Title: William Conner Letter

Date/Date Range :   1837 October 25

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

In an October 25, 1837 letter to J.W. Campbell in Jackson, TN, General William Conner, a promoter for the town of Ashport on the Mississippi River, writes of the town's success and future growth. He also tells of finding Native American remains.

Call number: MS-2236

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

Aquisition Information:

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in February 2005.

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], William Conner Letter, MS-2236. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

General William Conner was one of the earliest settlers and a merchant in Brownsville, TN in Haywood County. After moving to Tennessee from Culpeper County, VA, Conner was a promoter for the town of Ashport on the Mississippi River (Lauderdale County, TN).

In an October 25, 1837 letter to J.W. Campbell of Jackson, TN, General William Conner writes of town of Ashport, for which he was a promoter. Having just returned from the town, Conner notes that "the place is really becoming to be very public. I was constantly passing waggons [sic] & horsemen from steam boats stopped whilst I was there." He also speaks of Mr. Patton who has invested in the town, saying his "prompt measures in relation to building will be not only very fortunate for himself but for us also."

Conner closes the letter with a description of finding Native American remains. He says, "My waggon [sic] has this moment returned from the bottom and brought an entire human skull with all the teeth &c. I will keep it for the inspection of some Antiquarian. Perhaps Doctor Forrest could tell to what nation it belongs. Your brothers hands are digging up a number of skeletons. The teeth are very rarely missing & seem to be sufficiently sound in some instances to be used by a dentist."

• Indians of North America -- Tennessee -- History.
• Ashport (Tenn.)