James Robertson Report and Letters
This collection consists of two letters and a report. The 1784 report certifies that in May 1783 Major John Reid brought a letter to the settlement from Colonel John Donaldson asking Robertson to get guides from the Chickasaws. The 1788 letter to General Joseph Martin is filled with news about the Creeks and Cherokees, mentions that Captain Martin is greatly esteemed in the area, and promises to have the road opened by the time advertised. The 1802 letter to Colonel Return J. Meggs verifies that Culsetehe, a Cherokee, had a horse stolen by a white man and should be reimbursed.
Dates
- 1784 April 16-1802 November 12
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Conditions Governing Use
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection consists of two letters and a report that deal primarily with Native American relations near Nashville, Tennessee.
Biographical/Historical Note
James Robertson was born on June 28, 1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia to John and Mary (Gower) Robertson. He married Charlotte Reeves on January 21, 1768 and they had thirteen children together. After moving to the Holston Valley in 1769, he was instrumental in establishing the Watauga Association. He led a group of settlers to French Lick in 1779 where they established a settlement that later became Nashborough. He was very active in Native American affairs, and is credited with keeping the Chickasaws from allying with the Creeks and British against the young United States. George Washington commissioned him as a Brigadier General of the U.S. Army in 1791, and he became an agent to the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations in 1804. Robertson supervised cutting the Nashville-Charlotte Road, which was opened in 1804. For these and other reasons, he is called the Father of Middle Tennessee. He died on September 1, 1814 while with the Chickasaws.
Arrangement
This material is in one folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this collection in November of 1966.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository