Retyped for the page by Diane Payne and Danene Vincent
1998, 1999
The failure of preceding generations to gather and record, first-handed, many of the stirring events of the early times in the Cumberland Valley from those who participated in them, has increased the task of the historical writer to write a history of to-day. Only one other attempt has been made to write a history of Middle Tennessee and that was by Col. A. W. PUTMAN, of Nashville, in 1859. From this work I have gathered much valuable information as well as from CARR'S Early Times, the histories of the State written by Judge HAYWOOD, Dr. RAMSEY, Mr. PHELAN, Prof. MCGEE, GARRETT and GOODPASTURE, and others. I am also indebted to Imlay's Historical Works, Roosevelt's Winning of the West, and Washington Irving's account of Spanish travels.
Much of the latter-day traditions extant in both Sumner and Davidson Counties had been collected and harmonized and to the many sources from which this has been gathered I acknowledge myself indebted. Especially do I desire to express thanks to Dr. J. H. MCNEILLY, of Nashville, Dr. R. V. FOSTER, of Lebanon, and Col. Ruben T. DURRETT, of Louisville, for the courtesies and help extended and many favors shown. Without the aid of these and of others who might be mentioned I should have fallen far short of the historical accuracy which I believe to be a characteristic of the forthcoming work.
For my own generation as well as for that of coming
generations, I have gathered the facts presented from every available source, and now give them
to the public, trusting that they may both instruct and entertain.
Edward Albright
Gallatin, Tenn, Jan 15, 1909
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
The Mound Builders
First Indian Settlers
Spanish Adventures
Hunters and Traders
Dr. Walker and Party
Timonthy DeMonbreun
Wallen, Boone, Callaway, and Scraggins
The Long Hunters
Mansker's Party
First Indian Killed
Thomas Sharp Spencer
Indian Tribes and Treaties
First Settlers
James Robertson
The Arrival at French Lick
Location of Forts
Donelson's Voyage
The River Fleets Begin Their Long Journey
Perils of the River
End of Voyage
Compact of Government
Events of 1780
Indian Warfare Begins
Events of 1780 (Continued)
Massacre at Renfroe's Station
Attack at Ashner's
Death of Wm. Neely
Clover Bottom Defeat
Events of 1780 (Continued)
Clover Bottom Defeat (Continued)
Bear Hunters
Events of 1781
In Search of Ammunition
Attack on Freeland's Station
Piomingo
Events of 1781 (Continued)
Mrs. Dunham and Daughter Wounded
Attack on Bluff Station
Events of 1782
David Hood Scalped
Kilgore's Station Broken Up
General Council Called
Wm. M'Murry Killed
Events of 1783
Forts Established in Sumner County
Court of Triers Assembles
Savage Fury Again Upon the Settlement
Treaty Formulated
Events of 1784
Militia Reorganized
Hunting Parties Attacked by Indians
Events of 1785
Wm. Hall Arrives at Bledsoe's Lick
Rev. Thos B. Craighead
Events of 1786
Population of Settlement Increases
Indian Renew Hostilities
Defeated Creek Attack
Death of Colonel Donelson
Sumner County Organized
Events of 1787
Increase of Immigration
Indian Outrages Renewed
Death of James Hall and Maj. William Hall
Raid on Morgan's Fort
Events of 1787 Continued
The Cold Water Expedition
Events of 1789
Peyton Robertson Killed
Attack on Bledsoe's Fort
Col. Anthony Bledsoe Mortally Wounded
Hamilton's Station Established
Tennessee County Organized
Massacre of Col. Brown's Party
Events of 1789
Col. John Sevier Elected to Congress
Indian Outrages Renewed
Colonel Robertson Wounded
Andrew Jackson
The "Fool Warrior"
Gen. James Winchester
Events of 1790
Middle Tennessee Becomes a Part of the Western Territory
Officers Commissioned
Citizens of Sumner County Killed
Alexander M'Gillivray
Treaties Formulated
Trouble with the Cherokees
Chota the City of Refuge
New Forts in Sumner County
Events of 1792
Indian Ravages
General Knox Refused to Co-operate with the Colonists
Col. Valentine Sevier
Death of his Sons
Forts in Robertson County Attacked
Massacre at Zigler's Station
Murderers Pursued
Events of 1792 (Continued)
Lieutenant Snoddy and Party Encounter Indians on Caney Fork
Attack on Buchanan's Station
Jimmie O'Connor
Major Evans and Party Attacked
Tragic Death of Col. Isaac Bledsoe
Monument to the Bledsoes
Spencer's Adventure
Assault on Greenfield Station
Old Abraham Kills "Maddog," the Cherokee Chief
Death of Miss Steel
Raid Beyond the River
White Prisoners
Events of 1794
The Territorial Assembly Meets
Congress Petitioned
Indian Outrages
Attack on Jonathan Robertson's Party
Events of 1794 Continued
The Nickajack Expedition
Maj. Geo D. Blackmore
Assault on Sevier's Station near Clarksville
Events of 1795 - 1796
A Census Taken
State of Tennessee Organized
First Legislature Meets at Knoxville
New Counties
Death of General Robertson
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