Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-18


monument consists of beautiful marble shaft mounted upon
pynth the shaft illustrated with very striking and ap
propae design neatly carved out Of solid MARBLE represent
ing swords crossed, sumouned by wreath, and be-
meath Indian omahawk and quver Of arrows, embemaic
of the triumph Of under the heroic auspices of Gen.
Sever and the blessings Of peace and the Of civilization
succeeding the bloody and Proacted Indian which illus
ate the early history Of State in which be acted most
arduous, responsible, and distinguished part Underneath
this beautiful and appropriate device the following in
scription 3#
Noble and successful Defender the early settlers of Ten
nessee;
The FIRST and
For twelve years Governors
Representative in Congress;
Commissioner in many treaties with the Indians.
He served his country faithfully for forty years. and in that
service died.
An admrer of patriotism and merit unrequted this
cenotsph.
History has been strangely negectfu Of the memory Of
this, Of the most distinguished pioneers of State,
whose early annals adorned by the his prowes
in and his wisdom civilian His remains lie bu
red in neghboring State, where he died than thirty
years sgo in the service Of his country without stone
mark the place of their repose, enclosure protect
them from unhallowed intrusion. But glad to see
that amends about to be made for the injustice of
the past This monument to his memory is erected in the
Nashville cemetery to the left Of the gate, inside the
northern encosurea worthy tribute Of individual munif
cence and patriotism merit unrequted" We learn
also that work nearly ready for the press by mem
Der the State Historical Society entitled the Life and
Times of Gen. John Sevie incidents in the early settle
Of East Tennessee" A gentleman familiar with his
history has favored with the following brief biographical
SKETCH which fail be read with lively interest
Should not the State of Tennessee take early oppouni
ty give enduring mark Of her grateful appreciation
of whose labos services and sacrifices she is SO
much indebted
Gen SEWER descended from an sncien. family in France
whose Xavier and bis own uniform bold, and
unique signature something like that orthography The
chrogaphy specimen beautiful and curious His fa.her
Valentine Xavier, was born In London, and emgraed
America the first part Of the last cenurysetted the
Shenandoah, in Virginia, where John Sewer born about
l74O.
When but young he married Miss Hawkins, by
whom he had six children
With exploring and emigrating party he came to the
Hoston Tin East Tennessee then part of North Caro-
na about 1862 He directed and aided in the construction
of the first fort on the Wauga river, where his father his
brother Valentine himself and others settled Whilst in de-
fence of the Waauga fort in conjunction with Capt, James
Robertson ESQ avoaby distinguished in early Middle Ten
nessee history he discovered young lady OF tall and
stature coming with the feetness Of the towards the fort
closely pursued by Indians and her approach the gate
cut off by the enemy who doubtless confident of cap
tive Of victim to their guns and but turning sud
denly she euded her pursue and eaped the palisades
another point, and fell into the of Capt John Sewer
This remarkably active and resoute Miss Ca
Harine Sheriff. who, in few years sfer this sudden leap
into the of the Captain, became the devoted wife of the
Colonel ard the bosom companion Of the General the Gov
ernor the Peoples man. and he Patriot JoHs SEyIER and
the mother of ten children, who could rise up and call her
blessed
Captain Sewers frs. wife, being delicate never moved
from Eastern Virginia. but died there after the birth Of
her sixth child.
During Sew tn his in
more, the Governor Of Virginia, then fitting exped
ton against the Shawnees and other tribes north of the Ohio
river presented to Sewer the commission Of captain,
mand company raised under his eye and in the
county of Dunmoe This expedition ended with the peri
lous and fearful battle Of Point Pleasant where James Robert
and Valentine Sewer entitled themselves much honor
and acknowledgements
The settlers the Holston, Waauga and Nolachucka
beyond the influence and power of the Stale laws and
Executive officers Of North Carolina, and therefore, wise
men, who knew the advantage Of laws and officers acknow-
lodged as authoritative, they in l772, adopted form Of
government called the "Watauga Government" and they
elected John Sewer of four delegates convention
at Halifax North Carolina He attended session Of the
General Assembly, and in 777 procured the establishment
of district and the extension Of State laws establishment
courts, &c The patriotic sentiments Of the
ed in the selection Of the for this district where he had
his lot and where the bold and hardy pioneers with
whom he associated. This " Washington District,
North Carolina The people had enjoyed tie advantages
their ncboae and infsn government Of Watauga from l772
to this date, and had accomplished many things worthy
note. They opened paths the mountains eed the
forests opened fields built forts and houses subdued the
EARTH, and began rapidly to "replenish it" for they
Ied, and given to marriage y and the State of North
Carolina, some years afterwards deemed good opportunity
presented for her gain the credit of supereroga
uon and passed laws 10 confirm marriages and other deeds
and dolngs of these uayward children in the woods
In June, l776, "Od Abraham in command Of a band
oil Cherokees from Chlhowee mountains attacked the Wa
tanga Fort commanded by Sewer and Robertson and
the best iea performed he chased the ovey Cathane
Inc captains and have heard her say she used
feel ready have another such race and leap over the pick
cts 10 ENJOY another such introduction.
On This same day fought the battle Of the Flats Other
sklrmishes occurred here and there different times.
Capt sewer was actively engaged the expedition Of Col
Chnstan, ordered out by Vgins and joined the Virginia
troops Double springs and be neglected opportunity
pursue the Indians chasse them any Of their insults
or ouuages. He promptly united with others without enyv
jealousy reservation and he readily fitted ont
dtons from bis neghborhoods with his own means
without boastpg without fear, and with nepey failure In
1777 be made lieutenant colonel.
In 1878 il is probable that his first wife died for in l779
we relieve, be married Miss Sheriff. Of whom il IL
truly and handsomely said, "she could ou,run out,mp
walk erect, and ride gracefully .klfuIy ,ban
any other female all the mountains round about or on the
continent at large"
10 1879 Capt Sewer raised troops entered the Indian ter
rtoy burnt their towns made prisoners and fought the
cessfu battle Of 90 Boyd's Creek I" aHefsr
few days after the battle Of Boyd's Creek Col Sewer
was joined by Col Arthur Campbell with Virginia regiment
and BY Col Isaac Shelby with his troops from Sullivan
, North Carolina, and these three colones in harmony
secured the Cherokee country scattered hostile bands de-
sroyed The bones Of the Indians and then returned TO the
own IN better security and confidence Of peace
l1sO Tins was the critical year Of the American Revolu
honcsrtsiny regarded Southern State Charles
ton surrendered Gates defeated revercs here and there
IL