Valentine Sevier
Encyclopedia
Valentine Sevier II was a pioneer settler on the Tennessee
frontier and a younger brother of John Sevier
, the state's first governor.
in 1747. He was named after his grandfather, Valentine 'The Huguenot' Sevier, a Huguenot
descendant who had taken passage from London to America and settled in Rockingham County, Virginia
. His older brother, John Sevier
, became the first governor of the state of Tennessee. As a young man, Sevier moved over the Appalachian Mountains
to join the Watauga Association
when it was established at present day Elizabethton, Tennessee
.
, Sevier fought against the British
Regular and Loyalist
forces. His younger brother, Robert Sevier, commanded a company of Overmountain Men
at the Battle of Kings Mountain
and died during battle. Sevier also fought in many actions against Native Americans
across the Washington District
(part of the eastern division of Tennessee). During the Chickamauga Wars Sevier attained the rank of colonel.
area. Here, the family was subjected to frequent attacks by Indians. In 1792 he built a small rock fortress for his family and others to take refuge in during these attacks. The structure still stands in the “Boot Hill” section of Clarksville above Red Paint Hill. It was here that the family was attacked on November 11, 1794. Several family members were wounded or killed, including a 12 year old daughter who was scalped but survived. The fortress is called Sevier Station, and is marked by a historic marker. Sevier's three sons had been killed two years previously by a raiding party under the Chickamauga Indian
leader, Doublehead
, whose band was based at the head of Muscle Shoals
.
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
frontier and a younger brother of John Sevier
John Sevier
John Sevier served four years as the only governor of the State of Franklin and twelve years as Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1811 until his death...
, the state's first governor.
Family background
Sevier was born in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in 1747. He was named after his grandfather, Valentine 'The Huguenot' Sevier, a Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
descendant who had taken passage from London to America and settled in Rockingham County, Virginia
Rockingham County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
. His older brother, John Sevier
John Sevier
John Sevier served four years as the only governor of the State of Franklin and twelve years as Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1811 until his death...
, became the first governor of the state of Tennessee. As a young man, Sevier moved over the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
to join the Watauga Association
Watauga Association
The Watauga Association was a semi-autonomous government created in 1772 by frontier settlers living along the Watauga River in what is now present day Elizabethton, Tennessee...
when it was established at present day Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is also the historical site both of the first independent American government located west of both the Eastern Continental Divide and the original thirteen British American colonies.Elizabethton is also the...
.
Service
During the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Sevier fought against the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
Regular and Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
forces. His younger brother, Robert Sevier, commanded a company of Overmountain Men
Overmountain Men
The Overmountain Men were American frontiersmen from west of the Appalachian Mountains who took part in the American Revolutionary War. While they were present at multiple engagements in the war's southern campaign, they are best known for their role in the American victory at the Battle of Kings...
at the Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
and died during battle. Sevier also fought in many actions against Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
across the Washington District
Washington District, North Carolina
The Washington District of North Carolina was in a remote area west of the Appalachian Mountains, officially existing for only a short period of time , although it had been self-proclaimed and functioning as an independent governing entity since the spring of 1775...
(part of the eastern division of Tennessee). During the Chickamauga Wars Sevier attained the rank of colonel.
Life on the frontier
Following the war, Sevier moved to the ClarksvilleClarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census...
area. Here, the family was subjected to frequent attacks by Indians. In 1792 he built a small rock fortress for his family and others to take refuge in during these attacks. The structure still stands in the “Boot Hill” section of Clarksville above Red Paint Hill. It was here that the family was attacked on November 11, 1794. Several family members were wounded or killed, including a 12 year old daughter who was scalped but survived. The fortress is called Sevier Station, and is marked by a historic marker. Sevier's three sons had been killed two years previously by a raiding party under the Chickamauga Indian
Chickamauga Indian
The Chickamauga or Lower Cherokee, were a band of Cherokee who supported Great Britain at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. They were followers of the Cherokee chief Dragging Canoe...
leader, Doublehead
Doublehead
Doublehead or Incalatanga , was one of the most feared warriors of the Cherokee during the Chickamauga Wars. In 1788, his brother, Old Tassel, was chief of the Cherokee people, but was killed under a truce by frontier rangers. In 1791 Doublehead was among a delegation of Cherokees who visited U.S...
, whose band was based at the head of Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
.