User:Shoaler/founding

The city of Nashville, Tennessee was founded in the winter of 1779-80 by families of the Watauga Association (sometimes called the Republic of Watauga) in North Carolina (now East Tennessee). There were two parties that made this journey: a small one of just men under the leadership of James Robertson traveling overland, and a much larger group of men, women and children led by John Donelson making the journey by river boats.

The Robertson Party
The overland party consisted of: James Robertson, William Neely, George Freeland, Edward Swanson, James Hanley, Mark Robertson, Zachariah White, William Overhall (also spelled Overall) and a slave whose name is unknown.

The Donelson Party
The Donelson party had 200 to 300 persons. Known are: John Donelson, Sr, Rachel Stockley Donelson, Rachel Donelson, 3 sisters, John Donelson Jr. & family, William Donelson, Jacob Donelson, Severn Donelson, Leven Donelson, Samuel Donelson, Abel Gower Sr. & wife, Abel Gower Jr., Nancy Gower, Mr. Stuart, Reuben Harrison, Frank Haynie (also spelled Haney), Thomas Henry, Capt. Jno. Blackmore (also spelled Blackemore and Blackamore), Maj. John Cockrill Jr., John Gibson, Andrew Lucas, Susan Drake, Frederick Stump, Ann S. Stump, Frederick Stump, Jr.; M. Rounsever [also spelled Rounsifer and Rounsaval] & family, Ann Robertson Johnson (widow), 3 daughters; William Crutchfield & family; Robert Cartwright & family; Jonathan Jennings & family; Francis [also listed as Frank] Armstrong & family; James Johns, Sr. & family; Benjamin Porter & family; Solomon Temple & family; John Montgomery & family; Jesse Maxwell & family; John Caffrey & family; Mary Purnell & family; Haydon Wells; Amos Eaton; Thomas Hutchings; Benjamin Belew; Peter Looney [also spelled Luney]; Hugh Rogan; Daniel Givin; Charlotte Robertson [pictured at right]  & family, John White; Solomon White; Sol. Turpin; Joseph Renfroe & family; Moses Renfroe & family; Isaac Neely & family; John Cotton & family; Isaac Lanier & family; Mary Henry & family; James Cain & family; John Boyd & family; Daniel Dunham & family.