Title: John Sevier Letters

Date/Date Range :   1778-1809

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection includes letters from John Sevier to Colonels Henley and Meigs dated from 1778-1809.

Call number: MS-368

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection is property of Special Collections.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], John Sevier Letters, MS-368. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

John Sevier was an early American soldier and statesman. As a soldier he fought some thirty-five battles or skirmishes, including the controversial Battle of Kings Mountain. His political career started as a representative to the Provincial Congress during the Revolutionary War. He helped organize the State of Franklin, which collapsed after a battle between his faction and the opposing Tipton Family faction in February 1788. This battle tarnished his reputation and, after his arrest for taking part in a brawl in 1788, he fled to hide in the mountains. His way back to political respectability was by strongly supporting the ratification of the national Constitution. In 1789 he was pardoned upon election to the North Carolina Senate. Also, in 1789, Sevier was elected to Congress for the 1789-1791 term as the representative of North Carolina's Western district.

With the cession of western lands to the Federal government, Sevier became active in the politics of the new territory, serving in the Territory's legislative council. With statehood in 1796, Sevier became the first governor of Tennessee. For 1796-1801 he served three consecutive terms and returned to the position two years later for three more terms in office 1803-1809. In 1809 he was elected to the state Senate and in 1811 he was again elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Here he served, until he died in 1815, while on a mission to survey the boundary of the Indian peace treaty.

This collection includes letters from John Sevier to Colonels Henley and Meigs dated from 1778-1809. See also: MS 1941 and MS 1782.

• Tennessee -- History.
• Sevier, John, 1745-1815.