The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-12-06

NANS A>S oolIS III
- justice to North Caro-
ina and TO North C~arolinians OF that
period.
The following history OF the State
of Franklin has been collated from
the m~awnuscript OF the second volume
If Ashes History Of North Carolina.
with a brief statement Of facts drawn
from the first volume.
The king having directed that a line
should be established separating the
Indian hunting grounds from the ter
ritOry tina was to be open for set
tlement. Governor Tryon established
this line for North Carolina. running
from Tryon Mountain north along the
Blue Ridge 70 the Virginia boundary.
But notwithstanding the prohibition
against crossing that line, some ad-
genturous persons settled beyond the
mountains. In 1875, after the Declara-
ton of Independence and when the
ndian were preparing to attack the
Western settlers, the inhabitants Of
WASHINGTON District sent a petition
b the Council of North Carolina, in
which they stated that about 1870
Colonel Donelson, in behalf OF colon
lists from Virginia, had bought some
territory on the waters OF the Wa
tauga from the Indians: and these pc
toner had made locations supposins
themselves within that purchase: but
ri proving that they were outside Of
it, they had themselves made a pur-
chase from the Indians which extended
30 the French Broad river. For the
mai~ntainance Of order they had estab-
3tshed a court, taking the Virginia
laws for government. IheF now, an
der tine name Of washington Dis
&rict." desired to be annexed TO North
Carolina as a county or district. the
Council recommended that they should
elect ber3 to attend the State
Congress when it should meet, which
they did as a county Of the State.
The line between North Carolina and
Virginia had been run to the noun
tains, and now ut was further ex-
tended, dividing the Washington settle
ment from that in Virginia. The Coun-
~ was annexed to the Salisbury Judicial
District, surveyors and other officers
were appointed and the settlers took
OH. grants from the State. The next
Assembly divided the county, calling
the northern portion Sullivan. Three
years later. when Morgan District was
established. these trans-mountain
counties were assigned to that district
and it was required Of the judges that
one Of them should hold a superior
Court twice a year at JonesbOrO.
In the meantifne a settlement had
been made in Kentucky, and in 1779
James Robertson penetrated far into
the wilderness and established a camp
at q salt lick on the Cumberland
separated by impossible mountains
eroyo Nacbfnc rtnp rHInty npra 90
cupied by French traders as a station,
Ii was commonly known rs French
Lick" The following year others pass
ed in boats down the Tennessee to
the Ohio. and hen ~ascended the Cum
beriand to Robertson's cabin. The call
OF the West appealed to many adven-
turous spirits: and although much a
raised by the Indians. the settlement
so increased in numbers that in 49,
the North Carolina Assembly lncorpo-
rated that egton into q county cali
ing it Davidson. and naming the coun-
ty seat Nashville. And agar It was
found necessary to divide washington
county, the western portion being
named in compliment to General
Greene.
At the same time the Assembly made
some provision for the soldiers now
returning to their homes, wearing the
laurel leaves of victory. There was
set aside, as a bounty for the veterans
Of the war, an extensive domain from
the point wher the Cumberland river
crossed the Virginia line. south fifty
five miles, then westward to the Ten
r,essee; and Martin Armstrong was ap-
pointed the surveyor to locate their
grants, while a board OF COMMISSION
ers adjusted their accounts to be paid
BY the Treasurer.
ON the east of the Cumberland
Eoountains, in the valley OF Powell
river. IN ex~tinguishment Of their
claims for land purchased from the
indians, more than two hundred thou