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Excerpts
from the diary of John Sevier
Left
home Wednesday 19th May, 1790 at 10 o'clock. Rained on us
in the evening. Lodged that night at my fathres. 25 m.
(May 20) Sent my horeses to Z. abdis & got them shod
cost 10/.
2 o'clock set out & lodged all night at Mr. John Keewoods...
20 m.
Left this place 10 0'clock, recieved of Mr. John Keewood 9500 Dollars
Virginia paper money called the forty for one money, which I am
to endeavor to exchange for Hard mone.
(May 21) Lodged at Col. Wm. Edmistons, in Washington County,
Virginia. Called on Saml. Edmiston. Esqr., and dined on our
way to the Cols. 28 mls.
(May 22) Set out at 12 o'clock, fed at Genl. Campbels plantation,
pd. 8d. for some greene wheate; proceeded from thence to Col.
Arth. Campbles. Lodged there all night. 18mls.
Monday 31 (May) I left Stauton about 3 o'clock. Arrived
at Rockingham at 8 o'clock (evening) Lodged all night at Mr. Rutherfords,
being 25 miles. pd. for Oats 1/.
Tuesday
June 1st day Set out at 11 o'clock fed and dined at Rueben Harrisons
pd. 1/. From thence to New Market there fed pd for Wine & Oats
4/6. From thence to Mr. H. Goarn Lodged all night 20 miles.
2nd day (June) Wednesday 10 o'clock st out for Mrs. Hawkingses
12 o'clock. Lodged that night at Mrs. Hawkings.
3rd (June) Thursday 2 o'clock went to Woodstock Lodged at
Col. O. Browns 17 miles.
Tarried there till Saturday, the 5th. Had made by the tailor a Jacket
& britches cost 9/ paid 5/. paid for Wine and Expenses 10/.
paid Col. Brown a dollar he lent Mrs. Sevier in Jonesboro 10 17
miles.
Monday 14th day of June I went into Philadelphia. bought
a beaver hatt 7
dollars price. 3 Hand & pair of cotton stockings cost 16/.
........ Two N. papers 3d. paid to Mr. Jacob Miller for Expenses
5/8.
Went to Philadalphia this evening Left our Horses with Mr. Miller
to pasture and he fed till I return from Congress - paid for washing
2/. pd. for fare in stage 6 dollars Expenses Philadelphia 11/3/
Tuesday morng 15th day set out in stage 3 o'clock Brakfirsted
at Teasitors (?) pd 4/. Wine &c on the road 8/. Crossed the
ferry & Arrived in New York 9 o'clock. Lodged all night at Stair
Ferry pd. Expenses 10/4.
Wednesday morning 16th day Took a seat in the House, and
that day took up lodgings at Mrs. at 6 dollars per week.
Fryday 18th Josiah Parker Dr to cash won at whist 1 guinea
Mrs. Burns Dr To cash at sundry times ten dollars.--
1
July Col. Josiah Parker Dr To cash lent 20 silver Dollars. Memo.
that John Hartwell Lives on Walkers Creek, Montgomery County, Virginia.
G. Return
9th October, 1793.
Col.
Doherty officers & privates......179
Col. Kenedy......................................108
Kelly.................183
9th
Octo 1793
Officer of the day Colo. Doherty
Par. Blount
E.C. Smith cap. Taylor Vann & Magahee rearguards
Smalls place 10 Octo. 93
parole Burke
C. S. Christian Col Kenedy officer of the day
Cap. Evans van & King rearguards.
7 miles 30 miles
Creek half way from Tenesee to Highwassee
P.Washington
S. C. Greene Col. Christian off. of the day 11 Oct. 1793
Capt. Beard & Gillaspy Vann & Blair Rearguards
Saturday 29th October, 1793
Camp at Springstons town 24 miles
P. Jeffers
C. S. Knox Col. Kelly officer of the day
Cap. Richardsons cavalry & Harrisons Infantry van & Carsons
rearguards.
Cureys place 25 miles
Sunday
13th October, 1793
P. Hawkins
S. C. France Officer of the day Col. Blair
Cap - Gest & Allison Van & Harrisons Rear guards
Camp east Vinestry (?) 15 miles
Monday
14th Octo. 1793
Parole King
C. S. Judson (?) Officer of the day Mar. Taylor & King Guards
Fired on the army Gen. orders
It is ordered that from this time forward no person presume to set
on fire any Indian Hut or town in which there is corn or... provision
without there is orders from me to do the same. No firing of guns
in or out of camp except leave from me or a filed officer be
first obtained, and as the officers of every rank is sensible of
the banefull Consequences of such unwarrantable conduct. It is earnestly
requested that they will use their utmost exertion to prevent the
same.
Easternoly
14 October 1793. Lewey Gant & Breed wounded last night
Colonel Kelly with Know Reg is detached to Coosacootee returned
& burnt and destroyed the place.
Easternoly
Tuesday 15 Octo. 1793.
P. Kenedy
C. S. Doherty Col. Doherty officer of the day.
Evans & Carson guards
Fired on the army last night
Frost last night Easternoly 16th Octo. 1793
P. Columbia
C. S. America Col. Kelly Off. of the day.
Harrison van & Gillespy & Richardson rearguards
Fired on by the enemy in the morning no damage done.
Camp
Spring Creek 15 miles 17th Octo. 1793.
Par. Boston
C. S. New York Col. Blair off. of the day.
Magahee Van Taylor rearguards. Knox Reg. attached Can (?) 8 Hightower,
Weir, & Pruitt killed Jno Wallan wounded.
Fryday
12 miles 18th Octob. 1793
Camp Forks of Coon & Hightower.
Parole Knoxville
C. S. Jonesbo. Col. Kenedy off. of the day.
Evans Charles Allison Van & Tany rearguards.
Camp Nuo town 4 miles below the forks
Coon
& Hightower 19 Oct. 1793.
Par. Washington
C.S. Greene Col. Christian off. of the day.
Carson van Blar & Beard rearguards
Wallan died of his wounds last night.
Your murders and savage Barbarities have caused me to come into
your Country Expecting you would fight like men....
last encampment 20 Octo. 1793.
Parole Sulidan
C. S. Libety Maj. Kelsy officer of the day.
Taylor van & Harrison rearguards.
Camp
2 miles from Big Springs 25 miles from last camp 21 Octo. 1793
Parole Doherty
C. S. Kelly Maj. McFarland officer of the day.
Cap. King van & Allison & Evans rearguards.
Some sentinels fired on the enemy
Camp
25 miles from big Springs and 4 from Chiestown 22 Oct. 1793.
Parole Blounty
C. S. Smith Mar. Taylor off of the day
Cap Magehee van & Carson & Beard rearguards.
Camp half way between Highwasee and Tenesee 21 miles from last camp.
23
Oct. 1793. P. Philadelphia
C. S. Baltimore Col. Doherty officer of the day
Capt. Richardson & Gillaspy van & Harrison rearguards.
Camp
Henry, Fort 24 October, 1793. The army discharged.
John Chism Esq. told me in the presences of Col. Christian that
the Indians
in Easternoly hung up seven Greene scaulps the time he was
first there
August was a yer by Gov. Blount to hold a talk (Mr. Ish & Wife
were present also, as well as Col. Christian).
24
October, 1793 Returned to Isms Fort. Gave leave to ensign Hammond
& four privates to return to Washington.
October
25th, 1793 Returned to Knoxville.
(January 1794)
W
(ednesday). 1 Mr. McKee & lady dined here (Fair day) T(hursday).
2 M. Lovely & Mrs. Murphy Do. (Fair day) also David Brown &
John set up a bed stead for which I give him 30/ in cash pd
a guinea down. F(riday). 3 Rained today. S(aturday)
4 Fair day Jack Sevier Junr. came here with Miss Mary Ann.
Sun
5 Fair day. Jack Sevier went away. Mrs. Sevier & Kitty went
to meeting. M(onday) 6 Cloudy. Mr. Weir fell off hishouse
Val Sevier lay here all night & took me Fulltons horse away.
T(uesday) 7 Went to see Mr. Weir and let him blood (Snowed
today) (Tobys sow piged last night and three of mine) W(ednesday)
8 Snowed last night 2 inches deep, - cloudy. Gillaspy J. Geliher
and Mr. Condlig lay here.T(hursday) 9 cloudy. Frank came
here, Blooded Mr. Weir, G. Gillaspy served (ex'o)Jno Sevier Junr
vs. Taylor execr. F(riday) 10 cloudy & rainey (Self
Poorly) (Mr. Weir some better) S(aturday) 11 Cloudy.
Sun
12 went to see Mr. Weir he is some better. Received letter from
G. Blount sent by James Gallispie 12th Mr. Harrill dined here on
his way to Guare. Mon 13 Cloudy Blooded Mr. Weir (Snowed)
Tues. 14 Mr. Murphy dined here. Wed. 15 Fair &
cold Thu. 16 cloudy towards evening (Rained)
Sunday
March 8, 1795. Fair & pleasant. Mon. 9 warm snowed
at night. Tues 10 snowed in the morning. Bought of Mr. Paine
150 B. corn at 2/. Paid him Liere 7. (?) (?). Wed. 11 clear
& cold. Thur. Cold snowed at night. Fry 13 cold.
Jno. Fickee 1 pr. overals 12/. Sat. 14 very cold.
Feb. 1796: Sun. 20 came home. cold. Mon. 21
cold. Tues. 22 Mrs. & Mr. Casson, Mr. & Mrs. Weir
& Miss Jimmy & Betsy, Mr. McKee & his Lady, Mr. Debardeliben,
James Sevier his Lady, Mrs. Jack Sevier, Capt. Harrison & Mr
Evans staid at night. Wed. 23 Capt Harrison, Mr Waddle &
Mr. Evans took Brak. & set out for Jonesbo. Rained some in the
evening, Thur. 24 Rained some in the evening. Thur. 24
rained in the morng. Frost in the morng. Memo. Paid Mr. Doake for
schooling Washington & Saml. a half Joe(?). Paid Mr. James Paine
towards Rye had some time ago 1 Guinea. Memo. Paid Alex Nelso for
Expenses at Rodgers pr. order from Rogers 34/9. put into the hands
of Walter King a patent of 25,660 acres on waters of Cumberland.
etc.
December 1796 Sun. 25 very cold Dined at Mr. Sherrills Mon.
26 V. cold. Dined at Mr. McKees. Tues. 27 Reuben Paine
set in to be Overseer at 40 Liere pr. annum pd. Ruble the B. Smith
1/9. in full of all due for S. work ---pd. Richd. Campble 14/. for
a pr. shoes. Wed. 28 very cold Thur. 29 ditto. Fry
30 ditto. Sat. 31 ditto.
July 1797 Sat. 29 came home in Co. with Col. S. Weir, Whorton
rector & a son of Col. Arthrus. rained a little in the night.
Sun 30 light shower in the morning. Memo purchase yesterday
from Wharton Rector this goods in Knoxville - for which I am to
give him 25 pct. in advance. Samuel Weir, James Paine & young
Arthur Wittens Mon. 31 Fair & hot.
October 1798 Sun. 28 cloudy & very cool. Memo. recd from
James Paine at So. W. point 4 dollars towards pay of thirty-three
gallons of whiskee. Mon. 29 cool & dry hard frost. Tues.
30 cloudy & cold snowed a little in the night - dined at
Colo. Henleys with Capt Henly & others.
April 1799 Thurs 25 Give Mrs. Field an order to Capt. Croziers
for 19/ on acct. of John Miller. Let John Miller have 30 lbs of
bacon at Sundry times. Let him have Cr. with James Paine at Simerals
store for 30/. Messrs. Miller have had bacon at Sundry times also
Cr. in Capt. John Croziers store - had a middling of bacon at one
time. Memo. Robert Reynolds red. of Walter King pr my order some
time ago 1136 ls. Castings.
Feb. 1800. Sat. 22 early in the morning 16 rounds of cannon
fired - at 12 the army & Citizens in great numbers moved in
procession in condolence of the death of Gen. Washington. Gove.
Sevier & Wm. Blount. 2 monuments Genl. White, Maj. McClung,
Capt. Sparks, Maj. Roane Pall bearers guns fired all day &c.
The day very fine.
April 1800 Fry 18 ditto - ditto. Bob horse run away. Sat
19 sent Tobe after the horse. The forge began to work. Sun
20 myself and Mrs. King went to meeting at Combs Ferry. Mon
21 the forge began to work. Memo. to inquire after Aaron Ryley his
mother lives near this place. Boil one quart of N. milch half away,
with a half pound old bacon therein (good to cure the botts on a
horse) Turn eggs with the small end down in good wood ashes. Change
them onst a week and they will keep several months. Tues. 22
Tobe returned with the horse. Sun. 27 Mrs. Cuningham and
Mrs. Combs dined with Mrs. King. Mon. 28 Reuben and James
Payne came to the works. Cash on hand 34 & Eat fish for Breakfast.
June 1800 Tues. 10 set out in Co. with Colo. Harrison for
Knoxville - Mr Sherrills continued very ill. Reuben Paine let a
person living on old Kennedys place have 6 bushels of wheat to sow
last fall. Memo. I left enclosed in a letter with Wm Sherrill a
bond on Charles Robertson Deceased directed to Maj. Sevier to bring
suit for the recovery of the debt date Sept. 6, 1782. The sum 50
pounds payable 6 July, 1783 John Garny security and William Murphy
deceased a witness. The bond taken in the name of John Sevier administrator
of Robert Sevier. Colo. Harrison and myself dined at Waddle. lodged
all night at Mr. Henry Ernests.
September 1800; Fry. 26 Indorsed a note of hand on John McDonald
for 65 dollars and one of 15 on John Fultons to John Sherrill in
payment of a debt dues from Wm Sherrill of 100 dolls dues for a
Negro boy. Elisha Walling vs. James Barry a verdict by a Jury in
the Superior Court in Hamilton district in favour of the plaintiff
for lands in Powels valley. both parties had entered in Carters
office in the year 1799 late. Berry had his land run off by Walter
Evans the surveyor and the patent issued signed by Gov. Davie all
in the year 1799. This observation is to show that all the different
governors and secretaries have paid the same respect to the Carter
warrant as they have to others wheresoever they were made.
September 1802 Self & Mr. Fish started for Abingdon,
Va., to meet the Commissioners to extend the division lines between
the States Virginia and Tennessee.......
Fry
1 day of October (1802) We arrived at Abingdon - Gen.
Martin one of the Virginia Commissioners arrived..... Sat. 2
Mr. Taylor & Mr. Johnson arrived in eveng. F. day Sun.
3 Still stayed at Mr. Carmacks. Mon 4 We all met at Cap
Craigs & agreed to meet Tuesday morning on the line, near Cap.
Duncans on Holsen.... Tues. 5 We met, made a Tryal to find
the latitude on Henderson line. It was thought the observation was
imperfect. It being some miles so. of 36 d 30 m the true latitude
- We then agreed to meet next day on Walker.... We met on Walkers
line made observations - Mr. Fish on the part of Tennessee &
Mr. Laws on the part of Virginia. By Mr. Fish we appeared to be
in Latitude 36 d 16 m. By Mr. Laws 36 d. 12 m....... Thurs 7
We proceeded to Henderson line Made observations - by Mr. Fish
we found it to be in latitude 36 14 by Mr. Law Lat 36 1..... Fry
8 We made observations on our side at the same place. Mr. Fish
the Lat to be 36 21 ... Mr. Law who took it about one mile from
us made it to be in Lat. 36 47..... Sat. 9 we sent Mr. Markland
off as express to Gov. Roane... Memo. Paid expenses since I set
out from Home 13 1/4 dollars to this day..... Mon. 18 Set
out for Mr. Keewoods to meet the Commissioners - left with Mr. Keewood
10 dollars for him to give unto my brother Jos. Sevier & for
him to give the same unto Mr. David Deadrick..... Tues. 19
set out from Mr. Kings and met the Virginia Commissioners at Cap.
Craigs Tarried all night..... Thur. 21 We repaired to William
Kings Tarried all night after taking some observations... Sat.
23 After some notes passing between the Virginia & Tennessee
Commissioners we mutually agreed to run an intermediate line between
Walkers and Hendersons 7 sent the surveyors to measure the distance
between the two lines - Rutledge & Martin attend the running...
Sun. 24 ... Gen. Martin retd. & the surveyors who reported
that the true distance between the two lines was found to be two
miles 1/2 & 25 poles; which was begun on Walkers line &
run 2 1/2 degrees wt. of due north
Mon.
Nov. 1802 Mr. Fish went on to Hawkins C. H. Self and Genl. Rutledge
crossed Clinch (?) Mountain at Loonys Ganp (?) traveled down lower
creek to Abs. Loonys came up with the surveyors at Daws Rogers plantation.
The line crossing at Waddels ford on Clinch river near mouth of
Shelbys creek one mile above - lay there all night. Mr. Fish retd.
brought with him $50 Recd from Nelson sheriff of Hawkins out of
which I received 18 dollars.... Wed. 24 Lay here this day
& night Genl. Martin & Majr. Taylor arrived. Thur. 25
Rained Lay at Robers Fry. 26 Clear day. We all sit out from
Robert's crossed Newmans Ridge & lodged all night on black water
creek at Gibsons...Mssrs. Fish and Taylor left us. Sat. 27
We st Y Crossed Powells mountain and lodged at Sanders mill 7 miles...Left
the surveyors coming on from Blackwater. On our route today passed
Daniel Flanarys on No. side of mulbery Gaup. Mulbery creek runs
down into Powels river between Powels mountain and Waldens Ridge.
Sun. 28 We measured the Cross line and found our course on
quarter too far to the So - Lodged at same place. Mon. 29
We rectified our course & still remained at Sanders.
December, 1802 Thurs. 2 Cleared up - We all sit out Crossed
Waldens Ridge and powells river near 3 miles above Martins Creek
- Lodged myself and Genl. Rutledge at James Overton near James's
salt lick. Fry. 3 We measured the cross line at James salt
lick Found ourselves with the line five poles too far So. Sat
4 rectified the line, and sit out run through the lick leaving
the pitt a few poles in Virginia....Myself and Genl. Rutledge retd.
to Overtons Tarried all night, as we had on Fryday night.... Sun.
5...We sit out from Mr. Overtons after brakfirst. Lodged all
night at Shadwilly (?).... Mon. 6 We sit out for Cumberland
Gaup.. Arrived about 8 o'clock at Colo. Charles Cocks. Stayed all
night.... Tues 7 Sit out again found the commissioners and
surveyors at William Robertsons, near the gaup. We took up Camp
here and lodged all night.... Wed. 8 Finished the line, which
struck the Caintucky line about one Quarter So. of the Gaup - this
day we made out our reports & exchanged on each side - Snowy
day and very cold Lodged at same place. Thurs. 9 Myself &
our Commisrs. and surveyors sit out for home. Very cold. Lodged
all night at Claibornes Court House. Fry. 10 We traveled
on to Gordon Beens old station.... Sat. 11 We again sit out
early in the morning - Lodgedall night at Crosses (Bulls Gap).....
Sun. 12 Set out early 18 miles to Babbs mill - 9 to Tho.
Gillespy 2 to Mr. Mcallisters & 4 home, which we arrived at
in the evening.......
December 1811 Sat. 21 Dined with President Madison, the guests
were the French minister -- the French Consul General, Vice President
Mr. Clay, the Speaker, Gov. Holmes, Judge Taylor, -- Cox, Mr. Tait
from Georgia, and others with General Granger &c.... February
1812 Fry 6.... Dined with President Sat 7... Stayed all
night at General Bailys Sun 22.... Wrote to Mrs. Sevier china water
& powder to blacken hair at John Scotts (Pha) (hair dresser
& perfumer). Fry Visited in the evening in Co. with Colo.
Smithe the Secretary of the Navy (Mr. Hamilton).... Sun 29...Wrote
to Mrs. Sevier Wt. to Catholic meeting...... Cure for Cancer. Boil
west Turkey figs in new milk which will thicken in boiling - apply
them broken or whole to the affected part which must be washed every
time dressed with sour milk. Use a fresh poultice night & morning
and oncst in the middle of the day, & drink one gill of the
mild the figs are boiled in twice in 24 hours.
April 1812 Sat. 4 Dined at Mr. Monroes Mon. 20 George
Clinton Vice President died this morning.
July 1813 Wed 4 very warm packing up to start for Tennessee.
Spent the evening at Mr. Davis's... thurs. 5... Mr. Rhea & myself
then left the city and went to Geotown in eveng.
August, 1813 Sun. 15 Cure for the rheumatism - make 1/4 poke
berry Juice, 3 parts whiskee or some other spirits.
Decembre 1814 Dec. 31 I went to the office of the Secretary
of State & deposited two deeds of release one for 40000 acres
of land in the bend of Tennessee - one track laying on limestone
creek, the other on Mulbery creek also one other of 10000 acres
on the Tennessee at the mouth of Blew water.
..Sat. 18 Dined with the President
June 1815 Tues 27 We wrote a letter to the Path killer &
chiefs of the Cherokees to meet us at this place on the 17th of
July. Wed. 28... The commission made a requisition on the
commanding officers of this place, Lieut. Pain & received 24
blankets, 24 soldiers shirts & 3 quires of coarse w. paper.
(Knoxville)............
Note:
John Sevier died in September 1815.
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