Finding Aid for the John Sevier Collection, 1782-1839
MS-1941University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, June 26, 2006.
Summary Information
John Sevier Collection
Date/Date Range : 1782-1839
1.5 linear feet
Abstract: The material, covering 1782-1839, contains letters and documents related to the War of 1812. Important correspondents include Lyman Draper, John Overton, William Blount, David Henley, and Return J. Meigs.
MS-1941
University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Access and Use
This collection is property of the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library.
Collection is open for research.
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
[Identification of Item], John Sevier Collection, MS-1941. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.
Arrangement
Collection consists of eighteen folders.
Biography / History
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 terms 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.
Collection Scope and Content Note
The material in this collection covers the time period starting in 1782 and ending in 1839 with a letter on Sevier from Lyman Draper to Sevier's son George Washington Sevier. Many of the items are documents, but there are an important series of letters on the War of 1812 written by Sevier to George Washington Sevier. Other correspondents of note are John Overton, William Blount, David Henley, and Return J. Meigs.
Subject Terms
- Blount, William, 1749-1800.
- Meigs, Return Jonathan, 1740-1823.
- Dearborn, Henry, 1751-1829.
- Overton, John, 1766-1833.
- Sevier, John, 1745-1815.
- United States -- History -- War of 1812.
- Governors -- Tennessee.
- Henley, David, 1749-1823.
Contents List
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1
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Item
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Doc. (manuscript); North Carolina. Signed John Sevier. To the Sheriff of Washington County. Writ to hold Samuel Davis to answer to charge of trespass filed by Matthew Tolbert. Contains clerk's notations, 1782
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2
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Item
1
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Doc. (manuscript); North Carolina. Signed by John Sevier. To the Sheriff of Washington County. Writ to hold James Ashmore and Heziciah Ashmore to answer charge of damages filed by William Trimble. Contains clerk's notations, 1783
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3
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Item
1
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Doc. (manuscript); North Carolina. Signed by John Sevier. To the Sheriff of Washington County. Writ to hold William Hall to answer charges of debt damage filed by William Trimble. Contains clerk's notations, 1784
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4
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Item
1
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Doc. (manuscript); Washington County Signed Hamilton All. Complaint of John Tadlock against Valentine Sevier . Relates to problems over the transfer of some notes. Contains clerk's notations, 1789
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5
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Item
1
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Doc. (part printed-part manuscript); Washington County. Signed John Sevier. Top part a summons for Michael Ingle. The bottom part a bail agreement for Michael Ingle signed by George Humphreys and John Tenbrocek, 1793
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6
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Item
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Doc. (part printed-part manuscript); Washington County. Signed by John Sevier and Andrew Carson. Indenture for the services of George Stout as an apprentice, 1794 November 18
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7
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Item
1
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Doc. (manuscript); Knoxville. Signed William Blount. Witnessed by Charles McClung. Authorization to David Henley to pay to William Rickard money for the troops of Col. James Ford's regiment under Sergt. John Cordery. Signed as received by William Rickard. Warrant Number 332, 1795 July 20
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7
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Item
2
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Doc. (manuscript); Knoxville. Signed William Blount. Witnessed by Charles McClung. Authorization to David Henley to pay to William Rickard money for the troops of Col. James Ford's regiment under Sergt. John Cordery. Signed as received by William Rickard. Warrant Number 333, 1795 July 20
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7
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Item
3
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Item 3: Doc. (part printed-part manuscript). Signed Richard Dobbs Spraight. Land grants to John Sevier for 640 acres in Green County. Signed on the back by Valentine Sevier, as clerk of Greene County on 22 September 1807. Contains attached land survey signed by George Gordon and Stockley Donelson, dated 10 May 1794, 1795 August 27
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8
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Item
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ALS; Knoxville. From William Blount. To John Sevier. Sends to Sevier some enclosures (not included) regarding the cutting of a road, 1796 March 30
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9
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Item
1
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Doc. (part printed-part); Washington County. Signed James Sevier. Writ to hold Nathan Shipley in regard a case brought by John Troy. Co-signed by George House and John Melvin. Signed also by witness John Aiken, 15 September 1803. Contains clerk's notations, 1803
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10
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Item
1
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Cover for a letter (not included) regarding the Indian lands. From John Sevier. To Col. Meigs, 1804 April 20
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11
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Item
1
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ALS; 12 August 1805; Knoxville, with cover letter. From John Sevier. To Col. Return Meigs. Refers to a letter from Col. Scott (not included). "(T)he Cherokee have committed a very daring insult, and... it can not be passed over in silence." Asks to have his letter placed "before the Chiefs.. in order that their answer may be obtained as speedily as possible," 1805 August 12
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11
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Item
2
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Doc. (manuscript); State of Tennessee. Extensive deposition of Jenkins Whiteside in his case against Joseph Jackson. Witnessed by Hugh Lawson White. Statement signed by John Sevier testifying that this document was witness by White while a judge of the Supreme Court and that he has ordered the state seal to be affixed to the document. Dated Knoxville, 2 November 1805. Witnessed by Wm. Macline, secretary, 1805 October 26
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12
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Item
1
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ALS; Knoxville. From John Sevier. To Col. Return J. Meigs. States glad that Meigs and Gen. Robertson agree "to the time of holding the treaty." States that they "shall not on the new arrangement be pestered with the Rabble part of the nation that at most other seasons would attend..." This should make a desirable saving in money. States that Meigs may arrange things to suit his convenience in regard the Kentucky Convention with the Chickasaws, as long as it does not conflict with the Knoxville meeting. Agrees with Meigs that procrastination would be a good strategy. Asks Meigs to send "some confidential person" to the meeting at Willstown. Says that he will "attend the Treaty in person," 1809 September 18
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13
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Item
1
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ALS; Raleigh. From Col. James Winston. To John Sevier. Discusses a Memorial in regard Sevier that Winston had had lain before the legislature of North Carolina. Refers to pistols presented to Sevier. Contains postscript in which Winston asks Sevier to present his complements to Gov. Shelby. Addressed to Sevier in Washington, 1812 December 23
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14
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Item
1
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ALS; Washington, with cover letter. From John Sevier. To George Washington Sevier. Discusses the bad news about Chesapeake and the Shannon. "Quantity of combustable matter thrown on board from the English ship, seting great part of our vessel in compleat flame..." Discusses the success of the Canadian campaign by the army. States that he misses home. Mentions that Alex Sevier was wounded in the arm in a duel in which he wounded his opponent "in the breast, but not to be mortal," 1813 June 11
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14
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Item
2
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ALS; Washington, with cover letter. From John Sevier. To George Washington Sevier. Discusses having taken GWS' advice and that of the Rhea in regard his land "in Overton and the affair of the Hill. They are laying every scheime in the their power to get that property out of my hands by some rouguish scheime or other..." Discusses British naval maneuvers along the coast. Discusses the success of American arms in Canada: "We have taken nearly every garrison and place of importance in the uper Canada..." Says that he has been working hard on the House Military Committee. Discusses the movements of various officers. Says that the President was not well and that he fears for the President's life, 1813 June 27
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15
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Item 1: ALS; 22 January 1815; Washington. From John Sevier. To George Washington Sevier. Advises son on the ulcer on his neck. Mentions the health and movements of Ma. McClellan. Discusses the bank bill and its utility for solving the nation's fiscal problems. Mentions the rumor that the British are to introduce black troops into the Southern States. Suggests that Col. Sparks and Rutha should "bring off their negroes & property as Quick as possible and while they can pass in safety through the Indian Country." Talks about his lawsuit at "Moablie" and giving William his power of attorney. Mentions Gen. Gains. Tells his son that it is unlikely that his regiment will be transferred. Says that the Secretary of War has been dangerously ill, which has had a negative impact on the department. States that he wishes Rhea to make some sales for him. States in postscript that coal is in such short supply in the capitol that unless he can get some coal from the Russian Ambassador he will not have any fire for the night, 1815 January 22
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15
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ALS; Nashville. From John Overton. To John Sevier. Discusses grounds in regard a lawsuit arising out Sevier's land speculations. Discusses in detail the importance of Landon Carter's signature for Sevier's defense, 1815 April 12
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16
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ALS; From Wm Lee. To George Washington Sevier. Dun for money the government claimed that John Sevier owed arising from his duties as Commissioner, during the exercise of which Sevier had died, 1820 June 8
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17
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ALS; Alexander, Genosee County, New York. From Lyman Draper. To George Washington Sevier. Thanks GWS for his help and asks for more. Says that "although a young man, I have paid no small attention to American biographical literature, and, finding it lamentably deficient, I formed the design of collecting the necessary materials and supplying this deficiency to the best of my ability." Discusses further himself and his work. Suggest the possibility of writing a biography of Sevier. Says that he has written Hugh Lawson White, as per GWS' suggestion, for a copy of his speech on the subtreasury. States that he has also written GWS' brother for information. Discusses some biographical questions relating to Sevier. Asks GWS "if you have any old letter of you father's, or any writing containing his signature, I should be thankful if you would enclose it," 1839 May 3
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18
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Item
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ALS; 10 June (?). From Return J. Meigs to Henry Dearborn. Letter to the Secretary of War from Meigs, an Indian agent, that he has, as authorized, drawn a sum of $500 in favor of Josiah Nichols. Marked copy. Notation on the recto that this letter is copied from page 5, undated
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