Cherokees of the Running Water aud Lookout Mountain
have lately brought in several scalps and Prisoners taken on the
trails leading to Cumberland from Kentuckie and the Natchez
and that on their Return home they have held Scalp and other
Dances in which they have exulted over the unhappy Victims
of their Cruelty and boasted as is their Custom of their war
Feats and that there is too much reason to fear that they too
have had a Hand with the Creeks in the late Mischief. But from
the arrangements I have made to obtain Information as to
which or who it is I shall know to a certainty in a few weeks.
The Little Turkey has addressed a Talk to the lower Towns
saying he had heard and disapproved of their late conduct, that
he should come to them no more to hold Talks that if they
wanted to go to war go and he would sit still and look at
them but they must not mix with the other Parts of the Nation,
that he would inform me where they lived and what they were
for and they and I might settle the matter as we could. And
he has also given me Notice by the Path Killer (he who was
wounded at Chota) of his having sent them this Talk. Since this
Talk John Wates whose Friendship may be depended upon and
his Exertions too in favor of Peace, has gone down to these Towns
by Invitation to take the Place of the Dragging Canoe who is
dead and it is believed he will soften if not altogether alter
their Conduct. All this is or will be known to the President as
well as the Sufferings of your District in a few days and you are
not to doubt but he will Measures proper on the Occasion. I

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 291

shall decline making any demand of Satisfaction until I know
how to act in Case of a Refusal. True it is the Order to Captain
Roberts to march to the place was countermanded and he has
marched to the Rouk landing in Georgia but be assured it
was because the greater danger appeared in that quarter at that
Time. I have not heard of Brown, Perry and Captain George
since Capt. Spring passed on to Kentuckie but as I cannot be-
lieve any fatal accident has happened to them I daily, as I long
have, look for their coming to this Place by whom I shall
write to the Mountain Leader in the meantime what you have
or shalhwrite on the Subject of Friendship will be proper. If
my Representation by Mr. Allison is attended to by the Presi-
dent I shall hold a Treaty with the Chickasaws and Choctaws
the approaching Summer at Nashville. The Cherokee Chiefs
who went to Philadelphia are on their Return by Laud to
the place loaded with presents for themselves and the annual
Payment to the Nation according to the Treaty and I expect
them here in the Course of ten days. All money due to any
officer or Soldier will be paid to themselves only and not to
their Order. This is mentioned that the Holders of Orders may
not in future complain as they have in a late Instance respect-
ing the Treaty Guard.

I am Sir with great Respect & Esteem

Your most obedient

humble servant
Wm. Blount

Brig. Gen. Robertson
District of Mero.

P. S. I am just informed by a message from the Old Slave of
Coyatee that he has received a Talk from WaHs saying he is on
his way to me from the lower Towns with Twenty stolen Horses
and one Prisoner. I had like to have omitted to inform you
that I had engaged Mr. Lackie and Mr. McCoy to come to you
Express with Orders for raising two Companies to have started
on the Thursday after Donnelson arrived. — (He arrived on
Monday.) You will not fail to send me an Express whenever
one is necessary and I will pay them.

292 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

GENEALOGICAL QUERIES.

Aside from his inquiries into the ramifications of the
Flournoy family of Virginia, the historical genealogy of which,
both in Europe and America, Mr. Rivers has been publishing
for two years in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biog-
raphy, Mr. Flournoy Rivers, of Pulaski, Teim., is interested
in and would be glad to correspond about and pay for colonial
and revolutionary and historical data of the following names
and families:

RIVERS.— Antecedents of William Rivers, of Brunswick
County, Va., w 7 ho married a sister of the late Gov. Aaron
V. Brown in Brunswick Countv; died in March, 1809, tes-
fate; will now of record at Law r renceville, Va. The name
existed in Lunenberg and Greensville Counties, both off-
shoots of Brunswick.

BROWN. — Aaron Brown, father-in-law of the foregoing. Wil-
liam Rivers, executor of his will and testamentary guar-
dian of his sons, John and William, whom he brought from
Virginia to Tennessee in 1813. He was born in 1757, died
1830. Also his father, Lewis Brown, said to have been n
Scotch immigrant. Both Lewis and Aaron were soldiers
of the Revolution.

CAMP.— Capt. John Camp, father of Dr. John Hamlin Camp,
who- was Speaker of Tennessee House of Representatives,
pro tempore, 1821, and regular, 1827; a soldier of rli«-
Revolution; removed to Middle Tennessee from Brunswick
(or Greensville?) County, Va., 1807; died at Elkton, Giles
County, 1820, aged 66 years.

CANNON— William Cannon, of "ML Ida." Buckingham Coun-
ty, Va.; came to Tennessee 1807-12. and removed to Cald-
well County, Ky.. about 1820; died, and is buried near-
Princeton, Ky., on the Bennett or Catlett place. His first
wife was Sarah Mosbv (below).

GENEALOGICAL QUERIES. 293

RODBS. — Tyree Bodes, one of the founders of Pulaski, Term.
(See Act of Tennessee Legislature, Nov. 14, 1809); was son
of John Rodes (2), son of John Rodes (1st), of Albemarle
and Hanover Counties, Va.

XETHERLAND.— The Xetherland family of Goochland Coun-
ty. Ya., where John Xetherland was Sheriff, Captain of
Militia, etc. (See Mosby, below.)

MOSBY. — Benjamin Mosby, supposed to be immigrant, lived
at what is now "Cumberland Old Court House," Pow-
hatan County, Ya.; died testate 1774; father of (among
others) Littleberry Mosby, of "Font Hill," Powhatan
County, who was member of Cumberland Committee of
Safety 1775 76, and in the first Commission of the Peace
Powhatan, June, 1777, and County Lieutenant 1780-81,
Sheriff 1707; died testate 1800. His first wife (1748) was
Elizabeth Xetherland.

HARRIS. — The Harris family of Louisa, Albemarle and Han-
over Counties' Ya. Sarah Harris married John Rodes (2d).
She had a brother, Tyree Harris, who removed from the
parish 1758. Is he the Tyree Harris w T ho was in the Com-
mission of the Peace for Orange County, X. C, 1759, in As-
sembly 1760, and Sheriff 1766-67? (See Johnson vs. Dew,
5 Haywood's Tenn. Rep., p. 225.) This Harris family is
supposed to be different from that of Capt. Thomas Har-
ris, of the London Company. Is this true?

TYREE. — The Tyree family, of Virginia, of whom I have no
data.

AYIRETT.— The Avirett family, of Onslow County, X. C.
John Alfred Avirett, Sr., lived at "Richland," Onslow
County. His son, J. A. A., Jr., wounded at Xew Hope
Church, Georgia campaign, died soon after; Captain Fifty-
eighth Alabama. C. S. A., 18(54. Supposed to have been a
Huguenot name — possibly they were of the seceders from
the Huguenot colony at Manakin Town, Ya., whom De-
Richebourg led to North Carolina in 1707-9.

MARKHAM. — John Markham, said to be the immigrant, 1717.
Dr. James Bernard Markham removed from Amherst(?)
County, Ya.. to Hale (Green?) County, South Alabama,

294 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

many years ago. Lived many years in Perry County, Ala.

MASSENBUKG.— Is this family of Prussian descent? The
wife of Dr. James Bernard Markham was Eliza Massen-
berg, of Virginia.

HOLLAND.— James Holland, of Rutherford County, N. C.;
was Sheriff of old Tryon County before its division in
1770, from July, 1777 to July. 1778; Second Lieutenant
Hardin's Company, Locke's Regiment, North Carolina
Militia; after the war was in the State Senate 1783, 1797,
in the House 1786, 1789; in Congress, March, 1795, to
March, 1797, and 1801 to 1811. (See Childress vs. Holland.
3 Haywood Tenn. Rep. 274; his will construed, 2 Yerger
Tenn. Rep. 341 in case of Tyree Rodes and wife vs. Hol-
land.) He died 1823.

GILBERT.— William Gilbert, of "Gilbert-town," near pres-
ent Rutherfordtown, N. C; said to have been immigrant.
Scotch-Irish. In Commission of Peace of old Tyron up
to April. 1770; Tax Assessor, in Commission of Peace of
new County of Rutherford: in House 1780, 1782, 1783. His
daughter, Sarah Gilbert, married above James Holland
in January, 1780. His wife said to have been Sarah Mc-
Candless, of Philadelphia. She died at the Holland place
in Maury County, Tenn., 1822. Gilbert is called "a loyal-
ist" in Draper's "King's Mountain," which absurd error,
I have ascertained, is due solely to the fact that Maj. Fer-
guson camped several weeks at Gilberttown. in Septem-
ber, 1780, and the historian, or rather his collector of tra-
ditions, for he never visited Gilberttown, imagined from
this fact that Gilbert was a Tory. Armies do not generally
quarter on their friends in an enemy's country, and the
British army camped on Gilbert because he was a promi-
nent Whig and was, in fact, then absent in the Assembly
at Hillsboro.

POINDEXTER.— The wife of Benjamin Mosby (above) was
a Poindexter. What of them?

FLGIRNOY. — The American and European ramifications
from Laurent Floumoy, the Huguenot of lo02-72. See
Agnew's "French Protestant Exiles" and -La France

GENEALOGICAL QUERIES. 295

Protestante," including- the progeny of both his descend-
ants, Jacob, the immigrant of 1700, and Jacob's nephew,
John James, 1717-20; "Huguenot Emigration to Vir-
ginia.''

The questions indicate but a mere outline of the data,
dates, records, I myself have on these subjects. Not so much
tradition is desired as record evidence.

FLOURNOY RIVERS.

Pulaski, Tenn.

2% THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

AN INTERESTING LETTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.

The following letter from the Sage of Monticello, has been
preserved in the archives of the Tennessee Historical Society.
It is written in the well-known handwriting of Mr. Jefferson,
and was folded in the olden style, and sealed with wax. It is
directed :

Free "Mr. Hugh L. White,

Th. Jefferson. "Knoxville,

"Tennessee."

It was called forth by a communication from Hon. Hugh
L. White and others, inviting the co-operation of Mr. Jefferson
in behalf of the East Tennessee College, now the University of
Tennessee.

This letter gives Mr. Jefferson's views on lotteries, which
were at that time considered a legitimate means of raising
money for public purposes. He also makes valuable sugges-
tions with regard to college buildings and grounds.

Monticello, May 6. 10.
Gentlemen :

I received sometime ago your letter of Feb. 28, cover-
ing a printed scheme of a lottery for the benefit of the East
Tennessee College, and proposing to send tickets to me to be
disposed of. It would be impossible for them to come to a more
inefficient hand. I rarely go from home, and consequently see
but a few neighbors and friends who occasionally calJ on me;
and having myself made it a rule never to engage in a lottery
or any other adventure of mere chance, I can, with the less can-
dor or effect, urge it on others, however laudable and desirable
its object may be. No one more sincerely wishes the spread
of information among mankind than I do, and none has greater

EDITORIAL NOTES. 297

confidence in its effect towards supporting free and good govern-
ment. I am sincerely rejoiced therefore to find that so excel-
lent a fund has been provided for this noble purpose in Tennes-
see. 50,000 dollars placed in a safe bank will give 4,000 dollars
a year, and even without other aid must soon accomplish build-
ings sufficient for the object in its early stage. I consider the
common plan, followed in this country, but not in others, of
making one large and expensive building as unfortunately
erroneous. It is infinitely better to erect a small and separate
lodge for each separate professorship, with only a hall below
for his class, and two chambers above for himself; joining
these lodges by barracks foe a certain portion of the students
opening into a covered way to give a dry communication be-
tween all the schools. The whole of these arranged around an
open square of grass and trees would make it, what it should be
in fact, an academical village, instead of a large and common
den of noise, of filth, and of fetid air. It would afford that
quiet retirement so friendly to study, and lessen the dangers of
fire, infection and tumult. Every professor would be the police
officer of the students adjacent to his own lodge, which should
include those of his own class of preference, and might be at
the head of their table if, as I suppose, it can be reconciled with
the necessary economy to dine them in smaller and separate
parties rather than in a large and common mess. These sepa-
rate buildings too might be erected successively and occasion-
ally, as the number of professorships and students should be in-
creased, or the funds become competent. I pray you to pardon
me, if I have stepped aside into the province of counsel, but
much observation and reflection on these institutions have long
convinced me that the large and crowded buildings in which
youths are pent up, are equally unfriendly to health, to study,
to manners, morals and order; and believing the plan I suggest
to be more promotive of these and peculiarly adapted to the
slender beginnings and progressive growth of our institutions*
I hoped you would pardon the presumption in consideration of
the motive, which was suggested by the difficulty expressed in
your letter of procuring funds for erecting the building ; but on
whatever plan you proceed, I wish it every possible success, and
to yourselves the reward of esteem, respect and gratitude due to

298 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

those who devote their time and efforts to render the youths of
every successive age fit governors for the next. To these, accept
in addition, the assurance of mine.

Th. Jefferson.

AN OLD DOCUMENT OF THE STATE OF FRANKLIN,

This manuscript was presented to the Tennessee Historical
Society, September 20, 1875, by Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, author of
the Annals of Tennessee. It is explained in the following letter
of presentation :

Report of Committee on Privileges and Elections. — As
to the election of W. Aimes as member of the Legislature from
Hawkins County, N. C, or from Spencer County, State of
Franklin, submitted Friday November 23, 1787, by Isaac Greg-
ory, Chairman. It also contains, as is believed, a list of mem-
bers of the Committee. This I expect is the only official paper
of the Legislature of Franklin the Historical Society of Ten-
nessee has in its collections, and should therefore be preserved
with great care by our Secretary or Librarian.

Presented to the Society, September 20, 1875, by

J. G. M. Ramsey, President.

Mecklenburg Place, Knoxville, Tenn., September 20, 1875.

Friday Nvem 23rd 1 i 87

The Committee of privileges cVr Elections beg leave to re-
port that they have examined the papers of evidence relative to
the election of Thomas Amis and Stokeley Donaldson Esqrs to
represent the County of Hawkins in the honble the House of
Senate, by which it appears to your Committee, that John Hunt
Esquire Sheriff of said County hath granted to Mr. Donaldson a
certificate setting forth that he was on the third Friday & Sat-
urday in August last duly elected. That George Ridley, Francis
Maybury & Daniel Hamlin inspectors of the poll at the elec-
tion held in said County have jointly granted to Mr Amis a Cer-
tificate specifying that he was duly elected, on said third Friday
& Saturday in August it further appears to your Committee
that said Inspectors have respectively sworn to & signed separate

EDITORIAL NOTES. 299

certificates, setting forth that the Election was during both days
conducted without commotion or interruption (except by one
man who in the deposition) of George Ridley is set forth to have
said in the hearing of the deponent whilst the poll was open
that if the people were all of his mind he would have his vote
or a blow and he did not care which he gave first until the close
of the second day of Election at which time the poll was closed,
that the Sheriff nor his deputy did not attend on said last men-
tioned day but that the election was conducted under the in-
spection of the deponent. — Your Committee further report that
it appears from the testimony of W. N. Henderson taken on
oath before your Committee that Mr Peter Turney said to be the
Sheriff of a County called Spencer which interferes with the
present existing County of Hawkins did, as well as the real
Sheriff of said County of Hawkins publicly advertise that an
election would be held at the House of Mr Joseph Rogers on
the Third Friday & Saturday of August aforesaid then & there
to elect three persons to represent them in the General Assem-
bly of North Carolina, that said Mr Turney was present at the
opening of the Poll on the first mentioned day, but that the poll
was opened by the Sheriff of Hawkins, that said sheriff did
make proclamation that no person would be allowed to vote but
such as had paid Tax and was qualified otherwise according to
Law, that when about three votes were taken Col Cock appeared
with a number of Men some of whom were from Greene County,
that the deponent had undoubted information tho these men
had come part of the way arm'd, in consequence of which he
was apprehensive a riot would ensue, that he advised the sheriff
to adjourn the election until the next day which he accordingly
did, that the deponent, the sheriff and some other friends
dispersed by different routes having previous thereto agreed to
meet the ensuing day at the House of Mr Carmack, that
they met according to said agreement, but from intelligence re-
ceived that the opposite party threatened to route them, they
adjourned to a third place, where the poll was opened by the
sheriff and there being but a small number of voters present it
was again closed in haste, it further appears to your committee
from the information contained in the deposition of Benoni
Perriman had before John Long Esq J. P. of Hawkins Co

300 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

that Mr Peter Turney aforementioned, when asked by the depo-
nent who was to open the election, the Sheriff of the Old State
or the Sheriff of the new, answered by both agreeable to a Re-
solve of Convention, that said Turney asked the deponent how
they intended to take in the votes who answered that those only
would be allowed who had given in their Taxable property and
complied with the Law, that said Mr Turney replied if that was
the case, the strongest party should take the House, and that
said Turney also told the deponent before & since the Election
that it was not the intention that the members should take their
seats but to disconcert the election. Your committee therefore
of opinion from the facts contained in the foregoing testimony,
that neither of the parties is entitled to a seat, as the Testimony
of Mr Henderson, corroborated by that of Mr Berry man fully
evinces that the party who fled from the first appointed place of
holding the election had real cause for bodily fear, consequently
the election there carry'd on was disorderly and illegal, and that
the Election carry'd on by the party who dispersed and assem-
bled at different places is illegal, as they have neglected to re-
turn a state of the poll, with the names of voters according to
Law, which is also neglected by the opposite party.

Your committee therefore recommend that a new writ of
election be issued for the election of a member to represent said
County of Hawkins in the House of Senate all of which is
humbly submitted.

Isaac Gregory C

EDITORIAL NOTES. 301

EXTRACTS FROM "THE CLARION AND TENNESSEE
STATE GAZETTE," VOL. VI. NO. 359, PUBLISHED
AT NASHVILLE, TENN, THURSDAY, SEP-
TEMBER 8, 1814.

This old paper is the memorial issue of the "Clarion." Its
columns are in mourning on account of the death of Gen. James
Robertson. It was presented to the Tennessee Historical So-
ciety by Miss Leonora Cheatham, April 6, 1858.

It contains many interesting articles, among which is a
proposition for bids for furnishing rations to the war Depart-
ment.

Its advertising columns are printed inverted, giving the
paper a peculiar appearance.

It also contains news of the defense of Fort Erie, during
the War of 1812-'15.

War Department, July 14, 1814-

notice is hereby given. That separate proposals will be
received at the office of the secretary for the department of war?
until 12 o'clock at noon of Saturday, the last day of December
next, for the supply of all rations that may be required for the
use of the United States from the first day of June, 1815, to the
first day of June, 1816, inclusive, within the states, territories
and districts, following, viz.

1st. At Detroit, Michilimackinack, Fort Wayne, Chikago,
and their immediate vicinities, and at any place or places where
troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited, within the
territory of Michigan, the vicinity of the Upper Lakes and the
state of Ohio.

2d. .It any place or places where troops are or may be sta-
tioned, marched or recruited within the states of Kentucky and
Tennessee.

3d. ^lt any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the Illinois, Indianna
and Missouri territories.

302 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAE MAGAZINE.

4th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the Mississippi territory,
the state of Louisiana and their vicinities of the Gulph of
Mexico.

5th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the district of Maine
and states of New-Hampshire and their northern vicinities.

6th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed marched or recruited within the state ; Vermont and
its northern vicinity.

7th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Massa-
chusetts.

8th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the states of Connecticut
and Rhode Island.

9th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of New York
and its northern vicinity and western.

10. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of New-Jersy.

11th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Pensylvania.

12th. At any place or places where troops are or may be sta-
tioned, marched or recruited within the states of Maryland,
Delaware and District of Columbia.

13th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Virginia.

14th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the state of North-
Carolina.

15th. At any place or places where troops are or may be
stationed, marched or recruited within the limits of the state of
Georgia and its southern vicinity.

A ration to consist of one pound and one quarter of beef,
or three quarters of a pound of salted pork, eighteen ounces of
bread or flour, one gill of rum, whiske} r or brandy, and at the
rate of two quarts of salt, four quarts of vinegar, four pounds of
soap, and one pound and a half of candles, to every hundred
rations. The prices of the several component parts of the ra-

EDITORIAL NOTES. 303

tions shall be specified, but the United States reserve the right
of making such alterations in the price of component parts of
the ration aforesaid, as shall make the price of each part there-
of bear a just proportion to the proposed price of the whole
ration. The rations are to be furnished in such quantities, that
there shall, at all times, during the term of the proposed con-
tract, be sufficient for the consumption of the troops for six
months in advance, of good and wholesome provisions, if the
same shall be required. It is also to be permitted to all and
every of the commandants of fortified places or posts, to call for,
at seasons when the same can be transported, or at any time in
case of urgency, such supplies of like provisions in advance, as
in the discretion of the commander shall be deemed proper.

It is to be understood that the contractor is to be at the ex-
pense and risk of issuing the supplies to the troops, & that all
loses sustained by the depredations of the enemy, or by means
of the troops of the United States, shall be paid by the Uuited
States at the price the article captured or destroyed as aforesaid
on the deposition of two or more persons of credible characters,
and the certificate of a commissioned officer, stating the cir-
cumstance of the loss, and the amount of the articles for which
compensation shall be claimed.

The privilege is reserved to the United States of requiring
that none of the supplies, which may be furnished under any of
the proposed contracts, shall be issued, until the supplies which
have been, or may be furnished under the contract now in force
have been consumed. JOHN ARMSTRONG.

August 8, 2m.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM R. LAMBERTON ESQ., NOW AT BUFFALO,
TO HIS FRIEND IN CARLISLE, DATED :

Buffalo, Aug. 15.

"A boat arrived this morning with the pleasing intelligence,
that about 1000 or 1200 of the enemy were killed, wounded and
prisoners, in the attack on Fort Erie — our loss trifling.

"The enemy got posession of the upper bastion, which was
by some means blown up, and destroyed 200 of the enemy.
After which our troops sallied out and took about 200. Colo,
(not General) Drummond was killed."

304 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Richmond, August 20.

VIRGINIANS ! PREPARE.

"The enemy, who has been desolating the Northern Neck,
has received a fresh supply of ships and troops. Are *ye ready
for them? Ask your constituted authorities if every thing has
been done which ought to be done? How long will it be before
these buccaneers will fly at higher game than what they have
attempted — how long before they will extend their ravages from
our fields to our cities?

Does this idea arouse you, my countrymen? Then gird on
your swords. Fly to meet an enemy that lays all before him
in ruins. Proud (Virginians!) you have a character to support
— a character which your fathers bequeathed you during the
war of the Revolution — a character which your brothers on the
fields of Hampton and of Chippeway have washed brighter with
their blood. — Let the enemy come when he may, meet him with
the resolution that becomes you — and he will rue his rash en-
terprize in blood.

If there are not troops enough to defend those points which
the enemy may attack, let them be immediately called out.
Let no expence be spared to save the honour of our country.
Peace ! talk not of Peace, when we have such an enemy in our
Bay. If there were to be Peace in a fortnight the cost of the
troops would soon be over — but how should we relish a peace,
which would be ushered in by dames of our cities? If peace is
not to return so soon, there is no surer way of making your
enemy disgusted with such enterprizes than by repelling him at
first with vigour and success. To arms, then! to arms!"

Enquirer.

"We are happy to state that the gallant Captain Porter has
been appointed to the command of the new 44 gun frigate now
building at Washington."

"The frigate Java, rated 44 guns, was launched at Baltimore
on Monday 8th inst, amidst the plaudits of 20,000 admiring
spectators. She is to be commanded by Capt. Perry the gal-
lant Hero of Lake Erie"

THE

AMERICAN HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY.

$3.00 per Annum.

Single Number, 85 Cts.

M fctf \H \H

Vol. I.

OCTOBER, 1896.

No. 4.

<jt -Jt -j& -j*

Nashvii^e, Tenn.:

printed by the university press,

208 N. Coi^eege Street.

THLE

American Historical Magazine.

Vol. I. OCTOBER, 1896. No. 4.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE.

BY R. L. m'dONNOLD, NASHVILLE, TENN.

The Reconstruction Period in the History of the United
States is understood to comprise the time from the regaining
of the Confederate States by the Federal armies to the over-
throw of the military governments and the repossession of
power in those States by the Southern whites. The period
of reconstruction in Tennessee conforms in general to these
limits. In this State, however, the history of that time pre-
sents some features so entirely different from that of anv other
State as to make it a period absolutely unique. To show
these peculiar features, and to give an outline of this period
of Tennessee history, is the purpose of this paper.

For a proper understanding of all that follows, it is neces-
sary briefly to review the events that immediately preceded
the period. In January, 1861, after the election of Lincoln
and the secession of South Carolina, the legislature of Ten-
nessee submitted to the voters the question of calling a con-
vention to dissolve the connection between the State of Ten-
nessee and the United States. The people voted against the
convention. But on the 12th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter was
fired upon, and President Lincoln called for volunteers to de-
fend the Union. The Secretary of War telegraphed to Gov.
Harris that Tennessee would be expected to furnish her quota,

308 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

but the Governor wired back a spirited refusal. a These start-
ling - events aroused the people, and wrought a complete
change of sentiment. The legislature was again called in
extra session, b and by its authority the Governor entered into
a military league with the Confederacy. June 8th, following,
the question of secession was again submitted to a popular
vote. Many who had before opposed it, including John Bell
himself, now favored secession, and the proposition was car-
ried by a vote of more than two to one. The members of the
United States Congress from the seceded States withdrew,
with the exception of Andrew Johnson and a few others.

During the war which followed these events this State
was one great battle field. This portion of history is well
known, and need not be retold. Tennessee was the first State
to succumb to the Union army. Fort Henry was captured on
the 6th of February 1862, and Fort Donelson ten days later.
These forts had been relied upon to protect the capital, and
their fall compelled the Governor and the Legislature to re-
tire to Memphis. In March Generals Smith and Buell arrived
in Nashville, and the Union flag again floated over the cap-
itol.

Even for the short time covered by this resume, there are
some points of difference worthy of emphasis. The Tennessee
ordinance of secession 11 itself bears the stamp of that independ-
ence which is characteristic of Tennesseans. This document
waives the constitutional right claimed by most of the other
ordinances, and declares for secession as a revolutionary right,
needing no other justification than the natural privileges of
free men.

Another peculiarity marked the difficulties which lay in
the way of Governor Harris after his State seceded. Tennes-
see had neither arms nor organized troops. She was exposed
to invasion along her northern boundary which stretches
nearly four hundred miles, and was open to attack from the
Mississippi river on the west. A large portion of her citizens,

a - Seethe original telegrams, Tennessee Historical Society Library.

b. Acts of Tennessee 2d extra session, 1861.

c- Miller's Manual of Tennessee.

d. See Tennessee papers, 1861, and Acts of Tennessee, 1861.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 309

moreover, especially in East Tennessee, were firm Union men.
Harris met all these difficulties with promptness and ability. a

A third point to be noted, lies in the fact that Tennessee
furnished a larger proportion of troops, counting- both Union
and Confederate soldiers, than any other State. b The number
of Tennessee troops in the southern army was about 115 000;
in the northern army 31,000 whites and 20,000 colored. There
are other minor peculiarities, but these serve to show the spirit
of the people and the time.

The history of reconstruction in Tennessee begins in 1862
with the capture of the State by the Federal armies, and ends
with the regaining of full control by the Democrats in 1870.
It is the intention of this paper to relate the main facts of this
period, and to show that the unique features which character-
ized it may be grouped around three distinctive peculiarities,
viz: that Tennessee escaped executive emancipation and con-
gressional reconstruction; that at the hands of a controlling
minority of her own citizens she suffered compensating evils
for all these privileges; and that the problem of regaining con-
trol with which the Democrats of the State were confronted
was different from that in any other State.

The first executive action which separated Tennessee
from the other Confederate States, was the omission from the
Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln Jan-
uary 1, 1863.° Parts of Louisiana and Virginia were expressly
excepted as not being in a state of rebellion, but no mention
was made of Tennessee. This was done, not for the purpose
of permitting the continuance of slavery in the State, but in
order to allow the citizens to abolish it themselves. The
omission was made at the request of Andrew Johnson. d The
President had unbounded confidence in Johnson, and yielded
to his views respecting the best method of restoring Tennes-
see to the Union. It is possible that in urging this action,
Johnson was actuated by an ambition to have for himself the
credit of abolishing slavery in his own State.

a - Three Decades of Federal Legislation, S. S. Cox.

b - Ms. letter of Gen. Marcus J. Wright and official records.

c - See newspapers and histories for copies of the proclamation.

d. Blaine, Twenty Years of Congress.

310 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

This was not the only privilege extended to Tennessee.
It was Lincoln's intention to restore all the seceded States as
soon as possible to full relations. His death prevented the
accomplishment of this plan in the other States; but since
Tennessee fell under Federal control so earl}- in the war,
the President's generous design was so far carried out before
his death that the State was enabled to escape congressional
reconstruction entirely.

November 3, 1862, after the capture of Nashville, Presi-
dent Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson military governor
of Tennessee, with full instructions to take such steps as
might be necessary to restore a republican form of govern-
ments Johnson had fought secession from the first, and when
his State left the Union, he remained in the Senate. b His
course and his speeches attracted the attention of the entire
North, and led to the honors afterwards bestowed upon him.
His term as governor was mainly occupied in restoring order
and establishing, as far as possible, the authority of the gov-
ernment.

There was a large number of citizens in this State who
had always been loyal to the United States Government, and
these men were anxious to have Tennessee readmitted to the
Union. In September 1863, a delegation of these called upon
the President and urged him to proceed with all possible dis-
patch in restoring the State to its former relations. He ac-
cordingly instructed Johnson to exercise such powers as might
be necessary to enable the loyal people of Tennessee to frame
a Republican form of government, such as could be recog-
nized by the United States. d In December of the same year,
the President issued a proclamation offering amnesty and par-
don to all Confederates who would lay down their arms and
take the oath of allegiance, except certain prescribed class-
es. e He also declared that when in any of the States in re-
bellion a number not less than one-tenth of the voters should
establish a government, Republican in form, it would be ree-

a. Introduction to Acts of Tennessee, 1865.

b - Three decades of Federal Legislation.

c. Nashville Dispatch, September IS, 1863.

d. Acts of Tennessee, 1865, (Introduction.)
e - Three Decades of Federal Legislation.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 311

ognized as the true State Government, and would receive the
protection of the United States.

Acting upon this proclamation, the executive committee
of the loyal citizens in Tennessee called a convention to be
held in Nashville, December 19, 1864, to take steps for restor-
ing- Tennessee to the Union. a The presence of Hood's army
around Nashville prevented the convention from assembling
at the appointed time so it met the 9th day of January. 13 This
convention proposed amendments to the State constitution as
follows:

Article 1, Section 1, Abolishing slavery.

Article 2, Section 2, Forbidding the legislature to make
any laws recognizing the right of property in man.

Schedule: Repealing section 31, which declared that the
General Assembly should have no power to emancipate slaves;
repealing the ordinance of secession; declaring the military
league between Tennessee and the Confederate States dis-
solved; suspending the statute of limitations; declaring all
acts of the State government since May 6, 1861, null and void,
except decisions of courts; submitting the amendments to the
people, and providing that the qualification of voters and lim-
itations of the franchise might be determined by the first leg-
islature which should assemble under the new constitution.

Appended to the above was a resolution directing that all
voters who voted on the amendments should take the "iron
clad oath" to the effect that they would henceforth support
the Constitution of the United States; that they rejoiced in
the downfall of the Confederacy, and the victories of the Un-
ion armies; and in general that they would aid loyal men in
every way possible in the attainment of these ends.

Governor Johnson authorized the opening of polls and the
holding of the election, as provided by the convention. The
amendments were ratified. On the 28th of February the Gov-
ernor declared them adopted, and authorized an election on
March 4, for Governor and Assemblymen, he himself having

a. Introduction to Acts of 1865.

b - It was intended to hold it on January 8th, the anniversary of
the battle of New Orleans, but that day fell on Sunday,
c. Introduction to Acts of 1865.

312 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

been chosen Vice President of the United States the preceding
November. At this election William G. Brownlow, a celebra-
ted as a Whig- editor for his powers of vituperation, was elect-
ed Governor.

The new legislature assembled in April, 1865. It prompt-
ly ratified the 13th amendment to the United States Constitu-
tion, b which was then pending - . The members, feeling that
the}'- had complied with all reasonable conditions for restora-
tion, adopted a resolution requesting the Governor to commu-
nicate to the President the fact that the loyal people of Ten-
nessee had amended their constitution in accordance with his
requirements, and that they were anxious to have their rights
restored.

But in the meantime, Lincoln had been assassinated, and
Congress, having taken affairs into its own hands, was not
disposed to be so liberal toward the seceded States as he had
been. Some members favored the immediate reinstatement of
Tennessee, but others violently opposed it, and readmission
was delayed more than a year. d The senators and representa-
tives who had been sent to Washington were refused admis-
sion. Some of the Radicals, as the extremer Republicans
were called, wished to force upon Tennessee a military gov-
ernment like that which the other Southern States suffered.
At length, however, in May, 1866, Thaddeus Stevens intro-
duced a bill to admit Tennessee provided that she enfranchise
every class of her citizens by January 1, 1867. e This bill was
so amended that the only condition finally prescribed was the
ratification of the 14th amendments

Accordingly, on the 19th of June, Governor Brownlow
called the legislature in extra session to consider the amend-
ment. A proposition to submit it to the people was defeated,
and the amendment was promptly ratified.- A joint resolu-

a - See sketches of his life in newspapers of the time,

b. Acts of 1865.

c Acts of 1865.

d. Congressional Globe, 1865.

e. Congressional Globe, 1866.
f - Congressional Globe, 1866.

?r. Acts of Tennessee, extra session 1866.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSSEE. 313

tion restoring- Tennessee to the Union was thereupon passed
by Congress, July 23, 1866. a It reads as follows:

Whereas, in the year 1861 the government of the State of
Tennessee was seized upon and taken possession of by persons
in hostility to the government of the United States, and the
inhabitants of said State in pursuance of an Act of Congress
were declared to be in a State of insurrection against the Uni-
ted States; and whereas, said government can only be restored
to its former practical relations in the Union by the consent
of the law-making power of the United States; and whereas,
the people of said State did on the 22nd of February, 1865,
by a large popular vote, adopt and ratify a constitution of
government, whereby slavery is abolished and all ordinances
and laws of secession and debts contracted under the same
declared void; and whereas, a State government has been or-
ganized under said constitution which has ratified the amend-
ment to the Constitution of the United States abolishing sla-
very, also the amendment proposed by the 39th Congress, and
has done other acts denoting loyalty: Resolved, That the
State of Tennessee is hereby restored to her proper relations
to the Union, and is again entitled to be represented by sena-
tors and representatives in Congress.

President Johnson, though not recognizing the right of
Congress to pass laws preliminary to the admission of quali-
fied representatives from any State, signed the bill, b for he
did not wish to let any obstacle prevent the admission of the
Tennessee delegation. The senators and representatives took
their seats, and Tennessee became once more a recognized
member of the Union.

These facts show that Tennessee, first to enter the Union
from new territory, 1 -" justly called "Volunteer" State in the
Indian and Mexican wars, leading all others in the proportion
of troops furnished both sides, and last to secede, sustained
her reputation for originality and independence by her man-
ner of re-entering the Union. As stated above, she abolished
slaver}- by a voluntary amendment to her State Constitution.

a. Acts of Congress, 1866.

*>. S. S. Cox, Three Decades, etc.

c . See article by Dr. W. R. Garrett, in Nashville American, 1895.

314 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

The election at which this and the other amendments were
adopted is remarkable for the almost unanimous vote cast in
favor of them by the loyal citizens. The Emancipation Proc-
lamation controlled the action of the other Southern States.
While it did not affect them directly so long- as they were in
the Confederacy, it did emancipate the slaves as fast as those
States were regained by the Union army. But Tennessee,
omitted from the proclamation, before the adoption of the
13th amendment, and under no compulsion, manumitted her
slaves of her own free will. It has also been shown that this
was the only State voluntarily to renew her allegiance to the
United States before the war closed. Virginia was the only
other Confederate State that contained any considerable por-
tion of Union men. But that portion of Virginia which ad-
hered to the United States government was separated from
the rest and brought into the Union as a new State. This
distinction is therefore justly claimed by Tennessee.

But these special privileges which Tennessee enjoyed
were more than counterbalanced by the evils which she suf-
fered at the hands of a controlling party of her own citizens.
These evils were, mainly the results of arbitrary and oppress-
ive acts of the legislature. The ex-Confederates had no voice
in the government for several years after the war closed, and
the affairs of the State were in the hands of the extremer
wing of the Republican party, generally known as the Radi-
cals. The leading spirit of this party was Governor Brown-
low. He favored severe treatment for the ex-Rebels. A large
majority of the legislature were in full accord with his opin-
ions, and nearly always followed any course he might sug-
gest. Through his influence many acts were passed which
were considered by the Confederates to be unjust and tyran-
nous.

Most of these acts were outlined in Brownlow's first mes-
sage. a This document strongly condemned secession and re-
cited the evils it had inflicted; called attention to the proposed
13th amendment and recommended its ratification; called at-
tention to the ravages of guerrillas, and proposed increased
severity of laws for their punishment; suggested organizing a

a. Acts of 1865. Introduction.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 315

force of militia to be placed in the hands of the executive;
called attention to the decrease of revenue and the great debt
of the State, yet, curiously enough, favored an increase of sal-
aries; recommended reorganizing - the common schools and es-
tablishing- an Agricultural College; favored winding up the
affairs of the state bank, and establishing the national bank
system; called attention to the necessity of restricting the
suffrage; and recommended electing senators and representa-
tives to Congress. This remarkable message was almost an
exact outline of the course actually pursued by the Brownlow
government. a Space will permit nothing more than a brief
outline of the most important of these acts.

From the beginning of his administration, it was the de-
clared intention of Governor Brownlow and his party to dis-
franchise all that disagreed with them in their political
views. b Among the first acts of the legislature of 1865 was
one restricting the franchise. Under this law, the right to
vote was limited to unconditional Union men, including those
from other States who had been in Tennessee six months;' 1 to
white citizens conscripted by force into the Confederate army;
and to voters in the elections of 1864-5, who were known to
be true friends of the United States Government. Rebels, and
all who had aided them in any way, office holders or agents
under the Confederate Government, and refuges from Federal
lines into the Confederate States were debarred from voting
for fifteen years. All other persons were excluded for five
years. Any voter might be challenged by an admitted voter,
in which case the judge of the election should administer the
iron-clad oath. Registration certificates were to be issued by
the County Court Clerks.

The elections which took place under this act were not
satisfactory to the controlling party, e and steps w r ere taken to
make the law still more stringent. It was claimed that the

a. Many other recommendations were made which are not given
here; nearly all his recommendations were carried out. See his mes-
sages and the Acts of Tennessee '65 to '68.

b. See various signed communications in the papers of the time.

c. Acts, 1865.

d. This admitted the class called "carpetbaggers. "
e- See files of Nashville "Press and Times" 1865-6.

316 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

first law worked imperfectly, and that in some places it was
practicall}- a dead letter. Governor h>rownlow a declared that
the extraordinary events which had taken place showed that
the public safety required a thorough revision of the suffrage
laws. He stated that the deliberations of the Assembly at its
first session had been broken up by the action of some mem-
bers, (who resigned, thus breaking- the quorum;) and that
those members had been re-elected. As a proof of the im-
perfection of the law he declared that in Davidson County,
where it was claimed the Act of 1865 disfranchised three-
fourths of the voters, the total vote exceeded by one thousand
the vote before the passage of the Act.

The principal feature of the proposed new law was the
provision that the Governor should appoint a Commissioner of
Registration for every county to issue certificates in place
of the County Court, and that all applicants for registration
certificates should be required to prove their loyalty by two
competent witnesses, and to take the test oath. The Demo-
crats and conservative Republicans generally opposed this
bill, but it was nevertheless enacted. The Nashville Republi-
can Banner b said that in passing this law, the Assembly met
without a quorum, overruled the decisions of their presiding
officer, selected from a number of members, elected at the same
time and in the same manner, four to suit their purpose and
admitted them, but excluded the others; all against the will of
a majority of the Union men in the State.

In February, 1867, the franchise was again revised. =>
Charges of fraud committed by Democrats were frequent, and
Brownlow was determined to prevent them. The new act en-
franchised negroes and revoked all certificates of registration
issued by County Court Clerks under the former law. The
Commissioner of Registration was authorized to take contra-
vening testimony concerning the competency of voters, and
was to be himself the sole judge- of conflicting evidence. In
March, 11 the registration in Davidson Count}-, reported fraudu-

a. Messages, 1866.

b. April, 1866.

c- Acts of Tennessee. 1867, and Miller's Manual.

d . Acts of Tennessee. 1867.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 317

lent, was declared null and void; the same provision was made
for any other counties whenever it appeared to the satisfac-
tion of the Governor that frauds had been committed. 11 These
measures put all elections completely under the Governor's
control, and in effect accomplished the desired end of dis-
franchising- all but Radicals.

The legislation concerning negroes, and the progress of
civil rights are interesting. Slavery having been abolished,
all felt that something must be done for the freedmen, or with
them. Brownlow in his first message favored providing for
them a separate territory and settling them down as a nation
of freedmen. In the South, not even the Radicals at first
favored negro suffrage. Brownlow b declared that Congress
had no right to fix the qualification of voters within a State,
and that the time had not come for negro suffrage in Tennes-
see. But the adoption of the 14th amendment accustomed
them to the idea. Under pressure of Northern sentiment, the
ruling party became more and more inclined to give the ne-
groes equal rights. The Assembly of 1866 defined "persons of
color" and granted them the right to sue and be sued, to make
and perform contracts, to be parties and to give evidence, to
inherit, and to have full benefit of all laws for the security of
persons and property. Their blind and insane were given the
benefit of all laws and asylums and the issue of slaves was
legalized, but the right of sitting on juries was withheld.
The franchise act of 1867 gave negroes the ballot. Penal-
ties, also, were inflicted upon common carriers for making
among their passengers distinctions based upon race, color or
previous condition. In 1868, d freedmen were given the right
to sit on juries and to hold office, the last disabilities being
thus removed. These acts gave the negroes an exagerated
idea of their own privileges, and this caused friction between
the races. Unscrupulous men were not wanting, moreover,

a. In this year Emerson Etheridge announced himself a conserva-
tive candidate for Governor, in opposition to Brownlow; but after the
passage of the franchise law of that year, and the stationing of troops
in various localities, he withdrew.

b. Miller's Manual under 1865.

c Acts of 1867-8, chapter LXVI.
d. Acts of 1867-8, chapter XXI.

318 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

who for political reasons endeavored constantly to increase
the ill feeling- between the freemen and their former masters.
These efforts were only too successful, and much trouble re-
sulted.

We come next to the Militia Law. To assist him in
maintaining- control of the State, it was part of Brownlow's
policy to organize bodies of partisan troops. Hence originat-
ed the celebrated Brownlow Militia Law of 1866 and 1867.
This was claimed by the Brownlow party to be necessary for
the purpose of protecting loyal citizens, especially negroes,
from violence at the hands of rebels, and of guarding against
frauds in elections. The Governor was authorized to enlist
and equip a body of troops to be known as the State Guard a .
Any or all of the Guard were subject to the Governor's order
whenever in his opinion the safety of life, liberty, or property
demanded it. The troops, when organized, were composed
largely of negroes, and this rendered them especially obnox-
ious to the Southern whites. The Democrats declared that
the real purpose of the militia was to harass and intimidate
the conquered Rebels, and to confiscate their property under
pretense of protecting the negroes. Numerous acts of wan-
ton violence were attributed to the Brownlow militia 1 ', and
the facts place it beyond doubt that many of the charges were
true.

Notwithstanding the resentment felt by the ex- Confeder-
ates on account of what they thought to be the plan of the
Brownlow party to give the negroes political and military
control over their former masters, there were comparatively
few instances of violent resistence on their part. There were
however, occasional outbreaks. On the 1st and 2nd of May,
1866, riots between whites and negroes occured at Memphis c .
General Runkle, Superintendent of Freedom at Memphis, tes-
tified that at the beginning the negroes were to blame' 1 . But
the Legislature placed the blame upon the whites, and made
these riots the occasion for passing the Metropolitan Police

a. Acts of 1866-7, Chapter XXIV.

t>. See files of Tennessee papers. 1866-7-8.

c . Nashville Rep. Banner, 1866.

d. Nashville Rep. Banner, 1866.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 319

Law. a By this act, the control of city affairs in Memphis was
taken out of the hands of the Mayor and Council, the office of
Recorder was abolished, and the city government was given
to three Commissioners appointed by the Governor.

A clause stated that the act should apply to Nashville
and Chattanooga. The Mayor and Council, and many conser-
vative Union men of Nashville petitioned the Legislature not
to include Nashville. b General Thomas, Judge Lawrence of
the Freedmens Bureau, and others, testified to the trustworthi-
ness and efficiency of the Nashville police. Notwithstanding
these protests, the bill passed including Nashville in its pro-
visions. The citizens of all the cities obstructed the act by all
kinds of litigation, and the courts made no appropriation for
the support of the commissioners. Not to be outdone, the
Legislature directed the State Treasurer to advance sums as
they were actually needed for carrying out the provisions of
the act, and provided for fining and imprisoning refractory
officials who should refuse to levy and collect the assessment. c
The history of this act thus briefly outlined illustrates the
feeling which existed among the Radicals, the ex-Confederates
and the negroes.

In 1866, when the special session of the Legislature had
been called to consider the fourteenth amendment, some of
the members opposing it refused to attend, and when the As-
sembly met, the House had no quorum. d Warrants were issued
for the arrest of absent members. On July 17th, Representa-
tive Williams of Carter County was arrested by the Sergeant-
at-arms and brought before the House. A petition for a writ
of habeas-corpus for his release was granted by Judge Frazier
of the Davidson County Criminal Court. The Legislature
declared by resolution that the Criminal Court had no right
to interfere with their proceedings, 6 and refused to obey the
writ. The House decided that as Williams, and Martin

a. Acts of 1866, 1st Session, Chapter XXV.

b. See letter of Gen. Thomas, and other communications, Banner;
May 9, 1866.

c. Acts of 1866.

d. See Nashville Banner, April 1866, Brownlow's messages, 1866,
and resolutions of the Assembly, 1866.

e. Resolutions of Assembly, extra session, 1866.

320 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

another arrested member, were present, although they did
not vote, it had a quorum, and in this manner the amendment
was adopted a .

Williams' attorney denied the legality of the called ses-
sion, 1 ' and, moreover, denied the right of the House sitting
without a quorum to arrest a member 100 miles away.
Judge Frazier issued a writ of attachment to compel the re-
lease of Williams, and also a warrant for the arrest of Heydt,
the Sergeant-at-arms. When the deputy sheriff went to the
Capitol, he found the doors locked. Calling assistance, he
forced the members to open them, but Heydt was not to be
found. He released Williams who had been confined in the
Capitol ever since his arrest .

Forced to yield in this instance, the Legislature in re-
venge appointed a committee to investigate the conduct of
Judge Frazier. This committee reported that he deserved
impeachment. He was therefore brought to trial before the
Senate, was found guilty of exceeding his powers by disobey-
ing the demands of the Legislature, and was removed from
office. d The Democrats condemned this verdict severely, and
it made the Brownlow Government many new enemies.

No account of this government is complete without men-
tioning the large appropriations made by every General As-
sembly. Notwithstanding the impoverished condition of the
country and the bankruptcy of the Treasury, salaries of pub-
lic officials were increased and millions of dollars in bonds
were appropriated to aid railroads and various other corpora-
tions. 6 The State debt was greatly increased, and the ex-
penses of the State Government exceeded those of the last
Democratic administration before the war. f Tennessee has
not yet recovered from the burden of this debt.

a . Acts of Tennessee, extra session, 1866.
t>. Report of the Frazier Independent trial.

c. Banner, April, 1866.

d. Report of Frazier Imp. trial.

e. $14,393,000 to railroads alone— see Phelan, p. 293, (c)_ See a de-
tailed statement in the Nashville "Union," June 14th, 1867. Harris' ad-
ministration 1859-60 $1,721,851.52, Brownlow's 1865-7 $2,460,311.21.

f. Report of Ku Klux committee, and Lester and Wilson's "Ku Klux
Klan," p. 42, et. seq. and p. 56.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 321

The other acts, considered by the opponents of the Radi-
cal party to be tyrannous and oppressive, cannot be enumer-
ated here. There is along- list of such laws. These measures
were among- the causes which led to the organization of the
Ku Klux Klan. a

This celebrated order originated in Pulaski, Tennessee in
the summer of 1866. It was organized by some young men of
that town, and was at first intended merely for amusement e .
Its mystery and its unique ceremonies attracted much atten-
tion and the order spread rapidly. As the membership in-
creased, it was noticed that in localities where Klans existed
there was a decided improvement in the behavior of the ne-
groes and of certain classes of whites who had been making
themselves obnoxious. No attempts had been made by the
Ku Klux purposely to frighten these people into good be-
havior; 13 this result was due to the terror naturally inspired in
the superstitious negroes by the grotesque costumes and by
the strange ta]es circulated by members of the Ku Klux in
fun. The members realized that they had a powerful means
for controlling the ignorant. There were many evils which
demanded correction. The negro militia had been growing
more and more insolent; neither property nor life were consid-
ered safe under the existing government; the condition of so-
ciety had come to the point where it was no longer endur-
able. The members of the Klan perceived that by a change
in its nature that order would serve to remedy those evils.
Thus the Ku Klux gradually became a band of regulators,
trying to protect life and property and to restore order.

In the summer of 1867 a convention of delegates from
Tennessee and other Southern States was held at Nashville
under the very eyes of the Radical administration/ This con-

a . This statement is likely to be challeng-ed, but it is indisputably
true. A Ms. letter from one of the original founders is in the possession
of the writer. This letter claims, and old inhabitants of Pulaski assert
just what is affirmed above. See also Lester and Wilson's K. K. K.
pp. 10-34.

b. "Ku Klux Klan," p. 38, 39, etc.

c. Testimony of various Southerners before the Ku Klux Commit-
tee. See report.

d. K. K. K. p. 51, and testimony given verbally by members of the
convention.

322 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

vetition perfected a most complete organization and devised a
perfect system of machinery for its operation and government.
The whole territory covered by it was called the Invisible
Empire, and its chief officer the Grand Wizard, with al-
most autocratic power. The empire was subdivided, and the
subdivisions were put under the direction of subordinate of-
ficers. a

The most note worthy action of the convention was the
prescribing of an oath and the fixing of limitations to keep
members within proper bounds and to prevent lawlessness. b
Everyone joining the order was required to take oath to pro-
tect and defend the Constitution of the United States^ and
all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the
states and people thereof from all invasion from any source
whatever. This does not sound like the declaration of a set of
outlaws defiantly continuing in rebellion against the United
States.

For sometime the Ku Klux proved of vast usefulness, re-
storing order, preventing crime, and filling the negroes with
wholesome awe. Their methods are well-known, and need no
description here. In the main, the members adhered to their
principles. d Toward the last they took some desperate steps,
but they were hardly to blame, considering the willful misrep-
resentation and unjust legislation to which they were sub-
jected. The enemies of the Ku Klux Klan, in order to bring
it into disrepute, otten assumed its paraphernalia and com-
mitted outrages in its name. e The negroes, encouraged by
this example, began to arm chemselves and to threaten, f but
even then, while warning them of the vengeance that would
attend any such attempt, the Klan declared that it was not

a . K. K. K. p. 52. ( b .) K. K. K. p. 54, and verbal statements from
reliable men.

c. K. K K. p. 54 and 55. Also printed copy of the constitution
still exist.

d. K. K. K. p. 57.

e. K. K. K. p. 77, and testimony of Gen. Gordon and others before
the Investigating Committee.

f . The negroes formed military companies, and drilled by night.
with the avowed purpose of exterminating the Ku Klux. on several oc-
casions the Klan was fired into. (See Lester and Wilson, p. 81 )

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 323

an institution of violence; it was not lawless, aggressive, or
military; it proposed to execute law instead of resisting - it;
it was not the enemy of the black so long as they behaved
themselves, and did not attack or interfere with the Klan. a

In 1868 the Tennessee Legislature passed a most severe
and stringent anti-Ku Klux law, b providing heavy fines and
imprisonment for being connected with the order in any way.
The Governor was also authorized to equip and call into ser-
vice additional regiments of the State Guard. In February
following the Grand Wizard issued a proclamation reciting
the good accomplished by the Klan; but, he stated, some of
the members had violated positive orders, and other men dis-
guised as Ku Klux had committed outrages for which the Klan
had been held responsible; he also mentioned the bloody anti-
Ku Klux law, and gave it as the principal cause of his action.
Therefore, in the exercise of his power the Grand Wizard de-
clared the order disbanded. The command was promptly
obeyed. Thus ended one of the most remarkable organiza-
tions in the history of this country.

The Ku Klux Klan has been entirely misunderstood, and
maliciously maligned. It cannot be too stongly emphasized
that it was mainly composed of the best men of the South, d
and every member was required to take an oath to support the
Government and Constitution of the United States. It accom-
plished what nothing else could have done in that trying time.
Some excesses were doubtless committed by members of the
Klan, but these were comparatively few, and were without
the authority of the order 6 . It is a remarkable fact that even
after the passage of the anti-Ku Klux law, not a single per-
son, when arrested and stripped of his disguise ever proved to
be a KuKlux. f Many arrests were made, but in every in-
stance the offenders proved to be outsiders, frequently Radi-

a . See a General Order of the "G. D." published in Pulaski, in 1868.

b. Acts of Tennessee, 1868.

c . See Lester and Wilson, p. 112.

d . See Lester and Wilson, p. 73, and testimony before Committee.

e . See Lester and Wilson, page 76, 78, and testimony before Com-
mittee.

f. Testimony of Gen. Gordon, and K. K. K. p. 78.

324 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

cals themselves. a Most of the crimes usually charged to the
Klan occured in the years 1870 to 1873, b although as has been
shown, the order disbanded early in 1869, and was therefore
in no degree responsible for them. While all admit that evils
attended its operation, } r et impartial history will decide that
the good the Ku Klux Klan accomplished was ample to justify
its existence.

The Ku Klux, then organized for self protection; but pre-
vious to the Klan's beginning, and in some degree causing
the change in the character of that order, another society,
fully as secret and far more lawless, had been operating
throughout the South. The Union League, or Loyal League,
was composed, in the South, of negroes and the lowest class
of whites. Carpet-baggers organized leagues for political
purposes, and incited the negroes to crime. d The outrages
committed by these ruffians became intolerable and is is not
wonderful that the whites executed summary vengeance. The
Loyal League, however, suffered no arrests under the law. e
In the opinion of the State Government, the Ku Klux was
the only "secret oathbound" order in the State. The League
naturally outlived the Klan, and its lawless operation contin-
ued several years after the latter disbanded.

The severe measures adopted by the governing faction,
of course, aroused opposition. The Democrats being disfran-
chised, there were but two parties in the State, the Radical
and the Conservative. The latter steadity gained strength,
while the former continually grew weaker. Seeing this they
made every effort possible to entrench themselves permanent-
ly in power. In 1868 still further restrictions were thrown
around the franchisee Instead of the sheriffs, the commis-
sioners of registration were to hold the elections. The Gov-
ernor was authorized to set aside the registration whenever
he believed it to be fraudulent. The State Guard was still

a. Testimony of Gen. Gordon, and K. K. K. p. 77.

b. Testimony of Gen. Gordon and others, and files of Tennessee
papers 1870-72.

c. Three Decades of Legislation, S. S. Cox.

d. N. Y. Times, 1868. Nashville Union. 1867-8, etc.

e. K. K. K. p. 108-9, and Nashville Union and Dispatch, 1867.

f. Acts of Tennessee, 1868.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 325

further increased. The Legislature took the control of af-
fairs in several counties away from the county courts, gave it
to a board of three commissioners appointed by the Governor,
and provided means to enforce obedience.

Notwithstanding these extreme measures, the power of
the Radicals was evidently diminishing. This was inevita-
ble. Even if their administration had been mild and benefi-
cent, they could not have retained possession of the State
Government, for they were but a faction of a party which
was itself hopelessly in the minority. But as has been shown
their course was the opposite of beneficent. Their acts,
whether justified by conditions or not, rendered them unpop-
ular with the conservative Republicans, and odious to the
disfranchised Democrats. It was an open question whether
Tennessee would not have fared better under Military Gov-
ernment like that set up in the other Southern States.

The Democrats were determined to regain control. But,
as stated at tbe outset, this was, in Tennessee, a problem of
peculiar difficulty. They had to wrest a State Government,
already established, from the hands of their opponents, who
were citizens of the State, and at the same time they had to
avoid provoking the intervention of Congress, which kept a
close watch upon all proceedings in the late Confederate
States. It was a time which demanded patience, caution and
wisdom.

The turning point came in 1869. In that year Brownlow
was elected United States Senator, and resigned the Gover-
norship. a D. W. C. Senter, speaker of the Senate, according
to law, became Governor for the remainder of the term. Sen-
ter soon found that he was distrusted by the Radicals, and
he was, therefore, inclined to favor the more liberal ele-
ment. He desired to be re-elected, but the Radicals did
not dare to entrust a man of liberal proclivities with power.

The nominating convention failed to agree, b the Conser-
vative wing naming Senter for re-election, the Radicals, Wm.
B.Stokes. The Democrats saw here their opportunity. They

a. House and Senate Journal. 1869.

b. See proceedings of the Convention in the Nashville papers.

326 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

promised Senter their support if he would allow them to vote.a
Preferring- personal success to party advantage, he consented,
and instructed commissioners of registration to give certifi-
cates to the Democrats. In consequence, Senter was elected,
and for the first time since the war the Assembly was Demo-
cratic in both branches.

The new legislature lost no time in remedying as far as they
dared, the evils of Brownlow's administration. 1 ' The Metro-
politan Police system in Nashville was abolished; Judge Fra-
zier was restored to office, his disqualifications having been
removed, the acts appointing commissioners for various cities
and counties, the acts creating the militia and State Guard,
the Ku Klux law, all laws granting aid to internal improve-
ments, the law requiring candidates to take an oath, and num-
erous others of similar nature, were repealed. Thee 15th
amendment submitted to this Legislature, was rejected.

The Democrats were determined to get rid of the other
obnoxious laws, yet they felt that the safest plan would be to
revise the constitution. Accordingly, all male citizens were
authorized to assemble on the 3rd of December, 1869, to vote
for or against calling a constitutional convention. d No regis-
tration certificates or test oaths were required. Under these
conditions, a convention largely Democratic was elected.

This was one of the most able bodies ever convened in
Tennessee. 6 A heavy responsibility la} r upon it, and the peo-
ple sent the best men as deleg-ates. Its main object was to re-
store to citizenship and mastery the majority of the whites.
This was not an easy task. The Radicals, whose power
was to be destroyed by the new constitution, naturally op-
posed it. The agents of the Federal Government, which
was controlled by the same party, kept a vigilant watch
upon the proceedings. Indeed, in this year, an effort was

a. Miller's Manual, under 1869.
to. Acts of Tennessee, 1869-70.

c. It was, however, adopted by a sufficient number of States with-
out Tennessee.

d. Acts of 1869-70, chapter CV.

e . See Caldwell's Constitutional History of Tennessee, under
"Constitutional Convention of 1870."

THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN TENNESSEE. 327

made at Washing-ton to overthrow the Tennessee Government
and to reconstruct the State, and it was only through the
efforts of D. B. Thomas and W. O'N. Perkins that the at-
tempt failed. a That the convention produced a constitution
which accomplished the design of the Democrats, yet was per-
mitted to stand, is greatly to the credit of the members.

The greatest difficultv was in adjusting the suffrage.
After much debate the result was the re-establishment of the
anti-bellum law, with the addition of negro suffrage, and lim-
ited by a poll-tax qualification. b This constitution also for-
bids a political test as a qualification for office, prohibits
slavery, forbids State aid to corporations, and provides
against calling the militia into service except in cases of
rebellion or invasion, and then only when the legislature
shall declare that the public safety requires it. c Several
other changes were made in order to prevent the recurrence of
such measures as had been adopted by the Brownlow govern-
ment. But the chief work was the restoring of ex-Confeder-
ates to their rights.

The legislature which met in May, 1870, was mainly oc-
cupied with putting these provisions into effect by law. d The
Radical franchise laws were repealed and an act was passed
in accordance with the new constitution. New counties were
erected, the state was divided into judicial circuits, the time
of electing officers was fixed, and, in general, the constitu-
tion was put into operation. In the first election which fol-
lowed, John C. Brown, Democrat, was elected over W. H.
Wisener, Republican, by a heavy majority, and the Southern
whites were once more in entire control.

This ended the Re-construction Period in Tennessee.
The facts which have been briefly outlined are believed suffi-
cient to prove that it forms in every way claimed by this
paper, a unique chapter in American History. But, however
remarkable these events, the rapid recover}' of the State from
their evil effects is still more remarkable. With their prop-

a. Miller's Manual, under 1870.

b. See Caldwell's Constitutional History.

c . See Caldwell's Constitutional History.

d. See Acts of 1870.

328 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

ert v destroyed, their slaves freed, their whole social system
overturned, the brave Tennesseans set their faces toward the
future. The history of the succeeding- quarter of a century is
the story of their struggles, their renewed prosperity, and
the restoration of good feeling between them and their late
enemies.

LIST OF AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.

Phelan's History of Tennessee.
Caldwell's Constitutional History of Tennessee.
S. S. Cox's Three Decades of Federal Legislation.
Blaine's Twenty Years of Congress.
Miller's Manual of Tennessee.
"Parson Brownlow's Book."
Lindsley's Military Annals of Tennessee.
Herbert's Noted Men on the Reconstruction Period.
Humes' Loyal Mountaineers.

Report of the Reconstruction Committee to Congress.
Reports of the Ku Klux Committee.
Lester and Wilson's Ku Klux Klan.
Congressional Globe, 1860 to 1870.
Acts of Tennessee, 1861 to 1870.

Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of 1870.
Report of the Frazier Impeachment Trial.
Report of the Johnson Impeachment Trial.
Reports on Outrages in the Southern States.
Life of Andrew Johnson.
Southern Historical Society Papers.

Files of the Nashville Republican Banner, 1866 to 1869.
Files of the Nashville Dispatch, 1862 to 1866.
Files of the Nashville Union and American, 1867 to 1870.
Miscellaneous Documents in the Library o; the Tennessee
Historical Society.

BEGINNING OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 329

BEGINNING OF LITERATURE IN THE SOUTHERN

OHIO VALLEY.

BY S. A. LINK, NASHVILLE, TENN.

[Continued from July Number.}

In the early settlements west of the Alleghany Mountains
almost as soon as a town was fairly started, a paper was con-
sidered necessary. Several were started in Kentucky before
the dawn of the nineteenth century, notably at Washing-ton,
and Frankfort. The first paper was issued at Louisville in
1801, and had the cumbersome name, Farmer's Library or
Ohio Intelligencer. Like Louisville's great editor, Prentice,
Vail, the founder of this first paper, came from New England.
To follow the historj- of newspapers is not the intent of this
paper, but it may be remarked in passing that this can be done
in the case of either of the States mentioned far better than in
the case of Tennessee. In the territory under consideration
there was developed quite early a disposition to attempt some-
thing more ambitious and permanent than ordinar}- newspaper
work. So far as discovered, the pioneer of literary monthlies
in the Ohio Valley was "The Medley, or Monthly Miscellany,"
printed by Daniel Bradford, in Lexington, from January to
December of 1803. A part of the announcement ran as follows:
"It is expected that Literary Characters will accept the oppor-
tunity this work will afford them of rendering the result of
their lucubrations useful to the public." The "Medley" con-
tained two articles on the character of Thomas Jefferson, by
Allen Bowie Magruder, once a lawyer in Kentucky, after-
wards United States Senator from Louisiana. This was copied
in several European papers.

More than twenty semi-literary periodicals had spent their
ephemeral lives in Kentucky previous to 1820. But the second
magazine of note published west of the Alleghany Mountains
was edited by Mr. William Gibbs Hunt, and was first issued

330 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

August, 1819. The periodical was published at Lexington for
four years and was entitled, "Western Review and Miscella-
neous Magazine, a publication devoted to Literature and
Science." This contained much of permanent value and called
into activity many who would otherwise have made no attempt
at literary effort, and did much to bring out the history of
those times. Great space was given to original poetry, but
only one piece attained note — "The Boat Horn," by Wm. O.
Butler. This was a melodious lyric given to the public as
"Boatman's Horn" in "Poetry of the West."

For some time there was a strong rivals between Lex-
ington and Cincinnati, hence in three months after the first
issue of "Aunt's Magazine" at Lexington, Dr. Joseph Buch-
anan issued at Cincinnati the "Literary Cadet," the forerun-
ner of great things, since Ohio has produced some of the fore-
most literary folks of the nation. The "Cadet" was soon
merged into the "Western Spy." A competitor arose in 1821
called "The Olio." Writers from Kentucky contributed
largely to all these. To follow these would take us too far.
Prominent among the literary characters at Cincinnati, was
James H. Perkins, author of "Annals of the West," president
of the Cincinnati Historical Society- from 1844 to 1849. He
was the author of a stirring lyric once well known, which
begins:

"Oh, were ye ne'er a school boy?

And did you never train,
Nor feel that swelling of the heart

You ne'er can feel again?"

Coates Kinney's "Rain on the Roof" one of the finest pro-
ductions of the Ohio Valley, was at first rejected by the editor
of the Great West, as perhaps not being quite up to the Indian
tales of the times. It has been often quoted and sung since
that rejection. Books were printed from newspaper offices.
The first book appeared in Kentucky in 1793, and grew out of
a church quarrel as to whether the Psalms of David or the
Hymns of Watts should be sung. The following year a reply
was printed. About the same time the first law books were
printed. The century was hardly well begun until numbers
of books had been issued at Lexington, which now had more
printing offices than one, and was quite a center of books and

BEGINNING OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 331

learning - . Frankfort came on later. In the first fifteen years
of the century perhaps twice fifteen books aiming- to be am-
bitious efforts were put forth. Numerous works of historical
interest went along with books of quite a transient nature.
One of the most notable histories was "The History of the
American Revolution," by David Ramsey, published in
1815.

Humphrey Marshall, and later Lewis Collins, made them-
selves lasting places by their histories of Kentucky. "Histo-
ry of the Late War in the Western Country," was published
by Worsley and Smith, Lexington, Ky., in 1816. The author
was Robert B. McAfee. This book is concise and readable to
a degree not attained by some later histories.

"Poets and Poetry of the West" was published by William
T. Coggeshall in 1860. Coggeshall jointly with Coates Kin-
ney edited for a time Genius of the West, a magazine of consid-
erable pretentions started at Cincinnati, and largely supported
by Kentucky. During this time the material in large part
was gathered for the book, though the author was appointed
State Librarian for Ohio in 1856, and continued the collection
of material. More than one hundred and fifty western poets
are represented by poems and biographic sketches. Cogge-
shall died United States Minister to Ecuador in 1865.

Of the writers, ninety-seven were men, lawyers, preach-
ers, business men; some men of national reputation in other
pursuits. Fifty-seven were women. Most of the matter was
evanescent, but George D. Prentice had come into Kentucky
to write a campaign life of Clay, and had been induced to re-
main and start a paper in his behalf. The first number of
the Louisville Journal was issued in 1830. Prentice found
time to be poet as well as fierce political writer. Not only
that, but he fostered literature in the columns of the Journal
as few editors have done in an}' merely political paper. Some
of Prentice's poems, "The Rainbow," by Amelia Welby,
"The Stab," by Will Wallace Harney, will not float as drift-
wood on the tide of time, but are among the immortal snatches
of song. In leaving Kentucky one other poem must be men-
tioned, "Bivouac of the Dead," by Theodore O'Hara, a man
Kentucky born. Although he became a Confederate soldier,
yet lines from this poem on soldiers who fell in the Mexican

332 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

war, became the inscription over the gate of the National
Cemetery at Arlington.

What of Tennessee as to books and larger literary effort?
In Coggeshall's work of the one hundred and fifty-two entitled
to fame, three were born in Tennessee. In Ida Raymond's
'"Southland Writers,' 1 published in 1870, five names are men-
tioned from Tennessee, viz: Mrs. L. Virginia French, Anne
Chambers Ketchum, Mrs. Clara Coles, Adelia C. Graves, and
Mrs. Mary E. Pope. It should be mentioned that Southland
writers are all women. Miss Manly's recent work on Southern
literature has Crockett, Houston, Maury, and Miss Murfree,
and Houston is, of course, credited to Texas.

In 1888 Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography
was published in six large volumes. This contains over four-
teen thousand names of those who are supposed worthy of
some fame. Henry Cabot Lodge took the trouble to count
and classify these according to States. Massachusetts leads
with nearly three thousand who have raised themselves above
the common level. New York is a close second. Ohio has
three hundred and sixty-four. Kentucky follows with three
hundred and twenty, while Tennessee can show but one hun-
dred and thirty-six forherroll of fame. However, the Volun-
teer State is not worst off since Alabama has thirty-four, and
Mississippi twenty-six, while Arkansas has only three and
Texas one. It must be remembered, however, that it is not
on account of literary merit alone, or chiefly that these names
got into the work, but distinction in civil, militar} T , or scien-
tific directions is included as well, though one's chances of
mention are very greatly enhanced by having written one or
more books.

It may be that Tennessee was too far away from the com-
piler of the Cyclopedia to attract attention. It may be that
what has been done was not of sufficient importance to be in-
corporated. Any way, let us hope that we are to receive new
impulses towards intellectual and artistic activity by means of
the Centennial Exposition. Let us hope the State dear to us
will be stirred with life and power as never before. Then
may we both make and write history. Men may think as they
please, but only he influences the future who puts his thoughts
to record. In 1813 the entire number of newspapers in the

BEGINNING OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 333

United States was recorded as three hundred and fifty-nine,
of which seventeen were published in Kentucky, fourteen in
Ohio, and six in Tennessee. Eleven years later, Kentucky
had only increased two, but Tennessee had gone to fifteen.
East Tennessee, as we have seen, had the first paper, and as
in Kentucky, the same presses turned out books as occasion
demanded.

One thing- is remarkable; East Tennessee had an Abolition
paper nine or ten years before the advent of Garrettson's pa-
per. As early as 1814 or 1815 an Abolition Societ} 7 , perhaps
the first in the United States, had been formed in East Ten-
nessee.

In March, 1819, The Manumission Intelligencer was issued
at Jonesboro. This, as said, was some years before Garrett-
son's first effort in that direction. This gave place the next
year to The Emancipator, by Elihu Embry. The first paper
was a weekly, the second a monthly. After the death of Em-
bry The Genius of Universal Emancipation was published at
Greenville by Benjamin Lundy. This lived until 1824. Lundy
induced Garrettson to enter the field of editorial effort in be-
half of emancipation. Hence Tennessee had, perhaps, the
first Abolition Society and the first Abolition paper in the
world. While upon the subject of Abolition, this writer hap-
pened recently upon a volume of poems by Robert Mack, Esq.
The book is not overly strong in its poetry, but has a long in-
troduction upon social and religious subjects, in which slavery
is attacked. It was published at Columbia by Felix K. Zoli-
coffer in 1834. It is hard to ascertain just what papers, mag-
azines, and books were published in East Tennessee during
the first quarter of this century. Tennessee, as said, was one of
the last States to prepare a history of the Press. Some school
books and quite a number of religious works were published
at different points — Jonesboro, Greenville, Knoxville and
Athens.

Of religious books of some note, Dr. David Nelson's
"Cause and Cure of Infidelity" was probably published about
1815 or 1820. Pearson's Analysis belongs to the same class
and was published at Athens. Henderson's sermons were
published at Knoxville in 1823, though he was then at "Mur-
freesborough," as the spelling went. Some novels were

334 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

among - the number of transient publications, notably Wood-
ville, but as said before, Field's Scrapbook lives on. It seems
to have been brought out about 1S32, to have been revived
and republished after the Mexican war. Recently other
changes have been made, and the book sent forth from Phila-
delphia. Fields published this with other books at Knoxville.
Among the books published by Fields may be mentioned
"The Savage," ostensibly by an Indian Chief, but really by
Jack Robinson. Fields thought this a great book. Passing
over others, the most noteworthy publications of East Ten-
nessee were the two histories of Judge John Haywood.
Without his "Civil and Political History" the early records of
the State would be largely a blank. Both his works were
published at Knoxville in 1823. The Christian Advocate, now
little known, is thought by some to have been a more remark-
able work than either of the histories. The first book pub-
lished in Nashville was compiled by the same indefatigable
Judge Haywood. It was entitled "Tennessee Justice," and
was for the guidance of J. P.'s. This was in 1810, though it
is not clear as to whether "Haywood's Revisal of Public
Laws" was not a year earlier.

About 1816 "Clark's Miscellany in Prose and Verse" was
published, perhaps the first purelj r literary work produced in
the State. But in 1827 on Deaderick Street, a book was pub-
lished by John S. Simpson, which would even now do credit
to Boston. The book "History of Literature from the Earli-
est Period to the Revival of Letters in the Fifteenth Century,"
was by Wilkins Tannehil. He published "The Portfolio"
about 1848. This was devoted to Masonry and general liter-
ature, and bore some semblance to a magazine. Nashville
has had many papers devoted to many interests, but little of a
purely literary nature has been attempted. The location of
the M. E. Church South Publishing House here, the organ-
ization of the C. P. Church in this State, and the prominent
position assumed by various churches at this point, have given
rise to much printed matter, some of which is of great impor-
tance to many people, and while it ma}* serve to quicken intel-
lectual life and hence produce literature, yet all have felt the
dearth of anything like a spontaneous literary effort.

Our historv has been written in snatches, and while much

BEGINNING OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 335

of great value has been recorded, yet if one would possess the
historv of Tennessee, he must prepare to purchase a library.
Starting- with Haywood, we have Ramsey, Putnam, Carr,
Guild, Carpenter, Paschal, Draper, Gilmore, Roosvelt, Phelan,
Lindsley, and last, but not least, Gen. Thurston's antiquities.
Besides, it is necessary to wade through numerous biographies
to get all the facts and catch the spirit of the times in which
these men moved. It is not meant to come this side of the
war at many points in this paper, hence our bright novelists
of recent years by whose genius all true Tennesseans feel
greatly honored, must be considered at another time, or by
other pens. Among those who made effort in those years
when less was said of literature may be mentioned: Mrs. L.
Virginia French, Mrs. Ketchum, Mrs. Graves, Mrs. Jane T.
Cross, Miss Zoda Stith, of Kentucky, and quite a number of
others, chiefly women. Quite a number of valuable biograph-
ical works have been written by both men and women. As
said before, a large part of the histor}^ of the State is locked
up in these biographies. One thing is greatly to our lasting
shame, the principal biographies of our most noteworthy
characters have been written by other than natives of Ten-
nessee. We ought to shake off our lethargy even at this late
date, and use the abundant material about us.

In literary magazines the chief efforts have been made by
the churches, while Nashville and Memphis have had some
able partisan political editors of papers there has been no
Tennessee Prentice to woo the Muses, and invite others to do
so through the columns of the political journals. Man}^ of
the editors of papers have been ready to publish literature, if
furnished, but few have sought it out, or been in a position to
offer any suitable incentive to its production. The Museum,
a literary magazine was started in Nashville in 1809 but ran
only six months. The Kaleidescofte, a weekly literary paper
was established in 1833 by W. Haswell Hunt, but lasted per-
haps not more than a year. In 1844 The South-western Liter-
ary Journal and Monthly Review was published by A. Billings
and Co., and edited by K. Z. C. Judson and H. A. Kidd. Less
than a year sufficed. The Southwestern Monthly by Wales
and Roberts was a venture of which any State might be proud,
and which oug-ht to have been sustained. This was a sixty-

336 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

four page quarto published monthl}', and had steel engravings
with much valuable matter. The first issue was January,
1852, the last in a year. The South has many thing's in which
to have pride, but not in the self-sacrificing efforts of some of
her people to build up a literature. The Naturalist, The
Southern Homestead, and other short lived publications were
devoted in .part to literature. As before said, some of the
churches have made effort to combine literature with religion.
It is of some interest to note how many religious papers were
started in the thirties. Rev. David Lowry edited the first
Cumberland Presbyterian paper published in the United
States. This was The Religious and Literary Intelligencer,
issued at Princeton, Ky., in 1830. The paper was transfered
to Nashville in 1832, and was called The Revivalist, edited by
Revs. James Smith and David Lowry. In 1834 The Western
Methodist was started by Rev. Lewis Garrett, and Rev. John
Newland Maffatt. The Tennessee Baptist had its origin in
1835, with Rev. Robert BoyteC. Newell as editor. The Amer-
ican Presbyterian with Dr. J. T. Edgar as editor began also in
1835. The Old Baptist Banner was edited by the Rev. Wash-
ington Lowe in 1838. In 1848 The Christian Magazine was
founded by J. G. S. Fall, Jesse B. Furgerson, and J. K.
Howard. The Gospel Advocate was begun by Tolbert Fan-
ning and William Lipscomb, in 1854. All these papers were
at first individual enterprises. Some were eventually adopted
by the churches which they represented. Some were soon
discontinued, others survive after various changes. Effortsan scare on the Eastern Shore; although
scarcely 21 years of age, the Governor and Council, as well as
the Court in Northampton and the inhabitants generally held
him high in their esteem and placed great confidence upon his
bravery and ability. He married Sarah Offley, of London,
whose mother was a Miss Harris, a sister of Alexander Harris,
of Town Hill, (See Extract from will of Captain Adam
Thorowgood, Virginia Carolorum, p. 134). She was first
the wife of Capt. Adam Thorowgood and bore him four chil-
dren: Adam, who became Lt. Colonel; Ann, who married Job
Chandler of Maryland; Sarah who also married a Maryland
gentleman; and Elizabeth, who married John Michael, Sr., a
member of the Board of Commissioners of Northampton
County, Virginia. Her first husband died before August 15,
1642, (See Records of Lower Norfolk, Vol. I., D. W. &C.,p. 6.)
and she soon afterwards married Capt. John Gookin, but he
died without issue, so far as is known. About 1645, she mar-
ried her third husband, Capt Francis Yeardley, who is after-
wards mentioned as Col. Francis Yeardley. If he left issue
they have not been traced bj T the writer. Brown's Genesis of
the United States, says that it is not believed he left issue.

344 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

She died in 1657. (See William and Mary Quarterly Maga-
zine, Vol. IV., No. 3, page 170.)

From the foregoing it appears that of the three children
of Sir George and Temperance (West) Yeardley, only Colonel
Argall Yeardley left issue to perpetuate the name. Of the five
children of Col. Argall Yeardley, above mentioned, Edmund
and Henry died apparently without issue, leaving the descend-
ants: Argall Yeardley, who married Sarah Michael; 4 Rose
Yeardley, who married, first, Thomas Ryding, second, Robert
Peale; and Frances Yeardley, who married Lt. Col. Adam
Thorowgood. 5

A. Captain Argall Yeardley, the eldest son and heir of
Col. Argall Yeardley, married Sarah Michael, the eldest
daughter of John Michael, Sr., of the Commission of North-
ampton, and Elizabeth Thorowgood, his wife. 4 They were

4. The Michael family came from Graft. Holland, but were supposed to be origi-
nally from England. Captain John Michael was the first of the family who came to
the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He was prominent colonist and a man of wealth. The
Records of Northampton County. Virginia, mention his name a number of times in
ways indicating his prominence. He was a Commissioner of Accomac: a Justice of the
Peace, etc., 1665, and subsequent dates, (Vol. IX., p. 3, Northampton County Virginia
Records). He came to Virginia from Graft, Holland, having been a merchant at that
place; see agreement between the "Master of the Farewell and Rowd — from Amster-
dam of the one part, and John Johnson and John Makule. both of Graft, of ye other,
part, that the vessel now (1652) lying at Accomac shall go to Holland and load, etc.,"
(Northampton County Virginia Records, Vol. 1651-4, July 3, lt.52, p. 95, quoted by
Bruce's Virginia, Vol. 1, p. 351; Power of Attorney dated April 12, 1649. Vol. 3, p. 1*4.
Northampton County, Virginia Records). He married Elizabeth Thorogood, daughter
of Capt. Adam Thorogood and Sarah Offley, and niece of Sir John Thorogood, of Ken-
sington. (See extract of will of Adam Thorowgood, quoted in Va. Carolorum, p. 134,
previously quoted. See deed of exchange dated April 9, 1866, Vol. 1657-66, p. 124
Northampton County Records; Richmond Critic. Sept. 21, 1889, quoting land patents
162-163, etc.) Their children were, so far as are known: a. Adam, who married Sarah,
(born 1655, died 1720) daughter of Southey Littleton, and left descendants. Sarah
subsequently married John Custis, of "Wilsonia." 6. Margaret, who married John
Custis, of "Wilsonia," and left descendants. (See will dated March 13. 1713. Vol. XIV,
p. 57, etc., Northampton Co. Va. Records.) See inscription on his tombstone at "Wil-
sonia," Northampton Co. Virgitiia. He was a son of Major General John Custis. of
Arlington, c. Sarah, who married Argall Yeardley, son of George Yeardley and
Temperance West. d. John Michael, Jr. e. Simon Michael. He subsequentl.v mar-
ried Mary, the widow of John Culpepper. (Vol. X- p. 107 Northampton County Va.
Records) and had: /. Yeardley Michael. I See deed of gift Angust 27, 1672, D. B. 10,-
p. 35; deed of gift, August 29, 1678, D. B. 10, p. 167; will dated Jan. 28, 1678-9. W. B. 10,
p. 336). See note No. 5.

5. John Thorogood, of Chelston Temple, Com. Hertford, who married and had:
Nicholas Thorogood and John Thorogood, the latter married, and had: John Thoro-
good, of Pelsted in Co. Essex, who married Luckin. and had: William Thorogood

of Gumstone in Norfolk, official with diocese of Norwich, etc.. who married Ann
Edwards, of Norwich, and had: ff. Sir Edward Thorogood. b. Sir John Thorogood,
Kt., one of the pensioners to his Majesty. ( See note Va. Carolorum. p. 134.) Married

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 345

married in 1678 about the 23d of January (Vol. X., D. W. &C.,
p. 23, Northampton Co. Records). They left no son to reach
manhood. (See deed of partition Vol. XII., p. 201, North-
ampton Co. Records). He was Hig-h Sheriff of Northampton
at the time of his death, which occurred in 1682. He, like his
father, left no will on record on the Eastern Shore of Vir-
ginia. After the death of her first husband, Sarah (Michael)
Yeardley married John Watts, and had a son John Watts,
and subsequently married Thomas Maddox, (See will of Sarah
Maddox, March 20, 1694, Book XIII., p. 419, etc., Northamp-
ton County Records.)

Arg-all Yeardley and Sarah Michael's children were:

a. Argall, who apparently died young-.

b. John, who also apparently died young.

c. Elizabeth Yeardley married George Harmanson — See Part II.

d. Sarah Yeardley married John Powell — See Part III.
e Frances Yeardley married John West — See Part IV.

Frances Meantes (Brown's Genesis, etc., 948). c. Thomas Thorog-ood. d. Edmund
Thorog-ood. e. William Thorog-ood. /. Capt. Ad dm Thorogood, who married Sarah
Offley : (See Va. His. and Biog. Mag., Vol. II, p. 415, etc., p. 422, etc; Va. Carolorum, p.
134.) He was born 1603 and came to Virginia in 1621 in the "Charles," in his eighteenth
year,) Va. Carolorum p. 74), was patentee of large body of lands, (Bruce, Vol. II, p. 252).
He represented Elizabeth City in the Assembly: 1629, 1631, 1632, etc. (Hening I., p. 149,
170, 179, 187, etc.; Va. Carolorum p. 71.); was a member of the Monthly Court of Eliza-
beth City, 1632, (Va. Carolorum p. 90.), and a member of the Virginia Council, 1637, and
President of the Court of Lower Norfolk. (Wm. & Mary Quarterly, Vol. III., p. 65,
etc.; Va. Carolorum, s, 133, etc). He was one of the principal figures in History of
Virginia in 17th Century. (Bruce's Va., Vol. It., p. 576), and left a large estate in lands
and cattle — among the cattle being 107 goats. (Bruce Economic Hist, of Va., Vol. II.,
p. 299; Norfolk Co. Records 1642-3, p. 38). His will is dated February 17, 1639-40, and
probated April 27, 1640. Among other items is this: "My will and desire is that my
beloved friend Captain Thomas Willoughbie and Mr. Henry Seawell here in Virginia,
and my dearly beloved brother, Sir John Thorogood, of Kensington, near London,
and Mr. Alexander Harris, my wife's uncle living on Town Hill, shall be overseers of
this, my last will and testament." (Neil's Va. Carolorum, p. 134). He named Norfolk'
Va., after Norfolk in England: (Forrest's Hist, of Norfolk, Va., p. 44, 45). His children
were: a. Capt. Adam Thorogood (afterwards Lieutenant Colonel) who married about
1648, Frances Yeardley: (See index Norfolk County Records; Va. Mag., Vol. I., p. 85,
86; index to Bruce Economic History of Va.; Va. Carolorum p. 318). b. Ann, married
Job Chandler, Maryland Councillor. (As to Thorogood and Chandler, see Va. Mag.,
Vol. III., p. 91 and p. 321). c. Sarah, (See note Va. Carolorum, p. 134). d. Elizabeth
Thorogood, who married Captain John Michael from Graft, Holland, and had issue.

(Visitations of Essex, published by Harlian Society, p. 607.)

(Ryley's Visitation of Middlesex.)

(Harlian Mss. 1083, 29 b. 1094-1096-1184-1234-1468-1474-1476-1504-1546-1547-1553-6147 ad-
ditional Mss. No. 5533 in British Museum.)

Arms: Sable on a chief argent three buckles lozengj- of the first.

Crest: A wolf's head argent, collared sable.

The Arms and Crest were confirmed to William, son of John, March 24th, 1620.

(See rote No. 4).

346 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

See deed of partition, Vol. XII., p. 201, Northampton Co.
Records.

See Vol. XII. , p. 284, Northampton Co. Rec.

B. Rose Yeardley, eldest daughter of Col. Argall Yeard-
ley, married, first, Thomas Ryding, January 4, 1062. See Mar-
riage Register Vol. 1657-'66, p. 68, Northampton. Co. Records.
She, therefore, must have been a child of his first wife, as we
may suppose she was more than 12 or 13 years old when she
married. How long- Thomas Ryding lived, or whether he left
issue, I am uninformed. He lived near Nassawadox, in North-
ampton Co., Va., and probably died there; and as no mention
of any of her children either by him or b}- Robert Peale, her
second husband, have been seen by your Correspondent, upon
the Eastern Shore Records, we will, for the present, have to
leave the matter in doubt. She had been sometime the wife
of Peale on September 30th, 1684. (See Vol. II.. D. W. & C,
p. 106, 207, Northampton Co. Va., Records.)

C. Frances Yeardley, youngest daughter of Col. Argall
Yeardley, married Lt. Col. Adam Thorogood, eldest son and
heir of Capt. Adam and Sarah (Offiey) Thorogood, previousfy
mentioned. (See Note 4. ) They lived at Lynnhaven Bay in
Norfolk Co., Virginia, where he became prominent, was Bur-
gess for the County in 1666, and Justice in 1669. He died in
1685. (See his will, Vol. IV., p. 217, Lower Norfolk Co.
Records.) They had issue:

Adam (afterward Col. Adam), who married Mar}- Mosely. and died

in 1719, s. p.

Robert, who married Blandina , and left a son Robert.

William (afterwards Capt. William), married Patience — , and

died in 1723, leaving- Argall, Mary, and Adam.
Francis, who married Amy , and died Feb. 14. 1740.

See Va. Mag. of Hist. & Biog., April No., 18 l )5, p. 41b.

Elizabeth Yeardley, eldest surviving child of Capt. Ar-
gall and Sarah (Michael) Yeardle}-, above mentioned, married
George Harmanson. They lived at the home place called
"Yeardley." He died in 1734. (See his will, Vol. XVIII.,
p. 123, Northampton Co., Va., Records. ) Their children were:

1. Argall Harmanson. who married Barbara . and left two

sons, Benjamin and George, who are mentioned in their
grandfather's will, and possibly other children.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 347

2. Margaret Harmanson, who married Arthur Robins.

3. Alicia, who married Hillar3 r String-er.

4. Isabel, who married Harmanson.

5. Bridgett, who married Littleton E3 r re.

6. Rose.

Henrietta.

See II.

Sarah Yeardley, second daughter of Capt. Arg-all and
Sarah (Michael) Yeardley, above mentioned, married John
Powell,' 1 and had issue:

1. Sarah, who married John Haggoman.

2. Yeardley.

3. Marg-aret, who married Clark Jacob.

4. Mary.

5. Rose, who married Dr. Michael Christian, first, and after his

death William Dig-by Seymour.

See III.

Frances Yeardley, youngest daughter of Capt. Arg-all
and Sarah (Michael) Yeardle}^, married John West, Jr., who
afterwards became Major John West. After her death he

married Josepha Maria , and died in 1718, about one

year after his second marriage. Their children were:

1. Argall Yeardley, who married .

2. John, who married — .

3. Charles, who married ,

4. Thorogood.

5. Ann, who married Nathaniel Holland.

6. Thomas Powell, born prior to 1579, (See deposition May 25, 1659, Book S, p. 17,
Northampton Count3' Va. Records, in which he stated that his age is "four score and
odd). He came to Virginia in the "Sampson" 1618, and was on Eastern Shore of Vir-
ginia, 1624. Hotten, p. 263). (See Vol. I., p. 115, Northampton Co. Va. Records). He was
alive in 1662. (See deed of gift to Johnson & Hope, book 1657-'66, p. 96, Northamp-
ton Co. Va. Records).. He married Elizabeth . (See book 1, p. 150, Northampton-
County Va. Records), and had issue: John Powell, who married and had

issue: John Powell, who married Frances Wilkins, daughter of Nathaniel Wilkins,
(See deed of gift, Nathaniel Wilkins to his daughter Frances Powell, Februao* 7, 1698,
9, Vol. XII., p. 214, 1692-1707, Northampton'Co. Va. Records, in which he mentions his
grandsons, Nathaniel Powell and John Powell), and had issue: a. Nathaniel Powell
married Sarah , (See will, W. B. 17, p. 326, recorded October 10, 1732, which men-
tions children. John, George, Nicholas, Joseph, Ann and Jonathan), and (6) John Powell,
who married Sarah Yeardley, daughter of Argall and Sarah (Michael) Yeardlej-. See
deed of partition January 28, 1701, Northampton Co. Va. Records, (Vol. XII., p. 295.) He
waS'Sheriff and Justice of Peace of Northampton County Va. 1702, and at later dates,
(See Order Book 14, p. 534, May 30, 1710, Records Northampton Count v, Va.; etc., Va. Mag-.,
Vol. II., p. 10), and had issue. See will of John Powell, dated June 1, 1718, book 14, p.
144, Northampton Co. Va. Records. See division of estate of John Powell and Sarah
Will Powell, Book 17, p. 3, etc., p. 10, etc.. Northampton County, Va. Records.

348 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

6. Jemima, who married .

7. Matilda, who married .

8. Sarah, who married Isaac Smith.

9. Joseph.

All were children of Frances, except possibly Joseph. (See will
of Major John West, Vol. XVI., p. 31, Northampton County Records,
February 6th, 1718.)

See IV.

We have now followed out the Yeardley name in Virginia
as a family name until it became extinct. The following will
give the lines of descent of such of the descendants of Sir
George and Lady Yeardley, as have been either traced by me
or placed at my service. That this list will be very far from
complete may be easily imagined.

ELIZABETH YARDLEY AND SOME OF HER DE-
SCENDANTS.

II.

Elizabeth Yardley married Col. George Harmanson. The
Harmanson family is a very old and highly respected one on
the Eastern Shore. Its members have allied with the best
families always, and the traditional "black sheep" has appeared
conspicuous by its absence. The family of Dr. Charles Har-
manson, of Onancock, Va., are the sole representatives of the
name here now so far as I know. Thomas Harmanson, the
first of the name on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, was a
German, born in the Dominion of Brandenburg, and of the
Protestant religion. His naturalization papers were signed
by Howard, Lord Effingham, 8th of June, 1680, and recorded
24th October, 1684, (Vol. 1680 to 1692, No. 11, Northampton
Co. Records.) His first wife is believed to have been an Elk-
ington, a sister of Ann Elkington, who was the first wife of
Capt. John Savage. His widow, Elizabeth, was "the heir
and executrix of John Daniel." He died in 1690. (Vol. II.
D. W. & C. p. 278, Northampton Co. Records).

Col. George Harmanson was a lineal descendant of old
Thomas. By his marriage to Elizabeth Yardley he acquired
considerable property, in addition to his own, and purchased

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 349

other land. He survived his wife and in his will mentions
his son Argall and Argall's wife Barbara, and grandsons,
Benjamin and George Harmanson, sons of Arg-all and Barbara.
He also mentions his daughters, Margaret, the wife of Arthur
Robins; Bridget, the wife of Littleton Eyre; Isabel, who
married a Harmanson; Leshe (Alicia) wife of Hillary Stringer;
Rose and Henrietta, and his granddaughter Sarah Har-
manson, who was a daughter of Isabel, and grandson, Ken-
dall Harmanson, (who subsequently appears to have been a
son of Isabel, although it is not so stated in his will.) They
had:

I. Arg-all Harmanson, who married Barbara and had issue
hereafter mentioned.
II. Marg-aret Harmanson, who married Arthur Robins.

III. Bridget Harmanson, who married Eittleton Eyre.

IV. Isabel Harmanson, who married Harmanson and had:

a. Kendall Harmanson, who married Anna and

had (See his will, Vol. 21 D. W. & C. p. 86, North-
ampton County Records), (1) John, (2) Isabel and
(3) Elizabeth.
V. Alicia Harmanson, who married Hillar_y Stringer.
VI. Rose Harmanson.
VII. Henrietta Harmanson.

Argall Harmanson and Barbara, his wife, above men-
tioned, had:

1. Benjamin Harmanson, who married Elizabeth ,

and had:

a. Katherine, who married Justice.

b. Elishe, who married Kendall.

c. Elizabeth, who married Kendall.

d. Esther, who married Respress, and died before her mother.

e. John Kendall.

He left a grandson, John Harmanson. Benjamin died
before his wife. See will of Elizabeth Harmanson, Vol. 21,
D. W. & C, p. 292, 3rd August 1757, Northampton Co. Records.

2. George Harmanson, who married Hanna and

had: (See his will, Vol. 22, p. 398, Dec. 15, 1761, Northampton
Co. Records.)

a. Elizabeth.

b. Mary.

c. Susanna (was born in 1755) married Dr. John Winder, of Som-

erset County, Maryland, (17th July, 1783) and left a numerous

350 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

posterity as appears hereafter. He died 19th June. 1799.
She was his second wife — his first wife having- been Bettie
Jones, of Somerset County, Maryland, by whom he had two
children — William, who died s.p., and Dr. Thomas Winder,
who married Miss Harriet Handy, of Maryland, and re-
moved to Natchez, Miss., and were the ancestors of numerous
descendants in the far South.
d. John Harmanson.

Barbara Harmanson survived her husband Argall.
Susanna Harmanson and Dr. John Winder above men-
tioned had:

1. John Harmanson Winder, born June 2, 1784. He
married first: Comfort Quinton Gore, of Maryland, who bore
him (1) Lauretta Anne, who married Thomas Littleton Sav-
age and died s.p. 2. Charlotte Louisa, who married Wm.
P. Nottingham and had one child, Comfort Quinton Gore
Nottingham, a woman of great culture, who married Rob-
inson Nottingham, of Northampton County, Virginia, and
has no children, and (3) Susan Comfort Winder, who married
June 3, 1835, Dr. Robert Major Garrett, Mayor of the
city of Williamsburg, and Superintendent of the Virginia
Eastern Hospital, and had children as hereafter mentioned.
John Harmanson Winder subsequently married Sarah Snead,
and had Rose C. Winder, who became the second wife of
Judge George Seth Guion, of Louisiana, and died s.p., and
Lieutenant John Edward Winder of the Confederate Army,
and who is yet unmarried.

2. Mary Harmanson Winder, born October 21, 1785, died
March, 1862, s.p.

3. Dr. George Harmanson Winder, born February 9,
178 ( », died December 18, 1823, married Mrs. Haller nee Hudgins,
and had issue hereafter mentioned.

4. Nathaniel James Winder, born December 6, 1794, and
died August 2, 1844. He was a Barrister and for many years
Clerk of both Superior and Inferior Courts of Northampton
County, Va. He married Sarah Upshur Bayley (daughter of
Richard D. Bayley and Sarah Upshur, his wife) on October 8,
1826, and had issue hereafter mentioned.

Susan Comfort Winder and Dr. Robert Major Garrett,
above mentioned, had:

1. Robert Major Garrett, Jr., who died in infancy.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 351

2. William Robertson Garrett, who was a Captain in the
Confederate States Army, formerly Superintendent of Public
Instruction for Tennessee, President of the National Educa-
tional Association, and now Professor of American History
in the Peabody Normal College at Nashville, Tennessee, and
editor of the American Historical Magazine. He married
Miss Julia Flournoy Batte, of Pulaski, Tenn., and had:

Robert Major, deceased; William Batte; Edward Feild,
deceased; Van Winder; Susan Mildred, deceased; Julia Flour-
noy; John Flournoy; and Lauretta Yardley.

3. Comfort Anna Garrett, deceased.

4. Susan Winder Garrett, deceased.

5. Henry Winder Garrett, a lawyer, died s.p.

6. Dr. Van Franklin Garrett, Professor of Chemistry at
William and Mary Colleg-e, Williamsburg-, Virginia, who
married April 29th, 1896, Miss Harriet Nicholls, daughter of
the Hon. Francis Tillou Nicholls, of New Orleans, La.

7. Charlotte Gore Garrett.

8. Mary Winder Garrett.

9. Susan Comfort Garrett.

Dr. George Harmanson Winder and Mrs. Haller, nee
Hudgins, had:

1. John Holden Winder, who married Margaret Har-
wood, of King and Queen CoUnt}', Va., and had issue:

a. Sarah Winder.

b. Mary Winder.

c. Anna Winder.

d. George Winder, whose descendants, if any, are unknown.

e. Julia Winder, who married Swift, for her first husband

and had issue, Winder. Carter, Sarah, Mar3% Alma and
George. Winder, Mary, Alma and George are all dead,
and Sarah is unmarried. After the death of Mr. Swift,
his widow married James Wingfold, but left no issue by
him.

2. Levin Yeardley Winder, (an officer in Confederate
States Army) who married Anna Decormis, (now dead) and

had:

a. Anna Glanville, who married Joseph Barrett and had Annie,

Eugenia, Nellie and Ruth.

b. Mary Sue, who married Arthur Segar and had Arthur.

Charlotte, Missouri, Campbell and Winder.

352 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

c. Eaura Penelope, married C. N. Campbell and had Mary, (died

s.p..) Eaura and Charles.

d. Levin Yeardley died 1878, unmarried.

e. Cornelia Hampton, unmarried.

f. Frank, unmarried.

g. Kate, |

//. Henry / diedin infanc y-

z. Rosalie Hildegrave (now dead) married George Lindsay, and
had Georgia, Robert Winder dead, Cornelia, Ellen and
Rosalie.

Of the above, Anna Glanville and Mary Sue; and Kate and
Henry were twins.

3. Penelope Winder, married Richard Roper Garrett, a
brother of Dr. Robert Major Garrett, and had, George Rich-
ard Garrett, who married Mary Chisman, of Hampton, Va.,
and had Penelope and Eliza.

4. Laura Winder, who was the second wife of Richard
Roper Garrett, and had:

a. Penelope.

b. Mary Louisa, who married Moses T. Hughes and had one child,

Richard, who married Mary Atkinson and died leaving two
children, viz: Richard Marshall and Mary Lou.

c. Florence, who married Dr. Mallory Shield, of Little England,

Va., and had Mary Shield, born 1873, Florence Mallory
Shield, born 1875.

d. Laura, who married George S. Booker, of Hampton, Va., and

had, George Selwyn Booker, born 1876, Mary Louise Booker,
born 1879, Anna Booker, born 1882, Florence Shield Booker,
born 1889.

e. Alexander, who married Laura Slaughter.

5. Mary Susan Winder, married Decormis, of Vir-
ginia, and had issue, Mary Winder Decormis. who married
Thomas Hughes and had Mary Susan who married Samuel
Dowdy, Annie Winder Hughes (dead), Nannie Hughes mar-
ried Burros, Sarah Hughes and Jane Hughes.

Nathaniel James Winder and Sarah Upshur Bayley, above
mentioned, had:

1. Dr. Richard Bayley Winder, D.D.S., of Baltimore,
Md., who was Major in the Confederate army and afterwards
Dean of the College of Dental Surgery of Baltimore, Md.,
and one of the founders of that Institution. He married
three times: (the first two wives being sisters)

First, Elizabeth Custis, and had no issue.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GSORG-E YEARDLEY. 35i

Second, Sarah Custis, and had two children:

a. Richard Bayley Winder, married Catherine Street, of Mary-

land, and has one son, Richard Bayley Winder.

b. Mary Custis Winder, married H. A. Miller, of Baltimore, Md.,

and has one son, Henry A. Miller.

Third, Kate Dorsey, of Maryland, and had no issue.

2. Sarah Caroline Winder, married Dr. George Ker, of
Eastville, Va. , recently deceased, and had:

a. Ella Kerr, unmarried.

b. Georg-e Kerr, recently killed in a railroad accident.

3. Mary Catherine Winder married Major Charles How-
ard, of Baltimore, Md., who became a Major ir, the Con-
federate Army on General Elzer's staff and had:

a. Charles Howard.

b. Elizabeth Key Howard, who married Mr. James Tyson, of

Baltimore, Md., and has a daughter, Evelyn.

c. Ruth Howard, unmarried.

d. Nannie Howard, who married Captain Orris A. Browne, of

Northampton County, Va. , who was an officer in Confeder-
ate States Nav} r and on board of the Confederate States
Steamer Shenandoah. They have one daughter, born Aug-.
13th, 1896.

e. Rose Howard, unmarried.

The mother of Major Charles Howard was a daughter of
Francis Key, who wrote "The Star Spang-led Banner."

For the above descendants of Elizabeth Yardley and Col.
George Harmanson see the Winder pedigree owned by Miss
Mary Winder Garrett, of Williamsburg, Va.

SARAH YEARDLEY AND SOME OF HER DESCEND-
ANTS.

III.
Sarah Yeardley, second daughter of Captain Argall and
Sarah (Michael) Yeardley, married John Powell, who was the
son of John Powell and Frances Wilkins, his wife, 7 and had
issue:

7. See deed of gift, Nathaniel Wilkins to his daughter Frances Powell, Vol. XII.,
p. 214, Northampton Co. Records; deed of partition, Vol. XII., p. 294. He was Sheriff
and Justice of the Peace in 1702, and at later dates.
4

354 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

1. Sarah Powell, who married John Haggotnan, (See Order Book

17, p. 88, Northampton County Records.)

2. Yeardlej- Powell.

3. Margaret Powell, who married Clark Jacob.

4. Mary Powell.

5. Rose Powell, who married Dr. Michael Christian, December 7,

1722. See Marriage Bond, December 3, 1722, on file, North-
ampton County Records. After Dr. Christian's death, she
married William Digby Seymour. See Marriage Bond, Feb-
ruary 10, 1736, on file in Clerk's Office at Eastville, Va. She
left issue by both husbands. 8

Rose Powell, and Michael Christian, last mentioned, had;

a. Michael, who married Patience Michael, December 30, 1747.

See Marriage Bond on file at Eastville, Va. The)- left de-
scendants.

b. William, who married Kesiah Blair (widow) June 7, 1750. They

left descendants as below.

c. Sarah, who married.

d. Elizabeth who married Robert James, December 15, 1753. They

left descendants.

e. Susannah Christian, who married about Sept. 8, 1755, Luke

Luker. 9 See Marriage Bond and Consent, dated Sept. 8, 1755;
see will of Luke Luker, December 17. 1773, W. B. 1772-77, p.
18 s , Accomac County Records.

On the death of her husband she married James Coxe, of
the town of Shelbourne, Nova Scotia — See deed July 24, 1784,
to Edward Kerr, of Accomac Co., Va., Book 1783-88, p. 145.
Accomac County Records. And on death of Susannah, which
was prior to July 24, 1784, he (Coxe) married Elizabeth Bay-
ley, daughter of Charles Bayley, of Pungoteague. Va. See
last mentioned deed. The division of the estate of Luke
Luker, Sept. 25, 1781, mentions widow of Luke Luker. as Susan
Coxe. See W. B. 1780-84, p. 188, Accomac County Records.
She left numerous descendants by her first husband, but only

8. See division of John and Sarah Powell estate, Will Book XVII., p. 3, 10. North-
ampton County, Va., Records; will of Michael Christian, dated December 20, 1735, W.B,
XVIII., p. 137; appraisement estate of same, W. B. XVIII., p. 155; division of estate of
same, July 2, 1745, W. B. XIX., p. 204, Northampton C, Va., Records.

<i. Luke Luker lived in "St George's Parish.'* in the lower end of Accomac County,
Va. He was a Vestryman of that Parish, February 23, 1763, to the day of his death,
about October 24. 1774. On the latter day the following' entry was made on Vestry Book
of the Parish: "At a Vestry held at the house of William Grotteu for St. George's Par-
ish, October 24, 1774 * * * * This day the Vestry elected Thomas Bayley as a Ves-
tryman in the room of Luke Luker, deceased." ( See Vestry Book, p. 1-22, on file at Ac-
comac C. H., Va.) This Church has irreverently been termed "'Ace of Clubs" Church,
on account of the peculiarity of its original construction — the interior being (prior to
its partial destruction by the Federal troops during 1861-65, who used it as a stable) in
the shape of an "Ace of Clubs." He was a Tobacco Inspector at Addison Landing, in
Accomac, and Nassawaddox, in Northampton. See bond on file at Eastville, dated
April 12. 1757.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 355

one daughter by her second husband, viz: Catherine, who

married first, Moore, and second, Fennell, who

left one daughter, Susan, who married Levin Coxe, the
latter died without issue.

William Christian, married Keziah Blair (widow) and
had issue: a. Catherine: b. Edward, drowned in Chesa-
peake Bay; c. Captain William.

a. Catherine — Married Rev. Richard Ames and had:

1. George Christian Ames, who married Hester W. Milby.

2. John Ashbury Ames, who married Adelade Hack.
c. Captain William married Catherine Ker and had:

1. Col. William Armistead, who married Elizabeth Seymour.
George Christian Ames and Hester, his wife, had three
sons and one daughter:

a. Rev. Alfred Augustus H. Ames married Ann Upshur Bayley

Seymour — see Seymour line — and had:

1. Ann Seymour Ames, unmarried.

2. George Christian Ames.

b. George E. W. Ames died unmarried.

c. John C. Ames died unmarried.

d. Lizzie M. Ames married Rev. C. H. Hall, D.D., of Brooklyn

N. Y. and had issue.

John Ashbury Ames married Adelade Hack and had a
daughter, Charlotte, who married Thomas H. Perrie, of
Prince George Co., Va., and had several children.

Capt. William Christian and Catherine (Ker) had: Col.
William Armistead Christian, who married Elizabeth Seymour
and had three children.

1. George.

2. Lizzie.

3. William Seymour.

George Christian married Elizabeth Henderson and left

one son William Seymour Christian, Jr., who married Sarah

Core and left five children:

Rupert (dead), George Seymour, (dead), Gertrude, who married Mr.
Core, Florence, who married Mr. Hutchinson, and Orion (dead).

Lizzie Christian died young and unmarried.

William Seymour Christian Sr., married Susan Wilkins,

and had a daughter Lizzie, who died in childhood.

Note. — The parents of Elizabeth Se3'tnour, wife of Col. William A. Christian, are
unknown to the writer, but she was a descendant of Wm. Digb3' Seymour and Rose
(Powell) his wife.

356 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Susannah Christian and Luke Luker (last mentioned)
had:

1. Elizabeth, who married Thomas Custis, and had but one daugh-

ter, Susan, who married John Evans, and died without chil-
dren. See her will Jan. 26, 1820, Book Cir. Ct. Records, Ac-
comac Co., p. 301.

2. Rose, who married Dr. John C. Martin, of Snow Hill, Maryland,

and left issue.

3. Anne, died unmarried.

4. Sarah, who married Tully Wise and left issue.

5. Susan Euker, who married Rev. Griffin Callahan, and left issue:

Rose Luker and Dr. John C. Martin, above mentioned,
left among their children a daughter, Susan C, who married
James Upshur, of Northampton Co., Va., being- his second
wife. She was born March 6th, 1785, and died May 13th, 1823.
She bore her husband five children, viz:

a. Rosina Martin Upshur, born April 6th, 1811, who mar-
ried Wm. W. Johnston, a merchant of Princess Anne, Mary-
land, and left issue:

1. Ellen, who married Dr. George R. Dennis, who was afterwards

a United States Senator from Maryland, and had: a. Wil-
liam, who married , and left issue; b. Rose, who

married Mr. Ake,of Philadelphia, Pa.; c. George, unmarried;
d. James, unmarried; e. Ellen, who married Mr. Jones, of
Somerset Co., Maryland.

2. Emily, unmarried.

3. Sarah, died s. p.

4. Upshur, died s. p.

5. Dr. Samuel, who is now a celebrated physician in Baltimore,

Md., a specialist on lung and throat diseases, who married
Miss Banny Stewart, of Baltimore, and has no descendants.

6. Maggie, died s. p.

7. Hobart, died s. p.

b. Ann Emmerson Upshur, died s. p.

c. Elizabeth Mary Upshur, died s. p.

d. Dr. Georg-e Martin Upshur, born October, 10th, 1817,
died June 27th, 1877. He married first, Priscilla Townsend,
of Maryland, and second, Sophie .

He had by his first wife:

1. James Upshur, died s. p.

2. George Martin Upshur, a lawyer, of Baltimore, Md., late of

Snow Hill, who was a few years ago Speaker of the Maryland

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 357

House of Delegates. He married Miss Emma Franklin, of
Maryland, and had a daughter, Priscilla, and other children.

3. Levin Upshur, who married and left issue:

4. Rosina Upshur, who married Pope, and lives in Bal-

timore, Md. She has children.

5. John Upshur, died unmarried.

6. Susan Upshur, who also married.

He had by his second wife:

7. Francis Upshur, who married .

8. William Upshur, who died s. p.

e. Wilmer Martin Upshur, died s. p.

Sarah Luker and Tully Wise, above mentioned, had issue:

a. Susan Wise, who married W. O. Parker, and had issue:

1. John W. H. Parker, who married Sarah A. Topping, of Onan-

cock, Virginia, and had:

a. Susan Parker, who married D. D. Fletcher.

b. Phoebe Parker, who married Robt. P. Custis, and had issue.

c. Tully Parker, who married Agnes Parker, and had issue.

2. Tully Parker, who married first, Margaret Evans, and had:

a. Susan Parker, who married Edward H. Custis, and have

issue.

b. Margaret Parker, who married Thomas H. B. Corbin,

and have issue.
And married second, Susan Neely, and had:
c Charles Parker, of San Francisco, Cal.

d. Mary Parker, who married Augustus Dodge.

b. Tabitha Wi^e, and Edmund R. Custis had issue:

1. Mar} r Wise; 2. Sarah Wise, both of whom married Dr. W. S.
Horsey, and left no issue.

c. Martha Wise, who married Henry T. Riley, had no
issue.

d. Tully R. Wist , who married Margaret Doug-las Pet-
tit Wise (a sister of the late Ex-Gov. Henry A. Wise, of Vir-
ginia) and left issue;

1. Peyton Wise, who married Laura Mason Chilton, of Richmond,

Virginia, and have issue.

2. Sarah Elizabeth Wise died unmarried.

3. Tully R. Wise.

4. John Henry W r ise, of San Francisco, Cal., married Sarah Ann

Merker, and have issue.

5. James Madison Wise, who married Ann DentDunlap, and have

issue.

358 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

6. George Doug-lass Wise, ex-member of Congress, from 3rd Con-

gressional District of Virginia, not married.

7. Franklin Morgan Wise, married Ellen Tompkins, and has issue.

8. Eewis Warrington Wise, of Durham, N. C.

e. Sarah Wise, who married Dr. Thomas P. Bagwell, and
had issue:

1. Anna Bagwell, who married Dr. Dennis Claude Handy, An-

napolis, Md., and had:

a. Anna Handy; b. Elizabeth Handy; c. Claude Handy.

2. George H. Bagwell, who married Rose Dix Twyford, and had:

a. Adele Bagwell, b. Werner Bag-well, c. Thomas Bagwell,
d. Hattie Bagwell, e. Eddie Bagwell, /. Faith Bag-
well, g. George McDonald Bagwell, and h. Katherine
Bagwell.

3. Edmond R. Bag-well, who married Margaret Douglas Bag-well,

and had:

a. Catherine, who married Thomas B. Quinby, and have:

Edmund, Upshur, and Richardson.

b. Margaret, who married Edward R. Leatherbury, and has

a son, Douglas.

c. lyily, who married Mr. Capehart, from North Carolina.

and have: Ashburne, Douglas, and Margaret P.

4. Sarah Bagwell, married Thomas R. Joynes, and have:

a. Alice, and b. Marnie, who married Mr. Griffith, and has:
Ruth, Helen, and Virginia.

5. Thomas H. Bagwell never married.

6. Elizabeth Bagwell, married Edward Leatherbury, and have:

a. Sarah, b. Thomas, and c. Eva.

f. Elizabeth Wise never married.

g. John R. Wise, who married Eliza Coward, and had:

1. Sarah Wise, who married George Powell.

2. Catherine Wise, who married Hugh Powell.

Susan Luker and Rev. Griffin Callahan, 10 mentioned above,
had:

10. Rev. Griffin Callahan was born 1759, and was a minister of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, being- admitted into the Travelling- Connection of that Church at the
Baltimore Conference, September 10, 1788. (Minutes of Conference, at Methodist His-
torical Rooms, Tenth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.) He preached in Frederick^
Maryland Circuit, 1788, and afterwards on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia.
He lived for a considerable time at a place called "Mockhorn'* a short distance above
Drumraoudtown; subsequently on Folly Creek and afterwards at Locust Mount, Acco-
mac Co.. Virginia. He was a popular minister. His record of marriag-es of record at
Accomac C. H. is unusually larg-e. (see Marriag-e Record Book, 1800 etc., Accomac C.
H., Va.l He died August 22nd, 1833, age 74 years. He was buried in the churchyard of
old "Burton's Meeting House," near Locust Mount, Accomac County, Va.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 359

a. Elizabeth Euker Callahan, who, January 23d, 1842, married Dr.

Gustavus Henry Kreegar, of |Germany, at St. Paul's M. E.
Church, Catherine Street above Sixth, Philadelphia, by Rev.
Thomas J. Thompson . See original of marriage record at St.
Paul's M. E. Church, Catherine above Sixth Street, Philadel-
phia. Pa. He died April 9, 1872. She died April 16, 1888,
without issue. Both were buried in the churchyard of St.
Paul's Church.

b. Griffin Wesley Callahan, who, December 28th, 1828, married

Leah Ashby, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Beach)
Ashby, and granddaughter of Thomas and Susan (Heath)
Ashby, and of Kendal and Rosina (Nock) Beach, of Accomac
County, Virginia, by Rev. Joseph Burton, at Locust Mount,
Accomac County, Va. (See Record of Marriages at Accomac
C. H. — not paged or indexed). They left issue, hereafter
mentioned. He died March 1st, 1841, and was buried at the
Ashby homestead at Locust Mount, Accomac Co., Va., in the
private burial ground of the Ashby family. She died Feb-
ruary 26th, 1895, and was buried at Craddockville, M. E.
Church, in the lower end of Accomac County, Virginia.

c. Susan Christian Callahan, who married, July 29th, 1839, George

Osborne Sneath, of Philadelphia, at Ebenezer M. E. Church,
Christian Street above Third, Philadelphia, Pa., by Rev.
Levi Scott. Original record at Church, Third and Christian
Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. He died June 2nd, 1842. She died
Novemher 3rd, 1892, and left no issue. Both were buried in
St. Paul's M. E Church yard, Philadelphia, Pa.

d. Sarah Callahan, who married William Farson, of Philadelphia,

Pa. She died young and without issue. She was buried in
Ebenezer M. E. Church yard.

e. John Wesley Callahan, died a young man and unmarried.

f. Ann Luker Callahan married, December 15, 1830, Joseph
Michael Doran, n by Rev. B. Weed, at St. George's M. E.
Church, Fourth Street, below Vine, Philadelphia, Pa. Orig-
inal records at Church, copy at Pennsylvania Historical Soci-
ety. They had issue, hereafter mentioned. He died June 6th,
1859. She died April 30, 1883. Both were buried in St. Mary's

11. Joseph Michael Doran. was born in Philadelphia, November 10, 1800. He was
the son of Michael Doran, of Mountreath, Queens County, Ireland, and of Mary Lalor,
of King's County, Ireland. Michael Doran arrived in Philadelphia, Januao* 5, 1795,
where he resided until his death. Joseph M. Doran, graduated at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1820, studied law in the office of Joseph R. Ingrersoll, and was admitted
to the Philadelphia Bar, April 3, 1824. He was Solicitor for the District of Southwark in
1835, a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1837, and Judge of the
Court of General Sessions, 1840-43. He was President of the Repeal Association of
Philadelphia. He died June 6, 1859, and was buried in St. Mary's Church yard, Fourth
Street, above Spruce. (See "Biographical Encyclopaedia of Pennsylvania," p. 76. Also
Campbell's History of Hibernian Society, pp. 395-6).

360 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

R. C. Church yard, Fourth Street above Spruce, Philadel-
phia, Pa.

Griffin Wesley Callahan and Leah CAshb; ) Callahan, his
wife, above mentioned had:

a. Margaret Susan Callahan, born February 27th, 1830,
married, March 24, 1847, George Scarburg West, of Accomac
County, Va., by Rev. Joseph Burton. See Register of Mar-
riages, Accomac C. H., 1847, p. 48. Died November 22nd,
1893, and had children:

1. George Edris West, died in infancy.

2. Thomas Mitchell West, born September 2nd, 1849, rxarried No-

vember 22, 1870, Anna I. Johnson, and had:

a. Annie Susan West, born December 4, 1871, married John

C. Finney, April 27, 1892. and had a daughter. Alice
Leah Finney, born January 7, 1893.

b. Lillian May West, born November 22, 1874.

c. Ethel Margaret West, born January 2, 1880.

d. Mary Ellen West, born December 7, 1884.

3. Margaret Rogers West, born April 23, 1853, married. April 16,

1869, Benjamin F. Davis, and had:

a. George West Davis, born October 13, 1871.

b. Frank Hudson Davis, born June 11, 1879.

c. Warner Hyslop Davis, born December 16, 1888.

4. George Griffin West, born June 23, 1855, married, December 9,
.... 1876, Lena E. Ames, and had:

a. Vernetta Susan West, born January 17, 1878.

b. George Levin West, born March 31, 1880.

C. Mitchell Scarburg West, born September 13. 1884.

d. Margaret Rogers West, born August 16, 1886.

5. John Edris West, born October 22, 1S57, married, October 19,

1876, Florence B. Sucker, and had:

a. Emma Sue West, born December 9, 1877.

b. Roger Sucker West, born April 30, 1880.

c. Edgar Allen West, born September 18, 1885.

d. John Earle West, born May 17, 1892.

6. Susan Elizabeth West, born February 22, 1869, married, Decem-

ber 6, 1887, Arthur P. Martin, and had issue:

a. Margaret Susan Martin, born January 4. 188 ,: >.

b. Marion E. Martin, born April 10, 1891.

c. Arthur P. Martin born October 17. 1893.

d. Margaret Rog r ers Martin, June 10, 1895.

b. John Wesley Callahan, born October 22, 1833, mar-
ried, January 20, 1856, Prudence Ann Sweeney, daughter of

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 361

James Sweeney, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Prudence (Sisom)
Sweeney, of Burlington, N. J., and had children, hereafter
mentioned.

c. Ann Elizabeth Callahan, born October 5, 1833, died
October 5, 1842.

d. Mary Rose Callahan, born August 11, 1836, married
James Floyd, of Northampton Co., Va., and has one son, John
Floyd, of Marionville, Northampton Co., Va., who married a
Miss Justice, and had issue.

e. Thomas Griffin Callahan, born June 3, 1838, died Sep-
tember 17, 1842.

John Wesley Callahan and Prudence (Sweeney) Callahan,
above mentioned, had:

a. Annie Maryland Callahan, born November 6, 1856,
married, July 19, 1878. Charles T. Graham, of Philadelphia,
Pa., by Pastor of Third Baptist Church, and have:

1. Annie May Graham, born Nov. 29, 1880.

2. Lillian Graham, born Sept. 1, 1885.

b. Leah Virginia Callahan, born July 19, 1859, married,
February 20, 1886, Thomas Auner, of Philadelphia, Pa., by
Rev. Snyder B. Simes, of Old Swedes ( Gloria Dei) Church.
Thomas Auner died August 23rd, 1896, and had:

Edmund Cadwalader Auner, born March 10, 1890.

c. Griffin Clay Callahan, born November 29, 1861, mar-
ried February 6, 1883, Ida Virginia Williams, born March 4,
1864, daughter of Charles and Bella ( Reisner) Williams of
Philadelphia, Pa., by Rev. J. R. Miller, Pastor of Holland
Memorial Presbyterian Church, at Parsonage, No. 420 South
Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pa., and have:

1. Griffin Ellwood Callahan, born August 1, 1884.

2. Albert Clay Callahan, born October 12, 1885, died June 22, 1887.

3. Doran Sisom Callahan, born April 17, 1892.

d. John Wesley Callahan, born March 11, 1864.

e. Kate Eliza Callahan, born April 11, 1866, died January

9, 1885.

f. Lillie Sisom Callahan, born March 7, 1868, died March

10, 1880.

g. George West Callahan, born December 16, 1868, mar-
ried, December 4, 1895, Renta Louise Glenz.

3b2 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

h. Mary Susan Callahan, born August 19, 1873.
i. Florence Selby Callahan, born January 8, 1877.

Joseph Michael Doran and Ann Luker (Callahan) Doran,
above mentioned, had:

a. Alice Ealor Doran, born February 28, 1842, died February 10,

1861.

b. Joseph Ing-ersoll Doran, born January 17, 1844, hereafter men-

tioned.

c. Virginia. Doran, born April 9, 1846, died March 18, 1857.

d. John Ashley Doran, born March 23, 1848, died December 31, 1855.

There were four other children who died in infancy.

Joseph Ingersoll Doran, 12 above mentioned, born January
17, 1844, married, December 12, 1876, Ida Warner Erwin,
daughter of Joseph Warner Erwin and Caroline (Borden) Er-
win, of Philadelphia, Pa., and granddaughter of Henry Er-
win and Rebecca Ashton (Warner) Erwin. of Philadelphia,
Pa., and of Samuel Borden and Catherine D. Upjohn Borden,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, and have:

1. Marie Louise Doran, born September 16, 1877.

12. Joseph I. Doran, a prominent lawyer of Philadelphia, and for many years past
associated in practice with Hon. John C. Bullitt, was born in Philadelphia, January 17,
1844. He received his preliminary education in private schools, principally that of John
W. Faires, by whom he was prepared to enter the University of Pennsylvania. He re-
mained, however, at the University but a short time, and in the fall of 1860 he entered
the office of John C Bullitt, first as a clerk, then as a student of law. He was admitted
to the bar in April, 1805. Two years subsequently he was admitted to practice in the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Doran's practice has been confined to that of
railroad and general corporation law. He is Consulting' Counsel of many corporations,
and has been General Solicitor of the Norfolk & Western Railroad since the organiza-
tion of that company. Like his honored father, he has devoted himself with great zeal
and earnestness to his chosen profession, and his business, during- his many years of
busy practice, has grown to largre, laborious and exacting proportions. Preserving- his
habits of industry, study, and close application, he has also brought to the discharge of
the manifold duties of his calling, a clear and conscientious conception of every obliga-
tion, and an ability as unquestioned in degree as it has been prolifi • in emolument.
From about 1880 he has been closely identified with the development — which started at
that time, and which has since been so rapid and successful — of the coal and iron dis-
tricts or Virginia and West Virginia. In 1876, he read an ioteresting and suggestive
paper before the American Social Science Convention, on the subject of "Building As-
sociations," which attracted much attention. His pamphlet on "Our Fishery Rights in
the North Atlantic," published in 1888, was an exhaustive investigation of this intricate
and important subject, and was received generally as a forcible argument, and the best
statement of the American side of the fisher}- question. The Philadelphia Ledger
spoke of it as a "brief, pungent and able pamphlet," and the Boston Evening Tran-
script considered it "one of the most satisfactorj- contributions to the literature of the
fishery controversy." These studies were diversions from Mr. Poran's close attention
to the details of his larg-e and extending practice, which almost exclusively occupies
his time and thoughts.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 363

2. Joseph Warner Doran, born November 1, 1878; died February

24, 1887.

3. Alice Theresa Doran, born March 16, 1881.

4. John Henry Doran, born May 31, 1883.

5. Caroline Borden Doran, born September 24, 1884.

6. Josephine Ealor Doran, born March 31, 1886.

7. Warner Erwin Doran, born December 18, 1887.

Rose Powell, widow of Michael Christian, above men-
tioned, married second, William Dig-by Seymour (born about
1738) and had one son:

1. Rev. William Seymour, born October 1, 1773, who
married twice:

1st. Elizabeth Revell Ker, July 9, 1795.

2nd. Isabella Bowman, August 29, 1811 and had a daugh-
ter, Leah, who married Covington Cropper, son of Gen. John
Cropper, and had a daughter Isabella, who died without issue;
also a son George Seymour, who married Margaret Rogers,
and has descendants, among them a daughter, Elizabeth, who
married Col. Win. A. Christian and had George, Wm. Seymour,
and Elizabeth. For further particulars see the descendants
of Dr. Michael Christian in this article.

His children by first wife were:

a. Dr. Hugh Gordon Seymour, married Elizabeth Custis (Fisher),

and left no issue. He was born 1797.

b. Wm. Digby Seymour, born September, 1800. married Ann Up-

shur Bayley, October 10, 1826, and had:

1. Elizabeth Corbin Ker Seymour, who married Chas. W.

Carrigan, and had :

a. William Seymour Carrigan, who married Clara Mc-

Clellan, and had:

WilliamSeymour, Robert McClellan. and Chas. W.

b. Eliza F. Carrigan, who married Isaac Scott Smyth,

Jr , and have Isaac Scott Smyth, 3rd.

c. Hugh Gordon Seymour Carrigan, who married Eliz-

abeth Crawford Eove and had a daughter Eliza-
beth Love Carrigan, died minor.

d. Charles W. Carrigan, Jr. , died minor.

e. Stokes Boyd Carrigan, who married Reba Blanche

Fitler.
/. Ann Bayley Carrigan died minor.

2. Anne Upshur Baylev Seymour, who married Rev. Alfred

H. H. Ames, and have: (See George Chrestean Ames
and Hester Wilby — preceding pages.)

364 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

a. Ann Seymour Ames.

b. George Christian Ames.

3. William Dig-by Seymour, unmarried.

4. Edmund Bayley Seymour, who married Anne Barney

Robinson, and have:

a. Edmund Bayley Seymour.

b. William Percival Seymour. 13

FRANCES YEARDLEY AND SOME OF HER DESCEND-
ANTS.

IV.

Some of the descendants of Frances Yeardley who mar-
ried Major John West.

Their children, as before stated, were Argall Yardley,
John. Charles, Thorowgood, Ann, Jemima, Matilda, Sarah
and Joseph.

1. Arg-all Yardley West, who married and left

issue.

2. John West, (dec'd. 1729) who married and

left a son, Jonathan.

3. Charles West, who married Sallie Custis, and had:

a. Ann Custis West, who married first John Bundick and
had no issue, and second Samuel Taylor and had issue: Eliza-
abeth Sarah Taylor and Mary Ann Taylor.

b. Tabitha Susan West, who married Dr. Thomas J. L.
L. Nottingham and had issue: Peggie Jonna, Samuel Baker,
Thomas William, Elizabeth. Sarah Bundick, Charlotte Susan,
and Clara West Nottingham.

c. Sallie West, who married Col. John Leatherbury and
had issue, William, Elizabeth, Edward, George, Sallie, Kath-
erine, John, (Col. John Leatherbury subsequently married
Vienna, (Godwin) widow of William West, hereafter men-
tioned, and had a son,- Thomas).

13. For the above information concerning Christians, Lukers, Callahans, Dorans,
Wests, Parkers, Wises, Baewells, and Seymours, I am indebted to the Record of Griffin
Clay Callahan, Esq.. of Philadelphia, Pa., a member of the Virginia Historical Society,
and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and who is interested generally in histor-
ical matters relating to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and its people, and who has been
collecting historical and genealog-ical material from the Court Records. Family Bibles,
etc., for several years, and kindly trave me the use of the above.

Note. — The descendants of Sarah Powell, Yeardley Powell, Marsraret Powell, and
Mary Powell — the brothers and sisters of Rose — I have not attempted to trace.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 365

d. William West married Vienna Godwin and had a

daughter, Clara Joanna West, who married Edward Holland

and left issue:

I. Nathaniel Littleton Holland, who married his cousin, Juliet
Fisher Holland, a daughter of Dr. Griffin Holland and his wife, Mar-
garet Cotton Whittaker, of Tallahassee, Florida, and had:

1. Florence Rowena Holland, who married Otto F. Mears, and has

Cecil Mears and Benjamin Mears.

2. Edward Holland, 1 * who married Eva Vandegrift, of West Vir-

ginia, and has a son, Edward Littleton Holland, Jr.

3. Dr. Griffin William Holland, unmarried.

4. Clarence Whittaker Holland, minor.

5. Marcus Whittaker Holland, dead.

6. William West Holland, minor.

7. Nathaniel Littleton Holland, dead.

8. Nathaniel Littleton Holland, minor.

II. Harriet Juliet Holland married Preston E. Trower, and has
Edward Holland Trower, Robert Smith Trower, Preston Bryan Trow-
er and Clara West Trower.

e. Charles J. D. West married Elizabeth Pitts and left
issue:

I. William Mayor West, who married Sarah Windsor Shelton, of
Petersburg, Va., and had: Alfred Seabur} r West, Fannie West and
Charles West.

II. Margaret Catherine West married John Leatherbury and had:
Margaret Catherine Leatherbury, Emory Pitts Leatherbury, Chauncey
Leatherburg, and Virginia West Leatherbury.

III. Mary Isabella West married John Addison and had: Elizabeth
Addison, John White Addison, and Sallie Fisher Addison — all unmar-
ried.

IV. Elizabeth Robinson West.

V. Joanna Tabitha West married Thomas E. Leatherbury, (young-
est son of Col. John Leatherbury by his last wife Vienna (Godwin), the
widow of William West as shown above) and had Edward West Leath-
erbury, Vienna Goodwin West Leatherburg, and John Neely Leather-
bury.

VI. Emor} r Washington West married Edward D. Pitts, son of
Judge Edward Pitts, of Accomac County Va., and has Mary Pitts,
Edward Pitts, Charles Pitts, Margaret Pitts and Emma Pitts.

14. Dr. Griffin William Holland, his brother, Edward Holland, and their sister,
Susan, who married Myers W. Fisher, descended from Nathaniel Holland, who mar-
ried Ann West, daughter of Major John West and Frances Yardley before mentioned,
and also from Nathaniel and Susan (Bryan) Holland, of "Poplar Hill" Northampton
Co., Va. Margaret C. Whittaker, second wife of Dr. Griffin Wm. Holland, was a daugh-
ter of Gen. Eli B. Whittaker of North Carolina.

366 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

VII. Ella Sarah West married Henry Powell, of Accomac County,
Va., and has Cecil Powell, Ella Powell, Emory Powell and Ada Powell.

VIII. Charles Edward West.

4. Ann West, who married Nathaniel Holland. Her
line has not been traced out as yet. Her descendants of the
name are now represented by Nathaniel L. Holland and his
wife Juliet. Nathaniel L. is a son of Edward L. and Clara
Jonanna (West) Holland, and his wife Juliet is a daughter of
Dr. Griffin Holland and his wife, Margaret Cotton Whittaker,
late of Tallahassee, Florida — Edward L.and Dr. Griffin were
brothers. Edward L. Holland had a daughter Hattie who
married Preston Trower, Esq., and has children.

Dr. Griffin Holland married twice and had three children,

all daughters. , Mary and Juliet. married

Leroy F. Oldham first and left no issue by him. She then

married . Mary married Bull, of Norfolk, Va.,

and had issue:

Juliet Fisher Holland married Nathaniel L. Holland
and had:

a. Florence Holland, who married Otto F. Mears and has two

children, Cecil and Benjamin.

b. Edward E. Holland, who married Miss Eva Vandegrift, of

West Virginia, and has a son, Edward Littleton Holland.

c. Griffin William Holland, unmarried.

d. Clarence Whittaker Holland, minor.

e. Marcus Whittaker Holland, dead.
_/, William West Holland, minor.

g. Nathaniel Littleton Holland, dead.
//. Nathaniel Littleton Holland, minor.

5 Sarah West married Isaac Smith, he died in 1760, left
John, Isaac, Sarah, Anne, Betty, Thorogood, and Bridget.

a. John Smith married Keziah — maiden name unknown, and de-

scendants not known.

b. Sarah Smith married West, descendents not traced.

c. Ann Smith married Jonathan West, descendants not traced.

d. Betty Smith.

e. Thorowgood Smith, alliances and descendants not traced.

f. Bridget Smith.

g. Isaac Smith (born November 4, 1734. died March 23, 1813). mar-

ried, March 4, 1759, Elizabeth Custis Teackle (born December
13, 1742, died August 19, 1822), and had issue: I. Charles: II.
Elizabeth; III. Sarah: IV. Margaret; V. Isaac: VI. Thomas;
VII. Mary Ann: VIII. Susan; IX. Anne Teackle: X. John
Thorogood; and two children who died in infancy.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GFORGE YEARDEEY. 367

I. Charles Smith, who married Katherine Teackle, lived
at Moratico, Richmond Co., Va., and had issue:

a. Maria Smith, who married Dr. Buckner and moved to
Missouri. They had nine children of whom Dr. Charles Buck-
ner, of Charles Street, Baltimore, Md., is one. The others
have not been traced.

b. Elizabeth Teackle Smith, married William Neale, and
had:

1. William T. Neale, who never married.

2. Hamilton S. Neale, who married Elizabeth Bowdoin Smith, and

had issue:

William Gilmer Neale, died s. p.

Catherine Neale, married Clement L. Shaver, of Fairmount,

West Virginia.
Grace Neale, unmarried.
Mary Neale, unmarried.
Walter Neale, unmarried.
Ruth Neale, died infant.
Ellen Neale, unmarried.

Ethel Neale, who married Dr. Demorest of Washington, D. C.
Hamilton Smith Neale, minor.
Elizabeth Neale, minor.
Henry Neal, died infant.

3. Walter Neale never married — killed at battle of Malvern Hill.

4. Catherine Neale married William Brown Upshur — no issue.

c. Charles Smith, who married , and has issue:

1. Marianna Smith, who married Joseph Chinn. of Tappahannock,

Va., and have a son Joseph and daughter Gertrude.

II. Elizabeth Smith, who married first, Griffin Stith and
had issue. She m-irried second, Judge George Parker and had
one son who died young - .

III. Sarah Smith, who married, first, William Stith, and
had:

a. Drury Stith married , in Surry Co., Ya., and

left no issue.

b. Mary Stith married John Brown Upshur, and had:

1. Elizabeth Ann Brown Upshur, who married Hon. Abel P. Up-
shur, Secretary of Navy and Secretary of State, under Presi-
dent Tyler, she being his second wife. They had one daughter
Susan, who married Et. Ringgold, who had a son James T.
Ringgold, a lawyer now living in Washington, D. C. — the lit-
ter married Mrs. Minnie Bordley nee Egerton, and has issue.

368 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

2. William Stith Upshur married Ann Wilson of Richmond, Va.,

and had:

a. Mary Jane Stith Upshur married Josiah R. Sturgis, of

New York — issue not traced.

b. Catherine Bullock Upshur, died s. p.

c. John B. Upshur married Ann M. Andrews, of Louisiana.

d. Thomas Wilson Upshur married (first) Mary Eliza Up-

shur and had no issue; and (second) Mary Ellen Dun-
ton, widow of W. J. F Peed and had no issue.

e. Harriet Saltontall Upshur died s. p.
/'. William Stith Upshur died s. p.

g. Charles Wing-field Upshur died s. p.

3. Caleb Upshur married:

1st. Ann Pinner, of Nansemond County, Va., and 2nd. Mar-
tha Simmons.
By first wife he had:

a. Pauline Upshur, died s. p.

b. John Upshur, died s. p.

c. Caleb E- Upshur, married Anna G. Riddick, and left

Annie, Eucy and Littleton.

d. Elizabeth Upshur.
/. Nannie Upshur.

g. Hampton Stith Upshur, died s. p.

By his last wife he had three children:

h. Sally Upshur, married John R. Young-.

i. Robert Upshur, married •.

j. , died in infancy.

4. Abel Brown Upshur, married Columbia Williams, and left no

issue:

5. Robert Stith Upshur married Pauline Lafferandr}', and lived in

New Orleans. Line not traced.

6. Mary J. Upshur; never married.

7. Hampden Upshur; never married.

8. Sallie Upshur; never married.

9. John D. Upshur married Elizabeth Faulcon and left a daughter,

Mary Elizabeth, who married Thomas W. Upshur, and died
without issue.

Sarah Smith, widow of William Stith, married second,
George Savage, and had issue; not traced.

IV. Margaret Smith, who married Peter Bowdoin (she
being his first wife), and had:

a. Dr. James Bowdoin, who married Zeporah Simpson,
lived in South Carolina, and left one daughter.

b. Louisa Bowdoin, who married St. George W. Tucker,
Professor at the University of Virginia, and left issue.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 369

c. Peter Smith Bowdoin, who married Susan Jacob, and
had two sons, viz.: Dr. John and William; the latter died s. p.

1. Dr. John married three times; first, a Miss Custis, who bore
him no children. Second, Miss Hinman, who bore him three
children. His last wife bore him no issue.
His children by second wife were:

a. Virg-inia Bowdoin married Mr. Johnson, and died in Washing-

ton, D. C, leaving- issue not traced.

b. Margaret Bowdoin married , and is living in North-

umberland County, Va., and has children not traced.

c. Dr. John Bowdoin, Jr., married Miss Flora Himal, of Louisiana,

has a daughter, Margaret. He is a very prominent and influ-
ential citizen of Accomac County, Va.

Peter Bowdoin married (second) Leah Teackle, by whom
he had also three children, who, not being - descendants from
Sir George Yardley, will not appear here:

V. Isaac Smith, who married (first) Maria Hopkinson,
daughter of Judge Francis Hopkinson, of Philadelphia, Pa.,
by whom he had:

a. Maria Hopkinson Smith, who married Temple Nelson
Robins, and had issue: Susan, Emily S., Isaac Smith, John
Edward, Maria H., Elizabeth T., all of whom died s. p., ex-
cept Susan and Emily, both of whom are unmarried.

b. Francis Smith, who married Susan Teackle, and had:

1. Eavinia Teackle Smith married Mr. Haviland. of Poughkeepsie,

N. Y., and had two children, Annie and Pierson. Annie
married Wilbur Gilbert, Esq., and has children. They
live at West Superior, Wisconsin. Pierson married Miss
Evelyn Teackle Smith, and lives at Mankato, Minnesota
(hereafter mentioned) and have a daughter Eavinia.

2. Joseph Hopkinson Smith married Annie H. Handy, and left two

daughters, Fanny and Lily, neither of whom are married.
They live in Baltimore, Md.

3. Francis Smith, died in infancy.

4. Marshall Pike Smith, married Mary Crawford, and left;

a. Crawford Smith, who married Fanny Albert, of Bal-
timore, Md., and has issue, not traced.

h. Chester Smith, who married Dora Albert, of Baltimore,
and has issue, not traced.

c. Lela Smith, who died, unmarried.

d. Mary Smith, married Rev. Mr. Smith, and lives in New

York, and has issue, not traced.

e. Zenie Smith.

370 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL, MAGAZINE.

/. Josephine Smith

g. Francis H. Smith. The last three unmarried.

5. Ann Teackle Smith, unmarried.

6. Francis Hopkinson Smith, married Josephine Vandeventer, of

New York, and has (a) Berkeley and (b) Marian, both un-
married.

7. Susan Teackle Smith, married Thomas S. Moore, of New York,

and has (a) Ethel and (b) David Thomas, both unmar-
ried.

c. Dr. William Gilmor Smith, who married Elizabeth

Upshur Bowdoin, daughter of Peter and Leah Teackle Bow-

doin, and had issue:

1. Peter Bowdoin Smith, who married Kate Cropper, of Rock

Island, 111. He returned to Northampton County , Va. , and had
issue:

a. Elton Cropper Smith, who married Marian Godwin; he

died in 1894, leaving a daughter, Mar}\ a few years old.

b. William Gilmor Smith, who married Nannie Wilson, and

had a son, now dead.

c. Minnie Cropper Smith, unmarried.

d. Annie Wells Smith, married Daniel Parker, and had one

child, now dead.

e. Charles Cropper Smith, unmarried.

f. Peter Bowdoin Smith, died in infancy.

2. Dr. Charles Smith, who married Margaret W. Jacob, have:

a. Elizabeth Bowdoin Smith, who married Wm. K. Robin-

son, of Philadelphia, who died, April, 1895 leaving her
with two sons, William Kane and Charles Edward Rob-
inson.

b. Teackle Jacob Smith, unmarried.

c. Bertha Bayley Smith, unmarried.

d. Charles Smith, unmarried.

3. Elizabeth Bowdoin Smith married Judge Hamilton S. Neale.

(S^e issue under descendants of Elizabeth Teackle Smith and
William Neale preceding.)

4. Maria Hopkinson Smith, who married Col. Ellison L. Costin.

and has Captain James and Henrietta, unmarried.

5. Louisa Smith, died young.

6. Margaret Susan Smith, married Rev. James Craighill, and has

issue: Susan, Frank, Rutherford and Bowdoin. none of
whom are married.

7. Louisa B. Smith married (1st. Charles T. Bowdoin; 2nd. Judge

Theodore S. Garnett. B}- the first husband she had Elizabeth
Bowdoin and Charles Teackle Bowdoin. both of whom are
unmarried. She has no issue by the second husband.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDEEY. 371

d. Emily Hopkinson Smith, died unmarried.

Isaac Smith married, second, Ann Teackle, daughter of
John and Ann Upshur Teackle, of Accomac county, Va., and
had:

e. Ann Teackle Smith, who married William Satchell
Floyd, and had: a. James Frederick, unmarried, b. William
Stockley, unmarried, c. Lavinia, died young - , d. Nannie
Teackle, unmarried.

f. Dr. Isaac Smith, died unmarried.

g. Elizabeth Teackle Smith, married Thomas Teackle
Upshur, and had:

1. John Upshur, died s. p.

2. Thomas Teackle Upshur, who married Caroline D. Blanding, of

Sumter S. C, and had issue: a. Elizabeth, died s. p. b. James
Blanding-, died s. p., c. Leonora McFaddin, d. Wm. Brown,
e. Florence Irving-, f. Anne Floyd, g. Caroline De Saussure,
//. Thomas Teackle, i. Henry De Saussure Blanding-, /, Sa-
rita Reed, all minors.

3. Florence Upshur married Judge Levin T. H. Irving, of Som-

erset County, Maryland. He died in 1892, leaving no children.

4. Ann Elizabeth Upshur, unmarried.

5. Sallie Brown Upshur, married Wm. H. Dashill, of Princess

Anne, Maryland, and died without issue.

h. Thomas Teackle Smith, married Sallie Guest, of Bal-
timore, Md., and had Annie, Levin Irving-, and Augustus
Webster, twins, and Evelyn Teackle, who married Pierson
Haviland, before mentioned. All the above children died in
infancy except Evelyn.

VI. Thomas Smith, died s. p.

VII. Mary Ann Smith, married 1st. Dr. Drisdale, who
died, leaving no issue. 2nd, She married Wm. Gilmor, of
Baltimore. Md., and had issue.

a. Jane Gilmor, who married Gen. Benjamin C. Howard,
had twelve children, viz.:

1. Louisa T. Howard married George B. Hoffman, and had:

Howard Hoffman and George B. Hoffman. They both died
without issue.

2. Sophia Howard, 3. Marian G. Howard, 4. Anne W. Howard,

have never married.

5. Jane, married Joseph King - ; has no issue.

6. Julia, married Richard Tyson, and have three children:

a. Sophia, married Edward A. Marshall, and has:

372 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

1. Julian Howard Marshall.

2. Jean Howard Marshall.

3. Henry Bartholl Marshall.

b. Benjamin Chew Tyson married Virginia Cabell, and has

two children.

1. Virginia Tyson, unmarried.

2. Juliette Tyson, unmarried.

c. Jesse Tyson, unmarried.

7. Ellen Gilmor Howard married Richard B. Bayard, and has:

a. Ellen Howard Bayard, unmarried.

b. Richard Howard Bayard, unmarried.

c. Jean Gilmor Bayard, unmarried.

8. William Gilmor Howard married , and has:

a. Benjamin Chew, unmarried.

b. Marian Gilmor, unmarried.

Four children of Gen. Benjamin C, and Jane Gilmor Howard
died s. p.

b. Ann Gilmor married 1st. Mr. Williams, and had one
daughter, who married the Rev. Campbell White and she had
one daughter. 2nd. John Donnell, and died, leaving- one
daughter, Anne.

c. Mary Ann Gilmor, married Spear Nicholas, of Rich-
mond, Va., and left no issue.

d. Louisa Gilmor, married Owens Hoffman, of Balti-
more, Md., and had issue.

e. Robert Gilmor, married Miss Ellen Ward, and had
nine children, among them: Judge Robert Gilmor, of Balti-
more, Md. ; Col. Harry Gilmor, of Confederate States Army.

f. William Gilmor, married Miss Louisa Hoffman, and
left issue.

g. Charles Gilmor, married Miss Patterson, and had one
daughter.

//. Sarah Gilmor, married Dr. Charles Buckner, and has
issue.

i. Susan Gilmor married Lattimer Hoffman, and had
issue: Lattimer and William.

VIII. Susan Smith married 1st. William B. Savage and
left one daughter, Mary Ann, who married John C. Wilson,

Note. — The foregoing' names of descendants of Gen. Benjamin C, and Jane Gilmor
Howard have kindly been sent in by Miss Marian G. Howard. 914 North Charles Street.
Baltimore, Md.

THE FAMILY OF SIR GEORGE YEARDLEY. 373

and left no issue; and 2nd. Judg-e George Parker, and left no
issue.

IX. Ann Teackle Smith, married John Donnell, an Irish
gentleman and merchant of Baltimore, Md. They had:

a. Elizabeth Donnell, who married Gen. John Swan,
of Baltimore, Md., and had:

1. Ann Elizabeth Swan, who married William Frederick Frick, of

Baltimore, Md. , and had:

a. James Swan Frick, who married Elise Dana, and has

issue.

b. Mary Frick, who married Robert Garrett, of Baltimore,

Md., Ex-President of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Company, recently deceased, and has no issue.

2. John Swan.

3. Daughter.

b. Ellen Donnell married Samuel W. Smith, of Balti-
more, and had issue:

1. Anne Donnell Smith married Frederick von Kapff, and had:

a. Bernard von Kapff, unmarried.

b. Frederick von Kapff, married Annie Brown.

c. Ellinor von Kapff, married James W. Wilson, and has:

1. Ellinor Wilson.

2. James T. Wilson.

2. Major Robert H. Smith, was a gallant officer in the Confederate

States Army. He married Mary Hall, and have:

a. Robert, married Margaret Clark, and has:

1. Robert; 2. Mary; 3. Nannie Smith.

b. Nannie Smith married Chapman Clark, and has a

daughter, Margaret Clark.

c. Julian Smith, unmarried.

d. J. Donnell Smith, unmarried.

3. J. Donnell Smith, unmarried.

4. Samuel S. Smith, married Nina Levering, and has a son, Wil-

son Smith.

5. William H. Smith, unmarried.

6. Ellen D. Smith, married Walter Blair, and has Ellen Codlington

Blair.

c. Anna Donnell married Kemp, of Baltimore, Md.,

and had two daughters, not traced.

Note — The names of the foreg-oing descendants of Samuel W. Smith and Ellinor
Donnell have been kindly sent me by Mrs. Frederick von Kapff, SOS Park Avenue, Bal-
timore, Md.

374 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

d. Frances Donnell married Gustav W. Lurman, of Ger-
man birth, a merchant of Baltimore, Mel. They had children:

1. John S. Lurman, unmarried.

2. Gustav Wilhelm Lurman, married Elizabeth Cooke Powell, and

has issue.

3. Theodore Gerhard Lurman married Nannie Allen Tilgham, and

has issue.

4. Fannie Donnell Lurman (died Aug. 29, 1S89) married Frank

Frick, and has issue.

5. Anna Donnell Lurman, died young-.

6. Elizabeth Swan Lurman, died, unmarried.

7. Josephine Lurman married C. Morton Stewart, a merchant of

Baltimore, Md., and has issue:

a. Frances Lurman Stewart married Mr. Edward Living-ston

Coster, of New York, and has a daughter, Josephine,
born Feb. 6, 1894.

b. Mary Morton Stewart, died in infancy.

c. Charles Morton Stewart, married Sophia Howard Mc-

Henry.

d. John Lurman Stewart, ) Twins, born April 29, 1871. The

e. Gustav Lurman Smith - latter married Ann Gilmor,

Stewart, ) Oct. 3, 1894.

/. Redmond Conyngham Stewart, born Oct. 4, 1873.
g. Priscilla Pinkney Stewart, married John McHenry, Oct.

23, 1894.
h. William Plunket Stewart, born January 4, 1878.
i. Ellinor Donnell Stewart, born Aug, 17, 1879.
j. Dorris Lurman Stewart, born May 7, 1881.
k. Stephen Lurman Stewart, born Oct. 29, 1882.
/. Donnell Stewart, died in infancy.
in. William Donnell Stewart, born Jan. 27, 1889.

8. Ellen Stewart, died in infancy,

9. Minna Stewart, unmarried.

10. Gustav Wilhelm Stewart, died in infancy.

e. Mary Ann Donnell, died unmarried.
/". John Donnell, married Ann Gilmor.
g. James Donnell, married .

h. William Donnell married , and had issue.

X. John Thorowgood Smith, died s. p.

Thomas T. Upshur,
Nassawaddox, Northampton Co., Virginia,
September 19th, 18%.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 375

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON.

BY LAVINIA R. (HILL) BROWN.

[Continued from fuly number. .]
(Fourth Generation.)
(No. 150.)
Mary Lydia Smith, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rob-
ertson) Smith, after receiving her education both in this
country and Europe, married Dr. R. J. Farquharson, a surgeon
of nine years' standing in the United States Navy. He was
descended from a prominent Scottish family, whose records for
four hundred years are in his widow's possession. He was a
most learned man, and master of several languages. At the
time of his death was Secretary of the State Board of Health of
Iowa; they had nine children.

395. Robert, born and died 1857.

396. Elizabeth, born 1858, died 1868.

397. Thomas, born 1860.

398. Lydia, born 1862, died 1864.

399. Mary S., born 1864.

400. Rebecca, born 1866, died 1866.

401. Howard, born 1867.

402. Annie, born 1869.

403. Rebecca, born 1874, died 1874.

(No. 151.)
Felix R. Robertson Smith, son of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Robertson) Smith, married Cinthia Rodes in 1866; five chil-
dren.

404. Samuel Granville Smith.

405. T. Elizabeth.

406. Cynthia.

407. Ellenora Hennen.

408. Annabel.

37() THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

(No. 151.)

Felix R. R. Smith, attended the Western Military Institute,
of Nashville, Tenn., took a course at the Collegiate and Com-
mercial Institute, New Haven, Conn.; also "Rensselaer's Polr-
technic Institute," Troy, N. Y. He was in the employ of the
Confederate service, as civil engineer, and is now practicing
his profession in Nashville, Tenn.

(No. 152.)

Felix R. Sullivan, son of Frank and Mary (Robertson) Sul-
livan, married Miss Buchanan. They reside in Baltimore; four
children.

400. Frank; no dates given.

410. Mary; no dates given.

411. Felix; no dates given.

412. Annie; no dates given.

(No. 153.)

Anna Barker Hennen, daughter of Duncan and Ellenora
(Robertson) Hennen, married Gen. J. B. Hood, of C. S. A., 1869.
She spent many years in Paris and Italy, completing her edu-
cation, accompanied by her mother; eleven children.

413. Lydia H, born 1870, died 1870.

414. Annabel, born 1871.

415. Ethel, born 1871.

Twins.
410. Duncan H., born 1872.

417. John B., born 1873.

418. Lillian, born 1874.
410. Marian, born 1874.

Twins.

420. Odel, born 1870.

421. Ida, born 1870.

Twins.

422. Oswald, born 1878.

423. Anna C, born 1870, died 1880.

(No. 155.)
Ellenora Robertson, daughter of John E. and Mary (Oldham)

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 377

Robertson, married Dr. W. C. Poe (cousin of the poet), 1867;
eight children.

424. Nora; no dates given.

425. William; no dates given.

426. Emilie; no dates given.

427. Miriam; no dates given.

428. Frank; no dates given.

429. Violet; no dates given.

430. Annabel; no dates given.

431. Gertrude; no dates given.

(No. 160.)

William Robertson, son of John E. Beck and Mary (Oldham)
Robertson, married Jennie Killum ; one child.

432. William.

(No. 161.)

Minnie Robertson, daughter of John E. Beck and Mary (Old-
ham) Robertson, married Mr. Norton; second marriage, A. B.
Jones; (one child given).

433. Louise Jones.

(No. 162.)

Neppie Robertson, daughter of John E. B. and Mary (Old-
ham) Robertson, married Mr. Simpson; second marriage (to
her brother-in-law), A. B. Jones; five children.

434. Mary Simpson.

435. John D. Simpson.

436. Zoe Simpson.

437. Chloe Jones (second marriage); no dates.

438. Ruth Jones (second marriage); no dates.

(No. 163.)
James H. Robertson, son of Felix R. and Mary (McKenzie)
Robertson, married Miss A. Thedford, 1874, in Arkansas; six
children.

439. Felix R., born 1875, died 1878.

440. Daisy, born 1878.

441. Mary R. ; no dates given.

442. James H.; no dates given.

443. Bessie T. ; no dates given.

378 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

444. Joe Garrett; no dales given.

(No. 164.) •
Mary Lydia Robertson, daughter of Felix R. and Mary iMc-
Kenzie) Robertson, married Samuel Seay Roche, of Nashville,
Tenn., in 1874, whose ancestor was a friend and comrade of
George Washington in the Revolutionary war; five children.

445. Lydia Smith, born 1874.

446. Elizabeth R., born 1876.

447. Nellie Jennings, born 1880.

448. Felix Robertson, born 1887.

449. Samuel Seay, born 1890.

(Xo. 167.)

Charlotte E. Napier, daughter of James E. and Hannah
(Vanleer) Napier, married Chas. B. Hale, Sept. 9, 1841, by Rev.
A. L. P. Green; one child.

450. Ada, born Nov. 9, 1845, died 1846.

(No. 168.)
Morgiana, daughter of Col. James E. and Hannah (Vanleer)
Napier, married Col. William Johnson, Sept. 9, 1846. near
Nashville, Tenn; one child.

451. Granville, born Oct. 7, 1847.

(No. 170.)

Margaret, daughter of Col. James E. and Hannah i Vanleer)
Napier, married John Stacker Vanleer, December, 1848 ; second
to Dr. Henry Sheffield; no issue by last marriage; three chil-
dren.

452. Minnie, born 1849, died April 15, 1886.

453. Samuel.

454. Frederick Terrass.

(No. 179.)
Fenno Robenia Napier, daughter of Leroy and Fannie i Rob-
ertson) Napier, married Jones W. Christian, Sept. 14, 1857;
seven children.

455. Ianthus, born Nov. 14, 1858.

456. Luona. A., born June 6, 1862.

457. Morgia Adelee, born June 12, 1866.

458. Kittie Fenno, born June 7. 1867.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 379

459. Jones G, born Jan. 25, 1870.

460. Myrtle E., born Aug. 1, 1878.

461. Carlos J., born Aug. 14, 1885.

(No. 183.)
Salena J. Napier, daughter of Leroy and Fannie (Robertson)
Napier, married Jeff J. Curry, March 5, 1887; (no issue).

(No. 185.)

Idi Corinne, daughter of Leroy and Fannie (Robertson)
Napier, married T. L. Ransom, Dec. 22, 1888; (no issue).

(No. 186.)
Fannie Lorena, daughter of Leroy and Fannie (Robertson)
Napier, married Lewis N. Campbell, Oct. 16, 1887; (no issue).

(No. 189.)
Frederic Napier, son of Leroy and Fannie (Robertson) Napier,
married Mary E. Nottgrass, Dec. 23, 1881; (no issue).

(No. 191.)

William J. Sharp, son of George and Tennessee (Robertson)
Sharp, was an inventor of a sugar evaporator; had a family;
no other information given.

(No. 192.)

Leodocia Sharp, daughter of George and Tennessee (Robert-
son) Sharp, married Oliver P. Davis; three children.

462. William Sharp; no dates given.

463. Oliver Perry; no dates given.

464. Ernestine; no dates given.

(No. 193.)

Elizabeth Sharp, daughter of George and Tennessee Robert-
son Sharp, married Samuel Matthews; three children.

465. Edwin; no dates given.

466. Elizabeth; no dates given.

467. Jervis; no dates given.

Samuel Matthews, Sr., graduated from the University of
Nashville with A. M., took LL. D. at Harvard, and lived in
Iberville Parish.

(No. 195.)

Leodocia Robertson, daughter of Col. James E. and Ernes-

380 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

tine (Schlater) Robertson, married Nathaniel Pope, June 23,
1858, He was a lawyer, a member of the Louisiana Legisla-
ture, and died in 188G; eight children.

468. Kate Lyle Pope, born 1859, died 1859.

469. David, born 1860, died 1864.

470. Virginia Lee, born 1861, died 1886.

471. Hunter Collins, born 1863, died 1867.

472. Nathaniel, born 1867, died 1868.

473. Henry Allen, born 1871.

474. Clarence, born 1875.

475. Irvin, born 1879.

(No. 196.)
Tennessee Robertson, daughter of Col. James E. and Ernes-
tine (Schlater) Robertson, married Samuel Matthews (lawyer),
Nov. 12, 1862; he died June 11, 1895; eight children.

476. Annie, about 1866, died 1889.

477. Crusoe, about 1867.

478. Mary, about 1869.

479. Harley, about 1871.

480. Essie, about 1872, died 1878.

481. Schamyl, about 1875, died 1878.

482. Ernestine, about 1877.

483. Samuel, about 1879.

(No. 197.)

James Michael Robertson, son of Col. James E. and Ernes-
tine (Schlater) Robertson, married Ernestine Kleinpeter, Oct.
12,1870; five children.

484. Albert Sidney, Aug. 22, 1871.

485. Frederick James, July 17, 1873.

486. Randle McGee, Aug. 27, 1874.

487. Archie Edward, Feb. 17, 1876.

488. Ernestine, Oct. 3, 1879.

(No. 198.)

Frederic Davis Robertson, son of Col. James E. and Ernes-
tine (Schlater) Robertson, married Regina Weissinger in 1881 ;
she died in 1889; one child.

489. Freddie, born Jan. 16, 1884.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 381

(No. 199.)

Mary Jane Robertson, daughter of Col. James E. and Ernes-
tine (Schlater) Robertson, married T. G. B. Weissenger, 1866;
(no issue).

(No. 200.)

William Blount Robertson, son of Col. James E. and Ernes-
tine (Schlater) Robertson, married Mary Debleiux; ten chil-
dren.

490. Ernest, born Feb. 4, 1875.

493. Wm. R., born Sept. 4, 1876, died Feb. 7, 1877.

494. Edward White, born July 1, 1878, died unmarried.

495. Mary E., born Feb. 26, 1880.

496. Mary Essie, born Aug. 19, 1882,

497. William Blount, born Dec. 1, 1883.

498. Henry Allen, born March 11, 1885.

499. Arthur R,, born June 14, 1887.

500. Mary L., born June 22, 1888, died July 4, 1888.

501. Agnes Gwendoline, born May 28, 1890.

(No. 202.)

William Blount Robertson, son of Judge William B. and
Mary (Chinn) Robertson, was educated at Nashville Military

Institute and University of Virginia; he was First Lieutenant.
First Regiment, Louisiana Volunteers; served at batteries of
Fort Jackson, fired first shot upon the Union fleet; commended
for bravery; after the war went to Texas; later to California;
unmarried.

(No. 203.)

Elizabeth Johnson Robertson, daughter of Judge William B.
and Mary (Chinn) Robertson, married John Bronaugh Here-
ford. March 19. 1862; six children.

502. Mary Chinn Hereford, born 1864.

503. John Bronaugh, born 1866.

504. Anna Lobdell, born 1868.

505. James Stirling, born 1870.

506. Felix Senette, born 1877.

507. Catherine Stirling, born 1880.

38? THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

(No. 20.°,.)

Mrs. J. B. Hereford graduated at Patapsco Institute, Mary-
land, with honors and medal; lives in Dallas, Tex. She is an
authoress of distinction and wrote ''Rebel Rhymes," a volume
of poems; she is a woman of rare literary tastes and acquire-
ments.

(No. 204.)

Thomas Chinn Robertson, son of Judge William B. and Mary
(Chinn) Robertson, was educated at the University of Nashville,
Tenn., Virginia University, and Centenary College, La.; served
in C. S. A. with distinction; commended for gallantry; married
Emilie M. Hiltzheim, who died June 12, 1806.

(No. 206.)

James Erwin Robertson, son of Judge William B. and Mary
(Chinn) Robertson; was educated at Centenary College, La.;
served with distinction in C. S. A., and took part in two famous
battles in Louisiana, "Mansfield" and "Pleasant Hill;" lives at
Limerick Plantation, La.; unmarried.

(No. 207.)

Leodocia Erwin Robertson, daughter of Judge William
Blount and Mary (Chinn) Robertson, married Felix Senette (a
planter), Sept. 27, 1870; he died of yellow fever, Oct. 9. 1870;
second marriage to Judge William C. Harris, of New Orleans,
La.; two children.

508. Regina Senette; no dates given.

509. Thomas Robertson Senette; no dates given.

(No. 208.)

Mary Chinn Robertson, daughter of Judge William B. and
Mary (Chinn) Robertson, married Edward Desoby. of Plaque
mine, La.; five children.

510. Charles E.; no dates given.

511. William Robertson; no dates given.

512. Mary Henrietta; no dates given.

513. Linus H.; no dates given.

514. Minerva H. ; no dates given ;

515. Lewis; no dates given.

516. Henrv L. ; no dates given.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 383

517. Elmer C; no dates given.

(No. 209.)

Tennessee Robertson, daughter of Judge William B. and
Mary (Chinn) Robertson, was educated at Ann Arbor, Mich.;
lives at Limerick Plantation, Parish of West Baton Rouge, La.

(No. 210.)

Ernestine Schlater, daughter of Judge Win. Blount and
Mary (Chinn) Robertson, resides at Limerick Plantation, La.

(No. 211.)

Boiling Chinn Robertson, son of Judge William Blount and
Mary (Chinn) Robertson, was educated at Louisiana State Uni-
versity, married Roselle Smoote, of Oakland, Cal.; is a mem-
ber of the firm of Price, Berlin & Co., of San Francisco, Cal.;
three children.

518. Carl; no dates given.

519. William B.; no dates given.

520. Alexander Roth; no dates given.

(No. 212.)

Frances Conrad, daughter of Judge William B. and Mary
(Chinn) Robertson, resides at the family homestead, "Limer-
ick."

(No. 213.)

Catherine Lyle, daughter of Judge William B. and Mary
(Chinn) Robertson, married Charles D. Lavallee; she is literary
and is a contributor to leading periodicals; two children.

521. Hilda Van Ness.

522. James Kenneth.

(No. 214.)

Dr. Alexander Roth Robertson, son of Judge Wm. Blount
and Mary (Chinn) Robertson, graduated at Tulane University,
of New Orleans, La,; married Alice Louise Ainsworth, of Pass
Christian, Miss.; is now practicing medicine in the Parish of
West Baton Rouge, La.; is a talented, successful and beloved
physician; though young, he stands in the front rank of his
profession.

384 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

(No. 215.)

Edward B. Talbot, son of Augustus and Lavinia (Robertson)
Talbot, was Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of Louisiana
several terms; no other information given.

(No. 216.)

Leodocia Talbot, daughter of Augustus and Lavinia (Robert-
son) Talbot, married Thomas Archer; no issue; second marriage
to Andrew Roland; one child.

523. Lavinia.

(No. 219.)

Martha Johnson Robertson, daughter of Edward White and
Mary (Pope) Robertson, married Sept. 1, 1870, to C. J. Barrow,
merchant in Baton Rouge; six children.

524. Leila M., born Nov. 5, 1871.

525. Wylie Micajah, born Feb. 19, 1873.
52G. Mary Jane, born June 21, 1870.

527. Edward Robertson, born June 21, 1878.

528. Martha Johnson.

529. Cordelia J.; died in infancy.

(No. 220.)

Samuel Matthews Robertson, son of Edward White and
Mary (Pope) Robertson, married Georgie Blanchard Sanford.
Dec. 30, 1875. He is serving his fourth term in Congress from
the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana. The mantle of
the father fell on the son, which he has worn with honor; two
children.

530. Edward White, Jr., born Jan. 28, 1877.

531. John Sanford, died in infancy.

(No. 223.)
Caroline Robertson, daughter of Edward White ami Mary
(Pope) Robertson, married Elijah S. Robertson, Nov. 11. 1880;
he died Jan. 21, 1891; five children.

532. Thomas W., born Aug. 7, 1882.

533. Lula Ernestine, born June 28, 1881.

534. Elijah Sparks, born Sept. 10, 1886.

535. Edward White, born Aug. 13, 1888.

536. Rhoda Jane, born Aug. 25. 1890.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 385

(No. 226.)
Marshall Pope Robertson, son of Edward White and Mary
(Pope) Robertson, married Olive C. Smith; he is a civil engineer
and lives in Baton Rouge, La.; three children.

537. Georgia, born June 19, 1890.

538. Olive C, born Sept. 13, 1892.

539. Frances G., born Jan. 28, 1894.

(No. 228.)
Frederick C. Robertson, son of Edward White and Mary
(Pope) Robertson, is a lawyer, and United States Assistant
Attorney. Tacoma, Wash.; married Amelia Agnes DeSion; two
children.

540. Steven O'Brien, born June 20, 1894.

541. Frederic.

(No. 229.)

Mary L. Robertson, daughter of Edward White and Mary
(Pope) Robertson, married John Munroe Sherrouse, July 10,
1889, President of the Sherrouse Medicine Co., New Orleans.
La.; two children.

542. Julian Monroe, born Jan. 12, 1892.

543. Marrieda Lilian, June 23, 1893.

(No. 235.)

Nellie Robertson, daughter of Dr. Flavins Joseplms and
Laura (Brown) Robertson, married R. W. Jennings, Principal
of Jennings Business College, Nashville, Tenn. ; three children.

544. Maud.

545. William Erskine.

546. Evelyn Medora.

(No. 236.)

Medora Robertson, daughter of Dr. Flavius Joseplms and
Laura (Brown) Robertson, married A. W. Hogin; two children.

547. Laura.

548. David Kelly.

(No. 238.1

Mary Ellen Huddleston, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Alice
(Robertson) Huddleston, married W. R, Chambers; three chil-
dren.

386 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE

549. Horace C.

550. Paul.

551. Watson.

(No. 239.)
Josephine Huddleston, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Alice
(Robertson) Huddleston, married R. E. Andrews; two children.

552. Russell.

553. David.

(No. 242.)

Annie Robertson, daughter of Judge John Blount and Ade-
laide (Gordy) Robertson, married 0. B. Murphy; four children.

554. Robert.

555. Adelaide.

556. Charles B.

557. Annie C.

(No. 243.)

Nellie Robertson, daughter of Judge John Blount and Ade-
laide (Gordy) Robertson, married C. B. Cannon; one child.

558. Peyton.

(No. 244.)

Peyton Robertson, son of Judge John Blount and Adelaide
(Gordy) Robertson, married Minnie Wharton, April 15, 1890;
she is the daughter of Prof. Wharton, of Nashville. Tenn.

(No. 245.)

Laura B. Robertson, daughter of Judge John Blount and
Adelaide (Gordy) Robertson, of New Orleans, received her edu-
cation at Wartrace and Nashville, Tenn.

(No. 246.)
James G. Paine, son of Bishop Robert E. and Susanna (Beck)
Paine, was Clerk of the House of Representatives at Washing-
ton eight years; married Fannie Graves. Nov. 6. 1849; she was
born July 4, 1829; her mother was a great-granddaughter <>f
Lord Bedford, of England; Mr. Paine died at Social Circle,
Ga.; seven children.

559. Lilly S. Paine, born Nov. 5. 1850.

560. John, born Dec. 4, 1852, died 1857.

561. Iverson S., born Sept. 22, 1855.

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 387

562. James G., bora June 4, 1860.

563. Robert S., born July 6, 1862.

564. Sarah E., born Jan. 22, 1865.

565. Francis L., born Nov. 23, 1866, died 1887.

(No. 248.)

Lavinia Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana (Beck) Hill,
married John W. Terrass; one child.

566. James; died 11 years of age.

(No. 249.)

Ann Eliza Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana (Beck)
Hill, married Henry Nelson Snyder, February, 1848; eight chil-
dren.

567. Romulus Harrison, born Nov. 9, 1848.

568. Georgiana Beck, born Aug. 6, 1853.

569. Mary Fannie, born Aug. 6. 1857, died 1863.

570. Hughetta McCrea, born Aug. 9, 1859, died 1860.

571. Washington Barrow, born Aug. 7, 1861, died 1863.

572. Henry Nelson, Jr., born Jan. 14, 1865.

573. Hugh Mac, bora Nov. 26, 1867.

574. Amelia Vanleer, born July 12, 1871, died 1875.

(No. 249.)

Mrs. Ann E. Snyder is the authoress of "My Scrap Book,"
"Civil War From a Southern Standpoint," "On the Wautaga
and the Cumberland," She was educated at the Nashville Fe-
male Academy.

(No. 250.)

Dr. John B. Hill, son of John T. and Georgiana (Beck) Hill,
married Louisiana Mays, Oct. 12, 1854; eight children.

575. Lavinia R., bora Dec. 4, 1855.

576. Nina Fowler, bora Sept. 18, 1857.

577. Georgia Beck, bora July 5, I860.

578. Sammie Felix, born March 27, 1863.

579. Carrie Talliaferro, born Aug. 27, 1865.

580. Annie Sue, born Nov. 26, 1867.

581. John William, born Sept. 19, 1871; unmarried.

582. Lottie Lou, bora Oct. 20, 1876; died in infanov.

388 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

(No. 251.)

Dr. John Beck Hill graduated with honors at the University
of Nashville Medical Department, and has followed his pro-
fession forty-one years, near Bellevue, Tenn. His skill as a
physician and noble Christian character has won for him the
confidence and esteem of the community in which he lives.

(No. 252.)

Susanna B. Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana (Beck)
Hill, married Miles Atkeison, March 23, 1856; second marriage
to Robert Atkeison (dead); three children.

583. James; died in childhood.

584. Osmond Summers, born 1858.

585. James Paine, born 1863. (Second marriage.)

(No. 254.)

Carrie T. Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana (Beck)
Hill, married Capt. Samuel Mays, Jan. 24, 1866, in Nashville;
three children.

586. William Wright, born April 13, 1868; unmarried.

587. John Robert, born July 11, 1869.

588. Ordalia, born July 7, 1873, died 1886.

Samuel Mays was Captain commanding Co. G, C. S. A..
Fiftieth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, Gregg's Brigade;
served from 1861 to 1865; now Capt. Co. B, ex-Confederate Vet-
erans, Nashville, Tenn.

(No. 255.)
Dr. Felix Robertson Hill, son of John T. and Georgiana
(Beck) Hill, married Ordalia Mays, in Courtland, Ala., July 10,
1864; seven children.

589. John Summerfield, born May 26, 1865.

590. Mattie Sue, born Nov. 25, 1866, died 1873.

591. Felix Robertson, Jr., born Oct. 21, 1869.

592. Emma Wendle, born Oct. 4, 1872, died 1873.

593. David Spence, born Dec. 14, 1873; unmarried.

594. Lafayette B., born Sept. 28, 1879; unmarried.

595. Edward Gay, born Aug. 17, 1883.

(No. 255.)
Dr. Felix Robertson Hill has served as pastor of Southern

THE FAMILY OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 389

Methodist churches in Nashville, Mobile, New Orleans, St.
Louis, Baltimore and Kansas City.

(No. 257.)

Lavinia Robertson Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana
(Beck) Hill, married Isham Fielding Davis, May 17, 1868. Mr.
Davis was born at Bowling Green, Ky.,; died at Rosedale, La.,
Aug. 10, 1892. He served in the C. S. A. with distinction, from
beginning to end; was in Morgan's command, and he was com-
mended for gallantry and self-sacrifice. Mr. Davis was an in-
telligent, Christian gentleman, a useful citizen, and highly re-
spected throughout the parish.

(No. 258.)

William Hill, son of John T. and Georgiana (Beck) Hill, mar-
ried Emma Willson, Oct. 22, 1887, in Texas; seven children.

596. Lottie, born Sept. 8, 1876.

597. Walter, born Oct. 29, 1878.

598. Felix, born July 13, 1881.

599. Robert, born Sept. 10, 1888.

600. Louise, born Oct. 7, 1886.

601. John Beck, born March 4, 1889.

602. Edward Lee, born July 11, 1891.

(No. 259.)

Charlotte Robertson Hill, daughter of John T. and Georgiana
(Beck) Hill, married Dr. Manuel M. Hayden, July 29, 1879; he
died June, 1892 ; two children.

603. James Francis, born Jan. 7, 1881.

604. Isham Davis, born Jan 22, 1882.

[To he concluded in next issue.]

3% THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON.

[From Gov. Blount on Indian affairs.]

Knoxville, April 27th 1792.
Sir,

Your Son, T. R. Robertson will inform you in what man-
ner I have treated the confidant of the mountain leader and
his two companions Thompson and Tom.

I have engaged your Son and Mr. Foster to accompany
them to their nation and I have also engaged them to proceed
on to the Chactaw nation.

They have letters for both from the Secretary of War and
myself with unclosed Seals and I have directed them to let
you read them before they are closed, and they have also my
directions to show you my instructions to them.

This will explain to you why the Chickasaws have re-
turned. I return enclosed your own and Mr. Dead rick's ac-
count with explanatory notes informing you how they shall
be made anew.

Those four men you call Spies which you say you have
engaged at a dollar per day of whose use and worth you speak
so highly and which I do not doubt, I am sorry to say are not
within the description of the people intended by my order nor
can I order such on duty.

Such as I order out will be allowed pay agreeably to the
ac't forwarded to you and no more. I cannot indulge my
wishes not even to promise you to use my endeavours to ob-
tain payment as it now appears to me that the government
will by no means agree to any such thing lest it should grow
precedent. The nine men you have ordered out to protect the
frontiers in addition to the two companies I approve and you
will please continue them on duty for the term for which the
two companies are ordered on duty.

I make no doubt you have heard of the murder of Harper
Ratclif's wife and children, and about the same time there
were several other alarming circumstances on the frontiers of

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 391

Hawkins County, and it was from it had ordered the company
to be raised for the protection of the frontiers of Mero Dis-
trict. This has obliged me to issue an order for that com-
pany to range upon the frontiers of Hawkins for the protec-
tion of the Inhabitants.

I hope the two companies you have turned out will be suf-
ficient for your protection as I have hopes hostilities will cease
founded on the friendly disposition with which the Cherokee
Chiefs have returned into their nation from Philadelphia, for
further particulars of which I refer you to General Smith to
whom I have written more fully on that head, and Mr. Bowles
being- obliged to leave the Creeks. But should the danger
still continue, you will please give me information, and I
shall certainly order a company from Washington, Sullivan,
or Greene to your aid and protection.

With respect to powder and lead, buy no more than is
necessary for the militia on duty, and that on the best terms
you can obtain it.

At present lead is obtained here at the twelfth of a dollar
.per pound.

This afternoon since the Chickasaws left me, I have re-
ceived a letter from David Allison dated Philadelphia, Sunda} 7
March 25th, informs me that he had arrived there on the Fri-
day night before, that on Saturday he had laid my letters be-
fore the Secretary of War, who after reading them and asking
many questions, observed "that Governor Blount's plans were
certainly founded on policy as well as the true principles of
Justice and that he would venture to assure me every part
should be complied with, and that I might write Governor
Blount to that purport, which I have now done nearly as I can
recollect the words."

This promises well but as the President himself nas not
seen my letter and Plans, I do not count that a Treaty with
Chickasaws and Chactaws at Nashville this Summer is quite
certain.

This has induced me to wish that the returning Chicka-
saws may not leave your house in less than fifteen days, hop-
ing that I shall get certain information on that head so as to
give it to your son and Mr. Foster with additional instruc-
tions, then one visit would answer both purposes. If goods

392 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

should come forward for these Treaties to go down the Ten-
nessee, I shall want Alexander Moore to take the command of
the Boats, will you ask him if he can come and the price he
must have per day, and inform me by Judge Campbell. The
thanks of your District are very acceptable and grateful, and I
beg you and the District to believe that no man (nonresident)
can participate in whatever affects them more than I do, that
I am ever mindful of their welfare and happy in promoting it.

I am your most Obedient

Humble Servant,

Wm. Blount.

[From Gov. Blount on Military Warrants.]

April 29th 1792.
Lest you should by some means have mislaid or omitted
the laying some of our Military Warrants, my Brother has
thought it best to forward to you a list of all the Military
Warrants we ever sent to you. I beg you to examine if you
have located them all; for all that are not passed into grants
by the 22d of December will be lost. The enclosed letter to
William Reasons is on the subject of those four delivered to
him to locate, which I beg you to forward to him by some safe
hands. Lay as many of the Warrants within the present In-
dian Bounds as you can, taking Care to avoid disputes in the
Titles, but in case you cannot find good land within the
Boundary and have got Surveys without the Bounds already
made, then let such locations rest as they are. Should you
need money to complete the locating- or Surveying Business,
let me know, and you shall have it and finish the Business in
the best manner you can, and as speedily as you can. I be-
believe I before informed you that a second warrant had is-
sued to Nathaniel Lawson, and that he had obtained his Grants.
You will therefore decline returning works on the warrant in
his name in your hands. I do not see the name of Francis
Child among the warrants, and surely I gave you his warrant.
Pray inquire. He is a good friend of mine, and is very desir-
ous to have his Grant. Enclosed is an additional warrant
which you will please have laid in due time. If a guard is
necessary to you to insure safety in laying our warrants with-

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 393

in the Boundary, you must procure one, and I will pay for it,
for the Grant must be completed, and it is in vain to stop now
at a trifling- expense.

I need not say observe economy, but be sure don't expose
yourself too much to save a little expense. A Mr. John Bush,
late an officer, has a tract of land he wishes me to purchase
as he owes me money. I will thank you to inform me where
it lays and the quality of it. Dr. Colman Tract belongs to my
Brother Willie, the Grant is not yet out, who undertook the
Survej ing 1 don't know. Pray inquire and urge the completion
of the Title. If it is detained for the want of necessary Cash,
it shall be forwarded on demand. I think of no more at pre-
sent. I hope Judge Campbell will be attended to.

You will think of Judge Anderson as you find him, and
not count anything on my former Recommendation.

Wm. Blount.

[From Thomas Cortell, Spanish Commandant, on Indian affairs.]

Nkw Madrid, 7th May, 1792.
Sir,

I had the honor of receiving your favour, bearing date the
13th Feb. last, which indicates that all good neighbors ought
to preserve one with another, strict union and sincere har-
mony, which in the Genial System of my Nation uniformly
joins with the purest ties of humanity, to which only we were
accustomed.

By virtue of what you mentioned, I called in a Delaware
Indian named Raccoon, which you pointed out to in your let-
ter, having interrogated him, for what raison he had gone to
Cumberland River to commit any depredations, knowing it
was a place where only resided our friends and Brothers. He
returned for answer, that for above those two years past, he
had not gone from this place, only to go a Hunting and then he
never went out of the Jurisdiction of this post. His raison
for so doing was, that he might have no dispute with any per-
son, and live in tranquillity with the world in General, but at
the same time was not Ignorant that some of his Nation had
done mischief, particularly at Cumberland, but those Indians
did not live under the Government of this place, it was a band

394 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of Delewares Settled on the other side of the Mississippi upon
a small River, he also mentioned the Indian that headed the
party, he is commonly called by the name of the great Capot.
This I believe from the sincerety of Raccoon's answers to my
interrogations. Nevertheless, I made him promise by the
name of hi* Catholic Majesty my Master, that he shall live in
friendship with everyone that is at peace with his Majesty's
Subjects, and in consequence ought to take many citizens of
the United States by the hand, as it was my particular desire
which he should observe with punctuality.

Notwithstanding these injunctions to Raccoon, I ordered
him two Chiefs, the one a Shawanee, the other a Cherokee,
which has promised the same as the other had done, but as an
Indian, is not to be depended on, it is necessary to be on your
guard, as I cannot be responsible for their conduct when away
from this place.

I have been informed that a certain Mr. Morris and some
other citizens of the United States has stole horses from the
Indians at different times. Most probably those men have
been the means of exciting- the Indians to do the same thing.
The said Morris has also tasted the fruits of his Robberies.
He passed here last fall on his way to New Orleans having al-
most lost the use of his right leg, owing to two wounds he re-
ceived by the Indians when a hunting, besides the loss of all
his property.

You may be assured that all Indians that come to this
place of whatever nation they may be, I will do my indeav-
ours to keep them peaceable and make them promise to live
in peace and friendship with the citizens of the United
States.

Should they have any complaint against said citizens, I
will write on that subject, in consequence of the offer you
make to me, as it may be the means of rendering justice to
both parties.

I have a thorough sensibility of the honor you confer on
me, in desiring a continuation of my corresp jndence, to which
I submit with the greatest pleasure; at the same time you will
excuse any omission I may have made in this.

I request it as a favour, if you should choose to come and
pass some days in this solitary place, it will give me the great-

CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. 395

est pleasure, to receive you into my Lodging- where you may
expect every good reception due to your merit.

I have wrote you in the language of your Nation, my rai-
son is having more confidence in the person that writes it,
than in anyone have that writes the French.

I am Sir with Esteem your most

Obdt & very Humble Servt,

TOMAS CORTELL.

General

James Robertson.

[Copy of a letter from Dr. Thos. Cortell Commanding- officer for
his most Catholic Majesty at New Madrid to Mr. Andrews Fagot at
Nashville, May 7th 1792.]

Sir, I received your favour bearing date, the 13th, Feb-
ruary last, wherein you mention the depredations committed
by the Indians, supposed to be Shawanos and Delewares. If
it is them, I assure you it has never come to my knowledge, I
have called in the chiefs and spoke to them on that head,
which they all deny, but lays the blame on another band of
their nation that lives on the other side of the Mississippi a
great distance from this post and entirely out of my command.
Such acts of inhuman cruelty touches me most sensibly. It
has always been my study to use every method with the In-
dians to keep them quiet. This I look upon myself oblig'd to
by the ties of humanity, as also the duty I owe to mankind in
general. Every influence that I am possessed of with regard
to the Indians shall be applied to keep them from committing
ravages upon the peaceable inhabitants of Cumberland. But
you know all I can do is only by the force of persuasion, as
they are not subjected to any laws. I thank you most kindly
for your attention. If I can be of any utility to you in this
place you may freely command me.

I am Sir your

Most obedt humb. Servt,

Thomas Corteel.

Mr. Fagot.

3% THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

[From Gov. Blount on a fiscal matter.]

May 8th, 1792.

Should Mr. McCabe need money to bear expenses as I am
able just now to give him but little and my Merchant will ad-
vance it to him, I will pay his Bills on Sight and I suppose
any Merchant will do it, as they will all send them Money
through the Wilderness for Philadelphia.

I am

Your obt Servt,

Wm. Blount.
Gen. Robertson.

EDITORIAL NOTES. 397

EDITORIAL NOTES.

"The Pedigree of the Polk Family" has been unavoid-
ably omitted from this issue. The manuscript has been with-
drawn for the purpose of incorporating- some additional infor-
mation recently obtained by the author. It will be continued
in the January, 1897, number.

The July number of the William and Mary College Quart-
erly Historical Magazine is full of valuable and interesting
reading - . This excellent magazine is largely devoted to gene-
alogy, and is tracing many of the old Virginia families. It
contains extracts from the "Journal of the Meetings of the
President and Masters of William and Mary College." and
other matter, "quaint and curious." Its editor, Mr. Lyon G.
Tyler, President of William and Mary College, is doing a work
which is of special interest not only to Virginians, but also to
the descendants of Virginia families, now so widely scattered,
and is, likewise, of great value to all students of history.

A curious and interesting manuscript is the Diary of John
Lipscomb, a merchant of Halifax, N. C, who emigrated to
Tennessee, and settled in Williamson County in 1784. This
manuscript was presented to the Tennessee Historical Society
October, 1891, by Mr. James D. Park. Much of the. original
manuscript is illegible, and leaves are missing in many places.
A copy of portions of this diary has been made by the Secre-
tary, Mr. John M. Bass, and is transcribed in a bound volume.
The diary gives the events of the journey of an emigrant party
who traveled by way of Cumberland Gap through the south-
ern part of Kentucky. It records the adventures, buffa-
lo hunts, and deer hunts, and the means used to supply the
party with subsistence on the way. It recounts some rough
jokes on fellow travelers, and gives a vivid picture of frontier
life. It was evidently not intended for publication, and like

398 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

other diaries of the period, remained in seclusion among- the
family papers, until rescued from oblivion by Mr. Park. Ex-
tracts from this diary will be given in future issues of this
Mag-azine.

A very interesting - book recently published by the Robert
Clarke Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, is The Life of Gen. Na-
thaniel Massie. This book is written by David Massie, a de-
scendant of Gen. Massie. It is a work of unusual interest,
giving - an account of the settlement of the Virginia Military
District, which covered about one-sixth of the area of the pre-
sent 'State of Ohio. The leading - pioneer in this settlement
was Gen. Nathaniel Massie, who founded Manchester and
Chillicothe.

The contests between Gen. Massie, and Governor St.
Clair for political control of- the territory, and which finally
resulted in winning Ohio to the political party of Jefferson,
and its' admission as a State in 1802, are told in a manner
which illustrates the conflict between the Federalist and Re-
publican parties for control of the new State. Three Virgin-
ians, Thomas Worthington, afterwards United States Senator,
and Governor of Ohio. Judg-e Charles Willing Byrd, and Gen.
Nathaniel Massie, were the Southern leaders. Their contests
with St. Clair, and their political victory have never before
been adequately related. The following - extract from the
work is interesting - , as it shows the feeling in 1802 which was
developed in the debate and vote of the constitutional
convention on the clause for permitting - negro suffrag-e. This
clause was finally lost by the casting vote of the chairman,
the vote of the Convention being seventeen ayes to seventeen
noes.

"This Convention was controlled by men from the slave-
holding States of Virginia and Kentucky, yet we find them
badly divided on this question. One of their leaders, Charles
AVilling - Byrd, a Virginian of the Virginians, standing - steadily
for the rig-ht of the negro to vote. On the other hand, Messrs.
Huntington, of Trumbull County, and Mclntire, of Washing - -
ton Count} 7 , scions of New England stock, were with Massie
and Worthington against negro suffrage. 1 '

EDITORIAL NOTES. 399

The Fourth Volume of Mr. Theodore Roosevelt's great
work, The Winning of the West, has been recently issued
by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 27 West Twenty-third
Street.

This volume is devoted to Louisiana and the Northwest,
and extends from 1791 to 1807. It is in keeping- with the
previous volumes, which have been so interesting to the gen-
eral reader, and so valuable to the student of history.

Skillfully preserving the charm of entertaining narration,
illustrated by graphic pictures of pioneer life and character,
the discussion of the political and social questions involved,
glides naturally and gracefully along the current of the narra-
rative. The author has, thus, given to the public the most
entertaining, instructive, and philosophical treatise which has
been presented by any writer who has treated the subject.

The author's opinions, expressed freely and frankly, are
always clear, sometimes emphatic, but never bitter; thus giv-
ing 1 to his work the tone of candor, and judicial fairness,
which attracts confidence and respect. Like all who announce
positive opinions, he expresses sentiments from which some of
his readers must dissent. For instance, those who believe
that Thomas Jefferson was the most profound political phil-
osopher, and the most skillful party leader that America has
ever produced, cannot concur in the estimate which Mr.
Roosevelt places upon him, and upon his public acts.

Yet, the discussion, upon the whole, is so admirable and
frank, that the admirer of Jefferson, will arise from the peru-
sal with undiminished esteem for Jefferson — and for the author.

The Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth
Century, bv Philip Alexander Bruce, recently issued by Mac-
millan & Co., is the most remarkable of recent historical pub-
lications.

It is an "inquiry into the material condition of the people,
based upon original and contemporaneous records."' It treats
of such topics as the following:

The Reasons for the Colonization, Indian Economv, Ag-
ricultural Development, Acquisition of title to Land, System
of Labor, Domestic Economy of the Planter, Relative value
of Estates, Manufactured Supplies, Money, The Town.

400 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Tiie originality of Mr. Bruce's conception, and the excel-
lence of its execution, have lifted his work out of the ordinary
ruts of historical composition, and have made it truly what its
.^e imports, an Economic History.

The work has everywhere been received with strong- com-
mendation, and is not only an entertaining and instructive
book, but is, also, a monument to the research and scholar-
ship of the author.

Among the most valued of our exchanges are the publica-
tions of the Bureau of Ethnology. The 13th Annua) Report
of this Bureau to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
by J. W. Powell, Director, issued from the Government Print-
ing Office, at Washington, 1896, is an admirable report. It
gives a sketch of the operations of the Bureau, together with
illustrated articles on Ethnological topics, prepared by ex-
perts. Among these articles are:

Prehistoric Textile Art of Eastern United States by Wil-
liam Henry Holmes.

Stone Art, by Gerard Fowke.

Aboriginal Remains in Verde Valley, Arizona, by Cosmos
Mindeleff.

Omaha Dwellings, Furniture, and Implements, by J.
Owen Dorsey.

Casa Grande Ruins, by Cosmos Mindeleff.

Outlines of Zuni Creation Myths, by Frank Hamilton
Cushing.

An excellent treatise, entitled The Government of the People
of the State of Tennessee, by T. C. Karns, A. M., Professor of
Philosophy and Pedagogics, University of Tennessee, has re-
cently been published by Eldridge & Brother, Philadelphia.

This book is intended as a text- book for the use of schools,
and is well suited for the purpose. It will, also, be valuable
to the citizens of Tennessee not only as affording- reading: mat-
ter of interest, but also as an accurate, reliable, and conven-
ient reference book on points connected with State Govern-
ment.

The book bears evidence throughout of the research,
good judgment, and scholarship of its accomplished author.

TENNESSEE BOOKS.

CALDWELL, (Joshua W.) STUDIES IN
T HE CONSTITUTIONA L HISTO R Y

OF TENNESSEE: The Watauga As-
sociation; the Cumberland Compact;
the State of Franklin; and the Con-
stitutions of 1796, 1831, and 1870. Por-
traits, 12mo., cloth $2.00.

THRUSTON, (General Gates P.) ANTIQ.
UITIES OF TENNESSEE. AND THE
ADJACENT STATES. The state of
Aboriginal Society in the scale of
civilization represented by them A
series of historical anil ethnological
studies. Illustrated with 18 fine iull-
page plates, and 216 wood cuts in the
text. 8mo., cloth $4.00-

RAMSEY, (J. G. W.) ANNALS OF TEN-
NESSEE, comprising i's settlement
as the Watauga Association 1769-
1777; Part of North Carolina 1777-
1781; State of Franklin 1781-1788 ; Ter -
ritory of the United States 1790 1796;
State of Tennessee 1796-1800. Map.
8vo., cloth $3.00.

PUTNAM, (A. W.) HISTORY OF MID-
DLE TENNESSEE, or, Life and
Times of Gen. James Robertson. 8to.,
cloth. (Scarce, we have on y a few
copies) $6.00.

OLD TIMES IN WEST TENNESSEE.
Reminiscences, semi-historical, of
pioneer life, and the early emigrant
settler in the Big Hatchie country.
By a descendant of one of the first
settlers. 12mo.,cloth $1.25.

PHELAN, (James) HISTORY OF TEN-
NESSEE. The Making of a State.
12mo., cloth. *2.00.

HAYWOOD, (John) THE CIVIL AND
POLITICAL HISTORY OF TEN-
NESSEE, from its earliest settlement
to the year 1796, including the bound
arie^ of the State. Exact reprint of
the edition of 1823, with a biograph-
ical sketch of Judg-e Haywood by
Colonel A. S. Colyar. 8vo., sheep.
$1.00.

GILMORE, (James R.) THE ADVANCE
GUARD OF WESTERN CIVILIZA-
TION, (James Robertson and his
Times). 12mo., cloth $1.50.

GILMORE, (James R.) THE REAR
GUARD OF THE REVOLUTION.

12mo., cloth $1.50.

GILMORE, (James R.) JOHN SEVIER,
THE COMMONWEALTH BUILD-
ER 12mo., cloth $1.50.

ROOSEVELT, (Theodore) THE WIN-
NING OF THE WEST. Vol. I. and
II.: From the Alleghaniesto the Mis-
sissippi 1769-1783. Vol. III. : Founding
of the Trans-Alleghany Common-
wealth 1781-1790. Vol. IV: Louisiana
and the Northwest 1741-1807. Each
volume complete in itself. Sold sepa-
rately, per volume $2.50.

HAYWOOD'S NATURAL AND ABO-
RIGINAL HISTORY OF TENNES-
SE E. Nashville, 1823, in original sheep
binding, slightly spotted as usual.

$75.00.

Brinley's copy in same condition sold
for $100.00.

Any of the above sent by mail prepaid on
receipt of the price by

THE ROBERT CLARKE CO.,

CINCINNATI, OHIO.