State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Draper Manuscript Collection, Draper's Notes, Draper Mss. 32 S
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1472)
[The Draper manuscript collection is a collection of historical research made by Lyman Draper focussing on the territories west of the Allegheny mountains (e.g., Tennessee) and events from 1755-1815. His Notes relevant to interviews of the Sevier family are dated 1844)
[The following transcription of Draper's Notes was made directly from the microfilm (by Charles Avis in 2026). It includes entries regarding the family and service of Col. Valentine Sevier. The transcription skips over other unrelated text.]
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State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Draper Manuscript Collection
Draper's Notes
Draper Mss. 32 S
When the use of this microfilm copy results in publication, the user must acknowledge the ownership of the original manuscripts by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
Citation of items in the Draper Manuscript Collection should be by volume, collection key letter, and page number. To illustrate, Draper Mss. 32S25 means that the manuscript is found in Volume 32 of Draper's Notes, page 25.
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1844 32S. Contributors: Hugh Paul Taylor's "Sketches," Col. Samuel McDowell Reid, Samuel H. Lewis, Botetourt County (Va.) records, Col. Andrew Lewis, Dr. John Johnson, Fincastle County (Va.) records, Montgomery County (Va.) records, Mrs. Dorothy Bratton, Gov. David Campbell, Sullivan County (Tenn.) records, Maj. James Sevier, Washington County (Tenn.) records, John and Rebecca Rector, Sevier family record, Maj. John Sevier, John Towner, Joseph Cobb, William Coudray, Rev. John Kidwell, Col. William Martin, James Bell, David Gallaher, Major Leslie, Mr. Job, Mrs. John Donelson, Andrew Castleman, Col. Robert Weakley, extracts from Daniel Trabue's narrative (see 57J), Col. George Smith, Capt. William Reid, Dr. Felix Robertson, Col. George Wilson, Mrs. James Winchester, Col. Alexander Green, William T. Martin, Col. William Martin, Wilson V. Martin.
[p. 140]
140
Gen. John Sevier _ Settlement in Tenne
(From Majr Jas. Sevier born in 1764 - Oct. 25th)
Near the close of the old French war, Sevier was out on several scouts on the Va frontier and on one occasion with others, came near getting into an ambuscade, but fortunately discovered the net in good time to escape. This was his first military service & experience.
About '71 or '72 Sevier came into East Tenne to see the country - two different times - the last time was at the Watauga old Fields, on Doe river near its junction with the Watauga, near the present Elizabethton, where Col. John Carter then resided (who had first settled in Carter's Valley in Hawkins) Here was a race; Sevier seeing a large savage fellow of the name of Shote take from a traveling stranger his horse, pretending he had won him in a bet. Then in reality the stranger never thought of betting - so disgusted Sevier that he resolved he would think of settling among
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[p. 144]
144
Gen. John Sevier etc — 1776 —
& killed two or three Indians, the remainder fled — the horses were recovered without any loss to the whites -
On Christian's campaign, was Col. Val. Sevier & his brother-in-law, Robt. Young. At the conferences which Christian had with the Indians, there was one fellow, for some cause, seemed not to like to venture among or mix with the White people, & for several days was seen to climb up a tree at a distance & observe what was going on. At length Robt Young concluded he would fix him; skuled off & got into a cane break near by, & crept up & shot the Indian from out of the tree. It created a considerable trouble in camp, but Young kept his secret — no one knew it except his father in law Col. Val. Sevier & subsequently Young told it to James Sevier. The previous summer, his brother James Young, with his servant man, one night camped on Holston, turning out their horses to graze. Next morning
[p. 145]
went after their horses, & were waylaid & killed. Hence Rob. Young was served against the Indians.
In the Spring of '78, Sevier moved to the forth bank of 'Chucky. In Spring of 80, to Limestone Creek, where he had two mills - in fall of '83 to north bank of Chucky again.
In Spring of '79, when Shelby carried on the Chickamauga campaign, Sevier was probably with Col. Carter to the N.C. Legislature. Jesse Beene was out on the campaign; went out one day to hunt, & heard a gun fire then a few moments a wounded deer came near by & fell - Beene dodged into a thicket & watched - an Indian soon came bounding along watching eagerly the bloody trail & Beene shot him down & "took his hair". The Beenes, John, Wm, Robt, Jesse & Edmund, were all a noted set of Indian fighters - good gun-smiths - always on hand for a campaign.
About this period - '79-'80 - the people were much annoyed with horse thieves - thieving & prowling
[p. 146]
about - & were compelled to hunt them down & kill them - Shote, Wm & Lewis Peively, two Hightowers,
were killed; & Robt. Young pursued one Rogers & one Rybusn over the mountain & killed them.
[Note: Genl C Love's notes, in "D". p. 93, abt. Wm. Bates]
On the Summer Campaign of '80, Col. Sevier was not out. Col. Val. Sevier was what capacity not recollected (see Wm Smith's deposition). The Americans, ab't 250, against double their number, at the Enoree - took post in a fine grove of timber - as the British marched up (Col. Clark was one of the American commanders) the mountaineers poured in upon them a deadly fire - Robt. Beene shot down Maj. Frazier - & Wm. Smith got a fair shot at Col. Ennis, who was wounded. The British were forced to recross the river, & as one of them sheltered himself behind a tree, Thos. Gillaspie brought him down. Besides Val. Sevier, Rob. Beene, Wm. Smith, Tho's. Gillaspie, were Hirsah Cobb, Jesse & Edmund Beene - from Washington Co. - recollected by Maj. Jas. Sevier.
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192
Shelby, Gen. Evan. & Colo. Isaac etc. [page numbers that Shelby's appear on:]
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Sevier, Colo. Valentine [page numbers that Valentine Sevier appears on:]
On Christmas campaign of '76 --- 144-
At Enoree in '80 --- 146-
Spring campaign of '81 against Cherokees --- 163-
Joins Gen Greene in Sept. '81 --- --- 167-
On Campaign of '82 against Cherokees --- "
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Sevier - Gen. John [page numbers that Gen. John Sevier appears on:]
Early life -- visits Tennessee & [Sungrates?], 140 - 141
War of '76 - attack on Watauga Fort etc. 142.
Horse thieves, troublesome & punishment etc. -- 145.
Boylston's family attack'd by Indians -- 147.
Indian troubles in Summer of 1780 -- 148.
King's Mountain Campaign -- 149 etc.
Capt. Dunlop of the Troy horse -- 153.
Boyd's Creek Campaign -- 154
Campbell joins -- 157
Capt. James Elliott Killed (see Shelby index) -- 160.
Spring Campaign of '81 -- 163.
Major Jacob Brown's fight - 164, his death 180 -
[Mrs?] Gen. Greene in Sept. '81 -- 164.
Campaign of '82 -- 167.
Franklin Government -- 172.
War of 1788, & campaigns -- 174.
Indian forays at different periods -- 179.
Hightower Campaign - Pumpkin Boy killed -- 179, 180 -
Col. Landon Carter's service, -- 180, 166, 154
Colo Henry Clark - Lt. Col. in Sullivan in '80, See Col. Martin's & Majr Sharp's letters, about campaign of '80-'81 -- 138 -
Major Jesse Walton - notice of -- 164 -
Capt. Wm. Smith, of Lincoln, dies in 1842. See over --
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[p. 199]
199 partial
Records of Washington Co. Tenn.
Earliest records found here date early in '78 - among the justices were James Robertson, John Carter, & James Stuart. Wm Sevier Clerk up to the organizing of the Franklin Govt. Val. Sevier Sheriff up to '81. James Stuart Surveyor -
In '79 Thos. Hardeman mentioned -
" John Sevier, Jesse Walton & Zach. Isbell apd. Comm's of confiscated estates: In 82, John & Val Sevier Wm. Cocke apd Comrs. of confiscated estates -
Jonathan Lipton mentioned in '79.
Same year the property of Jacob & Benjamin Holley
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Washington County Tenne Early[?] Records -
In May '81, Val. Sevier, Saml. Williams & - McNabb, are mentioned as Captains -
Aug. '82 "John Holly, decd" - perhaps a tory thief -
In '82 Jordon Roach deposes that he & Solomon Massingill were under Sumter at the Blackstocks, & that Massingill had his right ear cut off by a British Dragoon --
In '82, "Col Dillard on Chucky" - Thos. Dillard died in '88.
" Val Sevier a justice of the peace
Thos. Barker (who was wounded at the battle of Boyd's Creek,) joined the Tories, was taken at King's Mountain -
In May '82 last will of "John Pareley dec'd" - perhaps a Tory thief.
In Feb. 82 Chs. Robertson mentioned as Colonel. Lt Col?
Feb. In '87, John Tipton Clerk, Thos. Gourley, Depty Clerk; & at the close of the year (Nov.) Gourley is made full Clerk - Landon Carter, John Tipton & Rob. Love, among the justices -
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Jonathan Pugh sheriff, & Jac. Tipton depy in '87 -
Capt. Edmund Samms spoken of - the same who accidentally shot Maj. Jac. Brown in '85 -
In 92 - Feb - John Sevier presides in justice's court - & Saml. Handley a member.
On the 20th Nov. 1780, a military court is held & entered on the minutes of court at wh. John Sevier presided - present - Majrs Chs. Robertson & Jond. Tipton; Capts. John McNabb; Jos. Wilson; Jac. Brown; Saml Williams;
Wm. Trimble; Patterson; Robt. Bean afterwards Major & settled at Bean's Station; It was ordered, that Capt. Luke Bowyer; James Gibson, & James Stinson, with their respective companies, rendezvous the 30th inst. & march to join Brig. Gen. Davidson, in compliance with his requisition -
In Dec. early we find Stinson at Boyd's Creek - so he cd not have marched to Carolina to join Gen. Davidson - unless he did it early in '81 - Maj. Sevier says Cat. Boyer was in Carolina campaign '81.
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202
Headler's family attacked -
(From Mr. John Rector, of Greene Co: who was stationed near Headler's at the time of its occurrence)
See Jas. Sevier's notes for date & location: Headler, a Dutchman, was out with his negro man in the barn thrashing, some distance from the house. Two Indians had blinds watching - saw a daughter of Headler's & a negro woman washing clothes, at the spring a few rods from the house - were carrying a basket of clothes towards the house, the Indians made towards them, Miss H & the negro woman, seeing their danger, dropped the clothes & ran for the house hallowing "Indians!" - passed through the house & at the opposite door & made for the barn. Mrs. Headler was in bed; she was dragged out tomahawked & scalped; and a small girl of hers knocked down, her head cut off & taken with them a small distance & scalped. The Indians then gathered up a saddle, & articles of clothing & hastily decamped. Headler in a few minutes was in his h[erool?] to behold the desolation -
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Col. Val. Sevier & family.
laid his mangled wife & child upon the bed, & fastening the doors hastened to alarm the neighbors - they came, & unexpectedly discovered signs of life in Mrs. H. she in due time recovered from her wounds, but never from the mental effects of the storming, blows she received from the tomahawk. One of the neighbors had a dog that would follow the trail of an Indian - with this animal a party pursued, & came to near the Ind's that they dropped the most of their plunder, saddle &c - & but for a shower of rain coming up at this juncture, they wd very likely have been overtaken — ---
Col. Val. Sevier & family
Mrs. Rector's family bible gives the following: Col. Val. Sevier died 23d Feb. 1800 at Clarkesville.
Eldest child Elizabeth born 13th Feb. '68 - John Sevier, in Sept. '69; Ann (first Mrs. Grantham then Mrs. King) March 22d '71; Valentine
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Col. Val. Sevier & family
22d May 73; Robt. & Wm, twins 23d Feb '75; Rebecca (Mrs Rector) b. Nov. 9th '82; & Joseph Ap. 9th '88 -
Thos Grantham, Ann's first husband, was killed about Oct. 1790 - then just settled in a cabin a little below the mouth of Red river on Cumbd went out one morning to a pond to kill a deer - & was shot by Indians - still called Grantham's pond.
Robt & Wm Sevier were killed by the Cherokees, at the mouth of Blooming Grove Creek, on Cumberd, Jan. 15th 1791; & Val. Sevier Jr near the same place on the next morning, Jany 16th.
Monday 11th Nov. 1794, at 12 o'clock, Col. V. Sevier's Station was attacked by 40 Indians of different tribes - killed Chs Snyder & his wife Elizabeth & their little son Wm; Jos Sevier & Ann King & her son James.
The above dates & facts, except as to Grantham, from the family record: from Mrs Rector, got the following additional information:
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Mrs. Naomi Sevier, died 17th July 1844, aged 100 years, 6 mo. & 10 days — wife of Col. Val. Sevier. (see her pension declaration)
Wrens thought there were some Chickasaws in the attacking party from this fact that the Chickasaws were in the habit of bringing guns to Snyder to repair at expense of [Genl?] Govt. & had several there at that time. They were placed in the upper part of Snyder's shop, with no ladder or stairs to get up — These were gotten by the Indians —
Little Joseph Sevier was in the shop with Snyder, & in the fight ran under the work bench & was killed there — Snyder was at the fire at work, with Benj. Lindsay, an apprentice boy of 15 years at the bellows; Snyder was shot through the body, & much mangled with the tomahawk — Lindsay dashed out of the shop, & broke through the Indians, jumped the yard fence, fell upon & broke his elbow joint — was soon after
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Col. Val. Sevier's Station Attacked
was stiff — escaped and ran up the river & concealed himself under the cliffs. The Indians then killed Mrs. Snyder & child; then Mrs. King & child (both children some 6mo old) & at Mrs. King's was Rebecca Sevier, was knocked over & scalped — she recovered — my informant, who showed me the scar.
James Sevier, then 17, with a negro man were out in a neighboring field pulling corn — hearing the screams, knew the cause; the negro was anxious to go to their relief, & said [if his master was killed - text struck through] he wanted to die if necessary in his master's defense — young Sevier thought it not prudent to go as both were unarmed. John King was near by shucking corn. They ran for the river — came in a canoe to alarm the people of Clarksville.
Col. Sevier had barely time to close the doors of his block house — with him was his wife & little son Alexr Green 4 years old. Col. S. was then suffering from rheumatism but got his old brass blunderbuss, well
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207
charged, & fired it off at a [armed squad ??] of Indians in the yard by a large standing sugar tree, not over 20 steps from the house - one Indian toppled over; the others dropped their plundered guns; scrambled them up again & their wounded companions. This wounded Indian, as afterwards learned, did live to reach the Nation. The place where he was shot, was quite bloody.
For a second load Col. Sevier not having bullets, Mrs. S. broke up some pewter spoons & glass & loaded that a second time, but as the Indians were now at a distance and scrambling off, no effect, except perhaps to deter them from any further attempt upon the block-house. That morning Col. S. had lent his gun to a young man who lived out at the Station, & had taken off nearly all the bullets.
Col. S. had port-holes in the 2d story: Had his blunderbuss mounted on a block; but on this occasion, took out & held it as he fired, & the heavy concussion considerably bruised
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208
Death of Wm. Robt & Val. Sevier - 1791 -
his face & shoulder - At the fire of the blunderbuss, which was understood as a signal of attack or danger, Amos Bird & [Aisty ??] Critchen, mounted their horses - one with a rifle & the other with a pistol - & dashed over, swimming the river, & reached there shortly after the Indians left.
Doublehead was leader of this party. Col S. now broke up & went to Clarksville where he continued to reside until his death -
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Death of Val. Robt. & Wm. Sevier
Intelligence came of suffering families down Cumbd in boats - almost the only way at that day of coming to the Cumberland Country by way of the Ohio. The three brothers, with David Wallace who lived with Col. Sevier, with two canoes went down Cumbd with corn & other necessary provisions - reached the boat or boats - & commenced returning. Robt. & Wm came upon the family boat; & just at dark of evening of 15th
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January '91, leaving Chippsing (intended to decoy them) took their canoe, & said they would go over here, & build a fire by the time the boat etc. get there; & by way of caution hallooed out Who's there? "Friends come ashore" was the treacherous reply: The two Seviers went, & in the twilight didn't discover their mistake till very near shore, & then attempted to push back into the stream, when both were shot - Robt jumped into the stream, & his body was never found - Wm's [body - text struck though] was [word 'found' implied but missing] by a party-ride H. F. Bell's notes - The Rice boat on hearing the firing, pushed over to the opposite shore, & kept strict guard all night, were not attacked.
Next morning Val. Sevier, John Rice & David Wallace, (who had remained behind in a canoe, & had not as they intended overtaken the family boat the night before, camped) came up near Blooming Grove, ignorant of what had taken place, & seeing in the willows near shore, a boat which
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1st Cherokee war of 1776.
these same Ind's had captured with [?], going up Cumberland, & killed the 2 or 3 traders on it -- this was more at a distance mistaken for the family boat, & made toward it - When close, the Indians in it showed themselves fired & killed Val. Sevier & John Rice, at the oars & Wallace escaped unharmed.
(From Majr. John Sevier, born 20th June '66) --
In '76 -- Richd. Fletcher -- James Moore -- Drury Goodwin -- went out from Watauga Fort to Capt. Sevier's plantation, 4ms off for corn, were shot att by a party of Indians on the point of a small island in Doe river, a little below where Elizabethton now is -- Fletcher had his arm broke below the elbow, Moore flesh wounded in the arm, & Goodwin badly powder burnt in the face -- Don't recollect that others were with them. This road at that point crossed the river, & across the island. All three escaped.
Majr John S. is certain -- the Shelby's were settled on Holston when Sevier went there in '73 -- Sevier took some goods to trade --
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Cherokee war of '76 —
At that day Wm Lewis Lovely — afterwards Mjr. L. who subsequently served as an Officer in the Revolution under Washington, & was some years ago Indn agent in Arks — was school teacher in '74 & '5 — an intelligent Irishman — in that neighborhood.
In summer of '76, among those who forted at the Shelby's Station was Saml. Smith. One day he sent his two negroes Tom & Jack to his plantation three miles off over the river, to milk the cows — while absent were captured by a party of Indians. The Indians struck across the country to Cherokee Creek, one of the head waters of Nolichucky (in Washington Co. Tenn.); there Tom, who was rather old, not keeping the Indians tracks to suit them, & making too much sign, they tomahawked him & went on perhaps half a mile; when they concluded to return & strip him of his clothes — they did so, leaving Jack with an old Indian to pursue their homeward journey. While ascending a rocky ridge, & Jack behind, he seized a stone & knocked down the Indian & killed him & escaped to Wominack's fort.
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Gen. Sevier - Campaign Fall of '88.
On same campaign, when Sevier had but few men, and were holding a council, being in a critical situation, one John Hicklan, an Irishman, came up & observed, "Colonel Sevier there goes a soldier I don't know. Yes said Sevier pettishly, & there a thousand people in the world besides you don't know. "Yes", said Hicklan one side in a low voice heard by the bystanders "& by the [pieces?] you we'd be glad to have them here, too".
Maj. Wm. Sevier thinks his father, soon after the June Campaign of '88 (detained by Maj Jas. Sevier) made an expedition against Chilhowee, ten miles up Tenne from Chota, & destroyed it without perhaps opposition - Returned.
Gillaspie's Station was taken: Houston's Station was attacked - one Berry, getting upon a horse to overtake the Indians, was shot in the head & killed - At the Cities defeat or Apple Orchard defeat - Maj. J.S. thinks 15 or 16 were killed: that about 30 went out after apples, from one of the stations perhaps Houston's. The town was not occupied - & the Indians had learned that the whites were in the habit of visiting the orchard for fruit
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Fall Campaigns '88 -
Little Turkey, Maj. S. thinks, with a party, ambushed - fell upon the whites, while some were in the trees & all unsuspecting & slaughtered some 16 or 17 - among them Capt. John Fain, George Matthews, Isaac Anderson, Rob't. Houston, & Saml. Martin - Some wounded. Majr. Thos. Stuart comd several frontier stations in that frontier.
Majr. John Sevier was among those who first collected & went on to Houston's Station - no retreating enemy, as Haywood states, were met & dispersed. Had heard of the attack on Houston's [perhaps on Gillespie's - etc] & another was anticipated -
172 men assembled. Majr. S. thinks about the 1st of Sept. - at all events corn was in roasting ear, & peaches were in fine eating condition in the Nation. Officers were Majr or Col James Hubbard, Majr John McNabb, Captn. John Sevier Jr, Wm. [Job?], Matthew Wallace, Stephen Copeland (perhaps a major) James Craig & Nathl. Evans. Marched from James
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King's Mountain - Gen. Sevier's birth etc - Col. Val. Sevier - Cols. Tipton & Conway - Campaign '81
James Crawford & Saml Chambers deserted Sevier the night before the battle - both taken, & Crawford condemned, & Chambers excused as an act of his youthfulness, as being led away by Crawford. But Sevier interfered in behalf of Crawford & had him pardoned.
At King's Mountain, among the killed in Col. Sevier's regiment were Wm. Steele, John Brown, Michael Mahoney, & Capt. Rob. Sevier who died of his wound. Patrick Murphy was one of the wounded, was shot across the windpipe cutting it in front. Among the stores taken was a keg of rum, which was reserved for medicinal purposes, some was poured in a cup & Patrick held it while his throat was bathed with the liquor - this done, Paddy swallowed the remainder, remarking with much Irish sang froid, that a little in, was as good as out.
Gen. S. was a little over 70 when he died, being born in Sept. '45 - married when 17, & his oldest son Jos. S. born the next year. Val. Sevier was made Lt. Col. in Washington County. Col. John Tipton died between 1811 & 1815 - Majr. Henry Conway came to the country about 1783.
--- Campaign of March '81 - This was called "the Middle Settlement campaign", & took place in March '81. Maj. J. Sevier is confident his brother James was along. Recollects distinctly about
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The Middle Settlement Campaign - Franklin Government
Nathl Davis being wounded & died at Greene's Cove, & John Bond being killed, & Val. Sevier carrying Davis over the river on his horse. Nine prisoners only were taken - mostly women & young squaws nearly grown. The following autumn, an old squaw & her four children ran off, not followed - and ten of the prisoners died, & then after three girls remained in Col. Sevier's family some years until finally exchanged. They became ready house-keepers, & could readily speak the English language & were reluctant to return to the Nation. One of them had a son who fought valiantly under Gen. Jackson in the Creek war of 1813-14 - James Sevier brought home from this campaign of '81, a fine roan pony.
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Franklin Government - Two days before the fight when Sevier first went there - Feb. 26 - it was in the afternoon: John Sevier Jr, Benjn Hawkins & Wm Cowan went towards Tipton's house to reconnortie & examine it. One Natan Davis shot
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