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From its early history to 1796 with its incorporation i...)
From its early history to 1796 with its incorporation into the Union, this book describes in detail the important events, places, and individuals who have shaped and molded Tennessee.
The Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee: Up to the First Settlements Therein by the White People, in the Year 1768 - Primary Source Edition
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
The Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee From Its Earliest Settlement Up to the Year 1796: Including the Boundaries of the State (1891)
(Originally published in 1891. This volume from the Cornel...)
Originally published in 1891. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies. All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume.
John Haywood was an American jurist and historian. He was known as "the father of Tennessee history. "
Background
John Haywood was born on March 16, 1762, in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States, the son of Egbert and Sarah (Ware) Haywood and the grandson of Colonel John Haywood, founder of the family in North Carolina. The Haywoods were of English derivation and settled in Virginia a generation before the removal of the grandfather to North Carolina. Egbert Haywood was a member of the Halifax Committee of Safety and of the first Provincial Congress of his state, in 1776. Later he was a member of the General Assembly and of the constitutional convention of 1788 which refused to ratify the Federal Constitution.
Education
John Haywood received a limited education at an academy in an adjoining county. Later he also studied law.
Career
Near the close of the Revolutionary War John Haywood served a short time as aide on an officer’s staff. He was soon admitted to the Halifax bar. Brought into contest at the bar with the able general, William R. Davie, of the same county, and James Iredell, young Haywood displayed such ability that the General Assembly elected him judge of a superior court it had just established for Davidson County at Nashville in the Cumberland country, but he declined the commission for fear of loss of life “through hostile savages” in that region. He was elected solicitor-general of the state, December 1, 1790; raised to the post of attorney-general the next year, and to the bench of the superior court, then the court of last resort, June 24, 1793 at first by temporary appointment. His election followed in 1794. He reported the decisions of that court in two volumes which are the earliest in the series of law reports of North Carolina.
Although he was rapidly gaining a reputation as a judge, he resigned from the bench in 1800 under circumstances which brought upon hint severe criticism and near-odium: his friend James Glasgow, secretary of state, was indicte with other leading men of the state for fraudulently issuing land-warrants, and Haywood was said to have accepted a retainer of one thousand dollars for the defense before the court from which he had resigned. The letter of resignation indicated that he had taken the step owing to the inadequacy of his salary as judge. At the time Haywood resided in Franklin County. For vindication he stood for election as presidential lector, in 1800, but lost even his own county by a humiliating majority.
Haywood threw himself into the practice of law, summoning all of his powers, and was eminently successful. His vigorous mind found outlet, also, in the production of A Manual of the Laws of North-Carolina (2 vols. , 1808) and The Duty and Authority of Justices of the Peace (1810).
About 1807 Haywood removed to Tennessee. There he was assured of steady employment and large professional returns through the landed interests of his connections and friends. At the bar he at once took rank with Felix Grundy and Jenkin Whiteside, the acknowledged leaders, and soon demonstrated his superiority over them and all others in points of profound legal learning and forceful argumentation. His estate, “Tusculum, ” was seven miles south of Nashville. His law office he built of logs. Another office of logs was added when Haywood established a law school, the first in the Southwest, in order that aspirants to the bar might have systematic training which he himself had been denied. Haywood County, Tennessee, was named in his honor. At his death, in 1826, he was possessed of a large estate. He was buried at Tusculum.
(Originally published in 1891. This volume from the Cornel...)
Membership
Haywood was a member of the American Antiquarian Society.
Personality
Haywood was stockily built, and in middle age he became exceedingly corpulent, weighing three hundred and fifty pounds, so that, sitting, “his abdomen came down on his lap and nearly covered it to his knees. ” His physiognomy was most unusual: head conical in shape, and high above the ears; lips protruding, with pointed tips, and under-jaws massive. About this remarkable personality there grew up a rich anecdotage.