The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-05-13

escutchconed armorials Of a splendid an
cestry, but what was far more valuable,
Il sound mind, a robust frame, a love of
virtue and an emulous desire for hon.
est fame"
The settlers thought they had set
tied upon the lands of the mother state,
Virginia, and when the survey was
made and they found themselves upon
the territory of North Carolina, they
were deeply chagrined and regarded
North Carolina as a stepmother, which
relation North Carolina ever after
wards justified by her parsimonious
and neglectful treatment. Robertson
was the leading spirit of the colony, and
he was soon looked up to as their leader.
New immigrants were fast arriving,
and the colony enjoyed two years of
peace, comfort and security. They were
the outposts of civilization, and how this
handful of people escaped extermina-
ton at the hands of the Indians is one
of the miracles of history. In 17T2,
nearly two years after Robertson had
led the colony over the mountains,
there rode up to his cabin one day a
young man 26 years of age, two years
younger than he.
The personal appearance of this man
was so marked that it would have been
observed anywhere. His carriage was
erect, his movements quick and ener-
getic. and his bearing peculiarly COM
handing.
He had light hair, large dark blue
eyes, singularly expressive of good feel
ing and fearlessness. but the most at
tractive part about him was the strong
blending of unconscious dignity with
an overfowing good feeling that drew
everyone irresistibly to him.
This was John Sewer, destined to be-
come the greatest character of early
Tennessee history. The ancestors Of
Sewer were French Huguenots. His
father immigrated to America in 174O
and settled in Virginia, from which
state he followed his son to Watauga.
In 1772 the inhabitants of Watauga
had become so numerous that it be-
came necessary for them to exercise
the divine right of self government
Accordingly they formed an associa-
ton called the Watauga association,
/ A committee was formed, composed
of 10, who had the management of gen.
eral affairs. This committee appoint
cd another committee of five, who COM
posed the tribunal, who were the
| Judges of the law. This last commit
tee was composed of John Sewer, James
Robertson, Charles Robertson, John
Carter and lack Taylor
Indian wars and depredations soon
broke out upon the settlements and
continued now and then until after
Tennessee's admission TO the union. In
all of these wars JOIN Sewer was the
leader. and his name soon became a
terror to the savages.
Sewers tactics were to carry the
war into the enemy's country. He was
without doubt the most successful In
dian fighter who ever lived. and wher.
ever "Nolchucky Jack" as he was ia.
miliarly known. lead the unerring
Watauga riflemen, victory was sure to
follow.
In 1176 the Inhabitants of Wataug;
petitioned and were annexed to NORTH
Carolina as Washington district" In
1777 Washington district was formed
into Washington county. North Caro-
lima, which embraced the whole of tn,
present state of Tennessee.
Soon after this a party IF adven
turers from Watauga. at the head Of
whom was James Robertson. crossed
the Cumberland mountains and pitched
their tents near the French Lick. anC
planted a field Of corn where now
stands the present city .: Nashville.