The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-21
JOHN SEWER

imposing ceremonies, In presence oil an
immense concourse OF people, some among
them being his own descendants, and
many the descendants OF those who fought
with him in all the ventures and adven-
lures that kept him in the field a success.
full soldier for nearly or quite twenty
years. Until Andrew Jackson succeeded
him as the first man in The State Sewer
was the most popular OF leaders. lie was
one Of the original settlersoi the Wautauga
Association, was the trusted commander
OF many expeditions against tho Indians,
who respected and finally conGded
in him, apd he commanded at Kings
Mountain the contingent Of mountaincers
who there won decisive battle and ended
the dreams OF the British for supremacy
In what they termed the Southern Dis.
trict lie was delegate to the Legisla-
ture Of North Carolina from Washington
County, ms the Wautauga settlement was
aiterward named, and he was Governor Of
the State OF Franklin, which he maintained
for four years In defiance OF the power OF
the mother State, and when at last the
State OF Tennessee was organized, lac be-
came lis first Governor, was reelected
twice and would have been continued in
that Office Tor life II no had consented and
the Constitution permitted. No man in
public life In Tennessee ever enjoyed a
greater measure OF popularity, and he de-
served II. For no man in tho history OF
the State has left higher reputation for
fidelity to public trusts aud seli-sacridcing
patriotism. lie was the father and one Of
the founders OF the State, and TO his latest
breath was beloved by tho people. John
SEWER, originally Xavier, Of llugucnot stock,
was born in Rockingham County, Va,
February 20, l7i5. Ills father, Valentine
Sovior, cmigratod 10 this country from
London about l7i0 John was educated
until he was sixteen years OF age at the
academy in Fredericksburg, Va lie
married at the age Of seventeen, and
founded the village OF Newmarket, In the
valley OF the Shenandoah. lilo then be.
came celebrated Us an Indian fighter, was
a victor In many battles with the neigh
boring tribes, and in l772 was APP
pointed captain in the Virginia Line. In
the spring Of that year lac removed TO wau-
tauga, aud became one Of the principle
mon in the colony. When the war against
the Shawnee and other tribes began In
liza he resumed his rank In tho Virginia
Line. served Throughout, the campaign.
aud, on tho 10th Of October, IVA, took
part In the battle OF Point Pleasant At
the beginning Of the Revolution no drew
up the memorial Of the citizens Of wau-
tauga TO the North Carolina Legisla-
ture, asking TO DO annexed 10 that col.
ony, that they might aid In tho un-
happy contest and bear their full
proportion OF the expenses Of the war"
Their petition was granted, aud the whole
of what Is now the State OF Tennessee was
organized into a county Of North Carolina,
then known rs Washington District So
vior was chosen a delegate 10 the State
Convention, and In tho "Dcclaraiion OF
Rights" introduced n clause defining the
limits Of the State, using this language:
THAT Il shall not DO so construed as TO
prevent the establishment Of ono or moro
Governments westward OF this State by
consent Of the Legislature showing that
no had already in his mind tho establish.
mcnt Of a separate commonwealth beyond
tlfo Allcghonics. With Col. Isaac Shelby,
In 1850. he planned the battle Of Kings
Mountain. which ho was mainly inslru-
mental In winning forthis service horo-
ccivcd a sword and pistols from the North
Carolina legislature Aitsrhis third term
as Governor ho was elected 10 Congress,
where he served two tcrmsand was elected
for thrd term In 1915, but died
In Alabama before entering upon H. lie
died while crossing the Tallapoosa river
on his return TO old Fort Decatur. whore
he had gone 10 mako treaty with tho
Greeks ~ n commissioner authorized for
that purpose by Gen. Andrew Jackson,
whose fame then '.hllcd the land" rs the
hero OF New Orleans lie was buried
near the fort, In Macon County, and there
be has lain Tor scycnty-hyc ycan and
until the i7th inst, when his remains
were oxhumed and removed 10 their final
resting place At Knoxville, amidst the
scenes Of bis contests and Of his labors 10
found great commonwealth. Il Is con-
tcmplatcd 10 build monument 10 his
memory. Tho people Of tho whole State
should make this 4 work Of love. II
should be erected on a commanding omi-
ncnoe near Knoxville, overlooking tho
valley where ho 20 often led his fellow
settlers 10 victory aud whore he helped 10
consummaie on an enduring basis the
civil policy by which Tennessee has been