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Washington Co. Tennessee Marriages and Wills Vol. 1 1778 - 1820.
p-58 source p-54 original.
Reuben Payne witness to John Wear, Washington Co. Tn. Benefactors wife Agnes; (The lineage of John Wear's wife Agnes Blackburn)
Children, Nancy, Phebe, Susannah, Betsy, Jane, George, Hugh, Margaret Cunningham, Margaret Wilson, Benjamin. Exc: Agnes Wear, Benjamin Wear, John Wilson.
Wit: Reuben Payne, Allen Mathew, Pro. Aug 1800.
Signed John Weir.
This John Wear is evidently the son of Hugh Wear and Margaret.
Another John Wear was on the roster of soldiers of King's Mountain. He was on the First Tax List for the County of Greene, State of Tennessee, 1783 and was a signer of the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Western Country for the formation of the State of Franklin, December, 1787. This was the son of Robert Wear and Rebecca Carrell

Deed Book A Volume 11 Page 241 - 242
John Sevier Sr. to John Handley, 300 acres on Nolochucky River
This indenture made this eigth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninty seven between John Sevier, Gov. of the manifest State of Tennessee and County of Washington of the first part and John Handley of the same County and State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John Sevier Senr. for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds to him in hand paid the Culpt whereof is handly acknowledges haveing ????? and sold and by these presents to ???? and sells unto the said John Handly his heirs and assigns forever all that tract of land lying and being in said County of Washington on the south side of Nolochucky River, ???? the primeises whereon said Handly now lies and bounded as follows. Beginning at a stake on the mountain then north fifty west one hundred and fifty poles to stake on the White Oak and Sour Wood. Then north seventy west one hundred poles to a Sycamore on the River bank. Then down the River as it meanders including an island one hundred and thirty poles to a Sycamore then Clarks corner then with his line south twenty eight east sixty four poles to hickory, then south one hundred fifty poles to a Red Oak then east one hundred poles to maple and bush near Clarks Creek, then north one hundred and fifty poles to a stake. Then a direct line to the beginning. Containing three hundred acres to have and to hold unto the said John Handley his heirs and assigns forever all the aforementioned land and premises against myself my heirs Executor or administrators and against all and every other person or persons having any lawfull claims unto the aforesaid lands and premisises. In witnesses whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written. Signed and Acknowledged in the presents of
Reuben Payne
John Sevier
James Handley
Washington County               John Sevier              February 1807.
This deed was proven in Court and registered ??? it be recored. Test John Sevier (signature)
State of Tennessee Washington County April 6 day, 1807
This was the written deed with the certificate registered in registers office Washington County in Book M. page 241.
John Adams             County Register 

Deed Book 11 Reg 1806-1808. p-241 August 8, 1797
John Sevier/Sevier Senr. to John Handley 300 Acres on the south side of Nolechucky River, including the land where Handley now lives CONS: 200 lbs. ADJ: Wm Clark Sig: John Sevier WIT: Rueben Payne, James Henley, Jas. Sevier. CT: Feb 1807 REG: 6 April, 1807.
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Preface to the book by Dr. Lucille Dillenger Alexander, Jones and Payne families of Sullivan Co., Mo.

My Grandmother was born Amanda Augusta Jones; her father was John Harvey Jones; his father was Ezekiel Jones, and that's as far as we go.   Because Jones is such a common name, it is difficult to research. Ezekiel was born in Tennessee in 1814 and apparently moved to Monroe County, Kentucky about 1820. (Land bought before 1820 would be listed in Barren Co., KY). There was many Jones families in Tennessee and many in Monroe Co, Ky, but it seems impossible to be sure which is his family. Ezekiel's wife, Nancy Payne, was the daughter of Daniel Payne (son of Reuben Payne). I have concentrated mostly on Sullivan Co., TN and Washington Co., TN, as those were the TN counties that Nancy's family was apparently in. In the Monroe Co., census, Daniel and his sons appear. Also Wm. Braden, Nancy's first husband appears in 1830. There were several Jones families near Daniel Payne and his sons and near William Braden. Nancy and Ezekiel were apparently married about 1836. It is usually the neighboring families who provide the spouses. Also it is sometimes fruitful to search the childrens's names. Children of Ezekiel and Nancy were John Harvey Jones, Sanford Payne Jones, Martha Ellendar Jones, and James King (or Knox) Polk.

The following is the orginial transcription of the deed refered to in the Reuben Payne & Samuel Gamble deed of 1803. There was a Thomas Payne also was sold land on the same day in 1784. Thought there could have been a connection but apparently not.
Old Book A page 258 State of North Carolina No. 517
To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting:
Know ye that we for and in consideration of the sum of fifty shillings for every Hundred acres hereby Grated paid unto our Treasury by Elijah Owens have given and Granted and by these presents are give and grants the said Elijah Owens a tract of land containing two hundred acres lying and being in our County of Washington on Sinking Creek Including big spring. Beginning at a white oak tree thence on a dividing line between this survey and a survey former by John Edmond now belonging to the said Owens, North sixty eight degrees west one hundred and six poles to a white oak thence on said dividing line North Eighty six degrees west seventy six poles crossing said creek to a white oak tree on Nicholas Halls line then on said Halls line north one hundred and eight poles to ?? Fords corner red oak which was formerly Johnstons. Then on said Fords line east eighty two poles crossing said creek to said Fords corner locust sapling then East Hundred and sixty two poles to a white oak tree then south one hundred and fifty poles to a stake then west sixty eight poles to the beginning as by the plat hereunto annexed doth appear together with all woods waters mines minerals Here delemants and Appedudagces to the said land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said Elijah Owens and his heirs and assigns forever yielding and paying to us such sums of money yearly or otherwise as our general assembly from time to time may direct provided always that the said Elijah Owens shall cause this Grant to be registered in the registers office of our said County of Washington within twelve months from the date here of otherwise the same shall be void and of no effect in testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent and our Great Seal to be here unto affixed.
Witness Alexander Martin Esq our Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief at Newbern the tenth day of November in the ninth year of our Independence and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Eighty four
By his Excellency Command T Glasgow, Secretary Alex Martin                   Return to Top

This Nathan Shipley was on several documents with Reubin Payne in Washington County near the turn of the 19th century. He also had a son Nathan who was a surveyor. He was Witness of the will of Isaac White on May 5, 1819, and recorded in Will Book 1, page 124. William White's wife was a Sarah Lawson. Richard Daniel to Jacob Robertson deed to lands described as lying on Kendrick's Creek, Richard Daniel. In presence of Nathan Shipley, William Kincheloe and John Brown, Feb. 13, 1824, Book 17, pg 388.

Also in the Will of Rev. Jonathan Mulkey, Washington Co. Will Bk 1, page 180 dated Aug 3rd, 1836 "Executors: "My friend Nathan Shipley and sons in laws William Slaughter and John Murray".

In Tennessee Cousins by Rhea it says: The Nathan Shipley family came from Baltimore, Maryland, to Washington County, Tennessee. Nathan was a member of the Legislature and a surveyor of Washington County for several years. He was the father of Enoch Shipley, born in Washington County, who had a son Nathan Shipley who married Mary Jones, daughter of a John Jones. This Nathan was born in Washington County in 1822. He and his wife Mary had a son Elbert A. Shipley born Feb. 18, 1849.
"The Over Mountain Men" by Pat Alderman
This regards the Indian Wars that took place about the years 1792. Captain Samuel Handley had been sent by Governor Blount, with a company of 42 men, to assist in the defense of Nashville. As the company approached the spring, they were met with heavy fire from the concealed warriors. Some of the unseasoned militia ran when this ambush caught them unprepared for a fight. Several horses were shot, one belonging to Leiper. Captain Handley went to his rescue and his own horse was shot from beneath him. He was captured and forced to watch while the savages brutally murdered and scalped Leiper. Handley's capture was a great event as he was one of their most wanted whites. Handley had served, as Colonel John Sevier's aid, on many Indian campaigns. This made him a marked man in Indian country. The Captain was taken to Willstown, home of Chief John Watts. The Chief was at home recovering from the serious wounds received at Buchanan's Station. A Council of the Chieftains was held and lasted three days. Handley, condemned to death by fire, was made to run the gauntlet before being tied to the stake. Severe injuries received in this ritual caused the death-by-fire ceremony to be postponed until the Captain recovered enough to stand up. Again all was prepared for the fire death. Handley was tied to the stake, insulted, and objects of filth were thrown into his face by the squaws. The fire was lighted and Handley, hoping to taunt the warriors into shooting him, called them old women, cowards and every insult thinkable. This had no effect; the fire burned on. A sudden thunderstorm and a heavy downpour of rain put out the fire, causing the second postponement. When the weather cleared, Captain Handley was again tied to the stake for execution. The fagots were lighted around the bound man. Chief Watts, now able to leave his couch, came outside to witness the death ceremony. Handley began to talk to Watts.
Here is a quote from Brown's "Old Frontiers."
"You are a brave Chief, and the white men love a brave man, and all of them love John Watts. They regret they must fight him. I am John Sevier's aid and he often talks of the brave Chief Watts. But you have a cowardly set of warriors. They are old women; if they were not they would shoot a warrior." Watts, greatly moved, had Handley released and took him by the hand. Other headmen followed his example. Watts took Handley home with him, where he was fed, clothed and made a member of the Wolf Clan. Colonel Sevier wrote Watts that if Handley were injured by any torture, he would treat his Indian captives in the same manner. Handley was allowed to write a letter to Colonel James Scott. Watts, himself, wrote a message to Governor Blount. A messenger took the two letters for delivery December 10, 1792. Captain Handley returned to Knoxville, January 24, 1793. He was accompanied by Middlestriker, Candy and eight warriors. Governor Blount received the group with proper ceremony and gave presents to each, consisting of a blanket, shirt, leggings, flap and match coat. Captain Handley's hair had turned white during the three months of captivity. He advised the Governor that Watts wanted peace with the Holston-Nolichucky settlements, but the Cumberland imposters must be removed of destroyed. This was but a tactful lie by Watts. 

The lineage:                                                                                          Return to Top
William and Margaret HANDLEY branches:
Samuel Handly born ca. 17 Sep 1751-1752 in Virginia; died 4 Aug 1840 in Belvidere, Franklin Co. TN; married 1. Mary Adams 2 Susanna Cowan on 4 Feb 1782 in South Carolina.
Parents of Samuel were: William Handley born in VA and Margaret.
Known children: by second marriage:
Sarah "Sallie" Handley born in 1783 in TN
John Handley born 22 Feb 1786
Robert Cowan Handly born 6 July 1792 Washington Co, TN
William Claiborn Handly born 25 July 1803
Samuel Handly, Jr.
Betsy Handly
Mary Handly 
John and Grizel HANDLEY branches:
There was another Handley connection to East Tennessee, John Handley born ca 1752 in Augusta County , Va who married Sarah Campbell had a daughter Mary "Polly" Handley that married Fountain Livesay, son of Thomas Livesay and Margaret Walton.    Fountain Livesay would have been cousin to all the Livesay's later found in Hawkins and Hancock County Tenn.

Continued in the book; "The Overmountain Men, Battle of King's Mountain, Cumberland Decade, State of Franklin, Southwest Territory" by Pat Alderman, The Overmountain Press, Johnston City, Tennessee Reprinted 1986.
In 1784, Sullivan, Greene, and Washington counties formed a provisional State of Franklin in a move to secede from North Carolina. In 1785, Caswell, Sevier, Spencer and Wayne counties were created by the State of Franklin, in addition to Sullivan, Greene, and Washington. In 1788, Caswell, Sevier, Spencer, and Wayne counties were abolished. The area reverted to Hawkins, Sullivan, Greene, and Washington counties. In 1790, North Carolina ceded the Western Region (as immediately above, and it was organized as the Territory South of the Ohio River. Tennessee frontier falls after the start of American Revolution. The Tennessee Valley Frontier is an extention of Va frontier. Shennandoah Valley frontier belongs to later times. Washington district frontier differed from Maryland frontier. Four counties in NE Tn that make up Washington District Mero District is middle TN near Nashville. Seven Counties of the Southwest District. 1791 Hawkins Sullivan, Greene and Washigton. The Washington district was settled 10 years earlier than Mero District. The Wilderness Road was main source of travel for Washington district. River travel was main source for Mero District.

David Deadrick came to Jonesboro from Winchester, VA, in 1783 and soon opened a general store on Main Street, corner to Cherokee, and built his residence on the hill behind it.

By 1792, Nathaniel and Samuel Cowan advertised "for sale in their stores in Knoxville and Jonesborough a large, and general assortment of merchandise" while Samuel May must have given up storekeeping.

First Bank of Tennessee was chartered in 1811but was not opened for business until 1818. The bank had a Jonesboro branch. Hugh L. White, of Knoxville, was President, with Jas. V. Anderson local cashier.

Jonesborough: The First Century of Tennessee's First Town, Paul M. Fink, Washington Co. Historian. P.210-211

In 1790, when Samuel Doak and Hezekiah Balch organized Hebron Presbyterian Church with about 15 members, services for some time were held in the homes of some of the Elders. Before long, a log meeting house was built on the property of John McMahon, a building that was at times used for school purposes as well. On some occasions services were also held in the courthouse in Jonesboro.

Under various ministers, Hebron struggled along for a decade or so. Rev. John Whitefield Doak, a son of the founder, took the pulpit in 1801, just as the great revival which swept the country was beginning to have its effect in East Tennessee. No church building was large enough to care for the crowds, and camp meetings were held, often lasting for many days. One, in 1805, was in a grove on the southwest corner of Woodrow and First Avenue.

Accompanying the Great Revival was the queer religious manifestation called "the jerks". Under its influence, the victim would undergo wild contortions, as though in an epileptic seizure. A contemporary observer can best tell its effect:

"In 1804 I first witnessed that strange exercise, the jerks, although I had heard much of it before. It took subjects from all denominations and all classes of society, but it prevailed chiefly among the Presbyterians. I will give some instances:

"A Mr. Doak, a Presbyterian Clergyman of high standing, having charge of a congregation in Jonesborough, was the first man of eminence in this region to come under its influence. Often it would seize him in the pulpit with such severity that a spectator might fear it would dislocate his neck and joints. He would laugh, stand and halloo at the top of his voice, finally leap from the pulpit and run to the woods, screaming like a madman. When the exercise was over, he would return to the church as rational and calm as ever. "Letter of Rev. Jacob Young, D.D., quoted in Price, R.N., "Holston Methodism," Nashville, 1906, Vol. 1, p.377.

First Official Post Office in Jonesboro was established in June 17, 1796 with John Waddel, son-in-law of John Sevier, postmaster.

Lyman Draper recorded how the pioneers felt about it when he thus preserved the sentiments of one who fought under Sevier:

"Every man considered himself a soldier. He had his horse and his rifle, which he knows well how to use, and he was always ready at short notice to join his fellows in any emergency. All had a common interest and that most vital: their homes, their families, and everything dear to man. Thus there was formed among them a pride of tacit league and covenant, which all regarded as most binding.

When fighting came on, everyone fought for himself, officers as well as men. The best officers were those who fought best; as among the Indians, the officers were leaders rather than commanders. Command was always more nominal than real. In fighting, it was always expected that the officers would lead on; any failure to do this would be marked as cowardice, and the officers cashiered, not by court martial but by acclamation.

It would surprise men of this generation to see the power these leaders exercised over their followers. It was a power conferred by God and nature, much more effective than that on parchment."

"The Rivers of America, The Tennessee, Frontier to Secession" Vol. 1 by Donald Davison.

p194, 195. (Sep. 1794 Battle near Nickajack)

Joseph Brown was son of Col. James Brown a Rev. War Soldier.

Edmond Jennings was son of Jonathan Jennings of Donelson expedition. One where a Payne was killed.

The great raid of 1794, known in Tennessee history as the Nickajack Expedition, was planned and directed by James Robertson of Nashville, although he himself, for reasons of policy, did not lead it or take active part in it. It was, in official language, an "unauthorized expedition," and Gov. William Blount duly reprimanded Robertson for it. It seems certain that

Blount's official reproof was tempered by private satisfaction. Blount winked at the Nickajack Expedition.

Military action, in fact, was long overdue. The settlers had been restrained from earlier attack by two circumstances. One was lack of knowledge of a favorable route of approach to the Lower Towns from the Cumberland Settlements. The other was the policy of the Washington Administration, which frowned upon any volunteer forays, and yet declined to sanction or support any such large-scale operations as were conducted by General Wayne against Indian foes of the Northwest.

P 256 "The Tennessee"

In all the history of the relations between white man and Indian, no episode is sadder or more inglorious than the removal of the southeastern tribes. It is one of the scandals of American history. Nobody comes out of it with any credit, except the reluctant Indians, their few missionary friends, and an occasional individual like John Howard Payne, author of "Home, Sweet Home," who came to the Cherokee nation to write their story, only to be arrested and jailed by the Georgia militia and to see his manuscript confiscated and destroyed.

A more complete commentary of this event is found in "A Tennessee Chronicle", by Carrtter Patten, p 136.

"Chief John Ross planned to go to Washington prior to the December meeting, to make a final appeal for justice to the Cherokees before the federal authorities; but the Georgia militia crossed the Tennessee line on November 7th, 1835 and arrested Ross at his temporary home in Red Clay, thus preventing his departure. It so happened that John Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet Home," was visiting Ross at the time and the Georgians arrested Payne also and confined them both on the Vann Plantation at Spring Place. Ross was released with ten days, but Payne remained a prisoner for three weeks. A few days after his release, Payne wrote in the Knoxville Register that Colonel Bishop of the Georgia Guard, after accusing him of coming into the country to "rise up the Cherokees against the whites" and "pry into things you've no business with," dismissed him with the advice, "Now, Sir, I order you to cut out of Georgia. If you ever dare again to show your face within the territories of Georgia, I'll make you curse the moment with your last breath. Clear out of the sate forever and go to John Ross, God damn you." Payne's reports caused such resentment in Tennessee that a group of volunteer East Tennesseans patrolled the Georgia border for a time; and when newspapers of the longer settled parts of southern Georgia began to prick up their ears, Colonel Bishop decided to resign his commission in the Georgia guard. Please visit this site for a poem that John Howard Payne wrote regarding the Then Lament of the Cherokee

General Winfield Scott was given command of 7,000 troops and ordered to round up and remove the Cherokees, May 23, 1838.

Page 96.

When Tennessee was admitted to the Union, it was still a pioneer state. The population of about 80,000, when statehood was granted, had increased to 105,000 when the Federal census of 1800 was taken. The area of settlement in East Tennessee extended from the Virginia border, south to the Little Tennessee River, thence westward with the main stream of the Tennessee to South-west Point, now Kingston, where the Clinch River joins the Tennessee. The Clinch River from Kingston north to Virginia, was roughly the western boundary of the settlement.

The "First Treaty of Tellico, signed in October, 1798, provided for the cession of two tracts of land, one between the Little Tennessee River and the former boundary, and a larger one between the Clinch River and the Cumberland Plateau. A map can be found in Fomsbee, History of Tennessee. 269070.

Life As It Is; or Matters and Things in General by J.W.M. Breazeale, Knoxville, TN, 1842.

Charles Elder.

Pg 75.

In October of 1792, Black's Station, on the waters of Little river, was attacked, three men killed, and one wounded. About the same time, measures were concerted between the Creeks and Cherokees, to build block-houses near the frontiers, and carry on a continual and furious war upon the white settlements. In November of this year, a house was attacked in Grassy Valley, Knox County. There were two men and their families in the house. The Indians forced open a window, and, pointed in their guns, but the two men fired upon them, wounded two, and by a second fire, killed one of the others, and the remainder of them fled.

Gen. Sevier was now ordered into service, with a number of volunteers and militiamen; and he established his quarters near South-west Point, at the place where Thomas N. Clark has for many years resided. Detachments of his brigade were posted at different points along the frontier.

In November, 1792, Capt. Samuel Hanley, with forty men under his command, marched from South-west Point, for the Cumberland settlements; and, on the third day after he set out, he was attacked by the Indians near the Flat Rock, on Cumberland Mountain, had several of his men killed, and he taken prisoner; those who escaped returned to Gen. Sevier's camp, at South-west Point. Capt. Hanley was treated with great cruelty by the Indians.

He was taken to Will's town, where the Indians attempted to make him run the gauntlet.

During the winter of 1792-93; and in the spring, they killed many persons in East TN. On the 8th of January 1793, the troops under Gen. Sevier were discharged; and as soon as the Indians knew this, they broke in upon the settlements with increased vigor. John Porter was killed on Crooked creek, two men of the name of Nelson killed on Little Pigeon, a number of horses were stolen from the neighborhood of Flat creek, in Knox county, Blackburn's station, on the north side of Holston, below Knoxville was burned, and numerous other depredations occurred.

Troops from the Cumberland's under Maj. Baird and Col. Dougherty reportedly marched into the Cherokee towns in violation of the Governors orders.

In the month of August of 1793, a large party of Indians attacked Henry's Station, in the lower end of Blount Co, killed two men, Lieut. Tedford and a man by the name of Henderson. In the month of September the Indians made an attack on Cavit's Station, eight miles below Knoxville, murdering the whole family, thirteen in number. After the massacre the Indians made a precipitate retreat, turning across the country towards the Clinch river, which they crossed in a few hours.

Gen. Sevier was then lying at John Ish's on the south side of Holston with about four hundred men. In the battle that ensued there was a Wear killed. August 1793.

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