Title: Morris Shean/Tennessee Militia Documents

Date/Date Range :   1793-1794

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

Collection consists of four early militia documents from the Nashville area. Dated 1793 and 1794, the documents record the actions of Morris Shean, a soldier in "Captain Joseph McElwrath's Company of Militia."

Call number: MS-2808

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

Aquisition Information:

Special Collections purchased item on June 2, 2006

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], Morris Shean/Tennessee Militia Documents, MS-2808. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

Ephraim Maclean, born in 1730, married Elizabeth Davidson -- daughter for John Davidson, one of the founders of Nashville. Maclean was active in the government of Davidson County as one of the organizers of Davidson County and as treasurer of of the First Board of Trustees of the academy. In 1784 Maclean served as the tax collector for the county. He died in 1823 at the age of 93. Ephraim and Elizabeth had twelve children.

This folder contains four early militia documents on two sheets of paper from Nashville area dated 1793 and 1794. The first document -- dated July 23, 1793 -- reads in part, "I Morris Shean do hereby constitute and appoint Sampson William of Davidson County my Lawful Attorney to receive for me and my use of the Paymaster of the Militia of the Territory aforesaid, or of such person as shall be authorized to pay them for their services, the sum of three dollars and ten cents, being the pay due to me for my services performed in Captain Joseph McElwrath's Company of Militia, as appears by the annexed exchange." The document on the backside reads, "Territory South of the Ohio Davidson County, I a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, do certify that the subscriber to the within power of attorney acknowledged the executor thereof before me. Given under my hand and seal the 23rd day of July. I certify that Morris Shean is not entered on McElwrath's muster rolls for the 5 March to the 5 April 1793..."

The second group of documents are printed on opposite sides of the same sheet of paper and both concern Morris Shean. The first is signed by Ephraim Maclean; Maclean's father-in-law was John Davidson, one of the founders of the Nashville area. The document states, "I Ephraim Maclean, an insign in Captain Joseph MacElwrath's Company of Infantry of Davidson County, do certify that Morris Shean hath performed as a private a tour of duty in said Company for the protection of the frontier of...destruct from the 5th of March until the 5th of April. Insuing both days included given under my hand at Nashville this 5th day of April 1793." The other document is signed by "Joseph McElwrath Capt" and reads, "This may certify that the within mentioned Morris Shean served a Tour of duty under me from the 5th of March 1793 to the 5th of April ensuing and if he is not returned in the muster roll already is owing to a mistake in making out the rolls..."

• Tennessee -- Militia -- History -- 18th century.
• Tennessee -- History, Military.
• Davidson County (Tenn.) -- History.