Sampson Williams Letter
In this letter to Andrew Jackson (then serving as a Senator from Tennessee), Sampson Williams asks his friend Jackson to use his influence to prevent Congress from converting Fort Blount into a trading post. Although Williams acknowledges that the "Establishment of a trading post at Fort Blount ... will be of great advantage and convenience to the Indians," he feels that it cannot be done under the present establishment because both parties have been violating the treaty. According to Williams' information, approximately 500 white families settled on Cherokee land and so provoked Cherokee retaliation, thus necessitating the militia's continued presence at the fort. Williams hopes, however, that the current Congress will take measures to improve the situation so that the proposed post can be established.
Dates
- circa 1795
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
In this letter to Andrew Jackson (then serving as a Senator from Tennessee), Sampson Williams asks his friend to use his influence to prevent Congress from converting Fort Blount into an unarmed trading post.
Biographical/Historical Note
Sampson Williams was born in South Carolina on December 2, 1762, to Daniel and Ann (Echols) Williams. The family migrated to Tennessee in 1786 and settled in the Mero District (now Davidson County). Williams began operating a ferry on the Cumberland River at the meeting of the Eastern and Mero Districts in 1791. Governor Blount authorized him to raise men to defend the crossing the next year. Blount obtained permission to establish a larger outpost in 1794, and both Williams and his brother Oliver served as captains of the militia at the resulting Fort Blount. Although the Fort was turned over to Federal troops when Tennessee joined the Union in 1796, Williams continued living there for some time. Williams was also involved in several campaigns against the Creek Indians in Middle Tennessee. He commanded Andrew Jackson during one of these expeditions, and the two became lifelong friends.
Williams and his family later moved to Jackson County, Tennessee. In 1806, the County's seat was named Williamsburg in his honor. When the county seat moved to Gainesboro in 1817, Williams and his wife, Margarett Young (1780-1852), bought the courthouse and used it as a private residence. Williams died on February 1, 1841, in Williamsburg and is buried in Jackson County.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Related Materials
Interested researchers may also wish to consult:
MS.1957: Sampson Williams Letter, 1798 December
MS.2388: Sampson Williams Letter to Colonel David Henley, 1794 December 24
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository